With the World Series upon us, I cannot help but be inspired by this year’s version of the Atlanta Braves.
Beware: Tacit familiarity with baseball and the Bible is required.
Manager Brian Snitker as Moses: A veteran of the Braves since 1977, this elder statesman has never made it to the Promised Land. Let’s hope that this moment allows him to descend from Mount Pisgah and cross over the Jordan to the Land of World Champions…I mean, the Land of Milk and Honey.
The LA Dodgers as Goliath: It may have taken more than one series—or one stone—but David defeated the Philistine giant on the field of battle on Saturday night.
Relief Pitcher Tyler Matzek as King David: With the game on the line and victory hanging in the balance, Tyler Matzek silenced the mighty Philistines in order, striking out the side.
Outfielder Guillermo Heredia as Barnabas: Flashing plastic, toy swords at critical moments in the game, Heredia plays the role of encourager and cheerleader to his team.
Freddy Freeman as the Good Shepherd: Keeping his teammates together with reassurance, kindness, and warm hugs, this veteran first baseman is the leader the 26-man roster has needed.
5-3 Put-Out in the Ninth as Revelation 19: With Dansby Swanson’s angelic reach and throw to Freddy Freeman to clinch the series against the Dodgers, “I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah!”
Middle-Infielders Swanson and Albies as Paul and Silas: These two gifted players make a great team on the field and make believers of everyone.
Relief Pitcher AJ Minter as Daniel: Thrown into a lion’s den of fierce batters, Minter lives to tell about it.
The July Trade-Deadline as the Moment When Lazarus is Brought Back from the Dead: Left for dead, the Braves found new life when General Manager Alex Anthopolous traded for new outfielders to help resuscitate Atlanta’s fortunes.
Braves Play-By-Play Announcer, Ben Ingram as Gabriel: With microphone in hand, Ingram proclaims “good news and great joy” messages to the incredulous and unsuspecting.
Luke Jackson as Job: The poor fella can’t catch a break.
Joc Pederson as Matthew the Tax-Collector: Once a member of the much-despised Dodgers, the newly converted outfielder has become a trusted disciple…uh, teammate…for the Braves.
Truist Park in Atlanta as Heaven, and Minute Maid Park in Houston as Sheol: Look it up.
And speaking of the place of the dead…
Astros Pitcher Kendall Graveman as the Tomb-Loving, Gerasene Demoniac: Jesus casts out a legion of demons and sends them into a bunch of swine. Confession: I like puns—even bad ones.
Rosario, Soler, and D’Arnaud as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: The trio of Braves players who survived the fiery furnace of the Injured List.
Jeff Mathis (both catcher and pastor) as Doubting Thomas: He’s not going to believe that the Braves can overcome setback until he sees it with his own eyes.
Game 1 of the World Series as the Alpha (the beginning) and Game 7 as the Omega (the end).
Enough of this silliness. Let’s play ball!