Kenny Rogers Baseball Song The Greatest
Monthly Theme:
I grew up in an era where spring in the United States of America was centered around baseball, apple pie and going for a ride in your vehicle. While times have changed as baseball has been passed in popularity by football, spring is still filled with the beauty of blooming flowers and fauna. These visible signs of spring provide hope that winter is over, and warmer weather is here to stay for a while. May’s allotment of musicians hopes to capture these themes.
Inspiration Behind the Greatest:
The Greatest was spawn from a childhood experience that Kenny Rogers had growing up. Rogers believes that the best stories are the simplest ones like a boy learning how to hit a baseball. This country song uses baseball as a metaphor to illustrate themes of self-resilience, self-belief and how you define success in life.
Biblical Application:
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:21-24.
Exegesis of the Greatest:
Little boy in a baseball hat
Stands in the field with his ball and bat
Says, “I am the greatest player of them all”
Puts his bat on his shoulder and he tosses up the ball
Perhaps Kenny has a flashback of his child, participating in solitary play, tossing a whiffle ball up in his backyard. Or Kenny is observing a child learn how to hit a baseball for the first time.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down
Swings his bat all the way around
The world’s so still, he can hear the sound
The baseball falls to the ground
Despite an intense amount of concentration this initial attempt to make contact fails.
Now the little boy doesn’t say a word
Picks up his ball, he is undeterred
Says, “I am the greatest there has ever been”
And he grits his teeth and he tries it again
Despite experience failure, this little boy still believes that he’s become a great hitter.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down
Swings his bat all the way around
The world’s so still, he can hear the sound
The baseball falls to the ground
When making contact isn’t achieved, this boy looks forward to tomorrow, with another chance at success.
He makes no excuses
He shows no fear
He just closes his eyes
And listens to the cheers
This boy uses visualization techniques as if to plan what he wants to do tomorrow.
Little boy, he adjusts his hat
Picks up his ball, stares at his bat
Says, “I am the greatest, the game is on the line”
And he gives his all one last time
This boy doesn’t give up, eager at a chance for redemption to finally make contact.
And the ball goes up like the Moon so bright
Swings his bat with all his might
And the world’s as still as still can be
And the baseball falls and that’s strike three
There were no participation awards when I grew out, if you struck out, you went back to the dugout to sit on the bench.
Now it’s suppertime and his mama calls
Little boy starts home with his bat and ball
Says, “I am the greatest, that is a fact
But even I didn’t know I could pitch like that”
Failure helps identifies strengths and weaknesses. This boy doesn’t look at striking out as a failure. Rather, he turns his attention toward pitching.
Says, “I am the greatest
That is understood
But even I didn’t know
I could pitch that good”
Confidence hasn’t left this little boy. There is still hope that one day he’ll be a great athlete.
Final Thoughts:
As a former little league coach for 5 years, every team is different. Some teams can hit but are slow base runners. Others are great bunters, but don’t know how to catch. Talented players take too many chances, and fast pitchers often walk the bases loaded. Subsequently, finding the right position, swing and developing proper fielding techniques take time. As long as desire doesn’t die after extended periods of failure, young baseball players can become as great as their talent and work ethic take them.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 