Rockies, Colts, Indians, etc.

Hi. Go Rockies! I'm watching the World Series as I'm writing this. I like the Red Sox too, but I've got to go with the Rockies this time.

Staying with the Rockies, the first article is about Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, a Christian, who won the NLCS MVP. I posted the video of his interview after being awarded the MVP earlier, but I thought I would post the article and video now since I've read the article (yeah, I'm still a week behind reading articles). I thought that I would mention that in the interview Holliday thanks God twice, but there's no mention of that in the article, interestingly enough. But here's a quote that was included:

"Obviously, some time in the offseason, we'll sit back and say, 'Man that's quite a run.'" Holliday said. "To be able to do it with these guys, I feel very blessed."

Here's the article and video: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268550&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an article about Rockies reserve outfielder Seth Smith, who knocked in a couple big runs in Game 4 of the NLCS. Smith wasn't called up from the minors until Sept. 15th, but made the post-season roster after getting a big hit in the Rockies Wild Card play-in game. A crazy fact is that Smith was Giants quarterback Eli Manning's back-up at Ole Miss, who's now teammates with Todd Helton, who was Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's back-up at Tennessee. Here's a quote from him:

"It's exciting," Smith said. "I don't even know how I'm here. God just blessed me tremendously and this team."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268574&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb.

Next, an article about Colts long snapper Justin Snow, a Christian, visited with new parents at St. Francis Hospital and delivered care packages as part of the Colts Baby Bunch program: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=77260e2a-114c-42ca-b7f3-820c5274b2dc.

Back to the Rockies, here's an article about Rockies infielder Jamey Carroll, a Christian, raising money to help out people in his hometown of Newburg, Indiana (near Evansville), after a tornado hit there in November 2005. I remember when it hit, as it's only around 2 hours from here. It was very strange, as we never have tornadoes in November. Also, it hit in the middle of the night, which is also rare. So everyone was asleep not expecting anything, and to make matters worse, one of the hardest hit places was a trailor park. So put all that together and it wasn't good. Here's the article: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268696&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, an article about Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, a Christian, before his start in Game 4 of the ALCS. Here's a quote from him about how he changed his pitching windup to resurrect his career back in 2002:

"Look," Byrd said Monday night, walking a concourse beneath Jacobs Field, "I'm not trying to convert anybody. I don't go to God as a vending machine. But, I prayed. I just said, 'I'd love to keep playing.' "

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Byrd-turns-back-clock-on-windup-career;_ylt=AvXvEzP5AhrmHBWcmKHD7AI5nYcB?urn=mlb,49327.

Here's an article about Colts tight end Ben Utecht, a Christian, speaking at a Character Counts! Rally in Anderson, Indiana (north of Indianapolis), last week. Just a note: the Wigwam is the name of the Anderson High School gym, as their mascot is the Indians. Here's a quote about what Ben Utecht said and did:

“The reason I’m here is to talk about what it takes to be a champion,” said Utecht. “Character is the most important part of who you are as a human being.”

Then, courageously, Utecht confessed a secret to the students: he has always wanted to be on “American Idol.” And then, he belted out “Amazing Grace,” convincing everyone in the room that he could do more than just carry a football.

“You just have to continue to have character each and every day,” said Utecht.

I just thought that it was so cool that he sang "Amazing Grace" and a public school assembly! Here's the article: http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_289182633.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

Next, back to the Rockies with an article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, and what he's learned about life since having a daughter born with physical problems after not living up to expectations as a big baseball prospect: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2007-10-16-hurdle-rockies_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, and about how excited he was to finally made it to the World Series after playing with the Rockies for several years: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-nlcsgamefour101507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Also, an article about Allan Houston, a Christian, stopping his attempted comeback with the Knicks after being retired for two years: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=3071748.

Here's an article about the new Christian CD that came out yesterday by Colts punter Hunter Smith's group Connersvine: http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=2208.

Next, an article about NC State women's basketball head coach Kay Yow, a Christian, resuming chemotherapy for breast cancer: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/news;_ylt=AuvbSvyxI50jaWI4wr5lffJ.T4h4?slug=ap-ncstate-yow&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, a note from yesterday's "The Daily" from Sports Spectrum about new Royals manager Trey Hillman, a Christian:

HILLMAN TO ROYALS: After spending five seasons managing the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan, Trey Hillman is about to return to the United States to skipper a Major League Baseball team for the first time. Hillman has been hired to manage the Kansas City Royals. He’ll bring with him the same mission that he and his family had when they lived in Japan. While there, he said, “We’re here to, with our walk, with the way that we live our lives, to be a witness to the faith that we have in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.” Hillman spent many years in the New York Yankees’ organization, and he was at one time offered the managership of the Texas Rangers, but he had already committed to Japan.

Here's the link: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/071023.php.