CHICAGO -- Commissioner Rob Manfred says baseball wants to study high-profile positions within the sport to see if certain qualifications predict success, a step that has everything to do with minority hiring.Baseball had no Latino managers before Rick Renteria took over the Chicago White Sox last month. Dusty Baker of the Washington Nationals and Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only black skippers among the leagues 30 teams.But there were 10 minority managers as recently as 2009, according to Richard Lapchick of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida.Certain perceptions develop as to what people are looking for in particular positions and then people write stories saying, `Oh, thats a problem on the minority front because, you know, maybe minorities are less likely to share these characteristics, Manfred said Thursday at the conclusion of two days of owners meetings.I think a first step in addressing those concerns is identifying which ones really matter and then you start to identify candidates who have all those qualifications and say, hey this may be the perfect guy for you and I have some science behind it in order to demonstrate that he is the best candidate, or she.Major League Baseball hired Korn Ferry last year in part to help top minority candidates in their interviews for positions in baseball operations. But Manfred said the search firm is going to focus on openings for individual clubs when its retained because of the potential for conflicts when it works for the central office and teams at the same time.When the White Sox announced Renterias promotion, they highlighted his ability to communicate in English and Spanish. But Manfred said there are all sorts of factors that could be considered.You could name probably 20 things off the top of your head, he said. The question is, once youve named them, do any of them really predict success on the field?While MLB briefed the owners on baseballs highly successful postseason and the upcoming World Baseball Classic, the ongoing labor talks with the players occupied a significant portion of the meetings at a downtown Chicago hotel, already decked out in its best Christmas decorations.The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. Negotiators for owners and players have been meeting since spring training.I remain optimistic that were going to make a deal, Manfred said. This process is not predictable in terms of time. I said there were certain natural deadlines out there. The beginning of the market was one and the expiration of the agreements another, and Im hopeful that were going to get a deal done before that latter deadline.Manfred declined to address any details from the bargaining sessions, but he said an international amateur draft remains on the table.Manfred also touched on several other fronts with the sport and the owners quarterly meetings:-The owners approved changes with the leadership structures in Oakland and Philadelphia, with John Fisher becoming the control person of the Athletics and John Middleton taking over the same position with the Phillies. The As announced that Lew Wolff will be transitioning from managing partner to chairman emeritus, and that he had agreed to sell most of his interest to the remaining owners.Fisher and Middleton each controlled the biggest stake in their specific teams before taking over their new roles.I think the ownership committee has a strong preference that the individuals who are either the largest or one of the largest equity owners in clubs be the individual who is the baseball control person, Manfred said.-Manfred also reacted to supermodel Kate Uptons online support of fiance Justin Verlander after the Detroit Tigers ace finished second to Bostons Rick Porcello in voting for the AL Cy Young Award. Verlander was left off the ballot by two voters, prompting a series of tweets by Upton that were widely circulated on social media.The particular content of the tweet Im not going to comment on, a chuckling Manfred said. I do think that engagement on social media by players and people close to players is important in todays world. I think that it brings attention to the sport at a point during the year when its our offseason and we have less going on.-The Cubs first World Series title since 1908 helped generate great ratings during the playoffs, and there is talk around the sport about how to build on the success from the postseason.Were not going to have the Cubs and 108 years every year, Manfred said. But I think there are lots of compelling baseball stories that can help us produce the kind of postseason popularity that we enjoyed this year.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Anthony Firkser Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Eddie George Jersey .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. http://www.cheaptitansjerseyssale.com/?tag=dane-cruikshank-jersey-sale . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Brett Kern Jersey . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Kendrick Lewis Jersey . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore has a confession to make over what happened against New England last weekend.And no, it has nothing to do with whether the he was responsible for covering Chris Hogan when the Patriots receiver beat him up the left sideline and scored on a 53-yard touchdown.I didnt get burned, Gilmore said Thursday, reiterating what he told reporters following the game. Busted coverage. It wasnt my fault.What Gilmore regrets is how he let loose his frustrations by snapping at safety Jonathan Meeks in the end zone immediately after Hogan scored in New Englands 41-25 victory .I shouldnt have reacted that way, he said.Gilmore said his outburst was a reflection of the competitor in him, and not an indication of whatever stress he might be feeling in attempting to prove he deserves to be counted among the NFLs elite cornerbacks.Its an assertion the fifth-year player made several times this offseason. And its one Gilmore repeated this week, when accepting how much focus is being placed on what he might be worth after his contract expires in March.Im one of the best corners in the league, so I can take it, Gilmore said, in striking a defiant pose with both hands on his hips at his locker during an interview with The Associated Press.The self-confidence Gilmore has isnt wavering, even while questions are being raised over his production halfway through the season, and with Buffalo (4-4) traveling to play Seattle (4-2-1) on Monday night.He and the rest of the Bills defensive secondary was picked apart by Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had 374 yards passing and a touchdown in New Yorks 37-31 win on Sept. 15.Gilmore also appeared to struggle in a 30-19 win at Los Angeles, when Tavon Austin beat him for a 31-yard gain up the left sideline.And then there was last weekend, when Tom Brady had 315 yards passing and four touchdowns.Overall, Gilmore has been credited with seven passes defensed and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions.Football Outsiders has Gilmore rated 158th among NFL cornerbacks in havving allowed 12.dddddddddddd5 yards per reception. And yet, its difficult to rate a cornerbacks production because it doesnt take into account what his responsibilities were on each play.Gilmore dismisses his critics.I dont really care about what people say on the outside, because when my coach comes in and says it wasnt my fault, then it wasnt my fault, he said. People on the outside dont mean nothing to me, so whatever.As for assessing the first half of the season, Gilmore calls it, pretty OK, with the only low point coming against the Jets.Coach Rex Ryan had a different assessment, referring to Gilmores season as being kind of up and down.Against New England, Ryan noted Gilmore was flagged twice for defensive holding and also bore some responsibility in allowing Hogans touchdown.Whether it was communication or whatever the breakdown was, it wasnt a great performance on his part, Ryan said. Im sure hed like to have some plays back.Gilmore said hes motivated to improve his performance over the final half of the season and continue tuning out his doubters.Everybody wants to play from the stands and from the internet who dont know anything about football, Gilmore said. Do I want to give up no passes? I wish I was Superman, you know.Game notes Ryan said hes leaning toward RB LeSean McCoy playing against Seattle after practicing for a second straight day. McCoy missed last weeks game with a left hamstring injury. ... DT Marcell Dareus status remains uncertain, though he practiced on a limited basis a day after being held out because of a groin injury. ... Ryan said he and several staff members traveled by rented bus to attend Game 7 of the World Series in Cleveland during the Bills day off Wednesday. Unfortunately, the group missed the final out of the Cubs 8-7 10-inning victory because they left once a rain delay began around midnight.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys China Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Near Me Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic MLB Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Throwback Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '