Sports Quote of the Day:
"Many people flounder about in life because they do not have a purpose, an objective toward which to work." ~ George Halas, Owner of the Chicago Bears and Founding Member of the NFL
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Four Things to Watch From Chicago Bears Entering Week 3 of the Preseason.
By Billy Grayson
COMMENTARY | Thus far, it's safe to say the Chicago Bears have played well in the preseason in their first two contests, against the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers.
The offense rebounded in the game No. 2 against the Chargers after a sluggish debut, thanks in large part to the return of All-pro WR Brandon Marshall. The defense has been stellar, forcing turnovers and providing solid tackling.
While throwing to Marshall, who was targeted 192 times last season (third-most in the NFL), as much as Cutler did isn't necessarily a bad idea, the Bears didn't agree to pay Bennett $20 million to only block. Spreading the ball around to other receivers such as Bennett and fellow WRs Alshon Jeffery and Earl Bennett would open up more single-coverage opportunities for Marshall as well as improve the running game.
By Matt Vederame
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Teams have to start making cuts after this week's preseason games.
Somebody had to do it. Somebody had to dig and find out exactly what the rules are for trimming roster almost in half from the 90 each team is allowed in camp to 53 players by the time Week 1 roles around.
Well, it turns out I'm going to take on the challenge. Coming into training camp, each team is allowed to stock its roster with 90 players. Anybody on the physically unable to perform list or injured reserve doesn't count toward that number. However, once they return, someone must be cut to make room.
On Aug. 27 by 4 p.m. ET, teams must trim rosters to 75 players. Usually these cuts are without much intrigue, as it's mostly guys who were signed as camp fodder to begin with. These releases happen two days before the final preseason games for each team, on Aug. 29.
Two days after that, on Aug. 31 by 6 p.m. ET, teams make the truly tough decisions, and cut the roster down to the final 53 players. Many times, some big names and surprises come out of this day with new regimes cutting bait with established players who don't fit their schemes and expensive contracts not worth it anymore in certain spots.
Also on Aug. 31, teams must designate if a player is going to begin the season on the PUP list, putting them out for the first six weeks of the regular season. However, as in the preseason, these players don't count against the 53.
The next day, Sept. 1, teams can establish their eight-man practice squad.
Former players, NFL Films feud over image rights.
That said, the NHL isn’t eradicating its violent aspects, at least to Harvey’s satisfaction:
That skews the numbers, as any casual observer of the League understands. Unless, of course, you have an agenda and opt not to take that into account.
So, the politics of a PED witch hunt (not to mention any other personal baloney among individual players, as reportedly happened between Dempster and A-Rod) should come secondary to playing baseball? What an intriguing concept!
But with the preseason now half over, not everything has been perfect for the Bears under new head coach Marc Trestman. Injuries to key players on both sides of the ball as well as underachieving performances from healthy players have given Bears fans cause for concern.
Here are a few things that Bears fans should take note of with the regular season fast-approaching:
Martellus Bennett's ineffectiveness in the new offense: Bennett, signed to a 4-year, $20.4 million contract on the third day of this offseason, was brought in to provide QB Jay Cutler with the kind of two-way TE that the Bears haven't had since Greg Olsen was traded to Carolina in 2011. The hope was Bennett's athleticism would give Cutler a target over the middle of the field to help stretch the defense while being an effective blocker in both the passing and running games.
Thus far, that hasn't been the case, as Bennett has yet to be targeted in the first two preseason games. While much of this falls on the shoulders of Cutler, Bennett was also beaten badly in the Chargers game for a sack. It's highly unlikely Bennett won't show improvement this week against the Oakland Raiders, however, so look for him to become more productive and play better as his comfort ability with the offense grows.
Cutler's reluctance to look elsewhere from Brandon Marshall: Everyone knows all about the connection Cutler and Marshall half both on and off the field. Cutler was a key reason in the Bears deciding to acquire the much-maligned Marshall, who has been the Bears' most productive receiver in recent memory.
While throwing to Marshall, who was targeted 192 times last season (third-most in the NFL), as much as Cutler did isn't necessarily a bad idea, the Bears didn't agree to pay Bennett $20 million to only block. Spreading the ball around to other receivers such as Bennett and fellow WRs Alshon Jeffery and Earl Bennett would open up more single-coverage opportunities for Marshall as well as improve the running game.
The lingering concussions for Earl Bennett and Henry Melton: Concussions happen in the National Football League. Everybody knows that. But when they start to linger, as they have for both of these players, it is a cause for concern. Bennett sustained his concussion in practice on August 3 while Melton's happened in the game on August 9 against the Panthers.
The Bears need both of these players to play and provide significant contributions in order to achieve the level of success they want. Melton's play on the interior of the defensive line was as good as anyone has provided the Bears since Tommie Harris was playing the 3-technique when the Bears made Super Bowl XLI. Bennett is supposed to be the slot receiver on offense and provide Cutler with a safety net on underneath routes to go along with Marshall and Jeffery on the outside.
If either or both is forced to miss any substantial amount of time, it will surely cost the Bears down the road on both sides of the ball.
The battle for the nickelback position: When DB D.J. Moore left the Bears in the offseason to sign with the Panthers, the Bears knew they had a major void to fill in replacing their departed nickelback. The hope was that the team could fill that position from within in the form of the veteran Kelvin Hayden, who provided solid play last season in a mainly reserve role.
Hayden, however, tore his hamstring earlier this preseason, an injury that will force him to miss the entire season. As the nickleback remains crucial in Mel Tucker's defense, the Bears hope that they have found two players who appear more than ready to step in and fill his shoes in Zack Bowman and Isaiah Frey.
Both have performed well early in camp and in the preseason, but the edge has to go to Frey as he has been getting many of the reps with the first-team in game action. Bowman appears to have more value on special teams as a gunner, although he has made quite a few plays on the ball in the first two preseason games. Nonetheless, no announcement has been made as to whose job it will be, so the competition remains wide open.
