June 30, 2006

Avoiding Major League Meltdowns

Today’s devotional comes from inspirational writer Lynell LaMountain.  You may have seen Lynell around Florida Hospital from time to time with his wife Jennifer who has a magnificent voice and has blessed us with her music at many events.  Enjoy!  Todd

 I'm sure you've heard about him by now or have seen him on TV.

I'm talking about the infamous minor league baseball manager, Joe Mikulik, who coaches the Asheville Tourists, a Class-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. After disagreeing with a call, he stormed from the dugout and argued nose-to-nose with the umpire, who just stood there calmly.

For over four minutes Joe Mikulik went on a tirade that included yanking up baseball plates from the ground and tossing them across the field, dumping dirt on home plate then cleaning it off and pouring water on it, he ran the bases and slid in the dirt on his stomach toward them (then ripped them up and threw them). Then returned to his dugout, from where he started throwing bats onto the field.

ESPN described it with this headline: Minor League Manager has Major League Meltdown.

Another news source said: Minor League Manager Goes Berserk During Game in Kentucky.

Another: Minor League Manager Throws Major Tantrum.

Unless Joe Mikulik has another defining moment in his life of greater magnitude, he'll always be known as, "Hey aren't you that guy who...."

Mikulik was ejected from the game, and since fined $1000. He's offered a public apology to the umpires, fans and to his team. He wants to put it behind him but he can't because it's being played over and over on TV and the internet.

And it was all over a baseball game that didn't matter (it obviously mattered to him).

During my spiritual focusing time this morning in Proverbs 17, I read something that kind of fits with Milkulik's Tirade:

"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before the dispute breaks out," (Proverbs 17: 14, NIV).

Milkulik breached a dam, and was swept away in its angry current.  Next time you're tempted to start a quarrel, take 6 or 7 seconds to give your brain time to analyze what's happening, and you'll probably find that it isn't worth it.

Spewing words is easy -- breaching the dam is easy, but the clean-up and repair are costly and time consuming.

 “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” Proverbs 14:29 NLT

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital