Top Athletics prospect retires to enter priesthood
By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker, Ap Baseball Writer – Sat Jan 23, 1:45 am ET
As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and he startled the A's on Thursday night when he told them he planned to enter a seminary this summer.
General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."
"I love the game, but I aspire to higher things," he said. "I know I have no regrets."
In a statement, Beane said: "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
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A's Pitcher walks away from baseball
Started by Guest_Gumshoe_*, Jan 26 2010 10:57 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 26 January 2010 - 11:07 AM
Giving up baseball, money, AND sex. He won't even have to stop and talk to St. Peter, that boy is on the express train!
#3
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Posted 26 January 2010 - 12:38 PM
As wizz would say, "WOW 
" .
" .
"Forever never seems that long ~~until you're grown"
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Bandido- November 24, 1957- August 12th, 2011.....RIP, my good friend... things will never be the same here without you. :(
Gonemad -June 26th, 1962-May 13th, 2008
sliceslicebaby@facebook.com
sliceslicebaby@twitter.com
#4
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Posted 26 January 2010 - 03:32 PM
I wish him the best on his journey to the priesthood and will keep him in my prayers.
Coldwater Cavaliers--20 State Titles and Counting!!!!
#5
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Posted 28 January 2010 - 11:15 AM
Not a decision I would make, but I hope it works out for him. Nice to see someone realize that there is more to life than sports and do what's right for him.
#6
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Posted 29 January 2010 - 10:36 AM
QUOTE (dhsdawg06 @ Jan 28 2010, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not a decision I would make, but I hope it works out for him. Nice to see someone realize that there is more to life than sports and do what's right for him.
You are correct, not a decision I would make, but even for the greatest of all, there is more to life than sports....
You'll be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the football field. - Jim Tressel
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