ill return to the promotion to face Kendall Grove on Oct. 21 in Memphis.Bell

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss toughing it out, David Stern, A-Rod and, yet again, Lance Armstrong. Bruce Arthur, Globe and Mail: My thumb is up to Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins. After Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final he stood in the Bruins dressing room and enumerated his injuries: broken rib, torn rib cartilage, torn muscles around his ribs and – by the way – hed separated his shoulder at the beginning of the game. One thing he didnt tell us was that hed been having a little bit of trouble breathing and went to the hospital and he had a small hole in his lung, either from the rib or from – and this is what worries me – the painkilling needle that allowed him to play. Now, well never know whether or not Bergeron would have gotten on a plane after Game 6 to play Game 7 had Boston held on, We dont know if he would have had a collapsed lung. Were not even talking about the fact that Jonathan Toews played through a concussion. Playing through injuries is amazing. Its incredible, its laudable, but theres a line. Bergeron came very close to crossing it. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is up to David Stern, for the manner in which he handled his 30th and final NBA Draft. Stern smiled that comfortable, warm smile of his – the anti-Bettman – as he was booed incessantly by fans in Brooklyn and he seemed to take it all in and enjoy it. One time he even said “I cant hear you.” Stern handled himself so well that when it came time for him to introduce the last pick, he got a standing ovation. At an NBA Draft that was supposed to have no stars, to be a weak draft, the star of the night turned out to be the out-going Commissioner. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is down to Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees for the on-going saga. This one started on Twitter – the worlds most dangerous form of communication – on Tuesday when Rodriguez said: ‘great, Im coming back. Brian Cashman – the general manager said ‘shut up, or words to that effect. Brian Cashman does work blue. The problem with Alex Rodriguez is not Alex Rodriguez, right now its that the Yankees are terrible and they need Rodriguez and at some point this thing needs to get settled and he needs to get back to the Bronx and get healthy. Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is down, yet again, to Lance Armstrong, and yet again to cycling and its glamour event, the Tour de France. Armstrong rained on the tours 100th parade this week by saying hes still the greatest of all time. Never mind the doping that allowed him to win seven titles, the doping that he considered "part of the sport, part of the job." Oprah was enough. Who wants to hear him give the same interview time and again? Not the Tour de France. But it and cyclings governing body should refrain from blasting Armstrong, as if he continues to ruin the reputation of a sport that deserves better. Dont Armstrong and cycling need to stop blaming each other and start blaming themselves? Or better still, they need to just keep quiet. Stitched Blue Jays Jerseys . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Blue Jays Jerseys 2020 . PAUL, Minn. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Toronto Blue Jays Shirts . PAUL, Minn. Blue Jays Jerseys China . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Former Bellator MMA middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko will return to the promotion to face Kendall Grove on Oct. 21 in Memphis.Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed the 185-pound matchup to ESPN.com. The fight will take place at a televised event inside FedEx Forum.Additionally, heavyweight Bobby Lashley (14-2) will make his first appearance of 2016. An official opponent is expected to be announced shortly.Shlemenko (53-9) has not fought for Bellator since February 2015, when he knocked out Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 133. The Russian tested positive for banned substances in his post-fight test and was originally suspended three years by the California State Athletic Commission.Last month, the California Superior Court reduced Shlemenkos suspension to one year, based on an original CSAC notification letter that stated Shlemenko only faced a one-year suspension.ddddddddddddDespite his suspension in the U.S., Shlemenko has fought twice this year overseas. He defeated Vyacheslav Vasilevsky in back-to-back fights, in February and June, winning both.Grove (23-15), a former UFC veteran, is on a two-fight winning streak.According to Bellator officials, Association of Boxing Commissions president Mike Mazzulli will provide regulatory support for the Memphis event. ' ' '