Last Tuesday, Midwestern Seminary hosted it's third (I guess you can say at this point annual) Royals Chapel. This year it was just Trey Hillman, manager of the Royals who was involved as GM Dayton Moore was unable to come due to a scheduling conflict. It was a similar format as in previous years where Dr. Roberts, the president of the seminary, asked Trey questions and did it in a dialogue format.
It started out with a funny quip as Dr. Roberts told Trey that it he was back in the hot seat of Midwestern Seminary to which Trey replied that the seat at the "K" is hot too.
Dr. Roberts asked Trey to give a quick testimony of his background for those who hadn't been to previous chapels. Trey briefly shared his testimony and also shared some new stories. One was that he grew up in a Church of Christ church down in Texas and one time when he was a youth on a Wednesday night he was over at the Baptist church leading worship with his guitar and that his parents, when asked where Trey was by those in the congregation of the Church of Christ church, told them that he was leading worship at the Baptist church. That got a pretty good laugh out of everyone there.
He mentioned that he and his family attend a Baptist church in Liberty Hills, TX where his home is (and where he lives during the offseason). He mentioned how as time went on, he felt more at home in a Baptist church and so that's why he worships at the church he's at now.
Trey then talked about one thing that has been on his heart the last ten years is that he has asked God that he be less judgmental. He mentioned how it's our job as Christians to love people and that he's trying to do a better job of that.
When talking about his job as a manager, he mentioned how he's heard words put together with his name that he couldn't even fathom.
He then talked about his time in Japan as a manager and how he was able to do a lot of mission work with the missionaries there and the great opportunities that came about from that. He said that wherever God puts him, he plans to honor God and be bold in his witness.
He acknowledged he felt the prayers of everyone from the seminary and that he couldn't wait to come back to campus to thank everyone for them.
Dr. Roberts then asked him what his typical day was like. Trey mentioned that he's there at the ballpark 12-15 hours a day. Before he discussed his routine, he said that it's important to surround yourself with people not only who encourage and support you but who you can encourage and support as well. He said that there are 2 types of people, energy givers and energy suckers and he wants to be around energy givers and more importantly around people encouraging with the Holy Spirit.
He then got into the day in the life of a MLB manager. He said he gets to the ballpark and does about 3 to 5 miles on the treadmill. He works out early in order to work out stress. He then spends about 45 minutes to an hour for video review. The early work for the players on a typical day starts at 3:00 and official stretch time starts at 4:15. He said that a lot of it is essentially "hurry up and wait". He will do two press conferences a day. The first one is prior to batting practice while the second one is 8-10 minutes after the game. He said they as managers are required by MLB to be available for those two press conferences. He then talked about meetings with players and he said usually he doesn't meat with the team as a whole prior to a game. It will usually be either with the pitchers or with the position players. He said it could be anywhere from 3 to 7 meetings a day and that "you don't really know what your day is going to be like".
When asked about using Twitter, Trey said that he's not a "twister" or "tweeter" but that he does text. He then mentioned one piece of advice he gives to this 16 and 13 year old kids "Don't text anything that you can't say to someone's face".
He then talked about this new technology he found out about recently. One of his coaches or scouts (don't remember off hand) came into his office and gave him this notebook. In it it had tracked a pitcher's arm slot release. It was color coated and had it from 2008, 2009 and this year. He said he was shocked about all that was involved in it.
Trey then talked about how he likes to have conversations over confrontations and that given how everyone is watching him, in order to speak to a player he has to go 20 feet into a tunnel. Case in point, two years ago during a game he made a joke with the pitching coach Bob McClure and then later took some time to encourage SP Gil Meche as he was coming out of the game. Trey was later accused of picking a fight with the pitching coach and punking out his pitcher. He said that his wife told him that he needs to smile more and that would help some with that.
He mentioned how part of his job is to help with players' "ego management system". He also said that he wants to be confident but not perceived as arrogant and understands there's a fine line there.
He shared a story about while he was working in the Yankees organization he ran the fantasy camp that they held. One time he was with Bobby Richardson and he told the story about Mickey Mantle came to knew the Lord while he was in the hospital just before he died.
Dr. Roberts then asked him some baseball questions (and he couldn't respond with the answer Royals or any Royals players) and here was his responses:
Best pitcher: Tim Lincecum (Giants)
Best hitter: Joe Mauer (Twins)
Best athlete: Adam Jones (Orioles)
Best reliever: Mariano Rivera (Yankees) (he also shared briefly that while Trey was with the Yankees organization he got to know Rivera personally and talked about how Rivera loves the Lord and is a strong Christian)
World Series: Yankees vs. Giants
Dr. Roberts then asked Trey how to better pray for him. Trey mentioned how he was humbled and truly appreciated the prayers. He said that he would ask them to pray for wisdom, how to be best used in the platform God has given him, patience, and prayer for the families of players and coaches. He then said that he prays for the campus and very much appreciates the seminary having him come and speak.
I've found these chapels to be a blessing and I'm glad that the seminary has done them and I hope that it something that will truly be an annual event.
Showing posts with label chapel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapel. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, May 18, 2009
Running Journal for Royals Chapel 2.0
Last month, Midwestern Seminary hosted the second Royals Chapel. Once again, manager Trey Hillman and GM Dayton Moore came and spoke in a dialogue format with the president of the seminary, Dr. Roberts. It was a similar format to last year's chapel.
It started off with a little humor as they were asked some things they were thinking on recently. Trey said that Dayton said to him "I'm the boss, you go (first)." Trey mentioned how he had been thinking a lot about family and the importance of being the spiritual head of his household. He also made mention of his wife being the glue that holds things together.
Dayton mentioned about how he was encouraged about the good start the team has done but that he wasn't satisfied. He also mentioned about there was harmony within the organization and the importance of that.
Trey followed up by saying that it is easy to feel excitement like the way the fans feel lately. He had two really good quotes at this point. One was one he mentions a lot to his team "Without hope and faith, we're lost as human beings." The other was "God bless critics. If we didn't have critics, we wouldn't have anyone to prove them wrong."
Dayton mentioned that he felt more pressure from ownership than the media and that Trey has more of a challenge with the media than he does.
Trey talked about how he is more at peace this year. He also mentioned something that was interesting. He said that "Sometimes its better to keep your mouth shut for the better of the group." He also mentioned about carrying a "reporter's notebook" where he writes down some of his favorite verses and thoughts that God has laid on his heart.
When asked about his greatest moment in a baseball uniform, Trey mentioned the championship parade that he was in after winning the Japan World Series. He also talked about his time in Japan where he was able to help with several missions groups that came to the country and how his position as manager there was a way to share his faith.
Dayton talked about how winning games was more of a relief than anything. He mentioned that his team is at home (meaning his family). He talked about how he tries to make a difference in the lives of family and the people he associates with.
They wrapped up by giving prayer requests. Dayton mentioned about maintaining being the leader God wants him to be while Trey mentioned balance in his life and also for his family.
After prayer, there were giveaways. Unfortunately, didn't get anything this year. Hopefully, they will do it again next year and I look forward to it.
It started off with a little humor as they were asked some things they were thinking on recently. Trey said that Dayton said to him "I'm the boss, you go (first)." Trey mentioned how he had been thinking a lot about family and the importance of being the spiritual head of his household. He also made mention of his wife being the glue that holds things together.
Dayton mentioned about how he was encouraged about the good start the team has done but that he wasn't satisfied. He also mentioned about there was harmony within the organization and the importance of that.
Trey followed up by saying that it is easy to feel excitement like the way the fans feel lately. He had two really good quotes at this point. One was one he mentions a lot to his team "Without hope and faith, we're lost as human beings." The other was "God bless critics. If we didn't have critics, we wouldn't have anyone to prove them wrong."
