During the 1966 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, left-handed starting pitcher Dave McNally of the Baltimore Orioles gave up five walks and a homerun in the first three innings of Game 1. He was pulled from the game—after getting just seven outs.
The good news for McNally is that his team went on to win the ballgame. But there was no denying that McNally had blown it. He’d failed big-time as the Orioles’ star pitcher before over a million baseball fans.
But just a few days later, Dave McNally pitched a shut-out in Game 4 to clinch the win and sweep the World Series for the Orioles!
Two things impress me as I think about his amazing comeback—even as a die-hard Dodger’s fan!
First, McNally refused to make excuses or feel sorry for himself. He could’ve moped around after his poor performance, or “asked out” of his next start. Instead, he dug down deep, and got ready for Game 4.
Second, McNally’s manager and teammates didn’t give up on him. Convinced he’d bounce back, they trusted him to go back out on the mound—and win the World Series. They knew he could do it, and he did. He came back and pitched a shut-out to win the Series.
And four years later, McNally—who hit a grand slam in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series—became the first and only pitcher in Major League history to hit a grand slam in a World Series game. That’s what I call a comeback!
Indeed, “failure is the back door to success.” Just ask Dave McNally.
Nobody wants to fail. Nobody likes to lose. Nobody wants to drop the ball or come up short. Most people enjoy wining, getting ahead and succeeding.
But honestly, success isn’t what it’s cracked up to be—and winning isn’t all there is to living.
What’s really important is how we play the game of life. It’s who we are in Christ and what we do for him that really counts. It’s what we say and do to introduce others to Christ that matters for eternity. It’s how we live that makes a difference now and later.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
With clarity and conviction, Paul challenges every follower of Jesus to (1) discover his purpose, (2) arrange her priorities, (3) run with focus, determination and strength, and (4) win the prize.
So, whether we win or lose today’s foot race, let’s give it our best shot—and run like champions who reflect and honor our Savior!
Truth Anchors 