1/2-to-1 ratio of groundballs to flyballs. In the Rangers third, Craig

Last Tuesday, April 8th, marked the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron setting the all-time home run record, passing the Babe with 715 career home runs. Aaron would eventually close out his career with 755 home runs, taking his place on the throne as baseballs home run king. When Aaron hit a 1-0 fastball that night, he not only powered his way into the annals of baseball history, but onto the pages of American history, as well. An African-American player held what was, at the time, the most prodigious record in all of North-American sports. Aarons incredible milestone was a large step in the fight for racial equality in baseball, and across America, but it was a step that may not have occurred if it were not for # 42, Jackie Robinson. Twenty-Seven years prior to Aarons record breaking home run, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field, becoming the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues since the 1880s. April 15th, 1947 was undoubtedly a day of celebration for many across North America, but it also marked the beginning of a long, arduous journey for Robinson. Robinson endured through 10 seasons of racial abuse, unjust criticism, as well as threats on his life, from spectators, other players and even teammates. While professional athletes are often expected to perform under the pressures of a fanbases high expectations, Robinson carried a much heavier weight than the average ballplayer, an entire race of people depended upon him. In his first few seasons, Robinson knew if retaliated against his aggressors, he would risk delaying the breaking of the colour barrier. Instead, Robinson responded with his play on the field, showcasing his five-tool talent on his way to becoming one of the greatest second baseman that ever lived. For the past 10 seasons, April 15th has been a day where Major League Baseball pays tribute to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Today, every Major League player will pay homage to Robinson by dawning his iconic #42, unifying under one number. To celebrate the 10th-annual Jackie Robinson Day, BarDown presents to you, three songs written in tribute for three of the most iconic African-American baseball players in history: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and, of course, Jackie Robinson."Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" - Buddy Johnson"There is not an American free in this country until everyone of us is free." - Jackie Robinson"Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" - The Treniers"To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation." - Willie Mays"715" - Peter Cooper"As Ive said many times, and Ill say it again, Jackie Robinson was a pillar of strength to me." - Hank Aaron Jason Castro Jersey . Fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also had a brace for Napoli. And Samuel Etoo scored for his fourth different team. On a night of standout individual performances Wednesday, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand had a game hell want to forget. Justin Morneau Jersey .com) - Intrastate rivals collide Saturday as the Texas State Bobcats hit the road to take on the eighth-ranked Texas Longhorns in a non-conference battle at Frank Erwin Center. http://www.cheaptwinsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-phil-hughes-jersey .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers. Joe Mauer Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Cheap Minnesota Twins Jerseys . "Uuufff," was all shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria could come up with after Stantons latest mammoth shot. ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers keep winning, giving themselves a chance to reach the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. Theyre just not getting any help while running out of games. Leonys Martin hit a three-run double, Ian Kinsler homered and the Rangers beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Wednesday night, a victory they needed just to keep pace while chasing in the AL wild-card race. "We put ourselves in this position. We have to win the games, weve got to get help from someone else," Kinsler said. "The best we can do is win four more games." The Astros lost their 12th in a row and set a team record with their 108th of the season. The Rangers completed a three-game sweep and finished 17-2 with 11 straight wins against their instate rival. "Its one of those things where we want to win, but we have to take account of what weve done," first-year Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Nobodys going to feel sorry for us." The Rangers remained a game behind Cleveland for the ALs second wild-card spot -- Tampa Bay is a game ahead of the Indians. Texas has four games left in the regular season, with the series opener at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. "You just get the mentality of taking care of the business thats in front of you," manager Ron Washington said. "If we can continue to win ballgames, I dont care what they do. And if they win out the streak and we win out the string also, then thats just the way it is." Rookie left-hander Martin Perez (10-5) struck out eight over seven innings. The bases-loaded double by Leonys Martin was the big blow for the Rangers when they had seven consecutive batters reach with two outs in the fourth off Dallas Keuchel (6-10). That put the Rangers up 4-3, and Martin scored on a single by Kinsler. Alex Rios added an RBI single before Adrian Beltres hard liner ended the inning. Kinslers 13th homer, a solo shot in the sixth, chased Keuchel. Before sweeping Houston, the Rangers hadnt won consecutive games since a three-game sweep at Seattle from Aug. 26-28. They had an AL-best record of 20-7 in August and a two-game lead in the AL West before starting this month 5-15 while Oakland claimed the division title for the second year in a row. "Just keep winning. Thats our mindset riight now.dddddddddddd Were competing right now," shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "We now at the same time were winning, we have to hope for the other guys to lose. ... Thats our reality right now." The Astros tied the 2001-03 Detroit Tigers for the fifth-most losses over a three-year span at 321, according to STATS. They trail only the 1962-64 New York Mets (340), the 1963-65 Mets (332), the 1915-17 Philadelphia Athletics (324) and the 1940-42 Phillies (323). After a day off Thursday, the Astros complete their season with three games at home this weekend against the New York Yankees. The Rangers 17 wins are the most Texas has ever had against a team in the same season, and Cleveland won its 17th against the White Sox on Wednesday night. The last team with 17 wins against another opponent before that was Oakland over Seattle in 2006. Houston finished with a 27-54 record on the road, still its most wins away from home since 2010. Ten of the first 11 outs by Texas came on groundballs against Keuchel, one of the majors best with a 2 1/2-to-1 ratio of groundballs to flyballs. In the Rangers third, Craig Gentry reached on a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Villar. After a stolen base and a wild pitch, Gentry scored when Andrus hit what could have been an inning-ending double play grounder. But the ball slipped out of second baseman Jose Altuves hand when he tried to make the relay throw to first. Altuve, whose 39 hits in September are most in the majors, opened the Astros fourth with a double off the left-field wall and scored on a single by Chris Carter. Brandon Lairds two-run homer made it 3-1. Keuchel got the first two outs of the fourth on grounders before the Rangers loaded the bases on Jeff Bakers single, a walk and a hit batsman. Martin cleared the bases with a double to right. "Its disappointing from my aspect," Keuchel said. "Especially when we just put a three-spot up on the board." NOTES: Houston had 12 strikeouts in the game, increasing its franchise-record season total to 1,504. That is 25 shy of the major league record set by Arizona in 2010. ... The Astros also had a 12-game losing streak last year. ... Villar has 15 errors in 54 games. ... Houston was 1-8 this season at Rangers Ballpark, the only win a game Keuchel started July 6. ' ' '