While the World Series plays on

A Most Valuable Player

     As a young person during the 1960s, a fan of the Indians and hater of the Yankees, I had no love for Bobby Richardson, Elston Howard, Tony Kubek and superstar Mickey Mantle. Those players and other Yankees "owned" the Indians. 

     As a Christian, or at least church attender, I should have appreciated the "damn Yankees." 

     One Sunday morning, game day, Richardson took the above teammates to church. Mantle, a heavy drinker, was barely interested at the time, but accepted Christ before dying from liver failure in 1995. 

     Team broadcaster Red Barber suggested having devotions in the clubhouse. That was the start of Baseball Chapel, which now provides non-denominational chaplains to baseball teams at all levels. The ministry eventually became a model for Christian outreach in other sports. 

     Richardson helped organize a league-wide chapel service. Over time, they added weekly prayer services and Bible studies. The international organization now ministers to players' families and the umpires, and to Spanish-speaking players. 

     The organization today disciples minor league players. "You move up, so there are a lot more Christians in baseball now." Richardson also served on the board for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which can still get in any high school. 

     Richardson had eight All-Star Game appearances, five Gold Glove Awards, and three World Series rings in 12 years. He was voted Most Valuable Player of the 1960 World Series, even though the Pirates won the series. He coached the University of South Carolina team for seven years. 

     He and his wife Betsy, of 67 years, have five children who have given them 18 grandchildren and 18 greats. Two sons are pastors, and their daughters served as foreign missionaries. 

    A monument at his Sports Complex in Sumter, SC includes an engraved verse: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 

     I have forgiven Bobby Richardson and all his Yankee teammates for my years of suffering. 

               Jimmy