Dein erstes Forum » Albert Pujols will be the only remaining

TORONTO -- The sun was shining in Toronto about an hour before Game 5 of the AL Championship Series -- just not inside Rogers Centre, where the retractable roof was closed for a third straight day.If that was disappointing for any fans, it didnt seem to be much of an issue for the players.It can go either way. Obviously its a lot tougher to hit when you have shadows, Cleveland outfielder Coco Crisp said. Im sure the hitters prefer it this way. Pitching Im not so sure. Im not on that end. Me personally, Im happy its (closed).The postseason protocol in Toronto calls for the commissioner or a designee to decide what to do with the roof, in consultation with the Blue Jays and the crew chief. The decision is supposed to take into account how the home team handles the issue during the regular season.An Major League Baseball official said Wednesday that the temperature was close to the normal threshold for closing the roof in Toronto. With the first pitch scheduled for 4:08 p.m., it was possible the weather could become a bit colder during the game.The Indians led the Blue Jays 3-1 in the best-of-seven matchup.Cleveland slugger Carlos Santana said he likes it fine when the roof is closed, although he said it seems a little dark when its not open.Crisp said hes never had any problems with the lighting level when the dome is closed.I never thought any different. Im used to playing with the dome closed, Crisp said. Its only been maybe once or twice where Ive played with it open. Either way, it doesnt matter.The Blue Jays were sending Marco Estrada to the mound against Cleveland rookie Ryan Merritt for Game 5, and Toronto manager John Gibbons was glad there wouldnt be any shadows to worry about.You dont want shadows. We play better when we score runs, Gibbons said. Estrada is a big deception guy, anyway, whether you can see him or not. Maybe (the shadows) would help this young kid, so dont give him any advantages when hes throwing.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtristerWholesale Shoes Nike . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Wholesale Shoes Cheap . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Wholesale Shoes Website . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Wholesale Shoes For Sale . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose.Baseball is returning to the Olympics in 2020. The question now is who will be playing.With the Summer Games falling in the middle of the major league season, the sport has never been able to produce the kind of best-against-best spectacle that Olympic hockey and basketball have. But even if that remains the case, there will undoubtedly be some big names taking the field at the Tokyo Games.It just might take a few years before baseball fans really know them.Baseball was a full medal event at the Olympics from 1992-2008, and it was a demonstration sport before that. In 1984, Japan won the gold medal game, beating a U.S. team that included Mark McGwire and Will Clark -- both of whom were a couple years away from their big league debuts. At the Seoul Olympics in 1988, the Americans avenged that loss when Jim Abbott beat Japan in the title game.Heres a brief chronology of Olympic baseball since it became a medal sport in 1992:Barcelona (1992): Jason Giambi and Nomar Garciaparra were part of this U.S. team, but the Americans were drubbed by Japan and Cuba and failed to win a medal. The Omar Linares-led Cubans took the gold.Atlanta (1996): Home-field advantage only meant so much for the U.S., which lost 11-2 to Japan in the semifinals and had to settle for bronze. Cuba beat Japan 13-9 for the gold, with Linares hitting three homers in the title game.Sydney (2000): Cubas Olympic dynasty was finally upended when the U.S. knocked off the two-time defending champions 4-0 to win the gold. Professionals were allowed in the Olympic tournament for the first time, but the conflict with the major league schedule meant the Americans still had a relatively unheralded roster. With Tommy Lasorda managing, Ben Sheets allowed one earned run in 22 innings, and his three-hitter in the final gave the U.S. the title.Athens (2004): The U.S. didnt even make it to the Olympics to defend its title. The Americans were eliminated in qualifying, and the gold medal went back to Cuba, which beat upstart Australia in the final. The Aussies had upset Daisuke Matsuzaka and Japan in tthe semifinals.ddddddddddddBeijing (2008): The last Olympic baseball tournament for a while ended in dramatic fashion, when Cubas Yulieski Gurriel -- who signed a $47.5 million, five-year contract with Houston last month -- hit into a double play with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. South Korea held on for a 3-2 win and the gold.There were plenty of future major leaguers playing in the 08 Summer Games. Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched for the champion South Koreans, and the bronze medal-winning Americans had Stephen Strasburg and Jake Arrieta.Japan failed to medal despite having Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka and Norichika Aoki.Here are a few developments from around baseball this past week:STANDING ALONEAlex Rodriguez is set to play his final game for the New York Yankees on Friday, and David Ortiz has announced hell retire at seasons end. If those two are indeed done after this year, then Albert Pujols will be the only remaining active member of the 500-homer club.The 36-year-old Pujols is at 581. The closest active player below 500 home runs is Miguel Cabrera at 433.FANTASY FOCUSNow that the trade deadline is out of the way and players are settling in with new teams and perhaps new roles, the next big issue to watch down the stretch is innings limits. Weve seen teams exercise caution with young pitchers in ways that can affect their fantasy value.Torontos Aaron Sanchez, the AL ERA leader, hasnt been moved to the bullpen yet, but the Blue Jays are clearly being cautious with him, using a six-man rotation. Detroits Michael Fulmer will also be monitored carefully.LINE OF THE WEEKBaltimores Manny Machado homered in the first, second and third innings, driving in seven runs in a 10-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. That flurry of power gave the All-Star third baseman a surprisingly reasonable chance at a four-homer game, but he went hitless in his next three at-bats.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '