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Mike Pouncey Dolphins Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals are replacing a manager whos third on the career victory list with a man wholl be writing his first lineup card on opening day. Mike Matheny, a former catcher with the Cardinals who had been a minor league instructor, will be introduced as Tony La Russas successor at a news conference Monday. "I think hes going to be a great leader," Jim Edmonds, a teammate of Mathenys with the Cardinals, said Sunday night in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "If he goes out there and does what hes capable of doing and they put the players around him, he could be the manager for the next 20 years." The 40-year-old Matheny played for St. Louis from 2000-04 and won three of his four Gold Gloves. He became a team leader playing for La Russa, who retired after leading the team to his second World Series title in 16 seasons. Mathenys playing career blossomed after he signed a one-year free-agent deal to be the backup catcher in St. Louis. Though a career .239 hitter, Matheny did enough defensively to earn a starting job. Matheny was one of six men the Cardinals interviewed to replace La Russa. They also talked to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, longtime Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo, former Boston manager Terry Francona, triple-A manager Chris Maloney, and Chicago White Sox coach Joe McEwing. General manager John Mozeliak declined to comment on the hire aside from a one-word text to The Associated Press: "Tomorrow." Francona was the only candidate who had major league managing experience. He left the Red Sox after the team collapsed in September. Oquendo coached for La Russa the last dozen years after playing the final decade of his career with the Cardinals and has had a handful of interviews for managing openings. The Cardinals received permission to interview Sandberg, manager of the Phillies triple-A team. Former Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan, who played for La Russa and is on local sports talk radio, thought the Cardinals would go with Francona because it gave them the best chance to retain momentum from their unlikely World Series run. The Cardinals won the NL wild card on the final day of the season and were underdogs against the Phillies, Brewers and Rangers, but have a solid returning cast with or without free agent Albert Pujols in the fold. "I think Matheny will be a great manager, given time," Duncan said. "He lacks managing experience, but it shows a lot about his character that the Cardinals hired him." Matheny was with the Giants when his career was ended by concussions in 2006. "Hes a great leader, and an even better person," Edmonds said. "I think this is great. Theres nobody thats going to work any harder than Mike." Mathenys coaching staff could include some familiar names. Pitching coach Dave Duncan, who was La Russas right hand all 33 seasons, has one year remaining on his contract. The Cardinals have considered promoting Maloney in recent years, and Oquendo also could stay.
Branden Albert Dolphins Jersey . CLEVELAND -- Kyrie Irving didnt need any reminders he was closing in on his first career triple double Friday night. He got plenty of help anyway. "I was trying to not think about it too much, but my teammates were hollering at me to get one more rebound, Coach (Mike) Brown was telling to get one more rebound, a couple of fans were yelling at me that I need one more," Irving said.
Randy Starks Dolphins Jersey . On Saturday night, Teemu Selanne was poised to become the hero in Game 1 of the first-ever Freeway Series between southern Californias two NHL teams. Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (4) – On the early goal, he was late to get to the post and Saad banked it off of him. He activates in reverse VH and it hits his shoulder and banks in. On the second goal, he had no chance at it redirected to Toews for the open net. Third goal was a bad one that skipped and hit the top of his pad, momentum Killer after just battling back to tie the game 12 seconds earlier. It was a tough first period allowing three goals on seven shots. Good saves on Kane, Toews and Keith early in second. And big saves on Kane and Hossa on the 5 on 3 as well as a huge left pad save on Shaw back door. Fourth goal goes off of Muzzin shortside, who was also screening him, after he knocked his stick out of hand. Good saves on Shaw and Kane while down 4 to 3 to keep them in game. Big saves with 4:30 left on Hossa and Toews in tight. Left pad save on Bickell was great but not as great as the pad save on Shaw with five seconds left in the third, based on the timing of it.
Olivier Vernon Womens Jersey. Big right pad save on Saad early in OT, and tracked the puck well through traffic as Chicago pressed. Got it done when needed, got stronger as the game went on. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks (3) – He had a good save on Kopitar early and got some help from a post on Toffoli. The first goal was a bad rebound that Carter bats out of the air. The second goal hits Rozsival in from before the rebound is fired blocker side. He made a good glove save on Williams late in the first to keep it at 3-2. Not tested much early in second, but a good save on Williams side to side play. Toffolis goal was a bounce just like the Toews goal in the first; no chance on the play. Good save early on Pearson, not tested much. The fourth goal, by Gaborik, is a bad rebound that punches out and hits him, then drops on his stick for the open net. Great left pad save on Brown with 33 seconds left to send it to OT. He didnt have much of a chance on the game-winning goal, screened and hits Leddy in front and goes over his right shoulder. Tough way to lose. ' ' '