Nothing Thrills Fans

NOTHING THRILLS FANS like a towering home run. In 1998, Mark McGwire’s massive blasts generated enthusiasm and etched his name in baseball’s record book.

The St. Louis Cardinals first baseman commenced the 1998 campaign by belting 11 round-trippers in April and 16 in May. The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound slugger reached the 50-homer plateau on August 20. Not only did the single-season record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961 appear to be in jeopardy, but enthusiasts relished the neck and neck competition supplied by Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, who was also hitting home runs at an incredible pace.

On September 5, Big Mac smashed his 60th. The nation waited anxiously for Maris’s mark to fall. Two days later, millions watched televised coverage of the Cardinals and the Cubs. In McGwire’s first at bat, he lined Mike Morgan’s 1-1 pitch just inside the left-field foul pole to tie the record.

The following evening, McGwire ripped a slider to left that barely cleared the eight-foot wall for the record-breaking number 62. The hometown crowd of 49,987 erupted. First-base coach Dave McKay almost caused the slugger to miss the bag with his embrace. Receiving high fives from every Cub, McGwire slowly rounded the bases before being mobbed by teammates and his ten-year-old son, Matthew.

After stepping into the stands to hug Maris’s three sons and daughter, the record holder thanked the fans and his rival, Sammy Sosa.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT What a night for baseball fans! The game between the Cardinals and the Cubs wasn’t an ordinary contest. Instead, it proved to be a drama of past heroes versus current stars and two men respectfully battling each other.

McGwire and Sosa worked hard. They spent hours in the batting cage. They lifted weights. When that 62nd home run cleared the fence, McGwire earned the fruits of his labor. The crowd roared, reporters lined up for interviews, and his name was written in the record books.

Most of us will never know that kind of athletic success. But we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. The psalmist promises that if we work hard, we’ll enjoy the Father’s blessings.

GOAL! Take a trip to some batting cages. Note the effort required to successfully hit a baseball. Think about the effort required to be a successful Christian. God will help you work hard for him if you ask him to.