Moertl, an ardent Jehovah's Witness, succeeded Judith Martin as team ethicist in 1997. "Judith had a strong sense of tact, to be sure," says Samuels. "But hers was a regime of manners over morals. Too often her justifications moved past courtesy to mere tradition. For a cerebral club like the Greens that was not enough."
The sunny Moertl has nourished the spirituality of many of the Greens. From her, players have learned to put their accomplishments on this earth into a larger perspective. "The world does not revolve around baseball," she patiently explains, "though Jehovah allows us certain physical pleasures. To a point." Although she has happily endorsed the grand old game, Suzann has promoted a broader vision. She has urged both players and front office personnel to envision "an everlasting ballgame under blue skies, where we play with tireless bodies and no elbow injuries." "No elbow injuries?" says new Greens' pitcher Ramon Ortiz. "All right. What do I gotta do?"
Moertl's push to draft minor leaguers based wholly upon their moral stature has ruffled the feathers of player development director Josh Logan, whose preference for athleticism and hand-eye coordination has a long tradition in baseball scouting. But late scouting guru Fate Norris took a more generous perspective. "It might'n be that Suzann is right about that," he once explained. Under Fate's regime, the Greens' scouting department emphasized character along with other tools, not just fortitude but honor. "We passed on Trot Nixon once upon a time 'cause of his background," remembered Norris. "'Course, we also drafted Phil Nevin, and if he ain't an asshole, I ain't from Dixie. Then again, I guess I'd a been darn sight more comfortable with Nevin's character if he'd turned out to been a better ballplayer. While we had him."
Norris also credited Suzann for the reorganization of the Moline scouting department. From the ministry of the Organization, Norris borrowed the concept of zones, districts, circuits, and territory, areas of responsiblity for his scouting department. The Greens' scouts don't proselytize door-to-door, but such defined coverage ensures that the Greens scouting and player development office makes smart choices each year in the annual draft. Although suspicious of value clauses alongside signing bonuses, even Logan concedes the merits of the system. "We don't spread the word the way those Witnesses do, but we sure do gather it."
Crystal Blue Persuasion--Tommy James & the Shondells
It's the End of the World as We Know It--R.E.M.
Right Around the Corner--the Five Royales
Forever and Ever Amen--Randy Travis
Something's Coming--West Side Story
I Want a True, True Love--Irma Thomas
Can I Get a Witness?--Marvin Gaye
Kingdom Hall--Van Morrison
Happy Talk--Captain Sensible
Up with People--Up with People
Sorry, Suzanne--the Hollies
My Little Red Book--Love
Any Day Now--Chuck Jackson