sports misc.

First, a good article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070906/COL05/709060327/1009/col05 (originally found at: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=248).

Here's a neat quote from Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka about the AL Rookie of the Year race. Matsuzaka and fellow Japanese teammate Hideki Okajima are both considered rookies even though they've pitched in Japan for several years before coming to the U.S. this year. Another Red Sox, 2nd baseman Dustin Pedroia, is a true rookie. Here's what Matsuzaka had to say about it:

"[Matsuzaka] had an interesting answer," [Red Sox manager Terry] Francona said. "[He said], 'I've already been Rookie of the Year.' And he pointed at Pedroia and said, 'That's your Rookie of the Year.' I remember thinking, it was just in passing, but I remember thinking, 'Pretty mature attitude.' I don't want to hurt someone's chances of receiving awards ever, but I loved his attitude."

Matsuzaka was named Rookie of the Year of the Pacific League in 1999, his first year with the Seibu Lions.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070906&content_id=2192614&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos.

Next, an article about Padres catcher Josh Bard, a Christian, and his older brother Mike, the assistant hitting coach for the Rockies. Their teams played against each other last weekend. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070906&content_id=2193692&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's a few articles about the NBA's trip to South Africa last week to help out and teach basketball: http://www.nba.com/global/bwb_africa_warms_up_070905.html, http://www.nba.com/global/bwb_africa_recap_070907.html, and http://www.nba.com/global/bwb_africa_recap2_070907.html. Here's the main page about it: http://www.nba.com/global/africa_bwb_2007.html.

Also, an article about Fever forward Tamika Catchings, a Christian, and the torn Achilles that she suffered in the decisive game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Shock. She should be ready for the next WNBA season, but will miss playing overseas this year. Here's a great quote from her about her recovery from the injury:

"I know God's not done with me yet," she said. "I'm just going to keep pushing forward."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070907/SPORTS/709080304/1004/RSS02.

Here's a couple of injury reports from a couple of Christian MLB players. The first is from Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, who's trying to get back to pitching by the end of the month after shoulder surgery last September. Here's the article (page down): http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/09/06/lowell_might_be_too_pricey/?page=2.

The other injury report is about Yankees 1st baseman Andy Phillips, who is trying to come back by next month after having wrist surgery to remove a broken bone (page down): http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spynotes065360848sep06,0,1754696.story.

Next, an article about Colts radio voice Bob Lamey fulfilling the wish of a 93-year-old man by visiting at his nursing home: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070912/SPORTS/709120426/1247/NLETTER12.

Lastly, a note about seriously injured Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who sustained a serious spinal cord injury during the Bills game against the Broncos last Sunday:

EVERETT IMPROVES The word "miracle" is being tossed around regarding the new developments in the ongoing physical battles of Buffalo Bills' tight end Kevin Everett. One day after the doctor who operated on Everett announced that it was unlikely Everett would walk again, things looked remarkably better. As Everett began to awaken partially from his induced sedation, he moved his arms and legs--providing hope for a more complete recovery. The people treating Everett used a new therapy immediately after the injury, one in which he was injected with a cold saline solution to minimize swelling. That may have contributed to the surprising good news just one day after surgery. As did the prayers of thousands.

Here's the webpage: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/070912.php.

To go along with that, here's what Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn had to say about Kevin Everett and his injury:

"Sometimes you need to focus on what's life and what's real," wide receiver Joe Horn said. "After seeing what happened to Kevin, God makes things happen for a reason. My prayers go out to him and his family.

"But you have to sit back sometimes, after playing 11, 12 years and realized that you are blessed. We are blessed to be physically able to play this game."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/09/12/falnot_0913.html.