lingzi
Age: 34
Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: 南极洲
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ANAHEIM, Calif. Jim Leonhard Jersey . -- Kendrys Morales had already considered the wave of emotions he might feel when he stepped to the plate for the Los Angeles Angels for the first time in nearly two years. After what the Cuban slugger went through to get back to home plate at Angel Stadium, hes not exactly sweating it. "Being nervous is for kids," Morales said with a chuckle. Although Albert Pujols debut overshadows everything this weekend in Anaheim, Morales return from a broken ankle is also cause for celebration. Morales was back in the lineup when Los Angeles hosted the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, batting sixth as their designated hitter in the opener. "I always had positive thoughts," Morales said. "I always felt that if I worked hard, I could get back to where I needed to be. ... You feel a little bit. You get excited because youve been out for two years, but youve got to control your emotions, because its going to be a long season." Morales hadnt played in the majors since May 29, 2010, when he broke his left ankle while leaping onto home plate to celebrate a game-ending grand slam. After multiple surgeries and setbacks, Morales finally made his comeback in spring training, rejoining his teammates during the exhibition schedule. With everything going well in Arizona, Angels manager Mike Scioscia saw no reason to delay Morales comeback. He returned Morales to his lineup immediately, with struggling veteran Bobby Abreu starting the season on the bench. "He looks as good as ever, really," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. "Its been a tough road for him, but hes getting back to where he was, and we need his bat in the lineup. Hes an incredible hitter. I hope people didnt forget that." How long has Morales been gone? When he got hurt, he was still known as Kendry Morales -- a typo in his first name that he never corrected until his involvement in a court case last year around a sports agent accused of stealing more than $300,000 from the slugger. Morales recovery dragged on through numerous false starts. He initially thought he could return late in 2010, then was certain he would be ready for opening day last season -- but his ankle resisted quick healing, eventually requiring more surgery. Morales feels close to full strength, although he barely remembers that feeling. He can hit and run the bases with no limitations, and thats all Scioscia needs to know. "I dont feel exactly like I did," Morales said. "Ive just got to keep working, and I feel like Ill keep getting better and better and better." Morales is no stranger to struggle. After getting kicked off the Cuban national team for an unclear offence in 2003, he made multiple attempts to escape the island before finally succeeding a year later. The Angels signed him as a free agent, and he worked his way to the majors. Morales appeared to be right on the verge of stardom when he was injured. He batted .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBIs in 2009 while helping the Angels back to the playoffs, and he was leading the club with 11 homers and 39 RBIs when he got hurt in 2010. Much has changed at Angel Stadium since he last stepped to the plate. Mark Trumbo emerged as a star last season, leading the Angels in homers and RBIs as a rookie -- but both Trumbo and Morales were usurped at first base by the 10-year, $240 million signing of Pujols, the three-time NL MVP. Morales realizes he wont play much first base with Pujols in town, but seems unconcerned about his role on the Angels. Hes grateful for any role at all. "Theyre putting a lot of confidence in me, putting me there after a long time," Morales said. Yet even after nearly two years away, opening day is just a game. Morales said his wife and children werent at Angel Stadium to watch his return: "They dont like baseball that much." Steve Atwater Womens Jersey . The mixed martial arts show is scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Bell Centre with an expected main event featuring welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and interim title-holder Carlos Condit. Womens Peyton Manning Jersey . Bob McClure was fired Monday and replaced by Randy Niemann with the Red Sox on the fringe of the playoff race following another rough stretch. "We felt like we needed to make a change to put our pitchers in the best position to do what they needed to do," general manager Ben Cherington said. http://www.shopthenflbroncosgear.com/john-elway-jersey/ . Watch live coverage on TSN right now. The 1-5 Bombers are looking to new quarterback Joey Elliott to secure just their second win of the season. "The message has been sent, we have to pick it up," said veteran Winnipeg offensive lineman Glenn January. Ryan Clady Jersey . As negotiations with the NHL resumed Tuesday, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr indicated that the union was getting close to responding to the leagues initial proposal, which included a decreased share of hockey-related revenue, term limits on contracts and a 22 per cent salary rollback. Black Eric Decker Jersey . The Portuguese, however, almost let victory escape their grasp as Cristiano Ronaldo squandered two chances that could have put the result beyond doubt in another miserable international game. As part of TSNs countdown to the 2012 NHL Draft, TSN.ca is providing reports for all seven Canadian teams going into the big event on June 22. Our coverage continues with the Vancouver Canucks. General Manager: Mike Gillis Top Draft Position: No. 26 Overall Recent First Round Picks: RW Nicklas Jensen (2011), C Jordan Schroeder (2009), C Cody Hodgson (2008), C Patrick White (2007), RW Michael Grabner (2006), G Cory Schneider (2004). Overview: The Canucks have built a solid foundation with long-time Chief Amateur Scout Ron Delmorme leading the way. Since taking the job in 2000 (after 20 years of working with the team in several roles), his scouting staff has produced gems like Kevin Bieksa (151st in 2001), Ryan Kesler (23rd overall in 2003), Cory Schneider (26th overall in 2004), Alex Edler (91st overall in 2004) and Mason Raymond (51st overall in 2005). And those players have paid off handsomely for the club, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final last season. Where the last few years are concerned, the Canucks have been in wait-and-see mode with their more recent prospects. Since the 2007 Draft, only one pick (Cody Hodgson - who was traded to Buffalo this past spring) has been a regular with the big club and just one prospect - 2011 first-rounder Nicklas Jensen at No. 60 - is ranked in The Hockey Newss annual Future Watch. So while the Canucks are enjoying some success with their current lineup, the need to build up the next crop of NHL-ready players looms large. Short Term Needs: The first thing the Canucks have to do is straighten out their goaltending situation. All sides seem to agree that Roberto Luongo should be moved and thats expected to happen at or before the draft. Restricted free agent Cory Schnieders contract situation also needs to be decided. Given their position in the first round (26th overall), the Canucks will not get immediate help in the draft. Last season demonstrated their need for a second line winger to play with Ryan Kesler and a top four defenceman to play with Alex Edler. Long Term Needs: Jordan Schroeder will get a long look at Keslers second line centre spot to start the season, as No. 17 will be out of the lineup for the first 4-6 weeks of the season (shoulder labrum). If the club cant make make improvements via trade, will Nicklas Jensen get fast tracked to help in the Top 6? So long-term wants can come down to this - if Jensen starts with the big club, they will need an injection of skill in the minor league system. Authentic Champ Bailey Jersey. . After those two, the cupboard is pretty bare - especially now with Hodgson gone. Prospect Watch From Scott Cullen: Big Danish winger Nicklas Jensen has been about a point-per-game scorer in two OHL seasons, but hes also fared well in brief call-ups to the AHL over the last couple years, scoring six goals in eight games. Hes only 19-years-old, so last years 29th overall pick can take some time to develop, but has a chance to be a solid contributor. Undrafted defenceman Chris Tanev tends to go under the radar, which happens when you score one goal in two seasons (127 games) of professional hockey, but Tanev moves the puck well and was a tidy plus-10 in 25 games with the Canucks last season, which could be enough to land the 22-year-old a regular turn on the blueline next year. 22-year-old defenceman Kevin Connauton, has scored 24 goals in two AHL seasons (after 24 goals in his final junior season), so hes got the offensive skills. If he continues to improve defensively, hell deserve a look with the Canucks. Lanky Swedish puck stopper Eddie Lack has a .926 save percentage in two AHL seasons, a decent enough indication that the 24-year-old is ready for his chance in hte NHL and it turns out there just could be an opportunity next season. 2009 first-round pick Jordan Schroeder has a couple of AHL seasons under his belt and has become a more complete player, even if hes not likely to be the kind of scorer that might have been expected when he was drafted. 2009 second-rounder Anton Rodin came over from Sweden to play his first year in North America and endured some growing pains, but hes 21, so he has time to improve now that hes adjusted to the game. A fourth-round pick last summer, Joseph LaBate had a decent freshman season in the competitive WCHA and, with time to fill out his frame and develop at Wisconsin, he could have some long-term upside. Patrick McNally, a fourth-round pick in 2010, had a strong freshman year at Harvard. Its not the same as WCHA competition, but if McNally can continue to improve his production, then hell be worth keeping an eye on. Late-blooming 6-foot-5 winger Alexandre Grenier has shown some offensive promise. If he fills out and gets stronger, last summers third-round pick might be able to translate his skills to the pro game. A Czech defenceman who played a couple of seasons in the QMJHL, Adam Polasek got his feet wet in the AHL this season, but could use a couple more seasons of development. ' ' '
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