BASEBALL & MINISTRY

Baseball & Ministry

Both baseball and ministry have been synonymous in my life for fifty years. Some of the threads formulating my lifelong friendships with Major League Baseball players since the age of twelve, and being introduced to the Gospel message and then accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 1970 at the age of sixteen, they have bridged the center of my life forever. Here are a few amazing examples of baseball and Jesus.

In the summer of 1963 my mother and I traveled west from Chicago to California for the first time. We visited for two weeks, and the age of nine I was excited to visit Candlestick ballpark, the new home of the San Francisco Giants. During that game we attended in the blustery wind at Candlestick, Orlando Cepeda hit a monstrous homerun and the Giants ace pitcher, Juan Marichal pitched a masterful complete game. In spite of being a St. Louis Cardinal fan, Orlando (Cepeda) and Juan (Marichal) became my new two favorite players. You will see later with my story how those two gentleman became two very close friends.

Julian Javier

In 1966 I met the St. Louis Cardinal second baseman Julian Javier. For some reason, Julian was more than kind and considerate to this young twelve year old fan who's life was one of chaos. Baseball then had became my sanctuary and he (Julian Javier) presented an environment and sense joy at Busch Stadium. Soon Julian was leaving tickets for games at the will call box so I could attend as many games as possible. At that time I lived in East St. Louis, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis Missouri. After Julian realized I was riding the metro bus across the river to games, he (Julian) was concerned for my safety and would drive me home after Cardinal games. He then would arrange for me to wait after the games in the clubhouse with manager Red Schoendienst permission. It wasn't long before I became acquainted with the rest of the St. Louis Cardinal players like, Orlando Cepeda, Lou Brock, Roger Maris and Bob Gibson. Recently I called Julian at his home in the Dominican Republic.. I shared with him that I still praise the Lord for him, as he (Julian) actually was a tremendous light in my life that was actually at my darkest hour in life. God provided Julian Javier at a time that was very necessary for my benefit.

Truly, baseball became my safe haven as the guys in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse adopted me. Unbeknown to me at the time, God opened those doors for my safety, protection and also providing rays of sunshine for my joy.

Orlando Cepeda

"Hall of Famer"

Orlando Cepeda and I first met on photo day in Busch Stadium prior to a St. Louis Cardinal game. He had become a favorite player after I first watched his mammoth homerun n San Francisco during a 1963 Giants game as he was still a Giants player. Then the improbable happened, Orlando was traded to my favorite team at the time, the St. Louis Cardinals. Because I had access to the Cardinal clubhouse with my good friend Julian Javier, I was always pestering Orlando at his locker after games. He (Orlando) told me years later that he was amused by my efforts to get close to him. Throughout several decades, Orlando and I continued with our great friendship. Here are just a few favorite stories with Orlando, although I could actually write for hours about our numerous experiences.

One story that was meaningful was when I had become a batboy for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1971, that's was the first time I grabbed my glove and we played catch at Dodger Stadium. There I was playing catch on a major league field with my childhood hero, In 1989 I was living in Las Vegas Nevada and I had decided to promote and market a Major League Baseball signing event with several ex~ballplayer friends of mine. Of course my friend jumped onto a plane and flew to Las Vegas to support my endeavors signing autographs for the people attending. As always, Orlando was very popular. After I wrote my "Baseball Legends & Legacies" book, Orlando traveled with me signing autographs as he is one of the major baseball celebrities who provided his own personal stories in my book. Without question, I enjoyed the many times we would share meals at our favorite restaurants. Then often we would go back to his house, share a glass of red wine and listen our jazz musicians. Seriously, I could write an entire book on my endeavors with my great friend.

The last time we visited, Orlando was in the hospital and very sick, knowing he was dying. As I drove from my home in Arizona, for the entire nine hundred miles I realized God was providing both of us one more opportunity for me to share Jesus with my good friend. After spending hours talking about our fun times together I asked Orlando if I could pray with him before I left his room. You see, Orlando considered himself a Buddhist, and this is a subject and road he and I both traveled numerous times before. Before leaving his side for the last time, I prayed and asked Jesus to be merciful, and to reveal Himself (Jesus) to Orlando. After praying, he thanked me and stated he fully understood and accepted Jesus. That was the center of my prayer. I will always be grateful to one of the greatest, Orlando Cepeda! He passed into eternity eleven days after our last visit on June 28th 2024. On July 25th 1999 my dear friend the Baby Bull, Orlando Cepeda was inducted in Cooperstown's Baseballs Hall of Fame.

Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks

"Hall of Famer"

God used Ernie Banks early in my life beginning in 1966 at Wrigley Field In Chicago. I was twelve years old at the time and used to attend a ton of Cubs games and pester Ernie continuously. When my favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinal would travel north to play their nemesis Chicago Cubs I would be there as Julian Javier's guest. Finally, the good natured Mr. Cub relented and began our friendship by leaving me tickets also. After my mother and I moved to Hollywood from Chicago, Ernie and I continued with our friendship.

