"Losing the Humanity of Umpiring" by Joe Posnanski

I would like to take this moment to bring to you an article of great passion, written by an author who I magnanimously admire, on a subject beyond realistic dispute, except, for the person in authority who got it wrong . . . 

Losing the Humanity of Umpiring

There’s a very famous strike zone story that has been connected with Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, and others. I’m not sure the story ever happened, but if it did happen, it probably involved Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem and Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby.

It goes a little something like this: A young pitcher, maybe even pitching in his first game, throws what he thinks is a good pitch to Hornsby. The Rajah doesn’t swing, and it’s called a ball. He throws another pitch he likes, Hornsby takes it, and the pitch is called a ball again.

He starts screaming at Klem, who looks at him with a fatherly gaze.

“Son,” Klem says, “when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know it.”

I couldn’t help but think about that story again on Sunday during the United States’ unsatisfying 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Juan Soto led off against Garrett Whitlock. Here’s what the at-bat looked like:

Yes, home plate umpire Corey Blaser rang up Soto on a pitch that wasn’t even close to a strike, and while this wasn’t what made the game unsatisfying — as most of you know, a worse call was yet to come — it really struck me wrong. I couldn’t even believe how much that call ticked me off.

Pleasing God

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)

"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:8)

"To do righteousness and justice, is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." (Proverbs 21:3)

"And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:7-8)

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)

The Last Days

Our world is in bad shape, and there are days, if I'm honest, where I struggle to grasp the hope that Jesus promises.

In my better moments I know that I'm surrounded by God’s blessing, yet I also struggle daily with anxiety, fear, resentment, and discouragement. The chaos of the world can easily seep into my heart. Fear can erode faith if I let it.

Is that true for you? 

We need God! We need Christ and His teachings. We need the Holy Spirit and His indwelling. And we need the Scripture and its prophecies about the future.

So let's focus on what we know is true. Our Lord knows everything that has ever happened and that will ever happen. He knows it totally, in advance, and in detail; He understands the future into infinity. He already knows everything that will befall you and me during our lifetimes, and He offers powerful promises in His Word to reassure us of His presence and protection, and of His ordering of our days.

The future of the entire world is in His hands as well. Every sentence in the scriptures listed below is addressed to you, if you’re a child of God through Jesus Christ. They are for your information, anticipation, and motivation. 

Let's dive into the truth of God's Word together.

Jesus, Our Only Mediator

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people." (1 Timothy 2: 5-6)

With all respect to my Catholic brothers and sisters, this has always been a stumbling block to understanding the Catholic doctrine of praying to the saints to intercede for us. I'm not debating the theology that those who have already died on earth are alive, with God, in heaven. "For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." (2 Corinthians 5:7-9) 

So help me understand the belief that praying to Mary, or any of the saints who have gone before us, would yield more power in heaven than praying to the Son of God, who gave everything for us? He knows all, He loves all, He earned the right to be our Savior on the Cross, He laid down all of His rights and power to humble Himself in the body of a man, and He experienced all the trials and tribulations that we will ever encounter.

So what benefit is there, other than tradition, to praying to anyone else?