sports misc.

First of all, an article about the North Carolina-Pembroke head football coach Pete Shinnick, and his emphasis on family. He and his other coaches have their kids with them in their football offices, and he also makes sure that he and the coaches frequently have their evenings free to spend with their families. Here's the article: http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=269624 (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Here's an article about Focus on the Family joining with the NFL to fight a pro-gambling bill in Congress: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20253076/ (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5651).

Next, an article about Major League Lacrosse's Denver Outlaws Matt Hanna and what he does to help others, both with lacrosse and in the community as a whole: http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/index.html?article_id=780.

Here's an article about Bluffton University (a Christian college) baseball head coach James Grandey attending a Braves game, sitting in the owner's box at Turner Field. It was Grandey's first return to Atlanta after the Bluffton team's fatal bus crash there on the way to a tournament in Florida last March. Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10295438/rss.

Also, another article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton's (a Christian) return to the Reds lat Sunday after an injury. Here's another quote from him about the significance of his return being just in time for the Reds Faith Day on Sunday:

... He was just happy Sunday that he was able to return to Cincinnati in time for the Reds' Faith Day at Great American Ball Park where Hamilton and his wife, Katie, Reds video coordinator Johnny Narron and NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz addressed the several thousand fans that stayed after the game with the Padres to listen to them speak and then a post-game concert by a Christian rock band [MercyMe].

"Compared to what I've been through in my life, it wasn't much," Hamilton said of the injuries. "It's all part of God's plan for me. He obviously had a plan for me to get out there and be able to talk today."

Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070814/SPT05/708140325/1035/SPT.

Here's a couple more articles about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, being named by President Bush to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AjUkZ3zHdwzVRsUvG0k9cJ1.T4h4?slug=ap-colts-dungy&prov=ap&type=lgns and http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6931632.

Next, a couple of articles about Braves manager Bobby Cox's record-breaking ejection last Tuesday. Cox argued a called third strike against Braves 3rd baseman Chipper Jones, after Jones argued the call. By arguing Cox was able to draw attention away from Jones and keep him in the game. That became huge when Jones later knocked in the winning run in the 9th inning. So no matter what anyone may think about Cox's huge number of ejections, he has a reason for it. Here's a quote about it from Braves outfielder Matt Diaz, a Christian:

... "He went out and had Chipper's back. That's why we love playing for him. I've never seen him get ejected just to get ejected. There's always a reason."

Here's that article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/14/cox_0815.html.

Here's a quote from MLB umpire Dale Scott about Cox's ejections:

Cox's intentions weren't to spark his team. Instead, he was simply once again protecting one of his players -- something that has drawn respect from many of the umpires who have played a role in the setting of this record.

"One thing about Bobby is he protects his players," veteran umpire Dale Scott said after Cox was ejected on May 26. "He goes out there and makes sure his players don't get run. He does his job. It's not because umpires are looking to get him, it's because he steps up and gets his guys' backs. Some managers kind of let the guys go. He doesn't. I think that's why he has a lot of ejections. That's a good attribute for him."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070814&content_id=2148876&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Here's an article about IU football team's jersey patch and helmet decal to honor their late coach Terry Hoeppner, who died from complications from brain cancer in June: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070815/SPORTS0601/708150436/1069/SPORTS0601.

Also, an article about Heat rookie guard Daequan Cook surprised kids by helping to teach them swimming safety, along with a surprise visit from Dwayne Wade: http://www.nba.com/heat/news/cook_wade_lts.html?rss=true.

Lastly, I've been watching the Little League World Series a lot since it started yesterday afternoon. One of last night's games was between Lake Oswego, Oregon and Warner Robins, Georgia, and one of the players on the Oregon team is Mitch Lomax, son of former Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax, a Christian. During last night's game, Neil Lomax was interviewed during the game on ESPN, and he was asked about all four of his kids. He replied with something like (sorry, I didn't remember the exact words) "God has really blessed us with four healthy kids." Also, Lomax's oldest son is a quarterback at Boise State, who is currently trying to win the starting job there. Here's the website for the Little League World Series: http://www.littleleague.org/worldseries_2007/index.html.

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.

a lot of sports misc.

First, three columns on the death of Wake Forest men's basketball head coach Skip Prosser last week: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=dw-prosser072607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

The next one about Prosser is by Dick Vitale: http://espn.go.com/dickvitale/070726skipprosser.html.

