NFL, MLB, basketball, etc.

Hello! Here's the first post for this weekend. First is a Christian article about Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver. Here's a quote from Weaver about his faith:

Weaver attributes faith in Christ as the key factor in his development, as a person, a husband and father and as a professional football player. He says the game has provided him life lessons that dovetail with his devotion.

“Football teaches a lot about faith, especially with me,” he said in the Seahawks’ locker room following a defeat in Atlanta. “There are hardships and hard times, but, if you continue to keep your head up and keep your confidence, good things will happen later on.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5745. Also, a link to former Seahawk fullback Mack Strong (a Christian)'s blog, The Strong Report, as mentioned in this article: http://www.seahawks.com/News/BlogsAndColumns.aspx?blogId=330.

Here's another Christian article about the strong Christians on the Packers team. Here's a quote from defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila:

But with all of his accomplishments, Gbaja-Biamila doesn't want any of the credit.

"By God's grace, I've had great success on the football field. I've set sack records for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports - the Green Bay Packers - and I plan to do more in my football career as long as God allows me the opportunity," Gbaja-Biamila said. "As much as I enjoy football and the success, I know that those things won't last forever. There is one thing that will, however, and that's my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This by far is my greatest victory."

Here's a link to the Freedom House Ministries that Gbaja-Biamila is involved with in Green Bay: http://www.freedomhouseministries.org/contact.html.

Here's the article: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/306408.aspx.

Next, an article about Rockies outfielder Willie Taveras, a Christian, and how he's preparing for the upcoming season: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350867&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an article about the Packers and how the area churches blend or separate the team and church. Here's a couple of quotes from local clergy with different opinions on the topic, before the Packers/Giants game last Sunday:

The Rev. Dan Dainsberg of Faith Chapel, a Christian missionary alliance church, knows some of his parishioners will certainly privately pray for a Packers victory. But he won't.

"There are people on the Giants who love God and people on the Packers who love God and to try to pit one against the other, I wouldn't do that," the pastor said. "As big of a game as this is and excited as we are, it is small in comparison to life and death matters." ...

Certainly, he [The Rev. John Becker of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church] said, some of his parishioners will be praying for a win Sunday. Children in the church's school offered a special petition last week during a Mass, praying for a Packers victory.

Privately, the priest admitted, he would, too.

"I am very strong supporter of the Packers. I will say, 'God's will be done,' but please may it be that the Packers win," he said, laughing.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnTL4iBYual6hzYhZQUQ8lsdsLYF?slug=ap-packers-prayers&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, a blog post on the Reds signing pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, a Christian, as a free agent from the Rockies: http://blue-collarbaseball.blogspot.com/2008/01/reds-sign-pitcher-affeldt.html.

Here's an article on Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, a Christian, and how he's worked hard to become a star: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10587154/rss.

Next, an blog post on Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR owner of Hendrick Motor Sports, who bought a special car for an injured soldier: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/hendrick-helps-iraq-vet.html.

Here's an article about Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, a Christian, being named as a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The winner will be announced before kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday. The other finalists are the Dolphins Jason Taylor (also a Christian), Steelers Hines Ward, and Chiefs Brian Waters. Here's a quote from Witten about being nominated for the award:

"What I do on the field is important and my job, but I know that playing for the Dallas Cowboys and in the National Football League has afforded me the unique opportunity to contribute off the field, to make a difference in the lives of those in need," Witten said.

"To be a finalist is a great honor, and I am just proud to be mentioned in the same breath as Mr. Payton."

Here's the article: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/011908dnspowitten.3bce895d.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/5).

Also, some articles and video clips about IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) men's basketball head coach Ron Hunter, a Christian, and his helping to support the Christian organization Samaritan's Feet (http://www.samaritansfeet.org/). The organization collects shoes and money for kids without shoes throughout the world, especially Africa. Hunter went barefoot during IUPUI's game against Oakland last Thursday. These articles are from before the game, and I'll have more from after the game on a later post. Here's a quote from the first article:

With the help of Samaritan's Feet, a Christian-based group in Charlotte, N.C., Hunter's goal is to raise 40,000 pairs of new shoes during February, which is Black History Month.

"Dr. Martin Luther King had the courage and the faith to make a difference, and I hope that's what I'm about," Hunter said. "I want to use my passion to make a difference. I want people to feel it."

Hunter belongs to the same church in Indianapolis as Colts head coach Tony Dungy. Here's that article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/SPORTS06/801210351/1004/RSS02.

The next article tells some more about what Hunter was doing. There were 30,000 shoes donated by the day before the game. Here's that article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10594951/rss.

The last article about Hunter's project mainly just contains a good video segment from the local news about it: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7764687&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Here's an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, addressing false reports that he had used drugs. Here's a quote from him:

Asked if he felt any need to prove himself all over again in light of the report, Pujols didn't hesitate.

"I don't have to prove myself," he said. "Since 2001, I've been proving myself with the numbers. I've been proving myself every year. How much better can I get? Only God knows how much better [I can] get. But do I need to cheat in this game to get better? This is nothing for me.

"Baseball is just a hobby, man. God has blessed me. And I fear God too much for me to do a stupid thing. I fear him. If I do some stupid things to help me out, to hit .400 or three-something or hit 30 home runs, he's going to take that away from me. So why not be the natural guy like I've been since I was in the Minor Leagues? To cheat in this game, that's not right."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080121&content_id=2352353&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about new Royals manager Trey Hillman, a Christian. He was hired by Royals general manager Dayton Moore, also a Christian. Here's a quote from him about becoming the Royals manager after spending the last five years managing in Japan:

"I kind of look at timing as a blessing from above," says Hillman, a deeply religious Christian. "Nobody on this earth is smart enough to know when the perfect timing is for anything."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/royals/2008-01-21-hillman-royals_N.htm?csp=34.

Lastly for now, a good post from the Saved in Sports blog about Giants quarterback Eli Manning and the charity work that he's done: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/patriots-giants-who-will-make-history-eli-manning/#comment-118.

football, basketball, MLB, etc.

Hi. First, a good article about Auburn football chaplain Chette Williams, who is known as the team's "spiritual coordinator" (offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, spiritual coordinator!). The article talks about his life and his new memoir Hard Fighting Soldier. Here's a quote about him from head coach Tommy Tuberville, also a Christian, when he was named Coach of the Year in 2004:

Williams "has made the biggest difference in my life, our coaches' lives, our families' lives and our players' lives than anything I have ever seen," Tuberville said in accepting the award from the American Football Coaches Association.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/12/31/bowlchaplain_1231.html.

Here's an article on Texas forward Gary Johnson, who was cleared to play this week after doctors checked out a heart problem that was discovered last summer. It was originally feared that he might not be able to play again. Here's a quote from him about being able to play again:

"I feel it's a gift being able to play again," Johnson said Monday as he talked with reporters for the first time. "Right now I'm taking it as that, trying to take every minute as a gift on the court."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3175273&campaign=rss&source=NCBHeadlines.

Next, a couple of articles about all of the hardships that the Redskins have gone through this season to make it to the playoffs. They've had to deal with injuries to key players, the murder of one of the players, etc. Here's a quote in the first article from head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian:

"I just want to say a big thanks to our fans and our players," Gibbs said. "It was really a testimonial these past four weeks of really just character. The Lord's blessed us with a great group of guys. When you think about what they've gone through this year . . . everybody would have said this is just impossible."

Here's the article: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1231nflinsider1231.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Here's the second article on the Redskins and Joe Gibbs: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5huhioZ9aocDiie_nAjBKnFONRzyg (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Also, an article on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, and how winning the Heisman Trophy has created increased attention on him, for better or for worse. Here's a quote from him about that:

In the three weeks since Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy he hasn't been able to go anywhere without being swarmed or having his photo taken and flashed around the Internet. He accepts the role-model part of the deal and the scrutiny that comes with it.

"It really makes you think about everything you do, that someone's watching. That's a good and bad thing," said Tebow, whose 29 passing touchdowns and 22 running TDs made him the first player in NCAA Division I-A history to achieve that 20-20 double in the same season.

"Hopefully it's a good thing, that they see things I do and are impressed with and I can influence people for the better. But it can also be a bad thing if you're not careful about what you do."

Here's the article: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-elliott31dec31,1,178156.column?coll=la-utilities-sports&ctrack=3&cset=true (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Just a note: during the Sugar Bowl on New Year's between Georgia and Hawaii, they showed Georgia's "water wife". Head coach Mark Richt's wife Kathryn (both Christians) and some of their kids fill the team's cups with water and give them out during their games. I just thought that was kind of neat.

Here's an article about former MLB 3rd baseman and new Indians minor league manager Travis Fryman, a Christian, who is eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Here's a quote from him about his career:

If part of the measure of a player is the effect he has on his teammates, however, then Fryman can look back on his days in uniform and feel pretty happy. That's how he likes to look at his career, and that's one reason he's giving himself a shot at managing.

"That would be what I am most proud of in my career," Fryman said, "not what I ever did between the chalk lines, but the changes that took place in my life, to the point that I began to care for the men that I played with and try to contribute to their success in life and their careers. Some of those relationships continue even through today.

"When you look back, it is about relationships. For me, those relationships were the most important thing. As athletes, we're limited by what God has given us. It's our responsibility to get the most out of that." ...

Injuries helped prompt him to retire in 2002 at age 33, but the numbers he put up were nothing to easily dismiss. Yet as he prepares to re-enter the rigors of the baseball season as manager of the Indians' short-season Class A club in the New York-Penn League, it's the relationships he values, and the values he wants to pass along to the first-year professionals he'll be leading.

