Dear Mr. Sport’s Theologian

The Great Sports Theologian is ordinarily very busy determining the Rules for Righteous Rooting. However, occasionally he has time to handle a question or two from the less enlightened.

Today’s question comes from a puzzled fan in these waining days of one season and while we are in the heart of another:

“Why do pitchers always look so unhappy? Is this my imagination? Do any of them smile when they play? They look like they are under so. much. pressure. Quarterbacks just seem to have more fun.”

I can’t say that I’ve observed this phenomenom. However, upon reflection, it is probably this which makes the brief career of Mark Fidrych so peculiar and outstanding. [I’m attaching a great reminder of this guy at the end of this post.]

Anyway, I think the answer is clear. The reason for such unhappiness is that as a result of the fall, humans will act contrary to the created order, and so reap unhappiness upon themselves.

Here is how it works in baseball. The Bible says that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Clearly, you see, the most blessed person on the baseball diamond should be the pitcher. His primary act is one of giving. But being a sinner at heart, he does not want to give. The very act that should bring him joy, the giving of the ball at the beginning of every play, is a grief to him because of sin.

So, he never smiles.

But is not the same thing true of quarterbacks? Absolutely. The principle holds. The primary act of quarterbacks, however, is to receive. At the beginning of every play, the quarterback receives the ball. His sinful heart, therefore, makes him smile.

Quarterbacks, you should know, never willingly part with the ball. There is a theological reason that they do: 300 pounds of hell coming from all sides intent on pummeling him have a persuasive power which overcomes the natural possessive instinct.

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