MLB, football, etc.

Hi. I hope that you had a happy Thanksgiving!

First, an article about Yankees 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez running a baseball camp for kids at the Boys & Girls Club in Miami that he grew up at. He spent time talking to the kids before working with them on hitting. Here's a quote from what he told the kids:

Rodriguez told them, "When you see me on television, when you see me here, know I am the most humble and blessed human being on this earth. And that's why I think it's a responsibility for me to be here. You don't even have to thank me. It's my duty; it's my obligation. Now it's your job to try to live your dreams and play with me in the Major Leagues."

Here's the article: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071117&content_id=2302650&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071119&content_id=2303812&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's a note about Royals DH Mike Sweeney, a Christian, receiving the Hutch Award last week:

Royals DH Mike Sweeney, currently a free agent, is this year’s recipient of the Hutch Award in recognition of displaying “the fighting spirit and competitive desire” of Fred Hutchinson, a former player and manager who died from cancer at age 45 in 1964.

Sweeney will receive the award in a Jan. 23 luncheon in Seattle after visiting children at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Hutch School. Funds raised through the luncheon benefit The Gregory Fund for early cancer-detection research at the Hutchinson Center.

“To receive the Hutch Award is an amazing honor for me,” Sweeney said. “If I can bring a glimpse of hope or an ounce of strength to a child fighting adversity, to me that’s more enjoyable than hitting home runs.”

Here's the article (page down): http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/366059.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071119&content_id=2303812&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, an article about the scouts that signed Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a Christian, out of high school and knew that he was going to be something special even back then. The article also noted that Rollins sister, Shay Rollins, is the starting point guard on the University of San Francisco women's basketball team as a junior. Here's the article: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20071118_Jim_Salisbury___Rollins_was_also_a_dynamo_in_high_school_.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071119&content_id=2303812&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about Braves pitcher John Smoltz, a Christian, being awarded the Branch Rickey Award for community service. Here's a quote from him about why and how he started Kings Ridge Christian School in Atlanta:

"I wanted to see kids have the best chance to fight for themselves with weapons of knowledge and sports and arts and all the different things," Smoltz said, explaining the origins of the school. "In 2000, I guess I had a wild idea to start a Christian school. That's been unbelievable.

"It's a book," Smoltz said of the path that led to his opening the school. "There's no way to explain the journey. God's hand has been all over the endeavor and we're seven years in the process with our first building. If I've been proud of anything, it's the opening of that building. The sweat, the financial challenges, all the different things that go into it. I dove in head first, and when you dive in head first, you don't know any rules, and good thing you don't, because had they told me the rules, I probably would have taken a pass. It's an incredible accomplishment for a lot of different people. To be able to see kids develop and be equipped and at least have the opportunity to serve and know what community is all about. What I like about it is I'll never get to see the fruits of it. It'll last the test of time. It'll be multiplied generations over."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071119&content_id=2303892&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about new/old Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, who recently signed with the Braves after spending the last five years of his career with the Mets. He was with the Braves from 1987-2002. He said that the most important reason why he signed back with the Braves was so that he could be close to his family, who still live in Atlanta full-time. He's getting paid well, but it's neat that he gave up some money to be with his family. Not many players do that now. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071119&content_id=2303892&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about LPGA golfer Lorena Ochoa, a Christian, and how she should be getting more attention for how great a golfer she is: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ma-ochoa111907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Next, an article from an interview with Colts punter Hunter Smith, a Christian, about how he's battled depression the last 13 years. Here's a quote from him about it:

Yet even in his lowest moments, Hunter found strength from above to win his battle.

HS: I believe in my heart of hearts that God has place me on this earth for a reason and I don't believe that reason and that purpose is to drive off a cliff. I believe he's placed me here to do something for him.

Here's the article: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7384954&nav=menu35_8. Just a note: I bought and listened to the new CD by Hunter Smith's Christian music group Connersvine and it's pretty good. I recommend getting it.

Here's an article about the Lions/Packers game yesterday, from before the game. The article is about how reportedly the Packers were paying their defense for keeping the other team's player and/or team under so many yards of offense. The Packers weren't trying to hurt the other team though. Here's a quote from Packers cornerback Al Harris after Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson was injured in the game between the two teams:

But while Peterson was injured in the game against the Packers, that didn't appear to be the Packers' goal. After making the tackle that injured Peterson, Packers cornerback Al Harris went out of his way to make sure the rookie running back was OK after the game.

"He said he was OK, and I just told him I'm praying for him," Harris said after the Nov. 11 game.

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10486051/rss.

Also, another article about Jimmy Rollins, this one about him winning the NL MVP Award earlier this week. Here's a quote from him about it:

"It's exciting. I've always said that I never thought about being an MVP player," Rollins said. "Winning the Gold Glove to me was winning the MVP for shortstop, and that's as far as I went. But to be blessed with the 2007 MVP ... ."

Here's the article (including a video of the press conference about it): http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2304717&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb.

Here's a great story about Amanda Coolbaugh, the widow of Mike Coolbaugh, the Rockies Double-A Tulsa 1st base coach who was killed when hit in the neck by a foul ball last summer. The article is about how her and their kids are trying to cope, and includes a video interview with her: http://cbs4denver.com/seenon/local_story_324225227.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/97).

Next, a funny blog post from Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, about a funny Thanksgiving tradition/rookie prank that the team always pulls:

Every Thanksgiving the veteran players all around the NFL play a trick on the rookies. They pretend that some local business gives free turkeys to the players for Thanksgiving. Most teams go to some pretty elaborate measures to pull it off. There are flyers placed in every player's locker detailing where to go and how to pick up your turkey. Of course, only the rookies go, and the veterans then laugh at them on Thursday morning when they come into practice.

Since we are traveling tomorrow the veterans set it up for today (Tuesday) between 5:00 and 6:00 at Marsh Supermarket. We have our video director there to tape everything and we'll show it at the next team meeting. It's usually pretty funny and the good thing is, the rookies can't wait until next year to pull it off on someone else. Most rookies (including me) fall for it.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/7905f382-1fc5-40ca-bd11-8118b2e8d9fd.

Staying with the Colts, here's a note about the Colts having a monthly family library night at different libraries around Indianapolis. Some of the players involved so far this season have been quarterback Josh Betts, defensiveback Matt Giordano (a Christian), and wide receiver Roy Hall. Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=events&id=3332.

Also, an article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, spending part of his Thanksgiving day mingling with the guests and volunteers at a local mission's Thanksgiving meal for the poor (includes video): http://www.wral.com/sports/story/2078813/ (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/96).

Here's a quote from Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, a Christian, from yesterday's game against the Packers:

Lions quarterback Jon Kitna on what he’s most thankful for: “That I don’t have to go to hell.”

Here's the article (page down): http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071122/SPORTS01/71122026/0/MISC (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/11).

Next, an article about Georgia head football coach Mark Richt, a Christian, having his coaches make sure that all of the players on the team had somewhere to go for Thanksgiving, especially because those from out of state wouldn't have time to go home: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=308683.

Here's some sad news: Blue Jays pitcher Joe Kennedy died suddenly early this morning of an unknown cause at 28 years of age. He left behind his wife and one-year-old son. I think that it would be good to keep his family in your prayers. Here's the article, with the information known so far: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-obit-kennedy&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, a tribute to the late Cowboys chaplain John Weber, who died from a heart attack on November 1st, with more articles about him: http://webertribute.aia.com/.