Strike Four A Baseball Novel

Compassion Among Adversaries

Under the Geneva Convention, medical personnel who are clearly identified “shall be respected and protected under all circumstances.” In other words, even enemies at war are expected to show humanity toward those who try to assist their wounded brothers. The concept of compassion and empathy among adversaries interests me. Hockey’s great tradition of shaking hands after battling through a playoff series warms my heart as an example of graciousness as emotions and desire to win are at their peak. The winners console the losers, and the losers wish the winners luck in the next round. In “Strike Four,” Stewart Addision, the owners’ rep, and Dave Ferris, the players’ rep, are bitter rivals at the negotiating table, as they’re paid to be. But there’s a healthy respect between them. When the older man is hospitalized, his younger adversary puts the baseball strike aside to check on his colleague and wish him a speedy recovery. He even acknowledges that the same feistiness and stubborness he’s seen in the bargaining room will be catalysts for his foe’s healing. It’s not the first shared moment of humanity between the two, who’ve grown to see each other as friends as well as adversaries. The ability to rise above our squabbles, to show compassion for even those we’re going toe-to-toe with, makes us better people.