The Theology of Not Letting Teddy Win

ESPN E-60 has done a video segment about Teddy always losing the Presidents' Race at Nationals baseball games. The video is narrated by Ken Burns, producer of the wonderful PBS Baseball series. The segment includes interviews with John McCain and Winthrop Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt's great grandson.

 President Obama's spokesperson has apparently even taken a position on the issue on behalf of the president.

 "This is an outrage. I agree with Sen. McCain, I'm comfortable saying my boss agrees with Sen. McCain,"said White House press secretary Jay Carney.

This issue seems to me theologically relevant, but I can't quite figure out how to put the theology of it into words.

Perhaps it has something to do with the last being first and the first being last. Perhaps it has something to do with not being admired because we win but because we run the race. Perhaps it has something to do with being loved whether we win or lose, and sometimes especially when we lose. Perhaps it has something to do with Teddy looking as if he is wearing some sort of a clergy collar.

The video is near the bottom of this page. It is 8 minutes long but, in my opinion, worth the investment of your time. Consider it devotional time ... or an extra 8-minute sermon this week.

Theological reflections are welcomed.