Cross spotting

Anthony Ranaudo lasted only 3 1/3 innings tonight, but during that time he made a statement.

Ranaudo wore a cross necklace while on the hill of LSU's 9-5 win over Virginia in the College World Series. He exited the game with the bases loaded and a 3-2 lead, which remained in tact.

The Jackson, N.J., product went to St. Rose High School. He now has a 3.03 ERA for the No. 3-seeded Tigers.

Howard's advice in jeopardy

After losing to the Lakers in overtime Thursday, Dwight Howard's not doing God any favors.

Before the NBA Finals, Howard advised everyone to pick his Magic over the Lakers. His reasoning quite simply was because of God.

Howard, an outspoken Christian, once dreamed of incorporating the cross into the NBA logo. Now, trailing 3-1 to the mighty Lakers, he should be crossing his fingers.

MLB drafts a superstitious one

When Brandon Belt and Austin Wood were selected in the fifth round of the MLB draft Wednesday, it reminded GAG of the 25-inning regional they played May 30. And May 31.

Texas' victory over Boston College started on Saturday and ended on Sunday. Throughout the game, the Longhorns tried every rally cap and superstition in the book.

Texassports.com went around the horn, asking several players from that game for their take on superstitions. Belt, taken by the Giants, said he used to be superstitious but grew out of it. Wood, picked by Tigers three picks after Belt, said he puts his uniform on the same way every time, right cleat before left cleat and so-on.

Dwight Howard's pregame ritual

Ever wonder what Dwight Howard does before every game? Sure you wanna know?

He sits on "the throne of grace," which is exactly what you think it is. Hear it from the man himself.

Speaking of grace, the Magic's going to need a little if it plans on coming back against the Lakers. The NBA Finals resumes tonight.

A cross on the NBA logo?

In ninth grade, Dwight Howard posted his master plan on his bedroom wall. Alongside The Ten Commandments and a cross fixture was a handwritten list of goals.

Last but not least, Howard documented his hope to incorporate the cross into the NBA logo. He drew a sort-of faceless stick figure with two legs and no arms. On the chest, a cross, with the letters NBA next to it. All of this was circled.

See it here. (Fast forward to the 3-minute mark).

Tonight, Howard and the Magic resume play in the NBA Finals down 2-0 to the Lakers. Beforehand, Howard said to bet on the Magic because of God.

Insightful Twitter update

Spurs forward Bruce Bowen recently tweeted this: "Just met TD Jakes, I read many of his books."

When it comes to Bishop Jakes' written works, GAG personally recommends "He-motions." If you don't understand yourself better after reading it, you might just understand the Cubs' Milton Bradley a bit more.

GAG cover photo

The folded hands in the GAG blog ID above belong to Bryce Harper. The words and numbers (Luke 1:37) belong to the big man upstairs.

Behind the book, chapter and verse are the words, "For nothing is impossible with God." That might explain why the 16-year-old baseball phenom has been able to garner the nickname "Baseball's LeBron," if not originally given to him by SI then by someone else along the way.

The SI article doesn't explain Harper's viewpoint on religion or faith or those kinds of matters; writer Tom Verducci let's the photo speak for itself. On Harper's other wrist? The words "Play For Him."

Verducci did mention that Harper attends religious education classes regularly before school. Look for him every day in the big leagues in a few years, following his stint with Las Vegas High School.