MLB, NFL, etc.

First of all, an article about Braves 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, a Christian, and he gives his teammates for his hot hitting since being traded to the Braves from the Rangers on July 31st. Here's a quote:

And considering it's his first month in a different league, the switch-hitting slugger has to be as impressed as everyone else by his gaudy statistics, right?

Actually, he said he's not.

"It's the lineup -- all the lineup," Teixeira insisted Tuesday, as if a .320 average with 10 homers and 31 RBIs in his first 26 Braves games had more to do with the hitters in the other spots in the lineup than the one batting cleanup.

"Obviously I've got to get some hits. But at the same time, if I get up to bat with two or three guys on base, I'm gonna get some RBIs. And that's happening all the time."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/28/brvnotes_0829.html.

Here's an article about Bengals linebacker David Pollack, a Christian, and how he's helping out the Bengals coaching staff while he's continuing to heal from a broken neck last season: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/08/29/pollack_0830.html.

Next, a Q & A article with Colts tight end Ben Utecht, a Christian, including questions about what his wife's up to and his singing the National Anthem this summer: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/SPORTS03/708290428.

Here's an article about Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, a Christian, going to make a rehab start last night to help him in returning from an injured oblique (side muscle) that put him on the disabled list: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070829&content_id=2177830&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Unfortunately, Cook re-injured the muscle in his rehab start last night and probably won't return this season. Here's that article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070902&content_id=2185350&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, a note about PGA golfer Zach Johnson, a Christian. He is scheduled to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the Cubs/Dodgers game in Chicago this week, on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Wednesday night's game is on WGN at 8:00, but the other two games are only televised locally. I don't know what kind of a singer he is though! Here's the quote about it:

... Andy Pafko will sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on Monday, when the Cubs play host to the Dodgers. The singers for the rest of the Cubs-Dodgers series include Zach Johnson, Wayne Messmer and Bill Kurtis.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070829&content_id=2177603&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc.

Here's an article about MLB umpires Ted Barrett (a Christian), Mark Carlson, Angel Hernandez, and Derryl Cousins--the umpiring crew for the Yankees/Red Sox series last week--visited The Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx last Wednesday. They handed out stuffed animals and spent time talking with the kids there. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070829&content_id=2178052&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article to update the health of former MLB player and current minor league manager Brett Butler, a Christian, who is recuperating from a stroke: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/29/butler_0830.html.

Lastly, another article about the guys who wrote the Mark Teixeira Tribute song, Tyler Crawford and Andrew Hall. They sang the song at Turner Field before the Braves/Mets game Friday night. Here's a couple of quotes from an article about them and how they were going to sing on Friday night:

When not in class or attending church, the two work on their campus Information Technology Help Desk. ...

... Then there's guilt over how their three simple chords and harmony honed through church hymns bypassed the dues paid by real musicians ...

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/30/texyoutube_0830.html.

Here's a link to a page on Crawford and Hall's website (http://www.titoandthegunshow.com/) that has the original song video and video of the two singing a slightly different version of the song, an interview, and a start to a new song about Braves pitcher Tim Hudson on the Braves pregame show last week: http://www.titoandthegunshow.com/audio_video.html.

MLB and NFL misc.

First of all, an article about how Indians outfielder Trot Nixon, a Christian, has become a leader on the team in only his first year with them after several with the Red Sox: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070726&content_id=2111186&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle&partnered=rss_cle (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070727&content_id=2112639&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's a quote from Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, a Christian, after he helped the Cubs to win with both his pitching and hitting last Sunday:

"Any time I can do something for myself -- pitching, running, fielding, kicking the ball, whatever -- it's good for me," Zambrano said. "I have to be able to use what God gave me and use the ability."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116811&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions last Sunday, including the induction speeches given by former Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn and former Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr.: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116814&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's a link to the latest blog post from Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/762777e1-17e5-4430-a915-cabbd3ae1337.

