 |
Today is Friday, Sep 10, 2010 |
| Home | BPNews | Subscribe to BP | Tell A Friend | Contact Us |
|
FIRST PERSON: An example of quiet steadfastness by Joshua Cooley Date: Dec 3, 2008 |
GERMANTOWN, Md. (BP)--Unless you live in the greater New York City or Baltimore areas, you might have missed the news blurb a few weeks ago that longtime major league pitcher Mike Mussina has retired.As a lifelong Orioles fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for Mussina, who spent the first 10 seasons of an impressive 18-year career in Charm City. Even after the 2000 season, when he spurned a lowball contract extension offer from Orioles owner Peter Angelos and opted for the pinstripe riches of the AL East rival Yankees, I couldn’t help admiring the way Mussina went about his business. It will be interesting to see what cap he dons when he presumably gets inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was drafted by – and became a star in – Baltimore, but he won two American League pennants and made seven straight postseason appearances in the Bronx. The thought of him choosing the latter for his plaque gives me cold sweats, but I still greatly respect the way the man played. For the better part of two decades, Mussina was a model of quiet, unflashy brilliance. His sound mechanics, pinpoint control and knee-buckling curve allowed the right-hander to overcome a decent-but-not-devastating fastball. For years, he was known as the best pitcher without a 20-win season, but after recording five seasons of at least 18 wins, he finally broke through in 2008 with a 20-9 mark. All told, Mussina finished with a 270-153 record, 3.68 ERA, 2,813 strikeouts and only 785 walks in 537 games. Is there a better example of a consummate baseball professional in the last 20 years? The Williamsport, Pa., native never made the news for a showy contract holdout or a racy scandal. While other players seem to soak up the bright lights of the Big Apple, he appeared content to toil in its shadows – if that’s possible for a frontline starting pitcher. Even when the Orioles insulted him with a chump-change offer after he led them to their only two playoff appearances (1996-97) in the last 25 years, he took the high road rather than blast the team in the media. With both his teams, he went to the ballpark, did his work and did it very well. In 18 years, he only had one losing season (11-15 in 2000). Mussina’s remarkably steady output reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonian believers: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thes. 4:11). There’s a lot to be said, biblically speaking, for quiet steadfastness. Are we to be visible Christians? Of course. Jesus commanded his followers to be “the light of the world” and “a city on a hill” (Matt. 5:14). Are we to boldly share our faith and passionately serve others? Absolutely. But Scripture also places great value on the day-in, day-out consistency lived out of the public’s eye. The Bible is full of examples of godly individuals whose subtle, behind-the-scenes commitment undergirded any headline-making deeds. Daniel prayed privately in his room three times a day. David asked God numerous times for a “steadfast” heart. And Paul implored Timothy to encourage his church to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:2). I don’t know where Mike Mussina’s heart is spiritually. But his example of quiet steadiness is certainly worth emulating. Yes … even in pinstripes. --30-- Joshua Cooley, a regular contributor to BP Sports, writes from his home in Germantown, Md.
|
 |
|
| Recent Columns by Author | |
|
FIRST PERSON: History in the making -1/29/2009 FIRST PERSON: Tuning out the negative -1/20/2009 FIRST PERSON: An example of quiet steadfastness -12/3/2008 FIRST PERSON: Dead horses and the gospel -6/17/2008 FIRST PERSON: Fallen heroes and broken trust -12/18/2007 FIRST PERSON: A rushed and sinful judgment -12/3/2007 | |
|
WWW.BPSPORTS.NET
Copyright (c) 2001 - 2010 Southern Baptist Convention Terms of Use |
901 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615.782.8615 Fax: 615.782.8736 |