SIX CLICKS

by Ted Bauer

Biggest story of the weekend, from our vocational perspective: Michael Phelps wins eight golds at Beijing (by the way, we got Mark Spitz in office this week, if you have any questions for him). Interesting non-sporting element of the weekend: Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life (44 million copies have been shipped worldwide) and head of Saddleback Church, holds a 'civil forum' attracting both Presidential candidates. In a TIME Magazine cover story on Warren two weeks ago, one quote (from Billy Graham's biographer) read: "The candidates are according him tremendous status." Truth. Let's start Six Clicks with him and see what sporting element we can arrive at!

Rick Warren:
The 23,000 member Saddleback Church is located in Lake Forest, California.

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Lake Forest, CA:
Also based outta there (so named because of the two lakes surrounding it): Ginger Reyes, the bassist for Smashing Pumpkins.

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Ginger Reyes:
Well, kinda. She joined up with 'em in April of 2007 and has appeared in two videos, but hasn't yet recorded with them. One cool thing, though: Billy Corgan says she'll be lending her likeness to a 'demon' character for the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour.

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Guitar Hero World Tour:
This thing is going to be big. Comes out in late October. Basic premise: it's similar to the 'Rock Band' games in that you can involve more people. R.E.M. and Metallica are releasing songs associated with the game, as well. The set list for the new edition has 43 confirmed songs, including Jersey (and wedding) staple "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.

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Bon Jovi:
Check out this interview we did with Jon Bon Jovi. Dude's a huge sports fan, specifically football. Last year's Super Bowl was an emotional train wreck for him. Why? He's from Jersey (duh) and roots for the Giants, but as his rock career was beginning, the Giants D-Coordinator was a man named Bill Belichick, and they became good friends (they text!) JBJ rooted for the Giants in their upset win, though.

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Bill Belichick:
In college, Belichick was a Chi Psi. Cool! Know who else was? A decidedly less-successful manager of sports teams: Jeff Torborg.

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Jeff Torborg:
Coolest thing about Torborg: he caught Koufax's perfect game AND Nolan Ryan's first no-hitter. Reason Torborg might want to consider joining Saddleback and looking for purpose: in 2003, he was the manager of the Marlins. They started 15-22 and he got axed. Jack McKeon (north of 70!) comes in and uh, they win the World Series. Sad.

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