Even as a skinny, spiky-haired teenager who was scarcely qualified to share a stage with darts’ best players, Michael van Gerwen had no fear of the legendary Phil Taylor. Jermaine Marrow Jersey . And so began the impregnable mind-set that has spawned one of his generation’s most consistently perfect sportspeople. He is the greatest of all time, but I am the best of all time - its not that Van Gerwen doesnt have respect for Taylor, the elder statesman of the oche. But he makes it crystal clear that, while Taylor warrants credit for dragging darts onto a mainstream pedestal and reaping rewards along the way, the bar has now been dramatically raised.Perhaps Van Gerwen, the current world No 1, plays with the freedom of knowing that he will never match Taylors astonishing 16 world titles, the majority of which were achieved in the drastically different landscape of the 1990s. No, its not possible to win more, or become the greatest ever, because I cannot win 16 world titles, the 27-year-old exclusively told Sky Sports. I will be retired before. No, its not possible to win more, or become the greatest ever, because I cannot 16 world titles. I will be retired before. Michael van Gerwen Van Gerwen first defeated Taylor as a 17-year-old in the Netherlands, his homeland, in their second head-to-head meeting. Tellingly, despite a total of 56 matches between them, Van Gerwen needs no reminding of the first time he beat Taylor.Correct, it was a big tournament in Holland, he said. I beat him in the group stage over there. I had a lot of confidence - I was probably the first one to beat him 3-0 in sets. The best Ive ever played - Phil Taylor pays tribute Live Grand Slam of Darts November 12, 2016, 1:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Even aged 17, was that the moment when Van Gerwen realised his eventual fate to overtake Taylor? He takes a long pause before answering. A very long pause as he tries to remember his less battle-hardened psychology.You think you can, but its not easy to change things around and actually be the best in the world. You get confidence, and try to play the best possible. I always believed in myself and you have to do that, otherwise you cant win something.Van Gerwen has grown into one of sports most recognisable figures - always clad in green, he stands as tall as a great oak yet, and despite his burgeoning personal brand, remains polite and jovial away from the oche. He even apologises to Sky Sports for keeping us waiting for just a few minutes. Thats hard to do, trying to become a winner. You first need to know what its like to lose before you can win something. Michael van Gerwen Did he learn the hard way on the BDO circuit as a teen prodigy? You learn to travel on your own, you learn to compete against people with a lot of experience which is hard to do. Thats hard to do, trying to become a winner. You first need to know what its like to lose before you can win something.I enjoyed it because, at that moment, it was a big thing. I was No 1 in the BDO rankings. It was good to start with but…. Van Gerwen pauses to search for the right words. It was only the beginning.Its worth remembering that the Dutchmans rapid ascent to the pinnacle of darts has overcome a major road-bump when even his most ardent followers considered that he might waste his talent. Michael van Gerwen beat Gary Anderson 5-2 to win the World Grand Prix title for a third time Of course I can remember, I had too many of them. I had moments where I was better than 90 per cent of the field, but I lost to 90 per cent of the field. You need to ask what am I doing wrong? Where can I improve? What can I do to change things around?I also had a couple of years like a beginner because I wasnt confident and I couldnt win a tournament. But you need to try and change that around. You need the confidence on your side, rather than the other way around. You need them to look up to you, not the other way around. If you look up to someone, you fear them. If you look up to someone, you fear them. Michael van Gerwen Van Gerwen is now the most feared player on the circuit, having just won a third successive European Championship plus the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. He is the reigning Grand Slam champion ahead of the tournaments restart, live on Sky Sports, between November 12-20.Asked if any other sportspeople match his iron grip over their chosen realm, Van Gerwen is fully aware of his own greatness: I realise that, and sometimes its a bit unbelievable what Im doing at the moment. You need to realise that because it makes you stronger. Sky Sports experts believe MVG still requires another world title Ronnie OSullivan, what he said about me in an interview with just a couple of words, was fantastic. He called me the greatest sportsman on earth, and thats a big compliment. Hes probably the most dominant snooker player, and the best of all time. He can hit a 147 with his right or left hand.But can Van Gerwen throw darts with his weaker hand? I cannot, so hes probably more special than me. Theres a few capable darts players descending on Wolverhampton this weekend that might disagree.Watch Van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts, live on Sky Sports, November 12-20. Also See: Major milestones MVG-Wolfie at Grand Slam MVG triumphant in Glasgow Mardles group of death Nike NCAA Jerseys 2020 . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. MLB Jerseys 2020 . Nick Holden scored two goals and had an assist and the Avalanche held off the Nashville Predators 5-4 Saturday night for their fourth straight victory. https://www.cheapmlbjerseysjustwholesale.com/jordan-roland-jersey.html . -- The Orlando Magic have made no secret that the future of their franchise will depend on how well they can develop their young players.TORONTO – Its a sign of the times for the Blue Jays. The team that leads the major leagues with 69 home runs and is second in slugging percentage (.443) and on-base plus slugging (.770) won again on Saturday, 5-2 over Oakland, thanks to strong pitching and speed on the bases. "We stink, we stink," joked R.A. Dickey when asked about the much-maligned starting rotation, which has posted a 2.84 ERA through the last turn, dating back to the start of last weeks series at Fenway Park. "Were going to keep stinking, too. Were happy to be under the radar. Were happy that people dont, as a staff, give us any respect. Its okay. We are professionals and were going to keep grinding and well see where we end up at the end of this thing." Dickey hurled 8 1/3 innings of two-run baseball, marking the first time this season he threw a pitch after the seventh inning. After exorcising that seventh inning demon, one thats seemed to plague him through most of the season, he urged that neither he nor his rotation mates get too comfortable. "One thing I feel like we cant do is take things for granted," said Dickey. "Were in a good spot right now but theres going to be a challenging stretch too during this year so weve got to really ride the wave as long as we can ride it." The home run-happy Blue Jays wouldnt go without in that department on Saturday. Brett Lawries leadoff blast in the fifth broke a 1-1 time. Toronto has homered at least once in 27 of its last 32 games. But, offensively, the Jays win, the clubs fifth in a row, was built on the legs of Jose Reyes and Anthony Gose. With two out in the third and the Athletics ahead 1-0, Anthony Gose took off from first base on a 2-2 pitch to Melky Cabrera. Shortstop Eric Sogard darted for second to cut down the would-be base stealer, which opened up a left side single for Cabrera. Gose never stopped running and when leftfielder Craig Gentry bobbled the pickup as he approached third, Gose made the turn home and scored the tying run. In the fifth, after Lawries home run had given Toronto the lead, Gose singled with one out. Reyes followed with a single of his own, advancing Gose to third. Reyes went to second on a Jesse Chavez wild pitch. Cabrera hit a groundball to Oakland first baseman Brandon Moss, who had the ball deflect off his glove as he prepared to step on first and make a play on Gose at the plate. Both Gose and Reyes scored and the Jays were ahead, 4-1. Two innings later, in the seventh, Reyes doubled with one out and attempted a steal of third. Authentic MLB Jerseys. Cabrera put the ball in play, a grounder to Sogard, and Reyes didnt stop. He rounded third, hustled home and beat the Moss throw to the plate. The Jays led 5-1 and there was no looking back. "You know the old saying, Speed never goes in slumps and they can make some things happen," said manager John Gibbons. "Reyes has been around the game for a long time and hes always done that. Gose is on his way up and trying to make a name for himself and thats what he does." "Its a lot of speed there," said Reyes of the threat Gose and he present heading into the middle of the batting order. "Gose has been unbelievable for us. Not just what he brings, just playing good defence in the field and he can run every ball down. Thats something that we need. Like I said, well just take it one game at a time and continue to play the way that we play with timely hitting and good defence." Reinforcing the fact Toronto is getting contributions from different players each day, Saturday marked the first time all season that Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion failed to reach base safely in the same game. Santos Throwing Sergio Santos, on the disabled list since May 11 with a forearm strain, played catch for a second straight day prior to Saturdays game. He threw from approximately 70 feet on Friday and from 80 feet on Saturday. There is no timetable for Santos return to action. Hendriks Dispels Australian Stereotypes Friday nights winning pitcher, 25-year-old Liam Hendriks, is a native of Perth, Australia, the western-most major city in the country. Since moving to North America, hes become accustomed to dealing with questions about common stereotypes attributed to Australians. Which is the silliest? "That we all live about 15 miles away from each other," said Hendriks. "We have over 20 million people in the country. Obviously we only occupy like five percent of the country and 95 percents barren but thats the biggest one, that we all live 15 miles away and we all ride to school in kangaroos." No, he hasnt met Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee fame. Yes, hes been asked that question on many occasions. Hendriks wife, Kristi, is a native of Montreal. Her influence is all over one of his new favourite sports. "Im a huge hockey fan," said Hendriks. "Im a Canadiens fan, a Montreal Canadiens fan." ' ' '