MidValleySports.Com

The TEN

(“The Ten” is not a top ten, but ten items worth being included in The TEN)

1.) On this day in 1969, center fielder Curt Flood of the St. Louis Cardinals writes a letter to Bowie Kuhn, the commissioner of major league baseball, protesting the Cardinals’ decision to trade him to the Philadelphia Phillies and asking to be made a free agent.

2.) The Tampa Bay Rays claimed former Dodger prospect first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates

3.) ”I’ve never seen anybody like him, he deserves it. We don’t just carry any jack wagon off the field.”—St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long on carrying teammate Robert Quinn off the field following Sunday’s 23-13 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. Quinn registered three sacks to set the franchise record with 18.

4.) ”You know we just kept fighting, kept pounding, kept getting after it. We really knew we were one drive away. We were one play away.”—Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on his team’s comeback victory over New Orleans.

5.) “Yes I made it in the video. Great stuff. The Saints must still be celebrating. Probably won’t stop until spring.”—MVS commentor “Highlander” on being mentioned in the instant classic “Hitler Finds Out Monrovia Lost in CIF” video.

6.) New Wilson HC Greg Gano has made previous stops at Northview, Los Altos, Damien, and Tustin.

7.) USC’s Dion Bailey announces that he will be part of the 2014 NFL Draft.

8.) On this date in 1974 St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lou Brock is named Sportsman of the Year. Brock stole 118 bases in 1974.

9.) The Los Angeles Dodgers sign former Cleveland Indians All Star reliever Chris Perez to a 1-year/2.3 million dollar contract. The Indians did not make Perez an offer after he struggled in 2013. In June he was arrested for having marijuana being shipped to his home under his dog’s name.

10.) “Why would I be discouraged? We’re fighting with a bunch of good guys that played well before and they’ll play [well] again. If [the fans] are discouraged, then, you know, find another team to root for. I’m all right. We’re not going to give up. Are you kidding me? Discouraged? That’s not even fair to these guys.”—Los Angeles Lakers HC Mike D’Antoni. The Lakers are 13-15 and 6.5 off the pace in the NBA’s Pacific Division.