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A spiritual home run in Michigan

Detroit-area congregation extends a warm welcome to a visitor. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DETROIT — I woke up in my happy place Sunday: close to a major league ballpark. While in the Motor City reporting a story, I saw my beloved Texas Rangers play the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. But before donning my blue Texas cap, I put on a black dress shirt and made my way … Continue reading A spiritual home run in Michigan

🏈 ‘Like a religion’: Why Super Bowl Sunday means so much to the football faithful 🔌

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 Easter. Christmas. Super Bowl Sunday. These are all sacred holidays, right?  Even before Taylor Swift got involved. Strictly speaking, this weekend’s big game qualifies as a secular … Continue reading 🏈 ‘Like a religion’: Why Super Bowl Sunday means so much to the football faithful 🔌

Super Bowl champion baptized at 80

‘I hope the good Lord will take care of me,’ former New York Jets defensive tackle says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FARRIS, Okla. — Winning the Super Bowl couldn’t be any better than what Carl McAdams experienced this weekend. McAdams can attest to that. He played defensive tackle for the New York Jets when they upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7, in Super Bowl III on Jan. … Continue reading Super Bowl champion baptized at 80

🏟️ Faith and baseball: Why these fans feel a special connection to MLB’s playoff teams 🔌

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 D.J. Iverson’s love for the San Diego Padres runs deep.  Soul deep. Baseball is not a religion to Iverson, the associate pastor for New Vintage Church in … Continue reading 🏟️ Faith and baseball: Why these fans feel a special connection to MLB’s playoff teams 🔌

Don’t skip the Pleasant-ries

A Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium was thrilling, but time spent with a coaching legend was even better. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When a legend invites you to the Big House, you go. That’s how I ended up among 110,250 fans at Michigan Stadium — the largest stadium in the United States — for last Saturday’s football game between the defending … Continue reading Don’t skip the Pleasant-ries

🍿 The real-life faith story behind the new baseball movie ‘You Gotta Believe’ 🔌

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 FORT WORTH, Texas — “You Gotta Believe,” opening in theaters on Friday, recounts a youth baseball team’s thrilling, improbable journey all the way to the 2002 Little … Continue reading 🍿 The real-life faith story behind the new baseball movie ‘You Gotta Believe’ 🔌

⚾️ Jesus in Birdland: Orioles become latest MLB team to host Faith Night 🔌

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 The best team in Major League Baseball? It just might be the Baltimore Orioles, who rank No. 1 in MLB.com’s latest power rankings. The most Christ-focused team … Continue reading ⚾️ Jesus in Birdland: Orioles become latest MLB team to host Faith Night 🔌

A Texas Rangers vacation: Six games in six days

By Bobby Ross Jr. ARLINGTON, Texas — I finally got my ring. My World Series ring, that is. A two-hour wait in the Texas sun was a small price to pay to receive a replica championship ring at the Rangers’ game Tuesday night. The ring promotion was one of the highlights of my Texas Rangers vacation, which featured six games in six days — and … Continue reading A Texas Rangers vacation: Six games in six days

Hitting the Target (Field): My Minnesota trip and new MLB ballpark rankings

By Bobby Ross Jr. MINNEAPOLIS — I checked Target Field off my bucket list over the weekend. I’ve now experienced MLB games at 22 current ballparks (and 27 overall). I’ll rank my favorites below. On a reporting trip to Minnesota, I saw my beloved Texas Rangers (the defending World Series champions!) play the Twins on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. As happened last year when I … Continue reading Hitting the Target (Field): My Minnesota trip and new MLB ballpark rankings