Inland Waterways » stop and list the things I am grateful for. It

CARSON, Calif. - Everything is in place for a Hollywood ending to Landon Donovans career. Donovan and the LA Galaxy are playing for the MLS Cup title on their home field Sunday. League MVP Robbie Keane and his talented teammates are determined to send Donovan into early retirement with the franchises record fifth championship. Watch the Galaxy and Revolution fight for the MLS Cup live today on TSN1, TSN4 and TSN5 starting at 3pm et/Noon pt. If anyone deserves to go out on a high, its certainly Landon, Keane said. The only obstacles to this big finish are the New England Revolution, and Donovan realizes theyre a big problem. After a late-season surge coinciding with the arrival of U.S. World Cup star Jermaine Jones, the Revs are rolling toward the first MLS Cup victory for one of the leagues original franchises. A week after ending Thierry Henrys career in the Eastern Conference finals, they relish the chance to be spoilers on Donovans big day. Landon is an excellent player, a legend, and his legacy will certainly stand on its own, New England coach Jay Heaps said. Were sticking to our process. All that other stuff is just noise. While Keane and Donovan lead MLS most productive offence, the Galaxys Omar Gonzalez and Robbie Rogers are the keys on the leagues stingiest defence. Lee Nguyen and the Revolution realize theyve got a daunting task, but they also have ample momentum and arguably much less pressure on their shoulders. Our team has been through so much, and were almost complete, said Nguyen, the MVP finalist in midfield. This is our best chance to get the Cup. While Donovan radiates calm before his final game, he recognizes the symmetry in this finish. He hopes to follow in the triumphant footsteps of David Beckham, who won an MLS title at home in his final game in 2012. Its different because this is it, regardless of the score or the outcome or whatever, Donovan said. I just want to play, and we want to win a championship, and after that Ill think about the rest. But I gave myself a few days early in the week to really understand the finality of it, and now its a game. Here are some more things to watch when Donovans career and MLS 19th season end at StubHub Center: OWNING THE CUP: The MLS finalists are owned by two of the most important figures in this still-fledgling leagues history. Robert Kraft has owned and steadily supported the Revolution since their inception, while Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz once owned more than half of MLS teams during the leagues lean years. Theyve brought a lot to soccer that they dont get a lot of credit for, said Heaps, a former Revolution player. This whole thing is here because of what they were able to do and maintain. The league in those meek years ... there were a couple of owners that stepped up big, and the Kraft family was one of them, along with Mr. Anschutz as well. BRIDESMAIDS NO MORE?: New England lost four MLS Cup finals in six years during the middle of the last decade, but the Revs are determined to shake any stigma as the Buffalo Bills of U.S. soccer. History doesnt interest Jones, who has no connection to New Englands past. When I made my decision, I wished it would be like it is right now, Jones said. We can make it happen that New England has a trophy for the first time. I dont like to lose one game. FAMILY BONDS: The Galaxy are among the most cohesive teams Bruce Arena has ever coached, and their bond was strengthened by tragedy this season. The players and staff rallied around defender A.J. De La Garza and his wife, Megan, when they lost their newborn son, Luca, to a congenital heart defect in late August. We have a family here, and we always stick together, Keane said. HOMECOMING GAME: Although Jones ended up in New England thanks to a blind draw when he agreed to an MLS move, the German-born-and-raised veteran has lived in nearby Encino, California, for the past four years with his wife and their five children. The couple hosted a dinner recently for several of his Revolution teammates at their house, which was once owned by actress Tori Spelling. Jones signed an 18-month contract with the Revolution, getting more than $4 million to join MLS. GALAXY WISDOM: While New England has no MLS titles, the Galaxy have several players with multiple MLS Cup victories in their recent history. I think we have advantages in that weve done this before, and we kind of know the routine, said Arena, who is seeking his fifth title. We have experienced players. We have great leadership on the team. We understand what its about. Larry Johnson Jersey . Cornet won six straight games to rally from a 2-0 deficit and take the first set. The 25th-ranked Frenchwoman broke back twice in the second set before Bacsinszky saved a match point at 5-4. Glen Rice Hornets Jersey . The outdoor event will be played on Dec. 31 between alumni of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Cody-Zeller-Hornets-Jersey/ . The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18. Percy