The Bottom of the Ninth

They called him “The Georgia Peach” but he was by no means soft, small and fuzzy.  Ty Cobb was one of the meanest hombres to ever take to a baseball diamond.  The native of Narrows, Georgia was the fiercest of competitors and his numbers belong to the record books:  Highest lifetime major-league batting average (.366), most career batting titles (12), most career steals of home (54), second in career hits (4,189 – first in AL), second in career runs scored (2,246 – first in AL), third in career steals (892 – first when retired). That’s not the half of it.  My Atlanta Braves could use his talent right now!

After his storied career, Cobb finally came to faith in Christ through the witness of another baseball legend, Bobby Richardson.  Lamenting his late-life conversion, the Hall of Famer said shortly before his death, “Tell the boys that I’m sorry I waited until the bottom of the ninth inning to get right with God. I wish now that I had done it in the top of the first.”

 His unusual deathbed observation underscores the wisdom of surrendering to Christ at the earliest possible age.  The only thing better than being saved at twenty is being saved at nineteen; the only thing better than being saved at nineteen is being saved at eighteen; the only thing better than being saved at eighteen is being saved at seventeen; the only thing better than being saved at seventeen is being saved at sixteen; the only thing better than being saved at sixteen is being saved at fifteen; the only thing better than being saved at fifteen is being saved at fourteen; the only thing better than being saved at fourteen is being saved at thirteen; the only thing better than being saved  at thirteen is being saved at twelve; and the only thing better…well, you get the point.

Ty Cobb is one of many reminders that it’s never too late until it’s too late.  God is willing to save those closer to death than birth just as He is ready to save those closer to birth than to death.  But those without much life left to live may find themselves wishing for a do over.  When one has so little time to live for Christ in this life it’s more than sad; it’s tragic.  So much witnessing that could have been done will never be done.  So many ministries will never be accomplished.  People who could have been influenced for God and good will never know those blessings.

A late arrived at faith is going to be full of regrets but it will not be marked by the greatest regret – going out into eternity without Christ.  That’s a regret no one in hell will manage to shake.  Whether you’re in the top of the first in life, the seventh inning stretch, the bottom of the ninth or somewhere in between, come to Christ and tell the Peach you met his Jesus on is advice.

This post originally appeared as a column in The Daily Press.