Sports Spectrum

Matt Barkley, featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Sports Spectrum, opens up his season tonight as the USC Trojans take on the Hawaii Warriors. For more on the game click here: http://bit.ly/a4renQ USC is banned from postseason play this year due to NCAA sanctions. They are currently ranked #14 in the Associated Press poll and are ineligible to be ranked in the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

Says Barkley, “with the profile and platform I have as the USC quarterback, I try to use it to God’s glory - whether its talking to a local reporter or saying something after a game on national television, you can’t miss out on those opportunities.” 

 

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Former New York Met Jeff Francoeur was traded to the Texas Rangers Tuesday night. Francoeur, once known for his great offense in his first few years as an Atlanta Brave, is now more known for his defense; leading the NL with 11 outfield assists. The Rangers hope Francoeur will help them in their push to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Texas Rangers are the only Major League ballclub to have never won a playoff series. 

Francoeur, featured in Sports Spectrum as a member of the Atlanta Braves in the July/August issue in 2007, says, "...as much fun as this world can be sometimes, it is not our home. Our home is in heaven, and this is what I want everybody to understand."

The NY Daily News has a nice story on Francoeur talking about how he will be missed because of his strong leadership in the clubhouse: http://bit.ly/cXUWaq 

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Trevor Hoffman got the tough loss last night as the Reds beat the Brewers 5-4 in the bottom of the tenth. For highlights and recap go here: http://bit.ly/9MJLCp 

This year has been a difficult year for the 42 year old closer as he has posted career high ERA and only maintains a part-time closing role, sharing with rookie fireballer John Axford. But his next save will be a big one as Hoffman remains just one save shy of 600 career saves. 

Despite his struggles this season, Hoffman will be remembered as one of the greatest closers of all time. Hoffman was featured in the Summer 2010 article titled, "Christians in Baseball History: A Starting Lineup," as the closer, edging out Mariano Rivera. Says Hoffman, "...we do get together for Bible studies.. All the glory is going to Him."  

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Josh Hamilton went 2 for 3 with a homerun and drove in the Rangers only two runs in a loss last night to the Oakland Athletics. Highlights and recap here: http://bit.ly/bi6mjI  

The Rangers are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. They currently hold a comfortable 7.5 game lead in the American League West with only 5 weeks remaining in the regular season. A large part of their success this year is due to MVP candidate Josh Hamilton. Hamilton has 31 HRs with 95 RBIs and leads all of Major League Baseball with a .359 average. 

Hamilton was featured on the cover of the May-June edition of Sports Spectrum in 2008, and has one of the most amazing comeback/redemption stories in the history of professional sports. Hamilton spent 3 years out of baseball as he battled an life-threatening addiction to crack cocaine. Through God's grace and a lot of prayer he returned in 2007 to play for the Cincinnati Reds.

Says Hamilton, "There were so many people praying for me - my aunt and uncle at their church, other churches, people I didn't even know. When I meet people for the first time, the say, 'We've been praying for you for years.' That's the reason I feel like I was allowed to live through all that - because all of those prayers were going up for me." 

To read more about Josh Hamilton's story, call us at 1-866-821-2971 to order the back issue featuring Josh Hamilton.

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Yesterday, Raul Ibanez went 3 for 3 in an otherwise forgettable day for the Philadelphia Phillies. Raul raised his average to .268 as the Phillies as the Phillies were swept in 4 games by the previously struggling Houston Astros. Fortunately for the Fightin' Phils, they remain just 3 games back in the NL East Race as the Colorado Rockies swept the division leading Atlanta Braves this week.

Ibanez, featured in the 2010 Spring issue of Sports Spectrum says, "I think as a male, men tend to take control of their profession, and my nature is always to work harder and do more and to get better. One of the things I struggle with is remembering He's in control. I take care of my end but I can't do God's job for Him... the good Lord will let me know, 'I'm in control here pal, not you.'"

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Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is in a tight race against Joey Votto for the Triple Crown. Pujols is currently batting .319 with 33 HRs and 92 RBI's while Votto is batting .326 with 31 HRs and 90 RBIs. Pujols is first in the National League with HRs and RBIs, while Votto leads the NL in average. If either of these two finish first in average, home runs, and runs batted in, it will be the first triple crown winner since 1967, Carl Yastrzemski.

Pujols, who was featured in the Spring 2010 issue of Sports Spectrum, says, "Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior."

UPDATE 8/27: Congratulations to Albert, who hit career HR number 400 Thursday night against the Washington Nationals!

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Gavin Floyd pitched seven strong innings in last night's victory for the Chicago White Sox. The Sox beat the Orioles 7-5 as Floyd earned his 9th win of the season, allowing only 2 earned runs and striking out 6. For a recap and highlights go here:http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100824&content_id=13863914&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

Gavin was featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Sports Spectrum. Says Floyd, "...Scott (Linebrink) and I get to the ballpark early everyday to have Bible study and to have devotions together. I was tired of going through the motions and wanted something deeper in my relationship with Christ. God wants a deeper relationship with us, too."

 

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