Both have performed well early in camp and in the preseason, but the edge has to go to Frey as he has been getting many of the reps with the first-team in game action. Bowman appears to have more value on special teams as a gunner, although he has made quite a few plays on the ball in the first two preseason games. Nonetheless, no announcement has been made as to whose job it will be, so the competition remains wide open.
NFL roster cut deadlines and rules.
By Matt Vederame
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY SportsTeams have to start making cuts after this week's preseason games.
Somebody had to do it. Somebody had to dig and find out exactly what the rules are for trimming roster almost in half from the 90 each team is allowed in camp to 53 players by the time Week 1 roles around.
Well, it turns out I'm going to take on the challenge. Coming into training camp, each team is allowed to stock its roster with 90 players. Anybody on the physically unable to perform list or injured reserve doesn't count toward that number. However, once they return, someone must be cut to make room.
On Aug. 27 by 4 p.m. ET, teams must trim rosters to 75 players. Usually these cuts are without much intrigue, as it's mostly guys who were signed as camp fodder to begin with. These releases happen two days before the final preseason games for each team, on Aug. 29.
Two days after that, on Aug. 31 by 6 p.m. ET, teams make the truly tough decisions, and cut the roster down to the final 53 players. Many times, some big names and surprises come out of this day with new regimes cutting bait with established players who don't fit their schemes and expensive contracts not worth it anymore in certain spots.
Also on Aug. 31, teams must designate if a player is going to begin the season on the PUP list, putting them out for the first six weeks of the regular season. However, as in the preseason, these players don't count against the 53.
The next day, Sept. 1, teams can establish their eight-man practice squad.
Former players, NFL Films feud over image rights.
By
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Canadian doctor: Zdeno Chara deserved 80 games for Pacioretty hit, condemns NHL violence. What's your take?
By Greg Wyshynski
Every so often, the National Hockey League is condemned by one group or another for its inherent violence and negligence on preventing head injuries.
The NHL is a handy object of derision for those looking to forward their agendas, usually the target of opportunistic medical practitioners who undercut their salient points with ill-conceived hyperbole.
Opportunistic medical practitioners like Dr. Pierre Harvey, a physician from Riviere-du-Loup, Que.
At a Canadian Medical Association meeting in Calgary on Wednesday, via the Canadian Press, Harvey made a motion that was supported by two-thirds of the delegation which condemned “the complacency of the NHL in regards to violence in hockey."
What motivated this motion? Well, like so many Quebecers who called the police about something they saw in a televised sporting event, Harvey was disturbed by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens in 2011.
The league ruled the hit a "hockey play" and said if found no evidence that Chara delivered the check in any manner that could be deemed dangerous.
"When I saw that picture I thought, well, he could have been dead. He was unconscious on the ice and I thought well naturally they will punish this guy," Harvey said, adding that Chara should have been suspended for 50 to 80 games.
EIGHTY. GAMES. We continue:
"The owners have a financial interest in tolerating and promoting violence and we need to be a counterweight," he said.
I’ve always found this to be such a strange argument.
I’ve watched the NHL for over 25 years. I’ve actually been waiting for them to begin promoting violence in a way that would connect with casual American fans who only speak three languages in sports: Scoring, gambling and violence. And since the NHL will never have the first and Americans don’t wager on the second, the third option was always the best.
Yet for decades, the NHL ran away from violence while the NFL, pro wrestling and MMA captured huge market shares by embracing it.
The NHL has a winking acceptance of fighting, for example, as “part of the game.”
Does it promote it? It doesn’t ignore it. But it’s still a League that markets offensive flourish, maudlin nostalgia and championship glory more than it does the Rock’em Sock’em stuff.
That said, the NHL isn’t eradicating its violent aspects, at least to Harvey’s satisfaction:
"I wanted my motion to be specific to the NHL because that's where it happens," said Harvey.
"If the NHL stops doing that or makes a significant move to reduce those concussion rates, I'm sure the whole hockey industry and minor league hockey will follow. We deplore it because it has a significant impact on our players health and those players are major role models for teenagers and kids," he said.
"They learn that's the way we play hockey and I think it's not acceptable to hit the head of someone."
The NHL, of course, has taken significant steps to reduce hits to the head and has overhauled its Department of Player Safety to be as much about education as it is punishment. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s going to have ripples for subsequent generations of players.
That’s my problem with the doctors’ condemnation: It’s hasty.
Take that study from Dr. Michael Cusimano of St. Michael's Hospital released earlier this year:
The data showed that there was no statistical significance in the incidence of concussions in the NHL in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons compared to the 2009-10 season. That latter was the year before the NHL rule change went into effect. The researchers estimated there were about 5.23 concussions per 100 games in the NHL regular season.
This has become chapter and verse for people like Dr. Harvey, despite the inherent flaws in the research. The concussion numbers are tabulated from media accounts of injuries; does anyone believe fewer concussions are reported today than in 2009? Of course not – players and teams are much more candid about head injuries now, either at the time of the injury or after the fact.
It’s not a sprint. The NHL is trying to literally overwrite years of training and playing for some of its athletes, as they reconsider how the game “should” be played. I think it’s making a difference, even if it’s not at the pace its critics desire.
The violence in the game is going to look much different a decade from now than it does today. Less fighting. Much less contact with the head. Perhaps other changes, from equipment to ice surface size, will influence it as well.
The opportunistic medical practitioners will still find fault in a violent sport; but I defy them to claim that the NHL would have been complacent in attempting to reduce that violence.
After reading this article, we'd love to know, what's your take?
Blackhawks agree to terms with Teravainen.
The Sports Xchange
The Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they agreed to terms with forward Teuvo Teravainen on a three-year contract.
The Blackhawks selected Teravainen No. 18 overall in the 2012 draft.
Teravainen, 18, was fifth on SM-liiga's Jokerit with a career-high 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists) in 44 regular-season games last season. The native of Helsinki, Finland, was named league Rookie of the Year two seasons ago after scoring 11 goals and getting seven assists in 40 regular-season games.
