Rockies rely on God
While I toggle back and forth between the fire maps (the Witch Creek fire is flanking us from the northeast) and today’s news, I wanted to point out this cool New York Times story about the Colorado Rockies.
The role of religion within the Rockies’ organization first entered the public sphere in May 2006, when an article published in USA Today described the organization as adhering to a “Christian-based code of conduct” and the clubhouse as a place where Bibles were read and men’s magazines, like Maxim or Playboy, were banned.
The article included interviews with several players and front office members, but team players and officials interviewed this week said it unfairly implied that the Rockies were intent on constructing a roster consisting in large part of players with a strong Christian faith. Asked how his own Christian faith affected his decision-making, General Manager Dan O’Dowd acknowledged it came into play, but not in a religious way. He said it guided him to find players with integrity and strong moral values, regardless of their religious preference.
As I read this story, I kept waiting for the requisite skeptical paragraph hinting that all was not as it seemed. But it never came. Hmmm….

















Click to Print
Include Comments











back to top28 Comments to “Rockies rely on God”
The first time one of those boys points skyward after striking out for the third consecutive time, I’ll know they are sincere. Otherwise their god is no more meaningful than the team they play for this week.
Report comment to moderator
Arcadia is exactly right. As Job put it, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Report comment to moderator
We have your garden variety Christians that are merely Christian because this is what they were taught and they’ve never REALLY thought about it or challenged it (probably too scared to do so). I think that this is the most predominant of all Christians worldwide. Many have not read the Bible (and probably not the OT for sure) but do, in fact, “believe” it, whatever “it” might be. I find that most of these types of Christians just don’t know any different and, if challenged, can’t really support their reasoning for believing the bible. The fact is the Bible is too difficult to understand without an in-depth, critical analysis. ( I get blamed for lacking in the area quite often).
The other type of Christian is one who has thought about it and really studied it, perhaps against other religious books even. They can at least argue for what they believe.
I had a nice conversation with TJ the other day, he was explaining all about Hebrew and context and me not understanding the intent of the writer and so on. It left me wondering, “How does a normal everyday person A. Understand Hebrew B. Understand the context from the writer C. find the time to devote to studying the words.” Simple, they don’t. Revert back to garden variety Christian thought now. They simply believe because it’s all that’s ever been presented to them.
Ask your non-evangelical (or Dan) to name just 8of the 10 commandments or to name any of the non-gospel chapters of the NT. Most Christians are apathetic Christians. If, World Mag, it’s a game of number, as in “we have more people in our corner that you”, then you win. If it’s a matter of which Christians will go to heaven based on the teaching in the Bible, well then, not so fast. My gay Christian neighbor thinks that he is going to heaven without having to repent for his sinfulness. Is he still Christian?
Just a guess, Dan is a garden variety Christian.
Report comment to moderator
The faith-based focus of GM Dan O’Dowd that seeks out players of integrity and strong moral values is the same kind of emphasis which has made the San Antonio Spurs such a successful NBA franchise and an outstanding model for all of pro sports. I’m usually an American League guy, but one can’t help but root for a team like this year’s Rockies.
Report comment to moderator
BTW, Lynn, I hope the fire stays away.
Report comment to moderator
It is estimated the Rockies have three to five times the oil of Arabia in the form of oil shale. Currently we don’t have the technology to get it out of the ground in a cost effective manner. We could hire scientists to figure out a way to get to it. Or we could spend our future in Iraq. I think Iraq makes way more since. We give money to the middle east, they give us oil and bombs.
Report comment to moderator
“the Rockies have three to five times the oil of Arabia”
Sheesh! This is just a classic troll post. No point at all, irrelevent to the topic. This is why chat boards are doomed to a low level of discourse. If we’re not going to be serious about the topics then let’s just discuss religious hook rugs or some other innocuous hobby.
Report comment to moderator
Troll, yes, but a *registered* troll, John M.
Godd for the Rockies. Hope they win the World Series, and do more than utter cliches when they get the TV spotlight on them afterwards.
Report comment to moderator
If the Rockies rely on God, the who do the Red Sox rely on? Besides Manny, I mean.
Speaking of faith and baseball, did anyone catch the Red Socks broadcast from a few months ago where comedian Dennis Leary was a guest commentator? The clip was posted on YouTube, and has been replayed on ESPN Radio recently.
Below is a recap from the Jerusulem Post. It’s certainly not as funny in print. The audio clip is hysterical. These guys are screaming these comments out as the inning progresses.
Actor/comedian Leary and his “Rescue Me” co-star, Lenny Clarke, were guests on the New England Sports Network broadcast of the Red Sox baseball game Tuesday night.
When Leary asked if Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis is of Greek heritage, announcers Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo told him Youkilis actually is Jewish.
“That’s fantastic. That’s one bottle of whiskey away from being Irish Catholic,” Leary said. “They got the Manischewitz, we got the Jamesons. It’s the same guilt, the same bad food… I’m so proud to have a Jewish first baseman.”
Once apprised of Youkilis’ true background, however, Leary couldn’t resist riffing on the recent anti-Semitic tirade actor/director Mel Gibson launched into after a drunk-driving arrest.
“Nice! Yeah, where’s Mel Gibson now!” Leary yelled when Youkilis snagged a difficult ground ball. “Mel? I hope in rehab they’re showing replays of that. A Jewish first baseman makes the play… Good luck when you come out. Call Jeffrey Katzenberg and ask for a job when you get out. We’ll have a whole Jewish infield by the time he gets out.
“Bring back Sandy Koufax,” he suggested, referring to the Hall of Fame pitcher, who also is Jewish.
“We should have Sandy Koufax pitch at Mel’s head,” Clarke chimed in.
Leary suggested that Gibson’s community service should be to take an at-bat against Koufax, with Youkilis playing first.
And so it went. When Remy told Leary that Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler also is Jewish, it elicited a new torrent of jokes.
“We got two Jews on this team, Mel! Where’s your father now, huh?” Leary asked.
But that’s not all – another Jew, Adam Stern, plays for the Red Sox’s AAA farm team, and the team’s executive vice president and general manager, Theo Epstein, also is Jewish.
YouTube, the video-sharing Web site, was forced to take down a clip of the inning after NESN complained about copyright violation.
Suddenly, Leary and Clarke appeared to have a spasm of contrition over their roast of Gibson.
“Why are we jumping all over him, you know what I mean?” Leary said. “He had a little bit of tequila. You know those days.”
But seconds later, when Youkilis tagged out a runner and gave the ball to a fan, they were back to their heckling.
“The ball went to a fan! That’s more than Mel Gibson’s ever done!” Clarke said.
As he was leaving the booth, Leary told Remy and Orsillo, “Hope we didn’t get you in trouble.”
Trouble, no. In fact, he made them famous for a day.
Report comment to moderator
Let’s just root for good baseball. Not the team based on its (media reported) religous composition.
Report comment to moderator
You know, every time a championship of some sport rolls around we get these stories of how “Godly” one of the teams (or a player) is. Why is that?
Report comment to moderator
Interesting how some of us resent when a prominent person’s “unusual sexual proclivities” come to the knowledge of the public … and how others of us complain when a prominent person’s faith comes to the knowledge of the public.
Why dat is?
Report comment to moderator
Oh no, another “this team should win because it is more godly than the other team” thread. I’m with Arcadia on this one. let them have their Bible studies, etc. While I appreciate the light these players have in a secular arena, I get tired of the religious hype generated among Christians who do not know any better. When I see players (of any sport) glorifying God even for a bad game, I’ll glorify God with them. Until then, play ball!
Report comment to moderator
Well, when we see gay professional players being able to be as open about their sexual orientation as conservative Christian are about their faith, then you might have a point Frank.
I do wonder – if Colorado loses does that mean God has turned Her back on them? Perhaps God is really a Red Sox fan.
Report comment to moderator
Funny thread! Travis, I enjoyed that bit.
From wikipedia:
Soon after the USA Today article appeared, The Denver Post published an article featuring many Rockies players contesting the claims made in the USA Today article.[7] Jason Jennings, a Rockies’ pitcher, said:
“[The article in USA Today] was just bad. I am not happy at all. Some of the best teammates I have ever had are the furthest thing from Christian,” pitcher Jason Jennings said. “You don’t have to be a Christian to have good character. They can be separate. [The article] was misleading.”
While the initial USA Today article caused some controversy, the main claims have been repudiated by the ballclub and its players in the subsequent Denver Post story.
Report comment to moderator
“How does a normal everyday person A. Understand Hebrew B. Understand the context from the writer C. find the time to devote to studying the words.” Simple, they don’t.
This is the reason that Christians send men to seminary, to learn the Biblical languages, to study all these theological and exegetical issues in detail. These men then return and instruct their congregations. It is one of the reasons for sermons and Bible studies. And, of course, there are many books that have been published, written by such trained men who wrestle with these issues.
Of course, the alternative is to sit back, make sweeping generalizations about Christians, refuse instruction, act if one is an expert on these matters, place one’s own subjective interpretation over that of others who have actually studied these things, and then ridicule what one does not even attempt to understand.
Report comment to moderator
This article claims that the Red Sox has “the largest group of evangelical Christians on any team in Major League Baseball.
No one is saying whose team is on God’s side or which team is more holy. It is simply nice to see players on both teams open about their faith. The son of Rico Petrocelli (shortstop of 1967 World Series fame) attends our church. Rico told us he is still active in Bible studies with the current Red Sox.
Here is a quote in 2005 about the Red Sox from the same article:
“Without question, chapel attendance among the Red Sox has been far and away more than any of the major league teams over the last two years,” said Vince Nauss, president of Baseball Chapel.
Trot Nixon, Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Curt Schilling, Doug Mirabelli, Bill Mueller, Matt Clement, John Olerud, Mike Myers, Tony Graffanino, Chad Bradford: Each Sox player considers himself an evangelical Christian who believes in the sacred authority of the Bible and the promise of Jesus Christ as his savior.
In terms of coming to Bible study and chapel, this team has more guys involved than any team I’ve ever been with,” said Olerud, who has played for five teams over 17 seasons in the majors.”
Report comment to moderator
Ah, TJ. How are you today my friend? Well, I hope.
So, to do this we place complete faith in the men (women, too, of course) sent to seminary? I think that this is what the Catholics do. They tell people what to believe and not to ask questions. And if that’s the case, then the garden variety Christian has it right…“preacher knows best”, I am too busy to figure it out for myself.
Are you suggesting that books have not been written to counter and refute those you say have wrestled with this? I can name a few if you don’t know of any.
Of course, the alternative is to sit back, make sweeping generalizations about Atheists, refuse instruction, act if one is an expert on these matters, place the seminary man’s interpretation over that of others who have actually studied these things, and then ridicule what one does not even attempt to understand.
Report comment to moderator
What I like most about watching Boston sports is that they’re scruffy and scrappy, usually coming from way behind and digging out a win anyway.
The 2004 Red Sox vs Yankees series was perhaps the biggest (and most pleasurable) upset in history. Go Sox!
Report comment to moderator
It appears, Scott, that you are confused both about seminary and about what Christians read (this is to be expected, since you seem to have limited experience). This is an example of the sweeping generalization to which I referred.
Report comment to moderator
Alrighty then TJ, looks like we may never have a meeting of the minds, though there is not reason to be demeaning to me (2nd time in the last week, but it’s all good, Christianman). Go Rockies, God-fearing Bible thumpers or not!
