"Sports by the Numbers"

 

“Sports by the Numbers”

 

When we attend a high level sporting event it’s easy to identify the players by the number worn on the back and (in most cases) the name above it. However, such wasn’t always the case. While the NFL used numbers on the back from its inception in 1921 and the NBA did likewise from its inaugural season in 1946 the NHL did so on armbands beginning in 1911. Major League Baseball (MLB), however, went almost three decades making fans try to figure out who was who before using numbers:

*The Indians and Yankees began so identifying players in 1929 (all teams did so by 1937).

*Originally they indicated a place in the batting order or the fielding position but now are randomly assigned.

*The While Sox began using names as well as numbers in 1960. The team’s owner, Bill Veeck, was widely ridiculed for blazing this trail but today only one major sports team (the Yankees) hasn’t adopted it in some fashion.

MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL have retired over 200 numbers to honor past greats (players, managers, coaches) as well as in memory of those who passed away prematurely. The Boston Celtics have put the most in mothballs (24) followed by the Yankees (22). And three numbers are no longer assigned by their leagues: 42 (MLB) honoring Jackie Robinson), 99 (NHL) for Wayne Gretzky and 6 (NBA) recognizing Bill Russell.

Today the most significant number for any of us is the one assigned by the Social Security Administration. (And it’s also the one crooks try to capture to steal identities so guard it carefully.) We can’t conduct our lives without it—try opening a bank account or getting a driver’s license. Sounds pretty impersonal, doesn’t it?

While athletes are identified by uniform numbers and U.S. citizens by a Social Security number aren’t you glad (I certainly am) that

 we’re not a number but a name to God? He told His prophets, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you….” (Jeremiah 1:5) and “…I have written your name on my hand.” (Isaiah 49:16, NLT, emphasis added). Jesus Himself indicated how well God knows each of us (“…The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”—Matthew 10:30). Think of the times God called His servants by name (e.g. Abraham, Moses, Samuel), not SSN 123-45-6789, and rejoice. Let’s be thankful, too, that “(He loves us) with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan