this was not exactly surprising (they have every other kinda "Night", from Gay to Irish), but I wasn't aware of the stuff about the Colorado Rockies going out-of-their-way to sign Christian players...
God is My Co-Manager?
Full Version: "Faith Nights" at MLB games
Yeah, I just read about that today (I think on SI.com). I guess talent = devotion to God... :confused:
The Buffalo Bisons are holding a couple of concerts at their stadium featuring christian groups following the conclusion of games...
There was a big USAToday article on this.
QUOTE
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.
* * *
The Rockies, at 27-24 entering Tuesday, are having their best season since 1995 with a payroll of $44 million, the lowest in the National League's West Division. Their season ticketholders and fans are, for the most part, unaware of the significance the Rockies place on Christian values.
* * *
While praising their players, Rockies executives make clear they believe God has had a hand in the team's improvement.
\"You look at things that have happened to us this year,\" O'Dowd says. \"You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this.\"
That said, the GLBT Center in Denver will be doing a Pride Night with the Rockies on Friday June 23rd (prior to their Pride weekend). There's also a Pride Night with the Colorado Rapids (MLS) on June 21st.
* * *
The Rockies, at 27-24 entering Tuesday, are having their best season since 1995 with a payroll of $44 million, the lowest in the National League's West Division. Their season ticketholders and fans are, for the most part, unaware of the significance the Rockies place on Christian values.
* * *
While praising their players, Rockies executives make clear they believe God has had a hand in the team's improvement.
\"You look at things that have happened to us this year,\" O'Dowd says. \"You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this.\"
QUOTE
\"You look at things that have happened to us this year,\" O'Dowd says. \"You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this.\"
Ahh Yeah ... 
When the Rockies win a few World Series like the non-spiritual Yankees then tell me God had a hand in it.[ June 02, 2006, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]
It should also be noted that the Rockies are presently 27-27 and last in the NL West. Is that God's fault?
It's all God's fault. Two teams that both have "faith nights" and such or are owned by religious types play against each other, and God still makes one of the teams lose? God is such a bastard! 
QUOTE
RGMike:
this was not exactly surprising (they have every other kinda \"Night\", from Gay to Irish), but I wasn't aware of the stuff about the Colorado Rockies going out-of-their-way to sign Christian players...
God is My Co-Manager?
As long as they don't discriminate - I don't see the problem. Freedom for ALL is what we should be fighting for,and that includes all groups- GAY days at the ball park, Christian days at the ballpark, Christian Gay day, Italian-Muslim Day etc.
this was not exactly surprising (they have every other kinda \"Night\", from Gay to Irish), but I wasn't aware of the stuff about the Colorado Rockies going out-of-their-way to sign Christian players...
God is My Co-Manager?
this just in, the first of the Buffalo Bisons' three Christian themed nights has been postponed due to heavy rains.
Maybe God doesn't approve???
Maybe God doesn't approve???
A more scathing article on the Christian Rockies from The Nation.
QUOTE
O'Dowd and company bend over backward in the article to say they are \"tolerant\" of other views on the club, but that's contradicted by statements like this from CEO Monfort: \"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.\" Assumedly, Shawn Green (Jew), Ichiro Suzuki (Shinto) or any of the godless players from Cuba don't have the \"character\" Monfort is looking for.
Also, there are only two African-American players on the Rockies active roster. Is this because Monfort doesn't think black players have character? Does the organization endorse the statement of its stadium's namesake, William Coors, who told a group of black businessmen in 1984 that Africans \"lack the intellectual capacity to succeed, and it's taking them down the tubes\"? These are admittedly difficult questions. But these are the questions that need to be posed when the wafting odor of discrimination clouds the air.
Also, there are only two African-American players on the Rockies active roster. Is this because Monfort doesn't think black players have character? Does the organization endorse the statement of its stadium's namesake, William Coors, who told a group of black businessmen in 1984 that Africans \"lack the intellectual capacity to succeed, and it's taking them down the tubes\"? These are admittedly difficult questions. But these are the questions that need to be posed when the wafting odor of discrimination clouds the air.
