March/April 1990 - Vol 4 Num 2 (Second Look)

c

0

N

T

FEATURES

Holding Out For a Hero

T

HROUGHOUT the last decade, we saw the images of our most highly regarded institutions and offices tarnished by one fall after another. Moral and ethical scandals in government, in religion, in business, and even in sports darkened our view of many of those we had once looked up to.

A popular song from that decade epitomizes the apparent absence of the truly heroic, exclaiming "I need a hero!" while lamenting the lack of anyone able to measure up to the standard:

Where's the streetwise Hercules tofightthe rising odds? . ..

He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the figh t. . ..

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life. * Perhaps it is unrealistic to expect our heroes to measure up to superhuman standards, but if so,

what is reasonable? Many of our models for heroism, like Hercules, are merely myth and fantasy. Are there any real heroes? Should we abandon the notion entirely, or are we simply looking in the wrong place for heroes?

More often than not, our heroes are chosen for being famous rather than for having done anything strictly heroic.

Have we lowered our standard for heroism to include the lessheroic because of a shortage of truly noble examples?

I've been writing on this page over the last year about what I feel have been some very special athletes worthy of our attention.

And the athletes in this issue are no exception. Their views on heroism-on their own heroes and on being looked up to themselves-are interesting to consider. Tim Burke, ace reliever for the Montreal Expos, became a hero of a different kind after the 1989 All-Star game, not so much for his stellar performance on the field, but for his reasons for leaving the game early. The Phoenix Suns' sparkplug guard Kevin Johnson includes notables from the world of literature among those he looks up to. And four-time Olympian Madeline Mims has shunned cashing in-on her fame as a world-class runner to spend time reaching out to women convicts.

It's not easy choosing heroes these days. We know the most intimate, and often embarrassing, details of the lives of virtually every public figure. These athletes are well-aware of the responsibility they carry into the

spotlight. They know their actions in and out of the arena are scrutinized and followed by sports fans, both young and old.

And whether they are worthy of hero status or not, they are quick to point to the one hero they are truly confident in- the Lord Jesus Christ. Their greatest desire is that their lives will point the way beyond the inevitable disappointment of following any individual person, to placing your trust in Jesus' loving care. As we take a second look at heroes, perhaps you will be challenged to realistically examine those you look up to, and to consider the One hero worth following.

- Dave Bumham

4 APlace in the Suns Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson is raising Arizona With Kyle Rote Jr.

Dave Bumham is chairman emeritus of the Intemational Sports Coalition, an association of sports ministries from around the world. He also appears regularly as a teacher on the telel•ision program Day of Discovery.

• " llolding Our For a Hero," wrill en by Jim Srcinm:m and Dean Pirchford, © 1984 by Ensign Music Corporal i on.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: COVER, ANDREW BERNSTEIN/NBA; p. 2 (upper lelt) Michael Forresl; p. 2 (upper right), p. 6, Pho eni x Suns; p. 2 (lower righl), pp. 8-9, Sleven E. Sutlon/Duomo; p. 3 (lell). p. t 3 (bottom), George Rose/AII sport; p. 3 (botlom), p. t 9, V.J . Lovero; pp. 4-5. p. 7, Andrew Bernstein/NBA; p. t 3 (top). Jon Soohoo/L.A. Dodgers; pp. 14·15, Tony Dully/ AIIsport; pp. 16-17, John Cordes/Calilornia Angels ; p. 18, John Ta~lor/D eni s Brodeur; p. 24, Scali Halleran!AII sport.

8

Heart of Gold All that glitters for Madeline Mims

By John Carvalho

.Q CfJiscowrgCJ/ousi

=e=

P

U

B

L

I

S

H

E

R

S

E

T

N

s

DEPARTMENTS

7 Trivia Quiz Looking up to some biggies

By Rick York

20

Hall of Shame Examining life in the hero-after

By Dave Burnham

11 Who's on First?

For Athletes

A hero by any other name .. .

By Sara L. Anderson

Every Move You Make

By Wes Neal

16 Seventh Inning Stretch Expo stopper Tim Burke's all-star relief to the children

By Dave Branon

18 Training lip Special Delivery With Tim Burke

Volume 4, Number 2 SECOND LOOK•• MAGAZINE A DISCOVERY HOUSE PUBLICATION PUBLISHER Martin R. De Haan II; EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dave Burnham; CONSULTING EDITOR Ralph Oroi'Onger; MANAGING EDITOR Rid< Wanman; ART DIRECTOR Steve Gier; PRODUCTION Craig Grinde; PRODUCTION ASSISTANT lauron Pedroza; MARKETING DIRECTOR Craig Finkel; PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom Fehen; COVER PHOTO Andlew BernsteirvNBA SECOND LOOK" is publiShed six times a year by Discovery House Publishers. Discovery House Publishers is alliliated with Radio Bible Class, a nondenominational Christian organization wllose purpose is to lead people ol all nations to laith and maturity in Jesus Christ by teaching principles lrom the Bible. Printed in USA. Copyright C 1990 by Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bible quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken lrom the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright C 1973, 1978, 1 9~. International Bible Society. Used by permission ol Zondervan Bible Publishers. SECOND LOOK•• is produced by New Focus, Inc., Vanir Tower, Second Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92401. SubSCJiptions are available for $15/year or $19.50 outside the U.S.A. (in U.S. funds) by writing to SECOND LOOK•• subscriptions, Discovery House, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, Ml49501-3566, or by calling toll free, 1·800·283-8333.

For Subscription Services, · CALL TOLL FREE:

1·800·283·8333 ' New subscriptions, change of address, or other corrections

HEROES â&#x20AC;˘ COVER STORY

I UARD Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix S1111s was named the NBA's Most Improved Player after the 1988-89 season, when Ire became the fifth player in league histOJy to average more than 20 points and 10 assists for a season. In college, the 6-Joot-1 standout rewrote the record book at the University of Califomia at Berkeley, where he was Cal's alltime leader in scoring, assists, and steals. Also an avid reade1; in this interview with Kyle Rote J1:, he discusses some of the significam influences in his life.

Kevin: As I got a litt le bit older I was more interested in education. I was reall y attrac ted to Hemy David Thoreau, because he was a non-conform ist. He did whatever he believed was right, as long as it wasn't go ing to hurt anybody else. That thought really stayed with me-that you do have to be differe nt. So, to a certai n extent I admired Thoreau.

Kyle: But you continued your search, still tryi ng to find some sense of real truth and purpose.

Eventually you came across the New Testament, in which you found a literary piece that had a di ffe rent impact on your life Kyle: It seems that all of us than the other great authors you ha ve heroes at some point in had read. our lives. Who were the people Kevin: That's right. I was ............................................................................. yo u ad mired most when yo u searching for someone I could be were growing up, Kevin? What like, that I could emu late in kind of influence did they have al most every way: their thought on you? processes, how they treated other Kevin: When I was younger, in people, and so forth. As I would WITH KYLE ROTE my pre-teen years, my heroes get into these different characters, were my family and a few sports whether from literature, sports, or heroes. My family set a good example for me and taught me people I knew, they would always fall short of my expectawhat I needed to survive in mind, body, and spirit. That was tions somewhere along the line. very important and useful as I grew up.

When I finally I came across the New Testament, I read it Kyle: You talk about your family as heroes-! remember ¡from front to back. I had never read the Bible before. I hearing that your mother once told you it was OK to be difwasn't even a very religious person, but my search ended right there. This book had Jesus Christ as the central figure, ferent. What do you think she meant?

Kevin: She was talking about peer pressure, that your and in the whole book He never contradicted Himself nor friends ar~ probably going to try to get you to do certain was He hypocritical. I thought that was so awesome! For once, I had an example I could follow and really believe in. things that aren't right, and you may have to take a stand to be different. She instilled that in me at a young age, and it Kyle: Your career in the NBA is still relatively young, yet really motivated me to be a little bit different. It carried over you've become a key contributor to the Suns. With your new to my work ethic too. I was always the first one to the gym contract and the high profile position you play, it would be and the last one to leave. That whole concept of being differvery easy for people to look to you as a leader. As young as ent was very important to me. you are, are you comfortable in the leadership spotlight?

Kyle: I understand that you really enjoy reading. Since Kevin: Well, I don't mind the leadership role-it's someyou have sampled the insights of some of the great authors thing that I can accept through my example. I'm always and poets of the world, perhaps your heroes weren't athletic going to play hard and do everyth ing the best that I can. as much as they were literary.

And whenever truth is in question, I'm always going to try

G

Even the NBA's 7jooters don't dare look down on Kevin Johnson's leadership in Phoenix JR.

