a lot of sports misc.

First of all, a kind of funny article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian. It sounds like he's kind of a clutz like I am. I guess it's nice to know that talented athletes can be clutzes too. On the other hand, I thought this was really sweet, about the cast that Hamilton temporarily has on his arm to protect his strained wrist:

Hamilton sported a large cast on his right arm on Sunday. It already had been signed by his daughters, Julia and Sierra.

Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070709/SPT05/707090324/1027.

Here's an article about Florida State head women's basketball coach Sue Semrau, a Christian, signing a contract extension with Florida State: http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/uwire/070907aaa.html.

Next, an article about the neat opportunity that Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday's brother had to through to him in the Home Run Derby: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070709&content_id=2078705&vkey=allstar2007&fext=.jsp.

Staying with the Home Run Derby, here's an article about the encouragement that Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, got from his son A.J. during the Derby and how excited A.J. was that Albert was in it. He unfortunately couldn't quite get past the 2nd round. Here's a quote from Albert about it:

"I'm happy because my boy is happy," Pujols said. "I wanted to dedicate the trophy to him. ... I just wanted to do it for him. It means a lot to him. I knew it was going to be a big thing for him. I tried to do my best to do that, but I had a good time."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070709&content_id=2078803&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl&partnered=rss_stl.

Here's another story on Pujols, this one on his friendship with Tigers 2nd baseman Placido Polanco, starting back in Pujols rookie year with the Cardinals in 2001: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/D31C9058753EF45D8625731400123240?OpenDocument. (originally found at: http://www.timellsworth.com/)

Next, an article about a former baseball player and high school coach who has started Christian baseball camps in his community: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5623.

Here's just a funny quote from Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, bringing family and friends from Alabama to the All-Star game with him:

"The Clampetts are coming to San Francisco," Peavy joked to a San Diego Union-Tribune reporter.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/07/09/0710allstarnotes.html.

Also, a few articles about Colts head coach Tony Dungy's new Christian book Quiet Strength: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10250790.

Here's an article from an interview with Dungy about his book in Newsweek. Here's a quote I especially liked:

Now that you've won the Super Bowl, how do you put it in perspective?
For me, it's something I tell my players all the time. My favorite verse in the Bible is Matthew 16:26: "What would it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?" I never wanted our players to think the Super Bowl was the ultimate. I always talk about "Yes, we're going to win, but what are we going to do as we're winning? What are we going to do after we win?" Winning the Super Bowl is not the destination. It's not an end point. It's what you do from here.

Here's the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19649920/site/newsweek/page/0/. (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5627)

The last Dungy article is some samples from his book: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070710/COLUMNISTS01/707100354.

Next, a Christian article from an interview with former boxer George Foreman: http://www.chicagosportsreview.com/inthemeantime/contentview.asp?c=197609. (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5626) Also, here's his website: http://www.georgeforeman.com/home.html.

Lastly, an article by Nationals 1st baseman Dmitri Young about making the All-Star team. Here's a quote:

It seems clear to me now that if you work hard, you stay on the right track, you pray and you do right by your family, good things will eventually come.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070710&content_id=2079320&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

mostly MLB misc., etc.

First of all, an excellent Christian article on Mississippi State pitcher Justin Pigott. Mississippi State beat Clemson to make it to the College World Series. It includes an audio quote from him. Here's the article: http://clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/SPORTS030102/706080345 (originally found at: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=226).

Here's an interesting article about renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Here's a quote about him:

On a Sunday in January 2006, Andrews was rushed from church to St. Vincent's with a heart attack....

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/06/10/0611andrews.html.

Next, a quote about Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, a Christian, and his last start:

Did Zambrano stop pointing his finger to the sky in his latest outing June 6? He definitely seemed less emotional. Have the Cubs told him that his super-heightened emotional state for starts is no longer the way to go?-- Dan G., Louisville, Ky.

Actually, Zambrano did point -- it's his way of thanking God -- but you must have missed it. A Milwaukee reporter actually asked me about that during the game. As for his emotions, Zambrano has had a tough few days, with his birthday blowup in the dugout and tearful meeting with Barrett the next day. Let's hope he can channel his energy into his pitching.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070611&content_id=2019647&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc.

Here's an article about former boxer, etc. George Foreman and the his new Christian book that was just published: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5603.

Also, an article about former Falcon Greg Brezina and how he became a Christian and changed his life: http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local_sports/story/6546919p-5826391c.html (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5604.

Here's an interesting article about the Brewers Gabe Gross, a Christian, and his career as a quarterback at Auburn before switching to only baseball, and other two sport stars on the Brewers: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070611&content_id=2020251&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil.

Next, an article about Cubs outfielder Cliff Floyd and his dad, who's in very poor health in a hospital ICU. That family could probably use some prayers, especially with Father's Day coming up on Sunday. Here's a quote from him about that:

Floyd has not played for the Cubs since Thursday in Atlanta, and had returned to Chicago over the weekend to be at his father's side. Is it hard to concentrate on baseball?

"It's not hard," Floyd said. "My mind is on winning. I can leave my dad where he is. You do a lot of praying and talking to the man upstairs and know it's out of my control. Me sitting there is a good thing because I can keep my eye on things, but in terms of him getting better, it won't help.

"Believe it or not, being around the boys has helped me tremendously," he said of his teammates.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070612&content_id=2021873&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article that I came across just today about Ta'Shia Phillips, who finished her basketball career at Brebeuf Jesuit High School in the Indianapolis area this past season. She won the Marion County High School Female Athlete of the Year Award. At the height of 6'6", she might be one to watch for next year at Xavier. Here's a quote about her from her high school coach Kendall Kreinhagen, when nominating her for the award:

"It's called the County Athlete of the Year, but you've got to look at them as student-athletes, and that's what Ta'Shia is," Kreinhagen said. "She excels on the floor but she also excels off the floor in the community. She helps out through her church, mentoring in youth basketball, and she did what it took to help out our younger players by staying after practice with them.

"She gives back."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/SPORTS0217/706130505.

Lastly, a Christian audio interview with Astros 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg on Sports Spectrum Radio: http://www.rbc.org/radio_and_tv/sports_spectrum/programs/55750.aspx#. Also, here's a link to the Sports Spectrum Insider blog: http://insider.sport.org/.