Another Lesson from Aaron Judge: Keep Your Eyes Up

At the conclusion of the HBO documentary, "Nine Innings from Ground Zero," former New York City major Rudy Guiliani states "It was something about baseball which is the American sport....it had a wonderful impact on the morale of the city. It's exactly what we needed to get our eyes up off the ground and looking up..." Pop flies, foul balls into the stands and home runs are but a few ways that the American past time gets us to look up. And thanks to Aaron Judge, America is doing it once again.

Every day I battle getting my sophomores to look up. While their eyes are not on the ground, they are fixed to their device. Although I do not allow cell phone usage inside my classroom, their eyes are rapidly moving from Tik Tok reel, to imessage, to their fantasy football standings and more. During class their iPads are to remain closed until instructed otherwise but as soon as they enter my classroom, they sit down and scroll what and where they can, until the bell rings. While not all students engage with their tech during this window of time, a good number do. That is, except for class on Wednesday, October 5. 2022.

When students walk into my classroom, the drop down screen (think of a small movie screen) highlights the agenda and that night's homework. While some teachers have a clever thought or quote of the day on their introductory slide, I usually have a photo or work of art related to the curriculum. However, after the Yankee slugger broke Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs in a single season the night before, I simply put the photo you see here on the screen.

Students looked at it. Many even talked to someone sitting near them about it. These 15 year olds knew what this was about and many had their own opinions to share.

"It's just the American League home run record!"

"Judge is so yoked. He should have that record."

"He said himself that he views Barry Bonds' 73 home runs as the number to beat!"

"I love that he gave #61 to his mom!"

I let the conversation run its course. I wanted to hear what my students knew and had to say. I shared with them the article I had been reading about the man who caught the long ball. 

As written in Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball is valued in the region of $1-2 million, experts say

Cory Youmans – sitting in left field with a front-row seat – was the lucky fan who caught the historic souvenir at Globe Life Field.

A Dallas resident and Texas Rangers fan, Youmans said he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll keep the ball, and after making the catch – an event that prompted euphoric celebrations – he was escorted from the section of seats by security.

Should Youmans sell the ball, he could be set for a handsome payday.

“In the last week or so, our colleagues at Memory Lane auction house have guaranteed to pay the person who catches the ball $2 million,” Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President of RR Auction, told CNN.

I added "I know that his eyes needed to be looking up in order to get that ball. Remember: keep your head up. Good things can come your way." I think there was an eye roll after that preaching.

Whether or not it is the most impressive record in all of sports, incredible feats like Judge's 62nd home run of the year do more than serve as a talking point. I believe transcendent moments create a space for us to be present to one another. This is not something I take for granted. There are ever more challenges to living in the moment, standing or sitting still and looking up. However, thanks to talent, desire, passion, and achievement we are drawn to something more. St. Irenaus said it best, "The glory of God is the human being fully alive."

Photo Credits
Judge photo for class
Profile smile
Judge's mom

Jackie Robinson at 100: True Sports Hero

When I think of a hero, a singular image comes to mind—the US Stamp officially known as "America Responds: 9/11 Heroes." As a child, my image would have been much different and before 2001, I think it would have, too. However the events of September 11th made an indelible imprint in my heart and mind of what a hero looks like....how they live and what they give. Being a first responder—a firefighter or police officer— doesn't make someone a hero, what they do and are asked to give is especially on that fateful day is worth respect and recognition. 

The video "Nine Innings from Ground Zero" shares the stories of so many of those heroes—too many that fell to a final fate in the World Trade Centers, and unlikely heroes too: the New York Yankees and Mets.

Although society often views athletes as heroes, I am not willing to automatically ascribe that honorable title to people like LeBron James or Serena Williams, Steve Young or Brandi Chastain. Just because a person is fast or strong, big and fierce, driven, gifted and competitive doesn't mean he or she is someone to look up to and admire. Though tempting, I'm not convinced that athletic skill and ability translate to heroism. 

My conviction is shared by others. In an NPR "Special Series Opinion Piece: A True 'Sports Hero,' Jackie Robinson At 100" Scott Simon writes, 

I try not to say, "sports hero." An athlete may be electrifying and adored, and do much for their communities. But real heroes are people who run into burning buildings to save lives. Heroes are people who enrich the lives of others — and sometimes — move along history. 

There is one athlete who has to be called a hero. 

Jackie Robinson was born a hundred years ago next week, Jan. 31, 1919, in the small, segregated town of Cairo, Ga., the youngest of five children. A year later, his father left, and the Robinsons moved to southern California, where Jackie Robinson became one of the most celebrated young athletes in America.

The entire two and a half minute reflection is worth listening to and sharing—in particular with young people. Many of them are familiar with his life and legacy through the movie "42," and the observance of Jackie Robinson Day on April 15. Since 2009, MLB has honored his big league debut which broke baseball's color barrier. All players and on-field personnel wear his number during that day's games. MLB has now retired the number 42 in perpetuity for this hero.

If Jackie Robinson were alive today, he could receive a Presidential Greeting for his 100th day. I wonder what the President might say, but I'd rather have him know what Scott Simon offered at his confusion. He said, "Jackie Robinson was an athlete, not Martin Luther King Jr. in baseball stripes. But his own story galvanized his life, and when he left baseball, he became an activist for integration and justice. As President Barack Obama said, "There's a direct line between Jackie Robinson and me." The history Jackie Robinson made helped make America better."

That's precisely what heroes do.

Litany and Prayers for Heroes
Dear Lord,

Throughout the ages, even to today, you have raised up for us Heroes, as examples of what is best in our humanity.

Bless all those whose sacrifice, love and courage have given so much to this world. Protect those Heroes in harm’s way. Strengthen those whose heroic contribution perseveres day in and day out. Heal those whose heroism has cost them in mind and body. Give your eternal peace to those who have gone from this life.

Grant by your grace, that we may each find ever deeper heroic virtues in ourselves so that we may, following the example of the Hero of Heroes, your Son Jesus Christ, serve others as he served us - every day, in every way.

Amen

Photo Credits
Jackie Robinson
42
Heroes Stamp