The 1990 World Series gave us a great underdog story, one featuring a seemingly outclassed Cincinnati Reds team stunning and sweeping the heavily favored Oakland Athletics. That particular series, like most others, included several subplots, individual stories that add to the drama. Among them was an episode that unfolded in the late innings of game two. The Reds had stunned everyone by winning game one, and game two would prove whether or not it had been a fluke, but game two proved to be a tight one, ultimately ending in extra-innings. Late in the game though, Reds' pitcher Tom Browning learned that his wife was going into labor. Browning was scheduled to start game three and the Reds that year were known for their bullpen of "Nasty Boys," so his chances of being needed that night were slim to none. So, Browning left Riverfront Stadium and game two of the World Series, and took Mrs. Browning to the hospital. Late in the game the cameras caught manager Lou Piniella having an unpleasant discussion with pitching coach Stan Williams. (Sweet Lou was beyond thrilled to hear the news.) A few minutes later, Tim McCarver announced a message from Piniella over the CBS telecast, calling for Browning, if he were listening, to come back to the stadium. When interviewed later, Browning said that he had no intention of leaving his wife and missing his son's birth. Cincinnati did pull out the victory, and so did the Browning family. Tom Browning got to bed at 5:30 A.M., travelled to Oakland later that same day, and started game three the next day.
All eyes were on Browning in game three. How would he fare pitching against such a tough offensive team, when he was physically exhausted? Well, Browning did what a man does. After having taken care of his family, he went out, and he went to work. Browning pitched 6 innings, only allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks (quite a feat, considering the opponent he faced). The Reds won the game, leaving Oakland, once again, stunned and down 3 games to none.
Now for us, this story is just a fun anecdote from the world of sports. But for a young Browning man, it means everything. For our children, it means everything when we choose them over our other pursuits, when we not only tell them, but show them that a man's got to do what a man's got to do.