nd round,oing to be a fun ride. Dunn has also played with the Cincinnati Re

When James Shields throws the first pitch of the American League Wild Card game, two of Major League Baseballs longest active playoff droughts will end. Oakland Athletics first baseman Adam Dunn, acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago White Sox, has played 2,001 regular season games without appearing in the postseason, while the Kansas City Royals have not escaped the regular season since their World Series title in 1985. Its what you work for your whole professional baseball career, Dunn said in the locker room after the Athletics clinched their place in the playoffs. Its going to be a fun ride. Dunn has also played with the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals over the course of his 14-year career, all franchises that have had success since 2000, but never during a time that the 34-year-old slugger was a member of the organization. That will change when he appears in the Wild Card game with the Athletics. Hes always done it the right way, said Athletics starter Jeff Samardzija, who also joined the team during the season in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Played every day, never complained, never whined. To have a guy like him on this team when we were going through what we were going through was outstanding. The Houston native will now pass the mantle of longest playoff drought to former teammate Alex Rios who has spent 1,586 regular season games in MLB without playing in the playoffs with his current team the Texas Rangers, as well as the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Meanwhile, Bret Saberhagen retiring Andy Van Slyke in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 of the 1985 World Series was the last time the Royals have contested a playoff game. Shields, who will get the iconic start for the Royals, is ready for the spotlight. When I came over here, I knew exactly what was going on, said Shields who has appeared previously in the playoffs with the Tampa Bay Rays. I knew that this citys been wanting a championship team for a long time, and a playoff team. Hopefully we did the city proud. Weve got a long way to go still, but were going to keep grinding. Only 15 of the 36 players that were on the Royals active roster when they clinched the playoff spot were alive when the Royals faced the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series. With their 29-year drought finally ended, the unfortunate distinction of having the longest playoff absence falls to the Toronto Blue Jays , who have not played in the postseason since capturing their second consecutive World Series title in 1993. AL-Wild Card Game Notes: Athletics at Royals a€“ 8:07pm et/5:07pm pt. -Athletics: won all 3 postseason meetings vs Royals (swept 1981 Division Series) -Athletics: 0-6 in winner-take-all games under GM Billy Beane (last win in winner-take-all game was Game 7 of 1973 World Series) -Athletics: lost 10 of last 14 postseason games -Athletics: FROM ELIAS - .433 post All-Star Break win percentage, worst by a team that made the postseason since 1933 (1st year of All-Star Game) -Jon Lester (OAK): 1.97 ERA (16 ER/73 IP) in 11 career postseason starts; 3-0 over last 3 postseason starts -Lester: 9-3, 1.84 ERA (18 ER/88 IP) in 13 career starts vs Royals; 3-0, 2.61 ERA (6 ER/20.2 IP) in 3 starts vs Royals this season -Josh Reddick (OAK): 3 HR, 5 RBI in 22 career AB vs James Shields -Royals: 1st postseason appearance since 1985 (won World Series) -James Shields (KC): 2-4, 4.98 ERA (19 ER/34.1 IP) in 6 career postseason starts; 11 ER allowed in 9 1/3 IP over last 2 postseason starts -Shields: 2.03 ERA (7 ER/31 IP) in last 4 starts vs Athletics after allowing 10 ER in 4 IP in final start vs them in 2011 -Royals: 6-9 in 15 home starts made by James Shields this season (15-4 in 19 road starts) Cheap Air Max 97 Nz Free Shipping . After losing Brett Cecil to groin tightness on Friday, the Blue Jays watched as R. Cheap Air Max 97 Nz Sale . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs. http://www.cheapairmax97nz.com/. -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch. Cheap Air Max 97 Nz Clearance . Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. Cheap Air Max 97 Nz .com) - Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is joining the Major League Baseball Players Association staff as a senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have cut Jordan Palmer, making Jimmy Clausen the backup quarterback behind Jay Cutler. The Bears also released linebacker Jordan Senn and wide receiver Darius Reynaud on Sunday, leaving them with 78 players on their roster. Clausen signed with Chicago in June and woon the backup job with a solid camp.dddddddddddd He appeared in 13 games for Carolina from 2010 to 2013 after starring at Notre Dame. Clausen made 10 starts as a rookie and threw for 1,558 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions in a 2-14 season. The Panthers drafted Cam Newton the following April. ' ' '