Bewerbung » legitimate wild card contender. And p

Woodstock, Ont. - Team Canadas Brooke Henderson carded a 4-under 67 at Craigowan Golf and Country Club to jump into the lead at the Canadian Womens Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Henderson opened her second round with a 3-under 32 and followed it with back-nine birdies on the par-5 13th and par-4 17th holes to grab the outright lead at 5-under 137. The 16-year-old has played near flawless golf since opening the tournament with an over-par front-nine on Tuesday. "It was a tough start yesterday being 3-over through eight holes but then I went 4-under the rest of the way which was really huge," said Henderson, the defending champion. "I had a couple of moments yesterday that really saved my round and I think that really saved my tournament. Going into today I knew I had momentum and I just wanted to keep that going." With that momentum the Smiths Falls, Ont. native currently sits one-stroke clear of her teammate Augusta James of Bath, Ont. and Liz Breen of Waynesboro, Pa., who share second place at 4-under 138 at the conclusion of Wednesdays windy second round. "It was much tougher today, we were here bright and early and it was quite a bit colder from past days so the ball wasnt quite flying as far," Henderson continued. "The wind also really picked up especially in the middle of my round, I was hitting four clubs more than what I normally do." James battled back during her closing nine, carding birdies on her final two holes to finish with an even-par 71. Breed held the outright lead for a short time on the back-nine before bogeying two of her last six holes to finish tied with James. Australias Su-Hyun Oh posted a 2-over 73 to finish in solo fourth at 2-under 140, while Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C. and Californias Betty Chen share fifth place at 1-under par. In the Inter-Provincial Team competition, the Team Ontario contingent of Henderson, James and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., soared away from the field to capture the team title. The squad fired a 5-under 137 to finish 15 strokes ahead of Team Alberta in the 36-hole competition at 10-under par. In the Mid-Amateur division (25+), Christina Proteau of Port Alberni, B.C. posted a 6-over 77 to card a two-round total of 153. Proteau currently sits three strokes ahead of Helene Chartrand of Pincourt, Que. In the Mid-Master division, Chartrand, the defending champion, fired a second round 1-under 70 and currently sits one-stroke ahead of Marion Reid of Etobicoke, Ont. at 11-over 153. The champion of the 101st Canadian Womens Amateur Championship receives an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Womens Open and also the 2014 U.S. Womens Amateur. Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here. The following are second round scores from the 2014 Canadian Womens Amateur Championship at Craigowan Golf and Country Club (Par 71 – 6207 yards):1. Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, ON, *70-67-137 -52. Augusta James, Bath, ON, *67-71-138 -42. Liz Breed, Waynesboro, PA, *67-71-138 -44. Su-Hyun Oh, Australia, *67-73-140 -25. Megan Osland, Kelowna, BC, *68-73-141 -15. Betty Chen, Castro Valley, CA, *71-70-141 -17. Gabriela Lopez, Mexico, *67-75-142 E7. Jing Yan, China, *74-68-142 E7. Elizabeth Tong, Thornhill, ON, *71-71-142 E7. Lauren Diaz-Yi, Thousand Oaks, CA, *71-71-142 E11. Brittany Marchand, Orangeville, ON, *73-70-143 +111. Charlotte Thomas, England, *74-69-143 +111. Kacie Komoto, Honolulu, HI, *72-71-143 +111. Regina Plasencia, Mexico, *73-70-143 +115. Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, AB, *73-71-144 +215. Kendall Martindale, Jefferson City, TN, *73-71-144 +215. Manuela Carbajo Re, Argentina, *72-72-144 +215. Briana Mao, Folsom, CA, *74-70-144 +215. Natalie Goodson, Hudson, OH, *73-71-144 +220. Josée Doyon, Beauceville, QC, *71-74-145 +320. Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Québec, QC, *74-71-145 +320. Jennifer Ha, Calgary, AB, *71-74-145 +320. Maddie Szeryk, Allen, TX, *77-68-145 +320. Lindsay McGetrick, Spartanburg, SC, *71-74-145 +3 20. Delaney Howson, Newmarket, ON, *73-72-145 +326. Julia Montgomery, Shelby Township, MI, *71-75-146 +426. Jordan Ferreira, University Place, WA, *74-72-146 +426. Selena Costabile, Thornhill, ON, *71-75-146 +429. Annie Park, Levittown, NY, *74-73-147 +529. Karen Chung, Livingston, NJ, *75-72-147 +529. Yumi Matsubara, Japan, *72-75-147 +529. Christina Foster, Concord, ON, *75-72-147 +529. Nicole Morales, South Salem, NY, *72-75-147 +529. Delfina Acosta, Argentina, *74-73-147 +529. Ana Menendez, Mexico, *73-74-147 +536. Sabrina Sapone, Montréal, QC, *74-74-148 +636. Valérie Tanguay, St-Hyacinthe, QC, *77-71-148 +636. Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, ON, *75-73-148 +636. Tatiana Wijaya, Indonesia, *73-75-148 +636. Lakareber Abe, Angleton, TX, *72-76-148 +636. Brittany Fan, Pearl City, HI, *70-78-148 +642. Leilanie Kim, Burnaby, BC, *75-74-149 +742. Lisbeth Brooks, Waunakee, WI, *74-75-149 +742. Magdalena Simmermacher, Argentina, *69-80-149 +742. Maria Camila Serrano, Colombia, *75-74-149 +746. Christina Proteau, Port Alberni, BC, *73-77-150 +846. Taylor Kim, Surrey, BC, *75-75-150 +846. Allison Emrey, Charlotte, NC, *71-79-150 +846. Aliea Clark, Carlsbad, CA, *75-75-150 +846. Courtney Tolton, Mitchell, ON, *75-75-150 +846. Elizabeth Elmassian, Australia, *74-76-150 +846. Vivian Tsui, Markham, ON, *74-76-150 +846. Sofía Goicoechea Ruiz, Argentina, *74-76-150 +854. A Ram Choi, Surrey, BC, *77-74-151 +954. Emily Campbell, Lewisville, TX, *79-72-151 +954. Sydney Needham, Villa Rica, GA, *72-79-151 +954. Danielle Fuss, Rochester, NY, *76-75-151 +954. Kimberly Santiago, Lynnwood, WA, *75-76-151 +954. Giovana Maymon, Mexico, *76-75-151 +954. Sloan Shanahan, Simpsonville, SC, *76-75-151 +954. Alix Kong, West Vancouver, BC, *77-74-151 +954. Megan Kim, Redondo Beach, CA, *77-74-151 +954. Blair Lewis, La Mesa, CA, *76-75-151 +964. Morgan Matchett, Miramichi, NB, *78-74-152 +1064. Megan Woodland, Victoria, BC, *80-72-152 +1064. Naomi Ko, Victoria, BC, *78-74-152 +1064. Gabriella Then, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, *74-78-152 +1064. Grace Howie, Calgary, AB, *78-74-152 +1064. Taylor Schmidt, Kincardine, ON, *77-75-152 +1064. Katherine Gravel-Coursol, Mirabel, QC, *78-74-152 +1064. Robyn Doig, Seaforth, ON, *74-78-152 +1072. Helene Chartrand, Pincourt, QC, *83-70-153 +1173. Marion Reid, Etobicoke, ON, *78-76-154 +1274. Ivy Steinberg, Stouffville, ON, *85-76-161 +1975. Kim Walker, Regina, SK, *81-81-162 +2076. Mindy Lichtman, Winnipeg, MB, *82-82-164 +2276. Jennifer Lochhead, Ancaster, ON, *86-78-164 +2276. Andrea Blackwell, Kingston, ON, *82-82-164 +2279. Meghan Dove, Oshawa, ON, *89-78-167 +2580. Lynn Morrison, Oshawa, ON, *86-82-168 +26 DID NOT FINISH MC. Sydney MacDonald, Calgary, AB, *75-78-153 +11MC. Sarah Westaway, Union, ON, *79-74-153 +11MC. Celia Kuenster, Mendota Heights, MN, *77-76-153 +11MC. Alexandra Harkins, Crystal Lake, IL, *78-75-153 +11MC. Hannah Lee, Surrey, BC, *78-75-153 +11MC. Caroline Ciot, Brossard, QC, *77-76-153 +11MC. Becky Martin, Medicine Hat, AB, *75-79-154 +12MC. Alicia Weber, Northville, MI, *79-75-154 +12MC. Alice Jeong, Gardena, CA, *76-78-154 +12MC. Brianna Cooper, Kincardine, ON, *78-76-154 +12MC. Maria Fassi, Mexico, *76-78-154 +12MC. Emily White, Saline, MI, *77-78-155 +13MC. Tenley Shield, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, *76-79-155 +13MC. Kelly Grassel, Chesterton, IN, *73-82-155 +13MC. Annie Yang, Delta, BC, *79-77-156 +14MC. Jenna Hague, Burlington, ON, *77-79-156 +14MC. Annie Songeun Lee, Surrey, BC, *81-75-156 +14MC. Tezira Abe, Angleton, TX, *78-78-156 +14MC. Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, ON, *78-79-157 +15MC. Marie Donnici, Vancouver, BC, *76-81-157 +15MC. Rachel Pollock, Guelph, ON, *82-76-158 +16MC. Alexandria Celli, Bluffton, SC, *78-80-158 +16MC. Karyn Lee Ping, Brampton, ON, *79-79-158 +16MC. Kendra Bishop, Niagara Falls, ON, *80-78-158 +16MC. Valentina Trillo, Port Moody, BC, *79-79-158 +16MC. Stephanie Gibri, San Carlos, CA, *79-79-158 +16MC. Claire Hernandez, Palgrave, ON, *77-81-158 +16MC. Grace Chung, Richmond Hill, ON, *78-80-158 +16MC. Katlyn Elliott, Peterborough, ON, *78-81-159 +17MC. Veronique Fortin-Latreille, Candiac, QC, *81-78-159 +17MC. Samantha Spencer, Georgetown, ON, *79-80-159 +17MC. Sarah Harris, Hermitage, TN, *77-82-159 +17MC. Valentina Giraldo, Colombia, *83-76-159 +17MC. Stephanie Liu, St. Albans, MO, *84-75-159 +17MC. Julia Henderson, New Glasgow, NS, *80-80-160 +18MC. Sabrine Garrison, Calgary, AB, *77-83-160 +18MC. Kelsey Sear, Unionville, ON, *86-75-161 +19MC. Cordelia Chan, Windsor, ON, *83-78-161 +19MC. Madelyn Piccininni, Toronto, ON, *80-81-161 +19MC. Laura DeMarco, LaSalle, ON, *80-81-161 +19MC. Mackenzie Rice, Barrie, ON, *81-80-161 +19MC. Jacqueline Calamaro, Newtown Square, PA, *81-81-162 +20MC. Corinne Grans-Wood, Barrie, ON, *81-81-162 +20MC. Alison Timlin, Ottawa, ON, *78-84-162 +20MC. Meghan Bennett, Pickering, ON, *77-85-162 +20MC. Bernadette Little, Pictou County, NS, *79-84-163 +21MC. Meghan McLean, Port Williams, NS, *84-79-163 +21MC. Lily Pendy, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, *84-79-163 +21MC. Krysta Schaus, Fredericton, NB, *78-85-163 +21MC. Casey MacNeil, Massey, ON, *78-85-163 +21MC. Paula DiFrancesco, Burlington, ON, *83-80-163 +21MC. Danielle Sawyer, Grafton, ON, *82-81-163 +21MC. Sarah Dunning, Kitchener, ON, *83-81-164 +22MC. Brittany Davidson, Mississauga, ON, *81-83-164 +22MC. Brooke Hobson, Prince Albert, SK, *81-84-165 +23MC. Bri-ann Tokariwski, Winnipeg, MB, *82-83-165 +23MC. Kimberly Risulmi, Lloydminster, SK, *81-84-165 +23MC. Brooke Sharpe, Kitchener, ON, *87-78-165 +23MC. Mackenzie Butzer, Chatham, ON, *81-84-165 +23MC. Yourim Kang, Toronto, ON, *80-85-165 +23MC. Michelle Ruiz, Mississauga, ON, *82-84-166 +24MC. Kaitlyn Stoddart, Orangeville, ON, *79-87-166 +24MC. Julie Whalen, London, ON, *86-81-167 +25MC. Camryn Roadley, Winnipeg, MB, *86-83-169 +27MC. Lisa Gordon, Ottawa, ON, *82-87-169 +27MC. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *86-84-170 +28MC. Meghan McDougall, Markham, ON, *83-88-171 +29MC. Sarah-Anne Smurlick, Dundas, ON, *85-87-172 +30MC. Emily Romkey, Fall River, NS, *86-87-173 +31MC. Virginie Boulianne, Québec, QC, *89-85-174 +32MC. Cristal Fitzpatrick, Dartmouth, NS, *91-84-175 +33MC. Susan Podolsky, Alexandria, VA, *93-85-178 +36MC. Cory Ann Pond, Simcoe, ON, *93-86-179 +37MC. Marie-France Finn, Memramcook, NB, *89-91-180 +38WD. Jessica Luciuk, Barrhead, AB, *81-41-122 +15WD. Lindsey Weaver, Minster, OH, * Inter-Provincial Team Results1. Team Ontario - Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, ON, Augusta James, Bath, ON, Brittany Marchand, Orangeville, ON, *137-137-274 -102. Team Alberta - Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, AB, Jennifer Ha, Calgary, AB, Becky Martin, Medicine Hat, AB, *144-145-289 +53. Team Quebec - Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Québec, QC, Josée Doyon, Beauceville, QC, Sabrina Sapone, Montréal, QC, *145-145-290 +64. Team British Columbia - Taylor Kim, Surrey, BC, A Ram Choi, Surrey, BC, Christina Proteau, Port Alberni, BC, *148-149-297 +135. Team New Brunswick - Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, Morgan Matchett, Miramichi, NB, Marie-France Finn, Memramcook, NB, *164-158-322 +386. Team Nova Scotia - Julia Henderson, New Glasgow, NS, Bernadette Little, Pictou County, NS, Cristal Fitzpatrick, Dartmouth, NS, *159-164-323 +397. Team Saskatchewan - Kimberly Risulmi, Lloydminster, SK, Kim Walker, Regina, SK, Brooke Hobson, Prince Albert, SK, *162-165-327 +438. Team Manitoba - Bri-ann Tokariwski, Winnipeg, MB, Camryn Roadley, Winnipeg, MB, Mindy Lichtman, Winnipeg, MB, *164-165-329 +45 Mid-Amateur Results1. Christina Proteau, Port Alberni, BC, *73-77-150 +82. Helene Chartrand, Pincourt, QC, *83-70-153 +113. Marion Reid, Etobicoke, ON, *78-76-154 +124. Ivy Steinberg, Stouffville, ON, *85-76-161 +195. Kim Walker, Regina, SK, *81-81-162 +206. Mindy Lichtman, Winnipeg, MB, *82-82-164 +226. Jennifer Lochhead, Ancaster, ON, *86-78-164 +226. Andrea Blackwell, Kingston, ON, *82-82-164 +229. Meghan Dove, Oshawa, ON, *89-78-167 +2510. Lynn Morrison, Oshawa, ON, *86-82-168 +26 DID NOT FINISH MC. Lisa Gordon, Ottawa, ON, *82-87-169 +27MC. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *86-84-170 +28MC. Sarah-Anne Smurlick, Dundas, ON, *85-87-172 +30MC. Cristal Fitzpatrick, Dartmouth, NS, *91-84-175 +33MC. Susan Podolsky, Alexandria, VA, *93-85-178 +36WD. Jessica Luciuk, Barrhead, AB, *81-41-122 +15 Mid-Master Results1. Helene Chartrand, Pincourt, QC, *83-70-153 +112. Marion Reid, Etobicoke, ON, *78-76-154 +123. Ivy Steinberg, Stouffville, ON, *85-76-161 +194. Kim Walker, Regina, SK, *81-81-162 +205. Jennifer Lochhead, Ancaster, ON, *86-78-164 +225. Andrea Blackwell, Kingston, ON, *82-82-164 +227. Lynn Morrison, Oshawa, ON, *86-82-168 +26 DID NOT FINISH MC. Lisa Gordon, Ottawa, ON, *82-87-169 +27MC. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *86-84-170 +28MC. Sarah-Anne Smurlick, Dundas, ON, *85-87-172 +30MC. Susan Podolsky, Alexandria, VA, *93-85-178 +36 Brandon Roy Jersey . "Back in 2011, when they announced that the game was coming here, we knew that it was going to be pretty important that we had a good year and hopefully could get into it, let alone win it, so I felt some pressure obviously within for sure," Taman said Monday, less than 24 hours after the Riders won the championship. Nassir Little Jersey .500 ball against teams with winning records, so they needed a huge lift from somebody Tuesday night in a matchup of division leaders. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Georgios-Papagiannis-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Damian Lillard Blazers Jersey . Vettel only needs to finish fifth or better Sunday to wrap up the championship with three races remaining, and bettered his own lap record to claim his third straight pole at Buddh International Circuit. C.J. McCollum Jersey . -- The Minnesota Twins have granted relief pitcher Matt Guerrier his unconditional release, making the 35-year-old right-hander a free agent.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - If you didnt think Derek Jeter lived a charmed life before, the way he ended his magnificent career may have changed your mind. One of Major League Baseballs biggest storylines this past year was the Jeter farewell tour. Teams fell over themselves in giving away gifts to the man who, essentially had been the face of baseball since the day he stepped onto the field in 1996. Jeter may never have won an MVP or had been the best player in the game at any point in his career, but he was pretty freaking good and nobody won more than the Yankees all-time hits leader. Plus, he is one heck of a role model. Parents never had to be ashamed to buy their kids a Derek Jeter jersey. That was probably why there was such an outpouring of affection for him everytime he visited an opposing ballpark for the final time. Heck, even the fans in Fenway Park gave him a touching tribute after he left the field for the last time on the final day of the regular season. But, it was the way his Yankee Stadium career ended that will be remembered for years to come. Jeter gave the fans something that even the hackiest of scriptwriters could not have punched up, as he delivered a game-winning walkoff hit to send the Yankees to a victory. It was a fitting ending for a player who has been synonymous with winning above everything else over his remarkable 20-year career. Here are some of the other top stories of the past year, in no particular order: INTERESTING FEW MONTHS FOR JON LESTER Left-hander Jon Lester was in the midst of another spectacular year with Boston, but rejected a multi-year, lucrative extension from the Red Sox, so they made him available during the season. Lester was ultimately dealt at the non-waiver trade deadline to the Oakland Athletics for Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes. Although, the As faltered down the stretch, it was certainly no fault of Lesters, as he was a key reason why the Athletics reached the American League Wild Card Game. Lester then hit the free agent market and almost returned to Boston before finally settling on a 6-year ,$155 million from the Chicago Cubs and reunion with former general manager Theo Epstein. With all due respect to Max Scherzer, Lester was the best pitcher on the market this offseason. Hes a bulldog and he wins in October. If you are a team that is on the cusp of getting ready to compete, like the Cubs, there is no better pitcher to have at the top of your