Vance Law, a former Major League Baseball all-star who played for five MLB teams during a 14-year professional career, is not a baseball player.
Baseball "was what I did, not who I was," said Law, who spoke to BYU students of the BYU 87th Ward on Sunday. "I was a son of God, Sharon's husband, a father . . . a Scoutmaster."
Law spoke to the student family ward with colorful stories about representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a pro baseball player.
"As a member of the church, you're always watched," Law said. "People find out very quickly what kind of person you are."
After Law's first Major League game, playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitching coach Harvey Haddix approached him. Haddix had played with Law's father, Vernon Law, for the Pirates many years before. He offered Law a beer, to which Law said, "Harvey, you know I don't drink." Haddix replied, "Just checking, son!"
It never took long for players to recognize Law as a Mormon. One time after a hot, humid game the team had a lunch prepared for them. Law grabbed some watermelon and was just about to sink into it when Willie Stargell placed his hand on the watermelon. He explained that the team had spiked the watermelon with vodka to get Law drunk as a joke. Law spoke of his admiration for Stargell, a Hall of Famer who helped a then-rookie keep his standards.
Law shared with the congregation a story about his time with the Montreal Expos. There his 4-year-old daughter was found to have a brain tumor.
"That's where knowing who you are and understanding the plan of salvation and the power of the priesthood mean a lot," Law said. "I was glad I was not a baseball player, but that I was a father and a priesthood holder."
Law mentioned his associations playing against other Major League players who were members of the church. Catcher Alan Ashby once said, "Hello, elder" to Law as he stepped up to bat. While practicing in between innings in Houston, the live baseball organist — a Mormon — began playing "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree."
Law once hit a fly ball to centerfield, where Dale Murphy was positioned. Because of the light of the sun, Murphy couldn't catch it and ended up covering his head. It marked Law's first and last inside-the-park home run. The bullpen phone rang moments later and the umpire said, "That's the worst I've ever seen Mormons helping Mormons."
"It was wonderful to go to church with an opponent," Law said, mentioning attending church with Murphy, Bruce Hurst, Ashby and Jerry Garvin while traveling.
After finishing his professional career, Law coached at Provo High School, taking the baseball team to a state championship. He is currently head baseball coach at Brigham Young University, where he has led the Cougars to the Mountain West Conference tournament title.
Law witnessed priesthood "blessings in the locker room," players kneeling in sincere prayer and has participated in the conversions of non-member recruits.
Law concluded his talk to the young students by sharing his testimony of the gospel.