B241 develops talent, spirituality

Mike Latona/Catholic Courier parent club. As a man­ ager, Roof is one of the i ROCHESTER — On Phil Roof's most successful in mi­ Iscorecard for personal develop­ nor-league history. On ment, the top of the lineup consists I'm not about to hide it," he re­ June 22 he earned his J of faith in God, physical growth and marked on a| recent Thursday after­ 1,000th career minor- I mental growth. noon at Frontier Field, the Red league win, only the | 'i think all three of them have to Wings' homq ballpark. -13th person to attain j be nourished in order to be a com­ Roof shojwed, his Knights of that milestone. plete human being — and in the or­ Columbus membership card to a - The 2004 Red Wings der I mentioned," Roof stated. visitor whilq detailing his substan­ have remained above J Which is why the second-year tial off-season involvement in K of C the .500 mark and I manager in- fundraisers t|o support charities and challenged for a play­ , sists on weekly team prayer ser- Catholic education. Fie then ac­ off spot all year long. i vices and encourages his players to cessed his K of C council's Web site Roof said he's enjoy­ | attend Sunday Mass.whenever pos- from a lap-top computer in his club­ ing the Rochester | sible. house office,!noting a photo of a bill­ area as well as his Granted, religion is not as titillat- board, sign qrected by his council team's success: "I I ihg a basehall topic as steroid and last Christnjias. The sign states, can't say enough nice i corked-bat scandals, or Derek "Mary was pro-life and her son Je- things about the com­ Jeter's nightlife exploits. Roof, on SIMS changed the world: Choose life." munity." the other hand, enjoys chatting at "Abortion ijs absolutely wrong. It's Roof resides in Ken­ length about .his Catholic faith. the killing of ;a fetus," Roof stated. tucky during the off­ "1'layers don't talk about it openly . Roof's religious priorities are re­ Mike Crupi/Cathohc C season with his wife and the media doesn't delve into it. flected in his support of the Sunday Rochester Red Wings manager Phil Roof waves to of 40 years, Marie; P interfaith services at Frontier Field, fans at Frontier Field July 2 before the start of a game they have four daugh­ conducted by Pastor Mike Metzger against the Ottawa Lynx. Roof, who is Catholic, tries ters, and six grand­ o TFYOIPVE MADE from First Bible Baptist Church. "I to instill in his players the value of faith. children. While in give up infield practice and at least U Rochester he attends A WILL, THERE'S ONE half the teamj is there," Roof said. to go to Mass if I went to chapel ser­ St. Anne Church on Mount Hope Av­ MORE THING TO DO... Although hp doesn't force his faith vice. I said 'No, Jim, the Mass always enue. He also noted that he has a din­ niakr-unu I'reNeed orMedicaid on young players, .Roof said he comes first."' ner date planned in August with " ai laugeiuents with us." stresses the value of these services . Throughout his 40-plus years as a Bishop Matthew H. Clark. "The fact — as well as attending Mass — at the player and manager. Roof, 63, has al­ that he has been bishop in the same sta~rt of eacti season. "I try to get the ways found a way to access a area for 25 years is [Outstanding," boys to go to Mass on Sunday morn­ Catholic church — even in small mi­ Roof remarked. • ing, and som£ of them do," he said, nor-league towns. "I've had bus dri­ °Roof was on hand for ^Bishop adding that if players don't have vers at the lower levels where if they Clark's 25th-anniversary Apprecia­ transportation to church, "I'll pick brought me to Mass, I'd buy them tion Night at Frontier in mid-May. up the cab fee." breakfast," he said. He was due to catch thje bishop's cer­ FUNIRAI/HOME INC Roof,.mean while, never misses a Catholicism runs deeply through­ emonial first pitch biit passed that weekend Ma|s: "(Former Minneso­ out Roof's large family; he is one of honor to Michael Res- 585-482-0400 ta Twins teanmiate) Jim Kaat said to 10 boys. A Knight of Columbus since tovich, described by Roof as "a 495 N.Winfon Rd. • Rochester, NY 14610 me a long time ago that I didn't have 1961, Roof is a founding member of strong young Catholic." Roof com­ Council 10962 at St. John the Evan­ mended Bishop Clark's pitching gelist Parish in his home town of Pa- style: "For his age, he's pretty good," ^8ftiffiSUK%Z^ ducah, Ky. His brother Louis was the he said with a laugh. MARY DUFF charter Grand Knight of that council . But of course a bishop doesn't in 1992 and brother Gerald, also a come to the ball park every day, so council member, is a state K of C Roof takes on the day-to-day role of deputy. Yet another brother, Father guiding players with their personal Frank Roof, is a U.S. penitentiary priorities. chaplain who ministered to the late "These youngsters will grow, Rochester, N.Y., Blue Cross Arena Timothy McVeigh, the convicted Ok­ they'll grow in their spirituality. Concerts in the Round lahoma City bomber. They're so keyed on one thing right Roof is dedicated to as now — getting to the majors — but DANIEL O'DONNELL well as his faith. A who spe­ they'll find their spirituality as they 7:00 PM August 25, 2004 cialized on defense, Roof played for get older," he said. > Tickets: $39 - $47 - $55 nine major-league teams between Thanks, at least in part, to a man­ 1961 and 1977 — including 1971-76 ager who believes that faith always " CARMEL QUINN with Minnesota, now the Red Wings' bats leadoff in life. 1:00 PM August 26, 2004 Tickets: $29 - $34 - $39 Dame/ ODonne For Group and Individual Tickets Master Carpenter/Skilled Painter Please Call Over 25 Years of Beautifying Homes in the NY Area • Fxpen General Carpentry • Unique Outdoor becks • Quulitv Kitchen Renovations • Unused Basements. Finished PATHWAY PRODUCTIONS • Faux Finish Painting • Wallpaper Borders Hunn 1«800«265«7900 J.J. CLARKE CONSTRUCTION

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