Mickey Mantle

Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931—August 13, 1995) was a Hall of Fame Center Field player for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968. [1]  During his illustrious career, he was a 3x Most Valuable Player (MVP), Gold Glove winner, Batting and Triple Crown (batting average, home runs, and runs batted in) winner, and Major League Player of the Year. Mantle played in the All-Star game 16 times.  He was part of seven World Series-winning teams. He is considered one of Baseball’s best players and sluggers. He is the only player to hit 150 home runs as a left and right-handed batter.[2]

Despite his remarkable career in baseball, outside of sports, his life was a mess. He suffered many financial setbacks from business failures. His wife left him because of alcoholism and infidelity. Three of his sons were alcoholics, and two died because of their addiction. Mantle’s drinking led to liver cancer, which took his life at the age of 63.[3]
           
Near the end of his life, Mantle held a news conference to share his condition and to warn his young admirers, “Don’t become like me. I’m not a role model.”[4] Soon afterward, he called his old Yankee teammate, Bobby Richardson, who received much ridicule from other players for his spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ.  Micky asked him to pray for him, “I’m really hurting.” Bobby prayed and shared the gospel message with him, then flew to Dallas to be with him when his cancer worsened. When Bobby walked into his hospital room, Mickey broke into a great smile and said, “Bobby! I can’t wait to tell you—I’ve accepted Christ as my Savior.”
 
Meditation
1 John 5:1--Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 
 
Many people who have lived a life in bondage to sin suffer so much guilt and shame that they do not believe they have any chance of redemption.  They give up on life because they believe God gave up on them. They won’t put their faith in God’s Son, Jesus, because they feel too unworthy. Mickey Mantle was a talented hitter whose life was often foul. He disdained followers of Christ until he had the sense to call on a teammate whose life exuded joy in knowing Jesus.
           
The truth is God’s grace is not overmatched by people’s sin. Don’t let anyone you know who is spiritually lost think they are without hope.  Your relationship may be the light that is called upon when someone in darkness needs help.  Be the light! 
 
Inspiration
“False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel.”—J. Gresham Machen

©2024 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 
[1] https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mantlmi01.shtml#all_hof_other
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mantle
[3] Ibid
[4] Inrig, G. (2005). Forgiveness: Discover the Power and Reality of Authentic Christian Forgiveness. Discovery House Publishers, pp. 233,234. The rest of the account in this paragraph is from Inrig’s book.