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27.06.2019 02:30
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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. Justin Lawler Jersey . Notes on Bergeron, Marchand, Gorges, Vanek, Gaborik, Doughty, Hiller and more. BRUINS STORM BACK TO TAKE GAME TWO The Boston Bruins rallied from a 3-1 deficit, scoring four unanswered goals, to win Game Two, 5-3 over the Montreal Canadiens. Brian Allen Jersey . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not. http://www.cheapramsjerseyschina.com/. Toronto FC hosts the three-time Italian league champions in a friendly Aug. 7 at BMO Field, a game that Roma CEO Italo Zanzi said falls within a key part of their pre-season. Discount Rams Jerseys . LOUIS -- St. Jamil Demby Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle.When Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are ReUnited at Old Trafford on Saturday, the Manchester United and Arsenal managers will both have decisions to make up front. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended and doubts over whether Alexis Sanchez is fully fit, there could be changes for both teams. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price As former United defender and Sky Sports tactics expert Danny Higginbotham explains, the impact of those changes could be hugely significant to how the game pans out. For the home side at Old Trafford, its not just the loss of Ibrahimovic but how replacing him with Marcus Rashford changes the job of the midfielders as well.With Michael Carrick providing protection, Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata were able to offer support to the Swede in the 3-1 win at Swansea last time out. How will Manchester United adapt without Zlatan Ibrahimovic? What that meant was that these four could get closer to Ibrahimovic, Higginbotham tells Sky Sports.Against Swansea, the amount of times that Ibrahimovic came that little bit deeper meant we saw Rooney getting beyond him, Pogba getting beyond him, even Fellaini getting beyond him and Mata getting beyond him.Because Mata and Rooney were playing narrow that allowed space for the full-backs to get involved too. They used the width very well. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only forward yet to miss a minute of football in this seasons Premier League. But thats how Ibrahimovic plays. The problem that Manchester United could well have is that it could be Rashford up front. I think that changes the midfield for Manchester United.While Ibrahimovic wants to come deep, what youve got with Rashford is a player who likes to play on the shoulder.He wants to do the complete opposite. He wants to find the spaces between the centre-halves and down the channels. Higginbotham looks at Arsenals tactical options at Old Trafford So the problem that you have is that all of a sudden Rashford is a lot higher up the pitch. Therefore theres more distance for the midfield players to cover to get up in support.Thats why I wouldnt be surprised against Arsenal to see more pace in the wide areas. Rashford is a different type of forward so you need different types of midfielders behind him.Its a similar story with Arsenal given the contrast in styles between Sanchez and the man hes replaced as first-choice forward Olivier Giroud. Mesut Ozils change of emphasis Season Apps Goals Assists 2013/14 26 5 9 2014/15 22 4 5 2015/16 35 6 19 2016/17 10 3 1 Higginbotham feels Sanchezs style of play has led to Mesut Ozil scoring more this season rather than just assisting.ddddddddddddThe difference with Giroud is that he needs that pass, he says. He needs the support of someone like Ozil to not get beyond him so Ozil can then play the passes through to the likes of Theo Walcott.The difference when Sanchez is playing up front is massive because what youll find with his build and how quick he is, is that he can turn on his own in one or two touches. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass What that means is that Ozil doesnt even have to worry about it. Hes off. So is Walcott. What they can actually do is get beyond Sanchez and theyve done it so often this season.There are very different striker options for both teams and it will be interesting to see how it plays out and how it impacts on the midfield players.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Who wins the social media showdown? Which team has had the best player? Wengers poor re |
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