Colorado Rockies Dispute the "Christians Only" meme! - Christian clubhouse story "over the top"

[Breeze54]

http://web.archive.org/web/20070404231929/http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3885222">Team takes issue with portrayal

Christian clubhouse story "over the top"

By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 06/06/2006 12:28:16 AM MDT

San Diego -

Character, not religion, is the critical factor in the Rockies' chemistry, according to the players. That explains why so many players reacted negatively to the portrayal of their clubhouse in a USA Today cover story in Wednesday's editions that stressed the importance of Christianity.

"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."

Todd Helton and Jennings were quoted supporting the article's premise regarding religion's role in the clubhouse. But both said they never were asked about religion, and were questioned only in general terms about the clubhouse environment.

"I wouldn't say it was accurate. (The writer) asked me about the guys in here and I said it's a good group. We work hard and get along well," Helton said.

The story stated that men's magazines such as Playboy, Penthouse and Maxim could not be found in the Rockies' clubhouse, but that Bibles were present. Several players read Maxim in the visiting clubhouse during the Padres' series this week. Two separate issues sat on the center coffee table Wednesday.

"I have never seen a Bible (out in the open) in our clubhouse," said pitcher Aaron Cook, who has led the team's chapel service during spring training. "Most of the guys on this team are Christians, but not all of them. And the fact is you don't build a winner around just Christians. If that was the case, everybody would be doing it."

Cook said religious beliefs do not play a role in how a team does.

"You need the best players. I think the story was an accurate portrayal of the front office

(view of religion)," Cook said. "But as for the players, it was just way over the top."

Matt Holliday chose his words carefully when discussing the subject.

"(Religion) is important to me, but it's not how you put together a good team," he said.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he became more disciplined in his faith years ago - not three years ago as stated in the article - after he stopped drinking.

Asked what role religion plays in the team's roster construction, Hurdle said, "We look for men of character, men of skills. Their (religious beliefs) are not a question that is even brought up. That those have a common fabric with Christianity is not a coincidence. But values are the issue."

Colorado Rockies Only Hire Players Who Are Born-Again Christians
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2133974&mesg_id=2133974

[rockymountaindem]

1. How would you advise the critics deal with their faux outrage

given this revelation?

:rofl:

[Breeze54]

2. Hum a few bars?

:toast:

:rofl:

It just had to be said! :P

[rockymountaindem]

3. Maybe they should eat some "holy crow" n/t

[Breeze54]

4. That's a good idea too (LOL!) but --

they were mislead by that OP and they all (except 2) missed this article posted in that thread!

I'd say, have them read this and then drop it! ;)

[rockymountaindem]

5. Nobody seems interested other than you and me

Funny that...

[Breeze54]

6. Can't say I didn't try...

TWICE!!! :rofl:

Awe, they just like to argue. It's a fun game! :P

[Breeze54]

7. Besides,

83 have read this OP so far, so only 3,000 or so to go!! :P

[rockymountaindem]

8. I think most of them are from you and me though

Unfortunately

[Breeze54]

9. I didn't read this 83 times!!

:rofl:

[rockymountaindem]

12. Well I read it at least 79 times so...

mea culpa :(

[Breeze54]

14. LOL!

Okay, I did edit it and reply a few times, so my total would be around 10 times. ;)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

10. K & R. I remember the first go round.

Dare I say...Go Rockies! :applause:

:hide: MKJ

[Bonobo]

11. Reading between the lines, sounds like a non-denial denial.

Of course it is easy to laugh it off -if you are Christian.

[Breeze54]

13. Naw, I think the players are offended by this BS from USA Today

but the manager (born again - reformed alcoholic) seems to want to run with it. :silly:

[blitzen]

15. There was an awful lot of God-talk from Rockies brass when they won the NLCS....

It was rather annoying. And very obvious. In fact, I knew nothing of the "Christian Rockies" meme until today. But I was put off by the blatant God-stuff during the trophy celebration, and decided at that point to jump off the Rockies bandwagon and on to the Red Sox bamdwagon.

[Breeze54]

16. It's the CR's management's BS though, not the players.

The MGR sounds like he's one sandwich short of a picnic. :silly:

But I was born a Red Sox fan!!

How could I not be one, living and raised in Boston? ;)

GO RED SOX!!!! :woohoo:

[spoony]

18. Oh no, God talk!

How funny that you root against people based on their religion. I once worked with a guy who wouldn't root for the Pistons because there weren't enough white people on the team. Bigotry sure is a stupid thing.

[blitzen]

19. oh, what a pile of crap!

the Rockies' Brass are right-wing fundies and yer damn right, I root against them--because they're self-righteous ostentatious pseudo-Christians!

[spoony]

20. So anyone engaging in God talk is a RW fundie?

You admitted you didn't know about this story before, all you had to go on for your assumptions was that they publicly mentioned God. That's apparently enough for you though.

I hope you won't be a hypocrite and root for any of those fundie self-righteous bastards running for President on our ticket.

[blitzen]

21. no, but I saw and heard the talk, and I know about Coors...

and I know about Colorado Springs (e.g., Ted Haggard), where they nurture their minor-leaguers


why do you seem so intent on suggesting that I hate God and/or Christ....the fact of the matter (FYI) is that I make my living studying Christianity, and I have a great deal of admiration for the Christian tradition. Are you really that blind to the fact that the Rockies brass are the enemy of DU? That may be harsh to say, but it's a fact--who in the hell do you think got W elected?

[Breeze54]

17. kicking

:kick:

[DeSwiss]

22. A reporter for McNewspaper lied?!?!?!

NO!!!!!

Damn Christinistas......

K&R!!!

[JackRiddler]

23. Boston's secular humanist power hitting...

and power pitching, always behaving by the laws of Newton, is going to put paid to this nonsense soon enough.

[Jim Lane]

24. Sorry, no crow being eaten here

"'I think the story was an accurate portrayal of the front office (view of religion),' Cook said."

So it's accurate as to the front office, even if some players are uncomfortable with it. Furthermore, the manager sees it as "not a coincidence" that "men of character, men of skills ... have a common fabric with Christianity...."

Having read the original story and the so-called rebuttal, my conclusion is: GO RED SOX!

[rockymountaindem]

25. Kick n/t