zgr123's blog
Forty eight matches are now in the books. Puma Suede Classic Nere . Sixteen teams have moved on. Sixteen teams have gone home. There have been 136 goals, countless talking points, and numerous standout performances. Its time to make sense of the last 15 days. Here is your best and worst from the Group Stage. Team of the Group Stage GK: Keylor Navas (CRC) – Only let in one goal, a penalty in his opening 45 minutes of the action. Navas made one of the saves of the tournament in the 44th minute in the same half against Uruguay. A shot by Diego Forlan took a dramatic deflection and had eyes for the top corner. Navas ranged back and made an incredible save on his off-shoulder, showing standout body control and concentration making the unorthodox stop. If Navas doesnt make that save, Costa Rica doesnt come back to win that match, and probably doesnt advance from the group. It was a special stop from a special goalkeeper. RB: Serge Aurier (CIV) – Pacey. Strong. Purposeful. And positionally sound. The 22-year old did it all in the group stage. He set up both goals fantastically well in the 2-1 comeback win in the opener against Japan. Its disappointing his team couldnt provide enough going forward against Greece to advance to the next round. Aurier is an emerging top talent and showed why he is so coveted. CB: Giancarlo Gonzalez (CRC) – The Columbus Crew centre-back was a rock throughout the Group Stage. He had no better performance than in the second match against Italy, making what ended up being a four-man Italian attack look like a bunch of amateurs. Timely tackles and the general of Costa Ricas backline, he kept the group organized and keeping a high line. CB: Rafael Marquez (MEX) – The fourth World Cup captaining El Tri and perhaps putting in his finest performance. Marquez has led a young backline with composure and strength against a group featuring marquee attacking talent. The job he did on Croatias Mario Mandzukic was a master-class, as was his match-winning goal, the third straight World Cup he has scored. The performance has been one of the most unexpected in the tournament, slowing down over recent years. The 35 year old has been class in Brazil. LB: Daley Blind (NED) – The versatility is most impressive with the left back. His presence going forward has been as purposeful as his defending in the adaptable wingback position. His ball from mid-field on Robin van Persies opening goal of the tournament was a thing of beauty. And he thrived in a more defensive role against Chile with Bruno Martin Indi out with Dirk Kuyt in front of him. Few have looked better at the World Cup. M: Hector Herrera (MEX) - The Mexican keeps getting better as the games go by. He has provided a reliable midfield link to the attacking players and has threatened multiple times on goal. The work-rate is second to none and quality is there to equal. His game against Croatia was worthy of Man of the Match. The future is bright for the 24 year old. M: James Rodriguez (COL) – A midfield engine and the heart and soul of Colombia. Radamel Falcaos absence was deemed disastrous, but not with the number 10 manning the field. Hes taken the tournament by storm, contributing three goals and two assists, capping his fine group stage performance off by chipping the keeper after coming on as a second half substitute against Japan. From dropping deep, to providing hustle plays, to decisiveness in the final third, hes been everywhere. Remember this name. M: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (COL) – Rodriguezs teammate on the right wing has even more flare. The footwork and pace has been unmatched down the flank. A goal and three assists to his tally is a testament to his quality. F: Thomas Muller (GER) – Mr. Golden Boot himself. Without a true number nine, Muller is the next best thing for Germany. Four goals in the tournament, including an opening match hat trick puts him in position for back-to-back World Cup scoring titles. Only 24, Muller is threatening to shatter records in the not-so distant future, having scored nine World Cup goals already. The flexibility in the German system allows him to freelance to a degree. Muller has found the spaces and has finished with authority. F: Arjen Robben (NED) – The best player coming out of the best group, Robben has to make this list. His speed and craftiness on the run is a game-changer. Three goals and an assist so far, and many other opportunities coming close, Robben maintained his top form through all group stage matches with production in all. He wore the captains armband in Robin van Persies absence against Chile, and showed remarkable composure in a difficult game. He is the best counter-attacking player in what has been the counter-attacking World Cup. F: Lionel Messi (ARG) – Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi remarked Messi is from another planet after the Argentines two-goal performance against his team in a 3-2 win. Messi was that good. In his two previous games, Messi was unspectacular, but scored the game-winner in both. There is no player that can take advantage of weakness more than Messi. He narrowly edges Neymar on the list because of the flair for the dramatic. Messi has put an otherwise subpar Argentina on his shoulders. This may very well be his World Cup. Group Stage Second Team GK: Guillermo Ochoa (MEX) – Save on the tournament on NeymarRB: Daryl Janmaat (NED) – The bookend to Blind has been likewise impressiveCB: Gary Medel (CHI) – Chilean bulldog playing much bigger than his statureCB: Mats Hummels (GER) – Professional, intelligent performances from key to the German defenceLB: Junior Diaz (CRC) – Athelticism and ability to get forward have been a nightmare for slower competitionM: Charles Aranguiz (CHI) – Goal against Spain the cherry on top of thorough group stage performancesM: Nigel De Jong (NED) – Defensive cog has remained composed, allowing attacking players get out in frontM: Toni Kroos (GER) – Passing machine, dictating tempo from the middle of the parkF: Neymar (BRA) – Four goals makes puts him in joint tournament lead with flair to spareF: Robin Van Persie (NED) – Best goal so far, but suspension keeps him out of first teamF: Karim Benzema (FRA) – No player looks more hungry for goals Top Five Moments 5) Timmy Terrific (AUS vs. NED) – Tim Cahills finish on the volley with his opposite foot rivals for goal of the tournament. Seconds after the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead, the Australian talisman hit a ball as pure as they come, with the ball hitting underneath the crossbar and in. The moment was breathtaking, with the Aussies full of belief. It was a goal scorers goal and there wont be a much better truer strike in the tournament. 4) Ochoa to the Rescue (MEX vs. BRA) – Neymars header had eyes for goal if it were not for the out-stretched Mexican goalkeeper. Goal-line technology made the save look even better, showing Ochoa taking the ball off the line. It was incredible bravery getting to the ball with the post looming, with reaction time that dazzles. No save will be better in Brazil. Ochoa was the hero on the day in a 0-0 draw. 3) Persieing (NED vs. ESP) – The World Cups hottest fad came from a goal of the highest quality. Down 1-0 to Spain in the 44th minute of the mouth-watering Group B opener, Robin van Persie at full pace took a long ball through the air from midfield and without hesitation struck with a diving header for the ages. The ball found the top corner past Iker Casillas with van Persie going face-first into the ground. RVP admitted after he saw Casillas off his line and picked out the spot. The difficulty level is off the charts and van Persie delivered. Were all better off for the photos that have followed with even RVPs own grandfather face first into the ground, Persieing. 2) Messi Magic (ARG vs. IRN) – It was supposed to be a walk in the park for Argentina. Instead, Iran put up an 11-man defensive wall that seemed unbreakable. Iran even grew in confidence, pushing forward for a potential winner. The match was settled in the 91st minute through the dramatics coming off the left-foot of Argentinas number 10. Iranian defenders gave Messi his lethal left side for the first time in the match. Messi seized the opportunity, burying it low left side and delivering the dagger into the hearts of all of Tehran. A moment as such is made for the best. The legend of Messi grows. 