An All- American story, the moon landing and baseball

The Apollo 11 crew was the first to set foot on the moon [1969 ]
[Photo--NASA--Public Domain]

ATLANTA — In July, 1969 five decades ago, astronaut Neil Armstrong took the ultimate travel adventure in history when he became the first person to walk on the moon. So what do Neil Armstrong’s lunar stroll and baseball have in common?

Both represent all things American. The moon landing and baseball, in their own unique way, typically define a story about national pride and spirit that defines our country. It's about who we are and what we do best.

Five decades ago, the two converged in Atlanta, Georgia when a major international event merged with another unknown, unheralded story to reinforce a truly American experience.

In the late 1950s, the Russians sent a satellite into space called Sputnik. That moment signaled a race to the heavens between the United States and the Soviet Union that would intensify over the next decade.

The international competition grew even stronger when President John F. Kennedy claimed that we would put a man on the moon by the end of 60s. The gauntlet had been thrown. The gloves were off. It was the ultimate quest to see which nation would become the first to step on a heavenly body other than our own.

Alan Shepherd became the first American into space. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth. Then, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became not only the first American, but also the first person, to walk on the moon.

Eleven astronauts followed. All of them Americans. No other nation has ever accomplished that task. Kennedy’s dream and America’s challenge had become a reality.

Man's first lunar footprint.
a powerful image
[Photo--NASA--Public Domain]

Other than the awareness throughout the United States that, if successful, sometime during the afternoon of July 20th an American spacecraft would land on the surface of the moon, it was a day like any other day.

It was a Sunday. People went to church. Others played golf. Families gathered for weekly reunions at lunch. And there was a full schedule of major league baseball games all across the country.

In Atlanta, the Braves were playing the San Diego Padres. It was a typical Sunday afternoon for the Braves with a modest crowd of a little more than 12,000 fans rooting for their team that was then in the thick of the pennant race.

Atlanta scored a run in the first inning, which, as it turned out, was all they would need even though they added three more in the third before building up a 10-0 heading into the eighth inning.

Marine throws first pitch
to Braves catcher
[Photo--Sgt. Courtney
White, USMC]

It was the sort of game that only a Braves fan, or a die-hard baseball lover, could enjoy. The drama had long since abated and the only thing in doubt was whether Braves pitcher, Pat Jarvis, would get a complete game shutout.

After the first hour of the ball game, the scoreboards around Atlanta Stadium became more interesting to watch than the game. Throughout the afternoon, messages kept flashing across the electronic message boards providing regular updates about the progress of Apollo 11.

“One hour until touchdown,” they would say.

Then, “Thirty minutes before landing.”

“Fifteen minutes.”

Then five and, finally, at 4:17 in the afternoon Eastern Time, the message flashed, “The Eagle has landed!”

Neil Armstrong takes the first step on the  moon
[Photo--NASA--Public Domain]

The game was in the top of the eighth inning. The Padres were at bat and Pat Jarvis was still on the mound. He picked up the resin bag, stepped to the rubber and began his wind-up as usual. Suddenly 12,000-plus people spontaneously rose to their feet with a cheer that sounded like 100,000 instead.

Then something truly serendipitous happened. Something that cannot be scripted or planned. Something that comes from the heart and erupts in your soul. Something that is unforgettable and lives within you forever.

Jarvis had just brought his leg to his waist as he readied his pitch to the San Diego hitter. And then he stopped. He heard the roar, and he knew what had happened. There was no doubt.

Without hesitation, the Braves pitcher ceased his motion, put his leg down and turned toward the American flag in center field. He removed his cap and placed it over his heart. Jarvis’ teammates on the field spontaneously did the same thing, and the Padres came out of their dugout to stand in a moment of national unity.

There was no pre-game notification. No planning. No bands waiting for a ceremony. This was completely unrehearsed and natural. Suddenly the organist played God Bless America and the small, but vocal, crowd and the players sang in unison.

Approximately six hours later, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon with his now famous quote: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

But it was that brief moment of pride during the course of an ordinary baseball game that became an extraordinary event that remains forever etched in the heart of those who witnessed it.

Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk, NC in 1903, 116 years
ago  [Photo -- Public Domain]

This was a story about a country unlike any other. It wasn't about waving a foam finger in the air and boasting of being number one. This was not bluster. This was deeper. It was about success. It was about American spirit and what can be accomplished when we utilize our resources to achieve.

This was about a country that went shooting for the stars. It was about the first man to make a "small" step toward that goal. Fifty years ago today, Neil Armstrong took a walk in the heavens.