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BOSTON -- David Ortiz has completed his retirement tour around the major leagues, collecting farewell tributes from the opponents who watched him dismantle yet another late-inning lead (or dugout telephone ). Jamarco Jones Jersey .The gift he received from his Boston teammates has been the best of all.After two straight last-place finishes, the ballclub that Ortiz carried from cursed to first was determined to send him out as a winner. And with an AL East title getting him back to the playoffs, Bostons beloved Big Papi has a chance to play for his fourth World Series ring -- something only one Red Sox player in history has ever accomplished.Its definitely one to write in the history books, said Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, who has helped lead the teams recovery and, like Ortiz, is a contender for the AL MVP award. Somebody in their last year and theyre having a year like this is definitely amazing.It wasnt that long ago that the Red Sox were a tormented franchise, with generations of Boston fans who came and went without seeing their team win it all. In 2003, Ortizs first season with the Red Sox, they added another chapter of woe with a Game 7 collapse against the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.There was no reason to think it would be different when the teams played for a spot in the World Series again the next year -- certainly not after the Yankees won the first three games. But with extra-inning walkoff hits in back-to-back games, Ortiz helped Boston become the first major league team to rally from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series.The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals for their first World Series title in 86 years, and the members of that team became heroes in Boston.Only Ortiz stuck around for two more rings.The Red Sox won it again in 2007, but by 2013 they had gone three years without a postseason berth. Ortiz was the only member of the roster remaining from the cathartic `04 title, and the logical choice to rally the city after the Boston Marathon bombings.Taking the microphone on the Fenway mound for the first home game after the attacks, Ortiz proclaimed, This is our (expletive) city. And nobodys going to dictate our freedom.Then, buoyed by civic pride in the wake of the attacks, the Red Sox returned to the World Series.And Ortiz had one left speech left in him.Trailing St. Louis 2-1 in the Series and tied in Game 4, Ortiz gathered the Red Sox around him in the dugout and told them not to take the opportunity for granted.Any time this guy puts a uniform on, theres a presence, outfielder Jonny Gomes said afterward. And that this guy wants to rally us together for a pep talk, it was like 24 kindergartners looking up at their teacher. He got everyones attention and we looked him right in the eyes, and that message was pretty powerful.The Red Sox won three straight to take the title in six games. Ortiz batted .688 to earn Series MVP honors. But that was followed by a pair of fifth-place finishes, seasons when the Red Sox werent even competitive.On Nov. 18, 2015, his 40th birthday, Ortiz announced that he would only play one more year.Time is up, he said in a video posted on The Players Tribune. So lets enjoy the season.For the Red Sox, the mission was obvious:If youre a fan of the game of baseball; if youre a fan of the Boston Red Sox or a player for the Boston Red Sox, it should be pretty apparent what hes meant to this ballclub, general manager Mike Hazen said over the winter. Nobody wants to watch somebody like that finish up their career that way.Least of all Ortiz.Far from showing his age, Ortiz had one of the best seasons of his career. He became the oldest player to hit 30 home runs. He already has more homers and RBI in his final season than any player in baseball history.Along the way he passed Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle on the career home run list, and Carl Yastrzemski and Lou Gehrig on the all-time extra-base hits list.And on Wednesday night, Boston clinched its third AL East title since 1995. If Ortiz can win a fourth ring, he would be the first Red Sox player since Harry Hooper in 1918 to play in and win four Series.Being able to be in the playoffs right now is something very special, Ortiz said during the celebration in Yankee Stadium. Its going to be my last one, so Im going to enjoy it the best I can.---AP freelancer Mark Didtler contributed to this story from St. Petersburg, Florida. Cassius Marsh Jersey .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Nick Bellore Jersey . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. http://www.cheapseahawksjerseysauthentic...lan-reed-jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. NEW YORK -- Steven Matz is tentatively scheduled to return to the New York Mets injury-ravaged rotation Friday night.The left-hander threw a bullpen Wednesday at Citi Field, and manager Terry Collins said he is confident Matz will be able to start against Philadelphia. But before committing to him, the team will wait to see how Matz feels Thursday.If he does take the ball, the rookie will likely be limited to around 50-60 pitches.He hasnt pitched in a month, so weve got to be very careful with how we approach it, Collins said.Right-hander Gabriel Ynoa would be in line to follow Matz against the Phillies. Ynoa made his first major league start Sunday versus Minnesota, allowing one run and striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings.Matz has not pitched since Aug. 14 because of tightness in his left shoulder. He initially was penciled in to return Sept. 1, but was scratched after feeling discomfort when playing catch a day after he threw off a mound.Matz had been pitching with a bone spur in his elbow before going on the disabled list last month. He is 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 22 starts this season for the Mets, who began the day tied with San Francisco and St. Louis for the two NL wild cards.In another injury update, New York starter Jacob deGrom had surgery Wednesday to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow and is expected to be ready for spring training next year, the team said.Right-hander Matt Harvey also is out for the season following surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, and Zack Wheeler never made it back this year from Tommy John surgery in March 2015.WHERES WILMER?Collins indicated he is very concerned about infielder Wilmer Flores, who remained out of the lineup with a sore right wrist.Flores has not played since Sept. 10, when he was injured in a home-plate collision at Atlanta. Hes received two injections, the second one on Monnday, but still was unable to swing a bat Wednesday, according to Collins. Tyrone Swoopes Jersey. Productive rookie T.J. Rivera started at second base again Wednesday night against Atlanta.Flores is not expected back in time to play Thursday night against Philadelphia lefty Adam Morgan -- a major disappointment for the Mets. Flores is hitting .340 with 11 home runs in 100 at-bats vs. left-handers this season, including .393 with 25 RBI in his last 61 at-bats. His .710 slugging percentage against southpaws is the best mark in the majors among players with at least 85 at-bats.Not to mention, Flores hit a grand slam off Morgan on Aug. 26.BRUCE ON THE BENCHSlumping right fielder Jay Bruce was left out of the lineup for the third time in four games, one night after the three-time All-Star was pulled for a pinch hitter in a crucial situation.That move came with a left-handed reliever on the mound. This time, the left-handed-hitting Bruce was benched with rookie right-hander Ryan Weber starting for the Braves. Alejandro De Aza played center field, bumping Curtis Granderson back to right.Bruce had little reaction to Collins decision Wednesday.The results are just not there, and this is a results game, he said. I still plan on being a big part of this hunt for the World Series here. This is just a blip.Acquired from Cincinnati at the Aug. 1 trade deadline, Bruce was batting only .176 with four homers and 11 RBI in 40 games with the Mets. He was hitless in his last 12 at-bats and stuck in a 3-for-38 slide. Yet his 29 home runs and 91 RBI still ranked 10th in the NL in both categories.Obviously, no one likes being booed, Bruce said. But I understand that theyre passionate. They expect a certain level of execution and performance out of me. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '