MLB, NFL, and basektball

First, an article about Nationals pitcher Luis Ayala and his return in June from Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery. Here's a quote about his being able to return to pitching again:

Now, every day that I step out on the field is a day I feel blessed. I'm confident in saying that I feel 100 percent physically now.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070911&content_id=2201432&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Marlins 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera and his recent visit to a children's hospital in Miami. He came to brighten up the kids spirits, but his spirits were brightened too. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070911&content_id=2201722&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, and his being ready to pitch on short rest when needed during the regular season and/or post-season. The last two years he had been injured and couldn't do that. Here's the article with a video: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070912&content_id=2203745&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Broncos punt returner Domenik Hixon, the guy who Bills tight end Kevin Everett was tackling when Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal cord injury during the Broncos/Bills game on September 9th. Hixon felt guilty about the injury, although he had nothing to do with it. Everett was injured because of the way that he hit Hixon. After doctors initially thought that Everett would never walk again, he has been slowly improving and his outlook looks good. Here's what Hixon had to say about hearing the first good news of Everett's improvement:

"It was a big relief," Hixon said. "That just brought a smile to my face. Prayers were answered. The power of prayers, man. Hopefully, he makes a full recovery." ...

"My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family," Hixon said.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-broncos-everett&prov=ap&type=lgns. Here's the latest on Everett's recovery: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070917/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_bills_everett_hurt.

Also, an article about some of the Colts players spending part of their off day last Tuesday with kids in Indianapolis schools reading, coloring, and speaking to them. The players involved included tight end Gijon Robinson, wide receiver Trent Shelton, defensiveback Brannon Condren, offensive lineman Travis Leitko, tight end Bryan Fletcher, and wide receiver Aaron Moorehead. Here's the article with pictures: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=970d1eab-73ef-4b1b-8924-f55a6ae5d2f0.

Here's a good blog post from the Saved in Sports blog about Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo, a Christian, and his humanitarian work in Africa, including his native Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recently he was part of the group of current and former NBA players and coaches that worked in South Africa with NBA's Basketball Without Borders. Here's the post: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2007/09/16/dikembe-mutombo-of-the-houston-rockets/. Here's one of the articles from the blog post with the players and coaches talking about their trip to South Africa: http://www.nba.com/global/bwb_africa_fran1_070912.html. Here's a link to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation's website: http://www.dmf.org/. Also, here's another article that I found about Mutombo and the Basketball Without Borders trip: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5130828.html (originally found at: http://www.nba.com/news/462298.html?rss=true).

Another note about Mutombo: he's going to play this coming season with the Rockets and then retire. Here's a quote from him about the Rockets:

"It's a great organization," Mutombo said, according to KRIV. "I have a great relationship with the owner. I have a great relationship with the mayor and I love the city. I have been blessed."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3021060.

Next, an article about Patriots lineman Joe Andruzzi was diagnosed in May with with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It's an aggressive but treatable form of cancer, and he's doing well with his treatments. Here's a quote from his former teammate, Patriots runningback Kevin Faulk:

Running back Kevin Faulk gets updates through his wife, who is in e-mail contact with Jennifer Andruzzi (Andruzzi's wife).

"You pray and you believe that he will (beat the cancer)," Faulk said. "You never know what can happen, but in the long run that's what you want to happen, that he beats the thing. He's a strong guy."

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10349880/2.

Here's an article about Colts defensive lineman Gary Brackett, a Christian, and his important role as the defensive captain, a job that he takes very seriously: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=43ab772b-7f59-405c-b075-1eb06f4ba647.

Also, an article about Gonzaga basketball head coach Mark Few and his wife Marcy hosting the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Classic and BasketBALL Gala in August that raised $750,000 for cancer: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/091307aap.html.

