prior to the Chicago Test.*In Chicago, Ireland had less t

BOSTON -- David Ortiz has completed his retirement tour around the major leagues, collecting farewell tributes from the opponents who watched him dismantle yet another late-inning lead (or dugout telephone ).The gift he received from his Boston teammates has been the best of all.After two straight last-place finishes, the ballclub that Ortiz carried from cursed to first was determined to send him out as a winner. And with an AL East title getting him back to the playoffs, Bostons beloved Big Papi has a chance to play for his fourth World Series ring -- something only one Red Sox player in history has ever accomplished.Its definitely one to write in the history books, said Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, who has helped lead the teams recovery and, like Ortiz, is a contender for the AL MVP award. Somebody in their last year and theyre having a year like this is definitely amazing.It wasnt that long ago that the Red Sox were a tormented franchise, with generations of Boston fans who came and went without seeing their team win it all. In 2003, Ortizs first season with the Red Sox, they added another chapter of woe with a Game 7 collapse against the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.There was no reason to think it would be different when the teams played for a spot in the World Series again the next year -- certainly not after the Yankees won the first three games. But with extra-inning walkoff hits in back-to-back games, Ortiz helped Boston become the first major league team to rally from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series.The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals for their first World Series title in 86 years, and the members of that team became heroes in Boston.Only Ortiz stuck around for two more rings.The Red Sox won it again in 2007, but by 2013 they had gone three years without a postseason berth. Ortiz was the only member of the roster remaining from the cathartic `04 title, and the logical choice to rally the city after the Boston Marathon bombings.Taking the microphone on the Fenway mound for the first home game after the attacks, Ortiz proclaimed, This is our (expletive) city. And nobodys going to dictate our freedom.Then, buoyed by civic pride in the wake of the attacks, the Red Sox returned to the World Series.And Ortiz had one left speech left in him.Trailing St. Louis 2-1 in the Series and tied in Game 4, Ortiz gathered the Red Sox around him in the dugout and told them not to take the opportunity for granted.Any time this guy puts a uniform on, theres a presence, outfielder Jonny Gomes said afterward. And that this guy wants to rally us together for a pep talk, it was like 24 kindergartners looking up at their teacher. He got everyones attention and we looked him right in the eyes, and that message was pretty powerful.The Red Sox won three straight to take the title in six games. Ortiz batted .688 to earn Series MVP honors. But that was followed by a pair of fifth-place finishes, seasons when the Red Sox werent even competitive.On Nov. 18, 2015, his 40th birthday, Ortiz announced that he would only play one more year.Time is up, he said in a video posted on The Players Tribune. So lets enjoy the season.For the Red Sox, the mission was obvious:If youre a fan of the game of baseball; if youre a fan of the Boston Red Sox or a player for the Boston Red Sox, it should be pretty apparent what hes meant to this ballclub, general manager Mike Hazen said over the winter. Nobody wants to watch somebody like that finish up their career that way.Least of all Ortiz.Far from showing his age, Ortiz had one of the best seasons of his career. He became the oldest player to hit 30 home runs. He already has more homers and RBI in his final season than any player in baseball history.Along the way he passed Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle on the career home run list, and Carl Yastrzemski and Lou Gehrig on the all-time extra-base hits list.And on Wednesday night, Boston clinched its third AL East title since 1995. If Ortiz can win a fourth ring, he would be the first Red Sox player since Harry Hooper in 1918 to play in and win four Series.Being able to be in the playoffs right now is something very special, Ortiz said during the celebration in Yankee Stadium. Its going to be my last one, so Im going to enjoy it the best I can.---AP freelancer Mark Didtler contributed to this story from St. Petersburg, Florida. Royals Jerseys 2019 . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Kansas City Royals Gear . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Kansas City Royals Store . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Cheap Royals Jerseys . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Saturday, kick-off 17:30Aviva StadiumIrish fans will descend on the Aviva Stadium this weekend wondering whether lightning might strike twice. Having ended their 111-year hoodoo against the All Blacks in Chicago, Ireland now have an opportunity to do the unthinkable; win two games in a row against the world champions. It is sure to be an emotional occasion, as the Dublin crowd get the first real chance to welcome their heroes home. Joe Schmidt made 15 changes for last weeks win over Canada, so they should be well rested too. Indeed, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has suggested his side are the underdogs ahead of the clash, but that can surely be written off as brinkmanship of the highest order. Especially as he has welcomed back several senior stars for the trip to Dublin. What we do know is that the atmosphere inside the Aviva will be electric, with most of those in attendance willing on another famous win for the boys in green.Team newsJoe Schmidt has made just one change to the starting XV that played in Chicago, with Jordi Murphys long-term injury opening the door for Sean OBrien to start at openside. That means that Leinster flanker Josh van der Flier remains on the replacements bench where he is joined by Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson.New Zealand have made five changes to the side that was beaten in Chicago. Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are both fit again and will start, while Malakai Fekitoa and Anton Lienert-Brown form the centre partnership having impressed against Italy, and there is also a start for Israel Dagg.Ireland: Kearney, Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, Zebo, Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best (captain), Furlong, Ryan, Toner, Stander, OBrien, HeaslipReplacements:?Cronin, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, Van der Flier, Marmion, Jackson, RingroseNew Zealand:?Smith, Dagg, Fekitoa, Lienert-Brown, Savea, Barrett, Smith, Moody, Coles, Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Squire, Cane, Read (captain)Replacements: Taylor, Crockett, Faumuina, Barrett, SSavea, Perenara, Cruden, NaholoKey head-to-headNew Zealand were rattled in Chicago.dddddddddddd. Their lineout, normally imperious, misfired on three ocassions and they conceded 17 turnovers as they struggled to reel Ireland in. One reason for that was the performances of Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner in the Irish second row. However, the experienced duo will face a sterner test in Dublin as first-choice All Blacks locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick return and the battle of the boiler room may well prove pivotal to the outcome of the game. If Ireland can capitalise on any rustiness then another famous win might just be on the cards.Key stats *Ireland had lost 22 matches in a row against the All Blacks prior to the Chicago Test.*In Chicago, Ireland had less territory (49 percent) and missed more tackles (16-13) than New Zealand.*On the only previous occasion that Ireland avoided defeat to the All Blacks [a 10-10 draw at Landsdowne Road in January, 1973] they lost the teams next meeting.WeatherThe forecast for Saturday in Dublin is at least dry, but it is predicted to be bitterly cold with the six degree temperature feeling a lot cooler than that. The chill will probably be more of a concern for the supporters than the players, however.PredictionIreland know how hard it is to beat the All Blacks once, so backing up that performance just two weeks after their momentous night in the States seems a tall order. They have had the best part of a fortnight to prepare for this match, but then so too have New Zealand. Hansens side are a wounded animal, and will have spent the last two weeks pinpointing exactly where they went in wrong in Chicago. It will be Ireland wearing green in Dublin, but they are about to find out when its a good idea to make the All Blacks angry. New Zealand to win this one with a late flourish. ' ' '