Jukebox » Smyths farewell should give some added

CHICAGO -- The first two happened in a single game in Colorado. There was a fly ball that barely cleared the wall, and then a screaming drive to right-centre. Jose Abreu quickly hit two more home runs against Cleveland. He beat Tampa Bay with a game-ending grand slam, an absolute laser for his second shot of the game. Some 6,000 feet of homers in just six weeks, another successful mile in a well-travelled bridge from Abreus native Cuba to the Chicago White Sox. The big first baseman is punishing major league pitching while making a difficult transition to the United States look almost routine. "I come from a place where there is very good baseball, but theres nowhere you can compare that baseball to this one," Abreu said through a translator. "This is the best baseball in the world. But the only way to achieve this, to come here and be successful, is to be disciplined, to have a lot of discipline, thats the way you improve." Abreu looks right at home. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound slugger connected in Oakland on Wednesday to become the fourth player in major league history to hit 15 homers in his first 42 games, joining Wally Berger, Kevin Maas and Wally Joyner. He is batting .271 with 41 RBIs heading into a weekend series at Houston. Abreu, who defected in 2012 and finalized a $68 million, six-year deal with the White Sox in October, is among the major league leaders in several offensive categories. Playing at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he is a legitimate threat to become baseballs first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire for the Athletics in 1987. "Its just his strength, his power," White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "I mean hes just strong. You can do what he does with how strong he is, because he doesnt do a lot with his swing, his body to get ready to hit. He just drops the head of the bat on it and its gone." All that power has captured the attention of baseball fans across the country, but it is Abreus appreciative attitude that has quickly endeared him to his teammates. No small feat considering Abreus arrival pushed franchise icon Paul Konerko into a reserve role. "Hes such a good team person and you like to see stuff like this happen to people like him," manager Robin Ventura said. Abreu is the latest in a new wave of Cuban stars finding success all over baseball, and part of a long history of successful Cuban players in Chicago. Sluggers Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are two of the majors most dangerous bats. Cincinnati left-hander Aroldis Chapman has blossomed into an All-Star closer. Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez was the NL Rookie of the Year last season. There were a record 19 Cuban players on opening-day rosters and inactive lists this year. "I think clubs are learning more and more how to do it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Cuban players often travel a dangerous road to the majors. According to court documents in a federal lawsuit in Miami, smugglers who helped Puig leave his country on a speedboat have made death threats against him and against a boxer who says he defected with Puig. When they make it to the U.S., they face what can be an isolating transition to a completely different culture and the rigours of the majors. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but they also have to work through changes brought on by a level of wealth and fame far beyond what they could have experienced in their home country. Major league teams are more careful than ever these days about creating a positive atmosphere for the Cuban players, making sure there is a translator in the clubhouse and help nearby when it comes to challenges on and off the field. The 27-year-old Abreu has three Cuban teammates; shortstop Alexei Ramirez, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Adrian Nieto. Lino Diaz, the manager of cultural development for the White Sox, also is around if Abreu needs any assistance. The White Sox have had 18 Cuban-born players in franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth among all major league franchises, according to STATS. Minnie Minoso, regarded as baseballs first black Latino star, played 12 of his 17 seasons in Chicago and remains a team ambassador. Orlando Hernandez helped the White Sox win their last World Series title in 2005. Abreus fast start is drawing interest back home. The slugger is followed as closely as possible in a country where, despite the appearance of recorded major league games on state TV starting in March 2013, games featuring Cuban defectors are still not shown. Cubans with access to the Internet and bootleg versions track his career and often discuss it at the "hot corner," a spot in Havanas Parque Central where baseball fans gather to discuss international and Cuban players. "Abreu is a powerful hitter, he was really good here, but personally I think that with his major league results hes really exceeded expectations," said Jose Estrada, 55. "All over Cuba were following him much more than before because hes Cuban and he represents Cuba in the country with the best baseball in the world, the major leagues, and hes showing everyone the level of Cuban baseball." That level looks better than ever right now. Avonte Maddox Eagles Jersey . On the day the club activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list, his return from a strained oblique that cost him the first six weeks of the regular season, it announced Sergio Santos would be placed on the disabled list on Monday with discomfort in his right forearm. Mike Wallace Jersey . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-...Goedert-Jersey/. Raymond, 31, started 15 regular-season games for the Stamps in 2013, racking up 51 tackles. He also returned two kickoffs for 79 yards including a 61-yarder. Josh Sweat Eagles Jersey . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Markus Wheaton Jersey . -- Another baseball tradition is about to largely disappear: a manager, with a crazed look in his eyes, charging the field and getting into a face-to-face shouting match with an umpire.While the Edmonton Oilers game on Saturday versus the Vancouver Canucks wont have an impact on the standings, it will have plenty of meaning for the organization and fans in attendance at Rexall Place. The Oilers will bid farewell to forward Ryan Smyth in his final NHL contest after announcing his retirement on Friday. One of the most popular players in Oilers history, Smyth spent a total of 15 seasons in Edmonton and ranks second on the franchises all-time list with 970 games played. The Alberta native enters Saturdays matchup tied with Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson for the club career mark with 126 power-play goals. The 38-year-old ranks fifth in franchise history with 296 goals, coming in behind a number of legendary players like Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Anderson and Mark Messier, and Smyth is sixth in team annals with 631 points. "I have been truly blessed to play this game for as long as I have and will cherish the memories forever," Smyth said on Friday. "After some difficult discussions over the past week, I felt it was best to make this decision and move on with life after hockey and enjoy every minute I have with my family." Edmonton made Smyth the sixth overall pick of the 1994 draft and he stayed with the club before a memorable trade to the New York Islanders in February of 2007 after the club was unable to come to terms with the forward on a contract extension. The unpopular move was highlighted by Smyths tearful goodbye while thanking the fans and organization. Smyth finished up that season with the Islanders and then spent his next four seasons split with the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings before returning the Oilers by way of trade in June of 2011. In 1,269 career games, the veteran has totaled 386 goals, 456 assists and 842 points. He has 10 goals and 13 assists in 71 games this season. Smyths farewell should give some added energy to tonights regular-season finale for the Oilers, who are lastt in the Western Conference with 65 points and just 15-22-3 at home on the season.dddddddddddd Edmonton began a season-closing four-game homestand with a win over Anaheim, but has followed with setbacks to Colorado and Los Angeles. The Oilers were blanked 3-0 by the Kings on Thursday. Viktor Fasth stopped 45 shots for the Oilers, including 23 in the third period. However, he was beaten for a goal just 23 seconds into the game and the Oilers were down 2-0 by the end of the first period. "You cant give a Stanley Cup contender the lead that early," said Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins. "Our top line, our best line is on the ice and a real easy assignment and its in our net. It cant happen." Edmonton has lost five of its last seven games and saw forward Sam Gagner exit in the second period with an ankle injury. It has also been a disappointing campaign for the Canucks, who were knocked out of playoff contention on Tuesday and lost for the fifth time in six games with Thursdays 4-2 setback to the Avalanche. David Booth and Henrik Sedin scored for the Canucks, while defenseman Dan Hamhuis had two assists. Jacob Markstrom gave up three goals on 27 shots, making his first start since being acquired from Florida as part of the Roberto Luongo trade on March 4. "We played well. We played hard. I thought Markstrom looked really good," Vancouver head coach John Tortorella said. Thursdays game came one day after former captain Trevor Linden was named the president of hockey operations. President and general manager Mike Gillis was fired on Tuesday. The Canucks went 1-4-0 on a five-game homestand and end the regular season at home versus Calgary on Sunday. The Canucks won their first three meetings with this season with the Oilers by a 12-3 margin, but lost the most recent encounter 4-2 in Vancouver on Jan. 27. Vancouver has still won nine of the previous 13 matchups overall. 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