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BOSTON - Annually sprinkled among the myriad storylines which crop up at this very important time of the Major League Baseball season is that of the veteran player, he who has long performed at a high level and has long been good for the game, seeking an elusive World Series ring. Wouldnt you know it, with the American League Championship Series set to begin on Saturday night at Fenway Park, the host Red Sox and the visiting Tigers each have one of those guys. Canadian Ryan Dempster fits the bill. At 36 years old and in his first season in Boston, the native of Gibsons, British Columbia has made his money (more than $89 million over a 16-year career, according to baseball-reference.com;) has pitched at a high level (eight seasons with at least 10 wins - the fact he was a closer for four seasons makes the accomplishment more impressive;) and is regarded by both teammates and media as one of the more likable players in the sport. Anyone who was paying attention during Dempsters days with the Cubs remembers him out-Farrelling Will Farrells Harry Caray impression. He was also the closer on the 2007 Chicago team that was swept by Arizona in a Division Series. In 2008, by then more than four years removed from Tommy John elbow surgery, he reprised his role as a starter. He even got the ball in the first game of that seasons Division Series against the Dodgers. The Cubs, oh the lovable Cubs, were swept yet again. These days, Dempster has accepted a diminished role in the post-season. Hes pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since 2007, a move made in mid-September in anticipation of the playoffs. "It was funny, I remember getting called into the office right before we were playing the Blue Jays, that last series of the season with them and John (Farrell) and Ben (Cherington) pulled me in and we were talking about the possibility of me going to the bullpen for the playoffs and maybe getting me a few outings out of the pen just to get used to it again," Dempster told TSN.ca. "I dont know if they expected me to have a different response but I greeted it with open arms and looked at it like, hey man, at the time we had six starters throwing the ball really well and the realization was with my experience in the bullpen I was totally comfortable going down there." With Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz returning to pre-2012 form, with John Lackey back from Tommy John elbow surgery and throwing like the ace he was in Anaheim and with the mid-summer acquisition of Jake Peavy bringing his bulldog-like mound presence and nasty sinker ball, it was clear Dempster (8-9, 4.64, 1.453 WHIP in his first year in the American League East) wouldnt be getting starts come October. Thats okay, because its whats best for the team and in 2013, whats best for the team prevails in Boston. "From a pitching standpoint, weve got some tremendous starting pitchers," said Dempster. "Weve got a really strong bullpen and then we try to focus as hard on those things as we do the little things. The defence, the moving runners over, taking advantage on the basepaths. If you can do those little things, those are things that kind of help you set yourself apart from the other teams that youre playing." Torii Hunter is over there, in the other dugout, and he knows all about what Dempster has gone through (multiple playoff appearances, no titles) and what Dempsters anticipating now. Hes been to the playoffs nine times (five with the Twins, thrice with the Angels and currently with the Tigers,) and hasnt had a World Series appearance, let alone a championship, to show for it. This is his third ALCS appearance, the last of which came with the 2009 Angels. "To be back in the post-season and to get the chance to win a World Series ring, thats big for me," said Hunter, before joking, "Thats key for me because Im only 28 years old but its getting late." Typical Hunter. Big smile, cracking a joke, keeping those around him at ease. You stand there and believe he could actually be deriving enjoyment from this player availability session. Like Dempster, Hunter has made his money (almost $147 million over a 17-year career, according to baseball-reference.com;) hes played at a high level (.279/.335/.476 for his career;) and hes regarded as a good teammate and community guy, involved in numerous charitable endeavours. Last season Hunter, knowing with the emergence of Mike Trout and his own impending free agency that his days with the Angels were numbered, began keeping a mental notebook of teams around the league. He was trying to figure out where he would best fit and which team would best fit him. The Yankees were a legitimate option. Funny enough, so were the Red Sox. Both received strong consideration before Hunter inked a two-year, $26-million deal with the Tigers through 2014. "Do these guys need a right fielder?" said Hunter of one of his scouting criteria. "Do they need a two-hole guy or fifth-hole guy? I looked at the pitching staffs. If I didnt like facing those guys and I went 0-14, thats the team I wanted to play for and I did that a lot with the Tigers last year. I had a chance to look at all that and look at Scherzer and Verlander, Anibal coming back so I definitely took my chances with those guys." With strong starting pitching and potent offensive lineups, its difficult to predict with certainty which team will emerge victorious. One thing is clear, however: Only one of Dempster and Hunter will get a shot at that ring. Cameron Wake Womens Jersey . This is Lowry’s third time winning the award in his career. He won the award last season and as a member of the Houston Rockets in 2011. Larry Csonka Youth Jersey .Pete Morelli said the back judge threw a flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on a pass to Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew in Dallas 24-20 wild-card win Sunday. But the head linesman said there wasnt enough contact and that Hitchens was face-guarding, which isnt a penalty in the NFL. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Larry-Csonka-Jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Christian Wilkins Jersey . CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. Michael Deiter Dolphins Jersey .com) - Novak Djokovic captured a mens Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title on Sunday by defeating rival Andy Murray in the final in Melbourne.Peter Shilton says his England caps record is safe unless Wayne Rooney reverts to the street-fighting striker of old. Rooney is nine appearances short of Shiltons 125 and will break the record on October 5 next year if he plays in every England game between now and then. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. But the captain has just one goal this season, cannot currently get in the Manchester United side and has dropped into a deeper role for his country following the emergence of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge. And that all amounts to trouble for Rooney, according to ex-goalkeeper Shilton, who told Sky Sports News HQ: I hope he gets back and he starts scoring goals, but hes got to play as a striker.If he does that, hell retain his international place, if he doesnt he wont break my record. Andy Burton and Nick Collins bring you the latest from the England camp as Gareth Southgate’s new side prepare to face Malta Ive always been a massive Wayne Rooney fan - hes always been a street fighter giving 100 per cent, hed get in the box and score goals and I always rated him very highly. Walker: Massive season for Dele Englands Kyle Walker says Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli needs to keep it simple If he plays the way we know Wayne Rooney plays and he surpasses my record Ill be the first one to shake his hand and pat him on the back. For a striker, thats fantastic. In the Euros?hes captain, and we lost to Iceland, I didnt see him in the game, I didnt see any leadership.?Ive not seen the Wayne Rooney I know for a year. Peter Shilton But I dont think he has done that in the last year or so. In the Euros, hes captain, and we lost to Iceland, I didnt see him in the game, I didnt see any leadership.dddddddddddd Ive not seen the Wayne Rooney I know for a year.He now wants to play in midfield - if he was a midfield player he would have played there.He says he wants to retire after the next World Cup - to me thats his management company putting a lot of propaganda out. Its about what he does on the pitch. Collins gives an update on the FAs search for a new England manager Shiltons assessment of Joe Hart is no less blunt, and Englands most-celebrated No 1 believes the current keeper has a fight on his hands to keep the jersey after his Euro 2016 mistakes against Wales and Iceland. Malta: The Med minnows As England take on Malta at Wembley on Saturday, we take a closer look at their side Hart has since left Manchester City for Torino in search of first-team football, and Shilton said: People say do you feel sorry for him leaving City? No. Hes a professional. One manager has his opinions, and you go and prove him wrong. Joe Hart during a training session at St Georges Park I said before the Euros I didnt think Joe Hart was as good as a lot of people thought. Hes a good goallkeeper. I feel he makes a few too many errors, but hes had some excellent games and was a logical choice for the Euros.Two mistakes in three games is not good, so i feel hes come back now to Jack Butland and Fraser Forster who have had injuries themselves. Its up in the air but I dont think hes an automatic choice.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Stones: Rooney still key Rooney hits back at Sam Rooney is Englands leader FA to delay manager search ' ' '