"All I really set out to do," Fryman said, "is get the most out of ability that God gave me, to do it the right way, and to respect the game and guys who came before me. At the end of the day, I felt like I did that."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=2333710&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson, who is having a fund-raiser for his Grand Kids Foundation, which helps inner-city schools. Some of his teammates are helping him out, including Nate Robertson, a Christian. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080102&content_id=2338008&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Redskins assistant head coach Joe Bugel and his daughter Holly, who is fighting a rare form of bone cancer. Here's a quote about her from Bugel's wife Brenda:

"You pray for a miracle," Brenda Bugel said. ...

Here's the article: http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/SPORTS/735083145/1001&template=nextpage.

Also, an article about Washington State women's basketball coach June Daugherty, who is back coaching after going into cardiac arrest last summer. She had just pulled into the parking lot at a hospital for a doctor's appointment about her heart when it happened, which probably saved her life. Here's a quote from her about it:

"I'm truly blessed to have a second chance in life," Daugherty said.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/news;_ylt=AiS9FnH4FDBtezCqR1L9EAV.T4h4?slug=ap-daughertysreturn&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article about Colts assistant coach Jim Caldwell, a Christian, interviewing for the Falcons head coaching job: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/SPORTS03/801030483/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about former Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, a Christian, signing as a free agent with the Cardinals: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10557449/rss.

Also, an article about Colts center Jeff Saturday, a Christian, being named the NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=99835dee-b214-4f58-afea-860200994ed2&et_cid=13884153&et_rid=464416201&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.colts.com%2fsub.cfm%3fpage%3darticle7%26news_id%3d99835dee-b214-4f58-afea-860200994ed2.

Lastly, here's the website for professional freeskier Dave Treadway, a Christian: http://www.davetreadway.com/.

MLB, basketball, and football

Hi. I hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas! I just have a few articles to post today. The first article is hopefully the last article that I'll post on the topic of the MLB drug report. It's a Christian article about the Christians named in the report, from the viewpoint of former Cardinals pitcher Rick Horton, who is currently the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) director for the St. Louis area. Here's the article: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4970635988821363616.

Here's just an inspiring story of Drexel basketball player Nicole Hester, who is returning to play this season after missing last season while undergoing treatment for cancer: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=3147753.

Next, a quote about Christmas from the end of Colts head coach Tony Dungy's (a Christian) pre-Christmas blog post:

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets to experience what Christmas is really all about--God expressing His love to us through His son Jesus Christ.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/907a8703-9c4d-4297-8539-45185fe81b88.

Here's another inspiring story, this one about Hawaii football graduate assistant Brian Kajiyama. He helps coach the defense by breaking down the opposing teams' offense even though he's confined to a wheelchair and can't speak because of cerebral palsy. In order to communicate he types words into a computer and a computer voice speaks for him. The team, who went undefeated and is playing Georgia in the BCS Sugar Bowl on January 1st, says that he's an important part of the team and their success this year. He's making his first road trip with the team to the Sugar Bowl, as he didn't travel during the season. Here's a quote from him:

Kajiyama's interest in football came early from watching Hawaii play at Aloha Stadium with his father every Saturday night. Despite being in a wheelchair, Kajiyama believed he could one day play for Hawaii.

"Back then, I thought I'd become a star athlete," Kajiyama said. "But as I grew and matured, I realized that God's plan didn't have me being that athlete. ... I began to focus on academics since that was one area where physical ability didn't matter."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AmlB.TxSLbgb61OD3FlsVn1.T4h4?slug=ap-t25-sugarbowl-kajiyama&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, an article about the charity involvement of Rockies owners, brothers Dick and Charlie Monfort, and the Rockies. They are especially involved with Children's Hospital in Denver, among other things. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071224&content_id=2336352&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Arizona State tailback Keegan Herring, who lost his father, sister, best friend, and aunt in four months last spring. Then he lost the starting tailback job in training camp last summer, but got it back after the starter went down to injury. He's been an inspiration to those around him though, because he's kept smiling through it all. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I don't consider myself as a role model," he said. "I consider myself as a normal person that's got a little extra to him. God put me through a test. And I think I went through the test pretty well."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=An5t7EbrXlKIMZOc7g_1YXF.T4h4?slug=ap-t25-arizonast-herring&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, an article about the Colts, including owner Jim Irsay and punter Hunter Smith (a Christian), going Christmas caroling at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, which they do annually. Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=53d2d2ad-d062-4453-b843-bf1cfe1c3009.

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!

