So my team—and I really have been an everyday fan for 35 years—has made it to the World Series. Probably I would do well to keep from divulging which team it is, lest your own preferences cause you to lose perspective—for that is what these words are about.

In the days following the close of the regular season, I was curious to read the news that the St. Louis Cardinals were considering another contract extension for manager Tony LaRussa. If you’ve ever read George Will’s classic, Men at Work, you find it hard not to possess a higher-than-normal degree of appreciation for LaRussa.

No so with Cardinals fans.

The comments following a particular online article were numerous, nearly all from Cardinals faithful, and nearly all in favor of sending old Tony on his way. I say “old Tony” because that was the most common sentiment—that LaRussa’s best days are behind him.

But here was another typical complaint: in his 15 years at the helm of the Cardinals, LaRussa has been able to produce only one World Series title. There has been one other trip to the Fall Classic, but that ended in a loss.

Apparently that’s a bad thing. And I’ve gotten to wondering why.

Consider this with me. The Cardinals belong to the National League’s Central division, which includes six teams. That means that each team (including the Cardinals) should win the division title, on average, once every six seasons. Over the course of LaRussa’s managerial run, that translates into two or three division titles. But the Cardinals have won the Central division seven times during LaRussa’s tenure.

The Cardinals belong to a 16-team league, which means that each team (including the Cardinals) should win the league pennant, on average, once every 16 seasons. As we’ve noted, the Cardinals have gone to the Series twice during LaRussa’s time at the helm—twice the average.

And the Cardinals, like all teams in baseball, are one of 30 teams overall. Which means, you will recognize by now, that on average each team should claim a title once every 30 years. So one Series victory in LaRussa’s 15-year stint actually puts the Cardinals in very good stead.

What is it, then, with Cardinals fans? Why are they so discontent? Probably because they’re just like most of us. That is, we would never wish ill on another, but we sure want to be blessed somewhat more than average.

In other words, we’re very good at losing perspective and falling into discontent.

I know, I know, there are many good arguments about the troubles of growing complacent in mediocrity. There are all kinds of perfectly good reasons to pursue excellence. Except one. We are to do unto others as we would have done unto us. When our own pursuit of excellence forgets that there even are others—say Rangers or Giants or, oh my, Cubs—whose pursuit has for so long fallen short, perhaps it is time for a dose of perspective.

Maybe, just maybe, this is why God cares so much about justice, about the big guy looking out for the pipsqueak. It has much to do with His heart not so much for dynasties, but for those who are hoping to win just once in life.