Globale News » but lefty sluggers Ryan Howard

NASHVILLE -- Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has been cleared by doctors to increase his physical activity, and now Nashville has to decide whats next for the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist. The Predators announced that Rinne had been cleared for the next step of his recovery after meeting with doctors earlier Monday. Coach Barry Trotz said a meeting was planned for later Monday to set a weekly plan for Rinne. "Our destination is to get Pekka back in the net at some point," Trotz said. "Whenever that happens, that happens. It feels a lot better than it was a month ago or six weeks ago." The goalie has been sidelined since arthroscopic surgery on his left hip Oct. 24 as a result of a bacterial infection. The infection developed in the same hip surgically repaired May 9 after last season. Rinne started practicing Feb. 19 and has worked a bit more each day. Rinne is 4-4-1 in the nine games he has played this season with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He practiced again Monday said he feels really optimistic. "The next step is playing games, and hopefully that is really soon here," Rinne said. The Predators, who return from the Olympic break hosting Tampa Bay on Thursday, could have Rinne play some games soon in Milwaukee with their American Hockey League affiliate. Nashville is four points out of the Western Conferences final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. General manager David Poile said last week the Predators best move at the trade deadline could be getting Rinne back on the ice. Cheap Jordan From China . At this rate, the Flyers captain is set to be remembered more for a fantastic finish. Jordan China . Mars announced Saturday that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will join him as part of his halftime show. Super Bowl halftime performers often have collaborators. https://www.jordanchina.us/. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (5) – He had a brilliant game; it was a huge response for his average games before. Wholesale Air Jordan . Reimer told TSNs Mark Masters on Tuesday that he doesnt know if he will be moved leading up to the March 5 trade deadline but added he wasnt interested in discussing it. "Who knows whats going to happen on the horizon here and right now I dont know if I want to talk about it too much. Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping . -- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh says he isnt going to change what he does on the field.SAN FRANCISCO - Imagine if big league boppers rarely dented the Green Monster at Fenway Park. Or hardly ever hit drives onto Waveland Avenue at Wrigley Field. Or never came close to the B&O Warehouse at Camden Yards.OK, now try to picture San Franciscos ballpark without splash shots.Tough to do, right?Those moonshots that plop into McCovey Cove and set off kayak scrambles are surely the signature moments at AT&T Park. They just dont happen too often, though a certain behemoth in black and orange once made it seem that way.Theyd always show Barry Bonds hitting all these home runs into the water, Kansas City great George Brett said this week. I couldnt even wait to get here today to see the place.The Hall of Famer got his first look at the park Thursday when the Royals held a World Series workout. He was surprised by one aspect.Its 309 feet down the right-field line. I didnt know that, he said. I thought it was 330 feet.Still, there arent a ton of balls flying over the 25-foot brick wall, carrying past the 27-foot sidewalk and getting wet.A total of 20 in the last three years, in fact. The Giants hit five this season, opponents hit eight.Funny how a ballpark known for majestic home runs is really one of the most difficult places in the majors to hit any. Right field, not so simple.Its obviously pretty tough if you do the math there, Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford said. All the elements play into it. Its a high wall, the wind kind of blows in off the water and its a little ways out there. Thats what makes it tough.The lit-up Splash Hits number on the wall keeps track of the balls hit by the Giants that land in the water. To date, its 68 — thats in 15 seasons. Visitors have hit 36, including a shot by Washingtons Bryce Harper this month in the NL playoffs.Bonds did it 35 times.Barry made it look pretty easy compared to everybody else, Crawford said.Crawford did OK this year, sending two shots into the water. Among his current Giants teammates, Pablo Sandoval is the leader with seven.The Royals held battinng practice at AT&T Park on Thursday, a day before they beat San Francisco 3-2 to lead the Series 2-1.ddddddddddddNaturally, Kansas Citys left-handed hitters tried to cause a ripple during the workout.It seems a little closer. On TV you can make anything look like how you want it to look, third baseman Mike Moustakas said.I caught a couple out in front that I managed to hit out. I dont know if they went in the Cove or not. Thats a pretty deep shot out there, he said.Opened in 2000 as Pacific Bell Park, and mostly called Pac Bell before it became SBC Park and later AT&T Park, the stadium appeared to be a homer haven at the outset.In the very first game, Kevin Elster returned after taking a year off from baseball and hit three homers for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bonds and two teammates also connected for the Giants that afternoon.Bonds hit 49 home runs that season, then launched a record 73 in 2001. In those two seasons combined, he put 15 pokes in the water.By then, the ballpark had earned a reputation. There were plenty of other features — the giant Coke bottle, the humongous glove, the views of the Bay Bridge — but the splash hits became synonymous with the new stadium.Bonds last season was 2007, the year the All-Star game was held in San Francisco. He opted out of the Home Run Derby, but lefty sluggers Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Justin Morneau took part. No one connected for a splash shot.In the seven seasons since Bonds left, there have been a combined 44 get-wet drives.Its not easy. Its definitely not easy. He made it look easy, but its not easy, said Kansas Citys Raul Ibanez, whos hit 305 career home runs.He would prefer the Royals look to spray the ball this weekend, rather than trying to splash it.You probably shouldnt ever think about hitting a ball down the right-field line as a hitter. Theres not a lot of benefit for you. It opens you up to all kinds of stuff, he said. Believe me, Ive done it enough. It doesnt work.___AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report. ' ' '