MLB misc., Glenn, etc.

First, an article about Diamondback's shortstop Stephen Drew, a Christian, and the positive attitude that he's had this year even though his struggled hitting some: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0721dbside0722.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2103790&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista helping the Native Americans on reservations in Arizona, which he started in two stints with the Diamondbacks: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2105872&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article about Astros 2nd baseman Craig Biggio announcing last week that he's retiring at the end of the year, after playing his entire 20 year Hall-of-Fame caliber career with the Astros. One of his reasons for retiring was to spend more time with his wife and three kids. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2106471&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, a Christian, and his mentoring of younger pitchers in the Yankees bullpen: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2106595&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy.

Also, an article about Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, a Christian, and how important a letter he received from fellow cancer survivor Lance Armstrong was to him while he was going through cancer treatments last fall. I think it shows how much something as seemingly small as an letter of encouragement can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2947987.

Here are some articles about the retirement of Colts left tackle Tarik Glenn, a Christian, last week. The first aritcle is on how difficult the decision to retire was for Glenn to make: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=9cf97d9a-8daf-4ef4-8305-9dd4da13140f.

The next article is on how difficult and emotional Glenn's decision was for Colts owner Jim Irsay: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=dd6019d1-6b0c-4dfe-9abb-f63d8afaff11.

Here's the letter that Glenn read at his press conference to announce his retirement. The thing to note is how important God and prayer were in his making his decision: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=008bd66d-4a01-4123-8172-07a2d0b0ed78.

Another article about Glenn's retirement is a column from the Indianapolis Star sports columnist: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070725/COLUMNISTS01/707250456/1247/SPORTS.

The last article about Glenn is a reflection on him and his retirement from Colts rookie offensive lineman and possible replacement Tony Ugoh, offensive line coah Howard Mudd, and head coach Tony Dungy (a Christian): http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=d38f95ae-b1b8-4baf-8e76-1bdae219500a.

Next, an article about the trade of Scott Linebrink, a Christian, from the Padres to the Brewers last week. What complicated things for him and his family is that his wife is due any day with their first child. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070727&content_id=2113006&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Boise State wide receiver Ian Johnson and his girlfriend's wedding. He proposed to her after scoring the winning touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl last January. Because Johnson's black and his new wife is white, he unfortunately got threatening racist letters and phone calls before the wedding. Here's a quote from the article about the wedding:

Before Boise State running back Ian Johnson married the girl he proposed to on national television, the couple prayed to end prejudice.

Johnson and Chrissy Popadics, the cheerleader he proposed to after scoring the winning points in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, were married Saturday in a traditional ceremony at Cathedral of the Rockies First United Methodist Church.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-boisestate-johnson&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, an article about former MLB player and current Mobile BayBear (Diamondbacks Double-A) manager Brett Butler, a Christian, having had a mild stroke on Friday night. He's doiong okay, but could use some prayers. Here's the article: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=281729&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp.

Another note: 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg, a Christian, was designated for assignment by the Astros today, and they're trying to trade him. This is after they got Ty Wigginton from the Devil Rays on Saturday. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116718&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, a website for a new biography about the late former college and NBA star Pete Maravich, a Chrsitian: http://maravichbook.com/.