On one of Ernies last visits in 1970 to Los Angeles, he was driving to Dodgers Stadium, he picked me up at my apartment and we drove down Sunset Boulevard to the stadium. During te drive, Ernie mentioned that he would soon be retiring from baseball soon. He then went to ask if there were anything he could do for me? I told him, "Ernie, you know I really want to play baseball professionally, and I would like to be a batboy for the Dodgers." Upon arriving at Dodger Stadium, we started walking towards the clubhouses under the stands. This time was different though, instead of turning right towards the Cubs locker room, we turned left down the corridor to the Dodgers clubhouse. When we walked in the door, we were met immediately by the Dodgers manager, Nobe Kawano. They greeted one another and embraced momentarily. Then Ernie spoke, "Ernie said, Nobe, this is a good friend of mine from Chicago, Gary Hall. Gary wants to be a batboy for the Dodgers, can you help make that a reality?" Nobe told him and I both, "lets see what size uniform he will need, now. " That was all it took, then I became the batboy in the spring of the 1971 season. Ernie, looked me as we walked towards the Cubs locker room and said to me, "See Gary, a little prompting and asking God and your dreams can become reality." That was classical Ernie Banks!

In the fall of 1970, Ernie came back to Los Angeles for some vacation time in California. He (Ernie) was going to attend a very special baseball event being held at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel and asked if I would like to be his guest, of course I said he. He told me to wear slacks, a dress jacket and tie. He picked me up at my apartment an hour before the event. The emcee of the event was to be Bob Hope, but cancelled as he fell sick. Vin Scully, the iconic Hall of Fame announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers filled in as master of ceremonies. The event was the annual baseball award dinner. They were handing out the Most Valuable Player award, the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, etc.. Sitting at our table for the awards dinner that evening was Hank Aaron, Sadaharu Oh the legendary Japanese superstar. The awards dinner had brochures made with the entire evenings itinerary, including dinner and each award. Ernie said for me to go get autographs on my brochure, and I did. I acquired Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Sadahara Oh's and many more. That was one of legendary evenings ever.

After Ernie retired he asked me to be the auctioneer for a charity he supported, the girls and boys club of Pasadena California. God used Ernie to influence and change my life forever, it was an honor to accommodate my friend.

One event I never attended with him was when he asked if I would like to join him on one his many trips to

Japan. Unfortunately, I did not feel as though I could financially afford the trip, so, regretfully I had to say I could no. That for certain is one of my biggest regrets and decisions.

Ernie Banks was more than a legendary Hall of Fame baseball player, he was a legendary human being and exemplified the meaning of Christian. I loved Mr. Cub!

Juan Marichal
"Hall of Famer"

In the summer of 1966 was the first time the Dominican Dandy, Juan Marichal and I met at Wrigley Field in Chicago. He signed an autograph and we took our picture together and it one of my most memorable days of my childhood, I was twelve years old. Little could I have ever imagined that I would move to San Francisco in 1972 and become his batboy. The following are some favorite memories with one oof my hero's. There was always something special about Juan Marichal beyond charisma. Later I would discover that he was a man of God, and it was evident. One of the kindest and most gentle souls I have ever known.

In 1972 I had moved north from Los Angeles to become a batboy for the San Francisco Giants during my senior year of high school. One time at Candlestick (San Francisco) Park I was waiting for my good friend Bobby Bonds to appear from the Giants clubhouse during batting practice before the game. Some of the Giants players were egging me on to step into the batters box which was supposed to be Bobby Bonds turn in the lineup that day. It just so happened that Juan (Marichal) was having a good time and was tossing batting practice that day. So I stepped into the batters box to swing at a few against my friend, Juan Marichal. I was pretty good for eighteen years old as I had been around major league baseball my entire life. All the players around the batting cage was laughing and having fun. Juan threw the first pitch and I swung and missed. His second pitch I swung again and missed. The third pitch I fouled off. The fourth pitch I hit a grounder to third base. All the of the Giants players was whooping it up and making comments to me. My last pitch off of Juan I finally hit a fly ball to left field. Juan was grinning at me and gave me a thumbs up. I believe Juan (Marichal) threw all screwballs to me, it was funny, but my ego was a little bruised too. Finally Bobby (Bonds) came out onto the field from the clubhouse and walked into the batting cage, and he told me jokingly "Chump get your butt out of my batting cage."

Some of my fondest memories with Juan was at his house after Tito "23" Fuentes and I were out, mostly to Golden State Warriors basketball games. We would show up around 11 p.m. or midnight and get involved with the poker games that were already in progress. Juan's wife Alma, Tito's wife Carmen, Ernie a good friend of Juan and Alma, then Tito amd myself would play poker until three or four in the morning. The best part was Alma (Marichal) and Carmen (Fuentes) would have cooked the best food ever this side of the Caribbean. Those were great times I will always cherish.

When I was writing my book, "Baseball Legends & Legacies," Juan and I spent a few days together in San Francisco chronicling his personal stories for the book. One of my great times with him was when we enjoyed a great dinner at our friend s nick Bovis's restaurant the Broadway Grill in Burlingame California.

It was always a special moment when Juan would share with me some of his stories of faith. Especially regarding the famed Johnny Roseboro incident. When Juan Marichal is mentioned, most think of his Hall of Fame career, or the infamous Johnny Roseboro happening, but I personally think of the humble man of God I know.

Bobby Bonds

Bobby and I met in 1971 at Dodger Stadium as we both were walking out towards right field before a San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers game. My first conversation with Bobby was like this, "Bobby, if you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven or hell?" He looked at me with a growl on his face, and then asked me, "What kind of question is that?" I told him that I thought it was a great question! Then he explained that he was saved, and a Christian. From that point we grew as friends, more than friends actually.

The next time the Giants came to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers, he (Bobby ) and I went out after the game for dinner, then he drove his rental car to take me to home territory in Hollywood. That night I explained that I was homeless and actually lived on the streets of Hollywood. He was awestruck! He could not believe that I was sixteen, a junior in high school and working as a batboy for the Dodgers. Throughout that year Bobby and I became close friends. At the end of the 1971 baseball season Bobby arranged for me to move to the San Francisco Bay area with the support of his family. He then arranged for me to become a batboy for the San Francisco Giants my senior year in high school. There I was in the same locker room with Bobby Bonds, Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and the affable Tito "23" Fuentes. Still I shared Jesus with everyone in ear shot, but still in my element of major league baseball. With all of the hardships, life was still fun!

When I arrived in the San Francisco area, I was constantly at the Bonds household. Bobby's two oldest sons, Barry and Ricky, were like two nephews. Barry was seven and his brother Ricky was six. Bobby and I would take the two boys to the local park to play baseball. It was obvious even at seven years old that Barry not ordinary with his talents and gifts, he was always an extraordinary talent. Finally, my life had some sort of stability with the support I desperately wanted.

Some fond memories include the times when we would drive to Willie Mays house a few miles down the road in Atherton and play pool with Willie (Mays), or I should say attempt to play. Willie (Mays) literally could often run a pool table. Bobby and I played fairly well, as we often played pool on Bobby's pool table at the house. But, Willie Mays was in league of his own with many things, like playing pool.

Bobby and I did everything together, we played basketball, baseball, traveled together and went to several events together. At that time, Bobby was twenty five and I was eighteen, he was my big brother. We went to World Series games, All-star games and everything in between. His mother and Father also became my adopted parents. In fact, his dad (Pops) and I started a business venture together. Mama (Bonds) was this awesome Christian lady who was the leader in many ways.

Bobby after the 1974 Bobby was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the New York Yankees. For the next eight years he played for seven more teems as he had a personal battle with his demons. Throughout all of his remaining years on this planet we stayed very close. God used him to rescue me in my dark hours through my last two years of high school, and he was always there for me, just like a typical brother would be there for his younger bro.

Bobby became diagnosed with cancer and his struggle became overbearing as the cancer took a vicious toll within mind and body. His beautiful wife, Pat had her hands full as well. Barry was still playing for the Giants and within the midst of the baseball season. Barry asked if I could assist when he was not available travelling on the road with the team.

It did not have to be verbalized, I would always be available, and I would always be there for him serving him and encouaging him. At that time I lived two hours away in Sonora California. His (Bobby) chemo treatments were every three weeks and I would leave my house in Sonora at 4 a.m. to reach his house by 6 a.m. to arrive at Stanford Hospital for his scheduled 7 a.m. treatments. It was one of the greatest honors and most difficult situations I've ever experienced.

My brother Bobby departed this earth for his heavenly home on August 23rd 2003. A few days later I suffered great darkness as I was a pallbearer for my dear brother, but, it was the act of respect and kindness I could present. Everyone loved Bobby Bonds!

Tito "23" Fuentes

Tito "23" is one the most gregarious and funny human beings that I have known. For over fifty years we were best of friends, at times inseparable. Side story on the San Francisco Giants great second baseman. We first met on the field at Dodger Stadium when I was the Dodger batboy, he later told me that he and Bobby (Bonds) thought I was one of the Dodgers young phenoms. But, as a seventeen year old batboy, I was six foot two and two hundred pounds. I was comfortable on the major league diamond and carried myself more than mature my age would indicate. Later the next year in 1972 I became a batboy on his San Francisco Giants team.

There are literally hundreds of funny stories with Tito "23." But, my passion and desire to follow Jesus is not one of them. For the entire time of our friendship, I have shared Jesus with Tito. My respect and love for Tito goes beyond words. My prayers are always the same, for me to live long enough to see him to come to a saving knowledge of the One and only true Savior, Jesus Christ.

Baseball Players that shared our mutual faith with one another included Hank Aaron and Lou Brock. Vida Blue was one of my really good friends and we had numerous shared spiritual moments together. We shared our faith in Jesus multiple times.

People that I also shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ included Willie Mays, Pete Rose, and many many more!

* Bobby Bonds

* Barry Bonds

Pete Rose

Willie Mays

* Hank Aaron

* Doug Harvey

* Vida Blue

* Lou Brock

Baseball Legends & Legacies

1989 Baseball Extravaganza

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