The' Iron Horse' Surpassed

He sits alone at the pinnacle of New York baseball history. His name is Derek Jeter – the long-time Yankee star shortstop who broke into the big leagues with the Bronx Bombers at age 20.

On September 12, the 35-year old Yankee captain managed one of his typical right field line drives past the Baltimore Orioles first baseman to collect his 2,722th hit. The hit surpassed the team’s all-time record held by baseball immortal Lou Gehrig – also know as the ‘Iron Horse’. The previous record had stood for 70 long years until Jeter’s heroics. The new mark may well now stand even longer since players rarely stay with one team in today’s lucrative free-agent market. The Yankee icon’s parents were among the 46,771 excited fans who gave their future hall of fame son a thunderous 3-minute standing ovation.

Lou Gehrig, like Jeter, was admired for the great skill but also for his legendary durability. His lifetime statistics included a 340 batting average, 2,721 hits, and 493 home runs. His career brought seven all-star selections, the American League's Most Valuable Player awards twice, and the Triple Crown in 1934. Also, his record of 2,130 consecutive games played stood for nearly a half century until shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it in 1995. Gehrig’s impressive numbers accross the board contributed to a unanimous induction into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

But the ‘Iron Horse’ is also remembered for the class and humility he revealed even after developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) later known as "Lou Gehrig's disease." It ended his career early and finally claimed his life at age 37 in June of 1941. Yankees Manager Joe McCarthy described the New York born first-baseman as "the finest example of a ballplayer, sportsman, and citizen that baseball has ever known.” The team retired Gehrig's uniform number making him the first player in Major League Baseball history to receive that honor.

Not long after #4’s death, his life and career were immortalized in the 1942 film, "Pride of The Yankees". The moving story is known, not only for the portrayal of Gehrig’s great talents on the field, but for his comments in a special ceremony at Yankee stadium honoring his life. On July 4, 1939, the dying star uttered his amazing, and now famous, words. "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

It has been said that records are made to be broken, and indeed most are by someone at some point. But broken or not, earthy accomplishments are of little or no value when stacked up against the serious pursuit of spiritual service and heavenly rewards.

Matthew’s gospel records the words of Jesus on the subject in chapter 6. Verses 19-21 declare, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Peter likewise speaks about the fragile and temporary nature of material things as opposed to those that are spiritual and eternal. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (Peter 1:3-4)

Then too, Matthew 16:26-27 strips away all exterior confusion and excuses on the matter and sums it up in the most serious and sobering of terms. ”For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Derek Jeter and Lou Gehrig are in some ways decent role models - especially in a day when that seems in short supply. They are to be commended for their dedication, for developing their craft, and for using to the fullest their great God-given abilities. But all earthly achievements matter little or nothing to God when made by those who are not on His faith team or not offered for His glory by those who are part of His lineup. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) Paul, in Colossians 3:23-24 reveals what is to be the correct pattern and the ultimate purpose for all of life’s actions. In verse 23 he writes, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.”

Derek Jeter and Lou Gehrig seem to be decent men and perhaps adequate role models to a generation of baseball fans. They have excelled at their sport while displaying certain admirable human traits and ethical behavior. But there is but one who is the supreme and eternal role model. His actions literally changed the world. He is the ultimate example of dedication and sacrifice. And He acted fully upon His God-given abilities and responsibilities because he was, in fact, God in the flesh!

The Apostle Paul descibes Him this way. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Jesus Christ sits alone at the if the pinnacle of perfection. He alone is the living and eternal role model. And it is His life and His priorities that set the pattern for all who know Him and love Him.

Bill Breckenridge