Kritik und Lob » bstitute driver for one of the four cars

NEW YORK -- Matt Davidson was overwhelmed when a Hall of Fame representative stopped by and asked for some game-used equipment to display in Cooperstown. Batting helmet? Sure thing. Batting gloves? Here ya go. But not his bat, Davidson said. No, sir. He needs to hang onto that. Down in the minor leagues, supplies are limited. "The Hall of Fame wanted to take one of my bats, and I told them Im on an unbelievable pace for breaking bats. I broke about 40 this year. Its unreal," the budding Arizona Diamondbacks slugger said. "So I dont know what it is. But I was like, Ive got to have this. I mean, Ive got to make the season still. And I hit a homer with it, so I better keep it. Its lucky." Davidson hit a two-run shot Sunday that sent the United States past the World Team 4-2 in the All-Star Futures Game, baseballs annual showcase for top minor league prospects. The opening event for three days of All-Star festivities at Citi Field, the Futures Game certainly had a New York Mets flavour in their home ballpark. Two of the teams touted pitching prospects, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero, started on the mound, and each worked a scoreless inning. "It was a glimpse into the future, not just for us, but for our fans. Its real positive," general manager Sandy Alderson said. Both managers were former Mets favourites, too. Edgardo Alfonzo guided the World Team, and his counterpart was Mookie Wilson -- who certainly took the job seriously. He brought in Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesse Biddle in the middle of an inning to get out of a jam. New York outfielder Brandon Nimmo also got in the game -- and moved into captain David Wrights locker for the day. "Im honoured that I get to stand where he stands. Im not taking his place or anything," Nimmo said. "I hope this is my field in the future." The only other time the Mets hosted the All-Star game was in Shea Stadiums debut season of 1964. And while a scattered crowd announced at 39,188 was eager to see the promise of a better future, it turned into a big day for the Diamondbacks. In addition to Davidsons drive, Chris Owings looked silky smooth at shortstop. On the mound, right-hander Archie Bradley worked a perfect inning, showing off his 98 mph fastball and sharp curve. Baseball America recently rated Bradley the games top pitching prospect. He passed up a chance to play quarterback for Oklahoma back home. "It kind of felt like we stole the show a little bit," Bradley said. After winning MVP honours with his family and girlfriend in the stands, Davidson found himself in the Mets clubhouse handing over his helmet and batting gloves to Brad Horn from the Hall of Fame. It was a little surreal for a 22-year-old third baseman still eager to set foot in the majors. "Pretty crazy," Davidson said. "I mean, I dont have any words for that yet. Those are like little kid dreams." Next up, Davidson planned to catch an early flight Monday back to Nevada, where hes scheduled to compete that night in the Triple-A Home Run Derby. "So Ive got to get some rest and then fly over to Reno and then get warmed up for that. Im excited about it, though. When youre in the off-season working out, you want to have a busy All-Star break. So I guess I got my wish. A little busier than I thought," he said. Miamis Christian Yelich and Bostons Garin Cecchini each had an RBI double. Biddle, who grew up a Phillies fan in Philadelphia, earned the win with 1 1-3 shutout innings. Washington right-hander A.J. Cole came in with two runners on in the ninth and retired both batters he faced for a save. Davidson connected off losing pitcher Michael Ynoa of the Oakland Athletics. "I couldnt help but smile coming around third," Davidson said. "Thats far beyond how I drew it up." Chicago Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara homered for the World off Red Sox right-hander Anthony Ranaudo. Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts, batting third in the World lineup, singled twice and scored on a sacrifice fly by 27-year-old Detroit first baseman Jordan Lennerton, the oldest player in the game. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the United States, including last seasons 17-5 rout in Kansas City behind Manny Machado, Gerrit Cole and Wil Myers. One year later, Machado is a major league All-Star, while Cole and Myers are off to impressive starts at the big league level. Indeed, history shows that many of the talented kids in this game arent far off from major league success. Nineteen players from last years Futures Game have reached the big leagues this season. "Words cant describe how much fun it was," Syndergaard said. "It was awesome." NOTES: The youngest player on either roster was 18-year-old World SS Carlos Correa, voted into the game by fans after he was drafted No. 1 overall last year by the Houston Astros. "The baby," he said with a smile. ... Nimmo also was voted in by fans. ... Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker wore old-school stirrups on the mound and worked a hitless second inning for the United States. He and Davidson were high school teammates in California. ... Yankees RHP Rafael DePaula struck out 19-year-old Twins OF Byron Buxton, tabbed the best prospect in the minors by Baseball America. Buxton also fanned against Royals RHP Miguel Almonte. Cowboys Jerseys China . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Dallas Cowboys Shirts . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. https://www.cowboysjerseysale.com/ . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Cowboys Jerseys 2020 . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. INDIANAPOLIS --?Jeff Gordon tried to have fun in his first practice session Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his first laps in a race car since last November when he thought he had hung up his fire suit for good.But he couldnt have fun. The four-time Sprint Cup champion had to focus on his new job as a substitute for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is out battling concussion-like symptoms.Im trying to have fun, said Gordon, who was an analyst for the 18-race Fox Sports portion of the schedule. But I take it too serious to have fun right now. ... Ive enjoyed what Ive been doing, which has been a challenge of its own and one Ive enjoyed.The first run out there, I realized why. The intensity level is high [in the garage]. My heart hasnt beat like that in a while. Its an awesome experience. I want to take it in to the fullest.Gordon, ninth in the first practice session, said his goal is to not screw it up, and his team will need to work on the balance of the car. He said he felt he was doing the best he could do, but it is difficult to get back in the car after eight months.In the second practice session of the day, Gordon finished in 25th place.?When you get to drive a race car like this it certainly just helps you focus on what you need to do out there. Being out of the car that long and not really having a lot of experience with this package it was a tall task, I will be honest. It was one of the most challenging days Ive had in a race car to try to get comfortable, be consistent, have the speed and give good feedback, Gordon said.?One thing he did make sure to do: Gordon and the team asked that the speedway take down the placard over his garage that had Gordons name on it. They want it to say Dale Earnhardt Jr., which is consistent with the name across the windshield and above the door.Im honored to be driving Dales car, Gordon said. I really am. ... We made a conscious decision this is Dales car. Im here until he gets back and I hope thats soon. We want everything to be respectful of him.The desire to please his business partner and friend Rick Hendrick is what got Gordon to come out of retirement.With 93 career victories, including five in the Brickyard 400, Gordon will go for another win Sunday as he replaces?Earnhardt, who is battling balance issues and nausea likely related to concussions. Gordon, an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports will also replace Earnhardt next week at Pocono.[Hendrick] has never asked me for many things that I can contribute and help that werent valid and werent something I was proud to be able to do, Gordon said Friday before practice at IMS. This is just me helping out the organization.Well see what happens on Sunday. If were out there having fun and putting a good result together, I can tell you whats in it for me is to make that team proud and not let them down. Thats what I did as a race car driver.Gordon has scrambled to get prepared to race since arriving Tuesday night from a vacation in Francee.dddddddddddd He needed the NASCAR-mandated physical and drug test.He had to meet with the team to get his seat and steering wheel as well as do other minor tweaks to the car for his preference. He took information from past Hendrick tests at Indianapolis to put data into a Chevrolet simulator in North Carolina that could mimic how the car should feel while racing at Indianapolis.That process itself was really interesting and exciting and fun and gotten me pretty fired up to get in the car and feel what its like to be in there, Gordon said.I was at the GM simulator yesterday morning. If were racing simulators, I feel like Ive got a shot at winning this race.Because he spent the first 18 race weekends of this season working as an analyst, he was unable to fill in for the injured Tony Stewart at the Daytona 500, Gordon said Friday.Gordon would not commit to any races beyond Pocono, refusing to speculate on when Earnhardt might return.My goal is to come here and give this team the best effort that I can and give them the best result -- hopefully a good one, Gordon said.Coincidentally, Gordon was scheduled to drive the pace car for the race Sunday. Now hell compete.I didnt even have to think twice about it, Gordon said. When Rick calls, he has that confidence in me and asks me to step up and do something for the organization, whether it was driver or other responsibilities, the way he has been there for me, the way this team and organization has been there for me over the years.I didnt anticipate this. This is certainly the last thing I thought was going to happen.It isnt rare for drivers who have retired from full-time racing to do select races or return in a substitute role. Stewart, a three-time Cup champion, who has announced that this would be his last Sprint Cup season, said he never had thoughts about being a substitute driver for one of the four cars he co-owns until watching what Gordon is doing this week.Well talk about it Im sure at some point, but Im definitely open to this scenario if it were to happen down the road and we needed somebody, Stewart said. I definitely would be open to doing what Jeff is doing this weekend.By racing this weekend, Gordon could impact when he gets inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For drivers with under 30 years of NASCAR racing and under age 55, they must be retired for two full years before being nominated. NASCAR has not decided whether Gordon will be eligible as if he retired at the end of the 2015 or the 2016 season.Im in no hurry, Gordon said. I mean first of all, I think there are plenty of big names and personalities in our sport that belong in that Hall of Fame. Im not even thinking about that right now.When that day comes its going to be a very proud moment and right now Im just living life and taking what comes at me next and this was a curveball. ' ' '