Wir suchen Dich! » Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona2

It is okay, many people will think my career will end and I wont come back. I also think somewhere deep in my heart that maybe it is the end of my career, so lets see how it is. Maybe, you never know.Saina Nehwal is stretching after a long training session at the Karnataka Badminton Association courts in Bangalore. Her knee hurts. Its only been a few weeks since it went under a surgeons knife. It hurts when she lunges. It hurts when she leaps to smash. It hurts when she slides sideways to retrieve. This damn knee that started hurting a week before she was to leave for Rio de Janerio for her third Olympic games. That hurt all the way on the flight there. That really hurt as she hobbled through her first match. That excruciatingly hurt as she limped out of the Games on losing her second match.It has been a little over a week since Saina got back on the training court. It has been hard. Coach Vimal Kumar, a genial man with a warm smile, is in no hurry. He intentionally mellows the intensity of their sessions. Saina, usually a terrier around court, is visibly slower. Her movements are noticeably lethargic, her mobility obviously impaired. Being bed ridden for over a month has meant theres been no access to the gym. So she is carrying a couple of extra kilos.She grunts and moans as shuttles fall in front of her despairing racquet. She hollers an Arrey as false shots clamp into the net. She flails her arms exasperated as she fails to reach one. Once the worlds top ranked player, Saina can feel it, deep in her heart, that at least in this moment she is a shadow of the beastly athlete with the glittering CV. She is learning to accept. To concede.I just want to work hard, I just want to take care of my body and keep working on the areas that were weak and not think about winning or losing, she philosophically muses. I will be more than happy if people think I am finished, it is nice in a way, people think a lot about me, maybe now they wont!I am going to think about the next one year, it is year by year now, I am not going to set a target for the next 5-6 years now. My mind may change in the next one, two or three years, so for me it is just about how to take care of my body and be in good shape because these injuries are quite painful. Even if I win a tournament, the happiness is not so much because of the amount of pain the injury gives.In sport, pain is a professional hazard. Athletes learn to embrace its presence within their bodies. In Rio, as a vicious pain sent tremors through her tiny frame, Saina stayed resolute, never allowing the world outside access to the agony. On inspecting her knee when she returned, the surgeon operating on Saina was gobsmacked she even stepped onto court. For Saina, once she was at the Olympics, not competing was not a choice. It was confronting the demons when she returned that was the real challenge. She remembers turning one night to her mother, a constant companion through the ups and downs, to ask, This is so painful, what will happen now?Kya ho guya, nothing has happened, just play, Saina remembers hearing from her mother in response. She is the one who has made me stand here again today, she is always supporting me. I am so happy I have such wonderful parents who in the worst times also are very strong. So many parents crack at such a point, but hats off to both of them, so very strong, more than me I would say.Besides her mother and the ever encouraging Vimal, Saina also found specialist advice from Heath Matthews, an expert in sports science and medicine who is working out of Mumbai. As she lay in bed after surgery, Saina remembers Matthews assuring voice telling her Dont worry, we will make you get back soon. An achilles tendon issue had scuppered the latter half of her season last year and forced her out for the first three months of 2016. The flare up in her knee ahead of Rio has alerted Saina to a pattern. Matthews and his team are now focused on strengthening her legs and gluteal muscles - in essence rebuilding her body after years of rigorous work on an ultra-competitive circuit.The return to competitive play is being carefully charted out. For now, Saina is entered to play at the China Open from November 15, followed by the Hong Kong Open from November 22. A final call on her participation will be taken in the next few days. Saina says she is keen just to play matches without concerning herself with the results. She recognises that she wont be 100% even if she does step onto the court in China but insists she will try her best. Her endeavour is to stay in contention for the year ending Superseries Finals in Dubai, contested between an elite field of the worlds top eight players. Saina is currently eighth on the rankings table for this event, which is tabulated differently to the world rankings. She can sneak in with reasonable performances at these two tournaments.However, it is blatantly evident that her body isnt willing just yet to fully co-operate with a desperate mind. At the end of a several rapid exchanges with her sparring partner, Saina gulps in air and bends over for an extended period to gather her breath. When she rests courtside, toweling the sweat down, a steely gaze, seemingly staring into nothing overtakes her face. Around her, eager kids are learning the ropes, hustling around an arena reverberating with the sounds of shuttles exploding off racquets. Saina Nehwal, all of 26 years old, already sounds like she has lived a lifetime in the sport.It does mean a lot to me because otherwise I wouldnt be back here playing, she says. I started playing badminton because my parents liked this sport, I didnt like it. I just wanted to give my best and win as much as possible. I am happy that I have won so much - the number one ranking, an Olympic medal, a world championship medal, stood on the podium for all the big events - so I am happy about that. I dont have to set any target now, it is just to stay fit and if I am happy and doing well, the results will follow but I am not thinking much about that at the moment.It is time to get back up. To play. Keep hurting, you damned knee.Custom Baltimore Orioles Nike Jerseys . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Custom Cincinnati Reds Nike Jerseys . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/?tag=custom-chicago-white-sox-nike-jerseys . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Custom Detroit Tigers Nike Jerseys .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys 2020 .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage.After the same 1-2 at the top of the rankings for six straight weeks, theres a bit of a shakeup today, with the Texas Rangers moving up to No. 2 ahead of the Washington Nationals?and right behind the Chicago Cubs. Texas has won nine of 11 and is 2? games ahead of the Cleveland Indians for the best record in the AL. The No. 2 ranking is the highest for Texas all season.While their playoffs hopes might be running on fumes, the Kansas City Royals (No. 15 to No. 13) and New York Yankees (No. 16 to No. 14) both continue to move up the rankings.At the bottom of the rankings, the Atlanta Braves have moved out of the last spot for the first time since Week 12. The Braves have won six straight games and no longer have baseballs worst record. That distinction now belongs to the Minnesota Twins, the new No. 30 team in the rankings.This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 21?|?Week 20 |?Week 19 |?Week 18 |?Week 17 |?Week 16 |?Week 15 |?Week 14 |?Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. Chicago CubsRecord: 88-48 Week 21 ranking: No. 1In 16 innings in their four-game series against the Giants, Cubs relievers gave up no runs, striking out 17 and giving up only three hits and two walks. --?Joe Aiello (@VFTB), View from the Bleachers2. Texas RangersRecord: 82-55 Week 21 ranking: No. 3In back-to-back series against the Mariners and Astros, the Rangers seized control of the AL West, all but assuring that they can shift their focus toward wrapping up the best record in the American League. --?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away3. Washington NationalsRecord: 79-57 Week 21 ranking: No. 2Daniel Murphy continues to rake against his former team. After hits in all three games this past weekend, Murphy has a hit in every game (16) he has played against the Mets this season. In those 16 games hes hitting .397 with seven homers and 21 RBIs.?-- ESPN.com4. Cleveland IndiansRecord: 79-56 Week 21 ranking: No. 5The Indians entered the last month of the regular season with a full head of steam, sweeping the Twins and Marlins. Old favorite Coco Crisp returned to the club, and ace Corey Kluber was named the AL pitcher of the month for August. #RollTribe.?--?Susan Petrone, Its Pronounced Lajaway5. Toronto Blue JaysRecord: 77-59 Week 21 ranking: No. 4Francisco Liriano has been temporarily moved to the bullpen to see if hes a viable option there in the postseason. Toronto was 33-19 during July and August before starting September 1-2. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit6. Boston Red SoxRecord: 76-60 Week 21 ranking: No. 7After getting back to a tie for first in the AL East on Saturday, the Red Sox fell back behind the Blue Jays with a tough loss to the As on Sunday. Boston was shut out Sunday after scoring 27 runs in the first two games in Oakland. -- ESPN.com7. Los Angeles DodgersRecord: 76-60 Week 21 ranking: No. 6Clayton Kershaws rehab assignment Saturday went well enough that hell start Friday night against Miami. Los Angeles, just four games over .500 since the All-Star break, can thank the Giants majors-worst record over that span for putting them in first.?--?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit8. Baltimore OriolesRecord: 74-62 Week 21 ranking: No. 9Is Kevin Gausman maturing precisely when the Orioles need him most? Since the All-Star break, Gausman has posted a 2.73 ERA in nearly 60 innings while striking out about 10 batters per nine innings. He already has surpassed his career high in innings pitched by more than 30, and hes showing no signs of slowing down.?--?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot9. San Francisco GiantsRecord: 73-63 Week 21 ranking: No. 8Despite posting one of baseballs worst records in the second half, San Francisco finds itself only three back of Los Angeles. In perhaps a postseason preview, Madison Bumgarner got the best of Jake Arrieta and the Cubs on Saturday in an outstanding game.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona10. Detroit TigersRecord: 74-62 Week 21 ranking: No. 11Its been an up-and-down first season in Detroit for Justin Upton, but hes gotten hot at a good time with seven homers and 18 RBIs in his past 14 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers are 10-4.?-- ESPN.com11. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 71-64 Week 21 ranking: No. 10It was a so-so week (3-3) for the Cardinals at a bad time of the season for that. With the Mets playing better, St. Louis hold on the final wild-card spot in the NL is down to just one game. -- ESPN.com12. Houston AstrosRecord: 72-64 Week 21 ranking: No. 12The Astros are essentially out of it in the AL West race (9? games behind the Rangers), but seven wins in their last 10 games has kept them in the wild-card hunt, where they are two games behind the Tigers and Orioles.?-- ESPN.com13. Kansas City RoyalsRecord: 70-66 Week 21 ranking: No. 15As well as the Royals have played over the past few weeks, it looks like it might be coming a little too late in the season. After losing two of three to the Tigers, Kansas Citys playoff chances stand at just 2.6 percent.?-- ESPN.com14. New York YankeesRecord: 70-65 Week 21 ranking: No. 16With a sweep-averting win Sunday afternoon against Baltimore, the Yanks playoff chances are a scant 2.6 percent. The Yankees need only 11 wins in their final 27 games to avoid their first losing season since 1992, much to the dismay of so many who wrote this team off so long ago. With AL player of the month Gary Sanchez leading the way, the not-so-ddistant future looks bright.dddddddddddd -- Jason Rosenberg,?Its About the Money15. New York MetsRecord: 71-66 Week 21 ranking: No. 18In his first 24 games as a Met, Jay Bruce batted .162, striking out 26 times. However, he has hit safely in his past five games, batting .421 (8-for-19) with one double, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored.?-- Joe Janish, (@metstoday), MetsToday.com16. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord: 67-67 Week 21 ranking: No. 17In limited duty, Matt Joyce?(posting a .924 OPS) has been a key reason why the Pirates are still in the hunt for the playoffs. In high leverage situations this year, Joyces OPS has been .963.?-- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona17. Seattle MarinersRecord: 69-67 Week 21 ranking: No. 13Robinson Cano reached another milestone when he doubled Saturday, becoming only the fourth player in MLB history with 30-plus doubles in 12 or more consecutive seasons. The pitching staff gave up 50 runs in a 1-5 week. The bad probably outweighed the good.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona18. Miami MarlinsRecord: 68-69 Week 21 ranking: No. 14On Saturday, Miami fell back to .500 for the first time since May 1. The offense has collapsed, scoring only 57 runs in 19 games between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit19. Colorado RockiesRecord: 65-71 Week 21 ranking: No. 20For the feel-good story of the week we head to Colorado, where 29-year-old Stephen Cardullo hit the first homer of his career on his birthday (Aug. 31) in the first game of a doubleheader against the Dodgers. He followed it up by hitting a grand slam in the second game. Cardullo, who made his big league debut on Aug. 26, spent the past four seasons in independent ball before signing with the Rockies in January.?-- ESPN.com20. Chicago White SoxRecord: 65-71 Week 21 ranking: No. 19Its not hard to imagine a 2017 version of the White Sox that could contend, especially with Carlos Rodon looking like yet another top-of-the-rotation starter. Since recording only one out in his third start of the season, Rodon has averaged more than six innings per start, with a 8.51 K/9 and 2.49 BB/9. --?Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona21. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 61-75 Week 21 ranking: No. 26The Angels have won eight of 10 and are playing .500 baseball (23-23) since the All-Star break. Albert Pujols continues to climb up the all-time homer list, hitting Nos. 587, 588 and 589 over the weekend.?-- ESPN.com22. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord: 60-76 Week 21 ranking: No. 21The Phillies announced Saturday that they are shutting down Vince Velasquez for the season after the righty reached 131 innings. It was an encouraging first season in Philly for Velasquez, who went 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA and 152 strikeouts.?--?ESPN.com23. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 58-77 Week 21 ranking: No. 25Since the All-Star break, the Rays have seen their positional players post the sixth-highest WAR in the game, according to FanGraphs, which pairs nicely with the ninth-best starting pitching. Unfortunately, the 4.20 ERA allowed by the relievers comes in 23rd, and is an obvious position to improve upon for next years club. --?Jason?Hanselman?(@sandykazmir), The Process Report24. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 60-76 Week 21 ranking:?No. 22Milwaukees starting pitching shined a few times this week. Matt Garza?had a dominant start against St. Louis, going seven innings, striking out eight and giving up only one run. Junior Guerra followed that up with a strong showing in his first start since coming off the disabled list, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings on a pitch count against Pittsburgh.?-- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker25. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 58-78 Week 21 ranking: No. 23Before Sundays 1-0 walk-off win over the Red Sox, the As had lost five straight, getting outscored 40-8. -- ESPN.com26. Cincinnati RedsRecord: 57-78 Week 21 ranking: No. 24The Reds were officially eliminated from the NL Central title race this week, and their sixth World Series championship will have to wait until next year. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation27. San Diego PadresRecord: 56-80 Week 21 ranking: No. 27Veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez was released on Sunday after logging a .240/.275/.330 slash line for the season. The Padres still hope to get Tyson Ross (shoulder soreness) on a mound again this season.?-- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit28. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 58-78 Week 21 ranking: No. 28Center fielder A.J. Pollock wasted no time in reacclimating to the majors. In his first seven games back, he hit .321/.406/.429 with a homer and four steals. Playing five of his first seven games at Chase Field or Coors Field has helped, though he very much appears to be in midseason form.?--?Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona29. Atlanta BravesRecord: 54-83 Week 21 ranking:?No. 30A winning record since the beginning of August and a six-game winning streak. Atlanta can now sport a legit lineup in which the first seven batters all have an OPS of .720 or higher. That Matt Kemp-aided offense is scoring enough runs to take pressure off Atlantas young pitching. Good results are following.?-- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County30. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 51-86 Week 21 ranking: No. 29The goal for Minnesota in September is getting top prospects Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios on track so they can end their tough rookie seasons on good notes. Buxton is off to a promising start, with six extra-base hits (three homers) in four games since being recalled. Berrios returns to the rotation Monday.?-- Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN), Twins Daily ' ' '