MLB, football, etc.

First of all, an article about Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a Christian, credentials for the MVP Award. Two of the top candidates for the NL MVP Award are Christians, with Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday along with Rollins. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070930&content_id=2242483&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi&partnered=rss_phi.

Here's an article about Royals 1st baseman/DH Mike Sweeney taking out a full-page ad in the Kansas City Star last Sunday to thank the Royals fans and organization for all their support over the many years that he's played there. This could have been Sweeney's last season with the Royals, as he is a free agent. Here's a quote from him about it:

He has said he would like to play another year, taking a reduced role. But club officials have been noncommittal both to him and to the media.

"I talked with [general manager Dayton Moore] yesterday and he said he wasn't sure what direction they'll want to go in," Sweeney said Sunday. "But if this is my last game with the Royals, I know I've been blessed like very few people have ever been blessed. I've loved every minute of it."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3043675.

Next, a good Christian article about recently retired Panthers safety Mike Minter, who is now going into the ministry: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/minter-retires-into-ministry/. Also, the article includes a link to Minter's website: http://www.mikeminter.com/index2.html and a link to the Ruckus House Learning Center in Harrisburg, North Carolina, a Christian based daycare/preschool/afterschool program that he runs with fellow Christians Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker, Rams runningback Stephen Davis, and Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad: http://www.ruckushouse.com/.

Here's several new articles this month from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Sharing the Victory Magazine. The first one is about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a favorite for the Cy Young Award this year (includes video): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=60ECE133-3E2D-430B-B0FCBDE53AEBEA3A&method=display. Here's a short note about him and a friend of his, former MLB player Turner Ward, too: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=46498FAB-F957-46B8-BC86948E7CB173B2&method=display.

The next FCA article is about Clemson football head coach Tommy Bowden and how his faith helps him to deal with all of the pressure of his job (including a video): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=D5F71ED2-33F7-43E1-864A78650FFEA0AA&method=display. Also, the article includes a link to the FCA's Bowden Breakfast (http://www.bowdenbreakfast.com/), which is held annually the morning of the Clemson/Flordia State game, where Tommy Bowden coaches against his dad, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden.

Here's an FCA article about Olivia Brock, the kicker for the Conner High School football team in Kentucky. Yes, she's a girl playing football. Here's the good article about her: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=E5079E65-22FA-490C-B4FF2F4953AE4128&method=display. Someone who's helped her with her kicking has been former Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey, who's now involved with FCA and his own organization Kick's for Kids: http://kicksforkids.org/.

Also, an FCA article on Auburn football chaplain Chette Williams and his new memoir Hard Fighting Soldier: Finding God in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs. Also included in the article is former Auburn and current Giants linebacker Reggie Torbor. Here's the aritcle: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=710FE6B0-36F6-4AEF-BE0E22476E0D6C5B&method=display.

Here's an FCA article about a father-son retreat led by Rogers (Arkansas) High School football coach Ronnie Peacock for the senior players on his team: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=9453B812-8727-42FD-93B3950AA7FCD250&method=display. His former/current players include Missouri State's Cody Kirby and future Wisconsin player Jake Byrne.

Lastly, a few short FCA articles by Southern California offensive lineman Sam Baker (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=CDA7DA59-0CEF-418C-976A10129566EB1B&method=display), Browns runningback Jason Wright (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=B34FED23-4553-4EDC-81C5B76B7968DAB7&method=display), and Notre Dame volleyball head coach Debbie Brown (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=BD53DE94-9657-4664-87F212118E471646&method=display).