COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Although Antonio Vargas still thinks about the cut that nearly ended his Olympic dream, his unprotected head will be clear when he steps into the ring in Rio de Janeiro.Vargas grew up sparring and competing in protective headgear, so he had never been cut in a fight before his face split open in that bloody loss at the U.S. Olympic team trials seven months ago. The gifted flyweight from Florida had to fight his way back through the challengers bracket, surviving to earn a spot on the team.Cuts havent been a major concern in Olympic boxing since 1980, but they will be a constant danger in Rio, where the 250 male fighters will box without headgear for the first time since Moscow.Fighters have had three years to adjust to the change, and theyve adapted with the same tenacity that made them boxers in the first place.Im always going to do what I have to do, Vargas said. I dont think its really changed my style. Ill still have the same style going into the Olympics. I just have to be careful.The International Boxing Association (AIBA) made a highly visible alteration to its sport when it removed the headgear ahead of the 2013 world championships. Many fighters are excited for fans to see a sport that looks more like the pros, but the move is still criticized by other fighters and coaches who believe safety has been made secondary to appearance, particularly because of the high potential for cuts in a short, multi-fight tournament.I dont think it was a good idea, taking off the headgear, because were still amateur, U.S. light flyweight Nico Hernandez said. I got cut on both eyes before. I got stitches and stuff from head-butts. I just dont think its as safe for the amateur boxers. But I also like it, because you can have more peripheral vision and you dont get as hot. Ive had a lot of fights without now, so Im used to it.The bulky protective pads were placed on Olympic fighters heads in 1984 because organizers wanted to improve safety, and theyve been pulled off the fighters heading to Rio for ostensibly the same reason.In its lengthy quest to become a professional boxing promoter with control over the Olympics , AIBA went to great lengths to establish a scientific backing for its decision to drop headgear. The IOC also cited research to support the notion that the bulky head guards reduced the number of knockouts and stoppages, thereby reducing concussions.Their conclusions have been disputed by other scientists and fighters alike, but the benefits of removing headgear go beyond any concussion data in an inherently dangerous sport: Quite simply, the removal of headgear allows television audiences to see the fighters faces.Billy Walsh competed in headgear for his native Ireland at the 1988 Seoul Olympics before becoming one of the amateur sports foremost teachers. The new U.S. coach has adjusted his instructions under the new rules.Without the headgear, weve now got to be a bit more mobile, a bit more flexible, a bit more careful of heads, Walsh said. Weve got to be a bit more elusive. With headgear, we just locked up. Weve had to adapt some skills and techniques, but weve adapted similar stuff we would have been teaching when they had headgear. We all have to adapt.AIBAs changes are expected to continue after Rio, too. Womens boxing kept the headgear for its second Olympic tournament because AIBA says it doesnt have enough concussion data on women, but most female fighters expect AIBA to remove their headgear next year. The male boxers are still wearing tank tops in the ring in another holdover from the sports amateur days, but those are likely to be removed soon as well.Hernandez is among dozens of top Olympians who got experience without headgear by participating in World Series of Boxing, one of two professional leagues launched by AIBA. The WSB fighters have five-round fights that largely resemble pro bouts.Even fighters who dont agree with the science of the decision credit AIBA for attempting to improve their sports marketability, and the governing body has conducted a lengthy campaign to persuade boxers to fight without the in-close, head-butting style that could ruin the tournament.Most of the American fighters also plan to turn pro shortly after the Olympics, so the absence of headgear gives them a head start on the process.But all fighters in Rio will have to be careful with the knowledge that one cut could end their Olympics.With no headgear, at first I was nervous, and I didnt really want to do it, 18-year-old U.S. middleweight Charles Conwell said. But when I got in there, it was the same, basically. You just have to worry about cuts and head-butts. Im less worried now, because Ive got more experience with it. I know the dos and donts of not having headgear on. So Im going to adjust, because I know theres going to be some dirty things that are going to happen out there.Fake Off White Air Max 90 . