MLB: Cross to be Removed from Busch Stadium Pitcher’s Mound
By Stu White
The St. Louis Cardinals organization issued a statement today regarding an etching of a crucifix that keeps appearing on the Busch Stadium pitcher’s mound. Fans began to notice the etchings last month.
"It is not club policy to put religious symbols of any type on the field or in the ballpark. When we became aware of this practice, we asked that it stop so that it would not be confused as an official expression of the club. We have fans of all faiths and various beliefs. We strive to provide a welcoming environment for all fans to enjoy baseball, regardless of their faith, politics, race, financial status or any other factor."
One of the first fans to speak up about the religious symbol was Michael Vines. Vines had quite a bit to say about the issue:
"For a baseball team that represents an entire community that brings the entire community together to be part of something that is much bigger than themselves individually and in that way it’s much like religion. Religion does the same thing, but there are places for each and this is the public sphere."
Vines, though harboring no ill-will towards Christianity, felt that the display of the crucifix at Busch Stadium (…wait for it…) crossed the line. (Yeah, that’s the best one I’ve got for now. Sorry.)
[Source: USA Today]