Turn away from Jesus, Pedro Alvarez

by bucdaddy on Jan 22, 2010 6:26 PM EST

The Associated Press reports:

Oakland Athletics prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to enter the
priesthood. Desme was recently selected the 2009 Arizona Fall League MVP and was
considered one of the top prospects in Oakland's system. The 23-year-old outfielder
batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 131 games at Class-A
Kane County and Stockton in 2009. He then hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home
runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games in the fall league.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

Haha, poor Billy Beane.

by Suffering Buc on Jan 22, 2010 7:18 PM EST reply actions

Instead of sending Pedro to boot camp in Arizona this winter, the Bucs should have sent him here.

by WTM on Jan 22, 2010 8:11 PM EST reply actions

I remember a top Tigers prospect retiring in the late 80s/early 90s for religious reasons. Rob Richie, I believe.

by bolton on Jan 22, 2010 9:22 PM EST reply actions

Some of the screws are loose

to make such a dumb move. He’ll one day wake up and regret his decision and be miserable the rest of his life. Probably some Bible toting self righteous priest talked him into to this to prove some goddam point.

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 1:14 AM EST reply actions

I'm sorry that you lack

the intellectual and philosophical depth to understand that money and publicity is all that is important in life.

I’m also glad you researched the entire matter and were given supreme authority to decide how to pursue joy and meaning in life. Please tell me what I should do to achieve a similar level of happiness exhibited through your bitter and cynical, and especially well thought out, comments.

Please stop toting your hedonistic and imposing worldview. It’s not only annoying, its shallow.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 23, 2010 2:57 AM EST up reply actions

+1 Cutch

by God Loves on Jan 23, 2010 7:34 AM EST up reply actions

Good for the young man if this is his path.

by mak_DC on Jan 23, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

+3

Well said sir. And while the guy may regret his decision somewhere down the road, everyone has different priorities in life. If these are his, god bless and good luck to him

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.

by glass0941 on Jan 23, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

+4

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

+5 1/3

yes cutch does get credit for a third of an inning

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: DIck Lebeau, Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"If you give Arians a fullback, he won’t use one. Instead, he insists on using Matt Spaeth, who probably doesn’t cast a shadow because it would require blocking sunlight." steelin with some very true words

by WVPiratesfan on Jan 23, 2010 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

Grow up

pussy. I don’t need to research this guy. It’s idiotic. Obviously you never played baseball above Little League, you were probably the scorekeeper in high school.

The fact of the matter is that everyone that’s played baseball at a high level(college/minors) would give their right nut to be in this guys place(hype and prospect status) but couldn’t due to things out of their control (their size, injuries, etc.) so it’s frustrating to see a guy pissing this away.

All I’m saying is if this guy wants to do the preaching, do it in the off season because you’ll never get a second chance like this in your life.

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

-1

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

I would have to sympathize with the last 2 paragraphs, in that there would seem to be a sizable chance of regret down the line here (at least in a vacuum, without personally knowing the kid). I’m an atheist, but I interpret the phrase “god-given talent” to mean that if you have 40-40 talent, then God wants you to go out and hit some dingers while you can.

I agree with doing whatever you want to do within the law, but it’s hard not to shake your head when this stuff arises though.

by Adam Reynolds on Jan 23, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely...

he’s walking away from a ton of money. But again, we are assuming that fame and riches would be more satisfying to this man than helping others through priesthood would be. Clearly he doesn’t think so. Let’s hope he doesn’t wake up one day 10 years from now and regret his decision but as far as the here and now I really repsect this guy.

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Ok

so we got a bunch of self righteous finger pointers here…bunch of cool guys. by the way i’m my church’s treasurer and a active member of the peace corp hahahaha.

F you cutchistruth, you’re probably still living in the city you grew up in, working a worthless desk job, and spend your free time watching TV and playing World of Warcraft. But hey you know how the world works sitting in your comfortable little corner of the world.

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

+1

for Danatural for speaking his mind.

He’s entitled to his opinion as much as anyone else.

One thing I learned in Japan is how nice it can be to live in a country where the people generally don’t try to enforce their religious beliefs on others, and the harmony that more often than not results from a people who selectively pick and choose from Shinto, Buddhism and a sliver of Christianity as fits their needs.

There are too many “Bible toting self righteous” people in this country.

If Grant Desme wants to pursue his religious calling, more power to him, though. He is just a baseball player when it’s all said and done.

Also, +1 to bucdaddy for throwing out the bait that got this all started.

by patthatt on Jan 23, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

No...

it’s not about speaking his mind, it’s about respecting others which he clearly does not. I’m by no means a bible thumper at all, hell I don’t even go to church anymore. What I don’t like is that attitude Danatural has towards people of faith:

Probably some Bible toting self righteous priest talked him into to this to prove some goddam point.

and:

pussy. I don’t need to research this guy. It’s idiotic. Obviously you never played baseball above Little League, you were probably the scorekeeper in high school.

I’m all for religious tolerance which includes the right to not believe in God. But Danatural takes a direct shot at people of faith in his comments above. I also feel that his use of the “GD” phrase is another direct shot aimed to atoginize people of faith who directly responded to his insensitive comments.

All in all, the point he is missing, is that he considers baseball talents to be far superior than the talents this person may have as a priest. Let me ask you this, would this person have a better chance to improve humanity through baseball or being a priest? I’m sure there can be arguments made both ways but to dismiss the impact priests have on peoples lives is so totaly ignorant that it’s offensive and that is why people are responding this way. It’s not becauase they are “pussies” or suck at baseball. Not everyone can be as talented as Babe Ruth – Super Treasurer!!!

Danatural, take a step back man and cool down. Realize that not everyone who goes to Church is a right wing extremist. This kid made a decision to pass up possible riches for something he believes will be even more satisfying. He should be applauded for his decision, his courage, and not criticized. I guarantee I wouldn’t have the strength to walk away from possible fortunes.

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Also...

How can you plus one his reply which is filled with nothing but insults and insensitive drivel? There is nothing in either of his posts that I found to be insightful or even worth reading. Everybody is entitled to their opinions but they should also be respectful of others. This blog is one of the best, if not the best, because nearly everyone that comes here is respectful of others. Unfortunately, in his couple of posts Danatural did not display the common courtesy and respect to others that is common on BucsDugout.

This, BTW, is why religion and politics should not be discussed on a baseball blog even if there is a tie in. I promise that if Pedro Alvarez quits ball to pursue a career in poltics, I won’t make one comment.

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

i did cool

down and call a truce. I apologize for going off the deep end. Just felt that everyone was jumping on the bandwagon and attacking me. I should have just kept my opinion to my self. I had the same right to express my opinion that desme had to quit baseball, so both should respect his just like i expected to be treated.

my bad guys, sorry to drag my own shit into my last two posts

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

also

how could i be hedonistic when I’m a die hard Pirates fan? :)

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Now there's a conundrum

by WTM on Jan 23, 2010 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Hedonistic Pirate's fan...

sounds like an oxymoron!

No worries from me! This is exactly why I tend to avoid religion and politics in most social settings these days…everyone is very sensitive no matter what your position.

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

+1

kudos Danatural, for being man enough to admit fault. I seriously disagreed with you initial take, but appreciate this very much.

by escroll on Jan 23, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

I was going to head this off

With a reference to pedophelia, just to take the heat off. Whew, now I don’t have to.

I think this happens every year. We get antsy and start bickering. Usually it’s closer to Opening Day though, which I think means this incident bodes well for the Pirates chances this year. It could be we’ve run out of patience, or perhaps it’s more existential, and we sense something big is going to happen with the Pirates this year.

by azibuck on Jan 24, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

Actually

I’m going to Haiti this coming Sunday for two weeks to try and actually make a difference in this world and act out what tenets and ideals I hold dear to me.

As such, I’d appreciate any prayers and thoughts anyone has as support, along with any advice.

Thank you for stereotyping me without knowing me.

As for my future plans I’m currently finishing up my degree in philosophy and history so I can attend law school, after which I hope to work in some capacity seeking social justice, etc.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 23, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck...

Good luck down in Haiti. Most Haitians were in dire straights even before the earthquake, I can’t imagine what they are having to go through now. Be Safe!

Paul

"I choose to gamble with my life

Twice the risk, four times the prize

Nothing knocks me over"

by lighthouse913 on Jan 23, 2010 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

that’s something I can believe in!

by BlindSquirrel on Jan 24, 2010 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

in other news

i will give up the fringes of semi-scientific sabermetrics and fantasy baseball for dabbling in existential philosophy.

weak-hitting left fielder in coffee league baseball

by Bukanier on Jan 23, 2010 8:06 AM EST reply actions

Can’t we all just get along?

by maguro on Jan 23, 2010 3:58 PM EST reply actions

Heh...

where’s the fun in that!

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

And somewhere in the Morgantown area,

bucdaddy is getting a good laugh out of this thread.

by patthatt on Jan 23, 2010 4:31 PM EST reply actions

In the interest of preserving

the integrity of BD, we should probably end this debate now. Don’t interpret this as me being someone who ignites in uproarious angst when bloggers deviate from the topic of a specific site, but this is simply an argument that nobody will win. For the record, I tend to agree with DaNatural, and I have studied every type of philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, social/political, ethics, and logic and their subsequent sub-branches) both scholastically and individually, so to say his opinion is the result of the lack of knowledge in said fields is not necessarily accurate. I hope Mr. Desme enjoys the path he chose, but I am firmly against the teachings of the Catholic Church and a staunch supporter of top 10 Prospects not retiring prior to their big league call up. I realize that suggesting the debate to end as well as providing my personal view is inherently contradictory, but hey, sometimes I can’t help myself. But really, let’s not waste any more time discussing Desme’s decision when we have Community Projections to formulate!

by TheLizardKing on Jan 23, 2010 6:17 PM EST reply actions

Seems to me

that your post is simply a thinly veiled attempt to ensure that you get the last word into the discussion.

But that’s just my opinion, which probably isn’t worth much.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 23, 2010 7:29 PM EST up reply actions

thanks lizard king

yeah i think we all get edgy around here when NH announces that the wheeling and dealing will end.

by Danatural08 on Jan 23, 2010 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Just because...

you are against the teachings of the Catholic church does not give one the right to disparage those who do take it seriously (I’m not saying you have). It’s ok to say the kid shouldn’t have quit on his career but I do take offense to the “bible toting self righteous priest” comment. There was no need for that. That’s the only point I was trying to make. I can respect anyone’s opinion I would just hope that we’d all be tolerant of other peoples’ beliefs. With that said we should probably end the discussion here…I love having the last word, lol!!!

by Slick1 on Jan 23, 2010 8:40 PM EST up reply actions