Butler, NBA, and MLB

First of all, an article about new Butler men's basketball coach Brad Stevens. Here's a quote:

...He took church mission trips to Texas and Louisiana...

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070422/SPORTS06/704220432/1247/SPORTS.

Next, an article about recently retired Pacer Jonathon Bender working to help out those effected by hurricane Katrina: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070423/SPORTS04/704230383.

Also, an article about Reds manager Jerry Narron and his brother Johnny, a Reds administrative coach. Here's a quote from Johnny Narron about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton:

"I've known Josh a long time," Johnny Narron said. "I was right there when he was being scouted, drafted and signed and left Raleigh, North Carolina. He and I have a tremendous relationship right now. We've been apart, obviously, during his problem times. I didn't know where he was, quite frankly. To have been put back in his life, I think it's God's plan for me. I'm his mentor both on and off the field."

Besides sharing baseball, Hamilton and Johnny Narron also share a religious bond and use those ties to maintain a strong friendship.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070423&content_id=1925543&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about one teammate helping out another on the Mariners, with Willie Bloomquist pitching batting practice to Ben Broussard during games to prepare Broussard for pinch-hitting: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070423&content_id=1925818&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Lastly, an article about a great assist at a Trailblazers game a few years ago. Natalie Gilbert, a then 13-year-old, was singing the National Anthem before a Blazers game when she forgot the words in the middle of it. Maurice Cheeks, who was then the Blazers head coach, went out and helped her finish the song. I had heard about this when it happened, but I read a devotion about it earlier this week, based on Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Here's the article (the page also includes video of it): http://www.nba.com/blazers/features/Cheeks_Anthem_Assist-73713-41.html.