There's no praying in baseball!

or was that crying in baseball. Whatever, I can't recall, but since, according to today's Post, there is plenty of praying in baseball, it must be the crying. Anyway, I'm happy to know that there is plenty of faith and good behavior in the old game (the two go together, right?) as long as it's optional, of course, and stays off the field. One thing though, made me flinch...here's the aptly named Ryan Church discussion the finer points of theology with Tom Moeller, the Nat's captain:

Church was concerned because his former girlfriend was Jewish. He turned to Moeller, "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed? Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word."

Seriously, is this for real? The Nats allow this level of pure unadulterated intolerance in their clubhouse? In fact they encourage it? Is there nothing remotely resembling a sense of history? Would Sandy Koufax have been welcome in this clubhouse, you know, since it's apparently up to Church to save him from going to hell? Can't we all just agree that maybe, just maybe, there've been enough ill conceived efforts to 'save' Jews over the past few millennia?

Look, Church, Moeller and their ilk are free to practice their small-minded bigotry all they want, in private. RFK is building owned and operated by the government of the District of Columbia, Church and co get their fat salaries partially due to a nice subsidy from the people of DC, this proselytizing has no business in a public building. But I'm willing to make an exception, I want Mr. Church, if he really believes this, to stand up in front of the entire crowd at RFK for the next home game. I want him to say "Attention all Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus and all others belonging to lesser religions, thank you for giving us your money, unfortunately, you are all going to hell. Thank you." I wonder what the attendance of the Nats would be if before every game the team told all the Catholics they are going to hell? Maybe this is a good promo? "going to hell night" all heathens get in for half price?

Yes, Mr. Church, I am mocking you. You aren't a kid anymore, your faith shouldn't be about exclusion anymore, grow up, will ya?

On the same note, shame on the Packers for celebrating the bigotry of Reggie White today, he was a great player, no doubt, but when your team continues to issue press releases apologizing to the community for your words, you should forfeit your celebration. Fine, retire the number, but enough of the hagiography, alright?