Dungy, Braves, and Angels

Hello. I'm still trying to get caught up on these articles. Here's some more tonight. First of all, an article about what Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, did the day before the Colts big game against the Patriots on November 4th: He spent the day at his All Pro Dads Kids Experience in Indianapolis helping men to become better dads. He was joined by wide receivers coach Clyde Christensen and punter Hunter Smith, both also Christians. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AruJ0gjIdRJ3tCLiYkvLhkJ.T4h4?slug=ap-dungy-familytime&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article about Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur's (a Christian) wedding to Catie McCoy on November 3rd, and what his now father-in-law thinks of him: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/11/03/francoeur_1104.html.

Next, another article on Tony Dungy, this one on how he has chosen his assistant coaches. Some of his former assistants have gone on to be NFL head coaches: Bears head coach Lovie Smith (a Christian), Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards, Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Another former assistant is former Alabama head coach Mike Shula. Also Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin considers Dungy a mentor (see the chart on the left side of article and enlarge for more). Here's the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/sports/football/04dungy.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=sports&adxnnlx=1194133312-w6qTFN4Frmy7pPB1IQQ9gg&oref=slogin (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

Going back to the Braves, here's an article about new Braves general manager Frank Wren and how he got into baseball and his current job. While he was playing in the Minors, he had a benign tumor removed from his brain, which ended his playing career. Here's a quote from Wren about that:

"The big thing for me is that I came from a strong family. My mom and dad taught us values and belief in God, and I always thought things happen for a reason," he says. "Someone much bigger than me was in control. ... Baseball was taken away from me so I could turn the page and go on with my life. I kind of look at that as a blessing now, though I didn't at the time."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/11/03/wren_1104.html.

Also, an article about a baseball experience for kids with special needs that the Angels held last week at their stadium. Angels pitcher Justin Speier and broadcaster Rex Hudler helped out, with Hudler's son taking part. Here's a quote from Speier about it:

"It's truly an honor and a blessing for me to see the joy these kids possess," Speier said. "Just to be out here on the field is a great time for them."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071104&content_id=2292039&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Pirates pitcher Matt Morris wanting to follow former teammate Scott Rolen of the Cardinals lead in building a camp for underprivileged kids: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071105&content_id=2292301&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Lastly, for now at least, a couple of articles about what Tony Dungy did on November 5th, the day after the Colts big game against the Patriots. After taking his kids to school that Monday morning, he presented a couple of awards to a couple of men who had started father-child breakfasts at two local high schools. He gave the awards at a conference in Indianapolis sponsored by the White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Here's the first article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/SPORTS03/711050404/1006/RSS01. Here's the second article, which includes a video: http://www.theindychannel.com/family/14512826/detail.html?rss=ind&psp=news (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

Sunday Post #1: MLB, football, etc.

Hi. I'm back. Sorry that I haven't been able to post all week, but I've just been too busy. Friday night I did go to a Jeremy Camp concert, which was awesome. I strongly recommend seeing a concert of his if you ever have the chance. Now for some articles, etc.

First, an article about Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, a Christian, who came back from having cancer treatments last fall to pitch this season. He started Game 4 of the World Series, winning the decisive game of the Series for the Red Sox. Here's a quote about his comeback from cancer from teammate and fellow Christian pitcher Mike Timlin:

"This is going to sound funny," said Boston reliever Mike Timlin. "But God blessed Jon Lester with cancer just to show a lot of people that you can overcome something that's so hard in your life you think, 'I'm not gonna make it.' He's going to be able to take his faith in God and the strength God gave him and tell a lot of other people a great story."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=3084800 (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5698).

Here's a blog post by former Cardinals pitcher Mike Maroth, a Christian, about his off-season so far. Here's a quote from him about being released by the Cardinals, being a free agent, and not knowing what the future holds:

... So, we'll see where God takes our family now. That will be the hardest part, waiting. We have been praying for the wisdom and guidance we will need to navigate through free agency and to choose a team that is where God wants us to be. We are anxious to see him work it out and lead us in a new direction. We trust Him to protect us and provide for us just like he has always been faithful to in the past.

Here's the blog post: http://www.marothbaseball.com/2007_10_01_archive.asp.

Next, an article about Cardinals outfielder So Taguchi, a Christian, doing some broadcasting for a Japanese TV station during the World Series: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/6155413ACA8A34248625738000159A16?OpenDocument (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2286964&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's a good Christian article about Browns runningback Jason Wright and how he has learned about humility: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5692.

Also, a Christian article about the entire football team at Missouri Southern State University attending a revival at a local church and about how it effected the team and the church: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5693.

Here's an interesting Christian article about whether or not God cares who wins athletic events: http://www.mobaptist.org/thepathway/article19744.htm (originally found at: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/does-god-care-who-wins.html).

Next, an article about Athletes in Action (AIA) and its history: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/COL05/710300327/1009/EDIT (originally found at: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=253).

Here's a note about NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson donating his earnings of $349,000 from his win on October 28th win in Atlanta to the relief effort for the wildfires in the San Diego area. The owner of the race track in Atlanta and his main sponsor Lowe's both matched his contribution. Johnson is from the San Diego area himself. Here's the note: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/jimmie-johnson-donates-349000.html.

