MLB, football, and NBA

First of all, an article about how Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz gave his catcher Jason Varitek (a Christian) a lot of credit for the no-hitter that he pitched last Saturday. I always like Varitek's comments about the pitching after games that he catches because he always deflects credit for anything that the pitcher(s) did well ("He did....) and accepts part of the blame when the pitchers aren't as successful ("We didn't...). That was the case with Buchholz's no-hitter too. It was also the third no-hitter that Varitek's caught, one off the Major League record (http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070903&content_id=2186457&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos). Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070902&content_id=2184549&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's another article about Appalachian State's celebration back home in Boone, North Carolina, after their humongous upset of Michigan last Saturday: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3001520.

Next, an article about Magic forward/center Dwight Howard, a Christian, and how he will only get better: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-nbainsider0207sep02,0,1639851.column?coll=orl_sports_basketball_magic_util (originally found at: http://www.nba.com/news/457802.html?rss=true).

Here's an article about how the whole Bowden family has come to hate the Florida State/Clemson football game each year that pits FSU head coach Bobby Bowden against his son, Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, both Christians. Here's a quote about it:

Along with the relief the winning coach will feel, comes the worry about their loved one's prospects for the season.

"The family aspect of it the last few years has made it more difficult, I don't think there's any doubt about that," Tommy said.

If Tommy was off the schedule, "my wife would talk to me again," Bobby Bowden said.

"It's tough on ol' Ann Bowden," her husband of 58 years said. "She loves her children."

Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/090207ace.html.

Also, an article about the severe eye injury suffered by Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion when he was hit by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle during their game on Friday. Here's a quote from Cardinals medical director Dr. George Paletta about it:

"So at this point we keep our fingers crossed, say a prayer for him and make sure he's getting the best treatment he can get," Paletta said.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3002503.

Here's an article about Bucks guard Michael Redd, a Christian, and his good prospects for making the Olympic team next summer: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655903 (originally found at: http://www.nba.com/news/457519.html?rss=true).

Next, an article about Colts safety Bob Sanders helping kids shop for school uniforms. Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) required students to wear uniforms for the first time this year, so different groups and businesses were helping out families who couldn't afford them. Sanders helped to encourage the kids to by telling them that he had to wear uniforms when he was in school too. Here's the article (includes video too): http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7018238.

Here's a great Q & A article with Panthers kicker John Kasay, a Christian. Here's a quote:

Q: You’ve been in the league 17 years and you’re still kicking. Even though kickers are able to have more longevity than some position players, how incredible is that to you and what keeps you going?

A: I don’t really think about longevity as far as where it fits. I’m always kind of preparing for the next opportunity, and I’ve been very blessed to be able to play this long. So it’s more, I am where I am, and the challenges are coming forward. They don’t give you any grace or any room for being a little older. The expectations still stay high. And it’s only the Lord that’s been able to get me through and have me still playing.

Q: You have always openly professed your faith. How do you carry your faith from your personal life onto the football field, and how has it helped you deal with the successes and adversity you have faced over your career?

A: I think people carry their faith, everybody does. I mean, you are who you are, and whatever you believe, you act upon that. I’ve never made any bones or any shortcomings about my love for Jesus Christ, and I never will. God has blessed me, giving me an opportunity to do things I’ve never dreamt I’d be able to do, and it’s really for His glory and that’s why I do it.

Q: How much do you trace lack of faith or (lack of) a spiritual foundation to the troubles so many NFL players seem to be getting into these days?

A: Well, you know, the different issues that face each and every one of us, the temptations are great. It’s a hard thing, a very hard thing, the decisions are not always easy and they’re not always simple. Things can be very unforgiving sometimes. So many of us have been spared of the consequences, from decisions that we’ve all made. So hopefully everybody learns from poor decisions that we make and try not to make those decisions again.

Here's the article: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352579222&path=!sports!football!&s=1037645509262 (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5662).

Also, an article about Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, who volunteered to pitch on one day less rest to help the team out in the division title chase. Unfortunately, it back-fired and he got hit hard on Wednesday by the Diamondbacks(http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070905&content_id=2191647&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd). Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvbKyAzCBZY3Wj4M41ubUp45nYcB?slug=ti-peavy090307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's a note about the success of Cubs 1st baseman Derrek Lee's Project 3000 for research for the eye disease that effects his daughter. His teammate Ryan Dempster donates money to the organization too:

Good cause: Every time Ryan Dempster saves a game, it's another donation to [Derrek] Lee's Project 3000, which has raised more than $960,000 since its inception one year ago. Dr. Edwin Stone, who heads the research at University of Iowa Carver Family Center, said they are receiving samples of people with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) at more than five times the rate before Project 3000 began. Lee's daughter, Jada, was diagnosed with LCA in September 2006.

In Spring Training, Dempster pledged $50,000 plus $1,000 per save during the season to Project 3000.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070903&content_id=2186771&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc.

Lastly, the website for the MLB Roberto Clemente Award for community service. Each team nominates a player, and then the fans vote on the winner. The site includes a list of the nominees with an article about each player. The nominees include several Christians, which I'll include more on later. Here's the website: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/clemente.jsp.