MLB and football misc.

Hi. First of all, a neat article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, who helped to inspire a teenage boy dying from cancer, and was inspired himself in return: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071026&content_id=2283990&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, a Christian, winning the Marvin Miller Man of the Year by the MLB Players Association a week ago for his work with Little League Baseball's Urban Initiative, the Twins Rookie League and RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) youth baseball programs in the Twin Cities, Big Brother Big Sisters of the Twin Cities, and Athletes in Action. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284285&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about USC quarterback Mark Sanchez and his dad Nick, a captain with the Orange County (California) Fire Authority. Nick Sanchez was at the front line fighting the wildfires in the San Diego area, but was able to leave when the fires started to slow down. That meant that he was able to go see Mark start at quarterback at Oregon a week ago yesterday. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AoJw9mv5xyRnD5OokDBAbOZ.T4h4?slug=jn-sanchez102707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's the first of a few good articles about the starting pitchers for the Red Sox and Rockies in Game 4 of the World Series a week ago yesterday. Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, a Christian, came back from lymphoma last year to pitch this year. Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, also a Christian, came back from blood clots in his lungs in 2004 to pitch again after missing a year. Here's a quote from the article:

"I don't think it's a coincidence," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said before Game 3 on Saturday night. "I think this game drips with irony ... and I believe in a lot of different venues that God's fingerprints are all over a lot of things, if we are able to open our eyes and recognize (it), whatever faith you have.

"There's a battle that can be on your hands, but there's a battle that can be fought, and just as importantly there's a battle that could be won. These guys are representative of that. ... So it's good, it's real good."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtZ2PeVi.R4OKzdT65w403x.T4h4?slug=ap-worldseries-game4pitchers&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's a quote from an article about the game and Lester and Cook in response to what Hurdle said:

Maybe, as Hurdle said, "God's fingerprints" were all over this one. Or maybe it was simply two guys who got lucky. Whatever the reasons, they're here.

LUCK?! Whatever! Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3083332&sportCat=mlb&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines.

The last article about Game 4 is a transcript from an interview with Aaron Cook before Game 3. Here's a great quote from him about he and Lester's returns:

Do you find it ironic and somewhat special while you're literally not facing Jon Lester that both of you had near life threatening illnesses and now you're going head to head in Game 4?

AARON COOK: It is kind of ironic with him going through what he went through and me what I went through, both of us to work our way back up to the top level of professional baseball. It's tough enough to get here, and what we've been through, just to keep our focus, keep our faith, and just realize -- I'm sure he realizes, too, without me talking to him that baseball is not the most important thing, and once you realize that baseball is not the most important thing in the world, you're able to relax, put it back in perspective, play it like a game and just have fun, and I'm sure that's what he's been able to do, too.

You talk about having the strength to deal with that. Where did you get your strength from?

AARON COOK: Well, a lot of my strength came from my faith in God. I grew up in church. I believe that God has a plan for us all, and that we all deal with things differently, and there's a verse in the Bible that says "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because testing of your faith develops perseverance." That's one verse I really held onto. You can't really become the person you're supposed to be until you deal with something, and you never now how you're going to deal with it until you go through it. I think that gives you strength once you've been through something to deal with other things. I had the blood clots in my lungs in '04, and I believe that helped me to have the strength to get through the oblique injury this year.

Here's the article: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284428&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Here's an article with a video link of the press conference: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284631&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Also, an article about Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsch visiting a children's hospital in Denver before Game 3 of the World Series: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284394&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an article about recently retired Astros 2nd baseman Craig Biggio winning the Clemente Award for community service: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284369&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, the Phillies, including pitcher Ryan Madson, having their annual Halloween party at a children's hospital in Philadelphia: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071028&content_id=2285495&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about one person's opinion about the importance of Christianity to the Rockies organization. The writer makes it sound like they're the only team to hold a Faith Day, which they aren't. The last two seasons the Braves, Astros, Nationals, and Reds have had them too. I wish that the press would quit picking on the Rockies. Some sports teams have had so many players arrested that it has greatly effected their play. So which would the general public rather have, a Christian team in the World Series, or a bad team destracted by off-the-field problems? Here's the article: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1677120,00.html?imw=Y.

Also, a great article about how some of the Rockies feel that God had a hand in them reaching the World Series. Here's a couple of quotes from pitcher Matt Herges, a Christian:

"I think God is the reason we got this far," Rockies reliever Matt Herges said. "We've done some amazing things this year (that are) hard to know. Something is going on. I think we may be getting favors from God.

"It's not like the Red Sox are going against God. I'm sure they have Christians over there. But we realize what a blessing this is." ...

"Not everybody in here is a believer," Herges said, "but this is the tightest-knit group and the most special bunch of guys I've ever been around.

"That will never be taken away from us."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/2007-10-28-rockies-faith_N.htm.

Here's the last blog entry from Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, last Monday, the day after the Rockies lost the World Series. It's about how proud he was of the team to get that far. Here's a good quote:

People ask me if I can think about next season, about going to Tucson, Ariz., for Spring Training and preparing for 2008. But that's the last thing I want to think about right now.

I just want to go home and be a dad right now.

Here's the post: http://toddhelton.mlblogs.com/toddhelton/2007/10/proud_to_be_a_c.html.

Next, another good blog about the World Series from last Monday, this one from Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, also a Christian, about the Game 4 pitchers Lester and Cook and his end of the season thanks. Here's a couple of quotes:

“God has his fingerprints all over this game.”

I stole it. Clint Hurdle said that about game 4 and it resonated with me all day long. What Aaron Cook and Jon Lester went through to get to this point, to get the ball, was God’s work. What they did after “Play Ball” was awe inspiring in a million ways. ...

There are a litany of people that deserve huge kudos for what just happened. From a personal standpoint it starts with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What I have been able to experience, watch, be a part of, just adds to the already overflowing life of incredible memories I am totally undeserving of. To be able to participate in, and witness, events that millions of people around the world will never forget is pretty much indescribable.

I thank the Lord for an incredible wife, 4 beautiful and healthy children. Shonda remains my rock. In a life that sees me pretty much absent from the home for 6-8 months a year she has held the fort. That’s saying a lot when that fort contains 3 boys, ages 12, 8 and 5, and a young lady of 10. Wherever next year takes us it’s incredibly comforting knowing the ships in order and my children, even though I THINK they miss me, are being raised by a woman of virtue, passion, devotion and love that knows no bounds.

Here's the post: http://38pitches.com/2007/10/29/2007-world-series-champions/.

Here's an article about runningback Samkon Gado, a Christian, being claimed off waivers by the Dolphins from the Texans last week: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=298081.

Also, something interesting that I heard while watching part of the LSU/Alabama game last night. The broadcasters mentioned that LSU freshman safety Chad Jones dad worked with former NFL quarterback Danny Wuerffel, a Christian, and Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans. I just thought I would pass that along for what it's worth.

Just a funny note: Almost all of the monthly and weekly meetings planned for late afternoon/early evening at my church were either moved to earlier or postponed so that everyone could watch the big Colts/Patriots game, which started at 4:00 local time. Unfortunately, the Colts lost though. :(

Lastly, I started a page on Digg to post articles that I come across and think look interesting. Some ot the articles are ones that I will read, some I won't. Some of the artilces I'll end up posting, some I won't. I just thought that I would share my page so that you could check it out if you want to. You might have to register for the site to access it, I'm not sure. Here's the page: http://digg.com/users/milligan00.