Tervainen was fourth at the U20 World Championship earlier this year with 11 points (five goals and six assists) in six games and tied for sixth with a plus-6 rating.
Blackhawks agree to terms with Teravainen.
The Sports Xchange
The Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they agreed to terms with forward Teuvo Teravainen on a three-year contract.
The Blackhawks selected Teravainen No. 18 overall in the 2012 draft.
Teravainen, 18, was fifth on SM-liiga's Jokerit with a career-high 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists) in 44 regular-season games last season. The native of Helsinki, Finland, was named league Rookie of the Year two seasons ago after scoring 11 goals and getting seven assists in 40 regular-season games.
Tervainen was fourth at the U20 World Championship earlier this year with 11 points (five goals and six assists) in six games and tied for sixth with a plus-6 rating.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... Thibodeau, Forman on Rose, rookies and the schedule.
By Mark Strotman
Tight salary-cap restrictions meant another relatively quiet offseason for the Chicago Bulls, but the team is getting its young players ready for the season ahead while the veterans slowly work their way back to Chicago to begin training camp.
Both head coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Gar Forman spoke with Chuck Swirsky on Bulls TV earlier this week about how the offseason has been going, what the team's health is like and why this season should be another successful one for the six-time NBA champions.
Thibodeau said the rookies and second-year players are currently working to get their routine established after competing in the Summer League.
Since the end of Summer League they've been playing every day, continuing on both on the floor and in our weight room," Thibodeau said of his young players. "So they've done a good job and, of course, a number of our players have been in and out throughout the course of the summer."
Thibodeau noted Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler as two players who have been frequent visitors of the Berto Center in Deerfield, while Forman said Derrick Rose, whose Adidas tour has taken him overseas for a part of the summer, is feeling great and will be ready for training camp.
"He continues to make great progress," Forman said of Rose. "And he's had a good summer of work, he's been in L.A., he's training on a regular basis, he feels good, he's looked good, he's got a couple trips with Adidas where he's traveled overseas, so everything's real positive on the Derrick front."
Thibodeau noted he's excited for the team's trip to Rio this preseason, where the Bulls will play the Washington Wizards on Oct. 12. Though the physical travel may take its toll on his players, Thibodeau said the learning experience and team bonding that occurs on such a trip will be worth it for his team later in the season.
It'll be a little hectic but I think it'll be good for our team, and we're looking forward to going over there," he said. "Being on the road early makes it a little different for us because we won't have time in between to really settle down to go over there, and we're only gonna be there four days. But I think it'll be a very positive experience. I like it for team-building reasons, especially early in the season. And then once we get back Rio, we're gonna be home for a while so hopefully we can get our legs under us and continue to build and develop and be ready for the season."
Of the players Forman spoke about, nowhere was he more enthusiastic than talking about the Bulls' first-round pick Tony Snell. The 21-year-old forward put together a solid Summer League campaign -- including a six 3-pointer performance -- and is starting to put the pieces together and show improvement, according to Forman.
What we thought was his make-up and character would fit the culture of what we're doing here and that's proven to be 100 percent correct," he said. "He's lived in [the Berto Center], he comes in every morning, watches film, gets a good hour and a half in on the floor and then he gets his time in the weight room. Hasn't missed a day, we're already seeing progress and growth. I think he's really going to fit in with our locker room and I think he's going to fit in on the floor.
"I thought he had a really nice Summer League for us and you could see his confidence grow each and every game. He's not a mistake player, he defends, he can get through screens, he's got length, he's got athleticism, he can make an open shot and he can handle and pass it some. So really encouraged with what we're seeing from Tony, and encouraged working with him on a daily basis and interacting with him, how well he's fit."
Both head coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Gar Forman spoke with Chuck Swirsky on Bulls TV earlier this week about how the offseason has been going, what the team's health is like and why this season should be another successful one for the six-time NBA champions.
Thibodeau said the rookies and second-year players are currently working to get their routine established after competing in the Summer League.
Since the end of Summer League they've been playing every day, continuing on both on the floor and in our weight room," Thibodeau said of his young players. "So they've done a good job and, of course, a number of our players have been in and out throughout the course of the summer."
Thibodeau noted Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler as two players who have been frequent visitors of the Berto Center in Deerfield, while Forman said Derrick Rose, whose Adidas tour has taken him overseas for a part of the summer, is feeling great and will be ready for training camp.
"He continues to make great progress," Forman said of Rose. "And he's had a good summer of work, he's been in L.A., he's training on a regular basis, he feels good, he's looked good, he's got a couple trips with Adidas where he's traveled overseas, so everything's real positive on the Derrick front."
Thibodeau noted he's excited for the team's trip to Rio this preseason, where the Bulls will play the Washington Wizards on Oct. 12. Though the physical travel may take its toll on his players, Thibodeau said the learning experience and team bonding that occurs on such a trip will be worth it for his team later in the season.
It'll be a little hectic but I think it'll be good for our team, and we're looking forward to going over there," he said. "Being on the road early makes it a little different for us because we won't have time in between to really settle down to go over there, and we're only gonna be there four days. But I think it'll be a very positive experience. I like it for team-building reasons, especially early in the season. And then once we get back Rio, we're gonna be home for a while so hopefully we can get our legs under us and continue to build and develop and be ready for the season."
Of the players Forman spoke about, nowhere was he more enthusiastic than talking about the Bulls' first-round pick Tony Snell. The 21-year-old forward put together a solid Summer League campaign -- including a six 3-pointer performance -- and is starting to put the pieces together and show improvement, according to Forman.
What we thought was his make-up and character would fit the culture of what we're doing here and that's proven to be 100 percent correct," he said. "He's lived in [the Berto Center], he comes in every morning, watches film, gets a good hour and a half in on the floor and then he gets his time in the weight room. Hasn't missed a day, we're already seeing progress and growth. I think he's really going to fit in with our locker room and I think he's going to fit in on the floor.
"I thought he had a really nice Summer League for us and you could see his confidence grow each and every game. He's not a mistake player, he defends, he can get through screens, he's got length, he's got athleticism, he can make an open shot and he can handle and pass it some. So really encouraged with what we're seeing from Tony, and encouraged working with him on a daily basis and interacting with him, how well he's fit."
