one," McIlroy said. "It is a very positive start t

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Pitching coach Bryan Price was first on the Reds list of manager candidates. Three hours of answering every question tossed his way ended their search rather quickly. After one interview, it was over. The Reds stayed in-house for their next manager, giving Price a three-year deal Tuesday that came with expectations that hell take them deep into the playoffs right away. "Bryan is exceptional," owner Bob Castellini said. "Weve been fortunate to be with him long enough to know how exceptional he is. "I cant tell you how well this has fit in for us. We did not have to go out and do a search," he said. "We had the person we felt could take this team deep into the post-season and then some." Dusty Baker led the Reds to three 90-win seasons and three playoff appearances in the last four years, their best stretch of success since Sparky Anderson managed the Big Red Machine in the 1970s. But Cincinnati got knocked out in the first round of the post-season each time. The Reds fired Baker with a year left on his two-year deal after a final-week fade that included an implosion by the pitching staff. Cincinnati lost its last six games, including a 6-2 defeat at PNC Park in the wild-card playoff against the Pirates. General manager Walt Jocketty said the closing slump was a major factor in the decision to make a change. Jocketty considered two in-house candidates: Price and Triple-A manager Jim Riggleman. Price got the first interview and impressed everyone so much that Jocketty didnt interview anyone else. "I was convinced that Bryan was our guy just because of the past association weve had with him," Jocketty said. "I think that to bring other people in just for the process of going through an interview -- to me, I wouldnt want that." The job carries enormous expectations for the 51-year-old Price, who has been one of the most successful pitching coaches in the majors but has never managed at any level. He interviewed for the Marlins job last year, which got him thinking that hed like to be a manager some day. Given his four successful seasons in Cincinnati, he wanted to stay if possible. "Its a team thats capable of doing even more," Price said. "I think we certainly should talk very optimistically about the three playoff appearances in the last four years, which were maybe somewhat discredited because we hadnt gotten past the first round. "Considering the 15 years prior, it was definitely a huge step in the right direction," Price added. "But we all have expectations of getting beyond that." Price was a left-handed pitcher for six years in the minors, his career scuttled by elbow surgery. He started his coaching career in Seattles farm system and was the Mariners pitching coach from 2000-05. He moved to Arizona as pitching coach from 2006-09, resigning there after Bob Melvin was replaced. Jocketty hired him to replace Dick Pole in Cincinnati, where he helped the Reds staff develop into one of the NLs best during his four seasons working with Baker. Now, Jocketty has several important lineup decisions to make to try to keep the Reds competitive in the NL Central, which sent three teams to the playoffs. Division champion St. Louis opens the World Series against Boston on Wednesday. The Pirates passed the Reds for second place and home-field advantage for the wild-card playoff during the final week of the season. The pitching staff will have some changes, with starter Bronson Arroyo eligible for free agency. Left-hander Tony Cingrani made his debut last season and showed he could win in the majors, but was sidelined by back problems in September. Ace Johnny Cueto missed most of the season with shoulder problems. The Reds have to decide whether to keep left-hander Aroldis Chapman as their closer or move him into a starting role. Price would have preferred making him a starter. If he gets moved into the rotation, the Reds dont have anyone with appreciable experience at closing games. He and Jocketty said they hadnt made any decisions on the pitching staff or the everyday lineup. The offence struggled last season with no consistent right-handed hitter. Cleanup hitter Ryan Ludwick tore cartilage in his right shoulder on a slide on opening day and missed most of the season. He returned in mid-August and hit only two homers with the shoulder still bothering him. Joey Votto and leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo led the NL in on-base percentage, but Choo is a free agent. Billy Hamilton created a sensation with his speed when he was called up in September, but struggled to get on base consistently in Triple-A before his first promotion to the majors. Josh Bailey Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Wednesdays 3pm et trade deadline for all the updates. Blue line help for Red Wings? In addition to what he reported in Insider Trading, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wrote on ESPN. Anders Lee Jersey . - Even with a new coach, the Denver Nuggets still love to push the basketball. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-john-tavares-islanders-jersey/ . Armstrong was given the rank of "Chevalier" -- or Knight -- in the "Legion dHonneur" in 2005, the last year of his seven consecutive Tour de France victories. Thomas Greiss Jersey . QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (vs Colts)Last week: 30/42, 419 yards, 2 TDsWinners of their last three and now tied for the final wild card spot in the NFC, the Cardinals are worth keeping an eye on. Casey Cizikas Jersey . The Raptors have to get through the pesky New York Knicks Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and can lock up the third spot in the Eastern Conference with a win or a Chicago loss in Charlotte.ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Spains Pablo Larrazabal shot a final round 67 to end a near three-year winless drought to capture the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday. Larrazabal, 30, won by a stroke with a 14-under par 274 on the National Course in the UAE capital. Rory McIlroy (68), who had incurred a two-stroke penalty a day earlier, finished with a share of second place with Phil Micklelson (69) on 13-under. "It means a lot to win my third victory on Tour and playing against who I played today," said Larrazabal. "Of course, I play against myself but I knew who I also had behind me in Mickelson. I have just beaten two of the three most talented guys in my era, and in the last era, as well in Phil Mickelson and Rory. Mickelson was left counting the cost of incurring a shot penalty after a double hit while playing from brush on the 13th hole of the National course. The British Open champion, who was leading at the time, finished the hole with a triple-bogey seven. "I was sitting at the presentation ceremony I said to myself: Pablo? What are you doing here? Ive got Rory McIlroy on my left and I am shaking the hand of Phil Mickelson on my right. Its very special for me," added Larrazabal after collecting the trophy. "But its been a long journey and a lot of work since my last win in Munich, and only my team and my family know how hard I have worked for this victory with no holidays, and not too many days off this winter, just working hard to arrive here properly and in form to Abu Dhabi. So, yes happy days." While Mickelson was returning home for his first PGA event of the New Year, at this coming weeks Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, McIlroy is returning to nearby Dubai to continue working on his game. It is the second occasion in three years he has let slip victory in Abu Dhabi because of a rules violation. "It happens, it happens but it never crossed my mind I might double hit it," Mickelson said. "I was just trying to dribble it out of the bush because I couldnt get the unplayable penalty lie to give me a shot without stroke and distance and I felt it was worth the risk.dddddddddddd It not only cost a penalty shot, but it also stopped the ball from going to a spot where I could hit again. "So after that I got refocused and got aggressive and made some birdies and gave myself a chance. If Pablo had not birdied the last hole to win, I would have gotten into a play-off, and so I give him a lot of credit for finishing the tournament off the right way," he added. McIlroy had been penalized for illegally brushing sand off his line on the final day of the 2012 event before losing by a stroke to Englands Robert Rock. On Saturday, the double Major winner was slapped with a two-shot penalty after being reported by the caddy of another player in not taking full relief from a spectator cross walk. "I cant describe how frustrating it is and feeling like I should be standing here at 15-under par for the tournament and winning by one," McIlroy said. "It is a very positive start to the season so Im not to let one little negative ruin that. It was not to I finished one behind on the 18th that it started he o dawn on me if what happened yesterday had not happened, I would have won. "But Pablo played well, and I cant take anything away from him. When he needed to, he hit the shots, and the two shots he hit into 18 were straight out of the drawer, so fair play to him. "Its good to see. Hes a good guy, one of my closer friends out here and good to see him get the win." Larrazabal moved into seventh place in the Race to Dubai and to 12th on the European Ryder Cup Team points table. As well, the current World No. 103 ranked player should move inside the top-64 on the rankings when they are adjusted Monday and that will guarantee the Spaniard a first-ever place in next months Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona. ' ' '