Baptists, Methodists Support Frank McCourt; Buddhists, Hindus, and Scientologists (By Default) Still On Selig's Side

First, the facts: Frank McCourt received support from some Los Angeles ministries, who wrote to Bud Selig about McCourt's character, apparently with God as their witness:

Embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt appears to be making a bid to show Major League Baseball that God –- or at least the leadership of some Los Angeles-area churches — is on his side.

After a meeting with McCourt last week, a group of 20 ministers, primarily from Baptist and Methodist churches, wrote a letter to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig urging him to give McCourt a second chance.

"We are deeply troubled by the rancor, media attacks and lack of equity that has been afforded the Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt as they seek to provide financial stability to one of baseball's most notable franchises," the June 3 letter states.

John J. Hunter, senior minister of First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, said at a news conference Friday that McCourt's "inner circle" had reached out to the pastors, who then heard his appeal at a breakfast meeting. [...]

The letter from the pastors, who represent primarily African American churches, cited the Dodgers' history in the civil rights movement as the home of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major league. During the meeting with McCourt, Hunter said, pastors also heard from African American former players such as "Sweet Lou" Johnson and Maury Wills. Hunter called McCourt a "faithful steward" of the franchise.

Second, the skewering: Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times thinks the alliance of Frank McCourt and minority church leaders reeks of desperation:

There are those Henry David Thoreau folks who lead lives of quiet desperation, and then there is Frank McCourt.

McCourt is going down, but as is his way, not without a very nasty public fight. Desperate men will reach out anywhere and McCourt is flailing in all directions.

He is currently -- I promise you I’m not making this up -- trying to create an image that he is supported by the Los Angeles minorities.

That’s right, it’s Frank McCourt, man of the people, of all L.A. people. The white, opulent, rich guy from Boston.

Very curious since his price increases in tickets, concessions and parking have nearly wiped out the middle-class’ ability to even attend a Dodgers game, let alone the working class.

But last week came word that a group of 20 primarily black ministers from Los Angeles churches, mostly Baptist and Methodist, had come out in support of McCourt and wanted Commissioner Bud Selig to give him a second chance.

Wrote Gene Maddus of LA Weekly: "If patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, then religion is a close second. The much-loathed Dodger (co-?)owner, Frank McCourt, has already wrapped himself in the flag, trotting out "God Bless America" for the 7th inning stretch. That hasn't gotten people off his case, so now it's time to come to Jesus."

So far, Frank McCourt has avoided a come to Jesus. It's strange that he seems to be accelerating toward it now.