Report comment to moderator
Scott, you come onto this blog and say incorrect things in an attempt to demean Christians (at least twice in the last week). In post 3, you specifically mentioned me by name and asked a question that I assumed you wanted answered. Your response to me indicated that you do not really understand what actually is taught (and read) at seminary.
I am only trying to correct you. Please do not interpret that as some sort of personal attack. Perhaps if you come onto this blog and behave in a friendly manner (most of the Christians on here have no problem with folks like Random Name and Anlir, neither of whom is a believer), then you might find many inclined to a “meeting of the minds.”
Report comment to moderator
I wonder if a hockey team ever went this route. Can you see the opponents of the 1976 Philidephia Flyers finding God, I know the Flyers were definitely not in God’s corner.
Report comment to moderator
The “corrections” you provided don’t float with me. Sorry, sir. In post #3, I commented about our conversation, which didn’t ask a REAL question (except for the “gay Christian” I know, which you didn’t choose to address), it was merely a rhetorical question used to make my point about GVC’s (Garden Variety Christians) such as DOD and a zillion others.
I have strong words for Christians and Muslims alike, so don’t feel singled out, OK? You’re all of the same silly ilk as far as I am concerned and I don’t see a problem with that type of honesty on a blog. You argue Biblical text and I counter argue given the HUGE WELL DOCUMENTS ERRENCY in the Bible, the book of moral code used to keep others down and by which you live and die. Agree with it or not, that’s the nature of this forum. Friendly does not mean AGREEMENT with TJ.
Report comment to moderator
I really like David Robinson, the Christian NBA player who played for San Antonio. He seems to practice more than he preaches.
The Carver Academy is the vision of founders David and Valerie Robinson who believe all children, regardless of financial status should have the opportunity to better themselves through education. The Carver Academy opened its doors to its first 60 students on September 17, 2001. The school was named for George Washington Carver (1865-1943), an African-American botanist, social advocate, spiritual leader, and educator—a man of outstanding character.
Today, The Carver Academy provides pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students an education of excellence regardless of race, creed or financial status. The Carver Academy—through service and faith—inspires students to become men and women exemplifying the principles of leadership, discipline, initiative and integrity.
The Carver Academy is becoming a model for elementary schools around the globe. Through strategic partnerships, the staff is sharing curriculum and ideas with educators in Africa and Japan.
With 98 percent of its student body on scholarship, The Carver Academy students consistently score above the national standards on The Stanford Achievement Test. But Mr. Robinson’s dream for The Carver Academy is not complete. The school is in its sixth year of operation and has recently achieved dual accreditation by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
There is a possible fly in the ointment, though. Although I am fairly embarrassment proof now that I am old, I am reluctant to call the Carver Academy and ask,
“Excuse me, I think you are a wonderful educational institution. But I would really like to know what kind of biology you teach. Do you teach Intelligent Design biology or do you teach Darwinist biology?”
Seriously, does anybody know?
qwerty, would you call them for me and find out? If they are not “disco,” what a wonderful stick you would have to beat creationists with.
On second thought, never mind.
Report comment to moderator
RN: I don’t know the answer to your question for sure, but being from SA and a huge Spurs fan I can tell you that David Robinson is a very strong Christian, so that should give you a clue. Thanks for mentioning DR and The Carver Academy. Not only has DR given a lot of time to the project, but his initial donation to Carver is still the largest financial gift that’s ever been given away by a professional athlete.
Report comment to moderator
Red Sox won the first game 13-1! Go Sox!
Report comment to moderator
Xion: You say the Red Sox have “the largest group of evangelical Christians on any team in Major League Baseball.”
Manny sure didn’t exhibit Christian humility in any of his home runs against Cleveland.
I’m not saying they’re all like that, but I would be careful who you call Christian.
As a Cleveland fan, I guess I now have two good reasons to pull for Colorado!
Report comment to moderator
back to topJoin The Conversation
You need to be a registered user of WORLDmag.com's Community section to "join the conversation."
If you are not a member yet, what are you waiting for? Register / Login Now!