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The STATE of Soccer in WASHINGTON
SEATTLE, Washington—Seattle University women’s soccer (5-5-0) came out attacking from the beginning and was able to come away with the win, topping Utah Valley, 4-2, in their final non-conference match of the season. This extended a four-game home winning streak for the Redhawks. Dale Garvey was at the match and shares a gallery at Facebook.com/goalWA.
In other action for Washington schools, Western crushed Simon Fraser’s Women 6:0. In Lacey the Saints Women edged Western Oregon. The Lutes Men of Pacific Lutheran scored two late tallies to win at Willamette. The PLU Women fell at Linfield. The Gonzaga Men won in Oregon over Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Washington State Cougars fell 3:0 at ranked Santa Clara. Whitworth’s red-hot Pirates Men won again in Oregon. The Whitworth Women won as well. See more recaps below.
“Overall, I think we did some really great things in the first half and I like that we were pretty focused on keeping the ball in good possession,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “Heading into the Western Athletic Conference, I think we’ve prepared ourselves well, in terms of our scheduling. I think we’ve seen varied levels of teams, and I think we’ve seen some of our strengths exposed as well as some of our weaknesses. Hopefully that has better prepared us for next weekend.”
The Redhawks struck early, as Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah) scored the first goal of the game, unassisted, in just the fourth minute of the match. This was her third goal on the season.
In the 16th minute, Utah Valley (1-8-1) tied the game, 1-1, on Regan Benson’s fourth goal of the season, assisted by Haley Curtis.
Seattle U struck back and regained the lead, adding two goals in the following 13 minutes of the match.
Melissa Busque (St. Bruno, Quebec, Canada) scored her fourth goal of the season, unassisted, in the 23rd minute. Heather Thomas (Woodinville, Wash.), assisted by Busque and Carlee Norquist (Boise, Idaho), added a goal a short time later in the 29th minute to put Seattle U back on top, 3-1. This remained the score through the halftime break.
In the 60th minute, the Redhawks increased their lead, 4-1, on an unassisted goal by Kiana Kraft (Kent, Wash.), the first of her career.
“It’s always nice to be able to get up in the attack, but I think it was a team effort,” said Kiana Kraft. “If my teammates hadn’t been able to get me the ball, then I wouldn’t have been able to shoot.”
The Wolverines fought back, as Kali Stubbs scored her first goal of the season in the 64th minute, but this proved to be the final scoring margin as Seattle U won, 4-2.
Verdoia led all players with five shots for the Redhawks. Kristen Nakagawa (Mililani, Hawaii) saw her first action this season, recording one shot. For the Wolverines, Curtis, Kim Stratford, and McKell Salmon led the team with two shots apiece. Overall, Seattle U outshot Utah Valley, 23-13, including 15-5 in the second half alone.
In goal, Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) recorded the start for the Redhawks, earning the win. Brittany Lott (Fort Collins, Colo.) entered the game for the final nine minutes, recording one save, in her first action in goal this season. For the Wolverines, Lauren Sack got the start, playing the entire first half, and Jessica Duffin entered the game for the second half.
The Redhawks hit the road to begin conference play, as they will face University of Texas-San Antonio on Friday Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. PST before facing Texas State on Sunday Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. PST.
SALEM, Ore. – Robin Vieira scored twice in the second half to help push the Puget Sound women’s soccer team to a 3-0 win at Willamette on Sunday. The win is the third straight for the Loggers (4-2-1, 3-0-1 NWC) and their third straight shutout.
For the second consecutive match, the Loggers defense proved to be stingy in allowing just four shots. None of those shots found their way on goal on goal as Kara Merfeld ran her scoreless streak to 290 minutes.
The Loggers held a 16-4 shot advantage in the match and didn’t waste much time in finding their first goal. Liz Blonden settled Kylie Beeson’s corner kick from 19 yards out and fired it to the upper left corner for a 1-0 Logger lead.
It wasn’t until the second half that Vieira was able to get on the board. She scored from 15 yards out on a through pass from Cassie Winter in the 72nd minute to give the Loggers a little breathing room. In the 89th minute, Vieira struck again from 12 yards out. Beeson earned her second assist of the match on the play.
Nicole Price had four saves in the match for the Bearcats (3-5-0, 1-3-0 NWC).
The Loggers head east next weekend to take on Whitman and Whitworth.
Zisette’s Goal Runs Logger Win Streak To Seven
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Sam Zisette scored for the second time this weekend to lift the 24th-ranked Puget Sound men’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Linfield on Sunday. Chris McDonald made a pair of saves to secure the shutout, his sixth of the season.
Zisette’s goal came in the 21st minute. Landon Gauthier played a ball into the middle of the box and Zisette lifted his shot over the keeper’s head for the game-winner.
The Loggers (7-1-1, 4-0-0 NWC) held a 7-4 shot advantage in the first half but Linfield came out strong after halftime. The Wildcats (3-4-0, 1-3-0 NWC) peppered 10 shots toward the Logger goal while holding the Loggers to just one shot. However, none of those 10 shots were put on goal as the Loggers held on for the shutout and the win.
The Loggers have now won seven straight matches, allowing just one goal in that stretch. After starting the season with a goals against average over two, McDonald now owns 0.64 GAA and is one shutout shy of second all-time on the Loggers shutout list.
Next up for the Loggers is a trip to Eastern Washington to face Whitman on Saturday and No. 11 Whitworth on Sunday. | http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/college-scoreboard-redhawks-women-double-up-wolverines-loggers-men-run-streak-to-seven/ | 1,512 |
Princeton Invitational Next for Men's Water Polo
Max Eliot leads the Crimson with four goals this season (Gil Talbot).
The Crimson men's water polo team heads south to Princeton, N.J., for four games in the two-day Princeton Invitational Sept 10-11. Harvard will square off against George Washington and No. 17 Princeton on Saturday before facing Johns Hopkins and Fordham on Sunday.
12:45 p.m. vs. George Washington
5:45 p.m. at No. 17 Princeton
9:10 a.m. vs. Johns Hopkins
12:40 p.m. vs. Fordham
Popp – Player of the Week
Senior Alexandre Popp was named the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Northern Division Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 6 after leading the Crimson to a 1-1 record at the MIT Invitational. Popp made 18 saves during the two-game invitational, including 13 against Cal Baptist.
Click here for the full release on Popp's Player of the Week award.
The Crimson went 1-1 at last weekend's MIT Invitational. The squad opened the year with a win over the host Engineers, 13-5. In game two, the Crimson lost to No. 17 Cal Baptist, 13-9.
Harvard went 1-2 at the tournament in 2010 and is 4-10 since 2002.
Junior Max Eliot leads the team with four goals while sophomore William Roller and senior Luka Babic have chipped in three apiece.
About George Washington
Harvard will open the Princeton Invitational with a George Washington team that is riding a three game winning streak. After losing to No. 20 Concordia (Calif.) to start the year, GW rebounded with wins over Penn State Behrend, Notre Dame (Ohio) and Fordham at the Navy Labor Day Open. The 3-1 start is the team’s best since 2006.
The Colonials’ Daniel Tyner scored 14 goals on just 18 shots last weekend.
The Tigers were ranked No. 16 in the CWPA preseason poll but fell to No. 17 after being idle through the first week of the season. Princeton returns its top four goal scorers from 2010 when the Tigers finished 19-8 overall and were CWPA Southern Division champions.
Princeton will be without returner Jeff Cole for the 2011 season as the co-captain is suffering from a reoccurring shoulder injury.
About Johns Hopkins
Like George Washington, the Blue Jays opened 2011 with a 3-1 record at the Navy Labor Day Open with their only loss coming to No. 20 Concordia (Calif.). Johns Hopkins recorded wins over Vanguard, Diablo Valley and Iona at the tournament.
Kielan Crow had 11 goals and Alex Whittman and Ross Schofield added 10 to lead the Blue Jays.
The Rams are 2-2 on the season after splitting four games at the Navy Labor Day Open. Fordham picked up wins against Mt. St. Antonio and Penn State Behrend while falling to Mercyhurst and George Washington.
Freshman Eric Minowitz was named the CWPA’s Northern Division Rookie of the Week after tallying six goals and five steals in four games. Minowitz’s six goals are one behind team leader Jack Bakas’ seven.
Harvard will travel to Annapolis, Md. for the North vs. South tournament Sept. 16-17. The Crimson is set for two challenging matches on Friday against No. 16 Bucknell at 1:30 p.m. and No. 15 Navy at 7:30 p.m. The team will finish the tournament with Gannon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. | http://gocrimson.com/sports/mwaterpolo/2011-12/Releases/110908_Princeton_preview | 768 |
A very moving day at Safeco Field as Niehaus honored
Lots of great moments today at Safeco Field — or Dave’s House, as some like to call it these days — as Dave Niehaus’ life was celebrated.
As you’d expect, when guys like Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Edgar Martinez, Rick Rizzs and Ron Fairly get up and tell stories, people listen. And when they’re talking about Hall of Fame announcer Dave Niehaus’ passing, people cry.
Including many of the speakers themselves. Rizzs choked up for a good minute or more before Buhner and company came to his rescue and joined him on the stage for some comfort. Buhner eventually wrapped Rizzs up in a big bearhug as Rizzs gathered himself.
The ceremony ended with team president Chuck Armstrong announcing there will be a statue of Niehaus erected outside Safeco Field, a fitting tribute for the man who has been there since Day 1.
Wanted also to share this poem that was included on the program card given to the fans who showed up today:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am an echo in home run calls.
I am the flash of white on a well-struck ball.
I am the sunlight on the outfield grass.
I am the powerful autumn home run blast.
When you jump up to a called steeerike three
I am there, yes you know me.
I am the sound of the broom after a three-game sweep
Swung on and belted; I am the tears on your cheek.
Rye bread and mustard, salami abound
I am high above, looking down.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. ‘My Oh My’ | http://gregjohns.mlblogs.com/2010/12/11/a-very-moving-day-at-safeco-field-as-niehaus-honored/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=0df65f7478 | 398 |
Rockies talk to Cuddyer; Twins in the mix
Negotiations continued Thursday between the Rockies and free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. The Mariners, Phillies and a somewhat unexpected suitor, the Twins, are also in the mix. It’s not clear how quickly the Rockies or anyone else can come to an agreement.
Cuddyer has spent his entire Major League career with the Twins, who made him a three-year offer. It was believed that the Twins were no longer a possibility when outfielder Josh Willingham signed for three years and $21 million. But multiple reports said the Twins had not dropped out of the running.
The Rockies’ prime focus is Cuddyer. The team has expressed interest in six-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran, but he is considered a longshot for the Rockies, mainly because of health concerns. Beltran has dealt with serious knee issues, including arthroscopic surgeries on both of them before the 2007 season and a further surgery on the right knee in 2010. The Mets had to be careful with his playing time early last season. Beltran put up strong numbers after being traded to the Giants for their lat-season run. However, the Giants have not signed him even though they have a need in the outfield.
Cody Ross remains a possibility to be signed to work in a tandem in left field with Seth Smith. If Cuddyer is signed, expect the Rockies to attempt to trade Smith to fill other holes. | http://harding.mlblogs.com/2011/12/15/2067276/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=04d8dffccf | 306 |
The Granbury Lady Pirates ventured west to Abilene for the annual Halloween Golf Classic.
The Lady Pirates finished 21st with a two-day score of 816. San Antonio Churchill won the event with a 586.
The Lady Pirates shot 414 on the Maxwell course and 402 on the Diamondback course. Diamondback is the site of the regional tournament in the spring.
The Lady Pirates were led by Chelsea Judge, who shot 190 (92-88). She was followed by Juliana Eckley with a 207 (107-100), Skylar Woodward at 214 (106-108), Myranda Allen at 215 (109-106) and Lauren Burns with a 241 (122-119), which did not count in the team total.
“These kids are working very hard on their game,” said Lady Pirate coach Becky Addison. “They are also very competitive, so I have no doubt we will see a great difference in our scores in our next two fall tournaments, as well as in the spring.”
The Lady Pirates are playing in Burleson this weekend. Junior Macaul Montgomery will be making her first trip with the varsity as she has been ill and unable to participate, said Addison.
“She is another player with great potential if she can stay healthy,” said Addison. “Having her in the lineup will definitely help down the road.
“These six girls will be making the final two fall varsity tournaments. One will be playing as a medalist and the other five as a team. I feel they are the strongest players at this point in the season, but I have six more young players playing JV who could very challenge for varsity positions come spring.” | http://hcnews.com/pages/archive/sports-archive/ghs-girls-compete-at-abilene/ | 359 |
Settlements reached in Will County Jail construction injuries
By Brian Stanley [email protected] June 5, 2012 4:18PM
Updated: July 7, 2012 8:42AM
CHICAGO — Two construction workers who were injured five years ago when a floor collapsed at the Will County jail each will receive a $6 million settlement.
On Oct. 9, 2007, Ramiro Zavala and Joshua Comer had just started pouring concrete on the third-floor level of the jail expansion project when the steel deck they were standing on collapsed.
The two men fell more than 20 feet, along with some supports and concrete.
Zavala, then 36, of Joliet, suffered a fractured pelvis and underwent back surgery.
Comer, then 29, of Braidwood, suffered a broken femur and wrist, ankle and knee injuries. Neither man was able to return to work in the construction trades.
Zavala’s attorney Christopher Norem said the $70 million construction project was managed by a joint venture entity on behalf of the Will County Building Commission.
That joint venture, along with Harbour Contractors; Waukegan Steel Sales Inc., the deck supplier; and Cordeck Sales Inc. the deck installer, were sued in Cook County by Zavala in 2008 and Comer in 2009.
The expansion opened in May 2009 and roughly tripled the jail’s inmate capacity.
Zavala’s case was settled in April and the $6 million settlement was made public Monday when Comer’s case was settled for the same amount. | http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/business/12993567-420/settlements-reached-in-will-county-jail-construction-injuries.html | 337 |
: Injury Report:
Pronger's foot surgery: likely to return vs. Ottawa on January 20
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12-16-2010, 10:30 AM
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: St. Andrews
Originally Posted by
If I was the coach, with a very sparse schedule coming up, I would tell Pronger to take a week or two off and get that knee healed. It will be a good decision in the long run. For that time period roll with:
I would not break up either of the other two pairings as I feel that leaving them together would be more beneficial.
We can still win with that defense and I want Pronger healthy.
Depending on the nature of the injury, I prefer this idea as well... I definitely am not a fan of Coburn-Carle as the 2nd pairing.
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Prospect Thread - Part XII
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11-22-2012, 11:15 AM
Lu deserves better.
Join Date: May 2009
Originally Posted by
Thoughts on why Labate isn't putting up points?
Zulinick was benched early in the season because Coach Eaves was unimpressed by his work ethic away from the ice. Something to keep in mind, but still could be someone to keep an eye on in the coming years. Yes! I got one right
Barber has been off to a hot start. Would've been nice to have those 4th rounders back; could've gotten Laleggia and Barber like we (or I) wanted!
From reports from Coach Parker, Myron has been playing well but just hasn't been putting up points like he should. Hope he picks it up! An article about their 3rd line:
Thanks for that, new blog to follow. Even if its name makes me throw up in my mouth.
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HF Jets Lounge | Now with 92.7% Less Football!
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12-12-2012, 06:17 PM
Join Date: Mar 2010
My friends call it "footie" and I've taken to calling it that too haha.
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Hammer Slammer's albums
Find More Posts by Hammer Slammer | http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showpost.php?p=56491737&postcount=549 | 73 |
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By Joshua Brett
WEST WINDSOR – When the final buzzer sounded – at the correct moment, this time – the West Windsor-Plainsboro South ice hockey team celebrated like it had won a championship yesterday.
There was no trophy handed out yesterday at Mercer County Park. But it is hard to blame the Pirates for feeling like they had won one.
Less than 48 hours after squandering a third-period lead and losing to cross-district rival WW-P North, the Pirates flipped the script yesterday by staging a third-period comeback of their own for a 4-3 win over the Knights in front of a packed house. It was the Pirates’ first win over the Knights (8-6-1) since January 2008.
A choppy, frustrating affair that featured a combined 16 penalties and seven game stoppages due to the scoreboard buzzer going off randomly – yes, seven – didn’t seem quite so bad for the Pirates when they scored three unanswered goals in the third period, the last two by freshman John Matthews with 2:37 and 1:10 remaining to lift them to a long-awaited victory over their archrival.
“Nobody in that locker room has felt the feeling that they feel now beating those guys,” said Pirates coach Laurent Lassance. “I know that it was a bad taste in my mouth (Saturday), and I know it was a bad taste in their mouths. And I made sure they remembered what happened Saturday when we came in here between periods, and that they can do the same thing that (North) did to them.”
The Pirates (4-6-1) got to the third period within a goal thanks in large part to goalie Jon Plester, who stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced despite getting benched for the first period after arriving less than the mandated 60 minutes before game time. The Pirates also played the physical game that Lassance has been waiting for them to play all season, and became only the second team this season to hold CVC scoring leader Marc Kolber (35 goals) without a goal.
“We picked up the physical game. It gets our entire team energized,” said Mike Morabito. “Just the physicality led to great momentum.”
That physicality was on display in a hit midway through the final period that sent WW-P North’s Eddie Accetta sliding into the boards. When WW-P North’s Liam Corbett went to retaliate after no penalty was called, he was sent to the box, costing the Knights momentum at the same time that the injured Accetta was being helped off the ice.
After squandering that penalty and killing one of their own, the Pirates took the lead when Matthews jammed in a loose puck with 2:37 remaining. The freshman gave the Pirates a 4-2 lead with 1:10 left when he roofed a shot into the top left corner.
Jason Kessler got the Knights within 4-3 with nine seconds remaining, but the Pirates won the subsequent faceoff to seal the victory.
“It was the first time that anybody on our team beat North,” Matthews said. “It was really fun.” | http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6057227822094641633/west-windsor-south-4-at-west-windsor-north-3-boys-ice-hockey/ | 683 |
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Fordham Prep certainly isn't endearing itself to the Staten Island golf community.
For the second straight year, the Rams knocked off an undefeated team from the borough in the 18-hole CHSAA championship match. After beating Monsignor Farrell last year, St. Peter's was the recipient of some rough treatment on Tuesday as the Bronx school captured its fourth league title in five seasons with a 4-0 victory at Marine Park G.C. in Brooklyn.
"Our goal was to win the division and get here. Hopefully, this experience helps us for the future," said SP coach Mike Sanborn, whose team finished 12-1. "We have three underclassmen starters returning, so we'll try to get back.
"But this was a great team we played today. They try to expand their golf schedule. They're all MGA (Metropolitan Golf Association) players."
In fact, Rams coach Kevin Gilligan knew he was going to have a special season after his team played 126 holes of golf in four days during an Easter break trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"I definitely had an inkling," said Gilligan, whose program has appeared in seven straight CHSAA finals. "During that trip, I got a sense of how competitive and talented this team was. They're real good golfers who push each other. When you have that, only good things can happen."
Once the CHSAA campaign began, the Rams steamrolled the opposition. They went 12-0 during the regular season with an amazing individual match record of 58-0-2. They followed that with a pair of 4-1 wins in the first two playoff rounds before capping their 15-0 league season with Tuesday's 4-0 win.
Leading the way for Fordham Prep is first-flighter Cameron Young. The freshman recently shot a 3-under 69 at Trump National course in Westchester to advance to sectional qualifying this coming Monday at Canoe Brook (N.J.) with hopes of getting a spot in the U.S. Open at Olympic C.C. in San Francisco.
But St. Peter's No. 1 Steve Competiello literally played Young to a standstill through the first nine holes, grabbing momentum early when he sank a 25-foot putt from the fringe to birdie the first green and go up 1-0. Unfortunately for Competiello, Young began pulling away at the turn and eventually closed it out 5-and-3.
Fellow senior Ryan Campbell had a harder time against Prep No. 2, soph Jackson Zepf. The SP southpaw -- who combined with Competiello to give the Eagles a decisive 1-2 punch the past two seasons -- never got untracked on the uncluttered and expansive course and dropped a quick 7-and-6 decision.
SP No. 3, soph Nick Diamantis, stayed fairly close to the Rams' Zenon Bishop, before Prep's lone senior starter recorded a 5-and-4 victory. While Eagles freshman Mike Lieberman was overwhelmed by Rams junior Garrett Weir in the fourth flight, 8-and-7.
The fifth-flight match between SP soph Chris Coughlin and Rams junior James Corrigan was halted with Corrigan 3-up with four holes left.
"This was the first time guys like Diamantis and Lieberman played this caliber of golfer," said Sanborn. "Their 3s and 4s were like most teams' 1s and 2s."
Aside from their scores, what made the Rams' pairings so impressive was that their two golfers would hit the ball almost the same distance and in the same area -- letting one read off the other's ensuing shot. | http://highschoolsports.silive.com/news/article/8496404485268399761/fordham-prep-tops-st-peters-for-second-straight-chsaa-boys-golf-crown/ | 783 |
We're not particularly big on conspiracy theories, but the timing of the announcement from MLSE that Brian Burke was going to be pushed aside, for his own protege as it turned, got us to thinking and looking at time lines, personal connections and maybe a grudge or two for good measure.
The Breaking News out of Toronto on Wednesday, left this Gary Bettman Welcome back to Hockey mea culpa I'm sorry, oh so sorry, address, more or less the kind of stuff that ends up on the cutting room floor of television stations everywhere (well back in the day where actual cutting took place we guess, now it's more a case of delete, delete, delete).
Anyways, while the Commish was busy thanking the fans for their patience and all the assorted participants in our last four months of angst (we particularly found amusing the term "those players that made it clear that they would rather be on the ice rather than negotiating...") most of the media up in Canada (not to mention the world of twitter which just plain blew up for a few hours) where the game actually for some reason still resonates with a sport loving public, were already past his speech, instead weighing in on the latest of theatre from the PT Barnum of hockey clubs, the Maple Leafs.
Now, we're not privy to how the negotiations went over the course of the last four months, but the owners of a cashbox such as MLSE surely were none too happy that at the end of the day, they were out some four months of box office receipts, television revenue and oh yeah fan goodwill and all of that.
Not to mention that perhaps the new era of NHL hockey once again will see the successful end up subsidizing the weak, incompetent and/or Phoenix.
When you look at the other sports leagues around there, your baseball, basketball and that Holy Grail of all that is successful the NFL, you rarely if ever have the member clubs usurping the Commissioners moments of sunshine moments.
Not so the NHL, where revenge is best served as soon as you can find a microphone it seems.
So, maybe the timing was just a little bit of payback to Gary Bettman, knowing that he's friends with Brian Burke, (who of course spent a fair bit of his time as Director of Justice for the league) and perhaps is indicative that not all of the team players in the boardroom at NHL central are particularly impressed with Le Chef... | http://hockeynation.blogspot.ca/2013/01/mr-bell-in-boardroom-with-hatchet.html | 501 |
Redding's back fine after Minors game
Manager Acta proclaims righty has clean bill of health
WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Tim Redding pitched in a Minor League game on Friday and didn't have problems with his back, according to manager Manny Acta.
Redding pitched six innings and will return to the club on Saturday. He will pitch in his first regular-season game on Wednesday against the Phillies.
In other news, hitting coach Lenny Harris did not attend batting practice at Nationals Park on Friday evening because his sister passed away.
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080328&content_id=2464316&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | 141 |
SAN FRANCISCO -- If there's one thing that could make Justin Verlander smile Thursday night, it was the destination listed on the flight manifest for the team charter. The Tigers were going home, back to Detroit, where the 108th World Series will resume Saturday night.
And that, the ace right-hander believes, could make all the difference in the world for the American League champions after dropping the first two games to the Giants at AT&T Park.
That's not a great situation to be in. History is warming up in the Giants' bullpen. Of the 52 teams that have previously swept the first two games, 41 have gone on to win it all. It's also happened eight straight times and on 14 of the last 15 occasions.
Verlander, and everybody else in the room, is banking on the idea that getting back to Comerica Park will be just what they need to turn things around.
"It definitely benefits us, for sure," Verlander said. "We're an AL team. It will be beneficial to play our rules. I think it's just an advantage getting to our park where we're comfortable. The fans are great. We've played extremely well there all year."
The Tigers were 50-31 at home during the regular season but went 38-43 on the road.
"Oh, man, we're pumped," outfielder Quintin Berry said. "It's time to go home and get the fans in our corner. We're just going to go home and do our thing and think about coming back here so we can make it all the way through to Game 6 or Game 7 or whatever we have to do. But we're not worried about it. We know we're going home and we play great at home. The fans have our backs and we'll use that for our momentum.
"Being in your own atmosphere is huge. The fans are always in our corner. And we need that right now. Just being in your own comfort zone. A lot of teams play good at home, so it's good we're going there and we've got three there and we can pick up ground."
The most obvious difference is that the Tigers will have use of the DH, which means that Andy Dirks, a .322 hitter during the regular season, is available to go back to left field while Delmon Young resumes his more accustomed role.
Down, but not out
While acknowledging that playing with the DH will help, Verlander suggested that it might not be as crucial as in the past.
"I don't think it affects us as much as it did last year," he said. "Because Victor [Martinez] was our DH last year and he was so banged up he couldn't play. He couldn't catch, he couldn't be in the field so we totally lost our second-best bat when we went to Interleague and if we had gone to the World Series. I think our team this year is built a little better."
Catcher Gerald Laird has already mentally mapped out how the Tigers, using their home-field advantage, can regain the upper hand.
"I like our chances," he said. "We've got Anibal [Sanchez] coming Game 3, and if we can get that game we've basically got our back-to-back aces with [Max] Scherzer and Verlander. So I definitely like our chances. We just play well there. You kind of get up to play at home. Playing baseball where we've played good all year. They did their job. They're supposed to win the first two games at home. Now we've got to take care of business at home and if we do our job we can have a lead coming back here.
"It's just been tough. It will be nice to get home in front of our crowd. We know it's going to be nice and loud. We know what to expect. We'll play where we're comfortable. We've got two tough righties form them [Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Cain], but I like the guys we're sending out there. Hopefully we'll come back here [ahead] three games to two."
Added center fielder Austin Jackson: "We get to go home now and regroup and come out ready to play. It's tough to win in somebody else's home territory. So hopefully that's the advantage we can have going home."
The Tigers also think getting back into a routine after a long layoff between the time they finished sweeping the Yankees in the American League Championship Series and the start of the World Series can only help.
"When you lose the speed of the game, it's hard to get back right away," Laird said. "You hate to make excuses. They're playing good baseball right now. That's the bottom line. We ran into a really hot team. But we get to go home now where we played our best baseball."
Added Verlander: "You go out there and play ball and it is what it is. In this game though we've played for, what, eight months now counting Spring Training? And you don't have more than one day off besides the All-Star break. And then you get five or six. But I can't say whether that's the cause of anything or not. I felt like we put some good at bats together in this game. Obviously we pitched well. We just lost.
"I said [after Game 1] and I still hold to it strongly, I don't see anybody in here hanging their head. Our heads are held high. Nobody in here thinks we're out of this thing. It stinks. I don't think we're happy. But we've been playing must-win games for the better part of two months now. Especially against Chicago. And we won when we had to.
"So go back home and win three. Then win one here."
The Tigers are obviously looking forward to some home cooking. And we're not talking Coney Dogs, either.
Paul Hagen is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121025&content_id=40041430&vkey=news_det&c_id=det | 1,269 |
Issue date: 07 December 2009
Reigning World Junior Squash Champion Mohamed El Shorbagy has joined the University of the West of England to study for a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Mohamed, who is 18 and from Egypt, beat second seed Ivan Yuen of Malaysia in straight games 11/9, 12/10, 11/2 in Chennai, India, in August retaining the World Junior Title that he also won in Zurich in 2008. Mohamed is only the second player in history to win the Junior World title twice.
Mohamed was at school in Somerset and has also held the British Junior title since he was fifteen. He will be defending this title as an under-19 for the third time in January in Sheffield – if he wins three times in a row, this will create a new record.
Already well established on professional squash circuit, and ranked 14 in the world seniors, he will travel to matches in Qatar, India and Saudi Arabia alongside continuing his studies.
He said, “Mechanical Engineering is a tough course and I will have to study hard for my exams in January – the key thing is for me to organise my time well so I can do both.
“Many Universities contacted me, but UWE understood my sport best, my need to go to tournaments. People at UWE have really helped me, especially Sports Performance Manager Richard Bennett and Mechanical Engineering programme leader Neil Larsen.
“UWE has provided me with a full scholarship through the EliteUWE programme – no other University could match this, so it is really special. I use the gym facilities here too – it has the machines I need as a squash player, and I can play squash either at the Centre for Sport or at Wallscourt.”
Mohamed, who trained with Jonah Barrington, has just been named Young Male Player of the Year in the International Squash Awards 2009 and PSA Young Player of the Year by the Professional Squash Association.
UWE Deputy Vice-Chancellor John Rushforth said, “We are delighted that Mohamed has joined us. This is a further example of the University's ambition, since it shows we are serious about developing our sporting profile, demonstrates the benefits of our world class facilities and shows how we can support students.”
Richard Bennett said, “The opportunity for UWE to host a player of Mohamed's talent is a direct reflection of our recent investment in sport. I am very glad that we were able to assist in bringing Mohamed to UWE and appreciative of the exposure that Mohamed will generate for UWE in the world of Elite sport. As well as playing for UWE in the British Universities Championships, Mohamed will be acting as a sporting ambassador for UWE within the community.
“Mohamed's arrival is making waves beyond the University. He is a member of the National League Squash Team Probuild Bristol, based at the Welsh Back club in the city centre, which is relishing the sell-out crowds that Mohamed is drawing. His combination of explosive power and innovation on the court ensure an entertaining game for the crowd.”
UWE Head Squash Coach and Probuild Bristol team manager Hadrian Stiff said “I am very exited about the next 4 years when Mohamed will be training here. I will do everything possible to fine tune this incredible player.”
For more information on UWE's Elite Athletes visit http://www.uwe.ac.uk/sport/elite.shtml | http://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/UWENews/news.aspx?id=1649 | 717 |
Voting for the All-MLL team is now open here.
Anyone can vote, it appears that the amount of times a single person can vote is not restricted, but MLL has safeguards to ensure that fan voting is not the only sole determining factor. So feel free to go crazy voting as many times as you like, but don't be shocked if your favorite player doesn't make it.
First let me say that the fact that the LSM position has been ignored is a travesty and should be rectified immediately, as it has adversely affected my defensive picks. And by that I mean Kyle Hartzell would have been my LSM pick in a slight edge over Joel White, if only because both players are the best takeaway defenders on their teams and each guy can transform turnovers into offense. But it’s irrelevant because the league — despite adding the fourth pole in an effort to become more accepted — decided to leave the LSM off of its All-MLL team.
But I digress.
