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DENVER -- Justin Morneau made this perfectly clear: Hes stepping in for Todd Helton, not replacing the longtime Colorado Rockies

in Quasselecke 15.04.2018 10:22
von jokergreen0220 • 1.730 Beiträge

DENVER -- Justin Morneau made this perfectly clear: Hes stepping in for Todd Helton, not replacing the longtime Colorado Rockies first baseman. Christian Okoye Jersey . Because filling Heltons cleats, he said, simply cant be done. "(Helton) is irreplaceable, the impact he had in the clubhouse," Morneau said Friday after finalizing a two-year, $12.5 million deal. Morneau realizes the comparisons are inevitable as he inherits the position from Helton, who retired after a 17-year career in the Mile High City. He understands, but "were different people, were different players," he quickly added. They do have one glaring thing in common, though: Their fielding prowess at first base. Since 2003, Morneaus fielding percentage (.996) is second to only Helton (.997). "I dont think anybody will ever fill those shoes in that organization," Morneau said of Helton. "You see how rare it is for someone to play their entire career with one organization and put up the numbers he did throughout his career. His career is Hall of Fame worthy, for sure. "Im going to try and do the things I do well and not really try to replace anyone or be anyone else. Just help this team win ballgames." Over his 11-year career, Morneau is a .277 hitter and a four-time All-Star. He was the 2006 American League MVP while a member of the Minnesota Twins, batting .321 that season with 34 homers and 130 RBIs. Last season, he was traded from the Twins -- the only organization he had ever known -- to the Pittsburgh Pirates for their playoff run. That was an interesting experience. "Just kind of not being settled was completely different. At the same time, it was exciting -- to play in a new league and all the new opponents and all that stuff was fun," Morneau said. And this is another new start for him, with some familiar faces in the clubhouse. Hes reuniting with outfielder Michael Cuddyer, his former teammate in Minnesota. Cuddyer actually played a big role in Morneaus arrival at Coors Field, delivering a pretty effective sales pitch. The two talked and texted quite a bit before Morneau decided to sign, which meant Cuddyer could stay in right field and not have to move to first base. Morneau is scheduled to make $5 million in 2014 and $6.75 million in 2015. Theres a $9 million mutual option for the 16 season and a $750,000 buyout if the club declines. He also has some incentive escalators for 2015 should he have 550 or more plate appearances in 2014 ($500,000), finish in the top three in MVP voting ($1.5 million) or become an All-Star ($375,000). While Morneau has yet to discuss with manager Walt Weiss where he will hit in the batting order, this much he does know: The lineup is stacked with sluggers such as Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Cuddyer, the reigning NL batting champion. "(Cuddyer) told me great things about the organization, from their desire to win and the desire to take care of players, take care of the guys," Morneau said. "Someone I respect as much as him and plays the game the way he does, you want to (join) guys like that." Cuddyer wasnt the only one Morneau consulted for a little information on the Rockies. He also went to his fellow Canadian and boyhood idol, Larry Walker, asking Walkers opinion of the franchise the outfielder helped put on the baseball map. Walker touted the Rockies so much that they vaulted to the top of Morneaus free-agent list. Now, Morneau is hoping Walker gives him approval to wear No. 33. "To go there and possibly wear his number is something special for me," said Morneau, who grew up in New Westminster, B.C. As for the concussion issues that have plagued him at times in his career, Morneau believes thats a thing of the past. "There was a time there that Id do certain things and wonder if I was going to bring on symptoms," Morneau said. "But now it seems like Im able to get through pretty much any activity without even having a second thought or any hesitation on what Im doing. For the most part, its behind me. "Being that its baseball and not hockey or football, the chances of something like that happening again are very rare. Im hoping thats the case." Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Jersey . But its also a smart game. Theres more to the Kings than banging bodies. They take a toll mentally on their opponents. Anthony Sherman Jersey .com) - Thursday marks the official debut of a new dirt racing surface at Meydan Racecourse. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Derrick-Johnson-Chiefs-Jersey/ . Observant Muslims avoid food and liquids from dawn to dusk during Ramadan but can, and often do, skip it if travelling or doing hard physical labour. Some devout Muslim athletes choose to fast during training or competition, but it can create selection difficulties for the coaches in team sports. MONTREAL -- The Canadiens almost let it slip away. With a three-goal lead going into the final period on Saturday, Montreal conceded three straight goals to Detroit, including two in 36 seconds, but ultimately held on for the 5-3 victory. Pavel Datsyuk scored his 16th of the year at 5:11 on the power play, and Luke Glendening reduced the deficit again at 5:47 on a soft backhand shot that Carey Price got a piece of but couldnt keep out. Niklas Kronwall tied it up for Detroit midway through the third, beating Price with a rocket of a slap shot from the point, through traffic, on the man advantage. Instead of keeling over, however, the Canadiens answered Kronwalls game-tying goal with renewed energy. "At that point, you just reset, and go back to what made you successful in the first half of the game," said Montreal captain Brian Gionta. "You have to make sure you dont lose that momentum. Its much easier at home, when you have the crowd. You build some momentum off of them. You make a good play, and things start to snowball the right way again." With seven minutes remaining in a 3-3 game, Gionta helped right the ship. He was credited with his second goal of the evening when his shot, which was initially saved by Detroit netminder Jonas Gustavsson, bounced off defenceman Brian Lashoffs skate and into the net. Alex Galchenyuk added a fifth for the Canadiens two minutes later when a Tomas Plekanec shot deflected off his chest and past Gustavsson, who stopped 19 shots in the loss. "Thats proof that theres a lot of character on this team," said forward Michael Bournival. "Weve done this a few times this year. Even if we concede three straight goals, were able to bounce back. We knew the Red Wings never give up. They had us on our heels to start the third, but we got back on our feet." The red-hot Canadiens (45-27-7) are now 10-2-0 in their last 12 games. With the victory, Montreal remains in second place in the Atlantic, four points clear of division-rivals Tampa Bay, which lost on Saturday. The Habs play three more times - against the Blackhawks, Islanders and Rangers - before the start of their first-round playoff series. Montreal got a goal from each of its four lines against the Red Wings (37-27-14). "We need that depth in scoring," said Gionta. "Thats going to help us down the stretch. We cant just rely on one line. Were a much deeper team now." Fourth-liner Bournival scored the first for the Canadiens, his seventh of the year and first in 37 games, at 14:16 of the first period. Mitch Morse Jersey. The rookie got the play going, intercepting the puck in the neutral zone before feeding Ryan White at the blue-line. White held off defenceman Kyle Quincey and took a weak backhand shot on Gustavsson, who kicked the puck straight to a wide-open Bournival. "Thats Ryan Whites goal," said Bournival. "He charged the net. He made all the effort. I just had an open net. It felt good. But all the credit goes to Ryan." Max Pacioretty made it 2-0 on a great individual effort at 8:52 of the second, going around Kronwall with speed at the Canadiens blue-line to generate a breakaway. Pacioretty fended off a diving Lashoff before beating Gustavsson blocker-side for his ninth goal in his last eight games. With his 39th goal, Pacioretty moved into a tie with Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks for third in NHL scoring. Gionta got in on the action five minutes later, scoring his first of the night after a set play off the end boards landed perfectly on his stick, unmarked in front of the net. The goal was Montreals second in the period on only their third shot. Montreals victory snapped Detroits four-game winning streak. The Red Wings, with 88 points, are holding on to the first of two wild card spots in the East. "We have to be better than we were tonight," said Wings coach Mike Babcock. "Weve been on a good run here where we play hard. I didnt think there was a problem with our energy or our commitment to working hard tonight. We didnt execute well enough with the puck." The Red Wings outshot the Canadiens 37-26, including 15-4 in the second period. But they were repeatedly frustrated by Price, who made 34 saves on the night. "Lets face it. We had the puck a lot, and we didnt find a way to win, thats all," added Babcock. "When youre tied in the third, you need to find a way to win, and we couldnt do that." Both Montreal and Detroit were coming off wins on Friday. The Red Wings scored three times in the first period to beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2, while the Canadiens scored seven straight to down the Ottawa Senators 7-4. Both Price and Gustavsson had the night off on Friday. Notes: The game was Giontas 300th with Montreala Forwards Brandon Prust (upper body), Travis Moen (concussion) and Dale Weise (upper body) did not dressa Defenceman Douglas Murray served his second of a three-game suspension for his elbow to the head of Tampa Bays Mike Kostkaa The Red Wings are seeking a 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Cheap Jerseys Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap Jerseys China Discount NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys China ' ' '

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