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SAN CANDIDO, Italy -- David Duncan of Canada claimed his first World Cup victory on Saturday, while womens world champion Fanny Smith took the overall lead of the skicross standings with her first win of the season. Carl Crawford Jersey . Duncans compatriot, Brady Leman, was third, behind Alex Fiva of Switzerland. Armin Niederer was fourth and maintained his lead in the skicross standings. Smith, of Switzerland, crossed the line ahead of Canadas Kelsey Serwa for her sixth World Cup success and moved ahead of Marielle Thompson in the standings. Anna Holmlund of Sweden was third. Smith was second in the opening event in Nakiska, Canada, and managed only seventh in Val Thorens, France, last week. Sandy Koufax Dodgers Jersey . Darvish is scheduled to make his season debut Sunday at Tampa Bay after getting through an extended bullpen session without any issues. Brian Wilson Dodgers Jersey . -- As usual, Aksel Lund Svindal was super fast on this hill.Josh Hamilton shed no tears, used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done. The Texas Rangers slugger and recovering drug addict said he had "three or four" drinks during dinner at a Dallas restaurant and bar Monday and continued drinking later that night. "Things happened that me, personally, Im not proud of after I drank, and they are personal and are being handled as that," he said Friday during a news conference at the ballpark called specifically to address the incident. "Knowing this was going to get out in social media, Twitter, people get excited. There was no pictures taken of me having a beer with somebody or anything like that, but I did take pictures with people." Hamilton didnt elaborate or give any real indication about what happened. Hamilton was suspended for more than three years for drug and alcohol use while in the Tampa Bay organization. The former No. 1 overall draft pick missed the entire 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons, but has become one of the best players in baseball on a team that has won the last two American League pennants. He was the AL MVP in 2010. The 30-year-old Hamilton said his latest actions "hurt a lot of people very close to me." He closed his eyes at one point and seemed to force a smile another time. He didnt take questions. Without being specific, Hamilton said he had a "weak moment" that stemmed from "personal reasons" involving a family member. He said he walked to a restaurant to have dinner and ended up "ordering a drink, and probably had three or four drinks" Hamilton said he did not take any drugs, and had no thoughts of doing so. He said he has been tested for drugs twice since Monday, part of his normal mandated routine. This is Hamiltons second known alcohol-related relapse in three years. Both came during the off-season, and this one has put on hold talks with the Rangers about a contract extension. In January 2009, he drank to excess in a bar in Tempe, Ariz. He apologized for that a few months later when a dozen or so pictures were posted online showing Hamilton taking shots off the bar, and dancing and hugging several young women. He said then that he had been sober since October 2005. Hamilton and general manager Jon Daniels said the outfielder will meet soon with Major League Baseball doctors and counsellors in New York for an evaluation in his continued recovery. "My life in general is based on making the right choices, everything as far as my recovery, as far as my baseball goes, its all based around my relationship with the Lord," Hamilton said. "And I look at it like that, you all know how hard I play on the field and I give it everything I absolutely have. When I dont do that off the field, I leave myself open foor a weak moment. Andre Ethier Jersey. ." After having a few drinks with dinner, Hamilton called Ian Kinsler to come hang out with him. Hamilton said Kinsler didnt know he had been drinking, and that he never had a drink in front of his teammate, even when they left before the restaurant closed and went to another place nearby for 25-30 minutes. Then Kinsler drove him back to where he was staying not far away. Though Hamilton told Kinsler he was not going anywhere else, Hamilton said he later returned to the place they had left and had more drinks. Daniels was asked if he was concerned that the incident was more than just Hamilton having a few drinks. The GM referred to Hamilton saying that alcohol had led the outfielder to some things he wasnt proud of. "I dont know. I wasnt there," said Daniels, speaking on a conference call. "Thats how Josh wants to address those things right now." In Twitter posts Friday, Hamiltons wife, Katie, wrote: "Truly appreciate all the encouraging & supportive tweets weve been getting. God is Faithful and forgives- so thankful that you all are ... Showing us such love and encouragement during this time." When the Rangers acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds in December 2007, they were aware of Hamiltons off-the-field problems. He is tested for drug use three times a week and has had an accountability partner to support him in his recovery -- though that job is now vacant. Assistant hitting coach Johnny Narrons primary role was to support the former No. 1 overall draft pick, but Narron left the Rangers in November for Milwaukee. The Rangers announced last month that Hamiltons father-in-law had been hired as a staff special assistant to be the accountability partner, but Michael Dean Chadwick has since decided against accepting that position because of "family considerations." Daniels said the team was close to hiring someone for the job, a process that was already in the final stages before the latest incident. He said an announcement could come next week. But Daniels said such a person likely wouldnt have been with Hamilton during the off-season when he was home with his family, as was the case this week. Hamilton can become a free agent after this season and had been talking to the Rangers about a contract extension. "It would be nice if it was talking about a contract but well put that on the back burner for a while," Hamilton said before walking out of the room. Daniels concurred that he had agreed with Hamiltons agent, Mike Moye, that contract talks would be put on hold. Daniels said there was no timetable for resuming them. While Daniels said Hamiltons relapse created a number of emotions, including disappointment, the GM said the overriding concern was for Hamilton and his family. Hamilton and his wife have four daughters, the youngest born last summer. cheap jerseys' ' ' |