1) Varela at the Death (POR vs. USA) – The United States were seconds away from advancing to the Round of 16. They had come from behind to take a 2-1 lead over Portugal in the difficult conditions in Manaus. Never seen before numbers of Americans watched in primetime, as their new soccer heroes were about to deliver to the nation. That was until Cristiano Ronaldo, who was frustrated all night, intervened. Eder won the ball in the midfield before the ball was played wide with Ronaldo. With time running down, Demarcus Beasley assumed Ronaldo was going to take the ball to goal. Beasley stepped back to give space and Ronaldo obliged, taking advantage of the space delivering a cross for the ages to the on-running Varela. The Portuguese substitute finished and the American dream was shattered. Shock and Awe. It was the last meaningful touch of the ball and the most dramatic finish imaginable. The final was 2-2. The USA would have to wait another day. Worst Five Moments 5) Fred Flop (BRA vs. CRO) – The Brazilian striker duped the match official into calling a penalty on Croatia in the tournament opener. It was a clear flop by Fred, and a horrible way to open the tournament. 4) Akinfeev Howler (RUS vs. KOR) – Every tournament has one of two. Igor Akinfeev obliged with worst goal conceded. An innocent shot by Lee Keun-Ho went right through the hands of the Russian number one. It was a sign of what was to come for Russia. It was a nightmare start to a nightmare competition for Fabio Capellos side. 3) Cameroon Chaos (CMR vs. CRO) – It was a game Cameroon lost their heads. A mindless sending off of Alex Song put the team at a deficit. After being played off the pitch by their opponents, matters got worse in the dying minutes as Benoit Assou- Ekotto confronted Benjamin Moukandjo, head-butting his teammate. It was an ugly incident showing the level of dysfunction in the team. It was an embarrassment of extraordinary proportions to happen on the global stage. Assou-Ekotto did not play in Cameroons final match. 2) Dzeko Disallowed Goal (BIH vs. NGA) – Edin Dzeko had a goal in the 21st minute ruled offside. He wasnt. It was the most blatant case of a goal disallowed that should have stood in the group stage. Mexico was denied two in similar fashion against Cameroon that were less egregious. The disallowed goal proved costly as Bosnia and Herzegovina lost the match and were knocked out of the tournament. The case is the clearest shout that technology should be used to adjudicate offside-goal decisions. 1) Suarez Bite (URU vs. ITA) – It will be the most vivid image coming out of this World Cup for all the wrong reasons. The shoulder bite of Giorgio Chiellini by serial biter Luis Suarez is a stain on the game and takes away from what has been one of the best sporting tournaments we have ever seen. The defence of Suarez by his Uruguayan teammates and federation are equally disturbing. There is no room in the game for an individual like Suarez. The decision was swift by FIFA to punish and they should be applauded for the heavy punishment (four month suspension from the game and nine match international ban). Its a travesty the bite was not caught when the chomp went down. Or else Italy may be still alive leaving Uruguay with plenty to chew on. Power Rankings – Most Impressive Teams (FYI – my two World Cup finalist picks, Germany and Argentina, are not in the top five) 5) Mexico4) Brazil3) France2) Colombia1) Netherlands Best and Worst Best Match: Netherlands vs. SpainWorst Match: Iran vs. NigeriaBest Referee: Mark Geiger (assistant referee Canadian Joe Fletcher)Worst Referee: Yuichi NishimuraBest fan support: tie – Colombia/ArgentinaBest Player: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)Worst Player: Wilson Palacios (Honduras)Biggest Disappointment: SpainBiggest Surprise: Costa RicaTournament Dark Horse left-standing: MexicoBest Route to the Final: ArgentinaMost Controversial Decision: Claudio Marchisio sending off/Samaras penaltyBest Group: GWorst Group: FBest Head Coach: Miguel Herrera (Mexico) and Marc Wilmots (Belgium)Worst Head Coach: Fabio Capello (Russia)Best Goal: RVP (NED) vs. ESPWorst Miss: Gekas (GRE) vs. COLBest Team Eliminated: Ivory CoastWorst Team Remaining: Greece @WheelerTSNgareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Puma Con Fiocco . Roy says he will know more about Duchenes potential playing status Sunday. Duchene has been out since damaging the MCL in his left knee when he ran into a teammate against San Jose on March 29. Hes been skating on his own all week, before joining the team Saturday hours before a pivotal game in a series tied at 2. Puma Velvet Creepers Bordeaux . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs.San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Justin Braun and forward Tommy Wingels on injured reserve Tuesday. Both players suffered upper-body injuries during San Joses 5-2 loss to New Jersey on Monday. Weve lost Braun. Hes got an injury. Hell be out for a while and so will Tommy Wingels, Sharks head coach Todd McLellan ssaid following Mondays game. Fenty Puma Rihanna Trainer. Braun has tallied one goal and 18 assists in 47 games this season, while Wingels has posted 11 goals and 14 assists over the same amount of games. San Jose also recalled defenseman Dylan DeMelo from Worcester of the AHL and loaned defenseman Mirco Mueller to Worcester on a conditioning assignment. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Jason Marquis have reached agreement on a minor league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Marco Fabian Mexico Jersey .The 36-year-old Marquis had elbow-reconstruction surgery in July 2013. He pitched briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate last year, going 3-1 with a 4.63 ERA in eight starts before being released.Marquis is 121-114 in 14 big league seasons with eight teams. An All-Star in 2009 for Colorado, Marquis has a 4.56 ERA with 1,137 strikeouts in 1921 innings.The Reds announced the deal Wednesday. Andres Guardado Jersey . -- Top-seed Shahar Peer and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard advanced to the second round of the inaugural WTA Citi Open. Andres Guardado Mexico Jersey . I kind of got a taste of being able to pick a suit with the draft lottery, I went with the bow tie.BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Obafemi Martins scored twice before his first-half ejection, Lamar Neagle added the winner and the Seattle Sounders earned their league-high 10th victory, beating the Chicago Fire 3-2 Saturday night. The Sounders (10-3-2) stopped Chicagos unbeaten streak. The Fire (2-4-8) had tied their last two matches. Seattle midfielder Neagle scored on a screened shot from the left side to make it 3-1 in the 78th minute. The Fires Harry Shipp cut the lead to 3-2 four minutes later on his second goal of the night. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei stopped Juan Luis Anangono from 12 yards in the 88th minute to preserve the win. Martins, who had missed an open net in the fifth minute, beat Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 31st and 38thh minutes. Isaac Brizuela Mexico Jersey. He was ejected for an altercation with the Fires Benji Joya seconds after Shipp scored his first goal in the 41st minute. Martins was ejected after wrestling the ball away from Joya and knocking him to the turf. Joya got up holding his jaw as a major shoving match ensued. Martins was the second player ejected. Chicagos Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was ejected in the 37th minute for going after the ball and Martins with both feet in the air. Martins scored his second goal on the ensuing penalty kick. Martins first goal came from 10 yards out after he beat Fire defender Bakary Soumare to a loose ball after a deflection. Shipp beat Frei for Chicagos first goal about 90 seconds after Martins successful penalty kick. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
