In John 1:46 we have Nathanael saying to Philip, “Can anything
good come out of Nazareth?” These days many Americans ask, Can anything good come
out of Washington DC?Well, we know the greatest thing in human history came out of Nazareth – salvation through the God-Man Jesus Christ! On the other hand, many of our fellow countrymen think of DC as 90-square miles surrounded by reality.
Well...reality broke into DC October 30 when it’s beloved, underdog Washington Nationals brought the World Series trophy back to the nation's capital for the first time since 1924. In a stunning 6-2 win of the Houston Astros in Houston, the Nats pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds in baseball history to win the World Series. If you like Cinderella stories, then these Nats are your team. Not even Hollywood could’ve come up with a cast of characters and written a more dramatic script than what we saw in this team.
Not only were they the oldest MLB team this season, they were 12 games under .500, 19-31, on May 24, and pundits here in Washington and elsewhere wanted manager Davey Martinez’s head on a platter. Yet Martinez remained focused on his coaching philosophy of fundamentals first and to play one game at a time saying, “"Let's go 1-0 today."
During the World Series the Nationals lost every game at home during the World Series. They won every game on the road. And they went 5-0 in elimination games. In Game 7 they were eight outs away from losing, only for hometown hero Anthony Rendon to hit a solo homer, and then two batters later, Howie Kendrick to hit the go-ahead winner. They scored 12 runs in the first six innings of these seven games; and 21 in the final three.
The Nats never quit. They were down but never out, and just when the situation was most dire, they came through time after time finding ways to come back and win. Martinez noted that “We don’t quit. Adversity builds character.” They battled. Simply, they not only survived, but thrived through adversity. Their war cry evolved from “Stay in the Fight” to “Finish the Fight” and concluded with “Fight Finished.” These are good reminders that we as blood-bought men are called to, "Fight the good fight of the faith." (1 Tim 6:12).
One word about 2019 Washington Nationals comes to mind for many fans, resilient. But I think the team will also be especially remembered for their unique esprit de corps – a spirited camaraderie among amazingly diverse backgrounds and gifts. They were (are) a band of brothers who actually delighted in, enjoyed one another and wanted the best each other. Veterans on the Nats roster say it’s the best group of guys they’ve ever played with.
It's indeed been a historic run for the Nationals. A focus on faith and prayer has marked several key Washington players, including Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Anthony Rendon. Soto and Robles were often seen praying together on the field. The twenty-one year old Soto told an interviewer how he and his family pray before games and how honored he is to be a major league ballplayer. "It's a blessing from God, to be here in the big leagues and play baseball like I have. I never thought I'd be this talented of a player." Twenty two year old center fielder Robles credited God for quickly healing him from severe injury so could return late in the season.
Third baseman Anthony Rendon told the Washington Post:
“Point-blank, I don’t want to raise a family in baseball. Maybe I just want to be normal. I want to go home, be a dad, take them to school. That’s more important to me than baseball. I want to be known as a Christian baseball player. I’m still trying to grow into that, but in the end I want to be more Christian than baseball player. You want to plan for the future. But I’ve come to learn your plans don’t always come to fruition. Obviously, with my faith, too, I don’t want to seem like it’s all about me, me, me. It takes away from what I do for Him, for the Lord.”If I just try to stay in the Word and try to surround myself with good people and have good community, I think that will just guide me on that path.”
Fans and media routinely commented on Rendon's inexplicable peace at the plate and on the field. He told ESPN,
“I think I understand that’s there are bigger things going on in this world and my Savior, Jesus Christ, gives me that patience and that slow heart rate.”
The Nationals in recent years have been known for their playoff curse. Now it’s Baseball’s new “Titletown.” As the nation’s most politicized city and one its most secularized, the Nats have given one brief shining moment where D.C. takes on a new meaning: the “District of Champions” and not Darkness and Confusion.”
Finally, let's remember that our real hope, joy and celebration rest not in who wins the World Series or who occupies the White House but rests in the One who sits on His throne sovereignly ruling and reigning over earth and heaven now and forevermore!
Dave Brown
Pastor/Director
Washington Area Coalition of Men's Ministry
