Fielder's choice wins plaudits

Four diocesan officials called it a home run when the center fielder decided to leave his team at the beginning of a shaky season and fly to Puerto Rico, where his father was gravely ill with pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition.

Yankee manager Joe Torre decided not to dictate what Williams should do, and Williams stayed away for ten games, causing some fans to cry foul at his choice.

Making a choice

"I understand the need to be with his father," agreed Meg Bergh, head of the diocesan Family Life office. "I don't think we can make judgment calls."

Ms. Bergh said Williams' decision was between him and his manager, not the ticket-holders in the stands: "We're not his boss. The fans don't have control over who's playing and who's not playing."

Fans' role

"The Williams family has the total right to privacy," Father Malecki declared. "I don't believe they're obliged to bend to the hunger of the newspapers and have to justify" Williams' absence from his team.

If his father is dying, Father Malecki added, "the markers would be very clear: Being with him in that moment in life is worth more than $12 million."

Money vs. family

"You only have one father, and there's going to be other baseball games -- but he should take a cut in pay," stated Sister Marilyn Murray, RSM, head of the diocesan Human Resources Office.

Having fielded many personnel issues, she said, "I've had people that offered not to be paid while they're taking care of family obligations, which I think is reasonable." On the other hand, she also remarked that an organization with a lot of funding may well be able to pay someone during a leave of absence.

Father Malecki recalled the case of another athlete who left his team for a similar reason. When his manager threatened him with a pay cut, the athlete responded: "Then I'll lose that amount of money."

"It was a classic example illustrating the value" of family, said Father Malecki. Being with a loved one on their deathbed "is an unrepeatable moment."

Coming back

"If your mental stability isn't good, you probably won't play as well," said Ms. Bergh.

"When he comes back, he may be giving a better quality of work than if he stayed," Sister Anne added.

Ms. Bergh noted that there must be a balance between work and family responsibilities. As Williams' detractors have complained, most workers don't have the luxury of leaving their jobs for a month.

"You have to be there when you're needed for certain things," Ms. Bergh said. "Someone that's a responsible human being checks all the avenues."

What next?

"If it costs him his position, he'll be sure to get another one," said Sister Marilyn, adding: "I'm the wrong person to ask, because I don't care if the Yankees lose!"

Sister Anne's conclusion countered that argument: "His team probably feels he's letting them down. But let's be honest: The Yankees are probably going to win anyway!"

(04-26-01) [[In-content Ad]]