ARLINGTON, Texas – J.
Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl Jersey .P. Arencibia was a busy man on Friday afternoon, unable to find the time to speak to the Toronto media between advanced meetings and his pregame workout and batting practice routine. The brief reunion between Arencibia and the club that drafted him, this three-game weekend series at Globe Life Park, marks the first opportunity for the former catcher of the future to address public comments he made about the Blue Jays during a March media scrum at the Rangers spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona. "That has nothing to do with us," said manager John Gibbons, who added he wasnt previous aware of Arencibias comments. "We wish him well. Hes a good guy. He comes to play everyday. I cant get caught up in that." Arencibia seemed to spare no one and nothing, offering comment on what he perceived to be the Blue Jays misplaced priorities. "Theres not a lot of riff-raff going on except for baseball stuff," he said. "Its cool. Its refreshing to be part of something that is really baseball emphasized." The clubhouse leadership got addressed. "Elvis (Andrus), (Adrian) Beltre, you have these guys who are leaders and have been around for a while, they make it easy," Arencibia said at the time. "Its not like you come in here and youre walking on egg shells." If hes more comfortable in his new surroundings, the results arent showing it. Entering Fridays play, Arencibia had appeared in fewer than half of Texas games (19), and was hitting a measly .140/.190/.246 with one home run. This off a disastrous 2013, Arencibias last in Toronto, during which hit for a .194 batting average and posted a meager on-base plus slugging percentage of .592 despite hitting 21 home runs. He was non-tendered by the Blue Jays in the offseason and signed a one-year deal with Texas in free agency. The Rangers are missing their starting catcher, Geovany Soto, and dont expect him back from a knee injury until later in June. In the meantime, Arencibia is splitting the catching duties with Robinson Chirinos, a one-time Chicago Cubs prospect who spent the better part of a decade in the minor leagues. There is talk around Arlington that when Soto comes back, Arencibia will be the odd man out. Arencibia is, by nature, a sensitive individual who seemed to read and hear everything critical written and said about him. He took it to heart. That same personality trait affected his relationship with members of the Blue Jays organization. Coaches would offer advice, try to help, but he would perceive constructive criticism as personal slight. Toronto decided Arencibia was no longer the right fit. Despite that, Gibbons still believes Arencibia can forge a successful big league career but he has some advice. "Its the ability to make some adjustments," said Gibbons. "He can do that. Ive seen him do it but hes got to be committed to it, you know. With J.P., hes still on the younger side of this game so hes got the time." INJURIES IN BASEBALL If youre a baseball fan in Toronto, youve likely got at least one friend who isnt and who enjoys pointing out how "soft" baseball players are when it comes to injuries. Youve heard it; the old "Hockey player takes a puck in the mouth and doesnt miss a shift but the baseball player tweaks his hamstring and misses three weeks" routine. One player whos spent time on the disabled list this season suggested to TSN.ca last week that if people felt the aches and pains baseball players do on a daily basis, theyd be visiting their doctors office on a regular basis. "Canadas the wrong place to say it because youve got hockey," said manager John Gibbons. "Those guys break a leg and theyre still playing so theres probably not a lot of sympathy on that end of it." Baseball, obviously, is a different sport. Its stop and start, which can wreak havoc on muscles that are in use one moment and then not again for a number of minutes. There arent intentionally violent collisions. Remember, too, the Blue Jays play on Astroturf, which has improved over the years but remains a thick rug blanketing a concrete surface. "The toughest part about baseball is its everyday," said Gibbons. "Youre banged up and a certain part of it is skill. If youre a pitcher or something like that, if youre hurting, you cant perform because youve got to throw a baseball or something like that." NAVARRO TO RETURN ON SATURDAY Catcher Dioner Navarro, whos been on the bereavement/family emergency list since Wednesday, will return in time for the second game of the Blue Jays three-game series in Texas. The club will make a corresponding roster move prior to the game. GETZ RETIRES One week ago, Chris Getz was a Toronto Blue Jay. Today, hes a former baseball player, having formally announced his retirement. "He called me the other day and he told me its something hes been contemplating anyway," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes a smart cookie. Getzys got it all together. He ended up getting his five years in but it was something that was kind of stewing with him a little bit because in the last couple of years hes been up and down." Getz and his wife are expecting a baby. He was designated for assignment on Sunday to accommodate Casey Janssens activation from the disabled list. The 30-year-old played 459 career games for three teams (Chicago White Sox, Kansas City, and Toronto), hitting .250/.309/.307 with 50 doubles and 89 stolen bases.
Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.
Tramon Williams Super Bowl Jersey . PAUL, Minn.CLEVELAND -- Browns coach Mike Pettine hired Jim ONeil as his defensive co-ordinator on Monday, reuniting him with the coach who helped him turn around Buffalos defence last season. Pettine also retained special teams co-ordinator Chris Tabor from Rob Chudzinskis staff. In addition, Pettine plucked assistants Chuck Driesbach (linebackers), Brian Fleury (assistant linebackers coach) and Jeff Hafley (secondary) off the staff he worked on in Buffalo as defensive co-ordinator. Pettine made Brian Angelichio, who spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, his tight ends coach and kept Bobby Babich (assistant secondary coach) and Shawn Mennenga (assistant special teams coach) from Clevelands previous staff. ONeil was Buffalos linebackers coach last season, his fifth straight with Pettine. They were together in New York, spending four seasons on Rex Ryans staff with the Jets. Pettines connection with ONeil predates their time in the NFL. ONeil played for Pettines father, Mike Sr., in high school. With the help of Pettine and ONeil, the Bills set a franchise record with 57 saccks, second most in the NFL.
Mason Crosby Super Bowl Jersey. Buffalo finished 10th (333.4) in total defence, after finishing 22nd in 2012. Since being hired by Cleveland last week, the 47-year-old Pettine has been busy assembling his staff. He knew he was behind the rest of the league after it took the Browns nearly a month before hiring him as their seventh coach since 1999. Pettine still needs an offensive co-ordinator, and one of the reported top names on his list, former Houston coach Gary Kubiak, was hired by Baltimore on Monday. The Browns have reportedly expressed interest in former Titans offensive co-ordinator Dowell Loggains. He could be hired as co-ordinator or perhaps coach quarterbacks. The 33-year-old Loggains spent six seasons with Tennessee. He was the teams offensive co-ordinator this season, but was not retained by new coach Ken Whisenhunt. Loggains also interviewed with the New York Giants, who hired former Green Bay quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo as their offensive co-ordinator. Tabor has been with the Browns since 2011 after three years in Chicago. ' ' '