Begrüßungen » My role has changed over the years. Im

PITTSBURGH -- Barry Bonds spent a portion of Monday morning driving around Pittsburgh, marveling at the changes hes seen in the city since baseballs career home run king bolted for San Francisco more than two decades ago. He drove by his old apartment in the western suburbs and the reconfigured North Shore, where Three Rivers Stadium has been replaced by sparkling PNC Park. The makeover hasnt been limited to the scenery. After 21 years, it appears the old wounds surrounding Bonds abrupt departure have started to heal, too. Bonds drew a mixture of boos and cheers while presenting current Pittsburgh centre fielder Andrew McCutchen with the 2013 NL MVP award. Bonds was the previous Pirates player to win the honour, earning the second of his record seven career MVP trophies in 1992. Standing next to McCutchen, Bonds waved to the packed house and seemed at ease in his first public appearance in conjunction with the team where he starred from 1986-92 before leaving for San Francisco via free agency. "It feels good to be back where it all started," Bonds said. "We had some great times here." Bonds then sat in the stands and watched as the Pirates opened against the Chicago Cubs. Bonds won the 1990 and 1992 MVP awards while playing for the Pirates from 1986-92 and led the team to three straight NL East titles. Each playoff trip, however, fell short of the World Series, most notably a Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the 1992 NL championship series that ended when Bonds throw from left field failed to stop Atlantas Sid Bream from scoring the series-clinching run. He left for San Francisco and a then-record six-year, $43-million deal two months later, where Bonds eventually broke Hank Aarons record for career home runs, finishing with 762 before leaving after the 2007 season. Bonds declined to draw any comparisons between himself and McCutchen, who easily won the MVP award last season a year after finishing third in the voting. "Hes got the formula now," Bonds said. "Once you do it once, I expect you to do it again." Bonds was joined by a familiar face as the Pirates put the finishing touches on a breakout 2013 when they won 94 games and made it to the NL division series. Former manager Jim Leyland presented current skipper Clint Hurdle with his NL Manager of the Year Award and credited Hurdle for helping turn the franchise around. After spending years watching his former club serve as a laughingstock, Leyland is confident the Pirates are back. "Theyre the real deal now," Leyland said. "They should be here for a long time." And while he steered clear of the politics surrounding Bonds place in baseball history, Leyland left no doubt about whether Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame. Bonds fell well short of the 75 per cent threshold required for induction during his second year of eligibility, with many voters saying they wouldnt put him in because of the steroids cloud. "In my opinion, Barry Bonds is a Hall of Fame player," said Leyland, who managed the Pirates from 1986-96 and is now retired. "Theres no doubt about it." Nike Vapormax Scontate Uomo . - The Green Bay Packers got back to work on Friday without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Nike Vapormax Uomo Offerte .com) - James Harden needed just seven made field goals to drop 35 points on the Philadelphia 76ers, leading the Houston Rockets to a 104-93 win on Monday. http://www.vapormaxscontateoutlet.it/ . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Vapormax Scontate . - Loosening up for their first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins high-stepped sideways up and down the field while House of Pains song "Jump Around" blared on the loudspeakers. Vapormax Bianche Ingrosso . The Rangers announced after Thursdays 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees that they would purchase Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old Williams was released by Houston earlier this month after going 1-4 with a 6.SAN ANTONIO - At 38, Tim Duncan admits a few more days rest might be better for him rather than playing in the All-Star Game.But there is no way he would pass up the chance to razz a former teammate.The San Antonio Spurs forward will make the 15th All-Star appearance of his 18-year career after being selected as a reserve for the Western Conference. The Feb. 15 game is at Madison Square Garden in New York, which was the site of Duncans inaugural All-Star appearance in 1998.Its an honour to be there, Im happy to go, Duncan said. Would I have loved a couple of days off? Maybe, but it is what it is. It will be fun. My kids will love the experience and they will enjoy it.Perhaps not as much as Duncan, though.Duncan is stoic on the floor and in dealing with the media, but he is extremely mischievous behind the scenes. He loves playing practical jokes on teammates and teasing them, comparing his wicked sense of humour to that of Will Hunting in Good Will Hunting.Get ready for that, Steve Kerr. Kerr is coaching the West after leading Golden State to the leagues best record in his first season with the Warriors. Kerr and Duncan were teammates in San Antonio for four seasons, winning NBA championships in 1999 and 2003.Thats the best part, Duncan said, smiling. Im just going to give him all kinds of (ribbing) the entire time, just make his life hell the entire game, in every huddle, in every play. Im going to work him the whole time.If dealing with Duncans shenanigans isnt enough for Kerr, there is also the ominous threat of displeasing his mentor, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.Popovich was asked if he requested Kerr limit Duncans minutes.If he plays him at all, Im never speaking to himm again, Popovich said with a chuckle.ddddddddddddThe caution is understandable. The Spurs have struggled to find the consistency they showed last June in steamrolling the Miami Heat in five games to win their fifth NBA title. They have been plagued by injuries to key players including Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard. The one player to escape injury thus far is also its oldest.Ive been blessed, Ive been healthy, Duncan said. The last couple of years Ive made it through an entire season healthy. My role has changed over the years. Im just trying to be a positive on the floor thats all I want to be and be consistent at what I have to do for the team as possible.Duncan is averaging 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds and has 22 double-doubles in 42 games. He is also averaging 30.3 minutes, third most on the team.Hes having a good year, Popovich said. Weve been a little up and down, but hes been really steady. Hes carried us to this point with his consistency, which is whats really impressive. Im really thankful to the coaches for seeing that and putting him on (the All-Star team).After Thursdays games, San Antonio was just 2 1/2 games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for third place in the West. The Spurs have won three straight and eight of 11 and have three straight home games before their annual nearly monthlong rodeo road trip.Its a good stretch, a really good stretch, Duncan said. Kind of needed right now. Weve had kind of grind this first half of the season. I know a lot of the guys are looking forward to it, but were not there yet and were not looking forward to that just yet. Weve got these games to finish out before the break and well do just that. ' ' '