Author Steve Goodier shared the following story.
One night, a Dodgers farm club coached by Tommy Lasorda was leading Tucson by one run in
the eighth inning, but Tucson had the bases loaded with two outs. According to Don Martin
in TeamThink, Lasorda decided to pep up his pitcher, a left-hander named Bobby O’Brien.
Lasorda slowly walked out to the mound and said, “Bobby, if the heavens opened up right
now and you could hear the voice of the Big Dodger in the Sky and he said to you, ‘Bobby,
you’re going to die and come up to heaven, and this is the last batter you’re ever going to
face,’ how would you like to meet the Lord, getting this man out or letting him get a hit from
you?” “I’d like to face him getting this guy out,” O’Brien replied. “That is right,” said Lasorda,
“you would. Now, how do you know that after you throw the next pitch you’re not going to
die? This might really be the last hitter you’re ever going to face and if it is, you’ll want to
face the Lord getting him out.”
Lasorda figured it was just about the best pep talk ever and he strutted confidently back to
the dugout. O’ Brien would up and threw the pitch. The batter lined a base hit to right field,
knocking in two runs. Lasorda was beside himself. “Bobby, what happened?” he asked. It’s
like this, Skip,” said O’Brien. “You had me so worried about dying I couldn’t concentrate on
the batter!”
At one time or another, we all think about dying. But if that remains our focus, it can truly keep us from fully enjoying the present. At the same time, others, having the same awareness of the inevitability of death, are motivated to focus on living the life God has given them more fully! Which one will you be today? I pray you will “concentrate on the batter.”