Varazdin, Croatia: Grgur Ninski Statue

Who's the guy that looks like he's about to throw a split-fingered fastball or something? (By the way, that's as close as anyone got to baseball during a trip to Croatia.)

The man in question in Grgur Ninski. Since he was around in the 900s, you'd guess that he's held in high regard, even today. And you'd be right. 

Ninski was the Chancellor of the Croatian royal court, and was the bishop of Nin. At a time when Catholic services were always held in Latin in this part of the world, Ninski thought it would be better to do it in Croatian - so the people could understand more of what was going on. Grgur got the change made in 926. 

Smart guy. The people enjoyed the chance to understand more of what was said in the service, and in many cases it deepened their faith. So he's honored with three similar statues, one of which is in Varazdin.

By the way, it's said to be lucky to touch the Bishop's toe on the sculpture. You can guess that everyone has followed that tip, because, well, why take a chance? So the toe is really, really shiny.