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CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs want Manny Ramirez to mentor their minor leaguers at the very end of a colorful career that includes two World Series titles and a pair of suspensions for positive drug tests. Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Sunday and will be a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa after he gets some at-bats in extended spring training at the teams facility in Mesa, Arizona. The 41-year-old Ramirez is a .312 hitter with 555 home runs in 2,302 games covering 19 major league seasons. Seven of those were in Boston, where Cubs executive Theo Epstein was the general manager of two Red Sox clubs that won it all with Ramirez playing a key role and earning a World Series MVP award. "While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life hes a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization," Epstein said in a statement. "Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. "If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference." Ramirez most recently played in the big leagues in 2011, with Tampa Bay. The 12-time All-Star had a minor league with Texas before the Rangers released him last August. "Im at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family," he said in a release. "I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do." Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 instead of serving a 100-game ban for a second positive test while with Tampa Bay, but later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012. The teaching role for Ramirez is a bit of a gamble for Epstein, who is depending on Chicagos rich farm system to turn around the floundering franchise. The Cubs lost 197 games over the previous two seasons, and began Sunday in last place in the NL Central with an 18-29 record. "The reality is he is a great, great hitter who can provide valuable insight and knowledge," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said before the game at San Diego. Chicagos top hitting prospects at Iowa include infielders Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez, a first-round pick in 2011 who is off to a slow start after he was a late cut by the Cubs following a solid spring training. Third baseman Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall selection in last years draft, is one of the top hitters in the Double-A Southern League and could make it to Iowa by the end of the season. "The Cubs have some very talented young hitters, and I would love nothing more than to make a positive impact on their careers," Ramirez said. "I am passionate about baseball and about hitting, and I have a lot to offer. While I would love to return to the major leagues, I leave that in Gods hands. My focus will be on working with the young hitters, making sure they dont make the same mistakes I made, and helping the team any way I can." Ramirez was selected 13th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the 1991 amateur draft and rose quickly through the minor leagues, with a youthful exuberance and natural charisma that endeared him to just about everyone he met. He signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in December 2000, helping the franchise win an elusive World Series championship a few years later, then doing it again in 2007. Ramirez led the American League with a .349 batting average in 2002, finished second the next year, and had an AL-best 43 home runs in 2004. But there was another side to Manny -- his lackadaisical play, particularly on defence and the basepaths, rubbed some managers and teammates the wrong way. "Manny has made real mistakes in the past but he has owned up to them and moved his life in a positive direction the last couple of years," Epstein said in a release. "He is in a really great place right now and wants to share the lessons hes learned along the way. We think he deserves another chance and that our young hitters will benefit from it." Miles Wood Jersey . Austin Watson, Scott Ford, Filip Forsberg and Mark Van Guilder had the other goals for the Admirals (30-21-12). Scott Darling made 30 saves for his 10th win of the season. Scott Stevens Jersey . None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again. http://www.authenticdevilspro.com/Ken-daneyko-devils-jersey/. On Sunday, hell attempt to become the youngest driver to win a NASCAR Nationwide race on Iowas short track. The 20-year-old Blaney wont be the only kid pushing a podium finish. Custom New Jersey Devils Jerseys . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. Cory Schneider Jersey ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Right when it appeared the Chicago Bulls were on the verge of a late charge, Hassan Whiteside swatted away any chances of a comeback. Whiteside recorded his first career triple-double in just 24 minutes, posting 14 points, 13 rebounds and a franchise-record 12 blocks as the Miami Heat defeated the Bulls 96-84 on Sunday afternoon. Taj Gibsons tip-in got the Bulls within 91-84 with 1:59 left and it looked like Aaron Brooks had a free lane to the basket a possession later, but Whiteside came out of nowhere to make the block. Dwyane Wade, who netted 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, then nailed a turnaround jumper from the left wing at the other end to put the game away. Chris Bosh tallied 20 points and seven rebounds, Luol Deng supplied 15 points and 10 boards and Mario Chalmers added 15 points and five assists for Miami, which has won five of its last eight games. It was Dengs first game back in Chicago since being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers last January. He signed with the Heat during the offseason. Pau Gasol had 13 points and 17 rebounds, while Derrick Rose provided 19 points and four assists for the Bulls, who had won their last two games coming in on the heels of a 2-6 stretch. Final Score: Cleveland 108, Oklahoma City 98 Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - LeBron James scored 34 points with a full line and the rest of the Cavaliers core shined in Clevelands 108-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. James netted at least 25 points for the seventh straight game and contributed seven rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocks as Cleveland extended its season-long win streak to six games. Kevin Love got back on track in a big way on Sunday, tallying 19 points and 13 rebounds while hitting 5-of-7 from behind the arc, and Kyrie Irving scored 21 points. Love had been 4-for-21 from 3-point range over his last six games. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook both neared triple-doubles in the loss, but Westbrooks 7-for-26 shooting and just six combined points from starters Kendrick Perkins and Andre Roberson were too much for Oklahoma City to overcome. Durant posted 32 points, nine assists and six rebounds and Westbrook finished with 22 points, 11 assists and nine boards. Dion Waiters, who spent the first two-plus seasons in Cleveland before a trade on Jan. 7 sent him to the Thunder, added 14 points on 5-of-15 off the bench in his return to Quicken Loans Arena. Final Score: Atlanta 112, Minnesota 100 Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Paul Millsap filled the stat sheet with 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-100 for their 16th straight victory. The Hawks set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive win on Friday night and have won 29 of their last 31 games in all. Al Horford posted 19 points, six boards and four assists, while Jeff Teague added 15 points and seven helpers for Atlanta, which hasnt lost being routed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 26. The Hawks previously won 14 in a row from Nov. 16 - Dec. 14, 1993, the last season in which they won a division title. Final Score: New Orleans 109, Dallas 106 New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Davis came up big on both ends with the game on the line, helping the New Orleans Pelicans hold off the Dallas Mavericks 109-106 to win their third straight game.dddddddddddd With his team trailing by one with 12.3 seconds left, Davis drew a foul on Tyson Chandler while working to get open and calmly made both free throws. Then at the other end, Davis used his massive wingspan to intercept Rajon Rondos inbounds pass and hit two more free throws to make it 109-106. Monta Ellis, who had a terrific game in his own right, then missed a deep 3-point attempt and Davis secured the final rebound. Davis filled the stat sheet with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five steals and Tyreke Evans gave 24 points and 12 assists in New Orleans first three-game win streak of the season. Final Score: Indiana 106, Orlando 99 Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Damjan Rudez gave the slumping Pacers a huge lift off the bench, scoring 16 of his career-high 18 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana rallied for a 106-99 victory over the Orlando Magic. Big efforts from Rudez, who knocked down 4-of-6 shots from 3-point range in the final period, and fellow reserve George Hill enabled the Pacers to halt a seven-game losing streak by coming back from nine-point deficit with eight minutes to play. Hill delivered 17 points in just 20 minutes in his second game back from a lingering groin injury, including back-to-back baskets after the Magic had knotted the score at 97-97 on two Nikola Vucevic free throws with 2:23 remaining. Final Score: LA Clippers 120, Phoenix 100 Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Paul nearly recorded a triple-double and the Los Angeles Clippers continued to control their division rival, the Phoenix Suns. Paul posted 23 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in the Clippers sixth straight win over the Suns, a 120-100 decision on Sunday. Blake Griffin also contributed 23 points, while J.J. Redick chipped in with 20 points and DeAndre Jordan deposited an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double. Los Angeles has won four straight overall. Final Score: Toronto 114, Detroit 110 Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - DeMar DeRozan registered 25 points with six rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors in a 114-110 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Jonas Valanciunas went for 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win, while Amir Johnson added 17 points for the Raptors. D.J. Augustins career night was all for naught as he made the start for the injured Brandon Jennings. Detroit announced earlier in the day that Jennings would miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured left Achilles tendon that he suffered during Saturdays game against Milwaukee. Augustin set a career high with 35 points and also dished out eight assists for the Pistons, who have lost three straight on the road. Greg Monroe finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds in the loss. Final Score: San Antonio 101, Milwaukee 95 San Antonio, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Tim Duncan posted 20 points and 11 rebounds and Kawhi Leonard totaled 19 points with 14 boards, as San Antonio downed Milwaukee by a 101-95 count on Sunday. Boris Diaw picked up 14 points and Manu Ginobili added 13 for the Spurs, who have won two in a row and eight of their last 10. Khris Middleton led the way with a game-best 21 points for the Bucks, who opened up a four-game road trip with their fourth loss in six overall. Jerryd Bayless chipped in 15 and five assists in defeat. 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