Number 34

If you've seen the Los Angeles Angels this season, you may have wondered about the black-and-white "34" patch they are wearing on their team shirts.


It's a tribute to Nick Adenhart, a young Angels pitcher who tragically passed away earlier this season. Hours after pitching, he was in a car when another driver ran a red light and collided with Adenhart's car - ending the lives of Adenhart and his two passengers.

So many emotions come out of this, and two of the biggest are sadness and shock. Who would have thought as he pitched 6 scoreless innings (described by his catcher as the "best I've ever seen him throw") that within hours his life would be over - at just 22 years of age?

And i wonder this... we sometimes hear the phrase "live like each day is your last". If Nick had known this was to be his last day, what would he have done? His family, in their statement to the public said "He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people. The Angels were his extended family."

I can't help but think that he still would have taken the mound for one last night of pitching in the Major League.

It's a rare thing that someone can find something they're passionate about - and skilled at - and can bring joy to so many. Even though Nick Adenhart was unfortunate to leave so early, he was one of the blessed few that managed to live the dream.

What's that saying? It's not the amount of years in the life, but the amount of life in the years. Well, Nick Adenhart - he had plenty.

[more about Nick Adenhart]

Getting The Point

One of the joys of digital tv is the sports channel "one", and its variety of sports - including american baseball.

The batter really latched onto one, and sent it into left-field - except it went too far left and into foul territory. Left outfielder, Jason Bay, gets across and (leaning about a metre over the fence) takes the catch.

50 metres away, pitcher Brad Penny (who now has one less batter to get out, thanks to this neat piece of fielding) points to Bay and nods - in a way that says "thanks for helping me out there, buddy".

Of course, the fielder already knows he's done great work, but it never hurts to have that acknowledged by someone else. There's a saying that 'Gratitude not expressed is like a present that is never unwrapped'.

Teaming Up

Was watching Australia play New Zealand in Rugby league. Game summary is available elsewhere, but i wanna talk about the halftime.

The commentary team were disecting two of the tries scored by Australia. Both plays involved an Australian player beating an opponent one-on-one, then going on to score points. The analysis was made (of New Zealand):

They need to work together as a team.
One-on-one they're going to get beaten.

I think the same is true off-the-field. Teaming up with God and teaming up with others gives a better result than going it alone.

Aaron Baddeley

When i wrote about Justin Langer, i mentioned the book Bright Lights, Dark Nights. I've just read the chapter on Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley. Even though he really loves playing golf..

In the end it's not going to matter how many tournaments I won and stuff like that ... I want to know that I lived my life seeking his (Jesus') plans and what he wants me to be.

When talking about focus and priorities, he says

Yet if I can keep God as number one, then I'm OK. He has to be number one - if that doesn't happen we are in real trouble.

A Win Against The Odds

There are great moments in sport. When all seems lost - but through inspiration, hard work, and passion - an amazing result is achieved. It's a big part of why we love sport.

Cricket's next World Cup occurs in 2011, and i am currently following the qualifying tournament - where the likes of Uganda, Bermuda, Scotland and Kenya play-off for the last remaining world cup places.

I have soft spot for Canada and Denmark, having friends from each country. But now I'm adding Afghanistan, after reading the story of Raees Ahmadzai.

Having grown up in a refugee camp in Northern Pakistan, this guy is now representing his country. The same goes for many of his team-mates. Whether or not these guys qualify for the world cup - they've already had a win against the odds.

As Good As It Gets?

This is what Australian opening batsman Justin Langer asked himself during his century against England in the 2002 Boxing Day Test. Despite the massive adrenaline rush of hitting a six to bring up 3-figures, Langer realised that even though this is the pinnacle of his sport, it really only lasts for a very short time.

In a conversation with a pastor, he said

"Mate, there's something missing ... I've got everything - I've got a beautiful wife, I've got kids, a big house, beautiful car, nice clothes, plenty of money, but something's missing. I've got a big hole inside and I don't know what it is."

The pastor (who gave him a bible) and Matthew Hayden have helped Langer develop a strong Christian faith. Apparently, Hayden and Langer would sometimes even mark their batting crease with a small cross to focus their mind as they batted. Now, Langer says

"I know so many people who are crying out for something. They think if they become a Christian it means they've got to give up everything, but I love the story of Jesus and I read it a lot. It's not a weight at all, in fact it's the opposite."

[info from "Bright Lights, Dark nights"]

Less is More for NFL Players

We all know the Super-Bowl. In the USA, the best team from each conference (AFC and NFC) play off to determine the champion team.

Less known is the Pro-Bowl. The AFC and NFC each pick their all-star lineup, from the players in their half of the league. The teams compete a week after the Super-Bowl in an end-of-season exhibition match.

Next year the match moves to Florida, leaving its current home in Hawaii. In an article on nfl.com, several players are unhappy about it, and will not participate in the game, even if selected. It's not Florida's a bad place, but it's where these players go "all the time".

Advertising constantly tells us we can have something more, something better or something bigger. But it seems that even free holidays to America's sunshine state can become boring. Not even the opportunity to play in an all-star team can convince them to take up this free trip.

Contrary to the advertising, perhaps it's when we have less, that we actually enjoy it, and appreciate it more.