Is it ok to pitch on the Sabbath?
Sword of Laban
'Roy's been able to help so many people ... because of baseball,' wife
says of charity work
Jun 14, 2008 04:30 AM
RICHARD GRIFFIN
BASEBALL COLUMNIST
Cynicism runs rampant in pro sports. Whenever an athlete steps forward
with a personalized charity effort in the community, critics suggest
it's a tax dodge or something an agent insisted on to boost his
player's image, setting him up for other, lucrative endorsements.
For Roy and Brandi Halladay, there are other, far more personal
reasons behind their continuing desire to give something back.
"We both grew up Mormon," Brandi Halladay explained. "In the Mormon
church, young men go on missions for two years. Roy got drafted right
out of high school and didn't go. He really got a lot of flak, but Roy
was worried about taking care of his family.
"His grandfather in Idaho was a patriarch of the church. He went to
Roy and he said, `You'll serve your mission in other ways. Baseball's
going to open doors for you that might not be opened otherwise.' He's
the smartest guy. Roy's been able to help so many people and do so
much for people because of baseball, because of what the Blue Jays
have done for us."
Major-league players are paid on the 15th and 30th of every month.
According to Brandi, her husband – the Jays' starting ace who is
making $10 million this season – refuses to look at his pay stub. He
often simply hands the envelope over to her with his head turned
away.
"It bothers him to make as much money as he does," Brandi, 34, said.
"He feels like he's out there doing his job. Should he get paid? Of
course he should be paid. But there's a lot of people out there that
work hard. He works hard at what he does, but it doesn't mean that
other people out there don't deserve those kinds of cheques, too. It's
kind of humbling. (His charity work) is his way of paying back."
The Halladays' signature Doc's Box program involves a luxury suite
paid for by the pitcher to host sick children. It was a concept the
Halladays insisted accompany his first multi-year contract. Roy and
Brandi annually purchase and use the suite on the 300 Level of the
Rogers Centre to host kids from the Hospital for Sick Children. They
are trying to expand the use of the box to allow more people to take
advantage of a day at the ballpark.
"Roy and I want to be able to do more with Doc's Box but we're kind of
at our max," Brandi said. "We can't have more days because the
hospital just can't get them here. We have the ability to do it, but
the hospital just doesn't have enough staff. So, we're trying to
figure out how we can expand Doc's Box. Our way is going through
Ronald McDonald House, doing something for the families who are
involved with (terminally ill) children. It's an amazing charity."
Clearly, Brandi Halladay has her life priorities in order. She knows
what she wants and is tenacious in making sure it gets done. This
character trait can be seen in the unusual tale of romance leading to
the Halladays' marriage and life with their two boys, Braden, 7, and
Ryan, 3 1/2.
"When I was 12 years old we moved (to Colorado). Shortly after, a
family moved into our ward at church. One girl became a really good
friend and she had this pesty little brother that was 9 who we always
had to deal with. We'd want to go somewhere and he was behind the
couch making stupid faces ... an irritating little brother."
Brandi's family moved to Chicago. When they eventually moved back to
Colorado, she had left home and was living in D.C. At age 22, she got
lonely and moved west to join her family, while looking to get back
into university.
"I was all depressed. All my friends were moving on. A friend said,
`You have to stop eating nachos, come to the gym and let's play
racquetball.'
"I was checking out a racquet and looked over in the weight room and I
see this big, tall blond guy with a shirt that read, `Will Fish for
Food.' I thought this was a weird feeling, I knew this person. My
friend said, `That's Roy Halladay. You used to be friends with his
sister.'
"Perfect. There was my in. I walked up to him and introduced myself.
He probably thought I wanted to get back in touch with his sister. I
said here's my phone number. He didn't ask me for it. I went in to see
my mom and said, `I just want to tell you guys, I met the man I'm
going to marry today.' He called me that day. We went out that night
and talked three times a day until he left (for spring training). It
was quick, but I knew. He's absolutely my best friend."
And so these best friends in life find themselves in Toronto (and in
Denver in the off-season) with a chance to do good for people,
utilizing the crazy amount of money they've been given.
"A lot of emphasis is put on how much money the guys make," said
Brandi. "People are obsessed. I agree that athletes are overpaid. But
that provides us the opportunity to help. What I would like people to
see is these guys are not out there just buying sports cars and taking
vacations. The majority of the people on the team really are doing
good in the community ... and they're trying."
And so are the wives trying. In fact, the Jays Care Foundation allows
the Lady Jays the flexibility to suggest programs that interest them
and to carry them out.
"There is so much good and I have to give props to the Blue Jays for
making it possible," said Brandi.
In the cynical baseball world, where fan loyalty is tested by reports
of steroids and scandal, the Halladays could be viewed as a throwback
to different era, but Brandi insists there's plenty of goodwill left
in the people around the game.
"As they grow in the program a lot of the players are donating, too.
I've been told that up to a third of the money raised by Jays Care
comes directly from players. These guys are interested in the
community. I think it's cool that the team supports that."
runsrealfast
> Halladay's step up to the plate to help others
> 'Roy's been able to help so many people ... because of baseball,' wife
> says of charity work
> Jun 14, 2008 04:30 AM
> RICHARD GRIFFIN
> BASEBALL COLUMNIST
<snip>
did you post this to showcase the good will of members of the church?
Or was it to try and tear down members of the church whose job
requires them to work on Sundays? Based on the title I am going to
guess the second option.
John
Gene Fuller
"Sword of Laban" <mormo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:d375d8cc-1522-49a4...@w34g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
Snip quoted article.
Brother Sword,
If you are faced with the problem of deciding whether or not to "pitch" on
whichever day you choose to consider the Sabbath day, then my advice and
counsel to you is to make it a matter of study and pondering, accompanied by
sincere and humble prayer. When you get the answer that Father has for you,
and you will, then follow His instructions. For you, the answer may be
different than it would be for me, depending upon your talents and
abilities, and how He would have you use them.
Perhaps more important, it is important that none of us judge another of us
based on incomplete information. Remember all information that we are likely
to have is incomplete.
Gene
Gene Fuller
"Sword of Laban" <mormo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:d375d8cc-1522-49a4...@w34g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
'Roy's been able to help so many people ... because of baseball,' wife
says of charity work
Snip
Others would have probably asked the same question a couple of thousand
years ago. Maybe Jesus would answer with a question as He did as recorded in
Mark 3:4 and Luke 6:9.
Are the "Pharisees" still live and well among us?
Gene
Woody Brison
> did you post this to showcase the good will of members of the church?
> Or was it to try and tear down members of the church whose job
> requires them to work on Sundays? Based on the title I am going to
> guess the second option.
So how 'bout it, Sword? Wby don't you answer?
Wood