QUOTE
As if last season's Military Appreciation Nights weren't enough, the New York Times reported yesterday that this summer \"religious promotions will hit Major League Baseball. The Atlanta Braves are planning three Faith Days this season, the Arizona Diamondbacks one. The Florida Marlins have tentatively scheduled a Faith Night for September.\" These religious promotions are attractive to owners because they leverage a market of evangelical Christians who are accustomed to mass worship in stadiums at events staged by sports-driven proselytizers like Promise Keepers and Athletes in Action.
As part of the MLB promotion, the Times reports, \"local churches will get discounted tickets to family-friendly evenings of music and sports with a Christian theme. And in return, they mobilize their vast infrastructure of e-mail and phone lists, youth programs and chaperones, and of course their bus fleets, to help fill the stands.\"
At one of the Faith Days in Atlanta, the team will sell special vouchers. After the game, the stands will be cleared and then only those with the specially purchased vouchers will be re-admitted. Those lucky chosen \"will be treated to an hour and a half of Christian music and a testimonial from the ace pitcher John Smoltz.\" Smoltz is the player who in 2004 opined on gay marriage to the Associated Press, saying, \"What's next? Marrying an animal?\" Good times for the whole family.
As part of the MLB promotion, the Times reports, \"local churches will get discounted tickets to family-friendly evenings of music and sports with a Christian theme. And in return, they mobilize their vast infrastructure of e-mail and phone lists, youth programs and chaperones, and of course their bus fleets, to help fill the stands.\"
At one of the Faith Days in Atlanta, the team will sell special vouchers. After the game, the stands will be cleared and then only those with the specially purchased vouchers will be re-admitted. Those lucky chosen \"will be treated to an hour and a half of Christian music and a testimonial from the ace pitcher John Smoltz.\" Smoltz is the player who in 2004 opined on gay marriage to the Associated Press, saying, \"What's next? Marrying an animal?\" Good times for the whole family.
First, I have no problem with "church/synagogue/mosque" night at the ballpark, if they are welcomed as part of the community of baseball fans. A community that includes African-American night, Hispanic night, Native American night, Asian American night (all of which the A's have had) and of course gay days.
But I am very disturbed by what is being planned. It is not just welcoming religious folks as part of the general community of fans. First, faith is explicitly Christian, more explicitly conservative evangelical Protestant. Second, rather than just have a section where they can all sit, someone throw out the first pitch, recognition on diamond vision, all of which are common, they are being given the stadium, often taxpayer funded, for religious proselytizing. This is very very different from Latino dancers on Hispanic Heritage day at the ballpark.
Also, as the article points out, saying that character = Christian is bound to be divisive on a team. Would such a team not trade for/sign/draft a Jewish or Shinto or Buddhist or atheist or Muslim or for that matter Catholic or Mormon player because he just would not "fit in"? This is what ended up happening with the UCLA men's basketball team; potential recruits were told this was a Christian team and asked if they felt comfortable with that.
Most workplaces have religious folks at them, they are welcome to go to services, some larger workplaces that have lots of social clubs may even have a bible study group. That's fine. But this is Christians, particular variety, singled out for special privileges and recognition not granted to the rest of us. And while I doubt any Anglo feels uncomfortable or out of place on Hispanic Heritage night and plenty of straights are at the game on gay day, no way could I attend a "faith night". Woman, lesbian, Jew, freethinker, most definitely not welcome among "Christians".
But I am very disturbed by what is being planned. It is not just welcoming religious folks as part of the general community of fans. First, faith is explicitly Christian, more explicitly conservative evangelical Protestant. Second, rather than just have a section where they can all sit, someone throw out the first pitch, recognition on diamond vision, all of which are common, they are being given the stadium, often taxpayer funded, for religious proselytizing. This is very very different from Latino dancers on Hispanic Heritage day at the ballpark.
Also, as the article points out, saying that character = Christian is bound to be divisive on a team. Would such a team not trade for/sign/draft a Jewish or Shinto or Buddhist or atheist or Muslim or for that matter Catholic or Mormon player because he just would not "fit in"? This is what ended up happening with the UCLA men's basketball team; potential recruits were told this was a Christian team and asked if they felt comfortable with that.
Most workplaces have religious folks at them, they are welcome to go to services, some larger workplaces that have lots of social clubs may even have a bible study group. That's fine. But this is Christians, particular variety, singled out for special privileges and recognition not granted to the rest of us. And while I doubt any Anglo feels uncomfortable or out of place on Hispanic Heritage night and plenty of straights are at the game on gay day, no way could I attend a "faith night". Woman, lesbian, Jew, freethinker, most definitely not welcome among "Christians".
Couldn't agree more. I'd be wary of attending a ballgame if it was on "faith night." Christian-based groups have a funny way of defining tolerant.
QUOTE
Terry in Oaktown:
Couldn't agree more. I'd be wary of attending a ballgame if it was on \"faith night.\" Christian-based groups have a funny way of defining tolerant.
They also have a less-than-funny way of making most events more declasse than they deserve to be.
Couldn't agree more. I'd be wary of attending a ballgame if it was on \"faith night.\" Christian-based groups have a funny way of defining tolerant.
QUOTE
Ms. de Blazer:
A community that includes African-American night, Hispanic night, Native American night, Asian American night (all of which the A's have had) and of course gay days.
MdB, when have the A's sponsored a Gay Day? I'm curious because I don't remember ever seeing one in my 8 yrs of being an A's fan. :confused:
A community that includes African-American night, Hispanic night, Native American night, Asian American night (all of which the A's have had) and of course gay days.
The A's have not had gay days, although fans have put them together. That is why I said "which the A's have had" and then mentioned gay days.
Still waiting.
I had a straight male friend who was a Giants fan and I once asked him to take me to a Giants game. He was startled but unsuspicious. Not until we arrived did he learn he was at MLB's first ever Gay Day.
Still waiting.
I had a straight male friend who was a Giants fan and I once asked him to take me to a Giants game. He was startled but unsuspicious. Not until we arrived did he learn he was at MLB's first ever Gay Day.
QUOTE
Ms. de Blazer:
The A's have not had gay days, although fans have put them together. That is why I said \"which the A's have had\" and then mentioned gay days.
Still waiting.
I had a straight male friend who was a Giants fan and I once asked him to take me to a Giants game. He was startled but unsuspicious. Not until we arrived did he learn he was at MLB's first ever Gay Day.
The closest to a Gay Nite at an A's game was 4 or 5 years ago when the A's agreed to let some East Bay gay organizations sell a large block of seats at a Friday nite game against Seattle. They were unable to sell anywhere near the number of tickets given to them, and ended up giving hundreds of tix back to the A's. The "gay section" ended up being mostly straight.The A's have not had gay days, although fans have put them together. That is why I said \"which the A's have had\" and then mentioned gay days.
Still waiting.
I had a straight male friend who was a Giants fan and I once asked him to take me to a Giants game. He was startled but unsuspicious. Not until we arrived did he learn he was at MLB's first ever Gay Day.
BTW, the Giants didn't host "MLB's first ever Gay Day". They began "Until There's a Cure day", an AIDS benefit, years before there was such a thing as MLB Gay Days, but it was (technically) not a gay event, in fact they were very careful not to call it that. It wasn't until other teams in "less enlightened" (LOL!) cities started doing actual Gay Events that a local SF guy named Carl Stein lobbied the Giants for a "Gay Night" in 2004. They sold more tix than expected and it's been repeated since --2 per season, in fact. Although it remains the only theme night that doesn't get mentioned on the Giants radio or TV broadcasts.
The Giants most recent one was last nite. I was there and it was decidedly lackluster.
[ June 07, 2006, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: RGMike ]
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.