Reply #7: I was going to jump on this yesterday [View All]

[KamaAina]

I was wiki'ing the Rockies to determine whether they came into existence last Tuesday or last Wednesday :-) when I ran across this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Rockies#2006_Controversy_over_Christian_rules

On June 1, 2006, USA Today reported that Rockies management, including manager Clint Hurdle, had instituted an explicitly Christian code of conduct for the team's players, banning men's magazines (such as Maxim and Playboy) and sexually explicit music from the team's clubhouse. The newspaper reported:

Behind the scenes, (the Rockies) 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.
From ownership on down, it's an approach the Rockies are proud of — and something they are wary about publicizing. "We're nervous, to be honest with you," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says. "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."
The article sparked controversy, including criticism in a column in The Nation, which stated:

San Francisco Giants first baseman-outfielder Mark Sweeney, who spent 2003 and 2004 with the Rockies, said, "You wonder if some people are going along with it just to keep their jobs. Look, I pray every day. I have faith. It's always been part of my life. But I don't want something forced on me. Do they really have to check to see whether I have a Playboy in my locker?"

Yeesh. :scared: On the other hand, some other Rockies players deny this:

Soon after the USA Today article appeared, The Denver Post published an article featuring many Rockies players contesting the claims made in the USA Today article.<7> Jason Jennings, a Rockies' pitcher, said:

"(The article in USA Today) 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. (The article) was misleading."
While the initial USA Today article caused some controversy, the main claims have been repudiated by the ballclub and its players in the subsequent Denver Post story.

"You don't have to be a Christian to have good character"?! Why does Jason Jennings hate America so much? :sarcasm:

While the evidence is inconclusive, you might as well root for the Sox anyway, just to be on the safe side. :-)