Dayton mentioned that he felt more pressure from ownership than the media and that Trey has more of a challenge with the media than he does.
Trey talked about how he is more at peace this year. He also mentioned something that was interesting. He said that "Sometimes its better to keep your mouth shut for the better of the group." He also mentioned about carrying a "reporter's notebook" where he writes down some of his favorite verses and thoughts that God has laid on his heart.
When asked about his greatest moment in a baseball uniform, Trey mentioned the championship parade that he was in after winning the Japan World Series. He also talked about his time in Japan where he was able to help with several missions groups that came to the country and how his position as manager there was a way to share his faith.
Dayton talked about how winning games was more of a relief than anything. He mentioned that his team is at home (meaning his family). He talked about how he tries to make a difference in the lives of family and the people he associates with.
They wrapped up by giving prayer requests. Dayton mentioned about maintaining being the leader God wants him to be while Trey mentioned balance in his life and also for his family.
After prayer, there were giveaways. Unfortunately, didn't get anything this year. Hopefully, they will do it again next year and I look forward to it.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Running Journal from Royals Chapel
Today at Midwestern there was a special chapel service. It was a "Royals Chapel" with guest speakers Dayton Moore and Trey Hillman. It was a really interesting chapel and I took notes so that I could reflect on it here.
Dayton Moore is the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Royals. He previously worked for the Atlanta Braves as an Assistant General Manager/Baseball Operations. He's originally from Kansas and was a graduate from George Mason University.
Trey Hillman is the Manager. Prior to this position, he spent five years managing the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. He led the team to the 2006 Japan League Series Championship. He's originally from Texas and was a graduate from the University of Texas-Arlington.
The format of the chapel was an dialogue between Dayton, Trey and the president of the seminary Dr. Philip Roberts. Dr. Roberts would ask a question and then each would answer the question. Prior to the quesitons, we sung some worship music and also did a rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame and God Bless America
The first topic discussed was their backgrounds. Trey answered first. He talked about how he played college ball at UT Arlington. After college, he went undrafted. He prayed to God about this because he felt that baseball was his calling (he mentioned that coming out of high school he could have been selected in the 1st or 2nd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates but he got a scholarship). He ended up signing with the Cleveland Indians organization and spent three seasons reaching as high as Double AA. After seeking some council from some of the managers he played under, he took a position as a scout. He later spent 12 years working in the New York Yankees minor league system as a manager. He then spent a year as a player coordinator for the Texas Rangers before going to Japan as a manager. He also talked about how he came to know Christ. He grew up in a family that were believers. He would accept Christ as he savior at 13. He also mentioned how he learned to play the guitar (not very well) and that he helped lead worship in high school and college at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meetings.
Dayton talked about how he loved baseball. He went to junior college and after there he went to George Mason and played there as well. After college, he coached at his alma mater along with coaching summer ball. He then took a job as a scout for the Atlanta Braves (although initally he turned the job down). He worked his way up to the front office before coming to K.C.
They were asked next how they handle pressure of their jobs. Trey responded first by mentioning he takes things "one day at a time". He emphasized the importance of balance. Balance is something he talks about regularly with his players not just physically but also spiritually. He talked about how his experience in Japan helped him develop more patience. He then remarked about how his relationship was Dayton was important and how he's an encouragment to him. He used the analogy of when Jesus sent people out he did it in twos, he didn't send them out alone. He then shared about how at the first homestand of the year (while the team was doing great), they had their first baseball chapel and there was only two players that attended. He then said even though they got swept in Oakland, he was really excited on that trip because at the chapel held they had nine players. He also mentioned how he reads James 3 a lot and that he talked about how on that trip there was a team meeting and that he used a few "choice words" and was convicted by that. He said that Satan challenges him by trying to convince him that to make his message to his players stronger he should use those kind of words. The next day he apologized in front of the whole team.