Lastly, an article by Reds catcher David Ross, talking about his teammate, outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian. Ross talks about his admiration of Hamilton for being able to come back from drug abuse and for the kind of person that Hamilton is. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070913&content_id=2206118&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

football, MLB, & basketball

First of all, an interesting Christian article comparing Cowboys Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin and Giants outfielder Barry Bonds: http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/men/11550349/.

Here's a quote from Cubs manager Lou Piniella about a team meeting he held before last Thursday's game:

Piniella calls team meeting: The Cubs had a team meeting for the first time this season before Thursday's game to address the club's recent struggles.

"I don't really like meetings all that much, but I thought we needed one here," Piniella said. "We've gone through some adversity here with the injuries and some tough luck we've had. I just wanted these kids to continue to believe in themselves and to keep having fun. Use your God-given talents and have fun with it."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2140060&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc.

Next, an article about Georgia football head coach Mark Richt, a Christian, taking a dive off the high dive to inspire his players on a hot day of practices. He did "a perfect back flip in the layout position". Here's a quote from him about it:

Richt said he hadn't done his patented back layout in at least three years.

"I've been visualizing it for about two days because I knew we were going to do this," he said. "Actually I was thinking about sneaking in last night and practicing because I knew there'd be a lot of cameras and people here. But I couldn't get the time, so I did a lot of praying and positive visualization and it came out pretty good."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/08/09/richtdive_0810.html.

Here's a couple of articles about Cardinals pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel and his inspiring return to the Majors last weekend. He hit 3 homers in his first 3 games. The first article tells about what he's gone through the last 7 years to get to this point: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2139385&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

This article is about Ankiel's homer during last Thursday's game: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2140369&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about some NBA players, including Rockets guard Mike James (a Christian) in particular, learning how to plan financially for their retirement: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5042761.html (originally found at: http://www.nba.com/news/442513.html).

Here's a couple more articles about the Bengals/Lions pre-season game last week, which included the Bengals reunion with former quarterback Jon Kitna (a Christian), now with the Lions. Here's a quote about Kitna and his friendship with current Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (also a Christian) from Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly, who's also friends with Kitna:

"He meant a lot to this team, and guys like that are hard to replace," said tight end Reggie Kelly, one of Kitna's closest friends with the Bengals. "Not only was he a great player on the field, but he was a spiritual leader. He took on challenges and didn't back down from nothing. That's what you need out of your quarterback position, and I think we've got another quarterback like that now in Carson."

The divergent paths taken by Palmer and Kitna make their friendship and relationship all the more compelling. Palmer was the first overall pick in the 2003 draft, the golden-armed quarterback who would be the face of the franchise. Kitna was signed as a college free agent out of Central Washington by the only team that took a look at him, the Seattle Seahawks, and burrowed his way from the bottom of the depth chart, through NFL Europe, before finally becoming a starter in the league. He's made 95 starts in 108 games for three different teams in his 10 seasons in the league.

"That just shows you the character of both players," said Kelly. "It shows you that, yeah, we are here to compete but there is something bigger than competition. Actually being there for each other, actually being a cheerleader along the way and being good teammates and friends. That's what they were and that's what they are today. They'll hang out together still. Yeah they were competing for a job but it's bigger than that and you can see that Kitna and Carson had the right perspective."

Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AE/20070809/SPT03/708090309/1022/.

The other is a note about the Bengals reaction to Kitna before the game: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/SPT02/708100337/1066/SPT.

Next, a Q & A article about Colts linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. Here's a quote:

What do you do to take your mind off football?
"I'm a strong man in Christ. I always pray and just talk to my girlfriend on the phone. That's pretty much it."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/SPORTS03/708100500&theme=.

Here's another Q & A article, this one with Heat forward Alonzo Mourning Here's a quote:

HI: Because you play so passionately on the court, it looks like you can play for another three or four years. If you wanted to, would your body allow you to play beyond this season?

