2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love
and self-control.
Game 5 (November 1, 2015): Kansas City Royals 7, New York
Mets 2 (12 innings)
It might have been Game 5, but the showdown between Kansas
City and New York in the Big Apple had the feel of something much bigger.
Down three games to one, the New York Mets were fighting to
keep alive their hope for a first World Series title in 29 years. For the
Royals, the stakes were equally high as they were trying to clinch the club’s
first championship in 30 years.
Throughout the first eight innings, it was the Mets that
seemed poised to extend its life another game. Curtis Granderson hit a solo
home run in the first inning and Lucas Duda drove in Granderson on a sacrifice
fly in the sixth inning while starting pitcher Matt Harvey cooled off Kansas
City’s hot bats.
But with two late comeback victories already during the
World Series, the Royals proceeded to make history with a two-run ninth inning
followed by a five-run 12th inning that led to a 7-2 win and the championship.
The result was particularly satisfying for Dayton Moore.
Back in 2006, he was the assistant GM for the Atlanta Braves and loved the job
he had held for 12 years. When the Royals called to offer him the General
Manager position in Kansas City, he nearly turned down the opportunity. Moore
had previously turned down two other teams, but this time thought long and hard
about the chance to move closer to his hometown in western Kansas.
Ultimately, it was a phone call to his spiritual mentor
that helped him accept the job. Tim Cash, the Braves team chaplain, had some
simple, but powerful words for Moore.
“You were born an original,” Cash said. “You don’t want to
die a copy.”
The clincher was when Cash quoted a passage from one of the
Apostle Paul’s letters to his protégé Timothy:
“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and
love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
There was a lot to fear taking the job in Kansas City. It
was a small market that had not experienced much success since winning the
World Series way back in 1985. When Moore took over, the Royals had finished
above .500 just seven times during that time frame, and it didn’t get much
easier. The club suffered through another seven losing seasons before breaking
through in a big way during the 2014 season but fell short in a heartbreaking
seven-game World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
But Kansas City bounced back and found its way to the Fall
Classic despite some close calls and near misses that could have derailed
Moore’s long-term plan. Regardless of the outcome, Moore has remained steadfast
in his desire to impact players’ and coaches’ lives.
“Being in position like this is somewhere between a
blessing and a burden,” Moore said. “I didn’t ask to be in this position. In a
lot of ways, I have found working at the minor league level in player
development to be more fulfilling. But it’s a blessing to do something that you
love to do and that you’re passionate about.”
And because of his belief in the message found in 2 Timothy
1:7, Moore was able to transfer his passion into an inspirational if not
unlikely success story.
Dear Lord, we thank You that You didn’t give us a spirit of
fear. Thank You that we can face any situation knowing You are giving us strength.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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