Former baseball star Tommy John to lead worship service Sunday
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COOPERSTOWN – Tommy John, one of baseball’s all-time great pitchers,
is also a Christian whose faith sustained him and his family through
career and family crises. “Tommy will be sharing his story and his
faith at the 14th Annual Open Air Service in Cooperstown on Hall of
Fame Sunday, July 31,” announced Lt. Col. Norman E. Wood, divisional
commander of The Salvation Army, Empire State Division.
Joining John will be Jackie Brock, a minister and wife of Hall of
Famer Lou Brock. “Mrs. Brock has spoken for 13 of our 14 worship
services,” said Wood. “Her message is always one of great faith, hope
and joy.”
The public is invited to join in this Sunday morning worship at 10
a.m. at Pioneer Park, one block from the Baseball Hall of Fame, at the
flagpole.
“When he speaks, Tommy offers more than an impressive baseball
record, he brings hope and inspiration,” said Wood. “Tommy will weave
his own baseball experiences and personal relationship with God into an
inspirational, motivational message which is sure to add a very special
ingredient to the Cooperstown experience.
“The service is an opportunity for Cooperstown fans – visitors and
natives alike – to listen to the word of God, spoken and sung through
His witnesses. I invite all baseball lovers, Christians and
non-Christians, to join us for the most unique experience which
includes a brass band and other surprises.”
John, winner of the prestigious Fred Hutchinson Award for courage
and overcoming great physical obstacles, played for the New York
Yankees, the Cleveland Indians, the Los Angeles Dodgers, California
Angels and the Oakland Athletics. His stats include 288 career wins,
3.26 earned run average, 500 games started, 4,209.1 innings pitched,
and 46 shutouts. John’s 26 years spent in the major leagues had set an
all-time major league record for years played, until Nolan Ryan broke
that record.
The Open Air Service is sponsored by The Salvation Army,
Empire State Division, headquartered in Syracuse. The division
encompasses all of upstate New York, including six area services in
larger cities, 51 corps in small cities and 170 service units in towns
and villages. Its mission is to serve God by serving others.
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