4

SECON D LOO K

SECOND

L OOK

5

to do what's right- no matter what. That example, both on and off the court, is the heart of leadership, whether you' re the most charismatic person in the world or not.

Being young can affect how people respond to your leadership, but in the final analysis it comes down to "How does this person live?" "What is his example?"

"What does he stand for?"

Kyle: Do you think most athletes are aware of the numbers of people studying them- how they react to negative circumstances like a bad call, an injury, or missing a key shot?

Kevin: I think athletes are only subconsciously aware of that. Most people think how you respond to a bad call- if you want to dispute it-is just part of the game.

We may be able to get away with a lot as far as the public or our teammates are concerned, but I look at it as my Christian responsibility to try to set an example, especially when I'm going through tough times. I may be able to get away with something, but my concern is for the kind of example I'm going to set for kids.

Kyle: So you think athletes need to be sensitive to the fact that people, especially young people, are looking up to them, even imitating them?

•

Top Ten All-time NBA Assist Seasons

Player

Team

Average Assists ..... .... 1984-85 ...... 13.9 * Year

lsiah Thomas ...... Detroit John Stockton ...... Utah .. ... ....... 1987-88 ...... 13.8 * John Stockton ...... Utah ... ......... 1988-89 .. .... 13.6 * Kevin Porter ........ .Detroit ......... 1978-79 ...... 13.4 * Earvin Johnson ... L.A. Lakers ... 1988-89 ...... 12.8 Earvin Johnson ... L.A. Lakers ... 1985-86 .... ..12.6 * Earvin Johnson ... L.A. Lakers ... 1984-85 ...... 12.6 Kevin Johnson ... Phoenix ...... 1988-89 ...... 12.2

Earvin Johnson ... L.A. Lakers ... 1986-87 ...... 12.2 •

• Led the league.

• NBA 20·10 Club 20 Points and 10 Assists per game, season average.

Player

Team

Number of Years

Oscar Robertson ...... Cincinnati ...... ............... 5 lsiah Thomas ......... ... Detroit .... ... ............. .... 3t Earvin Johnson ......... L.A. Lakers .. ............... .2t

Kevin Johnson ......... Phoenix ................ .... .1t

Nate Archibald .. .... ... K.C.-Omaha ........ .......... 1

t Active players.

Source: The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia.

Kevin: Yes. I don't think many athletes want the responsibility of being role models-perhaps they don't understand how important a responsibility that is, whelher they accept it or not. Kids are on a collision course with trouble, and in dire need of some positive examples. Whether athletes are worthy of it or not, we have a great impact on kids' lives. In today's age where yo u see so many double messages sent out to kids, I think it 's important for each of us to be consistent in the message we give. We can't preach sportsmanship to our children and then go out and display unsportsmanlike conduct.

Also, I think parents and educators should define for kids what a role model actually is- who is entitled to be a hero. Should athletes be role models just because they have celebrity status? I think we may soon have role models being mailmen or whate ver- everyday people that kids come in contact with, that they can rub shoulders with. That kind of impact can actually be 6

S E CON D

L OOK

DRIVING IN a blizzard is dangerous when all you can see are the tracks of the car ahead of you. If that car goes into the ditch, you can end up right on top of it!

According to Kevin Johnson, you face a similar risk when you pattern your life after somebody else. You have to be prepared to take evasive action if their life goes "into the ditch."

Kevin knows that all of the writers, scholars, family members, and athletes he admires will eventually disappoint him. So Kevin looks up to Jesus as his ultimate hero-a role model who will never let him down.

But can any of us even hope to come close to following His perfect example?

Perhaps He is a bad role model then, since we're all destined to fail at living up to such a high standard. On the other hand, perhaps He is the greatest hero because, in addition to setting the standard, He also paid the penalty for our shortcomings by His death on the cross.

What do you think? •

greater than an athlete's because we're on this platform for only a short period of time.

Kyle: During your time in high school and college, you were very successful not only as a basketball player but as an outstanding baseball player. Looking at your athletic ability, do you see it coming more from natural talent, or is it the result of hard work?

Kevin: Well , to be totally honest, a lot of it was Godgiven talent. But what I did with it was up to me, and I think that's why I'm where I am today. (Laughing) I'm definitely not 7-feet tall , yet I'm playing in a league where that is a very valuable commodity.

Each of us is given certain abilities and characteristics. Our attitude toward them actually dictates how far we can go. The things I've learned from the Bible as far as discipline and hard work are concerned- not only when somebody is looking but when I am by myself, trying to be the best I can be, not only during game situations but also in practice-creates a consistency that will carry over to everything I do.

Kyle: Who are some of the people you've tried to pattern your game after, in terms of maximizing your athletic skills?

Kevin: When I was growing up , I looked at my height, my stature, and some of the things I could do physically. A guy I felt I could pattern my game after was Maurice Cheeks. I thought phenomenal players like Isiah [Thomas) were beyond my range of accomplishment- 1 didn 't think I was that type of player.

Maurice Cheeks made up for it with hard work and playing defense and doing whatever it took for his game to be effective.

Now that I'm in the league, I've found myself able to do a few more things than I thought I would be able to do, and Earvin ["Magic"] Johnson is the guy I'm trying to steal as much from as I can. I mean, he has a fomlUia that he uses. He's been a winner at every level and can do it all, but he knows when to do it and when not to. I'm learning to understand that it's not important to do everything all the time, but to know when it is appropriate.

Kyle: Do you think it 's important to have someone to look up to and pattern your life after in order to grow not only in sports, but also spiritually?

Kevin: Yes, I do. I think that's why we set goals-to set something out there we want to achieve. I think the athlete or scholar or whoever we try to pattern ourselves after has to be take n with a grain of salt.

Eventually they will fall short of our expectations. But it is important to have a role model out there, to reach for some of the things that person has achieved-not to be that person, but to see him as a good example.

Kyle: Well, Kevin, the way you are attempting to live your life speaks a very profound message to us all. You may be young in years, but you're very wise and mature in outlook and we appreciate your taking the time with us. I trust we will see greater things for you on the court, and even greater spiritual growth for you off the court as we follow your career for many years. •

Afonner pro soccer player and three-time winner of ABC-TV's "Superstars" competition, Kyle is also a TV sports commentator and speaker from Memphis, Tennessee. His interviews with sports personalities appear in each issue of Second Look.

-, A. B. C. D.

BY RICK YORK 1.

Who was Kirk Gibson pinchhitting for when he hit his gamewinning home run during game one of the 1988 World Series?

A. Jeff Hamilton B. Alejandro Peiia C. Jay Howell D. Ricky Horton

'"

1G.

Who was the first NBA player to score 50 points in consecutive playoff games?

A. Wilt Chamberlain B. Larry Bird C. Jerry West D. Michael Jordon

2. Which Los Angeles Dodger

17. Which NBA team holds the record for consecutive losses with 24?

A. Philadelphia 76ers B. Cleveland Cavaliers C. Miami Heat D. San Diego Clippers

had walked and then stolen second base, setting up Gibson 's heroic blast?

A. Jeff Hamilton B. Alfredo Griffin C. Mike Davis D. John Shelby

18.

Who rushed for at least I00 yards in II straight games in 198586 to establish an NFL record?

A. Eric Dickerson B. Walter Payton C. Marcus Allen D. John Riggins

3. How many shutouts did Orel Hershiser have during his recordbreaking streak of 59 straight scoreless innings in 1988?

4. Nolan Ryan struck out Ricky Henderson of the Oakland A's to become the first pitcher in history to record 5,000 strikeouts.

How many times had Henderson been whiffed by Ryan prior to the record-setting strikeout?

19.

True or False? Jim McMahon established an NCAA record during his senior season at BYU by completing 47 touchdown passes.

A. 0

B. I C. 5 D. 9

5. Who was the pitcher when Pete Rose got his 4, 191 st hit, matching Ty Cobb's all-time record?

A. Eric Show B. Nolan Ryan C. Reggie Patterson D. Mark Davis

G.

Which one of these pitchers did not stri ke out four hitters in one inning during t~e 1980s?

A. Mike Scott B. Charlie Hough C. Paul Assenmacher D. Roger Clemens

7. Which one of these players did not hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 40 bases in one season during the 1980s?

A. Darryl Strawberry B. Eric Davis C. Jose Canseco D. Howard Johnson

8. Who was the only NHL player to score at least 50 goals in his

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell

20. True or False? The (1-r) ERVING, NANCE, WEBB, AND WILKINS: Whose slam grandest In '84?

rookie season during the 1980s?