Also, here's a note from Sports Spectrum's "The Daily" about the health of former Major Leaguer and current Double-A Mobile BayBear manager Brett Butler, a Christian, after he had a stroke last week:

WHO TO PRAY FOR: BRETT BUTLER, Manager, Mobile BayBears, Double A team of the Arizona Diamondbacks

WHAT ABOUT? Former major league star Brett Butler suffered a stroke last Thursday. He is resting in Mobile, Alabama, taking things slow and easy before considering a return to the field. After the first couple of days in the hospital, his progress was called, "remarkable." In a conversation with his daughter, Stefanie, Butler told her, "Stef, I don't know what's going on but I know that God is going to get us through it. We just have to remember that and trust Him."

Here's the webpage: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/070731.php.

The Braves designated 1st baseman Julio Franco, a Christian, for assignment today to make room for Mark Teixeira (also a Christian), who they just traded for from the Rangers yesterday. It's sad, he's one of my favorite players. I assumed they would send down the other first baseman Scott Thorman instead, but he doesn't have any options left. So they went with youth instead. I'm wondering that if no one picks up Julio if he'll go to the minors for August as like a player/assistant coach, and then come back up for September. Then he might retire and be hired as a minor league coach by the Braves for next season. Here's the article: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123087&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Lastly, a few websites that I've come across recently. They are also all included with my links too. First, a couple of websites for Christians in sports. The first is for Baseball Hall-of-Fame catcher Gary Carter and his foundation: http://www.garycarter.org/. Here's a quote from the website homepage:

"The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement of all. God offers each of us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. When we accept God's gift of salvation, our name is written in The Book of Life, guaranteeing us a place in heaven forever."

"I made that decision during spring training in 1973, and prayed asking Jesus to come into my heart as Lord and Savior. It was then that I first realized that when Jesus died on the cross, he died for me and paid for my sins. Accepting his payment was all I needed to do. I couldn't earn my way into heaven. You can become a member of God's Hall of Fame too, by making the same decision today."

Also, the website for James Brown, from the NFL Today on CBS: http://www.jbjamesbrown.com/.

The last website is another website about the good things that are going on in sports, called, appropriately enough, Good News in Sports: http://goodnewsinsports.blogspot.com/.

MLB misc., Glenn, etc.

First, an article about Diamondback's shortstop Stephen Drew, a Christian, and the positive attitude that he's had this year even though his struggled hitting some: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0721dbside0722.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2103790&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista helping the Native Americans on reservations in Arizona, which he started in two stints with the Diamondbacks: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2105872&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article about Astros 2nd baseman Craig Biggio announcing last week that he's retiring at the end of the year, after playing his entire 20 year Hall-of-Fame caliber career with the Astros. One of his reasons for retiring was to spend more time with his wife and three kids. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2106471&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, a Christian, and his mentoring of younger pitchers in the Yankees bullpen: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2106595&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy.

Also, an article about Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, a Christian, and how important a letter he received from fellow cancer survivor Lance Armstrong was to him while he was going through cancer treatments last fall. I think it shows how much something as seemingly small as an letter of encouragement can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2947987.

Here are some articles about the retirement of Colts left tackle Tarik Glenn, a Christian, last week. The first aritcle is on how difficult the decision to retire was for Glenn to make: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=9cf97d9a-8daf-4ef4-8305-9dd4da13140f.

The next article is on how difficult and emotional Glenn's decision was for Colts owner Jim Irsay: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=dd6019d1-6b0c-4dfe-9abb-f63d8afaff11.

Here's the letter that Glenn read at his press conference to announce his retirement. The thing to note is how important God and prayer were in his making his decision: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=008bd66d-4a01-4123-8172-07a2d0b0ed78.

Another article about Glenn's retirement is a column from the Indianapolis Star sports columnist: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070725/COLUMNISTS01/707250456/1247/SPORTS.

The last article about Glenn is a reflection on him and his retirement from Colts rookie offensive lineman and possible replacement Tony Ugoh, offensive line coah Howard Mudd, and head coach Tony Dungy (a Christian): http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=d38f95ae-b1b8-4baf-8e76-1bdae219500a.

Next, an article about the trade of Scott Linebrink, a Christian, from the Padres to the Brewers last week. What complicated things for him and his family is that his wife is due any day with their first child. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070727&content_id=2113006&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Boise State wide receiver Ian Johnson and his girlfriend's wedding. He proposed to her after scoring the winning touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl last January. Because Johnson's black and his new wife is white, he unfortunately got threatening racist letters and phone calls before the wedding. Here's a quote from the article about the wedding:

Before Boise State running back Ian Johnson married the girl he proposed to on national television, the couple prayed to end prejudice.

Johnson and Chrissy Popadics, the cheerleader he proposed to after scoring the winning points in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, were married Saturday in a traditional ceremony at Cathedral of the Rockies First United Methodist Church.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-boisestate-johnson&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, an article about former MLB player and current Mobile BayBear (Diamondbacks Double-A) manager Brett Butler, a Christian, having had a mild stroke on Friday night. He's doiong okay, but could use some prayers. Here's the article: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=281729&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp.

Another note: 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg, a Christian, was designated for assignment by the Astros today, and they're trying to trade him. This is after they got Ty Wigginton from the Devil Rays on Saturday. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116718&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, a website for a new biography about the late former college and NBA star Pete Maravich, a Chrsitian: http://maravichbook.com/.

Dungy, and MLB and basketball misc.

First of all, I mentioned Colts head coach Tony Dungy's (a Chrisitan) blog before, but that was before I had read any of his posts. After having read them, his blog is a must read. They're great, and give some idea of his day-to-day life. Recently, he's been tellling about his travels on his book tour for his Christian book Quiet Strength. It's a Christian blog too, where he sometimes tells about his faith too. Here's the blog page: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blog/Dungy_Perspective.

Also about Dungy, he was on Focus on the Family last week, Wednesday through Friday. I missed it, but I found that the show is available to buy on audio CD for a $9 donation. Here's more information on the CD: http://resources.family.org/product/radio+broadcasts/most+recent+/b01244d+tony+dungy-+a+man+of+quiet+strength.do. For more information about the broadcasts, go here:
Part 1: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000512.cfm
Part 2: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000513.cfm
Part 3: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000514.cfm.

Here's another article about Orioles 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, a Christian, and the charity work that he does in Baltimore: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070712&content_id=2082754&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Next, a Christian article on 76ers forward Kyle Korver: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5628.

Here's a great article about former MLB player and current minor league manager Brett Butler, a Christian. He's currently the manager for the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A team for the Diamondbacks. Here's some quotes about/from Butler:

Brett Butler has shared a bunker with some of baseball's most, shall we say spicy, elocutionists. Bobby Cox and Tommy Lasorda are two of the notable managers on that list.

But in some important ways, Butler is a manager of his own making. His production carries a hard PG rating.

We take you to an evening early in Butler's latest assignment, shepherding the Class AA Mobile BayBears of the Southern League.

"There was a point he got into an argument with the umpire and he was really going off," begins BayBears team president and part owner Bill Shanahan.

"I called up [to the press box] on the walkie-talkie and told them to turn off the music. Turn off everything. I knew he wasn't going to swear, and I wanted to hear what was going on.

"Another manager in the past, I would have turned the music up." ...

"I'm 50 years old and I've never really had a real job," he said. "I had a job in college and things like that, but all my life, I'm a baseball player. There are three things I love: I love the Lord, I love my family and I love baseball." ...

"God runs my life. If I'm supposed to manage in the big leagues, I will. If I'm not, then He's got another purpose for me. Right now, I'm the Double A manager. All I'm trying to do is get as many kids as I can to the big leagues." And one 50-year-old, too, in the process.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/07/14/0715butler.html.

Lastly, an article about Fever forward Tamika Catchings, a Christian, and her season so far at the WBNA midpoint and her prospects of getting the MVP award: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070715/SPORTS05/707150392/1223.