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In Game 5 of the 1988 World Series, the Oakland Athletics hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oakland County Coliseum in front of 50,000 fans (and millions more via television). The Dodger’s mighty pitcher, Orel Hershiser, had put his team up 3-games-to-1, but as cameras zoomed in on him in the dugout, they spotted him mumbling to himself.
Had the pressure of the moment finally gotten to him? Was he losing his mind?
It had already been an impressive year for Orel Hershiser. In the regular season, he pitched several complete game shutouts and set a new record for pitching 59 consecutive innings with no runs allowed. Then, in the post season National League Championship Series, he led his team to victory over the New York Mets, pitching an electrifying shutout in Game 7!
His impressive season, coupled with the possibility of Game 5 being the last of the year, is what prompted baseball fans around the country to tune in. But the sight of Hershiser sitting in the dugout, with his lips moving for no apparent reason, made many – including the game’s commentators – scratch their heads.
As cameras continued to follow Hershiser – in and out of the dugout – the pitcher nicknamed “Bulldog” led his Dodgers to victory that night, clinching the ‘88 World Series. Already in possession of the Cy Young Award, the Gold Glove, and the MVP of the National League, he was also named MVP of the World Series. To date, he’s the only player in history to hold those titles in the same season.
But in the ensuing celebration, nobody thought to ask Hershiser about his quirky behavior in the dugout. In fact, Hershiser wouldn’t be questioned about it until he made an appearance on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show one day later.
The old comedian was chomping at the bit to find out what the pitcher had been talking about. Hershiser reluctantly and bashfully admitted that he had been singing. The live studio audience howled with delight and shouted for him to sing for them.
“There’s no way I’m singing,” smiled a slightly embarrassed Hershiser.
“Oh yes you are!” roared Carson to the delight of the audience. Within moments, the crowd silenced themselves and the entire studio went quiet. All eyes – and ears – were on Hershiser. Then, in a humble voice, he began to sing the song that he’d sung to himself in the dugout that historic night:
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Orel Hershiser was simply doing what the Apostle Paul told each of us to do: praise God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:7)
Resource’s Origin:
Out of the Blue by Orel Hershiser. Wogemuth & Hyatt, 1989, Page 208.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Athlete
Baseball
Blessing
Embarrassing
Humilty
Praise
Singing
Sports
Thankfulness
Victory
Win
Worship
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