Are you ready for some football? No seriously, are you ready for some football?
If you are, please read the link below!!!
Link: http://allsportsamerica.blogspot.com/2013/07/are-you-ready-for-some-football-no.html
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
Ichiro gets 4,000th hit between MLB and Japan.
By
He is batting .275 with New York this year, and he's really enjoying his time with the team. His treatment Wednesday reinforced that.
David Ortiz defends A-Rod and says Ryan Dempster plunking him ‘wasn’t the right thing to do’. What's your take?
New York Yankees' Ichiro Suzuki, of Japan, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a single for his 4,000th career hit in Japan and the major leagues, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Ichiro Suzuki slashed a single the opposite way with his unique swing for the 4,000th hit of a career split between Japan and the major leagues.
The 39-year-old Suzuki hit a liner off Toronto's R.A. Dickey that bounced just beyond diving third baseman Brett Lawrie in the first inning Wednesday night for the milestone hit.
''It's unbelievable, 4,000 hits,'' Alfonso Soriano said after hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer that led New York to a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays. ''To get 4,000 hits, you have to be a great hitter.''
How great?
Pete Rose with 4,256 hits and Ty Cobb with 4,191 are the only two players that have reached the number solely in the major leagues.
Suzuki broke a tie with Lou Gehrig when he got his 2,722nd major league hit in his 13th season. The speedy outfielder amassed 1,278 hits in nine seasons with Orix of Japan's Pacific League.
Suzuki's teammates streamed out of the dugout and surrounded him at first base, Curtis Granderson giving him the first hug. A grinning Suzuki then faced the cheering fans and bowed, doffing his helmet. He bowed several more times, facing the Toronto dugout with the last one.
''It was supposed to be a number that was special to me but what happened tonight I wasn't expecting,'' Suzuki said. ''When my teammates came out to first base it was very special, and to see the fans. I wasn't expecting so much joy and happiness from them and that's what made it very special tonight.''
When he went to his position in right field for the second inning, Suzuki tipped his cap to the fans who greeted him with a standing ovation.
''You never want to be the guy that gives up the milestone,'' Dickey said. ''That being said, what an incredible achievement. The manner that he's done it is equally impressive. Just the longevity, the endurance, the durability. Having played with him in Seattle, it was a real treat to play with him and it couldn't have happened to a more professional hitter.''
Ken Griffey Jr., a former teammate with the Seattle Mariners, congratulated Suzuki with a message shown on the video board at Yankee Stadium.
The Mariners tweeted a statement: ''Ichiro's historic milestone is testament to his position as one of the greatest hitters in the game of baseball.''
Suzuki's postgame news conference with the Japanese media lasted a whopping 47 minutes.
According to STATS, Suzuki has the most hits through the first 13 seasons of a big league career. Paul Waner is second. He had 2,648 for Pittsburgh from 1926-38.
Even though the approach to the unprecedented milestone didn't generate a lot of buzz in the United States because it doesn't count in the record books, players have great respect for Suzuki's accomplishment.
''That's a lot of hits, man,'' Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said last week. ''It's pretty impressive. I don't care if it's 4,000 in Little League. It shows how consistent he's been throughout his career. It makes you look at how many hits he's got in a short amount of time. That's difficult to do, so Ichi has been as consistent as anyone.''
To Suzuki, though, the rarefied number means one thing.
''Not necessarily the 4,000, just the fact that you're getting a hit in the game,'' he said through an interpreter after getting three hits in the opener of a doubleheader Tuesday to leave him at 3,999. ''If you don't produce you're not going to play in games. Me producing in games is what's good for me.''He has been producing since he was an 18-year-old rookie with the Blue Wave.
A career .353 hitter in Japan, Suzuki became the first Japanese-born non-pitcher to sign with a major league team. He smoothly made the move from Orix to the Mariners in 2001 when he was 27. He was selected AL Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season when he batted .350, had 242 hits and stole 56 bases.
The slender 10-time All-Star seemingly could place the ball wherever he wanted with a slashing swing that makes him look more like an epee-wielding fencer than a professional baseball player.
Suzuki had at least 206 hits in each of his first 10 years in the majors, peaking in 2004 when he set the record for hits in a season with 262, topping George Sisler's mark of 257 established in 1920.
His hit Wednesday night was the 2,209th single of his career.
''It's an amazing feat,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ''It's a testament to how hard he's worked, how long he's been in the game, how he stays healthy, how he goes about his business.''
Uniquely fashionable, Suzuki often wears skinny jeans cuffed at the bottom to show off a rainbow of shoes and socks. Sporting clothes by his favorite designer, Thom Browne, he looks more like a 20-something than a graying star.
Despite his age, Suzuki should have a good shot at the revered major league mark of 3,000 hits, one that doesn't come with debates over the merits of the achievement. He is signed for one more year with New York at $6.5 million, and the 10-time Gold Glove winner is still is an outstanding outfielder.
But he's not thinking about that mark.
''I don't make goals that are so far away,'' Suzuki said. ''What I do is what I can every day and really build off that and see where that takes me.''
After a down season in 2011 in which he hit a career-low .272 for a Seattle team that lost 95 games, Suzuki was traded to New York in July 2012. Accused of isolating himself in the young Mariners clubhouse, Suzuki easily fit into the star-studded Yankees room and hit .322 the rest of the season.
Ichiro Suzuki slashed a single the opposite way with his unique swing for the 4,000th hit of a career split between Japan and the major leagues.
The 39-year-old Suzuki hit a liner off Toronto's R.A. Dickey that bounced just beyond diving third baseman Brett Lawrie in the first inning Wednesday night for the milestone hit.
''It's unbelievable, 4,000 hits,'' Alfonso Soriano said after hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer that led New York to a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays. ''To get 4,000 hits, you have to be a great hitter.''
How great?
Pete Rose with 4,256 hits and Ty Cobb with 4,191 are the only two players that have reached the number solely in the major leagues.
