As you may know, the Colorado Rockies are playing the Boston Red Sox in this year's World Series. As I write this, the Rockies have lost three games and could be eliminated today -- Sunday.
It would be especially ironic if the Rockies were to be eliminated on a Sunday, because for the past few years, the team's owner has made a conscious effort to turn his major league baseball team into a Christian baseball team, saying: "I don't want to offend anyone, but I think character-wise we're stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what they've endured, are some of the strongest people in baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we're seeing those."
As you might guess, the owner -- Charlie Monfort -- is a die-hard Republican. In fact, he and his family have contributed $162,550 to extremely conservative Republicans over the last ten years.
As you might also guess, Monfort is open charges of hypocrisy. It might not be a case of soliciting extramarital gay sex in a bathroom stall, but is a case of gambling, girls, and a married man - with children. All in Las Vegas.
Let's start with the background to this story.
Last year, the effort by Colorado Rockies owner Charlie Monfort to Christianize his team came out of the closet in this USA Today article:
Baseball's Rockies seek revival on two levels
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY
DENVER — No copies of Playboy or Penthouse are in the clubhouse of baseball's Colorado Rockies. There's not even a Maxim. The only reading materials are daily newspapers, sports and car magazines and the Bible.
...
From ownership on down, it's an approach the Rockies are proud of — and something they are wary about publicizing. "We're nervous, to be honest with you," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says. "It's the first time we ever talked about these issues publicly. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone because of our beliefs."
Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings says: "They do preach character and good living here. It's a must for them, and that starts from the very top. But we're not a military group. ... Nobody is going to push their beliefs on each other or make judgments. We do believe that if you do things right and live your life right, good things are going to happen."
...
"We had to go to hell and back to know where the Holy Grail is. We went through a tough time and took a lot of arrows," says Rockies chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort, one of the original owners.
Monfort did, too. He says that after years of partying, including 18 months' probation for driving while impaired, he became a Christian three years ago. It influenced how he wanted to run the club, he says.
"We started to go after character six or seven years ago, but we didn't follow that like we should have," he says. "I don't want to offend anyone, but I think character-wise we're stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what they've endured, are some of the strongest people in baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we're seeing those."
The Nation subsequently focused on this telling quote from Mark Sweeney (I don't believe he's related to Mike Sweeney of the Royals, who is well-known for being a devout Christian):
San Francisco Giants first baseman-outfielder Mark Sweeney, who spent 2003 and 2004 with the Rockies, said, "You wonder if some people are going along with it just to keep their jobs. Look, I pray every day. I have faith. It's always been part of my life. But I don't want something forced on me. Do they really have to check to see whether I have a Playboy in my locker?"
So why have the Rockies been so eager to proselytize Christianity? According to the New York Times:
The team’s chairman and chief executive, Charlie Monfort, has said he rediscovered religion after serving 18 months’ probation for driving while impaired. The manager, Clint Hurdle, said he strengthened his faith several years ago after he quit drinking.
Isn't it interesting how alcoholics turn to religion to stop drinking? Remind you of a certain POTUS named Bush?
Isn't it annoying how instead of merely embracing religion in their own lives, they must foist it upon others?
Isn't it amazing how they always seem to be Republicans? Over the past decade, Monfort and his family have contributed $162,550 to right-wing Republicans (FEC page 1 and FEC page 2).
I know you're shocked to learn not a dime went to Democrats.
And you'd be blown away to learn that Monfort is open to charges of serious hypocrisy.
Perhaps not as salacious as Larry Craig's hypocrisy, but pretty serious nonetheless. (By the way, Craig is a direct beneficiary of the Monfort family's largess.)
Today's Las Vegas Review-Journal recounts a story involving Monfort and his girlfriend that took place three years ago, in 2004.
High roller a big hit at Fatburger
Among the multitude of high-roller stories reported here over the years, this one has been one of my favorites because of the surprise ending.
Some readers may recall the first half of the story.
A high-roller fresh from a big turnaround at Bellagio walked into the Fatburger across from the Monte Carlo in the wee hours.
Within minutes, he was in the kitchen area, handing out $100 bills to the cooks.
Politely asked to leave, he started spreading the wealth among the diners, doling out thousands of C-notes.
To me he was just another anonymous big spender.
About three years ago I was in Tabu, the ultralounge at MGM Grand, when I saw an old friend approach with a stunning galpal.
After a round of introductions, my friend's girlfriend turned to him and asked, "Can I tell him?"
My friend smiled broadly and gave the OK.
"Remember that story about the high-roller you wrote about who gave everyone $100 at that Fatburger?"
Pointing to my friend, she said, "That was Charlie."
It was Charlie Monfort, co-owner of the Colorado Rockies.
Now, according to Charlie Monfort's biography:
Charlie and his wife, Vanessa, have twins, son Lucas and daughter Danica (10/20/03). Charlie also has a son, Kenny, and a daughter, Ciara. The family resides in Greeley.
So, four years ago Monfort had twins with his wife, Vanessa. Presumably his wife was pregnant for about nine months, even if it was a shotgun wedding, he was married at some point in 2002. (Apparently, since he has children from a previous marriage, he was once divorced.)
According to today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, three years ago (2004) Monfort was in a nightclub at the MGM Grand with his "girlfriend," a "stunning galpal."
That would be after his twins were born. While he was married.
Hmmm. I guess the good news for James Dobson is that Monfort does not appear to be another Ted Haggard or Larry Craig.
But speaking as an American, I'd like to gently suggest something to Monfort: before you go and try to force your employees to adopt Christianity, get your own house in order.
It's what Jesus would do.
Peace,
Patel1946
George Orwell wrote Politics and the English Language in 1946
