Rockies, Colts, Indians, etc.

Hi. Go Rockies! I'm watching the World Series as I'm writing this. I like the Red Sox too, but I've got to go with the Rockies this time.

Staying with the Rockies, the first article is about Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, a Christian, who won the NLCS MVP. I posted the video of his interview after being awarded the MVP earlier, but I thought I would post the article and video now since I've read the article (yeah, I'm still a week behind reading articles). I thought that I would mention that in the interview Holliday thanks God twice, but there's no mention of that in the article, interestingly enough. But here's a quote that was included:

"Obviously, some time in the offseason, we'll sit back and say, 'Man that's quite a run.'" Holliday said. "To be able to do it with these guys, I feel very blessed."

Here's the article and video: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268550&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an article about Rockies reserve outfielder Seth Smith, who knocked in a couple big runs in Game 4 of the NLCS. Smith wasn't called up from the minors until Sept. 15th, but made the post-season roster after getting a big hit in the Rockies Wild Card play-in game. A crazy fact is that Smith was Giants quarterback Eli Manning's back-up at Ole Miss, who's now teammates with Todd Helton, who was Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's back-up at Tennessee. Here's a quote from him:

"It's exciting," Smith said. "I don't even know how I'm here. God just blessed me tremendously and this team."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268574&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb.

Next, an article about Colts long snapper Justin Snow, a Christian, visited with new parents at St. Francis Hospital and delivered care packages as part of the Colts Baby Bunch program: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=77260e2a-114c-42ca-b7f3-820c5274b2dc.

Back to the Rockies, here's an article about Rockies infielder Jamey Carroll, a Christian, raising money to help out people in his hometown of Newburg, Indiana (near Evansville), after a tornado hit there in November 2005. I remember when it hit, as it's only around 2 hours from here. It was very strange, as we never have tornadoes in November. Also, it hit in the middle of the night, which is also rare. So everyone was asleep not expecting anything, and to make matters worse, one of the hardest hit places was a trailor park. So put all that together and it wasn't good. Here's the article: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071016&content_id=2268696&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, an article about Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, a Christian, before his start in Game 4 of the ALCS. Here's a quote from him about how he changed his pitching windup to resurrect his career back in 2002:

"Look," Byrd said Monday night, walking a concourse beneath Jacobs Field, "I'm not trying to convert anybody. I don't go to God as a vending machine. But, I prayed. I just said, 'I'd love to keep playing.' "

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Byrd-turns-back-clock-on-windup-career;_ylt=AvXvEzP5AhrmHBWcmKHD7AI5nYcB?urn=mlb,49327.

Here's an article about Colts tight end Ben Utecht, a Christian, speaking at a Character Counts! Rally in Anderson, Indiana (north of Indianapolis), last week. Just a note: the Wigwam is the name of the Anderson High School gym, as their mascot is the Indians. Here's a quote about what Ben Utecht said and did:

“The reason I’m here is to talk about what it takes to be a champion,” said Utecht. “Character is the most important part of who you are as a human being.”

Then, courageously, Utecht confessed a secret to the students: he has always wanted to be on “American Idol.” And then, he belted out “Amazing Grace,” convincing everyone in the room that he could do more than just carry a football.

“You just have to continue to have character each and every day,” said Utecht.

I just thought that it was so cool that he sang "Amazing Grace" and a public school assembly! Here's the article: http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_289182633.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

Next, back to the Rockies with an article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, and what he's learned about life since having a daughter born with physical problems after not living up to expectations as a big baseball prospect: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2007-10-16-hurdle-rockies_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, and about how excited he was to finally made it to the World Series after playing with the Rockies for several years: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-nlcsgamefour101507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Also, an article about Allan Houston, a Christian, stopping his attempted comeback with the Knicks after being retired for two years: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=3071748.

Here's an article about the new Christian CD that came out yesterday by Colts punter Hunter Smith's group Connersvine: http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=2208.

Next, an article about NC State women's basketball head coach Kay Yow, a Christian, resuming chemotherapy for breast cancer: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/news;_ylt=AuvbSvyxI50jaWI4wr5lffJ.T4h4?slug=ap-ncstate-yow&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, a note from yesterday's "The Daily" from Sports Spectrum about new Royals manager Trey Hillman, a Christian:

HILLMAN TO ROYALS: After spending five seasons managing the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan, Trey Hillman is about to return to the United States to skipper a Major League Baseball team for the first time. Hillman has been hired to manage the Kansas City Royals. He’ll bring with him the same mission that he and his family had when they lived in Japan. While there, he said, “We’re here to, with our walk, with the way that we live our lives, to be a witness to the faith that we have in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.” Hillman spent many years in the New York Yankees’ organization, and he was at one time offered the managership of the Texas Rangers, but he had already committed to Japan.

Here's the link: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/071023.php.

sports misc.

The first article today is about the Colts Jeff Saturday, a Christian, and former teammate Adam Meadows of the Broncos are paying to send a mom with cancer and her family to Disney World for a few days. Here's the article: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6215861.

Here's an article about Rich Young, a former marine, who played for North Texas in the NCAA Tournament on Friday and were beat by Memphis. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney07/news/story?id=2796244.

Next, an article about Tigers 3rd baseman Brandon Inge donating money to a children's hospital in Michigan: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070313&content_id=1840798&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about the Heat honoring soldiers from Iraq or Afghanistan before every home game: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070313/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_heat_honoring_soldiers.

Also, an article about the A's Nick Swisher growing out his hair so that it can be cut off to make wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy. I've heard of women and girls doing that, but not men. I guess, why not? So if you notice a guy on the A's with fairly long hair, it's for a good cause. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070313&content_id=1840841&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Rangers 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, a Christian, playing every day. He has the second longest current streak after Miguel Tejada: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070313&content_id=1841279&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp.

Next, a Christian article about Ole Miss guard Todd Abernathy, son of former IU and NBA player Tom Abernathy. Ole Miss plays Clemson tonight in the NIT. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5551.

Lastly, a Christian article about NASCAR driver David Reutimann: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5552. He's also in the current issue of Sports Spectrum Magazine: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/.

college football

Hi. First, a couple of things from last night's BCS National Championship Game. During the game, one of the broadcasters mentioned that Ohio State's Troy Smith and Ted Ginn, Jr., went to church together in Cleveland. Also, right after the game Florida's Dallas Baker was interviewed (I think that I post an article about him not too long ago). He had taken off his jersey and shoulder pads and was wearing his orange Underarmor shirt. On it in big letters he had written "I can do all things through Christ". I thought that was so awesome that not only had he written it on his shirt, but also that he was wearing it during the interview.

Here's an article about Rutgers' Greg Schiano, a Christian, winning the coach of the year award: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2722323.

Next, another article about Florida's Reggie Nelson playing in last night's game after the death of his mother a few weeks ago: http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/stories/2007/01/05/0106natchamp.html.

Lastly, a couple of articles about Ole Miss football player Patrick Willis, a Christian. I had some articles to post about him from earier, but they aren't on-line anymore. However, I did find a couple more about him from last fall. Here's one about him and his teammates visiting a hospital and retirement home during their bye week in November: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/football/article/0,1426,MCA_478_5124050,00.html?SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&SPSID=12787.

The other is a great article about the difficult childhood that he had and the people that helped he and his siblings out: http://sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9857361/2.

MLB misc. and Oher

Hi. Here's some more articles from back in October. First, an article about the Cardinals beating the Mets in game 7 of the NLCS. Here's a quote about how Cardinals closer Adam Wainwright got out of a jam in the 9th inning to save the game:

"I have no idea how I got out of there," Wainwright said. "I don't even remember it. I'm just glad I got them. My mind was racing. I just didn't want to let the team down.

"I never get nervous, but I was pretty nervous. My legs were like jelly. I had to step off the mound to ask God for some strength. I needed it."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20061020&content_id=1718691&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Red Sox relief pitcher Mike Timlin and his re-signing with the team. Here's a couple of quotes:

However, Timlin has never been driven by money. This represents the third time in his tenure with the Red Sox that he has bypassed the free agency process and simply re-upped with Boston. Timlin again represented himself in the negotiations....

Timlin has been considered the spiritual leader of the Boston bullpen since his arrival in 2003.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061025&content_id=1723219&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, a great article that is an excerpt from a book about Ole Miss football player Michael Oher and the family that changed his life: http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=30250. A couple of things that go with the article, the bio of Grizzlies radio broadcaster Sean Tuhoy: http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/about/broadcast_team-0506.html#tuohy, and Oher's bio on the Ole Miss website (note at bottom of page: PERSONAL: Son of Denise Oher and Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy): http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=12787&SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=542695&Q_SEASON=2006.

Lastly, an article about the Mets Carlos Delgado winning the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to the player who best exemplified sportsmanship, community involvement, and contribution to his team: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061024&content_id=1722344&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.