Tim Ellsworth

Alex Forrest has proposed a system that will eliminate the ridiculously stupid BCS and crown a true national champion in NCAA football. Check out his thoughts and give him your feedback.

The Fighting Illini edged North Carolina 68-64 in a rematch of last year’s NCAA championship game.

Did anybody watch it? I was at a Michael W. Smith Christmas concert in Memphis so I didn’t get to see the game. I’d love to hear how Illinois looked.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert wants none of the nonsense that changed the name of the “Capitol Christmas Tree” to a “Holiday Tree.” Hastert has declared that the tree will be referred to once again as a Christmas tree.

The Capitol tree, traditionally overshadowed by the White House’s “National Christmas Tree,” was renamed a “holiday tree” several years ago, according to the Capitol Architect’s offices, in an effort to acknowledge the other holidays of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah — although no one seemed to know exactly when the name was changed or by whom.

The story goes on to discuss some of the controversies in other cities over the use of the term “Christmas.”

Cities and counties in the Washington area increasingly are dropping the reference to Christ. Localities such as Alexandria, Greenbelt and Baltimore County will hang their lights on politically correct “holiday” trees.

“The words are used interchangeably,” said Janet Barnett, of the city of Alexandria, which held its tree lighting on Friday. “We put up the trees to celebrate the season.”

In Annapolis, the city’s annual “Hanging of the Greens” — the decorating of public buildings, shops and streets with live greens and ribbons — and the lighting of the “holiday tree” this weekend are purposely named so as to not favor one belief over another.

“It’s a sensitivity for people of different faiths,” said city spokeswoman Jan Hardesty. “We celebrate a lot of different customs — not necessarily just a religious one.”

What a bunch of politically correct garbage. Who are the people who actually come up with this stuff?

The St. Louis Cardinals continue to set their gaze on A.J. Burnett in this year’s free agent market. Given the signings of B.J. Ryan for $47 million and Billy Wagner for $43, Burnett won’t come cheaply. My guess is he’ll get at least $55 million over five seasons.

I’d sure like to see him wearing the birds on the bat next season. A rotation of Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, Burnett, Jeff Suppan and Anthony Reyes looks might nice.

The Detroit Lions canned head coach Steve Mariucci today. The team is 4-7 on the season.

My pastor touched on a topic in his sermon yesterday that I wanted to toss out. What constitutes success for a church? Or, what does a successful church look like?

In the Southern Baptist Convention today, I think the answer that most people hold is obvious — a church that’s baptizing a lot of people is a successful church. But is that enough? Baptisms, after all, aren’t proof that someone is genuinely converted. I know a lot of people who have been baptized but who show no evidence that they are regenerate. And too many times, I think baptism gives people a false assurance of their salvation. But in the SBC, we like to dunk ‘em and count ‘em, and that’s the gauge many use to determine a church’s success.

What about discipleship and the spiritual growth of members? That’s certainly one component, but is it enough for people in a church to be growing as Christians if the church isn’t seeing any conversions? And how can you truly determine how much people are growing in their faith?

What about doctrinal integrity? That’s surely important. But I know a lot of churches where the pastor is a faithful preacher and teacher of God’s word, and yet that doctrinal/theological emphasis hasn’t translated into members who grow in their faith, or into a church that’s seeing converts.

So, let me throw it out there: What does a successful church look like?

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Cal Eldred has announced his retirement from the game.

“I don’t mind the effort,” Eldred said. “I enjoy the workouts, the pitching and the competition. And I’ve enjoyed the success the team’s had. But there’s also a price my family pays and I pay, and it’s just no balancing out. At 38, I don’t think that’s going to change.”

Despite missing 56 games with a viral infection this year, Eldred posted a stellar 2.19 ERA in 31 appearances, and it seems like he still has the ability to play.

But baseball isn’t the most important thing in Eldred’s life. He’s a strong Christian and his family is a priority, and Eldred figures it’s time to walk away from the game.

I’m sorry to see him go. My interview with him last spring was one of the best conversations I’ve had with a player, and I left thoroughly impressed with Eldred. I always enjoyed cheering for him. Best wishes to him in his retirement.

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police found a drug pipe in his car. Irvin claims the pipe belonged to a friend whom he’s trying to help deal with a drug addiction.

Police arrested Irvin on an outstanding warrant for speeding when he was pulled over for speeding on Friday. Irvin said he thought he had paid the previous ticket.

An analyst for ESPN, Irvin will continue to appear on the network.

Let’s see here: The pipe isn’t mine, it was a friend’s. I thought I paid the speeding ticket.

Irvin is either:
1. Lying through his face
2. Incredibly stupid
3. Both

Right now I’m leaning toward option number 3. What’s your pick?

My column this week addresses some of the recent developments in the world of sports for which I’m thankful.

Terrell Owens getting the boot from the Eagles tops my list.

Agitated by a lack of fan support and the inability to secure a new stadium, the Florida Marlins ownership may look to move the team.

Murray Chass of the New York Times also writes on the issue today, and makes an argument that I’ve supported for a long time — get rid of baseball in Florida. The fans there don’t care. Either contract the teams, or move them somewhere where they’ll be appreciated.

Case in point from Chass: The Marlins had the lowest average attendance in the National League last year, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays — who have been a pathetic excuse for a baseball team ever since they started — had the lowest attendance in baseball. The Marlins have won the World Series twice since 1997, and were in the playoff hunt this past year. Yet their average attendance is the lowest in the league. There’s no excuse for that.

Between the Marlins and the Devil Rays, they drew less than 3 million people for 162 games this year. Six teams had an attendance of 3 million or greater for only 81 games.

It’s time for baseball in Florida to go.

Newsday is reporting that the Mets and Marlins have agreed on a trade that will send Carlos Delgado to New York in exchange for highly touted pitching prospect Yusmeiro Petit and young first baseman Mike Jacobs.

The dismantling of the Florida Marlins is in full swing. Earlier this week they traded Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Red Sox for prospects.

Ah, the Hot Stove League is heating up.

Since most people will probably be preoccupied tomorrow, I wanted to go ahead and say Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who visit me regularly. I’m thankful and honored that you make me a part of your day.

As the Christmas season is rapidly approaching, I’m reminded of some of those glorious, timeless Christmas carols. One song in particular is especially moving. Without further ado, I give you one of the grandest carols of them all, “O Holy Night.”

Hat tip: Paul Lamey.

Pete Rose won’t be on the Hall of Fame ballot again this year — his final year of eligibility — because baseball commissioner Bud Selig won’t rule on his reinstatement.

Um, isn’t Selig’s refusal to rule on Rose’s request for reinstatement actually a denial of the request? Why not just deny the request, then?

Either way, I’m happy that Selig isn’t going to reinstate Rose. The guy deserves every bit of what he’s getting.

Marcus Borden, the high school football coach who resigned when school officials told him he couldn’t pray with his team before games, has now filed a lawsuit against the school. In it, he says the school is violating his constitutional rights.

Though he initially resigned, Borden later rescinded his resignation. Read more about the story here and here.