Oakland A's Prospect Makes a Surprising Change

[blumj]

Outfielder Grant Desme, one of the Oakland A's top prospects, has decided to retire from baseball in order to pursue the priesthood, multiple sources told FOXSports.com.

An A's official confirmed Desme's decision this morning, saying the 23-year-old is "serious" about the big career change.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Oakland-As-prospect-leaving-baseball-for-priesthood-012210

[redsmetz]

So he's been traded to the Padres, huh?

http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/images/6/67/San_diego_padres_logo.jpg

[reds1869]

Wow, didn't see that coming...crazy! Good for him, though, I really respect a man who can follow his heart like that.

[westofyou]

http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/residents/billy_sunday_1886.jpg

[George Anderson]

If he is that good I am sure the A's would let him have Sunday's off. :)

[redsmetz]

I wish I could find the name, but I think there was a priest here in the archdiocese who attended Elder High School in the 40's or 50's who was an extremely good ballplayer. I remember someone I knew from that time who told me he was better than some of the guys who made the big leagues from Elder or West High, but I can't remember it all now.

[Mario-Rijo]

I believe this kid won the Arizona League MVP, kid wasn't bad and had some pop.

[OnBaseMachine]

Desme is a very solid prospect, too. 23 years old with a career minor league statline of .286/.365/.557 - .922 OPS. Good for him.

[chicoruiz]

Good for him indeed, but the topic headline scared me a bit...I was afraid he, like, wasn't gonna be a dude anymore...

[Chip R]

Good for him indeed, but the topic headline scared me a bit...I was afraid he, like, wasn't gonna be a dude anymore...


That was my first thought as well. :eek:

[westofyou]

That was my first thought as well. :eek:

http://www.movieactors.com/freezeframes-12/Garp40.jpeg

[Hoosier Red]

Desme is a very solid prospect, too. 23 years old with a career minor league statline of .286/.365/.557 - .922 OPS. Good for him.

A good ESPN story about a MLS soccer player who also gave up professional sports for the priest hood.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=darcy/081023

[15fan]

I think we can safely assume that Scott Boras was not his agent.

[Raisor]

Good for him

[corkedbat]

I believe there was a kid named Pedro Cerano who balanced his baseball career with a higher calling.

[TRF]

No disrespect intended, and I may be in the minority here, but i see it the other way around. God blessed this kid with tremendous talent. And because of that talent he would be in a position to greatly affect a lot of people, especially once his money really starts coming in. He may feel that his calling is the priesthood, but that would be there in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years.

It seems like he's ignoring a gift to me. just my opinion.

[Mario-Rijo]

I think we can safely assume that Scott Boras was not his agent.

Right, because it's a priesthood and not a cult. :D

[Mario-Rijo]

No disrespect intended, and I may be in the minority here, but i see it the other way around. God blessed this kid with tremendous talent. And because of that talent he would be in a position to greatly affect a lot of people, especially once his money really starts coming in. He may feel that his calling is the priesthood, but that would be there in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years.

It seems like he's ignoring a gift to me. just my opinion.

Perhaps, but maybe he is doing just the opposite. We may not know what his true gift is. I thought he was a pretty good prospect but he is 23 and allegedly returning to AA in '10, maybe he isn't so hot.

[blumj]

Good for him indeed, but the topic headline scared me a bit...I was afraid he, like, wasn't gonna be a dude anymore...
For future reference, if that did happen, and I got to start the thread, I would definitely use the word "shocking" instead of just "surprising".

[AtomicDumpling]

No disrespect intended, and I may be in the minority here, but i see it the other way around. God blessed this kid with tremendous talent. And because of that talent he would be in a position to greatly affect a lot of people, especially once his money really starts coming in. He may feel that his calling is the priesthood, but that would be there in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years.

It seems like he's ignoring a gift to me. just my opinion.

I agree with you. I think he is making a really, really bad decision.

[dougdirt]

I agree with you. I think he is making a really, really bad decision.

If its what is going to truly make him happy then its 100% the right decision.

[Topcat]

Wow, didn't see that coming...crazy! Good for him, though, I really respect a man who can follow his heart like that.

Totally agree 100 percent with you. that is not a move taken lightly and this young man should be commended for having such a solid life plan in place.:thumbup:

[Topcat]

I think we can safely assume that Scott Boras was not his agent.


Best quote of the year so far!:thumbup::beerme:

[TheNext44]

I think we can safely assume that Scott Boras was not his agent.

Or maybe that is what caused him to make this decision. After dealing with Satan himself, he feels he needs to cleanse himself, or train to fight against him. :cool:

[max venable]

Me, on the other hand, I'm considering not being a pastor anymore so I can pursue a major league baseball career.

What do y'all think?