Kritik und Anregungen » a guy that will shoot it bette

CLEVELAND -- Mark Shapiros love for Cleveland and its people runs deep, personally and professionally.Its where the Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO began his career, raised his family and helped orchestrate a baseball renaissance in the 1990s thats enjoying a 21st-century revival. In many ways, it will always be home for Shapiro.Over the past few months, Shapiro has enjoyed from afar seeing Cleveland celebrate this summer as the Cavaliers won an NBA title, ending a half-century drought for the city, and hes watched with pride as Indians fans rallied around a team that has been overlooked -- even in October.Its been some ride.I just feel bad that were going to have to put an end to it, he said with a chuckle over the phone on Wednesday.Shapiro finds himself the man in the middle of the AL Championship Series as his new team, the Blue Jays, will face with the Indians, the franchise that gave him his start, for a spot in the World Series.And it wont just be an emotional reunion for Shapiro. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins also came up in Clevelands organization, working alongside Indians president Chris Antonetti, manager Terry Francona and many others.Shapiro was flying to Cleveland on Wednesday and planned to have dinner with his sister, Julie, who lives in the area. On Thursday, hell arrive at Progressive Field as he did for more than two decades, and although he knows the direction to the visitors clubhouse, Shapiros first stop will be the Indians executive offices, where he plans to visit colleagues who are as close as family.Ive got not just friendships, but deep friendships both in the community there and throughout the Indians organization, up and down it, he said. Its not just walking in to play the team, its walking in to play a group of people where you have a deep history and a profound respect. But I can tell you, because weve played them seven times already, when the first pitch gets thrown, the only emotion I feel is a competitive desire to win.Shapiro spent 24 seasons with the Indians, breaking in as an unpaid intern in the early `90s. But it didnt take long for the Princeton-educated son of respected sports agent Ron Shapiro to advance through the ranks and become one of baseballs top executives. Shapiro has always done it the right way, displaying class and humility while molding the Indians into a model organization and helping them navigate through difficult years when the turnstiles slowed and the club had to re-invent itself to stay competitive.However, Shapiros impact with the Indians goes way beyond statistical data. His personal skills might be what set him apart.I didnt like Mark when he was here. Hows that? Francona joked before turning serious about both Shapiro and Atkins.Im so close to both of them that itll be fun to say hello, said Francona, who used to take diligent notes whenever Shapiro spoke. Im sure they feel the same way we do -- they want to beat our brains out. But then when its over, thats never going to affect a friendship. Next time I probably see them will be at the winter meetings and well be laughing and Im sure something will happen during this (series) well be laughing about.It could be a year, it could be a month, it could be two years. When youre friends like that, it kind of goes beyond time or uniform or anything like that.During his time with the Indians, Shapiro was approached by numerous organizations, turning down an offer from the Cleveland Browns. He was content, but maybe needing a new challenge, Shapiro accepted a position with the Blue Jays and decided to leave the only team he had ever known.Shapiro spent much of the past year commuting between Cleveland and Toronto, where he was rudely welcomed after popular GM Alex Anthopoulos was pushed aside to make room for him. Shapiros transition was beyond tumultuous, as he was lambasted on sports talk radio and in columns across Canada. Some of the attacks were personal and vicious.Shapiro accepted the criticism, put his head down and went to work.Antonetti never worried that Shapiro would change peoples opinions of him.I talked to Mark frequently, especially at the outset, Antonetti said as the Indians took batting practice in anticipation of Fridays Game 1. I never had any doubt that once the city, the organization and the country got to know Mark Shapiro the person and the executive that they would embrace him. Hes a transformational leader and a phenomenal human being, and those are two pretty good attributes that will end up endearing you to people.When the Indians wrapped up their Division Series victory against Boston, completing a three-game sweep at Fenway Park, Shapiro watched on TV along with his son, Caden, who used to shag flies during batting practice in an Indians uniform.While the Shapiros have changed colors, their affection for Cleveland remains.We were both happy, not just for the chance to come back, but happy for the staff and the organization and the players, Shapiro said. But as he grows up he learns about the game and hes 100 percent a Toronto Blue Jay now, just like me, but with the Cleveland Indians running through our veins. They will always be an important part of our lives and history.Dodgers Jerseys 2020 . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. 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Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Canyon Barry was admittedly a little nervous for his Florida debut.It showed at the free-throw line.The youngest son of Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry missed three of his first four from the stripe, eliciting some choice words for himself as he headed to the bench. He eventually settled down and ended up with a solid first game with the Gators.Barry, a graduate transfer from College of Charleston, had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Florida opened the season with an 80-59 victory against Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night.Was not happy with the free throws early, said Barry, who shoots free throws underhand. It happens. I think a little bit of nerves, first game as a Gator, and I kind of rushed them. But Im not worried about it. I have all the confidence in the world in my free throws.The Gators are equally confident in their pressing defense, which paid dividends in the second half. Florida used a 15-0 run midway through the second half to erase a five-point deficit and take the lead for good. It was a solid start to coach Mike Whites second season, which is expected to include a trip to the NCAA Tournament.Devin Robinson led the Gators with 14 points. John Egbunu added 13 points and eight boards. Kasey Hill finished with 11 points, four assists and no turnovers. And Kevarrius Hayes chipped in nine points, five rebounds and five blocks.Brandon Goodwin led Florida Gulf Coast with 14 points. The Eagles kept it close until hitting just two baskets during a 14-minute stretch in the second half. They made 8 of 20 shots from 3-point range, but committed 19 turnovers. It didnt help that FGCU played without its leading returning scorer, forward Marc-Eddy Norelia. The fifth-year senior missed the game with a broken left (shooting) hand.When you turn it over 19 times and get nine shots blockss, that might be a pretty good barometer that we need to take better shots and take care of the ball, FGCU coach Joe Dooley said.ddddddddddddIG PICTUREFlorida Gulf Coast: The Eagles are expected to win the Atlantic Sun Conference. And even without Norelia, they look capable of making a third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last five years.Florida: With added depth and more experience, the Gators might be able to meet the high expectations attached to Whites second season in Gainesville.FREE-THROW SUCCESSEven with Barrys three early misses, the Gators hit 20 of 26 from the free-throw line. It was arguably the best news for the Gators, who ranked 323rd (out of 346 teams) in the NCAA from the stripe last season.Every night well take it, White said. I was proud, of course, by the way we stepped up at the foul line. And Canyons a guy that will shoot it better than that for sure.ROAD WARRIORSThis was the first of 11 consecutive games outside Gainesville for Florida. With a $64.5 million renovation to the OConnell Center nearing completion, the Gators play a challenging nonconference schedule that includes neutral-site matchups against Seton Hall, Duke, Florida State and maybe Gonzaga. It could benefit the Gators when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament.Asked whether opening with two games in Jacksonville felt like an NCAA Tournament setup, White deadpanned I wouldnt know. He has yet to make the NCAA field during his coaching tenure.UP NEXTFlorida Gulf Coast hosts UT Arlington on Wednesday, the longest break between games for the Eagles this month.Florida remains in Jacksonville for the next two days before facing Mercer on Sunday night.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '