The new major league baseball season is here!  My family and I love going to the games together and we hope our team will make it to the playoffs again this year.

      But, the importance of winning baseball games seemed to diminish when we heard the news that the Los Angeles Angels’ young rookie pitcher died a few days ago.

       He had just pitched six shutout innings a few hours earlier against the Oakland Athletics.  It was his best effort since being called up to the major leagues.  The sport’s broadcasters were impressed by his pitching performance.

      Then, later that night he was killed by a drunk driver while riding in a car with some friends.  He and two other passengers were killed.  The drunk driver had minor injuries and actually ran from the scene of the accident.

      What a tragedy.  Here was a young 22 year old baseball player with the potential to go far.  In a moment his life and the lives of two friends were ended.

      It hurts when we hear news like this.  Three families are suddenly devastated by the deaths of these three young adults.  Loved ones are gone.  Families are changed. Suddenly baseball doesn’t seem so important.

      We need to keep things in perspective.  Don’t let the daily grind distract you from the things that are really important.  Faith, family and friends are some of the most important things in life.    Remember to value these more as you rush through each day.