WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2004
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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SUBMIT DEMOS BY OCT. 20TH TO DANIELLE BOSE AT 1435 JAYHAWK BOULEVARD. LAWRENCE, KANSAS. 66045 OR TO ROOM 119 STAUFFER-FLINT HALL
No bad blood between Cardinals and Astros
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST LOUISE — In a display more commonly associated with hockey, the Los Angeles Dodgers congratulated the St. Louis Cardinals on the field after losing the decisive Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
Maybe it'll become a baseball tradition, too. There's a chance the Astros and Cardinals will show a similar display of sportsmanship after the NL Championship Series because there's been virtually no animosity between the teams.
Biggio's first reaction when he saw players from opposing teams shaking hands and embracing was "Wow, that's kind of classy."
"There's a big-time mutual respect," Astros left fielder Craig Biggio said. "I think there's a lot of professionalism on both sides."
kind of classy.
"But you've got to get the other side to reciprocate, especially if you're the one that wins."
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said all the feedback he's received has been positive, although he wasn't sure if the NLCS will have a similar coda. He and Astros manager Phil Garner have not discussed the topic.
"I don't know if it will come up," La Russa said. "I don't know if it's a one-time deal or you'll see it."
Cardinals reliever Steve Kline called it a "class act" by the Dodgers.
"There's a big-time mutual respect. I think there's a lot of professionalism on both sides." Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Houston Astros outfielder
"That's big for a lot of people to see that in baseball and in sports, period," Kline said. "In today's world everything is so competitive and it's hard to do, shake someone's hand right after you've lost."
"We are the best because we've got 108 wins. We've proved it. We are the best."
SECOND CHANCE
Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen missed the 2002 NLCS after separating his shoulder in a division series baserunning collision. But he doesn't feel any extra incentive in his first shot since then, and his first NLCS period.
Still, everyone wasn't totally diplomatic yesterday, the day before the series began. Cardinals setup man Julian Tavares pulled no punches when assessing the relative strengths of the teams.
"There's nothing you can do about it."罗兰 said. "You don't
"We don't look at the Houston Astros like this is a great team," Tavarez said. "They are good but we are better than them.
hang your head getting a chance to play in the playoffs at any time, and right now is a great opportunity."
Even if he's not 100 percent. Rolen missed 16 games in September with a strained calf and enters the second round in a 3-for-29 slump because he's struggled with his timing.
La Russia said he'll take Rolen any day, even if he's not at his best.
"I'm not the only one hurt on the field," Rolen said. "There's a lot of guys out there playing hurt. You have a broken leg, you're going to try to get out there because we have a chance to play in a World Series."
"Every day that he didn't play I didn't think we had as good of a chance to win," La Russa said. "Every day he's in the ballgame I think we have a chance to win.
"Sometimes you have to go beyond the stats."
NO DEAL
The Astros resisted the temptation to unload Carlos Beltran at the trading deadline, a little more than a month after they acquired the star center fielder from the Royals. And just before their season took off.
Beltran said he had been told a few times by general manager Gerry Hunsicker that he would not be traded.
"I was a little bit worried for me," Beltran said. "But when we found a way to turn the season around... I knew that I was going to stay with the club and I was very happy."
Tigers take touted defense to land of the Longhorns
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri entered the season known for a potent offense, but it's the defense that is among the nation's best.
The Tigers (4-1, 2-0 in the Big 12 Conference) are tops in the conference and ranked eighth nationally in defense, allowing just 259 yards per game. Missouri will get a stern test Saturday with a game at No. 9 Texas (4-1, 1-1), which is coming off a 12-0 loss to second-ranked Oklahoma.
That is quite a departure from the 381 yards per game the Tigers allowed last season, which ranked 64th. Before the season, coach Gary Pinkel said he hoped his team would crack the top third of the conference in defense.
Behind the unit's strong start, the Tigers sit alone atop of the Big 12 North for the first time since the conference opened in 1996.
"We're improving," Pinkel said. "I'm very pleased that our defense is making progress, but we have to continue to work hard to get better, and I think we can."
Missouri allowed 438 yards, including 350 through the air, in a season-opening 25-20 victory against Arkansas State. Missouri has allowed 501 yards in its past three games combined.
"We're improving.I'm very pleased that our defense is making progress,but we have to continue to work hard to get better,and I think we can."
Gary Pinkel
Missouri Tigers coach
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus cites an improved focus on fundamentals.
"If you execute those fundamentals, you have a good chance of doing a decent job on defense," he said. "If you don't, then you see guys passing the ball on you, running the ball on you; that's the way defense is. If you execute the calls and do it with good intensity, you have a good chance to stop people."
With an influx of athleticism, Missouri switched to a 4-3 base defensive scheme before the season. Now, as the players have grown more accustomed to the formation, the change is paying dividends.
"We made a couple mistakes (against Arkansas State) and they found them," linebacker James Kinney said. "When we watch film, we might make 50 good plays, but we're going to
stress the 10 or 12 plays that we messed up on. You're not going to be perfect, but there are definitely things that can be avoided."
A top contributor from 2003 sparked the defense in Missouri's 30-10 win at Baylor on Saturday. Defensive end Brian Smith led the Tigers with eight sacks as a true freshman last season, but after losing the starting job to Xzavie Jackson in training camp, he struggled to contribute off the bench.
Three sacks and a forced fumble against the Bears changed that. Kinney said Smith's increased contributions will only help an already strong defensive line.
"It's huge," Kinney said. "He's real slippery and real quick off the ball. It's good to see him get a lot of time now."
The Tigers also forced four Baylor turnovers and have already recorded more interceptions this season (10) than they forced in 2003 (nine).
Behind tailback Cedric Benson and quarterback Vince Young, the Longhorns average 313.6 rushing yards per game, second-most in the country.
"We've got to just keep our intensity up," safety Jason Simpson said. "We have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy channeling through our defense. We've just got to keep helping each other, lifting us up and being positive."
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Teach English in junior and senior high schools in Japan Learn about Japanese culture and people Gain international experience
Requirements
- Have an excellent command of the English language
- Obtain a bachelor's degree by July 1, 2005
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be willing to relocate to Japan for one year
Applications are now available. This deadline for applying is December 1, 2004.
For more information and an application contact the Consulate General of Japan in Kansas City at 1800 Commerce Tower,
911 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-2076. Tel (816) 471-0111 x103 or 1800 JFK-OJE or
email: jet.cgi@yahoo.com The application can also be found at www.us.egph.japan.gov/job