Wichtig » hree 3-pointers and scored 15 points and UNC Greensboro defeat

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Addison Russell plays his first game against the team that traded him 25 months ago, the Oakland Athletics, when the Chicago Cubs visit the Bay Area for a three-game series beginning Friday night.The opener of the interleague series also features left-hander Jon Lester, who the As acquired in a deal 26 days after their July 5, 2014 blockbuster with the Cubs that cost them their top minor-league prospect.Billy Beane, the As general manager at the time, went all-in for a shot at a championship in the days leading up to the 2014 trade deadline.First he dealt Russell, considered to be a centerpiece in the future of the franchise, along with right-hander Dan Straily and minor-leaguer Billy McKinney for two front-line starting pitchers, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.Not satisfied with a starting staff that also included Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, Beane then sent slugger Yoenis Cespedes to Boston for Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes.The moves backfired on the As, who struggled down the stretch, lost the American League West to the Los Angeles Angels and saw their season come to a crashing halt in the wild-card playoff game.Lester, Samardzija and Hammel were all gone by the start of the 2015 season, and so of course was Russell, who made his major league debut April 25, 2015 as a Cub.Losing their No. 1 pick (11th overall) in 2012 hasnt been as crushing as many As fans had envisioned. In fact, Marcus Semien, a shortstop acquired prior to the start of the 2015 season in a trade involving Samardzija, has outhit Russell .247-.242 and out-homered him 37-25 since arriving in Oakland.Lester, meanwhile, has won 22 of 53 starts since joining the Cubs last season. He went 6-4 in 11 starts with the As.The Cubs touched down in Oakland on Thursday with the best record in baseball (66-41) and having won seven of their last eight games.However, they lost two of three the last time they played in Oakland in July 2013.I never planned on being in this type of organization, Russell, who can expect a warm ovation from the Oakland fans, said this week of the Cubs. Im very fortunate that I am.No doubt, As fans wont be so kind to Lester, who is seen as the guy who not only cost the As a fan favorite (Cespedes) but also was the goat of the 2014 playoffs.The home game will be the first for the As since they made more unpopular moves at this years trade deadline, selling off right fielder Josh Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers for three prospects.The As lost five in a row sandwiching the trade before outlasting the Angels 8-6 in 10 innings Thursday.Losing Red and Rich hurts on the field and changes the dynamic in the clubhouse, As All-Star Stephen Vogt said in the wake of the trade. I hope bringing (Reddick) back next year (as a free agent) isnt off the table.The As counter Lester in the series opener with left-hander Dillon Overton, who takes a 1-2 and 9.33 ERA to the mound.Custom Shaquille ONeal Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Walter Brown Jersey Large . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. http://www.customcelticsjersey.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Custom Larry Bird Jersey . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. Custom Kevin Mchale Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball.HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Demetrius Troy made three 3-pointers and scored 15 points and UNC Greensboro defeated Navy 72-59 on Sunday at the High Point University Tournament.Diante Baldwin added 13 points and R.J. White 11 for the Spartans (3-2), who were 31 of 53 from the floor for 58.5 percent.Shawn Anderson scored 19 points and Bryce Dulin 11 for Midshipmen (1-4), who were just 5 of 19 from the arc (26.3 percent).Troy snapped a 6-6 tie with a 3-pointer that begann a 13-0 run and put the Spartans ahead for good.ddddddddddddNavy was within six, 32-26, at halftime but UNC Greensboro rebuilt its double-digit lead with another Troy 3-pointer giving the Spartans a 17-point advantage, 54-37, with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The lead reached 21 points on Jordy Kuipers basket with 5:15 to go. ' ' '