For More Than 50 Years,

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, the magazine Sports Illustrated has distinguished itself as one of the best-written sports publications. But in 1985, a tongue-in-cheek article made some readers laugh and other fans look foolish.

In the April 1 issue, noted sportswriter George Plimpton profiled Hayden “Sidd” Finch, a spring-training wonder in the New York Mets organization. The author quoted a number of Mets sources in the story, including pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, manager Dave Johnson, and minor league manager Bob Schaefer.

Finch’s life story appeared incredulous. Raised in an English orphanage, he was adopted by archaeologist Francis Whyte-Finch, who later died in an airplane crash in Nepal. After briefly attending Harvard, Finch studied in Tibet where he mastered “siddhi,” a technique of body-mind control, which enabled him to throw a 168-mph fastball. Debating whether to pursue a career in baseball or as a French horn player, Finch agreed to inform the Mets of his decision by April 1.

Sports Illustrated received more than 2,000 letters, mostly from curious Mets fans. On April 14, the magazine admitted the story was simply a well-written hoax.

Plimpton hinted at the joke in the subheading that read, “He’s a pitcher, part yogi and part recluse. Impressively liberated from our opulent lifestyle, Sidd’s deciding about yoga—and his future in baseball.” The first letters of each word formed the phrase, “Happy April Fool’s Day.”

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POINT Die-hard sports fans trust Sports Illustrated for truthful reporting. George Plimpton’s reputation as a serious writer with a no-nonsense style made the story more credible. But even SI and Plimpton enjoyed the harmless joke.

If Mets fans hadn’t been so frustrated with losing, they wouldn’t have believed Sidd Finch existed. In the end, though, everyone had a good laugh.

Many people think of Christianity as a serious, no-nonsense way of life. Some believe we can’t have fun. But the Bible describes life with God as happy and joyful. Even Solomon, considered the world’s wisest man, said there’s a time to laugh.

GOAL! Plan a fun activity or tell a story or joke to your family or friends to make them laugh. Thank God for laughter.