3K for DJ

 

Jeter Reaches Fabled 3,000, and It’s a Blast

The pursuit of a sports milestone can seem like a march to the inevitable. Fans have known for years that, barring a catastrophic injury, Derek Jeter would reach 3,000 career hits. The only question was how. 

Jeter, the Yankees’ captain, answered it Saturday with a performance that ranks among the greatest of his decorated career. He slammed a home run in the third inning for his 3,000th hit, and capped a five-hit day with the go-ahead single in the eighth inning of a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. 

Even for Jeter, who dreamed he would be the Yankees shortstop and grew up to lead the team to five championships, the script seemed almost implausible. 

“If I would have tried to have written it and given it to someone, I wouldn’t have even bought it,” Jeter said. “It’s just one of those special days.” 

The 3,000th hit, off a full-count curveball from the left-hander David Price, was Jeter’s first over the wall at Yankee Stadium since last June. His five hits matched a career high he had reached only twice before in the regular season, in 2001 and 2005.

Jeter was only 20 years old when he rapped his first hit, a single off the Mariners’ Tim Belcher at the Seattle Kingdome on May 30, 1995. It was only appropriate that the 3,000th hit come in the Bronx, where Jeter broke Lou Gehrig’s franchise record with 2,722 hits in 2009. 

Passing Gehrig was a stirring moment, even if it had little resonance outside Yankee Stadium. With 3,000 hits, Jeter has passed a revered number in the game’s history, leaving an indelible mark in style. 

article & photo courtesy of - The New York Times

What does today's God's Story teach us about "the inevitable"?

It's inevitable.  Jesus said it, every day confirms it, in this life we're going to have some trouble.  However, in spite of our sinful churches, our sinful world, our sinful selves, Jesus is mighty to save. The spirit of the Lord is still working to bring release to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed.  It's inevitable.

The only question is How?

For Derek Jeter, reaching a career milestone in baseball came with just one swing of the bat.  For us to reach the milestones that Jesus calls us to requires a lot more work.  Loving our enemies?  Blessing those that curse?  Forgiving those that do us harm?

How?!?!

Try prayer.  Try community.

Pray for the courage to take the gospel seriously.  To live the sermon on the mount.

And do it with others, not in front of, or for, but with.  Be immersed in the church as you immerse yourself in the world.