The Elephant in the Room

Today was my church's annual "Ignite" event. One of our men's ministry offerings, it featured ten speakers, each with a 5-minute talk on anything they wanted, with a concluding reflection. I love Ignite and participate every year; this year, I talked about Major League Baseball's Athletics. A transcript (with accompanying slides) follows.

Still stinging from the Orioles’ playoff exit, today I will talk about baseball. But not the O's . . . we need to talk about the elephant in the room. This is the story of the Athletics.

In 1901, the Philadelphia Athletics were created as one of the American League’s eight charter franchises to compete with the Phillies. Their manager was a man named Cornelius McGillicuddy, who (mercifully) went by Connie Mack.

In 1902, the A’s splurged on free agents. A rival manager was derisive, claiming they would have a white elephant on their hands (meaning they’d go bankrupt and regret the decision). Connie Mack owned the quote and made an elephant the A’s logo. The A’s proved doubters wrong and were successful in Philadelphia, enjoying 5 world series titles and the stability of Mack’s management, who would lead the club for 50 years (retiring at age 87). But it was not to last. Mack, who also co-owned the club, ran out of money and had to sell the franchise.

In 1955, the new owner relocated the A’s to Kansas City. Motivated by profit, he traded many of his star players to the Yankees, including Roger Maris. Mired in problems, the franchise was sold again in 1960. While this was happening, the staunchly democratic area complained that the elephant logo implied Republican allegiance. So the new owner changed it to a donkey, the Missouri state animal. And he promised a new day, swapping their traditional blue and white colors to green and gold a few years later. Perhaps appropriately, the team would make an ass of themselves in KC, with no winning seasons in 12 years. They moved to Oakland in 1968.

A change of scenery did the club well, as they won 3 consecutive world series in the ‘70s. A new owner in the ‘80s continued the success with 3 pennants and 1 more world series. And in 1988, he brought back . . . guess what? The elephant logo. But the good times were not to last. With a consistently low payroll, the franchise struggled. It punched above its weight for years, due in part to the brilliance of GM Billy Beane, the subject of the book and movie Moneyball. Nevertheless, with an owner unwilling to spend, things deteriorated, and the A’s became a laughingstock. They played their last game in Oakland just a few weeks ago, ending their 56-year run there. They’ll spend 3 years in Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas in 2028.

We have enough data to speculate about future A’s migrations. The franchise moves, on average, 24 miles per year. At this pace, and looking at major population centers, we can expect them in Oklahoma City in 2070, Nashville in 2096, and back in Philadelphia by 2125. You heard it here first!

Why does this matter? Why did I share the story of the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas Athletics with you? For a few reasons.

• Change happens. 
• We struggle with this. We fear and fight it, yet we know things change and decay. To everything there is a season.
• Our words matter.
• The Philadelphia Athletics adopted an elephant logo based on the criticism of another. That logo has been the most permanent thing about the franchise. It’s a good reminder that words are powerful and can echo through the ages. Guard your tongues, brothers! (James 1:26, 3:5-8)
• God doesn’t change. He is eternal, and His Words matter more.
• Though we wrestle with change, hurt others, and are hurt by them, let us comfort ourselves with the God who does not change (Mal. 3:6). Let us rejoice with Psalmists that God’s Word endures forever, He is king forever (Ps. 10:16), His counsel stands forever (Ps. 33:11), and His steadfast love endures forever (Ps. 100:5). He is true, and because of Christ, we will praise Him forever (Ps. 45:17), glorify His name forever (Ps. 86:12), sing of His steadfast love forever (Ps. 89:1), and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Ps. 23:6). He will wipe away every tear and is making all things new (Rev. 21:4-5). 

God’s presence and promises are the real elephant in the room. His marvelous truths are oft forgotten, but they are so much better than baseball.