Several years ago I was sitting in the upper deck at the Oakland Coliseum, watching the A’s.  They were losing big time and I was seriously considering an early exit.   Sitting near me was a man, probably about 40, who was attending his first baseball game.   It was obvious that he was mentally disabled.   He was very excited and someone had given him an old baseball glove to take to the game.  I mean we are talking about one of those really old gloves with no web.  It was the kind of baseball glove that players used about 100 years ago.  But apparently he didn’t realize this was an antique, so he just sat there excitedly, wearing that absolutely worthless glove,  waiting for a foul ball.

We were sitting very high up and it was very rare to get foul balls in that section.  But then came the miracle.  We did get a foul ball and it headed right toward this guy.  Unfortunately he didn’t know what to do, so it bounced right next to him and someone else got it.  He was clearly heartbroken and  I thought he was going to cry.  His whole world had been shattered.  He had his chance at glory and he missed.  Then came the real miracle.  On the very next pitch there was another foul ball that landed within a foot of the previous foul ball.  This one was so perfect it literally hit this guy in the glove and he miraculous caught it.  He sat there holding that ball with one of the widest grins I have ever seen.  Next to him was an elderly couple that I finalized realized were his parents.  They were both crying.

Soon everyone in the entire section figured out what had happened and they all jumped up and gave him a standing ovation.  It was one of those precious moments that came at the most unexpected time in the most unexpected way.  This happened many years ago during a meaningless game between two losing teams.  I don’t even remember who the A’s were playing.  But I sure remember that old glove and that very special moment in time.  It is a reminder that no matter how messed up things seem, sometimes God has a gentle way of reminding us who is in control.

TDM