Bama FCA Game Summary
7/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Last week at this time we were in the Bronx preparing to watch baseball's most storied franchise take on the Minnesota Twins. We were really there to see former Bama player, Andy Phillips, who is now the Yankees regular first baseman. (I'm not saying we had any impact on the game, but before we arrived in NY Andy was hitting .125 - since then he has been hitting .454 and .316 on the season!) As we anonymously rode the subways, trains, and busses it was incredible to hear how New Yorkers regarded Andy and his role on the team.
They know he has been up and down a bunch between the majors and the minors, but has maintained a great attitude. They love his commitment to his wife Bethany through her cancer and thought he received a "bum deal" (NY lingo) when he was demoted to AAA after going home to be with his mom following her auto accident. It was incredible to read what his teammates said about him in the NY press. "He's been through a lot," said Yankee captain Derek Jeter. "You could never tell by talking to him or being around him. It is a great story."
Wendy and I watched the body language of his multi-million dollar teammates with Andy. There is no doubt he has their respect and admiration. He is a catalyst in the dug-out. He is having fun. He is patting A-Rod on the backside and called out by Jeter after coming off the bag to receive an errant Jeter throw and then making the out.
He is in the world, but not of it. He realizes the platform God has given him and he strives to use it for God's glory. As Andy walked away from our family to take his pre-game batting practice, a father, who had brought his 5 year old son all the way from California to see the Yanks said, "Thanks for having Andy sign my little boy's baseball. His signature and the date he put on the baseball will always be a treasure." "Sir," I said. "If you look again you will see that there is no date on that ball, rather it is a Scripture - Psalm 27:4."
"One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple." Psalm 27:4
From the "House that Ruth Built" there is one Yankee who believes there is yet a better "house" to play in! He wears number 12. He's the guy out there having a blast - one Bama can be proud of - the one whose light for Christ is shining bright - the one making sure God gets all the glory!!
From the Capstone and for His Glory,
Dr. Gary Cramer
FCA Director
University of Alabama
gcramer@fca.org
