As you may know by now, I am a huge lover of sports. All sports, especially the Lions and all things MICHIGAN (GO BLUE!). I love Jesus more than anything this world could ever offer me, but I do love sports. I find that sports are the last bastion of decency in the world. Other than the commercials we occasionally get, a game can bring many moments of competition, highs and lows, and redemption.

I love baseball. I have so many memories of going to Tiger Stadium and Comerica park with my dad and my friends. My two closest priest friends and I have started a small tradition. Each summer we have traveled to different baseball stadiums to enjoy the game of baseball and see the different teams and towns. We have been all over; a few years back we took the "road-trip of all road-trips" when we drove to see the Cincinnati Reds, The Louisville Slugger bat factory in Kentucky, the Atlanta Braves, made a three day retreat with Mother Angelica and her nuns at the EWTN studios, then drove up to St. Louis to see the Cardinals at the new Busch Stadium, then finished up seeing the Cubs and the White Sox in Chicago. We've also done all of the California teams. As a side note, on these trips I've caught two foul balls: one in Atlanta and one in Anaheim.

Well this summer we were scheduled to travel out East to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. But, alas, Covid-19 put a damper on our plans, just like it has on so much of yours as well. I was able to catch a bit of one of the Tigers games this last week and I am so grateful to have baseball back--even without fans in the stands. It got me praying and thinking of how the Saints in Heaven would play the game if they were here now. Baseball truly is a Catholic sport (check out the book: And God said "let's play ball"). All that being said, I decided to put together my All Star Team of Heavenly Saints, and I sure had fun doing it:

Heavenly All-Star Team (See if you can get all of the inside Catholic jokes. If you can think of any other fun saints who would fit this roster, let me know!)
1) CF the disciple John: (He’s quick; able to get on base easily. Ran to the tomb before Peter)
2) 2B Maximillian Kolbe: (willing to sacrifice himself to move the runner over)
3) 1B St Paul: (arguably the best hitter of all time. He'll take your head off with one stroke )
4) DH St Peter: (all power! Given all the “keys” to success)
5) RF Francis Xaiver: (has got a canon for a "right arm").
6) 3B John Paul II: (sure and steady “defender” of all the major areas)
7) SS Padre Pio: (decent hitter; sure fielding SS. As if he had "gloves on both hands")
8) C Joan of Arc: (dressed (as a boy) in her catchers “battle gear” she is ready to defend her homeland ... The plate)
9) LF/Utility Francis of Assisi: (his meek and mild temperament makes him the perfect second lead off man. Willing to do anything for anyone.)

PITCHERS:
STARTERS:
SP Therese of Lisieux (under-hand or over-hand she makes “roses rain from heaven”)
SP Stephen (he's gotten used to "tossing rocks")
SP: Nicholas (has a strong arm but he is getting old, can't "sling it" like he once did.)

BULLPEN:
Simon of Cyrene: (makes a great long inning "reliever")
St. Blaise: (as the 8th inning hold guy, he surely wont "choke").
Closer King David: (got an arm like a "sling shot")

BENCH:
OF Bl. Solanus Casey: (a homegrown talent who "opens the door" for many scoring opportunities).
OF Thomas"the dumb ox" Aquinas: (Is big man, and a good interview with the media for he likes "Q and A". He is that pinch hit power off the bench. One swing with his "summa" power can tie the game).
Saint Michael the Archangel, OF: knows how to “defend” the plate well and never seems to be in a “snare” on the bases; like an “angel in the OF”; wielding a powerful “sword” of an arm.

COACHES:
Manager: St Joseph (a true leader; one who can lead “the family” through any turmoil).
First Base Coach: Don Bossco (he's good at coaching the young kids on the team). Third base coach: John Vianney (as always sending souls home to the Father.) Saint Jerome as hitting coach: (strong and demanding man who instructs batters how to “defend” the plate and “translate” their approach to the next level.)
Saint Thomas the Apostle as Bench Coach: (good at helping players to overcome their “doubts” and believe in their ability.)

As always, know of my prayers. Please pray for me!
In the Heart of Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Steve