Mention the name George Seaver, and you might think of your insurance man,
a used car salesman, or some other common man. George who? But mention the
name Tom Seaver, and any Met fans ears perk up, and a smile comes across our
face, for we know him as Tom Terrific, or as he was once known in the media The
Franchise, one of the best pitchers ever in baseball, and the highest percentage
vote getter in the history of the Hall of Fame. But to most of us he was just
Tom, #41, who pitched ever fourth day, and led his team to a 100 to 1 shot as
World Series Champions in 1969. He won over 300 games, and many awards, 3 time
Cy Young Award winner as best pitcher of the year, including 1969. He was the
Rookie of the Year in 1967, and led the Mets in wins in 1969, leading the last
place Mets to their first World Series. He was known, loved, and respected by
all, and humble in his strength. We all stood and applauded that night on July
9th when he pitched 8 1/3 innings of perfect ball, only to have his perfect no
hitter broken up by a bloop single by Jimmy Qualls,a second string outfielder,
but turning the season around with the win against first place Chicago. Later
he would pitch a no-hitter, but only after he left the Mets. He would pitch
game 1 in the World Series and lose to Mike Quellar, but come back and win in
game 4, a ten inning complete game, setting the stage for the next day and the
Mets World Series victory. He never blamed others when he lost, but felt he let
the team down when he did, but would give credit to others when he won,
“remember the catch in the second,” or “how about that home run.” Gracious in
defeat, humble in victory...that was Tom. And when Jerry Koosman’s last pitch
to Davey Johnson, later to be manager of the 1986 Mets, flied out to Cleon Jones
in left, Tom was the first to the mound from the dugout! The Mets and Tom
Seaver, 100 to 1 long shots had won-Tom Terrific and the Miracle Mets! And for
a brief time there was Camelot...the Mets had entered the Promised Land.
Now 1969 was a year to be remembered, we walked on the moon, the Mets won
the World Series, and Woodstock changed the music world. All within a few
summer months. But what if your summer lasted 40 years? Fed, watered, clothed,
and with shoes that never wore out, what are the odds of that? Surely more than
100 to 1! But yet we find God’s people under the leadership of Moses doing just
that. A man God raised up to lead them into the Promised Land, a true leader,
on the field and in the clubhouse of God. But even though he made the trip, God
told him he would never enter the Promised Land. 40 years for what? Being
denied over one simple act of disobedience? What about all the good he had
done, how he put up with stiff necked Jews for 40 years? What about his two
trips up the mountain, the Ten Commandments? What about God? Yet God had His
plans for Moses, and just like Tom T. lost the only Series game that year, and
felt like a failure, he was redeemed in the end by the team winning. And so it
was with Moses. The team had won, they crossed over, but Moses didn’t, but
disappeared. To heaven. God gave Him a private, personal funeral with no one
attending, and no one even knows the place-except God. And Moses was still
young, he had many good years ahead of him, but God chose to reward him with
heaven-the true Promised Land. Showing the people of Israel mercy, grace,
compassion, and why they should revere God all in one man. Which He would
duplicate later with Jesus, one man leading many to heaven-the Land of Promise
in eternity. Moses went right to the Hall of Fame in heaven, and a place awaits
those who follow Jesus today. Obedience is better than sacrifice, it kept Moses
from crossing over the Jordan, but not from crossing over to heaven. His sins
were forgiven, just like ours are, and even though we struggle, and things don’t
seem right, we are promised heaven if we trust Jesus. Looking at your life
today, you may think it is a 1000 to 1 chance of making heaven, based on what
you have done. But based on what Jesus has done, it is 100% guaranteed! No
doubts, despite the odds on earth, we have a loving God in heaven making a place
for us-after He made the way for us to get there.
it takes 27 outs in 27 batters to pitch a perfect game, tom went 25 for
27. Great stats, but not the perfect game he desired. Close only counts in
horseshoes and hand grenades, not in the won-lost column. Sadly some come so
close by their outer actions, but fail the inner one-the one where God deals
with the heart. Great stats, but no Promised Land without Jesus. But in God’s
mercy, He is patient waiting for you to cross over to Him-He has made the first
move sending Jesus to you...now it is up to you.
God has a special place for you in heaven, long after you leave earth.
Long after your deeds are forgotten here, He will remember you and still love
you. Enshrined in His hall of fame-heaven, next to others who just believed.
Who struggled every day, but hung on to who they knew, rather than what they
saw. Moses knew God, but disobeyed and had to see God’s grace in action, an
example to others. What is God showing through you? Does your testimony stop
with your sin, or with it being forgiven? Moses left this world forgiven...it
would take Jesus years later to come for the Jews, and He still is here today,
waiting for you.
George Seaver, good job. Thanks for the memories. But to us you’ll always
be just Tom. Who God is to you depends on Jesus. To me, He’ll always be my
friend, and savior. Pretty terrific , huh? And for eternity there will be
Camelot...
love with compassion,
Mike
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