Desme Retires To Become Catholic Priest

[cruzg24]

Athletics outfielder Grant Desme has retired to become a Catholic priest. A's farm director Keith Lieppman confirmed that Desme, who led the Arizona Fall League with 11 home runs en route to MVP honors, has given up the game.

Lieppman said Desme called A's general manager Billy Beane earlier in the week to inform him of his decision. Lieppman, who has since spoken with Desme, said the organization respects Desme's decision but will miss him on the field.

"To do that when you are at the top of your game, it's a powerful thing, and the organization has to respect that," Lieppman said. "Somebody will step up, somebody will take advantage of the opportunity they may not otherwise have gotten, but he will not be easy to replace. With the tools he has, he had tremendous potential. But I would imagine his potential is equally great on this new path considering his commitment."

Desme, 23, was the only player in the minor leagues to post a 30-30 season last year, with 31 homers and 40 stolen bases between low Class A Kane County and high Class A Stockton. It was the first full season for the 2007 second-round pick out of Cal Poly, who had missed most of his debut year and 2008 with wrist and shoulder injuries.
Desme ranked eighth on Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects for the Oakland organization.

Source: BaseballAmerica.com

Wow it must be a really tough decision to do that, when you have so much potential. I dont fault him for wanting to be closer to God though.

 

[STLZACH]

the name of my catholic high school, which I am at right now, is Desmet

irony?

 

[.GR]

Damn, our 8th best prospect. I'll be honest, I think he's going to regret this the rest of his life. I don't know what he's thinking...

 

[cruzg24]

I dont know what he might be thinking. Maybe he wants to help others more than help himself. Maybe the injuries got to him and he felt that his body wouldnt sustain the grueling job that is a full baseball season.

 

[RipCity32]

Damn, dude must really love the faith. I give him mad props to do what he is doing instead of playing professional baseball one day.