The Boston Red Sox - God's Team

I found this article by the Boston Globe's Bob Hohler very interesting. I knew there were a number of Evangelicals on the Sox but I didn't understand the extent:

''Without question, chapel attendance among the Red Sox has been far and away more than any of the major league teams over the last two years," said Vince Nauss, president of Baseball Chapel.

Trot Nixon, Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Curt Schilling, Doug Mirabelli, Bill Mueller, Matt Clement, John Olerud, Mike Myers, Tony Graffanino, Chad Bradford: Each Sox player considers himself an evangelical Christian who believes in the sacred authority of the Bible and the promise of Jesus Christ as his savior.

''In terms of coming to Bible study and chapel, this team has more guys involved than any team I've ever been with," said Olerud, who has played for five teams over 17 seasons in the majors.

The article is very informative but I think Hohler should have taken a little literary license and spoke about how the Red Sox rose from the dead against the Yankees in last years playoffs (coming back from a 3-0 deficit). He also could have set up a good vs. evil theme with the Sox against the Evil Empire backdrop. That's what I would have done but then again that's why Hohler is the pro and I'm just some slub with a blog.

Sometimes a "God squad" can alienate rather than bring together teammates due to a feeling of judgementalism. Not so on the Red Sox:

''Everyone is very respectful of one another and what they choose to believe in," said Gabe Kapler, who is Jewish. ''The guys in this clubhouse live in harmony when it comes to that kind of stuff."

Nixon suggested it would be sinful for Christians to do otherwise.

''It would be terrible for me or anyone else to look down on someone who may not come to chapel or Bible study," he said. ''We love and care about everyone a great deal."

Wow - Trot talking about loving his teammates and it doesn't seem phony in the least. Can Jesus be the glue that holds the Sox extraordinary team chemistry together?

I have a couple of observations to make on this following excerpt:

Sox advance scout Dave Jauss, who attended chapel Sunday, has spent 10 seasons with the organization, also serving as first base coach and director of player development. He said he welcomed the growing influence of Baseball Chapel in the organization. (Day also oversees the chapel program for the minor league system.)

''We're trying to develop a player as a whole," Jauss said. ''We give Spanish-speaking kids English lessons. We give players lessons in how to deal with the media. What better than to also introduce them to the spirit?"

Olerud said the Christian players serve as a support system, particularly on the road, where the seeds of many marital problems are planted.

''There are a lot of temptations on the road," Olerud said. ''Having a group of guys who share a similar mind-set helps you get through the season."

First, you can bet that the coaching on how to deal with the media the team gives the players included a discussion about the so-called "three Jesus rule." Have you ever seen a post-game interview where the player just pratters on about "first I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without the Grace of Jesus I wouldn't be here and my talents are a gift from Jesus and..." After the third "Jesus" the producer has hopefully thrown the interview back to the studio.

It's OK to thank Jesus but make it quick. It should be like saying "Hi Mom!" Saying "Hi Mom" is cute but if the player went into a five minute discussion on his mom nursing him till he was seven and walking him to school every day until he was a senior in high school - well then that's too much info. Same with thanking Jesus. Just say, "First I want to thank Jesus" and leave it at that or better yet - don't say anything at all. Let your actions be your example.

I say the team coaching on how to handle the media shows simply because I watch a lot of Red Sox games and post-game interviews and I haven't seen the three Jesus rule come into play even once this season.

The second part of the above quote touches on infidelity. This again circles back to team chemistry. Red Sox fans recall how Wade Boggs and his "Delta Team" threatened to tear the team apart (after Boggs' affair with skank Margo Adams was made public - Boggs threatened to blow the whistle on teammates who were also cheating on their wives if they didn't back him up). If the players aren't cheating on the road there is one less temptation to deal with.

Interesting article by Hohler.