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Cheap Air Max 90 Womens China . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-essential-cheap.html . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Cheap Air Max 90 Ultra . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Cheap Off White Air Max 90 .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup.BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles long ago established their identity as a team built for power.Its already gotten them into position to reach the postseason, and now they intend to flex their muscles and hit home runs all the way into October.Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 41st homer to cap a six-run second inning, and the Orioles peppered the New York Yankees with four long balls in an 8-0 victory Friday night.Pedro Alvarez and Chris Davis hit two-run homers in the second inning and Manny Machado added a two-run shot in the fourth. Baltimore leads the majors with 213 home runs, including 117 at home.Ive got a really good seat and I dont ever take it for granted, the things that they do against the best pitchers in the world, manager Buck Showalter said. Its not like theyre sneaking up on anybody, either. Its just been a consistent threat weve had all year.Let the other guys rely on speed or bunts or the hit-and-run. The Orioles are taking aim at the fences with no apologies.Its who we are, and thats OK, Showalter said.When Alvarez went deep, the Orioles became the 19th team in big league history to have six players hit at least 20 in the same season. Alvarez joins Trumbo, Machado (33), Davis (33), Adam Jones (24) and Jonathan Schoop (21).Well, when youve got six guys in your lineup that have hit 20 home runs -- and one of them (Alvarez) is a platoon player -- you know that theres a lot of power, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. We werent able to keep the ball in the ballpark, and its how this club is extremely dangerous.Dylan Bundy (8-5) allowed two hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings. In his previous start, the right-hander took the loss Saturday at Yankee Stadium after giving up five runs and seven hits in four innings.It was only the third win in eight games for the Orioles, who started the day tied with Detroit for the second AL wild-card slot.New York finished with only two hits and fell 3 1/2 games behind Baltimore. The Yankees came to town with a streak of four straight series wins.Rookie Chad Green (2-4) yielded four runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings before leaving with right elbow pain.Obviously he needs to have an MRI on his right elbow, Girardi said.dddddddddddd. That will take place (Saturday) and well have a better idea.After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, the Orioles batted around in the second. Jones singled in a run before Alvarez launched a drive that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the 25-foot scoreboard in right field. Green left after walking Machado, and Davis greeted Nick Goody with a home run.Trumbo followed by going deep on an 0-2 pitch, the 17th time this season the Orioles have hit back-to-back home runs.Pitchers really have to pick and choose who they want to go after, Trumbo said. If we have some depth in the lineup -- which we definitely do -- that can make for a pretty tough time for the opposition if were going well.Two innings later, Machado connected off Kirby Yates for an 8-0 lead.WELCOME ABOARDYankees: New York recalled several players from its minor league system, including Goody and RHP Jonathan Holder, who threw a scoreless inning in his major league debut.Orioles: Obtained in separate transactions Wednesday, OFs Michael Bourn and Drew Stubbs made their debut with the Orioles as defensive replacements. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Tyler Wilson, LHP Jayson Aquino and C Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: OF Aaron Hicks had an MRI on his right hamstring, and the news was not favorable. Hes a guy thats going to be out for a while, Girardi said. The injury occurred Wednesday night.Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman (right shoulder bursitis) has been penciled in to return Sept. 11 in Detroit. ... RHP Darren ODay (rotator cuff strain) will throw off a half mound Sunday. ... Jones returned to action after missing a week with a strained left hamstring.UP NEXTYankees: CC Sabathia (8-11, 4.31 ERA) vies for his 20th career win against the Orioles on Saturday night. Hes 19-9 vs. Baltimore but 1-2 this season, including a loss last Sunday.Orioles: Kevin Gausman (6-10, 3.73) seeks to win his fourth straight start, a streak that includes a 5-0 victory over Yankees on Sunday in which he struck out nine in seven innings. ' ' '