TORONTO – While the future face of the Maple Leafs was being introduced beside Gate 5 of the Air Canada Centre on Monday morning, the head coach of the hockey club was busy conducting exit interviews for perhaps the final time in Toronto. Brad Kaaya Jersey . One player – a young defenceman, almost certain to be 23-year-old Jake Gardiner based on the clues – entered the office of Randy Carlyle and expressed frustration with the constraints he felt from the coaching staff early in the season. Carlyle was admittedly shocked by the revelation, especially taken aback by who this player compared himself with in the league. "Theres some surprising things that come back from players, something youd never imagine," Carlyle said on Tuesday afternoon, his future as the Leafs head coach on the most uncertain of terms at the outset of another disappointing offseason in Toronto. It was one more (and perhaps final) source of befuddlement for a coach still in search of answers following a season that unraveled in rapid and stinging fashion. In less than a month, his team went from chasing home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs to 12th in the East and an eighth absence from the playoffs in the past nine seasons. "We never really created an identity for our hockey club this year," he said, worn down after missing the postseason for just the second time in his NHL coaching career. "We didnt play to an identity and thats what was disturbing because we had been a competitive group in the year previous. We felt that this group going forward was ready to take the next step and a lot of people felt the same way and it didnt materialize." Carlyles imagined idea of Maple Leaf hockey was realized only in the most fleeting of moments, never consistently, be it from shift to shift, period to period, or game to game. He pushed and prodded for a team that was difficult to play against, that defended with vigour and attitude, that slugged it out for extended periods in the offensive zone (Toronto was amongst the worst possession teams in the league) and he rarely got it. Dave Bolland and David Clarkson were supposed to help establish that brand – replacing Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Leo Komarov amongst others – but with Bollands long-term injury and Clarksons year-long struggle, the club actually felt off rather dramatically in terms of the identity and attitude it had established in 48 games last season. The drop-off from Grabovski to replacements for Bolland (and Tyler Bozak thereafter) was considerable as was the dip from MacArthur and Komarov to Clarkson. Those offseason changes, made by Dave Nonis, were seemingly made with the brand of the head coach in mind. Carlyle banged the drum loudly all year for what needed to change – even as the group piled up wins in early October and in parts beyond – but could never figure out how to make it stick, his brand of hockey rarely aligning with a group that was equally hard-headed and ultimately unfit to play such a style or system consistently. "We spent a lot of time and effort on trying to create, sell, visualize what it means to be a Toronto Maple Leaf," he said. "For this year we were not able to create that. Those are the things that youre going to scratch your head and bang your head against the wall Why didnt it happen? Why didnt it happen? And thats what were all asking ourselves: Why didnt it happen? Because we had it the previous shortened season, the lockout season. We were a hard team to play against." But in the lockout year of 2013, the Leafs had a superb penalty kill, a top-10 offence and strong goaltending, elements that glossed over some of the instabilities that became quickly apparent in the 2013-14 campaign that followed. Despite woeful defensive play, they made it to March in good shape on the strength of a top-five power-play, a dominant top line and superb goaltending from Jonathan Bernier. Once those elements quieted some, the house of cards collapsed – Carlyle said they lost their "mojo" following a successful swing through California. (Over-using the likes of Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk down the stretch, with nothing suitable on the fourth line for support, surely didnt help matters.) Replacing the high-risk, high-reward Ron Wilson, Carlyle was supposed to dramatically alter the course of the Leafs upon his arrival in March 2012, both in terms of structure and style. He was supposed to be the elixir, especially, for how they defended, but in 2013-14, Carlyles Leafs were actually worse in keeping the puck out of the net than in Wilsons final full season behind the bench. No team in the league gave up as many shots as the squad in Toronto – 856 more in fact than the NHLs best in New Jersey – forcing the goaltending to be better than average most nights for two points. Carlyle trumpeted the struggle as a matter of compete – part of the problem certainly – obfuscating of course his inability to affect change where it was once promised he would. "Were not asking the players to do something that they havent done before or wouldnt have done in another situation – be it junior hockey or American Hockey League," Carlyle. "You have to play and you have to compete on the defensive side of the puck with will and commitment and we did not want to do that on a day-to-day basis and thats what our struggles were." His status for next season remains uncertain at best. Neither new president, Brendan Shanahan, nor his second in command Dave Nonis would say if Carlyle would be back, preferring to thoroughly assess the group first in the days ahead. "Im here today," Carlyle said. But he was still searching for answers... "If you think you have all the answers youre in the wrong business," he concluded. "Theres things that you know youd like to do differently as a staff, as a person, as an individual. Theres certain ways you deal with certain things. Theres points that you felt shouldve been a lot stronger on or you shouldve been softer on. Theres all those things. Youre going to question yourself all the time." Kenny Golladay Womens Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with cornerback Kelvin Hayden. Brad Kaaya Youth Jersey . The unrestricted free agent agreed to terms with the club on Thursday on a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000.LOS ANGELES -- Jordan Farmar is moving down the hall at Staples Center, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Clippers, who have also signed centre Spencer Hawes. Farmar averaged 10.1 points, 4.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 41 games for the struggling Lakers last season. The free agent guard won NBA titles in 2009 and 2010 with the Lakers, who drafted him out of UCLA in 2006. The deal allows the 27-year-old Los Angeles native to stay home and become the backup to Chris Paul after UCLA allum Darren Collison chose to leave and sign with Sacramento. Michael Roberts Lions Jersey. . Farmar was bothered by a torn left hamstring and a strained right groin that cost him half of last season. Hawes averaged 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 80 games with Cleveland and Philadelphia last season. The 26-year-old big man has also played for Sacramento during his seven-year career. The team announced the moves Wednesday night, hours before free agents could begin signing contracts on Thursday. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact has agreed to terms with Argentine attacking midfielder Ignacio Piatti to become a designated player. Charles Harris Womens Jersey . Piatti, 29, is to join the team in August after playing for Argentine side San Lorenzo de Almagro in the Copa Libertadores. He will be Montreals second DP after striker Marco Di Vaio, who is expected to retire at the end of the season. He replaces midfielder Hernan Bernardello, a DP who left this week to join Cruz Azul in Mexico. "Were excited," said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis, who has been working on landing Piatti for more than a year. "When you go after a player in the prime of his career, who helped his team win a championship and lead them to the semifinals in the Copa Libertadores, for us it exciting." DeSantis said it was a long-term deal but declined to reveal Piattis salary or how many years the contract covers. "His strengths are his ability to score important goals, his hunger to score goals, his ability to put defences on their heels, his ability to strike the ball with the right foot or the left," said De Santis. "He gets in a good attacking positions inside the 18-yard box, and hes a two-way player." The five-foot-11 Paitti scored 30 goals in more than 160 Argentine first division matches. He has played for five clubs in Argentina as well as with St-Etienne in France in 2006 and Lecce in Italy from 2010 to 2012. Raekwon McMillan Jersey . -- Max Domi scored twice and set up two more as the London Knights toppled the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 6-4 on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cordrea Tankersley Womens Jersey .This one was bigger than most.Ben Roethlisberger and LeVeon Bell came up big in a game that Pittsburgh had to win Sunday, leading the Steelers to a 42-21 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals that left the AFC North race wide open.ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Dustin Tokarski made 28 saves as the Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Abbotsford Heat 2-1 in American Hockey League action Friday night. Tokarski made 13 of his stops in the third as his club hung on for the upset victory. Justin Courtnall and Christian Thomas scored for Hamilton (16-14-4), which is 4-0-1 in their last five games. Sven Baertschi scored for the Heat and Joni Ortio stopped 20 shots for Abbotsford (23-10-2), just the third loss of the year for the Finnish netminder. The Bulldogs opened the scoring at 7:13 of the first. Courtnall squeezed between defender Brady Lamb and the left boards, rushed around the net and wrapped it around before Ortio before defenceman Chris Breen could get to the far post. That gives Courtnall three goals on the season and his first in 12 games. The Heat had no shots through the first six periods despite having an extendeed power play during that time. Cordrea Tankersley Dolphins Jersey. They did however have Kane Lafranchise hit the post and then Ben Street found the iron later in the period. Midway through the second the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead. Louis Leblanc put puck towards the net and it ricocheted to Thomas in the slot. Thomas then one-timed it past Ortio for his third of the year. The Heat got on the board less than four minutes into the third period. Mark Cundari fed a cross-crease pass to Baertschi, who one-timed it past Tokarski before he fully reacted for the Swiss snipers second goal in as many games. However, thats as close as they came. Brett Olson had the best chance to tie the game with a couple shots from in close with less than a minute to go, but Tokarski and the Hamilton defence held on. The two teams face each other again Saturday at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
BOSTON - For the Boston Red Sox, bushy beards are so last year. Cameron Sutton Steelers Jersey . Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, the bandleader of the beard brigade during Bostons run to the 2013 World Series title, said he will be shaving his off before spring training so that he can file it "in the archive" with his memories of the teams improbable championship. "It was a pretty cool experience. Want to bottle it up and enjoy it," he said on Thursday, still with his recognizable chin scruff. "Ill start 2014 pretty clean." Some of the Red Sox players already have shaved their beards, but Jon Lester was sporting a trimmed-back style before the 75th annual dinner of the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Designated hitter David Ortiz and outfielder Shane Victorino cut theirs off for charity shortly after the World Series. Manager John Farrell said the rest will soon follow. "Weve come to an agreement that when we get on the field well be cleaned up," he said. All three of the teams recent World Series trophies were on display in the ballroom before the dinner, where former Atlanta Braves pitcher and newly elected Hall of Famer Tom Glavine was to receive the organizations highest honour, the Judge Emil Fuchs Award for long and meritorious service to baseball. Red Sox pitcher John Lackey was honoured with the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity. Other honorees at the dinner were to include: —Miguel Cabrera, the Ted Williams Award for the top hitter in baseball. —Ortiz, the Thomas A. Yawkey Award as the Red Sox MVP. Only Carl Yastrzemski, who won the award six times, has more than Ortizs four Yawkey awards. —Lester, Red Sox pitcher of the year. —Koji Uehara, Red Sox fireman of the year. —David Ross, good guy award. —Craig Breslow, Tim Wakefield Award for a Red Sox unsung hero. —Xander Bogaerts, the minor league player of the year. —Jose Iglesias, Red Sox rookie of the year. —Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram, the Dave OHara Award for his service to the chapter. Farrell was selected manager of the year and Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington was the organizations executive of the year after guiding the team from worst to first. Working toward next season, Cherington gave oft-injured outfielder Grady Sizemore a $750,000, one-year contract this week. The three-time All-Star has not played since 2011. Sizemore, 31, is a .269 career hitter with 139 homers and 458 RBIs. "Everyone knows who he was in his prime," Cherington said. "That player fits on any team." James Conner Youth Jersey . - Pete Rose didnt want it to be about him, not on a day when four new members were elected to baseballs most exclusive club. JuJu Smith-Schuster Steelers Jersey . LOUIS -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks won the matchup of unbeaten teams.OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens ran out of patience waiting for their lacklustre offensive line to become an effective group. After watching the Ravens yield 12 sacks and average a scant 64 yards rushing during the first four games, general manager Ozzie Newsome obtained left tackle Eugene Monroe from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a pair of draft picks. "Its a sign that this football team wants to win and we want to win now," defensive lineman Chris Canty said Wednesday. "Were not going to accept anything less than championship performance. Hopefully he comes in here and puts us in a better position to win." The trade had not been formally finalized by Wednesday afternoon, so Monroe did not practice with the team. But coach John Harbaugh expects the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder to immediately challenge Bryant McKinnie for the starting job at left tackle. "Obviously, were bringing Eugene in to play," Harbaugh said. "How soon that can happen remains to be seen. The main thing is, it makes us better almost immediately in terms of adding a football player of that quality to our team. Well just figure it out. Well fit it together to use these guys the best way we can." McKinnie was a key figure in Baltimores run to a Super Bowl title last year. Although hes struggled at times this season, the 12-year veteran is far from being the sole reason for the inadequate performance of the offensive line. Second-year centre Gino Gradkowski is still getting used to calling the blocking assignments on the line. And everyone up front is adjusting to Juan Castillo, whos in his first year as run game co-ordinator. But Ray Rice, who has a meagre 89 yards in 30 carries this year, openly questioned the determination of the offensive line. Asked how the line can match its performance of a year ago, Rice replied, "We have to match the other teeams intensity to be effective in the run game. James Conner Womens Jersey. Sometimes a guy wants it a little bit more on the other side. Thats what we have to do, we have to fight that. We have to match the other teams intensity." Right tackle Michael Oher wasnt quite sure if the problem with the running game rested solely upon the offensive line. "Theres not one thing that I can pinpoint," Oher said. "I guess we have to do a better job -- if we open a hole, open a bigger hole, stuff like that." Virtually nothing worked last Sunday in a 23-20 loss to Buffalo. Baltimore attempted a franchise-record low nine rushing attempts and yielded four sacks. Not only that, but quarterback Joe Flacco threw five interceptions, many of them while under duress in the pocket. Flacco is certain that a few tweaks, and not necessarily an overhaul of the line, would make things better. "Just little things. Cleaning up some little things up front," Flacco said. "Its nothing crazy. Just little things here and there that are pretty easily fixed. Im not really too worried about it." The Ravens (2-2) are going to need to buckle down up front to beat the Miami Dolphins (3-1) on the road Sunday. "We just need to keep working and keep fighting out there to get better," guard Marshal Yanda said. "The last game was a little tough. We kind of got away from the run a little bit just because we were down. Its just one of those things where we have to keep working at it. Theres no magical formula." Maybe not, but the addition of Monroe -- the eighth overall pick in the 2009 draft -- cant hurt. The 26-year-old could contribute as soon as this Sunday. "Hes strong, athletic, can move," Oher said. "Hes a very hard worker, hes a good player. Hes going to fit what were trying to do. It will just give the Ravens another option." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
