Growing up in the New York Metro area, you were either described as a Met
or Yankee fan, never both. After talking with a Yankee fan they knew the
Yankees, but not much else about baseball, but the Met fan knew all about the
National League, they were baseball fans. Win or lose, they were fans. And
after both the Dodgers and Giants left in 1958, there was no baseball for four
years, and then came the Mets. With old cast outs whose names were known, and
the other National League teams coming to town, baseball was alive again, even
if the Mets weren’t very good. Casey Stengel, the old Yankee manager was their
first manager, they lost 120 games that first year. But soon outdrew the
Yankees in attendance, with heroes such as Marvelous Marv Throneberry, who
dropped a ball a kid threw to him for an autograph, Choo Choo Coleman, Pumpsie
Green, Felix “Wrong Way” Mantilla, Hot Rod Kanehl, Elio Chacon, and Roger Craig,
who lost 17 straight games, they were called the Amazins’, and New York loved
them, despite the fact it would take eight years to have a winning record. But
when they did...
In 1967 a young hard thrower from USC joined the Mets, and in 1969, would
lead them out of the cellar, and to winning the World Series. His name, Tom
Seaver, Tom Terrific the press called him, his real name George Thomas Seaver,
we all knew him as Tom, or Seaver. He would go 25-7 that year, was Rookie of
the Year, Cy Young Winner three times, eventually pitch a no hitter, set a
strike out record, and win 311 games, not all with the Mets. He could throw 100
mph for nine innings, when 90 was considered fast, and today 100 is no big deal,
but only for five innings. Tom really was terrific, and after twenty years of
the Big Leagues, still winning, he felt his fastball wasn’t enough, he quit.
His telltale right knee dragging on the ground fading away, one of the few men
respected and feared in both leagues, by both old and new players. Retiring to
Seaver Wineries with Nancy his wife, who we all knew and loved, she sat in her
seat every game he pitched, he had faded from public view. Even though a hero,
he went quietly, and I hadn’t thought about him in years, until a documentary on
him called “Seaver” was on. He truly was a good guy, fading into history his
good name intact. But the end of the show had me almost in tears. You see at
age 75, and the 50th Anniversary of the Mets 1969 Miracle 100-to-1 World Series
victory, Tom would not be attending. Number 41, his number retired, would be
absent. He had come down with dementia, and doesn’t remember. All the thrills,
the wins, the celebrations, his Hall of Fame, his old Met teammates, and even
Nancy, don’t matter. So they made a special trip to him, while he still could,
old teammates and lots of love. He cannot remember them now....and I still want
to cry. Maybe just one more dinner he would remember, one last interview where
we could thank him, where he would know what he meant to us, and now he never
will. He doesn’t remember......and we’ll never forget.
It has been said that life interferes with our plans, and getting older I
have to be reminded sometimes, but whether remembered or lost, they still
happened. Today many will make history, some on Facebook, some in pictures,
some only in the memory banks, but we will all do things to be remembered. Just
not when they are happening. I often think of the disciples at the Last Supper,
they didn’t know it would be their last one with Jesus, and how many probably
gave little or no thought to communion, and to his request “do this in
remembrance of me.” Did they ponder the things they had see him do, or the
things he said he would do? How many would later mention “remember when he
healed the leper, forgave the woman, fed the 5000? It is never mentioned their
having communion again, but why other reason would there be other than to
remember him? Today communion has become a religious event, with the elements
given more importance than Jesus, or even his words. I watch as young kids
sneak inline to get a drink of alcoholic wine, who do a rote prayer, to an event
once a month, or on Easter. Who forget it is all about Jesus, just a thing we
do on the first Sunday of the month, and makes the church service longer. Have
we retired Jesus’ number and gone into a spiritual dementia? Do we even know
him at all, what do you remember about Jesus when you take communion? Maybe we
are more like the disciples than we think....and then the spirit came upon
them. And the game changed....forever.
When I lost my job, I was shocked and humiliated, but came home and took
communion in my kitchen. With orange juice and saltines, I remembered all the
things he had done for me, and who he was, and still is. It wasn’t a ceremony,
but reaching out to Jesus, seeking him and his guidance. I won’t say the times
were easy, but he never left me, all my bills were paid, we never went hungry,
and he always provided. Just as I remembered him. We may neglect or even
forget him, he never forgets us, and will always welcome us back anew. Forgoing
all the religious rhetoric and making it personal, just as he said. What an
enlightening moment for me, as my full time ministry began, and just like the
disciples was able to do many things in his name, again just as he promised.
It may have been awhile between prayers, church, or communion, but he
stands by waiting for you. A true servant and savior. Today may be the Old
Timers day when you sit with him and thank him for all he has done, taking
communion in remembrance of him, while you still can. Many will come by and
visit Seaver, wishing to remember that special moment he gave us. To minister
to Nancy, but somehow it won’t be the same without Tom. He won’t remember.
Fortunately Jesus never forgets, only our sins are banished and never
remembered. Pray for Tom today, and those who don’t know Jesus, or who have put
him on hold. Take a moment to remember him, at your next meal thank him for
providing, maybe take communion at home privately. Restore him to his rightful
prominence, then do it over and over. In remembrance of him, the son God sent
because he loved us so much. Maybe one last time before we too cannot
remember....with one thing to consider. When Jesus prayed he looked to heaven,
we bow our heads. I bow, eyes open to look at the food he provided....to see
his evidence, and to honor him privately. Personally. In remembrance, but not
memory, for he is still alive.
We won’t remember our last supper, it is important to remember the one with
the disciples. What a team they were. The things they went through together
with Jesus. And the things we can too...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com