Also, a note about Reds coach Johnny Narron, a Christian, not being brought back by the team next season. This is significant because he was also a mentor/confidant for Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, also a Christian, who was playing in his first season back in baseball after coming back from drug abuse and MLB suspension. I just pray that a player or coach on the team will be able to replace at least some of what Narron did for Hamilton last season. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071031&content_id=2289843&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin.

Lastly, a Christian article about former Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, his career, and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=77283760-A4DF-4114-95377C234FBF4428&method=display.

More later.

football, Rockies, misc.

Hi! First of all, an article about the impact that the Facing the Giants movie has made world-wide, 1 year after it was released. If you haven't seen this movie, I strongly recommend it. It's one of my all-time favorites. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5684.

Here's an article about former Falcons wide receiver Eric Beverly and his wife Danielle, who is fighting breast cancer for the third time. She was miraculously able to have a baby normally after going through cancer treatments twice, but not long before the baby, Lia, was born in June, the lumps returned. Here's a quote from Danielle about it:

"God gave me cancer at a young age so we could make a difference," says Danielle, who is 33, as is her husband. "I beat this the first two times, and I am going to see Lia graduate, get married and have children. I will be a 45-year cancer survivor.... And I am praying that when she's older there is a cure."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2007/10/17/beverly_1018.html?imw=Y.

Next, another article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, and how he got to this point in his life: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5725799,00.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/97).

Here's a good article about Rockies scout Will George, whose wife Florinda died from breast cancer in May, and how the Rockies now have an angel looking over them: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071017&content_id=2270509&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Also, staying with the Rockies, an article about Rockies pitcher Matt Herges, a Christian, and his strange path to the Rockies, which included spending a good part of this season with their Triple-A Colorado Springs. No other Major League team would give him a chance last spring, but the Rockies offered him a minor-league contract. He earned his way back to the Majors and has been a big part of the Rockies playoff run. Here's the article (includes video): http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071018&content_id=2271038&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's a neat article about how MLB donates the T-shirts and hats from the losing teams in each playoff round, and the Wild Card play-in game, to World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization. World Vision then gives the shirts to people around the world who have lost everything from natural disasters or other reasons. The NFL also does this. I think that this is so neat. If people doesn't have anything to wear, they're not going to care what a shirt says. It's something to wear and they're grateful. The shirts and hats would otherwise just be destroyed. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071018&content_id=2271371&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Next, an inspiring article about Hamilton Southeastern High School (Indianapolis) senior football player Nick Sliger, who has overcome learning disabilities to become eligible to play football at IU next year. He was just going to take a certificate of attendance and not get his degree, but then he started getting recruiting letters from different colleges. So he decided to commit to catching up and taking the classes required for him to go to IU, with help. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/SPORTS0202/710190461/1247/SPORTS.

Here's a good Christian article about Danny Lotz, member of the 1957 North Carolina national championship team and husband of Anne Graham Lotz, and Albert Long, a star athlete at North Carolina in the 1950's, and how they started a weekly men's Bible study on the North Carolina campus: http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/741871.html (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Also, another article about Deanna Favre, the wife of Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who has overcome breast cancer. She has become a speaker about breast cancer, overcoming nerves at an initial speaking engagement at Wisconsin-Madison. Here's a quote from her about it:

"I have come a long way from that Madison talk," she says as she sits in a conference room high above the Lambeau Field atrium. "When I was asked to speak the first time, I said, 'Absolutely not.' But it really tugged at my heart. I think God was telling me, 'You have to do this. This is your calling.'

"I was always one of those skeptical people who'd say, 'All these people who say they have these callings from God, or God told them to move here or move there, how do they know?' Well, now I know. And all I'm doing, really, is telling my story. And who knows it better than me?"

Here's the article: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=252149&ntpid=1 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/12).

Here's a Christian note from Wednesday's "The Daily" from Sports Spectrum about Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook:

COOK ON THE MENU: Aaron Cook is just glad to be alive. And now the gets the special bonus of being added to the Colorado roster for the World Series. Cook has been injured since early August, but with his injured side muscle has recovered. So Cook is in and slated to pitch Game 4 for the Rockies. In August 2004, Aaron Cook nearly died. Should have, doctors figured. He was pitching against Cincinnati when he started getting dizzy and nearly blacking out. He was taken from Coors Field to a hospital, where doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his lungs. According to Cook, “The doctors said they didn’t know how I was still alive.” Treatments and two rounds of corrective surgery followed, and Cook returned to the mound in 2005. About this near-tragic medical event, Cook told Sports Spectrum magazine, “It was in God’s hands, and I didn’t have any control over it. Probably the best thing I was told was this: Anything that you don’t have control over is ‘sovereign’—meaning that God has it in control, and we can’t worry about those things. God’s got it in His hands.”

Here's the link: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/071024.php.

Next, an article about Titans linebacker Corey Simon, a Christian, announcing his retirement yesterday: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArwcFYeg6G4fxlyiUA6m1Ul.T4h4?slug=ap-titans-simon&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article about Cardinals pitcher Mike Maroth, a Christian, being released by the team yesterday: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10431696/rss.

Lastly, an article about Colts center Jeff Saturday, a Christian, giving a talk about healthy eating to kids at Orchard Park Elementary School in Indianapolis this week: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071026/LOCAL0101/71026002/-1/LOCAL17 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

sports misc. and cancer

Hi. Here are some sports articles that I've read, which unintentionally have a cancer theme running through some of them. Just a warning, you might want to have tissues handy.

The first article, a good one from this month's Guideposts magazine, is about Packers quarterback Brett Favre's wife Deanna's bought with breast cancer in October 2004. She is currently in remission. I remember when Deanna was diagnosed with it and Brett told her that he was going to retire on the spot in the middle of the season. However, she told him not to, that she would be okay. Brett also said then something like, "You might think I'm tough, but she's the toughest one in this family." Deanna is now raising money to help other women with breast cancer (http://www.deannafavre4hope.com/). Here's the article: http://www.guidepostsmag.com/WEEKLY_FEATURE.ASP?DATE=10/1/2007. Also check here for more (page down some): http://www.guidepostsmag.com/familyroom/October2007/index.asp.

Here's an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, being honored by the Arizona Fall League with the unprecedented "Distinguished Alumni Award" earlier this month for his play in the league in October 2000. He used his success there as a springboard to making the Cardinals the next spring. Here's the article: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071010&content_id=2259409&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl (originally found at: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2260845&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, a favorite quotation from John Schuerholz, former Braves general manager who was recently promoted to team president, which I thought was good:

Schuerholz's ability to surround himself with top-notch individuals and desire to succeed as a team allowed him to follow the message he constructed in a poem that he often likes to recite.

It reads:

"I" and "my" are words oft used
by those who themselves are confused.
Why won't their super egos trust
the use of words like "we" and "us"?

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2261163&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Here's a Christian article about Olympic heptathlete and high jumper Trish Porter from Lee Warren at The Christian Sports Blog: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/trish-porter-inspiring-others.html. Here's her website from the article too: http://www.trishporter.com/.

Also, an inspiring poem posted by late IU football coach Terry Hoeppner in the IU football facility. Hoeppner, who died last June from complications from brain cancer, lived out this poem in his fight with cancer:

DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
And the road you're trudging seems all up hill;
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
For life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns;
But many a coward turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
But he learns too late when the night comes down
How close he was to the golden crown.
Victory is defeat turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds in doubt,
You will never know how near you are –
It may seem close when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit;
It is when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Here's the article: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=725623 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/222).

Sticking with IU sports and cancer, an article about the Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast that IU men's basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson held a week ago Friday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Several speakers spoke about how cancer had effected their lives. Some of them spoke about former IU sports chaplain Galen Dolby, who passed away the week before the breakfast from kidney cancer. Here's the article: http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101207aac.html.

Next, a great article that I will warn you ahead of time is a major tear-jerker that you will want to have tissues close by before you read. The article is about four football players and a golfer at Lake Fenton High School in Michigan who were all nominated as candidates for the homecoming king for the homecoming game on October 12th. They got together and decided to throw out the vote and proclaimed sophomore Eli Florence the winner. Florence is dying from leukemia, and doctors have told him there's nothing more that they can do. It's just a matter of time before he dies, basically. The five king candidates decided that they wanted to give him the honor, since they school had been inspired by his fight throughout his illness. They did it as a complete surprise to him. Here's the article (make sure and check out the pictures too, especially #6 where the team joined Florence in prayer at the game): http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3059155#. The article also included a website that to give updates on Eli's health. I checked it and unfortunately Eli passed away the afternoon of October 14th. Here's a post from his mom the next day: http://z13.invisionfree.com/Help_For_Elijah/index.php?showtopic=319.

Here's an article about Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, a Christian, and his daughter Maddie who has a rare genetic disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and has seizures. The article tells about how his daughter's health and his own struggles as a player help him to keep things in perspective and to help out his players. Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=289178.

Lastly, I was watching the IU/Penn State football game earlier today (IU lost :( ), and they talked to former IU runningback and 1989 Heisman trophy runner-up Anthony Thompson. They also mentioned that he's now a local pastor. I just thought that it was neat that they included that part.

lots of football and MLB

I'm kind of behind on reading, but I'm starting to get caught up some. Here's some of the articles that I've read this week so far, which is a lot. First, a couple of quotes from Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, a Christian, the first quote on what he thinks about the Rockies fans chanting "MVP!" when he comes up to bat and the second one on what he thinks of his chances to get the MVP Award:

"It’s nice to hear," said Holliday. "I’m humbled and honored that anyone thinks enough of me to chant that." ...

