Biete - Kristall » well look at it and evaluate it.TOUGH STAR

The New York Yankees have signed closer Aroldis Chapman to a record five-year, $86 million deal -- one thats put many fans in the all-too-familiar position of discomfort over a star player with a problematic past. While Chapmans domestic violence history calls into question the priorities of the team, it also presents a unique opportunity for the organization, the league and advocacy groups to use this signing to do some good for victims and their families.First, lets just get this out of the way: There are a ton of purely baseball reasons for skepticism over signing Chapman to the largest contract ever for a relief pitcher. As ESPNs Andrew Marchand put it, the deal is too long, for too much money, for the wrong guy.Chapmans prowess on the mound is undeniable, but his immediate payoff wont be a game-changer for a team banking on a youth-oriented strategy that realistically wont make a meaningful World Series run for at least a couple of seasons. Similarly, Keith Law analyzed 12 long-term contracts for relief pitchers and found their track record to be terrible, while noting that Chapmans reliance on his 100 mph fastball doesnt inspire confidence in the longevity of his arm.Putting baseball aside, both men noted that Chapmans character issues should raise red flags. Those of us who care deeply about domestic violence and its victims constantly bang the drum when teams enable dangerous behavior by rewarding perpetrators with millions of dollars.But its not just about the women on the other end of those police reports; as weve seen with former Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy and former Giants kicker Josh Brown, sometimes violent behavior -- and a complete lack of remorse thereof -- is part of a broader pattern that can lead to issues in the locker room. If fans dont want to be bothered with the moral implications of signing a player whose actions go unchecked, they should at least be concerned with how those actions can affect the team.That said, Chapman has served his time, sitting through a 30-game MLB-issued suspension at the start of this past season. Potential?zero-tolerance policies?with heavier penalties, while seemingly well-intentioned, carry real consequences for the victims of domestic abuse, often failing to prioritize their best interests in favor of the optics of tough punishments.As such, fans are left wondering how to reconcile the tension between caring about victims and caring about their team. As a Yankees fan, Ive written about the dilemma of not being able to feel joy for saves earned by a player I would rather not have on my team, despite how much he adds to our win total. Similarly, my colleague Sarah Spain -- a lifelong Cubs fan confronted with the same dilemma when the Yankees traded Chapman to Chicago in July, part of the Cubs historic World Series run -- has been outspoken about the dread she felt about his joining her team.All we can do as fans is continue to have these complicated conversations and hope that something good can come out of them, urging our teams to use these troubled players as catalysts for real change. When Chapman joined the Cubs, a fan channeled her mixed emotions and started the viral Twitter account and hashtag #pitchin4DV, pledging to donate $10 to Chicago-based domestic violence advocacy groups for every save Chapman recorded and encouraging other fans to do the same. To date, the effort has raised close to $40,000.Chapmans signing presents an opportunity to New York-based organizations to implement similar campaigns to make the best of an uncomfortable situation. Ive yet to hear of any such efforts from these groups, but theres plenty of time between now and spring training to seize this chance.Beyond that, the Yankees and MLB should take the lead on raising awareness for this cause and avoid the familiar pattern of teams and leagues simply ignoring the past transgressions of players, hoping well all just forget about it. Its not enough to just dedicate a day or a week or a month to wearing purple in a shallow show of support for domestic violence victims.In fact, the team and the league already have a relationship with the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, started by the former Yankees manager, who has a very personal connection to this issue, having grown up watching his father abuse his mother for years. Torre serves as MLBs chief baseball officer; hes in prime position to convince other league executives that its in everyones best interest to take a strong stance on domestic violence.Its important to note that any such campaign cant simply stop at raising awareness. There needs to be a real effort to influence behavior and provide outlets for players and spouses experiencing abuse.It is now time for domestic violence providers to begin to work with fans on what the next steps will be, said Margaret Duval, the executive director of the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic, one of the Chicago-based organizations that received donations from the #pitchin4DV effort. Agencies across the country ... are strapped for resources. Now is the time to start thinking of, what are the other ways we can engage with teams to make sure that were handling these cases appropriately?Duval also encourages teams to engage with local groups. Advocates are still learning exactly what those steps should be, but the key will be all parties working together to form real solutions. As a start, Duval said she likes educational programs similar to the ones implemented by the NBA and NFL in their respective rookie camps to make sure that they learn more about consent, that they have a better understanding of intimate partner violence and what that looks like.And while most advocates favor pre-emptive measures over punitive ones, its important for the league to enact