We keep it 100 in this space, so I’ll divulge all my picks and some short reasons for making them. Also, if there is a more obvious pick to be made I will clarify. There will be statistical dissections and explanation, but there rest of these picks, it must be said, made themselves. Not a ton of subterfuge here; just a few bushels of sanity to even out this crazy season.
Drew Adams, Long Island Lizards
11.55 Goals Against Average, 157 total saves, 53.4% save percentage, 8 wins, 4 losses. There are better statistical choices: Kip Turner has better overall stats, but only played in nine games. Jordan Burke and Jesse Schwartzman have better raw numbers as well. However, no other team relies on their keeper as much as the Lizards. Adams has had to command several rookies on his defensive line: C.J. Costabile, Tim Henderson and Michael Skudin. Adams has also had to help Brian Karalunas adjust to playing deep — an entirely new position for him — as well as manage his two enforcers Chris Passavia (a year removed from the league) and Parker McKee (a year removed from quickness). Turner has the benefit of 2/3 of Adams’ starting defense from 2011, Burke was beaten soundly in their head-to-head matchups and Schwartzman has a much better defensive unit in the league in front of him. Without Drew Adams the Lizards are at least four games lighter in the win column. I doubt anyone on the Island would disagree.
Lee Zink, Denver Outlaws
He has no stats to speak of: 13 groundballs, 3.5 minutes worth of penalties. But what he does do is shut down the opposing team’s best player. He gets beat occasionally, but I can’t remember the last time anyone got a clean shot off on him one on one without a stick on their gloves or a bruise on their arm. He’s a defenseman’s defenseman — no flash, all substance. He’s the Terminator but somehow less forgiving.
Brodie Merrill, Hamilton Nationals
Merrill has quietly had another great season up north. 3 goals, one 2-pointer, 5 assists, 86 groundballs and just 3.5 minutes worth of penalties. Merrill got some more help on the defensive side of the ball this year in the form of rookies Chad Wiedmaier and Matt Lovejoy, but the Nationals never found the right way to use either guy (both come from robust defensive systems; the most robust thing about the Nationals is the Tim Horton’s coffee they slug on the way to McMaster) to back up the ginger prince. And yet, Merrill persevered, always the stolid soldier.
Mike Evans, Chesapeake Bayhawks
Apparently there is a misconception that I believe Evans is not a great defenseman. I’m sure it comes from an off-handed comment I made in a past article relating to his ball-handling ability. I’ll say this – it’s gotten better. I would now trust Evans to catch a large Bass thrown at him at medium speed. All kidding aside (am I kidding?), Evans has stellar footwork, freakish strength and a ferocious slap check. He’s the best defender on his team and his team has at least one hall-of-famer in Nick Polanco.
Greg Gurenlian, Long Island Lizards
Beast. That’s it. Just beast. All of your arguments are null and void.
Paul Rabil, Boston Cannons
Trying out a new nickname for Rabil: “The Iron Cheek”. Back in the day the biggest villain in all of WWE was “The Iron Sheik”. Rabil, despite still being adored by millions of fans, has accrued a number of vocal haters that are irrational in their critique of his game and his personality. So while Rabil may still curry a certain mainstream favor, his dissenters grow. Little do they know that they also give him strength…the strength to turn the other cheek. The other…IRON cheek. Yeah. We can’t all have cool nicknames like “K-Diddy”, “K-Money” or “Devitte” you know.
Kyle Dixon, Chesapeake Bayhawks
The deadliest long-range shooter in the game has become the best long-range shooter in the game. Not only has Dixon surpassed the career mark for 2-pointers (breaking Roy Colsey’s record of 33 earlier this year), but he broke the single season record for deuces (12 2-pointers) in 2012 as well. He’s a threat out of the box, on man-up and in transition. He’s a walking Panzer tank that can swing a game with one howitzer.
Max Seibald, Long Island Lizards
This is the first controversial pick. There are a couple of middies with better offensive stats — Jeremy Sieverts (38, three points better), Kevin Crowley (36, one point better) — and one mid with the same stats (Stephen Berger, 35). Aside from Rabil there is not a better athlete in the league. Seibald is a freak of nature. Impossibly fast, irrationally strong and still getting better. Last year, Seibald was slowed by a knee injury that was downplayed more than the lack of HD cameras filming MLL games this summer. Seibald can do it all on the lacrosse field and is the best multi-talented midfielder of his generation. Don’t call it comeback; he’ll be here for a lot more years.
Brendan Mundorf, Denver Outlaws
I defy you to name a better attackman this season. Mundorf has 50 points (26 goals, 24 assists) — in 10 games. Ten. The other attackmen up for consideration have played at least 12 or 11 games and have a lot less points. Mundorf has led the surge of the Outlaws from good to great with the stoicism of an Army chaplain. He is a truly unstoppable force with the ball in his stick
Matt Danowski, Charlotte Hounds
I didn’t see it coming either. For all of my criticism of Dino I’ve never questioned his actual talent. Make no mistake; Danowski is a star in this league. It’s pretty hard to use the shooting percentage argument when Rabil is the clear MVP and shoots 2% better (18%) than Danowski (16%). Danowski needs to be surrounded by catch-and-shoot attackmen like Matt Poskay or Drew Westervelt, not goal-seeking missiles like Billy Bitter. Still, it’s pretty hard to make excuses for a guy that puts up substantial points in the face of droopy dog expansion frustration. Imagery intended.
This is not an easy decision. Ryan Boyle is the obvious choice here, especially after his ridiculous 2-goal, 6-assist performance against the Bayhawks this past weekend. Boyle is a hinge; Crotty is the door. Crotty’s production has fluctuated, but his ankle injury mid-season was so nasty, so dry-heave inductive, that when coach Tim Soudan described it as a minor sprain on the conference call the next week I actually laughed. Still, while Crotty leads the Rattlers in points with 29 (15G, 14A), Boyle is second on his team in points behind Rabil with 16 goals and 30 assists. There is even an argument for the unstoppable-left-hand of Joe Walters, but it’s invalidated by his time in the midfield and his team’s overall capitulation. It’s really a tough call. Stats aren’t everything; sometimes it comes down to who you could want to have the ball with 30 seconds left to win you the game. Sledgehammer to my laptop…it’s got to be Ned Crotty, Rochester Rattlers.
Disagree? Just vote a few hundred times on your own; I am sure it will make you feel better. Remember, your vote counts just as much as mine does. | http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2012/07/31/devitte-picking-all-mll-team?quicktabs_5=0 | 1,934 |
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at [email protected].
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at [email protected]. | http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/osu/post?id=8233 | 149 |
Coach's Reviews"We have drills with multiple eSCORE's..."
Mark Rosen - Head Coach
Women's Volleyball, University of MIchigan
"We use eSCORE every day in practice!"
Terry Liskevych - Head Coach
Oregon State Women's Volleyball
"eSCORE is a great tool that has saved a lot of time during our practices..."
Brenda Williams - Head Coach
Women's Volleyball, Olivet Nazarene University
"... the days of flipping score cards are over!"
Jeanne Hess - Head Coach
Professor and Chair, Phys Ed Department, Kalamazoo College | http://insightsportsinc.com/ | 132 |
An openly gay University of Minnesota golf coach is considering a discrimination lawsuit after she wasn't allowed to do her job, suggesting that homophobia can be a problem at secular universities, not just religious ones.
According to the Minnesota Daily, Katie Brenny was hired as the University's associate women's head golf coach at the beginning of the season, but left in October. During her short employment, she was mysteriously "disallowed from speaking to players about golf, traveling with the team or recruiting off-campus." Says her lawyer Donald Mark Jr., "It appears to us that there was discrimination occurring, and that seems to be the only logical explanation" for why Brenny wasn't allowed to coach. When asked if this discrimination resulted from the Minnesota golf director learning that Brenny was gay, Mark said, "I think that's accurate."
No suit has been filed yet, and the University's general counsel says the school hopes to avoid one. He also says "we do not believe the University's director of golf engaged in any unlawful actions" (the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation). However, the case is reminiscent of Belmont University's alleged firing of gay soccer coach Lisa Howe. Belmont calls itself a "Christian university," and according to the Tennessean's Bob Smietana, anti-gay discrimination is par for the course at such schools: "Christian schools often require faculty and staff to refrain from sex outside of marriage [...] Gay relationships are often specifically banned." But if it's true that the University of Minnesota sidelined Brenny for being gay, that would be a reminder that homophobia's far from just a Southern, Christian problem.
Resigned Golf Coach Brenny To Sue U This Week [Minnesota Daily]
Belmont Policy That Led To Gay Coach's Ouster Is Not Unique [Tennessean] | http://jezebel.com/5707499/ex+minnesota-golf-coach-says-she-was-sidelined-for-being-gay | 372 |
Football’s Will Lawing serves as clinician at charity football camp
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College football assistant coach Will Lawing recently joined more than 280 other college coaches for the Lauren's First and Goal ninth annual football camp held on Sunday, June 3, at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. A record 2,105 high school student-athletes attended this annual event, which is the primary fundraiser for Lauren's First and Goal Foundation.
Even more impressive was the day's fundraising total – more than $85,000 – thanks to camper registrations and donations. For the year, the foundation has raised more than $113,000 as a result of tremendous community support and generous donors.
All proceeds from the camp go directly to Lauren's First and Goal Foundation's mission of providing financial support for brain tumor research and cancer services, offering financial and emotional support to families living with pediatric cancer, and increasing awareness of the disease.
"The camp is a true community effort on every level, and so many generous people come back each year brimming with enthusiasm and positive energy," said LFG founder Marianne Loose. "We are extremely grateful to all of the volunteers, coaches, Lafayette grounds crew, football players and former team members, athletic Trainers and medical staff for devoting their time and talents to help make the camp a success."
Athletes from 16 different states and Washington, D.C. descended on the College's Metzgar Athletics Complex to receive instruction in a variety of offensive and defensive skills from college coaches from around the country. More than 280 coaches representing 102 schools volunteered their time at the annual camp, as well as representatives from three NFL teams.
The highlight of the day was Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien, who addressed the campers after a brief thunderstorm delay. He spoke about the importance of being people of action and the characteristics he looks for in a student-athlete, including having respect for their families and being active in the community.
In addition to the Pennsylvania event, LFG will host its third annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp Ohio on Sunday, June 17 at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.
Created in 2004 by John and Marianne Loose in honor of their 15-year-old daughter Lauren, a pediatric brain tumor survivor, LFG has donated more than $1 million toward the fight against pediatric brain tumors and cancer. | http://juniatasports.net/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/20120614ofbw9y | 501 |
Kean Women Advance to NJAC Championship Game
UNION, N.J. (2/21/12) – Junior guard Naimah Clemons and Brittanie Payne combined for 40 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to a 76-68 win over Montclair State University in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Semifinals on Tuesday evening.
With the win, the #23/24 Cougars (22-4) advance to face William Paterson University for the NJAC title at home on Friday, February 24, at 7 p.m.
Freshman forward Melissa Tobie led the Red Hawks (19-8) with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds.
Clemons finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Payne (pictured left) added 18 points and eight rebounds for Kean.
In the first half, the Cougars used a 14-4 run to open up a nine-point lead at 33-24 with 4:15 remaining in the half, as Payne capped the run with a layup. Tobie slowed the Cougars with a three-point play and a layup by junior forward Taylor Jeffers pulled the Red Hawks to within four, before the Cougars took the 37-31 lead at the break.
Payne hit 6-of-8 shots in the first half for 12 points, while Clemons dropped in 10 points. Tobie led the Red Hawks with 12 points.
Kean extended the lead to double-digits to open the second half, as Clemons knocked down a three-pointer and junior Simone Smith grabbed an offensive board and made the putback for the 42-31 lead. Tobie then sparked an 11-0 run with a layup and sophomore guard Theresa Towns scored seven of the team's next nine points, tying the game at 42-42 with a layup with 16:21 remaining.
A three-pointer by Kean junior guard Erika Jones halted the run and Jones would later give the Cougars a 50-44 lead with 14:40 remaining with another basket from beyond the arc. A 6-0 run by Montclair State would give the Red Hawks their first lead of the second half at 54-53 and the two teams exchanged the lead three times over the next minute, before Clemons sparked a 7-0 run for the Cougars who extended the lead to 62-56 with 7:38 left in the game.
Montclair State answered right back with a 7-0 run, regaining the lead at 63-62 on a pair of free throws by senior guard Jaime Ericson and the lead would once again change hands three times over the next minute before a three-point play by senior forward Danielle McFadden gave Kean the lead for good at 67-65 with 3:18 remaining.
Kean followed with six straight free throws and a layup by Clemons to extend the lead back to double-digits in the final minute en-route to the eight-point victory.
Jones (pictured right) finished with 14 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars, while McFadden added seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Towns scored 15 points for Montclair State, while Jeffers added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Kean hosts William Paterson for the NJAC title for the second time in the last three seasons. In the 2010 championship game, Kean defeated the Pioneers, 70-62, to capture the program's 13th NJAC title. | http://keanathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/022112 | 729 |
- KNIA / KRLS - http://kniakrls.com -
Busy First Week Back for Pella Wrestling
Posted By sports On December 31, 2009 @ 6:30 am In Today’s Local Sports | Comments Disabled
The Pella wrestling team has a busy week coming out of the holiday break next week with three tough meets. The Little Dutch head to South Tama for a make up dual meet Tuesday night, then face Norwalk, the top team in the LHC Thursday and round out the week at the PCM tournament Saturday. Coach Joe Burch says they’ve been practicing very hard over the holiday break and he’s hoping to see that hard work pay off next week.
Article printed from KNIA / KRLS: http://kniakrls.com
URL to article: http://kniakrls.com/2009/12/busy-first-week-back-for-pella-wrestling/
Copyright © 2009 KNIA/KRLS. All rights reserved. | http://kniakrls.com/2009/12/busy-first-week-back-for-pella-wrestling/print | 218 |
- KNIA / KRLS - http://kniakrls.com -
PCM Boys Golf Wins Again
Posted By sports On April 13, 2011 @ 5:55 am In Today’s Local Sports | Comments Disabled
P-C-M stayed perfect on the boys golf season with a first place finish in a triangular yesterday. The Mustangs shot a 149 to Bondurant-Farrar’s 167 and Woodward-Granger’s 184. For the third straight time, P-C-M Freshman Devon Woody led the way for the Mustangs carding an even par 36 to finish runner-up overall.
Article printed from KNIA / KRLS: http://kniakrls.com
URL to article: http://kniakrls.com/2011/04/pcm-boys-golf-wins-again/
Copyright © 2009 KNIA/KRLS. All rights reserved. | http://kniakrls.com/2011/04/pcm-boys-golf-wins-again/print | 199 |
Kukla's Korner Hockey
by Phil Davies on 09/28/10 at 10:25 PM ET
If there was ever a National team program historically greater than the sum of its parts, it would be Team Finland. Despite not having the offensive depth of many of their Elite Seven rivals, the Finnish National Team has repeatedly fared well in recent international best-on-best competition. After enduring many decades of lopsided defeats internationally at the hands of Canada, the former Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and longtime nemesis Sweden, the Finnish hockey program made great strides in the 1990’s, culminating with a World Championship in 1995. In addition, Finland has won more Olympic Hockey medals (1 silver, 2 bronze), than any other nation, since the introduction of NHL players to the Games in 1998.
Finland’s success can be attributed to a strong emphasis on teamwork and the fact that unlike their European rivals, hockey is indisputably the number one sport in their homeland, which has led to the implementation of adequately funded development programs and a strong domestic league in SM-liiga. More than any other European team, Finland employs a fast skating, tight forechecking, North American style of play, augmented by strong defensive zone coverage and consistently elite goaltending. The rinks in Finland have been adjusted to enhance the tight forechecking style of play, by adopting a size that is halfway between the dimensions of NHL and IIHF standards. Furthermore, in an effort to aid the National Team’s development programs, numerous goaltending schools have been created, and often led, by the country’s top puck stoppers. This has led to the emergence of many elite young goalies in the NHL, such as Tuukka Rask, Pekke Rinne, Antti Niemi and perhaps Kari Lehtonen, if he can find health and consistency in a Dallas Stars uniform.
Despite the growth of the National program, the recent international economic crisis has greatly affected domestic hockey in Finland, as one of their top teams; the Espoo Blues, announced a fire sale of players due to financial constraints during the 2009/10 season. How the economic crisis affects Finnish and other European hockey programs, will greatly determine their stature on the ice for years to come. For now, a more pressing concern is the changing of the guard on the National Team, as legendary players Teemu Selanne, Jere Lehtinen, and team captain; Saku Koivu reach the twilight of their careers. However, not all is lost with the emergence of Saku’s brother Mikko Koivu, as well as Tuomo Ruutu and Olli Jokinen as elite National Team members.
Filed in: Non-NHL Hockey, International Hockey, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: antti+niemi, dallas+stars, espoo+blues, iihf, jere+lehtinen, kari+lehtonen, mikko+koivu, olli+jokinen, olympic+hockey, pekke+rinne, saku+koivu, sm-liiga, teemu+selanne, tuomo+ruutu, tuukka+rask
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at [email protected] | http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/comments/the_state_of_hockey_in_finland | 802 |
|Lake Erie Monsters - 1 Center Ice - Cleveland, OH - 44115-4001 - (216) 420-0000 - Family of Companies|
Monsters Lose Close One to Division FoeTweet
03/22/2009 7:04 PM
“I just told the guys after the game that it was a couple mistakes that cost us,” said head coach Joe Sacco. “We competed hard, but we didn’t necessarily work smart all the time. Against a team like Grand Rapids, they have over 40 wins for a reason. You have to be at the top of your game and we weren’t.”
The first period would come and go without any score, as Monsters goalie Tyler Weiman turned away 13 shots and his counterpart, Griffins netminder Jimmy Howard, stopped all six Lake Erie shots on net.
Ville Leino would open the scoring, putting the Griffins up 1-0 at the 3:29 mark of the second period with his 15th goal of the season. Coming into the Monsters zone on a break, Leino took a cross-ice feed from Aaron Gagnon. Without hesitation, Leino unleased a snap shot from just above the hash marks that hit a Monsters defender and found the top corner of the net past the glove of Weiman.
But it wouldn’t take long for the Monsters to respond. Matt Hendricks would add his 13th of the season less than five minutes later to even the score. Coming into the Grand Rapids zone and running out of options with the puck, center Phil Dupuis spotted Hendricks, who was coming late into the play. Taking the pass in stride, Hendricks, who was in on Howard alone, deked to the back hand and slid the puck past the glove of Howard.
Taking the momentum from the Hendricks goal into the third period, the Monsters would score first in the final frame, as Per Ledin’s ninth goal of the game put the Monsters up, 2-1, just 51 seconds into the third. From the half wall, Dupuis pushed the puck to Ray Macias, who was standing at the point. Macias fired a shot toward the net, and had it redirected by Ledin past the blocker of Howard. With the pair of assists, Dupuis has recorded a team-leading 10 multi-point games and has recorded seven points (2G, 5A) in his past eight games.
But Grand Rapids would come back to tie the game less than eight minutes later, as Darren Haydar’s team-leading 28th goal of the year evened the score at the 8:16 mark of the third. With the puck in the slot, Leino found Haydar off to Weiman’s left. Standing all alone, Haydar tapped in the cross-crease feed just inside the post and past the glove of Weiman, tying the game. Garrett Stafford recorded the second assist on the goal.
Tied at two, the Griffins took the lead for good at 9:57 of the third on Francis Pare’s 22nd tally of the year. Carrying the puck behind the net, Francis Lemieux spotted Pare wide open in the high slot. Throwing the puck out in front, Pare one-timed the feed, blowing it through the five hole of Weiman. Evan McGrath picked up the second assist on Pare’s tally.
The game was Lake Erie’s last of eight in the regular season against the Griffins, as the team went 4-3-0-1 against their North Division foe. The Monsters return to the ice this Thursday, when they play host to the San Antonio Rampage at 7:00 p.m. at The Q.
The Monsters now sit nine points behind the North Division’s fourth-place Toronto Marlies, who, in the fourth spot, represent the last team the division can send to the Western Conference playoffs.
“It’s another setback and a tough loss and it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” said Weiman. “You just have to get back to work this week and get ready for Thursday.”
Browse by Year »2013
Browse by Month »May 2013 | http://lakeeriemonsters.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=429 | 887 |
ESPN’s Bill Simmons analyzed the Utah Jazz before the Miami Heat-Los Angeles Clippers game aired on ESPN Friday, and one of his comments was that Utah needed a new point guard. Williams, who plays point guard for the Jazz, heard Simmons’ comment and didn’t care for it. He responded via his Twitter account:
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) February 9, 2013
Someone should remind Williams that he has been out since hurting his thumb in a Dec. 22 game against Miami. Should Simmons have factored Williams into the mix when the guy had surgery? Maybe, but it’s not like Simmons’ analysis is off. Utah has been running Jamaal Tinsley and Alec Burks out there. Besides, the reality about Williams is that he is a decent fill-in guy if you need a point guard, but he’s not a long-term solution.
I will say this in Mo’s favor: thanks to Twitter, guys have the ability to respond to critics immediately. Remember in November we saw another athlete similarly respond to a writer?Google+ | http://larrybrownsports.com/tag/mo-williams | 230 |
|Win: KIIHNL (17-4)||7.0||4||1||1||2||11|
|Loss: MAZZAPICA (10-2)||7.0||6||3||2||4||3|
Sunday, March 25, 2012
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Revenge is a dish best served in California.
Lipscomb softball concluded the Mustang Classic with a 3-1 victory Sunday over Ball State, avenging an earlier loss to the Cardinals at the Citrus Classic in Florida. The Lady Bison finished 4-1 in the tournament and move to 20-8 for the season.
The Lady Bison got on the board in the home half of the first thanks to a solo home run by junior Kelsey Cartwrigtht. That gives her 10 home runs this season, making her the first Lady Bison to hit double-figures in home runs since Kellie Sirus (17) and Abby Keese (14) in 2010.
Cartwright drove in Lipscomb’s second run of the game in the third inning. She drove in junior Bree Thurman with a single up the middle, giving her 26 RBI this season and eight during the Mustang Classic.
Ball State got a run back in the fifth inning thanks to a lead-off home run by Amanda Carpenter.
That would be the only blemish on the day for Kiihnl, who turned in another in a string of impressive outings. She went the distance, earning her 17th victory by scattering four hits and striking out a season-high tying 11 batters.
The Lady Bison grabbed an insurance run in the sixth inning, scoring Cartwright on a groundout by sophomore Haley Elliott.
Cartwright went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in, while Thurman added two hits from the lead-off spot.
Lipscomb has no midweek games this week, electing to rest up before opening up the Atlantic Sun schedule. The Lady Bison will be in Jacksonville, Fla. for doubleheaders against North Florida (March 30) and Jacksonville (March 31).
Check back on Lipscombsports.com for more information on the Lady Bisons softball team, and be sure to like us on Facebook (Lipscomb Softball) and follow us on Twitter (@LU_Softball).
|Copyright ©2013 Lipscomb University Athletics. All Rights Reserved.||www.LipscombSports.com| | http://lipscombsports.com/softball/news-print/2011-12/7128/lipscomb-tops-ball-state-end-mustang-classic-4-1/ | 524 |
#Canucks at UBC Tanev, Schroeder, Connauton, Ebbett in from Chicago Wolves. Ballard sighting as well. UFA Cam Barker also here.
Kesler's only comment after UBC skate was that range of motion with repaired left shoulder still a problem. Can't raise arm above shoulder.
More fresh faces at Canucks skate - Ballard, Schroeder, Tanev.
Kesler (shoulder, wrist) working with Canucks skills coach at UBC. | http://live.theprovince.com/Event/Province_Sports_247_Live_Chat_Canucks_and_Stanley_Cup_Playoffs2?Page=1069 | 104 |
Australian snowboarder and Olympic gold-medalist Torah Bright talks to WSJ's Rachel Bachman about the dangers of winter sports, the favorites for the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia, and potentially challenging weather conditions. (Photo: Getty Images)
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
I ... the sportswriter Wall Street Journal I'm here with or right ... a snowboarder from Australia who won the twenty ten gold medal in the past I can make over ... tour thanks so much for joining us ... and tell us why it took a tour ... to India than a ... community working in the region's actions ... in some way ... in one win in the stands and that I think it's on the events that ... at five am rejects the view looking in on the runway show Nicole Miller designs at them very much on my own ... here's a video that I love it ... of them is good news this week of course it is some somewhat ominously summons a bond crash in Austria few days ago and seriously injured her knee when or if you can just talk about the dangers of winter sports person and what your ... colleagues are talking about ... last night and can isotope U K based anyone evil Knievel ... now it's that has many many more ... and we obviously all of what we do and that's why we didn't get back on the Moss of doing ... having Jason ... I ... yes I mean we all know the risks to pound some accounts related and some just on a non save a buck ... when he believes ... seven ... and ... it with CSKA Sanders a lot of talk about how long the might take her to come back ... um what what's your sense of of of of serious knee injury how long it might take for a high level athletes return of the slopes ... actually dun have any experience with ... the low he added ... add that ... I mean ... Lindsay is incredibly strong ... granted tenements in and out to be a looks and ... I really repeat that this break in ... every happened to be back for false arrest of ... mine Paul and workforce about one year out from the Sochi games in Russia ... in twenty fourteen of what I can tell me please think coupled with the Brits are ... kicking the women's halfpipe and then as well ... Mitzi favorite found will close in the women's NCAA men's and Ms Kelly clock ... Gretchen Lyla and ... Alayna hi a sound Pearson young American cars coming up ... I own gold ... they know they don't know who's on the team yet I'm I'm hoping that ... she can think she's quite the ride on them than it was the demand ... this shawl and I'm I'm in that thing that when buddy Danny Davis cannot Depôts are really get back in half TNG and hissed attendence a ... unit of time to time ... but yet in a just and just excited for the current share that every can of ... I was thinking about so of course um everyone thinks there is great anticipation about what new tricks will be unveiled ... by ... the halfpipe of snowboarders and can you tell me a few guesses rate is you have a bunny tricks we might see in Sochi ... our own ... then on to scan and clean balance the ... silent silent selling ... and the show and they owe ... what everyone in the day that this is the credo secrecy involved in sick keeping troops checks under wraps until that the biggest events ... I ... know I think I think Sean lives in the ... U ... S has a little secret the ... secrecy involved in a ... novel as everybody rides together ... and we'll see what each of the steering ... wheel help expanding its ban on the progression of the spot that we all want ... one out by the city well spent ... I know in in Vancouver there are some issues with the snow there was a really enough snow ... to snowboard venue for um for all the events they once knew on on time ... wondering about so she us Action subtropical climates have there been any worry about our weather and building up snow in Russia ... well it's funny you ask ... I'm the head and says that she to my eye ... the slopes of then it is it's can be the best time and the enduring him and it's now ... that's being canceled because the blackbirds ... and we are waiting to see and and when the hop at ten point three pm ... going on as well but it looks like they can appear with an announcement on top of the White House bought this lifestyle you can sort of intense didn't stay ... on in NST is another when some ... sort of stuff to see what it brings up the sum of five things to come ... to think so much | http://live.wsj.com/video/torah-bright-on-dangers-of-winter-sports-sochi/024E0EE1-AAA9-4F30-ADC9-FA58EBFB0322.html?mod=WSJ_Article_Videocarousel_15 | 959 |
CINCINNATI -- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart was out of the lineup a second straight game Wednesday. Manager Dusty Baker revealed that Cozart has been bothered by a stiff back.
September callup Didi Gregorius made his Major League debut in Cozart's place, going 0-for-4 in the Reds' 6-2 loss to the Phillies. He also made a sensational play in shallow left field to rob Juan Pierre of a hit.
"That's everybody's dream," Gregorius said of his debut. "Everybody has to be happy when you get the first callup."
A 22-year-old from Curacao, Gregorius was a Spring Training sensation defensively and left a large impression with his glove and range before returning to the Minors. He started the year at Double-A Pensacola and was promoted to Triple-A Louisville on July 10.
"I've only seen him in Spring Training, and what I've heard -- I heard he can pick it pretty good," Baker said. "You hope you see the same thing you saw in Spring Training."
Getting to be part of big league camp was beneficial for Gregorius, who first joined the organization in 2007.
"At Spring Training, I learned a lot," he said. "They taught me a lot about how they play and how I have to play the game. I talked to them a lot and saw how everything is."
Gregorius, a left-handed hitter, is still working to make his bat catch up to his glove. He batted .265 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs in 129 combined Minor League games, but only .243 in 48 games for Louisville.
"He was hitting real good at Double-A. He and [Henry] Rodriguez, they hit fair in Triple-A," Baker said.
Votto wastes no time getting back to business
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto certainly didn't look like he had missed 50 games when he played Wednesday for the first time since being sidelined with a left knee injury.
The Reds first baseman was 2-for-3 with two singles, a walk and a strikeout in a 6-2 loss to the Phillies.
"Having Joey back is great," right fielder Jay Bruce said. "He picked up where he left off. He looked great to me,"
Votto, the 2010 National League MVP Award winner who had two arthroscopic surgeries to repair torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee, was in the Reds' lineup for the first time since July 15. An appreciative crowd of 19,267 cheered loudly when he took the field to warm up pregame.
Fans followed with a standing ovation as Votto stepped into the batter's box for his first plate appearance.
"I was very humbled by it and very appreciative any time I get support like that," Votto said. "They exceeded my expectations."
Votto didn't exactly get an easy return, as he had to face Phillies ace Roy Halladay.
"I can't believe it worked that he was my first game back -- thank you, baseball gods," Votto joked, despite coming in with a .375 average lifetime vs. Halladay.
In his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, Votto lined a two-out single to left field. After walking in the fourth, Votto sent a single into center field with one out in the sixth.
"Joey was fine," manager Dusty Baker said. "I think those rehab days really helped him. I asked him in the seventh -- I was thinking of taking him out at that point -- and he said he was feeling OK. That's [a] big [day] tomorrow, a day off for him and his legs. He'll be ready on Friday."
Votto had a chance to try sliding into second base when he made an attempt to break up a double play. It was sliding that originally caused his injury, as well as the August setback that required a second operation.
"I was a little apprehensive. I did go in gingerly," Votto said. "I have had a few slides that have given me trouble. I have to get over that, and I will at some point."
In the eighth inning with one out, Halladay was replaced by lefty Antonio Bastardo -- specifically to face Votto. On a 3-2 slider, Votto went down looking at a called third strike.
Overall, the knee passed its first Major League game test. Votto played five games on a rehab assignment in the Minors.
"It held up pretty well until Bastardo buckled it," Votto joked. "I had no problems at all. If we had a game tomorrow, I would be more than happy to play.
"I had all that energy and fire inside of me that I had to sit on for that extended period of time. I wanted to get out there. I didn't really have a problem with giving away at-bats before, but that time off really hit home that you don't know what's going to happen next. That's reason enough not to take anything for granted and get after it."
Phillips slides back to leadoff spot with Votto back
CINCINNATI -- First baseman Joey Votto was back in the Reds' lineup for Wednesday's series finale vs. the Phillies, as manager Dusty Baker indicated would be the case a day earlier. It marked Votto's first game since July 15, when he went down with torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee.
The return of Votto meant some musical chairs for the Reds' lineup. Most notably, second baseman Brandon Phillips was moved back to the leadoff spot after he had kept Votto's third spot in the order warm. Baker expected there to be a readjustment for Phillips, who batted .313 with five homers and 21 RBIs over 40 games in the three-hole.
"It's really no big deal," Baker said of the switch. "They talk about [our] MVPs -- it could be [Jay] Bruce, [Aroldis] Chapman, [Todd] Frazier -- but Brandon is one of the unsung MVPs. He's the only guy I have here that can hit all over the lineup and perform well. There aren't many guys around that can do that."
Phillips, who entered the day batting .296 with 15 homers and 71 RBIs, started the season leading off but was quickly moved to the cleanup spot by the middle of April when the Reds needed more run production. He took over the third spot when Votto got hurt.
"You hate to keep moving him all around," Baker said. "Our personnel is such where sometimes you don't have any choice. You want a set lineup. But we only have a couple of set lineup guys."
Phillips' production could boost a leadoff spot that has been woeful this season. Primarily occupied by Drew Stubbs or Zack Cozart, Reds leadoff hitters are batting .206 with a .248 on-base percentage this year.
Left-hander Cingrani enjoys rapid ascent to Majors
CINCINNATI -- Left-hander Tony Cingrani, called up Tuesday from Double-A Pensacola, demonstrated that not every prospect needs years in the Minors before a big league promotion.
At this time last year, the 23-year-old was wrapping up his first pro season at Rookie-level Billings in the Pioneer League. He was a little surprised to have received the call to join the Reds.
"It's my first full season. It's been a little unbelievable," Cingrani said. "I've been working. I guess it's paid off."
Cingrani was 10-4 with a 1.73 ERA in 26 games, including 25 starts, for Pensacola and Class A Advanced Bakersfield. His ERA was the second lowest among all Minor League pitchers with at least 100 innings.
A closer in his senior season at Rice University, Cingrani was a starting pitcher his first three years of college. He throws a fastball, slider and changeup, and he credited organizational coaches Mark Riggins and Tony Fossas with helping him develop the slider. This season, Cingrani credited Pensacola coach Tom Brown for some of his success.
"He's probably one of the best pitching coaches I've ever worked with," Cingrani said. "It's going after hitters and competing. That's basically it. I'm throwing my fastball for strikes and throwing my other pitches in there when I need to get them over." | http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120905&content_id=37924560¬ebook_id=37924572&vkey=notebook_cin&c_id=cin | 1,803 |
D-backs Press Release
D-backs set single-game attendance record at Salt River Fields At Talking Stick
Only limited seats remain for three of the team's final five home games this spring
PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that today's sold-out crowd of 12,809 set the single-game record for Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The previous record was 12,799 set last year on March 31 vs. the Dodgers.
"Once again, we're seeing incredible crowds at Salt River Fields and we expect it will carry over to Chase Field," said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. "Arizona is the center of the baseball world and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the team right now."
The award-winning facility, now in its third season, has sold out seven of its first 12 games. The D-backs game against Seattle one week from today (March 24) is already sold out, as is the March 27 game vs. San Francisco. Limited tickets remain for this Tuesday's 1:10 game vs. SD, this Thursday's 1:10 game vs. Cleveland and the March 26 night game against the Angels.
The combined attendance at Salt River Fields this spring between the D-backs and Rockies is already at 316,208, the third-highest ever for a two-team complex.
Among the recent awards given to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick "Best Spring Training Facility" by Arizona Foothills magazine, while the complex was also a finalist for the Sports Facility of the Year from the Sports Business Journal. It is also the first Spring Training facility to receive a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program. | http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130317&content_id=42892766&vkey=pr_ari&c_id=ari | 357 |
Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence: Vanity Fair's hottest young stars
Published Feb 1 2012, 17:36 GMT | By Naomi Gordon
Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Olsen are just some of the up-and-coming starlets of Tinseltown to grace the cover of Vanity Fair's annual Hollywood issue.
© Vanity Fair, Mario Testino
The publication celebrates 11 of Hollywood's hottest young stars ahead of this month's Academy Awards, shot by its magazine's contributing photographer Mario Testino.
It features The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
's Oscar-nominated Rooney Mara, The Help
's Jessica Chastain, Hunger Games
actress and former Academy nominee Jennifer Lawrence and Albert Nobbs
's Mia Wasikowska.
Other actresses to appear on the glossy fold-out cover include Marcy Martha May Marlene
indie star Elizabeth Olsen, The Descendants
' Shailene Woodley
, Adepero Oduye, Paula Patton, Like Crazy
's Felicity Jones, Snow White
's Lily Collins and Brit Marling. | http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a363324/rooney-mara-jennifer-lawrence-vanity-fairs-hottest-young-stars.html | 222 |
Trying again to clinch
Tues lineup vs. HOU
*The Reds clinch with a victory tonight. If they lose, they’ll have to wait out the end of the Cardinals-Pirates game (8:15 pm ET first pitch).
*Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez is a tough left-hander but is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA in three starts vs. the Reds this season. However on July 25 in Houston, he pitched seven scoreless innings with one hit for a 4-0 win. On Sept. 17, he gave up three runs, three hits and six walks with 10 strikeouts for a no-decision in a 5-3 Astros win.
*Jonny Gomes is 7-for-18 (.389) with two homers and nine RBIs vs. Rodriguez
*Jay Bruce is 1-for-17 (.059) with 10 strikeouts, so that’s a little surprising. Bruce was also bothered by a sore right side again Sunday but its OK.
“I feel good, I feel ready to go,” Bruce said. “I haven’t faced Wandy much lately just because we’ve played the matchup a little bit but I feel that I have improved off of lefthanders and proven myself a little more to where he can put me in there. But it was Dusty’s decision and I appreciate the fact that he has the confidence in me to let me get in.”
*Dusty Baker said Sunday he was going to put Brandon Phillips back to leadoff but appeared to change his mind.
*Not surprisingly, there is a larger media gathering at GABP than usual. I’d guess that it rivals what we normally have on Opening Day. There is a definite vibe on anticipation in the area. Baker acknowledged it’s a different day.
“It’s a day where you strive to get to this point for so very long,” Baker said. “You run this race and you’re one step from the finish line. You’re full of anticipation and desire to finish it tonight. It’s great we’re in a position to do this at home. I’ve done it both ways. It’s a lot more fun and a lot more exhilarating when you can do it in front of your fans, friends and family. It’s a great feeling.”
Scott Rolen is a veteran of some clinches and was looking forward as well, but wasn’t looking ahead too much.
“We still have to play baseball. I don’t mean to be Debbie Downer,” Rolen said. “We’ll go out and play and hopefully get us a win tonight instead of waiting to see what [the Cardinals] do. We’ll get in here, put some tarps up, put on some terrible music on and get some champagne going.”
Follow me on Twitter at | http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2010/09/28/trying-again-to-clinch/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=81d32a40f7 | 632 |
Reds lineup vs. Cardinals
*According to the Elias Sports Bureau, last night’s 6-5 Reds win was the Majors’ third game of the season that began with a leadoff home run (Heisey) and ended with awalkoff homer (Phillips). The other teams to do it were the Nationals (6/16, also vs. STL) and the Angels (7/8 vs. SEA).
*Also from Elias, after allowing leadoff homers in each of his last start to Heisey, Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook became the first to allow leadoff homers to begin consecutive starts to thge same batter since Tampa Bay’s Steve Trachsel to Seattle’s Rickey Henderson in 2000.
*Zack Cozart’s five-game hitting streak to begin his big league career is the longest begin-a-career hit streak since Adam Dunn had a seven-game streak in 2001. | http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2011/07/16/saturday-3/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=aa068c7847 | 198 |
Morrison County Record All-Area Girls Track and Field Team
Megan Wiener, senior, Royalton
Wiener, The Record’s Athlete of the Year, was on another level from her competition throughout the spring, culminating in the highest area finish at the state meet, a seventh-place leap of 16-feet, 5.25-inches in the long jump. Wiener also earned All-Prairie Conference honors in four events, winning the triple jump (32-feet, 11-inches) and finishing as the runner-up in the 100 (13.09), 200 (27.03) and long jump (16-feet, 3.5-inches) and took fourth at sections in the 100 (13.27).
Makenna Peterson, junior, Upsala-Swanville Area
After missing most of the regular season, Peterson came back to lead Upsala-Swanville Area in its biggest meets to end the year. She led the Patriots at the Prairie Conference meet with third-place leaps in the long jump (16-feet) and triple jump (32-feet) and provided the final kick for the Patriots’ sub-section champion 4×200 relay team (1:54.57), which also placed fourth at the section meet (1:52.07), while adding a fifth-place finish in the long jump (15-feet, 7.5-inches).
Alli Ruprecht, eighth grader, Holdingford
Ruprecht was the leading contributor for a standout distance contingent for the Huskers this spring. Her individual success was highlighted by a pair of Central Minnesota Conference titles in the 1,600 (5:33.2) and the 3,200 (12:22.7), which she followed up with a section championship in the 4×800 relay in 9:46.89 to qualify for the state meet. Ruprecht also earned fourth in the 3,200 at sections (11:43.28).
Chelsea Gerads, senior, Holdingford
Gerads capped her career as one of the premier throwers in the area with one final strong season. She helped lead the Huskers to second place at the Central Minnesota Conference meet with individual championships in the shot put (36-feet, 11-inches) and discus (111-feet, 1-inch), and earned third in the shot put (36-feet, 10.25-inches) and fourth in the discus (114-feet, 9-inches) at the section meet.
Rachelle LeBlanc, sophomore, Little Falls
LeBlanc put together another dominant season in the pole vault, winning the Granite Ridge Conference Championship with a height of 10-feet, 6-inches and repeating as section champ. She placed 12th at the state meet and broke her own school record at Princeton, May 22, with a height of 11-feet, 6-inches, while also anchoring the 4×200-meter relay team throughout the season.
Amber Hines, junior, Little Falls
Hines posted big points throughout the spring for the Flyers in both throwing events, including All-Granite Ridge Conference honors with a second-place finish in the discus (119-feet, 7-inches) and third-place mark in the shot put (35-feet). Hines also came in fourth place at the Section 8AA meet in the discus (119-feet, 4-inches) and took sixth in the shot put (35-feet, 3-inches), while earning first in the discus and second in the shot put at the true team section meet.
Maria Hauer, sophomore, Little Falls
Hauer was a reliable force for Little Falls this spring on the track, from anchoring the 4×400-meter relay to leading the pack in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Hauer attained All-Granite Ridge Conference honors with a third-place finish in the 1,600 (5:31.44) and earned fourth place in the 1,600 at the true team (5:33.37) and individual section (5:25.89) meets.
Mattia Hendrickson, junior, Little Falls
Hendrickson teamed with All-Area teammate Maria Hauer to provide a dynamic distance duo for the Flyers. She garnered All-Granite Ridge Conference honors in the 3,200 with a third-place time of 12:09.14 and led off the third-place 4×800 relay (10:26.48). Hendrickson also earned ninth at the section meet in the 1,600 (5:31.6).
Alyssa Boser, junior, Pierz
The Pioneers benefitted immensely from Boser’s versatility this season, as she thrived on the track in the hurdles and in the field in the shot put. Boser helped lead Pierz to second at the true team section meet with a trio of top-four finishes in the shot put, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, then followed that with a second-place finish at the Central Minnesota Conference meet in the shot put (33-feet, 8-inches) and fourth-place effort in the 100 hurdles (18.0). She also placed fifth in the shot put at the section meet (33-feet, 7.25-inches).
Chelsea Rutz, junior, Little Falls
Emily Stark, junior, Little Falls
Cassie Stangl, senior, Pierz
Tracy Wimmer, senior, Pierz
Bridget Bednar, sophomore, Pierz
Katie Schmitt, senior, Royalton
Abby Duevel, freshman, Royalton
Marissa Evans, junior, USA
Danica Cheney, freshman, USA
Brooke Westrich, freshman, USA
Katie Posch, senior, Holdingford
Kaitlin Preusser, junior, Holdingford
Megan Auger, sophomore, Holdingford
Emily Wolter, freshman, Holdingford
Jo Merten, seventh grader, Holdingford | http://mcrecord.com/2012/06/24/morrison-county-record-all-area-girls-track-and-field-team/ | 1,258 |
December 9, 2010
SCR-I Takes Tournament Opener 50-18
A late addition to the field at the Novinger Tournament turned a first round bye for Scotland County into an opening round tune up, as Scotland County dispatched the Moberly junior varsity squad 50-18 on November 30th.
SCR-I pounded the ball inside to Jamie Shaw early and often as the senior center had 11 first half points to help SCR-I open a 19-7 advantage at the break. Shaw did much of her damage at the free throw line, hitting seven of 11 from the stripe.
The Lady Tigers turned to the perimeter attack in the third period. Skyler Alderton and Ashley Tague connected on three pointers and combined for 10 points as the lead grew to 33-14.
Kiley Frazier poured in seven points in a fourth period that also featured buckets from Catie Shalley, Tague, Alderton and Holt rounding out a balanced scoring attack on the evening. Nine different Lady Tigers got into the scorebook in the 50-18 win.
Shaw finished with 15 points to pace Scotland County (2-0). Tague and Frazier added nine points and Alderton finished with eight. | http://memphisdemocrat.com/2010/sports/101209_gmob.shtml | 248 |
Twice crowned: Tigers' first Derby winner a Prince
Slugger first to win title in each league, second multiple champ
KANSAS CITY -- Tigers fans grew infatuated with Prince Fielder's power way back when he homered in Tiger Stadium in batting practice as a kid. Nearly two decades later, and six months after he rejoined the organization as a player, he put that uppercut swing to work and became the first Tiger to win the State Farm Home Run Derby.
In the process of his 28-homer barrage on the right-field fountains of Kauffman Stadium on Monday night, Fielder became the first player in Derby history to win a title in each league, and the second to win multiple crowns. He joined Ken Griffey Jr., one of the players whom he admired as a kid.
As Fielder took one tape-measure shot after another, including a seven-homer outburst in eight swings to run away in the final round, his childhood didn't look that far away, even at age 28. For an event some hitters don't like to participate in, Fielder looks like he relishes it.
"Oh, it's fun," Fielder said, "and when these guys are out there, they are having a blast. And especially when you have kids, when you see your kids having a good time and seeing how much they enjoy it, you have a good time as well. I'm just happy that I'm healthy and able to be here, and happy that they like it, too."
Fielder's two sons, Jadyn and Haven, looked more tired than their dad as they joined him on the podium after the win. Yet as easy as he made it look, he made it clear that it definitely wasn't.
Fielder has always been one of the game's most impressive home run producers, but he spent most of this season's first half showing off his pure hitting skill. His .299 batting average at the break would tie his career best for a full season if he can keep it up, but 27 Major League hitters had more home runs than his total of 15.
When he signed with the Tigers over the winter, the highlights of his batting-practice sessions were replayed over and over. This kind of display was what Tigers fans dreamed about.
Fielder was a Milwaukee Brewer when he won the 2009 event at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, well before he became a free agent and signed with Detroit. For good measure, he brought back Brewers Minor League hitting coordinator Sandy Guerrero to pitch to him, as he had every previous Derby he'd hit in.
Fielder was the last to advance out of the opening round, making it only after Matt Kemp and Robinson Cano combined for just one home run. Even so, Fielder barely missed two others off the outfield fence, one of them in straightaway center. Guerrero could see him heating up near the end of the round.
"As soon as he starts getting his timing, he gets locked in," Guerrero said. "There's a signal there as soon as he gets his timing. ... When they let us in the second round, we had a chance, because it takes him a little bit to get the timing down. But I noticed at the end [of that round], his timing was going good."
The home runs Fielder hit were some of the most impressive of the night. He sent a 454-foot drive into the right-field fountains, then nearly corkscrewed himself into the ground on one swing that launched a 448-foot shot into the water in right-center field for his last home run of the first round.
"Once we got into the second round, he got the better timing," Guerrero said. "He was outside already one time, so he knew the feeling of it. I knew we had a chance."
It wasn't just the 11-homer second-round total that impressed, but the distances of many of them. Fielder sent a 476-foot loft into the upper-level fountains in right-center, a 464-foot shot into the second deck of the fountains, a 461-footer to the same area and a 458-foot drive to cap his round.
When he completed his second round, Fielder owned not just the longest drive of the Derby, but the top four. He also had topped his home run total with the Tigers this season, 16 to 15.
It was the best round any Tiger had put on in this event since Ivan Rodriguez wowed the home crowd at Comerica Park by reaching the finals in 2005.
"The ball just met the barrel more, I guess," Fielder said. "They just went further the next time."
Guerrero noticed the difference, especially when he missed his spots on a couple throws.
"There were a couple pitches low. They could be maybe two and a half, three inches off the ground," Guerrero said, "and he just drove those to the fountain. And he's looking at me like, 'Keep it right there.' But that's really tough to do. There were a couple of them, and that shows what kind of incredible hitter he is."
Once Jose Bautista survived a swing-off, it set up a finals matchup between the slugger the Tigers were supposedly trying to trade for in 2010 -- his breakout season with the Blue Jays -- against the slugger Detroit signed a year and a half later. It was no match.
Fielder batted first and put the Derby out of reach, homering seven times before he made his second out. He homered 12 times for the round, leaving a tiring Bautista with little hope.
Fielder was tired, he said later, but he wasn't showing it. They had a system, Guerrero said. He'd take two pitches, then hit the third one out.
"I wasn't trying to swing too hard," Fielder said. "That's probably why they went over, I was out of breath. That's why I was taking a lot of pitches in between. I'm just happy it worked out."
Bautista homered seven times in the finals, 20 total. Once Bautista made his 10th out, Fielder hugged his two sons, who were on the field with him.
When Fielder was on the podium for media day duties earlier in the day, Jadyn had predicted his dad would win this. When asked why, he had a simple answer.
"Because he's the best player ever," Jadyn said.
In Derby history, he might be. | http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120709&content_id=34781838&vkey=news_det&c_id=det | 1,380 |
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- Conference Center: $750 | http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/stl/ballpark/bsse/amenities.jsp | 308 |
Results tagged ‘ Adrian Salcedo ’
Sometimes, the timing just works out. Not always, maybe not often, but when it does, it can be very nice.
Case in point: On Tuesday, I was going to drive from Fort Myers to Sarasota bright and early to talk to the Orioles’ Jason Esposito (No. 5 on the O’s Top 20). I had to drive north anyway, what with an assignment to cover the Twins against the Tigers in Lakeland on Wednesday, so it was no big deal.
As it turned out, Esposito was coming with the A-level Orioles down to Fort Myers for a Minor League game, so I was able to stick around and wait for him there. The interview we did resulted in this story about the third baseman, including some of the video interview we did.
If that’s not enough Espo for you (I hope it’s OK to call him that — you can ask him on Twitter @JasonEsposito), here’s the interview in it’s entirety, uncut.
Pretty well-spoken, mature young man, don’t you think? Those Vandy products do tend to come out with a pretty good head on their shoulders.
The added bonus of being able to stay in Fort Myers is that I got to watch the Twins’ A-level team play (actually, 2 of them, but the game I focused on was the low-A one). Esposito was playing in that game (so was Glynn Davis, No. 8 on that O’s list). But the real fun was that they were playing a Twins team that included Twins’ No. 1 prospect Miguel Sano, No. 4 Eddie Rosario and No. 9 Adrian Salcedo, not to mention first-round pick Levi Michael. Sano and Rosario should make for a very exciting combination in Beloit this year and Salcedo could start the year in Fort Myers.
Salcedo is typically around 93 mph, maybe touching a 94 and he was right around that area in this start, mostly 91-92 mph, from what I saw. He showed some good ability with his breaking ball and his changeup. The outing overall was up-and-down. Salcedo cruised through the first inning and did a fantastic job keeping the ball down in the zone. In his second inning of work, he was up and he got hit as a result. Things unraveled a bit for him and he had a hard time stopping the bleeding — “damage control” as one Twins executive put it at the game.
Now here’s where the luck of the day kind of ran out. I was so excited to see Sano hit — it was fun watching him take BP (he’s the type people are going to stop what they’re doing to watch hit). The previous day stalwart baseball writer LaVelle E. Neal III was excitedly telling me about seeing Sano triple twice and homer in a Minor League game he had just watched.
I had no such luck. Facing lefty Tim Berry, Sano was lost in both of his at-bats, striking out swinging wildly both times. The second at-bat, he swung and missed badly at soft stuff then whiffed on a fastball. I tell you this not because I think it’s some warning sign, that he’s overrated. Hardly. Maybe just take it as a reminder that he probably has a long way to go. Or, as that Twins exec mentioned above, said, “It will take time.” | http://minors.mlblogs.com/tag/adrian-salcedo/ | 760 |
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – After falling behind, 2-0, in the first inning, MIT came roaring back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth and never looked back as the Engineers went on to score in each of their last three innings in a 14-2 non-conference baseball victory over Salve Regina University. Sophomore Creed Mangrum (Sandy, Utah) had three doubles, drove in four runs, and pitched the final three innings for MIT.
Salve Regina (6-11) took advantage of an MIT error in the first to go on top early. With two out and a runner on first, senior Nicholas Ploitelli (Warwick, R.I.) popped up in front of the plate, but the ball fell between two MIT fielders for a hit. Sophomore Dominick Di Sano (Central Falls, R.I.) drew a walk to load the bases before sophomore Nicholas Dell'Anno (Reading, Mass.) hit a short fly to left that MIT's shortstop dropped for an error that allowed two runs to score.
It looked for awhile as if that would be all the run support that Seahawk starter, senior Charles Kwolek (Greenville, R.I.), would need as he allowed just a walk to the first 15 MIT hitters he faced. The first hit that the Engineers would get, a single to left from freshman Hayden Cornwell (Newport Beach, Calif.), did not come until there were two outs in the fifth.
In the sixth the MIT offense sprang to life. Sophomore Jon Rea (Palo Alto, Calif.) led off with a walk and moved to second on a single to center by freshman Parker Tew (Chapel Hill, N.C.). The pair then executed a double-steal and Kwolek's attempt to get Rea at third was errant, allowing him to score. Senior Bryan Macomber (Los Altos, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to put two aboard for Mangrum, who laced his first double of the day to left to tie the score at 2-2. A wild pitch brought in Macomber with the third run of the frame before a throwing error on the Salve shortstop put runners on the corners. Senior A.J. Hansborough (Delton, Fla.) then executed a squeeze bunt, scoring Mangrum and moving junior Ricardo Perez (Vienna, Va.) to second. Cornwell then brought Perez around with a base hit to center to make it 5-2.
MIT starter, senior Chad Hendrix (Richardson, Texas), then sat the side down in order in the sixth to finish his day. He improved to 3-0 on the season, going six innings and allowing five runs and a walk while fanning a pair. Mangrum moved from DH to pitcher in the seventh and finished off the game for the Engineers, allowing just a hit and a walk over the final three innings, striking out three.
A Slave Regina error to start the seventh helped MIT to essentially put the game away with three more runs. Macomber delivered a pair with a single to left and then came around on Mangrum's second double to make it 8-2. The Engineers scored six more in the eighth, with the first six hitters all reaching base and coming around to score. Mangrum added his third double in the inning, a two-run shot to right, with senior Torre Swanson (Redding, Calif.), junior James McKinney (Wakefield, R.I.) and freshman Phil Reiser (Alpharetta, Ga.) adding RBI singles.
Ploitelli led the Seahawks with three hits, going 3-for-3 with a run scored. McKinney and Cornwell each added a pair of hits for MIT.
MIT will play again tomorrow; traveling to Curry College to take on the Colonels at 3:30 p.m. Salve Regina will take the field again on Thursday, March 29 when it hosts Framingham State University at 3:30 p.m. | http://mitathletics.com/sports/m-basebl/2011-12/releases/201203275a518l?dec=/printer-decorator | 833 |
Jepsen continues to honor Adenhart
Makes sure uniform No. 34 is visible in dugout every game
BOSTON -- Kevin Jepsen has evolved into a first-class setup man this season for the Angels, on the mound and in the dugout.
It is his duty, assumed from Scot Shields, to make sure uniform No. 34 is visible each day, hanging in the team's dugout.
The jersey belonged to Nick Adenhart, who has been in the Angels' hearts and minds since his death, at age 22, along with companions Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson in a hit-and-run car crash in the early hours of April 9 in Fullerton, Calif.
Jon Wilhite, making a remarkable recovery from multiple injuries, was the lone survivor of the tragedy caused by a drunk driver.
Jepsen sat at his locker in Fenway Park on Thursday night. Off his left shoulder was fellow reliever Rich Thompson. The locker to Jepsen's right contained one item: The uniform jersey he would take into the dugout before the game.
"It's an honor to be able to do it," Jepsen said. "Nick was a close friend. We were together in the Minor Leagues, and we hung out in the off-season.
"Shieldsy was bringing the jersey into the dugout at the beginning of the season. When he had knee surgery, he asked me. `I'm not going to be here,' he said. `Will you take the jersey out?'
"It's awesome to take the jersey out, so he's out there with us all the time. I'll hang it in the dugout, then it's business."
Knowing Adenhart as well as he did, Jepsen feels it's the right thing to do. Kevin also believes Nick's presence can be an inspiration, and that it has brought this team together in a positive way.
"When you have things that happen to a team throughout the course of a season, there's only two ways to go," Jepsen said. "It will bring a team closer together, or everybody will go in their own direction.
"I feel this tragedy ... it's tough. But I feel it's one of those things we went through together, as a team, and we're all stronger for it.
"To lose one of your own, especially during the season, it's so tough. One night he's pitching, and the next day he's gone. Even guys who weren't that close to him still felt it and took it really hard. But I really think it made us stronger, and I think Nick would have wanted it that way.
"He was an extremely competitive guy who loved the game. He'd have wanted us to keep playing, and that's what we've done."
Thompson grew close to Adenhart during Spring Training when they lockered next to each other at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
"I got to know him a lot better, and really got to appreciate his sense of humor," Thompson said. "He'd have his earphones on, blasting his music, big smile on his face. He just had that talent to make you laugh. He'd been in big league camp since he was 19, so everyone knew the kid and really liked him.
"He'd grown so much over the previous six months or so. You could really notice it in the way he went about things. He was just getting started on that path. He was an outgoing guy who liked to have fun, but he was really serious about the game. He knew what he wanted to do and was determined to have a great Major League career.
"It's so sad to lose a guy who could do things so easily, who had so much in front of him. I know a lot of guys were hurt -- and still hurt."
Thompson watches his bullpen mate, Jepsen, carry the jersey into the dugout every night as part of the pregame ritual.
"When Jep takes the jersey out," Thompson said, "it's like Nick's still with us."
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090917&content_id=7023560&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | 880 |
Wednesday, Nov.28th, 2012
Note from Chuck Booth: I am attempting to bring the history for each of the 30 MLB Franchises into a 5-7 part series that will focus on 1. The teams history. 2. The hitters 3. The pitchers. 4. The Teams Payroll going into 2013 and 5.The Ball Park that they play in. (The stadium articles will all be done next summer when I go to all of the parks in under a month again.) Be sure to check my author page with a list of all of my archived articles section here.
Today’s Part 2 Feature of the Blue Jays Franchise will be written by our Baseball Writer Alex Mednick. To do this franchise series service, Alex has studied this club a lot more than I have in the last 20 years and will do this article better justice for you the reader!
Alex Mednick (Baseball Writer and Analyst):
Note from Alex Mednick: Chuck Booth offered to me the opportunity to step in to his Franchise Series and cover the Blue Jays history from 1994-Present. I gladly accepted the honor.
In Part 1 of this series, Chuck covered the Blue Jays history from their humble beginnings at Exhibition Stadium in 1977, through the glory years in the late 80s and early 90s. The story dropped off right after the Blue Jays won back-to-back World Championships in 1992 and 1993. We closed the books with the walk-off winning home run by Joe Carter to win the World Series, and the parties and celebrations that were to follow across Ontario, Canada. I will pick it back up at the beginning of the 1994 season, when the Blue Jays had high hopes to win a third consecutive world championship.
(Scroll Down Past the Links or Click the READ MORE OF THIS ENTRY ICON.)
Franchise Series Links:
Franchise History Part 1 1977-1993: http://mlbreports.com/2012/11/09/jays1/
2013 Team Payroll: http://mlbreports.com/2012/09/10/tor/
Special Bonus Fan Blog Of 2013 Team Payroll: http://mlbreports.com/2012/09/12/torfanalex/
Note from Chuck Booth: I am attempting to bring the history for each of the 30 MLB Franchises into a 5 part series that will focus on 1. The teams history. 2. The hitters 3. The pitchers. 4. The Teams Payroll going into 2013 and 5.The Ball Park that they play in. (The stadium articles will all be done next summer when I go to all of the parks in under a month again.) Be sure to check my author page with a list of all of my archived articles section here.
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer): Follow @chuckbooth3024
In sifting through 35 years of history with the Toronto Blue Jays as a franchise, it is sad that since 1994, only Pittsburgh, Toronto and Kansas City have not made a playoff appearance in the Major Leagues. They have been battling the Red Sox and Yankees powerhouse clubs since the 1994 player strike/1995 Lock-out. This baseball interruption of play was also a deciding factor on the Montreal Expos losing their franchise, however one could say that this has had a profound effect on the other only team North of The Border. The Jays were a model franchise all the way through the 80′s. From 1983-1993, the team carried out 11 straight winning seasons, 5 Pennants and back to back World Series Wins in 1992 and 1993.
Pat Gillick had been with the baseball club from the get go, and after finishing in dead-last for the first 5 years of existence, the Jays rode the backs of several budding stars that were drafted by the man. From the early pitching stars of Jim Clancy and Dave Stieb, to the young outfield that flourished as a core for years in: Lloyd Moseby, George Bell and Jesse Barfield, the team showed that drafting and trading for young players was the way to build an organization. It took until 1985 for the teams first Pennant, barely edging the Yankees by 2 games for the AL East. Playoff disappointment followed from 1985-1991. The team soon would find the promised land as the top team in 1992 and 1993.
Franchise History Part 2 1994-2012: http://mlbreports.com/2012/11/28/jay/
For Part 6 of the 7 Part Series: Blue Jays 2013 Team Payroll Click here:
For Part 7 of the 7 Part Series: Blue Jays 2013 Team Payroll: A Readers Thoughts, Click Here: | http://mlbreports.com/tag/tom-cheek/ | 953 |
With Lin gone, Knicks want focus on current team
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP)
Jeremy Lin was all the talk in New York during a sensational stretch last season.