A. Joe Nieuwendyk B. Dale Hawerchuc C. Luc Robitaille D. Barry Pederson

9. How many scoring streaks of 30 games or more did Wayne Gretzky have in the 1980s?

A. I

B. 2 C.3 D. 4

10.

What did Javier Sotomayor of Cuba do on July 30, 1989, that had not been done before in the sport of track and field?

11.

Who was the last golfer to win back-to-back U.S. Open tournaments?

A. Tom Watson B. Curtis Strange C. Andy Bean D. Craig Stadler

12. Which PGA tournament

vias the

did Craig Stadler win in 198 1 and 1982?

A. Kemper Open B. British Open C. Hawaiian Open D. U.S. Open

13.

Who won the NBA's first slam dunk contest in 1984?

A. Julius Erving B. Larry Nance C. Spud Webb D. Dominique Wilkins

14. Whose record of 61 points in a playoff game did Michael Jordan break when he scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics in 1986?

A. Larry Bird B. Wilt Chamberlain C. Elgin Baylor D. Jerry West

15.

Which of these players was not named the NBA's Most Valuable Player after each of three consecutive seasons?

Washington Redskins overcame a I0-0 deficit in Super Bowl XXII to defeat the Denver Broncos 42- 10.

ANSWERS: 1. B. Alejandro Peiia; 2. C. Mike Davis; 3. Orel pitched five shutouts during his streak, but was deprived of his sixth when the Dodgers could not score in his final game, forcing Hershiser to settle for the record in a game in which he did not receive a decision; 4. B. I; 5. C. Reggie Patterson; 6. D. Roger Clemens; 7. A. Darryl Strawberry; 8. A. Joe Nieuwendyk; 9. C. 3; 10. He high-jumped 8 feet; 11. B. Curtis Strange; 12. A. Kemper Open; 13. B. Larry Nance; 14. C. Elgin Baylor; 15. A. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 16. D. Michael Jordon; 17. B. Cleveland Cavaliers; 18. C. Marcus Allen; 19. False. He threw 47 touchdown passes in his junior season; 20.

True. Washington scored a Super Bowl record 35 second-quarter points in overcoming the Broncos.

SECON D

L OO K

7

MERICAN AUTHOR

on by her high school to honor her, she recalls, the thought hit "Show me a hero and I her: "My life will never be the will write you a tragedy." His same." She had become a hero. Even the school hunk point is well-taken. Combine the spotlight of acclaim with the knew her name, she rememmagnifying glass of notoriety, bers with a smile. and they produce a focused But Madeline entered the beam of laser light that can bum spotlight reluctantly. "My high school coach had told me I even the sturdiest fabric. Today's would have to say something at heroes too often become tomorrow's tragedies. the assembly, but I told her, ' I Not so with Olympic gold don't talk; I nm,'" Mims recalls.

"I didn't know what to tell them. medalist Madeline Manning Mims. Oh, her story begins as So my coach gave me a piece of many other hero tragedies do. It paper and told me to write down features triumph over adversity what I was going to say."

When she got to the podium, (raised by a single mother in the inner city, overcoming a Madeline was horrified to realnear-fatal bout with spinal ize that, in her sweaty-palmed meningitis at age 3) and amaznervousness, she had shredded ing athletic accomplishment her notes. "1 showed everyone the wadded-up paper, and they (four-time Olympian, gold broke up laughing," she says. medalist in the 800-meter run, world record holder).

"I thought, 'They like me. '" She ended up speaking for But this story has no tragic 20 minutes, and the crowd epi logue. You will not find Mims serving as hostess at a responded with a standing bowling alley, co-defendant in ovation. "I realized two things JOHN CARVALHO a drug smuggling trial, or the that day: Fi rst, I do have subject of a depressing "What somethin g to say. Second, Ever Happened To" sports feature. A popular motivawith fame comes responsibility." tional speaker at high schools and prisons, she uses For Madeline, status as a role model is something that an athlete may not seek, but also cannot shy away from. her life as the message- that, like her, anyone can She has no patience for high-visibility athletes who try to make it, struggles and all.

Madeline describes a hero as "a person others look duck their responsibility as role models. "I've heard their up to and want to be like." Growing up in the projects jive excuses," she says, maintaining instead that the spotlight is unavoidable. "When you achieve a certain level of Cleveland, she valued her heroes. One was her mother. "I want to be as strong and loving as my of fame, your life is not your own." mother is," Madeline says. "My mother had such As her athletic career continued, Madeline grew in compassion for people. She was always there, trying the Christian faith she had learned from her mother. to help. When I was young, I didn't understand what a More athletic accomplishments followed, as did disappointments. A favorite at the 1972 Olympics, Mims hero she was. But now that I am the mother of a son instead encountered heartbreak when, directed to the in college and a 3-year-old, she is becoming more of a wrong finish line and stopping early, she didn't even hero to me."

As an athlete, Mims idolized Wilma Rudolph, the qualify for the finals. But her long career was marked STEVEN E. SUTION!OUOMO with more successes than failures. At one time, she great sprinter and winner of three gold medals at the As the 32-year-old 1960 Su.mmer Olympiad in Rome. "All I knew at that held the world and American records at 800 meters. grandame of track age [she was 12] was that Wilma was black, fast, and (above) Mims Ultimately, Mim s was a member of four U.S .

Olympic teams. the best in the world," Madeline recalls. "I knew I was rejoiced In 1980 She sees her 16 years of competition as one reason faster than the other kids in my project, and hearing after making her fourth Olympic about Wilma touched off a spark in my heart." she has been given the responsibility of role model. team. Though the "The longevity of my career has a lot to do with how That spark caught fire quickly. As a high school U.S. boycotted the student, Mims broke the world indoor record at 800 Games, she faced peopl e perceive me," she says. "By my fou rth meters in 1966. Two years later, at the 1968 Summer the Soviets (left) In Olympic Trials, I was running against women who Olympiad in Mexico City, she won a gold medal in a 1981 dual meet in had idolized me when they were young."

Leningrad before When Mims was elected by her peers as co-captain the 800-meter run. finally retiring.

Suddenly, the young girl who had grown up in the of the 1980 U.S. team, her character once again took center stage. Because of the Sov iet invasion of obscurity and despair of the Cleveland inner city was Afghanistan, the American team did not compete in the thrust into the world spotlight. Madeline describes herself as "extremely introverted" back then (quite a Moscow Olympiad that year. The media looked to Mims to provide a mature athlete's perspective on what change from the warm, confident speaker she has become). But gazing at the crowd at an assembly put was to many an unpopular decision by President Jimmy HEROES â&#x20AC;˘ FEATURE

F. Scoll Fitzgerald wrote,

Madeline Mims has put her Olympic medal where her heart is, shunning fame and fortune for a lifelong message of hope and friendship BY

SECOND

L OOK

9

After running with the torch for the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival, Madeline offered a flame of hope in her message to the crowd gathered In Tulsa.

People need to see someone who has been th~ough that kind of st~uggle and has made it.

10

S E C OND

Carter. Her teammates looked to her for support and encouragement.

Mims once again answered the call of duty. "I took on the responsibility to exhort, edify, and uplift the team," she says. Mims also spoke at a White House ceremony honoring the U.S. athletes. Her inspirational message encouraged Americans to unite and support the country 's future Olympians, a vision she saw fulfilled at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympiad.

Mims retired from track in 1981. For most athletes, retirement signals the time to cash in, either through commercials or broadcasting. Madeline chose neither the Mary Lou Retton nor the Bruce Jenner route, though she did work for NBC at the 1983 Track and Field World Championships. "I got a little taste of it then," Madeline says. "The money was nice, and NBC wanted me to come back and work at the 1988 Olympics. But I just didn't want to be under that much stress."

As an alternative, Mims has made a career of speaking to high school students and prisoners instead of a TV camera. "These people need to know that they can make it," she says. "It's easy to be discouraged and despondent. But they need to see someone who has been through that kind of struggle and has made it."

In prisons, Madeline speaks bluntly to the hardened women. "I tell them that, with the situation I came out of, I could easily have been where they are, but I chose to follow Jesus. It doesn't matter to me whether they think I sing nice or give a nice speech. I want to give them hope and see their lives changed because of God." Her work with women in prison has evolved into Friends Fellowship, a ministry she helped establish.

The Friends Fellowship emphasizes Christian outreach to prisoners on a one-to-one basis, through friendship that encourages Christian growth.

In high schools, young people are captivated in particular when Madeline talks on the topic of steroids.