"If it happens, it happens," Holliday said. "If it doesn’t, then that’s okay, too. It is not for me to decide. And it is not for me to have an opinion."

Here's the article: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_5703372,00.html.

Here's a couple of quotes from Phillies pitcher Tom Gordon about getting better after getting pneumonia earlier this season while he was still recovering from a shoulder injury:

"I never felt anything like that to the point where I felt so miserable," Gordon said at the time. "I had headaches for two days. I didn't know what to expect and what to do. Thank God I was able to get here and get to a hospital to where I could get seen. It actually gave me a little more time to allow my shoulder to get a little stronger, too, but that's not the way you want to do that." ...

So how fresh does Gordon feel?

"I don't even know the meaning of that right now," Gordon said, with a laugh. "I went through so much. I thank God for helping me get through what I went through. It was tough on me, but I didn't give up."

Here's the article: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070923&content_id=2225393&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi (both articles originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070924&content_id=2227357&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, taking the time during a recent series against the Astros to talk to Astros rookie outfielder Hunter Pence about baseball and how impressed Pence and Astros manager Cecil Cooper were by Pujols doing that (page down a little): http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/09/wade_arrives_w.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070926&content_id=2231202&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about Jane Hoeppner, the widow of late IU football coach Terry Hoeppner who died last June from complications from brain cancer. She has continued to come to the IU football team's home games and support the team with the same enthusiasm that her late husband always did. She's helped the players through their grieving and vice versa. Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=277873 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/222).

Also, an article about Ravens kicker Matt Stover, a Christian, and how important he is to the team's success: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=277892.

Here's an article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, and how pleased he was with his rookie season: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070926&content_id=2231735&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin.

Next, another article about Albert Pujols, this one about him becoming the only ML player to record at least 30 homers and 100 RBI's in each of his first seven years of a career last week. Here's a quote from him about it:

"It's always awesome," said Pujols. "It's an honor to get 100 RBIs. That's tough to do every year. But I wish I could trade that and be in the postseason, playing next month. But that's the way it goes.

"Obviously I need to thank my teammates because I couldn't do it by myself. They're getting on base, being aggressive running the bases. It's a big accomplishment that hopefully I can continue to do."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070926&content_id=2232453&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Colts tight end Dallas Clark, a Christian, and the increased number of passes and touchdowns that he's caught so far this season: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=79afffa2-f3ca-4698-a2bc-3a94b9452c34.

Also, an article about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger partnering with Marathon to raise money to support youth football in his hometown of Findlay, Ohio: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTH018B27092007-1.htm.

Here's a good blog post from Tigers closer Todd Jones, a Christian, on how the end of the baseball season isn't the end of the world. He said that meeting a couple of kids fighting cancer this season helped him to keep baseball in perspective. Here's the post from his blog: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=278198.

Next, a good Christian article about Florida State fooball head coach Bobby Bowden and how he witnesses to his football players and coaches, including former assistant coach and current Georgia head coach Mark Richt: http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/7874.article (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Here's an article about Angels pitcher Chris Bootcheck and his new perspective since his wife gave birth to their first child, a girl, a couple of weeks ago. That along with his unexpectedly making the team last spring and the Angels making the playoffs, has made for a really special season for him so far. Here's a quote from him about it:

"This whole season has been one blessing after another," Bootcheck, the Angels' hard-throwing middle reliever, said.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070927&content_id=2233937&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana&partnered=rss_ana.

Also, two more articles on Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, a Christian, about his faith and the affect of his example on the team, and about Christianity and football in general. Both articles are from ESPN's David Fleming: the first one is from ESPN the Magazine (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3036235) and the second one is more about Fleming's opinion about the issue (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=fleming/070927&sportCat=nfl). I love this quote from Kitna in the first article:

"I'm always happy," Kitna answered. "Only time I'll be happier is when I get to heaven."

Here's another good article about Bobby Bowden, this one from before Florida State's game last Saturday against Alabama. Bowden grew up in Alabama, rooting for the Crimson Tide teams of the 1930's and 40's, and the article is about him reminising about that before his first game ever against Alabama: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/feature/featureVideo?page=bowden/bama (originally found at: http://www.timellsworth.com/).

Next, another article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton looking back at his rookie season. The article mentions how his season was a success just because he played after coming back to baseball from drug abuse. Here's a quote from him about the season and something that his coach/mentor Johnny Narron, also a Christian, told him:

And that's where he is this week, with his season over, gaining perspective on his first season in the big leagues.

"I don't look at the season and think about what I should have done different," Hamilton said. "Everything you do, you do for a reason. Johnny said to me at the beginning of the season, and this helped me a lot, 'God already knows what you're going to do tonight. No reason to get mad about it. He knows if you're going to go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, so just go out there and do the best you can because it's already written down.'"