Suzuki broke a tie with Lou Gehrig when he got his 2,722nd major league hit in his 13th season. The speedy outfielder amassed 1,278 hits in nine seasons with Orix of Japan's Pacific League.
Suzuki's teammates streamed out of the dugout and surrounded him at first base, Curtis Granderson giving him the first hug. A grinning Suzuki then faced the cheering fans and bowed, doffing his helmet. He bowed several more times, facing the Toronto dugout with the last one.
''It was supposed to be a number that was special to me but what happened tonight I wasn't expecting,'' Suzuki said. ''When my teammates came out to first base it was very special, and to see the fans. I wasn't expecting so much joy and happiness from them and that's what made it very special tonight.''
When he went to his position in right field for the second inning, Suzuki tipped his cap to the fans who greeted him with a standing ovation.
''You never want to be the guy that gives up the milestone,'' Dickey said. ''That being said, what an incredible achievement. The manner that he's done it is equally impressive. Just the longevity, the endurance, the durability. Having played with him in Seattle, it was a real treat to play with him and it couldn't have happened to a more professional hitter.''
Ken Griffey Jr., a former teammate with the Seattle Mariners, congratulated Suzuki with a message shown on the video board at Yankee Stadium.
The Mariners tweeted a statement: ''Ichiro's historic milestone is testament to his position as one of the greatest hitters in the game of baseball.''
Suzuki's postgame news conference with the Japanese media lasted a whopping 47 minutes.
According to STATS, Suzuki has the most hits through the first 13 seasons of a big league career. Paul Waner is second. He had 2,648 for Pittsburgh from 1926-38.
Even though the approach to the unprecedented milestone didn't generate a lot of buzz in the United States because it doesn't count in the record books, players have great respect for Suzuki's accomplishment.
''That's a lot of hits, man,'' Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said last week. ''It's pretty impressive. I don't care if it's 4,000 in Little League. It shows how consistent he's been throughout his career. It makes you look at how many hits he's got in a short amount of time. That's difficult to do, so Ichi has been as consistent as anyone.''
To Suzuki, though, the rarefied number means one thing.
''Not necessarily the 4,000, just the fact that you're getting a hit in the game,'' he said through an interpreter after getting three hits in the opener of a doubleheader Tuesday to leave him at 3,999. ''If you don't produce you're not going to play in games. Me producing in games is what's good for me.''He has been producing since he was an 18-year-old rookie with the Blue Wave.
A career .353 hitter in Japan, Suzuki became the first Japanese-born non-pitcher to sign with a major league team. He smoothly made the move from Orix to the Mariners in 2001 when he was 27. He was selected AL Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season when he batted .350, had 242 hits and stole 56 bases.
The slender 10-time All-Star seemingly could place the ball wherever he wanted with a slashing swing that makes him look more like an epee-wielding fencer than a professional baseball player.
Suzuki had at least 206 hits in each of his first 10 years in the majors, peaking in 2004 when he set the record for hits in a season with 262, topping George Sisler's mark of 257 established in 1920.
His hit Wednesday night was the 2,209th single of his career.
''It's an amazing feat,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ''It's a testament to how hard he's worked, how long he's been in the game, how he stays healthy, how he goes about his business.''
Uniquely fashionable, Suzuki often wears skinny jeans cuffed at the bottom to show off a rainbow of shoes and socks. Sporting clothes by his favorite designer, Thom Browne, he looks more like a 20-something than a graying star.
Despite his age, Suzuki should have a good shot at the revered major league mark of 3,000 hits, one that doesn't come with debates over the merits of the achievement. He is signed for one more year with New York at $6.5 million, and the 10-time Gold Glove winner is still is an outstanding outfielder.
But he's not thinking about that mark.
''I don't make goals that are so far away,'' Suzuki said. ''What I do is what I can every day and really build off that and see where that takes me.''
After a down season in 2011 in which he hit a career-low .272 for a Seattle team that lost 95 games, Suzuki was traded to New York in July 2012. Accused of isolating himself in the young Mariners clubhouse, Suzuki easily fit into the star-studded Yankees room and hit .322 the rest of the season.
He is batting .275 with New York this year, and he's really enjoying his time with the team. His treatment Wednesday reinforced that.
''What I realized today is that the Yankees are so used to things like this happening that they're so good at ceremonies like this,'' Suzuki said.
David Ortiz defends A-Rod and says Ryan Dempster plunking him ‘wasn’t the right thing to do’. What's your take?
By David Brown
A pennant race interfering with the current PED hysteria in Major League Baseball has made for some strange bedfellows.
In the wake of Ryan Dempster intentionally hitting Alex Rodriguez with a pitch Sunday night in a loss to the New York Yankees, Dempster's most prominent teammate on the Boston Red Sox offered this bit of common sense — albeit after the fact — in USA Today: You don't wake up a monster when you don't have to:
"I didn't like it. I don't think it was the right thing to do,'' Ortiz told USA TODAY Sports. "But we don't all think alike, and the guy who did it, Dempster, is a great guy. It's not that I didn't think it was right because Alex and I are friends, because once you cross the white lines, everyone's on their own.
"But we've got Tampa right on our heels, and that pitch woke up a monster in the Yankees' team at that moment. You saw how the game ended up. CC (Sabathia) was throwing 91 (mph) and started throwing 96. Alex later hit one way out there. You're talking about a good team that you can't wake up. But we learn from our mistakes.''
Not only that, but Big Papi probably would take issue with another Red Sox teammate, John Lackey, spouting off about how A-Rod shouldn't be allowed to play as he appeals his 211-game suspension for Biogenesis. Keeping quiet and just playing ball should always be preferable.
So, the politics of a PED witch hunt (not to mention any other personal baloney among individual players, as reportedly happened between Dempster and A-Rod) should come secondary to playing baseball? What an intriguing concept!
A-Rod appears to be going along with it, reportedly telling lawyers defending him from MLB (and even the Yankees front office) to chill until the season is over. His case won't be heard until the offseason anyway.
