Review: Pujols More Than The Game

"I can't make you believe what I stand for.  I can only tell you my story."  And tell his story he did.  Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth do a masterful job of painting a complete picture of the man behind the baseball player, Albert Pujols.  Many times misunderstood, or misread, they dig deep into the history and "good fortune", that has made Pujols one of the best loved, and most heroic players of the last decade.  There is quite a bit of the story that involves his wife Dee, and it keeps the reader engaged to learn how they, together, have used Albert's career and opportunities, to partner in ministry.  You don't have to love baseball to like this book, although Lamb and Ellsworth do an excellent job of chronicling the stats that Pujols has put together over his career.  The most impressive is the fact that in 2010, Pujols became the first player in baseball history to bat .300 with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in for ten consecutive seasons.    An excellent book for the baseball fan and for the person looking for a feel good story about a million dollar athlete who has not lost perspective on life and is using his gifts to glorify God.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson publishers for the complimentary copy of this book.   I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  I enjoyed reading it for review purposes and hope that it is helpful.

Emmet

We started a sermon series at church this week.  It is based on the book Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby.  He is truly one of the great modern day pastors/writers.  You can read more about him and his book at the above links, but the basis of this particular book is that there are 7 realities to "experiencing God." 

The first is this:  God is always at work around you.  So pastor gave us a two-fold challenge.  We turned our palms up and simply said, "God, I want to know you."  Second, we put our hands on our hips, stuck our necks out as if straining, got a little wide-eyed...all to remind us to look around and try and see where God is working.

Tuesday I went to the local rec center.  Normally, I am already changed from softball practice and can head right to the treadmill.  For some reason (one I now know), I didn't change for practice, and had to go to the locker room.  I walked in on a conversation between two mid-50's men, and my ears perked up quickly when I heard "...he's not a Christian.  What is a Christian anyway?..."  They were semi-arguing (I later found out they were talking about Pres. Obama) about a decision that he had recently made or some statement he had said.

Emmet noticed I was listening, and promptly invited me into the conversation (God is always working).  We went on, Emmet and I, to have about 1/2 an hour conversation about "christian."  He was a Church of God member, now part of a "Baptist Ministry."  He was careful not to say church, as we both shared a like-mindedness that our "church" should not define us.  I could go on and on about the conversation, but there is a part of me that believes that is between Emmet and I.  Sorry.

Where is God working around you?  Turn your hands up....strain your neck a little....get a little wide-eyed...you just might run into Emmet!

Hey Coach

Knee deep into softball season.  Time is very precious these days.  One thing that has caught my attention lately at school is the number of students that greet me with "Hey coach."  Some of these are students that I have coached directly...others I have just been in the ranks of the program and have just crossed paths because I am involved and they are a player...no direct instruction, if you will.  The thing that has struck me is that I am still their "coach."  For some reason, they have put me in that rank and file in their brain sorting.  I must admit that feels pretty good.  It also is a big responsibility....I don't want to let these students down. 

I wonder if winning and losing is really what makes someone a great coach in a player's mind.  Have there ever been great coaches who haven't won anything?  As I finish this, March Madness is getting ready to start.  In my opinion, one of the purest contests that still exists in the sports world today.  Pre-million dollar salaried athletes pouring out everything they got in a one-and-done tournament.

I like to watch the coaches in these contests...they also seem to be in it for the pure pursuit of victory.  I'm sure I am somewhat naive and don't know all that is at stake, but it seems like most of them have really great relationships with their players.  The coach is not just trying to manage personalities, but players are actually looking to be a coached...I hope I never pass up a moment to teach