The French Open womens final pits a veteran who is no stranger to centre court against a rookie when it comes to playing on the final weekend of a Grand Slam. Pepe Reina Jersey . 2012 champion Maria Sharapova goes up against fourth-seeded Simona Halep in Saturdays final at Roland Garros. Watch the match live on TSN, TSN.ca and TSN GO at 9am et/6am pt. Sharapova, who has an impressive 18-1 record on clay this season, will be looking for her second French Open title in three years after losing to Serena Williams in last years final. Already with a career Grand Slam on her resume, the seventh-seeded Sharapova eliminated Canadas Eugenie Bouchard, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals en route to Saturdays final. It was the third straight match in which she lost the first set but rebounded for the victory. She struggled with her serve in the match, double-faulting nine times and getting broken four times. "I dont feel that I played my best tennis, but to be in the semifinals of a Grand Slam and winning a match where I felt my opponent played extremely well, exceptional tennis, and I didnt feel that I was playing my best, I fought, I scrambled, and I found a way to win," said Sharapova after the match. The last time Sharapova lost a three-set match on clay was at the 2010 French Open, when she was ousted by Justine Henin in the third round. Halep defeated 28th-seeded Andrea Petkovic,6-2, 7-6(4) in her first Grand Slam semifinal match on Thursday. The Romanian hasnt lost a set in the tournament so far, becoming the first player since Lindsay Davenport at the 1998 US Open to reach her first Grand Slam final in that fashion. The Romanian has lost all three meetings with Sharapova, including a 1-6 6-2 6-3 decision in the final of the Madrid Open last month. Halep, who was ranked 57th last year, will move up to third in the world rankings regardless of Saturdays result. Milos Pantovic Jersey . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline. Robert Lewandowski Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle.Eskimos import DT Almondo Sewell has returned to Edmonton after being released from Regina General Hospital. Sewell was taken to hospital as a precaution during the third quarter of Saturdays 14-9 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders after he sustained a neck injury returning a punt. All tests came back negative for spinal frracture and he will be assessed further by Eskimos medical staff. Julian Green Bayern Munich Jersey. The game was stopped for nearly 10 minutes as Sewell received medical attention on the field and was then stretchered off and taken to hospital. A native of Buff Bay, Jamaica, the 26-year-old Sewell is in his third season with the Eskimos. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
MONTREAL -- Rookie Matt Fraser got to live a dream he had many times while growing up in Red Deer, Alta. Solomon Thomas 49ers Jersey . Fraser, called up Wednesday from AHL Providence and playing his first career NHL playoff game, scored 1:19 into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens to even their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Thursday night. The 23-year-old jumped into a scramble in front of goalie Carey Prices net and slid the puck under him into the net. "It was bouncing around and I was just swatting at it as hard as I could and hoping it would hit something," said Fraser. "Price is such a good goalie. He doesnt give out a lot of rebounds. I might have got lucky there, but the puck wound up in the back of the net. "Its something I dreamed about many times on the outdoor rinks growing up. Its every kids dream to score in overtime." Johnny Boychuks point shot had taken a high hop off the end boards and Price and defenceman Mike Weaver had trouble controlling the bouncing puck. "It came around on the other side and it bounced over my stick and I lost it," said Price. "Somebody yelled over, so I looked over my left shoulder. Obviously it wasnt there. Then they poked it in on the other side." The victory knotted the best-of-seven series at 2-2, and the Bruins took back home ice advantage heading into Game 5 on Saturday night in Boston. The Bruins outshot Montreal 34-33 in an intense, sometimes nervously played game that was less a goaltending duel between Price and Tuukka Rask as a match of determined, defensive teams. "We knew how tight this series would be," said Boston coach Claude Julien. "It doesnt mean any more than that weve tied the series. Its been tight every game. "It was important to get back in the series, but I dont think weve played our best hockey. Weve played hard, but Ive seen us play better. You hope the win here will help us get better and well go from there." Asked about Rasks play, Julien said: "He was good. We didnt give up three breakaways, that helped." They gave up a partial breakaway in the second period, but Brian Gionta could only shovel the puck at the net and Rask made the save. Canadiens coach Michel Therrien called it trench warfare. He found no fault with his side, either, except that they didnt get a puck past Rask. "This was a hard-nosed game between two well-prepared teams," he said. "We lost a battle in front of the net on the winning goal, but Im pleased with our teams effort. "All the games have been close and it wont be different next game." There were 21 goals scored by both teams in the first three games, there had not been a period without a goal, but there was little room to move in this one. It marked the first time since 1935 that Boston won a playoff game 1-0 in OT and the first time Boston and Montreal went scoreless in regulation time in the playoffs since 1953, when Elmer Lach got the OT game-winner for the Canadiens. Bostons Carl Soderberg had the best chance in the final minute of the first frame after P.K. Subbans blind back pass was intercepted, but Price looked to get a piece of it as it went off the cross-bar. Another goal-less period followed as shooters misfired, particularly Max Pacioretty on a setup from Thomas Vanek, and both goalies held their ground. Each team went on the power play once, but even that failed to break the deadlock. The Canadiens went on the attack in the third, peppering the Boston net and outshooting the Bruins 14-7. But the Bruins got a power play and Reilly Smith hit a goalpost, only to see Brian Gionta stoned by Rask alone in front of the net at the other end a moment later. Then Fraser ended it in OT. "Words cant even describe that feeling," said Fraser. "I just watched the replay of it and I dont even want to begin to try to explain that because its something I wish that every kid could feel." Fraser skated on Bostons third line with Soderberg and Loui Eriksson and got 14:44 of ice time and two shots on goal. Julien liked what he saw. "It was no doubt a little nerve-wracking for him but to me it didnt show on the ice," said Julien. "He was poised, made some good decisions, he was strong with the puck and in his decision-making. "We were talking about him and I said hes been really good for us tonight and there was no doubt he was going to play in overtime." Notes: Fraser played in place of Jordan Caron. Matt Bartkowski stepped in on defence for Andrej Meszaros. . . Montreal made no changes. . . Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr attended the game. Reuben Foster Jersey . -- Arkansas didnt need a spectacular dunk to beat No. C. J. Beathard Womens Jersey . Bryant underwent an operation in December to correct an irregular heartbeat. His season ended with four games left because of a rapid heartbeat, a condition he has known about for several years and had been treated for in the past.If battling back is a sign of a team that knows how to win, the Winnipeg Goldeyes presented a strong case Wednesday night. The Goldeyes came back from two deficits to beat the Kansas City T-Bones 7-5 before 6,523 joyous fans at Shaw Park. The win moves Winnipeg 6 1/2 games ahead of the St. Paul Saints in the American Associations North Division and extends the Goldeyes winning streak to a season-high seven games. “These guys never give up,” Goldeyes outfielder Reggie Abercrombie said of his teammates, who despite the win stranded a season-high 13 runners on the base paths. “Every time you go out there, you expect to be in the game.” After Winnipeg opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning on a Kansas City error, the T-Bones struck for four runs against Goldeyes starter Chris Salamida in the top of the third. The T-Bones batted around in the inning and had five hits. The Goldeyes dug into the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, as Casey Haerther, who doubled to lead off the inning, scored on a sac fly and Luis Alen drove in Abercrombie with a single. Winnipeg tied the game an inning later when Ray Sadlers sac fly brought home Josh Mazzola. The T-Bones quickly regained the lead with a run in the top of the seventh, but the Goldeyes didnt stay behind for long. With runners on second and third and two out in the bottom half of the seventh, Tyler Kuhn ripped a shot down the firstt base line to score Abercrombie and Brock Bond, who reached base on