rotation than Lester. MADISON BUMGARNER BECOMES ELITE Speaking of front of the line starters, one pitcher certainly jumped into that category this October, as Madison Bumgarner almost single-handedly led the San Francisco Giants to their World Series title in five years. Bumgarner went seven innings to win Game 1 against the Kansas City Royals, then pitched a four- hit shutout in Game 5. But what he did in Game 7, though, is something people will be talking about for years. On just two-days rest and his team leading, 3-2, Bumgarner entered the game in the fifth inning and tossed five more scoreless innings to lower his overall World Series ERA to an amazing 0.25, while earning the save in the decisive seventh game. Twenty-one innings in this World Series and he allowed just one run. You want more numbers? Bumgarner pitched 52 2/3 innings this postseason, which was the most ever in a single playoffs, eclipsing Arizonas Curt Schilling (48 1/3 in 2001). He gave up just six earned runs in the postseason and his 1.03 is the third best in a single playoff run. His 0.43 ERA against the Royals was also the lowest in a single World Series among pitchers with at least 15 innings since Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax compiled a 0.38 ERA for the 1965 Dodgers. We needed a pitcher to take over for the retiring Josh Beckett as the best postseason pitcher of this generation, Bumgarner may have stepped right into those shoes. ROYALS RETURN TO PROMINENCE Although their season ended in a Game 7 loss, there was no better story this postseason than the Kansas City Royals, who returned to not only the World Series, but to the playoffs for the first time since 1985. After a thrilling wild card game win over Oakland, the Royals relied on their amazing bullpen and swept their way past both the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles to get back to the Fall Classic for the first time in 29 years. No team signified small ball more in the regular season than Kansas City, which won 89 games this season thanks in large part to its ability to play defense and manufacture runs. The Royals also led the AL with 153 stolen bases, but their 95 home runs were the fewest in baseball. The Royals may have found their power stroke in the postseason, but it was the tremendous bullpen triumvirate of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland that helped them get as far as it went. The group aided an overmatched Kansas City rotation that became just the second team during the wild card era to win the ALCS without a single starter completing six innings in the process. And think about this. Teams are now copying the Royals model as they get their teams ready for the 2015 season. The Royals. Teams want to be the Royals. GIANCARLO STANTON BREAKS HIS FACE, THEN THE BANK What an interesting couple of months for Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton was in the midst of the best year of hiis young career, but it all came to a screeching halt on Sept.dddddddddddd 11 when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Milwaukee Brewers starter Mike Fiers. The young star was carted off the field and suffered facial lacerations requiring stitches, multiple facial fractures and dental damage. But, then just over two months later he signed one of the more lucrative deals in the history of sports, signing a 13-year, $325 million extension to stay with the Marlins. Not a bad way to get over having your face smashed. CLAYTON KERSHAW JOINS SELECT COMPANY The postseason may have been all about Bumgarner, but no pitcher dominated the regular season more than Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw not only won the NLs Cy Young Award, but also joined became the first pitcher to win an NL MVP since Bob Gibson back in 1968. He was simply magnificent this season, as he led the majors with a 21-3 record, an .875 winning percentage, a 1.77 ERA and an 0.86 WHIP. He was also second in the NL with 239 strikeouts, three behind Johnny Cueto of the Reds and Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals, in 27 starts. It was the fifth consecutive season that Kershaw tallied 200 or more strikeouts. He also allowed a .197 batting average to right-handed hitters and just .193 to left-handed hitters. Of course, Kershaws season ended in disappointment, as he once again stumbled in the playoffs, losing both of his starts, while pitching to a 7.28 ERA. He is now just 1-5 all-time in the playoffs with a 5.12 ERA. SELIG SUCCESSOR Major League Baseball will have a new commissioner come January. And to nobodys surprise its exactly the guy the outgoing commissioner wanted. But, it wasnt exactly the rubber-stamped approval Bud Selig may have hoped for. In the end, though, he got his man in MLB chief operating officer Rob Manfred. Manfred, who has served as a league executive since 1998, will officially replace the retiring Selig and become the 10th commissioner in MLB history in January. Manfed was elected unanimously on the third vote, which was kind of telling considering he was essentially handpicked by Selig to be his successor. Not to mention the fact that MLB owners raked in money hand over fist under Seligs watch. Selig may have done a lot wrong in his time as commissioner. Who can forget the tied All-Star Game in 2002. And, of course, the steroid era will be a permanent stain on his resume and probably ultimately be his legacy. Nobody can argue, though, that he is handing the reins over the Manfred at a time when revenues are up in a major way across the board. Financially, the game is in the best place it ever has been. Owners are making money. Players are making money. Everyone is happy, except for maybe the fans. JOE MADDON BOLTS RAYS There may not have been a bigger offseason move than Joe Maddon leaving the Tampa Bay Rays to become the new manager of the Chicago Cubs. Maddon stunned the baseball world, as after nine years with Tampa Bay, he chose to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract, ending the most successful era in the teams history. Most assumed he would eventually join former Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who earlier this offseason left Tampa to become the baseball czar for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was actually Friedmans departure that triggered Maddons opt-out. Regardless, it was a moot point because Friedman was happy with Don Mattingly and Maddon wanted the challenge of ending the Chicago Cubs historic World Series championship drought. SAN DIEGO PADRES BECOME A FACTOR No team has been more active this offseason than the San Diego Padres, who completely revamped not only their entire outfield, but the overall perception of their organization. San Diego drastically upgraded the worst lineup in baseball, as it acquired outfielders, Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Justin Upton, along with catcher Derek Norris and third baseman Will Middlebrooks, while re-signing righty Josh Johnson and adding flamethrower Brandon Morrow. Have these moves made San Diego the team to beat now in the NL? Absolutely not. Truth be told they are still probably the third best team in the NL West. But they have closed the gap on both the Dodgers and Giants and at the very least they are a legitimate wild card contender. And people are certainly now talking about the Padres. When was the last time you could have said that? TROUT TAKES HIS SPOT We started talking about Derek Jeter and we will close with the new face of baseball, Mike Trout, who won his first AL MVP Award this season. Trout had MVP numbers the last two seasons, but the deciding factor in most voters eyes was the fact that Miguel Cabreras Detroit Tigers reached the postseason, while the Angels sat home in October. This year, though, Trout almost willed the Halos to the postseason, as he hit .287 to go along with a league-best 115 runs scored, while setting career- highs with 36 home runs and 111 RBI. He also stole 16 bases in 18 attempts However, he did lead the AL with 184 strikeouts, but for the third year in a row led all of baseball with a 7.9 WAR. His 338 total bases, 137 runs created and 84 extra-base hits also topped the AL. You could make the case that this was the worst of his three seasons, but regardless, the 23-year-old is headed toward his first of what could be many AL MVP Awards. ' ' '