policies that properly deal with players and their families once abuse has occurred, that they have an actual resource for the survivor and that its not the teams management that is trying to interface with law enforcement, and that the survivor has the resources that she needs, Duval said.MLB has worked with advocacy groups in shaping its new domestic violence policy, which is considered stronger than that of other leagues. The Chapman signing provides even more space, with a high-profile player, on the leagues most storied team, in the countrys largest media market, to truly effect change. A little more than two months ago, the Yankees participated in the #NotAFan campaign against domestic abuse, urging fans to wear purple and producing a PSA in which current manager Joe Girardi declared, Im a baseball fan, Im a Yankee fan. Im not a fan of domestic violence.As a baseball fan, and a Yankees fan, I hope my team can put its money where its mouth is and not just in Chapmans pocket. Cowboys Jerseys 2020 . 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. Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. https://www.cowboysjerseysale.com/ . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Cowboys Jerseys China .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Fake Cowboys Jerseys .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Just over a month after being held to single digits by an FCS team, Northwestern has solved a lot of problems offensively.Justin Jackson rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and the Wildcats moved the ball almost at will after a slow start, beating Michigan State 54-40 on Saturday night to hand the Spartans their fourth straight defeat.Clayton Thorson threw for 281 yards and three TDs for the Wildcats, who rallied from an early 14-0 deficit. Michigan State (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) is now mired in its longest losing streak in coach Mark Dantonios 10 seasons at the helm.Northwestern has won three of four since starting the season with losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State. The Wildcats managed only seven points against Illinois State, but that seems like a long time ago now that theyve scored 38 against Iowa and 54 on the defending Big Ten champions.Our guys have really been grinding, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. Earlier in the year we werent a very good team. ... We could either pout and feel sorry for ourselves and start to point fingers, or we could just stay on the grind and keep the pedal down.The Spartans hadnt lost four in a row since 2006, and this was the most points theyd allowed since a 56-21 loss to Wisconsin in 2003.Northwestern held Michigan State to 3 yards of offense in the second quarter.Theres no easy fix, Dantonio said.The Spartans made a change at quarterback for this game, starting redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke instead of Tyler OConnor, but Michigan States problems extend well beyond one position.The Spartans went back to OConnor in the third quarter, and he threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, but Michigan State couldnt stop Northwestern (3-3, 2-1) with any consistency.Solomon Vault returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter to put the Wildcats up 40-31, and the Spartans never made it closer after that.Michigan State is off to its worst start after six games since 1994, when the Spartans were 2-4 and later forfeited away the wins.TAKEAWAYSNorthwestern: The Wildcats have to be encouraged by the ease with which they shrugged off an early deficit Saturday, and although the secondary was beaten for a couple long touchdowns in the second half, Northwestern will win itts share of games if it can keep creating big holes for Jackson.ddddddddddddIt was a good one today, but I think were just showing what we can do, Thorson said. Passing the ball, running the ball, everything.Michigan State: Dantonio shook things up by starting Lewerke at quarterback, then watched his defense give up so many yards and points it didnt really matter who was throwing passes for Michigan State. The Spartans were a mess on defense and still dont block well enough on offense to put together many sustained drives.Its almost like everybodys at a loss for words, OConnor said. We feel like weve been saying everything that we think we need to fix and working as hard as we can to fix it, and everybody understands that we need to get better.OConnor did do his best to reclaim the quarterback spot with his work late in the game.NEW FACELewerke had attempted only four passes this season before becoming the first Michigan State freshman to start at quarterback since Stephen Reaves in 2004. Lewerke opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Price in the first quarter, but the offense bogged down again in the second.Dantonio was noncommittal about his quarterback situation afterward.I thought both guys obviously did some good things, and both guys obviously did some things theyd like to have back, Dantonio said. So well look at it and evaluate it.TOUGH STARTMichigan State took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Justin Layne scored on a 43-yard interception return. That was the last touchdown the Spartans scored for a while.We knew that they were going to try and knock us out early. Their backs are against the wall, Fitzgerald said. We basically got what we expected, and it was disappointing with our start, but I really loved the way our guys responded. We didnt flinch.UP NEXTNorthwestern: The Wildcats host Indiana next weekend.Michigan State: The Spartans play at Maryland on Saturday night. If you dont count games forfeited from 1994, the last time Michigan State lost five games in a row within one season was when the Spartans dropped their first five in 1991.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '