when the New York Yankees closed out World Series championships in 1951 and 1952.Mierkowicz ended up playing only 35 major league games over four different seasons with the Tigers and St. Loui

HOUSTON -- At some point you have to leave. Too many losses, too many injuries and too much turmoil eventually wear a player down.Eric Gordon had reached that point after five seasons in New Orleans, where countless injuries and the inability to keep a team together yielded only one playoff appearance during Gordons time with the team.When the 27-year-old Gordon became an unrestricted free agent this past summer, he sought a new challenge in a place where he could fit in and contribute.When his teammate in New Orleans, Ryan Anderson, decided to sign a free-agent contract with the Houston Rockets, Gordon saw the potential. Playing with James Harden?in a wide-open offensive system run by Mike DAntoni -- for a franchise with a much better tradition than New Orleans -- appealed to him.After starting for the majority of his time in New Orleans, Gordon signed a four-year, $53 million deal to come off the bench for the Rockets.In 18 of 26 games off the bench, Gordon has emerged as a leading early-season candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Hes second in bench scoring at 17.6 points per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and making 46.4 percent of his 3-point shots (higher marks than hed posted as a starter in Houston). Gordon has made at least three 3-pointers in the past 11 games, tied for the fifth-longest streak in league history.When the Pelicans visit the Rockets on Friday night, theyll see a healthy and happy Gordon on the floor.It was definitely time for me to leave, Gordon said. Coming here in coach DAntonis system and Ive been familiar with a lot of the guys that are here. I just thought it was going to be good for me -- a good organization, a good training staff. I just thought they had the whole package for me and all I had to do is just play and not worry about injuries and put that stuff in the past and just revive myself.Gordon was part of the 2011 blockbuster deal that sent Chris Paul to the LA Clippers and Gordon to the Pelicans. Hopes were high, but Gordon missed 115 games in his first three seasons with various injuries. In July 2012, as a restricted free agent, he signed a four-year, $58 million offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns, hoping to escape. The Pelicans pulled him back in by matching it. Gordon stuck with it, but wins were lacking and injuries mounting.When I look back on it, the only guys thats been there is Anthony Davis, and since me and Ryan left, theres been a lot of transition, a lot of guys in and out, Gordon said. So whats the stability there? Im not really worried about whats going on down there, but I just know what happened down there and my role changed year by year. So we really had only one good year (2014-15). Its been tough -- it was a roller coaster there.When it came time for Gordon to seek a new home, he lost weight and rededicated himself to the cause while looking for a place that fit his skill set.Gordon can beat defenders off the dribble, shoot with confidence from 3-point range and defend. All of which is perfect for DAntoni.I think hes confident, he physically feels better, DAntoni said. He lost some weight this summer, he really got himself in shape [and] hes been injury-free, knock on wood, has been rededicated in the weight room and the training room and I think he feels that. And once you feel good, you become more confident. The offense is tailor-made to him and playing with James is tailor-made for him, and I think there are a lot of good things going on and hes taking advantage of it.When Gordon is on the floor, the Rockets offensive rating is 112.3 with an effective field-goal percentage of 54.4 percent.Those close to Gordon say he is more relaxed and confident.Hes happy, hes playing at a super-high level and really being used to the best of his ability, Anderson said. Hes such a great, talented guy -- hes an All-star, in my opinion. Its really good to see him in his element playing at the peak of his game. I know that hes happy. OG Anunoby Raptors Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. 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Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The last living player from the 1945 World Series was pulling for the Cubs this year.Ed Mierkowicz didnt play for Chicago. He was on the Detroit team that beat the Cubs in Game 7 at Wrigley Field 71 years ago. Now 92, the Michigan native remains a big baseball fan and was looking forward to this years World Series finale Wednesday night between the Cubs and Cleveland Indians.Id like to see the Cubs win, he said Wednesday. Not because I dont like Cleveland, but its been a long time for the Cubs.The Cubs did win, beating Cleveland 8-7 in 10 innings to win their first title since 1908. Before this season, they hadnt even made it to the World Series since 1945 , when Mierkowicz was on the field for the final outs. His only appearance of that series came at the end of Game 7.Chicago had tied the series with a 12-inning victory in Game 6, but the Tigers scored five runs in the top of the first in Game 7 and never looked back. Mierkowicz admits he doesnt remember a lot of the details from games over seven decades ago, but the play-by-play at Baseball-Reference.com helps fill in the gaps.With the Tigers up 9-3, a nervous Mierkowicz entered to start the bottom of the ninth, replacing Detroit star Hank Greenberg in left field.If I took my pants off, my knees would be shaking, he said. I just went along with the flow.Mierkowicz was a 21-year-old rookie who had appeared in only 10 games during the regular season.It was exciting, he said. In fact, it was so exciting, I dont know what the hell was going on -- all the people going crazy.The first batter singled his way, but the final three outs came quickly after that, and the Tigers were champions. Mierkowicz said there was no wild, bubbly-filled celebration the way there would be these days.They couldnt afford it, he said. They probablyy had a little drink or something like that, but it wasnt like now.ddddddddddddMierkowicz recalls throngs of fans waiting when the team took the train back to the Detroit area. He said there was a party at a hotel -- and he won a car in a raffle.He also speaks highly of Greenberg.I was a rookie. The other guys sort of shunned the rookies, Mierkowicz said. He was good to me. I didnt know him that well, but he was a great guy, great ballplayer.Mierkowicz was born in Wyandotte, which is just south of Detroit. Hes friends with Bob Kuzava, the Wyandotte native whose big league pitching career spanned over a decade. Kuzava was the man on the mound when the New York Yankees closed out World Series championships in 1951 and 1952.Mierkowicz ended up playing only 35 major league games over four different seasons with the Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals. He said it was like a cup of coffee -- but no cream.Still, not many players can say they were in the game when their team won a World Series, and Mierkowicz enjoys talking about his career.At his home in a senior living community in suburban Detroit, he has a team picture of the 1945 Tigers.God gave me the ability to play ball, he said. Made a pretty good living. We didnt make a lot of money, but it was a lot of fun.The game has changed a lot since then, needless to say.Theyve got better equipment, and theyre staying healthy because theyre making big money. Equipment is so much different than we used to have, he said. We used to have to buy our glove and shoes. We have to buy it. Now, they give them 25 pairs of shoes. Its like everything else. It changes. For the better, of course.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '