e that. Who cared little about curses or droughts. Who knew what Maddon wanted and how to translate it.Zobrist, fresh off a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals, was searching for a place

CLEVELAND -- This is why Ben Zobrist came home. And this is why?Chicago Cubs?manager Joe Maddon wanted him so badly.The Cubs needed a veteran in the clubhouse to teach their seemingly endless supply of budding stars, someone whod been there. Whod done that. Who cared little about curses or droughts. Who knew what Maddon wanted and how to translate it.Zobrist, fresh off a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals, was searching for a place to spend the final years of his consistently fine career. He grew up in central Illinois, just two hours away from Wrigley Field, so playing for the Cubs seemed like a viable option.And there he was, early Thursday morning, standing in the batters box in the top of the 10th inning in Game 7 of the World Series and facing a two-strike count with the potential go-ahead run on second base. Then the 35-year-old switch-hitter did something that might have encapsulated everything Maddon loves about him.Zobrist shortened his swing. He fouled off one pitch to stay alive. His next swing provided the final blow in Chicagos seasonlong bout with the weight of history: He hit a double inside third base that scored pinch runner Albert Almora Jr.?with the decisive run in an 8-7 victory that gave the Cubs their first World Series championship since 1908.Zobrist ended up winning the World Series MVP award.Cleveland reliever Bryan Shaw intentionally walked Chicago slugger Anthony Rizzo to face Zobrist, who entered the game hitting .391 in the Series but had gone hitless in his past four at-bats. Shaw quickly got ahead 1-2, before Zobrist poked a foul ball down the third-base line past a diving Jose Ramirez. The next pitch was more of the same. In a situation where some of his teammates would have swung for the outer reaches of Progressive Field, Zobrist settled for making contact.The normally understated Zobrist pointed toward the sky after his 10th and final hit of the Series. In response, the blue-clad Cubs fans in attendance roared once more.I know he threw a pretty hard cutter, Zobrist said of Shaw. I just barely hung in there, and fortunately, he put one just close enough to the plate where I could slap it down the line.When Zobrist returned to the dugout to fetch his glove and run back out to his spot in left field, the Cubs lead was two runs. Barely 10 minutes later, Zobrist sprinted to join the dogpile in the infield, after Kris Bryant threw to Rizzo at first for the final out.Last fall, Zobrist helped the Royals beat the New York Mets in five World Series games. When he went looking for a job, there was really only one place to go: Chicago.When Zobrist signed a four-year, $56 million deal in December, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said, Ben is a winning baseball player. His offense, his defense, his baserunning -- hes been one of the more valuable players in the game for a long time.Zobrist came to Wrigley Field without an ego. He played primarily at second base but also spent time in left field and right field. Always without complaint. Always with the greater goal in mind.A goal that was realized after Clevelands Rajai Davis tied the score with a stunning, two-run homer off Chicago closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning. After the ninth inning ended, there was a 17-minute rain delay. And then the Indians dared Zobrist to be the difference.He came through once more. Nike Air Max 90 Cheap Wholesale . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Nike Air Max 90 For Sale Cheap . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. http://www.nikeairmax90cheap.com/ . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Free Shipping . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Nike Air Max 90 Cheap .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Greg Pryor knocked down four 3-pointers to spark Chattanooga to a wire-to-wire, 79-52 romp past Louisiana Monroe Saturday.Chattanooga doubled-up the Warhawks early, taking a 42-21 lead into intermission and pushed it to 29 points five minutes into the second half. The Mocs opened the season with five of seven games on the road and the game opened a three-game home stand.Pryor finished with 16 points and led four Mocs into double-figure scoring. Justin Tuoyo finished witth 14 points and Makinde London added another 13 off the Chattanooga (6-2) bench.dddddddddddd The Mocs shot 27 of 56 from the field (48.2 percent), including 8 of 27 from beyond the arc (29.6 percent).Travis Munnings and Sam McDaniel each scored 12 points for Louisiana Monroe (2-5), which shot 21 of 48 from the field (43.8 percent), including 2 of 7 from distance. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '