NFL, MLB, basketball, etc.

Hello. First of all, an article about LPGA golfer Lorena Ochoa, a Christian, winning the 2007 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year Award: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3164961&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Here's an article about Broncos kicker Jason Elam co-writing a Christian fiction book, Monday Night Jihad, along with his pastor Steve Yohn. He's used what he's learned while studying about the world's major religions through Liberty University to write the book about a Christian in espionage overseas. Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=321194.

Next, an article about Colts tight end Dallas Clark, a Christian, and how important he's been to the team's success since the start of last year's playoffs: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/colts/2007-12-21-sw-dallas-clark_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about ESPN's Stuart Scott, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was found during an emergency appendectomy. The cancer was removed, but he's having chemo as a precaution. He's continuing to work some on NBA shows. Here's a quote from him about it:

"Talk about a shocker," Scott said. "But I feel good, am in great hands medically and the doctors are confident they got all the bad stuff. I'm not the type of guy to let this eat up my life. I've got strong faith and family and friends who are tackling this with me. I can't find the words to express how much I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. I probably won't be able to get back to you all; but know it means a ton."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3163058&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Also, an article about former Mariners community relations staff member Kristen Bushnell, who left the team to work for the Christian organization Children of the Nations. The Mariners are working with her and the organization, including their front office and some of the players. Here's a quote about outfielder Raul Ibanez and pitcher J.J. Putz:

Ibanez and Putz are among the most give-back-to-the-community-minded players on the team, giving their time and significant amount of money to charity. Both are financial contributors to the Children of the Nations, and Putz said he and his wife, Kelsey, plan to get even more involved next year.

The organization works with orphans or underprivileged kids in Africa, Malawi, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic. Unfortunately, the article doesn't mention that it's a Christian organization. I checked it out on their website (http://www.cotni.org/), and this is what their mission says:

To provide responsible care to orphaned and destitute children by the equipping of nationals, giving children every possible advantage available to grow in a stable, Christ-centered environment, empowering them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2335850&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about the IU men's basketball team helping out a family in the area who recently lost their home to a fire (including video of the news segment): http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/14908711/detail.html?rss=ind&psp=news.

Next, an article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, being traded to the Rangers last week before his second major-league season. It sounds like he's just what the Rangers were wanting and that he'll get a lot more playing time there. However, I'm kind of sad because we get over half of the Reds games on TV here in Indiana, but hardly any of the Rangers. He became one of my favorite players last season and it was nice to watch him last season. I'll just have to start following the Rangers now, I guess! Here's a couple of quotes from him:

... Hamilton missed 3 1/2 years from 2002-2006 because of his drug problems while going in and out of rehabilitation eight different times. He said he has been clean for over two years and his arrival in the Major Leagues last season appeared to be in the end of a long, hard road.

"I've never met anybody who hasn't made a mistake in the past or wrestled with demons," Hamilton said. "The main thing is you learn from it and you don't repeat it. I've taken some steps in my life to put God and my family first. I have a good support system in place and I'm very comfortable in saying that the past is in the past and the future is brighter.

"Now I really want to show these guys what I can do." ...

"Last year was a dream come true," Hamilton said. "I took a very different road to the Majors than most players, and that made it even sweeter. Before I was taking things for granted and going through the motions. When I finally got back, everything I did made me realize how fortunate and blessed I was."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2336081&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson, a Christian, having his number retired by the Spurs, the team that he had the most success with as a player: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/12/23/spurs.avery.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories.

Also, an article about Cardinals outfielder So Taguchi, a Christian, signing with the Phillies as a free agent today: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071223&content_id=2336269&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Lastly, Sports Spectrum has put on their website the Christian athletes that are in their January/February issue: Chargers runningback LaDainian Tomlinson, Hurricanes Dave Tanabe, Senators Dean McAmmond, Rangers Ben Walter, Boise State safety Marty Tadman, and Michigan State basketball player Allyssa DeHaan, among others. Here's their website: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/. Matter in fact, I'm watching Boise State play East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl right now, and when they're on defense all I hear is Marty Tadman this and Tadman that. He's pretty good!

lots of misc. articles

I had a lot of free time yesterday and was able to catch up a lot on reading articles, so there are several today. First of all, an article about the Braves reaction to the now infamous tirade of their Double-A Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman. Some of the current players in Atlanta had him as a manager or hitting coach. Here's what rightfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, had to say about Wellman:

"The media loves to put negative stuff out there, but they forget the stories, for instance, of him sitting with me until 3:30 in the morning, in the cages in Mississippi one night after I'd cried to him a little bit, talking about how I was struggling so bad hitting," Francoeur said. "This was in May in 2005. ... Two months later I got called up to the big leagues. He's helped so many players get to the big leagues."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/06/04/0605bravesnotes.html.

Here's an article about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, and how well he is doing again this year: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2893329.

Next, an article about Braves pitcher Buddy Carlyle, who won his first game in 8 years on Tuesday. Unfortunately, he was promptly sent back down to Triple-A after the game. Here's a quote from him about the many years between wins:

"This win means 10,000 times more to me than the one when I was 21," Carlyle said. "I worked really hard to get back here. Now I realize how blessed and privileged we are to play at this level."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070605&content_id=2006745&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Cavaliers rookie Daniel Gibson, who helped them win the decisive game of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Here's a quote about him:

...The second-round pick who left Texas after two seasons and who prayed he'd get selected by the Cavaliers, has become LeBron James' co-star and sidekick.

Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_nba_finals_cavaliers.

Also, an article about the different routes that several Brewers players took to get to pro baseball. Here's a quote about 2nd baseman Rickie Weeks and his plans for the future after baseball:

Weeks hopes to run his own gospel-themed radio station after he hangs up his cleats, and he intends to return to Southern [University] to complete his business management degree.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070605&content_id=2006654&vkey=draft2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an interesting article written from the viewpoint of the Colts' Lombardi Trophy that they got for winning the Super Bowl this year: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS03/706060421/1100.

Next, a couple of articles about a charity race held by NASCAR drivers on Wednesday night to raise money for NASCAR driver Kyle Petty's (a Christian) Victory Junction Gang Camp (http://www.victoryjunction.org/): http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS0109/706060477/1052/SPORTS01 and http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ne/car_nascar_driving_on_dirt.

Here's some information about the Cubs Ryan Theriot helping out a family near his home in Louisiana:

Good cause: Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot is doing his part to help 2-year-old Sam Seidel of Baton Rouge, La., who was injured in a swimming pool accident on March 24. The boy has been hospitalized, and his parents, Dan and Kahne, hope to move him to Children's Hospital in New Orleans to begin his rehab. To help the family deal with the expenses involved, the Hardt of Champions Baseball Complex, which Theriot is connected to, is hosting a benefit "Grand Slam for Sam" night on June 16 from 3-7 p.m. ET. There will be a silent auction of autographed items, jambalaya, and activities for children.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2008909&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Also, another article about the fight between the Cubs Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett, both Christians. Here's what they had to say about it:

"I'm still friends with Michael Barrett," Zambrano said. "He calls me 'Brother,' I still call him 'Brother.' We forgave each other and we're back on track. He will catch for me the next time against the Houston Astros, Monday. I don't have a problem with that. I still love him.

"The next day [Saturday] I came to the ballpark, after I had punched one of my teammates, and it was a bad feeling," Zambrano said. "Believe me, it was a bad feeling.

"[On Saturday], he came to me and he apologized and I apologized and we both cried," Zambrano said. "Like he said, when you have a little brother, you fight with your little brother and the next day you get along with him. That's in the past and now we have to move on and we have a job to do."

Whether Barrett will be behind the plate Monday for Zambrano's next start is up to Piniella. Both players seemed relieved Wednesday.

"It was over the moment it happened for me," Barrett said of their scuffle. "When you play with a guy that long, it's easier to put it behind you."

Barrett and Zambrano go to chapel together. Their families are close. The two players have been through a lot.

"It's definitely been a week to remember for me," Barrett said.

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2008914&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Here's an interesting article about some nuns in San Antonio who pray for the Spurs when they play: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4868004.html.

Next, an article about the reaction Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, got during a Minor League rehab assignment with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. They were on a road trip to Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina, which worked out great since Hamilton is from North Carolina. Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPT05/706060327/1035.

Lastly, an article about Albert Pujols, a Christian, hosting some kids with Down syndrome before the Cardinals game on Wednesday. Pujols' daughter has Down syndrome and his foundation, the Pujols Family Foundation (http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.com/), works to help those with it. Also meeting with the kids were the Cardinals So Taguchi and David Eckstein, both Christians, and the Reds Kyle Lohse and Juan Castro. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=2009788&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl.