04/18/24
May 21, 2003
C.J. Nitkowski, a pitcher who publishes his own Web site, writes an online diary that's not what you might expect. "For the past 6 weeks I have gone through a major league spring training camp as a child of God, the first time ever for me since I was drafted back in 1994," he wrote March 29. "In the end I received the answer I was hoping for, God has allowed me to start the 2003 season as a member of the Texas Rangers." (Update: God assigned him to Triple AAA Oklahoma City three weeks later.)
Wasn't there a player in Bull Durham who was outwardly religious? I forget whether it was used as a punchline or as a contrast to Crash and Nuke's typically hedonistic baseball lifestyle.
posted by rcade at 10:40 AM on May 21, 2003
rcade, there was, his name was Jimmy and he ended up marrying millie, the clubhouse whore (iirc)
posted by vito90 at 10:46 AM on May 21, 2003
• Career major league record: 16-30, 5.37 in 270 games (44 starts) over all or part of six seasons. I always wonder about this — does God only show up one-third of the time when C.J. pitches? Did God fool with the batting strokes of those C. J. faced in spring training to allow him to make the club? Reminds me of an old joke. A man is standing next to a priest before a boxing match. One of the combantants crosses himself as the first bell sounds. "Father," asks the man, "will that help him?" "Not if he can't fight," the priest replies.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:52 AM on May 21, 2003
Wow. A baseball player who really believes in God. That is so interesting.
posted by therev at 10:59 AM on May 21, 2003
I do wonder how many players are Jedi.
posted by jasonspaceman at 11:17 AM on May 21, 2003
When I tried to click on the link my computer was struck by lightning. I'll try again after I delete some of the pron.
posted by kloeprich at 11:37 AM on May 21, 2003
Kloep, I think God hath smote your fingers.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:48 AM on May 21, 2003
C.J. wasn't always a religious man. I remember when reading his website was an interesting (and candid) look at a player in the majors. He had no problem sounding off on any topic that crossed his mind. As many comedians have said before, I would love, just once, to see a pro athlete blame his poor performance on God. "I would have caught that Hail Mary touchdown pass if God hadn't redirected the ball off my fingertips and into the hands of the opposition."
posted by grum@work at 12:17 PM on May 21, 2003
He's already crediting God, now all he needs to do is start talking in third-person to be a perfect caricature of sports stupidity.
posted by dusted at 12:47 PM on May 21, 2003
Grum, if you can find it, there's a written history of the Second City Comedy Clubs that includes a double CD of selected sketches. One of them is about just that, and has a sportscaster asking questions such as, "Your victory today eliminated Kansas City, which suffered through a long season of disappointment and injuries. Kevin, why does God hate the Chiefs?" Great stuff.
posted by wfrazerjr at 02:33 PM on May 21, 2003
Wasn't there a player in Bull Durham who was outwardly religious? There was also that guy in Major League who was heavy into voodoo. A litttle Googlin' reveals that that role was the big screen debut of excellent HITG actor Dennis Haysbert, who I loved in Heat and who's probably best known from 24.
posted by kirkaracha at 05:14 PM on May 21, 2003
Wow. That is without question the holiest website I've ever seen. I feel like I need a shower.