an infield single. C. J. Beathard 49ers Jersey. . “I got a slider down and in and was able to get it up high enough to get it over the first basemans glove,” Kuhn said of his game-winning hit. “I dont turn on too many balls down the line, so I was happy to get that one.” Mazzola then doubled to score Kuhn. “The pitching held us in the game,” Abercrombie said. “We feel if the pitching holds us in the game, were going to come back on anyone. We have a lot of confidence in ourselves to go out and get it done.” Haerther led Winnipeg with three hits, while Kuhn had two RBI. Buried in the comeback was Salamidas record-setting night. He stuck out the first two batters he faced in the top of the first to pass Ace Walker for the franchise strikeout record. Salamida struck out six T-Bones in six innings of work and now has 385 Ks as a member of the Goldeyes in five seasons with the team. Gabe Aguilar, who gave up Kansas Citys go-ahead run in the seventh inning, swooped in to vultur his fifth win of the season. Chris Kissock pitched the top of the ninth for his 10th save of the season. Jared Messer took the loss for Kansas City. The Goldeyes will go for the sweep Thursday night at Shaw Park. Nick Hernandez (4-0, 3.56) will toe the rubber for Winnipeg against Kansas Citys Kyle DeVore (2-1, 2.29). Game time is 6 p.m. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
New York, NY (SportsNetwork. Chase Utley Jersey .com) - Alabama and Oregon remained the top teams in the latest Associated Press college football poll and Florida State gained on both after its resounding victory over Miami on Saturday, a decision that sent the Hurricanes out of the top 10. Alabama and Oregon were both idle this Saturday and lost first-place votes to the Seminoles, who pulled away from Miami with a 41-14 win in Tallahassee. The Crimson Tide received 52 first-place votes -- three fewer than last week -- and a total of 1,491 points from a nationwide media panel, while Oregon picked up two No. 1 votes -- down from three a week ago -- and 1,418 total points. Florida State earned six first-place votes, four more than last week, and sits just nine points behind Oregon. The Seminoles were 42 points back last week. Ohio State, which ran its winning streak to 21 straight with a 56-0 throttling of Purdue on Saturday, remained fourth, followed by Baylor, which was also idle this week. Stanford, Auburn, Clemson, Missouri and LSU comprise the remainder of the top 10. The last four in the group each moved up one spot after Miami tumbled all the way from seventh to 14th. The second 10 consists of Texas A&M, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Miami, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Fresno State, Michigan State, UCF and Louisville. Michigan State vaulted six spots from 24th after a 29-6 win over Michigan, while Oklahoma State moved up three spots from 18th after a 52-34 victory over Texas Tech. Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Arizona State, Notre Dame and Texas Tech are the last five teams ranked this week. Texas Tech dropped 10 spots from 15th after its second straight loss. Notre Dame is the lone newcomer, replacing Michigan, which was 23rd last week. The Fighting Irish are back in the poll after a four-week absence, having won four in a row since a Sept. 28 loss to Oklahoma. Three ranked matchups are on next weeks schedule, highlighted by a pair of huge Thursday night conference showdowns. Oklahoma and Baylor will square off in the Big 12 on Thursday, while Oregon visits Stanford in the Pac-12. Saturdays lone meeting of ranked teams pits LSU at Alabama. Joe Blanton Jersey . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Adrian Gonzalez Jersey . Heavily-criticized after allowing a dozen goals on 58 shots in two games in Boston, Luongo continued his dominance at home. Hes now allowed two goals in three home games in this series.SALT LAKE CITY - Terrence Ross is earning his pay cheque this week. Stepping out of DeMar DeRozans shadow on the wing, Ross has been featured more in Torontos attack while being tasked with three daunting defensive assignments. The third-year swingman opened this stretch with a matchup against one of the leagues all-time greatest scorers in Kobe Bryant. On Tuesday he squared off against Rudy Gay, a former teammate, before seeing Utahs breakout forward Gordon Hayward less than 24 hours later. Oh, and before the week is out hell try his luck at stopping the unstoppable LeBron James. Ross is no longer fazed by life in the NBA. Its become a nightly reality. Thats what he do, man, Kyle Lowry said of Ross after the two led Toronto to a convincing 124-104 win over the Jazz Wednesday night. T-Ross is a good player. Hes come in as an athlete but hes learned how to play defence. I think he really takes pride in being able to guard those guys. Thats how its going to be every night, Ross said. Im always going to get the best player every night. Thats just how it goes. For most of the Lakers game Ross did an admirable job on Bryant, 13 years his elder, although it hardly mattered. The future Hall of Famer was locked in and torched the Raptors for a triple-double in a winning effort. Gay, another player with a size, strength and experience advantage over Ross, was the focal point of Sacramentos offence with DeMarcus Cousins out of the lineup. He finished with 20 points and a career-best 10 assists. For the second time this season, Hayward was barely noticeable against Ross and the Raptors. Utahs leading scorer, averaging a career-best 19.6 on the campaign, was held to 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Ross was draped all over him for most of the evening. We made Hayward work, which was our focus going in, said Dwane Casey, his team taking two of three games, after stealing one in Sacramento Tuesday, to close out a mini road trip. I thought T-Ross and James Johnson came in and gave us a great effort against him. This challenge is not a new one for Ross, who has been asked to chase around the oppositions best perimeter player since he stepped into Torontos starting lineup following the trade of Gay a year ago. Facing off with the leagues best on a nightly basis, Casey is not expecting him to neutralize these great players, most of them older and wiser than the young Ross. Instead, the goal is to make life difficult for them, make them work, something Ross has been doing a better job of on both ends of the floor. It takes a lot of energy, a lot of focus on his part on the defensive end, Casey said. Hes done okay. He and James kind of tag team together on guys like that so well see how that goes. But hes been a good defender on guys, making guys work. Lowry and DeRozan both blossomed into All-Star calibre players once Gay was shipped out of town, but Ross has been the biggest beneficiary of last Decembers trade. Going from a reserve with sporadic playing time to a reliable starter and fixture in Caseys rotation, Ross minutes increased by over 10 a night post-trade while his scoring average nearly doubled and he went from a 34 to 40 per cent three-point shooter. Now, Ross is taking full advantage of an opportunity to handle greater responsibility with DeRozan on the shelf. I would say its the same type of jump [as when Gay was traded], Ross said. I just have more responsibility. Somebody is out, part of your team is gone so I got to do more. We all do. [Hes] probably playing more freely as far as not worrying about DeMar, Casey said ahead of Wednesdays contest. Usually we try to get DeMar going, now its him. Some of the sets are now called for him, where before he was kind of playing off DeMar. So thats part of it but none of it is forced, its kind of in the flow of the game. Hes done an excellent job offensively. After scoring 20 points in each of the first two games without DeRozan - reaching that plateau in back-to-back contests for the first time in his career - Ross registered an efficient 11 points, shooting 4-for-8 in Wednesdays win over the Jazz. The experience hes gaining and will continue to gain for as long as DeRozan is out should go a long way in the 23-year-olds development. If nothing else, having his number called more often should be a confidence booster moving forward. Hes someone, like most young players, that has battled inconsistency and is usuallly at his best when hes feeling good about himself - when he sees the ball go through the net or when hes getting stops on the other end. Brandon McCarthy Dodgers Jersey. Its a big part of what he does, is him having the confidence, him having the rhythm, Casey said. Hes a rhythm player. With that rhythm, it can go out too so his key is being consistent and