Even if it is already written down somewhere, everyone else - including Hamilton - is looking forward to reading the next chapter.

Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AE/20070928/SPT05/709280320/.

Here's a note about Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, a Christian, and his wanting to play every game this season, even after the Braves were eliminated from the playoffs and other players on the team were being rested:

No rest for Francoeur: During Friday's series opener, Cox gave Andruw Jones and Brian McCann a chance to rest. He'd planned to do the same for Jeff Francoeur until the 23-year-old right fielder convinced him that he wanted to start every game for a second consecutive season.

"When you've come this far through 159 games, it's something that you want to do," said Francoeur, who, including Friday, has started 324 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 1, 2005.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070928&content_id=2236891&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article about University of Indianapolis basketball head coach Todd Sturgeon resigning this week so that he could spend more time with his kids. Here's a quote from him about it:

"It just came down to having young children, the time demands the job requires to do it right and kind of being at the point of my life where I needed to make a decision to be a lifer and coach forever or give something else a try," said Sturgeon, whose sons are 9 and 6.

"I wanted to give something else a try that didn't require me to be away from home so much."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071002/SPORTS06/710020382/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about the Rockies voting a full playoff share (money) for the family of late Rockies Double-A Tulsa coach Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed earlier this season when hit in the head by a foul ball. The Coolbaughs have two children with a third due this month: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071004&content_id=2249499&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, the websites of some Christian Major Leaguers that I've come across this week and will be added to my Christian baseball links. First is the personal website of Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins: http://www.jimmyrollins.com/ (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/programs/player_sites.jsp). The others are playoff blogs for Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton (http://toddhelton.mlblogs.com/) and Diamondbacks 1st baseman Tony Clark (http://tonyclark.mlblogs.com/) (Both blogs originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/index.jsp).

Miracle Leagues, MLB, and Colts

First, a great article about the Miracle League of Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. This is a baseball league for physically and mentally handicapped kids who can't play in other baseball leagues. There are other Miracle Leagues throughout the country. Each of the kids is assigned an "angel" who helps them to do what they aren't capable of doing. Every kid bats every inning, and although the score is kept, it always ends in a tie. Everyone involved, from the kids to the volunteers to the parents get a lot out of it. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-miracleleague091807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns. Here's the website for The Miracle League of Lehigh Valley: http://www.miracleleaguelv.org/ and The Miracle League: http://www.miracleleague.com/.

Here's an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, being a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best offensive player in each league. Here's a quote from him about his season this year:

"I'm just blessed," Pujols said. "I just give God all the credit. To stay healthy -- not healthy, but to battle through some injuries like I have battled the last seven years and accomplish what I have accomplished -- is unbelievable."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070917&content_id=2214024&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl.

Next, an article about Nationals manager Manny Acta visiting the site where their new stadium is being built for next season to thank the workers: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070918&content_id=2216039&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about the Braves having the Air Force involved in the pre-game festivities last Tuesday to thank them and help them celebrate their 60th anniversary: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070918&content_id=2216136&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, a neat note about Braves pitcher John Smoltz, a Christian, recognizing the return of long-time Braves broadcaster Skip Caray back to the team after an illness:

One for Skip: After reaching first base with his fifth-inning single on Monday, John Smoltz pointed toward the press box in the direction of legendary broadcaster Skip Caray, who has been battling some health problems that caused him to be hospitalized earlier this month.

When Caray returned to work on Monday, Smoltz told his longtime friend that he'd dedicate a base hit to him.

"I said the remedy for him would be a base hit," a playful Smoltz said. "He thought it would help his metabolism if I got a base hit."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070918&content_id=2216310&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's a quote from Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, a Christian, after he lost to the Reds and pitcher Aaron Harang for the fourth time this year last Tuesday and his inability to beat Harang:

"Sometime, I have to beat him," Zambrano said. "I know that I'm good enough to beat anybody in this league. God gave me good ability to pitch and go against anybody."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070918&content_id=2216091&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, an article about the Colts working in the community on their off-day last Tuesday. Linebacker Gary Brackett, a Christian, helped lay sod at a refurbished middle school football field, defensive backs Antoine Bethea and Marlin Jackson assisted with unloading two trucks of donated children's books, defensive linemen Jeff Charleston and Keyunta Dawson visited a senior citizens center, and linebacker Tyjuan Hagler and defensive lineman Darrell Reid planned to to participate in an energy conservation fair. Here's a quote about giving back to the community from Brackett and the example set by their head coach Tony Dungy, also a Christian:

"Coach (Tony) Dungy is a great role model, telling us and showing us how to use our superstardom," he said. "Just being in the community, being accessible, it makes a huge difference."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070919/SPORTS03/709190414/1100.