MLB, football, basketball, and music

Hello! I finally have time to get caught up some here. I just have to say first of all that last night my mom and I went to "Hoosier Hysteria", IU basketball's first practice, last night. It's always a good opportunity to check out the new team and get excited about the upcoming season--as if we need any help getting excited about basketball here in Indiana! It was a very exciting night here in Hoosierland. A note from last night: after the men's basketball team was introduced, head coach Kelvin Sampson singled out a couple of players, one of whom was junior college transfer DeAndre Thomas. Sampson said that Thomas had lost 58 pounds in 8 weeks, going from 356 pounds to 298 (and he's still huge!). Sampson said that he was able to do it with "a lot of hard work and the grace of God."

The first article is an interesting Christian article about the Colorado Rockies team from the "Saved In Sports" blog. They seem to be a Christian team that is reluctant to be labeled as such. Here's the article: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/colorado-rockies-nice-guys-can-finish-first/.

In the above article, there was a link to another good Christian sports blog, "The Christian Sports Blog" by freelance writer Lee Warren: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/.

Next, an article about 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer, a Christian, letting go of a grudge against Ravens head coach Brian Billick for the way Dilfer wasn't brought back by the Ravens the season after helping them win the Super Bowl in 2001. Here's a quote about it from Dilfer:

Dilfer felt disrespected when Billick didn't contact him personally after the Ravens dropped him, and that hurt has festered. The quarterback has lobbed several verbal shots at the coach since then, culminating in a critical interview in the Baltimore Sun in February.

"I regret many of the things I said in February," Dilfer said. "What I do stand by is the fact that I'm heartbroken that I didn't get the chance to repeat and go through the struggles of what that entails. Where I've been wrong ... is I haven't been able to let it go.

"I feel very hypocritical," Dilfer said, "because I'm dealing with my sixth grader every day and talking to her about relationships and how to handle these relationships, and yet I'm a 35-year-old man and I can't let something go in the past."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3048284.

Here's an article about how veteran Diamondbacks 1st baseman Tony Clark, a Christian, has become a father figure for the young team: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=283678.

Also, an article about Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, a Christian, and how he has become more important to the team's offense this year in his second year with the team. Unfortunately, the former IU quarterback was injured last week and is questionable for this week. Here's the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302271.html?nav=hcmodule (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Here's an article about Buccaneers kickoff/punt returner Mark Jones before their loss to the Colts last Sunday. Here's a few great quotes from him about trying to get the first kickoff return for a touchdown in Bucs history and his being released and then re-signed by the Bucs this year:

If you return kickoffs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it's important to keep the faith.

That's why it helps to be the son of a preacher.

"That's how I approach all of them, that this is the one," said Mark Jones, the latest player attempting to end the Bucs' franchise-long streak of 1,862 kickoff returns without a touchdown. ...

But the fourth-year pro from Tennessee, who has been signed or released six times by the Bucs, never stopped believing. It's a lesson he learned growing up the son of a minister in Wallingford, Pa.

"That was pretty much it. I just stayed consistent to the Word and continued to work out physically and stay in shape," Jones said. "I didn't talk bad about anybody or ask why or tried to figure it out myself. I just said, 'Lord, it's in your hands.' " ...

Now, about being the first to return a kickoff for the Bucs?

"I know what I did the past (three) weeks," he said, "but I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me this week."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/SPORTS03/710050450.

Next, an inspiring article about Jordan Ewart, a freshman basketball and baseball player at Pendleton Heights High School in Indianapolis, who plays with a prosthetic leg. He plays on a level playing field with other "normal" kids, even though he lost the lower part of his leg in a lawn-mower accident when he was four. In a recent freshman football game he had three sacks. It just goes to show that if you set your mind to it you can do anything, no matter what apparent limitations you might have. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/SPORTS0202/710050465/1247/SPORTS.

Here's an interesting article about University of San Diego freshman forward Rob Jones, the grandson of the infamous Jim Jones of Jonestown fame. He's the son of the Jim Jones, Jr., the adopted son of Jim Jones and his wife. Just a warning, the article is kind of graphic as it tells about what happened with the mass suicide at Jonestown. Jim Jones, Jr., was away from the compound playing basketball when the suicides happened, so he survived. I knew very little about what happened, so it was interesting, but hard to take too. There's also a video of the ESPN "Outside the Lines" segment about it, which I haven't watched. Here's a quote from Rob Jones about his dad:

"I thank God every day," says Rob, now a freshman forward at the University of San Diego. "I'm a real lucky man just to have a father and that he's there supporting me in whatever I do, no matter what."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3047543.

