In 1947, Gordon was in his prime with the Cleveland Indians. That same year, a young black athlete named Larry Doby came to play for Cleveland. Doby was the first black rookie to join an American League team. Doby was tense and nervous when he stepped up for his first time at bat. He swung at three pitches and missed each of them--by at least a foot. He walked back to the dugout with his head down. He walked past all the other players on the bench and slouched in the corner alone with his head in his hands.

Joe Gordon, a power hitter, was the next man up. The opposing pitcher that day was one that Gordon usually blasted out of the park. This time, however, Joe Gordon went up to the plate and missed three pitches in a row--each of them by at least two feet. He returned to the dugout, walked past all the other players on the bench, sat down in the corner next to Larry Doby and put his head in his hands.

No one ever asked Joe Gordon if he struck out deliberately. As long as they played together after that, however, every time Larry Doby went out on the field, he first picked up Joe Gordon's glove and tossed it to him. Doby went on to become one of the strongest hitters in major league history.

I don't know anything about Joe Gordon's religious commitment. I would like to think he did what he did because Jesus had touched his heart.

Will you let Jesus touch your heart so unity of the Spirit may abound?

Ron Newhouse