One time my mother and I were watching a Cubs game on television. When a player made the sign of the cross before stepping into the batter’s box, she said, “Do you think he’s praying for a home run, or that the pitcher doesn’t bean him with the ball?” Maybe both, is what I thought.
Back then only a player who crossed himself revealed he was asking for favors from a higher power. Nowadays you might see a pitcher remove his cap and bow his head – and sometimes go down on one knee – before taking the mound. Praying he throws lots of strikes, maybe?
And batters, even without an obvious pre-bat prayer, will raise their eyes and point to heaven above when they arrive safely at a base or cross home plate. So, again, is he saying, “Thanks for the base hit,” or is he giving thanks that he didn’t break his arm sliding head-first into the bag?
It is temping to wonder if God takes sides. Can the MLB standings be a reflection of divine intervention?
Well, I kind of doubt it, actually. I don’t think a merciful supreme being could ignore the prayers of Cubs fans for a hundred years before assisting them in winning the 2016 World Series.
Although – the turning point in the Cubs' fortunes came after that 17-minute delay before the start of the 10th inning of Game 7, caused by the sky opening and a deluge falling upon Cleveland.
Hmm.
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