Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / April 12, 2013, edition 1 / Page 13
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SPORTS APRIL 12, 2013 11 Same face, new place: Major League Baseball is back BY JOHN KLUEPFEL Staff Writer Spit and chew hit freshly cut grass. Sounds of vendors yelling, "Popcorn Cracker Jacks" fill the air. Get your peanuts. Baseball is back. The Major League Baseball 2013 season opened with a number of new acquisitions and division adjustments. Interleague, established in 1997, will now take place year-round following the Houston Astros' new transition to the American League. "I like the concept," said sophomore Brandon Wagstaff, a Los Angeles Dodgers fan. "I love to watch games between teams of the National League and American League." The offseason produced several trades that will have people asking, "He plays there now?" The Toronto Blue Jays, for example, were particularly busy. After a series of drafts, their roster is barely recognizable from last season. The Marlins — now sporting a new logo and belonging strictly to the city of Miami — completed a salary-dump trade to the Blue Jays in which they traded their highest- paid players in exchange for players of lesser value. Miami's team committed nearly $164 million to the five players dealt to Toronto. Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson was traded, along with superstar shortstop Jose Reyes, who has a guaranteed contract of $96 million through 2018 with the Miami team. Even 2012 Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey was let go and picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays. "The Blue Jays improved the most on paper," said first- year Harrison Houlihan, a Washington Nationals fan. "Then again, they are basically the Marlins transplanted into Toronto, and you saw how that worked out in Miami lastyear." ^ The Los Angeles Angels agreed to contract terms with right fielder Josh Hamilton for a salary of $147 million over six years. This blockbuster deal promises to add more home run support to their stacked lineup. Although the Angels pitching staff has taken a hit, the core group of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Hamilton resembles the 1927 Yankees Murderers' Row. "Josh Hamilton is my pick for MVP," said first-year Trenor Colby, a self-proclaimed Boston Red Sox fanatic. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, usually the highest spenders in free agency, remained relatively quiet during offseason aquisitions. Staying true to their goal of lowering payroll to $189 million by 2014, the Bronx Bombers of the American League East let notable contributors Russell Martin of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Nick Swisher of the Cleveland Indians and Raul Ibanez of the Seattle Mariners suit up in new uniforms. The Yankees added former Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis in anticipation of his high-skill defensive performance. On what might be a downfall, the Yankees also launched the season with bruised and battered team leaders Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson sitting on the disabled list. "Even if everybody is hurt, Tm confident the Yankees will win the division," said first-year Sherrod Johnson. "Not many people predicted that the Yankees would win the division last year either." Boston selected to offer short contracts to experienced players. The Sox signed veterans Shane Victorino for $39 million over three years, Ryan Dempster for $26.5 million over two years and Mike Napoli at $5 million over one year's time. The T^pa'Bay Rays traded ace James Shields to the Kansas City Royals for future outfield star Wil Myers. Fresh off of an impressive 93-win season, the Baltimore Orioles will rely on their core of young talent. "I'm really excited to see how the Orioles do," said first-year Andrew Griffin, an Orioles fan. "They had an amazing season last year and I really want to see how they do this season." The Atlanta Braves signed center-fielder B.J. Upton to a lucrative five-year $75.25 million contract, and traded for B.J.'s brother Justin to play left field. "Brothers playing together is always pretty cool," said Griffin. The Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds acquired lead-off hitters in Denard Span and Shin-Soo Choo. The Dodgers agreed to terms with Korean Hyun-Jin Ryu to create a unique rotation of play with newly-signed Zack Grienke, Clayton Kershaw, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley. The young and talented Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper will lead the Washington Nationals in this year's season, hopefully to a consecutive divisional title. "Bryce Harper can be the greatest," said Houlihan. "Now that the reins are off, Stephen Strasburg can win the Cy Young." Although trades and free agency were the main themes this offseason, colossal contract extensions stole headlines. Pitcher Justin Verlander signed a five-year extension with the Detroit Hgers, totaling $180 million with an option that could increase his salary to $202 million at a later date. 2012 National League MVP Buster Posey signed a nine- year $167 million extension with the San Francisco Giants. The offseason was hectic so it may take a while to remember who is playing where. Welcome to MLB 2013. Kevin Ware: broken tibia, not heart BY RISHAB REVANKAR StaffWritbi After contesting a 3-point shot, Louisville guard Kevin Ware fell with an awful twist resulting in a 90-degree tibial protrusion accompanied by a compound fracture. With 6:33 remaining in the first half of the Duke-Louisville Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, spectators were stunned into silence. Ware's teammates buried their faces and sobbed amongst each other. Countless observers cringed in horror. Some stared at the court in utter disbelief. "As I was watching the game, I thought it was a normal fall," Bhavik Patel, a Louisville, Ky., resident said in a phone interview. "Then I saw something sticking out of his leg, and I Froze." As replays instantly went viral on the Internet, the entire nation sent prayers to Ware and his family. "My heart broke," assistant women's basketball coach Mercedes Van Wagner said. "It was awful. You don't see that happen in basketball." While the rest of the world continued to grimace, the Louisville Cardinals focused their attention on securing a Final Four berth. Ware was no exception. "Just win the game," Ware told his team according to ESPN. "I'm okay. Just win the game." And win the game they did. In an 85-63 rout, the Cardinals trounced the Blue Devils, outscoring them by 21 points in the second half. After the game, they held up Ware's jersey next to the Midwest Region championship trophy. "(The Cardinals) have ridiculous skill," assistant men's basketball coach Caleb Kimborough said. "But that night, you could just see how passionate they were — not just about the game, but about their teammates." While his teammates prepared for a Final Four matchup. Ware turned from a student-athlete to a national figure. The following day, he received reassuring calls from Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and even the first lady, Michelle Obama. While friends, fans and celebrities alike pay heartfelt condolences, the question inevitably arises: will Kevin Ware suit up for Louisville again? "I could play ball tomorrow if I really wanted to," Ware said during an appearance on the Letterman Show. Setting his sights on a comeback next season, the sophomore guard has tremendous support from coaches and fellow athletes. "As a coach, I would keep a kid like that involved in the program," said Guilford's Athletic Director and head men's basketball coach Tom Palombo. Head women's basketball coach Stephanie Flamini has seen similar injuries on the court and is optimistic about Ware's return. "Just by the way he's reacted, I think he will definitely be back," Hamini said. "I think he'll be great." In 2005, former Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year Courtney Hill tore her anterior collateral ligament as a senior with 10 games left in the season. "It's losing your heart and soul of the team," Flamini said. "She was never the same player again... but it's up to the kid to react the right way. "How is their attitude going to be? Are they going to play scared?" Kevin Ware looked a lot of things, but scared was not one of them. Want to learn more about how WQfS, Guilford's student-run radio station, works? Interested in getting course credit by working at our radio station? starting Fall 2013, the WQFS B Practicum course can be taken for 2 or 4 credits, and counts toward a minor in music or communications, or as an elective. It will be Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please contact Kote Schwab (schwabkc@guilford.edu) OR Kami Rowan (krowan@guilford.edu) with any questions.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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