"One coach told me I could be the greatest half-miter in history if I would just use steroids," she tells them. "I asked him how I could stand before thousands of kids LOOK

when I knew that I had cheated to get there, or stand before God knowing that I had lived a lie."

Mims also encourages students toward discipline in their studies. She tells them, "When I was growing up, I was a slow learner. I thought college was only for kids who knew the answer before the question was asked. I was sti ll trying to figure out the question after it was answered! " she laughs. "But when I came out of college with a B average, I realized that most kids in college are in my category!"

Besides the speaking opp01tunities, Madeline also values her role as a wife and mother. "The fulfillment of my famil y keeps me balanced," she says of husband Roderick and children John ( 19) and Lana Cherelle (3).

"My home is my training ground. It's where I can be myself, and learn to love unconditionally and to forgive."

Madeline is a gifted speaker, good at what she does, but the spotlight does not burn as brightly behind the scenes. She admits that at one time she felt jealous of other track athletes who, also professing to be Christians, ignored ministry opportunities to cash in on their fame.

But as she prayed about it, her attitude changed. "It was like God asked me, 'Which is more important: to have what they have, or to do what I want you to do?'" she says. "My goal is not to impress people with the money I make, but to do the will of the Father."

Hearing Madeline sing and speak at a high school or prison assembly, those allending can't help but wonder why she is wasting her time with them when she could be making a lot more money. But Madeline is content to let the other athletes have the commercial endorsements and studio lights, and concentrate instead on helping people discover hope through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. "Nothing is more fulfilling," she claims, completely ignoring tragic predictions of the hero's ultimate fate. â&#x20AC;˘

John Carvalho,formerly managing editor of Second Look magazine, is director of public information at Azusa Pacific University.

HEROES • FOR ATHLETES

EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE No Matter Who, Someone's Watching You BYWESNEAL

Wes Neal is a respected writer with a unique perspective on sports competition. Currently living in Branson, Missouri, Wes is the author of The Handbook on Athletic Perfection. A frequent contributor to Second Look magazine, Wes suggests in this column that wh en looking f or heroes, we might begin with a look in the mirror.

I

WISH I WERE LIKE...!"

That 's a pretty common thought in sports, isn't it? We all have our heroes, people we've looked up to over the years, people we wish we could be like.

Even our heroes have heroes.

For example, Barry Sanders, the great rookie running back for the Detroit Lions last season, pattern ed some of hi s moves after his boyhood idol, the legendary Jim Brown. The late Roberto Clemente, outfielder for the Pitt sburgh Pirates, was a hero to many of today's baseball superstars when th ey were growing up.

Most of us think of heroes as being well-known, those who come through in the clutch and assure the team a victory. Mike Eruzione is a guy like that. He was the captain of America's 1980 Olympic hockey team, the team that captured the nation's hea rt by winning the gold medal. Those players instantly

became national celebrities, but Mike fe lt unea sy with the "hero" tag. "Vietnam vets are heroes," he said. "The guys who tried to rescue our hostages in Iran are heroes. I'm just a hockey player."

Mike was right. What he had done didn't compare to what others had done in ri sking their li ves. Yet Mike and his teammates were still heroesbecause they did what heroes do.

They inspired us to think better of ourselves as a country, just

when we needed a boost in our national pride.

That's a common thread linking heroes from different walks of life. They aren't just big names who accomplish great things.

Heroes are heroes because they inspire others to do better. They light the way and show us how it can be done. Some of these heroes are known throughout the world; some are known only in their own neighborhoods; others are known by family members alone. But they are all heroes ... to somebody.

One of my boyhood heroes was the minister of my church.

Although he was very athletic, the sports world has never heard of him . But every move he made, every word he spoke, created an image in my mind of the kind of man I wanted to be. He inspired me to use all of my talents to help other people. He was what Jesus Christ called a "light" in this world (Matthew 5:14). In this man! got my first glimpse of the kind of man I think Jesus must have been: strong, compassionate, and patient- yet never swerving from His mission.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a hero? You don't have to win an Olympic gold medal to qualify. You don't have to have a big name, or get a lot of media attention . You ju st have to inspire- by the consistency you demonstrate in your workouts, by the way you take time to help others, by the personal discipline you have in saying no to those things that are harmful to you. Beli eve it or not, people are watching youespecially if you're an athlete.

You ' II probably never know those to whom you're a hero.

But etched in their mind s, becau se of how yo u conduct yourself, is a picture of someone they would like to imitate. • Mike Eruzione is quoted from Sponswit, by u e Green, ©1984 by Ballamine Books.

Reprimed by permission, Harper & Row

Publishers Incorporated.

SECON D

L OOK

ll

T'S SPRINGTIME, when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of ... baseball. Young and old alike have been hanging around stadiums in the Cactus and Citrus leagues hoping for autographs-bursting with pride when a hero in polyester signs a ball, and so easily crushed when the big shot dismisses him without the sought-after signature.

Legend has it that when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was a young pitcher, he tossed a couple of nasty brush-backs to a veteran in batting practice. When the experienced player loudly wondered what was go ing on, young Lasorda reminded him of HEROES â&#x20AC;˘ an incident in which the veteran, his hero, had rudely refused to give Tommy an autograph.

It seems that a lot of our heroes have feet of clay these days. Drugs, alcohol, sexual improprieties, and gambling have sullied the reputations of many popular figures, causing numerous fans to become disillusioned- more so than they might over not getting an autograph. What does this say about our heroes-and about us?

Perhaps heroes discourage us more readily today because it requires less to be a hero now. Today's idols come from the concert stages and the sports pages: Guns 'n' Roses, Tom Cruise, Jose Canseco.

Contrast them with these heroes of the past: Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Daniel Boone, moon walker Neil Armstrong (as opposed to moon walker Michael Jackson), or war hero Audie Murphy.

It used to be that you had to do something heroic to be a hero. Note how the American Heritage Dictionary defines hero: "I. In mythology and legend, a man ... who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits.. .. 2. A man noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his life: a war hero. 3. A man noted for his special achievements in a particular field: the heroes of medicine."!

Dixon Wecter, author of The Hero in America: A Chronicle FEATURE of Hero-Worship, says," ... the doer of brave deeds is expected to belittle himself- to credit luck, or his soldiers, or his mother, or God. It is another way of saying he is a servant of his age."2 Hero as servant?

That's an unlikely concept for our day and age.

Maybe that's because contemporary heroes- rock stars, athletes, actors-are people who have become heroes by being famous, mostly because they are constantly before us on telev ision and rad io , in magazines and theaters.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Penn Warren, in the introduction to Wecter's book, says the celebrity "has long

In the face of recent scandals, sports fans need a program to tell who the real heroes are, or if there is anyone left to look up to

O'S

ON

s

BY SARA L. ANDERSON 12

SECOND

LOOK

since taken the place of the hero. The hero is known for having done somethin g, the celebrity is kn own for being known. The deed is the mark of the hero, mention in the gossip column that of the celebrity."3 As Americans, we do seem to adore our heroes (or celebrities). We talk about them, buy magazines on which they grace the cover, dress like them, behave like them.

"Hero-worship answers an urgent American need," Wec ter says. "To fix our Tommy Lasorda's major teague pitching record rei at ions with (0路4) is not as well-regard路 greatness by ed as his 1,000+ victories means of a sigas a manager. nature in an album, a lock of hair, a photograph, or a baseball that has scored a home run; to haunt stage doors and entries to lockerrooms; to pursue our favorites with candid cameras and sound recorders, invading their meditations and the ir honeymoons- this passion has made us the premier nation of hero-worshipers."4 It is natural for us to imitate those people we view as heroes. Thomas Carlyle, the 19th century Scottish historian, referred to the hero as "a pattern for others to imitate."5 But if it is still true that heroes should help us to aspire to bigger and better things, what do the heroes we've chosen inspire us to do? Abuse drugs, treat sex casually, drink and drive? Or is the prob-

lem that we simply know too much about our heroes these days, and should ignore the bad while following only the good in them?

Wecter says, "If it were not for books, newspapers, and cameras, which now put men and their acts on immediate record, heroes might draw still richer substance from legend. When the world was young and there were men like gods, no reporters were present, but only poets."6 Perhaps we do know the private lives of our heroes better than we used to. There were no reporters around to chronicle how much Davy Crockett tipped the innkeeper in the wilds of Kentucky. But is such scrutiny good? How important is it to know that one player blew up at another in the clubhouse?