letting the game come to him for four quarters and not just be in streaks. Hes got to have that confidence but hes getting that now with DeMar being out. Hes kind of the wing focal point. LOWRYS CAREER NIGHT Whether hell admit it or not - he didnt and he wont - the NBAs decision to award Bulls guard Jimmy Butler Eastern Conference Player of the Month honours Wednesday afternoon was on Lowrys mind as he poured in what seemed like a quiet 39 points, his career-high. I didnt know either, Casey said after the game. He was efficient, 13-for-22. As he did on Tuesday in Sacramento, Lowry eased into things offensively, looking to get his teammates involved early in the game. The starting point guard hit six of the eight shots he launched in the first half before taking over in the second, where scored 24, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Lowry has attempted 20 or more shots in four straight games, dating back to the night DeRozan sustained his injury. He had taken 19 or fewer in each of the teams first 15 contests. Hes taking what the game is giving him, said Casey. Even with the 28 [shots] in overtime [against the Lakers], I dont know if he forced the shots, he was taking what the defence was giving him but hes finding a balance. Hes helping quarterback from the two-one position. Im just going out there and doing my job, said Lowry, who has scored at least 25 points in each of his last four games. I know I have to score a little bit more and be more aggressive. I can do it with DeMar but as a point guard I like to get my teammates involved. Right now I have to be a little more assertive. UNLIKELY OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUTS You wouldnt know it from watching them, but the Raptors are playing without their leading scorer. The absence of DeRozan, who has now missed the last three games with a torn groin muscle that will keep him sidelined indefinitely, has barely put a dent into the Easts most efficient offensive attack. By the end of the first half, Toronto had dropped 69 points on the hosting Jazz, shooting an impressive 64 per cent from the field and 8-of-11 from beyond the arc. Oddly they recorded just eight assists on 28 buckets but it hardly mattered given the rate in which their jump shots were falling. Of the nine Raptors to step on the floor in the opening half, only Jonas Valanciunas, 3-for-7, shot under 50 per cent. The starting backcourt of Lowry and Greivis Vasquez combined to shoot 12-of-17 for 29 point, the bench was 8-of-10 for 23 points. The Raptors have now reached 120 points in five of 19 contests to begin the season, a feat they accomplished just once all of last year (and it came in a triple-overtime game). However, defence - a long-time staple for Casey - has been the ongoing concern for the Raptors coach and his team over this recent stretch, surrendering 100 or more points in six straight contests. All the phases of our defensively approach has taken a step back, Casey said. Our offence has taken off and is flowing like water but weve got to have a balance between the two. Utah opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run, prompting Casey to burn a quick timeout, one he spent reaming his team out in the huddle. Their 16-point halftime lead had been shaved to nine in less than three minutes and Casey was as animated as ever. Even with the Jazz hitting 13 of its 25 shots in the frame, they were only able to knock one point off their halftime deficit. The Raptors red-hot offence would not relent, but Casey knows thats not a recipe for sustainable success in the NBA, not unless the defence follows suit. Well, I worked for George Karl for many years so Ive seen that side, said Casey, referring to his time as an assistant with some high-scoring teams in Seattle. But I also do know that being a free-flowing offensive team doesnt win in the NBA. Youll win some games but when its important, when youre talking about winning championships youre not going to do it if you dont have defence as your backbone, as your substance of who you are. And I know that and thats why Im going to continue to preach. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
Manchester United could be close to signing Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata. Dak Prescott Cowboys Jersey . ESPN FC reports that sources from both Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge claim that David Moyess struggling side is hopeful of securing the Spanish international by the weekend. Reports suggest that a transfer fee for Mata could reach upwards of 40 million pounds. Mata, voted Chelseas player of the year for the past two seasons, has found his playing time greatly limited this year under new manager Jose Mourinho and is believed to welcome the opportunity for first team football ahead of this summers World Cup in Brazil. Mata has only made 13 league appearances for Chelsea this season, registering two assists. Last season, the 25-year-old tallied 12 goals and 17 assists in 35 appearances. He has played in two of Chelseas Champions League group stage match-ups this season, meaning that he is cup-tied and, therefore, would be unavilable for selection for Uniteds Champions League knockout encounter with Olympiacos next month if he were to move. Chelsea actively pursued United striker Wayne Rooney this past summer, but their pursuit was rebuffed and Mourinho admitted defeat in his chase. Rooney is not believed to be involved at all in these current Mata negotiations, even though Matas name came up as a makeweight in a potential deal in August. Jason Witten Jersey . -- The anointed starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders is strengthening his hold on the position this training camp instead of losing it. Emmitt Smith Cowboys Jersey .com) - Patrick Reed poured in a 19-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Monday to defeat Jimmy Walker and win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.ST. LOUIS -- Brett Gardners leaping catch in the 11th inning gave the New York Yankees life. Patient at-bats and their first hit since the fifth inning put them over the top. "I just tried to get back there as fast as I could," Gardner said of his catch at the top of the left field wall that denied Yadier Molina of at least extra bases and perhaps a game-ending two-run homer in the Yankees 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 12 innings Monday. "It was an easy play, just go back and make sure I get the ball in the glove before my back hits the wall." Brian Roberts bases loaded single was the go-ahead hit in a three-run 12th fueled by two walks and a hit batter. The Yankees won for the fourth time in extra innings on the season, three of them in the last six games. "Its a grind," Gardner said. "But weve been playing pretty well and we seem to really stay focused." Pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano and Brendan Ryan each added an RBI for the Yankees, who took the opener of a three-game interleague series for their third straight win. Alfredo Aceves (1-2) worked two scoreless innings and David Robertson earned his 11th save in 12 chances. "At that point, youre just trying to get the guy in," Roberts said. "You need to be selective and find ways to win." Jon Jay had an RBI double in the 12th for the Cardinals, who lost for the third time in 12 games. "Just a really bad day," reliever Randy Choate said. "I felt fine coming in, just didnt have good stuff." A standing-room crowd of 47,311, the third-largest at 9-year-old Busch Stadium, showed up to see an opponent making only its second appearance in St. Louis since losing to the Cardinals in the 1964 World Series. The enthusiasm did not appear to be dampened by a 61-minute weather delay -- for rain that did not materialize -- before the first pitch. Cardinals pitchers retired 20 of 21 batters before the 12th, when Choate (0-2) faced five batters and four reached safely. Five Yankees relievers were stingy, too, permitting two hits in seven innings. "It comes down to doing little things and getting big hits," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Thats no secret. We had a couple of opportunities to get the big hit. You cant do it all the time." Jacoby Ellsbury got the rally started when he walked to lead off the inning and stole second, a call upheld aafter Matheny challenged. Sean Lee Cowboys Jersey. After coming through, Roberts is 3 for 6 in extra innings. "Another big hit for us," manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought the bottom of the lineup was extremely productive." Molina slammed his helmet in frustration after Gardner came down with his drive at the top of