Baseball Phenom Quits to Join Priesthood

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Oakland Athletics outfielder prospect Grant Desme, the Most Valuable Player in last year's Arizona Fall League with 31 home runs and 40 steals, is leaving baseball to join the priesthood. "I was doing well at baseball ... but I aspire to higher things," he said.

Posted by rcade at 08:12 PM | 46 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry

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rcade

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Sad.

#1 | Posted by clancifer at 2010-01-23 08:26 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Sad...."

Not apparently from his point of view.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2010-01-23 08:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

Not apparently from his point of view.

Or the perspective of the person who gets his job...

#3 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2010-01-23 08:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

He went from the A's to the Padres because their uniforms are spiffier.

#4 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2010-01-23 08:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

nothing worse than wasted talent...

#5 | Posted by yougothurt at 2010-01-23 08:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

nothing worse than wasted talent...

#5 | Posted by yougothurt

Couldn't disagree more---congratulate the young man for looking out for others' interests as much as his own---now there's an example I would hold up for my kids---don't prostitute yourself for the "American Dream"--reminds me of Pat Tillman--people like these are the real heroes.

#6 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-23 08:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

A batter A batter batter
A A Amen

#7 | Posted by kirk at 2010-01-23 09:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

Two of the ministers on the staff of our church at the top of their game quit their D1 college sports to be ministers.

Sports idolatry is one of the more all-consuming idolatries...

#8 | Posted by kirk at 2010-01-23 09:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

one useless profession to another even more useless one...

#9 | Posted by Shawn at 2010-01-23 09:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

I wonder if it was the lure of young boys that drew him in.

#10 | Posted by jackass at 2010-01-23 09:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

More power to him. While he's certainly not the first to heed God's call, it's noteworthy when someone sacrifices a potentially lucrative career as he's done. He's stepping out to serve a higher purpose. Difficult to comprehend for the non-believer and, I might add, difficult for many believers, including me.

If I had such athletic promise I'd probably have looked for a way to spread God's Word through my athletics vs chucking the whole thing to join the ministry.

Our church supports a missionary who'd been a very successful physician. He and his wife relocated to the Dominican Republic where a non-grass roof is considered a luxury.

#11 | Posted by OohRah at 2010-01-23 09:57 PM | Reply | Flag:

Sports idolatry is one of the more all-consuming idolatries...

#8 | Posted by kirk

True.

#12 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-23 10:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

Mature beyond his age---he puts guys like Bonds, Mcgwire, Rodriguez etal to shame.

#13 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-23 10:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

I think it's important to add that you can be a great servant to God without necessarily having to be led into the ministry.

#14 | Posted by OohRah at 2010-01-23 10:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

one useless profession to another even more useless one...

At least he would have been entertaining as a baseball player.

#15 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2010-01-23 10:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

#14

No question about that---it's how you impact people each day that you come into contact with along with using the gifts/talents given to you.

#16 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-23 10:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

Jackass, as usual, acts as self described. I guess some convict fuck like yourself can't actually imagine having any real talent in life, nor any consuming inner feelings of helping others. Sucks to be you, a wasted ass, good for nothing.

#17 | Posted by SpokaneJim at 2010-01-23 10:23 PM | Reply | Flag:

v
Jackass, as usual, acts as self described. I guess some convict fuck like yourself can't actually imagine having any real talent in life, nor any consuming inner feelings of helping others. Sucks to be you, a wasted ass, good for nothing.

#17 | Posted by SpokaneJim

Jim, somewhere deep down in his inner recesses, even Jackass has a hidden value---might be hard to find but it's gotta be there---unless he has a hardcore personality disorder or is a sociopath or psycho-path.

#18 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-23 10:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

I'd vote for all three. It's a wonder he can even manage to type enough keys in sequence in order to put together a coherent, for him, opinion. His brain must be chugging along missing a few cylinders.

#19 | Posted by SpokaneJim at 2010-01-23 10:31 PM | Reply | Flag:

It was the only way he could move from catcher to pitcher.

#20 | Posted by JaySherman at 2010-01-23 10:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

He did not have to do that!

Jesus plays baseball

#21 | Posted by grumpy_too at 2010-01-23 10:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

Is he saying that Jesus can't hit a curve ball?

#22 | Posted by clancifer at 2010-01-23 10:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

one useless profession to another even more useless one...

#9 | Posted by Shawn

I just read your post and I must say ... it is the best post on this thread so far.

#23 | Posted by Sluggo at 2010-01-24 01:30 AM | Reply | Flag:

Have you tried to watch baseball lately? That game just doesn't fit into our collective conscience anymore. It's a t-model in a sports car world. America's Past-time? I don't think so. Maybe back in the day when Detroit and Cleveland and Pittsburg were fine places to live.

Ironically, the priest-hood can be described exactly the same way. I suppose this guy is determined to waste his life one way or the other.

#24 | Posted by Lipzoidial at 2010-01-24 07:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

I am astounded--well, the word is too strong, given the a cynicism displayed toward religion and the religious on this site--at the reactions posted here. What is wrong with you people? Instead of celebrating someone giving up material fame and fortune to dedicate his life to spirit, you are decrying his behavior as somehow... what? Stupid? Useless? Pointless? I'm a nonreligious person, and I think this is very cool. Not all priests are pedophilic, alcoholic hypocrites, folks. I don't get it. (shaking head)

#25 | Posted by pragmatist at 2010-01-24 08:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

Well said ---it's a stereotyping--what this kid is doing is destroying their preconceived notions and it makes them uncomfortable--the most giving people I've ever met are people (not religious) that are spiritual who constantly are doing for others--I'm glad they're around because it pushes me through example to try harder to be something doesn't come naturally.

#26 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-24 08:38 AM | Reply | Flag:

Have to agree with Sluggo and Shawn.

#27 | Posted by valis at 2010-01-24 09:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Have to agree with SLUGGO and SHAWN...."

Some people have a fundamental objection to the existence of chocolate AND vanilla. If this fellow lived his life the way you want he might end up being you. In certain cases, that's a frightening idea.

#28 | Posted by Zed at 2010-01-24 09:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

All the money, fame and fortune in the world won't help you if you are unhappy. Just look at Britney Spears and all the other crazy miserable celebrities. If he wants to go into the priesthood more power too him. It isn't the choice I would make, but I have to respect his decision.

#29 | Posted by merlinsbeard at 2010-01-24 10:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

"I am astounded--well, the word is too strong, given the a cynicism displayed toward religion and the religious on this site--at the reactions posted here."

You should have seen some of the clowns showing their class by agreeing with Ted Rall. He called Pat Tillman stupid for giving up the NFL and joining the Army. As someone posted earlier, when you have no talent and no chance of achieving a professional status, it is no wonder they are cynical and ignorant to an individuals higher calling.

#30 | Posted by crispee_oc at 2010-01-24 10:58 AM | Reply | Flag:

I hope one day he lays in bed realizing all that he gave up and realizes he wasted his life worshiping a being that isn't there. Then I hope he realizes he could have done more for society by just donating part of his salary to worthwhile charities. Even the taxes he would have paid would have helped more people than being a worthless priest. People don't need faith they need entitlements.

#31 | Posted by jackass at 2010-01-24 11:03 AM | Reply | Flag:

#9 | Posted by Shawn

Spoken like the last kid picked.

#32 | Posted by chickenrancher at 2010-01-24 11:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

#31 | Posted by jackass

And bail bondsmen need retainers

#33 | Posted by chickenrancher at 2010-01-24 11:25 AM | Reply | Flag:

I think it was 500 well spent. I consider it an insurance policy.

#34 | Posted by jackass at 2010-01-24 11:50 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Then I hope he realizes he could have done more for society by just donating part of his salary to worthwhile charities..."

You've never read the Bible to understand this, JACKASS, but this statement is awfully close to something Judas Iscariot once told Crhist.

The more things change....

#35 | Posted by Zed at 2010-01-24 11:54 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Told Christ...."

That is to say, Jesus. In case you were confused.

#36 | Posted by Zed at 2010-01-24 11:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

#24 NW

#37 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2010-01-24 12:06 PM | Reply | Flag:

"nothing worse than wasted talent..."

Not a choice I would make but if he wants to do something elese more than he wants to play baseball then how exactly is his talent wasted?

"Have you tried to watch baseball lately?"

People who have never liked baseball say stuff like this. This would be like me saying "Theater is dead" because I don't enjoy it and I can claim its been replaced by TV and movies without actually having an idea how popular theater is today. MLB drew more fans than ever last year and many independent teams flourish.

#38 | Posted by Sully at 2010-01-24 12:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I hope one day he lays in bed realizing all that he gave up and realizes he wasted his life worshiping a being that isn't there. Then I hope he realizes he could have done more for society by just donating part of his salary to worthwhile charities. Even the taxes he would have paid would have helped more people than being a worthless priest. People don't need faith they need entitlements."

They need entitlements? They need ENTITLEMENTS? Jesus, Jackass, are you deliberately trolling? (Of course you are.)

Some people do very well having faith in their lives, ya witless asshole. I don't have it, and you don't, but does that make someone else's invalid or wrong for them? I don't think so.

And believe it or not, priests are in fact known to have helped people. They are counselors, if nothing else, and that means a lot to some people.

Politically, man, I often agree with you, but this--you're being a dick.

#39 | Posted by pragmatist at 2010-01-24 12:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

Jackass needs the scientologists who went to haiti to lay their hands on his cerebri "to follow the nervous system to connect the main points". His body must have had a "sudden shock in the past" and he needs "to feel the touch" to get his energy "unstuck".

#40 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-24 02:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

People who have never liked baseball say stuff like this.

#38 | Posted by Sully

I wonder if half those folks go to watch the grass grow in the outfield?

#41 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-24 02:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

Sounds very commendable but coming to think of it, the guy's mega retarded.

Crisis

#42 | Posted by CrisisStills at 2010-01-25 06:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

Sounds very commendable but coming to think of it, the guy's mega retarded.

Crisis

#42 | Posted by CrisisStills

The kid has his priorities in line at an early age and after reading crisis' posts; one in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

#43 | Posted by matsop at 2010-01-25 08:29 AM | Reply | Flag:

Why retarded, Crisis? 'Cause he found himself with something more important to do than be greedy? And why use the word "retarded"?

#44 | Posted by pragmatist at 2010-01-25 09:45 AM | Reply | Flag:

Prag Jeebus is Dead. He was nothing more than a Jim Jones. God does not exist. The kid is wrecking his life. He should be out banging sluts and injecting steroids.

#45 | Posted by jackass at 2010-01-25 09:47 AM | Reply | Flag:

"He should be banging sluts and injecting steroids..."

You sound like a man desperate to live vicariously.

A consumer of whores and drugs? That's who you want this kid to be? I think we can agree on one thing, you and I: A babysitter or a school teacher you just never need to be.

#46 | Posted by Zed at 2010-01-25 11:59 AM | Reply | Flag: