|
ST. Greg Holland Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks following surgery Friday on his injured right knee. Thats unexpected good news for a player who thought he might miss the rest of the season and perhaps be forced into retirement. The team said the arthroscopic surgery found a partial tear in the medial meniscus, which was removed. Doctors also found a cartilage tear that was debrided, but judged the ligament sound. "Great news, as good news as we could get from this," said manager Mike Matheny, who spoke with Berkman after the operation. "The conversation was Im going to be back. He thought it was probably worse. The doctors were extremely optimistic with what they saw." General manager John Mozeliak was encouraged, yet guarded at the prospect of plugging Berkman back into the lineup in late July or early August. "I think in fairness to everything, we should just be patient and see how things unfold over the next couple weeks," Mozeliak said. "But we are optimistic that hell play again for us this season, and were hopeful its sooner rather than later." The Cardinals could get pitcher Chris Carpenter back sometime after the All-Star break, too, although theres no timetable yet because the right-hander hasnt been cleared to throw. Carpenter has a nerve issue in his shoulder. "We are still hopeful," Mozeliak said. "There is a level of optimism given the strength hes gained and where hes at in his current rehab program." Allen Craig is expected to take over for Berkman at first base when he comes off the 15-day disabled list early next month from a hamstring injury, and centre fielder Jon Jay is progressing from a shoulder injury. Mozeliak thought Craig would be ready when hes eligible to play June 1 and estimated Jay, who took batting practice Friday without issues, might be just a few days behind. The 36-year-old Berkman had feared possible damage to the anterior cruciate ligament. Matheny said Berkman sounded surprised when he explained the state of the knee to the manager. "He tried to explain it to me but it was like using a diagram over the phone and it wasnt working," Matheny said. "Good thing hes not the doctor," Mozeliak added. Berkman has played just 13 games this season, also missing significant time with a pulled left calf muscle. The knee injury occurred on May 19. He was a key part of the teams championship run in 2011, hitting .301 with 31 homers and 94 RBIs in 145 games, and batted either fourth or fifth in his games this season. Berkman will begin his recovery and rehabilitation in Houston, where he spent most of his career and where he had the surgery. Mike Moustakas Royals Jersey . A Los Angeles judge on Thursday said the case wont finish by Tuesday but will continue on July 21 because some lawyers for team owner Donald Sterling have personal plans. Sterling is suing to block his wifes unilateral deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Justin Maxwell Authentic Jersey . Lowry joined TSN 1050 on Monday to discuss his personal growth, what was going through his mind on his final second drive and whether his future plans include staying in Toronto. “That last play will be my summertime grind,” Lowry said of his final shot which was blocked by Paul Pierce in the lane as time expired. NEW YORK -- On a day when dozens of Yankees greats were back on the field in pinstripes, Goose Gossage was overwhelmed to be the centre of attention. The Hall of Fame reliever with the blazing fastball and bushy moustache was honoured by the team on Old-Timers Day with a plaque to be put in Monument Park. "This is the greatest day Ive ever had," he told the sellout crowd of 47,493 at Yankee Stadium. Joined on the field by his family and old-timers from Yogi Berra to Bucky Dent, Gossage unveiled his plaque at home plate and grabbed the microphone Sunday to chants of "Goooose" before New York hosted the Baltimore Orioles. "I played for nine different teams, and putting on the pinstripes was like the closest thing to an out-of-body experience Ive ever had," Gossage said. "Outside of the day my kids were born and going into Cooperstown, it doesnt get any better than this. Its awesome," he added later. "Just an amazing day. I cant even put into words what it means." Gossage pitched for the Yankees from 1978-83, helping them to a World Series title during his first season in pinstripes. He returned for 11 games in 1989. Back in his day, closers routinely pitched multiple innings -- and Gossage was no different. He went 42-28 with a 2.14 ERA and 151 saves for the Yankees, leaving him third on the clubs career list behind Mariano Rivera (652) and Dave Righetti (224). "What he did in his era was just incredible," former New York pitcher David Wells said. After spending so much time in the bullpen at the previous Yankee Stadium, just a few steps from Monument Park, Gossage said he never could have imagined having his own plaque out there with all the others. The inscription on his marker begins by calling Gossage "one of the most intimidating pitchers ever to don pinstripes." It becomes thhe 28th plaque grouped behind the centre-field fence, where seven monuments commemorate such all-time greats as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, along with late owner George Steinbrenner.Yordano Ventura Authentic Jersey. The tribute came one day after the Yankees presented Tino Martinez with a Monument Park plaque in a similar celebration. Gossage tipped his cap to the crowd, and a video montage of his Yankees highlights preceded his speech. Diana Munson, the widow of former batterymate Thurman Munson, gave the pitcher a framed replica of his plaque, and the team presented him with a flashy No. 54 ring outlined in diamonds. "I cant tell you what it means to me and my family," said Gossage, recalling that Old-Timers Day was always his favourite day of the year during his Yankees tenure. "I dont even really know what to say. Its totally overwhelming to me." When the ceremony was over, the old-timers took the field for a four-inning game. Ron Guidry was on the mound, Rickey Henderson led off with a double and Mickey Rivers made a smooth catch in right-centre to rob Martinez of extra bases. Jesse Barfield homered into the left-field corner off David Cone, who trotted from first to third right alongside the ex-slugger. "I always wanted to run the bases," Cone said. "The only way I could do it was to piggyback off Jesse." Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui each made their first appearance at Old-Timers Day, both drawing a big hand. Matsui came in from left field to pitch to Reggie Jackson in a made-for-Hollywood matchup of Godzilla vs. Mr. October. Berra and fellow Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, both in their 80s, waved from a golf cart and received standing ovations. Later on, still wearing his full uniform, Gossage threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Yankees played the Orioles. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
