Goodnews from the Dugout

Former Dodger pitcher Frank D. Minton now preacher, is straight talking and plain dealing. He doesn't pull any punches about his love for baseball and the Bible. Infact many people think he is not very preacherly. Minton recounts an incident when he nearly caused a baseball riot. "I had gotten into a fight with an opposing player." "The next day, I was interviewed on television, black eye and all. Of course, they were interested in the fight and my reactions as a one day-to be preacher. Well, I said, "The only thing I ever got out of a fight is this black eye. But since you mentioned me as a preacher, if I can't preach Christ to 'em, I'll beat the devil out of 'em!" Minton pitched in the Minors for the old Brooklyn Dodgers but he turned down his fourth-year contract. "What's the deal. Minton?" l answered straight forwardly, "God has called me to preach" The Dodger minor league official, answered, "Old guys preach, young guys on their way up to the Bigs, play baseball." But I never looked back, even though I won 39 games and lost only 20.