ekansekans's blog: "df"

DETROIT -- Torii Hunter has reached the post-season six times in his career, but hes never played in a World Series. Now hes joining forces with the defending AL champion Detroit Tigers -- a team thats come close to winning baseballs ultimate prize each of the last two years. "To win it all, theyre just like me. They dont know what it feels like," Hunter said. "If theres no failure, theres no progress. These guys are hungry for it." The Tigers introduced Hunter on Friday after finalizing their $26 million, two-year deal with the free agent outfielder. The 37-year-old hit a career-best .313 last season for the Los Angeles Angels with 16 home runs and 92 RBIs, and when he went on the open market, he began eyeing Detroit right away. The Tigers have won the AL Central the last two years, but theyre still chasing the franchises first World Series title since 1984. Detroit was one step away last season but lost the Series to San Francisco in a four-game sweep. Acquiring a corner outfielder was a major off-season priority for Detroit, and Hunter won nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 2001-09 before eventually switching from centre field to right. Hell play right field at spacious Comerica Park. "His defence is outstanding as we know," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "It definitely makes us a better defensive club. We havent always been able to do it, but you want outstanding outfielders out there because theres a lot of ground to cover." Smiling throughout an almost giddy news conference, Hunter joked with Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and demurred a bit when asked who should have been the American League MVP in 2012 -- former teammate Mike Trout of the Angels, or new teammate and eventual winner Miguel Cabrera of Detroit. "Thats a hot tamale -- that question right there," Hunter said. "I would like for both of those guys to win it." Adding Hunter is consistent with the way the Tigers have operated over the last couple years. With a core of talent that includes Cabrera, Justin Verlander and Prince Fielder, Detroit feels its window to win a World Series is wide open. "I cant wait to get to play with Torii," said Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly, who is from Hunters home state of Arkansas. "Growing up in Arkansas every place I went you heard about the legacy he left. Now to have the chance to play beside him is incredible." Hunter is looking forward to teaming up with a new group of stars -- and playing for manager Jim Leyland, who wasnt at the news conference Friday. "He is a funny old man," Hunter said. "Wed talk to each other during batting practice, and he would have me rolling." Hunter will wear his usual No. 48 after right-hander Rick Porcello agreed to switch to No. 21. Hunter says he was willing to pay Porcello for the number, but the New Jersey-born pitcher preferred the money go to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Hunter made the playoffs four times with Minnesota and twice with the Angels, but only twice has he even played in the AL championship series. Hes played 1,947 games, third most among active players who have never reached the World Series, according to STATS, LLC. "Everybody knows I want to win. Ive been to the playoffs several times and lost," Hunter said. "I really want to win a World Series before I get out of here, and this is my last stand. One more push -- and Im all-in." Peyton Manning Elite Jersey .Y. -- When push came to shove, Carl Edwards got the best of Brad Keselowski. Manning Elite Jersey . -- Will Power has won the pole in Sonoma for the third straight year, putting the IndyCar points leader in prime position to go for his third consecutive victory at the track. http://ozarksaids.org/new.html . Roddick beat Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 to win the Atlanta Open and earn his 32nd ATP World Tour title on Sunday. CHICAGO -- Frustrated after a pair of strikeouts, Adam Dunn watched video of his first two at-bats between innings to see why he was missing so many pitches in such an important game for the Chicago White Sox. Assessing his swing with hitting coach Jeff Manto, Dunn apparently figured out the problem. The burly slugger homered in consecutive plate appearances, including a clutch three-run shot in the eighth inning, and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 5-4 on Monday night to maintain their one-game lead in the AL Central. Dunn also went deep in the sixth as Chicago snapped a five-game losing streak and stayed in front of second-place Detroit, which beat Kansas City 6-2. The top two teams in the division each have nine games left. "The last homer, that probably was the most important so far in my career," Dunn said. "That was a win we needed." The designated hitter drove an 0-2 pitch from Vinnie Pestano (3-3) over the wall in right-centre with runners on the corners and two out in the eighth, putting Chicago ahead 5-3. Kevin Youkilis kept the inning alive with an infield single off third baseman Jack Hannahans glove before Dunn connected for No. 41 on the year. "We were struggling to score runs," said Dunn, who entered the game in a 2-for-21 skid. "That guys tough man. I hadnt been seeing the ball real good. He left the pitch over and it was one I was kind of swinging and missing at for about a week. Just happened to hit the barrel." Said Pestano: "You cant make mistakes to those guys. You have to get ahead and you have to bring it. I wasnt throwing my off-speed for strikes tonight. That had me leaning on fastball, missed a spot and he got me." Brett Myers (3-3) pitched the eighth for the win. The Indians got a run in the ninth when Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-out RBI double off Donnie Veal, who then retired Jason Kipnis on a grounder to convert his first save opportunity of the season. Dunn reached 40 homers in a season for the first time since 2008 and the sixth time in his career. Its quite a turnaround from last season, when he batted .159 with 11 homers in his first year with Chicago. This has become one of the most enjoyable and crucial stretches of his career. The slugger has never reached the playoffs in 12 big league seasons. "Its baseball. I dont look at it being important or this or that. This is your job," Dunn said. "Obviously eveerybody wants to get to the post-season, but its just fun.dddddddddddd Its fun right now when every single game matters. I think a lot of times you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Take a step back once in a while." And thats what he did after falling into the 0-2 hole against Pestano. "With Youk getting that base hit, its a spot you want to be as a hitter," Dunn said. "People look at it as pressure or this and that but to me, I love being in that situation. Obviously theyre a lot tougher than other situations but sometimes you get them, sometimes you dont." Cleveland starter Zach McAllister struck out seven in six innings and was charged with two runs and four hits. Chicago ace Chris Sale gave up 10 hits in seven innings, including Russ Canzlers two-run homer in the sixth that gave the Indians a 3-1 lead. The White Sox had another run cut down at the plate in the fourth when Alejandro De Aza tried to score from first on Youkilis double into the left-field corner. Catcher Lou Marson took the relay throw from third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and first base umpire Dan Bellino, who was covering the plate, called De Aza out. A replay showed that De Azas foot hit the plate before the tag. The White Sox tied it in the fifth on another close play after Alex Rios singled and A. J. Pierzynski walked. After a fielders choice put runners at the corners, Alexei Ramirez hit a grounder to shortstop and just beat the relay throw to first, allowing Rios to score on the failed double play. Cleveland grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third on Kipnis single and Asdrubal Cabreras double to right. NOTES: Dunn is the sixth player in White Sox history to reach 40 homers in a season, joining Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Albert Belle, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. ... Indians OF Michael Brantley (sore groin) was out of the starting lineup. Manager Manny Acta said Brantley was injured during a rundown against Kansas City. He said Brantley will "need a day or two." ... Acta said SS Jason Donald (wrist) was "a little sore" after swinging a bat Sunday, the first time hes done so since being hit by a pitch Sept. 14. There is no timetable for his return. .... White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Jake Peavy might be pushed from Wednesday to Thursday, meaning he would pitch the opener of the final four-game home series against the Rays. ' ' '