Christian Players on the Rays Hope for a Chance at the World Series, but are Praising God for the Journey in the Meantime
"As is customary with many teams, Rays' players select songs to be piped over the loudspeaker each time they come to bat. In Milwaukee ('I Can Only Imagine') and now in Tampa Bay ('Blessed Be Your Name'), [Gabe] Gross has selected Christian music to pump him up." -Dukes Knutson, FCA.org
As Major League Baseball's two remaining American League teams battle it out for the American League Championship, a recent article on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' website (www.fca.org) reveals the shaky beginnings of the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly Devil Rays), and the astounding change that came—ironically—around the same time they dropped "devil" from their name.
Having at one time been a Mets fan—(whose first six years are aptly summed up by a phrase borrowed from a famous poem lamenting, "..there is no joy in Mudville…")—I can readily understand the frustration of those who followed Tampa Bay from their inception in 1998. It was a rocky start at best.
But this year has been a radically different story, as a congratulatory message, read by their Vice President of Communications, Rick Vaughn, stated, "'The last shall be first…'"
After a series of changes in personnel, players, and in the overall image of the team, the Tampa Bay Rays found themselves, this year, winning their division title, and in their first contest for the league championship; which would culminate in their very first World Series battle if they win.
But for a few players highlighted in the excellent article by FCA's Dukes Knutson, the prize is less about winning, and more about making the journey with the light of the Lord. (Photo: Carlos Pena/FCA.org)
"…I treat this with respect," says the Rays' Carlos Pena, "I really appreciate it. I'm really very thankful and grateful for it. And the greatest thing about it is the way we've done it. It's been a team that has humbly done it. It's almost like we're here by the grace of God."
Outfielder Gabe Gross, who was traded to Tampa Bay early in the season, secured a place in the starting lineup after leading the ballclub with 3 walk-off hits. Gabe's selected songs—played as he comes up to bat—have helped to keep him grounded: I Can Only Imagine and Blessed Be Your Name.
"I think the reason I love that song [Blessed Be Your Name] so much—the reason for playing it—is because I think Christians get a bad rap sometimes when they say after a big win or something good happens, 'I want to give praise to Jesus,'" explains Gross. "People say they never hear that in the losers' locker room; you never hear them give praise to Jesus. And the biggest thing about that song is that it's speaking to us no matter what's going on in our lives, good or bad. 'You give and take away, but my heart will choose to say, blessed be Your name' I want that to represent my life."
Read this entire inspiring article at the link provided.
