football, MLB, etc.

Hi. Here's some more articles, and I'll try to post as many as I can today. First of all, a couple of articles about Falcons runningback Warrick Dunn reaching 10,000 yards for his career on Thanksgiving against the Colts. This article includes about his charity, Homes for the Holidays, which helps to provide homes for single mothers (click on the link in the article for pictures of one such house). The article also mentions how excited Dunn was for Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, to be there to see it, since Dungy was Dunn's first coach when they were both with the Buccaneers. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/11/23/falside_1123.html.

The other article is a blog post from Tony Dungy about the game, and he had this to say about getting to be there to see Dunn's 10,000 yard:

... So it was great for me to see him reach that milestone personally, and I think the Lord set it up to happen on a night when I was present.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/8a8b15b6-c516-440b-955c-5a25e9c1c129.

Next, an article about the Mississippi State football team and their head coach Sylvester Croom, a Christian. They have a good chance of making a bowl game this year, with the bowl announcements tonight. Here's a quote about Croom from their athletic director Larry Templeton:

The other thing going for the Bulldogs is Croom. Widely regarded as one of the true gentlemen in the game, there's a significant amount of sentiment around the country that would love to see the first black coach in SEC history make it to a bowl game.

"I think all of those come into play. I'd be naive if I didn't think that," Templeton said. "What I have sensed happening is that everybody is pulling for this guy to be successful. Not because he's the black football coach. Because of the integrity and character of the man and the way he's gone about doing it."

Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/112307aah.html.

Here's a good Christian article about Tigers 1st base coach Andy Van Slyke from The Christian Sports Blog. Here's a good quote from him:

As a Christian and a father, he has learned how to keep the game of baseball in perspective.

"A lot of times throughout the year we have a tendency to put baseball on the throne," Van Slyke said. "But as Christians, that's the battle. We have to ask ourselves who's going to be on the throne today."

Here's the article: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/andy-van-slyke-making-impact.html.

Also, an article about star track and field sprinter Allyson Felix, a Christian, who was also nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award from Sports Illustrated: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/11/08/layden.felix/.

Here's an article about Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, who is having a break out year in his first year with the Patriots. Here's a good quote from his dad, Leland:

Leland and Shelley know the only sure way to cover their son.

"We cover him in prayer," Leland says.

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2007-11-23-sw-wes-welker_N.htm.

Next, an article about Lions kicker Jason Hanson, a Christian, and his television acting debut on a local kids TV show in Michigan: http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/119578650616020.xml&coll=6 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/11).

Here's an article on former Braves outfielder Otis Nixon and his recovery from drug abuse. In turning his life around he became a Christian and is now working on becoming an ordained minister. It's kind of ironic having articles from both Nixon and Van Slyke in this post, since Nixon's best known for his home-run-saving catch of a ball hit by Van Slyke, who was then playing for the Pirates, in the early 1990's. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2007/11/25/whatever_1126_web.html.

Also, an article about Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis, a Christian, and his getting better with age: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=310109.

Here's an article about Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson speaking to student athletes at Southern Methodist University: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/SPORTS02/711250650/1050 (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307411&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Lastly, an article about Illinois defensive player J Leman, a Christian, being named a finalists for the Lott Trophy, which honors the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?LIST_ID=1&STORY_ID=10086.

Okay, that's all for now, I'll post more when I can.

sports misc. and cancer

Hi. Here are some sports articles that I've read, which unintentionally have a cancer theme running through some of them. Just a warning, you might want to have tissues handy.

The first article, a good one from this month's Guideposts magazine, is about Packers quarterback Brett Favre's wife Deanna's bought with breast cancer in October 2004. She is currently in remission. I remember when Deanna was diagnosed with it and Brett told her that he was going to retire on the spot in the middle of the season. However, she told him not to, that she would be okay. Brett also said then something like, "You might think I'm tough, but she's the toughest one in this family." Deanna is now raising money to help other women with breast cancer (http://www.deannafavre4hope.com/). Here's the article: http://www.guidepostsmag.com/WEEKLY_FEATURE.ASP?DATE=10/1/2007. Also check here for more (page down some): http://www.guidepostsmag.com/familyroom/October2007/index.asp.

Here's an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, being honored by the Arizona Fall League with the unprecedented "Distinguished Alumni Award" earlier this month for his play in the league in October 2000. He used his success there as a springboard to making the Cardinals the next spring. Here's the article: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071010&content_id=2259409&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2260845&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, a favorite quotation from John Schuerholz, former Braves general manager who was recently promoted to team president, which I thought was good:

Schuerholz's ability to surround himself with top-notch individuals and desire to succeed as a team allowed him to follow the message he constructed in a poem that he often likes to recite.

It reads:

"I" and "my" are words oft used
by those who themselves are confused.
Why won't their super egos trust
the use of words like "we" and "us"?

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2261163&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Here's a Christian article about Olympic heptathlete and high jumper Trish Porter from Lee Warren at The Christian Sports Blog: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/trish-porter-inspiring-others.html. Here's her website from the article too: http://www.trishporter.com/.

Also, an inspiring poem posted by late IU football coach Terry Hoeppner in the IU football facility. Hoeppner, who died last June from complications from brain cancer, lived out this poem in his fight with cancer:

DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
And the road you're trudging seems all up hill;
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
For life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns;
But many a coward turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
But he learns too late when the night comes down
How close he was to the golden crown.
Victory is defeat turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds in doubt,
You will never know how near you are –
It may seem close when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit;
It is when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Here's the article: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=725623 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/222).

Sticking with IU sports and cancer, an article about the Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast that IU men's basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson held a week ago Friday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Several speakers spoke about how cancer had effected their lives. Some of them spoke about former IU sports chaplain Galen Dolby, who passed away the week before the breakfast from kidney cancer. Here's the article: http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101207aac.html.

Next, a great article that I will warn you ahead of time is a major tear-jerker that you will want to have tissues close by before you read. The article is about four football players and a golfer at Lake Fenton High School in Michigan who were all nominated as candidates for the homecoming king for the homecoming game on October 12th. They got together and decided to throw out the vote and proclaimed sophomore Eli Florence the winner. Florence is dying from leukemia, and doctors have told him there's nothing more that they can do. It's just a matter of time before he dies, basically. The five king candidates decided that they wanted to give him the honor, since they school had been inspired by his fight throughout his illness. They did it as a complete surprise to him. Here's the article (make sure and check out the pictures too, especially #6 where the team joined Florence in prayer at the game): http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3059155#. The article also included a website that to give updates on Eli's health. I checked it and unfortunately Eli passed away the afternoon of October 14th. Here's a post from his mom the next day: http://z13.invisionfree.com/Help_For_Elijah/index.php?showtopic=319.

Here's an article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, and his daughter Maddie who has a rare genetic disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and has seizures. The article tells about how his daughter's health and his own struggles as a player help him to keep things in perspective and to help out his players. Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=289178.

Lastly, I was watching the IU/Penn State football game earlier today (IU lost :( ), and they talked to former IU runningback and 1989 Heisman trophy runner-up Anthony Thompson. They also mentioned that he's now a local pastor. I just thought that it was neat that they included that part.

MLB misc., etc.

First of all, an article about North Carolina women's field hockey player Brianna O'Donnell working at and raising money for an orphanage in a slum in Kenya: http://www.ncaasports.com/fieldhockey/womens/story/10280093 (originally found at: http://goodnewsinsports.blogspot.com/2007/08/going-out-of-her-way-to-make-difference.html).

Here's a Christian article in Guideposts Magazine by former Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner, a Christian, and how he survived a small plane crash on a lake last February: http://www.guidepostsmag.com/weekly_feature.asp?date=8/10/2007. For more on him and the story, go here (page down some): http://www.guidepostsmag.com/familyroom/August2007/index.asp. It also includes his website: http://www.rulongardner.com/index.html.

Next, an article about Mets pitcher Tom Glavine's 300th win last Sunday and how important it was to his family too. Here's a quote about it from his wife Christine:

"I don't want to say a long time coming, but a lot of anticipation," said Christine Glavine, who after thinking about it for a second corrected herself. "Yeah, a long time coming. Twenty years in the making. He works so hard, he's so disciplined. We knew, hopefully, God willing, it was going to be inevitable. We couldn't do it on the first try, but he was awesome on the second try."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070805&content_id=2132680&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about the Faith and Family Night being held before the Astros game on Saturday. Those involved are Astros 1st baseman Lance Berkman and Christian music artist Jeremy Camp. Here's a quote from Berkman about it:

"When you're a Christian, it permeates every aspect of your life," Berkman told the Houston Chronicle last year. "It's who I am, and it comes out in every arena."

Here's the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/5026067.html (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5646).

Also, an article about Royals 1st baseman/DH Mike Sweeney, a Christian, and the possibility of him coming back and playing for the Royals next year: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070806&content_id=2133055&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc&partnered=rss_kc.

Here's an article about Rockets Guard Tracy McGrady raising money for a Houston school with a celebrity softball tournament and auction: http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/McGrady_raises_money_for_local-233673-34.html?rss=true.

Next, an article about Dodgers pitcher Roberto Hernandez, his long career in baseball, and how he reaches out to help others: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070806&content_id=2133331&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la&partnered=rss_la.

Here's an article about Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, and how his hitting has improved since working with Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton (also a Christian) last winter: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070806&content_id=2133320&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about the things that Heat guard Dwayne Wade is doing to help others in South Florida this week: http://www.nba.com/heat/roster/wek_of_wade_070807.html?rss=true.

Lastly, an article about Brewers infielder Tony Graffanino's (a Christian) season-ending knee injury Wednesday: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2139745&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

sports misc.

I got a little behind this week, so I'm trying to get caught up some. First of all, the rest of the story about Texans runningback Ahman Green agreeing to make a down payment on a house for a single parent in return for the #30 jersey from teammate Jason Simmons. Green and Texans owner Bob McNair both paid half of a $50,000 down payment on a house for a single mom in Houston with an autistic son. Green and Simmons delivered the check to the mom at her work. I don't know who was touched more by it, the mom or the football players. Maybe this might start a new trend for uniform number exchanges. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2946702.