the fence with a runner on and one out in the 11th. Derek Jeter got a standing ovation before his first at-bat, and thousands stood again when he singled, although they also roared when he took a called third strike to end the eighth against Carlos Martinez after Molinas pinpoint throw on Gardner attempting to steal. Michael Wacha dealt with a rain delay for the fourth time in his 11 starts -- total idle time of 4 hours, 52 minutes. After nine pitches the Yankees had the lead, with a walk by Gardner and a single by Jeter setting up Ellsburys RBI single. The first three batters reached in a two-run fifth, too, with Kelly Johnsons RBI single and Gardners sacrifice fly putting the Yankees up 3-1. New York rookie starter Chase Whitley was vulnerable early, too. The Cardinals needed two at-bats to tie it in the first when Matt Carpenter tripled off the right-field wall and Kolten Wong doubled, but they missed a chance for more when Wong overslid third and was caught stealing for the first time in eight attempts this season. Whitley qualified for a win for the first time in three career starts, but left with the bases loaded and none out in the sixth before the Cardinals tied it against Preston Claiborne. Allen Craig had an RBI groundout and Jhonny Peralta followed with a sacrifice fly. Wacha bounced back after taking a foul liner off his elbow while sitting in the dugout his last time out, giving up three runs on four hits in seven innings. He had a season-low two strikeouts, the first against Ellsbury leading off the sixth. NOTES: In a pregame ceremony, Jeter received Stan Musial cuff links and a $10,000 check for the captains Turn 2 Foundation. ... The Cardinals also paid tribute to their 1964 team. ... Whitley is the first Yankees pitcher to make his first three career starts on the road since Ramiro Mendoza made four in a row in 1996. ... Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (5-2, 3.60 ERA) opposes David Phelps (1-1, 3.18) on Tuesday night. Lynn is 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA in six career interleague starts. ... Wacha hasnt permitted more than three runs in any of his starts. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
CHICAGO -- Even with three errors, the Houston Astros managed to beat the Chicago White Sox 11-7 Sunday. Dennis Smith Jr. Jersey . Matt Dominguez hit a two-run homer and a tiebreaking RBI double, and the Astros tied their season high with 17 hits as they prevented a three-game sweep. Second baseman Jose Altuve made a pair of errors and first baseman Jon Singleton had one, with each infielder allowing a grounder through his legs. "Its part of the game," manager Bo Porter said. "Obviously, Altuve is a guy whos pretty sure-handed, but it happens. But its good to see the rest of the team pick those guys up." Altuve hit a two-run homer for the Astros (41-58), who find themselves 1 1-2 games ahead of last-place Texas in the AL West. "We battled through that game," said Dominguez, had three hits and four RBIs. "It was nice to go out there and get a win like that." Chicago fell behind 4-0 early and tied the score 7-all in the sixth on Alexei Ramirezs RBI double, Jose Abreus run-scoring single and a run-scoring two-out grounder by Dayan Viciedo that went Altuves legs for Houstons second error of the inning. Daniel Webb (5-3) allowed RBI doubles in the seventh to Dominguez and L.J. Hoes, and Marwin Gonzalez followed with a two-run single. Tony Sipp (2-1) pitched 1-1 scoreless innings as Houston stopped a three-game skid. Josh Fields and Chad Qualls got three straight outs each. Houstons Jarred Cosart allowed four runs, seven hits and four walks in five innings. John Danks lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings, giving up a season-high 12 hits and seven runs. On May 18, he allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- and 10 hits over 4 2-3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Astros. "Dug us a hole. These guys fought hard to get out of it," Danks said. "For whatever reason, Houston has beat me up this year, so fortunately, were done with that." Hoes filled in for Astros OF George Springer, who was held out because of soreness in his right knee and quadriceps. Springer will continue to receive treatment, and he expects be in the lineup for the opener of a three-game set against the Athletics in Oakland on Tuesday night. "Its fine," Stringer said. "Its just a little something. I just have to make sure Im all right, and well go from there. I can play through it." NOTES: Singleton was inserted in the lineup after 1B Jesus Guzman reported back discomfort in batting practice. ... Abreu extended his hitting streak to 11 games. He had at least one hit in 29 of his last 30 games. ... Manager Robin Ventura was noncommittal about the closer role, which Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam shared in recent weeks. Matt Lindstrom (left ankle surgery) could return next month, while Thompson also was a potential candidate. Prior to the game, Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he converted all six of his save chances. RHP Felipe Paulino was transferred to the 60-day DL. ... Ventura had a rooting interest in the upcoming Hall of Fame induction of Frank Thomas, his former teammate. "He was a dominant player in his era, and that will stand the test of time as far as his place with the White Sox," Ventura said. ... White Sox LHP Chris Sale is to make his first post-All-Star game start versus the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. Dennis Smith Jr. Mavericks Jersey . Make that, almost always subjective. Saturday at Carrow Road, the spirit of fair play trumped the rulebook, costing Norwich City three points. Dennis Smith Jr. Authentic Jersey . The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto.Jamie Redknapp has endorsed the FAs decision to select Sam Allardyce as Englands new manager. The 61-year-old was confirmed in his new role on Friday, and Sky Sports football analyst Redknapp says he has the nucleus of a really good group to work with.Allardyce has managed eight different English clubs, since ending his playing career in 1992, and Redknapp has given his appointment the thumbs-up. The former England midfielder told Sky Sports News HQ: There wasnt an abundance of choices this time but if you look at the contenders, he was the best at the moment.Having played against his teams and met him a few times, I like him. Hes got something about him.When youre the England manager, youve got to have someone who is not afraid of these players and will enjoy the challenge. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp has given Big Sam the thumbs-up And I think Sam can be that man. His ego will be as big as any of the players, and I mean that in a nice way. Its exactly what we need.England have not produced the goods in the last three tournaments. Weve got good players, some really good young players coming through, and this is a really good opportunity.John Stones, Ross Barkley, Marcus Rashford, Dele Ali, Harry Kane... We have the nucleus of a really good group. Kevin Davies, a former player of Sam Allardyce, believes he can be a sucess with England We need a manager who can bring the best out of them and make them the team of the people.We need those whoo will really enjoy playing for the country again and make the fans proud as well. Dennis Smith Jr. Youth Jersey. Theres been a real fear factor in the last few tournaments for English players. I dont subscribe to the fact were not good enough. I watch these players week-in, week-out. I dont subscribe to the fact were not good enough. I watch these players week-in, week-out. Jamie Redknapp on England Harry Kane won the Golden Boot last year, then went to a major tournament and didnt produce. I hope Sam finds a way for us to play, and do it every game, and every player knows his job.We mess about with systems, changing them around and scared about what the press will say. But we do have the players to build a really good team and Sam can be that person. Former England defender Jamie Carragher believes Sam Allardyce was the best candidate for the job Over the last 10 to 15 years, how often have we spoken about playing players out of position? We must get the right system for the players.In the Euros, we had Wayne Rooney in midfield but hes not a midfielder, hes a forward. Either play him as a forward or not at all.But most of all, we need to get rid of the fear factor and make them enjoy playing for their country again. Also See: England appoint Allardyce Bruce leaves Hull City Dortmund thrash Joses United England fixtures Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '