tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969719124137500057.post3922754825500367636..comments2024-02-02T03:21:08.549-08:00Comments on Opinion of Kingman's Performance: Mormon on Mission...But this one is on the Ball FieldEvan Bladhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00882462203403645860noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969719124137500057.post-83669354163210602592012-04-29T12:17:43.901-07:002012-04-29T12:17:43.901-07:00One thing I did not note was that Dale Murphy conv...One thing I did not note was that Dale Murphy converted to Mormonism after his baseball career began, so his contractual commitments and All Star caliber career (that at the time was winning MVP awards) wasn't something that he could really consider without serious repercussions. One of Murphy's teammates, Barry Bonnell, introduced him to the religion. After retirement Murphy served as an administrator of the Boston, Massachusetts mission along with his wife. The LDS church has advised athletes and celebrities that they can complete missionary type work by living their religion while continuing in high profile positions. Such athletes as Steve Young and Danny Ainge are examples. Harper has chosen that path as well.<br /><br />One thing I forgot to mention about Christensen was that he doubled as a Japanese translator for the team with some of the Japanese players in the organization. (Nomo and Ishii, I believe were on the roster at the time).Evan Bladhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00882462203403645860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-969719124137500057.post-31716591333782063422012-04-29T09:24:57.556-07:002012-04-29T09:24:57.556-07:00You have to respect what Christensen did, taking t...You have to respect what Christensen did, taking two years off. I am sure he was aware of the toll it might take on his baseball career, but his faith commitment came first. That is hard not to admire.<br /><br /> A number of players took years off, not necessarily voluntarily, during the wars - WWII and Korean War. The difference was that they got established as baseball players, then were out of the game for a period of time, just as TJ surgery does to players now. I expect having reached a high level of competence first, a sabbatical is less damaging than it is to a player just developing.<br /><br />In any event, in his heart, McKay made the right choice for him and we can't argue with that. Baseball is a game with a short time frame. Life is a bigger game and lasts a lifetime. I can't ever imagine being as strong as McKay Christensen was.<br /><br />Bryce Harper has committed to baseball, not his faith. Being seen as a Morman playing baseball is not a commitment to his faith in any way. But that too is OK. As posted, Dale Murphy honored his commitment to mission after he retired. Bryce can do the same.Bluenose Dodgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803830130432084223noreply@blogger.com