Here's an article about Sheila Taormina, a Christian, who has competed in the last three Olympics--the first swimming and the last two in triathlon. Now she's trying to make the 2008 Olympic team in modern pentathlon. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=ApMojGTas0tlCS723.B9cI9.T4h4?slug=ap-panams-versatileolympian&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article about the Family Christian Day that the St. Louis Cardinals held earlier this season. Some of their players that were involved were Braden Looper, So Taguchi, Adam Wainwright, and Albert Pujols. Other Major League teams and many Minor League teams also are involved with this. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5632.

Here's a link to Cardinals pitcher Mike Maroth's (a Christian) blog, where he recently added a new post: http://www.marothbaseball.com/blog.asp.

Also, three articles on the recent death of Minor League 1st basecoach Mike Coolbaugh of the Tulsa Drillers (Rockies Double-A). He left behind a wife, two kids, and another kid on the way. Here's the first article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-coachkilled.

The second article about Coolbaugh tells about his pro baseball playing career that he spent mostly in the Minors and ended last year. He did play in the Majors with the Brewers in 2001 and the Cardinals in 2002. Here's the article: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070722&content_id=278523&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp.

The last article about Coolbaugh tells about the reaction to his death by base coaches around the Majors: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2104641&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden, a Christian, and the fact that he has no plans for retiring any time soon, even at age 77. His goal is to stay ahead of Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno as the all-time leader in college football wins. Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10266521.

Next, an article on Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester's (a Christian) triumphant return to the Majors on Monday after undergoing treatment for cancer last fall. He was able to get a win against the Indians. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2104804&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, an article about the different things that many NASCAR drivers have been involved with in Indianapolis this week to help the community. The race is in Indianapolis this weekend, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (I'll always still call it the the Brickyard 400 anyways!). The drivers involved were Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, and Tony Stewart. Here's the article (also has a video clip of the TV news segment): http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6845962&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Kay Yow and sports misc.

First of all, I was sorry to see Kay Yow (a Christian) and North Carolina State's inspirational run in the NCAA tournament come to an end last night. She's fighting an uphill battle against cancer, currently going through cancer treatments. It was truly inspiring to hear her praising God and counting her blessings that she was able to coach that game. I don't know if I could praise God under those circumstances. That would be tough to do. I'm going to keep praying that she'll be able to beat her cancer again.

Next, the latest diary entry of C.J. Nitkowski, a Christian and former Major League pitcher that is pitching in Japan this year with hopes of making it back to the Majors: http://www.cjbaseball.com/AP2.htm.

Here's the latest blog entry of Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, also a Christian: http://naterobertson.mlblogs.com/.

Here's an article about retired NFL players, led by former New York Jet Mo Lewis, who are working to provide good role models for high school athletes. The hope is to keep them from getting into trouble like so many NFL players have lately. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/03/16/0318nflinsider.html.

Next, a quote from Cubs outfielder Matt Murton about the possibiliby of hitting second in the Cubs lineup:

"There's a lot of guys on this team who can play and really hit," Murton said. "Anywhere in this lineup, there will be a chance for production. I feel blessed to be part of a lineup like that. The two-spot will be an interesting position in the lineup this year. It'll demand a lot of responsibility -- there will be a lot of things to do. At the same time, there will be advantages, because you might get pitches you won't see in other spots."

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070318&content_id=1849524&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Here's an article about IU football coach Terry Hoeppner missing spring practices to attend to a health matter. Here's a quote from him about it:

Said Hoeppner in the release: "My faith, my family and the Indiana football program are the most important things in my life. In order to serve them best and make a full recovery, I need to take some time away to regain my strength and energy. . . . I intend to return to guide this program into the 2007 season and beyond."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/SPORTS0601/703190365/1069/SPORTS0601.

Also, something that I just thought was neat. Colts owner Jim Irsay picked Indianapolis-based ring maker Herff Jones to make the Colts Super Bowl rings instead of Jostens, who usually makes them. That was neat for them to keep with a local company. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/SPORTS03/703190361/1004/RSS02.

In the April issue of Guideposts magazine is an article on former Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek. He won a gold and silver medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. He then donated the money that he received from winning the medals to the Right to Play organization, started by former Norwegian Olympic speedskater Johann Olav Koss. He has continued to raise money and awareness for the situation in Darfur, Sudan. Here's some websites with more information:
His personal website: http://joeycheek.com/Site%203/Welcome.html
His organization's website--Where Will We Be?: http://wherewillwebe.org/
Right to Play website: http://www.righttoplay.com/site/PageServer.

Lastly, during the Marist/Tennessee women's basketball game in the third round of the NCAA tournament earlier today, the broadcasters metioned what Marist coach Brian Giorgis did last Sunday after they upset Ohio State in the first round last Saturday. They said that he went to church that morning, and then started looking at video of their second round opponent Middle Tennessee. I thought that was neat, that he still kept his priorities in order.