I’m not a baseball fan, but I will be rooting against the Rockies in the World Series this year:
“We truly do have something going on here. And God’s using us in a powerful way.”
— Keli McGregor, club president
In a remarkable article from Wednesday’s USA Today [June 2, 2006], the Colorado Rockies went public with the news that the organization has been explicitly looking for players with “character.” And according to the Tribe of Coors, “character” means accepting Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior. “We’re nervous, to be honest with you,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “It’s the first time we ever talked about these issues publicly. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone because of our beliefs.” When people are nervous that they will offend you with their beliefs, it’s usually because their beliefs are offensive.
Club president Keli McGregor said, “[We] truly do have something going on here. And [God’s] using us in a powerful way.”
One ex-player said team officials inspected the lockers to ensure players weren’t hiding “Playboy” magazines or other immoral contraband on the premises.
League of Fans, Ralph Nader related resource, reports that the Rockies received a $161 million subsidy from Colorado taxpayers to build Coors Field, which opened in 1995. It’s doubtful those taxpayers knew they were supporting a private organization whose membership would be restricted to Christian extremists.
Apparently it’s working! Go figure!
God must have something against Trevor Hoffman for blowing 2 saves in a 3 day period and costing the Padres the Rockies spot in the playoffs. The Padres must be a team of 25 Muslims and atheists.
The Socks in four. Enough of this born-again crap.
Or the players SAY they are Christians, anyway…
If they want to hire only so called Christians [which of course has nothing to do with the true teachings of Jesus] then they can just give back the borrowed public money.
I’ve heard of “Angels in the Outfield”, but this is ridiculous. I’m very curious to know if this is still the practice and whether any mention will be made of it during the coverage of the World Series. I’m willing to bet NO!
I feel that people who are worried about separating religion from government should also be concerned about keeping religion out of professional sports. If the Christians want to start their up own Christian Baseball League go ahead but don’t screw with the one we’ve got now. If I was going to the game I’d be sure to carry a sign ridiculing the Rockies hiring practices, however I live on the west coast so forget that. I hope like hell that somebody else does.
This God talk is such nonsense. They actually believe their God is interested in a silly baseball team?
Wake up sheeple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a difference between expressing one’s faith and using one’s faith as an avenue to exploit, judge and persecute others. People can easily be offended by one’s expression of his/her own beliefs, but that doesn’t necessarily justify the said offense. If you’re that easily offended buy someone expressing his own belief in God or acceptance of Jesus Christ as his savior, I am inspired to question which party is really being narrow minded and judgmental.
Not every single player on the Rockies roster claims to be Christian – nor does every employee of the organization claim to be Christian. Not even close. Currently, the Rockies’ roster is made up of a diverse group of men with ethnic roots sprawling across the globe – men with several different sets of spiritual beliefs, inspirations and motivations. If the organization was truly “restricted to Christian extremists†this group of men would not be together or currently playing in the World Series.
During the post-game ceremony of Game 4 of the NLCS, Matt Holliday thanked “the Good Lord†for all He had blessed him with as he accepted the NLCS MVP trophy. Was Matt trying to use that expression of his own faith and gratitude to God as a way to offend others? I think not.
Christians are morons, religious leaders are no better than gangsters, religion itself is a mental illness, an intellectual disease, and the Rockies SUCK! Sox in 4!!!!
baseball fan, how do you reconcile (good Christian word for you) this quote from the article, with the supposed multi-cultural/religious make-up of the team you describe?
“And according to the Tribe of Coors, ‘character’ means accepting Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior. ‘We’re nervous, to be honest with you,’ Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. ‘It’s the first time we ever talked about these issues publicly. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone because of our beliefs.’
so how the bloody hell is someone on that team who is jewish, agnostic, muslim supposed to feel??
You can always tell Faux-Christians. They tend to Scream their ignorance of the truth. Jesus was a long haired, radical, socialist Jew. Of course, if he had a 98 MPH fastball, they wouldn’t hire him?
As a long time baseball fan, my observations have been that some people have talent, maybe God-given, and they have free will to use it — or not.
I don’t think God does baseball.
To make this a condition of “employment” with the Rockies organization, is probably discriminatory on its face. If they really do invade the privacy of their players, looking for what they consider “unsuitable” it’s also probably illegal.
At least they are up-front about it. Baseball players and agents at least know — is this a place to play?
How ironic the the taxpayers of Colorado built a baseball stadium, which is now named for a company that exists for the sole purpose of selling alcohol.
I guess you can pick your “christianity”. Girly Magazines — NO. Booze OK.
The Rockies lost me on this one.
Baseball owners need to keep their religion, and their politics to themselves.
This article from the NY Times on Oct 23, 2007 may offer a different perspective…
Aren’t there Equal Employment Opportunity laws that prohibit such discrimination? I thought employers were supposed to turn a blind eye to sex, race, ethnicity, CREED and familial status. The Colorado Rockies are an “employer” and if they try to hire only “born again Christians” that’s against the law, federal law and possibly Colorado law.
