I have to admit I thought Melky Cabrera was just a relatively expensive mistake by the Blue Jays.
[b]Jared Goff Jersey[/b] . The organization gambled that Cabrera could bounce back from last years PED suspension and be a credible bat, and left fielder hitting near the top of the order. When he struggled, we looked at each other knowingly saying this was simply a guy, who couldnt do it anymore without the "Juice". Cabrera looked achingly slow in the outfield, unable to cut off balls hit into the gap, and get to them quickly when they were driven into the corner. He had a litany of knee, leg muscle and ankle problems and finally shut it down on August 1st. You had to wonder, if the Jays were going to waive him in the off-season and effectively eat the final year of his contract or if Cabrera might even retire. Either way, it looked as though he was done as a member of the Blue Jays. Then the real story, the more concerning story came out over the weekend. Melky had been playing for months with back pain, and hadnt told anyone, trying to play through the agony. Finally on a visit, to his own personal doctor, it was discovered Melky had a benign tumour on his spine. It was pressing on the nerves and was causing general leg weakness. Melky underwent successful surgery and should be ready for spring training. While, this might not explain every aspect of why Cabreras game faltered this season, it certainly qualifies him for another chance. This story reminds me very much of one of the most dominating right handers of his generation. James Rodney Richard, or J.R. as we knew him, was a giant of a man at 68 and 222 pounds. He was the number two overall pick of the Houston Astros in 1969. He was a slow, but steady developer, going 23-16 over his first five seasons, before it all clicked for the intimidating power pitcher. Over a four year span between 1976 and 1979, he went 74-48 winning 20 games once and 18 games three times. In 1979, he set an Astros club record with 313 strikeouts that still stands. Over 221 career starts Richard had 76 complete games and 19 shutouts. However, that would-be Hall of Fame career came to a crashing halt in 1980. J.R. got off to an incredible start that season, winning five straight and striking out 48 over that span. At one point he pitched three straight shutouts. As the season wore on though, it was clear something was wrong as Richard complained of various arm and back troubles. No-one was buying, some members of the media thought the pressure of playing for an Astros team with high expectations was too much for Richard to handle. Others felt he was jealous of a big contract given to his new free-agent teammate Nolan Ryan. In any event, he kept going. In a game on July 14th against Atlanta, his condition worsened. He had trouble seeing the signs flashed by his catcher Alan Ashby and his right arm just wasnt functioning properly. Richard left that game in the 4th inning, saying his arm was dead, and he couldnt even manipulate his fingers to grasp a ball. It proved to be his final Major League game. He was placed on the 21-day disabled list and nine days later checked in to Methodist Hospital in Houston for a full battery of tests. Doctors found two sets of arteries in his arm were obstructed. But later tests found no problems with the arteries in his neck. On July 30, Richard went to a Chiropractor, who rotated his neck, to improve blood flow in his upper body. Later that day, while playing catch in the Astros pre-game warm-up, Richard suffered a full blown stroke. He had to undergo emergency surgery later that night to clear a blockage in an artery in his neck. Doctors discovered he had actually suffered three separate strokes. J.R Richard tried to mount a comeback the following season, but it never worked out. He didnt have the same strength or body control. Richards life spiraled out of control for a few years after that. Bad investments and two broken marriages left him destitute and at one point living penniless under a bridge. J.R Richard found salvation through the church and ultimately became a minister and motivational speaker who specialized in helping underprivileged youth. I guess the morale of this story if there is one, is try to make sure you know all the facts before you judge a players performance.
[b]Marcus Peters Jersey[/b] . -- The Kelowna Rockets earned their 16th straight win with a 7-2 rout of the Portland Winterhawks in Western Hockey League action Thursday.
[b]Justin Lawler Jersey[/b] .com) - The Buffalo Bills will return to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday when they welcome the upstart Cleveland Browns to town.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson. The deal was done Thursday. The 29-year-old Johnson spent the last three seasons as a backup with the New Orleans Saints, playing in 40 games plus four more contests in the playoffs while totalling five sacks. Johnson started his pro career in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi, but he was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. Then he spent time in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before finally appearing in an NFL game in 2011. The addition of Johnson, likely to backup last years top draft pick Sharrif Floyd, will probably mean the end of an 11-season run in Minnesota by Kevin Williams, who became a free agent.
[b]Wholesale Los Angeles Rams Jerseys[/b]. Meanwhile, free agent defensive end Corey Wootton has also agreed to terms with the Vikings. Wootton and his agent, Mike McCartney, tweeted the agreement on Thursday night. Wootton spent the first four seasons of his career with the division rival Chicago Bears. Wootton has played all 16 games each of the last two seasons when he combined for 10 sacks. He had three sacks last season. Wootton has a place in Vikings lore. He was the defender who drove Brett Favre into the frozen turf at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010. The hit gave Favre a concussion that prevented the quarterback from playing in the final two games of his career. Wootton says in his tweet that he is "excited to start a new chapter" in Minnesota.
Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Baseball Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys China Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap Custom Jerseys China Cheap Basketball Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys China Cheap College Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys ' ' '
Find in Directory
Find in Events
Find in Marketplace