ekansekans's blog: "df"

R.A. Dickey thanked the New York Mets and their fans for giving him "a chance" in a poignant letter published over the weekend. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month along with Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas in exchange for John Buck, Travis dArnaud, Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra. Dickey then agreed to a two-year contract extension with Toronto worth $25 million that runs through to the end of the 2015 season with a club option for 2016. And while the 38-year-old knuckleballer is excited about his new team, Dickey expressed his gratitude to the Mets and their fans in Saturdays New York Daily News. "I never expected to be writing a farewell holiday card to Mets fans," Dickey wrote. "I never expected to be doing anything but celebrating the joy of the season with my wife and kids and looking toward the spring, and the start of my fourth season with an organization that gave me maybe the greatest gift an athlete can get: A chance." A former first-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, Dickey struggled with consistency until he began toying with the knuckleball in 2005. He perfected it last season with the Mets, posting a 20-6 record and a 2.73 earned-run average on the way to winning the NL Cy Young Award. The right-hander had hoped to sign a contract extension with New York and continue pitching in front of the fans he had grown to love, but the two sides could not reach an agreement. "The trade was hard for me at first. (New York) is where my heart was, where I wanted to be, where I lived out a story of redemption and felt that every one of you shared it with me in some form or fashion," Dickey continued. "I loved pitching for you. I loved your passion, the way you embraced me from the start, and the way you seemed to appreciate the effort I was putting forth. "Every time Id walk off the mound after an outing, Id look in your faces, the people behind the dugout, and felt as if all your energy and support was pouring right into me -- even when I was lousy. It gives me chill bumps thinking about it even now." Dickey, who is part of a bold remake of Torontos roster that includes pitchers Mark Buerhle and Josh Johnson, shortstop Jose Reyes and outfielder Melky Cabrera, is looking forward to the coming season with the Blue Jays. "As I move beyond the sadness over leaving here, I know I have a tremendous amount to look forward to. The Blue Jays may need name tags on the first day of spring training, but once we get acquainted, well, this team could be something," he wrote. "I appreciate the welcome Ive already gotten from them, and what theyre trying to build. Well see how it all unfolds." Wholesale Jerseys Supply . Popovic finished at 16-under 272 at the Palmer Coolum resort. The Australian opened with rounds of 64, 70 and 69. Rod Pampling birdied the first six holes to take the lead after nine holes, but dropped four strokes on the final three holes -- making bogeys on 16 and 17 and a double bogey on 18 -- to fall into a tie for second with fellow Australian Anthony Brown. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China .Y. -- Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd has a swollen right foot, but is not expected to miss any playing time. http://www.wholesalechinajerseysmall.com/ . Bayern says the winger has a slightly torn muscle. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said Robben will miss at least Saturdays Bundesliga match at Nuremberg and Tuesdays Champions League game in Valencia.Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Michael Gligic defeated Matt Marshall on the second playoff hole Sunday to earn his first Canadian Tour victory at the ATB Financial Classic. Gligic shot a 4-under 67 on Sunday, while Marshall had a 3-under 68. The pair finished regulation tied at 14-under 270 and headed back to the 18th tee at Windemere Golf & Country Club. Neither found the fairway on the first extra hole, but Gligic was at least able to reach the green with his approach. Marshall came up short of the putting surface and chipped to 8 feet. Gligic missed his 35-foot birdie try and left himself with almost 4 feet. Marshalls par putt stayed above ground, so Gligic had that little putt for the victory. He missed and it was back to 18 tee. Once again, neither player landed in the short grass, but Marshall was under a tree and didnt really have a shot. His punch hit some branches, then his third landed in a greenside buunker.dddddddddddd Marshall blasted out to 8 feet and Gligic was 35 feet from the stick in two. Gligics birdie chance ran 6 feet by the hole, but Marshall missed his bogey try. Gligic had 2 putts for the victory, but poured in his par putt to get the win. For Marshall, this was a lost opportunity. He held the lead through most of the final round, but four consecutive bogeys from the 14th knocked him out of first. Marshall birdied the last just to force a playoff. Third-round leader Joe Panzeri (71), Nick Taylor (67), Ryan Williams (68) and Dodge Kemmer (70) shared third place at 12-under 272. Last years winner, Hugo Leon, posted a 4-under 67 and took seventh at minus-11. NOTES: Gligic was the medalist at last years Fall Q School...He earned $28,000 for the victory...The Canadian Tour remains in Alberta next week for the Syncrude Boreal Open in Fort McMurray, where Danny Sahl captured the 2011 title. ' ' '