Nothing Helps A Baseball Team

NOTHING HELPS A BASEBALL TEAM to victory more than a big first inning. In 1952, the Brooklyn Dodgers erupted for the biggest beginning ever seen in the 20th century.

The Dodgers entertained the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field. After retiring the Reds in the top of the first, the “Boys of Summer” (a nickname bestowed on the Dodgers by author Roger Kahn) came to bat.

Ewell Blackwell, the Reds pitcher, got out the first hitter, Billy Cox, on a grounder to third. But following a walk to Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider homered. Then Jackie Robinson doubled, Andy Pafko walked, and George Shuba singled. Cincinnati sent Blackwell to the showers, and Bud Byerly came in to pitch.

An attempted double steal resulted in out number two with Pafko thrown out at third. But the offensive onslaught continued as Byerly allowed a walk and five straight singles before being replaced by Herman Wehmeier. The Reds right-hander fared no better, walking Snider, plunking Robinson, and giving up a single to Pafko before being replaced by Frank Smith.

With the score at 10–0, Smith struggled as well. Seven more Dodgers stepped to the plate for three walks, two singles, and a hit batsman before Snider took a curveball for third strike.

At the end of the first inning (which lasted for 59 minutes), Brooklyn had scored 15 runs, collected 10 hits, and sent 21 batters to the plate. The 11,850 spectators sat back and watched the Dodgers cruise to a 19–1 win in the sanctuary of Ebbets Field.

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POINT Games that begin in exalted fashion for a team, especially the home team, give fans a glorious experience. Nobody worries about the outcome. No one experiences tension. Everybody relaxes, confident of victory.

When we know Jesus Christ personally, we can live without worry because we have confidence of our victory in the end. God’s glorious throne was exalted from the beginning of time. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about that throne as our sanctuary, our resting place, our shelter. Nobody worries there. No one experiences tension. Hallelujah!

GOAL! Review some baseball box scores in the newspaper. Note particularly the tone set at the beginning of the game. Praise God for his glorious throne.