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<\/a><\/div>\nH\/T to Our Sunday Visitor<\/i> for catching this ground ball and throwing it to me on second base. I first learned of Florida Marlins manager Jack MeKeon\u2019s piety while watching \u00a0the video Champions of Faith<\/a><\/i> with my children a few years back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack McKeon\u2019s baseball days begin in a pew. At 8 on Tuesday morning, the Florida Marlins\u2019 manager attended Mass at St. Patrick\u2019s Cathedral, less than 12 hours after his team beat the Mets on a 10th-inning grand slam. Such games are testament to his faith in the saint he prays to every game during the national anthem.<\/p>\n \u201cA good night for St. Th\u00e9r\u00e8se,\u201d he said, sitting in the lounge of a Midtown Manhattan hotel.<\/p>\n In each major league city, McKeon has a favorite, or at least a convenient, Roman Catholic church. If he does not know their names, he can describe them or tell you how to get there. In Cincinnati, it\u2019s SS. Peter and Paul. In Chicago, Mass is at Holy Name Cathedral. In Philadelphia, he goes to what he calls \u201cthe oldest church in the U.S.\u201d When the Marlins stayed at a hotel on the East Side of Manhattan, he followed these directions: \u201cWalk out the door, take a left, walk 30 yards, and take a right, where the homeless hang out.\u201d<\/p>\n For each of the regular churches in his personal directory, he learns the Mass schedule.
Long time readers of YIMCatholic know I\u2019m a baseball fan<\/a>. So I was glad to see this story \u00a0highlighting Jack\u2019s faith in the New York Times<\/i> this morning. Take a look.<\/div>\n
\u201cAt St. Patrick\u2019s it\u2019s 7, 7:30, 8, noon and 12:30,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re very flexible.\u201d
Mornings at church \u201cgive me energy,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re free. You feel good.\u201d His daily ritual is part of a baseball routine that is now in its 62nd year, stretching back to D League ball in Greenville, Ala.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n