It's too late now, anyway. The Yankees have united behind A-Rod, not against him (whooda thunkit?) and are in position to play their best ball of the season down the stretch, with the playoffs still within their grasp. And otherwise terrific season by the Red Sox, where off-the-field bull roar hadn't mattered like it did other years, suddenly does matter. It's almost like they fell into a trap set by A-Rod himself. He's not that diabolical, is?
CS&T/AA's Take: Dempster was wrong to appoint himself judge, jury and executioner. There is a procedure for the commissioner to follow to punish, fine or suspend a player. If each player took the position that he would issue punishment to another player for something he doesn't like or agree with that the player has done, Baseball would be out of control. Dempster earned his suspension and he has accepted it. He would not like it if players decided to go after him for throwing at A Rod. Let the league office do their job and players, just do your and play ball. That's how we feel, now, what's your take?
CS&T/AA's Take: Dempster was wrong to appoint himself judge, jury and executioner. There is a procedure for the commissioner to follow to punish, fine or suspend a player. If each player took the position that he would issue punishment to another player for something he doesn't like or agree with that the player has done, Baseball would be out of control. Dempster earned his suspension and he has accepted it. He would not like it if players decided to go after him for throwing at A Rod. Let the league office do their job and players, just do your and play ball. That's how we feel, now, what's your take?
Stadler finishes long day in the lead at Barclays.
By
Kevin Stadler teed off just after breakfast and finished right before dinner. It took him nearly 11 hours to complete a 7-under 64 at Liberty National, his lowest score on the PGA Tour since the first week of February. And he still isn't guaranteed to be the first-round leader at The Barclays.
The FedEx Cup playoffs got off to a soggy start Thursday with two rain delays that lasted six hours.
It was a start-again, stop-again day on the bank of the Hudson River, but that didn't stop Stadler. He ran off three birdies early, then returned from the second delay and threw in four more birdies on a soft golf course.
Asked if it was difficult to stay mentally prepared, Stadler replied, ''I'm never really mentally prepared. Same as usual. It was all good.''
Tiger Woods, the No. 1 player in the world and in this playoff series, came out of the first delay by missing a short birdie putt on the par-5 13th and then rolling in three straight birdies to get into the mix. He cooled slightly after the slightly longer second delay, and failed to make birdie on any of the par 5s in his round of 67.
Woods didn't mind the long day. He was more concerned about the next long day on the horizon.
Only the top half of the draw finished the round. The later starters - Ben Crane played only two holes - were to resume the round Friday morning and then go straight to the second round. That left the top half facing extra holes on Saturday to get the tournament caught up.
''We're done,'' Woods said. ''It was a long day, and tomorrow will be a short one. And then Saturday will be pretty much a marathon.''
British Open champion Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Adam Scott were among those who didn't finish. PGA champion Jason Dufner had a 71, while U.S. Open champion Justin Rose recovered from a double bogey on the par-5 13th for a 68.
Camilo Villegas, who started the season with conditional status and is No. 110 in the FedEx Cup standings, ran off four straight birdies around the turn and was the only player to reach 8 under - for now - until back-to-back bogeys late in his round. He had a 65, along with Henrik Stenson and Ryan Palmer.
''Three breakfasts, three warm-ups, two lunches and a bunch of birdies, which is good,'' Villegas said.
Jason Day and Matt Kuchar shot 66. Day made two bogeys that kept a good round from getting away from him. His ball dropped over the rocks and into the water to the left of the fifth green, and he got up-and-down from there. On his closing hole, the par-4 ninth, his drive went deep into the bushes and forced him to take a penalty drop. He got onto the green and made another bogey.
The rain allowed for some low scoring at Liberty National, which hosted The Barclays in 2009 and produced a winning score of 9 under. The course also went through significant changes to soften some of the landing zones and green complexes. Plus, there is virtually no rough.
Nothing allows for low scoring quite like soft conditions, however. Nearly half of those who finished their rounds shot in the 60s.
That group might have included Rory McIlroy, except for a few loose swings. He had three double bogeys and still managed a 71. McIlroy blasted out of a bunker and over the 15th green. His approach found the water on No. 5. And his tee shot on the ninth took a wicked kick off the cart path, over the bushes and a fence and out-of-bounds.
''The rest of it was actually pretty good,'' he said.
Stadler needed a good start. He hasn't had a top 10 since New Orleans in late April, and he started these playoffs at No. 87. Only the top 100 advance to the second tournament next week outside Boston, and the top 70 from there go on to the third event in Chicago.
''I've had a pretty lousy summer, but really started hitting the ball a lot better a couple of weeks ago and was looking forward to playing some golf again here recently,'' he said. ''Finally got something out of it today.''
''I came in from Europe on Monday night, so I'm a bit jet-lagged and I only saw the course once,'' Stenson said. ''I'm very pleased with the way I played out there and took advantage of some good shots. And it was a little bit of a shaky finish.''
''Got some good practice of night golf, because that's what we are going to have tomorrow night when we start our second round, I guess,'' he said.
Earnhardt feeling heat after 2 subpar weekends.
Two weeks ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sailing along looking like a lock to make it into NASCAR's Chase for the championship, standing fifth in points in one of the most consistent seasons of his career.
Earnhardt has fallen to seventh in the standings, just 20 points ahead of teammate Kasey Kahne, who is 11th with three races remaining before the field is set in the regular season finale at Richmond.
''My wrist held up pretty good during the test, although the brace was a bit of a nuisance,'' Briscoe said. ''But we made good progress during the test and worked through our program really well. I was pleased with our pace and definitely looking forward to coming back next week to find more speed.''
The move has long been expected as Austin has been preparing to move full-time to Sprint Cup. No sponsor has been announced for Austin in Cup, and nothing official has been announced by Childress.
But RCR has said Yuengling beer will sponsor Ty Dillon for eight races in the Nationwide Series.
''We have a long way to go yet.'' Hornish said. ''It's tough running out there, but a lot of fun.''
---
''We're certainly on a good streak; there's no getting around that,'' Bullins said. ''We keep trying to make improvements to our cars, and building new cars and try to keep things moving forward.''
''Penske cars have just been good on the road courses,'' said Michael McDowell, who finished second to Allmendinger at Mid-Ohio. ''It's not one thing in particular. I've been trying to figure it out, too.''
By Goal.com
Stadler has not played in any of the World Golf Championship and only one of the majors - the PGA Championship, where he missed the cut - so this event feels like a big one. It also happens to have arguably the strongest and deepest field on the PGA Tour, particularly since everyone earned a spot based on this year's play.
''All those guys are here this week, so in that regard, it's pretty cool,'' he said. ''But it's just another week.''
Stenson last year started the FedEx Cup playoffs at No. 117 and was gone after one week. He is one of the hottest players in golf, having been runner-up at the British Open, the Bridgestone Invitational and he was third at the PGA Championship. He is No. 9 in the standings this year, and his 65 on a long Thursday showed why.
He missed a short par putt on the par-5 eighth hole and had to make a 6-footer for par on the last.
''Got some good practice of night golf, because that's what we are going to have tomorrow night when we start our second round, I guess,'' he said.
Earnhardt feeling heat after 2 subpar weekends.
By
Two weeks ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sailing along looking like a lock to make it into NASCAR's Chase for the championship, standing fifth in points in one of the most consistent seasons of his career.
Then he finished 30th at Watkins Glen, and 36th at Michigan.
Suddenly the most popular driver in the Sprint Cup Series is feeling some heat.
Suddenly the most popular driver in the Sprint Cup Series is feeling some heat.
''The confidence is there, but the stress is there, too,'' he said during a pause from testing Wednesday at Richmond International Raceway, where all four Hendrick Motorsports teams are spending two days.
Earnhardt has fallen to seventh in the standings, just 20 points ahead of teammate Kasey Kahne, who is 11th with three races remaining before the field is set in the regular season finale at Richmond.
The top 10 in points automatically qualify, along with two wild card selections that place a premium on victories. Kahne has two, leading everyone outside the top six, and Earnhardt doesn't have any.
''You definitely don't like to be in this situation,'' Earnhardt said. ''I don't think anybody wants to be on the bubble or even worried or concerned about points leading up to Richmond, so we hope to have a couple of good weeks to put ourselves in a pretty comfortable situation before we even come here.''
Earnhardt has three career victories on the 0.75-mile D-shaped oval, which drivers say combines short-track bumping and banging and a superspeedway feel, but his last victory here came in May 2006.
''It's a tough track,'' he said. ''Just looking at everybody as a whole, nobody really comes here and is just great every time. It's not a track that you see one team consistently dominate. We've had good cars here and brought back the same setup and it just didn't work. You're never really sure when you show up.''
The series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, and also stops in Atlanta before returning to Richmond with what looks to be a battle that could go down to the final laps under the lights at RIR.
Matt Kenseth, who is sixth in points, and No. 12 Martin Truex Jr. are separated by just 35 points.
Earnhardt has three career victories on the 0.75-mile D-shaped oval, which drivers say combines short-track bumping and banging and a superspeedway feel, but his last victory here came in May 2006.
''It's a tough track,'' he said. ''Just looking at everybody as a whole, nobody really comes here and is just great every time. It's not a track that you see one team consistently dominate. We've had good cars here and brought back the same setup and it just didn't work. You're never really sure when you show up.''
The series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, and also stops in Atlanta before returning to Richmond with what looks to be a battle that could go down to the final laps under the lights at RIR.
Matt Kenseth, who is sixth in points, and No. 12 Martin Truex Jr. are separated by just 35 points.
''The intensity definitely ramps up a little bit, especially with all these short tracks right here butting up against the Chase with Bristol and Richmond,'' Earnhardt said. ''It definitely puts some tension in the air and makes everybody a little bit more nervous because anything can happen.''
---
BOXERS OR BRIEFS?: Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson enjoys interacting with fans on Twitter because it can help build his fan base, but said there are pitfalls, too.
In connecting with people who like you, he said, you also make yourself available to those that don't.
''The social media world is an amazing world and a great place to connect with your fans and to show you fans part of your life that they don't generally get to see, and also a side of your personality,'' Johnson said, ''but it's also a great area for haters to get involved and do whatever they want.
''I don't think anyone's immune to it. It doesn't matter what sport you're in. Haters have a chance, and I'm sure most of them are sitting in their mom's basement in their underwear sending these tweets.''
---
''The social media world is an amazing world and a great place to connect with your fans and to show you fans part of your life that they don't generally get to see, and also a side of your personality,'' Johnson said, ''but it's also a great area for haters to get involved and do whatever they want.
''I don't think anyone's immune to it. It doesn't matter what sport you're in. Haters have a chance, and I'm sure most of them are sitting in their mom's basement in their underwear sending these tweets.''
---
BRISCOE'S BACK: Ryan Briscoe will be back at Sonoma Raceway to defend last year's victory after missing two races with a broken right wrist.
Briscoe was cleared to drive following a full day test for Panther Racing last week at Sonoma, where he wore a carbon fiber wrist brace. He broke his wrist in the first doubleheader event at Toronto last month and needed surgery to repair the break.
''My wrist held up pretty good during the test, although the brace was a bit of a nuisance,'' Briscoe said. ''But we made good progress during the test and worked through our program really well. I was pleased with our pace and definitely looking forward to coming back next week to find more speed.''
Briscoe has seven career IndyCar starts at Sonoma. He won last year driving for Penske Racing and has four podium finishes and has led 66 total laps.
''We knew Ryan was a tough guy and would bounce back from his wrist surgery quickly,'' Panther owner John Barnes said. ''He looked great at the test we had last week and you don't have to do much research to see how well he's done historically at Sonoma Raceway.''
Briscoe has been alternating with Oriol Servia at Panther since JR Hildebrand was released following the Indianapolis 500. It will be Briscoe's sixth and final race with the team as he's scheduled to fulfill his ALMS commitments the rest of this season.
---
DILLON MOVING UP: Ty Dillon will move from the Camping World Truck Series to the Nationwide Series next season, replacing older brother Austin in Richard Childress Racing's No. 3 car.
The move has long been expected as Austin has been preparing to move full-time to Sprint Cup. No sponsor has been announced for Austin in Cup, and nothing official has been announced by Childress.
But RCR has said Yuengling beer will sponsor Ty Dillon for eight races in the Nationwide Series.
Ty Dillon is fourth in the Truck standings, and on pace to follow the same path as his older brother, who ran two full seasons in the Truck Series before moving up to the Nationwide Series.
---
LEADER OF THE PACK: After his third-place finish at Mid-Ohio on Saturday, Ohio native Sam Hornish Jr. leads the Nationwide Series driver standings. He holds a 13-point edge on Elliott Sadler, with Regan Smith and Austin Dillon tied for third, two more points off the pace, and 11 races remaining.
''We have a long way to go yet.'' Hornish said. ''It's tough running out there, but a lot of fun.''
---
PERFECT YEAR: Jeremy Bullins, crew chief for Roger Penske, prepared cars that won all three of the road-course races on the Nationwide Series this season. That's just a part of eight victories for him and his crew this year.
''We're certainly on a good streak; there's no getting around that,'' Bullins said. ''We keep trying to make improvements to our cars, and building new cars and try to keep things moving forward.''
AJ Allmendinger has won in his only two starts on the circuit this year - both on road courses - at Road America and on Saturday at Mid-Ohio, and Brad Keselowski won at Watkins Glen two weeks ago.
''Penske cars have just been good on the road courses,'' said Michael McDowell, who finished second to Allmendinger at Mid-Ohio. ''It's not one thing in particular. I've been trying to figure it out, too.''
Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5 Tottenham: Townsend shines in Europa League play-in rout.
By Goal.com
Andros Townsend stole the show as Tottenham thrashed Dinamo Tbilisi 5-0 at the Boris Paichadzis Erovnuli Stadion in Georgia on Thursday in the first leg of their play-in tie for the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Townsend opened the scoring with a fine solo goal before providing a pinpoint cross for Paulinho to make it 2-0 before halftime. Spurs pressed home their dominance after the break as Roberto Soldado netted a brace on each side of a fine Danny Rose effort.
Tottenham continued to press, but it had Hugo Lloris to thank for keeping the score level on 25 minutes. Davit Kvirkvelia crossed from the left, and Jaba Dvali diverted the header goalwards but the Frenchman got a strong hand to the effort to send the ball out for a corner.
The 22-year-old Townsend finished the match with a goal and two assists, as Spurs left themselves in a strong position to qualify for the group stage with a commanding display away from home.
Townsend opened the scoring with a fine solo goal before providing a pinpoint cross for Paulinho to make it 2-0 before halftime. Spurs pressed home their dominance after the break as Roberto Soldado netted a brace on each side of a fine Danny Rose effort.
Andre Villas-Boas handed a full debut to Etienne Capoue, while fellow signings Paulinho and Soldado were named in a strong starting XI.
Tbilisi featured former Valencia and Levante winger Xisco Munoz in its lineup, and the Georgian outfit looked to make home advantage count in the early stage. The hosts had the ball in the back of net in the sixth minute but were denied as Xisco had strayed offside on the left flank.
As Tottenham began to settle it started to enjoy the majority of possession and the away side took the lead with a fine counterattacking move.
A Tbilisi corner was cleared by Gylfi Sigurdsson before Townsend took ownership in midfield. He sprinted from inside his own half before striking hard into the bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards.
A Tbilisi corner was cleared by Gylfi Sigurdsson before Townsend took ownership in midfield. He sprinted from inside his own half before striking hard into the bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards.
Tottenham continued to press, but it had Hugo Lloris to thank for keeping the score level on 25 minutes. Davit Kvirkvelia crossed from the left, and Jaba Dvali diverted the header goalwards but the Frenchman got a strong hand to the effort to send the ball out for a corner.
Xisco was withdrawn for Tbilisi with what looked like a hamstring injury, and the situation worsened when Tottenham made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.
Townsend made progress down the right before cutting onto his favored left foot and hanging his cross in the air where Paulinho had timed his run well to head beyond Giorgi Loria from eight yards out.
After a slow start to the second half Townsend once again lit up the tie by grabbing another assist in the 58th minute.
The winger showed electric pace to burst down the right-hand side to leave Oleg Gvelesiani trailing in his wake. He got to the end line before laying the perfect pass to Soldado, who coolly slotted home the third. Two goals in as many minutes followed to leave the home side reeling.
Townsend made progress down the right before cutting onto his favored left foot and hanging his cross in the air where Paulinho had timed his run well to head beyond Giorgi Loria from eight yards out.
After a slow start to the second half Townsend once again lit up the tie by grabbing another assist in the 58th minute.
The winger showed electric pace to burst down the right-hand side to leave Oleg Gvelesiani trailing in his wake. He got to the end line before laying the perfect pass to Soldado, who coolly slotted home the third. Two goals in as many minutes followed to leave the home side reeling.
First Nacer Chadli laid the ball into the patch of Rose who curled a stunning left-footed strike into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.
And Chadli was involved again in the 67th minute when he crossed into the six-yard box for Soldado to tap home his second of the night.
Soldado was replaced by Harry Kane with 20 minutes remaining, and the youngster almost grabbed a sixth when he headed against the post from Chadli's centering pass.
Villas-Boas may now take the opportunity to utilize the depth of his squad when it hosts the return leg at White Hart Lane on Aug. 29.
Soldado was replaced by Harry Kane with 20 minutes remaining, and the youngster almost grabbed a sixth when he headed against the post from Chadli's centering pass.
Villas-Boas may now take the opportunity to utilize the depth of his squad when it hosts the return leg at White Hart Lane on Aug. 29.
*************************************************************************************
Please let us hear your opinion on the above articles and pass them on to any other diehard fans that you think might be interested. But most of all, remember, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica wants you!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment