News & Neuigkeiten » on a personal level if you win the Superleag

The Chicago Cubs have added Aroldis Chapman for their push to the World Series, acquiring the flame-throwing closer in a blockbuster trade with the New York Yankees.The teams announced the trade Monday, saying that Chapman is expected to join the National League-leading Cubs for their game Tuesday against the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox.The Yankees received a four-player package, headlined by top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, in exchange for Chapman, who was suspended for the first 29 games of this season under baseballs domestic violence policy.Obviously, we are aware of the circumstances surrounding Aroldis Chapmans suspension earlier this season, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. We are also aware that he cooperated fully with the league investigation and takes responsibility for his actions.Chapman was involved in an October incident when he allegedly choked his girlfriend, but police did not file charges against the Cuban-born left-hander, citing insufficient evidence, conflicting stories and uncooperative witnesses. Major League Baseball announced Chapmans suspension in early March, two months after the Yankees traded four minor leaguers to the Cincinnati Reds for the All-Star closer.I want to thank the New York Yankees for trusting and supporting me, and I wish nothing but the best for the Yankees organization and my former teammates, Chapman said in a statement.Now the five-time All-Star is headed to Chicago, where he figures to bolster a struggling bullpen and strengthen the Cubs pursuit of their first World Series championship since 1908.I am excited about todays trade and look forward to joining the Chicago Cubs and meeting my new teammates, he said. It is a privilege to wear the Cubs uniform and to play for the fans of Chicago.Hector Rondon has a 1.95 ERA and 18 saves this season as Chicagos closer, but the rest of the Cubs bullpen has been spotty. The Cubs had a combined ERA of 3.83, ranking seventh in the NL, entering Monday, when the bullpen gave up a game-winning hit to White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino?in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss.The Cubs paid a steep price, parting with Torres, versatile pitcher Adam Warren and minor league outfielders Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford.But there is no doubting the talent of the 28-year-old Chapman, who went 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA and 20 saves in 31 games with New York. He threw a 105.1 mph fastball to Baltimores J.J. Hardy last Monday night, matching the fastest since MLB began tracking speeds in 2008.With lefty-batting sluggers Bryce Harper of Washington and Brandon Belt of San Francisco possibly looming in the playoffs, the addition of Chapman gives Cubs manager Joe Maddon one of the majors top assets when in need of a late strikeout.Today, prior to completing the trade, Theo, Jed and I spoke with Aroldis, Ricketts said. I shared with him the high expectations we set for our players and staff both on and off the field. Aroldis indicated he is comfortable with meeting those expectations.Finally, my family, this team and Major League Baseball take the issue of domestic violence very seriously and support efforts to reduce domestic violence through education, awareness and intervention.Chapman told police in October that he poked the woman on the shoulder and she fell to the ground. According to the police report, after family members broke up the altercation, Chapman said he went into his car, punched the passenger-side window, and suffered a laceration on his finger. He also acknowledged firing eight shots from a handgun in his garage during the incident.I regret that I did not exercise better judgment and for that I am truly sorry, Chapman said in Mondays statement. Looking back, I feel I have learned from this matter and have grown as a person. My girlfriend and I have worked hard to strengthen our relationship, to raise our daughter together, and would appreciate the opportunity to move forward without revisiting an event we consider part of our past.Chapman saved 146 games with a 2.17 ERA in six years with the Reds before he was traded to New York last December after a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell through amid reports of the domestic violence incident.New York had won six of eight games heading into Monday nights game at Houston, but still faces long odds of getting to the playoffs. All-Stars Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances are still at the back of the bullpen, allowing the Yankees to trade Chapman now and still consider trying for the postseason depending on how they fare ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.This isnt a white flag, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. It is a rearrangement.If New York slips back any further, it could engage in a rare sell-off for the franchise. Miller, who is signed through 2018, also could be traded. Outfielder Carlos Beltran, first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitcher Ivan Nova are eligible for free agency after the season and could be sought by contenders.Chapman quickly turned into one of baseballs most dominant relievers when he broke into the majors in 2010 with Cincinnati. He threw the 62 fastest pitches in the major leagues last season, ranging from 103.92 to 102.36 mph.Torres, a 19-year-old at Class A, is the centerpiece of the deal for the Yankees. He is the Cubs top-ranked prospect and No. 26 in baseball, according to ESPN Insider Keith Law. Torres was scratched about 20 minutes before first pitch Sunday afternoon.Chicago originally acquired Warren in an earlier trade with the Yankees that sent Starlin Castro to New York. The right-hander went 3-2 with a 5.91 ERA in 29 games this season with the Cubs.McKinney, 21, is at Double-A. He was part of the 2014 trade that brought Addison Russell to Chicago from Oakland.ESPNs Jesse Rogers and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Travis Konecny Flyers Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Sean Couturier Flyers Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). http://www.flyersteamstoreonline.com/authentic-oskar-lindblom-flyers-jersey/ . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Travis Sanheim Flyers Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Michael Raffl Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play.Ahead of the Grand Final, Manchester Thunders Sara Bayman and Surrey Storms Sophia Candappa answer key questions about Saturdays title decider. Reigning champions Surrey will face Manchester, who finished top of the Vitality Netball Superleague, at the Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports. Sky Live: Storm v Thunder Surrey Storm face Manchester Thunder in Saturdays Grand Final The Storm and Thunder hold one win apiece in their matches this season, but who will come out on top this weekend? Sara and Sophia have given their verdicts... Is Surrey Storm v Manchester Thunder the dream final?Sara: I think for the fans, yes definitely. Storm and Thunder have a lot of history, a lot of rivalry. The fans should expect a treat as we usually put on a good game. We finished one and two in the league, obviously won our semi-finals, and over the course of the season you would say these are the top two sides. The fans should expect a treat as we usually put on a good game. Sara Bayman Sophia: Definitely. Weve both won a game each against each other, so I think Saturday is going to be a really hotly contested game. Well probably be level pegging the whole way through. Do you expect an evenly contested final?Sara: I think that is most likely. Weve both analysed each other, we both know each others games. Having one win each, its the decider and I would expect it to be really tight. Defending champions Surrey Storm will meet Manchester Thunder in the Vitality Superleague Grand Final after Saturdays semi-finals Sophia: Tamsin, our coach has always said to us that the final should be between Storm and Thunder. We have definitely kept our eye on them, watching the video of them against other teams and our games. Can Surrey draw confidence from last years title triumph?Sara: They might have the edge in that theyve won a Superleague at the Copper Box before. But each of the Superleagues that we have won have been against Storm. Its 50-50. Surrey Storm defeated Hertfordshire Mavericks in last years Grand Final Sophia: I actually didnt play for the Storm last year, but I definitely think that is an advantage for us as a team. Definitely the plan is to go back and win it again at the Copper Box. Its sort of our second home after playing London Live, so I think weve definitely got a bit of a home advantage. What was the most important victory in the season?Sara: I think our victory away to Team Bath in round three. It kind of set us up for a good season and was probably our strongest performance of the season. It came really early and was a confidence boost, knowing that we could play that well and were title contenders. Storm defeated Hertfordshire Mavericks in round 14 Sophia: Our last round game which was against Mavericks. We had to win in order to secure a home semi-final. That did make a massive difference and was a confidence booster going into our semi-final against Mavericks again. It was a really crucial game. What key battles are we expecting on Saturday?Sara: I think Rachel Dunn in the circle is going to be one to watch for us. Me and Sophia will probably play against each other in the middle, which will be quite tasty. Then Ellie Cardwell against Hannah Reid is going to be huge. Who comes out on top of that could decide the game. Sara Bayman and Sophia Candappa talk about their potential match-up in the centre position in Saturdays Grand Final Sophia: Hannah Reid up against Ellie Cardwell is going to be really interesting.ddddddddddddHannah is a really experienced defender and Ellie Cardwell is a young, upcoming England shooter. That will be a really exciting match-up and also Ill be up against Sara, which is always a good battle. Im looking forward to that. Who is the most dangerous player on the opposing team?Sara: When Rachel Dunn is on form she just slots goals from anywhere. Weve really got to cut down the service to her from the mid-court, because we dont want her getting the ball in the circle. Helen Housby is a potent shooter for the Thunder Sophia: They have got a really strong mid-court. Sara and Natalie Haythornthwaite are a really strong combo. Ultimately Helen Housby, the superstar shooter, can do a lot of damage. That is part of our game-plan to stop her from scoring that golden goal. How important have the coaching staff been to your success?Sara: Our coaching staff have been great all through the season. We definitely went through a mid-season blip and I think as a team we were getting worried about it, whereas the coaching staff were just absolutely fine. Were ready to peak again and the last few games weve been playing really well. Head coach Dan Ryan has guided Thunder to the Grand Final in his first season Sophia: They have been really influential. Obviously weve had Tamsin Greenway not playing this year. Shes been on the bench as Director of Netball for Surrey and also Head Coach Kat Ratnapala. They are both experienced players. Kat has been working with the defenders, which has been awesome, and for me Ive had the joy of learning everything from Tamsin, which has been really good. How does it feel to be nominated for the player of the season award?Sara: Its fantastic. I actually really didnt expect it and the first I knew about it was when my Mum rang me up and told me. Its really nice to get individual recognition, but Ill take a Superleague win over that. If I can have both, thanks. My mum has voted about 18 times. Shes whipping iPads out from nowhere. Im really honoured to be recognised, but I just want to go out there on Saturday and do my team proud and play well. Sophia Candappa Sophia: It was a real shock. Im really honoured to be recognised, but I just want to go out there on Saturday and do my team proud and play well, so I can give us the best chance of winning that Superleague title. What will it mean on a personal level if you win the Superleague title?Sara: Its huge. As an experienced player, you realise that these opportunities dont come around very often. Its such a huge game and such an amazing stadium to be in. To win it for Manchester Thunder would be absolutely massive. Surrey Storms Sophia Candappa and Manchester Thunders Sara Bayman answer some quick-fire questions on their team-mates Sophia: All those hours that weve given up, Tamsin screaming at me, telling me how awful I am at times in games, it will all be worth it. The Storm girls are amazing, they have really welcomed me this season. I feel like I have slotted in and to do it with them would be just amazing.Watch Surrey Storm against Manchester Thunder in Saturdays Grand Final from 4.30pm on Sky Sports 5. Also See: Sky Live: Superleague Grand Final WATCH: Grand Final match-up Ryan: Thunder is my future WATCH: Housbys magic moment ' ' '