Now, the Knicks don't want to talk about him at all.
At their annual media day, the Knicks tried to keep the focus on the aging team they assembled and believe is a contender, rather than on the phenom they let get away over the summer.
Team officials had never commented on the decision not to match the offer sheet Lin signed with the Houston Rockets in July, and it took only two questions Monday before general manager Glen Grunwald and coach Mike Woodson were asked for an explanation.
''Well, sure,'' Grunwald started, before Woodson, seated to his left at a podium, quickly interrupted.
''I'm not going to discuss Jeremy Lin,'' Woodson said. ''I think as a franchise we wish Jeremy nothing but the best. It was a process that we went through, and we were able to get a player by the name of Raymond Felton, a guy by the name of Jason Kidd, Pablo (Prigioni) in here. Three solid point guards that I think will help our ballclub as we move down the road.
''As an organization and as a coach, I wish Jeremy nothing but the best. This day really is about, I think, the team that we fielded this summer, and we need to focus in on that.''
That Lin wouldn't be a part of it would have been unfathomable in the spring.
Undrafted out of Harvard and waived three times before the Knicks signed him, Lin finally got his chance in February with the team faltering. He averaged 24.6 points and 9.2 assists in 10 games from Feb. 4-20, pulling the Knicks into the playoff race, drawing worldwide interest as the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese decent, and boosting the Knicks' TV ratings and merchandise sales.
His numbers declined after Woodson replaced the more offensive-minded Mike D'Antoni in March, and his season ended after just 25 starts when he needed surgery to repair torn knee cartilage. Still, Woodson had insisted Lin would return and go into next season as the starting point guard, even after the restricted free agent had signed an offer sheet with the Rockets for four years and about $28 million.
The Rockets amended the offer to three years and about $25 million, with the final year salary ballooning to nearly $15 million. In the meantime, the Knicks had signed Kidd, re-acquired Felton from Portland, and decided to pass on Lin.
''Basically, it comes down to the fact that Houston made a commitment to him that we weren't prepared to make,'' Grunwald said. ''I'm very happy for Jeremy that things worked out for him very well personally and for his family, and I wish him the best. But I'm more excited for our team, by the team we've assembled right now.''
It's an old one, with Kurt Thomas about to turn 40, Kidd doing so late next season and Marcus Camby 38. At one point Monday, Camby, Kidd and Thomas came to the podium in succession, totaling about 120 years of age. Rasheed Wallace is expected to join the old guys in the next couple of days after ending two years of retirement to sign.
Felton is only 28 but appeared in decline last season, averaging a career-low 11.4 points and briefly losing his starting job. He acknowledged he arrived out of shape after the lockout, unsure there would even be a season. But both he and the Knicks insist he's in good condition now.
''I'm in shape now, ready to go and I got a big, big chip on my shoulder,'' Felton said.
Felton played well for the Knicks during the 2010-11 season, averaging 17.1 points in 54 starts before he was sent to Denver as part of the package for Carmelo Anthony. His return was met with a lukewarm response - and even some anger - from many Knicks fans, not only because he played so poorly last season but because it paved the way for Lin's departure.
''Jeremy had a good run. Jeremy did a lot of good things here, so the fact that they didn't want him to leave, I mean, that's expected,'' Felton said. ''I'm not upset at that at all. I don't really care about that at all. He's in Houston now; I'm here in New York, back where I wanted to be. I did a lot of great things when I was here. I'm looking forward to bringing those things back.''
There was speculation the Knicks were angry that Lin had gone back to the Rockets to get a second offer, which would have been so difficult for New York to afford because of the expensive luxury tax payments it would have been subjected to in the third year. But Grunwald said the decision was a simple matter of choosing the best fit.
''You go through free agency and you have a lot of irons in the fire, a lot of options available to you, and we felt that the Raymond Felton option was the best one at the end of the day,'' Grunwald said. ''We were excited to have Raymond back.
''We weren't disappointed at all.''
Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney | http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/With-Lin-gone-Knicks-want-focus-on-current-team-56786855 | 1,133 |
Report: Lakers to consider possibility of Dwight Howard trade?
By Ben Golliver
Are we headed for an NBA trade deadline season with two Lakers big men on the block?
One day after coach Mike D’Antoni moved Pau Gasol to the bench, setting off the umpteenth round of trade speculation concerning the Spaniard, an ESPN.com report indicated that Dwight Howard’s impatience with the Lakers’ system during this disappointing season could wind up forcing management to investigate its options in advance of February’s trade deadline. Howard, acquired from the Magic in a four-team blockbuster trade last summer, is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers have consistently turned away trade inquiries in recent weeks for All-Star center Dwight Howard and still believe they have a strong chance of signing him to a new contract when Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to sources close to the situation.
But sources told ESPN.com this week that the Lakers might be forced to reconsider that position between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline because of Howard’s growing unhappiness with his role under coach Mike D’Antoni and the potential that raises for Howard leaving them in July without compensation.
Howard has not publicly indicated any desire to sign elsewhere when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 and came to Los Angeles determined to succeed with a minimum amount of fuss after the hits he took image-wise during his drawn-out departure from the Orlando Magic. But sources say that Howard, as the Lakers’ struggles have mounted, has dropped hints within team circles about his discomfort in D’Antoni’s system and that he could consider moving on if things don’t improve or change.
Howard spent much of the last two seasons at the center of trade rumors as he grew unhappy in Orlando, ultimately requesting a trade in hopes that he could play for a title contender. The Lakers began the season as one of the favorites to win the Western Conference but have stumbled to a 17-24 record and are currently outside the playoff picture.
Just as life with the Lakers hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations for Howard, the All-Star center hasn’t performed to his true capabilities this season. Howard is averaging 17.3 points and 12.5 rebounds, but his 20.0 PER is the lowest since his second season in the league and he seems to lack some of the explosiveness, flexibility and fearlessness he had before undergoing back surgery last season. Life as a No. 2 option has presented challenges, as Howard previously had dibs on the rock and has never played with a teammate like Kobe Bryant, who is currently averaging more than 22 shots per game.
At the season’s halfway points, the Lakers remain the biggest underachievers in the league relative to their preseason expectations. That alone would be enough to fuel trade rumors on any team. Howard’s recent past, full of waffling and moodiness, fans those flames.
Still, this report (thankfully) sits a few key steps away from an imminent move. To date, Howard has bottled up whatever frustrations he’s feeling fairly well, something he wasn’t able to do as his time in Orlando wore on. He has not yet requested a trade, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, and he certainly hasn’t done so publicly. He’s stuck to his promise of not discussing his contract during the season and that’s saved his organization some headaches.
On the management side, the Lakers need Howard in a very fundamental way and have plenty of reasons to believe (or at least hope) that he will commit to the franchise next summer. The Lakers have a history of winning, a willingness to spend, an attractive market, and a number of star players — albeit ill-fitting at the moment — on hand. That’s a better package than what a vast majority of their competitors can offer in free agency. The Lakers are invested in making this work, too. They sacrificed real value to acquire him — Andrew Bynum coming off of a career year — and they would need to receive real value to part with him, as he represents the brightest spot of their mid to long-term future.
There are plenty of complications standing in the way of Los Angeles being able to receive that real value. For starters, Howard’s desire to play for a contender, assuming that would still be in place, limits the available trade partners considerably. Interested parties from that group would then need to be convinced they could re-sign Howard in the summer, something that has been, even for the Lakers, a matter of total uncertainty. Suitors would also need to trust that Howard will be able to return to form or they would need to be willing to settle for his current level of output. There’s also the matter of Howard’s $19.5 million contract; like Gasol’s, it’s unwieldy and difficult to move without accepting back future salary, something the Lakers want to avoid to preserve what is shaping up to be a wide open cap position in July 2014.
The best thing that could happen here, from the Lakers’ standpoint, is a mini-run over the next few weeks that draws them within striking distance of the No. 8 seed. That would transform the collective mood from “this is hopeless and this season was a giant mistake” into “let’s take our shot in the postseason and sort it out in the summer.” If that run doesn’t take place, prepare for a third consecutive season of Howard trade rumors. | http://nba.si.com/2013/01/23/dwight-howard-trade-rumors-lakers/?sct=hp_t2blog_a12 | 1,173 |
The Rakuten Eagles plan to go forward with their one-year, $3.5 million agreement with Andruw Jones.
Jones was arrested early Christmas morning at his home near Atlanta, Georgia for allegedly dragging his wife down a staircase, grabbing her by the neck and threatening to kill her. But the Eagles aren't going to rip up the deal they've struck with him. "We received a report it was a domestic fight which escalated," Rakuten Eagles president Yozo Tachibana told Japanese media on Thursday. "Unless there is any more big surprises, we intend to go ahead as planned with his contract." | http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/50304796/sports/player_news | 126 |
Tragic in Japan overnight: Houses were swept away, ships swept inland after the coast of Japan was slammed by what experts believe is the fifth biggest earthquake to rock the [...]
Tag Archive: 89
Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch has died in a hospital here Wednesday. He was 89.
Samaranch, who had suffered heart and breathing problems in recent months, was taken to the Quiron hospital after feeling unwell Sunday evening. Although he was able to walk into the hospital, his condition worsened considerably Tuesday, Xinhua [...] Continue reading Former IOC president Samaranch dies at 89 | http://newmoviereleasesdvd.loginby.com/tag/89/ | 124 |
- Adversity no match for resilient Luers football team
- Notre Dame recruit relieved after fourth state title
- Video: Smith discusses the Bishop Luers 4-peat of state championships
- MR. FOOTBALL VIDEO TRACKER: Luers senior, Notre Dame recruit Smith vs. Cardinal Ritter
- Video: Bishop Luers beats Cardinal Ritter for state title highlights
Steve Keefer after coming out of retirement to take over the Bishop Luers head coaching position in the middle season finished the year leading the Knights to a state championship title. Check out what Keefer had to say about the title and win against Cardinal Ritter on Friday during his postgame news conference. | http://news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121124/SPORTS/121129808/1013/SPORTS | 139 |
League Two preview: The Best Bet in the race for the title
Crawley Town are too short leaving Shrewsbury the pick of the title betting in League Two
With just days until the start of the new League Two season we give the lowdown on the runners and riders we expect to take the headlines in the title betting this season.
Crawley Town will dominate the League Two headlines for most of the season and with the financial backing they have, it’s difficult to see them not challenging for the league this season.
The prolific Matt Tubbs will be joined up front by Wesley Thomas, a man who netted 18 times for Cheltenham Town last season and Steve Evans’ side have a very balanced look to them this season.
However at 3/1 they are very short and considering only one favourite has won in the last 10 seasons, coupled with the fact six of the last seven Conference winners have finished in the bottom half means they offer up very little value.
Of the four relegated teams from League One last season it’s Bristol Rovers (9/1) and Swindon Town (10/1) who are favoured to prosper.
Preference is for Paul Buckle’s Bristol Rovers side and having secured last season’s League Two play-off winning manager, the Pirates can be expected to go close this season.
They may have been relegated but Rovers’ form improved dramatically in the second half of the season and with the introduction of 12 new faces, Buckle’s side are serious title challengers.
Under the guidance of Paolo Di Canio Swindon’s season is up in the air and with so much hinging on Di Canio in his first managerial job, it’s worth looking elsewhere.
Rotherham United look a big price at 16/1 having secure the managerial nous of Andy Scott, a winner of the League Two title in the 2008/09 season and if they can hold on to Adam le Fondre, they are in with a great shout.
However the preference is for Shrewsbury Town at 14/1 who were easily the best club in League Two not to be promoted last season and the clubs that have arrived in the division shouldn’t worry them.
Having kept most of their key men the Shrewsbury squad is relatively unchanged from last season and they are out pick to be crowned champions at the end of the season. | http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/league-two/league-two-preview-the-best-bet-in-the-race-for-the-title_071351.html | 510 |
Karachi, June 29 (ANI): Former Pakistan Test captain Ramiz Raja has made some scathing remarks in a micro blogging website about Mohsin Khan, who was removed as the chief coach of the national team.
When a person is not capable of even walking straight under the influence of liquor, the Pakistan Cricket Board took the right decision to remove him, the Daily Times quoted Ramiz, as saying in Twitter.
Mohsin was removed as interim coach after leading Pakistan to series wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and a historic whitewash of England in the Test series earlier this year.
Ramiz's hard-hitting remarks came after Mohsin claimed that Ramiz was behind his ouster, despite his successful record. Mohsin also claimed that Ramiz had influenced PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf to appoint Australian Dav Whatmore as coach in his place.
If I couldn't walk straight, I wonder how the Pakistan team rallied behind me and we managed to whitewash the world's number one Test side, Mohsin said in response to Ramiz's tweet.
Mohsin was removed because of his own actions. The decision to remove him was totally that of the PCB and I had no role to play in this, Ramiz said.
Ramiz was an advisor to the committee appointed by the board to scout and recommend a new coach. The committee, which included former Test players Intikhab Alam, Zaheer Abbas and Colonel (retd) Naushad Ali, after a long delay eventually recommended Whatmore for the job.
Although Ramiz denies having played any role in the Whatmore's appointment, insiders say Ramiz had a big role to play in it. (ANI) | http://news.smashits.com/816639/Ramiz-and-Mohsin-in-walking-straight-line-when-drunk-war.htm | 345 |
It's hard to believe two decades have passed since I graduated from Wirt County.
While everyone has things in their yearbook for most likely to succeed and other various titles, one thing I don't think we had back in the day was person most likely to travel the world.
I can't say with 100 percent certainty, but I'm pretty sure ex-Tiger Mike Sheppard gets that nod from the Class of 1993.
The WCHS teacher left for Berlin, Germany on Tuesday to take on former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev for a scheduled 10-rounder on Friday inside Universal Hall.
Chagaev, a southpaw from Uzbekistan who is ranked third in the WBA and sixth in the IBF, sports a 30-2-1 (19 KOs) record.
Earlier this month, Sheppard was supposed to fight in a K-1 kickboxing event, but it didn't pan out.
Luckily, he had been training hard for his K-1 bout and then got a phone call to see if he wanted to come to Europe.
"It looked like I wasn't going to get a fight until about two and a half weeks ago," Sheppard said. "I took my foot off the throttle because you can't train full out all the time and I coasted for about a week and I got the call last Wednesday.
"Chagaev's opponent couldn't fight because of medical issues. The next day I went back in the gym, sparred for eight rounds with Keith Barr and six rounds on the mitts with (trainer) Leon (Ramsey). So, I think I'm going to do good. Chagaev was the man there for a while."
Indeed he was as the talented lefty got his shot at the IBF/WBO and IBO heavyweight crowns when he faced off against Wladimir Klitschko in the summer of 2009.
"Klitschko stopped him in the ninth round. That's the only fight to go nine rounds with Klitschko. That means you are pretty good," Sheppard added. "He's a tough guy with good defense.
"Last time I was in Germany (November 2010 lost to current No. 15 world heavyweight Denis Boytsov in Hamburg) Chagaev fought Travis Walker. I thought he lost, but they gave it (an eight round decision) to him, of course.
Sheppard added that this "isn't his first rodeo. I'm going to go cut loose and see what happens. I'm going to go over by myself. Leon's son is getting married in California this weekend.
"I know a guy over there who is in boxing. He's our friend and he's going to help us out and bring in another trainer."
As Sheppard creeps toward the age of 38, he wakes up each day knowing his window for being a fighter continues to shrink. However, he's not afraid to go into a fight as a decided underdog to test his skills and see what happens.
"I haven't fought since August, but I should be all right," said Sheppard, who is on the undercard with the feature bout being Odlanier Solis (18-1, 12 KOs) putting his IBF I/C title on the line versus Leif Larsen (17-0, 14 KOs).
Contact Jay Bennett at [email protected] | http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/572107/Sheppard-a-world-traveler.html?nav=5064 | 715 |
‘From the Pressbox’
By Ernie Palladino
» More Ernie Palladino Columns
It happens year after year.
Some player from some middling team who by the way happens to be the best at his position gets voted in as an All-Star sub instead of a starter because of the fan vote.
David Wright is the guy this year. He lost out on a starting spot in his sixth All-Star appearance next Tuesday to San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval because major league baseball not only left voting for starters up to the fans, but condoned the old Chicago Machine method of election.
Stuff the box.
In this case, the virtual ballot box.
At least fans don’t have to dig up the memories — and identification papers — of long-deceased relatives to get their guy an All-Star start. It’s not a one-man, one-vote system, which makes sense because who’s got the money or inclination to police such a thing.
But this year’s balloting simply proves, once again, that you can’t trust fans to do as good a job as a professional manager in setting a starting lineup. And that, along with the utterly stupid practice of awarding home field advantage in the World Series to the winner of this game, is why the All-Star Game needs to change back the way it used to be.
Before 1970, when the fans permanently got the vote, the managers picked the teams for this mid-summer exhibition game that, rightfully, contributed nothing toward postseason competition. The only potential carryover from this game was through injury, and who can foresee that?
We still had controversies. Managers might pick their guy over somebody bearing better stats but less familiarity. But for the most part, fans got to see a truly representative, legitimate array of first-half stars, especially in the starting lineup.
That’s why the fans lost the vote in the first place. Fan balloting actually started in 1947 and lasted until ‘57, when Cincinnati crazies stuffed the boxes and voted seven Reds and Stan Musial to the starting lineup. Guess they couldn’t overlook Musial, as if anybody could. But they apparently did bypass a couple of guys nobody would remember now — Willie Mays and Hank Aaron!
Commissioner Ford Frick rectified that by replacing Wally Post and Gus Bell with Mays and Aaron, and then returned the selection process to the players, coaches, and managers.
Which brings us to the Wright/Sandoval controversy. Wright goes into today’s game against the Phillies as the NL’s second-best hitter at .354, with nine homers and 50 RBI. Sandoval is hitting .307 with six homers and 25 RBI, and missed more than four weeks with a broken left hand.
Who’s better? Clearly Wright, despite some shaky fielding (and who counts that?) in which he’s committed eight errors, second-most next to Daniel Murphy’s nine on one of baseball’s worst-fielding teams.
And for a while, the fans had it right. Wright was leading in the voting last Tuesday by 460,000. But then those crazed Giants fans got into it and stuffed the ballot box to the gills with their guys.
When the flurry ended, Sandoval had his starting spot by a 1.6 million vote margin.
Just for perspective’s sake, here’s the most curious of the San Francisco totals. Freddy Sanchez came in fourth among NL second basemen with 2,289,147 votes. Pretty good support for an injured guy who hasn’t played this year.
San Francisco fans also voted for starting catcher Buster Posey more than seven million times, setting a record for any NL player at any position.
Those who want desperately to hang onto the commoner vote will say it’s all the Mets fans’ fault. They didn’t come out for Wright like they should have. They’d be correct, too.
It could be a function of the Giants leading the NL West, 10 games above .500, while the rest of the world waits for the second-place Mets to collapse after a shockingly strong first half. Or maybe it’s because Giants fans are just, you know, coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs over their guys.
The point is that it never should have come down to that. Let the managers take care of that. Making choices is what they’re paid to do, anyway. And the lineups they’ll come up with will return a far more legitimate feel to the game than what we have today.
That said, at least KC’s Kauffman Stadium won’t have to deal with an even bigger controversy this year.
Derek Jeter said he’ll show up.
Do you think it’s time to get rid of the fan vote? Be heard in the comments below! | http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/03/palladino-take-all-star-voting-away-from-fans/ | 1,050 |
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- After starting in his first Cactus League appearance Monday against the Giants, Hector Santiago is scheduled to follow Jose Quintana to the mound Saturday against the Reds.
It does not appear that Santiago is going to start the 2013 season as part of the rotation, with John Danks well on his way to recovery from Aug. 6 arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. But Santiago continues to follow a routine that will stretch him out.
"I'm ready for anything," said Santiago, who will throw either two or three innings behind Quintana's two. "I thought I was starting [Saturday] and I came in and saw it, and it was, 'OK, I'm in relief, but I'm starting in my head.' It's kind of doing the best of both.
This starter preparation for Santiago included throwing a bullpen on Wednesday.
Depth of pitching staff may give White Sox edge
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It didn't take White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom very long to realize what his team could have in its 2013 pitching staff.
"We have a chance to carry this club, and we all know we can score runs," Lindstrom said. "I would say one through 12, with our starters, and who we have in our bullpen, it's probably as deep of a staff as I've ever been on."
Lindstrom's comment certainly isn't meant as some sort of dig at the White Sox offense. It's a group that has scored at least eight runs in four of its first five Cactus League games, although many of those runs are being brought home by players who won't make the Opening Day roster against pitchers who won't be there either.
With Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Dayan Viciedo in the middle of their lineup, the White Sox have a chance to provide plenty of solid support. Ultimately, though, teams win and lose championships based on their pitching staffs. It was true for the White Sox in 2005 and should be true again in 2013.
"I've said a good pitching staff can literally take you to the White House," White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said. "And when you are not performing, it can literally take you to the [outhouse].
"Let me tell you this. I've always thought we have to carry the team. We've seen it. We've lived it. You only go as far as the pitching staff. I've always thought that the responsibility, the biggest one, is the pitching staff's."
Cooper reiterated an old mantra that there are three areas needed for victory: pitching, offense and defense. The White Sox might rely a little more on that first element.
Their regular starting staff takes center stage beginning Friday, with Chris Sale getting the call. Dylan Axelrod, Erik Johnson, Nestor Molina and Simon Castro were a few of the younger starters who took the mound during this first week, showing the White Sox they might be more than 12-deep on their staff.
Rios ready to go 'full throttle' during Classic
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Ask Alex Rios how he feels at the plate right now, and the White Sox right fielder, who is coming off of his best big league season, smiles and points out that it's a little early in Spring Training to make such a judgment. But taking part in the World Baseball Classic, with Rios leaving March 3 to train with Team Puerto Rico, will greatly enhance that preparatory process in Rios' mind.
"I believe it gets you readier than Spring Training games because you have to go almost at full throttle," Rios said. "It's a good experience. It's something that you look forward to doing. It's something different, I guess."
With Rios, Carlos Beltran, Andres Torres and Angel Pagan committed to playing for Puerto Rico, manager Edwin Rodriguez has plenty of options in terms of outfield positioning. All four can play center field, meaning Rios could end up somewhere other than his customary right-field slot.
"You know what, I have no clue," said Rios, when asked if he knew his exact spot in the Team Puerto Rico outfield. "We are going to have to see where, how the outfield evolves. I don't know if Beltran is going to play center or right. It depends on what they want to do."
Thornton passes live BP test
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Matt Thornton threw two sets of 20 pitches during Wednesday's live batting-practice session, officially putting behind him triceps soreness from early in camp.
Thornton will throw a bullpen on Saturday and get into his first Cactus League game on March 5 at home against Team USA.
"I threw everything I had and as I went along, I amped up the intensity and let 'em go," Thornton said. "Got out there real good and had no problem at all."
An extended Spring Training because of the World Baseball Classic actually benefited Thornton, who backed off his schedule a bit when the soreness flared. He basically took one live BP out of his schedule, giving him four bullpens and two live BPs before his appearance.
"It kind of went the wrong way this time," said Thornton, who admitted he cranked it up a little too much a little too early during Spring Training. "We backed off a couple days, picked it right back up and didn't lose anything I worked for this offseason."
Third to first
• Alexei Ramirez returned home to Florida to take care of a family matter. He should return to White Sox camp this weekend.
• Jordan Danks reported marked improvement in his sore right elbow from Tuesday to Wednesday. He threw from 45 feet on Wednesday but won't be back in action until he's completely healthy. Danks believes this weekend is possible or the start of next week at the latest.
• Adam Dunn was hit above the right elbow by a Robbie Ross pitch during Wednesday's 8-4 White Sox victory. Dunn sustained a bruise, but the ball did not hit the bone.
• Paul Konerko's fifth-inning homer on Wednesday marked his 18th in Cactus League play since 2006.
• The South Siders' 3-0-2 record remarkably represents their best start since moving to the Cactus League in 1998.
"You can start out a little flat," manager Robin Ventura said. "But you go with a couple of ties, it helps out instead of losses." | http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130227&content_id=42049410¬ebook_id=42062556&vkey=notebook_cws&c_id=cws | 1,349 |
DETROIT -- After being held out of the lineup Tuesday with right hamstring tightness, center fielder Denard Span was a late scratch again Wednesday in Detroit.
Span had been set to hit leadoff and start in center field, but as batting practice was winding down, the Twins announced Span would be benched for precautionary reasons.
"Span had a little bit of a sore hammy after [Monday's] game," manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday. "It's no big deal."
It still didn't sound like a big deal, as the Twins said Span would be available to pinch-hit. Erik Komatsu, who is hitting .240 this season, replaced Span for the second straight day.
Span is hitting .292 and has a .358 on-base percentage in 34 games this year. His presence is especially missed against the Tigers, against whom he's had great success in his career. Span hits .353 (77-for-218) with eight doubles, eight triples, 23 RBIs in 53 games against Detroit.
Morneau activated from DL, starts at first
DETROIT -- Justin Morneau was activated from the disabled list and returned to the Twins' lineup Wednesday night after being sidelined since May 1 with a sore left wrist.
Morneau was penciled in to bat fifth and play first base, a spot he hasn't seen much time at this season. Of 20 games played, only four have come at first, while in 16 games, he's been the designated hitter.
"It'll be easier to get back in the flow of the game [playing first] than it will be DHing," Morneau said. "It's almost like pinch-hitting four times. It's hard to stay in the flow of the game. And without playing for 15 days, I think it would be difficult.
"With it being more of a tendinitis issue, getting tight and sitting there for three innings, then going up and swinging as hard as I can. I think being out there, throwing ground balls in between innings, being involved ... will have it help to stay loose."
The slugger had taken batting practice Monday and Tuesday and reported no pain in his wrist, which led to his activation. First baseman Chris Parmelee was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
Manager Ron Gardenhire originally wanted to take a more cautious approach with the wrist injury and ease Morneau back into it, but after a conversation with Morneau, he agreed to playing him at first. However, it didn't guarantee he'd be there again Thursday.
"We'll see how it goes here, and then we'll make some decisions," Gardenhire said. "It's just nice to have him ... Just to have his bat in the lineup [and] his presence is huge."
Gardenhire addresses Marquis' pace on hill
DETROIT -- Manager Ron Gardenhire is going to have a talk with Jason Marquis after the starter allowed five runs on nine hits in five innings in a 5-0 loss to the Indians on Tuesday.
Marquis signed a one-year deal with the Twins in the offseason and has compiled a 2-3 record and 6.68 ERA. However, that's not as worrisome to Gardenhire as the time Marquis has taken between pitches.
"He's got to pick up the pace," Gardenhire said. "It can't be 25-30 seconds between pitches. It can kill your offense. So can Derek Lowe, but that can kill your offense. It takes the momentum out of everything you do. You work so hard, you score a run or two and then you got to stand for 15-20 minutes playing defense ... and that can deflate you. We have to work a little bit faster."
Gardenhire said he was also a bit unhappy with how Marquis carried himself on the mound Tuesday.
"He was looking around to see where we were playing people. Those things don't float with me," Gardenhire said. "I don't like that stuff. We're playing him, if you don't like it then you turn around and you move them before you throw the ball. Don't second-guess it after you throw the ball and the ball's hit.
"And I'm not saying he did that, but he was looking around like 'Where are we?' And I don't like that. We're all together. I'm not saying he's against anybody, but that's mannerisms and those things play a big part."
Sixty-eight of the Twins' final 126 games (54 percent) will be played against the American League Central after only four of their first 36 games were against division opponents.
Dating back to September 2, 2010, Minnesota is 4-18 in its last 22 games against Detroit. In that span, the Twins have been outscored 142-93 and have hit .235 as a team.
Anthony Odoardi is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120516&content_id=31436596¬ebook_id=31444004&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min | 1,051 |
When you think of the top players in college basketball, a few big names come to mind immediately: BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith at Duke, and Connecticut’s Kemba Walker.
It turns out Walker isn’t the only one racking up the points in the Big East.
Enter Marshon Brooks of Providence. He’s averaging 25.4 points per game, second in the country behind Fredette. Brooks added to his lofty totals when he lit up Notre Dame for a Big East record 52-points in a 94-93 loss to #9 Notre Dame on Wednesday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
It was a banner night all the way around for the 6-foot, 5-inch Senior from Stone Mountain, GA. Brooks made 20 field goals, breaking the old Big East record held by Miami’s Steve Rich in 1996. His 52-points are the most scored in a single game in the country this year and the most ever scored in a game against Notre Dame.
The senior is used to getting buckets in bunches. On February 5, Brooks had 43-points in an 83-81 loss at Georgetown. Coupled with last night’s performance, he joins Jimmy Walker and Eric Murdock as the only Friars to score at least 40 points twice in a season, according to the team’s website.
Brooks has been a bright spot in what has been a difficult and frustrating season for Keno Davis squad. After knocking off nationally-ranked Louisille and Villanova in late January, the Friars have lost six of their last seven. Providence is just [3-12] in the extremely tough Big East. The Friars haven’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2004.
Brooks says his biggest thrill in sports was watching Kobe Bryant score 81-points in a game against the Raptors, according to Brooks’ profile on the team’s official website.
There’s nothing shabby about putting up 52 in college. | http://noontimesports.com/2011/02/24/marshon-brooks-records-52-points-in-loss-to-notre-dame/ | 429 |
SUN VALLEY, Idaho -- On a day when nearly half the field couldn't complete their runs, the Clarkson University Alpine Ski team was able to get three competitors down the mountain with outstanding times as the Golden Knights placed fifth among 19 teams in the giant slalom at the USCSA Nationals.
With three skiers placing in the top 30, the Knights were able to survive and score well despite two others succumbing to the course. On Thursday, the Clarkson women will return to action, competing in the slalom.
Junior Christian Perryman (West Lebanon, NH) was the top finisher for Clarkson, placing 17th among 97 skiers with a time of 2:12.72. Senior David Simon (Montvale, NJ) raced down the course in 2:14.93 to take 21st place and sophomore Alex Slemp (Clifton Park, NY) came in 26th place with a time of 2:17.84.
Junior Chris Gero (St. Albans, VT) and freshman Sean Donohue (Bolton Landing, NY) were among a significant amount of skiers who either didn't finish their runs or were disqualified. Forty-three of the 97 skiers did not score for their teams on Wednesday. | http://northcountrynow.com/news-sports/clarksons-alpine-ski-team-fifth-among-19-teams-uscsa-nationals-sun-valley-idaho-080528 | 260 |
The former Razorback head coach has taken a head coach position at Fort Lewis College effective March 1, Skyhawk Director of Athletics Gary Hunter announced today.
Here's the press release from Fort Lewis College Athletics News Release:
John L. Smith -- a longtime NCAA Division I head coach with success at six different universities -- will become head football coach at Fort Lewis College effective March 1, Skyhawk Director of Athletics Gary Hunter announced today.
Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato will continue to oversee day-to-day operations until Smith arrives on campus.
Smith has coached at Idaho (1989-94), Utah State (1995-97), Louisville (1998-2002), Michigan State (2003-06), Weber State (during the 2011-12 offseason) and, most recently, Arkansas (2012). In 19 seasons as a head coach, his teams have compiled a 136-94 record (.591) and advanced to seven bowl games. Smith's teams have won six conference championships, including Big Sky titles at Idaho (1989, 1992), Big West crowns at Utah State (1996, 1997) and Conference USA trophies at Louisville (2000, 2001).
Smith was chosen as the Big Ten Coach of the Year at Michigan State in 2003.
"We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with the tremendous background and experience that John L. brings to Fort Lewis College," said Hunter.
The second-year FLC athletic director said the hiring proves the college's commitment to fielding a successful football program, both on and off the field.
"Fort Lewis College is making a commitment to football," said Hunter. "Many of our other programs have reached the pinnacle of success at the national and regional levels. We want our football alumni and fans to have the opportunity to enjoy that same success."
Hunter said that Smith is a proven winner, not just on the gridiron, but in terms of the academic success of his student-athletes.
"Not only has Coach Smith had outstanding success on the field, but he has always stressed the importance of academics and community and campus involvement," said Hunter. "President Dene Kay Thomas was instrumental in assisting us set up an academic advising and support unit at the University of Idaho when she was associate dean there, and developed a close working relationship with John L. That was a key in getting him to Fort Lewis College."
The new Skyhawk skipper -- the 12th head football coach in FLC history -- agreed with Hunter.
"I first looked at Fort Lewis College because of two people: Dene Thomas -- who I think the world of and is the best person ever that I could work for -- and Gary Hunter, who was my first athletic director at Idaho and is a true friend," said Smith. "I know the two of them are going to do everything possible to make FLC football as good as we can make it."
"I am thrilled!" said President Thomas. "John L. and I had a good working relationship at UI, cooperating on selection and advising of the student-athletes. I am very excited to have John L. here at FLC. He is a great coach and a good friend."
Smith, who has more than 40 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience including assistant coaching stints at Weber State (1971), Montana (1972-76), Nevada (1977-81), Idaho (1982-85), Wyoming (1986), Washington State (1987-88) and Arkansas (2009-11), welcomed the opportunity to get back to his coaching roots at Fort Lewis.
"I'm very excited to actually coach for the real reasons you get into coaching -- to make a difference in the kids' lives and help them get an education," he said. "At this point in my career, to get back and coach for the real reasons ... not to get somebody to the NFL, but to coach kids who want to play the game and get an education. I'm just thankful that they've provided me the opportunity to do this."
Smith sees many challenges in turning around a program that went 0-10 in 2012 and has six straight losing seasons. In fact, in 50 years as a four-year college, Fort Lewis has posted winning records just 10 times.
"To me, it's a situation where we're going to have to work hard to try and get the excitement up, get the program going in the right direction, win some games and graduate our kids," he said.
Returning to the Rocky Mountains was also important to Smith, who is an avid outdoorsman. "I'm looking forward to it and my wife is looking forward to it," he said. "Getting back to the mountains is very important to me. Every year after having moved (east), you have to go and find your mountain fix."
Smith has climbed the 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, para-glided in Switzerland, flown a T-38 Talon jet trainer in Texas and skydived in Indiana.
Smith will also be reunited with Rifilato, one of his former players and assistant coaches at Fort Lewis.
"He's one of my all-time greatest player/friends," said Smith. "We've kept in touch on a weekly or monthly basis in all of our years."
"He's a great player's coach," said Rifilato, who played for Smith in 1983 and 1984 at the University of Idaho, earning the Vandals' Defensive MVP award. Rifilato was also the director of football operations under Smith at Louisville in 2002.
Smith replaces Cesar Rivas-Sandoval as head coach of the Skyhawks. Rivas-Sandoval announced his resignation as head coach a week ago. Past FLC head coaches include Rivas-Sandoval (2010-12, 6-25), Rifilato (2004-09, 22-41), Todd Throckmorton (2000-03, 11-33), Todd Wash (1996-99, 11-31), Dave Preszler (1994-95, 6-15), Kevin Donnalley (1992-93, 2-18), Sheldon Keresey (1988-91, 6-32), Bill Cooke (1984-87, 20-16-1), Gary Barnett (1982-83, 8-11-1), Jay McNitt (1971-81, 46-56-1) and Lou Cullen (1963-70, 20-49).
Three other men served brief stints as head coach or interim head coach, but accepted other assignments prior to coaching a game at Fort Lewis: Casey "Gus" Bradley and Robert Prince between the 1995 and '96 seasons and Johnny Cox between the 1999 and 2000 seasons. All three of those coaches have enjoyed lengthy careers in the NFL, with Bradley currently serving as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith graduated from Weber State in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He played quarterback and linebacker for the Wildcats from 1967-70 before joining their staff as a graduate assistant for the 1971 season. He received his master's degree in physical education from Montana in 1974.
A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Smith married the former Diana Flora on August 15, 1970. They have three children: Nicholas, Kayse and Sam. Smith is also the uncle of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
"We truly believe that John L. and Diana Smith will be a perfect fit for the Fort Lewis College family and Durango community," said Hunter. | http://nwahomepage.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=397592&nxd_90162_start=32200 | 1,542 |
Brown happy to be back by the Bay
Veteran outfielder jumped at chance to return to Oakland
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Emil Brown has come full circle and back to the Athletics 15 years later.Brown, then 19, was the A's sixth-round pick in the 1994 First-Year Player Draft out of Indian River (Fla.) Junior College, and he played three years in their Minor League system before being selected in the 1996 Rule 5 Draft by the Pirates. That began a long and winding odyssey for Brown. Since he left the A's organization, he has played with three Major League clubs -- the Royals, Padres and Giants. He has also spent time in the Rays, Cardinals, Astros and Reds organizations. He has been released, traded and played 28 games in 2004 for Campeche in the Mexican League. Brown, 33, signed with the A's in January as a free agent. "This is my first team," Brown said. "These guys drafted me. When all things are said and done, I'm back here. I feel like it is a fresh start for me." Brown, a right-handed-hitting outfielder, led the Royals in RBIs the past three seasons, but he was job hunting in December after he was non-tendered. "I'm not going to say it surprised me," Brown said. "It was more of a shock, you could say, because I persevered through a tough situation there. I showed up every day ready to go. I was still productive with what opportunity they did give me. "I was kind of disappointed because I had been productive there. I hadn't been the weak link, by any means. I thought I had done something wrong. But a friend said, 'Don't think like that. You weren't the problem. Maybe they need to fix things around you. You put production around people who are being productive.' We weren't the best team, and I thought I was being productive with the opportunities I was given. They have to make the decisions." The decision to not offer Brown a 2008 contract was a business one. Brown made $3.45 million in 2007, and he was arbitration eligible again. The A's signed Brown to a $1.45 million one-year contract. "I heard from Oakland within two days," Brown said after the Royals non-tendered him. "I didn't waste any time with where I wanted to go. I definitely wanted to go to Oakland. I didn't entertain other offers. Oakland came along with what seemed like the right thing for me."
What was frustrating for Brown, after having 86 RBIs in 2005 and 81 in '06, was his playing time was cut to 366 at-bats and 113 games in 2007."I wasn't happy with it, but I tried not to let it affect me," Brown said. "I was put in some tough spots. I was happy the way it ended last year, as far considering how much I didn't play and how sporadically I was used. I just was disappointed." Brown, who is hitting .316 in 11 Spring Training games, could be the A's starting left fielder or divide time there with Jack Cust. Brown also can play right field, and the A's have even used him in center. "I never really got that feeling, just relax and just play," Brown said of his time with Kansas City. "That kind of bothered me a little bit." In the A's only Spring Training meeting with the Royals, Brown went 1-for-3 with a double on Monday. "I don't know if I would ever be able to show enough for them to realize, 'Hey, we lost a good player,'" Brown said. Brown is happy with new team, his new home. "You can say that," Brown said. "I'm playing baseball, so that makes me happy."
Alan Eskew is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080318&content_id=2442484&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | 824 |
10/01/2007 6:19 PM ET
Colorado's Matt Holliday voted National League Player of the Month for September
Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies has been named the Sharp Presents the National League
Player of the Month for September.
The right-handed hitting slugger hit .367 (36-98), with six doubles, 12 home runs, 30 RBI and 29
runs scored. His .796 slugging percentage led the N.L, while his 29 runs scored tied for first, and his 12
home runs and 32 RBI ranked second in the league. The two-time All-Star posted 10 multi-hit games, two
multi-home run contests and nine multi-RBI performances. As of October 1st, Matt is leading the N.L. in
hitting with a .340 batting average and his 135 RBI rank second in the league.
Other players receiving votes were Moises Alou (.402, 4 HR, 18 RBI) of the Mets, Alfonso Soriano
(.320, 14 HR, 27 RBI) of the Cubs and Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins (.298, 6 HR, 18 RBI).
For setting the highest definition of excellence, Sharp, the presenting sponsor of the National League
Player of the Month Award, presents Matt Holliday with a LC-52D92U 52" Sharp AQUOS® LCD-TV. Sharp
AQUOS is the "Official High-Definition Television of Major League Baseball." Matt will also receive a specially
designed trophy to mark his achievement. | http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071001&content_id=2244029&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | 315 |
Jan 27, 2010, 9:00 AM EDT
So the NHL is taking a bit of grief for its official donation to Haiti relief efforts, having chipped in $100,000 when the other major U.S. sports leagues, the NFL, NBA and MLB, all went $1 million each. As our correspondent to the right points out, the NHL’s donation was even topped by a single 7-year-old boy in Britain, who raised $240,000 through a five-mile bike ride around a London park. Charlie Simpson set out to try and raise 500 pounds for Haiti and succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations, with money still rolling in online.
Of course the $100,000 NHL donation doesn’t include money raised by individual NHL teams, efforts which have been substantial and widespread. And it’s my humble opinion that no donation should be sneezed at in the first place. But then what do I know? Charlie Simpson outdonated me as well.
“So shines a good deed in a weary world.” — Willie Wonka.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT …
What you missed while enjoying hot Mormon muffins …
* Saints’ win causes actual print newspapers to be in demand. Weird.
* Figure skater Johnny Weir says he won’t stop wearing fur. Animal rights group: Oh no he din’t!
* You just missed Bob Uecker’s 75th birthday. Tip a pint to him anyway.
TODAY IN MARK TRAIL …
Mark meets Moe Howard, and they decide to stalk a college student downtown.
- So long folks, it’s time for me to take off 18
- Man wins full marathon while pushing his daughter in a baby stroller (video) 14
- Lock and load, it’s youth baseball fundraising time: league raffling off AR-15 rifle (video) 8
- Sim Bhullar is a large basketball player, and I mean it. Anybody want a peanut? 0
- What’s with kids and all these death-defying stunts? 674
- Nothing to see here…just a 70-yard field goal by a high-schooler (video) 3
- None found | http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2010/01/27/post-159/ | 472 |
Following a brief morning skate, the Oilers had a team meeting in preparation for the St. Louis Blues - a team who started out slowly but have played well as of late.
"We've been playing good hockey. Good enough to win games. We'd like to be a little bit sharper these last few games. A lot of turnovers," noted blueliner Tom Gilbert
, who was quick to point out that the play between the pipes has been instrumental certainly with the last three victories.
"Our goaltending has been huge for us. When they're playing well, we have a good chance to win."
Gilbert also reflected on playing the Blues tonight. St. Louis had won three straight before dropping a 3-1 decision on Friday in Calgary.
"They're a great forechecking team. They come very hard. It's got to be really good puck control, get the puck moving as quick as possible. They're physical. The more we get the puck moving the better we'll be."
LIFE WITHOUT SUTTON
Awaiting trial for suspension following his hit on Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog Friday, Andy Sutton
will not be playing tonight.
"He will be (missed tonight). We need to make sure we pay attention to how we want to play that area anyway and do the best we can and make sure those people who are engaged do it with a little bit of jam and fortitude."
The loss of Sutton means more opportunity for a player like Theo Peckham
, who needs to play physical.
"It doesn't matter who we're playing, when he's in the lineup he needs to deliver with that part of his game, no question about that," stated Renney. "Against a team that attacks well like St. Louis does - and they do have some heavy bodies - the way he plays is certainly at a premium."
With the suspension to Sutton, Jeff Petry
makes his return to the Oilers lineup. He was sent to Oklahoma City only 11 days ago but with Sutton's situation as well as Whitney's injury, he may now be up for awhile.
"Our hope was to put the best team on the ice that we could and if that included him, wonderful for him," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney.
"We also recognized that we have an excellent coaching staff in Oklahoma City and the guy would play a lot of minutes and get lots of responsibility. It's not purgatory, that's just learning and developing, not just with him but with many others."
For Petry, at this stage in his career he knows it's all about development.
"You never know what's going to happen. One day you're here, one day you're down there. I just need to continue to grow in the areas that I need to."
Petry did not play badly in his time with the big club this season. In three games, he had a +2 rating and averaged 20 minutes of ice-time.
"I need to do the things that I was doing before I left, continue to do those things. Get the puck up ice, get back to pucks early, not trying to do too much. Make the simple plays."
Petry had an assist and was +1 in his two games with the Barons.
"I was only there for two games. Jumped right into those and felt pretty good down there. Team looks great, so it was a good situation."
was also recalled and will be arriving in Edmonton later this afternoon.
HEMSKY SKATES, NEARING RETURN
skated with the team for the first time this morning and his return could come as soon as this Thursday in Los Angeles.
"They told me three to four weeks so it's pretty much on schedule," said Hemsky. "I think three weeks we'll be at the LA game so we'll go from there."
The additional time off has helped Hemsky, who never really had the shoulder pain go away in the first place.
"I had pain there the whole three months and just couldn't get rid of it. Now it's feeling much better. I don't have the pain there. I'm feeling the best I have in a long time."
Hemsky is expected to play at some point on the team's upcoming six-game road trip and for coach Renney, any chance to get the skilled winger back into the lineup is welcome.
"It's been too long. Being without him for a game is too long. We'll see how it goes. It's pretty much on track. Once he's able to skate and participate with contact, it's a whole new ballgame for him, of course," said Renney, who added that he doesn't expect this to be a lingering issue throughout the season.
"I have all kinds of faith in our medical people. Bodies break down, that's just the nature of the game but I expect him to be there for the duration."
-- Marc Ciampa, edmontonoilers.com
NHL.COM GAME PREVIEW
: Sunday night's game marks the first of four meetings between the teams. Last season, St. Louis took three of four regular season head-to-head matchups.
: Edmonton, winners of three straight at home, looks to continue its impressive start to the season when it hosts St. Louis at Rexall Place. The Oilers, who are riding a four-game win streak, seek a jolt of positive momentum from their home crowd before embarking on a 6-game road trip beginning next week. The Blues, meanwhile, had a 3-game win streak snapped in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Friday.
: After kicking off a four-game road trip with victories over Philadelphia and Vancouver, St. Louis now hopes to seal a winning stretch away from home in Edmonton on Sunday night.
The Blues had their chances in a 3-1 loss in Calgary on Friday, but their power-play struggles continued. St. Louis sports an NHL-worst 6.1 percent conversion rate on the man advantage, and that area was exploited again when the Blues had a 5-on-3 power play for 54 seconds during the third period Friday night but failed to cash in.
"We moved the puck decent, but not terrific," Steen said. "We had two or three good looks and we had a couple of chances that we should have buried."
Brian Elliott, who was unbeaten on the season heading into Friday night, stopped 15 of 17 shots in his first loss of 2011-12. The Blues, following Sunday's game in Western Canada, will return home to Scottrade Center for six of their next seven contests.
: It may be less than a month into the new season, but Edmonton is the League's most surprising team.
After finishing with the worst record in the NHL in each of the past two seasons, the surging Oilers are 6-2-2 and atop the Northwest Division. What's more, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
, the team's first-overall selection at the 2011 Draft, leads the team with five goals and is tied for the team lead with nine points through the first 10 games of his career. His fast start prompted Edmonton to stick with the 18-year-old past his nine-game audition.
But while the Oilers have excelled offensively to start the new season, the team's improvement defensively this season has helped the team take pressure off the shoulders of both Nikolai Khabibulin
(4-0-2, 0.97 goals-against average) and Devan Dubnyk
(2-2-0, 1.98 GAA).
"We learned that our goaltending is in good shape and that our penalty kill continues to be fine," Renney said after his team's road victory at Colorado on Friday. "The back half of games we're having some trouble [though]. We've got to settle down and manage the game by managing the puck appropriately."
: While Edmonton's young talent may be stealing national headlines, veteran winger Ryan Smyth
has been a huge reason for the team's promising start to the season. The 35-year-old has compiled seven points in his last seven games, and notched a goal and two assists in Friday night's win in Denver. … Alexander Steen, who scored twice in St. Louis' 3-0 win at Vancouver on Wednesday, has mustered four points in his last three games. Steen leads the Blues with six goals and nine points in 10 games this season.
: David Perron (post-concussion syndrome), B.J. Crombeen (scapula), Andy McDonald (concussion) and Kent Huskins (ankle) are listed on Injured Reserve and will not play for St. Louis. … Taylor Fedun
(broken femur) and Darcy Hordichuk
(knee) are listed on IR for the Oilers. Ales Hemsky
(shoulder) and Ryan Whitney
(knee) are also expected to miss Sunday's game.
: Dubnyk, who pushed aside 40 of 41 shots in Edmonton's win on Friday, improved to 4-0-2 with a 1.63 GAA and .960 save percentage over the last two seasons in road games where his opponent totaled 40-plus shots on goal.
: Nugent-Hopkins has spent much of his time this season on a line with Edmonton's other recent first-round picks, Taylor Hall
(1st overall in 2010) and Jordan Eberle
(22nd in 2008). Nugent-Hopkins attributes the quick translation of his game early on this season to their guidance.
"Taylor and Jordan have been amazing mentors for me," said Nugent-Hopkins. "I'm thrilled that I get to keep playing with those guys."
-- Pete Jensen, NHL.com | http://oilers.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2011020156&navid=DL%7CEDM%7Chome | 2,056 |
18 May, 15:44
It's down to the wire now for the five contenders who have been shortlisted for the ultimate individual accolade in northern hemisphere rugby, ERC European Player of the Year 2013.
"It really is a great privilege for me to be a Heineken Cup Ambassador because the tournament means so much to me and gives me the chance to share my passion for the tournament and the game with everyone involved with the Heineken Cup," said Ibanez.
"It was fantastic playing Heineken Cup games and if I have to remember one single game that is very easy - it comes to my mind so naturally.
"Wasps winning the Heineken Cup against Leicester at Twickenham in 2007 was the match and it was also a case of proving that rising ambition can make all the difference. On the day we had the desire and ambition that sometimes earns you the reward."
DoB: 17.02.73, Dax. Position: Hooker
French Record: 1996 / 2007
Debut: v Wales, Cardiff, 16 March, 1996
Caps: 98 (41 as captain and eight tries)
Honours: 5 Nations winner 1998 (Grand Slam), 6 Nations winner 2002 (Grand Slam), 2006 and 2007. World Cup finalist 1999 and world's most capped hooker
Clubs: Dax, Perpignan, Castres Olympique, Saracens and London Wasps
European Record: Heineken Cup: 39 appearances, 7 tries; Amlin Challenge Cup: 17 appearances, 3 tries; European Shield: 3 appearances | http://origin.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/ambassadors/index.php | 327 |
Oxford’s girls soccer team played two of the best teams in the state over the weekend and fared well in both games. The Lady Chargers lost 2-0 to Ridgeland and tied Gulfport 0-0. Ridgeland is the defending Class 5A champion, while Gulfport won its district last season in Class 6A. Emily Meadows had seven saves in the loss to Ridgeland and then had 11 saves in the tie against Gulfport. Oxford’s defense was led by Maia Cotelo. Allison Lyon, Eden Sandlin and Maggie Mitchell were credited with solid overall play, while Meredith Sanford led the offense. Both Oxford teams will return to action Friday against Lafayette.
The Lady Chargers will play LHS at Ole Miss at 5 p.m., while the Chargers play the Commodores at 7. (December 7, 2010, Page 9) | http://oxfordeagle.com/2010/12/oxford-fares-well-against-top-teams/ | 178 |
"AGB Says G'day To..." is a short-answer interview conducted with a rising star in the Aussie gym ranks. The questions are designed to let you know a little about their training and competition experiences so you can keep your eye on them in the future.
So without further ado, let me introduce you to the very first interviewee.
AGB SAYS G'DAY TO... BRITTANY BOFFO!
Brittany Boffo is an IDP8 gymnast from Queensland, a quiet achiever with an elegant style, who scored some serious hardware at Nationals last year. You might also remember her as being the Guinness World Record Holder for most 'body skips' completed in one minute. I sincerely thank Brit's mum and QAS coach Vladimir Joura for allowing her to participate.
**********************************************AGB: Hello Brittany and thanks so much for taking part. There are people out there excited to hear from you!
Tell us a bit about your gymnastics journey so far - Where/why did you start gymnastics?
BB: I started Gym at Murray Bridge in South Australia 2 weeks before my 5th birthday just for fun. I moved to the State Training center in SA while I was still 5. After a few years my family moved to QLD and I am now training at the QAS.
What have been your favourite competitions so far and why?
I have always enjoyed all my competitions but my favourite is probably Victorian States in 2009.
Which is your favourite apparatus to compete on? Which is your least favourite?
My favourite apparatus during training is bars and in comps it is floor. My least favourite is vault.
You have a very elegant style in your performances, do you do much dance training in addition to gymnastics?
I do dance/ballet once a week during training but I don't do any other training out of the gym.
How did it feel winning the National IDP8 all-around title last year?
I was very surprised to have won but it was cool. It wasn't only winning that was exciting but the whole experience of being with all the other gymnasts around the country.
How do you keep yourself motivated after a bad training session, or a routine that doesn't go your way?
I like to talk to Tianye [Boorman] to get my focus off the bad skills I have done in that training session. It works too!!!!!! Seriously though, I don't stress over it. I just keep trying until I get it.
What do your friends outside of gymnastics think when they see you do your skills?
They always ask me, "How do you do that?".
Which gymnasts do you admire most and why?
Nastia Liukin is my favourite because she is a really good gymnast and is a great role model. Since I was 5 I always wanted to do the skills Philippe Rizzo could do. I have since learned that girls don't do skills that guys do.
What are your hopes for 2010, and your hopes for the years to come?
In 2010 I want to do well in IDP 10 and hopefully continue on to Juniors. Long term I would like to represent Australia Internationally at world events.
Here are some 'random bits' Brittany would like readers to know...
Dogs are my favourite, especially our maltese cross called Wilson
My favourite food is Dad's pasta
Fave colour is fluro green
I love drawing
I don't like sea food!
Thanks again for your responses, Brittany, and best wishes for the coming year! | http://ozgymnastics.blogspot.com/2010/02/exclusive-agb-says-gday-to.html | 746 |
Kim Clijsters of Belgium returns to Venus Williams of the United States at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday Sept. 6, 2005. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
NEW YORK Acrobatics and dogged effort trumped artistry as Kim Clijsters, two games from losing in straight sets, scrambled back to beat an exhausted Venus Williams and reach the U.S. Open semifinals.
Clijsters, trying to shed her label as the best woman on tour never to win a Grand Slam title, performed more than a dozen of her patented leg splits chasing balls Tuesday night to take down Williams 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Waiting for the Belgian in the semis Friday will be top-seeded Maria Sharapova, who yielded a set for the first time in the tournament before beating fellow Russian Nadia Petrova, the ninth seed, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
''I wasn't really thinking about the score,'' said Clijsters, who trailed 4-6, 2-4 with Williams serving in the second set. ''I just tried to keep fighting and just kept running for each ball.''
That she did, and Williams wilted. Clijsters broke Williams' vaunted serve three straight times, overcame a break of her own serve, and evened the match on her third set-point.
Williams, who looked so fit in winning the longest Wimbledon final on record two months ago against Lindsay Davenport, had nothing left after holding serve in the first game of the third set. Her left hip, she said, started hurting and threw off her game. She had played only one tournament between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open after a bout of flu and seemed worn down, despite not losing a set the past week.
Clijsters won the final six games, closing out the 2-hour, 5-minute match when Williams, her lavender dress drenched in sweat, lofted a forehand long.
''I was playing decent and she started playing really bad and it totally threw me off,'' Williams said, whose lack of graciousness after the match equaled her lack of precision during it. ''She started hitting these really weird shots and short balls, just weird stuff. Next thing I knew I was playing as bad as she was. She was able to recover. I just wasn't. I guess maybe it was a good strategy.''
Clijsters, the hottest player on tour with six titles this year but none in the majors, saw this victory as one of the biggest in her career. She missed the U.S. Open last year while recovering from wrist surgery.
''This definitely means a lot more than any win before my surgery,'' Clijsters said.
''I just kept hanging in there. I don't think I was playing the same level in the first set as I did in the third set. As long as you end on a good level, that's the most important thing. That's what I did today.''
Sharapova won her first four matches in an average of 59 minutes. Against Petrova, each of the first two sets took almost as long, and the match ran 2 1/2 hours before Sharapova, shrieking on nearly every point, ended it with a break in the final game on a lunging backhand return Petrova couldn't handle.
''Wow! It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today,'' said Sharapova, who lost in the third round last year and the second round in her first U.S. Open two years ago. ''So many ups and downs. ... I just found a way to fight. A lot of credit to Nadia, she played an amazing match.
''I thought it was too easy in the beginning. I was on fire. She wasn't playing that badly, I was just making winner after winner. All of a sudden, I just went out of the stadium and my mojo wasn't there. ... The last game I guess it just decided to come back.''
Roger Federer sneered, tossed his racket in disgust. Horror of horrors, he, too, lost a set.
For most of the U.S. Open, the defending champion and top seed seemed to sleepwalk through his matches, playing only as well as necessary, waking up and painting lines when pressed. He made up shots as he went along a sprinkling of aces at various speeds and angles, a backhand pass that got him out of trouble, a volley that came out of nowhere between yawns.
That was enough until he got into a little trouble against Nicolas Kiefer on Tuesday. Suddenly Federer had a reason to elevate his game and stir some emotion. Now he swept in toward the net, pounded winners from the baseline, stopped wasting time and effort.
Under just the hint of pressure, Federer produced his best tennis of the tournament to beat Kiefer 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 and land safely in the quarterfinals. Match point was a masterful final stroke an inside-out forehand crosscourt that Federer tucked neatly in the corner, far from Kiefer's reach.
Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 champion and runner-up to Federer last year, reached the quarters for the sixth straight year with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 15 Dominik Hrbaty, who drew more attention for his pink peekaboo shirt than his play.
''It made it a lot easier for me to beat him today,'' Hewitt said. ''I just couldn't lose to a bloke wearing a shirt like that.''
Hewitt advanced to play Jarkko Nieminen, who became the first Finn to reach the quarters in a Grand Slam event with a 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco.
Federer next plays 11th-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina, a 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2 victor over Italian Davide Sanguinetti. Federer said before that match he would prefer Nalbandian, ''because I have a bad record against him.''
Former champion John McEnroe liked that.
''Most guys would like to play the guy they have the winning record against,'' McEnroe said when he stepped outside the broadcast booth. ''That's what you love about Roger he embraces the challenge.''
Nalbandian holds a 5-2 record against Federer, though Federer won the last two meetings in 2003 and '04.
''I like to play against guys who have beaten me, especially early in the career, try to get them back,'' Federer said. ''He was a tough opponent for me for a long, long time.''
The 24-year-old Federer lost only one set on the way to his third Wimbledon title two months ago, and that also was against Kiefer, who gives him tough matches but can't quite win. Federer has beaten the German six straight times, four of them this year.
Peninsula Clarion ©2013. All Rights Reserved. | http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/090705/sports_0907spo003001.shtml | 1,514 |
Saying it needs more public input, the Kenai City Council decided to wait until later this month to decide whether to name the Kenai softball complex in honor of Steve Shearer, one of the original organizers of the town's recreational softball league and an instrumental part of the fields being built.
Shearer, who died in 1998, is credited with getting the Kenai league admitted into the Alaska Softball Association in 1977. He also is widely credited with spurring the movement to have the fields built, according to a proposal submitted to the council Wednesday.
"Steve lobbied hard and worked diligently with (Kenai Parks and Recreation Director) Kayo (McGillvery) to have these fields constructed. He, and his teammates, pulled volunteers together to build the dugouts and concession stand," reads the proposal. "All in all, Steve took the responsibility on himself, by himself, to play league ball. It would be fitting to have the Kenai Softball Field Complex dedicated to his memory."
The proposal would call for the construction of a large wooden sign, as well as a small garden to commemorate Shearer's contributions to the softball league.
In addition to a letter submitted to the council from the memorial committee, made up of Steve Dexheimer, John Sivley, Earl Hicks, John Yeager, Mike Navarre and Kay Shearer, the proposal also included 111 signatures from Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski and Kasilof residents.
However, the council decided it needs more public input into the proposal, voting to postpone a decision until its Dec. 17 meeting.
"I don't want to be perceived as just running this through without a lot of public comment," said council member Linda Swarner.
The proposal will be available for the public to view on the city's Web site. Anyone wishing to comment can contact the city at 283-7535 or visit www.ci.kenai.ak.us.
Peninsula Clarion ©2013. All Rights Reserved. | http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/112303/new_112303new005001.shtml | 414 |
For three straight seasons ending with the Giants' 2010 World Series championship campaign, San Francisco took the annual series at Washington's home park. In 2011, the Nationals took three of four -- beating Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain -- to start a winning trend against the NL West powerhouse that has continued.
Having beaten the first two in the span of about 20 hours, the Nationals now have "Mr. Perfect" on their hands again. Cain meets the hot Nationals lineup and left-hander Ross Detwiler in the finale of the only meeting between the two teams in Washington this season.
At a season-high 15 games over .500, the NL East-leading Nationals are enjoying the early summer heat of contending, putting big numbers on two strong Giants starters. With 18 runs in the first two games, the Nationals are at a plus-59 run differential -- the best showing in that department since the Nationals landed in D.C. in 2005.
It's not about showing another division leader how they do things in D.C., but the Nationals are beginning to feel comfortable out front.
"We know that if we come out and play our type of baseball, good clean baseball -- we pitch well and play good defense -- our offense will be there when we need it," said Ian Desmond, the shortstop who continues to contribute from all over the lineup. "We need to start worrying about what we're doing. We're not worried about who's in first place in the other division."
Cain obviously provides a challenge to the Nationals and gives the Giants an opportunity to put their stopper on the mound. Cain has delivered two of his poorer starts since twirling a perfect game against the Astros on June 13, including an 11-hit outing in which he allowed five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Reds during his last time out.
