Kritik und Lob » We definitely let the tea

TORONTO - There he stood, possibly days away from a return to the bus trips and not-quite-five-star-hotel lifestyle of minor league baseball, to address the media after his latest incident of unlikely heroism. Munenori Kawasaki had hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to pull his Blue Jays even with the Orioles, paving the way for Rajai Davis walk off single that would come two innings later. Toronto had won its ninth in a row, by a score of 7-6, and had gotten to .500 for the first time all season. Kawasakis fingerprints were all over the victory. With interpreter Yashushi Kikuchi of Kyodo News by his side, Kawasaki chose not to lean on his native tongue. He wished to describe in broken English his big hit and the subsequent crowd reaction. "Very happy and appreciate, thank you appreciate," said Kawasaki. "Yeah. Thank you, appreciate." It was Kawasakis first career home run in his 118th major league game. It came just days after an in jest debate on TSN 1050s "Macko & Cauz" show about a legitimate question: Did Kawasaki possess the ability to hit a home run in a major league park? The answer this writer gave was "no." This writer was wrong. Not only could Kawasaki drive a ball 380 feet, his knack for timing couldnt be ignored. "I would say that its no surprise but that home run was a surprise Ive got to say," said starter R.A. Dickey, who was taken off the hook by Kawasakis dinger. "The legend grows, you know. The Kawasaki legend grows and rightfully so." Who knows how Blue Jays fans will remember the summer of 2013. That chapter of this once depressing, suddenly thrilling yet perfectly even ride (see the record of 36-36) hasnt been written. What was made clear by the "Kawasaki" chants from 35,472 fans at Rogers Centre, the chants which darn near shook the building, is that the spring of 2013 belonged to Kawasaki. Edwin Encarnacions all-star caliber first half of 20 home runs and 59 RBI hasnt captured the imagination quite like Kawasaki, nor has Casey Janssens leadership of a dominant bullpen or Adam Linds offensive brilliance. Why is it that Munenori Kawasaki captivates? First, Kawasaki represents an idealism which often isnt reality. He exudes true joy. He is playful in a sport thats big business. His teammates are drawn to him. An example youve seen repeatedly: Kawasaki makes a put out and then turns to face Melky Cabrera in left field. The two bow to each other. Its how two men, one of whom speaks Japanese, the other of whom speaks Spanish and neither of whom speaks English well, communicate. Kawasaki draws out a side of Cabrera, a likable type but naturally shy, fans wouldnt otherwise see. Second, during his time in Toronto Kawasaki has maximized his talent. Hell never have the power of Jose Bautista; his throwing arm wont be mistaken for Jose Reyes. Think back to the April days immediately after Reyes got hurt. Alex Anthopoulos, a general manager notorious for keeping his cards close to his vest, was openly musing about the need to make a trade for a defensive shortstop. Little did he know Kawasaki would more than ably fill the role; a trade never was made. Even the statistics come up Kawasaki. Coming in to Friday night, having appeared in 56 games, he had a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) rating of 1.1. Hes the replacement whos played above replacement level. With Reyes due to return to the Blue Jays lineup no later than Monday in Tampa Bay, Kawasakis fate hangs in the balance. The natural move would be to activate Reyes and option Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo. He can be recalled, after all. But manager John Gibbons wont commit one way or the other. Maybe the underdog has given the brass something to chew on. "Hes added a lot, off the field," said Gibbons. "The teammates love him, the fans love him. You cant help it. You know, hes contributed big time on the field with some key hits here and there, good fundamental baseball." One things for sure, if Kawasaki goes, the Orioles wont mind. He seems to have their number. Javy Guerra Nationals Jersey . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. Victor Robles Jersey .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. https://www.cheapnationals.com/237r-fernando-rodney-jersey-nationals.html . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Roenis Elias Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Aaron Barrett Jersey . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. TORONTO -- For the first time since Team North America came together, coach Todd McLellan had to re-instill some belief.With players slumping at their lockers after allowing Russia to score four goals in under seven minutes, McLellan told them they were better than they thought they were at that moment. Young North America was the better team Monday night, but a lopsided stretch was enough to give Russia a much-needed 4-3 victory in a fast-paced, end-to-end showcase of the sport at the World Cup of Hockey.Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko scored on consecutive shots during a 6:14 stretch, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 42 saves on 45 shots to hand the 23-and-under mix of American and Canadian players its first loss of the tournament.We just lost our way for 10 minutes, McLellan said. I thought we were hesitant. ... They were quicker, they were stronger. They stripped us a number of times. We looked slow, and thats not the way we play. Slow reading, slow reacting and slow to the scoreboard.Toronto Maple Leafs 2016 No. 1 pick Auston Matthews scored on a 2-on-1 rush off a pass from Edmonton Oilers 2015 No. 1 pick Connor McDavid, and Morgan Rielly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had goals for North America (1-1), which outshot Russia 45-23.Russias goals in quick succession were team goals, McLellan said, but they also led to the end of goaltender Matt Murrays night. Murray, who stopped the first 15 shots he faced before Russia broke through, jammed his thumb in the second period, but McLellan said he was healthy enough to play.Murray was on the wrong end of a young teams young mistakes. The efficiency of speed and skill that worked in a win over Finland on Sunday stopped for a short period of time against high-powered Russia, and it proved disastrous.We got away from our game, trying to be too cute and getting pucks instead of going to the net going east to west too much, Matthews said. Theyre a team that likes to turn the puck over and get going the other way. Thats something weve got to clean up.On their heels early, the Russians responded well after opening the World Cup with a loss to Sweden. Their penalty kill went 6 for 7, led by Bobrovsky, whoo also stopped McDavid on a second-period breakaway.ddddddddddddObviously we knew we cant lose the game, captain Alex Ovechkin said. If we lose the game were obviously out of the tournament. Back to back, I think we played a solid second and our penalty-kill guys, (Ivan) Telegin, blocked the shots, Bobrovsky. You can see everybody sacrificing, and we get the result.It wasnt the result North America wanted, but a furious third-period comeback showed that it didnt lose confidence. McDavid blamed himself and his teammates for failing to capitalize on an extended 5-on-3 power play.We definitely let the team down there, McDavid said.North America still had another opportunity 6 on 4 in the final minute. Shayne Gostisbehere hit the post behind Bobrovsky with 14 seconds left, and Russia held on.Thats not the way to play the Russians, but I thought we did a good job of responding and really making a game of it, McDavid said. I think thats a good sign, but in a short tournament like this, we needed the points.North America was without top defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who McLellan called day to day with an upper-body injury. Jacob Trouba replaced him, but Ekblads absence created a void of extra minutes that defensemen had to fill.Many made costly mistakes, and Russia was more than willing and able to take advantage of turnovers and defensive mix-ups.I think some hockey god got on our side, and we just got good luck, said Kuznetsov, who made a FIFA inspired wing-flapping celebration after his goal.For all of Russias energy during its stretch, losing like that taught North America a lesson about regaining composure and the value of playing a complete 60 minutes.Unfortunately, when it goes into the record books, all 60 count, McLellan said.North America wraps up round-robin play Wednesday against Sweden, while Russia faces Finland on Thursday.Game notes John Gibson only faced four shots in relief of Murray and stopped them all. ... Namestnikov scored in his World Cup debut, replacing Vadim Shipachev.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . ' ' '