A Blessing for Baseball Days and Beyond

November 6, 2009

And it was good.

With championship win number 27, Yankee Stadium is once again the center of the baseball universe.

I am of course biased: I am a life-long Yankees fan, born and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey. There was a time when a big Yankees loss would leave me feeling staggered and saddened the next day. Age has mellowed me a bit. But I can’t shake the feeling this November that it was good, very good, the Yankees won.

But that’s just baseball – a game of inches, bad calls, and winners and losers.

As for the rest of the world, I am a fan of everyone and anyone, knowing there are no teams in God’s eyes. And I know most of all – despite it being a most un-Yankee-like quality – that in God’s game, the last come first, and the first last.

There were thousands at Trinity today on the day of the parade -- as big a community event as we will have all year. And so as we move further into autumn, I invite you one and all to return to Trinity Wall Street, a center of Lower Manhattan life nearly twice as old as the game of baseball.

We cannot promise that all will be ordered and right in life, that your team will always win, so to speak, but Trinity is a place practiced at reminding people that God’s promise is one of companionship.

Do consider joining us one Sunday at Trinity Church or St. Paul’s Chapel, or for one of our services throughout the week.

Through it all, the joy and the pain, may God bless you and be with you.

Faithfully,



The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper

Rector, Trinity Wall Street

Comments

1

So cool! Wish I was there for the special blessing!

Maribel on November 6, 2009

2

Heard the roar of the crowd during the blessing. Was up in the tower at the time, getting ready to ring. Figured it had to be the Rector putting on his Yankees hat! Jeremy

Jeremy on November 6, 2009

3

My daughter and I were right in front of you. It was a beautiful gesture and everyone in the crowd really appreciated it. Thanks and God Bless!

Brian Briody on November 6, 2009

4

Jim - I loved your comments and the picture. You are always right on target. Love - Lee and Wriley

Lee Wood on November 7, 2009

5

Such a great photo and a fitting end to the post season. Hope the Yankees liked liked the incense during the parade.

Verna Barnett on November 7, 2009

6

Greeting from one of your flock in Ponte Vedra. That was so typical of you, Jim. You might remember I'm a big Phillies fan but the best team won...at least this year. Elizabeth Pate

Elizabeth Pate on November 7, 2009

7

If your born and raised in the city of new it only means one thing and one thing only the new york yankees number -27 amazing-FC. great photo we all need the blessing.

Felix Cappuccio on November 7, 2009

8

Your comments about God's companionship with us and our "teams" which I take to be those opportunities and challenges we face speaks to me. While not to diminish the accomplishments of the Yankees, we are called upon to be faithful, not successful. As a Detroit Tigers fan, my comment is rooted in experience. Since Bishop Wendell Gibbs is also a fan, I'm going to suggest that he cense the Tigers on opening day and from time to time throughout the season, so next year's parade will be in Detroit.

Ben Baldus on November 7, 2009

9

I'm with you! I grew up during the Yankees Maris - Mantle era, and when I was 8 years old or so I was surprised to hear my Grandfather tell me that the Yankees weren't in the World Series that year. I still think of the World Series as a set of games between the Yankees and some other team!

Bill Barber on November 7, 2009

10

Since I live in Kansas, I am insulated from the Yankee fervor. I am glad the Yankees won the series, but for me, baseball died when the Dodgers left Brooklyn. I was a fanatic Dodger mostly because of Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella and the Dodger teams of the late 40's and early 50's, and of course the Yankees were then anathema to me. But "right on" anyhow, because the times have changed.

Fred Craig on November 7, 2009

11

Wonderful touch to bless the celebration. Always "so Cooper and so Trinity." It's why you are such a great parish. Striking the right balance and being out in the world. God made it all, why stand on the sidelines?

Art Stewart on November 8, 2009

12

Being a child of God includes our enjoyment of games like this. I am Happy!

George Cherry on November 8, 2009

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