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MLB NEWS January 28, 2015 • MLB.com Special Olympic athletes team up with celebs http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_ind By Emma Jade / NBC 12 News ex.jsp http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/12- news/2015/01/27/12-news-special-olympics-phoenix-open- ASSOCIATED PRESS putting-tournament/22424741/ January 28, 2015 • Sports.yahoo.com http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews [VIDEO] Special Olympians Team Up with Pro Athletes for Annual Putting Contest MLB TRANSACTIONS By Jared Cohen / Sports360AZ.com January 28, 2015 • MLB.com http://www.sports360az.com/2015/01/video-special- http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions olympians-team-pro-athletes-annual-putting-contest/

Special Olympics Open and DREAM Day at Waste Management Phoenix Open By Phoenix New Times http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/slideshow/special- olympics-open-and-dream-day-at-waste-management-phoenix- open-42133600/

Out & about in the 'hood By Wrangler News

Catching up with the Aces: Nick Ahmed By Reno Aces http://reno.mlblogs.com/2015/01/23/catching-up-with-the- aces-nick-ahmed/

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Special Olympics Open and DREAM Day at Waste Management Phoenix Open Special Olympic athletes team up with celebs By Phoenix New Times By Emma Jade / NBC 12 News http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/slideshow/special- http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/12- olympics-open-and-dream-day-at-waste-management-phoenix- news/2015/01/27/12-news-special-olympics-phoenix-open- open-42133600/ putting-tournament/22424741/

(Slideshow embedded on webpage) (Video embedded on webpage)

Record breaking attendance is expected throughout this year's It's a very special day at the Phoenix Open. A mix of celebrities, Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament in Scottsdale athletes and business owners all came together for one cause: to with the return of Tiger Woods. The tournament kicks off on raise money for the Special Olympics Arizona. Thursday but yesterday's festivities were all about the kids and

giving back to the community. "it pretty much kicks off the open for everybody," said baseball legend Luis Gonzalez. Professional athletes past and present including Arizona

Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt, , Patrick Corbin, "I mean I have fun, good excuse to check out the tournament," A.J Pollock, Luis Gonzales, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach said Diamondbacks star Paul Goldschmidt. Bruce Arians, former Phoenix Sun Tom Chambers teamed up

with Special Olympics golfers. For more than eight years the Phoenix Open has hosted this tournament to benefit Special Olympics Arizona. In order for Hundreds of young students attended DREAM Day which the Special Olympic athletes to play in this tournament, they concluded with a great speech from Diamondbacks Pitcher J.J have to raise money. The ones who raise the most are selected. Putz before Thunderbird Luke Dye gave some lucky youngsters

a tour of the facility. So far, the athletes raised $20,000 this year, beating last years record. Out & about in the 'hood By Wrangler News Special Olympic athlete Ashley Bays from Mesa has been golfing since she was a little girl. She plays with her own golf team in (PDF attached) Mesa and looks forward to this tournament every year.

"I've been winning first place every year at Special Olympics golf," said Bays.

She was hoping to partner up with Luis Gonzalez like last year but instead landed with Diamondback pitcher Patrick Corbin. Catching up with the Aces: Nick Ahmed By Reno Aces "He was okay at first, but I know he had a bit of help," Bays http://reno.mlblogs.com/2015/01/23/catching-up-with-the- said. aces-nick-ahmed/

"She was making all the shots or put them very close for us so Nick Ahmed has always been known for his slick defensive we would just tap them in," said Corbin. abilities. Ahmed’s glove was steady as always in 2014, making the difficult look routine. It was his bat that may have surprised The Thunderbirds presented the Special Olympics Arizona with people around the game. a $55,000 check, money that will now go toward helping athletes like Ashley continue in their sport. In 104 games with Triple-A Reno, Ahmed hit .312 with 26 [VIDEO] Special Olympians Team Up with Pro Athletes doubles, 4 triples and 4 home runs. Primarily hitting lead-off, for Annual Putting Contest Ahmed added 37 walks and 14 stolen bases to his stat-line. The By Jared Cohen / Sports360AZ.com shortstop became the 10th player in Aces franchise history to http://www.sports360az.com/2015/01/video-special- collect 5 hits in a single game when he accomplished the feat olympians-team-pro-athletes-annual-putting-contest/ June 24th against Colorado Springs. It was just 5 days later when Ahmed got the call to the big leagues for the first time. Tuesday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is always one of the most rewarding event all week at the TPC Scottsdale. Although the stay was short (25 games), Ahmed held his own Located at the Putting Green, the annual Outfront Media Special with the Diamondbacks before returning to Reno to finish the Olympics Open takes place which features 12 Special Olympian Triple-A season. He cracked his first big league July athletes, 12 celebrities or sports stars and 12 business leaders 31st against Pittsburgh. from our community. This year current and former players for the , Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Ahmed’s faith and natural teaching ability have kept him busy PGA Tour golfers as well as other athletes from all over the during the offseason. We catch up with him in this edition of country came out to make this once again, a truly special event. “Catching up with the Aces.”

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Aces: How’s the offseason going, what are you doing to stay to win that game and not ground into a my first at busy? bat even though it was a quality at bat.

Nick Ahmed: My offseason has been great. Working out and Aces: One-word answers here. training hard 6 days a week to prepare for the upcoming season. Also, spending a lot of quality time with my family. My wife and Favorite offseason place to be: I have been connected and invested with a new church back NA: Home (East Longmeadow, MA) home called LifePoint church. Aces: The 2014 Reno Aces team was: Aces: I noticed you have been running some camps back in your NA: A tight knit group hometown. How has that process been going? Have you always liked the instruction part of the game? Aces: Phil Nevin is: NA: Competitive NA: My brother Mike (who is in the minor leagues with the Dodgers) and I ran a defensive camp in December. We had Aces: I wouldn’t be who I am today without: about 40 kids and the camp went really well. We’re going to try NA: My family to make it an annual camp. Yes I love the instruction side of the game. I enjoy passing on the information and skills that I have Aces: In 2015 I will be: been taught over the years to the next generation of players. NA: Dominant

Aces: You took a big step forward this year, especially with the bat. With an advanced glove, has hitting been a focal point for you lately?

NA: Improvement in every part of my game is always a focal point. Baseball has so many different skills and sides to the game. I take great pride in being good in all areas of the game and work extremely hard and smart to improve all areas of the game.

Aces: Speaking of your glove, you were named the top defensive shortstop in all of Minor League Baseball and presented the award during this past season. What do you remember from that day and what does it mean to win an award like that?

NA: That award is very special to me. I was very humbled to receive that award as there are so many amazing shortstops in minor league baseball. I remember the day very well, it was special to share the award and day with my teammates and coaches. January 28, 2015 • sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews Aces: Was there a player you looked up to when you were growing up? Your manager, Phil Nevin, said you are the best January 28, 2015 defensive shortstop he has seen since Omar Vizquel. When you  Two forthcoming books focus on Orioles history 11:14 hear something like that, what goes through your head? am EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Remember when Cal Ripken’s mom was kidnapped? NA: Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox. My brothers Yeah, it’s still unsolved 11:03 am EST (NBC Sports) and I loved watching him. He was a dynamic shortstop on both  Nationals sign former Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen sides of the ball. That’s a great compliment from a guy who has 10:50 am EST (NBC Sports) been around a lot of great players. I hope that with continued  Ichiro Suzuki’s deal with the Marlins is worth $2 improvement each day I will be able to win several Gold Gloves million 10:15 am EST (NBC Sports) in the Big Leagues like Vizquel did.  Alex Rodriguez has important allies in fight with Yankees over bonus 9:29 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Aces: You made your Major League debut on June 29 and Mid Atlantic) collected your first big league hit during the game. What were  Orioles outfield solidified with acquisition of Snider the emotions like for you? 9:02 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

NA: The emotions that day were crazy. I was anxious, excited,  Yoan Moncada’s situation could clear up soon and he relaxed, and nervous all at the same time. Once the game started could sign in a couple of weeks 9:00 am EST (NBC and the juices got flowing I was able to relax a lot more. I felt Sports) like I was able to compete and play the way I wanted to. It was  Pablo Sandoval made a half court basket while sitting great to get my first hit in my first game. It would have been nice on his butt 6:32 am EST (NBC Sports)

