Aktivitäten » Bradley ticks all the boxes in terms of leadership

NEW YORK -- After seeing his Yankees rotation mates go pitch for pitch against Detroits three Cy Young Award winners, Shane Greene was determined to match their outings. He did them all one better. Greene was lifted in the ninth inning after giving up only his fifth hit, then watched as closer David Robertson got pinch-hitter Miguel Cabrera to ground into a double play in New Yorks 1-0 victory over the Tigers on Thursday. "Starting pitchers, you see one guy do good, you see the next guy do good, you start to get on a roll," Greene said. Robertson relieved after Ian Kinsler led off with a single, and he walked Victor Martinez. Robertson came back to induce Cabrera to bounce into a double play and got Don Kelly to softly line out to shortstop with a runner on third for his 31st save and New Yorks fifth win in six games. "I had confidence he could get the job done," said Greene, who sat calmly in the dugout for the final three outs. Stephen Drews RBI ground-rule double was the only extra-base hit in a game dominated by Greene and fellow 25-year-old starter Rick Porcello. The Yankees took two of three in games started by the Tigers Cy Young winners with spectacular efforts from their rotation. New Yorks rookie followed up by pitching the best game of them all against the AL Central leaders. Greene (3-1) walked three and struck out five while pitching into the ninth inning for the first time in his career. Greene didnt permit a runner past second until Ezequiel Carrera advanced to third on Kinslers single in the sixth. The right-hander got out of it with his second double play. "To be able to continue to pound the strike zone with quality pitches. Thats impressive," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Greene. Overall, Yankees starters yielded three earned runs in 27 1-3 innings to the Tigers eight runs in 29 2-3 innings. Max Scherzer, David Price and Justin Verlander -- the last three AL Cy Young Award winners -- started the previous three games. "The pitching was outstanding, especially the starting pitching," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Unfortunately, we didnt take advantage in three of the four starts." Porcello (13-6) gave up nine hits in seven innings and struck out five. The Yankees loaded the bases in the seventh but the New Jersey-born Porcello got Martin Prado to ground his 110th pitch to shortstop Andrew Romine. The Yankees provided Greene all the support he needed with two outs in the fourth. Carlos Beltran and Chase Headley singled before Drews drive bounced just inside the line in left field and hopped into the stands. TRAINERS ROOM Tigers: Right fielder Torii Hunters left hand was still swollen and he was unable to play for a second straight game. He was hit by a pitch Tuesday night. Yankees: First baseman Mark Teixeira didnt play, a day after getting stitches in his left pinkie after he was spiked while sliding home Wednesday night. Girardi said Teixeira is day to day. ... Ace Masahiro Tanaka played catch again. "Hes got to get built up to 120 feet," Girardi said of the step needed for Tanaka to throw a bullpen. "I think he was 60-90 today." UP NEXT Tigers: Anibal Sanchez (8-5) will start when Detroit opens a three-game series at Toronto on Friday. The Blue Jays swept a three-game series at Detroit in June. Yankees: Host Cleveland for three games starting Friday. RHP Esmil Rogers (1-0, 5.84), who has pitched well in two games for the Yankees since he was claimed off waivers from Toronto, starts for New York. SITTING STARS The Yankees and Tigers gave some of their biggest names a rest in the day game after the teams played the night before. Derek Jeter and Brian McCann were out of the starting lineup for New York. Cabrera and Eugenio Suarez were out for Detroit. Cabrera didnt start for just the second time this season. He was 1 for 10 in the four-game series. JUST VISITING Former manager Jim Leyland sat in the front row next to the Detroit dugout. Leyland led the Tigers to three straight AL Central titles before retiring last off-season. Ottawa Senators Jerseys .com) - American Madison Keys grabbed a first- round victory on Sunday in a rainy start to the Apia International Sydney tournament. Mark Stone Jersey . According to various reports, the striker is about to sign a five-and-a-half year extension with Manchester United worth a reported 300,000 pounds a week that would see him at Old Trafford until 2019. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-matt-duchene-senators-jersey/ . After Mariota was pushed around by Stanford on Thursday, finishing 20/34 with 250 yards and two touchdowns in Oregons Title hope-crushing defeat, hes going to need a poor performance or two from the remaining frontrunners to have a shot at the most coveted individual trophy in college sports. Jason Spezza Jersey . -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. Daniel Alfredsson Jersey . PAUL, Minn.Toronto FC Media Day has never been better. Seriously. Seven years of losing has brought many different faces, players and management, to the annual pre-season get-to-know-the-team round up. Unfortunately for those player-media relationships initiated and cultivated, most of the interviewees have been shipped out prematurely. Media Day became a meet-and-greet, followed by a see you later. Tuesdays team time out for Torontos media throng had a much different vibe at the Kia Training Grounds. A good mix of young up-and-comers with a core of veteran leadership has been assembled after an off-season of change, signings, spending and hype. First impressions are just that, but on initial glance, it all felt right. Nothing has been accomplished yet. But every ship needs a sail before heading out to sea. The good news is the mast is up and the TFC ship is heading in the right direction. Hopefully. Finally. Progress, alas. Stability and confidence go hand-in-hand. The revolving door of players and personnel has been TFCs worst enemy. General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko and Head Coach Ryan Nelsen have been busy in recent months filling the gaps and adding genuine quality. Bezbatchenko, hired in September, likes what he has in his group. "Im very comfortable with where we compare with other teams right now," said Bezbatchenko. The roster has coming a long way since end of season apologies and promises. On February 11th, comfortable will suffice. More is to be done, at least one more player is coming in, and more will go out. A work in progress. Here are eight notable notes from the eighth Media Day in franchise history. 1) Brazil Head Coach Felipe Scolari confirmed the seeming inevitable early Tuesday; that goalkeeper Julio Cesar, 34, has in fact joined Toronto FC on loan. The club refused to confirm anything, "I havent spoken to Julio for a couple days, but I think it would be really nice … I may have to give Scolari a call," said Nelsen. Give that man a phone! All sources indicate the deal for Cesar to join TFC on a short loan is done. Hes coming. The club will save that announcement for another day, with the five-time Serie A and UEFA Champions League winner in the flesh. Save that ink for another day. A lack of confirmation didnt stop anyone not named Bezbatchenko from heaping praise on the pending new arrival. Nelsen – "Hes a gentleman of a man, hes a quality guy, his character is flawless, and hes great around the locker-room. When you see him at work, theres a reason hes played nearly 80 times for Brazil and won everything in the game." Michael Bradley -"Its amazing, speaks volumes for the direction that this club is going. A week ago, if anybody had told us that now another guy like Julio Cesar would come in, I dont think anyone would believe them." Dwayne De Rosario – "Hes a winner. To have him here is a great opportunity to learn from him." The excitement is palpable. Although goalkeepers are often times interchangeable in MLS, the Cesar move to Toronto not only adds quality but also further shows the symbolic shift in approach and ambition of the franchise. 2) Last seasons number one goalkeeper Joe Bendik is the potential short-term loser with Cesars arrival. Key word: potential. It all depends on how Bendik takes the setback. Although Bendik wont play much, if at all in the opening months, its his job for the taking long-term. How he handles the situation will reveal whether his mind is on self or team. Cesars arrival is an opportunity not wasted rather than a shot at Bendik. The 24-year-old signed a new contract in December and has to understand this. Regardless, Bendik was noticeably uneasy about taking a back seat to Cesar. "It motivates me. Obviously its a little shot and a bomb to swallow … but it cant go badly because I can learn a lot from him and compete with him every day to play. Its a win-win." Bendik has to keep the long-view in mind. He need understand Bendik will be relied upon post World Cup as the team marches towards a potential playoff spot; the time with least room for error. 3) Big money signing Bradley didnnt back away from my question regarding the sentiment amongst many MLS analysts saying Toronto FC overpaid for the midfielder.dddddddddddd "I think its great, were now to the point with the growth of soccer in North America, a decision like mine to come to Toronto and back to MLS can illicit such a wide variety of responses and opinions … it doesnt bother me." Bradley remained poised throughout his time with the media. His teammates glowed when speaking about The Generals presence already in camp. De Rosario even spoke about meeting with Bradley and captain Steven Caldwell about direction and leadership. Bradley ticks all the boxes in terms of leadership and on-field qualities of a winner. Money necessarily spent. 4) Many players believe TFC have become the hunted after years of being the hunter. Caldwell is one of them. "We are probably the team to beat in MLS and its going to be difficult wherever we go." Teams will have undoubtedly taken notice the moves Toronto has made. And its unlikely the Reds will be MLS doormat of previous years. But it takes more than a team on paper to be the class of the league. Caldwell acknowledges as much, that the work is still to be done. Still, the acceptance of expectation is a healthy mindset and speaks to the newfound confidence in the group. 5) The third, often times forgotten designated player, Brazilian Gilberto has set lofty goals for himself for his inaugural MLS season. Through a translator, the striker stated his aim to score 25 goals. Seriously. No hesitation. Camilo Sanvezzo won MLS Golden Boot last season with 22 goals. Perhaps the proclamation was somewhat lost in translation, as the Brazilian says his biggest challenge right now is learning the language. After I wished him luck at learning English, he wished me luck learning Portuguese. Gilberto is a really friendly guy. He will be easy to cheer for, especially if he scores 25. 6) I couldnt resist asking Nelsen what he learned about MLS officiating last season. Nelsen, like many others, grew frustrated by the inconsistency and downright inferior refereeing performances on a regular basis. "They are really good guys, but for me, (they) just need experience at the very top level. In my humble opinion, theyve come to the top rather quickly without the pressure soaked experience. Its tough for them." It will be tougher for Nelsen to bite his lip when officiating goes against them this year. The stakes have been raised. How Nelsen grows from year one to year two in composure and approach will be a test. The manager sets the tone. Consistency will be key and a massive challenge for a manager with questions to be answered. 7) An ongoing worry among the media and diehards is the salary cap situation. Its a rather nerdy habit to worry about a GMs bookkeeping. Bezbatchenko tried to alleviate worries on potential limited financial flexibility. "You can always make room on your team for new players. We do have some space left. We always have space." This is a much different tactic than previous regimes, which overspent on players and used the cap ceiling as an excuse for lackluster play and lack of positive player movement. Bezbatchenkos experience with MLS puts him and the team in good stead in cap management. So dont lose sleep, moves can be made. 8) The clock is ticking on Toronto FCs efforts to resolve Matias Labas future. A loan move within or outside MLS is the most logical step. Laba is in Toronto and the club continues to consult with the player on whats best for the Argentines future. Bezbatchenko is clearly aware of the messy, borderline deceitful break-ups between club and player that have contributed to a negative perception of TFC among agents and power brokers. "Were trying to treat our players a little differently than in the past," said Bezbatchenko. This isnt a shot at past management. Its the truth. Good on him and the front office to right this long-standing wrong. The Laba situation will continue to be handled with kid gloves. Reputations and the future of a good young player caught in the middle of a rebuild are on the line. 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