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By Samuel M. Buick
In our culture's quest for heroes, it seems the latest sports hero is the one who flashes and dazzles and breaks previous records. Baseball is a game of statistics and records. The 1998 season has been marked for its trades, and the quest to beat Roger Maris' record of 61 homeruns in a season (Maris broke Babe Ruth's record in 1961). The quest this year features the likes of Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey Jr. The pennant races have been lack lustre at best. The only exciting record left is for most wins in a season, and that is the 1998 New York Yankees dream, to beat the old Cubs record, and win another World Series.
As I have reflected during the dog days of August, I thought back to just three years ago. Another former Yankee was grabbing the headlines. But instead of the sports pages, it was in the everyday news section of newspapers, and the six oclock evening news hour. His name was Mickey Mantle.
Who can forget the gaze of the thin, physically worn and tired man which towered in the arena of sport as number seven for the New York Yankees, Mickey Mantle, as he confessed to the world about having ravaged his body and soul through riotous living. It was as much a spiritual confession to God as it was to his fans. Bob Costas the sportscaster said it best, that Mickey was not the role model he should have been but he will always remain a hero. But what kind of hero and why should he be remembered?
Many of us will always remember moments of our childhood where sports heroes were larger than life. Such is the case with Mickey Mantle. My recollections are limited since I immigrated to Canada in 1967 just in time to be a witness to and to this day a rousing Montreal Expo fan. It was after Mantle's retirement from the game that I even noticed his distinguished career. He was one of the best hitters and arguably the best switch hitter in baseball history. His private life for me eclipsed his playing career. His battle with the bottle and his obsession of following his father's footsteps to an early grave is what I remember most. It was only as I learned the intricacies of baseball statistics that I truly appreciated Mickey the player, and for me that was when he had long since retired. I have since that time watched videos and film clips of the great players of the past, and yes, Mickey stands out amongst them.
On that hot August day in Dallas, Bob Costas delivered the eulogy to his childhood hero, Mickey Mantle. Many of his words touched the human heart and I was moved by much of what was said. At the same time I was saddened that Bob Costas advocated the doctrine that man is justified by death. Costas stated, "God knows none of us is perfect, God knows there is something special about heroes...none of us, and Mickey, would want to be held to account for every moment of our lives, but how many of us can say that our best moments were as magnificent as his." Yes, Costas like most in our affluent society, believes in justification by death. To Costas Mickey was a good man who had human flaws and who excelled at what he did best, playing baseball.
In contrast, Bobby Richardson, a former teammate of Mantle and a lay minister, preached a clear and succinct Gospel message. Richardson spoke eloquently of Mickey as a player, his antics and practical jokes and his love of family. More to the point, while Costas had adulated Mickey the baseball hero, Richardson revealed a side of Mickey no one knew, the person of faith.
In the few weeks prior to Mickey's death the Richardson's had visited Mickey in the hospital in Dallas in July and August of this year. Mrs. Richardson confronted Mickey with the eternal question, "If God were here today and asked you 'Why should I let you into my heaven?,' what would you say?" Mickey responded without hesitation and quoted John 3:16. Mickey knew the real hero for all of mankind and that is Christ Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.
A few days before Mickey's death, Bobby Richardson came to see him at the hospital. Mickey was in good humour and they joked around. With tear filled eyes Mickey Mantle told Bobby Richardson, "I did it." "Did what?", came the reply. "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour," were the words spoken with deep conviction from one of baseball's greatest players.
One of the greatest plays in baseball is stealing a base, and the epitome of a steal is stealing home and scoring the winning run for your team. In a spiritual sense, Mickey stole home. To some he got into the presence of Christ by the skin of his teeth. It does not seem fair that God should be so kind. Yet this is the message of grace, that God from eternity past has always had the plan to redeem for Himself a particular people of His choosing. Mantle's confession is not much different than that of the dyeing thief on the cross who was at the side of Jesus. The fact of the matter is that God extended His grace to that dyeing thief before the foundation of the world and likewise for Mantle and any other person so chosen by God. This is the "amazing" aspect of the God of grace that indeed it is unmerited favour extended to us. Yes it is sad that Mantle did not come to a saving knowledge in his playing days as men like Reggie White the pastor and defensive end of the Green Bay Packers. However, it is a miracle too, that God was glorified and honoured during the funeral for Mickey Mantle. Millions heard this message of saving grace in which the Prince of Glory died for the remission of sin. As Bobby Richardson put it, if Mickey held a press conference today, it would be to introduce you to his hero, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In retrospect I am thankful to God for the life of Mickey Mantle, that in the end he "stole home" through the gracious redeeming act of God. God in eternity made the "steal" a reality. What is the moral application to all of us. It is simply this. No life is beyond the reach of God and that since we do not know those on whom the Spirit of God is moving, it is our obligation as Christians to be vessels of love, compassion and reconciliation in presenting Christ to the lost. Bobby Richardson lived out his faith in public, and even though it took thirty-five years, in God's timing, Mickey Mantle made it "home" safe in the arms of His Saviour.
Mickey Mantle will always be a hero to his fans, and to me he will be remembered for his humility and courage he demonstrated in facing death. He had that quiet confidence because he met the Master. One day I shall see my Lord face to face and I will worship at His feet with Mickey and countless millions as we rejoice in heaven. Now, that's my kind of hero!
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