The LuLac Edition #2181, September 2nd, 2012

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Whitey Ford and Vernon Law at the 1960 World Series. 

A MORMON TALE 

Vern Law was having a career year for the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. That 1960 team was an underdog all year round. It was the pitching of “The Deacon” as he was nicknamed by team mates that kept the Pirates in contention. Law was having a career year. In 1960 his record was 20-9 and the 6 foot 2 hurler was well on his way to winning the Cy Young Award. On September 25 in Milwaukee, the Pirates clinched their first pennant in 33 years. After the game, Law and his team mate Smokey Burgess showered and declined to join the party that started in the locker room and then gravitated toward the team bus. The 1960’s Pirate team were a conglomeration of characters and baseball roustabout who liked to have a good time. On the team bus, that good time got out of hand. The players were running up and down the bus and a few, at the instigation of broadcaster Bob Prince started to bust Law about his Mormon faith. A struggle ensued when a few of the players ripped Law’s shirt causing the buttons to fly off. The mob mentality of the team then kicked in because they wanted to see the Mormon undergarment that is a part of their religious code. Law fought back to preserve his right to not have that garment displayed. In the process he injured his ankle which caused him then to change his pitching mechanics. Although Law won 2 games in the ’60 Series, his subsequent seasons were below par because of the injury. Law pitched in the Series despite severe pain and for at least part of his career his balance was off. Plus he favored his other leg which messed up his rhythm. Law bounced back after four bad seasons and won 17 games in 1965 becoming The Comeback Player of the Year. It is said that Law, who was 30 at the time of the Championship and injury might have won more games. In the book “Kiss It Good-Bye: The Mystery, The Mormon, and the Moral of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates” the author John Moody interviews Law who said that the players who were jousting with him had personal problems they were dealing with. Law says that he holds no ill will toward them and even blamed himself for trying to fight back so furiously. He said his struggling might have caused him more of an injury. But Law did say that it was part of his Mormon faith and was something (his garment) that he felt strongly about. Much has been made about the mystery involving some of the Mormon ways with the nomination of Mitt Romney. The story of Vernon Law and his reaction to what happened to him in 1960 might shed some light on the commitment he had to his faith and his will to defend it at a high cost. So for those who worry about a Mormon faith being any different than others, all they need do is look to Vernon Law.

RELIGIOUS QUANDARIES 

Too many times we tend to lump religions together and make certain assumptions. We hear about a prominent person being of one religion and we think everyone in that religion does the same thing. A friend of mine used to work with Mormons in Salt Lake City. One of the characteristics you hear about Mormons is that they shun caffeine. My friend who was friends with a Mormon said that was not the case with his buddy. This guy would drive at least thirty miles when he was camping with his family to get a fix. Another friend of mine who was raised as a Baptist said that no one in his family touched a drop of alcohol. He told me this over a bunch of drinks at a cocktail mixer. I reminded him he didn’t need to make up for the rest of his family at this event. So if you can find a Mormon who will drink a huge coffee, and if you can’t find a Baptist who drinks people under the table, I’m thinking you can find a lot of Catholics who use contraceptives. Every person has a religion but they follow it in different ways. It’s called religious freedom. And it is not being threatened by this President or his party.  

MUSTO TRIAL DELAYED 

The corruption trial of former State Senator Ray Musto has once again been delayed. The trial was supposed to start in October but it was delayed by Judge Richard Caputo because of the ongoing illness of the former lawmaker. We are now closing in on two years since Musto was charged in the ongoing investigation. Musto’s Attorneys say his health problems have caused the delay. Developer Robert Mericle has to be thrilled about this development because his fate, if any, will be decided after his usefulness to the federal government as a witness ceases.