olina defense a big boost in his first game. Johnson, activated from the non-football injury list last week, had eight tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.FRUSTRATION SETS IN: Frustration got

My story isnt particularly special. Sometime around 1988 or 89, my mother took me and my sister out of school on a Friday afternoon to go to a Cubs game. My parents were never big sports fans -- still arent -- but someone gave my mom tickets, so she thought she would treat us to a ballgame. It was the only Cubs game I went to as a kid.I never shared Cracker Jacks with a grandparent or learned how to keep score from my dad. There are no photos of me in a high chair decked out head-to-toe in Cubs gear. That spring day, I didnt know the players names or even all the rules, but from then on I was a Cubs fan, and Wrigley Field would forever be the standard by which Id judge all baseball stadiums. (If youre wondering how the rest are faring -- theyve all paled in comparison.)My fandom grew organically, without the urging of family or friends, until I was officially hooked. I discovered that sports were as fun to watch as they were to play, and that loyalty to a team was a powerful feeling. Now, here I am, living and dying with every pitch, traveling across time zones to watch my team make history.There are thousands of others with stories far better than mine. Many people shared photos and memories on social media this weekend after the Cubs clinched the NLCS?against the Los Angeles Dodgers. I reached out to a few to ask about their stories.Theres 41-year-old Michelle Vitellaro, who learned to love the game through her grandfather, Ted Zielen. He was one of the famed Andy Frain ushers who patrolled the aisles of Wrigley in their signature blue and gold uniforms. Vitellaro spent the summers of 1982 and 83 hanging out with her grandpa and sitting on the dugout, where she developed her first crush, on power hitter Dave Kingman. Years after Zielens death in 1983, she followed in his footsteps, taking a job at Wrigley Field, where shed eventually meet her husband. On Friday, she placed a W flag at Zielens grave in anticipation of Saturdays big game.Katie Day, 31, also fell in love with the Cubs while watching with her grandfather. Dan Schlesinger attended the teams most recent World Series, in 1945, and passed away with a Cubs hat on his head in 2010. Days brother wore that hat when the Cubs clinched the series against the Dodgers. The next morning, ?Day went to her grandfathers grave to share flowers, a National League championship flag and the news of their win. Heres what she posted:Sunday also found Maria Vala, 52, visiting the resting place of a loved one. She brought Old Style beers to share with her father, Giannino Vala, who passed in 1998. She reminisced about summer days when hed come home from work midday, taking extra-long lunch breaks so they could watch Cubs games together.Illinois State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, 59, brought an old black-and-white photo of her father, Bernard Pep Feigenholtz, to Wrigley Field on Sunday morning. The man responsible for her love of the Cubs died in 1965, but she wanted to take him on a victory lap of the Friendly Confines so he could witness the magic.All of us Cubs fans witnessing the magic of the teams first World Series appearance in 71 years know how lucky we are. When we settle in to watch Game 1 on Tuesday night, we know well also be watching on behalf of all the players and fans who have come and gone before us.Cubs play-by-play man Len Kasper joined my podcast this week and talked about how being a fan of the Cubs feels different than any other fandom because of the through line that connects us.The great thing for [Cubs fans] is that it does mean more than just watching your team play, said Kasper. It means your great-grandparents, your grandparents, your kids -- everything that is involved. It just touches every part of your life.The only connection todays Cubs players have to the players of the past is the Chicago on their chests, but the fans who have experienced a century-plus of disappointment are one and the same. When the team finally wins it all, Northsiders will celebrate not just for themselves, but for anyone who has ever loved the Cubs. Nigel Hayes Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. Fred VanVleet Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. http://www.cheapraptorsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-malachi-richardson-jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Cheap Swingman Raptors Jerseys . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. DeMar DeRozan Jersey . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- ??? The Carolina Panthers emerged from the bye week looking a little more like the team that went to the Super Bowl last season rather than an NFC doormat.Jonathan Stewart ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns, Thomas Davis returned a fumble 46 yards for a score and the Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 30-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.In a game reminiscent of last seasons NFC championship, a 49-15 Carolina victory, the Panthers jumped to a 24-0 lead and kept the pressure on Carson Palmer all day.Carolina, which has struggled to generate a pass rush all season, sacked Palmer eight times -- three of those by Star Lotulelei -- and forced two turnovers. The Panthers also limited running back David Johnson to 24 yards rushing.Thats just everybody working together, said Lotulelei, a 2013 first-round draft pick. Its the back seven doing their job covering, and the front getting after it. They gave us time to get there and thats what we did up front.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the win felt like a big weight was lifted from his shoulders.It is huge because it is one of those things we can build momentum off, Rivera said.Stewart added touchdown runs of 2 and 1 yards to push the lead to 21-0 against an Arizona defense that hadnt allowed a touchdown in its previous two games.Our offense really struggled after that call, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said of the Davis fumble return. We played much better in the second half and gave ourselves a chance. We just didnt make the plays to get us back in the game.Forced into a one-dimensional game, Palmer finished 35 of 46 for 363 yards with three touchdowns, two to J.J. Nelson .After losing their last two games on last-second field goals, the Panthers left no doubt about this one.Carolina (2-5) needed a boost to save a sinking season and got one from Davis, their longest-tenured player and emotional leader, on the opening series. Lotulelei sacked Palmer, who attempted to push the ball forward to avoid the sack while in the grasp of the 315-pound defensive tackle. Davis picked up the loose ball and delivered a stiff arm on the way to the first touchdown of hhis 12-year NFL career.ddddddddddddI think the guys really appreciate that because he works so hard, Rivera said. He is one of the players who is the heart and soul of the team.Palmer didnt see it as a fumble.I was throwing to David (Johnson), Palmer said. It was an obvious pass, but they didnt see it that way.The Cardinals (3-4-1) battled back within 30-20 and had the ball at the Carolina 36 with 3:18 left. But defensive end Kony Ealy tipped Palmers pass and intercepted it to help seal the Carolina win.Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said the bye week helped the players get away from football and we came back and meshed together.NEWTON ON THE RUN: Newton said last week he wasnt afraid to run after being knocked out with a concussion against the Falcons on Oct. 2, and he proved it Sunday. Newton ran six times for 39 yards.The offensive line played very physical and we ran the ball extremely well, Newton said.WHAT BROWN CAN DO FOR YOU: Arizona wide receiver John Brown, who missed last weeks game against Seattle because of leg issues related to a sickle-cell trait, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Palmer in the third quarter.CORNERBACK ROTATION: Nickel cornerback Leonard Johnson gave the Carolina defense a big boost in his first game. Johnson, activated from the non-football injury list last week, had eight tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.FRUSTRATION SETS IN: Frustration got the best of Palmer in the third quarter when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third quarter when he argued an illegal hands to the face call against a teammate, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and a second-and-44.INJURY UPDATECardinals: Safety Tyrann Mathieu left in the first half with a shoulder injury and did not return. Left tackle Jared Veldheer departed in the fourth quarter with an arm injury.Panthers: Two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil (right shoulder) and did not return.UP NEXT: The Panthers travel to Los Angeles next Sunday. The Cardinals have a bye.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Wholesale Jerseys China Jerseys NFL China ' ' '