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 Nats roster preview: Ryan Zimmerman 1:21 am EST  Krukow: The 'shift is very cool,' Manfred 'made a big (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) mistake' 2:38 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)  Ichiro inks one-year deal with 12:37 am  The Nats and Astros need a change in Florida law to EST (AFP) get their new spring training facility 2:22 pm EST (NBC January 27, 2015 Sports)  Matt Moore throws off mound for first time since  Orioles won't raise ticket prices in 2015 2:17 pm EST getting Tommy John elbow surgery 10:50 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) (NBC Sports)  Royals and Jarrod Dyson settle, avoid arbitration 2:01  Marlins announce 1-year deal with OF Ichiro Suzuki pm EST (NBC Sports) 10:34 pm EST (The Associated Press)  MLB, not the federal government, is keeping Yoan  White Sox Adam Eaton crashes Media Day at Super Moncada from signing a deal 12:30 pm EST (NBC Bowl 10:15 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) Sports)  2015 Category Sleepers Review 10:04 pm EST  Does Parmelee mean Orioles are set in the outfield? (Rotoworld) 12:01 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Rob Manfred not concerned about uneven DH rule  Third Baseman Resurgence 11:51 am EST (Rotoworld) 9:41 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Nats roster preview: Yunel Escobar 11:48 am EST  Orioles acquire outfielder Travis Snider from Pirates (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) 9:05 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Players to Avoid: AL Central 11:36 am EST (Rotoworld)  Orioles acquire OF Travis Snider in trade with Pirates  Not so fast on the Bud Selig Hall of Fame talk 11:33 8:57 pm EST (The Associated Press) am EST (NBC Sports)  Red Sox send Anthony Ranaudo to Rangers for Robbie  The 14th greatest GM of all time has been a GM for a Ross 8:16 pm EST (The Associated Press) long, long time 11:03 am EST (NBC Sports)  Report: Cuban prospect Moncada’s free agency  Angels “optimistic” Garrett Richards will be ready for imminent 8:04 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area) April 10:50 am EST (NBC Sports)  Phillies still talking to the Brewers and Blue Jays about  AP source: Yanks thinking of not making $6M a Jonathan Papelbon trade 7:44 pm EST (NBC Sports) payment to A-Rod 10:36 am EST (The Associated Press)  Red Sox trade Ranaudo to Texas for Ross Jr 7:02 pm  Terry Francona says Michael Bourn will “wreak havoc” EST (Comcast SportsNet New England) in 2015. OK 9:54 am EST (NBC Sports)  Rangers acquire right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from  Blue Jays say that their president stays on 9:37 am EST Red Sox for left-hander Robbie Ross 6:39 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) (NBC Sports)  Why “Deflategate” would never happen in baseball  Boras Plan: Cubs in a World Series not played at 8:10 am EST (NBC Sports) Wrigley? 6:37 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)  Monday's Sports In Brief 3:42 am EST (The Associated  Orioles “closing in on” trade for Pirates’ Travis Snider Press) 6:19 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Blue Jays' moves may pay off big 1:42 am EST (Comcast  Sources: Star Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada’s free SportsNet Mid Atlantic) agency imminent 6:08 pm EST (Yahoo Sports)  Final thoughts on the signing 12:44 am  Bryce Harper has tickets to the Super Bowl 5:39 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Former Red Sox pitcher Monbouquette dead at 78  Jeff Bagwell is rejoining the Astros organization, at 12:13 am EST (Reuters) least temporarily 5:10 pm EST (NBC Sports) January 26, 2015  Crawford, Giants avoid arbitration on one-year deal  Jake McGee plays catch for first time since elbow 4:50 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area) surgery 11:45 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Giants, Brandon Crawford avoid arbitration with one-  Rockies and avoid arbitration with year deal 4:40 pm EST (NBC Sports) one-year deal 11:05 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Five minor leaguers suspended for drugs 4:13 pm EST  Red Sox All-Star pitcher Bill Monbouquette dies at 78 (NBC Sports) 10:25 pm EST (The Associated Press)  David Robertson thinks White Sox will be better than  Report: Astros among teams looking at free agent Yankees 4:05 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) right-hander Kevin Correia 10:01 pm EST (NBC Sports)  GM says Rockies are “highly, highly unlikely” to trade  Mariners reunite with Franklin Gutierrez 9:07 pm EST Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez 3:55 pm EST (NBC Sports) (NBC Sports)  Manfred knows he'll get hit as commish - his name is  2015 outlook: Detroit Tigers 3:25 pm EST (Comcast on ball 8:47 pm EST (The Associated Press) SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Beeston will remain Blue Jays president through 2015  MLB's Manfred: Montreal has helped case for return of season 8:27 pm EST (The Associated Press) baseball 3:10 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Memorial services set for Cubs legend Ernie Banks  Brett Anderson just learned what his uniform number 8:26 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) will be on Twitter 2:48 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Alex Avila switching to hockey-style catcher mask due to concussions 8:16 pm EST (NBC Sports) 4

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 Devin Mesoraco gets $28 million, 4-year deal from Angels Contract Reds 8:16 pm EST (The Associated Press)  Chavez, Gutierrez agree to minor league deals with Los Angeles Signed to a Minor League Jeremy Horst Mariners 8:03 pm EST (The Associated Press) Dodgers Contract  Visitation, memorial service set for Hall of Famer Banks 7:46 pm EST (The Associated Press) Signed as Free Agent, (One-year Miami Marlins Ichiro Suzuki  Blue Jays sign president and CEO Paul Beeston to contract) extension through 2015 7:09 pm EST (NBC Sports)  Report: Reinsdorf thinks Jays tampered, won't pursue New York Eddy Signed to a Minor League recourse 7:01 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) Yankees Rodriguez Contract  Padres sign Ramiro Pena 6:30 pm EST (NBC Sports) San Francisco Brandon Signed, ( 2015)(avoids  Veteran C John Buck signs with Braves, his eighth Giants Crawford arbitration) MLB team 6:28 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)  Former Red Sox pitcher Monbouquette dies at 78 6:05 Seattle Franklin Signed to a Minor League

pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England) Mariners Gutierrez Contract  Yankees refusing to pay A-Rod home run bonus a joke Traded From from Red Sox, 5:53 pm EST (Yahoo Sports) Anthony  Johan Santana to miss Venezuelan Winter League finals Boston (for LHP Robbie Ross Ranaudo 5:25 pm EST (The Associated Press) Jr.)  Girardi on Cubs World Series: 'There's going to be a lot of people dancing in heaven once it happens' 5:16 pm Monday, January 26, 2015 EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) Team Player Transaction  I don’t know if Dustin Pedroia is in the Best Shape of His life, but he IS posing with his shirt off 5:04 pm EST Signed to a Minor League John Buck (NBC Sports) Contract  2015 MLB roster outlook: Colorado Rockies 4:53 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) Baltimore Dane De La Signed to a Minor League

 New-look White Sox already building chemistry 4:46 Orioles Rosa Contract pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)  Orioles, Bud Norris reach agreement on deal 4:18 pm Baltimore Signed, ( 2015)(avoids Bud Norris EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic) Orioles arbitration)  Orioles, Bud Norris avoid arbitration for $8.8 million 4:16 pm EST (NBC Sports) Baltimore Chris Signed to a Minor League Orioles Parmelee Contract Cincinnati Devin Signed, ( 2015-2018)(four-year

Reds Mesoraco contract, avoids arbitration) January 28, 2015 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions Colorado Adam Signed, ( 2015)(avoids

Rockies Ottavino arbitration) Last updated: Wed, January 28, 2015, 03:33 EST Kansas City Signed to a Minor League J.C. Boscan Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Royals Contract

Team Player Transaction Milwaukee Signed to a Minor League Chris Leroux Brewers Contract Traded From from Pirates, Baltimore Travis Snider Pittsburgh (for LHP Stephen San Diego Signed to a Minor League

Orioles Ramiro Pena Tarpley) Padres Contract

Traded From from Rangers, Sunday, January 25, 2015 Boston Red Robbie Ross Texas (for RHP Anthony Sox Jr. Ranaudo) Team Player Transaction

Kansas City Signed, ( 2015)(avoids Baltimore Ryan Signed, ( 2015)(avoids Jarrod Dyson

Royals arbitration) Orioles Flaherty arbitrations)

Los Angeles Frank Signed to a Minor League Seattle Signed to a Minor League Endy Chavez

Angels Herrmann Contract Mariners Contract

Los Angeles Zach Stewart Signed to a Minor League 5