Nationals Suspend Chaplain, Player Apologizes For Remarks

Church Apologizes For Comments In Washington Post Article

The Nationals suspended volunteer chaplain Jon Moeller and distributed an apology from OF Ryan Church, “two days after Church was quoted in a front-page Post article as suggesting that Jews are headed for eternal damnation,” according to Alan Cooperman of the WASHINGTON POST. Nationals President Tony Tavares acted following complaints from Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, leader of an Orthodox Jewish congregation in DC. Tavares said that he is “conducting an investigation that might lead to the permanent removal” of Moeller, an FBI agent who volunteers for Pennsylvania-based Baseball Chapel. An article in Sunday’s Washington Post about Baseball Chapel quoted Church as saying that he had “turned to Moeller for advice about his former girlfriend, who was Jewish.” Church: “I said, like, Jewish people, they don’t believe in Jesus. Does that mean they’re doomed? Jon nodded, like, that’s what it meant.” Church in a statement distributed by the team yesterday said, “I sincerely regret if the quote attributed to me ... offended anyone” (WASHINGTON POST, 9/21).

DIAMOND TIPPED: In DC, Thomas Heath cites sources as saying that the winning bidder for the Nationals “will be required to place a $45[M] deposit” with MLB. MLB sent purchase agreements to each group outlining the terms of the sale and setting the price at $450M, but “has not set a date for a return” of the agreements. Meanwhile, DC Council member Vincent Orange has introduced a resolution that “would officially ask MLB to select a local owner” (WASHINGTON POST, 9/21).