Troy Tulowitzki just hopes no one will hold any grudges when he picks the National League participants for the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game. The Colorado Rockies shortstop will serve as captain of the NL side and select the four other members for the derby. Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays is in charge of the American League. "To be the captain, I dont know if thats something Im looking forward to because of how tough the decisions are going to be," Tulowitzki said Monday before the Rockies played the St. Louis Cardinals. "You cant put everybody that wants to participate on your team. So with that, you open yourself up. "But, at the same time, Im honoured to be the National League captain." The event will be held July 14 at Target Field, the night before the showcase game in Minneapolis. Bautista is a two-time major league home run champion. Tulowitzki has hit at least 25 homers in three of the past four seasons. Although the honour was just recently bestowed on Tulowitzki, hes already mulling over his options. Giancarlo Stanton of Miami is high on his list, especially since he leads the league in homers with 20. Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers is also a consideration. Tulowitzki may even select teammate Justin Morneau, especially since the first baseman came up in the Twins organization and it would be a homecoming. "That would be neat for him," said Tulowitzki, who has 18 homers this season. "Obviously, hes a guy I have a relationship with." Given Tulowitzkis relationship with St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday, he could be a pick, too. Tulowitzki spent some time catching up with his former teammate before Mondays game. Did Holliday lobby to be included? "I dont think so," Tulowitzki said, smiling. "Holliday is just a good friend of mine, someone that I have a great deal of respect for. "If he wanted to participate, hed definitely be someone on the list, but he wasnt (lobbying)." Tulowitzki is hoping players around the NL reach out to him. Rockies pitcher Brett Anderson, whos currently on the disabled list, wrote on his Twitter account: "Fingers crossed Tulo picks me for the home run derby!" Hes listening -- and doesnt want to hear excuses about how the derby may mess up a batters stroke. "You take a look during (batting practice), sometimes Ill go out there and try to hit a home run on every single pitch," Tulowitzki explained. "Its no different from being in the Home Run Derby. "Those are my thoughts. I dont really want to entertain that thought, either. You get back on track. And if youre not doing good, you put some (work in the cage). Its not because of a Home Run Derby."
.C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons.
.Y. -- Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff had an opportunity to experience an entire range of emotions in his first trip back to Buffalo to face his former team.
. Freddie Roach said if the Rios fight "does not go l, we will seriously talk about his retirement," but that Pacquiao was training as l as ever for the Nov.MONTREAL -- Striker Marco Di Vaio ended speculation on his soccer future Friday by announcing that he will retire from the Montreal Impact at the end of the Major League Soccer season. The 38-year-old former Italian Serie-A star, in his third season with the Impact, will play his final two home games Oct. 11 against New England and Oct. 25 against D.C. United. The Rome native scored 142 goals in 342 Serie-A matches with Lazio, Bari, Salternitana, Parma, Juventus, Genoa and Bologna. He added another 31 in 72 MLS games. The announcement ended speculation that he would stay on an extra season because of the chemistry he has developed with new designated player Ignacio Piatti. There had also been reports he would return to his last Italian club to retire as a Bologna player. Di Vaio has said it would be difficult to stay on in Montreal because his wife and children live in Italy. He is expected to take a job in the Bologna organization after his playing career. After a 20-year career, I am pleased to announce that I will be retiring in Montreal as a member of the Impact, Di Vaio said in a statement Friday. I am very proud of what Ive accomplished over two decades as a pro. It was a dream of mine to play at the highest level and I will look to make the best of my final month as a player. He joined the Impact as the expansion MLS clubs first designated player on May 24, 2012. Not content to coast through his final seasons, Di Vaio played with skill and intensity iin Montreal.dddddddddddd The stocky forward known as Il Bomber scored 20 goals in 2013, when he was named to the MLS Best XI and was a finalist for league most valuable player honours. He has so far made 62 starts and played a total of 5,636 minutes for Montreal. Everything we asked of Marco has been delivered, said Impact president Joey Saputo. He accepted all the responsibilities that came with being a designated player. He was the first for this club and was the right choice. His quality and experience helped the team progress on the field, but he also helped the club with his wealth of knowledge off of it. He gained respect around the league and from its players, and its very l deserved. He will retire as the teams leader in MLS goals and shots. Di Vaio began his career with Lazio in 1995. After bumping around with a few teams, he was sold for 14 million euros in 2003 to Juventus, who he helped to win a league championship. He also helped the team reach the Champions League final in 2003, scoring four goals in 11 matches. He then moved for 10.5 million euros to Spanish club Valencia, where he played from 2004 to 2006, scoring 11 goals in 35 La Liga matches. Di Vaio joined Bologna in 2008. He served as captain for two seasons and scored 65 goals in 143 games. He had two goals in 14 international matches for Italy. He played in the 2004 European championship with Impact defender Matteo Ferrari and former Impact forward Bernardo Corradi.