Priest dumps Bosox for Cubs' relative

Rev. Richard Downs could be caught in a run-down.

Born a year after the Boston Red Sox won their last World Series, the 84-year-old retired priest has been a Sox fan since he first watched Ted Williams club homers out of Fenway Park. Like every other die-hard Sox fan, he would never think of rooting for any other team.

Until this year. As the Sox battle the New York Yankees this week for the American League title, the Chicago Cubs are vying for the National League flag, and one of their star pitchers, Mark Prior, is related to the priest. Marion Downs Prior, Mark's grandmother, is Father Downs' cousin.

Catholic on mound

The Catholic New World, the Archdiocese of Chicago's newspaper, recently ran an article about Mr. Prior, who is very proud of the fact that his Catholic faith has given him an "added dimension" of spirituality when it comes to playing baseball.

"The Lord has given me the ability to have the confidence that I need. What helps me relax is that peace of mind when I'm out on the mound," Mr. Prior said.

An All-American at the University of Southern California, Mr. Prior led his team to the College World Series in 2001. He decided in college to grow in his faith after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in his junior year.

"I spent all year going to RCIA meetings, and that was a big turning point," he explained. "You get baptized, yes, you're Catholic; but that's your parents' choice. You get confirmed, that's your choice, your dedication. I think that's when I made the next step and decided what I wanted to do."

God's gift

Mr. Prior spent only seven weeks in the minors before making his major league debut in May 2002.

"God has given me the ability to go out and throw the baseball," the hurler said. "He's blessed me with a wonderful family to support this.

"Having a Catholic education helps me to understand the reasons we're here. Knowing the right versus the wrong and understanding my influence on young people...is a big part of being a role model."

Root for whom?

Father Downs told The Evangelist that he did some serious thinking before making a decision on what team he would support if the Beantowners meet the Windy City bunch in the fall classic.

In the end, however, he said he really had no choice. Mark's grandmother, he explained, was one of the biggest role models in the Downs family when it came to living the Gospel.

"Mark has had some good influence there in his life," Father Downs commented. "We're all very, very proud of him. I would have to say I'll go with my kin and root for the Cubs."

(To read previous articles about Father Downs, visit www.evangelist.org and type his last name into the search engine.)

(10/9/03) [[In-content Ad]]