Dayton first talked about stressing the importance of being the Word to help deal with the pressures. He mentioned how after the huge 15-1 loss, the first thing he did when he got home was saw his kids to bed then went downselves and prayed over them. He talked about how for him he needed to remimber his most important responsiblity is being a husband and father and to glorify God.
They then were asked to mention a passage in the Bible very important to them. Trey reinterated James 3. He also mentioned another favorite was I Corinthians 13 and in particular verse 13: "So faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love" (ESV). He mentions how he uses that verse in talking to non-believers. He asks them this question: "Where would we be without faith and hope (if those two words didn't exist)?" He then commented how he wasn't afraid to get close to his players even though he's been hurt sometimes because of it.
Dayton spoke on how for him it's Philippians 2:3: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (ESV)". He also mentioned about in Matthew it talks about how the greatest among you must be last. He stressed the importance about being humble and made the statement "When kings start acting like kings, there comes along new kings."
They were asked their most memorable moment while in baseball. Trey joked how one of his his "redneck friends" asked him if he "Googled" himself (which he said no). He said for him the most memorable moment (which supposedly is on YouTube) is when he was in Japan and was arguing through an interpreter to a Japanese umpire. He mentioned how he would have to pause in the middle of arguing and how it took steam out of the argument and that he would get madder because of it. He mentioned how he told his interpreter to try and use the same tone and reflection that he did. The funny thing was later Trey had to pull the interpreter off because he got too excited. The interpreter then told Trey "If you were Japanese manager, he wouldn't disrespect you like that!"
Dayton talked about his most memorable moment came in 2001 when he was working with the Braves. He helped to oversee overseas scouting. He took a trip to Latin America as part of this. He said that it left an indellible mark on him to see the area and interact with the people there.
Dr. Roberts then threw out the question "Has a seminary professor made the pros?" The two laughed and Trey answered "No". He then shared the story about during spring training a friend of both his and Dayton's visited camp. His name is Tim Cash and he's a strong believer. Tim asked Trey about how he could pray for him. Trey then said about how he relates to umpires. Tim said that Trey should pray about that too. The second thing Trey said was he wanted to laugh more. Tim said he could help with that. The next day, a friend of Tim's came to visit the camp. It was Jeff Foxworthy who spent 20 minutes speaking with the team and had everyone laughing.
The next question asked was about family. Trey talked about how his wife is so important to him. She is the "super glue" of the family. He then talked about how his father is his mentor and how he still asks for his advice on things. He mentioned how it is always challenging to be the spiritual leader when he's separated from his family. He said how for him the times spent together as family as quality time. For the time being, his wife and kids are back in Texas and if and when the time comes, then he'll move them to Kansas City. (Dayton joked how he was going to use this summer when the kids visit to help them find a bunch of friend here along with getting a girlfriend for Trey's son).
Dayton as well mentioned how family is important to him. He talked about how his wife keeps him humble. He then talked about with his job now he gets to spend more time at home than when he was in Atlanta. He travels with the team 1/3rd of the time. He then talked about how he prays for Trey and his staff and their families because Dayton knows how hard it is for them to be away from their families.
Dayton then talked about how those who succeed the most in baseball are "those who manage failure the best." He mentioned the atmosphere in the clubhouse and how he's glad to have a manager like Trey who is open about his faith. He then talked about Brian Bannister, pitcher, and how he's becoming one of the leaders of the clubhouse and how his walk is a testimony to some of the other players.
They were then asked about their thoughts on the future of baseball. Trey mentioned how baseball is a resilient game and that though there will be a black mark on the sport, it will rebound. He said that he believed that there are direct parallels between the game of baseball and the game of life and also that "nobody is bigger than the game". He then talked about how he loves visiting stadiums, many of which are new to him. He said it was funny how reporters would ask him "So what do think about coming back to _______?" and he would be like "I've been in Japan for five years." He also mentioned how he would enjoy just sitting at the K for hours just looking at the field.
