Friday, December 6, 2013

Tom Terrific









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
matthew25biker.blogspot.com