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Every year since the Major League Baseball strike of 1994, Wrigley Field Section 416 seatmates Old Style, Rich and I have taken a minor league road trip.Chicago is perfectly situated for such travel. Its right in the heart of the Class A Midwest League and some independent leagues, and Triple-A Iowa and Indianapolis bring Pacific Coast and International League teams pretty close too.We divide our tasks: I drive, Rich puts together the playlist, and Old Style scouts out food at and around the ballparks and hotels. The slower pace and smaller crowds of minor league ball are a perfect summer tonic, a palate-cleanser from the intensity of Wrigley Field.Midwest League ball is especially sweet, as three great seats along the dugout or behind home plate can usually be had for less than the price of one ticket at Wrigley. The food, often served up by local charity or benevolent association volunteers, is excellent. And the craft beer selection always outdoes Wrigley.Pro-tip: When at any park in Iowa-Quad Cities, Clinton, Burlington or Des Moines -- just get the pork sandwich. The cooks of that fair state know their swine. Torn between the pulled barbecue and breaded tenderloin options? Hell, get one of them in the first inning and the other one in the fifth. They have defibrillators handy.Beyond the culinary pleasures, a minor league road trip is a form of time travel. You go back to the past, and project yourself into the future.You go to see the Cubs Class A or Double-A or Triple-A teams so that one day you can turn to someone at Wrigley or your local bar and say, I saw that guy play when he was in the minors.We can say that about Matt Szczur, Cubs backup outfielder. We saw him play for Peoria back in 2011, but my only firm memory is trying to figure out how to pronounce his name. Now it rolls off the tongue: Hail Caesar, king of the Cubs 2016 pinch hitters.Stars Javier Baez and Jorge Soler were playing for the Iowa Cubs when we drove all the way to Omaha to see them (and eat barbecue) in 2014. The Storm Chasers struck out Baez three times, and Soler came in as a pinch hitter late in the game. He hit a ball so hard that the crack of the bat silenced the whole crowd. It was foul by 10 feet, but, as Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes would say, Looooooong gone!Had it been hit at Wrigley, it would have broken the window of some guys SUV parked behind the firehouse on Waveland Avenue.As we drove home over the plains the next day, the word came in over sports talk radio: Baez had been called up to The Show. We argued in the car over the wisdom of that move, but no longer do. Soler, who might turn out to be an injury-prone bust, is still a question mark, but Baez is looking stellar wherever Joe Maddon plays him defensively, as well as solid at the plate.Now, theyre two more guys we can say we saw them way back when.Great minor league parks also transport you back to the games past. Before television came to dominate our entertainment time, minor leagues covered the American landscape; B, C, and D-level leagues could be found all over the country, as well as industrial leagues and less formal town ball and sandlot games. Most of that is gone, but you can still get a taste of it.In minor league parks, the pace of everything except the game itself is even slower and more relaxed. Pretty much every seat is a good seat, and children play on the outfield berms. Sure, some guys show up to impress business clients just like at Wrigley, but its mostly families and dedicated fans.This was our first trip to South Bend, and Four Winds Field was impressive, as was the team logo. Old Style loved their sterner version of the Chicago Cubs bear. Hes coming to eat, not play like a little soft cubbie.The teams Hall of Fame -- on the concourse behind home plate, with plaques modeled on those at Cooperstown -- was outstanding. They didnt just feature the sort of player you see commemorated at most minor league or spring training parks, the guys who played there and then went on to notable major league careers.No, the South Bend Cubs also feature players from the South Bend Blue Sox of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. It was a pleasure to learn about Betsy Jochum, who struck out only 10 times in 400 at-bats in 1946 -- or Jean Faut, who threw four no-hitters (including two perfect games) while batting .290 for her career. The team also recognizes local connections to the Negro Leagues, enshrining Lafayette Dusty Riddle, who organized barnstorming Negro League ball in South Bend and was also the first African-American cop in town.That respect for history even extends to the parks gift shop, a converted historic synagogue. You can buy souvenirs under an homage to the Sistine Chapels Creation of Adam, with God handing his creation a baseball under the eternally blessed words: Play ball.We probably wont brag about seeing anyone who played that day, as our trip coincided with the All-Star break and top prospect Eloy Jimenez was in San Diego for the Futures Game. But we did see the South Bend Cubs beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 10-6.Yet Ill surely remember the first baseman, Tyler Alamo, even if he never makes the bigs.Wonder if hell ever play in the Texas League?Trent Williams Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Bryce Love Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Joe-Theismann-Inverted-Jersey/ . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. DaRon Payne Redskins Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Art Monk Womens Jersey . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name.Every week, well mine the waiver wire for lesser-owned assets to help your squad, whether you favor dynasty or the redraft format -- and well also toss in some tips for DFS players out there. Categorized by position, the players are ranked in descending order by ownership percentage in ESPN leagues.Well also include some former go-to fantasy assets who may be overvalued -- in the short- or long-term -- for one reason or another.Entering Week 3, the Oilers are surging, the Stars are hurting, and two southern California clubs appear to be shaking off sludgy starts to 2016-17. A handful of candidates from all four squads deserve increased scrutiny.ForwardsMikkel Boedker, LW, San Jose Sharks Ownership percentage: 44.7Dont give up on the newest member of the Sharks quite yet. While one goal (and zero assists) in six games from Boedker is nothing to bark about, San Joses coaching staff is giving the speedy winger a fresh opportunity on the clubs top line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski.Tanner Pearson, LW, Los Angeles Kings Ownership percentage: 24.5Boy, that short-lived suspension certainly got Pearsons motor running. After spending two games in the press box, the Kings winger quickly made up for lost time with four goals and one assist in three contests. Right now, the 24-year-old is skating on a line with center Jeff Carter.Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW, Washington Capitals Ownership percentage: 18.9Identified in this space last week, Burakovsky is again worth mentioning by way of his promotion to the Capitals top trio with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Capitals management is expecting much from their young forward this season, and hes getting a shot to prove them right with this new assignment.David Perron, LW, St. Louis Blues Ownership percentage: 11.8Bumped to a scoring unit with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, Perron notched a hat trick plus an assist in Saturdays win. Encouraging stuff. Just realize that head coach Ken Hitchcock wont hesitate to throw his lines back in the blender at the first sign of diminishing chemistry.Vladislav Namestnikov, C/LW, Tampa Bay Lightning Ownership percentage: 4.0A few minutes on a dynamic scoring line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, and presto, Namestnikov has his first two points -- a goal and an assist -- of the season. While DFS competitors may want to wager on a similar performance from the 23-year-old versus the relatively porous Maple Leafs Tuesday, Namestnikov also sports dark-horse potential in deeper season-long leagues, especially while he remains on that top scoring unit.Nick Ritchie, LW, Anaheim Ducks Ownership percentage: 4.0Competing on a line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, Ritchie potted a goal in Sundays win against the Canucks. The 20-year-old, former first-round draft pick (10th overall, 2014) could relish a breakout sophomore season if keeps a grip on that gig, though Rickard Rakell is looming.Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Montreal Canadiens Ownership percentage: 1.1So far, Alexander Radulov is clearly having a blast in his NHL reawakening with the Canadiens. Do you know who else is having fun? The 21-year-old Finn playing on the line with Radulov and Tomas Plekanec. While still adjusting to the North American game, Lehkonen already has two goals and an assist in his first half-dozen contests. And hes already showing a promising inclination for generating shots on goal.DefendersMatt Dumba, Minnesota Wild Ownership percentage: 24.1With Jared Spurgeon nursing an upper-body injury, Dumba takes over alongside franchise defenseman Ryan Suter at even strength and with the extra skater. Eating up monster minutes (26-plus per game) in his past couple of games, the 22-year-old young defenseman is projected to improve on last seasons totals of 10 goals and 16 assists, whether he sticks with Suter or (most likely) not.Nikita Zaitsev, Toronto Maple Leafs Ownership percentage: 6.4An NHL rookie in name only, the 24-year-old top-four defenseman brings seven seasons of KHL experience to Torontos blue line, along with a proclivity for contributing to the score sheet. So faar, so good, as Zaitsev has three assists while continuing to adjust to the game in North America.dddddddddddd Fantasy owners in deeper leagues should certainly give the Leafs D-man serious consideration, and owners in shallow leagues should keep an eye on him.Philip Larsen, Vancouver Canucks Ownership percentage: 0.5Back in the NHL after spending two seasons overseas, the 26-year-old Dane finds himself contributing as member of the Canucks top power-play unit -- two of three assists collected in his most recent two contests have counted with the man advantage. While keeping expectations in check, Larsen certainly merits a thought as an inexpensive DFS asset, but only as long as he continues to see power-play time with the Sedins.GoaltendersCam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers Ownership percentage: 65.2Before you dismiss the Oilers early-season success as anomalous good fortune, realize a few insightful pundits are quickly crediting the new defensive top pairing of Adam Larsson and Oscar Klefbom for the teams stingy success in their own end. That means Talbot -- named the NHLs first star for this past week -- may not soon fall to pieces after all.Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks Ownership percentage: 29.6If you believe, as many do, that Markstrom is poised to take over for Ryan Miller as the Canucks No. 1 sometime this season, consider investing in the future right now. While Miller has already missed out on action due to injury, the 26-year-old Markstrom has played well, with a 3-0-1 record, a 1.95 goals-against average and .923 save percentage this season.Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings Ownership percentage: 21.2Theres no denying Petr Mrazek is the Red Wings No. 1 to start 2016-17, but Howard is already making the most of his opportunities. Give the Red Wings backup a look as a solid spot-start option, or DFS option, when hes next in action. The 32-year-old has only allowed one goal through two victories thus far.Carter Hutton, St. Louis Blues Ownership percentage: 4.9Tapped to start Tuesday in relief of Jake Allen, Hutton serves as a particularly appealing option in DFS play when he gets the nod. The Blues backup was super in his one other appearance -- a 33-save victory over the Rangers -- this season.Lowered expectationsPatrick Sharp, LW, Dallas Stars Ownership percentage: 85.2You have to feel for coach Lindy Ruff while the Stars corps of forwards endures a rough stretch of injury luck to begin 2016-17. And although the respective absences of Jiri Hudler, Ales Hemsky, Cody Eakin, Patrick Eaves and others have hurt, the loss of Patrick Sharp to a suspected concussion is most devastating. Theres no point in trying to hammer out a timeline for recovery here; look for Brett Ritchie or Eaves (once healthy himself) to fill in alongside star forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin while Sharp recuperates. Also know that Jason Spezza is considered questionable this week with an undisclosed injury.Adam Henrique, C, New Jersey Devils Ownership percentage: 76.1It wasnt that long ago fantasy owners and New Jersey fans were eagerly anticipating the fresh, forward pairing of Henrique and star winger Taylor Hall. Fast forward to the present, and we find coach John Hynes skating teen rookie Paval Zacha on Halls line, after experimenting with Travis Zajac in the centermans slot. Meanwhile, Henrique has all of one assist to show for himself through five games.Jussi Jokinen, LW, Florida Panthers Ownership percentage: 58.1The 33-year-old winger could miss the rest of this week -- if not longer -- with a knee injury. University of Minnesota alum Kyle Rau is earning a top-six shot with the Panthers in Jokinens absence.Jason Pominville, RW, Minnesota Wild Ownership percentage: 33.5Relegated to a bottom-six slot for the Wild, Pominville is positioned to see his numbers decrease for a third-straight season. Until injury knocks another prominent forward out, the veteran winger isnt worth a lineup spot in most fantasy leagues. ' ' '