MLB and other sports misc.

First, a short article about new Padres 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg's (a Christian) trade from the Astros last Tuesday. Here's what he had to say about the trade:

A difficult situation turned into a blessing for Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg, who was traded to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations two days after he was designated for assignment. ...

Ensberg, a native of the Los Angeles area, actually has a home in the San Diego area, where he spends much of his winter when he’s not at home in Houston.

“I think it was absolutely the best scenario,” he said. “This season was very turbulent. It was difficult. I wish I had done better, but once everything kind of went down you feel down and then you have this blessing. It really is a blessing from God. I’m certain of it.”

Ensberg, 31, and his wife Christi were already planning on flying to San Diego today [last Tuesday] with their one-year-old twins, Beckett and Chase.

“I’m shocked,” said Ensberg, who hit .232 (52-for-224) with eight home runs and 31 RBIs this year. “My wife and I are so happy we get a chance to get back there. I really was just speechless when Tim (Purpura) told me I was going out there. I can’t wait to go have Mexican food.”

Here's the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5015186.html (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2122710&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about new Braves 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, a Christian, returning to Atlanta, where he went to college at met his wife at Georgia Tech, when he was traded there by the Rangers: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/07/31/teixeira_0801.html.

Next, an article about charity hockey games that some mainly Swedish NHL players, led by Peter Forsberg and Markus Näslund, are playing this summer in Sweden and Finland: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=335508 (originally found at: http://goodnewsinsports.blogspot.com/2007/08/nhl-stars-play-for-charity-in-sweeden.html).

Here's a first-person article by Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, about his and his team's season so far: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2122707&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, an article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy's Christian book Quiet Strength hitting #1 on the New York Times best seller's list for non-fiction. He's also donating most of what he makes from the book to charities. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Alxwn1OIcXnIRHZ1VYGMpp1.T4h4?slug=ap-colts-dungy&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's the latest injury update on Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, who's currently on the disabled list with a sprained wrist:

Josh Hamilton took batting practice off [Aaron] Harang at Dayton on Saturday and had no pain. As long as there is no "residual soreness" in his wrist on Monday, he'll be set to begin a rehab assignment.

Here's the article that it's from: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070805&content_id=2131283&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin.

Lastly, I came across a blog by Clippers center Chris Kaman, a Christian, although it hasn't been updated in awhile though: http://www.nba.com/blog/chris_kaman.html?rss=true.

MLB, etc.

I've been trying to get caught up on reading the articles that I've printed off, so there are several articles for today. It's not that easy finding time to read with the NCAA Tournament going on though! What's with the risque commercials for the CBS shows? They're horrible.

First, an article about Red Sox relief pitcher Brendan Donnelly. Here's a quote:

"I can't take anything for granted, because I don't have all the talent in the world, you know what I mean," said Donnelly. "I don't have a whole lot of God-given ability. It takes everything I got in my big toe to get the ball over at 90 mph. I've got to rely on location and movement to get people out. I guess part of my mechanics is a little deception, too. I try to hide the ball with my stomach, that's why I'm a little overweight. It's part of the plan."

Here's the article (quote near the end): http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1835139&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Trot Nixon, a Chrsitian, rehabbing from off-season back surgery the Indians. That still seems weird for him to be with them instead of the Red Sox. Here's a quote:

The rehab process never gets easier for a player, but Nixon has learned how to keep it from messing with his mind.

"The biggest thing is understanding the process," he said. "You're going to go through frustrating times, and you have to be patient. I just remember that God has a plan, and if I'm going to spend time on the DL, there's a purpose for it."

Here's the article (quote near the end): http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1835508&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle.

Next, an article about Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew, a Christian, and how it helped to have his older brother J.D. (Red Sox, also a Christian) in the Majors ahead of him: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1836149&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's another article about the Reds Josh Hamilton, a Christian. Here's a couple of quotes:

Jerry Narron, Reds manager: "The amazing thing to me," the manager says, "just by the grace of God about how all this worked out, is the night before the Rule 5 draft Wayne wanted to run it by me about drafting somebody with a past. Wayne said his name, and my jaw just dropped -- because Wayne had no idea I even knew him."

Josh Hamilton: "It almost feels like my first spring training all over again," the star of baseball's most inspirational show says. "And I just thank God every day for it."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2792609.

Also, an article about Georgia football player Michael Lemon having to take care of his younger brother after his mom was murdered by her fiance. The NCAA has allowed Georgia to step in and raise money to help them. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/03/08/0309gafoot.html.

Here's an article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, being honored at an event held by the Indiana Family Institute, which is affiliated with Focus on the Family. For some reason, gay rights activitists are criticizing him for attending the event because the Indiana Family Institute actively fights against gay marriages. My question is: why does it matter what they think about what Dungy does? It's his choice and it does. Since he's a Christian, he's more than likely going to be against gay marriages anyways. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070310/LOCAL/703100444/-1/ZONES04.

Here's an article about Adnan Hodzic, a basketball player at North Central High School in Indianapolis. He's teammate's with Eric Gordan. He and his family immigrated to Indianapolis from Bosnia in 1994 to escape the war there. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070310/SPORTS0203/703100431/1004/SPORTS.

Next, an article about how Braves pitcher John Smoltz blows away Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, both Christians, and any other takers on the golf course (includes a link to several photos): http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/03/09/0310sptcelebgolf.html.

Here's an article on Mark Redman, a Christian, signing a minor league contract with the Braves to fill in for the again injured Mike Hampton: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070310&content_id=1836717&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Lastly, a website for an organization to help kids started by the Clippers Elton Brand and his mom Daisy, both Christians. I'll add the link to my links too: http://www.campinc.us/.