Who is Tommy Edman?

I like to watch an exciting baseball game. Recently I watched the Chicago White Sox play the St Louis Cardinals in Chicago. It was a surprise for me to learn that Tony La Russa, former Cardinal manager, now manages the White Sox.

Even though the White Sox lost, Tommy gave them a run for their money. Two home runs was enough to win a game. And who is Tommy Edman?

Tommy is an infielder/outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. I don't think there is anything he can't do.

Speed is his middle name. He is fast on the bases and if he taps a slow roller between third base and the pitchers mound, he beats it out easily to first base. Stealing bases is a challenge for any catcher and catching fly balls in the outfield looks easy for number 19.

At bat he's a switch hitter. Depending on whose pitching, right or left hander, he stands comfortably on either side of home plate. 

Who is Tommy Edman? I think one of the best all-around-players the St Louis Cardinals are lucky to have in their roster.

If you enjoyed reading this article and found it to be helpful, we invite you to sign up for our free weekly newsletter at https://bit.ly/38jnZnG. 

 

Does Life Throw You a Curve?

 

The goal of a pitcher is to prevent an opponent from getting on base with a hit or error. Even worse is scoring runs and winning ball games.

Mix them up is the key to survival. Deliver the same pitch every time like a fast ball and history will be made. A base hit, home run, or whatever, could get a win for some lucky team.

On three separate occasions three curve balls traveled toward the plate. They had a mind of their own. Speed and position depended on the guy on the mound, how he held the ball, and his throwing arm.

The choice was the batter's. Baseball skills started to race through his mind. Every pitch displayed its own brand. 

We hated to do homework in grade school. It was a dirty word. The teacher was out to punish us. Having fun was more important. But still homework was a necessary evil we were all forced to accept. 

So here it goes. Stay mentally alert. A baseball can do funny things that we may not expect.

Timing was important. I was always told never wait till the ball reaches the plate before swinging. It may be too late and you can't cry over spilled milk.

Like gathering around a flag pole at camp in the morning, get ready to exercise. Lift those knees up high and run in place. Do some knee bends. Maybe some pushups. 

Are you ready? Did you get your exercise today?

Now you're standing in the batter's box. Three curve balls come traveling toward you faster than the speed of light. How do you respond? Are you ready to make some history?

Life is the same way. Prep work reflects in your actions. Homework isn't so bad if it produces good results.

If you enjoyed reading this article and found it to be helpful, we invite you to sign up for our free weekly newsletter at https://bit.ly/38jnZnG. 

Key to Success is Practice

 

The crowd cheered when Iron Mike walked up to the plate swinging a bat. Built like Popeye The Sailor Man he was fearless and someone who could easily change the outcome of a baseball game.

The art of hitting a baseball is a science. An exercise in life that is challenging. Fail and like anything else you do in life like something domestic, business, family, or church, the outcome may not be so pleasant. 

After Iron Mike got comfortable in the batter's box, he kept looking at the ball even though the pitcher did his best to hide it behind his back. Don't worry about the color of the pitcher's eyes or hair.

When the ball left the pitcher's mound it appeared out of nowhere. Where did it come from? How was Iron Mike suppose to hit it?

Strength and muscles wasn't the problem. The batter had enough spinach in his arms to choke ten horses figuratively speaking. 

Timing was important. So he followed the gut-feelings of his heart. When the ball traveling at 85 mph was at arms length from home plate, Iron Mike let loose and swung with all his might. 

He refused to look at the ball. Listening to the loud thug sound in the catcher's glove was unheard of.

But the baseball fans gave it away. Again listening to the cheers and rumbling seats, he saw the right fielder struggling while leaping to catch a ball that bounced off the wall when he rounded first base. The rest is history. 

We often hear the phrase told in the marketplace, "business as usual." Iron Mike always thought that hitting a baseball was serious business. Don't neglect your homework.

The star baseball player laid all the facts on the table, developed a plan, and put it to work. Practice, practice, practice, was the name of the game. He loved it and so did the fans.

If you enjoyed reading this article and found it to be helpful, we invite you to sign up for our free weekly newsletter at https://bit.ly/38jnZnG. 

 

 

What Is Your Purpose?

 

In this fast paced world we often forget about our purpose in life. Instead we stay busy trying to make money, advance our career, and live happily ever after with all the other luxuries life has to offer.

Your reason for doing something may be different than mine, but we still all have a purpose. What's yours?

The purpose list is endless. When I think about them it becomes mind-boggling. When do I stop thinking about this challenging mindset?

Baseball is a good example. I think we all can agree that the purpose of a game is to win, and winning leads to other things like becoming World Series Champions. 

Recently my grandson graduated from bootcamp in the Marines. It was a proud day. Our hats go off to all the men and women in the military who sacrifice their life to protect us and keep America strong and free. 

I have many purposes in my own life, but my most important is to maintain a good relationship with God. Reading my Bible and applying its truths tells me how to complete this journey. An act of obedience gives me real peace and confidence in everything I do. Without God I would be a miserable person. Millions of people around the world experience this same relationship with God. 

Obviously we all have a long lists of purposes. Why not make a short lists of your own and rank them as most important to least important? As you look at your lists what do you think? Are you impressed? Do you need to make some changes? My lists keeps changing all the time, hopefully for the better.

If you enjoyed reading this article and found it to be helpful, we invite you to sign up for our free weekly newsletter at https://bit.ly/38jnZnG. 

Please help us share practical tips for daily living for other readers to enjoy with a small five dollar donation by using the donate button in the upper right hand corner on this page.  Thank you.