"The Dugout Classroom"

“The Dugout Classroom”

I’m a life-long Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers’ fan. I followed in the footsteps of my father and grandfather (in fact, the house in which Dad grew up was on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, which ran behind the right field wall of Ebbets Field, the Dodgers’ home park). Over my life I “semi-adopted” the New York Mets when they became part of the National League in 1962 and the Boston Red Sox during our 20 years in Manchester NH but my main loyalty has never changed. (And to complete my baseball preferences, they do not include the Yankees!)

In 1954 the Dodgers hired a new manager, Walt Alston. (Most Brooklynites said, “Walt Who?”) His Major League playing career consisted of one at bat (he struck out) but his baseball knowledge earned him managerial posts in the Dodgers’ minor league system for eleven years before moving to the “Big Time”. He led the Dodgers for 23 seasons (only Connie Mack and John McGraw had longer tenures with one club and both of them were owners of the teams they ran). He never had more than a one-year contract and didn’t know his salary until the season’s first pay check. His skill as a strategist is borne out by his winning pennants and World Series titles with strong and weak hitting and pitching teams and his ability to succeed with patchwork line-ups. He was justifiably elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1983.

I see some parallels between Alston’s leadership style and the functioning of Christ’s church. For openers, he managed on a day-to-day basis—a win today didn’t guarantee one tomorrow. That David understood this principle is shown in Psalm 61:8: “I will fulfill my vows day after day.” (NLT) Secondly, Alston used different players and their skills to get the job done. In Christ’s body, “…there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4, NASB). In addition, one game doesn’t make a season—it takes 162 of them. In God’s economy success is measured by consistency over the long haul. The Apostle Paul observes, “…The one who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, Phillips). Finally, Alston was rewarded for his good work with salary increases and ultimately induction into the Hall of Fame. For us as God’s people Jesus’ words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21) await us when we’ve completed our purpose and journey on earth.

Walt Alston was a school teacher in the off-season as well as an instructor from the dugout. We’re enriched as we learn from him as well as many others in the unique classrooms of life.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan