Kartentausch » opener against the Mets

HOUSTON -- Tracy McGrady wants to follow Michael Jordans path to the national pastime. The retired seven-time NBA All-Star is aiming to become a baseball player, and plans to try pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. Thats the same team that Roger Clemens pitched for a couple of years ago. Jordan famously played in the Chicago White Sox organization in 1994 during his first retirement from basketball, reaching the Double-A level. A statement from the Skeeters says that it is a "lifelong dream" of McGradys to play baseball. "McGrady has demonstrated skill, determination and diligence during his training program," the statement said. "We look forward to monitoring his progress." The 34-year-old McGrady played for several teams, including the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. He last played in the NBA in the 2011-12 season. The Skeeters last made national headlines when Clemens pitched two games for them in 2012 at age 50. McGrady made seven consecutive All-Star games from 2001-07. The 6-foot-8 McGrady, natural right-hander, was drafted out of high school with the ninth overall pick in 1997 by the Toronto Raptors. He spent his first three seasons with the Raptors before becoming a star with the Magic. He spent four years with the Magic and led the NBA scoring in both the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. He then joined the Rockets where he teamed with Yao Ming to help Houston to three playoff appearances. McGrady played for the Knicks, Detroit and Atlanta after a six-year stint with the Rockets. He retired with more than 18,000 points and more than 5,000 rebounds in his career. Air Max Plus Italia . While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month. Scarpe Nike Outlet Italia .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup. http://www.scontatescarpenikeoutlet.it/.com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. Saucony Saldi . Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. Vapormax Saldi . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson.VIERA, Fla. -- Stephen Strasburg says hes "ready to rock." Even so, the Washington Nationals arent rushing his spring debut. Strasburg isnt scheduled to pitch in the Nationals first two exhibition games. The team hasnt announced when Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez or Doug Fister will make their first appearances this spring. "Its just kind of the way it stacks up," Nationals manager Matt Williams said Wednesday. "Theres no meaning behind it one way or the other. Its how he feels and how we stack that rotation." "Ive talked with (pitching coach Steve McCatty) a lot about it and its just kind of the way it falls," he said. Williams added things will likely change following the teams off-day on March 18. Thats when the Nationals could start setting up their rotation for the regular season. The Nationals will open exhibition play Friday in Port St. Lucie against the New York Mets with Taylor Jordan getting the start. Jordan Zimmermann is set to start in Washingtons spring home opener against Atlanta on Saturday. Strasburg is listed for a bullpen session Saturday. Asked about his schedule, Strasburg replied: "Im not really sure right now. ... Talk to the guys who make the schedule.&quoot; Strasburg should make his first appearance of the spring next week.dddddddddddd Neither he nor the team seemed to be too concerned about when that will be. "He is perfectly fine," Williams said. "He feels great. Hes ready to go on the day that he pitches." The 25-year-old right-hander, who went 8-9 with a 3.00 ERA last season, made clear that there are no health issues for him. "I feel good," he said. "Ready to rock." Strasburg threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday and looked strong. He is continuing to work on his slider this spring. "Its good," he said. "I feel different when I throw a good one and when I throw a bad one. I got some good results. The hitters said it looked good." NOTES: The Nationals posted their lineup for Fridays spring opener against the Mets and none of their three starting outfielders -- Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Denard Span -- will be making the trip. ... RHP Drew Storen threw his first live batting practice of the spring. ... RHP Clay Hensley hit INF Anthony Rendon on the hip with a breaking ball during his live BP session and apologized immediately. "My bad. Sorry, dude," Hensley said. ' ' '