Miller Hornets Jersey . JOHNS, N. Frank Kaminsky Hornets Jersey . Langer appeared to be in trouble when his second shot on the par-5 18th ended up in the rough short of the green. He hit a brilliant pitch to 5 feet and made the putt after Slumans birdie attempt rolled just wide.TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips answers several questions each week. This weeks topics include the battle atop the American League East, Bryce Harper rocking the boat, All-Star Derek Jeter and more. 1. The Baltimore Orioles have taken over first place in the AL East (albeit by percentage points) from the Toronto Blue Jays following Thursdays games. Will the AL East race come down to which GM makes a move first, or do you see one club having an advantage over the other as they are currently constructed? The Blue Jays and Orioles are two very similar teams. They both have dynamic offences and somewhat less than overwhelming pitching. They also are in a similar position as they find themselves in an uncommon spot atop the AL East. I have been saying over and over that this year is an unanticipated opportunity for the Jays. This is a season that the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays are all subpar teams that are not playing very good baseball. If there was ever a year for the Jays to go for it, this is it. But the same logic applies to the Orioles. Whereas, the Jays and Orioles are very similar, there are some subtle differences. The Jays have a better offence as they have outscored the Orioles by 35 runs. The Orioles have the overall edge in pitching as they have a 3.90 ERA (7th) and the Jays have a 4.03 ERA (11th), but interestingly, within those pitching numbers, the Jays have a better starting pitchers ERA, while the Orioles bullpen is almost a run better in ERA. What does this all mean? It means that a general manager will decide who wins the AL East: Dan Duquette vs. Alex Anthopolous. If either team decides to let their offence be the focus of the club, that will be the team that will lose. Pitching wins championships. These two teams need better pitching, not only to win the division or to be a Wild Card team, but they need better pitching if they have any designs on advancing once in the playoffs. The most interesting part of this will be that they will battle for the same players in the trade market. Neither team is likely to get David Price, since the Rays probably wont move him within the division, but Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel (a former Oriole) of the Cubs could help both teams. If Cliff Lee of the Phillies returns to health before the deadline, I would expect him to be made available. His contract is likely prohibitive to the Jays and his health history prohibitive to the Orioles. There is speculation the Phillies might move Cole Hamels, but he would have to approve any trade and it is unlikely he moves north of the border. The Os might have an edge in getting Hamels if he is moved, but his contract may be prohibitive considering how they got burned by the Ubaldo Hernandez deal this year. AJ Burnett could be a chip the Phillies would move. The Jays know him well as he played there a few years back. The fear with Burnett is that he faded down the stretch last year for the Pirates. Will he do the same this year? There is a ton of interest in the NY Mets lefty Jon Niese. He would help both teams and fits financially, as well. The Jays have a recent history of trading of trading with the Mets in the R.A. Dickey deal. Relationships matter, so this could give the Jays a slight advantage. If the Mets make Bartolo Colon available, he could be a target of both teams. He is an experienced 41-year-old guy who is a competitor and he has pitched successfully in the AL. The Orioles may shy away from his age, giving the Jays an advantage. I suspect both teams will also target relievers. The San Diego Padres are getting the most calls right now as they have both closer Huston Street and set-up man Joaquin Benoit available. I dont anticipate either team targeting a closer to step in and assume the duties, so any interest in Street would likely be to add him as a set-up man and use him as insurance to close. Joaquin Benoit is the best set-up man available and he has some experience as a closer. It will be far easier to make a deal for Benoit than Street. He would be a difference-maker for both clubs. Both the Orioles and Jays have enough depth in their farm systems to make deals for this year. Certainly the GMs would have to swallow hard to trade away prospects, but let me remind you that prospects get general managers fired. Big leaguers win championships. So as the players battle and the managers manipulate their rosters to try and win games, this season will be decided by guys who wear ties to work not uniforms. May the better man win. 2. When he returned from injury earlier in the week, Washington Nationals OF Bryce Harper told the media his ideal lineup for the club that included him starting in centre field over teammate Denard Span. Manager Matt Williams downplayed the comments as best he could afterwards. How disruptive are comments like this to the team, or does the media make more out of it than there really is? Is Bryce Harper a good player? I find myself asking this because so far I am not really sure how good he is. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but he is only a .273 career hitter. He has never driven in over 60 runs in a season. Now, I know he has suffered injuries that have limited his playing time, but at some point he needs to be less about the hype and more about actual production. He needs to less about talking and more about doing. At 21 years old, there is still plenty of time for Harper to fulfill his potential, but he really needs to focus more on his production and less about writing out the line-up. I mean, really? Twenty-year veterans dont make comments about who they believe the manager should be playing. Who does he think he is? As much as Harpers comments rubbed Williams the wrong way, it had to rub his teammates that way, too. Players dont care for young phenoms who talk. Remember when Cole Hamels of the Phillies hit Harper with a pitch a couple of years because he just didnt like his style? That tells you what players think. Earlier this year, Williams benched Harper for not hustling. It was a huge statement made to Harper and the entire organization. It said that it doesnt matter who you are, if you dont do what I say you will be held accountable. Harpers cocky attitude without having accomplished anything significant in the big leagues alienates him from his peers. They had to enjoy some of the air be taken from his balloon. Harper gave Matt Williams another opportunity to make a statement. This time Williams chose to minimize Harpers comments and protect. Time will tell if this was the right approach. I would have preferred my manager knock him down a few pegs by calling Harper in and telling him to shut his mouth and just play. Then, when asked by the media, I would have wanted Williams to say, “It has been addressed internally. Beyond that I have no comment.” The most important aspect of this though is the player-to-player reaction. What is going on in that clubhouse? Bryce Harper desperately needs a veteran player to grab him by the collar and mentor him. Harpers ego may not allow him to be open to that, but boy does he need it. These comments can force Harper into isolation to where he wont interact with teammates. What a lonely existence. The Nats can overcome this now, but in the long run it will tear apart the fabric of the franchise if Harper is left unaddressed and isolated. I was worried about Harper when his parents appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 with a title “Baseballs Chosen One.” I am more concerned now. No kid should have to live up to that. It sets him up to fail and disappoint, even iif he turns out to be a pretty good player.dddddddddddd Just play Bryce. Lighten up. 3. Derek Jeter – who is outside the top five in most offensive categories among AL shortstops – still holds a solid lead in All-Star voting. Does Jeter deserve a final All-Star start as part of his farewell tour or is this just another flaw in the voting system? Derek Jeter does not deserve to be an All-Star based upon his on-field performance this season. The fans are voting for him to show their respect for his long and meritorious service. I understand that. I have tremendous respect for Jeter. He is a superstar on and off the field. He is one of the most clutch players I have ever seen and one of the classiest, too. Playing in New York is not easy. Players play and live in a fishbowl. Jeter has survived a lengthy career without scandal. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That being said, his leading the balloting for shortstops and starting the All-Star Game isnt appropriate. It shows a major flaw and contradiction in the entire system. One of the slogans for the midsummer classic is “The All-Star Game means something.” It is not just an exhibition. The teams are playing for home-field advantage in the World Series. I get it, that can certainly be important. Is there any other game that means something where the fans get to pick who starts the game? If the Jays come down to the last game of the regular season against the Orioles and the winner is the division champ and the loser is a Wild Card team, should John Gibbons let the fans decide who is starting in the game? Of course not. There is an easy solution: The fans vote for players they want to see in the game, but the players vote for the starters in the game. The fan vote is a popularity contest. It is not a strategic evaluation about winning a game. The fans should get a say in the roster, just not the starters. This would allow for Derek Jeter to appropriately be recognized, but still allows the game to be played like it mean something. Bud Selig is stepping down at the end of this year. Maybe if the fans start campaigning for me to be commissioner I can institute this change. Do I have your vote? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On July 4, 1939 Lou Gehrig gave one of the most memorable speeches ever. He had been diagnosed with an illness, ALS, which later became know as Lou Gehrigs disease. It is a horrible disease where once strong bodies deteriorate before our very eyes. Gehrig had played a then record of 2,130 consecutive games. That is about 5.83 years of playing baseball over a 17-year career. He was the most durable player in the game at the time. His body allowed him to play through pain and injury. How ironic that it was his body that so quickly deteriorated? He died less than two years after his speech. How unfair. Gehrig didnt deserve this. He did everything right. He was a classy professional who showed up for work everyday. He prepared well, played hard and produced at the highest level. He had it all. He was adored and respected by his teammates, his bosses, the media, and the fans. He was loved by his family. He had everything. If anyone had a right to feel like a victim it was Lou Gehrig. Yet, there was no victim in him. He proclaimed, "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." In his darkest moment, robbed of that which he loved the most he found gratitude. He went on to say what he was grateful for, "I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. "Look at these grand men [his teammates]. Which of you wouldnt consider it the highlight of his career to associate with them for even one day? "Sure, Im lucky. Who wouldnt consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert -- also the builder of baseballs greatest empire, Ed Barrow -- to have spent the next nine years with that wonderful little fellow Miller Huggins -- then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology -- the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy. "Sure, Im lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift, thats something! When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies, thats something. "When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles against her own daughter, thats something. When you have a father and mother who work all their lives so that you can have an education and build your body, its a blessing! When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed, thats the finest I know." I have learned through my own struggles over the 51 years of my life, particularly the last five years, that we all have stories. We all have struggles. We all walk with a limp. Some of our limps are more profound than others. Some of us are better at hiding our limps than others. But we all have them. I have learned, too, that I am not here to teach, but rather I am here to learn from those around me. Everyone I cross paths with in my life can teach me something. I can always find a way to relate to the struggles of someone else and learn from them. I can relate to Lou Gehrigs story in my own way. There was a time in my life where from the outside I had it all: a loving family, a great job, money, respect etc. I had all of those things that the world would deem needed for success. Then, in one fell swoop, it all fell apart it. My illness, addiction, led me down a path of self-destruction. I actually didnt believe I had a lot to live for. My initial reaction was to feel like a victim, but I learned from others who were suffering, as I was, that there is no recovering in that victim place. So I decided to fight to get better. I truly believe that you find out a lot more about people when they are facing adversity than when things are going well. Its easy to be a good teammate, coworker, employee, husband, wife and friend when everything is going well. When things are their darkest, we show what we are truly made of. Lou Gehrig at his darkest moment found a solution in gratitude. I have learned that along the way, as well. When I dont feel right or if I feel like a victim during the course of my day, I stop and list the things I am grateful for. It is hard to feel like a victim when I dwell on all of the gifts in my life. I believe and have experienced that from our greatest miseries come our greatest blessings. I am living that. So today, I am grateful for Lou Gehrigs courage. I am grateful for his reinforcing that gratitude is the answer. I am grateful that I get to make a living doing what I love. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the support of TSN and my other employers. I am grateful that I see the world differently and interact with it differently today. I am grateful for my faith. I am grateful that I am not judgmental like I once was and that many people dont judge me without knowing me. I am grateful for my fall because it was the only way I could rise. Lou Gehrig is known as the Iron Horse because of his consecutive games played streak. He is known for a disease that is absolutely awful. But to me he is an inspiration of faith and courage. He taught me something and for that I will always be grateful. ' ' '