Dein erstes Forum » u and the things that you do, Westbr

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers added a chemistry test to the equation Thursday, trading beloved backup catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies in order to improve the teams fortunes against left-handed pitching.The Dodgers landed right-handed hitting catcher Carlos Ruiz in the transaction, as well as cash considerations, while minor league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later also went to the Phillies along with Ellis.Ellis was not only the longest tenured Dodgers player, having spent 13 years in the organization and the last seven in the major leagues, he was also extremely close with staff ace Clayton Kershaw. Ellis said a number of emotional goodbyes with players and staff Thursday, but the most emotional was with Kershaw.Baseball is funny, anything can happen in the future, but to know that in almost all likelihood I will never get to catch him again is without a doubt the most devastating thing I am feeling right now, Ellis said. To feel that and for both of us to hang out here and try to process what was happening, it was very difficult.Ellis has said that catching Kershaw is like having an up-close-and-personal look at somebody on the road to the Hall of Fame. The duo sat on the dugout bench together Thursday afternoon without much to say.I think the shock kind of it hit us both simultaneously and we both cried, Ellis said.Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that team leadership and chemistry were all taken into account, suggesting that the front office chewed on the deal for multiple days. In the end, though, the Dodgers were intent on improving a lineup that was 13th in the National League in OPS against lefties at .663.Ruiz has just 44 at-bats against lefties this year, but he has two of his three home runs in those at-bats. He has 121 at-bats against right-handers. Over his 11-year career, Ruiz has a .275 batting average and an .814 OPS against lefties, compared to .265 and .722 against righties.I think that is a big part of it is him against left-handed pitching, just the quality of at-bat, Friedman said of the 37-year-old Ruiz. It was something, as a whole that [we] were focused on in July and then into August was just ways to lengthen our lineup against left-handed pitching. ... With Carlos, we felt that we could get more offensive production out of that position.Ellis said he was at a neighborhood park with his son Thursday morning when he received a text to come for a meeting in manager Dave Roberts office. Although he guessed what the meeting was likely about, the confirmation of the trade hit him hard.Its a really, really sad day for me; its a really sad day for my family, Ellis said. The one thing I am most proud of is being a Dodger for my entire career. I was drafted by these guys in 03 and to have been the longest tenured Dodger was something I was extremely proud of. To have that gone now in a blink of an eye, without much time to feel finality to it, it rips your heart out.Ellis was getting only sporadic playing time of late as catcher Yasmani Grandal had been flourishing both behind the plate and with the bat. Ellis was batting just .194 with a .252 OPS in just 139 at-bats. But his departure is sure to be felt.Friedman was asked how much of the chemistry equation was considered to make the potential offensive return from Ruiz worth making the deal.All of our interests are perfectly aligned in terms of doing everything we can to bring a world championship back to Los Angeles, Friedman said. The various players we talked to on a personal level, its hard for everybody, but understood the thought process, and at least if they disagreed with the assessment of the players, just understand that the whole goal in everything we are trying to do is win. New Balance Shoes Ireland . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Buy New Balance Shoes Online Ireland . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. http://www.newbalanceirelandoutlet.com/ . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. New Balance Clearance Sale .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Cheap new balance ireland . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. OKLAHOMA CITY -- For decades, basketball players have dreamed of being like Mike.Thunder guard Russell Westbrook really is like Mike.So says Mike himself.Basketball great Michael Jordan inducted Westbrook into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday night and heaped high praise on Westbrook, one of the most visible and accomplished Jordan Brand athletes.I am truly a fan of his, said Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP. When I watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball, the way I played the game of basketball.Westbrook is a two-time All-Star MVP and was the 2014-15 scoring champion. Last season, he posted 18 triple-doubles. This season, he has three triple-doubles and is averaging a Jordan-esque 31.8 points per game.Even with all that, Westbrook declined when asked to compare himself to Jordan, instead focusing on how fortunate he feels to have built a relationship with him.Michaels obviously the best that ever played the game, Westbrook said. Hes done so many things for the game of basketball, so many ways and broken so many barriers for guys like myself to be able to go out and compete at a high level, so it means a lot in that aspect. Off the court, hes carried a great brand. Its something I eventually want to do when Im done.Jordan commended Westbrook for re-signing with the Thunder after Kevin Durant left and signed with the Golden State Warriors.Im not here to try to bash aanyone thats not here, Jordan said, drawing laughter from the crowd at the Cox Convention Center.ddddddddddddEverybody has a choice. Im not saying you dont have a choice. Everybody has a choice, and when I saw that he chose to stay here in Oklahoma, I was so proud.Westbrook appreciated the fact that Jordan, the current Charlotte Hornets owner, answered Thunder owner Clay Bennetts call to attend.M.J.s one of those guys -- obviously, Im a part of his brand, and hes a guy that respects you and the things that you do, Westbrook said. He took time out of his day to come all the way to Oklahoma City to do this for me is an amazing honor. Im happy to have him here.In 2015, Westbrook won the NBAs Community Assist Award for his philanthropic efforts. He has opened several reading rooms, providing books for kids in low-income areas. Westbrook served at his WhyNot Foundations annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday. Jordan specifically mentioned Westbrooks off-the-court accomplishments as a reason he was proud to be the presenter.It was a memorable night for Westbrook, whose teammates all dressed up and attended the banquet.Its an unbelievable honor to go in, he said. Its definitely a blessing. Its something that you wont forget.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP . ' ' '