Now a three-time All-Star, Cain was 4-0 with a 1.25 ERA in June before his rough outing against the Reds, losing for the first time since May 1.
"He was having trouble getting the ball where he wanted. It's going to happen," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
As for his mound opponent, Detwiler is still a work in progress since rejoining the Nats' rotation on June 24. He was very good through six innings against Atlanta in his last time out before he gave up four runs and the lead in what turned into a 5-4 victory.
Giants: Pagan's woes shuffle OF
With the entire outfield struggling a bit, Bochy left Angel Pagan out of the lineup on Wednesday, shifting Gregor Blanco from right to center and giving Nate Schierholtz a turn in right after he'd started just three of the Giants' previous 19 games.
With the quick turnaround from Tuesday's rain-delayed night game to the Wednesday morning start, Bochy went with the scratch on Pagan, who had a .188 average (13-for-69) in his last 19 games. "It's fair to say Angel's struggling right now," Bochy said.
Pagan wound up entering the game late, going 0-for-2. Schierholtz went 0-for-3 before being replaced on a double-switch.
In taking the loss on Wednesday in his final start before the All-Star break, Bumgarner fell short of becoming the first Giants pitcher to record 11 wins before the break.
Nationals: Big bats heating up
With Ryan Zimmerman all the way back and Michael Morse finding his form, the Nationals are getting the most out of the middle of their lineup.
Both Zimmerman and Morse hit homers on Wednesday -- with each right-handed hitter poking a ball out over the wall in right-center -- and the Nationals continued to put big numbers on the board. Zimmerman has hit in nine of his last 10 and has six multi-hit games during that span, while Morse is on a 16-for-35 (.457) run with three homers.
"We're healthier, we're getting more consistent. The more you can throw out the same lineup, the more consistent you can be," Zimmerman said.
Nationals manager Davey Johnson, when asked if his club resembles the Giants' pitching-first championship club from 2010: "Good pitching, speed and defense. They've got a good bullpen, too. You generally start with your pitching. Pitching also can make your defense better. But they've been a pretty good hitting ballclub. [In] this day and time, you have to be pretty good in all aspects of the game. They've pretty much gone by the rule pitching No. 1, and probably pitching No. 2."
The Nationals now have held the NL's best record for nine days, having held the top spot for only three days since 2005 -- all coming in the opening days of 2008.
The Giants and Nationals will meet again Aug. 13-15 at AT&T Park.
Following Thursday's game, the Giants will continue their East Coast road swing with three games at Pittsburgh, while the Nationals prepare to host the Rockies for the weekend.
The Nationals will pay tribute to the 1924 World Series-winning Senators on Thursday on Turn Back the Clock Night. The Nationals and Giants will wear 1924 replica jerseys, and the grounds crew and gameday staff will be dressed in full 1920s attire. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_05_sfnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=was | 1,108 |
Players of the Week
Right-handed pitcher Kyle Drabek, Clearwater Threshers. Pitched organization's first 9-inning shutout on Friday, 4-0 over Port Charlotte, 5 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts. Threw 102 pitches, 70 for strikes. It was his first win since April 21. In between he had 1 loss and 5 no decisions. For the season, 4-1, 2.48 ERA, leading the Florida State League with 74 strikeouts and 61.2 innings. Promoted to Reading on June 1.The 21-year-old was a 1st round selection in 2007 out of The Woodlands (TX) High School.
First baseman Jim Murphy, Lakewood BlueClaws. Led all Phillies minor leaguers with a .409 average and 10 RBI in 7 games. Among his 9 hits: 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4th home run. Hitting .367 in last 10 games. For the season, he leads Lakewood with a .323 average, .446 on-base percentage and .489 slugging. The 23-year-old was drafted in the 17th round a year ago out of Washington State University. He was the first Player of the Week for 2009 (April 9-19), hitting .424.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
4-3; 5th place, International League North Division . . . 5-1 Sunday win vs. Rochester was the 1,500th for manager Dave Huppert in his minor league career. He's third among active managers . . . INF Miguel Cairo hit .357 in 7 games, 8 RBI on 10 hits; batting .350 since joining LV 10 games ago . . . INF Pablo Ozuna, .346, 9 hits, 3 doubles, 3 stolen bases . . . INF David Newhan drove in a run in each of last 5 games . . . RHP Andrew Carpenter (3-0) was 2-0 for 2 starts, 2 earned runs, 9 hits in 14.1 innings, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts . . . RHP Kyle Kendrick (4-3) got 11 ground ball outs in a Wednesday win, 6 innings, 9 hits, 3 runs, 2 strikeouts . . . LHP Antonio Bastard won the next night, 7 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout . . . RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-6) had a no-decision on Friday, allowing a 2-run homer in the first inning and then tossing 6 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts . . . RHP Mike Koplove had back-to-back saves (#5-6); Wednesday save came on 5 pitches . . . SS Jason Donald didn't play after Tuesday because a sore leg.
5-2; 3rd place, Eastern League Southern Division . . . OF Michael Taylor had a 14-game hitting streak (.407) end on Thursday; hit .379 for the week, 8 runs, 11 hits, 8th-9th homers, 7 RBI; batting .405 in last 10 games . . . OF Gus Milner, .400, 3 doubles, inside-the-park homer among 10 hits; ended the week riding an 8-game hitting streak . . . 3B Neil Sellers, .375 with 4 doubles . . . OF Mike Spidale homered in back-to-back games (# 2-3) . . . LHP Joe Savery (5-1) was winner in 2 starts but walked 9 in 11 innings; wins stretched winning streak to 5 games . . . RHP Alexander Concepcion (1-0) had his second consecutive start of 5 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs . . . RHP Vance Worley (4-3) hurled 7 shutout innings to win on Tuesday and was tagged for 4 runs in 6 innings in Sunday loss . . . RHP Tyson Brummett (2-5) gave up 5 runs in the first inning on Friday and then pitched 1-hit ball over the next 5 innings as Reading rallied for an 8-7 win . . . C Paul Bako joined the club on Friday and picked up 2 hits the next night.
3-3; 2nd place, Florida State League North Division . . . 3B Cody Overbeck led organization with 4 homers (among 7 hits); drove in 6 in 6 games . . . CF Javis Diaz stole 3 bases (# 12-13-14) . . . OF Arlon Quiroz had back-to-back 3-hit games . . . RHP Julian Sampson came off the DL on Wednesday, allowed 2 earned runs in 3 innings . . . RHP Michael Cisco (1-0) got 12 ground ball outs in 6-innings of a 10-1 win on Thursday . . . LHP Yohan Flande (5-1), no decision on Saturday, 0 earned runs in 7 innings of a 4-3 loss.
5-2; 1st place, South Atlantic League Northern Division . . . CF Anthony stole 9 bases in 7 games, 4 coming in Sunday's 8-7 loss; leads SAL with 35 in 40 attempts . . . 3B Travis Mattair, .346 in 7 games; batting .324 in last 10 games . . . C Travis D'Arnaud hit 5th-6th homers, tops on the club . . . RHP Tim Cloyd (5-2) won on Wednesday, 7 innings, 2 earned runs, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts; threw 90 pitches, 66 strikeouts; walked 2 batters in 6 May starts . . . RHP Heitor Correa (2-1) won 2 starts, 13 innings, 10 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts . . . RHP Ryan Bergh, 7th-8th saves.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090601&content_id=5085098&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi&fext=.jsp | 1,198 |
CHICAGO -- Ichiro Suzuki was back in the leadoff spot for a second straight game on Saturday against the White Sox and responded with a pair of home runs in Seattle's 10-8 victory in 12 innings. The 38-year-old right fielder clearly welcomes the return to his familiar role after being asked to bat third for the first two months of the season.
"Naturally, being used to leading off for 11 years, this is just normal," Ichiro said after Friday's game, his first back in the top spot in the order. "So that is how I feel. We don't know yet, obviously, how the future will turn out. That's how I feel for the moment."
Speaking through interpreter Antony Suzuki, Ichiro indicated he was looking for a spark from his return to the role he's filled for 1,721 of the 1,786 games he's started over 12 seasons with Seattle.
"Being back in the leadoff [spot] is very comfortable," he said. "It feels like getting back to my own spot. There was no hesitation. We started the season a couple months ago, but now is like a second start for me. And it's a refreshing start as well."
Ichiro is hitting .271 with a .303 on-base percentage, both slightly below last year's .272 and .310 marks that were the lowest of his career. His slugging percentage of .389 is up from last year's .335, but both are well below his career .420 mark.
Felix treated for sore back, expected to start
CHICAGO -- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez received treatment on his sore back Saturday, but manager Eric Wedge said the expectation for now is that he'll be ready to make his next scheduled start Wednesday in Anaheim.
"He'll have limited activity and stay inside [during pregame work]," Wedge said. "He still feels it a little bit."
Any concern over his next start?
"I don't think there's any concern for that right now," Wedge said. "Hopefully he feels better at the end of the day today and coming in tomorrow."
Hernandez "tweaked" his back in the second or third inning of Friday's 7-4 loss to the White Sox. Wedge pulled him after the fifth inning, trailing 4-0, though Hernandez wound up with a no decision when Seattle tied the game back up in the eighth.
Trainer Rick Griffin checked on Hernandez throughout the game and felt there was no problem in letting him continue, but Wedge pulled the right-hander when his pitches started getting up in the fifth and the White Sox hit back-to-back home runs.
Hernandez said the back wasn't the problem after the game, but that his fastball command again was an issue. He's 1-3 with a 6.14 ERA in his last five starts.
"I love that he feels that way," Wedge said. "We want all our players to take full accountability, but reality is sometimes there are physical issues involved, and I think that is the case with Felix. I know there have been times this year when he's unhappy with himself, but that's part of being a great pitcher and self-evaluator, too.
"You're not always going to be perfect, and you're not always going to be great. But you have to recognize when you're not so you can get back to that level and I think he does that as well as anybody."
Smoak continues trend of hot hitting
CHICAGO -- When Justin Smoak was struggling earlier this season, he frequently noted that when things are going rough, even hard-hit balls somehow seem to wind up in defenders' gloves. So naturally, the opposite was true Friday night when he got a single on a high pop-up that traveled all of about 5 feet, but eluded the grasp of White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
"I honestly didn't expect that to be a hit, but it is what it is," Smoak said with a smile.
All hits look the same in the box score, where Smoak went 2-for-3 after adding a sharp RBI single to right in the eighth inning of the 7-4 loss.
The big first baseman then went 2-for-6 with a home run in Saturday's 10-8 victory. He's raised his average from .173 to .241 over the past 20 games by hitting .333 (27-for-81) with seven home runs, 19 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
He's hit five home runs and 14 RBIs in his last eight games and said it feels good to continue building on his recent run of success.
"That's always the goal, to keep that feel, keep grinding it out, keeping having good at-bats, and I feel like I'm doing that," Smoak said. "I just need to keep going from there."
Gutierrez begins rehab in Triple-A Tacoma
CHICAGO -- Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez reported to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday to begin his Minor League rehab stint as he continues his return from a series of injuries that have sidelined him since early in Spring Training.
The plan was for him to be at designated hitter for Saturday night's game against Sacramento at Cheney Stadium, then play in center field on Sunday, according to Mariners manager Eric Wedge.
Gutierrez, 29, partially tore the pectoral muscle in his right chest during a spring workout and began the season on the disabled list. During his recovery from that injury, he began dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right heel and was unable to run for several weeks.
But the 2010 Gold Glove winner began running and hitting with the Mariners last week in Seattle, then played in extended spring training games in Arizona this week. He's now ready to begin his official Minor League rehab, which allows a maximum of 20 days before he must be recalled by the Mariners.
Wedge said Gutierrez will need all or most of those 20 days with the Rainiers, given he's missed so much time.
"He's going to need a majority of them," said Wedge. "He hasn't had that constant repetition at a higher level for a long time. He's going to need some time down there."
Gutierrez played only 92 games in 2011 after missing the first few months with a digestive issue and the last month with a strained oblique muscle.
• The Mariners have used five different leadoff hitters so far this season (Dustin Ackley 26, Chone Figgins 24, John Jaso 2, Ichiro 2, Michael Saunders 1). Seattle used only two leadoff hitters last season (Ichiro 161, Figgins 1), and has not used this many leadoff hitters in a single season since six in 2002 (Ichiro 150, Mike Cameron 5, Mark McLemore 4, Luis Ugueto 1, Desi Relaford 1, Jose Offerman 1).
• Michael Saunders' two-base error on Paul Konerko's line drive in the eighth inning of Friday's 7-4 loss led to three unearned runs. In the first 53 games of the season, the Mariners had allowed just 10 unearned runs. They remain second in the AL in fielding percentage at .989.
The ball deflected off Saunders glove, hitting him squarely below the right eye. Anything still hurting Saturday?: "Just my pride," Saunders said. "This game can humble you in a hurry."
• Kyle Seager is batting .336 with a .929 OPS on the road this season and .200 with a .616 OPS at Safeco Field. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120602&content_id=32648454¬ebook_id=32649748&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea | 1,597 |
Bucs' sweet summer concludes with bitter end
Pirates suffer 20th consecutive losing season despite outstanding play early
The Pirates put their own Dickens spin on the 2012 season: It was the best of times before the worst of times.In a world of Yankees, Tigers and Reds, the Bucs were the ones to lead the Major Leagues in scoring in June and July, any baseball season's formative months. Applying that offensive layer atop a pitching staff that collectively had been one of the big leagues' toughest through May opened up possibilities way beyond the conservative goal of ending 19 consecutive years of losing. Accordingly, Pittsburgh came out of Game No. 108 -- exactly the two-thirds mark of the 162-game schedule -- 16 steps above .500, with a record of 62-46. The Pirates were managing that despite a shallow lineup carried by a few, a team average of .247 and OPS of .713 attesting to the holes. They were finding ways to win games without clutch hits, but with opportunism and fortune that bordered on divine intervention.
It was all enough to earn them a nickname that reflected their upstart abrasive style, the Bad News Bucs.Then they turned into bad news -- lower case and period. They began losing three games for every one they won, spiraling out of the postseason race and into that familiar sub-.500 pit. The bitter 2011 resolution -- those Bucs swooned from contention quicker and deeper -- seemed like a confection compared to this fade. "I came out in the middle of the season and said we weren't going to have the same result, because we had better depth, better players, better leadership," general manager Neal Huntington reflected. "Yet we had the same slide. The first four months were a heck of a lot more fun than the last two months. I wouldn't say it's been more concerning [than 2011] ... losing is losing, and we're all tired of it." Although not as immediate, the 2012 decline also followed the July 31 Trade Deadline. Huntington was busy, and concerns he might have tried to fix something that wasn't broken were confirmed, either as a coincidence or as a consequence. With the Bucs still in stride, Huntington flipped over a large chunk of the roster with moves for Travis Snider, Gaby Sanchez, Chad Qualls and Wandy Rodriguez that cost the Pirates key first-half contributors Brad Lincoln and Casey McGehee. The GM had a couple of motives: Be proactive to prevent a 2011 flashback, and add some players to the smoke-and-mirrors the Bucs often appeared to be using on their way to the top. Scoff all you want at Huntington's references to Sabermetrics, like the one that indicated the Pirates were twice as many games above .500 than where they belonged statistically at the end of July, but even laymen couldn't figure out how they were doing it. As a team, the Pirates were hitting .218 at the end of May, and had scored 147 runs in 50 games during the first two months. In June, they scored as many runs in half as many games; June and July, they poured across 276 runs. But the power-fueled outburst -- the Bucs hit 39 homers in both June and July, more than their combined April-May total (38) -- was a classic smokescreen. It covered up the gradual downturn of the pitching staff that had brilliantly kept the team afloat early, and it camouflaged the team's lack of fundamental skills. Manager Clint Hurdle and his staff hit bull's eyes on some preseason objectives. After a pitch-to-contact staff in 2011 that depended on defensive support, for instance, they wanted a group with more swing-and-miss potential -- and the Pirates wound up setting a franchise record for most strikeouts in a season, led by A.J. Burnett. On some others, they missed horribly. Speed and aggression on the basepaths was expected to make up for the acknowledged lack of lineup depth; the Pirates would run circles around the opposition. The Bucs were successful on lower than 60 percent of their stolen-base attempts, by far the lowest in the Majors. The lack of success even by confirmed speedsters such as Andrew McCutchen and Alex Presley highlighted the need for instruction in this area. The other side of the running game was even poorer. In putting the club together, defense and pitching were emphasized. Overlooked was control of the running game as a component of both; Pittsburgh batteries caught fewer than 10 percent of opponents, who ran more liberally as the season wore on. In fact, considering the 65 stolen bases against them in August-September, one might say the Pirates were literally run out of the race. Yet, consistent with what has been a season of inconsistency, the Pirates hit several statistical peaks, in addition to those record number of strikeouts by their pitchers. While the won-lost record may not have harkened back to the last winning Pirates teams of the early 1990s, several individuals flashed back to that era. Burnett, rescued from the Bronx, emerged as the first Pirates pitcher with at least 16 wins since 1991. Joel Hanrahan, even though his save opportunities dried up in mid-August, was the second closer in club history to post 30-plus saves in consecutive seasons. Pedro Alvarez and McCutchen became the third pair of Pittsburgh teammates to each poke 30-plus homers, joining the 1990 duo of Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla, and the 2001 tandem of Brian Giles and Aramis Ramirez. With Garrett Jones also reaching a new career high in homers, that trio was the second in Pittsburgh history with at least 25, matching the 1966 threesome of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, and Donn Clendenon. McCutchen, with a week to go, was in position to nail down the 26th National League batting title in franchise history. None of that softened the immediate past. But Hurdle could see in it a bright future. "It's not like a bunch of older guys, or guys on the backside of their careers, are doing it," the manager said of that Alvarez-McCutchen cornerstone parlay. "We didn't finish the way we wanted to but -- and I don't try to find moral victory in a lot of things -- I do know we're headed in the right direction. Those are the things you like to see when you're building a ballclub." So that's the sign-off on 2012: "Still under construction."
Record: 79-83, fourth in NL Central Defining moment: The steepest late-season collapse in baseball history -- no team 16 games over .500 at the 110-game mark had ever finished with a losing record -- got its final push on Sept. 10, in Cincinnati. The Bucs had already been sliding, but entered that game with a 72-67 record, still only 2 1/2 games behind St. Louis for a Wild Card spot. Wandy Rodriguez took a 3-1 lead and a one-hitter into the bottom of the seventh, but was removed after a weak two-out single by Todd Frazier -- and after 89 pitches. Cincinnati tied it against Jared Hughes, and won it in the 14th against Rick van den Hurk. The Cardinals lost that night. The fight was taken out of the Bucs; they kept losing. What went right: McCutchen's breakout performance gave the team an MVP candidate on the field, and his personality gave it a national identity. ... Burnett confirmed the assessment that he would flourish in the Pittsburgh environment. ... The acquisition of Rodriguez didn't help the team reach the playoffs, but at least it kept it from totally disappearing; he was virtually the only pitcher capable of winning the last six weeks. What went wrong: McCutchen, Alvarez and Jones hit all those homers. Seriously -- the club quickly began to depend on the long ball, and when it wasn't there, there was no offense. The club badly miscalculated in breaking up the bullpen mix that had been so effective in the first half, with Lincoln the long man and Juan Cruz, Jason Grilli and Hanrahan at the end. Many tried, but no one gave the team an effective leadoff man; the Pirates had a collective sub-.300 on-base percentage in the one-hole. In retrospect, the concurrent injuries to Starling Marte (oblique) and Neil Walker (herniated disc) were devastating. Biggest surprise: Grilli became a late-blooming relief stud, giving the club fire both in the clubhouse and on the mound. His 90-plus strikeouts ranked high among MLB relievers, and his combative attitude defined the good Pirates of the first two-thirds. The Bucs were 34-9 in his first 43 appearances.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120929&content_id=39205736&vkey=news_pit&c_id=pit | 1,847 |
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch made his Cactus League debut on Sunday against a familiar team. Tepesch pitched at the University of Missouri and grew up in Blue Springs, Mo., which is about 15 minutes from Kauffman Stadium.
Tepesch made a pretty good impression on Sunday. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three in a row in the third inning. The only hit was a bunt single in the fourth and Tepesch then got the next hitter to ground into a double play.
"He threw the ball extremely well," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He was down in the zone and had good depth on his breaking ball. He looks like a pitcher. What he did out there today was impressive."
Tepesch was a 14th round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He went 11-6 with a 3.67 EA in 28 outings last season between Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco. In 162 innings he averaged 9.2 hits, 2.4 walks and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He also threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in an intrasquad game last Wednesday. He and Cody Buckel are considered long-shot candidates for the Rangers' rotation.
McClellan cuts bullpen session short with pain
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitcher Kyle McClellan, who is trying to recover from shoulder surgery and win a spot in the rotation, tried to throw in the bullpen on Sunday. The session did not go well as McClellan had to cut it short with more pain in the muscles behind his right shoulder.
McClellan, who had surgery July 10 and hasn't pitched in a game since May 17, has been bothered by the soreness for the past week. The soreness came up after he pitched two live batting practice sessions early in camp without any problems.
"I still felt it so we just shut it down early," McClellan said. "There's no sense banging on it if it's not getting any better. We'll keep getting treatment but there is nothing we can do. The body has to fix it. We're on my body's time schedule."
McClellan spent five seasons with the Cardinals, mainly as a reliever. But he did start 17 games for the Cardinals in 2011 and the Rangers are going to look at him in that role. However, this setback is not a good way to start the competition, even though the Rangers have played just three of 38 exhibition games.
"I can't sit here and say I'm excited about it," McClellan said. "It's not where I want it to be but we've got time. I'm confident we can get this thing turned around and get going."
McClellan is not the only pitcher falling behind. Wilmer Font remains confined to throwing on the side while dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder. Font pitched in three games for the Rangers at the end of last season and is a candidate for the bullpen.
Profar, Garcia to alternate in middle infield at camp
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jurickson Profar and Leury Garcia were in the starting lineup for the first time in a Cactus League game on Sunday. Profar started at shortstop and Garcia was at second base. Both can play both positions and will continue to do so in Spring Training when Garcia is here.
"They both have the ability to play second or shortstop," manager Ron Washington said. "I'll keep flipping them back and forth."
They were together at Double-A Frisco last year. Profar played 97 games at shortstop and 25 at second base. Garcia played 39 games at shortstop and 57 at second. Garcia also played four games in center field and will get that opportunity at some point during the spring. But he only has a week left in camp before he has to report to the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic.
Mike Olt will also play the outfield soon. Olt, who played third base in the first two Cactus League games, has been working on his outfield defense with outfield coach Gary Pettis and has progressed to the point where he can be used in games.
• Lance Berkman and Adrian Beltre did some baserunning on Sunday. They are both dealing with strained right calf muscles and aren't expected to play in a Cactus League game until next weekend at the earliest.
• Tanner Scheppers remains day to day with a strained left hamstring.
• The Rangers have scheduled a B game for March 6 against the Cubs. That will be played in the morning before the two teams play their Cactus League game in the afternoon.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130224&content_id=41949044¬ebook_id=41951832&vkey=notebook_tex&c_id=tex | 1,036 |
Once again it’s time for the weekly off-season league updates. Check it out, as we take a tour around the globe for a look at Phillies talents participating in various autumn and winter action. Statistics are current, through action played on Saturday.
Freddy Galvis (pictured, left) has a .315 average with four doubles, one triple and three homers while driving in nine runs in 24 contests for Zulia. Despite recent reports that Galvis, who turns 23-years-old this week, could be a possible solution to the Phillies’ vacancy problem at third base, the switch-hitter has played shortstop exclusively in the Venezuelan League.
Tyson Gillies returned to action on Saturday, after sitting out due to undisclosed reasons over the past two weeks. The outfielder, who has dealt with a steady string of injuries since he was acquired from Seattle in 2009, missed nine days earlier in the Venezuelan League season with a hamstring issue. In eight games for Lara, the 24-year-old Gillies is batting .367 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI.
Darin Ruf, playing mostly left field lately after mixing in some first base and designated hitter in the early going, is batting .244 with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 25 games for La Guaira. Ruf is not expected to play for the entire Venezuelan League season, which runs through December 30th, but he should continue action into December.
Relief pitcher Justin Friend is 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA and a .182 batting average against in 15 relief outings for La Guaira. During the 2012 regular season, the righty sported a combined 4-1 record with 25 saves and a 1.33 ERA with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Michael Cisco has a 2-1 record with a 4.40 ERA in nine outings (one start) for La Guaira. The 25-year-old was a 35th round draft pick by the Phillies in 2008.
Also with La Guaira, J.C. Ramirez has a 1-0 record, a 10.80 ERA and a .400 batting average against in five relief outings. The 25-year-old tallied a 3-4 record with a 4.01 ERA in 45 combined relief appearances at Double-A and Triple-A this year.
Second baseman Cesar Hernandez has posted a .214 batting average with two doubles, a triple and a home run while driving in two runs in 7 games for Margarita. The switch-hitting 22-year-old was an All-Star in the Double-A Eastern League before earning a promotion to Triple-A in 2012.
Edgar Duran has a .320 average with three doubles, a homer and eight RBI in 18 games for Margarita. The 21-year-old shortstop spent the 2012 regular season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, posting a .253 average with seven homers and 49 RBI in 121 games.
Right-handed hurler Manaure Martinez has a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA while walking four and striking out four in six relief outings for Aragua. The 20-year-old spent time during the 2012 regular season with the Gulf Coast League Phillies and the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters.
First baseman Cody Overbeck made his Venezuelan League debut last week and is 2-for-11 (.182 avg) in three games with Aragua thus far. The 26-year-old Overbeck, who was the Phils’ 9th round draft pick in 2008, posted a .716 OPS in 133 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year.
Lefty pitcher Yoel Mecias has appeared in one game, recording a scoreless 1/3 of an inning for Aragua. The 20-year-old was signed by the Phillies in December 2010 and made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies (0-2, 2.16 ERA in 14 games) this year.
Infielder Andres Blanco, who played in 120 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, is batting .167 with a double, a triple and four RBI in 19 games for Magallanes. Blanco, 28, was recently re-signed by the Phillies.
Right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla (pictured, right) has a 0-2 record with one save and an 8.53 ERA in seven relief outings for Escogido thus far. The 22-year-old posted a 1.55 ERA in 31 combined games with Clearwater and Reading during the 2012 regular season, but injured himself while horsing around at the MLB All-Star Futures Game festivities in July, then missed the remainder of the regular season.
Outfielder Leandro Castro has a .188 average with no extra base hits and an RBI in 12 games for Oriente. The right-handed hitting Castro, 23, batted .287 with 10 homers and 71 RBI in 133 games and was an All-Star for Reading in the Double-A Eastern League this year.
Infielder Michael Martinez is 1-for-11 (.091 avg) in three games for Oriente. Martinez has played in 133 total games for the big league Phillies in the past two seasons.
Third baseman Maikel Franco has appeared in one game for Cibao, striking out in his only at bat. The 20-year-old slugger batted .280 while slugging 14 home runs and driving in 84 runs with Class A Lakewood during the 2012 regular season.
Hector Neris has not been scored upon in three relief outings for Este. The 23-year-old righty posted a 4-2 record with a 3.55 ERA in 50 games for High-A Clearwater this year.
Also with Este, lefty Raul Valdes, who had a 2.90 ERA in 27 games with the Phillies this year, has allowed two earned runs in six innings pitched (3.00 ERA). Valdes will turn 35-years-old later this month.
Juan Morillo has no decisions and a 3.86 ERA while striking out six and walking three through four outings for Escogido. The right-hander, originally signed as a minor league free agent in May 2011, was reportedly re-signed by the Phillies in recent days.
Juan Sosa allowed three earned runs in an inning of work thus far for Licey. The 23-year-old right-hander had a 5-7 record with four saves and a 4.26 ERA in 46 games (five starts) for Clearwater this year.
Catcher Sebastian Valle is batting .235 with two doubles and two home runs while driving in seven runs in ten games for Los Mochis. Valle, 22, was the Phillies’ top ranked positional prospect by many outlets, headed into the 2012 season.
Infielder Carlos Alonso is officially 0-for-11 through three games for the Brisbane Bandits. The team, however, points out that a questionable scoring decision in Saturday’s contest against Sydney could have easily been recorded as a suicide squeeze which would have credited Alonso, a University of Delaware product, with a sacrifice (not an at bat) and an RBI, instead of reaching on an error. Alonso was the Phils’ 32nd round draft choice in 2010.
Tim Kennelly is 3-for-10 with a double and two RBI as a hitter for the two-time defending champion Perth Heat. On the mound, Kennelly has tossed one inning, during which he walked two, allowed an unearned run and struck out the side.
Liam Bedford is 0-for-5 in three games as a member of the Melbourne Aces. The 19-year-old catcher batted .130 with no extra base hits and four RBI in 19 games for the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012.
Puerto Rican League-
Right-hander Julio Rodriguez (pictured, left) picked up a win with two scoreless innings of work for Carolina in the second game of their season this past week. Moved from Reading’s starting rotation to the bullpen in August, the 22-year-old sported a 4.40 ERA in seven relief efforts during the 2012 regular season.
Arizona Fall League (all Phils talent plays with Peoria)-
Third baseman Cody Asche is batting .280 with 10 doubles, a home run and 11 RBI in 21 games. Asche, 22, was the Phillies’ 4th round draft pick in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska.
Outfielder Zach Collier is batting .339 with four doubles, three triples and eight RBI while stealing three bases in 17 games. Collier, 22, was the Phils’ supplementary round draft pick (34th overall) in 2008.
Righty reliever Tyler Knigge has a 1-1 record and a 9.00 ERA through nine contests. Knigge, the Phils’ 12th round draft choice in 2010, has struck out nine while walking five in ten innings pitched.
Colby Shreve, a right-hander, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in nine relief outings. Shreve has struck out six and walked five batters in 10 innings pitched. Shreve was the Phillies’ 6th round draft selection in 2008.
Lefty Jay Johnson has no decisions and a 9.82 ERA in 10 relief outings. The 22-year-old Canadian spent some time on the disabled list this year with a shoulder ailment, but posted a 2-1 record with a 4.24 ERA in 33 combined contests at three levels.
Check back throughout the off-season for player updates and exclusive interviews. | http://philliesnation.com/archives/2012/11/weekly-off-season-league-updates-111112/ | 2,017 |
Chase Utley Creates Knee-Jerk Panic With Latest Diagnosis
Those already panicking over Chase Utley’s knee problems were given more fuel to add to the fire today. The Phillies announced that not only does Utley have patellar tendinitis, he also has chondromalacia and bone inflammation.
Utley has had both patellar tendinitis and chondromalacia in the past. So the recurrence of these issues plus the fact that the cortisone injection did nothing is very, very bad news. In a fantasybaseball.com article, a former athletic trainer states, “…inflammation of the bone, which generally means that the cartilage has completely worn away in spots and Utley’s knee now has portions where bone is rubbing directly on bone.”
Because both rest and cortisone have not helped, the outlook for recovery is grim. The Phillies plan to exhaust all non-surgical options, but those options may be slim.
And if Utley had these symptoms right at the start of spring training, that raises some questions. Did Utley have the same symptoms during his offseason workouts? And if so, why did he not seek help earlier? He could have had surgery in the offseason and saved months of possible playing time.
And now that the Phillies are trying to avoid surgery, that may just be postponing the inevitable. This is also wasting more time if he does eventually need surgery.
According to multiple medical sites and patient testimonies, the rest time needed for non-surgical recovery from chondromalacia, also known as “runners knee,” is listed as “months,” not weeks. If rest will take months to help, why not just do the surgery and get it over with?
This is obviously a frustrating scenario all around. If Utley is going to be out for an extended period of time, the Phillies need to know as soon as possible. Either they will hand the job to Wilson Valdez or they need to look elsewhere for help.
Either way, it is bad news for the Phillies.
Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography | http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/2011/03/09/chase-utley-creates-knee-jerk-panic-with-latest-diagnosis/ | 449 |
Career Day for Wigginton Leads to Phillies Win
After a rough day on Sunday with a loss to the Cardinals and Roy Halladay pulled early due to shoulder soreness, the Phillies needed a serious lift. Seeing Carlos Ruiz scratched from today’s line-up with a sore hamstring was also not the good news this team was looking for.
But with Cole Hamels on the mound, you had to think the Phillies had a shot against the Mets. Hamels delivered again with 4 runs allowed in 8 innings. Technically Hamels’ worst outing of the season, this would have been a great day for most other pitchers.
Still, 4 runs has been no small challenge for this Phillies team and their up and down offense. But one guy came through in the clutch; Ty Wigginton. With a career high 6 RBI in the game, including a 3-run homer and a double, Wigginton put the team on his back and carried them to a victory. Wiggy was also walked twice and went 3-for-3 overall, putting him on base in all 5 at-bats.
John Mayberry Jr. also had a multi-hit day with a single and a 2-run homer. Wiggy and Mayberry combined for all 8 of the Phillies runs in the 8-4 win.
Going forward, the starting rotation still has some question marks. Halladay will be examined when the team returns to Philly later this week. And Vance Worley, although still on the DL, appears to be making progress.
Joe Blanton is another question mark as he has allowed 13 runs in his last 2 starts. If he can bounce back Tuesday night against the Mets, that would be a big relief for everyone concerned about the starting pitching right now. Game time is 7:10pm.
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Photoshopping by Jenn Zambri Photography | http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/2012/05/28/career-day-for-wigginton-leads-to-phillies-win/?like=1&_wpnonce=9501e873bf | 399 |
All-Star Game Balloting starts today…
It may be the hottest question of 2008.
Voting is under way at MLB.com, and gradually at all the ballparks, to once again fulfill your annual civic duty of electing the most deserving Major League Baseball players to starting positions and final roster spots for the All-Star Game — the most traditional and important of any such elite gathering in sports. It is the jewel event created just so fans could see Babe Ruth and his best contemporaries all on the same field at once, and now it is an institution where a great part of the excitement is the very process that gets today’s greats all together.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how people vote myself, just after knowing the American League so well for the last five years,” said Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira, a newcomer on the National League ballot and a lifelong All-Star voter himself. “It’s really neat, because one of the most fun things, as a kid in Baltimore, was going to a game and voting for All-Stars. I’d fill out two or three ballots as a kid during the game. I had my favorite Orioles like Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray. They were automatic. But I voted for other teams’ players based on whoever I thought was having a good season. I’d mix up my picks.
“Now, you look at the way the whole voting process has grown and it is just amazing. It’s great because the All-Star Game is for the fans. It’s an exhibition game, players have fun, and really it is a showcase of the entire game one night.”
Who are you voting for?
Fans can vote for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club Web sites until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 2. There will be constant campaigning between now and then, and voters will be faced with tough decisions every day and night. The task is to put the best people on the field the night of July 15 at Yankee Stadium, which is in its farewell season. Major League Baseball formally opened the balloting with an on-field ceremony there before Tuesday’s Tigers-Yanks game, and now it will be up to you to study the issues and get to know the candidates.
This is serious stuff, obviously a lot more challenging than picking one leader to run things. Here, you are asked to pick from candidates on both tickets, AL and NL, and it will be up to you to decide on nine AL starting position players (including a designated hitter), eight NL starting position players, and the 32nd man on both rosters with the ever-popular, seventh-annual Monster All-Star Final Vote.
No pressure there or anything, folks. If you stockpile the AL team with Manny Ramirez and those reigning world champs from up in Boston, then Yankee Universe is going to post unfriendly blogs about you. If you load it up with A-Rod and other Yankees, then welcome to the pinstripe people party. This is a decision that affects the future, because the NL has not won since 1996, and once again the league that wins the All-Star Game will have home-field advantage in the World Series this October.
Recent history shows that you are going to vote with intensity and intellect. In 2007, spurred by tight races at several positions in each league, a record 11.8 million ballots were cast online during the voting period, including three million ballots over the final 48 hours after the most recent voting updates were announced. There was a general sentiment that fans, by all accounts, “got it right” in electing “deserving” stars. Once again, you will be clicking non-stop around here, and once again you will be using car keys or pencils or any means necessary to furiously punch those little round holes next to first initial/last name on paper ballots as professional sports’ largest All-Star balloting program begins again.
All-Star ballots will be available at the 30 Major League ballparks, each of which will have 24 home dates for balloting. In-stadium balloting began on April 18 at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, and it begins Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, AT&T Park in San Francisco and Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Balloting will begin at the ballparks of the Red Sox, Marlins, Mets and Rangers on Wednesday. Every Major League club will begin balloting no later than May 9, and the in-stadium balloting period will end for each club by June 29. In-stadium balloting at Rogers Centre in Toronto, sponsored by Rogers Personal TV, is scheduled to run from May 2 through June 24. In addition, 109 Minor League clubs will participate in All-Star Game balloting from May 5 through June 18. It is always an election year in baseball.
Who are you voting for?
Could there be five different Cabreras in the starting AL lineup? It could happen. Miguel has moved from the NL to the AL, representing Detroit at third base on the ballot. Asdrubal Cabrera represents the Indians at second base, and he has some October exposure going for him. Orlando Cabrera is the shortstop of a White Sox team that was leading the AL Central through Monday, and Yankee fans would love to see their own Melky Cabrera in the outfield for a big home game. Orioles righty Daniel Cabrera beat the Yankees on April 18 for his first victory, and if he gets on a roll, then maybe AL manager Terry Francona tabs him for the staff.
Who takes Barry Bonds’ place in the NL outfield now that the longest active streak of ballot appearances is over? Ken Griffey Jr. assumes the title of longest-running ballot fixture, dating back to that baby-faced 19-year-old we remember from the Upper Deck rookie card. Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel is back on the ballot and has been seemingly forever. Craig Biggio is a notable missing name from the ballot, now retired and counting down the mandatory five-year wait for Cooperstown. But honestly, would it even have mattered the way Chase Utley is dominating the sport right now? He could be the Phillies’ third straight NL MVP.
Can Tampa Bay, Baltimore or Florida get some All-Star love to equal their first month so far? Will Cristian Guzman or Ryan Church have a prayer? You are going to have to think about a (Torii) Hunter and a (John) Buck in the AL. Arizona has the best record in baseball at this early juncture, but does the voting public really know these guys yet? Frank Thomas is listed on the ballot as a DH for Toronto, but will the Big Hurt get many write-in votes now that he actually plays for the A’s?
|“It’s really neat, because one of the most fun things, as a kid in Baltimore, was going to a game and voting for All-Stars. I’d fill out two or three ballots as a kid during the game.”|
|– Mark Teixeira|
And what will become of Teixeira, who helped the AL to this ridiculous All-Star streak and now appears for the first time on the NL ballot? His competition is going to include the likes of perennial favorite Albert Pujols of St. Louis, Prince Fielder of Milwaukee, Derrek Lee of the Cubs, Ryan Howard of the Phillies and red-hot Lance Berkman of the Astros. That could be the most competitive position on either side of the ballot. Maybe not. Once those much-anticipated regular weekly updates begin at MLB.com during the months to come, all of your thinking will become the data that drives more and more voting to “get it right.” The first weekly AL update will be on May 27, and the first NL update will be the next day.
Teixeira, interviewed by MLB.com at Shea Stadium over the weekend, certainly would love to be invited back to New York for July 15. The All-Star Game holds a special memory for him — not just because of the voting process, but because of experience.
“I remember that I got to start my very first All-Star Game,” he said, thinking back to Houston and 2005. “I was fortunate to hit a two-run homer that put us up, 7-0. We won, 7-5.”
How can he explain the AL dominance for more than a decade? Throw out that 2002 tie in Milwaukee and it is 10 consecutive AL victories.
“It’s crazy, because there are so many great players in each league,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “In a game like baseball, so much is up in the air. The games have been close.”
Maybe this will be the NL’s year.
Who are you voting for?
The 2008 AL and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 6 on the 2008 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show Presented by Chevrolet televised nationally on TBS immediately following the Sunday MLB on TBS Game of the Week. The pitchers and reserves for both squads — 23 for the NL, 22 for the AL — will be determined through a combination of “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers, Francona and NL manager Clint Hurdle of the Rockies. That will be done in conjunction with Major League Baseball.
Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, it gets absolutely nutty. Fans will have the annual thrill ride of selecting the final position player for each league’s 32-man roster at MLB.com. The Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote again will provide fans the opportunity to cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over a four-day period, and that’s when the creative grassroots campaigning kicks in. Last year, all 10 Final Vote nominees were pitchers thanks to managers Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland, and fans chose Chris Young of San Diego and Hideki Okajima of Boston. Fans will be able to cast their Final Vote selections for the fourth year using their mobile phones as well, and both winners this time will be announced after the voting has concluded on Thursday, July 10.
Even then, the fan participation is not over. You can be part of the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet during the big Tuesday night event via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP Vote on MLB.com.
The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.
There is a lot of time between now and then, a lot of research to do on these candidates. There are two Drews, a Hardy boy and a Bard. There is a Hill and Stairs. Surely there must be potential leaders among Kennedy, Wilson, Jackson, Johnson and Chavez. There are two “A. Jones” — one a Dodger and one an Oriole. There is a Durham and a Pierre to see. There is a Bay and an Overbay. There is Lamb and there is Pie, Crisp and Dunn. There is a Prince and fortunately a Butler. For those who love water, there is a Hudson and we found Wells. This will go on for Weeks.
It’s what everyone is talking about.
There is only one question, really.
Who are you voting for? (H/T Phillies.com)
Well, I know who I’m voting for, as I’d voted just a few seconds ago. Anyway, the 79th Annual All Star Game will this year be held for the last time in Yankee Stadium, ‘The House that Ruth Built’, as the Yankees, like the Mets in Shea Stadium, will both be having new homes next season. | http://philliesredpinstripes.mlblogs.com/2008/04/29/all-star-game-balloting-starts-today/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=bcc517a348 | 2,578 |
Prop Gurthrö Steenkamp and centre Juan de Jongh have been included in South Africa's starting line-up to face Scotland at Murrayfield.
Steenkamp replaces CJ van der Linde at loosehead prop after the latter took over as a late replacement for Tendai Mtawarira last weekend, while De Jongh takes over at outside centre in place of Jaco Taute.
Both Van der Linde and Taute have been included on the bench.
In total, the Springbok team has 416 Test caps in the starting XV - 150 of them amongst the forwards and 266 in the backline.
"It's great to have Gurthrö back - we wanted to select him last week, but unfortunately he was not 100 per cent fit," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"Gurthrö is experienced, knows the conditions well and is looking forward to returning to the green and gold as he's not played for South Africa for more than a year.
"Juan is in a similar position. Even though he's played in a number of Tests for us this year, he's not started for the Boks since last year's away leg of the Tri-Nations against New Zealand in Wellington.
"My plan has always been to give him a start on this tour, as he's been playing very well lately, and I'm excited to see what he brings to the team on Saturday."
Heinke van der Merwe, a late replacement on the bench for Van der Linde last weekend, has kept his place among the reserves.
Saturday's Test will be the 22nd between South Africa and Scotland since they first met in 1906. Of these, the Boks have won 16 and lost five, which includes the last time they played, in 2010. On that occasion, the Scots won 21-17.
"Our focus has been on improving from our performance against Ireland last week," said Meyer.
"We saw the match between Scotland and New Zealand and that the Scots scored three tries against the All Blacks - which is more than any other team has managed against them this year.
"It was their first Test back since their season started and they will not be an easy opponent on Saturday, but we've also brushed off some cobwebs in Dublin and have had a good week on the training field.
"We lost on our last visit to Edinburgh and realise Saturday will be a massive battle, but it's one we are looking forward to."
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Date: Saturday 16 November
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (16:30 SA time)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official: Eric Gauzins (France) | http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3561_8247310,00.html | 752 |
Five penalties from Ben Botica and two from Louis Grimoldby were enough for Harlequins to see off Bath at the Stoop.
In a try-less encounter, Stephen Donald scored three penalties and Tom Heathcote one of his own as Bath kept in touch, but the visitors slipped further away after Grimoldby's two kicks stretched the lead and handed Quins their second victory in the competition.
Meanwhile a late penalty from Danny Cipriani was enough to give Sale a narrow victory over Saracens at Salford City Stadium.
There were two tries each for both sides as Mark Cueto and Fraser McKenzie crossed for the hosts, with Kameli Ratavou and Joel Tomkins doing the same for the visitors.
The result was only Sale's third win this season in all competitions.
Harlequins 21-10 Bath
Sale 25-23 Saracens | http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_8253346,00.html | 185 |
AT JEFFERSON COUNTY STADIUM CLASS 5A BOYS Team scores_ Cherry Creek 36; Cherokee Trail 28.5; Highlands Ranch 22; Ft. Collins, 21; Grandview 19; Gatewa...
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The Southridge Storm rained on everybody’s parade en route to capturing the championship banner at the B.C. High School Senior Girls A Soccer Championships in Kelowna last weekend.
The Fraser Valley champs went undefeated in five games, including a dramatic 2-0 extra-time win over Victoria’s Glenlyon-Norfolk in Saturday’s gold medal match.
Seeded second heading into the tournament, the Storm roared out of the starting gate by thrashing pool rivals George M. Dawson (Haida Gwai), Nakusp and Osoyoos by a combined score of 31-1.
The Storm faced their first huge test of the championships in the semifinal round against host Immaculata.
Midfielder Katie Bishop connected for the game’s only goal to send Southridge into Saturday’s final.
The gold medal match featured the two top seeds in the tourney with the Storm squaring off against top-ranked Gryphons of Glenlyon Norfolk. Neither team could muster a goal in regulation time but Bishop struck early in the first overtime session to give the Storm the lead.
With the Gryphons pressing for the equalizer in the second OT session, Southridge’s Carina Lauzon bagged the insurance marker to wrap up the scoring.
Southridge defender Julia Lauzon was named the tournament MVP while older sister Carina Lauzon captured the Golden Boot award thanks to 16 goals in five games.
Shannon Fraser was selected as the Southridge representative in the Commissioner’s XI team.
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CJ: It felt great. I feel like I’m still dreaming, but I’m taking it one day at a time.
Q: How prepared do you think you were for your first day?
CJ: From rookie mini-camp and OTAs, I feel like I was really prepared. Everything was smooth as far as getting assignments down and getting instructions from the vets. I’m excited to see how it goes tomorrow.
Q: What sort of veterans are giving you advice at this point?
CJ: Every vet. We have a nice brother system from
Q: What is the biggest transition from college to the pros?
CJ: That’s a great question. It’s different from just time management. You have a lot more free time being a professional athlete and you have to use your time wisely.
Q: What did you do with your time between mini-camp and now?
CJ: Training. I was training 100 percent. I went back to Syracuse and I trained with my old strength and conditioning coach to get ready for training camp.
Q: Are your knee braces a precautionary measure or do you have a previous injury there?
CJ: The knee braces are a part of our uniform.
Q: Any big surprises for your first day of camp or is it what you expected?
CJ: Like I said, camp’s going smoothly. I had OTAs and I had rookie mini-camp. I think those events prepped me very well for training camp and I’m excited to come back out here tomorrow.
Q: What is the biggest adjustment with not having to go to school in September?
CJ: The biggest adjustment, like I said previously, is time management. Whenever I was in school, when I got out of practice, I did homework or played video games. But guys are going home to their families and guys are getting into their playbooks. This is our job. This is how we’re going to support our families and eat food. It’s just a whole different approach.
Q: Have you been good with time management in the past?
CJ: Definitely, definitely. I have brothers who are professional athletes, so they prep me for what I’m getting ready to go into.
Q: So what you are saying is that there is nobody you can play video games with?
CJ: Oh yeah, I’m playing video games, I’m just saying… There’re a lot of guys to play video games with. It’s just different; a lot more focus than college.
Q: This rookie class seems to have developed a strong bond already.
CJ: Definitely. Believe it or not, I knew half of those rookies before we got drafted. I met some of them at the Combine. I even played against some of them. We kind of all knew each other before. I was following them on Twitter before we even got drafted. The bond was already there and now it’s just a matter of time before we get that trust out on the field.
Q: Is there a feeling of, ‘We’re all going through this together so we might as well stick together’?
CJ: Exactly, exactly.
Q: Have the coaches told you tone it down on Twitter at all during camp?
CJ: You’re going to have to ask Bill [Belichick] about that one.
Q: What type of NBA player do you think Fab Melo is going to be?
CJ: Fab Melo’s a great friend of mine. I’m not an NBA analyst, but he was a great player for me, watching him at Syracuse and I’m excited for his career with the Celtics.
Q: Is it a start-over process every time you reach a different level, whether it’s college starting over the NFL? How do you go about that process of saying, ‘OK, this is something new once again’?
CJ: I would say that it’s more exciting than anything, you know. Every level of any sport I’ve played, I’m excited to actually set goals and make new goals and stack up and take it day by day. It’s more exciting than anything.
Q: How much stuff are they throwing at you?
CJ: My job right now is to earn respect from the veterans and be a sponge, learn the playbook, earn respect from Vince Wilfork and the rest of the guys and keep moving forward.
Q: Are you and Fab Melo close?
CJ: Oh yeah, we’re very close.
Q: Did you text him on draft night?
CJ: Yup, talked him on draft night, you saw it. Haha, no, I’m kidding.
Q: Do you feel more comfortable playing upright or with your hand in the dirt?
CJ: Whatever coach asks me to do I’m going to do. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do. | http://prod.www.patriots.clubs.nfl.com/news/article-1/Chandler-Jones-Interview-Transcript---7262012/5c25cc00-00e9-46a3-bceb-6422d9775e76 | 1,087 |
CB: The Texans didn’t think Dunta Robinson was worth the money, and we don’t blame them. That said, it’s a major problem that Glover Quin is the best cornerback on this team by far. Peyton Manning probably doesn’t mind.
RB: Steve Slaton’s back injury makes the position a question mark. We love what we saw from Arian Foster late last year, but Gary Kubiak’s comments indicate he’s only a role player. They could draft a starter in the first or second round, which would complete a playoff-ready offense.
DL: The Texans have hit some home runs with their defensive picks (Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing). The run defense has definitely improved, but we think Houston needs more bulk up front to pair with Amobi Okoye and Shaun Cody.
S: The Texans need two cornerbacks really, but they also could use a safety that can cover.
DE: They basically need to replace 2008 second round bust Quentin Groves. Aaron Kampman helps a lot, but there is no quality depth and still plenty of questions about Derrick Harvey.
S: It’s not a good sign when a player that is on the edge of getting cut (Reggie Nelson) is still slated to start at free safety. Gerald Alexander at strong safety isn’t much better.
QB: The Jaguars are a sleeper team in the Jimmy Clausen sweepstakes. You can look at the quarterback situation three ways. 1) Jack Del Rio may not have the patience or job security to develop a new golden boy. 2) Jack Del Rio is running out of patience with David Garrard. 3) Jack Del Rio no longer has the juice to make these decisions.
WR: It wouldn’t be April if we weren’t listing wide receiver as a Jaguars team need. The team is in better shape than usual with a true No. 1 entering his prime in Mike Sims-Walker. Mike Thomas also looks like a player, but is he ready to start? Troy Williamson and Kassim Osgood aren’t.
OL: Is Charlie Johnson the long-term answer as Peyton Manning’s blind side protector? No matter the answer to that question, the Colts need to beef up their interior line to help a stagnant running game. The moves they’ve made this offseason are just window dressing.
CB: No team is better than the Colts at drafting and developing players to fit their system. No team has fewer pressing needs at any position. Jerraud Powers should be a good player for a long time, and Kelvin Hayden is solid across from him. The team could use competition for last year’s surprise nickel back Jacob Lacey.
DT: Daniel Muir, Antonio Johnson, and Eric Foster all played better than anyone could have expected. We still think the Colts should bolster the depth of the position here.
LB: They didn’t draft a linebacker last season and could use an option if Clint Session leaves via free agency in 2011.
DT: Looking at this roster, the Titans are really in better shape than you’d think at nearly at every position. The biggest exception may be the defensive line. This team relies too much on the excellence of line coach Jim Washburn. They have a lot of solid guys, but need some top-tier talent.
DE: This isn’t a team that is going to rely on pressure from their linebackers or safeties on blitzes. They need better natural pass rushers.
CB: Half of the state of Tennessee is competing for a starting job opposite Cortland Finnegan, and Jeff Fisher would like to add another name to the mix. For now, last year’s mid-round picks Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton look like the best bets.
WR: In Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Justin Gage, the Titans have a future No. 1, and two solid No. 3′s. All of them have size and go deep. The group could use a possession receiver. Think Derrick Mason. | http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/17/team-needs-afc-south/ | 857 |
A B.C. woman who is battling cancer wants Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo to know that he has made the most important save of all: Her life.
Desperate to find motivation to help her cope through draining rounds of thyroid cancer treatment, Leigh Maureen Thornton turned to her love of hockey.
Thornton, 38, a nurse who lives in Victoria, has had a tough time with her health since she was a child, including having Crohn's disease. She thought she'd had her lot in life of illness, but then her health worsened and in 2011, doctors told her that she had thyroid cancer and that it had metastasized into her lymph nodes.
She was terrified. Ever the cheery optimist, Thornton now felt crushing defeat and didn't think she had the mental strength to endure surgery and radioactive isotope therapy.
"You hear the word cancer and you think death sentence," she said, in an interview Saturday. "I felt like I had been beaten back so many times in my life, and how much can one body take anyway?"
Victoria woman battling cancer writes poignant letters, thanks Roberto Luongo for saving her life
Vancouver Sun | Feb 3 | http://prosportsdaily.com/articles/victoria-woman-battling-cancer-writes-poignant-letters-thanks-roberto-luongo-for-saving-her-life-227382.html | 242 |
Championship Manager is the most established name in sports games today.
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Football Championship Screensaver includes images of famous football players.
A new remake of favorite game for a big number of users.
Age of Castles is a game that anyone who likes medieval age will love.
- Publisher: Anarchy Entertainment
- Home page: www.anarchyent.com
- Last updated: March 15th, 2008
This is the very game you are looking for! It is a modern variant of Black jack.
Tetris is widely known as the most popular computer puzzle game.
Multiplication Game is a free-to-use game for primary school children.
- Publisher: ShaPlus Software
- Home page: www.shaplus.com
- Last updated: March 2nd, 2008
Free Renju logical board game.
- Publisher: Vitaliy Levchenko
- Home page: www.vlsoftware.net
- Last updated: December 5th, 2010
More free football 2010 game setup
Inno Setup is a powerful and easy-to-use free installer for Windows programs.
Setup Factory is designed to create setup wizards.
- Publisher: Indigo Rose Corporation
- Home page: www.indigorose.com
- Last updated: July 24th, 2012
Zebra Setup Utilities will enhance your printer experience right out of the box.
- Publisher: Zebra Technologies
- Home page: www.zebra.com
- Last updated: November 8th, 2012
E Return Setup is a special tool developed in order to help employers.
- Publisher: Employees Provident Fund Organisation
- Last updated: April 10th, 2011
The Sony Notebook Setup Utility allows you to confirm system information.
- Publisher: Sony Corporation
- Home page: esupport.sony.com
- Last updated: March 1st, 2008 | http://ptf.com/free/free+football+2010+game+setup/ | 450 |
Five years ago, Melvin Guillard’s life was a disaster – literally. Driven out of his New Orleans home by Hurricane Katrina, the mixed martial arts prospect was thinking of anything but fighting as he came to grips with his new reality.
And it wasn’t going to get any easier. In 2006 his father would pass away, in 2007 he would fail a post-fight drug test after losing to Joe Stevenson, and in 2008, he spent two and a half months in jail on a parole violation.
But before the ultra-talented Guillard became a cautionary tale, he turned it around, and as he approaches his Saturday bout against Jeremy Stephens, he is not only married, in a stable training environment, and far removed from the setbacks of the past, but he’s also won five of his last six and is – dare we say it – a contender.
So when you ask him how to describe the last five years, a half-decade of tragedy and triumph, he can’t seem to condense it down to a word or two.
“Heartache,” he begins.
“Pain, success, maturity.”
“There are a lot of words I could use to describe it - growing pains, experience, perseverance. I could go on and on, but I look at the last five years of my life, and I was a wild young kid who took a lot of chances. I’ve taken some good, I’ve taken some bad. I’ve taken the bumps and bruises for the bad choices I’ve made, and I think that’s why I can sit here today and say that I’m an honorable man.”
It’s hard, if not impossible, to dislike Guillard if you spend any length of time talking to him. You look at some of those bad choices and wonder if it’s the same guy, but it was and it was the downside of growing up in public. Look at the age on his bio, and he’s still only 27 years old, which means that he did a lot of things that a bunch of 22 or 23 year olds did, only he did it on his sport’s biggest stage. So he’s judged for a lot of things that most of us aren’t. But instead of crying ‘woe is me,’ Guillard bounced back, made changes, and arrived here at the top right on time. And he’s rightfully proud of that fact.
“I’m a man of integrity, and a lot of people around me are starting to see it, a lot of fans are starting to see it, and it all reflects off my parents,” he said. “It just shows that this is the kid my parents raised. It wasn’t that other person I had become and it feels good to be myself again and to be a positive role model for everyone around me. I’m loving life right now, I’m gonna continue to work hard, and when I win my world title, I’m gonna continue to work hard.”
A couple of pivotal factors in his life have certainly been his wife, Tache, and his relocation to Albuquerque to work with Greg Jackson and his team. And these days, it’s not about all night parties; it’s about training, family in and out of the gym, and his lone vice – video games.
“Everything I do up here has a purpose,” he said. “I get a lot of time to reflect and think and I don’t go out – all I do is eat, sleep, and train, and I want it to stay that way. It keeps it fun with me.”
The new Guillard can also be seen in the Octagon, and not just because of his 4-1 record in his last five UFC fights. It’s the way he’s winning – with a disciplined attack that can see him gut out a three rounder or still pull off a highlight reel knockout. And unlike his early years, a trip to the mat doesn’t mean an automatic submission loss. For proof, look at this wins over jiu-jitsu aces Gleison Tibau and Ronys Torres. Sure, they weren’t barnburners, but Guillard proved that he had finally started relying on technique, gameplans, and smarts, and not just power and instinct.
"I was a State champion in wrestling, I’m a brown belt in judo, and people disregard that because I’m such a great striker, and I’m okay with that,” he said. “If my opponents only think about my standup, then they’re doing me a favor.”
Yet deep down, he still likes nothing better than the knockout, which he reintroduced into his repertoire in May when he finished off newcomer Waylon Lowe with a knee to the body.
“Every fight, I want to be a finisher and I’ve always been a finisher,” he said. “I’ve only had two fights in the UFC go the distance, and I was happy that I won, but I was not happy because I’m in there to finish guys. That’s just the nature of me being a fighter, and I’ve always had that killer instinct to where if I’ve got a guy hurt, I want to put him out.”
Those finishes also provide a nice jolt to the bank account if you can get a Knockout of the Night bonus, something Guillard has pulled off only once – against Dennis Siver at UFC 86 in 2008. And following the win over Lowe, Guillard decided that he was going to improve his chances of a bonus for his next fight, as he called out recent Fight of the Night recipient Jeremy Stephens.
And he got his wish. But why the ultra-tough ‘Lil’ Heathen’ and not one of the bigger names at 155 pounds?
“He’s gonna be a tough opponent and I wouldn’t have called him out if I didn’t think he was worthy,” said Guillard. “But I have way more experience than he does, and I feel that I’ll be the stronger, faster guy. Overall, it’s gonna be a great fight. I’m looking to get Knockout of the Night, and if he ends up being a lot tougher than I expect him to be, then it should make for a Fight of the Night.”
Ah, the bonus theory. But there’s more.
“I fight anybody that (UFC President) Dana (White) and (matchmaker) Joe Silva tell me to fight, and that’s how I’ve always been,” he said. “But the fans and the critics were starting to get into everything, and they’re like ‘who has Melvin fought?’ And I tried to plead my case that I fought a lot of tough guys, and even fought tough guys before I was in the UFC. When I was in local shows I was fighting UFC veterans. So I’ve been fighting tough fights. And I also did it to let the fans know that Melvin’s not afraid to fight anybody. And the guy that most people are fearing, those are the people I want to fight.”
On Saturday, he gets his wish, and while not looking past Stephens, he’s already planned out the future.
“I’m hoping after this fight I can fight another top five contender or possibly somebody tougher than Jeremy Stephens, and the fight after that, I’m praying to God that I get a title shot.”
It would have been a cruel poke to suggest such a course of action to Guillard a few years ago, but now, this dream is on the verge of becoming a reality, and while the memories of 2005 remain, Melvin Guillard will not let his past define who he is today. And why should he; he’s a survivor.
Melvin Guillard - The Survivor
Thomas Gerbasi septembre 23, 2010
“He’s gonna be a tough opponent and I wouldn’t have called him out if I didn’t think he was worthy. But I have way more experience than he does, and I feel that I’ll be the stronger, faster guy. Overall, it’s gonna be a great fight." | http://qc.ufc.com/news/melvin-guillard-the-survivor | 1,833 |
By Will Swanton
BRISBANE (Reuters) - Ever dissatisfied world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka began her build-up to the Australian Open with an imposing 6-3 6-3 victory over big-serving Sabine Lisicki in the Brisbane International second round on Wednesday.
The defending Australian Open champion made light work of the German to set up a quarter-final clash against qualifier Ksenia Pervak.