Some athletes and performers grow exceedingly weary of this "li fe in the fi shbow l." Last fa ll Denver Broncos quarterback John El way expressed his frustration after reporters and columnists offered complaints about nearly every aspect of his life. "They talk about my hair. They talk abo ut my teeth , how much I tip, ... how I'm playing, when I'll talk to the media. I'm sick of it." The author commented, "He says he feels like a big fish in a very small pond. 'And I'm running out of water,' he says, 'I'm about to suffocate. "'7 Former San Francisco Giants' pitcher Dave Dravecky can sympathize with this microscope treatment. " It can be very difficult at times," he says. "It's as if you walk aro und constantly on guard. And sometimes it 's not fun li ving your life that way. You want to relax. You don't want to feel the pressure of always hav-

Despite guiding the Denver Bronco's to their third AFC championship in his 6 years as a starter, John Elway knows he will face further scrutiny and criticis m in the fishbowl of professional sports, especially after the Bronco's embarrassing 55-10 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV.

SECOND

LOOK

l 3

1989 was not agood yea~ fo~ Ame~ica's spo~ts heroes o~ ................................................

thei~ followe~s.

14

SECON D

ing to say the right thing or do the ri ght thing. And Heroes of Young America Poll: 1981 * because we' re not perfect, we're going to say things that we' re going to regret."

1 ...... Burt Reynolds ...........................Actor Still, Dravecky accepts that as part of the profession2 ... ... Steve Martin ...... ....... ........ Comedian al athlete's world. "We cannot forget that this is the 3 ...... Eric Heiden .................. Speed skater world we live in. It is not going to change and we can't 4 ...... Erick Estrada ........................... Actor expect it to change."

5 ...... Alan Aida ................................. Actor Dr. Donald Joy, author of numerous books dealing 6 ...... Kristy McNichol .................... .Actress with human development, thinks such scrutiny, if not 7 ...... "Sugar Ray" Leonard .............. .Boxer excessive, is good. He says we must help kids to "nur8 ......

Scott Baio .............................. Actor ture discrimination," to be able to tell who the real 9 (tie) John Belushi ..................... Comedian heroes are. To do that we need to see a full perspective Robin Williams ............ .. .... Comedian in people's lives. Public figures are human, he says, but they must be responsible. * A national cross section of eighth-graders was It 's when they don ' t behave responsibly that our asked to name the "famous or important living heroes disappoint us. Then we grow disillusioned and person" they admired most. even angry. As such, 1989 was not a good year for Source: World Almanac & Book of Facts, Š1981, Newpaper America's sports heroes nor their followers. One issue of Enterprise Association.

Sports Illustrated carried the sad tales of Wade Boggs and Steve Garvey. Some of the folks in Boston were not we can be disillusioned at any age. But perhaps the disamused by the revelation that Boggs, a married man with illusionment is hardest on the young. Wecter says, two children, had had a mistress for several years.

"Hero-worship is a secular religion. Insofar as it looks And Garvey, who had been accused by two women of fathering their children (he had in the meantime marbackward, it is a form of ancestor worship. The child's first heroes are his parents.''9 ried a third woman), has found his golden hero image Psychologists tell us that children will identify with badly tarnished and the future of his reported political aspirations in some doubt. a significant adult in their lives, and the health of that relationship affects a child's moral and psychological Another issue of Sports Illustrated chronicled criminal charges and other accusations brought against the development. This ki nd of hero worship is what psyOklahoma and Colorado football programs. Collegiate chologist Jean Piaget called uni lateral respect: The child assumes that his role model is always right, and basketball powerhouse University of Kentucky joined he or she can be severely disillusioned on discovering the growing ranks of disgraced institutions placed on that the hero has feet of clay. A famous fictional examprobation for recruiting violations. ple illustrates a young person's response to being disilThen, as we watched in disbelief, Charlie Hustle, the lusioned by his or her heroes. man nearly everyone looked to as a model for all young Remember Eight Men Out, the movie about the 1919 players, Pete Rose himself, the man who loved baseball Chicago White Sox players who were thrown out of and played with an intensity rare ly equaled, stood baseball for allegedly conaccused of betting on baseball. The once future hall of spiring to fi x the Worl d Series? A youngster who frefamer was banned from the quently hung around Buck game fo r life. One might begin to wonder if there are Weaver, one of the players, pointed to a younger boy in any real heroes left to look their group and said, "We up to, short of lowering the standards of heroism. named him Bucky, after you, 'cause you're his favorite." A While Rose had his defendmember of this same group ers, others were bitterly disappointed , includin g some of boys stands on the courthouse steps after indictments ballplayers. Th e Sporting have been handed down and News reported that first baseman Kent Hrbek was "the looks hopefully up at "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. "Say lone dissenter as the it ain't so, Joe," he pleads.

Minnesota Twins voted 17-1, Heroes, then, do have a with six abstentions, that Pete Rose's suspension should not certain amount of power over our lives. That's why cost him a chance to enter the Dravecky feels it's important Hall of Fame." Hrbek said, to take seriously the responsi"''m not a big believer in secbility of being looked up to. ond chances. If you get caught "Because of the exposure with your hand in the cookie jar, something should happen Kent Hrbek led the Twins in 1989 with 25 home the professional athlete gets, to you."S we have a tre mendou s runs , and was second in the league {behind Every hero we choose is Jose Canseco) with a ratio of one RBI for each responsibility and one that susceptible to such a fall, and 4.5 times at bat. isn't to be taken lightly," he

L OO K

says. " It hurts me when I see the San Francisco Bay Area las t fall, de lay in g what the attitude in others that sports is only a job and that baseball commissioner Fay they have no responsibility as Vincent called, "our modest little sporting event." a role model. Whether they Giants pitcher Rick like to be or not, they are Reuschel revealed his percep[considered role models] as tions: "I've thought for a long professional athletes."

To Dravecky, that means time that ballplayers are elegood conduct (but not the vated way too hi gh. And expectation of perfection) on when a disaster like this hapand off the field. "That's why pens, we see how unimportant I think the Christian athlete our job is in comparison to so many others."tt has such a tremendous responsibility," he says. "Kids who New York Times writer Ira look up to us should see Jesus Berkow talked about baseball in our lives, to see that light legend Joe DiMaggio and his neighbors in San Francisco's that we are called to be in a Marina district, an area hardworld of darkness. I accept that challenge as a professionhit by the quake.

"Curious... that one of al athlete and I would hope In 1989, Glenn Davis led the Astros In eight America's most celebrated that whether an athlete is a offensive categories: home runs (34), RBI (89), Christian or not, he would see batting average (.269), hits (156), runs (87) men, one who has been raised to hero status, now elderly the responsibility he or she strikeouts (123), slugging percentage (.492), and white-haired, was, in the has in being that role model and on-base percentage (.350). end, like everybody else, simfor children or young adults."

Houston Astros first baseman Glenn Davis is another ply trying to survive. Meanwhile, all around, courageous athlete who takes the role model responsibility seriously. acts by unsung fire fighters, rescue workers and everyEven People magazine took notice, featuring Davis in a day citizens were being perfom1ed in the aftermath of the section on heroes because he had asked that team earthquake."

Berkow continued, "This is no knock at those upon announcers not toast him with "This Bud's for you" after every home run. Davis explained, "I speak to a lot of whom we confer the title of model or hero. It says more kids about alcohol abuse. I speak about morals and ethics about the values of a nation that so prizes entertainers, and values. So I was very concerned about being por- including ballplayers, even those as fine and decent and trayed as a person who leads a double-standard kind of elegant as Joe DiMaggio."t2 Last October in the Bay Area, heroes were separated life, saying one thing and doing another.

"Once you 're not in the game anymore, people won 't from celebrities, and celebrities were willing to admit remember your slats," he continues. "When I die, I they weren't heroes. As the World Series resumed, don't want someone to put on my tombstone that I was baseball honored- if onl y for a moment- the real good in baseball. I want it to say that I had an impact on heroes of the quake by having a representative battery someone's life."tO of rescue workers toss out the ceremonial first ball. It is But perhaps the incident that put all of this blur a lesson worth remembering, even now as the 1990 seabetween heroes and celebrities into perspective, at son is abo ut to resume in shaken, but standing, least temporarily, was the 7 .I earthquake that rocked Candlestick Park. â&#x20AC;˘

Heroes of Young America Poll: 1989 * 1 ..... .Eddie Murphy ... ....... ...... ..... Comedian 2 ...... Michael Jordan .... .. ... Basketball player 3 ...... Bill Cosby ........................ Comedian 4 ...... Oprah Winfrey ......... Talk show hostess 5 ...... Patrick Swayze ......... ...... ......... Actor 6 ... ... Arnold Schwarzenegger ............ Actor 7 ...... Oliver North ................ ........... Soldier 8 ...... Mike Tyson ....... .... .. ..... .. ..... .....Boxer 9 .. ....Jesse Jackson .... ................. Politician 10...... Larry Bird ........ ....... Basketball player * A national cross section of eighth through twelfth graders was asked to name the "individual in public life" they admired most.

Source: World Almanac & Book of Facts, Š1989, Newpaper Enterprise Association.

OTIO GRUElE JRi ALLSPORT

MLB's newly-installed commissioner Fay Vincent hoped that continuing the 1989 World Series would help affirm life and aid the healing process after the tragic earthquake that hit the San Francisco Bay area an hour before the scheduled start of game three.

Sara L. Anderson is associate editor of Bristol Books and Good News magazine. Her bulletin board carries a magazine article about her hero, uh,favorite celebrity,.broadcaster Bob Costas.

I. American fleritage Dictionary. (Boslon: Houghlon Mifnin Company, 1982), p.608.

2. Dixon Wecler, Tire Hero in America: A Chronicle of flao-Worslrip, (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1972), p. II. 3. Ibid., pp. xxvi-xxvii.

4. Ibid., p. I.

5. Thomas Carlyle, quoled in Eric Ben! ley, Tire Cult of tire Superman.

(Gioucesler, Mass.: Pclcr Smilh, 1969), p. 18.

6. Wecler, p. 4.

7. " I'm Abou1 10 Suffocme," Sports Illustrated, November 6, 1989. pp. 34,35.

8. " Insiders Say," Tire Sporting Nei\'S, Seplember I I, 1989, pp. 8.9.

9. Wccler, p. 8.

10. ''They Did1l1e Righi Thing," People Weekly, Fall1 989, p. 127.

II. "DiMaggio, 1he Quake And a Neighbor," New York 'limes, Oclober 24, 1989, p. D 25.

12. lbid.

SECOND

L OO K

15

16

SECOND

L OOK

HEROES â&#x20AC;˘ FEATURE

Montreal reliever Tim Burke finished his 1989 All-Star duties with a rousing chorus of "Take Me Out To the Airport" F AN Y PLAYER had an excuse for skipping last year's All-Star game, it was the Montreal Expos' Tim Burke. Tolerant as fans have become with players who dream up weak alibis for taking a 3-day vacation instead of playing in the midsummer classic, who would have questioned Burke if he opted out? He had a once-ina-lifetime reason to skip this once-in-a-career opportunity.

For Montreal's ace rel iever though, the excuse would not have been a strained pinkie or a bruised ego. Burke could have pleaded "personal reasons" and had the support of even the most skeptical.

He had a small matter to take care of in another country.

Yet he chose to stick around long enough to do his part for the National League. And he did it well. Coming into the game in the fifth inning, Burke calmly faced the American League's best hitters and pitched two frames of shutout baseball. He really had his stuff that night.

But that wasn't all he had. In the clubhouse was his suitcase, packed and ready, and in it was a plane ticket. He left the ballpark after his two innings of relief and caught the "red-eye" flight to Guatemala City, Guatemala. The media picked up the story and he became an overnight hero-not for what he accomplished on the field, but for what he did afterward. And that's where the "personal reasons" come in.

Unlike the wives of most All-Star players, Christ ine Burke did not see the game from the box seats in Anaheim Stadium. She watched alone, in a hotel room in the middle of a foreign count ry. In fact she was surprised to discover that she could see the game at all.

While Tim had been going through the preliminaries that afternoon in Anaheim and visiting with opposing players who were his teammates

BY DAVE BRANON

SECOND

L OOK

17

l for a day, Christine was at a Guatemala City orphanage visiting a little boy. She and Tim were about to adopt their second child, a little guy who in one day would go from being one of so many homeless children to being the son of one of the best relief pitchers in baseball.

When Wednesday morning rolled around in Guatemala City, Tim Burke had put some 2,000 miles between himself and his first All -Star appearance. Afte r hi s all-night flight, the exhausted 6-foot-3 big-league hurler met and held his crying, wiggling, 23-month -o ld son, Ryan Richard Burke, - - ¡ named for Montreal Canadien Ryan Walter.

But it was more than two intercontinental flights that brought the Burkes to thi s Latin American orphanage. It took a miracle of God's grace in two individual li ves. The miracle will undoubtedl y be shared again and again in the years ahead as Tim and Christine relate the story to Ryan and his Korean-born sister Stephanie.

As the Burkes tell it, only through God's power could two kids from Omaha-who met in a bar in the early 1980s-find themselves the parents of two children from opposite corners of the world.

It was 198 1. Tim Burke was home from his first season of playin g instructional league baseball for Alexandria, in the Pillsburgh Pirates organization .

While visiting a friend in Lincoln, Nebraska, he met a young woman named Christine Atkinson. They were from the same hometown, and romance was born.

But Tim's first love was baseball. "Baseball was my god. When I became a pro ballplayer, baseball went from just being a game to a business. If I didn't perform up to the expectations that [my team] wanted of me, they would send me back home to get a real job."

That's a lot of pressure on a 21-year-old whose only marketable skill is throwing a baseball. "The way I handled the pressure," he says in retrospect, "was through drinking. I developed a drinking problem."

Pressure to perform is not the only difficulty faced by young ball players. Loneliness can also take its toll.

To handl e that void in his life, he called fiancee Christine early in his second season of pro baseball and asked her to come to Buffalo, where he was play-

ing, and ma rry him. To his delight, she agreed.

But married life didn't turn out to be the romantic interlude they had hoped it would be. "She was packed and ready to go home and get a divorce after 2 weeks of being married to me," says Tim . His bride was stuck in an unfamiliar city, married to a guy who worshi ped baseball and drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Although Tim had asked Christine to marry him in order to combat his loneliness, he was not yet ready to face -=:..---'. . ..__~__..;;:~=~iROOiru; the responsibility of being a loving companion to her.

Tim, Stephanie, and And if that wasn't bad enough, right after Tim and Christine welcomed Christine tied the knot, Tim 's pitching went south. "I Ryan to the Burke thought there was a decent chance I was going to get bullpen for the Expos' annual kids game on released," he recalls.

Family Day at Olympic So how do two young people, thrust together by love Stadium. but increasingly tom apart by the pressures of a new marriage, too much booze, poor interpersonal communication, and the imminent collapse of a dream, survive?

What was the stimulus that led them out of this nightmare in Buffalo to that triumphant day in Guatemala City?

The turnaround started with a Bible study a couple of Tim's teammates invited him to auend. It seemed ~m like an unlikely place to find a man in Tim's situation, but he says now, "We had nowhere else to tum."

Immediately, Tim and Christine were confronted with the fact that they had been all wrong about what it meant to be a Christian. "I was a pretty good person, and I thought that was good enough to get me to heav~m's en." But at the Bible study, he discovered it wasn't. For the first time, he saw that Christian ity was based on having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Instead of having baseball as number one in my life, I had to put Jesus Christ first," says Burke.

But he and Christine weren't ready to make that decision right away. "We didn't want to give up running our own lives," he remembers. So they struggled their way through the next few weeks of the season, doing what they wanted to do, and being miserable doing it. All the while they remembered what they had learned at the Bible study. Finally, with one week left in the season, they couldn't go on anymore. They decided to turn their

Right after

and

Christine tied the

knot,

pitching

went south.

TRAINING

TIPS

The Changeup SPECIAL off the tips of your fingers when you throw.

A LOT OF PEOPLE want to throw as hard as DELIVERY The changeup can be thrown different ways, they can with fancy curve balls and breaking but the main point is to jam it into the back of your balls, but I still say that the changeup is as good

By Tim Burke hand and to throw it with the same motion you as any pitch. I always encourage a young pitcher use for your fastball. The batter can always tell if who has a good changeup, because he can go a you are slowing up your arm on the delivery. long way with it. Remember these points when How you play the game you try to learn, develop, and master a changeup off your Winning is overemphasized today. The top priority for young fastball: athletes should be to have fun playing the game and to work e Have a motion that is just like your fastball. hard at being the best they can be. If you do that-if you have e Grip the ball in the back of your hand so you can't throw it fun and you're working hard-the winning can take care of as hard as a fastball. I use a three-finger grip. The farther itself. Remember, nobody can ask any more of you than to back in the hand the ball is, the harder it is to throw it hard. work hard and to do the very best you can. That's all the Lord e Let the ball rest in the palm of your hand and let it slide asks of any of us. â&#x20AC;˘

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 18

SECOND

LOOK

lives over to Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive them.

