And now, finally, some uplifting baseball news :
This week, the Kingdom of the Netherlands defeated the Republic of Baseball. Not once, but twice. Tuesday night, in extra innings and three days after their first improbable victory, the Dutch bounced the Dominicans out of the World Baseball Classic, 2-1.Even without injured Alex Rodriguez, of recent steroid fame, the Dominican Republic fielded Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz and 21 other major leaguers, among them four All-Stars. The Dominican team’s combined MLB payroll is $83.4 million. The Dutch have a single pro in the show who earns $400,000. Their players are like backup catcher Stefan de Jong, who works in business and moonlights in the Dutch league. In the bottom of the 11th, De Jong pinch hit against Cubs All-Star Carlos Marmol, blasted a breakthrough double and scored the tying run.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