Dayton talked about how there is a unified effort with the players and management to deal with the issue. He then talked about how most of the world views America through Hollywood, which is of course not how most of America truly is. He applies this to how players are viewed. We expect more of them then what we expect of ourselves and that they're just as human as we are.
Dr. Roberts finished the questioning by asking how we could pray for them. The two each shared some requests and then we prayed for them. Afterwards, there were some giveaways. I ended up with a Royals T-Shirt and a refrigerator magnet.
It was a really refreshing to hear their testimonies. It was also really encouraging to me. I'm glad to know that they are in the postitions they are in and the influence that they have. I hope that they continue to reflect God in their words and actions and that their ultimate success is their walk with Jesus.
Dayton Moore is the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Royals. He previously worked for the Atlanta Braves as an Assistant General Manager/Baseball Operations. He's originally from Kansas and was a graduate from George Mason University.
Trey Hillman is the Manager. Prior to this position, he spent five years managing the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. He led the team to the 2006 Japan League Series Championship. He's originally from Texas and was a graduate from the University of Texas-Arlington.
The format of the chapel was an dialogue between Dayton, Trey and the president of the seminary Dr. Philip Roberts. Dr. Roberts would ask a question and then each would answer the question. Prior to the quesitons, we sung some worship music and also did a rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame and God Bless America
The first topic discussed was their backgrounds. Trey answered first. He talked about how he played college ball at UT Arlington. After college, he went undrafted. He prayed to God about this because he felt that baseball was his calling (he mentioned that coming out of high school he could have been selected in the 1st or 2nd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates but he got a scholarship). He ended up signing with the Cleveland Indians organization and spent three seasons reaching as high as Double AA. After seeking some council from some of the managers he played under, he took a position as a scout. He later spent 12 years working in the New York Yankees minor league system as a manager. He then spent a year as a player coordinator for the Texas Rangers before going to Japan as a manager. He also talked about how he came to know Christ. He grew up in a family that were believers. He would accept Christ as he savior at 13. He also mentioned how he learned to play the guitar (not very well) and that he helped lead worship in high school and college at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meetings.
Dayton talked about how he loved baseball. He went to junior college and after there he went to George Mason and played there as well. After college, he coached at his alma mater along with coaching summer ball. He then took a job as a scout for the Atlanta Braves (although initally he turned the job down). He worked his way up to the front office before coming to K.C.
They were asked next how they handle pressure of their jobs. Trey responded first by mentioning he takes things "one day at a time". He emphasized the importance of balance. Balance is something he talks about regularly with his players not just physically but also spiritually. He talked about how his experience in Japan helped him develop more patience. He then remarked about how his relationship was Dayton was important and how he's an encouragment to him. He used the analogy of when Jesus sent people out he did it in twos, he didn't send them out alone. He then shared about how at the first homestand of the year (while the team was doing great), they had their first baseball chapel and there was only two players that attended. He then said even though they got swept in Oakland, he was really excited on that trip because at the chapel held they had nine players. He also mentioned how he reads James 3 a lot and that he talked about how on that trip there was a team meeting and that he used a few "choice words" and was convicted by that. He said that Satan challenges him by trying to convince him that to make his message to his players stronger he should use those kind of words. The next day he apologized in front of the whole team.
Dayton first talked about stressing the importance of being the Word to help deal with the pressures. He mentioned how after the huge 15-1 loss, the first thing he did when he got home was saw his kids to bed then went downselves and prayed over them. He talked about how for him he needed to remimber his most important responsiblity is being a husband and father and to glorify God.
They then were asked to mention a passage in the Bible very important to them. Trey reinterated James 3. He also mentioned another favorite was I Corinthians 13 and in particular verse 13: "So faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love" (ESV). He mentions how he uses that verse in talking to non-believers. He asks them this question: "Where would we be without faith and hope (if those two words didn't exist)?" He then commented how he wasn't afraid to get close to his players even though he's been hurt sometimes because of it.