When they made that decision, light began to break on the three big dark areas of their marriage. First, Tim started to see Christine as he had never seen her before. "I was immediately able to see her in a different light. With Christ in me," Tim says now, "all of a sudden I could see her with truly loving eyes." Second, the drinking problem was simply gone. "l11at very day the Lord took the desire to gel drunk out of me." And third, with Christ at the center of his life, Tim no longer saw baseball as his god. By turning their lives over to Jesus, Tim and Christine had found solutions to their biggest problems.

Yet another difficulty loomed on the horizon-one that surfaced about 3 years later. The Burkes discovered that they are among the 10 percent of young couples who are not able to bear children.

At first, this shocking news seemed to be an even bigger test than anything they had faced during the summer of their discontent in Buffalo. Christine "felt like all the lights went out" in her life. To her, a life without the prospect of children was "completely dark."

And Tim's reaction, once they got over the initial shock and began talking about adoption was, "It's a nice idea for other people."

Yet as before, God's guidance led them out of the darkness of this devastating fact of life. First there was Christine's dream, in which she saw Tim holding a little Korean girl. Then Tim, without knowing about her dream, jolted Christine one day with the news that he wanted to adopt a baby girl from Korea. Soon they were in touch with an adoption agency called Holt International. And on December 8, 1987, Stephanie, a 4-month-old Korean -born baby, became Tim and Christine's first child.

But Stephanie's arrival, as eventful as it was for the Burkes, didn' t capture the nation's attention like the arrival of her brother Ryan a year and half later.

This time, the Burkes desired to pick out the child they wanted to adopt. So they began looking through a "childwaiting book" put together by Holt. "As we went through this book," Tim recalls, "both our hearts went out to this one little boy, and he happened to be from Guatemala."

But this little guy was not healthy. He had a thyroid problem that thwarted his early growth and threatened his mental development. Would that matter to Tim and Christine? Normally, yes. Tim says, "I had hardly ever been around anybody like that. And whenever I was, I always felt awkward. But when I suddenly had that desire, I knew it was· from the Lord."

So the Burkes contacted Holt, and the saga of the allstar father was underway. After playing an initial waiting game, they got the good news they wanted. "Come down July 10 and pick up your son." Another miracle?

That was the first day of the All-Star break. Perfect timing. They could go to Guatemala, gather their son in their arms, and return without missing a day of the baseball season. "We knew the Lord was behind that," Tim says, "because Guatemala doesn't know anything about All-Star breaks."

But manager Tommy Lasorda does. And he knew the chances of the National League winning would be better with Tim Burke in his bullpen. So, only days before Tim and Christine were to leave, they faced yet another decision.

V. J.lOVERO

Burke focused on the game long enough to realize his All-Star dreams, in spite of the emotional tug to be with his wife and son in Guatemala.

Tim's immediate reaction was to skip the game.

Remember those "personal reasons" players often use?

"The All-Star game is great, but nothing is as important as our son is," he told Christine. "I'll just tell them I won't go to the game."

But she would have none of that. Although it would mean traveling to Guatemala alone, she knew that the All-Star game was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And they are thankful for the impact Tim was able to have when his story was told on national TV during the broadcast of the game.

Now there are four in the Burke household: Tim, Christine, Stephanie, and Ryan. A famil y, brought together by God to share a lifetime of love and joy. A little girl whose mother dreamed she would one day be held by her father. And a little boy, named after a hockey player and growing up to be the son of a hero-a real all-star father. •

Da ve Branon is managin g editor of Campu s Journal, a daily de1•otional guide for young people. He has coached high school varsity basketball in the past, hut baseball is his favorite sport. Dave once named a Teddy bear after his childhood hero, Baltimore Oriole great Frank Robinson.

SECON D

L OOK

19

HEROES â&#x20AC;˘ PERSPECTIVE

Hall

Choosing a hero can be tricky business, and fame or athletic accomplishment is no guarantee against a fall

EARLY EVERYONE IN SPORTS dreams of sinking the winning basket at the buzzer or smashing a home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the ballgame. It feels good just to think about being the hero of the game. In reality though, homers are not always hit in the last of the ninth, and shots at the buzzer often misfire. After a series of strikeouts, heroes become bums .... and missed shots put eager substitutes back on the bench.

20

SEC OND

LOOK

Even established stars can lose a step or two, quickly inspiring the boo-birds to demand somebody new. And sometimes our heroes fall by their own failure. With trag ic regularity we have watched as recogni zed heroes are exposed by NCAA investigations or probes from the commissioner's office. Drugs, payoffs, misuse of funds, substance abuse; the list is long.

For many ath letes (those who survive the scrutiny), the crowning achievement of a career in sports is earning a place in the Hall of Fame.

When we visit these shrines to athletic accomplishment, it is difficu lt not to be impressed by the heroes of yester-year. Names and faces are cast in bronze. Moments of history are captured there, reminders of amazing feats of ability, courage, prowess, and determination.

But to my knowledge, nowhere is there a "Hall of Failure" to display the athletic heroes who fell in disgrace. Today the media serves that function very convincingly. The tragedies of sports heroes who win at games but lose in life are chronicled almost daily. The names and faces of players and coaches who fail drug tests, misuse funds, break recru iting standards, or gamble on their own sport, nash across our TV screens and fill the sports pages. These heroes in sport come and go with the seasons, but in life heroism is more than a winning basket or a home run. Life also involves character.

â&#x20AC;˘ The real heroes of life possess character qualities that endure time and circumstances.

The finest source for studying lasting character qualities is the Bible. The Bible teaches a total picture of life that includes the great and the small. An entire chapter (Hebrews II ) records "heroes of faith." The Bible also clearly recounts the lessons of heroes who failed. These serve as warning lights, describing out-of-bounds markers for life today.

One vivid example is Ki ng Saul, a hero in his early career who ended his life in failure. He appeared on the scene when the nation of Israel desperately needed a hero. The Israelites were surrounded by bigger and better-equipped armies that continually raided their farms and subjected their fami lies to humiliation. Saul is introduced in I Samuel 9: I. "There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish .... He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the lsraelites-a head taller than any of the others" (9:2). Here was a man who made an imposing first impression.

BY DAVE BURNHAM SECON D

LOOK

2 1

Saul was born with many advantages. He came from a fa mily of some means and possessed outstanding physical attributes in both appearance and stature. One day he met the great prophet Samuel. God had told Samuel that a man would be sent to him whom he should anoint to be the commander over the people of Israel. This leader was to " . .. deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines" (9: 16).

When Samuel declared this challenging pu rpose, Saul was cautious because his family wasn't in the line of leadership. However, Samuel assured him that God would confirm Saul's task with three signs. "Once these signs are ful filled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you" ( I0:7). Verse 9 states that the signs came to pass that day and also records this interesting event. "As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart." There would be new hope, new dreams, new goals, a new direction in life for Saul. God had chosen him. "Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?

There is no one like him among all the people" (v. 24).

So the people shouted, "Long live the king!" Now they had a leader and a new hero.

Not everyone cheered for Saul , however. There were a few rebels who decided Saul wasn't their hero, so they brought him no gifts. But Saul was patient and didn't use his new status to force their allegiance. He did, however, know the value of loyalty, so he surrounded himself with good men ( I0:26). Initially, Saul appeared to possess the qualities of a real hero.

The first test of Saul's military leadership came when a small town in no11heast Israel was SUITOunded by the Ammonites. The people of the town of Jabesh Gilead offered to serve their invaders, but their leader countered, "I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you" (II :2).

That's quite a humiliating and painful demand! When the

True heroes endure the test of time and circum路 stances.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heroes and Zeroes IT'S NOT EASY being an athlete. One moment you may be hailed as the "best ever," and the next you're "washed up" or "placed on waivers." No matter how hard you practice or how well you prepare, there will come a time when you fall short. In fact you can go from hero to zero in 5 seconds flat. All it takes is one untimely strike-out or one missed last-second free throw to make you humbly human again.

The apostle Paul was a true biblical hero. But he recognized that if he hadn't put Christ first in his life he would have been a total failure. He wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23,24).

