Baseball vs. Reality

Last week, another historic moment in baseball was made as 1st baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols, became a Los Angeles Angel accepting a reported $254 million, ten-year contract.

As the news angered many in the St. Louis area, and delighted those around Los Angeles, I had to stop and take a reality check of sorts.  Really?! 

While all the hoopla of the greed-game circulated our headlines, six officers lost their lives in a one-week period: Chief of Police Jerry E. Hicks, Sr., Police Officer Anthony “Tony” Alan Giniewicz, Police Officer I Deriek W. Crouse, Deputy Sheriff Rick Rhyne, Sergeant David Enzbrenner, and just today, Police Officer Peter Figoski.

So what do they get?  Was there any fanfare or deliberation over them?  Will their names go down in history books as the most “well-loved,” “highest paid,” or “most sought after?” 

Here’s a reality check for you.  These officers didn’t drive the most expensive cars.  They were probably lucky if they actually had one  paid off. 

Their homes were more-than-likely modest, if not small, and only one at that!  The majority probably owed mortgages or paid rent while they juggled every other bill that came their way.  College savings for their children was almost non-existent as every last dime they made was spoken for.

Like Albert and every other overpaid game player, there was no rest for the weary, however, the difference for these officers was they actually worked for a living.  They endured being spit on by angry protesters exercising their American right, hauling in another drunk that couldn’t control his drinking problem, or transported another baby killer awaiting a lengthy legal battle ending in an insanity plea.  They were shot at, lied to, beat on, cussed out, and all the other run-of-the-mill antics that angry civilians might ensue.  Yet, in a calm professional demeanor, they quietly went about their job…THEIR JOB.  And, it was no game.

Every day they left the house not knowing if they would return, yet quietly hoping they’d make it to retirement.  It was their duty to willingly lay their life down so others could safely jet set to and from vacation homes without harassment.

And, at the end of the day, it was all worth it, right?  Worth the nightmares, the stressed out marriages, the heartache.  I guess you could say they took one for the team. 

Well, I can’t judge the hearts of  Albert or any of the other players, but I’m sure that many of our underpaid, severely overworked officers in blue who have given it their all…literally, will hear something that was worth more than any fat contract…”Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Well done, officers!  We salute you.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Blessings,

Kristi