Since their founding, the Knights of Columbus have had connections with baseball, especially with the New York Yankees. Fr. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was apparently a good baseball player.
On May 20, 1872, at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Lewiston, N.Y., seminarian Michael McGivney crossed home plate three times. He helped the Charter Oaks, his intramural team, win their first game 23-6.
Years later, on April 18, 1923, at the new Yankee Stadium, Knight Al Smith, later the first Catholic to run for president from a major party, threw out the first pitch. During the same game, Knight George Herman “Babe” Ruth hit the first home run in the stadium with two men on base.
“Babe” Ruth
During that year, Ruth hit 40 home runs which might have been the record then.
Yankee Stadium became known as “The House that Ruth Built.” Because he was an orphan, Babe helped the disadvantaged, especially orphans. He visited them all over the country. He also started the Babe Ruth Foundation for Impoverished Children.
Years later, Yankee pitcher Ron Guidry, nicknamed Louisiana Lightning, was also a Knight. He salvaged the 1978 season after the Yankees trailed the Red Sox by 14 games. He won the playoff game with the Red Sox, two World Series games, and 25 regular season games. He received the Cy Young award in 1978.
At Yankee Stadium, it was delightful to see Yankee manager Yogi Berra hop the fence during a game to visit briefly with his friend Bishop Charles Greco, the Supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
In 1953, the Knights of Columbus purchased the land upon which Yankee Stadium was built. They rented the land to the Yankees. The revenue was used to help support Knights insurance whose purpose was to help provide for member’s families. Twenty years later, the Knights sold the land to the city of New York.
In Monument Park located behind centerfield of Yankee Stadium, there are three bronze plaques which commemorate the visits of three popes who celebrated Mass there.
The first papal plaque honors St. Paul VI who celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium on October 4, 1965. The second plaque commemorates the Mass for World Peace and Justice offered by St. John Paul II on October 2, 1979. The third plaque honors Pope Benedict XVI who celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium on April 2, 2008. More than 57,000 attended.
St. John Paul II
St. John Paul II was an avid skier, hiker, and swimmer. When he became pope, he installed a new swimming pool at his summer residence. When he was criticized about the cost, he joked that it was cheaper than calling another conclave to elect another pope. (His predecessor John Paul I died after 33 days as pope.)
St. John Paul II stated that gospel values such as loyalty, fair play, respect, and cooperation can be learned in athletic competition. He added that athletic competition characterized by fair play and sportsmanship helps to bring the human race closer together.
The way we coach, play, or watch our favorite teams is one of the most visible ways that our Christianity connects with life. We adults must show youth that winners are also those who do their best, play fairly, and learn lessons that help them cope with adult life.
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus for the Diocese of Madison.