"I'm such a picky person that I probably never will be satisfied," Azarenka told reporters.
"That's a good thing because I have a lot more matches to play and I can always improve. But it was pretty good. I felt like the things that I've been working on are there. I'm getting into the competitive groove and I'm happy where I'm at right now."
Azarenka faces a challenge to her top ranking from world No. 2 Maria Sharapova and No. 3 Serena Williams when the Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park on January 14.
"I actually don't really look at defending anything - I'm just looking to win," she said.
"I'm going to have the same mindset for as long as I'm playing. That's what I'm looking forward to - improving my game as I always do and match those big challenges, the big players.
"At the beginning of the year, you're obviously hungry to play. The atmosphere here in Australia brings out the best in me. The motivation is always extraordinary. I really like it here."
Williams will follow Azarenka on to Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday when she plays fellow countrywoman Sloane Stephens.
The powerful and athletic 19-year-old is regarded as the successor to Serena and Venus Williams as the face of American tennis.
"She's so sweet," Stephens said of Serena Williams.
"I love her. Obviously she's been a really great influence on my tennis career. I'm excited to play her and get on the court with her tomorrow. I think it'll be fun."
Men's top seeds Andy Murray and Milos Raonic start their campaigns on Thursday against Australia's John Millman and Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov respectively.
(Editing by Ed Osmond) | http://radiousa.com/news/articles/2012/dec/30/distracted-williams-sounds-ominous-warning-in-season-opener/ | 467 |
It’s already January 24, and there are still so many un-signed free agents out there. The market has been so terrible this year, that these players are going to have to settle for less than they’re worth. I’d be willing to bet that all of Scott Boras’ clients regret signing with him. The fact that a lot of them aren’t signed yet is his fault. As an agent, he should be able to see that accepting arbitration is their best bet!
Orlando Cabrera hasn’t signed anywhere and he’s an above average shortstop. His batting average has never been astounding but he’s a pretty good fielder!
Sean Casey, the winner of the “Good Guy Award” hasn’t been signed either. He’d be a great presence to have in the clubhouse and would bring some handy veteran experience. If no one signs him, he plans on retiring.
Joe Crede hasn’t signed anywhere yet either, but I’m pretty sure that Jen wants him back. After all, he has played his entire career with the Chicago White Sox.
Adam Dunn has yet to sign anywhere, and if people are so concerned with strikeouts, then why is Ryan Howard asking for $18 million in arbitration? I understand that Ryan Howard is more powerful, but Adam Dunn could be a great DH for someone who is lacking in the power department.
Nomar Garciaparra (uh oh, call Tommy, I need support!!!) has not signed anywhere either. I know he has injuries but the Indians didn’t hesitate to sign Carl Pavano. The Red Sox signed Rocco Baldelli and he’s had more of an injury history than Nomar. It looks like the Phillies are interested in him though. (We’re sorry Nomah!!!).
No one has signed Ken Griffey Jr. and that guy is incredible. If you’ve seen MLB Network’s Baseball Seasons 1995, then you know what I mean. I know he’s getting old but, it’s Ken Griffey Jr.!!! I think it’d be great if he ended his career with Seattle.
Pedro Martinez hasn’t signed with anyone, and I know his talent has been dwindling away, but he could be one of those low risk high reward pickups for a team. Plus he had arguably one of the best seasons ever in 1999.
Kevin Millar (calling Tommy again) is also unsigned. Who doesn’t want this guy in their clubhouse? I would’ve taken him over Kotsay just so he and Pedroia could argue over 15.
Andy Petite hasn’t signed anywhere yet. I know he didn’t have his best season with the Yankees but it’s not like he’s a terrible pitcher. Not that I want him on the Red Sox by any means…
Manny Ramirez–Manny frikin Ramirez hasn’t signed with anyone yet! The future HOF star, the most feared right handed hitter in the game. It’s his own fault though, knowing Manny, no one is going to want to offer him four years. He’s just going to have to accept lower than what he wants like everyone else. You may be good Manny, but you’re not God’s gift to the baseball world.
Ivan Rodriguez hasn’t signed anywhere! Has he even received an offer? I think not. I know he’s not the guy that he used to be, but he’s still a great catcher. He could be facing the fate of signing a minor league deal. A minor league deal!!! That’s outrageous.
Curt Schilling hasn’t signed anywhere, but I really think that he should retire. He’s definitely not going to be the same pitcher he used to be, and I don’t know if anyone is going to want to sign him so he can pitch half of a season. He’s all for signing Jason Varitek though. *Hint, hint Theo*
It really surprises me that no one has signed Ben Sheets yet. If the Yankees pursued AJ Burnett without hesitation, then I don’t see why Ben Sheets is such a big deal.
If you didn’t know already, Jason Varitek hasn’t signed yet. There’s an offer on the table for this. I have some advice for him on this one: DO NOT CONSULT SCOTT BORAS. Scott Boras is a life ruiner, it’s as simple as that. | http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com/tag/orlando-cabrera/ | 980 |
Tyler Deschaine shot and edited this video from his trip to the NW Cup #3 last weekend. It features Gravity / Diamondback Riders Charlie Sponsel and Kyle Thomas.
We had a great time at the Port Angeles stops of the NW Cup this year. Casey Northern and Scott Tucker did an amazing job on these events this year and we wanted to give a big “Thank You” to them. Awesome job guys!
The next round of the NW Cup will take place at Mt. Hood / Ski Bowl on June 15-17th, 2012.
Gravity will be there, will you? | http://ridegravity.com/2012/05/nw-cup-3-video/ | 125 |
Chanlir Segarra scored a game-high 24 points, and Megan Walsh had a career-best 18 points and nine rebounds.
Berry snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 10-9 overall and 5-4 in SAA play. Sewanee fell to 5-13 and 2-7.
Former Model star Alexa Evans had 11 points and eight rebounds for Berry.
Berry plays again Sunday afternoon against SAA foe Centre. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
In other action Friday:
SEWANEE MEN 41, BERRY 38
Leading by 15 points in the second half, the Berry men’s basketball team dropped a Southern Athletic Association game against Sewanee.
After holding Sewanee to 14 points in the first half, Berry stretched its five-point halftime lead to as much as 15 points before Sewanee went on a 22-7 run to tie the game at 36-36.
The Vikings host SAA rival Centre on Sunday at 3 p.m. | http://rn-t.com/view/full_story/21594540/article-Berry-Basketball--Berry-splits-against-Sewanee?instance=news_page_secondary_local | 216 |
Cooke, Armitstead, Pooley and Martin make up GB Olympic women's road team
Armitstead and former world champ Pooley will ride in individual time trial as well as road race
British Cycling and the British Olympic Association have confirmed the final team of four women that will contest the Olympic road race in London on Sunday 29 July, with two of them also taking part in the individual time trial three days later on Wednesday 4 August.
The team includes current Olympic champion Nicole Cooke as well as the woman many see as Britain’s best hope in this year’s race, Lizzie Armitstead. Former world time trial champion Emma Pooley and Lucy Martin complete the quartet.
“Narrowing down the women’s road team from six riders to four wasn’t an easy decision for the selectors to make, but we believe that the four riders we have selected will give us the best opportunity of winning the race,” commented British Cycling Performance Director Dave Brailsford.
Missing out from the initial squad of six initially announced earlier this month are Katie Colclough and Sharon Laws.
The inclusion of the 22-year-old Martin, a team mate of Armitstead and Pooley’s at Garmin-Cervelo, dissolved at the end of last season with all three making the switch to AA Drink–leontien.nl, more or less confirms that Armitstead, for whom she acts as leadout, will be the protected British rider in the road race.
"I’m really excited to have been selected for my first Olympic Games, it’s a massive honour and I am so proud to be part of Team GB at a home Games,” said Martin.
“I’m prepared to give everything I’ve got and just cannot wait to race now in front of a home crowd around the streets of London,” she added.
After last year’s world championships in Copenhagen, Armitstead sparked a war of words accused Cooke of riding for herself, not the team, although the feud between them goes back more than a year before that, with Cooke criticising the Garmin contingent of using team tactics in the 2010 and 2011 national championships, won respectively by Pooley and Armsitstead.
The pair patched things up earlier this year, and today Cooke, who could herself provide an option for Great Britain should the race get broken up on the two circuits of Box Hill, said she would do “everything I can to deliver a gold medal for our team,” adding, “we have a set of riders with real potential and I am looking forward to playing my part in delivering that gold."
While Cooke has struggled to recapture the form that brought her both the Olympic and world championships in 2008, Armistead, at 23 six years her junior and a former multiple world champion on the track, has continued to produce a set of impressive victories on the road including this year’s Gent Wevelgem.
Armitstead will join Pooley in the individual time trial and the latter, who won the world championship in that discipline at Geelong in 2010, said: I’m looking forward to concentrating on my training now to ensure that I am in the best shape possible for the 29th July and 1st August.” | http://road.cc/content/news/60222-cooke-armitstead-pooley-and-martin-make-gb-olympic-womens-road-team | 693 |
THE AFTERMATH: 'CANES 4 - SABRES 3
Two shorthanded goals propel Carolina to victory
BUFFALO, NY (AP) - Thanks to goalie Cam Ward and Jeff Skinner's power-play goal, the Carolina Hurricanes overcame their struggles on special teams.
Skinner scored with 1:24 left and Ward made 39 saves in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
And if that wasn't enough, the Hurricanes got a short-handed goal each from Brandon Sutter and Tim Brent to win their second straight game after an 0-2-1 start.
"It was a big win for us, a character win is the best way to describe it," Skinner said. "You look at the PK (penalty kill), and the job they did tonight."
The penalty-killers certainly did their part in blanking the Sabres on all six opportunities. But it was Skinner who sealed the victory, his goal coming 57 seconds after Buffalo's Drew Stafford tied the game at 3.
With Thomas Vanek off for tripping, Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen fed a pass through the middle into the right circle, where Skinner one-timed it.
Goalie Ryan Miller got a piece of the shot with his left pad, but the puck had enough momentum to trickle in the net. ...MORE.
Cam Ward: The Carolina netminder stopped 39 of 42 Sabres shots, including 18 in the second period. He improves to 2-2 on the season, and is now 7-6-2 all-time against Buffalo.
- Vanek recorded a game-high eight shots, and leads Buffalo with 18 through three games.
- With two points (1+1) tonight, Drew Stafford needs one more to reach 200 for his career.
- Buffalo allowed two shorthanded goals in a game for the first time since Nov. 3/10 vs. BOS
- Christian Ehrhoff logged a game-high 26:18 of ice time.
- Derek Roy led both team with 16 face-off wins.
- Roy extended his point streak vs Carolina to six games; he leads all Sabres with 29 (13+16) in 24 career vs. CAR.
- Roy’s first period goal was his first since Dec. 17/10
- The Sabres are now 1-1-0 in first game of back-to-back sets.
- Tim Gleason was plus-2 on the night, increasing his league-leading total to +7.
- Carolina had 16 blocked shots, including seven in the third period.
- Brad Boyes’ ironman streak is now at 495 games
- Paul Maurice coached his 900th career game with the Hurricanes tonight, making him the seventh coach in NHL history to reach this milestone with one team. He trails only Lindy Ruff (1,069) and Nashville’s Barry Trotz (986) among active coaches in games coaches with their current team. Maurice entered the 2011-12 season having coached 1,059 NHL games – 895 with the Carolina franchise and 164 with Toronto.
- The Sabres are now 94-62-24 all-time against Carolina; 53-29-8 at home.
Buffalo visits the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night for a 7 p.m. tilt with the Penguins. After a brief stop back home, they head out for a three-game road swing to Montreal (Tues., 7:30 p.m.), Florida (Thurs., 7:30 p.m.) and Tampa Bay (Sat., 7 p.m.). The Sabres don’t play at home again until Tuesday, October 25 vs. Tampa Bay. | http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=595915&navid=DL%7CBUF%7Chome | 768 |
The Atlanta Dream are hitting their stride at the right time.
The league-worst Washington Mystics keep stumbling to the finish.Atlanta goes for its first season sweep in this Eastern Conference matchup Friday night when the host Mystics try to avoid a 10th straight defeat.After closing last season with a 17-5 stretch en route to a second consecutive WNBA finals appearance, the Dream (17-14) are once again coming on strong in the final weeks. Atlanta has won five of six heading into a regular season-ending three-game trip."We're finally meshing," guard Armintie Price said Tuesday after a 77-61 victory over Seattle. "It's late in the season to do it. But the best time to do it."The Dream, a season-best three games above .500, can match the franchise record for wins set in 2011 if they win out, but a title is the goal after they were swept in the finals each of the last two postseasons.While Atlanta will likely need big production from Angel McCoughtry, the league's leading scorer with 21.7 points per game, the club has played well lately with McCoughtry coming off the bench following a two-game absence for personal reasons and a two-game ban for violating an unspecified team rule."(Coming off the bench is) what I did in the Olympics," said McCoughtry, a gold medal winner with the U.S. team. "It doesn't matter."What does matter is that the Dream are sharing the ball and getting everyone involved. Of their 197 field goals in the last six games, 117 have come off assists. Atlanta recorded 20 assists on 29 field goals Tuesday."The team shared the basketball again," said coach Fred Williams, who is 5-2 since taking over for the fired Marynell Meadors. "It's starting to come for us. We want to play that kind of basketball and play well."The Dream have played that way in three matchups with the Mystics (5-25) in 2012, handing out 68 assists on 100 field goals and winning by an average of 20.0 points.Lindsey Harding is averaging team highs with 15.7 points and 6.3 assists in those contests after scoring 15 points with nine assists in Atlanta's 93-68 home win Sunday.Atlanta is shooting 50.3 percent from the field against Washington this season, which is not surprising given the Mystics' field goal defense (46.6 percent) is the second-worst in the league.If Washington is going to salvage a game against the Dream this season, it will likely have to put together a more complete effort than in Wednesday's 75-62 loss at New York. The Mystics were outscored 19-7 in the final quarter and are now averaging 67.7 points since their last victory."We got cold and the Liberty were able to take advantage of that," said forward Monique Currie, who finished with a season-high 24 points.Washington will move within one game of the franchise's longest skid if it can't snap a four-game losing streak to Atlanta. | http://scores.espn.go.com/wnba/preview?gameId=320914016 | 634 |
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Monday marks the 23rd anniversary of Buster Douglas' thunderous, stunning win over the vastly favored Mike Tyson in Tokyo. And although it was a match of many myths, one thing's for certain: It was one of sports' greatest upsets. Here's a look at,...Blog | February 11, 2013
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham We probably have our first articulated indication into how Eric Mangini feels about Brett Favre's impact on the New York Jets. Mangini hasn't spoken publicly since the Jets fired him as head coach, but his friend and s...Blog | January 03, 2009 | http://search.espn.go.com/mike-tyson/stories/nfl/new-york-jets/5-47-4294876870 | 144 |
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The University of Texas football program in 2011-12 generated the most revenue and highest profit among all programs, but the rest of the top 10 saw some changes. Michigan football replaced Penn State in second place with $14.8 million more in profit...Blog | December 12, 2012
Michigan has always had some success recruiting in Texas. Since the local universities do so well with keeping their in-state prospects at home, it's a victory to pull any elite-level prospect out of Texas. The Wolverines are once again going afte...Blog | February 16, 2012 | http://search.espn.go.com/university-of-texas/stories/wolverinesnation/5-145 | 132 |
SAN DIEGO -- Elian Herrera, promoted this week from Triple-A Albuquerque as a speedy infielder, was signed by the Dodgers in 2003 as a slow catcher.
Herrera, who got his first Major League start Wednesday at second base and batting second, said he originally was signed by the Dodgers as a catcher after trying out with the Yankees. He hurt his elbow and, while rehabbing, spent time running on the beach in the Dominican.
"I built up my legs and I started running faster," Herrera said.
Herrera also took balls in the infield and outfield while rehabbing and coaches liked his actions and decided to move him out from behind the plate.
But that didn't mean he was on a fast track to the Majors. In fact, that was nine years ago. He spent three years at the Dodgers' academy in the Dominican Republic.
"If I hadn't come to the States after that, I wasn't going to play anymore," he said.
There was another three years in Rookie and Class A before he said his game came together while playing for Carlos Subero at Class A Inland Empire, where he stole 42 bases. He had 32 and 33 steals the next two years and had nine more at Albuquerque.
"He taught me a lot," Herrera said of Subero. "He taught me what kind of player I am."
Herrera wasn't protected in the Rule 5 Draft or invited to Major League Spring Training, but he was hitting .358 when promoted. A .404 average against left-handed pitching earned him a spot in Wednesday's lineup against left-hander Clayton Richard.
Herrera said his confidence was boosted by success playing winter ball in the Dominican.
"I played with a lot of good players, and if you can play in the Dominican, you can play here," Herrera said.
Ethier only Opening Day starter in lineup
SAN DIEGO -- There are more players from the Dodgers' Opening Day lineup recovering from Tuesday injections (Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe) than are in Wednesday's starting lineup (only Andre Ethier).
Kemp (left hamstring) and Uribe (left wrist) received platelet-rich plasma injections to speed recoveries from their respective injuries. Kemp has a slight left hamstring strain and is expected to begin hitting off a tee Thursday if he has no pain and might return after the minimum 15 days on the disabled list.
Trainer Sue Falsone said it's still the club's goal to have Kemp back to work on May 29. Manager Don Mattingly said Kemp is likely to play at least one Minor League rehab game before returning.
"Then you know he's 100 percent," Mattingly said.
Uribe's injury is more complicated. Falsone said Uribe will see a hand specialist over the weekend. She said surgery hasn't been ruled out, but would not say what a Tuesday MRI showed.
"I'm not giving you much -- call it a wrist sprain for now, stemming from when he slid in April," she said.
Uribe's wrist tends to improve with rest, only to flare up again with activity, indicating that even if surgery isn't the next course of action, he's likely to be sidelined a while.
Additional injuries to Juan Rivera and Jerry Hairston left Mattingly to pencil out a lineup that included only one player from Opening Day. Mattingly had five left-handed hitters against a left-handed starting pitcher (Tony Gwynn, Bobby Abreu, Andre Ethier, Adam Kennedy and Chris Capuano).
It wouldn't have qualified as a legal Spring Training lineup, which requires four starters or established Major Leaguers.
"It qualifies for next year in Spring Training," joked Mattingly. "We're in a situation like a lot of other teams where guys are down. We've just got to weather the storm. We're lucky, we've got it, but they're temporary. It seems worse because it came in bunches."
Matt Treanor, who apparently is the unofficial catcher for Capuano, was behind the plate for A.J. Ellis. Mark Ellis was rested after his three-hit game on Tuesday night.
"It's because we've had a couple funky series, a day game, bussing back and forth, and it just looks funny because nobody else is in the lineup," said Mattingly. "He's just getting a day. I don't want another guy [hurt], not that you can prevent it."
Mattingly, Hansen working with struggling Gordon
SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers held a course in remedial hitting for struggling shortstop Dee Gordon before Wednesday's game.
Rather than in the privacy of the indoor batting cage, manager Don Mattingly and hitting coach Dave Hansen had Gordon hitting off a tee in the batting cage on the field before the Dodgers stretched for regular batting practice.
"It's just to get him to hit," said Mattingly. "That's a drill I've done with a couple guys so they can see the ball travel. It helps find contact points. It controls where the ball is and you see where it travels -- instant feedback.
"In the [indoor] cage, it hits the next so quick you don't know where the ball is going. This tells you if you're too far out, not far enough out."
Entering Wednesday's game, Gordon was hitting .212 (.156 against left-handed pitching), coming off a .161 homestand. He has 28 strikeouts and seven walks in 137 at-bats and a .248 on-base percentage.
Justin Sellers started at shortstop on Wednesday and Tony Gwynn hit leadoff.
Guerrier making progress toward return
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers reliever Matt Guerrier, on the disabled list since April 19, is finally making progress from right elbow tendinitis and is hoping for a return in the next two weeks.
Guerrier threw his second bullpen session on Wednesday, incorporating offspeed pitches for the first time off a mound. He could soon face hitters, a prelude to a Minor League rehabilitation stint before being activated.
"It's going good right now," said Guerrier. "I'm recovering. I'd like to be back by June 1 if I could. I don't feel any sharp pain anymore, and that's what I was having before."
The Dodgers' bullpen has been one of the trouble points this year, with Javy Guerra losing the closer job to Kenley Jansen, the ineffectiveness of Todd Coffey and inconsistency of Scott Elbert. Meanwhile, Josh Lindblom has moved into Guerrier's workhorse role and Ronald Belisario has returned to take over the innings Coffey was signed to pitch.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120516&content_id=31436626¬ebook_id=31439004&vkey=notebook_la&c_id=la | 1,433 |
BALTIMORE-- A year ago, Miguel Gonzalez had appeared in one career game above Double-A.
Now the 28-year-old right-hander will take the mound for the Orioles in a pivotal Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night in New York.
"I think you have to pinch me," Gonzalez said of his rookie season, which started in Minor League camp and includes wins over the Red Sox, Angels and Wednesday's opponent, the Yankees. "I still don't believe that I'm up here. I was motivated. I was doing real good in Mexico. My velocity was up, my confidence was there. Everything was clicking. From one day to another, my life changed."
Signed out of the Mexican Winter League after striking out the side on nine pitches in an early scrimmage, Gonzalez has been one of the Orioles' best success stories. The team has monitored his innings down the stretch -- in nine starts on regular rest, he has a 4.55 ERA, a mark that drops to 2.52 when getting six or more days of rest, which he has heading into Wednesday.
Gonzalez last pitched on Tuesday, against the Rays, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings at Tropicana Field. He has excelled on the road, and he is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in two starts at Yankee Stadium.
"You can see the look on his face, he's just happy to be pitching and competing," manager Buck Showalter said of Gonzalez, who has undergone both Tommy John and knee surgery and was released by the Red Sox over the winter. "Miguel never gave in, never quit trying. It's a real testament to our guys down below. About a month or two into the season, he was pitching these three-inning stints [at Triple-A] and we started asking, 'Can he start?' And we started stretching him out."
Moved to the rotation out of necessity in early July -- the club had demoted three starters the previous week -- Gonzalez went six or more innings in 12 of his first 15 Major League starts, posting a 2.77 ERA, excluding his eight-out nightmare on July 25, a start Gonzalez made despite being ill the entire morning. Not wanting to draw attention or make it look as though he was making excuses, Gonzalez gutted it out, discreetly telling the team's trainers after the game.
"The first day [Gonzalez] showed up, you could tell there was emotional control with him," said Rick Adair, who calls Gonzalez the most remarkable success story he's seen in 26 years as a pitching coach.
"What he's been through physically, how he's had to miss time [and] play winter ball, you automatically know there's something inwardly about this guy that not too many people have. Perseverance, I guess, in a very intense way. You knew coming in as a pitcher, there's an automatic trust factor that this guy is not only going to do great, he's going to be prepared to do great. ... I told him when he got here, I admire him. I do."
Gonzalez pitched to a 1.91 ERA in five August starts and has been better in hostile environments, posting an ERA more than a run lower. In Anaheim on July 6, he threw seven innings of one-run ball against his hometown team.
The inspired win -- his first career Major League start against the organization that initially signed him -- made headlines when Gonzalez revealed he had used a glove once belonging to late Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, a tribute to a friend and Minor League teammate.
How has he been able to be so successful away from Camden Yards?
"Miguel is a talented young man," Showalter said. "I think sometimes that gets overlooked. He's got a great hand. You hear a lot of older scouts talk about pitchers, and they say, 'That guy has got a good hand.' and Miguel has good maneuverability with the baseball.
"Miguel has put himself in a position to contribute, and he's a great story about perseverance and just a strong will to succeed."
"I've always been the same guy everywhere I've been to," Gonzalez said. "Playing in Mexico, playing in the Minor Leagues, I've always been that confident guy. Never lost my confidence. I'm not afraid to pitch. I've done it my whole life, why be afraid now?"
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121009&content_id=39642704&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal | 979 |
Virginia Tech Hokies NCAA White 2 Tone 59FIFTY
Made of 20% Wool, Woven Fleece, 80% Cotton, Woven
This 59FIFTY® fitted cap features an embroidered (raised) Virginia Tech Hokies team logo on the front, stitched New Era® flag at wearer's left side, and embroidered secondary logo on the rear. Interior includes branded taping and a moisture absorbing sweatband.
- In Stock - Ships 1 business day | http://shop.neweracap.com/NCAA/Virginia-Tech-Hokies/20267591?rc | 99 |
Balkovec Named Wisconsin Hockey Coach of the Year
The head coach of the WNS Storm hockey team received top state honors the day before the team's first state tournament game.
After coaching the WNS Storm co-op hockey team to its first-ever state tournament, Maco Balkovec was named coach of the year by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association.
Balkovec received the Bob Johnson Memorial Coach of the Year award at a state tournament banquet in Madison Wednesday night. On Thursday, the WNS Storm — a co-op hockey team made up of athletes from Whitefish Bay, Nicolet and Shorewood high schools — plays its first state tournament game against Eau Claire Memorial.
Balkovec has coached WNS Storm and taught at Whitefish Bay High School for four years. In an email earlier this week, Balkovec said the team's key to success has been unity and teamwork, or as they call it, "The Brotherhood."
"The key was to get enough young men to buy into the idea that we are all in this together. We are not individuals with individual goals, but a collective group that can accomplish amazing things when we work as one," he said. "So we came up with the idea of the Brotherhood...We created an atmosphere of mutual respect and love for each other, and these guys have bought in. As a result, we have seen the tremendous success that we are having – and we're not done."
For a more complete biography of Balkovec's playing and coaching career, see this article in Wisconsin Prep Hockey. | http://shorewood.patch.com/articles/balkovec-named-wisconsin-hockey-coach-of-the-year-1425c22a | 325 |
Dykstra charged with multiple felonies
By Sports Network
|Former Mets star Lenny Dykstra. (BILL KOSTROUN/Reuters file photo)
LOS ANGELES - Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra was charged with multiple felonies, including grand theft auto and drug possession, on Monday.
According to the indictment, submitted in Los Angeles County superior court, Dykstra is charged with eight counts of making false financial statements, five counts of attempted grand theft auto, four counts of identity theft, three counts of grand theft auto, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
All of those counts are felonies.
Dykstra, 48, was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle.
Most of the counts center around alleged attempts to obtain luxury automobiles.
According to the Los Angeles Times, prosecutors allege Dykstra and two co- defendants -- Robert Hymers, his accountant, and friend Christopher Gavanis -- attempted to lease cars in January by using fraudulent personal information and a fake business to claim credit.
Dykstra and Hymers were not approved for leases at two dealerships after allegedly using the identity of a man they said was a co-signer, the paper reported.
But prosecutors told the paper Dykstra, Hymers and Gavanis did allegedly drive off in three cars at one dealership after using fraudulent information.
Dykstra is charged with felony possession of cocaine and Ecstasy, and misdemeanor possession of Somatropin -- synthetic human growth hormone. Police allegedly found them April 14 while carrying out a search warrant of his home, the Times reported.
Dykstra spent 12 seasons in the major leagues (1985-96) with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. He helped the Mets win the World Series in 1986 and led the Phillies to the National League pennant in 1993, when he finished second in MVP voting. | http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/2011/06/07/18247816.html | 410 |
January 1, 2012
NHL notes: Weber going on IR
By QMI Agency
The Nashville Predators will put concussed captain Shea Weber on injured reserve, according to The Tennessean.
Weber, the Predators leading scorer with eight goals and 21 assists, hasn't played since Dec. 23. A hit by Dallas Stars defenceman Mark Fistric did the damage.
By putting Weber on IR, the Predators can free up a roster spot and recall a defenceman from Milwaukee of the AHL.
Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres, fresh off a $2,500 fine by the league, will have a disciplinary hearing with Brendan Shanahan Monday for another illegal hit.
Torres was called on the carpet for his hit on Minnesota Wild defenceman Nate Prosser Saturday in Minny. He wasn't penalized for the hit but, as a repeat offender, could face further punishment.
The league fined Torres for elbowing Colorado Avalanche defenceman Jan Hejda Thursday. And he was suspended four games last year, including two in the playoffs, for nailing Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was named the NHL's first star for December Sunday.
Malkin had six goals and 14 assists in 13 games to win the monthly award ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steven Stamkos and Vancouver Canucks centre Henrik Sedin. He had 19 points during a nine-game scoring streak that ended Dec. 29, trying Anaheim's Teemu Selanne and Chicago's Patrick Sharp for the longest in the league this season.
Stamkos, the second star, had 10 goals and seven assists in 13 games. Sedin led all NHL scorers in the month with two goals and 20 assists to get the third star.
St. Louis Blues defenceman Ian Cole had a disciplinary hearing with the NHL after being penalized for a head hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader Saturday ... New York Rangers defenceman Marc Staal won't make his season debut in the Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers. Staal has missed the entire season with concussion symptoms. | http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2012/01/01/pf-19189246.html | 434 |
Fishermen land first place in national tourneyWritten by Admin
Paul Bourcq of Franklin and Chris Lee of Bryson City won first place in the 26-team Rumble in the Rhododendron fly-fishing tournament.
The event showcased the special catch and release, fly-fishing only section of the Oconaluftee River on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Competitors from North Carolina and Georgia made up the majority of the entrants into this year’s event, but participants from as far away as Pennsylvania and Colorado rounded out the field.
“The Rumble in the Rhododendron is a great weekend of competitive fly-fishing on a portion of the best trout water East of the Mississippi River,” said Matthew Pegg, executive director of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. “With that said, competitors, volunteers and spectators all share a weekend in the mountains during the peak of our fall color season, so the backdrop to the tournament was just fantastic.”
Chris Lee, of the winning team, was well prepared for the tournament and said, “This was a great competition with competitors coming in from all across the United States. They had the opportunity to experience some of the best fishing in the Smoky Mountains. My team was lucky to come out on top.”
The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce hosted tournament, in association with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Fish and Wildlife Department and with assistance from the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team.
fishcherokee.com or 828.497.6700. | http://smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/5516-fishermen-land-first-place-in-national-tourney | 320 |
Nike Air Max Trainer 1+ – White – Varsity Royal – Volt – New Images
About six weeks ago, Sneaker News showed you images of a new Nike Air Max Trainer 1+ that’d just hit NikeStore. The model was mostly white with Varsity Royal and Volt that drew comparisons to the upcoming LeBron 8 V/2 Low ‘Sprite’. So when a slightly different version just popped up with the same Style code, we had to get to the bottom of the situation. And as it turns out, the nearly-oppositely blocked edition pictured on their site is actually a sample model nixed in favor of the production model we showed you in the NikeStore drop. Click through to see more photos, let us know if you like the production model more than the sample, and if so be aware that’s what you’ll receive when you order from Eastbay. | http://sneakernews.com/2011/05/28/nike-air-max-trainer-1-white-varsity-royal-volt-new-images/ | 187 |
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