AM [Mourning]: “Yes, it would. But as a professional athlete, you want end your career on your own terms. The good thing about that is I'm able to do that now. God has really blessed me with the opportunity to come back and play this game at a very high level considering all the obstacles I've had to overcome, and now I'm in a position to end my career on my own terms. I want to go out on top. I feel like we have the capabilities as a team of doing that. I'm excited about the opportunity ahead. I know that all good things must come to an end and I've had an incredible ride. I just want to end it on the right note.”

Here's the article: http://www.nba.com/heat/news/insider0708_mourning_interview_070808.html.

Also, another article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian. This one's also a Q & A one. Here's a couple of quotes:

DH: You were the first draft pick overall in 1999. How hard is it to explain to some people that it’s just as hard to deal with success as it is to deal with failure?

JH [Hamilton]: It all comes down to the choices you make. When you have failure you’ve got a lot of the same choices to make as when you have success. When I got drafted I got almost $4 million to play. The pressure form everybody else really didn’t get to me. It was the pressure I put on myself to perform. That was the main thing. At that time it didn’t matter how much I had going or how much money I had or how many things I could get, I was never happy. I ended going down that road that I went down. Ever since I surrendered and gave it all over to the Lord, it’s been unbelievable how much happier I am. The last couple years out there I had nothing -- just my wife and kids -- but I put them through hell. Now the last year and half I’ve been happier without material things than I have been my whole life. ...

DH: When you see what’s happening to somebody like Doc Gooden, what goes through you mind?

JH: I feel sorry for the guy. I know there’s a way out. I feel sorry for the family because I know how much pain it puts the family through. Really I just pray for the guy who is still going through the things he’s going through. There’s nothing anybody can do for that person unless that person wants to do it for themselves. All I can do is pray. I hope they turn their lives around and I know there’s something they can do to do that. It just makes me realize how fortunate I am to have started making the right decisions and living responsibly.

DH: You were the first draft pick overall in 1999. How hard is it to explain to some people that it’s just as hard to deal with success as it is to deal with failure?

JH: It all comes down to the choices you make. When you have failure you’ve got a lot of the same choices to make as when you have success. When I got drafted I got almost $4 million to play. The pressure form everybody else really didn’t get to me. It was the pressure I put on myself to perform. That was the main thing. At that time it didn’t matter how much I had going or how much money I had or how many things I could get, I was never happy. I ended going down that road that I went down. Ever since I surrendered and gave it all over to the Lord, it’s been unbelievable how much happier I am. The last couple years out there I had nothing -- just my wife and kids -- but I put them through hell. Now the last year and half I’ve been happier without material things than I have been my whole life.

Here's the article: http://sports.aol.com/mlb/story/_a/hamilton-says-hitting-bottom-worth-it/20070809112009990001.

Here's an article about Georgia football offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He and his wife's 5th child is due in October, and they already have a 3-year-old and 18-month-old triplets. Here's the quote from him about his wife:

"My wife, bless her heart, I'm just blessed to be married to such a good woman. She's the one that has the tough job."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/08/10/bobo_0812.html

Next, an article about former Marlins pitcher Chuck Smith helping to coach a teenage baseball team: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070811&content_id=2142873&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about an Athletes in Action team playing in Australia last week. The team included Josh Carter, Texas A&M; Ray Shafer, Oregon; Luke Zeller, Notre Dame; Jason Holsinger, Evansville; Wes Johnson, Iowa State; Jimmy Graham, Miami; and Brian Stamer, Colorado Christian. Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/081107aac.html.

Lastly, an article about Padres catcher Michael Barrett, a Christian, going on the disabled list last weekend: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070811&content_id=2143007&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

MLB and NFL

First, a Christian article about Marlins pitcher Taylor Tankersley and remembering a friend: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5557.

Next, a Christian article about Indians pitcher Paul Byrd and the Bible: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5558.

Here's an article about the players' council formed by the NFL to discuss player off-field behavior, among other things. I don't think that it is coincidental that the group includes at least three Christians: the Eagles Troy Vincent, Colts Jeff Saturday, and Vikings Tony Richardson. Here's the article: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=3016688.

