Are You Holding Out?

A few high profile NFL players' holdouts have me thinking. I will readily admit that I tend to flip flop sides on the issue of player holdouts. Here are some thoughts.

1-The player signed a contract. Teams have a right to demand that the player fulfill the duties that he agreed to perform. This is why the Cincinnati Bengals refuse to give in to Carson Palmer's holdout demands.

2-Holdouts happen very frequently, and teams rarely take the hardline stance that Cincinnati has. Thus, the holdout has become an accepted bargaining tactic that a player may use just to make a point to his team before actually getting down to business. The best example of this is the recently ended holdout of Desean Jackson from the Philadelphia Eagles.

3-Teams release players constantly before the contract terms are complete. If teams don't have to honor their word, why should the players? (See what I mean about flip-flopping?) If a player feels he is worth more money, he can hold out as long as he feels necessary until he gets a proper deal. Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans comes to mind.

4-The only other way I can think about it is to consider my own employment. I can see it now. "Hey boss. I want two new fans installed in my office, ESPN HD on the security camera monitor, and a Snickers and a Coca-Cola icee every day at 3:17 pm. Oh, and I am not coming in to work at all until I get all of these things. Wait, what is this paper slip and why is it pink?"

5-The holdout is more common in our life than most of us would like to admit. How much doesn't get done in our world because people who could otherwise accomplish amazing feats are holding out for an easier way or a better reward? "I could get ahead in my housework but..." "I can go ahead help out my neighbor if only..." "I should spend more time volunteering with orphans or the homeless BUT..." Or how about this, have you ever asked yourself or somebody else "What's in it for me?" Sadly, I do this far too often. Sadly-er, it has taken me nearly thirty years and God speaking to me through pro football contract disputes to realize that I do this. I have been a spiritual holdout.

6-I don't have to hold out for a better reward with God. The truth is, the price Christ paid for me on the cross is far greater than any amount of rewards I could ever deserve or receive. Nothing I could do, or refuse to do, will ever convince God to love or to reward me more. Simply, my personal holdouts are unnecessary.

Where else in life do we "hold out"?

Scripture "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9

Quote "Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." Dale Carnegie

Sure Fire Winner

Today, it's just a numbers game. Let's compare statistics* for two Major League Baseball players.

Player A has played 2,393 career games.

Player B has played 2,458 career games.

Player A has scored 1,748 runs.
Player B has scored 1,554 runs.

Player A has accumulated 4,374 total bases.

Player B has 4,560.

Player A has 487 doubles.

Player B has 440.

Player A has 1,181 runs batted in.
Player B has 1,664 RBI.

Player A has been walked 962 times, 37 intentionally.

Player B has been walked 1,711 times, 169 intentionally.

Player A has a career batting average of .313.

Player B hits .277.

Player A has an on base percentage of .383.
Player B has a .403 OBP.

Player A has a slugging percentage of .449.

Player B has slugged .558.

So, which player, if any, is the absolute lock to make it to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame?

Perhaps, I have left out the most important factor...

Player A is a lifelong Yankee.

Player B, never a Yankee.

Yet.

I have intentionally omitted two offensive categories which vary greatly between these two players, each favoring a different guy.  (They also are the two stats that would most likely reveal each player's secret identity.)

Player A has 3,045 career hits.

Player B has 2,265 hits.

Yes. Player A is the one and only Derek Jeter, almost universally accepted as a lock to be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. As a matter of fact, they will probably just wave the waiting period after he retires. There may not even be a need to take a vote.

But Player B.

Jeter has 238 career home runs.
Player B has 601 career home runs.

Player B is Jim Thome. He is one of only 8 players ever to hit 600 home runs. Only Babe Ruth did it in fewer at bats. The .403 OBP that I mentioned earlier is higher than all-time greats Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn. I believe it was Jayson Stark from ESPN who pointed out that Thome has scored at least 100 runs in more seasons than Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, and Dave Winfield combined. Impressive.

The greatest Jim Thome stat: he is tied for the most walk off home runs of all time with 12. His co-record holders are Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, and Frank Robinson. If that's not Hall of Fame caliber company, I don't know what is.

I'm not the first or the last person to stump for Thome. Instead, let me be the NEXT to state it publicly. Jim Thome is and has been one of baseball's finest players. I am grateful that I have been able to follow most of his career. Cooperstown should be waiting for him once he hangs up his cleats for good.

*-Stats current as of 8/18/11

Scripture - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Quote - "So there you have it. It's all so simple when you break things down scientifically" Nick Bakay