How did I choose a future priest to play baseball? It started with a chat on Facebook Messenger.

 This is the 1977 Minnesota Twins replay, using Strat-O-Matic Baseball, featuring Fr. Hugh Fitzpatrick. Why did Father Hugh (using a custom card) become a priest? Well, after 11 years with the Twins, Hugh decided to find a new direction in his life, so he entered The Seminary of St. Paul, in 1988. He would become a priest in 1994, after 2 years in Rome. The inspiration for this replay happened on March 13th, 2021, when my Facebook friend Eugene Fitzpatrick (nice surname!) told me about Father Timothy Hirten, who used to be a pro basketball player, and he would become a priest, as well as an Air Force chaplain. Eugene gave me a link to the Newsday story from August 2020, telling me Father Tim died of suicide. So, this sports replay has a new meaning and a replay inspired by a priest who used to be an athlete. I'll post some links that will be honoring Fr. Hirten, as well as some other sites later. In the meantime, let's see if the future Good Father can help the '77 Twins compete in the American League. He's a 6'6", 230 lb. designated hitter/outfielder/1st baseman/3rd baseman, and I'm going to use different games for Hugh's 11-year career. Come join along! It's going to be great!

How did I choose a future priest to play baseball? It started with a chat on Facebook Messenger.

 This is the 1977 Minnesota Twins replay, using Strat-O-Matic Baseball, featuring Fr. Hugh Fitzpatrick. Why did Father Hugh (using a custom ...

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