Also, an article about how a few successful veteran NFL quarterbacks have gone from being starters, to backups/mentors, and then back to at least short-term starters. The 49ers Trent Dilfer (a Christian), Cardinals Kurt Warner (a Christian), and Rams Gus Frerotte all became starters because of the injury and/or ineffectiveness of the younger starting quarterbacks. Just a note: since this article was written, Cardinals starting quarterback Matt Leinart was injured and is out for the year, making Warner the starter. Here's a quote from the article about Dilfer, Warner, and Frerotte:

It is not inconsequential that, in addition to being terrific teammates, each of the three O.G.'s (that's "old guys" or "original gangstas," depending upon your musical orientation) is an even better father and husband.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkixaeqtkTqXo2Cjy5OMhpo5nYcB?slug=ms-thegameface100507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's another inspiring article, this one about Washington State guard Taylor Rochestie is giving up his basketball scholarship next season so that the team can give it to a top recruit: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/100507aaz.html.

Next, an article about the gruesome arm injury suffered last season by then Wake Forest quarterback Ben Mauk. While trying to recover a fumble early last season, players fell on his arm and shoulder, breaking his upper arm and severely injuring his shoulder. He had a plate with eight screws put in his arm and a separate surgery to tighten the shoulder with three metal anchors. Even with some pain, he has been able to return to playing college football after transferring to Cincinnati for his senior year this year. He's helped turn around the football program there, leading them to the #15 ranking this week. Here's a quote from him:

Ben Mauk has given some thought to what he'll do when his football days are done.

"I've thought I'd be somehow involved in churches, maybe being a youth pastor or a motivational speaker, something like that," he said.

This kid could give some speech.

Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/100507abp.html.

Here's a good quote from Braves 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, a Christian, and then Braves general manager John Schuerholz about his being traded to the Braves from the Rangers on July 31st and hopefully making the playoffs next year:

... When Teixeira thanked John Schuerholz and told him how much he'd enjoyed these past two months, the Braves general manager reminded him that he hadn't yet experienced ultimate jubilation.

"I told him, wait until you have somebody pour champagne on your head," Schuerholz said. "That is really fun."

How many players thank the GM for trading for them? I thought that was neat. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071005&content_id=2251761&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, a Christian note from Thursday's "The Daily" from Sports Spectrum about Rockies outfielder Willy Taveras, who, in last night's NLCS game against the Diamondbacks, made a game-saving catch and walked in the winning run in the 11th inning:

ROCKIES ADD WILLY: It's nice to be able to add a .320 hitter to your lineup as you being an important series. The Colorado Rockies did that on Wednesday by adding Willy Taveras to their roster for the NLCS. Taveras, who missed the last month because of a leg injury, gives the Rockies' offense another guy who can get on base. He's no power threat, but his on-base percentage of .367 is fourth-best on the Rockies. Additionally, he led the team in steals with 33 this season. But best of all, if you like to know which athletes to watch because you like to follow fellow Christians, note that he was the Real Life subject in the July-August edition of Sports Spectrum. Among the things he said was that his favorite Bible passages are "Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. You put everything on God, and He will take care of you."

Here's the webpage: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/071011.php.

Next, Colts punter Hunter Smith and his group Connersvine's self-titled debut contemporary Christian music album is coming out on October 23rd. Here's their website for more information: http://www.myspace.com/connersvine.

Lastly, a preview of the articles in the new November/December edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine is available on their website, including Bucks guard Michael Redd, Bears head coach Lovie Smith, Louisville football head coach Steve Kragthorpe, Bengals defensiveback David Pollack, and the Senators Mike Fisher: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/.

MLB, football, etc.

First of all, an article about Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a Christian, credentials for the MVP Award. Two of the top candidates for the NL MVP Award are Christians, with Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday along with Rollins. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070930&content_id=2242483&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi&partnered=rss_phi.

Here's an article about Royals 1st baseman/DH Mike Sweeney taking out a full-page ad in the Kansas City Star last Sunday to thank the Royals fans and organization for all their support over the many years that he's played there. This could have been Sweeney's last season with the Royals, as he is a free agent. Here's a quote from him about it:

He has said he would like to play another year, taking a reduced role. But club officials have been noncommittal both to him and to the media.

"I talked with [general manager Dayton Moore] yesterday and he said he wasn't sure what direction they'll want to go in," Sweeney said Sunday. "But if this is my last game with the Royals, I know I've been blessed like very few people have ever been blessed. I've loved every minute of it."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3043675.

Next, a good Christian article about recently retired Panthers safety Mike Minter, who is now going into the ministry: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/minter-retires-into-ministry/. Also, the article includes a link to Minter's website: http://www.mikeminter.com/index2.html and a link to the Ruckus House Learning Center in Harrisburg, North Carolina, a Christian based daycare/preschool/afterschool program that he runs with fellow Christians Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker, Rams runningback Stephen Davis, and Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad: http://www.ruckushouse.com/.

Here's several new articles this month from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Sharing the Victory Magazine. The first one is about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a favorite for the Cy Young Award this year (includes video): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=60ECE133-3E2D-430B-B0FCBDE53AEBEA3A&method=display. Here's a short note about him and a friend of his, former MLB player Turner Ward, too: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=46498FAB-F957-46B8-BC86948E7CB173B2&method=display.

The next FCA article is about Clemson football head coach Tommy Bowden and how his faith helps him to deal with all of the pressure of his job (including a video): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=D5F71ED2-33F7-43E1-864A78650FFEA0AA&method=display. Also, the article includes a link to the FCA's Bowden Breakfast (http://www.bowdenbreakfast.com/), which is held annually the morning of the Clemson/Flordia State game, where Tommy Bowden coaches against his dad, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden.

Here's an FCA article about Olivia Brock, the kicker for the Conner High School football team in Kentucky. Yes, she's a girl playing football. Here's the good article about her: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=E5079E65-22FA-490C-B4FF2F4953AE4128&method=display. Someone who's helped her with her kicking has been former Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey, who's now involved with FCA and his own organization Kick's for Kids: http://kicksforkids.org/.

Also, an FCA article on Auburn football chaplain Chette Williams and his new memoir Hard Fighting Soldier: Finding God in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs. Also included in the article is former Auburn and current Giants linebacker Reggie Torbor. Here's the aritcle: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=710FE6B0-36F6-4AEF-BE0E22476E0D6C5B&method=display.

Here's an FCA article about a father-son retreat led by Rogers (Arkansas) High School football coach Ronnie Peacock for the senior players on his team: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=9453B812-8727-42FD-93B3950AA7FCD250&method=display. His former/current players include Missouri State's Cody Kirby and future Wisconsin player Jake Byrne.

Lastly, a few short FCA articles by Southern California offensive lineman Sam Baker (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=CDA7DA59-0CEF-418C-976A10129566EB1B&method=display), Browns runningback Jason Wright (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=B34FED23-4553-4EDC-81C5B76B7968DAB7&method=display), and Notre Dame volleyball head coach Debbie Brown (http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=BD53DE94-9657-4664-87F212118E471646&method=display).

sports misc.

First, a couple of notes from games that I've seen this weekend. The first one was from after the Tigers/Twins game yesterday when the Tigers Craig Monroe was interviewed after the game on FOX. He said in part, "...God-given ability...".

The other was from today's Braves/Pirates game, where some of the Braves players were interviewed before the game on TBS about Mother's Day. Jeff Francoeur said that on Mother's Day his family would always go to church and then go on a picnic.

Next, a few articles. The first is one about Nationals outfielder Ryan Church and his having to deal with his younger brother Matthew, an army ranger, being deployed to Iraq. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I knew Matt was going to have to go anyway, but it really didn't set in until he was getting ready to be deployed," Church said. "Andy didn't really set in until after Matt left. Both of these guys are giving their lives up on a daily basis. You never know what's going to happen. Spring Training was one of those things where I let it go. I had to come to grips with it. It's in God's hands. All we can do is pray about it...."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070509&content_id=1954662&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about former University of Houston football player Wade Koehl. He was signed as an undrafted free agent after the NFL draft by the Saints and is trying to make their team. Here's a quote from his former head coach at Houston Art Briles:

Houston head football coach Art Briles said that Koehl is “everything you’re looking for in a man, in a Christian and a player. He’s the total package. There are no ghosts. There is no baggage. He’s the real deal. He’s an excellent role model and an excellent, excellent human being.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5575.

Also, an article about former IU football player Anthony Thompson, who was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Here's a quote about him:

Thompson, a second-round draft pick of the Phoenix Cardinals in 1990 who played five NFL seasons with the Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, works at IU as the assistant director of the Varsity Club, the athletic department's fundraising arm. For the past five years, Thompson has also served as pastor at Lighthouse Community Church in Bloomington.

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/SPORTS0601/705100540.

Lastly, an article about Jazz guard Derek Fisher, who arrived during their playoff game against the Warriors after returning from his baby daughter's cancer surgery. Here's a quote:

"It's been unbelievable," Fisher said. "God is so good. My daughter is doing very well. We had a successful operation in New York. I flew back. She has a form of cancer called retino-blastoma. We could have lost my little girl had we waited any longer."

After Williams picked up his fourth foul with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter, Fisher walked into the arena and immediately entered the game to a rousing ovation.

"My loyalty is always with family and faith first. I had to get permission from my wife to get here. My coach and teammates welcomed me with open arms. They kept me on the active list. They didn't have to do that."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-05-10-jazz-warriors-game-2_N.htm?csp=34.

Colts and etc.

