My Favorite Sports Moment 2012: #RallyZito

I love to be proven wrong. Perhaps that’s why I teach high school-- adolescents are no different. I read it on every evaluation of my course: “I was initially skeptical about the connection between sports and spirituality. I now understand….” Teens like to be proven wrong because they enjoy figuring things out for themselves. If you have a teenager, heed my simple advice: don’t give them any. Lead by example and let them do the rest. Life will prove them wrong about many things, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I like to be proven wrong because I like surprises.  I enjoy seeing the unexpected blossom and bear fruit. So, what could be a more fitting way than to describe my favorite sports moment of 2012: Game 5 of the National League Championship Series?!

Friday night in St. Louis: the Giants were down 1-3 in the series and this was the elimination game. Everyone wondered if Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy would stay with Barry Zito as the starter. He pitched all of 2 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Reds. He allowed four hits and four walks. However, we won. Bullpen by committee.

 

Zito faithful launched a #RallyZito campaign via Twitter.  The fictional picture of Zeets riding a unicorn fit the part. Here was a guy raised out of the box. In the interview, Barry Zito: Play-off hero, he says “From a spiritual side, my grandmother founded a religion [Teachings of the Inner Christ] and a teaching center in the ‘60s in San Diego, and I was raised on that. That’s where a lot of the eccentric, Zen things come from.”  I wasn’t interested in Zen. We needed Ks and Ks (backwards—the symbol for when a batter is caught looking…thanks for the reminder Mike!) 

He got out of a two-on no out jam in the second inning; he laid down a bunt for a single and completed 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball. The momentum continued to build; Giants won 5-0. The winning never stopped. 

People give Hunter Pence a lot of credit for his inspirational speech in the dugout—a rally cry, if you will. But Zeets did what speaks to teens—he led by example.  The rest of the Giants’ pitching staff followed his lead.

To confirm my appreciation, I made the pledge (albeit in a bar) that if the Giants won the NLCS title, I would purchase and wear a Zito 75 shirt.  After that game, how could I not make good on my word? 

In “Life Lessons from the Spiritual Southpaw,” I threw a lot of stones at Barry Zito because of the size of his contract and lack of player development. I delighted in not seeing his name on the 2010 post-season roster. But something was different in 2012. I knew he was quietly contributing all season long, and I didn’t want to give him credit. He became the fifth starter on the post-season roster, while the all-star from 2010 was relegated to the bullpen. I held on to my suspicions but desperately wanted to be proven wrong. The World Series was at stake!

When Zito pitched Game 1 of the World Series, I ate crow and loved doing so.  I wore my 75 Zito shirt with sheer delight and enjoyed an article my brother sent me from ESPN magazine about the lucky lefty.  Once again, I was proven wrong about how he is, even about his spirituality…and I love that. 

From ESPN Magazine's Barry Zito:Play-off Hero

KEOWN: Your faith seems to enter into your conversation more these days. How did that come about?

ZITO: I  But I just needed more structure, and sometimes you have to go through difficulty and physical trials to really get broken down. In 2011, I got broken down physically as well as mentally. In August of that year, I committed my life to God. I realized I'd been relying on my own strength for so long and, man, I'd been wearing it. I've been wearing it like no one in my circle. So this was about finding a strength outside of myself. The way I was raised, that's a concept I never would have given any credence.

 

KEOWN: What was the impetus or the moment that precipitated it?

ZITO: I had this very odd injury in April of 2011. It's mostly a football injury -- Lisfranc ligament tear -- and I came off the field that day after never being hurt in 11 years, and I said, "All right, something bigger is going on here. A message is being sent, and I've got to listen." A few months later, I realized I'd been doing it alone. My best friend told me an old story I really love. A shepherd will be leading his sheep, and one of the sheep will be walking astray from the pack. The shepherd will take his rod and break the sheep's leg, and the sheep will have to rely on the shepherd to get better. But once that leg is completely healed, that sheep never leaves the side of the shepherd ever again. That's a really beautiful metaphor. A lot of things happen to us as people, and we realize we've been relying on our own strength for too long. Last September, I got a tattoo, and it's the only one I have, of a golden calf on the inside of my right bicep. I show people that, and it signifies idolatry and that I was putting things before God. I haven't talked much about this. When I committed with my chaplain, he said, "You don't need to go around telling people this stuff. There will come a time and a place." I guess that's a change for me too. I used to kind of dig attention. Now I'm seeking deeper fulfillment.

2012: thanks for some wonderful sports memories.  BZ, thank you for my favorite.

Photo Credits

BZ and Timmy

Bunt

Zelieving

Game 4 in Cincy

Sports Moments in 2012: What is your favorite?