Dayton spoke on how for him it's Philippians 2:3: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (ESV)". He also mentioned about in Matthew it talks about how the greatest among you must be last. He stressed the importance about being humble and made the statement "When kings start acting like kings, there comes along new kings."
They were asked their most memorable moment while in baseball. Trey joked how one of his his "redneck friends" asked him if he "Googled" himself (which he said no). He said for him the most memorable moment (which supposedly is on YouTube) is when he was in Japan and was arguing through an interpreter to a Japanese umpire. He mentioned how he would have to pause in the middle of arguing and how it took steam out of the argument and that he would get madder because of it. He mentioned how he told his interpreter to try and use the same tone and reflection that he did. The funny thing was later Trey had to pull the interpreter off because he got too excited. The interpreter then told Trey "If you were Japanese manager, he wouldn't disrespect you like that!"
Dayton talked about his most memorable moment came in 2001 when he was working with the Braves. He helped to oversee overseas scouting. He took a trip to Latin America as part of this. He said that it left an indellible mark on him to see the area and interact with the people there.
Dr. Roberts then threw out the question "Has a seminary professor made the pros?" The two laughed and Trey answered "No". He then shared the story about during spring training a friend of both his and Dayton's visited camp. His name is Tim Cash and he's a strong believer. Tim asked Trey about how he could pray for him. Trey then said about how he relates to umpires. Tim said that Trey should pray about that too. The second thing Trey said was he wanted to laugh more. Tim said he could help with that. The next day, a friend of Tim's came to visit the camp. It was Jeff Foxworthy who spent 20 minutes speaking with the team and had everyone laughing.
The next question asked was about family. Trey talked about how his wife is so important to him. She is the "super glue" of the family. He then talked about how his father is his mentor and how he still asks for his advice on things. He mentioned how it is always challenging to be the spiritual leader when he's separated from his family. He said how for him the times spent together as family as quality time. For the time being, his wife and kids are back in Texas and if and when the time comes, then he'll move them to Kansas City. (Dayton joked how he was going to use this summer when the kids visit to help them find a bunch of friend here along with getting a girlfriend for Trey's son).
Dayton as well mentioned how family is important to him. He talked about how his wife keeps him humble. He then talked about with his job now he gets to spend more time at home than when he was in Atlanta. He travels with the team 1/3rd of the time. He then talked about how he prays for Trey and his staff and their families because Dayton knows how hard it is for them to be away from their families.
Dayton then talked about how those who succeed the most in baseball are "those who manage failure the best." He mentioned the atmosphere in the clubhouse and how he's glad to have a manager like Trey who is open about his faith. He then talked about Brian Bannister, pitcher, and how he's becoming one of the leaders of the clubhouse and how his walk is a testimony to some of the other players.
They were then asked about their thoughts on the future of baseball. Trey mentioned how baseball is a resilient game and that though there will be a black mark on the sport, it will rebound. He said that he believed that there are direct parallels between the game of baseball and the game of life and also that "nobody is bigger than the game". He then talked about how he loves visiting stadiums, many of which are new to him. He said it was funny how reporters would ask him "So what do think about coming back to _______?" and he would be like "I've been in Japan for five years." He also mentioned how he would enjoy just sitting at the K for hours just looking at the field.
Dayton talked about how there is a unified effort with the players and management to deal with the issue. He then talked about how most of the world views America through Hollywood, which is of course not how most of America truly is. He applies this to how players are viewed. We expect more of them then what we expect of ourselves and that they're just as human as we are.
Dr. Roberts finished the questioning by asking how we could pray for them. The two each shared some requests and then we prayed for them. Afterwards, there were some giveaways. I ended up with a Royals T-Shirt and a refrigerator magnet.
It was a really refreshing to hear their testimonies. It was also really encouraging to me. I'm glad to know that they are in the postitions they are in and the influence that they have. I hope that they continue to reflect God in their words and actions and that their ultimate success is their walk with Jesus.
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