August 9, 2005

The Greatest Ever

Sports is about statistics. Life is about relationships.

Each day's sports page is filled with charts and graphs showing who is winning and who is losing...and by how much. Tony Stewart wins at the Brickyard, but Jeff Gordon is only 86 points out of 10th place with 5 races to go before the chase. Still a chance!

Call-in sports shows provide life-long dorm rooms for guys who must prove that Lance is "the best ever," or that Tiger is "not as good as the stats show." However, one player stands head and shoulders above them all. Gene Connely is clearly the best two-sport player ever! Consider his stats.

Major League Baseball, 1952-1963: Right-handed pitcher. Three-time All Star. Won 96 games, including 1955 All Star game. 3.82 ERA. One World Series ring with Milwaukee Braves, 1957.

National Basketball Association, 1953, 1959-1961, 1963-1964: Three championship rings with the Boston Celtics, 1959, 1960, 1961.

Thirteen professional sports seasons packed into 6.5 years. The greatest two-sport athlete ever.

Not convinced? Then add some more numbers to the picture. Married to Katie for 54 years. Father of three adoring children. Phone rings 3 or more times each day with calls from old teammates, general managers, and coaches. Willing climbing pole for the kids in church. Perfect "Aw shucks" smile.

When Gene and Katie fell in love it was a quick, long fall. Gene had just accepted a contract with the Braves and was pitching for their farm team in South Carolina. Katie was still in Washington when he called, "Come on out and let's get married."

Katie's Seventh-day Adventist Mother finally granted approval (even though she had never met Gene) "as long as you get married in a church." So Gene found a big church, and asked the pastor if he would perform their wedding. "Sure," he said. "Let's do it after the Sunday night meeting."

"500 people came to our wedding," Katie says, "and we didn't know 1 of them!"

That was 1951, 54 years ago.

"54 wonderful years," Katie says. "She's the greatest wife ever," Gene interrupts. "Whether I was playing basketball or baseball I had to spend lots of nights on the road, but I called home every time I could. And I thought about her all the time. She is so honest, so kind, so loving. I love being with her."

"We've had a lot of great homecomings," Katie winks.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world." Gene says, as they snuggle on the couch.

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission development
Florida Hospital