Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Andrew Klavan ·
October 18, 2010 at 4:18pm
I don't usually post my blog's Monday culture column here, but I think my fellow Ricocheteers might enjoy this one on baseball players pointing to the sky after a hit:
Media wise men – by which I mean fools – frequently attack religious worship on the ballfield. I’ve run across any number of columns in which sportswriters and others take a snarky, condescending approach to athletes who pray. Do they think God cares who wins? Do they lose their faith when they strike out? What do they do when an atheist outperforms them? And so on.
Interesting questions, all of which miss the point.
For those who are interested, the rest is here.
- Comment (13)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Clearly you are correct that the Second Worst Development in Major League Baseball is 'The Designated Hitter' rule.
However, you missed the worst. Inter League Play.
The World Series is no longer Unique.
.
As to seeking the power of the Almighty to assist one in winning; I think God quite understands what the true request is.
Dear Lord, please assist me to be the very best I possibly can and live up to the potential that you have provided me with. On one level you are asking God to allow you to defeat yourslef, to be one better than you were before.
Perhaps if those Snarky sports writers were to try the same they might find that their views are just a little more popular than those who make it clear in thier stories that they know everything before they know anything.
Jul '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
There are no atheists on the playing field. You find them on the sidelines practicing irony.
Edited on October 18, 2010 at 5:28pmMay '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Sorry, Andrew. If God were a Yankees fan he wouldn't let them play in the Affirmative Action League (You know, the pitcher has self esteem issues when he's at bat, so let's have the guy who wouldn't have a job if he had to field the ball like the other guys hit for him. Then everybody will feel better about themselves. And we will feel better because we thought of it!)
Very few of the sky pointers do so for religious purposes. It's more ancestor worship. Yep, somebody died so I'll point "up." Everybody goes "up," right?
Oct '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
To perform a feat at the professional level is to demonstrate extraordinary talent. Those who find the humility to attribute their success to God (or any higher power) are a refreshing foil to arrogant self promoters.
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Andrew, I am with you 100 percent--um, except for the Yankees part.
Aug '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Love it, Andrew. Veritas quidem. Pointing to the sky is an ancient male impulse reflected in statuary for thousands of years. We've always aspired to ascend into heaven.
The Greek definition of happiness is, 'The full use of one's God-given talents and abilities along the lines of excellence'. A home run, an excellent play, or an excellent game call out for tribute; and instinct guides us.
Note: The Olympic Games were played in honor of the gods, and they began in 776 B.C.
Jun '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
I don't think God cares who wins (even the Yankees)--in fact, the only reason He allows the Yankees to win so often is to teach the rest of us that the tragic view of life is true. But God does love every player and every fan, even those in Pittsburg.
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Years ago at a football game between Boston College and Notre Dame, someone had a poster saying "Jesus Doesn't Choose Sides -- But His Mother Does."
Aug '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
I think the pointing thing has become trendy and kind of annoying. Kind of like the wave or the crowd chanting "It's another (team name) first down!" in football.
Do something original people! (which for a MN Twins players would be getting a hit with a runner in scoring position).
Jun '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
I am all for any religious expression on the field. As a guy much smarter than I points out it is the "public square" where we are losing our christian values. The left, and some so called conservatives, try to drive us off the square on every issue important to Christianity. Whether labeled a bigot or social bore the goal is the same, to ridicule christians into silence.
If all I can get is some overpaid, under-educated jock to make a gesture of thanks to heaven, I'll take it. Would be nice to have the likes of the WSJ edit page or the Weekly Standard do the same once in awhile, but at least I can tell my son that they pray on football fields and in foxholes, so maybe a good idea to try it before he tucks in.
May '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
What those who mock expression of Faith do is display their own failure to understand what is being done; they are like the "Evil Son" in the Passover Haggadah. Screw 'em.
And Andrew, it is well documented that the Yankees fan is Mr. Applegate, as revealed in both the play and Douglas Wallop's original novel (a pretty good religious tract, by the way.)
May '10
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
mark simon: I am all for any religious expression on the field. As a guy much smarter than I points out it is the "public square" where we are losing our christian values. The left, and some so called conservatives, try to drive us off the square on every issue important to Christianity. Whether labeled a bigot or social bore the goal is the same, to ridicule christians into silence.
If all I can get is some overpaid, under-educated jock to make a gesture of thanks to heaven, I'll take it.
Even as someone not particularly religious, I agree.
And I'm inclined to think that most of these gestures are not "Thanks, God, for my homerun," but rather expressions of humility, acknowledging something greater than self even in a moment when one might otherwise be inclined to chest-thump.
Re: Baseball and God: Point to the Sky
Scott Reusser
And I'm inclined to think that most of these gestures are not "Thanks, God, for my homerun," but rather expressions of humility, acknowledging something greater than self even in a moment when one might otherwise be inclined to chest-thump. · Oct 18 at 5:08pm
You're exactly right. These are expressions of humility and gratitude, which is why I often find them touching. It's difficult to have the self-discipline to continually acknowledge that our abilities are gifts from our Maker.