Men of Spirit, Men of Sports

A must read for anyone who is interested in sports and connecting to the spirit within. Fascinating stories about great athletes who were quality people. I couldn't put the book down. I have everyone in my family as well as all my employees and clients reading this book. A riviting story about a great coach and his high voltage relationship with his first born son.

How wonderful that in an era of sports figures who become infamous for their out-of-sport activities (i.e. arrested for substance abuse)we can look to men who stand as moral giants, men who are not afraid or ashamed of their faith. It is refreshing that we can still have honest heros to emulate. Thank you, Wally Carew, for bringing these men to the forefront.

I purchased this book after a conference featuring Gerry Faust, Bowie Kuhn, and Fr. Benedict Groeschel.... and I enjoyed the easy journalistic style. Clearly the author was lucky to have grown up in a sports household, and he never gets too sentimental when referring to his father, an icon of high school athletic enthusiasm. I confess that the profiles of sports heroes was the highlight of the book, with fascinating insight into larger-than-life figures, although the romp through Boston and Bona history was fun. Great stuff, best suited for teenagers and fathers of teenagers.

This is a story of boys and young men, dreamers all, growing up in the small New England town of Concord, Massachusetts. Actually, the story could take place in Anywhere, USA. It is the story of all the local heroes and legends. It is also the story of priests, teachers, coaches, parents, local athletes, national athletes and the impact they have on the young. Wonderful and well written stories of great faith amidst trial and tribulation; of people sustaining their lives while carrying their cross. In particular, it is the story of a father and his son. The father, Walter Carew, Sr., was a highly respected, beloved coach, teacher, soldier, athlete, father, father figure and servant of God for many years in Concord, Massachusetts. He was blessed with extraordinary faith in God which persevered until his death in 1995. For any son, Walter Carew, Sr. would be a tough act to follow. The son, Wally Carew, Jr., was not endowed with all of his father's blessings, but did the best he could with what he was given. The story reveals some of the struggles and tensions between the two of them. In the end, as the father was lying on his death bed, it was the son, as a Eucharistic Minister, giving the father the ultimate consolation, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.Yes, the book covers local sports heroes, national sports heroes and hall of famers. It talks about batting averages, moon shots, touchdowns, blocks, tackles, tricky dribbles, set shots, championships, wins and losses. Perishable crowns all. Most importantly it talks about faith; faith in God, the eternal and imperishable crown. "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life (Matt. 16:26)?" The men in "Men of Spirit, Men of Sports" seemed to have understood this question very well.The national figures covered in the book are Ernie Banks, Bob Cousy, Mike Ditka, Gerry Faust, Bowie Kuhn, Jim Lonborg, Tom Lynch, Mickey Mantle, Joe Morgan, Stan Musial, Jim O'Brien, Jackie Robinson, Red Schoendienst, and Roger Staubach. Their stories of faith carrying them through tough times are covered very well by the author.Carew makes mention of Mike Ruth, the former Boston College and New England Patriot football player and winner of the Outland Trophy while in college. Mike Ruth said the story of the appearance of Our Lady to the three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917 changed his whole life. I might also make mention that reading the same story in December, 1997 also changed my entire life.Ernie Banks says "Thank you, Jesus" following a home run. That's great and entirely appropriate. It's also entirely appropriate to thank Jesus for singles, strike outs, missed shots and tackles; in fact, thanks are appropriate for the very opportunity to be able to play sports or whatever else we do in life. Praise and thanksgiving are the sweetest sounds to ascend to the heavenly throne. In closing, I thank God for all the