Tim Ellsworth

Rockies seek revival on two levels

May 31st, 2006

Huge story in today’s USA Today by Bob Nightengale about the Colorado Rockies and their revival on the baseball field that is corresponding to a spiritual revival within the team.

No copies of Playboy or Penthouse are in the clubhouse of baseball’s Colorado Rockies. There’s not even a Maxim. The only reading materials are daily newspapers, sports and car magazines and the Bible.

Music filled with obscenities, wildly popular with youth today and in many other clubhouses, is not played. A player will curse occasionally but usually in hushed tones. Quotes from Scripture are posted in the weight room. Chapel service is packed on Sundays. Prayer and fellowship groups each Tuesday are well-attended. It’s not unusual for the front office executives to pray together.

On the field, the Rockies are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons and only the second time in their 14-year history. Behind the scenes, they quietly have become an organization guided by Christianity — open to other religious beliefs but embracing a Christian-based code of conduct they believe will bring them focus and success.

The story talks about how team execs have become more intentional in signing men of character to play for the team. It’s a top-down approach that starts with CEO Charlie Monfort, who became a Christian three years ago.

“We started to go after character six or seven years ago, but we didn’t follow that like we should have,” Monfort said. “I don’t want to offend anyone, but I think character-wise we’re stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what they’ve endured, are some of the strongest people in baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we’re seeing those.”

The story includes comments from Todd Helton, who is a regular at team chapel services, and manager Clint Hurdle, who also became a Christian three years ago.

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