Key Bible Verse: Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you (Psalm 51:15). Bonus Reading: Psalm 63:2–8

After the final game of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A's, Bob Costas of NBC interviewed me in the locker room. He asked what I was doing between innings when the cameras had caught me in the dugout with my head back, "eyes closed, almost meditating."

"I was singing hymns to myself to relax and keep my adrenalin down, because every time I thought about being ahead, I got too excited to pitch."

The next night I was a guest on "The Tonight Show." Johnny Carson also asked about that. "Do you just hum, or what?"

"I sing." The audience clapped and cheered. I hadn't meant that! "I'm not gonna sing!" They roared.

"Oh, yes you are!" Carson said. I shook my head, panicking. I'd never sung alone in public in my life. "This could be a first," he pressed. "Just a couple of bars."

"Well, the one I remember singing the most was a praise hymn." (Suddenly it was deathly silent.) "As I sat on the bench I'd sing: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

My Response: How do I "center down" when I'm feeling stressed?

Thought to Apply: He who does not praise God while here on earth shall in eternity be dumb. —Jan Van Ruysbroeck (14th century)