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fengzhu185
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Oct 12 2013, 01:47 PM
Post #1
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(Sports Network) - With both teams out of playoff contention, the focus has turned to the managers as the Toronto Blue Jays travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox to begin a three-game series. Another controversy involving Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has re-ignited rumours that have Blue Jays manager John Farrell heading back to Boston where he served as the teams pitching coach for five seasons. Farrell -- who is under contract with the Blue Jays through 2013 -- has tried to downplay the speculation, saying his focus is squarely on his current team, but with the Red Sox headed to their first losing season since 1997, the rumours continue to persist. On the field, the Blue Jays will send struggling Henderson Alvarez to the hill to open the series in Boston. The righty has lost his last five decisions and is 7-12 on the year with a 5.04 ERA. Alvarez beat the Red Sox back on July 22, but surrendered seven runs in that one. For his career he is 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA in five starts against them. The Blue Jays snapped a four-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 6-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Catcher J.P. Arencibia and 3B Brett Lawrie are both off the disabled list and will be in uniform tonight. The Blue Jays also recalled RHP David Carpenter, RHP Joel Carreno and C/INF Yan Gomes. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are returning home following a disastrous 1-9 road trip, after which Valentine found himself embroiled in yet another controversy after getting involved in a heated discussion with a Boston area radio host. WEEI radio hosts Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley were questioning Valentine about a report that said the manager arrived later than normal for a game in Oakland last week, asking him if hes "checked out" on the season. "What an embarrassing thing to say. If I were there right now, Id punch you right in the mouth. Ha, ha," said Valentine. Valentine said he was kidding, but its just the latest incident in whats been a miserable first season with the Red Sox. "When you talk about someones family and you talk about someones integrity, you draw the line of what should be done in the workplace," Valentine said. The road trip certainly did nothing to quell the rumors that Valentines job could be in trouble. "This was not a good road trip, obviously," Valentine said. "One of the worst Ive ever experienced." Getting the call for the Red Sox in Fridays opener will be lefty Felix Doubront, who is 10-7 with a 5.03 ERA. Doubront absorbed the loss in Oakland on Saturday, as he allowed five runs and six hits in three innings. He is now 0-3 over his last six starts and has allowed four runs or more in five of those outings. Doubront was shelled for seven runs (5 earned) in a loss to the Blue Jays the last time he faced them, but is 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA in eight games (3 starts). Toronto is 7-5 versus the Red Sox. cheap jerseys . Miamis mascot, on its head -- with a first-aid symbol and an "X" over each eye to boot. "I said, Weve got to turn him upside down," he said. cheap jerseys us . Rangers, in bankruptcy protection because of tax debts exceeding $30 million, is now set to visit grounds with seats for just a few hundred fans next season.TORONTO -- For one night, Steven Stamkos and 38 other locked-out NHL players were back where they belonged. The passes might not have been as crisp, the shifts werent nearly as intense and the atmosphere wasnt quite up to par with a typical NHL arena, but the joy of being back on the ice was undeniable for the participants in Wednesdays charity game at the former Maple Leaf Gardens. And reminders of the NHL -- last seen on ice in June, when the L.A. Kings lifted the Stanley Cup -- were everywhere to be found. The most interesting sight was in the stands, where a good portion of the 2,600 fans in the crowd dusted off sweaters that have been collecting dust during the lockout. Among the teams represented? The Habs, Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Bruins, Devils, Penguins, Flames and, naturally, a few Lightning jerseys emblazoned with "No. 91" and "Stamkos." "That was outstanding," said Stamkos. "Obviously, the fans are hurting through this process. Ive had an opportunity to play in two charity games (during the lockout) -- the Hurricane Sandy relief one in Atlantic City (last month) and that was an unbelievable turnout. It was a big venue and we sold that out. "This one was a little smaller one, but still the great support from the fans -- thats why we have the best fans in all of sports in my opinion and it was great to play in front of them." For the record, the Stamkos side came out on top of P.K. Subbans team 14-10, but the only number anyone was concerned about afterwards was the $100,000 raised for the NHLPAs Goals & Dreams Fund and RBCs Play Hockey initiative. It was clear from the get-go that this evening was about the people who paid $25 to watch a game of shinny. Some players threw sticks into the crowd during the warmup while others launched NHLPA hats and shirts over thhe glass during stoppages in play.dddddddddddd The game was played at the newly minted Mattamy Athletic Centre, where Ryerson Universitys hockey teams now play. The building opened earlier this year after sitting dormant for more than a decade after the Maple Leafs last called it home in February 1999. "It was kind of neat, especially being at the old Maple Leaf Gardens," said Anaheim Ducks forward Daniel Winnik. "I remember sitting up in the stands, up in the green section with my tyke team watching a game. We went to a game and Wendel Clark fought off the first faceoff. "It was pretty neat playing in the rink -- I know its very different than what it used to be -- but the historys in the building still." There was no history to be made in the charity game. The hockey wasnt particularly pretty. Some of the participants have stayed sharp during the lockout by playing in Europe while others have only been taking part in informal skates. "You can tell some guys have been on the ice more than others," said Subban. Added Michael Del Zotto, who recently returned from Switzerland: "Some guys were coming back to the bench huffing and puffing." Attention in the coming days will quickly turn back to the possibility of the NHLPA filing for disclaimer of interest -- some players were chatting about that in the hallway after the game -- and the status of stalled collective bargaining negotiations. But at least for a few hours the hockey players were back where they are most comfortable. "Theres a lot of people that are obviously missing hockey, but no one more than us," said Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul. "Its really a good feeling to get back out there and be around some of my teammates and just do a good thing for charity at the same time." ' ' '
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