Major League Baseball’s World Series is now set. The Milwaukee Brewers will represent the National League against the American League’s Tampa Bay Rays, with game one of the best-of-seven series was played on Friday. The Brewers have never won the World Series and will be playing in it for only the second time, while this will be the third appearance for the Rays, who have also never won the title.
Analysis and eternal perspective: This year’s baseball playoffs have been the sports version of David defeating Goliath. Both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay rank in the bottom half of payroll (Milwaukee 17th and Tampa Bay 19th out of 30), and near the bottom in market size (Milwaukee 27th and Tampa Bay 28th according to one form of measurement).
To put a finer point on it, the Los Angeles Dodgers (who were defeated by the Brewers in the National League Championship Series) have an annual payroll of more than $370 million, which is more than that of the Brewers and Rays combined.
The result is a World Series that will be played outside of the largest media markets in the country, and between teams that are unaccustomed to the game’s largest stage. As a baseball romantic myself, it is an incredibly fun dynamic, though I readily concede that my Chicago Cubs getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs diminished my interest significantly.
As Jesus followers, sports should not be the ultimate object of our affection, but they frequently represent prime opportunities to gather with others in a spirit of community and camaraderie. Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” If you are following the World Series, or perhaps the early stages of the NFL season, consider how it may be a chance to commune with fellow believers and with those around you who don’t yet believe.