by Political Editors: Americans awoke to the shocking and horrific news Monday morning of a mass-shooting attack in Las Vegas. Early reports are that at least 58 people were killed and more than 500 people injured, making it the worst mass shooting in our nation’s history. The suspect, who has been identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of nearby Mesquite, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel down into a crowd of concert-goers across the street. Police officers responding to the scene eventually located Paddock, who reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the hotel room from which he had launched his attack.
As with any sudden chaotic event, initial details can often be conflicting and confusing before a more thorough investigation takes place. This is what we know so far.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. local time Sunday night, rapid gunfire broke out during country music singer Jason Aldean’s performance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, with over 22,000 in attendance. Police reported that there were in “excess of 10 rifles” found in the room. Police have yet to identify the weapon(s) used, although audio footage of the attack suggests that the attacker was using a fully automatic rifle, not an easily obtainable weapon.
The motive for the crime is currently unknown. However, federal officials have said that at this time they do not see any international terrorist connections, despite claims to the contrary. That leaves mental illness as the most likely culprit.
Finally, President Donald Trump tweeted, “My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!” We echo his message, and add a call to our fellow Americans: Please pray for those affected by this terrible atrocity. Pray for Las Vegas. ~The Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/51611
And he was at his best Oct. 6, 1965, when the first World Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins was played.
But Koufax didn’t pitch that game. In fact, he didn’t even get dressed in his uniform or show up for the game that day.
Why?
Because it was Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the calendar – the day God said not to work but to spend time in contemplation of our sins and atonement He offered for those who would repent.
Yom Kippur has come and gone in 2017. It was observed by Jews all over the world last weekend, from sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday. There were no World Series games played as, this year, post-season baseball hadn’t yet started until today.
But it’s a great illustration of a star athlete making a commitment to something higher than his sport.
I was only 11 years old at the time of that game. But it made an impression on me.
Koufax was not even someone you would characterize as devout. He was raised in a secular home. He had pitched on many Sabbaths – Friday night games and Saturday day games – in his career.
The act was a big deal for Jews all over the world.
One rabbi who went to see Koufax the day after that game to express his appreciation for standing strong in the faith called it “the greatest act of dedication to our Jewish values that had even been done publicly.”
Fifty years later, Rabbi Moshe Feller, in an interview with Sports Illustrated, added: “It’s something that’s engraved on every Jew’s mind. More Jews know Sandy Koufax than Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
In his autobiography published the following year, he wrote, “There was never any decision to make … because there was never any possibility that I would pitch. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish religion. The club knows I don’t work that day.”
As for Koufax himself, he explained the decision in the 2010 documentary “Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story,” this way: “I had taken Yom Kippur off for 10 years. It was just something I’d always done with respect.”
When the great Don Drysdale, a 23-game winner in 1965, was knocked out of the game in the third inning of that game, trailing 7-1, he handed the ball to his manager, Walter Alston and quipped: “I bet you wish I was Jewish, too.”
When Koufax first announced his decision not to pitch the first game of the World Series, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, a Roman Catholic, even joked to reporters, “I’m going to ask the pope to see what he can do about rain.”
The rest of the story is interesting.
Koufax started Game 2 – and lost.
He started Game 5 in Los Angeles and shut out the Twins to give his team a 3-2 advantage in the series.
When the Twins evened the series at 3-3, Koufax volunteered to pitch on two days rest for the finale.
Koufax’s amazing curveball wasn’t working that day, so he relied on his blazing fastball to strike out 10 and shut out the Twins for the victory.
Koufax was named Sport Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 1965 without ever mentioning the Yom Kippur decision.
Just a year later, at age 30, when pitchers are usually entering their prime, Koufax announced his early retirement from baseball because of arthritis.
He wore number 32 on his back throughout his remarkable career. He’ll turn 82 later this year.
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