When I was seven years old, I had the most memorable, magical Christmas.  My family traveled north to Tacoma, WA to be with my dad’s side of the family. It was a treat to be in a place where we might actually have a "white Christmas" and where I got to open the majority of my presents a little earlier—after Mass on Christmas Eve. I woke up on Christmas day to find that Santa left his lot and a stocking full of treats. I tore through my gifts and my mom informed me that I had one more.  From behind the tree, came a beautiful sight—a wondrous creation. It was a huge, plush white unicorn with a necklace of flowers around its neck.  I hugged this magical creation and named it Crystal. Who knew that this same creature would serve as the symbol for what I consider my favorite sports memory of 2012?!

It’s a fun question to ask people. What is your favorite sports moment from 2012?  And I recommend doing so. Some responses will be more common than others, but some will surprise you.  Perhaps that was Sports Illustrated’s intention as the writers decided this question would serve as the theme for the final issue of the year: Fans’ Choice for the Best Moment of 2012.  Two Manning Miracles!  Two Giants Comebacks! But Only One Michael Phelps.

The December 31^st issue reminded me that different fans have different loyalties and different loves.  Regardless, reviewing a year through the lens of sport is easy and fun.  And it resonates with this time of year—a time when we should stand before God with awe and wonder, joy and delight.  It may seem like an odd prayer at first, but I take such joy in talking about my sports moment of the year, I can’t help but thank the good Lord for the memory and the people I shared it with.

Is your favorite sports moment one from the 2012 Olympics—the London Games?  Did it involve the rise of Linsanity? For Notre Dame fans, it might not be a single game, but an undefeated season. For many people in San Francisco, it could be the NFC Championship game when the 49ers defeated the New Orleans Saints. Or our second World Series title in three years. To look through Sports Illustrated, I was reminded that my lens on the sports world often revolves around my teams; the image on the Table of Contents page didn’t feature the perfect game of San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain. No, it was Seattle Mariner Felix Hernandez.  He was one of three pitchers who threw a perfect game this season.  But one’s favorite moment is personal….so let it be yours and only yours. 

Tomorrow I will share why the game now affectionately known as “Rally Zito,” the game that sought fan support by a picture of 75 riding a unicorn all over Twitter is my favorite sports moment from 2012.

And, If I see you at a New Year’s eve party, get ready for this question. I can’t wait to hear your answer.  If it involves Zeets, we can compare notes.

Photo Credits
Zito's Unicorn

SI Cover

Hernandez Perfect Game

Barry Zito: Life Lessons from the Spiritual Southpaw

I show a clip of “The Franchise,” the television show about the 2011 San Francisco Giants in my Sports & Spirituality class. As mentioned in the blog posting "The Franchise: A Season with the SF Giants and Some Basics in Spirituality," one scene portrays Ron Rolheiser’s definition of spirituality to a tee. Sandwiched in between the stories of the 37-year old relief pitcher, Mark Kroon who didn’t make the roster and the 23-year old rookie Brandon Belt, who did is some other reality TV drama. Pablo Sandavol worked hard during the off season to lose weight and starting pitcher Barry Zito was under scrutiny for being the highest paid player on the team. Last year, I fast-forwarded through the scene. I didn’t want to waste my time on #75 but for some reason, this year, I let the tape run. It’s very easy to say, but even if he hadn’t kept the Giants postseason hopse alive in pitching 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball in Game 5 of NLCS, I am glad I did.

Barry Zito won the Cy Young award with the Oakland A’s in 2002. It almost felt like a coup d’état when a team just across the bay, my San Francisco Giants signed this three-time All Star to a seven-year deal for $126 million. I followed their excitement in drafting him as my number one pick in my fantasy baseball league (the only year I ever played). Perhaps that is why my disappointment and distaste for “Zeets” runs so deep.

I have posted uncharitable comments on Facebook and Twitter like “Why is it I am only offered free tickets when Zito is pitching?” And when I wrote “37 Million Meals Strong: St. Anthony’s Dining Room,” it took everything in me not to include an editorial comment: Zito finally did something right when he volunteered his time on that special day. I even scoffed when “The Franchise” dubbed Zito as “the spiritual southpaw.” Although intrigued, I was angry the show decided to spend as much time on him as it did.

It was purely a matter of convenience (or laziness) but I left the clip unedited and "75" got his airtime. I listened and watched Barry Zito with a suspicious eye as I saw him playing his guitar and driving his Escalade. He made a few comments here and there about being humbled in 2010 for not making the 25-man post-season roster and what “the Universe or God can tell you" in that lesson. My interest was waning…and then he said, “With a big contract, there’s going to be some scrutiny, some jealousy, some hatred and some anger. I heard one time that anger is just frustrated love. You don’t get angry at something you don’t love.

Well yeah, Barry I am angry with you making $20 million a year and doing little if nothing to deserve it. Can’t say I have ever loved you as a player. I reviewed the message of his statement and realized—he’s right. It’s not Barry I’m angry at (of course I’m writing this after he captured NLCS Game 5) it’s baseball and American society that I’m angry at. I love this game. I love our country. Baseball is our national pastime. I love the game because it has a magical narrative. It reveals who we are as a country and a people in a way that other sports do not.

But despite its story that books and movies past and present capture, the business dimension is taking over. That is the America I am becoming increasingly more familiar with. Barry Zito signed a contract that his agent secured and that the Giants offered. I have a hard time understanding that an athlete could say “No, please don’t pay me that much. I’m not worth it.”

Furthermore, the prices we are now paying athletes is paid for by increased ticket prices. I was able to go to postseason games because I am financially responsible for one person—myself. Many families and Americans are priced out of baseball altogether. Former MLB Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti said "It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." I hate to be a naysayer, but this reality of the "business of baseball" also breaks my heart.

Barry spoke to the truth once again when he said, “what people don’t realize is we are a bunch of regular dudes chasing our dreams. I’m in the business of throwing baseballs. It all just comes with the territory. What happens when you get so much flak, you start to realize it didn’t become as much fun anymore. There’s no excuse for that. I didn’t do this stuff for some lifestyle. I do this because it’s something I love to do.

Barry Zito’s performance in the 2012 should be all the evidence I need to know that Zeets loves to play the game as much as I love to watch it. And I love to watch good people chasing their dreams. Unfortunately in the United States today, many of our dreams have a price tag next to them. But you can’t buy victory. One thing I will buy however, is a Giants t-shirt with Zito 75 on the back (if they make it to the World Series). Perhaps I should just buy it anyway. The spiritual southpaw taught me a good lesson.

For what its worth.  Barry Zito's salary from the Giants is $19 million this year.  The MVP hopeful Buster Posey, $615,000.  The Giants have the seventh highest payroll in MLB at $117 million.

Photo Credits
The Franchise
St Anthony's
Zito

37 Million Meals Strong: St. Anthony's Dining Room

Despite the weak economy, I was not surprised to see that every home game this season of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants has sold out. This week, the Giants, who rank third in overall attendance, welcome the team with the worst attendance in Major League baseball—the Florida Marlins. For stats junkies, facts like these and more can me found on the ESPN Major League Baseball report.

But MLB isn’t the only organization keeping good records. Across town, St. Anthony’s Dining Room has been keeping count, by hand tally for 60 years of every guest who has walked through its door for a warm, hot meal and their consummate hospitality.

On April 12, 2011 St. Anthony’s served its 37 millionth meal since it began doling out food on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4, 1950. On hand to serve meals that day--beside a core army of volunteers--was San Francisco Giants, pitcher Barry Zito. St. Anthony’s website reported that A ‘momentary pause’ in the usual service was made to honor the significant moment with the Giants’ player, celebrating a ‘giant’ contribution to the community.

A statistic like “37 million meals served” should be news in and of itself. It’s a sad but impressive fact. And I hate to admit it, but the reason I read the article St. Anthony's milestone: 37 millionth meal by Heather Knight is because I saw a photograph of Barry Zito next to the headline. Part of me wishes that he had not been part of the story, but St. Anthony’s can and will take all the good press it can get. With the mission "to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, lift the spirits of those in need, and create a society in which all persons flourish," St. Anthony Foundation is supported entirely through the generosity of the community; they do not accept government funds. That's correct, Fr. Alfred Boedekker, OFM did not want any financial assistance from the local, state or federal government. Their doors have remained open because of donations of people like you and me.

And every year, the goal of St. Anthony’s is to close its doors. In an ideal world, they would not need to serve anyone; no one would go hungry. The reality however is different. Knight reports, "It will probably hit meal No. 38 million much faster than it would like. Since January alone, the dining room at the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Jones Street has seen a 10% rise in the number of people seeking food, and more than 3,000 now form a line snaking down the block every morning. For many of them, it's the only food they'll eat all day."

While the line or cue may be the face that many San Franciscans first see of St. Anthony’s, the dining room is the entry point for all that the foundation provides—Food to Clothing, a Social Work Center, a tech lab for job searches, a free clinic and more. "And so St. Anthony's is moving forward with a plan for a new 10-story building featuring a remade dining room, a free clothing shop and a center for social work. The top eight floors will house 90 units for low-income seniors, which will be run by Mercy Housing. Construction is set to begin in July 2012, with the building due to open in 2014 (Knight)."

Looking at the architectural designs earlier this evening, I could not help but think of another architectural masterpiece—AT&T Park. I thought of how this cathedral of baseball has transformed the China Basin neighborhood, how it is a source of pride of so many people in San Francisco and how what takes place inside, buoys the spirits of people of every age, race and creed on a regular basis.

It’s safe to say that St. Anthony’s dining room does just that on a much deeper level. As a Catholic it is a source of pride for me. I believe in a faith that does justice. Because of its belief in the inherent dignity of each human person, St. Anthony's buoys the spirits of all guests whether they come for a hot meal or for rehab. St. Anthony’s both the old and the new has transformed the Tenderloin; a neighborhood where human need is great. Please consider giving tor volunteering at St. Anthony's. If you do, you make witness was Zito said, "They're all very grateful and really good-spirited people. I think they are Giants fans, too." And why wouldn't they be...?!

Photo Credits
Lou Seal
St Anthony's DR
BZ