Lob & Kritik » any time we dont have David Ortiz in the lineup

Off-field issues and unwanted headlines are nothing new to the NRL, but Cronullas swift and decisive action in dealing with Ben Barbas positive cocaine test illustrates a new and improved culture at the Sharks.Cronulla and controversy not all that long ago were very close friends, but the relationship appears to have fractured over the past two years -- with the club showing signs of maturing into a professionally run organisation.The Sharks have previously been accused of dealing with delicate and controversial matters too lightly; officials preferring to sidestep or smother the issue and hitting guilty stars with a feather duster rather than a sledgehammer. Former serial offenders Todd Carney and Greg Bird were often issued relatively soft sanctions for poor off-field behaviour before they were finally sacked. And a host of past and present players and staff are still considered widely to have been fortunate to escape with just a three-month ban for their parts in the ASADA scandal; backdating and timing of the sanctions effectively meant some players missed just three club matches.Apart from the supplements saga,?there has also been?a sex-tape scandal and a string of individual player indiscretions that once placed the clubs very existence in serious jeopardy.Brett Kimmorley played 140 games for the Sharks between 2002 and 2008; he experienced some good and not so good times at the club, and he attributes a lot of their improved culture to chief executive Lyall Gorman.Lyalls been successful in some different organisations and hes got a board thats strong enough to stand by the decisions that the CEOs going to make, Kimmorley told ESPN, describing Cronulla as united, and that doesnt happen too often in many rugby league clubs.When the club broke down around five years ago, it was because there was no CEO, no strong board, and there were people running their own races.That was part of the governance that they had to improve and fix after the unfortunate ASADA drama.The doping scandal was one of the darkest periods in the Sharks 50-year history, but the club in the wash-up made one of its smartest business decisions in appointing Gorman.Almost two years to the day since Gorman was appointed Cronulla chief executive, the Sharks have rarely experienced better results on and off the field: Sponsors and fans are flooding back, the finances are healthy, and the club is celebrating its maiden premiership in their 50th season.Lyalls come on board over the past 18-24 months and he certainly runs a pretty tight ship, and they now understand what they stand for and where theyre heading. Kimmorley said.Theyve got a very strong board now that are all business people rather than ex-players or friends of friends out in that area and theyve taken a very strong stance.Theyve got some values now and I think theyre in a pretty good position financially.Gormans resume and results suggests he is one of Australias best sports administrator.As chairman of Central Coast Mariners, he masterminded one of the A-League clubs most successful eras; as A-League Head of Football, he helped to grow it into one of Australias leading sporting competitions; and at Western Sydney Wanderers he over saw the rise of a sporting powerhouse.Kimmorley has identified signs to suggest Cronulla are heading in the same direction, saying theyre in good hands.We dont know how long Lyall will stay but at least you know hes fixing things up and theres a more professional environment there, Kimmorley said.Damien Keogh is also an important figure in the Sutherland Shire so youd hope he will be around as the chairman of the board for a fair while.In about five years time they will start to see some money from the [Woolooware Bay] property development [with a projected worth of $Aus750 million].Theres also been a new DA put in, and theyll get a new high-performance training centre.All of a sudden they will go from training out of tin sheds, being broke and players not wanting to go there, to becoming equally as powerful as any of the other clubs in the NRL. 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With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Serge Savard Canadiens Jersey . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. SAN DIEGO -- The Boston Red Sox play tourist for one more game, facing the Padres in San Diego on WednesdayThat means one more outing without David Ortiz in the starting lineup with no designated hitter in play.Thats big for Boston, having to go without Big Papi.But Red Sox manager John Farrell shrugs about the dilemma as Boston goes for the series win on Wednesday. Its not like this Interleague series snuck up on anybody.The schedule is with it is, Farrell said. We knew that this trip out here was going to be taking place last winter. The fact is you got 15 teams in each league so Interleague is going to be played (almost) every night.They go against a club looking forward to the offseason. The Padres are steamrolling toward their sixth straight losing season.The Red Sox have their sights set on the playoffs. Wednesday will be another critical game as they keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto is where the Red Sox head next, as theyll get their passports stamped and their Big Papi -- hes in the AL top 10 in numerous categories -- back in the order.Ortiz is making his final swing through Southern California as hell retire at the end of the season. But his last tour has him in a pinch-hitters role as the only glove Ortiz is wearing in the series is a batting glove.He had a grand opportunity in the series opener on Monday. With the tying run in scoring position, Ortiz lifted a harmless fly ball to end the game.So Ortiz will again be a key card for Farrell to play on Wednesday, as lefty DDavid Price (14-8, 3.dddddddddddd.92) squares off against right-hander Jarred Cosart (0-2, 5.14).Would Farrell like to have Ortiz and his production in his lineup? Yep, but hell have to settle for Ortiz being a one-trick pony for another game.I think any time we dont have David Ortiz in the lineup ... sure that would negatively affect any club, Farrell said.The Padres added a player and he could play on Wednesday. Outfielder Jon Jay was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday, as hes been out since June 20. He was a catalyst as the leadoff man, batting .296 with 24 doubles, two home runs, 23 RBI and 35 runs scored. His .345 on-base percentage fit in well, too.Jay has always been cozy in center field. But with the rebuilding Padres doing auditions for next season at nearly every position, Jay will be on the move.You are going to see Jay start in all three spots, Padres manager Andy Green said.Although Jay hasnt been on the field, hes still had an impact.Even during his injury absence, he was a clubhouse leader, Green said.The same could be said for Ortiz, although hes idle for a different reason. But his impact is felt, with Green wondering when Farrell is going to send his slugger to the plate.When Ortiz strolls to the dish, the Red Sox get an emotional boost as fans -- Bostons backers are packing Petco Park -- underscore the significance of his at-bats. ' ' '