Ortiz, Smith, and Murcer

Hi. Here's a few articles. First, an article on the Giants' signing of Russ Ortiz: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/16421776.htm (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070110&content_id=1776341&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, an article about Georgia Tech basketball player Jeremis Smith and his best friend Jeffrey Muriel, Jr., who was killed in 2005 along with three others by a drunk driver. It talks about how Smith still keeps his friend's memory with him. Here's a quote about how his teammate, Javaris Crittenton, has become a good friend and how he keeps his friend's memory:

Yet Smith has found a sub in Tech point guard Javaris Crittenton. Ask Smith about the "4 Js" written atop the shoes he'll wear against Duke.

"Before this season, my mom said, 'What has to happen for you to be the player you can be?' I said, 'Honestly, the only person that can make me good is Javaris.' She said, 'Why do you say that?'

"I said because in high school, Jeff would throw me lobs so I could show off my athleticism and get me the ball in places I needed it. Javaris can do the exact same thing, and he reminds me on and off the court of Jeff, even how he approaches people and class.

"My mom was like, 'There's three Js: you, Jeff, Javaris and you've got to add one more and put Jesus in the mix. That sounds good. You all can be the four Js. Two Js can be looking down on the other two Js."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2007/01/09/0110techmen.html.

Lastly, an article about former Yankees player and current Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer and his recent surgery to remove what was found to be a malignant brain tumor. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I'm gaining confidence that with God and my faith leading the way, we will as a team put up an incredible fight. Please continue to send up prayers. That's all I can really ask of you at this time."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070110&content_id=1776558&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.