Wir über uns... » early en route to an 8-1 win.TOR

CHICAGO -- The first two happened in a single game in Colorado. There was a fly ball that barely cleared the wall, and then a screaming drive to right-centre. Jose Abreu quickly hit two more home runs against Cleveland. He beat Tampa Bay with a game-ending grand slam, an absolute laser for his second shot of the game. Some 6,000 feet of homers in just six weeks, another successful mile in a well-travelled bridge from Abreus native Cuba to the Chicago White Sox. The big first baseman is punishing major league pitching while making a difficult transition to the United States look almost routine. "I come from a place where there is very good baseball, but theres nowhere you can compare that baseball to this one," Abreu said through a translator. "This is the best baseball in the world. But the only way to achieve this, to come here and be successful, is to be disciplined, to have a lot of discipline, thats the way you improve." Abreu looks right at home. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound slugger connected in Oakland on Wednesday to become the fourth player in major league history to hit 15 homers in his first 42 games, joining Wally Berger, Kevin Maas and Wally Joyner. He is batting .271 with 41 RBIs heading into a weekend series at Houston. Abreu, who defected in 2012 and finalized a $68 million, six-year deal with the White Sox in October, is among the major league leaders in several offensive categories. Playing at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he is a legitimate threat to become baseballs first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire for the Athletics in 1987. "Its just his strength, his power," White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "I mean hes just strong. You can do what he does with how strong he is, because he doesnt do a lot with his swing, his body to get ready to hit. He just drops the head of the bat on it and its gone." All that power has captured the attention of baseball fans across the country, but it is Abreus appreciative attitude that has quickly endeared him to his teammates. No small feat considering Abreus arrival pushed franchise icon Paul Konerko into a reserve role. "Hes such a good team person and you like to see stuff like this happen to people like him," manager Robin Ventura said. Abreu is the latest in a new wave of Cuban stars finding success all over baseball, and part of a long history of successful Cuban players in Chicago. Sluggers Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are two of the majors most dangerous bats. Cincinnati left-hander Aroldis Chapman has blossomed into an All-Star closer. Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez was the NL Rookie of the Year last season. There were a record 19 Cuban players on opening-day rosters and inactive lists this year. "I think clubs are learning more and more how to do it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Cuban players often travel a dangerous road to the majors. According to court documents in a federal lawsuit in Miami, smugglers who helped Puig leave his country on a speedboat have made death threats against him and against a boxer who says he defected with Puig. When they make it to the U.S., they face what can be an isolating transition to a completely different culture and the rigours of the majors. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but they also have to work through changes brought on by a level of wealth and fame far beyond what they could have experienced in their home country. Major league teams are more careful than ever these days about creating a positive atmosphere for the Cuban players, making sure there is a translator in the clubhouse and help nearby when it comes to challenges on and off the field. The 27-year-old Abreu has three Cuban teammates; shortstop Alexei Ramirez, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Adrian Nieto. Lino Diaz, the manager of cultural development for the White Sox, also is around if Abreu needs any assistance. The White Sox have had 18 Cuban-born players in franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth among all major league franchises, according to STATS. Minnie Minoso, regarded as baseballs first black Latino star, played 12 of his 17 seasons in Chicago and remains a team ambassador. Orlando Hernandez helped the White Sox win their last World Series title in 2005. Abreus fast start is drawing interest back home. The slugger is followed as closely as possible in a country where, despite the appearance of recorded major league games on state TV starting in March 2013, games featuring Cuban defectors are still not shown. Cubans with access to the Internet and bootleg versions track his career and often discuss it at the "hot corner," a spot in Havanas Parque Central where baseball fans gather to discuss international and Cuban players. "Abreu is a powerful hitter, he was really good here, but personally I think that with his major league results hes really exceeded expectations," said Jose Estrada, 55. "All over Cuba were following him much more than before because hes Cuban and he represents Cuba in the country with the best baseball in the world, the major leagues, and hes showing everyone the level of Cuban baseball." That level looks better than ever right now. Eddie George Jersey . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Curley Culp Jersey .com) - Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo were named the NHLs players of the week on Monday. http://www.titansstoreonline.com/Customized/ . Kevin Martin and Kevin Love paced the Timberwolves like they do so often. Martin had 27 points with some key baskets down the stretch, Love had his usual double-double, and the Timberwolves snapped a three-game losing streak with a 112-106 victory Saturday night over the suddenly slipping Dallas Mavericks. Steve McNair Jersey . The league announced Thursday that Tom Higgins is leaving that post effective immediately. Tennessee Titans Jerseys . Toronto (11-12) gave up leads in 10-8 and 11-4 losses to the Baltimore Orioles this week. It was never close Friday as the Boston Red Sox got to Mark Buehrle early en route to an 8-1 win.TORONTO - Amis Holiday, runner-up to filly Lexie Lou in the Queens Plate, will leave from post two as the 9-5 favourite in Tuesday nights $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, at Fort Erie Racetrack. The 79th edition of the Prince of Wales for Canadian-foaled three-year-olds will be televised live on TSN on Tuesday, July 29 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. At a distance of 1 3/16-miles, the Prince of Wales is the only race in the Canadian Triple Crown Series that is run on a traditional dirt surface. The Queens Plate, a 1 1/4-mile Poly test is the first jewel of the Triple Crown which is completed by the Breeders Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile endurance test over Woodbines E.P. Taylor Turf Course, to be held on Sunday, August 17. Trained by Josie Carroll for owner-breeder Ivan Dalos, Amis Holiday will be making his first start on the dirt. Luis Contreras retains the mount on the Harlans Holiday-Victorious Ami colt who boasts a record of 2-2-1 from seven starts including a major score in the Grade 3 Grey Stakes in October. "He always breaks sharp and settles into a good position early," said Contreras. "Well try to find our spot and hope for a clean trip." Amis Holiday, who traveled down to Fort Erie to gallop over the surface last weekend, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 over Woodbines main track on Wednesday in his final prep for the Prince of Wales. "Hes been doing everything right," said Contreras. "His fitness is excellent, hes confident and Im looking forward to the race. Well see how he handles the dirt, but he has raced behind horses on the Poly so I dont think he will mind having a bit of dirt in his face." Matador, trained by Plate winning trainer Mark Casse for John Oxley, has been installed as the 3-1 second choice. The bay son of Malibu Moon-Im Breathtaking took part in a series of U.S. Triple Crown prep races over the winter finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis; fifth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby; and sixth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. On his return to Woodbine, Matador romped a 1 1/16-miles allowance route by six lengths, setting up an even seventh-place run in the Queens Plate. Patrick Husbands, who guided Lexie Lou to victory in the Plate, will take over from Julien Leparoux aboard Matador. Coltimus Prime (12-1, Post 6), trained by Fort Erie local Justin Nixon, will garner support from the home crowd. The dark bay son of Milwaukee Brew-Certainly Special, with a lifetime record of 2-2-0 from eight starts, finished ninth in the Queens Plate. "This is where I learned the game," said Nixon over the phone from the border oval. "Its such a nice atmosphere down here. The facilities are excellent and the horses aree enjoying the experience.dddddddddddd Were happy to be here to support Fort Erie and Ontario horse racing." Coltimus Prime was forwardly placed in the Queens Plate through a swift three-quarters in 1:11.2 before fading. "We drew inside and wanted to be forward in the Plate and it might have been a little quicker than we would have liked, but thats racing," said Nixon. The dark bay colt, who can be found on Twitter @ColtimusPrime, breezed between races on Tuesday evenings card at Fort Erie with Francine Villeneuve aboard, clocked in a good :59.20. "We wanted to replicate race conditions as best we could and he moved very well over the dirt here. Were very happy with now he breezed and he came back in excellent order," said Nixon. Eurico Rosa da Silva will pilot Coltimus Prime for the first time in Tuesdays lucrative affair. "Id hate to say were going to commit to the lead at all costs," said Nixon. "We just want the race to unfold, for us to be comfortable and be in a position to win turning for home. Hes rateable. He came from last in the Blue Grass (April 12 at Keeneland) to be fifth." Lions Bay (5-1, Post 10) is the only other holdover from the Queens Plate field. Trained by Jamie Attard, the dark bay son of Sligo Bay-Lions Raw finished sixth in the Plate despite stumbling in the first few strides out of the gate bending his shoe. A two-time winner in four starts for conditioner Jamie Attard, Lions Bay will leave from post 10 in the 1 3/16-miles event. Davy Moran will ride. Newcomers to the Canadian Triple Crown experience, from the rail out, include East Side, Ascot Martin, Money Talks, Smart Spree, Lynx and Rhythm Blues. First race post time on Tuesdays nine-race card is scheduled for 4:15. The Prince of Wales will be televised on TSN from 7pm to 8pm EDT with the Prince of Wales, slated as Race 8, scheduled for 7:40 pm. TSN subscribers can watch live streaming and on demand coverage of the Prince of Wales Stakes via TSN GO. Fans can watch and wager on the race via HorsePlayer Interactive. FIELD FOR THE $500,000 PRINCE OF WALESPOST / HORSE / TRAINER / JOCKEY / ODDS1 / East Side / Mark Casse / Justin Stein / 6-12 / Amis Holiday / Josie Carroll / Luis Contreras / 9-53 / Ascot Martin / Mike Keogh / Jesse Campbell / 20-14 / Matador / Mark Casse / Patrick Husbands / 3-15 / Money Talks / Bill Tharrenos / Gerry Olguin / 20-16 / Coltimus Prime / Justin Nixon / Eurico Rosa da Silva / 12-17 / Smart Spree / Mark Frostad / Emma-Jayne Wilson / 20-18 / Lynx / Cathal Lynch / Frankie Pennington / 5-19 / Rhythm Blues / Nick Gonzalez / Chantal Sutherland-Kruse / 8-110/ Lions Bay / Jamie Attard / David Moran / 5-1 Authentic Steelers Jerseys Authentic Cowboys Jerseys Authentic Raiders Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Authentic Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Authentic Ravens Jerseys Authentic Browns Jerseys Authentic Cardinals Jerseys Authentic Bills Jerseys Authentic Panthers Jerseys Authentic Bears Jerseys Authentic Bengals Jerseys Authentic Texans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Authentic Packers Jerseys Authentic Jets Jerseys Authentic Dolphins Jerseys Authentic Patriots Jerseys Authentic Jaguars Jerseys Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Chargers Jerseys Authentic Giants Jerseys Authentic Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Authentic 49ers Jerseys Authentic Seahawks Jerseys Authentic Rams Jerseys Authentic Vikings Jerseys Authentic Colts Jerseys ' ' '