CLEVELAND -- This is why Ben Zobrist came back home. And this is why manager Joe Maddon wanted him so badly.The Cubs needed a veteran in the clubhouse to teach their seemingly endless supply of budding young stars, someone whod been there. Whod done that. Who cared little about curses or droughts. Who knew what Maddon wanted and how to translate it.Zobrist, fresh off a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals, was searching for a place to spend the final years of a consistently fine career. What better place to do it than a 2-hour drive from where he grew up in central Illinois?And there he was early Thursday morning, standing in the batters box in the top of the 10th inning in Game 7, facing a two-strike count with two runners on. Then the 35-year-old switch-hitter did something that may have encapsulated everything Maddon loves about him.Zobrist shortened his swing. He fouled off one pitch to stay alive. The next provided the biggest blow in Chicagos season-long bout with the weight of its own history, a double inside third base that scored pinch-runner Albert Almora Jr. with the go-ahead run in an 8-7 win that gave the Cubs their first championship since 1908 and earned Zobrist the World Series MVP award.Its a team game and I cant believe I get the opportunity to hold this trophy, he said.Cleveland reliever Bryan Shaw intentionally walked Chicago slugger Anthony Rizzo to get to Zobrist, who entered the game hitting .391 in the Series but had gone hitless in four at-bats. Shaw quickly got ahead 1-2 before Zobrist -- batting left-handed -- poked a foul ball down the third base line past a diving Jose Ramirez. The next pitch was more of the same. In a situation where some of his teammates would have swung for the outer reaches of Progressive Field, Zobrist settled for making contact.The normally understated Zobrist pointed toward the sky after his 10th and final hit of the series as the blue-clad fans who spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to turn portions of the Indians home field into an eastern suburb of Wrigleyville roared once more.I know he threw a pretty hard cutter, Zobrist said. I just barely hung in there and fortunately he put one just close enough to the plate where I could slap it down the line.By the time Zobrist went to the dugout to fetch his glove and ran back out to his spot in left field, the lead was two. Barely 10 minutes later, Zobrist was sprinting to join the dogpile in the infield after Kris Bryant threw to good friend Anthony Rizzo at first for the final out, the second time in as many years Zobrist found himself awash in the joy.Last fall he helped the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Mets in five Series games. When he went looking for a job, there was really only one place to go: Chicago.Ben is a winning baseball player, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said the day Zobrist signed a four-year, $56 million deal last December. His offense, his defense, his baserunning. Hes been one of the more valuable players in the game for a long time.One who also came to Wrigley Field without an ego. Maddon moved the player he cultivated a close relationship with while the two were in Tampa Bay around like a kid with a new toy. Zobrist played primarily at second base but also spent time in left and right field. Always without complaint. Always with the greater goal in mind.A goal that was realized after Clevelands Rajai Davis tied the score with a stunning two-run homer off Chicago closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth. After the ninth inning ended, there was a 17-minute rain delay. And then the Indians dared Zobrist to be the difference.Just as he has whenever the Cubs called on him this season, he was.
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Joe Namath Jersey . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. The NCAA is sending a questionnaire about potential discrimination laws to organizers in cities that will be or are hoping to host sanctioned college sports events.The NCAA board of governors decision comes a day after the NBA announced it would pull its All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina, because of its objections to a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.NCAA leaders had expressed opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March. The associations announcement Friday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.The NCAA said in a statement the new requirement will be for sites hosting or bidding on events in all divisions.At the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis, the NCAA, led by President Mark Emmert, took a strong stand against an Indiana state law that the association and other critics said allowed for discrimination against LBGT people. The NCAA threatened to move future events, including this years womens basketball Final Four. The law was eventually modified.The board in April adopted a requirement for host sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination and also safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event. The questionnaire is intended to bolster that requirement.Now North Carrolina is facing similar pressure from businesses and the NCAA as Indiana was last year.ddddddddddddThe NCAA has already booked sites for championship events and tournaments through the 2017-18 season, including numerous in North Carolina.The Division I womens College Cup in December is set for Cary. Greensboro is scheduled to host early round mens basketball tournament games in 2017 and Charlotte is set to host first- and second-round games in 2018.The survey has 10 questions and the NCAA is asking hosts and potential future host to return to the association by Aug. 12. There are 10 questions, including:-Has your city, county/parish, and/or state passed anti-discrimination laws that are applicable to all persons?-Does your city, county/parish and/or state regulate choice of bathrooms or locker rooms that may affect student-athletes, coaches, administrators, or game officials during the Event?-In light of the Laws, Regulations or Policies applicable to the locations that seek to host NCAA Championships, how would you provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safe guards the dignity of everyone involved with the Event?As part of your answer, please provide specific references to prior, hosted events or other tangible examples.
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