Oh, yes, the N Y Times, The Gray Lady. They reported that Giuliani was “well received” at the Values Voter Summit when, in fact, he was roundly rejected. I doubt they got the Rockies story right either.
http://www.mediamatters.org/columns/200710230002
The Rangers had this same intiative a few years back. I don’t see them in the WS. Not enough sacrifices, I suppose.
I wonder how the Rockies feel about sodomites? I think there are several in their lineup – some of their best players, too.
What happens in the church, stays in the church!
http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/jesus-praying.htm
13-1 Sox, I guess God had more important things to worry about last night.
Victoria “Tori” Snelgrove was killed by law enforcement, in broad daylight in front of God and everybody because the Red Sox won the World Series.
Hopefully the Colorado Fundies will win, and law enforcement will forgo its ritual human sacrifice.
After reading this article, i bet the Boston Red Sox are collectively sweating like a priest in a room full of altar boys.
No Jews, Muslims, or Agnostics allowed!
The Colorado Rockies are a hate group.
Let them know how you feel.
go sox!!!!!! i read a article on this last year, so i guess this confirms it.
what the hell are we coming too?????
theres no hating in baseball!!!!! sox in 4
I am a Catholic, a native of Cleveland, on the left, and an Indians fan. After The Bosox came back to take the ALCS I was depressed and angry for about two hours. I hated everything Boston and Massachusetts – even the Kennedy clan. However, after reading that Colorado has god’s team playing in the Series I am filled with the spirit and will definitely root for the Bosox to sweep those born again “character” players. What about the Latino players? Are they born again, also??? Padre Nuestro, que estas en el cielo…
You anti christians crack me up. Yeah the Rockies are “etremists” and ONLY hire Chritians…because what?? Because THIS web site says so??! You people need to get a better source of factual news. The organization is based on a higher Christian moral standard…not a requirement to be a Christian. In my experience only good things come from having a higher moral standard…and I think they are proving it. Go do some research people and quit believing all the drivel that sites like this post…
[Link]
“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.”
“They do preach character and good living here. It’s a must for them, and that starts from the very top. But we’re not a military group. … Nobody is going to push their beliefs on each other or make judgments. We do believe that if you do things right and live your life right, good things are going to happen.”
Anonymous, if you’re such a proud Christian, why are you Anonymous?
“We try to do the best job we can to get people with the right sense of moral values, but we certainly don’t poll our players or our organization to find out who is Christian and who isn’t,” says O’Dowd, who says he has had prayer sessions on the telephone with club President Keli McGregor and manager Clint Hurdle. “I know some of the guys who are Christians, but I can’t tell you who is and who isn’t.”
Madi, my name is on there now…I didn’t know it was required to make a point.
Who said I am a proud Christian? I don’t want to get into a Chritian debate…I’m simply pointing out that this article is laden with selective journalism and you all eat it up.
I read through it all, Randy, and it looks pretty disturbing to me. They took $161 mil from taxpayers – it wasn’t a “loan,” it was a subsidy – that means a lot of normal Christians, Jews, Mormons and non-religious people paid for their stadium. I doubt they would have approved it if they’d known a bunch of evangelicals were going to run it.
You seem to object to them being called “Christian extremists.” It sounds harsh but regular Christians don’t wear their religion on their sleeves and they don’t try to restrict others’ behavior.
Does this mean that God only drinks Coors Beer? No Rolling Rock or Genny Cream Ale? Never mind the Corona, huh?
GO SOX!!!!
“Does this mean that God only drinks Coors Beer? No Rolling Rock or Genny Cream Ale? Never mind the Corona, huh?” Now THAT is funny.
Madi, in the column it says that the owner wasn’t even a christian until just a few years ago. That stadium was built long before that. Thats here nor there,,,just a point.
I agree with you that regular Christians don’t wear religion on their sleeves. Just because this got out doesn’t mean they are boasting abotu it. In fact, read the column more closely, and most amangers that these guys work and play against every day didn’t even know about it. Another point to make is that several times in there they specifically addressed the fact that they did not and would not “force” Christianity on anyone…that they mainly wanted people with higher moral convictions. It sounds like a great business plan to me.
Put it this way…you own a small comany and have 40 employees. Would you rather just hire anyone? People who were involved in spousal abuse, steroids, DUI’s, etc…(this is a large portion of the baseball community). Or would you rather hire people who will go to church on Sunday as opposed to staying out till 4AM drinking on Saturday night?
Bottom Line: I see the article posted here as skewed journalism. When I dig further to get the real story I see an organization that decided they wanted to hire people of high character. Why? Because they are Christians and they are holding themselves to a higher standard of living…so lets try and hire employees that agree to the same thing. They ARE NOT demanding you convert or get fired. They jsut ask you to live by a Code of Conduct.