A's prospect leaving baseball for call of the priesthood

[_Simpson_ 250]

A's prospect leaving baseball for call of the priesthood

By 'Duk

Well, here's a story you don't see every day.

Grant Desme, a 23-year-old minor league outfielder in Oakland's system, is retiring from baseball to follow a calling into the Catholic priesthood.

The story was first reported by Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi — perhaps appropriately with that first name of his — and this isn't a case of a struggling player going through an early-life crisis. Desme was ranked the A's eighth-best prospect by Baseball America after hitting .288 with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs in A ball in 2009 and he was just named MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

Desme might have even been a late-season callup to the big league club in 2010. Our Y! Sports 2010 fantasy guide has him ranked the 40th-best minor-league prospect for near-term fantasy purpose. However, ESPN's Rob Neyer disagrees, saying that he didn't see Desme as a future star by the Bay.

Susan Slusser has more on Desme's decision to leave playing against the Padres and Cardinals so he can start praying with other padres and cardinals at a Catholic seminary in Orange County. He said the news came as bit of a shock to Billy Beane, but that the Oakland GM and entire A's system have been supportive of his decision.

Said Desme on a Friday afternoon conference call:

"I'm doing well in baseball. But I had to get down to the bottom of things, to what was good in my life, what I wanted to do with my life. Baseball is a good thing, but that felt selfish of me when I felt that God was calling me more. It took awhile to trust that and open up to it and aim full steam toward him ... I love the game, but I'm going to aspire to higher things."

Desme spoke with Baseball America last year about baseball being only "a game" and we wish him success on his spiritual path. In a selfish age when churches struggle to recruit young male Americans, his sacrifice of possible riches is a very admirable thing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_leagu...?urn=mlb,215238

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Big mistake if you ask me, I say play for a few years then join the priesthood.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why is it a big mistake?

[Ggreen 12]

More $$$.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

More $$$.

So money is more important than doing what he really wants to?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Why is it a big mistake?

because you have a chance to have some financial security and then join the priesthood, besides as a rich man he could help so many more in his priesthood

[spookyturtle 9,466]

because you have a chance to have some financial security and then join the priesthood, besides as a rich man he could help so many more in his priesthood

You don't understand why someone would go into priesthood.

[_Simpson_ 250]

You don't understand why someone would go into priesthood.

to find there spiritual calling, serve there lord. Lets face it money makes the world go around and to ignore that fact because you believe god is calling you seems silly to me. Besides I said he should still go into priesthood but after he has played a few years.

[Ggreen 12]

Lets face it money makes the world go around and to ignore that fact because you believe god is calling you seems silly to me.

How he got his phone number?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

to find there spiritual calling, serve there lord. Lets face it money makes the world go around and to ignore that fact because you believe god is calling you seems silly to me. Besides I said he should still go into priesthood but after he has played a few years.

Maybe it's not silly to him.

[Peikko 1,575]

I always thought that catholic priests had to give away all their worldly goods to the church on entering the priesthood?

Of course, that's probably something that happened 100 years ago

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Trappist monks and Cistercian sisters must give up all of their worldly possessions and have zero net worth to enter the order.

Edited January 23, 2010 by spookyturtle

[GabiandVi 34]

Most orders of priests take a vow of poverty. But that's not even the point. When you have that sort of calling, making any sort of sacrifice, such as giving up a career playing a game you love, becomes a joyous thing. It's the same feeling lay people get when we make the decision to make a sacrifice for any greater purpose. If you really want to do it, you never regret it, and you feel uplifted every time you recall your actions. Only I imagine the joy is greater for priests or anyone who has a life calling. But that doesn't make it easy for those who watch it. I have a friend whose son became a priest, and though she never expressed it to him, she was devastated. I can understand her feelings. She came to be happy about it eventually, but I'll bet she still feels pangs of regret now and then.

[NickD 203]

This is one of those subjects that deals more with feelings and opinions than cold hard facts. Also, many are called but few are chosen, it's up to his superiors at the seminary to determine if he was chosen.

Hope this guy doesn't have pedophile or homosexual tendencies. Seems to be the kind of guys that are called or attracted to it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Why not make a few million and THEN become a Priest? Must be ghey.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why not make a few million and THEN become a Priest? Must be ghey.

Obviously money isn't important to him.