Europa » inductees - former players Greg Maddux,

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss the NFL and Ray Rice, questionable coaching decisions, FIFA and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star My thumb is down to the National Football League, which may sound familiar. The monster-truck league smashes anything in its path, from brain damage to PEDs to painkiller addiction, but this time its something else. Baltimore Ravens star running back Ray Rice knocked his fiancee unconscious in an elevator in the off-season. Still, the Ravens defended him. The NFLs typical suspension for drugs of any kind is four games; it just gave Minnesota special teams coach Mike Preifer three games for homophobic remarks. Knock a woman out? Two games. Pathetic. The only thing worse than the NFLs dismissal of domestic violence was the debate that followed, in which so many sad men made excuses for Rice. But then, after all, the NFL and the Ravens pretty much did it first. Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun My thumb is down to Chris Jones, the first year coach of the Edmonton Eskimos, for calling one of the most outrageous gambles Ive seen in more than 40 years of watching the Canadian Football League. Now I love a good, educated gamble. This just wasnt one of them. With time running out late in the first half against the Calgary Stampeders, rather than punt the ball, jones called a fake end around - from his own end zone. Needless to say, the Eskimos didnt make the long first down, turned the ball over, and one play later, bang, Calgary scored a touchdown, and guess what, the Stampeders wound up winning by less than the score of that TD. Now I like Chris Jones and I think hes going to be a terrific CFL head coach. But theres no place for high school logic in professional football. Cathal Kelly, Globe and Mail My thumb is up to FIFA - a rarity - for their refusal this week to pull the 2018 World Cup away from Russia. It would be satisfying to do so, and would please many of their critics. But, as footballs ruling body pointed out, no boycott has ever stopped a war and sports are an enormously positive force for change. The biggest tournament in the world will be a useful carrot in the coming years. Why apply the stick now? There will be time to reconsider this decision, but not until Russia has been forced to think hard about what it wants more in the international community - territorial gains or friends in the game. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up to todays Baseball Hall of Fame class that numbers six inductees - former players Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas - and former managers Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox. In some of the coming years, we assume itll be tough to elect one Hall of Fame member, never mind six, because so many votes will be held back from candidates known to have used or thought to have used steroids. Ironic then, to see a class of six, requiring speeches shorter than usual. Baseball celebrates its best in a big way--while it can, before it cant. Dale Hawerchuk Jersey . The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics finished their recent trek at 3-1 on Monday in Salt Lake City when Rajon Rondo made a key jumper with 24.1 seconds remaining, as Boston held off the Utah Jazz, 107-102, at EnergySolutions Arena. Buffalo Sabres Jerseys .The Toronto Raptors guard, who will represent the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday, says he doesnt complain in the face of adversity "because I know this little girl is just happy for anything. http://www.officialsabresfanstore.com/customized/ . Vinci also beat Dulgheru last week in Bucharest en route to her first WTA final in a year. Vinci next faces sixth-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan, who beat Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-2. No. Jason Pominville Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Thomas Vanek Jersey . With a win tonight, Buehrle will match Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka for the most wins in the majors with 11. Buehrle is 10-4 with a 2.32 earned run average, but has lost his last three starts, including a 7-3 setback at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday.Andrew Johnston insists that he will not put any pressure on himself going into the final round of The Open at Royal Troon. The popular Englishman, nicknamed Beef, is in fourth place - albeit seven shots off leader Henrik Stenson - with just 18 holes to play and has developed a real rapport with the crowd at the South Ayrshire course. Leaderbaord The 145th Open However, rather than feeling burdened by the situation, Johnston plans to approach the final day in the same manner as he has the first three. I just want go and do the same, he told Sky Sports. Ill have a nice lie in again, get up and have a few cups of tea, head into the physio truck, have a warm up, get some food and go again.Well see what happens, Im not going to put any pressure on myself. Get a Sky Sports Pass Dont miss The Open. Watch the final round for ￡6.99. No contract. Im playing pretty decent golff so Im going to go out and enjoy it, like I did today [Saturday].ddddddddddddMy theory is that if I can go out and give 100 per cent, make sure I concentrate on every shot, then Im happy with that. What will be, will be. Johnston went round in 70 on Saturday, carding three birdies and two bogeys, to finish on five under and was, on the whole, satisfied with his performance.I played nicely, I dont think I took advantage on the front nine on the par fives, the 27-year-old said. Johnston received warm support throughout his round I drove the ball really well early on but I didnt take advantage but I hung on really well on the back nine so overall I think it was a pretty decent score.As for the support he received as he went round the course, he added: I loved it. Thats what its about, you dream of it as a kid. I love acknowledging it and having fun. Also See: Stenson snatches Open lead Leaderboard WATCH: Beef smashes burger! 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