Stars und Sternchen! » to go.Its a business, Griz

CHICAGO -- The first two happened in a single game in Colorado. There was a fly ball that barely cleared the wall, and then a screaming drive to right-centre. Jose Abreu quickly hit two more home runs against Cleveland. He beat Tampa Bay with a game-ending grand slam, an absolute laser for his second shot of the game. Some 6,000 feet of homers in just six weeks, another successful mile in a well-travelled bridge from Abreus native Cuba to the Chicago White Sox. The big first baseman is punishing major league pitching while making a difficult transition to the United States look almost routine. "I come from a place where there is very good baseball, but theres nowhere you can compare that baseball to this one," Abreu said through a translator. "This is the best baseball in the world. But the only way to achieve this, to come here and be successful, is to be disciplined, to have a lot of discipline, thats the way you improve." Abreu looks right at home. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound slugger connected in Oakland on Wednesday to become the fourth player in major league history to hit 15 homers in his first 42 games, joining Wally Berger, Kevin Maas and Wally Joyner. He is batting .271 with 41 RBIs heading into a weekend series at Houston. Abreu, who defected in 2012 and finalized a $68 million, six-year deal with the White Sox in October, is among the major league leaders in several offensive categories. Playing at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he is a legitimate threat to become baseballs first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire for the Athletics in 1987. "Its just his strength, his power," White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "I mean hes just strong. You can do what he does with how strong he is, because he doesnt do a lot with his swing, his body to get ready to hit. He just drops the head of the bat on it and its gone." All that power has captured the attention of baseball fans across the country, but it is Abreus appreciative attitude that has quickly endeared him to his teammates. No small feat considering Abreus arrival pushed franchise icon Paul Konerko into a reserve role. "Hes such a good team person and you like to see stuff like this happen to people like him," manager Robin Ventura said. Abreu is the latest in a new wave of Cuban stars finding success all over baseball, and part of a long history of successful Cuban players in Chicago. Sluggers Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are two of the majors most dangerous bats. Cincinnati left-hander Aroldis Chapman has blossomed into an All-Star closer. Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez was the NL Rookie of the Year last season. There were a record 19 Cuban players on opening-day rosters and inactive lists this year. "I think clubs are learning more and more how to do it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Cuban players often travel a dangerous road to the majors. According to court documents in a federal lawsuit in Miami, smugglers who helped Puig leave his country on a speedboat have made death threats against him and against a boxer who says he defected with Puig. When they make it to the U.S., they face what can be an isolating transition to a completely different culture and the rigours of the majors. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but they also have to work through changes brought on by a level of wealth and fame far beyond what they could have experienced in their home country. Major league teams are more careful than ever these days about creating a positive atmosphere for the Cuban players, making sure there is a translator in the clubhouse and help nearby when it comes to challenges on and off the field. The 27-year-old Abreu has three Cuban teammates; shortstop Alexei Ramirez, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Adrian Nieto. Lino Diaz, the manager of cultural development for the White Sox, also is around if Abreu needs any assistance. The White Sox have had 18 Cuban-born players in franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth among all major league franchises, according to STATS. Minnie Minoso, regarded as baseballs first black Latino star, played 12 of his 17 seasons in Chicago and remains a team ambassador. Orlando Hernandez helped the White Sox win their last World Series title in 2005. Abreus fast start is drawing interest back home. The slugger is followed as closely as possible in a country where, despite the appearance of recorded major league games on state TV starting in March 2013, games featuring Cuban defectors are still not shown. Cubans with access to the Internet and bootleg versions track his career and often discuss it at the "hot corner," a spot in Havanas Parque Central where baseball fans gather to discuss international and Cuban players. "Abreu is a powerful hitter, he was really good here, but personally I think that with his major league results hes really exceeded expectations," said Jose Estrada, 55. "All over Cuba were following him much more than before because hes Cuban and he represents Cuba in the country with the best baseball in the world, the major leagues, and hes showing everyone the level of Cuban baseball." That level looks better than ever right now. Irving Fryar Jersey . Heavily-criticized after allowing a dozen goals on 58 shots in two games in Boston, Luongo continued his dominance at home. Hes now allowed two goals in three home games in this series. Kevin Faulk Jersey . Ozuna hit Reeds 2-2 pitch off the batters eye far above the 407-foot sign in straightaway centre. It was the fifth blown save in 25 tries for Reed (1-5) and the ninth home run the closer has allowed in 38 appearances. Nuno, acquired in the deal that sent Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees, gave up three hits, struck out a career-high seven and walked one in seven innings. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-Steve-Grogan-Patriots-Jersey/ . The defending champions sent their preliminary list to FIFA on Tuesday, with coach Vicente del Bosque to announce the final 23-man squad on May 25. Costa is set to lead the attack in his native Brazil, with Atletico Madrid teammate David Villa and Chelseas Fernando Torres also included, while David de Gea replaces injured goalkeeper Victor Valdes. New England Patriots Jerseys .J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players. Andre Tippett Jersey . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone.MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Grizzlies hope Jeff Green can boost their offence and give them an edge in the tight Western Conference race after acquiring the forward from Boston in a three-team trade approved Monday.In the trade, the Grizzlies sent forward Tayshaun Prince to Boston and forward Quincy Pondexter to New Orleans. The Grizzlies also received point guard Russ Smith, a 2014 second-round pick, from New Orleans, and a traded player exception. The Pelicans sent Austin Rivers, the 10th overall pick in 2012, to Boston in the deal.Memphis also gave a 2015 second-round pick to New Orleans and a protected future first round pick to Boston.The trade ends a long weekend for a deal that started coming together Friday with Prince not sure if he should warm up for a game in New Orleans. The Grizzlies held out both Prince and Pondexter from Sundays 122-110 double overtime win over Phoenix. Pondexter watched the game from a box with general manager Chris Wallace and had his locker boxed up ready to go.Its a business, Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph said Sunday night. Tayshaun is like a brother. Were real close here in the locker room. Its a business, and he understands that.But Green is expected to provide more offence for Memphis, which has gone 5-5 over its past 10 games. That left the Grizzlies tied Monday with Houston atop the tight Southwest Division at 26-11 just ahead of Dallas. The Celtics (12-23) are busy rebuilding.The 6-foot-9 Green averaged a career-high 17.6 points with 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 33 starts with Boston this season. He is shooting 43.4 per cent from the floor and 30.5 per cent from beyond the arc. The fifth overall draft pick in 20007 by Boston, Green was traded to Seattle on draft night.ddddddddddddAnytime you lose youre leading scorer, theres going to be challenges that come with that, Boston coach Brad Stevens said before Mondays game against New Orleans.Its another in a line of trades the past few years for Bostons president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who also dumped point guard Rajon Rondo last month during his free agent season.I just felt like a timeline thing, the players that we had, the uncertainty of the future and free agency and felt like we were getting good value in return based on this contract situation, said Ainge.He also said I dont know when asked if either Price or Rivers would play for the Celtics.Green missed the 2011-12 season because of heart surgery. He also has played with Oklahoma City and is averaging 12.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21 playoff games.He will replace both Prince and Pondexter at small forward. Prince, 34, averaged 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 26 games with Memphis this season while Pondexter scored 4.5 points and grabbed 1.9 rebounds in 30 games with two starts.The Pelicans are trying to stay in striking distance of a playoff berth in the West, and are happy to bring back Pondexter to the team where he spent his rookie season after being picked up in a trade with Oklahoma City during the 2010 draft. With a glut at guard, the 6-7 Pondexter is expected to either start or rotate with Dante Cunningham.Quincy is a two-way player, a multi-position defender that will add toughness along with an offensive skill set that we anticipate will help the Pelicans win games, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said in a statement. Stitched College Jerseys Cheap UCLA Jerseys NCAA Louisville Cardinals Jerseys North Carolina Jerseys Stitched Kentucky Wildcats Jerseys Stitched Alabama Crimson Tide Jerseys Cheap Basketball Wisconsin Badgers Jerseys Authentic NCAA Jerseys Store Wholesale Basketball NCAA Jerseys Cheap Duke Gear Stitched Alabama Jerseys Stitched Georgia Jerseys Cheap Clemson Jerseys Authentic Authentic Texas Jerseys Wholesale USC Jerseys Stitched Oklahoma Jerseys Stitched Ohio State Jerseys Cheap Notre Dame Gear UCLA Jerseys From China Cheap Louisville Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap North Carolina Jerseys Authentic Cheap Kentucky Jerseys Authentic Wisconsin Jerseys From China Cheap Michigan Gear Cheap Florida Gear Wholesale Arizona State Jerseys Cheap LSU Gear Cheap Auburn Gear Cheap California Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Miami Jerseys Authentic Cheap Michigan State Gear Cheap Tennessee Jerseys Authentic Texas A&M Jerseys From China Authentic Wake Forest Jerseys West Virginia Jerseys From China ' ' '