Guest Author - Sandy Mullins
Sometimes people wonder who are Baha’is and why don’t I know any. Well sometimes you live in a town that doesn’t have many if any. Sometimes you just aren’t aware they are out there right under your nose. I am one of those Baha’is that live obscurely in your town. I live my life believing in Baha’u’llah and his teaching and the teaching of all the previous manifestations of God. I don’t flaunt my faith because living in a mid western small town that is mostly Christians who don’t welcome changes in their way of life.
Sometimes a Baha’i will walk into your lives, a Baha’i living and working right there under your eyes. I talk about famous historical people of the Baha’i Faith, but I haven’t talked about every day more famous Baha’is. People you might hear singing a song, acting in movies, or as for today playing shortstop for the San Diego Padres.
First let me explain that I am not a sports fan, I only watch a little sports (as little as possible). When reading my American Baha’i (a newspaper published monthly) I came across this young man’s story.
Khalil Thabit Greene (pronounced kul-LEEL) graduated for Key West High in Florida. During his senior year was selected to the Dade County All-Stars. Khalil attended Clemson playing third baseman and majoring in Sociology and was on the ACC Academic honor roll. While playing third baseman at Clemsons his team won state his sophomore season and went to the College World Series in 2000 and 2002. While at Clemson University he held the all-time leader in hits (398), doubles (92), RBI (271), extra-base hits (150) and total bases (657), all this and honor roll four times!
Khalil was drafted in 2001 First-Year Player Draft, by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round but did not sign. In 2002 he was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Padres.
In 2002 Khalil won the NCAA Golden Spike Award.
Are you wondering what Khalil thinks about being a celebrity? “The media elevates you to a status where people look at you in a whole different light,” Greene says. “I don’t think that’s necessary. There are a lot of noble professions out there with a lot of people doing good things around the world. And yet, it’s like if you’re not on television, you’ve haven’t made it. I’ve never agreed with that." (San Diego Magazine, April 2005)
Personally I am looking forward to his career staying on its golden path and look forward to his continued success. If you are wondering, what’s in a name? Khalil means a friend of God and Thabit steadfast.
For more information on the Baha’i Faith:Baha'i Links