Paul knew that only by admitting his own sinfulness and accepting Christ as his Savior could he ever live a life worth living- a life pleasing to God. Being a hero on earth is certainly a short-lived experience. But salvation in Christ brings a person into a complete relationship with God for eternity. To begin experiencing this new life that is found in His grace, pray something like this: God, I know You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to this world to die so that my sins could be forgiven. Thank You for this wonderful act of forgiveness and love that allows me to become complete in You. /love You and give my whole heart and life to You. The Second Look staff is interested in helping you answer any questions about God and your spiritual life. Write to us at Second Look, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, Ml 49501-3566.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 22

S E CO N D

LOOK

messengers of Jabesh hurried to the king and told him of the demand, Saul sprang into action, rounding up an army of 330,000 men, divided into three companies. His strategy was successful as the annies of Israel attacked the Ammonites from every direction, winning a great victory and finnly establishing Saul's leadership.

Celebrating the thrill of triumph, some of the people wondered if the rebels questioning Saul's leadership ought to be executed. But Saul was gracious in victory and said, "No one shall be put to death today, for this day the Lord has resc ued Israel" ( II : 13). Saul gave credit to God and didn't seek revenge. Israel had a hero who not only won, but was also gracious.

Let's rev iew some of the elements that made Saul an early hero.

1. Outstanding physical attributes 2. Sense of humility 3. Evidence that God had selected him 4. Placed good men around him 5. Attracted a large army B. Devised an excellent strategy for an imp011ant battle 7. Gracious :n victory If this was the end of the story, Saul might have qualified as a hero of fa ith. But remember, true heroes endure the test of time and circumstances.

Saul's next military encounter would be against the mighty Philistines. His real test, however, was not military at all. It was a test of whether Saul would obey the commands of God or be his own authority (chapter 13).

Samuel had ordered Saul to wait 7 days for his arrival to make an offering to the Lord. But Saul chose not to wait. It didn't matter to him what God or His prophet had said. Saul himself thought he had waited long enough and that it was time to take action. So he offered his own sacri fice. When confronted by the prophet, Saul justified his action with an appeal to special circumstances. '" You acted foolishly,' Samuel said.

'You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time' " ( 13:13, 14).

We ' ve read of star players dismissed fro m their teams fo r breaking rules, and coaches fo rced out of their jobs because of recruiting violations. But to lose a kin gdo m after offering a sacr ifice at th e wro ng time-that's heavy! On the surface it may seem unfair, but God doesn't look on the surface. He looks at the motives of the heart and declares, "To obey is better than sacrifice . .. " (15:22).

Choosing to run his own life by his own standards led Saul on a disastrous journey. He reacted selfishly and imposed rules on his family that were insensitive to their genuine needs. His physical strength was crippled by depression while rage and jealousy stalked his mind.

The Bible tells of another handsome young man of the time, named David, who defeated a great Philistine giant name Goliath . The crowds chanted, "Saul has ki lled his th ousands, but David his ten thousands."

David became the people's new hero, and Saul couldn't stand it! He wanted to be the only hero. Out of jealousy, he even tried to kill David. Saul 's internal struggles soon divided the loyalties of his family and his people.

In his final test, Saul again disregarded the command of God. Saul was to annihilate an enemy, but he decided to spare the king and the choice goods of the losers.

When Samuel confronted Saul, the king lied and said he had done all that God had asked. But it was obvious that Saul had broken another command of God. Samuel related God's disappointment, "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from Me and has not carried out My instructions" ( 15: II ). A hero had failed and soon his reign would end.

What would Saul do? How wo uld he respond ?

Would he humbly give up his claim to exclusive hero status? No, Saul wanted to remain the only hero. Out of fear, Saul attempted to gain an added advantage- he sought to know the future by consulting ev il spi rits.

Saul, however, could not control the future. His hero status would not endure.

The last picture of Saul is in chapter 31, when he went out to battle the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa. Saul was still courageous, but his courage was misdirected; people still followed him, but his failed character affected his military prowess. Saul and his sons all died that day, and the battle was lost. Earlier Saul had pronounced a fitting summary to his own life when he said, "Surely I have acted like a fool and erred greatly" (26:2 1).

2. How do James 4:1 3-16 and 1:9- ll apply to your life, relative to being a famous hero?

•If God were to grant you hero status in the sight of mankind, what should be your attitude, according to James 4:6?

•And if He doesn't, what should you realize, according to l Corinthians l :26-29?

• The real heroes ollife possess character qualities that endure time and circumstances.

•Why do you suppose this is? Consider Philippians 2:3- 10 in formulating your answer.

What a contrast King Saul was to another man named Saul. In the New Testament we read of a hero who carried the same name as the first king of Israel, but whose name was later changed to Paul. Although he didn't have the physical attributes of King Saul, Paul realized that a true hero find s his strength in Jesus Christ. He relied on Jesus to strengthen him from within, in his heart and will , to be effective in every assignment he was given. That's true strength.

Like Saul, the apostle Paul also surrounded himself with good people. In his last visit with church leaders from Ephesus, Paul summed up his association with them this way, "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.. . . I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested.. . . You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you" (Acts 20: 18-20). Unlike Saul, Paul 's humility was not restricted to his early career, but continued for a lifetime. Paul also had the impressive credential s of heritage and education, but he always saw himself as a sinne r, forgive n by God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Even though God greatl y used Paul in taking the good news of salvation to the great cities of the ancient world, Paul never desired man's recognition. Instead he proclaimed, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6: 14).

Paul also encouraged others to grow and use all the potential God had given them. He personally trained others to take his place. He defended them jealously, and his only desire was that they might truly honor God with their lives. In further contrast to Saul, Paul summed up his life with these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Like Paul, and unlike Saul, real heroes of life possess character qualities that endure time and circumstances.

What remains is to consider the kind of heroes you will follow, and to determine what kind of hero you would like to be. •

3. What is the prophet's counsel to Baruch in Jeremiah 45:5, and how does it apply to your pursuits?

BIBLE STUDY • A SECOND LOOK AT HEROES

The desire to be a hero visits each person's life at different times. Who can witness a great athletic achievement and not say, "/ wish that were me!"

But do you set out to become a hero, or does it just happen? And is being the object of hero worship a worthy lifetime goal? Let's examine what the Bible has to say.

1 . Look up Philippians 3:4- 10. The apostle Paul was a highly regarded man in his country prior to becoming a Christian. After years of spiritual growth, what was his conclusion about the value of being an important public figure?

•What did Paul conclude was the highest pursuit of life?

4. Examine 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. How important is it to keep your pursuits focused and disciplined throughout your life?

5.

What is a good lifetime aspiration, according to Acts 20:24?

•What do you think might be involved in ful filling this "task"?

6.

Read Galatians l: lO and Hebrews II. Do you think real heroes are man-made or God-made?

-By Ralph K. Drollinger

Practicing Second String

- By Tim Beals

IF YOU EVER PLAYED in the school band, you probably argued with friends about which instrument is the most difficult to play. When a reporter asked the conductor of a symphony orchestra that question, he replied, "The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but it's a problem finding someone who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony."

It's easy to feel unimportant because our place in life seems small and insignificant. We're always standing in the shadow of the one playing the lead in the school play or on the starting team in sports. Flipping hamburgers or doing routine work at the mall seems far removed from the really big events of life.

Now, God doesn't intend that we be content as nobodies. He wants us to be ambitious and industrious-to set high goals for ourselves and strive for them.

Although He calls most of us to fill positions in life away from the spotlight, He also offers us the potential for true greatness-and that lies in doing each task as a humble service to our relatives, friends, or employers.

Here's one of the secrets of Christian living: Being great does not depend on what you have but what you do with what God has given you. • Adapted by permissionfrom Our Daily Bread Campus Journal, © /990. This helpful devotional series is available f ree of charge from Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids. Michigan 49555.

SECOND

L OO K

23

SCOTT HALLEAAN/ALLSPOFIT

Hanging around the ballpark to see their favorite player occupies the time of many young sp01ts fans. To get an autograph or a smi le is an event to be treasured for years.

Superstar athletes can seem larger than life, especially when you study techniques, memorize their stats, and plaster their photos on your walls.

But with so many athletes getting into trouble off the field, should we still idolize them for what they do on the field? When someone succeeds in sp01ts, does that mean he or she is truly successful?

Second Look magazine addresses that question- and many others- with a fresh approach.

Who can \Ne look up to?

TAKE ASECOND LOOK AT THE REAL ISSUES IN SPORTS . .. AND LIFE. Second Look Affili ated with Radio Bible Class Box 3566 Grand Rapids, MI 49501-9963

llw l

Tho real Jssuos Jn sporls . .. and life --

--

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, Ml PERMIT #82

â&#x20AC;˘ Don't miss a single issue. To subscribe, simply return the card inside, or call toll free: 1-800-283-8333