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, Sharons 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 dont drink." Haddix replied, "Just checking, son!"