MLB, football, and NBA

Hello! First of all, an article about Illinois women's soccer player Courtney Bell and her soccer/missions trip to Mexico over the summer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes: http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/100907aai.html (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Here's an article about Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, and his long wait to get the post-season and the unbelievable success that he Rockies are having. In his 11th season with the Rockies, he's finally playing in not just the post-season, but the World Series. However, before the season the Rockies discussed trading Helton to the Red Sox, but it fell through. It's probably one of the best trades that never happened. Here's a quote about it from Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, also a Christian:

"Things happen for a reason," O'Dowd said, "and that (trade) didn't happen for a reason."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=AqZ6aKYeUG3CJiZ8.M8FNcI5nYcB?slug=jp-helton101007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Next, an article about Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, a Christian, and how his career got to his current role as Cardinals starting quarterback. Unfortunately, he tore ligaments in his non-throwing elbow in last Sunday's game, but he might still be able to play this Sunday (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10417426). Here's the original article: http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10400866.

Here's an article about Indians outfielder Trot Nixon, a Christian, and how his previous playoff experience with the carefree Red Sox is helping his current team: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071010&content_id=2260476&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle&partnered=rss_cle.

Also, an article about Georgia wide receiver Demiko Goodman and how he's made the most of his chances to play. Here's a quote about him and a quote from wide receivers coach John Eason:

Everybody at Timothy Road Baptist Church knows who Demiko Goodman is. And it's not because he's a Georgia football player.

It's just that on any given Sunday there's no telling what kind of outfit he might turn up in. When it comes to clothes, he is no shrinking violet.

"I'm not sure what you call it, but he's quite sporty," said Bulldogs wide receivers coach John Eason, who attends the same church. "It's a fashion show with him. I've seen some pretty neat outfits."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/10/10/gafoot_1011.html.

Staying with Georgia football, here's a good article about head coach Mark Richt, a Christian, and how he's been able to spend more one-on-one time with his players this season since he gave up the calling the plays on offense late last season. It sounds like both he and the players are personally better off for it. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/10/11/gafoot_1012.html.

Next, a Christian article about basketball player Anthony Tolliver, who finished his career at Creighton last spring and is trying to make the Cavaliers team in training camp this fall. However, if that falls through he was also drafted by the CBA's Butte Daredevils. Here's the article from The Christian Sports Blog: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/anthony-tolliver-speaks-about-his-faith.html.

Here's an article about the MLB Action Teams where MLB players work with local high school kids to promote volunteering at their high schools. One of the main MLB players involved in this is Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a Christian. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2260847&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, a neat article about Michigan high school soccer player Hannah Hackbardt, who won a contest to get to meet Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, a Christian. Here's a quote from the article about it:

... In her winning contest entry, she expressed her long-term goal of becoming a professional soccer player as well as her commitment to her teammates, whom she'd like to lead to a District title, and her assertion that "nothing is impossible with God."

This is a sentiment she shares with Lions quarterback, Jon Kitna. The NFL veteran has been outspoken about his faith and its influence on his athletic performance. He and his wife are founders of the Eternal Blessings Foundation, which supports various Christian ministries and he credited his faith for his "miracle" comeback in September, when he rebounded from a first quarter concussion to rally the Lions to a late victory.

Just as Kitna is part of a team prayer group and hosts a Bible study for teammates at his home, Hannah also leads her team in prayer. She attends Grace Community Church in Howard City and attends youth group every Sunday night.

"I am so excited to have the opportunity to meet Jon Kitna," commented Hannah when notified she had been named a regional In My Shoes winner. "I know Jon Kitna always stands up for what he believes in. He is a strong team leader and achieves amazing things on the field."

Here's the article: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0314425.htm (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/11).

Also, another article about Trot Nixon, this one about his playing against his former team, the Red Sox, after going to the Indians as a free agent before this season: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=288782.

Lastly, an article about LSU quarterback Matt Flynn, who's finally getting a chance to start this season after three years of backing up JaMarcus Russell, who was drafted by the Raiders last spring. Here's a quote from him about it:

"It's not the way I was looking at it in high school when I signed, but I feel very fortunate to be able to stick it out and have such a great team that I'm able to lead," Flynn said. "I wouldn't trade being on this team and this one year for anything - not for four years starting somewhere else. I feel very blessed."

Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/101107acv.html.

lots of misc. articles

I had a lot of free time yesterday and was able to catch up a lot on reading articles, so there are several today. First of all, an article about the Braves reaction to the now infamous tirade of their Double-A Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman. Some of the current players in Atlanta had him as a manager or hitting coach. Here's what rightfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, had to say about Wellman:

"The media loves to put negative stuff out there, but they forget the stories, for instance, of him sitting with me until 3:30 in the morning, in the cages in Mississippi one night after I'd cried to him a little bit, talking about how I was struggling so bad hitting," Francoeur said. "This was in May in 2005. ... Two months later I got called up to the big leagues. He's helped so many players get to the big leagues."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/06/04/0605bravesnotes.html.

Here's an article about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, and how well he is doing again this year: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2893329.

Next, an article about Braves pitcher Buddy Carlyle, who won his first game in 8 years on Tuesday. Unfortunately, he was promptly sent back down to Triple-A after the game. Here's a quote from him about the many years between wins:

"This win means 10,000 times more to me than the one when I was 21," Carlyle said. "I worked really hard to get back here. Now I realize how blessed and privileged we are to play at this level."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070605&content_id=2006745&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Cavaliers rookie Daniel Gibson, who helped them win the decisive game of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Here's a quote about him:

...The second-round pick who left Texas after two seasons and who prayed he'd get selected by the Cavaliers, has become LeBron James' co-star and sidekick.

Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_nba_finals_cavaliers.

Also, an article about the different routes that several Brewers players took to get to pro baseball. Here's a quote about 2nd baseman Rickie Weeks and his plans for the future after baseball:

Weeks hopes to run his own gospel-themed radio station after he hangs up his cleats, and he intends to return to Southern [University] to complete his business management degree.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070605&content_id=2006654&vkey=draft2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an interesting article written from the viewpoint of the Colts' Lombardi Trophy that they got for winning the Super Bowl this year: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS03/706060421/1100.

Next, a couple of articles about a charity race held by NASCAR drivers on Wednesday night to raise money for NASCAR driver Kyle Petty's (a Christian) Victory Junction Gang Camp (http://www.victoryjunction.org/): http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS0109/706060477/1052/SPORTS01 and http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ne/car_nascar_driving_on_dirt.

Here's some information about the Cubs Ryan Theriot helping out a family near his home in Louisiana:

Good cause: Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot is doing his part to help 2-year-old Sam Seidel of Baton Rouge, La., who was injured in a swimming pool accident on March 24. The boy has been hospitalized, and his parents, Dan and Kahne, hope to move him to Children's Hospital in New Orleans to begin his rehab. To help the family deal with the expenses involved, the Hardt of Champions Baseball Complex, which Theriot is connected to, is hosting a benefit "Grand Slam for Sam" night on June 16 from 3-7 p.m. ET. There will be a silent auction of autographed items, jambalaya, and activities for children.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2008909&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Also, another article about the fight between the Cubs Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett, both Christians. Here's what they had to say about it:

"I'm still friends with Michael Barrett," Zambrano said. "He calls me 'Brother,' I still call him 'Brother.' We forgave each other and we're back on track. He will catch for me the next time against the Houston Astros, Monday. I don't have a problem with that. I still love him.

"The next day [Saturday] I came to the ballpark, after I had punched one of my teammates, and it was a bad feeling," Zambrano said. "Believe me, it was a bad feeling.

"[On Saturday], he came to me and he apologized and I apologized and we both cried," Zambrano said. "Like he said, when you have a little brother, you fight with your little brother and the next day you get along with him. That's in the past and now we have to move on and we have a job to do."

Whether Barrett will be behind the plate Monday for Zambrano's next start is up to Piniella. Both players seemed relieved Wednesday.

"It was over the moment it happened for me," Barrett said of their scuffle. "When you play with a guy that long, it's easier to put it behind you."

Barrett and Zambrano go to chapel together. Their families are close. The two players have been through a lot.

"It's definitely been a week to remember for me," Barrett said.

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2008914&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Here's an interesting article about some nuns in San Antonio who pray for the Spurs when they play: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4868004.html.

Next, an article about the reaction Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, got during a Minor League rehab assignment with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. They were on a road trip to Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina, which worked out great since Hamilton is from North Carolina. Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPT05/706060327/1035.

Lastly, an article about Albert Pujols, a Christian, hosting some kids with Down syndrome before the Cardinals game on Wednesday. Pujols' daughter has Down syndrome and his foundation, the Pujols Family Foundation (http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.com/), works to help those with it. Also meeting with the kids were the Cardinals So Taguchi and David Eckstein, both Christians, and the Reds Kyle Lohse and Juan Castro. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2009788&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl.