Tips & Tricks » Cespedes single extended his hitting streak to a career

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - When he was cut by the Carolina Panthers in March, Steve Smith cried.Smith spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Panthers. The leading receiver in franchise history with 836 catches for 12,197 yards, Smith fully expected to add to those totals before being released in a cost-cutting move.We sat down as a family, we prayed, we thought about it and we discussed it, Smith recalled Wednesday. My wife cried, my kids cried. They didnt see me; I shed a few tears. And then we got back up, dusted ourselves off and we said, What is the plan for the Smith family?Two days later, Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens.This Sunday, months after that sombre family meeting, Smith has the opportunity to have the last laugh when the Panthers (2-1) come to Baltimore (2-1).Im not bitter because I get to play, Smith said. But do I want to show certain individuals that I can still play? Honestly, I dont have to. They are game-planning for me. (Panthers defensive co-ordinator) Sean McDermott knows what I bring to the table.With the Ravens, Smith has proven hes still got the talent to be a No. 1 receiver. He leads Baltimore with 18 catches and 290 yards receiving, and has also been a leader in the locker room.Its pretty obvious as a football player what hes meant to us, coach John Harbaugh said. Hes made plays. Hes a fiery competitor. Hes been a leader. Its a young group of receivers, and hes had an impact on those guys. But he hasnt done it in an overbearing way. Hes been himself. Hes fit in really well.Smith has a reputation for being loud and feisty. He trash-talks with the best of them a€” so much so that Harbaugh made light of it.My advice to Steve would be, Shock the world. Surprise everybody. Dont even say a word the whole game. Go into a shell! Harbaugh said. But I dont think hes going to take that advice.Especially if Smith catches a pass in front of a former teammate.If he catches the ball, hes going to let people know how good of a job he did right there, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. I dont think this week is going to be any different. Im sure hes talked some trash in 1-on-1s the last handful of years with all the guys over there. So hell probably pick up right where he left off.Smith said: My enthusiasm will be out of this world, but it will also be fun to play against guys that I know their tendencies.And the Panthers certainly know about Smith, who rarely eased up in practice or during a game.He was one of those guys who never wanted to back down from anything, and I was the same way, Carolina cornerback Josh Norman said. He will probably be in the Hall of Fame, and you have to respect that.Another reason to respect Smith? Hes just about as good today as when he was drafted in the third round of the 2001 draft out of Utah.Hes still got it, Norman said. He never dropped off from what he was. The older you are, the finer the wine, I guess.Smith is happy to be with the Ravens, and theyre delighted to have him. There are more and more No. 89 jerseys popping up around Baltimore these days, too.But he will always have a huge place in his heart for Carolina.I miss everything about Carolina, Smith said. I miss my home. I miss my friends. Guys that I have grown with. But I also understand that its a business. And sometimes in business, youve got to temporarily go somewhere else.Playing a€” and starring a€” in Baltimore has helped ease the sting being dismissed by general manager Dave Gettleman without ceremony.Unless you hate your job, I dont think anybody has walked out of your job and has been fired or released and go Yay, Smith said. I was taken aback by it, but I took my time to kind of reflect to kind of see it. To be honest, I knew a long time ago. I knew when I had my meeting with Gettleman what was going to happen, and thats what happened. I walked out of there with dignity, and I held my head up high.___AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Jonathan Schoop Jersey . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Frank Viola Jersey . Louis Cardinals won the World Series last season, but after losing first baseman Albert Pujols to free agency and manager Tony LaRussa to retirement, they opened the 2012 season in 12th spot in the TSN. https://www.cheaptwins.com/1392t-martin-perez-jersey-twins.html . LOUIS -- The St. Jake Cave Twins Jersey .com) - Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal in the shootout as the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. Sergio Romo Twins Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing.MIAMI -- Nate Freiman hit a three-run homer in his 2014 debut and the Oakland Athletics beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep. The Athletics trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning before breaking out against rookie Andrew Heaney with four consecutive hits, including Freimans home run. Freiman, who spent all of last season with the As, was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento before the game when right fielder Josh Reddick returned to the disabled list because of a right knee strain. Tommy Milone (6-3) allowed two earned runs in seven innings to win his sixth consecutive decision, a career best. Closer Sean Doolittle was given the day off, and Ryan Cook pitched the final 1 1-3 innings for his first save. The As, playing in Miami for the first time since 2003, came from behind in all three games. They won their fourth in a row, improved to 7-1 in interleague play and reached the halfway point of 2014 a season-high 21 games above .500 (51-30). The highly touted Heaney (0-3), making his third career start since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans, allowed four runs in six innings to raise his ERA to 5.29. The Marlins will have an off day Monday to lick their wounds after playing 17 consecutive days and going 5-12. Miamis Marcell Ozuna hit a pinch-hit homer, his 14th, but the Marlins totalled only six hits and hit into three double plays. They had the best home record in the majors earlier this month, but have lost fivve in a row at Marlins Park.dddddddddddd Heaney was nursing a 1-0 lead with two out in the sixth when the AL West leaders made their move. Consecutive singles by Alberto Callaspo, Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson scored one run, and the 6-foot-8 Freiman pulled a pitch into the nightclub beyond the left-field fence. Cespedes single extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games. Christian Yelich, back in the Marlins lineup after being sidelined for 15 games by a back injury, made an impact with his first swing. He tripled off the wall to lead off the first inning, and when second baseman Callaspo made an errant relay throw, Yelich scored standing up. NOTES: The game was halted for 10 minutes in the seventh inning while medical personnel treated two fans struck in the face by the same foul ball. There was no immediate information on the conditions of the spectators. ... Before the game, the Marlins recalled LHP Dan Jennings from Triple-A. ... Milone became the first As pitcher to bat in consecutive games since Ken Holtzman in 1972. Milone flied out as a pinch-hitter Saturday. ... As C Derek Norris (back) was unavailable for the second game in a row. ... The Athletics open a series Monday at Detroit when LHP Scott Kazmir (9-3, 2.66) pitches against RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-2, 2.64). ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (5-3, 2.32) is scheduled to start when the Marlins open a series at home Tuesday against Philadelphia. ' ' '