but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the

NEW YORK -- Once in a while, Gary Matthews relives how close his Chicago Cubs came to reaching the World Series.Actually, a little more often.Wow, he said. Think about that every day.With his former team just one win from its first World Series trip since 1945, fans everywhere already are envisioning the excitement at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lead the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the NL Championship Series and can clinch the pennant in Game 6 on Saturday night.Matthews knows well that feeling of anticipation. Too well, in fact.In 1984, Matthews hit two home runs in Game 1 of the best-of-five NLCS as the Cubs romped over San Diego 13-0. The popular left fielder nicknamed Sarge contributed to a win in Game 2, too.But with a frenzied city preparing to host the Fall Classic, the Cubs went to the West Coast, dropped three in a row to the Padres and lost their chance.In 2003, Matthews was the Cubs hitting coach under manager Dusty Baker. Chicago rushed to a 3-1 lead in the NLCS over the Florida Marlins, but once again lost three straight and got eliminated.Matthews still has a home in Chicago, and would love to soak up the World Series atmosphere at Wrigley. Maybe throw out a first ball along the way.But hes acutely aware that things can fall apart quickly. Especially when the Cubs are involved.My stomach is actually turning even now realizing they only need one more game, he said Friday. Been there ... didnt get it done.It would be nice to talk about something else besides `they almost made it. Or, favorite line of the Cubs or in Chicago -- `wait till next year, he said. Then we can put that to bed.Thats even before they can take aim at the Billy Goat Curse and try to win their first crown since 1908.Matthews got more than 2,000 hits and scored more than 1,000 runs in an All-Star career. He was the 1983 NLCS MVP for Philadelphia when he homered three times and drove in eight runs in a four-game series with the Dodgers. He homered in the World Series that year as the Phillies lost to Baltimore.The next year, he was traded late in spring training to the Cubs. Matthews led the majors in on-base percentage in 1984, teaming with Ryne Sandberg and Rick Sutcliffe to help Chicago make its first postseason appearance in nearly 40 years. In the deciding Game 5 against the Padres, the Cubs took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning before it got away.Talk with Ryne Sandberg, he thinks about it every single day, Matthews said.The disappointment of that near-miss was still in his mind two decades later when Matthews was in the dugout as the Cubs took on the Marlins.Realizing the history of the Cubs, not winning since 1908, that we can finally put that goat to rest, he said. Hes still -- baaaaaaah -- out there.In Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, with the Cubs one win from earning that elusive World Series spot, they took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning. In what became known for the night fan Steve Bartman deflected a foul fly, Chicago let it get away. The next day, the Cubs fell in Game 7.Six outs. That close, Matthews said.Matthews was visiting the New York area this weekend to see a son who works for Major League Baseball. Another son, Gary Jr., was an All-Star outfielder.The 66-year-old Matthews enjoyed a good run as a player, coach and broadcaster in the big leagues. Hes now rooting hard for Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and these Cubs to finally break the jinx.I think they have as good a chance as any of the Cubs teams, he said, smiling, since 1908. Cheap Adidas Shoes USA . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Cheap Adidas Shoes .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. http://www.discountadidasshoes.com/ . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Cheap Authentic Adidas Shoes Wholesale Adidas Shoes . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Dorial Green-Beckham are expected to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, a source told ESPNs Adam Caplan.The top two receivers on the Eagles depth chart will be on the field unless there is any setback during warm-ups, the source said.Matthews and Green-Beckham had both been listed as questionable. Matthews has bbeen dealing with a right ankle injury and Green-Beckham a chest injury.ddddddddddddMatthews leads the Eagles in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns this season. Green-Beckham is the No. 2 receiver for the Eagles in all three categories. ' ' '