MLB Playoffs, NFL, and soccer

Hello! Most of these articles are about the Rockies in the Red Sox in the playoffs. The first article is about Rockies pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, a Christian, from the Kansas City Star, which is where he played with the Royals before being traded during last season. The article is about his former teammates with the Royals, including fellow Christians Mike Sweeney, John Buck, and former Royal and current Rockie teammate Mark Redman, and about how the Rockies are different from the Royals. Here's the article: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/320544.html (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071018&content_id=2271077&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about Bengals linebacker Anthony Schlegel, a Christian, and how he's fitting in with the Bengals after being released by the Jets in September. The Bengals then picked him up after that, and then the Bengals played against the Jets last Sunday. Here's a quote from him about switching teams and his family:

Lots of things have changed for the player. He and his wife Stephanie have a 15-month old son, Hunter (aptly named for Schlegel's favorite hobby). Stephanie is expecting their daughter in December. Her name will be Faith.

"After being released from the Jets we put all our faith in God. We knew he was going to take care of it," Schlegel said.

Schlegel knew he was going to be cut by the Jets because of limited preseason reps.

Here's the article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071020/SPT02/710200426/1066/SPT030101.

Next, an article about Colts quarterback Peyton Manning supporting his good friend and former fellow Tennessee quarterback, Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton (a Christian), in the World Series: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071020&content_id=2273716&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Dodgers special assistant to general manager and former Red Sox 3rd baseman Bill Mueller, a Christian, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway park before the ALCS Game 6: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071020&content_id=2273633&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos.

Also, an artilce about Red Sox DH/1st baseman David Ortiz and the charity work that he's done in recent years: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-alcs20oct20,1,1786600.story?track=rss (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/110).

Here's an article about Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, a Christian, who overcame blood clots in his lungs that almost killed him to come back and pitch for the Rockies. He is also friends with former Rockies minor league pitching coach Bo McLaughlin, who also almost died while pitching for the A's when he was hit in the head by a batted ball. Here's the article: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5727375,00.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/97). Just a note: Here's a link to a great press conference with Cook yesterday before his start in Game 4 of the World Series tonight (more later): http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071027&content_id=2284631&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an artilce about Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a Christian, and his start in the ALCS Game 6. The game potentially could have been Schilling's final start at Fenway Park, as the Red Sox could have lost Game 7 (but they didn't) and Schilling could be a free agent after the season. Here's a couple of quotes from him about that:

"God gave me a chance to play professional baseball, which is a gift beyond anything you'd ever dream of," Schilling said. "But to play in this stadium in front of these people, you know, I would argue that you'll never hear home-field advantaged being pooh-poohed again in this city." ...

"How incredibly blessed I am," Schilling said. "I mean, those are the moments you don't ever forget."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071021&content_id=2274114&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos.

Lastly, an article about an outreach that Athletes an Action at Arizona State did with an Iranian-American soccer tournament in California: http://www.aia.com/about/newsletter/october07/feature.aspx.

sports misc. and some music

Sorry that I haven't posted for awhile. I've been busy, so I'm going to catch up some tonight.

First of all, an article about Knicks guard Nate Robinson and the basketball camp that he hosted a couple of weeks ago. He sponsored 75 kids to attend the camp who couldn't afford it otherwise. Robinson did that because when he was a kid growing up in Seattle, Gary Payton, who was then playing for the Sonics, sponsored Robinson and his brother to attend his camp. Here's the article: http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/robinson_070826_camp.html?rss=true.

Here's an article about Orioles 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, a Christian, hosting "Brian's Baseball Bash" to raise money for The University of Maryland Hospital for Children. Here's a quote about it:

Andy MacPhail, the Orioles' president of baseball operations, came to the party, along with several of Roberts' teammates, and liked what he saw.

"I've been around baseball now, working in it, for over 30 years and been around it all my life ... and it's really rare to find someone as committed to the fans and to causes that matter as Brian is," MacPhail said. "You might run into two or three of those guys in your entire career, no matter how many teams you're with. He's a special guy. I think he enjoys it; I think he gets a certain energy from it."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070826&content_id=2172811&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, a few articles about the Little League World Series (LLWS), which concluded last Sunday. The first article starts with an awesome quote from Dalton Carriker, the player for Warner Robins, Georgia, that hit the walk-off homer to beat Japan in the world championship game:

Dalton Carriker remembers falling down to one knee and praying in the first-base dugout moments before his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday.

"Please God," he said, "give me the strength to help my teammates."

I thought that it was great that he didn't pray to hit a home run, just for the strength to help his teammates. Dalton Carriker might be a name to remember. Here's that article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070826&content_id=2172326&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's another article about the LLWS world championship game, including how the Georgia team tried console the crying Japan team after the game: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/08/26/little_0827.html?cxntnid=brv082707e.

The last LLWS article is about all of the appearances that the Warner Robins, Georgia, team will be making because of winning the LLWS world championship. Last year's world champ, from Columbus, Georgia, was kept busy for weeks afterwards. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/stories/2007/08/27/llwssideb_0827.html?cxntnid=brv082707e.

Also, a Q & A article with Colts punter Hunter Smith, a Christian. Here's a great quote from him about putting last season (when they won the Super Bowl) into perspective:

What's your perspective on last season?
"Everything man makes is to manipulate man into wanting more. Everybody wants to know who the next Super Bowl winner is and everybody in Indianapolis wants a second one because the first one wasn't enough. That's the nature of the beast. What I've come to realize this past offseason is I want to give my life to God and his institutions, his purposes, and live in this world and play football and play music. Ultimately, I give my heart and my life to God."

