OAKLAND, Calif. [url=http://www.soccerportugalshop.com/world-cup-andre-gomes-football-je rsey/]Andre Gomes Jersey[/url] . -- Retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he would take Bostons Dustin Pedroia over former teammate Robinson Cano as his top second baseman. Thats fine by Cano, who insists he

OAKLAND, Calif. Andre Gomes Jersey . -- Retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he would take Bostons Dustin Pedroia over former teammate Robinson Cano as his top second baseman. Thats fine by Cano, who insists he respects Rivera as the best ever, no matter what. "There is no doubt that he is a Hall of Fame-caliber talent," Rivera said about Cano in his new book published Tuesday. "Its just a question of whether he finds the drive that you need to get there." "I dont think Robby burns to be the best. I think hes content to enjoy the game and help his team and go home. You dont see the red-hot passion in him that you see in most elite players," Rivera said. Cano has moved on out West with Seattle, determined not to let Riveras words in "The Closer: My Story" affect him or his new team. "Everybody has a different opinion. Thats his opinion and I have to respect his opinion," Cano said before Tuesday nights game at Oakland. "Im not going to go too far into this. Thats the only thing that I can say. My focus right now is this team. Im here, were winning. I was over there already and now Im here and now Im focused on the team. Im going to be excited for my teammates." Baseballs career saves leader played nine seasons with Cano. Rivera retired after last year, and Cano left the Yankees in the off-season and joined the Mariners on a $240 million, 10-year contract as the new centerpiece of the franchise. Rivera played against Pedroia for eight years in New Yorks rivalry with the Red Sox. "Nobody plays harder, gives more, wants to win more. He comes at you hard for 27 outs, every time. Its a special thing to see, a little guy like that who is willing to do whatever it takes," Rivera said. "If I have to win one game, Id have a hard time taking anybody over Dustin Pedroia as my second baseman." Rivera cites Roberto Alomar and former teammate Chuck Knoblauch as second baseman hed consider alongside Cano in the debate over the best at the position. In the end, Rivera decides on Pedroia. Cano has played at least 159 games in each of the past seven years -- and Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon insists that durability shows plenty about his love for the game and desire to be great and stay in the lineup every day. Cano will let those numbers provide all the necessary information. "Everybody knows I play 160 games," he said. "How does Mariano feel? I respect that and Im always going to have respect for him, a guy that I spent nine years with and for me is always going to be the best closer. Thats how I feel." McClendon said he was "surprised" to learn of Riveras remarks regarding Cano. "Im extremely proud, Im humbled and I feel blessed to be able to manage a guy of Robinson Canos character and his ability to play the game of baseball. Hes a Seattle Mariner and Im proud to have him," McClendon said. "One thing I know about human nature, I dont know what Robinson Cano is feeling inside, just like you dont know what Im feeling inside. Its impossible for me to justify that or answer that. All I can tell you is check the book, he plays 160, 162 games a year. I think thats pretty good passion. "The last nine years, hes been the best second baseman in baseball, offensively and defensively, and the awards and the numbers back it up." In the book, written with New York Daily News reporter Wayne Coffey, Rivera says there has been a decrease in atmosphere at New York home games following the move to new Yankee Stadium for the 2009 season. "It doesnt hold noise, or home-team fervour, anywhere near the way the old place did," he said. "The old Stadium was our 10th man -- a loud and frenzied cauldron of pinstriped passion, with a lot of lifers in the stands. Maybe Im wrong, but its hard to see that the new place can ever quite duplicate that." Daniel Carrico Jersey . Henderson (20-3) received winning scores of 48-47 and 49-46, and the other judge scored it 48-47 for Thomson (20-6). The announcement drew boos from the United Center crowd. "Train this hard for this long, its such a long camp and I see my title shot disappear," said Thomson, who fought most of the fight with a broken right hand. Cedric Portugal Jersey .com) - SirDominic Pointer posted career highs of 24 points and seven steals to lead No. http://www.soccerportugalshop.com/world-cup-vieirinha-football-jersey/ . Bjoergen pulled away from Swedens Charlotte Kalla on the final straight to win in 38 minutes, 33.6 seconds and defend her title from the 2010 Vancouver Games. Kalla was 1.8 seconds back. Heidi Weng of Norway took bronze.AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas said Wednesday it has agreed to pay former coach Mack Brown $2.75 million that would have been owed him if he had been fired, and place him in a one-year, $500,000 job as a special assistant to the president for athletics. Both options had been part of Browns original contract in separate clauses in case of termination or resignation. Brown announced on Dec. 14 that he would step down after Texas bowl game and called it a "mutual" decision between himself, school President Bill Powers and athletic director Steve Patterson. He has been replaced by Charlie Strong. Brown had reportedly been negotiating for more money. Texas agreeing to pay Brown his severance buyout and give him the job raised the question whether he was fired or resigned and why he would get both options. "He resigned," Texas spokesman Nick Voinis said. "This is what was agreed to Were honouring his contract." Browns attorney, Joe Jamail, did not immediately return telephone messages seeking comment. The University of Texas System Board of Regents, which approved BBrowns contract and most recently approved an extension in 2012, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Danilo Pereira Jersey. Brown was under contract through 2020 and was one of the highest-paid coaches in the country at more than $5.4 million per year. But the coach who won the 2005 national championship and played for another in 2009 left after a four-year run that saw the Longhorns lose at least four games every season. The contract included language that allowed Brown to move to "another significant position within the university" at a minimum of $500,000 per year if he "voluntarily relinquishes his duties" as coach. Browns new job will concentrate on fundraising for the nations wealthiest athletic department. The contract also had the $2.75 million termination payment if he was fired before Dec. 31, 2014, to be paid in four equal annual installments. The same section said that if Brown were fired, left for another program or become otherwise unable to do his job, "all obligations" under the contract "shall cease." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '