Rockies seek revival on two levels
May 31st, 2006Huge 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.
This is great. A similar thing occurred a few years ago with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It “just happened” to coincide with their improbably run to the AFC championship game. Mark Brunell, Tony Boselli and Natrone Means, among others, were some of the leaders in that movement.
I just hope and pray that in today’s multicultural society that this publicity does not bring the “politically correct” or “thought” police after the organization. Of course those who have covered the team will still be critical, at least as far as baseball-related matters. But this is bold…..a sports franchise ADMITTING to using what could be called a “religious” or “spiritual” blueprint for operating the business…from the top down. Let’s not expect everyone, especially the players, to suddenly become very vocal. Doing so might only reinforce, in the public’s mind, the long-held notion that Christians are intolerant bigots. Let them operate the team according to what they have stated in the article; please, may we not expect too much. They, like we, are sinners saved by the grace of God. They, like we, are bound to stumble along the way….much like Pujols’ comments about Bonds….but to hear of this approach on an organization-wide scope is refreshing. I commend the writer Bob Nightengale for a fair and balanced aritcle.
Of course, our friend Tim would have been an even better choice to write it………….
Wow - what a great story. Maybe it’s about time I start to pick up my earlier project, “The Faith of the Brave.” However this time it would be “The Rock of the Rockies,” or something like that.
This is awesome.
I needed that. Praise God for the Rockies management team for taking a stand for Christ.
Tim,
Did you seethis story?
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3885222
Whew, Joel. That was close. We wouldn’t want anyone to associate themselves TOO closely with Christianity.
On the same token, it sounds like that writer may have been a little more creative than he should have been.
This reminds me a bit of the story a few years ago of the UCLA team under Jim Harrick(!) that won the NCAA Basketball Championship. Several of the players spoke of how they didn’t want just anyone on the team. They were a “Christian team.” Later, they had to back up a bit and emphasize that they wanted to win and they wanted talented people on their team regardless of their religeous affiliation. I don’t think most fans are uncomfortable with their teams religeous practices as long as they don’t turn their team into a church social.
“It 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. It was misleading.”
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3885222
Well that’s a little blow to the bubble.
I agree Scott.
[…] it. Evidently the story in the USA Today about the Colorado Rockies (which I blogged about here) didn’t go over especially well with everyone on the team. Today’s Rocky Mountain News and […]
How could you live in the Rocky Mountains or at least play half your games there and NOT be a believer? Beautiful landscapes every day. What an awesome Creator.
Why is it that we as Christians feel that we have to castigate every non-Chiristian’s life as completely depraved and virtually every Christian as having the highest character? I know, I’m making a generalization here. Jason Jennings makes a great point though. “You don’t have to be a Christian to have good character.” That’s true. There are many non-Christians out there leading beautiful, generous lives. We need to thank God for them and point out to them how God is moving in ther lives. And just because a person is a Christian and goes to church doesn’t necessarily mean they have good character.
Ah, but is good character alone enough?