The last one about Prosser is a good one by Andy Katz of ESPN about the reaction to his death by several other NCAA men's basketball coaches and how it made them think about the frenetic pace of their own lives while on the recruiting trail in July like Prosser was: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2950594.

Here's a note about Georgia football head coach Mark Richt, a Christian, and his trying to reach out to his former player Odell Thurman of the Bengals. Thurman has been suspended for the season by the NFL for recurring drug and alcohol problems. Here's the note:

Richt trying to reach out to Thurman
Former Georgia player Odell Thurman is out of the NFL for the next year and Mark Richt is out of ways to reach him.

The coach has tried to get in touch with his former star linebacker just to check in on him and talk to him about the problems swirling around his life. But Richt has not had any luck yet.

"I really like Odell," Richt said Friday. "I just pray that he gets everything straight and takes advantage of the blessings that God has given him with his ability and his talent."

Thurman was suspended for all of last season after skipping a drug test and later being arrested for drunken driving. He asked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to reinstate him for the 2007 season, but was turned down Thursday.

"I tell our players once you make a mistake you lose control of the consequences," Richt said at SEC media days. "You don't have any rights anymore. You have to abide by the authority over you and that is what he is doing right now."

Here's the webpage it's on: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/07/27/thurman_0727_.html.

Next, a blog post from Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, partly on the retirement of left tackle Tarik Glenn last week. Here's a quote about it that I thought was good:

Back at work, it was good to get back into the routine. The only downside was Tarik Glenn's retirement. He had talked to me at the ESPY's about the possibility of retiring. I told him I wanted him to be sure in his mind it was the right thing for him and his family. I didn't want him to come back because he felt the team needed him, because we'll find another person to play left tackle. I only wanted him to come back if he really wanted in his heart to play. In the end, it was the right time for Tarik. He's at peace with his decision and that's what counts. He had a great 10 years and capped it off with a Super Bowl. So we'll miss him but we're all very happy for him.

Here's the blog post: http://www.mycolts.net/blogentry/09055d15-8079-4a7c-9c10-c5d6ec0f25df.

Here's an article about Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) president Max Siegel. I don't know if he's a Christian or not, but he is/was good friends with Tony Dungy and NFL Hall-of-Famer the late Reggie White, who are/were to great Christians. I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I thought that I would include it for what it's worth: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/SPORTS0109/707270335/1052/SPORTS01.

Also, an article about Cubs outfielder Matt Murton, a Christian, being called back up from Triple-A Iowa after having been sent down earlier this year: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070727&content_id=2112980&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Braves rightfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, and how he's hitting better overall this year, even though he's hitting fewer homers. He did, however, hit a homer tonight though (Go Braves!). Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/07/27/francoeur_0728.html.

Next, an article about the Bluffton University baseball team, the team from the Christian college that was involved in a deadly bus accident last March, and how they were given the royal treatment as guests of the Indians at their game last weekend: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AggDqIS8kOL0wFdNpxbns4d.T4h4?slug=ap-indians-bluffton&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, a couple of articles about former Padre Tony Gwynn and former Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr., before their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame last Sunday. The first article is about Tony Gwynn that I again found in my local Sunday paper and then found online. Here's a quote from him about his career:

"I had no idea that all the things in my career were going to happen," he said. "I sure didn't see it. I just know the good Lord blessed me with ability, blessed me with good eyesight and a good pair of hands, and then I worked at the rest."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-07-26-255672894_x.htm.

The other article is about Gwynn and Ripken now are teaching baseball: Gwynn by being the head coach at San Diego State and Ripken by doing clinics for kids, etc. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjcNgLvDEnT4OgsHFnzzico5nYcB?slug=sh-gwynnripken072907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's an article about Devil Rays infielder Ben Zobrist, a Christian, who was also recently recalled from Triple-A Durham after having been sent down earlier in the season: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116850&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about Morgan Ensberg, a Christian, being traded by the Astros to the Padres today: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2119971&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, a blog site by another Orioles Hall-of-Famer Brooks Robinson, a Christian. He unfortunately hasn't updated it since last October though: http://brooks.mlblogs.com/.

baseball misc.

