Monday sports notes

[yendi]

First, let's talk about the importing thing: The Jets have a two-game winning streak! Although they damned near gave me a heart attack near the end. And almost as importantly, the Dolphins lost, although that was mitigated by the Patriots winning (damn interdivision games!). And the Jetskins also lost. Alas, the Falcons got their asses handed to them. It's not that I'm a huge Falcons fan, but it'd be nice to at least see them show up for the games.

In baseball, game 2 wasn't close (although one swing in the ninth could have made it so -- just imagine how quickly Aaron Boone would have gone from hero to goat, too).

I've got mixed feelings about Pettitte. He's a great player -- no one can doubt that. He's pretty much the reason the Yanks are in the Series. And I don't have a problem with the fact that he's a very vocal Christian (to the best of my knowledge, he's never used that stance to perpetuate homophobia, like a certain ex-NFL athlete I can think of, and he's usually just made himself a role model by virtue of his on-field play, without major proselytizing). But I had a serious problem with his post-game interview. He thanked the folks at his church who prayed for him to win, because they helped him win.

Excuse me? There are people out there who pray for a team to win, and they consider themselves good Christians? And Andy considers this something to be proud of? The folks at his church rooting for him, that's wonderful. But praying for a win. Since when does any fucking concept of the Bible (outside of Alabama and Notre Dame, and we already know that Minor League Football doesn't count) allow for God to take sides in a sporting event?

It got worse, though, when Andy mentioned the thousands of fans across the country who are praying for the Yankees to win the series. The gall of him. The motherfucking gall. And the gall of any of those "Christian" fans. Pray for a good game, or for no injuries, or whatever. But don't pray for a team to win and then pretend to actually believe in your religion.

What I find most intriguing is the utter lack of press given to Andy's speech. It aired immediately after the game, in front of millions of viewers. And I can't find anything mentioning it at espn.com, cnnsi.com, the NY Times, The Washington Post, or news.google.com. Why? It can't be fear of upsetting the Christians (Right or Left), as any of them should be appalled by Pettitte's statements. And it can't be a fear of upsetting the non-Christian constituents, as all of them should be either appalled or apathetic.

Anyway, if someone could explain this to me, I'd appreciate it.

In the NHL, if the season were to end today, both the Isles and the Thrashers would be in the playoffs. I really want the season to end today. :-)

Comments

[kajivar]

I've never seen those "Angels in the Outfield" movies, but from previews I did see, they struck me as supporting cheating. It's okay to cheat! -- as long as it's god doing it. Riiiight.

[aussie-nyc.livejournal.com]

Yankee arrogance. They have won so often they genuinely believe that God wears pinstripes.

There's quite a bit in One Pitch Away about Bob Knepper and Gary Carter's Christianity and how it affected their careers, by the way.

[yendi]

Yet another reason to read the book. I almost completely forgot about Knepper.

[salleesuewho.livejournal.com]

As a Christian, I can't understand anyone that would make it sound like God was the reason that a team would win a game. I feel it's okay to thank God for the talent that you and your team have, but I imagine God doesn't take sides like that. He gave them all talent and ability so that there would be a game in the first place. God doesn't just choose one team to be the winner. Just my opinion.

[iresprite.livejournal.com]

*nods* I agree. It's not about God choosing sides- it's about an athlete using the gifts God gave him or her and asking for help to use them properly.

[yendi]

Exactly -- that's why I've never had a problem with any of Pettitte's previous comments -- he's always thanked God for giving him the talent, but never implied that God was choosing sides.

[yendi]

See, that's what would make sense. God actually choosing sides, otoh, bothers me.

[dwivian]

As you noted, God loves Notre Dame. But, lately, you can see that even God's will can be thwarted by bad play.

It is important for players to thank God for their skill, but anyone praying for a win, instead of "thy will be done" is really asking for trouble at the gates....

I think the verse in question is "Not everyone that calls out 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, especially if they are praying about stupid crap. Damn, I hate you hypocrits. No, wait, that's off the record. Let's stop at heaven."

[yendi]

But that'll surely be released when we get The Bible: The Director's Cut.

[dwivian]

So far there's not a lot of movement on that, as too many people think that it should be fine the way it is....

[iresprite.livejournal.com]

Anyway, if someone could explain this to me, I'd appreciate it.

Because they want to make the Yankees look good, and religion doesn't sell? *smirks*

I don't find his request revolting, though. Maybe misled, but not revolting. You have people praying for Porsches and raises every day. The guy's being public about it, that's all. Hopefully someone will point out that he's a bit off in his aims. *shrugs*

I'll admit I was praying for the Red Sox, but it was more a prayer for them to do their best and win, rather than have the Yankees trip up. I think there's a difference- does that make sense?

[yendi]

I guess the problem is, I find the idea of praying for Porches and raises equally off. It seems like such a fundamentally ignorant view of God and prayer and religion.

[iresprite.livejournal.com]

Hm. I think I worded my response poorly- I do think it's wrong to pray for Porsches and raises (barring the practical aspect of "please give me the resources to provide for me and mine"). I was equating that with praying for the outcome for the world series, because those goals are essentially all about material wealth or pride.

I was not saying "praying for the Yankees isn't so bad." I was saying "it's no worse than these things which are fairly common, but not as publicized." I disagree with all of them. I'm just... I don't know. Jaded? Used to people abusing prayer?

[yendi]

*nod* It's certainly not like this is a new thing (folks have been abusing prayer for years, arguably since the battle against the Amorites). And I'm somewhat jaded by it a well. But I guess seeing a public figure (and notable Christian role model) encouraging it strikes me as worse than just hearing the person three cubes over from me pray that her daughter's team wins.

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

agreeing with it all..however (tongue firmly in cheek)anyone who saw the kitna to johnson pass yesterday during the Bengals win may reconsider intrusion by some higher power. Or for that matter that odd combiation...a Bengals win?

The most important thing, tho

[loachie.livejournal.com]

... is that both the Cowboys and the Bills won, the latter ending their humiliating losing streak that made me weep, (weep I tell you!)in my Moulds jersey the last few Sundays.

Re: The most important thing, tho

[yendi]

Well, the Bills win was the flip side of the Jetskins loss. And given last week's events, I can't say I minded at least one game of that Bills losing streak.

[roadkillroy.livejournal.com]

Cmon.. everybody knows God only does the "Extreme" sports...

Yay, Glass-eating!!

Words of Wisdom from Father Leary

[jerel.livejournal.com]

"So let me get this straight. God talks to...defensive linemen and wide receivers. I was an altar boy for seven years, I memorized the Latin-f*%$ing-Mass and you know what? I've never heard from the guy. Not a phone call, not a note. But apparently he talks to Reggie White every Saturday before the big game on Sunday because as we all know, God is a huge Green Bay f*^ing Packers fan."

Re: Words of Wisdom from Father Leary

[yendi]

I need to hear that routine!

[lonesomenumber1]

Pettitte should know better. There are at least as many folks praying for the Yankees to lose.

[yendi]

Which can only make one wonder -- could Dontrell Willis be the result of a modern day Mr. Applegate and Lola?

[pbristow.livejournal.com]

Whenever there's an issue of competition (whether it's a game or being selected for a job, or whatever) and I *really* want to be the winner, then I pray for two things:

1. "May the best man win"; (*)

2. Make me the best man!

*(For non gender-specific values of "man")

God of course has the option of (positively) answering either of these in isolation, or both together, or neither. Whichever way it goes, I've prayed for two good things to happen.

All this is done with the acknowledgement that however much I want to win, or believe it would be a good thing to win, my winning may still not be *the best possible outcome* - even if I *am* the best man! I happen to believe God works toward the best possible outcome. In some situations that boils down to just giving people what they want and making them happy; Sometimes it requires vetoing what they want because its bad either for them or for someone else; Sometimes it involves taking into account what they want, weighing it against other factors, and perhaps coming up with a clever solution that fulfills the spirit of what they wanted while actually being completely different in all the details.

Prayer is our opportunity to discuss what we want with God. It's then his decision what action to take.

Oh, er... [BLUSH] I seem to have turned all eloquent and expository there. [CLEARS THROAT] Move along folks, nothing to see... =:o}