You’ve Probably Heard

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD the saying “Practice makes perfect.” But what happens when you have a perfect practice? During a 2000 spring training game, the Boston Red Sox found out.

Boston hosted the Toronto Blue Jays at its spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida. Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez opened the game for three innings of work. Just like clockwork, the Nicaragua native retired the nine batters he faced, striking out six.

Boston manager Jimy Williams followed Martinez with a string of relievers, each working only one or two innings. Fernando De La Cruz pitched two innings and allowed no hits or walks, and no one reached base on an error. Dan Smith, Rheal Cormier, and Rich Garces all hurled one inning, each coaxing his three batters into outs.

While the pitchers cruised, Nomar Garciaparra looked equally impressive at the plate. Nomar homered and drove in four runs in the contest, and Boston held a 5–0 lead.

Heading into the top of the ninth, only catcher Joe Sidall fully realized the pitchers had combined for a perfect game. After Alberto Castillo struck out to end the affair, Sidall pumped his arm in the air and ran out to the mound to greet Boston’s final hurler, Rod Beck. Joe pointed to the outfield scoreboard, reflecting 12 zeroes in a row—no hits, no runs, and no errors for the game.

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POINT Perfection. Wow! The six men pitched flawless baseball. But nobody really noticed. Only the guy shielded behind the catcher’s mask and chest protector realized the amazing feat. And even then, the perfection didn’t count because it was just a practice game.

Many times God might feel that way too. He’s always perfect, but a lot of people don’t notice. They take his creation and mercy for granted. And it’s not just people who don’t believe in him who don’t pay attention. Christians often overlook God too—that is, until we need him. At those times, God’s perfect love and understanding allow us to find peace and comfort in him.

GOAL! Have you ever seen a perfect game in Little League, high school, college, or professional baseball? If you have, how did you feel? Were you amazed? Praise God for his amazing perfection.