Also, an article about the Colts trip to the White House on April 23rd, two weeks from today: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/SPORTS03/704060448/1004/RSS02.

Lastly, an incredible picture of the Mariners Jose Lopez playing in the snow at Jacobs Field in Cleveland yesterday (Sunday). The entire Mariners/Indians weekend series was postponed because of snow in Cleveland. I'm just glad that I don't live in Cleveland! To see more pictures of the Mariners playing in the snow, click on the double arrow buttons above the picture: http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070408/483/f827eb7b6b5c45a9a0844f3ea30940eb&g=events/sp/040907baseballsnow;_ylt=AsJGdlE0Y0v2ktDuN6D8ql0_z7QF.

Pollack and MLB

Hi. Here's a coulple of articles from back in October. First, a great article on the Bengals David Pollack, a Christian, and his recovery from a broken vertebrae in his neck. I couldn't get the article on the Atlanta Journal Constitution website that it was originally on, but I found it reprinted on this Bengals blog. So here's the page: http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=13189. It also included a link to pictures of him: http://lpe.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/2006/1006/pollack1029.

Lastly, an article about the nominees for the Hutch Award, given to an MLB player who has overcome professional or personal adversity, like battling back from an injury, and someone who is dedicated to his team and shows the courage and dedication. The nominees were the Reds Ken Griffey, Jr., Diamondbacks Orlando Hudson, Yankees Derek Jeter, Red Sox Mark Loretta, Cardinals Albert Pujols, Twins Brad Radke, Orioles Brian Roberts, White Sox Jim Thome, Marlins Dontrelle Willis and A's Barry Zito. The award was later awarded to Loretta, who recently signed with the Astros. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061028&content_id=1726780&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

I'm not being able to access more of these articles the farther back I go already. So I'll post as many of them as I possibly can.

MLB and IU

Hi again. I don't have any new articles to post today. There are a few articles that I just printed out that after just skimming through them I'll probably be posting soon. So, on to the past articles.

The first is an article about Cubs 1st baseman Derrek Lee and his daughter Jada. Jada suddenly lost vision in one of here eyes this past fall and was diagnosed with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare and incurable eye disease. Derrek Lee joined with Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck to create Project 3000 to help find a cure for the disease. The article includes a website for more information. Here's a quote from the most recent article from back in November, but I'll add more as I get back to them:

And Lee's 3-year-old daughter, Jada, who lost her vision in one eye and prompted the effort, is still getting mail, prayers and support. Someday, they hope to find a cure.

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061121&content_id=1744643&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Here's an article about Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur and his fiancee Catie McCoy giving out turkey and the fixings for Thanksgving dinner to the needy in the area surrounding the Braves stadium: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061120&content_id=1744544&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Next, an article about the inspiring story of IU football coach Terry Hoeppner, who had to undergo two brain surgeries in the last year. The first surgery was to remove a brain tumor, which was successful. Then the second was to remove what was initially feared to be the return of the tumor but ended up only being scare tissue from the first surgery. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/COLUMNISTS01/611190395.

By the way, when I started this I didn't know if I would be able to access articles from some newspaper websites (i.e. Indianapolis Star and Boston Globe) that were more than a week old. But I did a search for articles on Yahoo! and they came up on Topix.net, a website that apparently archives articles of this sort. I was glad to discover that site by accident. Here's the link to the site: http://www.topix.net/. Unfortunately, it doesn't have articles from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and so I won't be able to post some good articles from there.

Lastly are two articles about the MLB Managers of the Year award winners, Joe Girardi of the Marlins and Jim Leyland of the Tigers. I liked both articles because they both gave their players all of the credit for the award and took all of the blame for things not working out. Ironically, Girardi was fired before he got the award. Here's the article about him: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1740979&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. And the article about Leyland: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1740967&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det.

That's all for now!