First of all, Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton put on a hi-light show during their game against the Rockies today, by hitting 2 homers, making a great catch, and throwing out a baserunner trying to go to 3rd by a mile. After watching the game, I got to thinking that maybe he should be on the All-Star team this year. Unfortunately, since he isn't considered one of the Reds three main outfielders, he's not on the ballot. He can be included as a Write-In though, which is at the bottom of the ballot. To vote for the All-Star teams go to the Major League website at: http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp and look for the All-Star game links.

Also, an article about Cubs pitcher Rich Hill. Here's a quote from him about his curveball, which some people have said that it's so good that it seems magical:

''I don't think it's magic,'' the Cubs left-hander said with a laugh. ''I think probably the majority of it is God-given. I've been fortunate to be blessed with a good curveball. Sometimes I try to teach my curveball, and I don't know how to explain it. You can tell somebody how to do it, but unless you have the ability to do it, it just usually doesn't come out.''

Here's the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/362495,CST-SPT-hill29.article (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070430&content_id=1939242&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about an organization that retired Brave Dale Murphy is starting to keep high school and college kids off of performance enhancing drugs: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20070501&content_id=1940071&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article on Cubs 1st baseman Derrek Lee and the work that he's doing to raise money for research for the disease that his daughter has: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070501&content_id=1940178&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's a good article about Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur from the Fellowship of Christian Athlete's Sharing the Victory magazine: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=21B3F9A9-0196-4024-B7D3653027FCA72E.

Also, a good Christian article about Tigers 1st baseman Sean Casey and pitcher Chad Durbin: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5567.

Lastly, I read this in Sports Spectrum's "The Daily" on Friday, and since I couldn't put it any better myself, I'll just paste it here:

If you get a chance, read the article in this week’s Sports Illustrated about the Bluffton University baseball team. It is both a remarkable piece of journalism and a grand tribute to a fine bunch of young men who have suffered greatly from the loss of their teammates in that bus accident in Atlanta as the team was headed for spring training. Continue to pray for the five families who lost young men in the accident and pray for their teammates as they process all that has happened in their lives over the past several weeks. (Found at: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/070504.php)

At first I wrote myself a note to get a copy of the magazine, but then I thought to check on the Sports Illustrated website first and see if it was on there, which it was. I printed off the article from there and read it. I recommend reading it too, even though it's kind of long. Here's the webpage that the article's on: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/more/05/02/bluffton0507/index.html.

MLB and other sports misc.

First, an article about Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, a Christian, agreeing to donate money for every home run he hits this year to his teammate Derrek Lee's organization to help find a cure for the disease that Lee's daughter has: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070302&content_id=1822403&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc.

Here's an article about former Cowboy Everson Walls donating a kidney to his former teammate Ron Springs: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070302/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_ex_cowboys_kidney_transplant.

Next, an article about Braves shortstop prospect Yunel Escobar and his family. He escaped from Cuba a few years ago, and has been able to help his dad and sister join him in the U.S. He's still working on getting his mom to the U.S. though. Here's a quote from him:

"Sometimes I dream about having my mom here, about being able to be with her again, to have her here with us," Escobar, 24, said through translation by friend Brayan Pena, a Braves catcher and fellow Cuban. "With the help of God, I can make that happen.

"My mom, every time I speak with her she starts crying, because my sister and my father and myself are here. She doesn't know when she'll see us. We try to talk to her every day."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/03/03/0304escobar.html.

Here's a good article about Florida basketball player Lee Humphrey, a Christian, and winning the national championship last year, from Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Sharing the Victory Magazine: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&lsid=786DEA37-3399-4D67-8EB4B95D4C5EE967&objectID=70B6D427-1320-428E-A305919EF2092DA0&method=display.

Also, another article about Cooper Brannan, the marine turned Padres minor league pitcher: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-gen/ap/General_Baseball_News/BBN_Padres_Marine.html.

Lastly, an article about Ty Hudson, a baseball player at Bluffton University from Indiana, by the Indianapolis CBS station . He was injured and didn't go on the team's fatal trip to Florida, but the player who took his place was one of the players killed. Here's a quote from his grandma about it:

"I'm so grateful to God. I have a strong faith in God and I know that God has more plans for him and that's why he wasn't on that bus," Dorothy said.

Here's the article, which includes a link to a video of the interview: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6175738.