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Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press TULSA, Okla. — Former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry praised Jesus and thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning his past tax evasion and drug charges as he preached Sunday at a Tulsa church. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, welcomed the eight-time All-Star to the pulpit of Sheridan Church, where more than 400 worshippers cheered when … Continue reading Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

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⚾️ Home runs are nice, but these MLB players pursue a higher calling 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers boast an estimated $243 million annual payroll.  The MLB team — presumed dead in the pennant race two weeks ago but suddenly … Continue reading ⚾️ Home runs are nice, but these MLB players pursue a higher calling 🔌

Welcome back, Carter: Faith helps Texas Rangers’ ‘Little Savior’ overcome setbacks

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ARLINGTON, Texas — “The Little Savior made everyone a believer.” That’s how the Dallas Morning News characterized Evan Carter after he made his MLB debut in September 2023 — just 10 days after his 21st birthday — and helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series for the first time in the franchise’s 63-year history. After such a meteoric rise, the … Continue reading Welcome back, Carter: Faith helps Texas Rangers’ ‘Little Savior’ overcome setbacks

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💙 Hoops and healing: Why the Thunder’s first NBA title means so much to OKC 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s the juxtaposition. The juxtaposition between then and now. The juxtaposition between Oklahoma City’s darkest day and its brightest. I couldn’t figure out — until … Continue reading 💙 Hoops and healing: Why the Thunder’s first NBA title means so much to OKC 🔌

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‘I stand on my faith’

Houston Texans head coach says God guides him and uses him ‘for the good of his kingdom.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — DeMeco Ryans required no introduction as he stepped to the pulpit on a recent Sunday night. Neither fellow members of the Fifth Ward Church of Christ nor fans of the Houston Texans — the NFL team where Ryans serves as head coach — needed … Continue reading ‘I stand on my faith’

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🏀 OKC Thunder in a league of their own — when it comes to pregame prayer 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t have a prayer in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Except that they did — the final score notwithstanding. Oklahoma City … Continue reading 🏀 OKC Thunder in a league of their own — when it comes to pregame prayer 🔌

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⚾️ ‘New pope, new me’: Devout Catholic baseball star finds his hitting groove 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ARLINGTON, Texas — After a slow start to his first season with the Texas Rangers, Jake Burger is crushing the ball again. The secret to the 29-year-old … Continue reading ⚾️ ‘New pope, new me’: Devout Catholic baseball star finds his hitting groove 🔌

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⚾️ Reporting on baseball and faith: A religion writer combines two loves 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DETROIT — Cecil Cooper. Bobby Murcer. Rod Carew. Frank Tanana. As a boy growing up in the 1970s, I scoured the stats on the backs of their baseball … Continue reading ⚾️ Reporting on baseball and faith: A religion writer combines two loves 🔌

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A pitch to follow Jesus: Baseball fans embrace players’ faith testimonials

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DETROIT — The preacher made his pitch like a pro. Frank Tanana held a Bible in his left hand — the one he used to strike out 2,773 batters in a 21-season major league career — as he urged a pregame crowd of 3,074 fans to follow Jesus. “I beg of you, today is the day of salvation,” Tanana told the … Continue reading A pitch to follow Jesus: Baseball fans embrace players’ faith testimonials