First, a picture of the Colts in the lockerroom after they had won the Super Bowl last Sunday.

Hi. First, an article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy speaking at the Super Bowl Breakfast: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5540.

Here's an article about the Braves Jeff Francoeur reflecting back on his off-season and looking forward to the upcoming season at the Braves Winter FanFest. Here's a couple of quotes:

"In this sport, it's really easy to get away from the real world," Francoeur said. "But I think you have to always come back to your roots and where you're from. To stay humble, I think you just have to remind yourself that you're just a regular person like everybody else."...

All of this success has Francoeur waiting anxiously for the start of Spring Training. Braves pitchers and catchers will report to camp on Feb. 15 and the first full-squad workout will be on Feb. 21.

"I can't wait," Francoeur said. "First and foremost, I feel the best I've ever felt spiritually. Mentally and physically, I'm in the best shape of my life."

Francoeur's maturation as a man has been a product of him getting engaged and moving into his own house over the course of the past six months. The added responsibilities combined with a renewed religious faith have him truly feeling like an adult.

"I've really become more of a man and matured a little more," Francoeur said. "So I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens."

Here's the article: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070203&content_id=1793691&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Next, an article about the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration last Friday night. Some of the NFL players there were Rams tight end Roland Williams, Saints lineman Willie Whitehead, Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris, and Ravens fullback Ovie Mughelli. Also there was former quarterback Randall Cunningham, who is now a pastor in Las Vegas, Tony Dungy, and Sara White, the widow of Reggie White. The White family has recently published a book and video about Reggie and the family. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5541.

Here's an article about Colts quarterback coach Jim Caldwell, NFL executive Gil Brandt, and Bears assistant coach Gill Byrd: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5542.

Also, an article about some of the media's take on Colts owner Jim Irsay and Dungy expressing their belief in God following the Colts winning the AFC Championship. The article includes Jim Nantz, who broadcasted both the AFC Championship game and the Super Bowl for CBS, Sterling Sharpe, who was a CBS commentator for both games, and James Brown, who was the CBS pre-game, half-time, and post-game anchor for both games. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5544.

Here's another article on what the Colts Gary Brackett went through with the deaths of his family members. Here's a quote:

Before each game, Brackett joins the "back 7" defensive players for a time of prayer. Then he walks over to his locker and talks to his late parents and brother.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs06/columns/story?columnist=mosley_matt&id=2752985.

Next, an article about Tony Dungy and now former Colts assistant coach Leslie Frazier, who just yesterday was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Vikings. Frazier mentions a time a few weeks after Dungy's son committed suicide that he helped a guy who was suicidal after his fiancee broke up with him. Here's a quote from the article:

Frazier has insight into the coach not just as a colleague but as someone who shares the coach's religious beliefs. When Frazier was fired from his previous job, in Cincinnati, he and Dungy prayed together.

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/SPORTS03/702040357/1100/SPORTS03.

Here's an article about Tony Dungy and Colts president Bill Polian and how they've worked well together even though they are totally opposite personalities. Here's a quote from Dungy about it:

It's been fascinating, watching Polian and Dungy, two polar opposites in terms of personality and approach, work together to form a management team that works.

"I think the Lord put us together for a reason," Dungy said. "It's kind of like a marriage where opposites attract. I think it's been very good.

"(Polian) has been good for me, to give me a little more sense of urgency, and I think I've been good for him to make him a little more patient. I think we balance off each other very well, but it's fun.

"We've had very few, if any, disputes on how we want to go, how we want to progress with the team. I think it's been a good balance."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/COLUMNISTS01/702040409/1100/SPORTS03.

Also, an article about LSU basketball player Glen "Big Baby" Davis and how he's had to deal with his mom being a drug addict and in and out of jail: http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/02/02/0204bigbaby.html.

Here's a good article about Jeff Saturday, being the Colts center, and playing with Peyton Manning. Here's a quote:

Saturday played at North Carolina but wasn't drafted. He signed with Baltimore as a free agent in 1998 but was waived. The Colts signed him in 1999 and he's been their starting center since 2000.

His journey to the Super Bowl was much different than Manning's highly publicized path.

"The journey I've been on has definitely been God's favor," Saturday said. "I don't deserve what I have. It's been an awesome experience. I have so much fun in what I'm doing; I never envisioned it, that's for sure."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/02/03/0204afcafc.html.

Laslty, an article about Peyton Manning giving the team the credit when he was given his Super Bowl MVP trophy at a press conference Monday morning. That's one of the biggest things that I love about the Colts, they're a "TEAM" with a capital "T". Another thing that I liked was that the team couldn't wait to get back to Indianapolis and celebrate with the city. I don't know if any other team would have hurried back from Miami the day after the Super Bowl to ride out on open floats in 10 degree temperatures! Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4640.