Here's another quote from Smith, this one about his Christian music group, Connersvine:

So you cut your first album?
"It comes out Oct. 23. And our single, 'Live For You,' is on the radio and has been picked up by multiple stations all over America."

The album name?
"Self-titled."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070827/SPORTS03/708270362/1058/SPORTS03.

Here's an interesting article about former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann, who is now a pastor and works with coaches: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=65eb56ce-1428-4f24-9419-fadaaa278683.

Here's a link to his blog, which is also interesting: http://www.mycolts.net/jehrmann/blog/Sports__Culture__Coaching_and_Parenting

Next, an article about how Athletes in Action's (AIA) ministry with Major League Soccer (MLS)has grown: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=247.

Here's an article about Mississippi State football head coach Sylvester Croom, a Christian, and how he's been working on rebuilding the MSU football program almost from scratch: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/082807aec.html.

Also, an article about Florida State football head coach Bobby Bowden and his son, Clemson football head coach Tommy Bowden, who are both Christians. In conjunction with the Florida State/Clemson game coming up on Monday, the Bowdens have promoted a contest to see which team's fans can give the most blood. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-bobbytommybowdenpromoteblo&prov=uwire&type=lgns.

Here's a quote from new Cubs outfielder Craig Monroe about the fact that there's no padding on the walls at the Cubs' Wrigley Field:

He is aware there is no padding behind the ivy on the outfield walls.

"That comes with it," he said. "I hope He's with me, and I'll be fine. I'm going to run into it, that's how I am."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070828&content_id=2175744&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Right now I'm listening to the IU/Indiana State football game, and IU wide receiver James Hardy was penalized 15 yards for "excessive celebrating" for going down on one knee in the end zone after he scored a touchdown. Since when is there anything wrong with that?!

Lastly, today I got the latest CD's from Casting Crowns and Point of Grace, which both came out last Tuesday. Casting Crown's CD is called The Altar and the Door and Point of Grace's CD is called How You Live.

misc. sports

First of all for today, an another article about the Bluffton University baseball team's trip to Jacobs Field as the guests of the Indians after the teams deadly bus accident last spring: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118547&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle&partnered=rss_cle.

Here's an article about the NCAA hooking up with Habitat for Humanity to help build some houses in Florida. One thing that I didn't realize about Habitat for Humanity that I thought was neat was that with every house they give the home owners a tool kit, a homeowners manual, and a Bible. Here's the article: http://www.ncaasports.com/story/10274932 (originally found at: http://goodnewsinsports.blogspot.com/2007/07/ncaa-and-habitat-for-humanity-score-big.html).

Next, an article about Mariners pitcher Chris Reitsma, a Christian, and his probable season-ending and possible career-ending elbow surgery that he had yesterday: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10275291/cbsnews.

Here's a good article about Reds outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr., and how much it meant to him when older players (either his dad's teammates or his) reached out to help him. He's always remembered that and tried to return the favor to the young players on his team, and hopes that they then return the favor when they become veteran players. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118997&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin&partnered=rss_cin.

Also a Christian article about the U.S. women's national soccer team doctor/Bible study leader Dr. Steve Lucey and team player Cat Reddick Whitehill: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=E6FB4D30-BDC6-4722-98C3142E01C1A369.

Here's a Christian article about Royals general manager Dayton Moore and how he came to the decision to leave his job as assistant GM with the almost perennial winner Braves last year to work on rebuilding the cellar-dweller Royals (includes a video): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=0B6089DD-07C1-4E41-AEE59F2F35B1C94F.

Next, a Christian article about Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson (includes a video and a couple of related stories too): http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=36C875EC-D9E3-47DB-94DBC8D05067E8BF.

Here's a good Christian article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy and what it takes to be a good Christian coach and person: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=67821149-65D6-4D97-9FEBAD590F783CCC.

Also, a good/funny article with a link to a music video "I Don't Dance" from the Disney Channel movie "High School Musical 2" that has several Major Leaguers in it: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070802&content_id=2125248&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's a Q & A article with Bengals rookie fullback Stan White. Here's a quote:

Favorite book: "The Bible. Especially the New Testament. It has stood the test of time."

Here's the article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070730/SPT02/707300322/1066/.

Lastly, a couple of websites of Christian NASCAR drivers that I've come across recently. The first is for Jeff Gordon: http://www.jeffgordon.com/home/default.sps?itype=12215.

The other NASCAR site is for driver/broadcaster Darrell Waltrip: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/allwaltrip/index.

Dungy, Lovie, and MLB misc.

Hi. First, an article about Josh Barfield, a Christian, and his being traded from the Padres to the Indians this off-season. Here's a quote:

Barfield's value as a player is augmented by the high character marks he receives from peers. If his initial in-person interviews in Cleveland are any indication, he does not appear to have a trace of arrogance in him. He smiles often.

"My dad taught me to respect the game, be thankful for what you have and never get too high or too low," he said.

Here's the article: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/116963238681500.xml&coll=2&thispage=2 (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070126&content_id=1787265&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

The one good thing about their being a two-week break between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl this year is that it's given the media more time to write about Colts coach Tony Dungy and Bears coach Lovie Smith, which is a great thing because they're both good Christian people. Here's a good article about Tony Dungy growing up and his hometown: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070128/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_dungy_s_hometown_1
And an article about Lovie Smith growing up and his hometown: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/fbn_super_bowl_lovie_s_hometown.

Lastly, an article about the Dodgers Nomar Garciaparra and his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, and the work that they do to help people with cancer: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070128&content_id=1788469&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.