Dein erstes Forum » overmatched. Hes hitting the ball hard. He loo

With the presidential election just around the corner, it seems appropriate for me to declare my allegiance, my commitment toward someone or something.Among my favorite quotes is: Stand up for what you believe in, otherwise you risk standing for nothing.That said, I am a tough sell, and getting tougher as I age.So please allow me to clear the air on a few things:I believe in the Chase.Its taken some time, and there have been a few bumps in the road, but I love this format, I believe it creates entertainment, its equitable for all 16 drivers, and most important -- its authentic.Its authentic because it rewards winning! Thats something I have campaigned for since I hung up my helmet.As I navigated the Dover Garage area Friday, I discovered only two teams -- drivers who appeared at peace with themselves -- Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick. Both demonstrated the value of having won a playoff race.Its the purest form of competition when you reward the winners and incentivize those who remain.This formula works; it has enhanced the pursuit of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion -- period!I believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. should retire.Unless winning more races feels more critical than anything else in his life.I have no tolerance for anyone challenging my view on this who has never experienced the residual effects of concussions. Thats because its probably self-serving and comes from a perspective of not whats best for Dale but rather whats best for our sport, whats best for our ratings, whats best for our industry or our bottom line.Im not calling out anyone. I am well past that behavior, but I will fire this shot across the bow of anyone interested in challenging my view. I experienced it, I had to overcome it, and Im equipped to speak of it.Its personal for me because I worry about the long-term effects of my concussions. However, I have absolutely no regrets about any step of my driving career. None!NASCAR has contributed to my having a phenomenal life, and while I do have apprehension toward my quality of life 20 years from now, I have none regarding my first 50. Earnhardt is a wonderful person, among my favorite people. I trust him, I have confidence in him. He has helped make our sport better -- significantly better.What we owe him in return is the liberty to make this decision based on only one thing -- and this whats best for him.I appreciate Tony Stewart, and I hope he wins Sunday.I havent always liked Stewart, and in full disclosure I know he hasnt always liked me! But I like that he is real.I like that he speaks his mind, says what he truly believes. Theres not enough of that in this world, and when Tony is gone, the tell-it-the-way-it-is meter will ratchet down a couple of notches.I believe Tony is among the most talented Ive ever competed against. I admire that part of him.What I dont admire is his inability to control his temper, maintain his composure.You see, how you act in life contributes majorly your legacy. How you react in life probably contributes even more than that.Two weeks in a row, Tony lost his composure, essentially causing two wrecks.While I appreciated Tony not ducking from the responsibility of what happened, I shuddered at the thought of the contingent of people who would associate Tonys behavior with the volatility in his recent past.Ryan Newman didnt help any of that by telling the world to go to Google and YouTube all things Tony Stewart.Let me be clear: I respect Tony Stewart. I also believe he is a good guy, and while Im confident he wouldnt intentionally try to hurt anyone in a race car, those two weeks cracked the door open slightly for those interested in deriding him.I believe Tony deserves better than that, but I also believe he is the gatekeeper of how he will be perceived.I sincerely hope Tony Stewart wins Sunday. I want it for him, for his family, his team, his fans.Most of all, I want Tony Stewarts career to end with celebration. I believe he deserves that.The Bottom LineMost of you expected me to declare support for a presidential candidate. I tempted you with how I framed the beginning of this article.Fact is, I wouldnt do that. Its not who I am, not what I represent.I have no interest in trying to persuade someone to think the way I think, believe what I believe. Thats something Ive acquired with age, perhaps wisdom.Think for yourself, say what you believe while being sensitive to how it might affect other people. But do not deviate from being yourself. Its what I refer to as being real.I love my life. I love real.Nike Boty Sleva .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Nike Tanjun Pánské . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. http://www.airforce1levne.com/ . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Nike Roshe Two Dámské . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Nike Roshe One Dámské .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again.TORONTO -- Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs has been going through a tough stretch, and it was more of the same on Tuesday night.Russell Martin had three hits and two RBI, R.A. Dickey pitched 6 2/3 innings for his first home win since July 10 and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Angels 7-2.Skaggs (1-3) allowed four runs and four hits in four-plus innings and is winless in five starts. His five walks were a season-worst.Unfortunately, kind of the same stuff weve seen the last couple of starts, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Whether its a release point issue, whether its a mechanical adjustment or whatever it is, hes a hair off right now and hes not able to make the pitches he needs to. Hes not missing by a lot but hes missing by enough where hes putting himself in bad counts.Skaggs has allowed four earned runs or more in each of his past four outings. He struck out two batters Tuesday, a season-low.Just not the results that I want, Skaggs said. Ive got to be better out there. Its getting a little frustrating.The Angels lost their 11th straight road game, their longest such skid since a 14-game streak in 1969.Nick Buss hit his first major league home run, but Los Angeles lost for the fourth time in six games. The Angels have lost 15 of 18 overall.Toronto remained tied with Boston for first place in the AL East. The Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 2-1.Dickey (9-13) came in 2-8 with a 5.57 ERA in 13 home starts but held the last-place Angels in check, allowing two runs and six hits.Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Dickey was fantastic after giving up a two-run homer to Buss in the second.Then he kind of put it in cruise control, Gibbons said.Martin had an RBI single in the first, drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the third, singled and scored in the fifth, and doubled over the head of center fielder Mike Trout in the seventh. Martin is 12 for 27 with nine RBI in his past five games.Hes smoking hot right now, Gibbons said.Michael Saunders hit his 21st home run, a solo shot off A.ddddddddddddJ. Achter in the eighth, and Edwin Encarnacion and Darwin Barney each reached base three times as the Blue Jays won their fifth straight over the Angels. Toronto has outscored Los Angeles 51-16 in that span.Down the stretch every game is important, Barney said. I dont think were taking anyone lightly.Trailing 2-1, Toronto loaded the bases with no outs against Skaggs in the third. Barney scored the tying run when Martin walked and Encarnacion put the Blue Jays in front by scoring on Troy Tulowitzkis double play groundout.Buss finished 2 for 4, adding a bunt single in the ninth. He recorded multiple RBI for the first time.He looks very comfortable at the plate, Scioscia said. Hes certainly not overmatched. Hes hitting the ball hard. He looks like he belongs here.WALK THIS WAYTrout drew his AL-leading 86th walk in the third. Arizonas Paul Goldschmidt entered play Tuesday as the ML-leader with 92 walks, one more than Washingtons Bryce Harper.JOEY BATS ALMOST BACKBlue Jays OF Jose Bautista (left knee) is expected be activated off the 15-day DL as soon as he is eligible on Thursday. Gibbons said Bautista will be used at DH often to protect his knee.TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: 2B Devon Travis was not available after getting a cortisone injection in his sore right ring finger. Barney started in his place. ... OF Kevin Pillar (sprained left thumb) was activated off the 15-day DL and started in center field. RHP Ryan Tepera was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a spot for Pillar.UP NEXTAngels: RHP Matt Shoemaker (7-13, 4.14) is 1-1 with an 8.38 ERA in two career games against Toronto.Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (7-5, 3.20) allowed a season-high five earned runs against the Yankees on Aug. 16. It was the third time in 21 starts this season Estrada has allowed more than three earned runs. ' ' '