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TURNING ERRORS INTO HITS

The Cleveland Indians' Roberto Alomar will forever be remembered for the time he lost his self-control in a disagreement over a call made by umpire John Hirshbeck. You recall the news highlights repeatedly showing the then Toronto Blue Jay All-Star spitting in the umpire's face.

Though Alomar is on the Hall of Fame track, this 1996 incident will follow him even to Cooperstown. Just another story of a spoiled professional athlete who thinks he can get away with whatever he wants, right? This is one sports story that has taken an unusual turn.

For years since the incident the umpire avoided Alomar at all costs. But just last year Hirshbeck and Alomar became friends. In fact, the player and umpire now work together fighting a rare brain disease known as adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) that has afflicted two of Hirshbeck's children.

Hirshbeck's son Michael who suffers from the disease was seen recently giving Alomar a hug. How did this reconciliation take place?

A mutual friend of both Hirshbeck and Alomar had a conversation with the umpire. Jack Efta, who is in charge of the umpire room at Cleveland, talked to Hirshbeck.

Hirshbeck asked Efta, "What kind of guy is Alomar?"

Efta responded, "He's one of the two nicest people I've met. And you're the other one."

Hirshbeck was caught off guard by Efta's assessment. He decided to give Alomar a second chance and found the 2nd baseman. The umpire and player talked together about the incident and decided to leave it in the past and move on.

Hirshbeck now says, "People make mistakes. You forgive, you forget and you move on." Has someone made a mistake that caused you pain? Is there someone in your life who has wronged you and you have not been able to forgive and forget?

Jesus was clear when he said, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15).

Just as God has forgiven us for our many failures against Him, we must turn and show the same forgiveness to others. Is there someone you are struggling to forgive?

It took Hirshbeck several years to let go. Ask God to show you any resentment that you may be harboring. Ask God to help you to forgive the person who caused you damage.

Keep focused on God's willingness to forgive all of your sins against Him. In light of God's mercy towards you as well as his command to forgive, you too will forgive and move on.

Christ my Coach,

Steve Teel