Its probably time to eject skipper from the baseball lexicon. The word is just too inadequate. The modern manager is so much more than the captain of a ship. He is a counselor, a teacher, a leader, a thinker, a storyteller, a cheerleader and a bearer of news, both good and bad.If theres one thing this epic World Series has demonstrated, its that the Cubs and Indians are here because of their managers. Its not just a coincidence that two storied Midwestern franchises with Cs on their uniforms are facing each other in the seventh game, hoping to finally write a happy ending. Its also a dazzling demonstration of how the manager has evolved in modern baseball.Joe Maddon and Terry Francona are both Italian-American, both close to their families, both from small, working-class, Pennsylvania towns. Theyre not exactly alike -- the ready-for-his-close-up Joe likes fine wine; the self-effacing Tito fondly recalls Boones Farm -- but they share a sensibility for their players, a willingness to think outside the box and a gift for expressing their thoughts honestly and humorously.Take the obligatory news conferences they gave before Game 6. Asked how Cleveland has differed from Boston, with which he won two championships, Francona said, I mean, there were a lot of times [in Boston] I thought my name was, You Suck because thats all I ever heard.Maddon used the forum to make a proposal: I think there should be two forms of Twitter. There should be the positive form of Twitter and the negative form, and you have to choose one ... There needs to be Twitter police because theres so much negativity thats generated on a daily basis.They are both turning postseason baseball into a breathtaking battle of wits. Jim Leyland, the longtime manager who helped bridge old school to new school, knows them well.They have been brilliant, he said. The way theyve used their bullpens, the way theyve focused on the importance of that nights game ... Im enjoying the hell out of this.Cubs president Theo Epstein, who hired Francona over Maddon when he made him the Red Sox manager in 2004, then hired Maddon when he became available after the 2015 season, sees similar basic qualities in both men.They both allow players to be themselves, and theyre not afraid to turn convention on its head, Epstein said. Oh, there are differences. Joe believes in balancing baseball with outside experiences, and Tito loves nothing more than to get to the clubhouse early. But they treat their players with respect, and thats whats made them so successful.On the face of it, Francona had the harder challenge in getting the Indians here; they were 68-94 before he took over in 2013. Now theyre looking for their first World Series title since 1948. The Cubs were built to win by the time Maddon took over. But they also were on a 0-108 streak when it came to winning world championships, and more to the point, they were down three games to one after Game 4.In the seventh inning of Game 5, up 3-2 but facing a man on and one out, Maddon brought in closer Aroldis Chapman?and let him finish the game. The move was preceded by a few days of gentle persuasion to convince Chapman that he could pitch multiple innings -- precisely what Francona has asked Andrew Miller to do throughout these playoffs (so often, in fact, that it earned Miller the ALCS MVP trophy).Yes, Maddons was a gutsy decision, but it was done with consideration and respect. When he saw the same moment of crisis in the seventh inning of Game 6, with the Cubs leading 7-2, he did it again -- damn the second-guessers.These two really dont care what you think. At this point, they care only about winning, and therein lies the shame of this World Series. As someone who has known Francona since he was a rookie outfielder with the Montreal Expos in 1981, I cant help but root for him. I can still see him going up to each of his Red Sox players after they beat the Indians in the 2007 ALCS and whispering his thanks in their ears. Nor can I help but hope that Maddon is the manager who finally breaks the Cubs curse; his joy for life and baseball are a constant inspiration.For now, its on to Game 7. After the Cubs 9-3 win in Game 6, Francona said, It will be exciting to come to the ballpark tomorrow. Shoot, I just might wear my uniform home.For his part, Maddon said, Both sides have played really good baseball. Its just correct and apt that wed go seven games.May the best team win. It might be hard to find better men, though. Disocunt NBA Jerseys . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. 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The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger.Which goalkeeper will come out on top when Manchester United host Arsenal live on Sky Sports on Saturday? We analyse the key battle between David de Gea and Petr Cech. The first Premier League game after the international break sees Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger go head to head at Old Trafford. With both sides boasting an array of attacking options, the performances of the men between the posts may prove to have a big say on who leaves the stadium with three points. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass David de Gea has won Manchester Uniteds Player of the Year award in each of the last three seasons. The 26-year-old Spain international has kept four Premier League clean sheets this season, a tally only bettered by Chelseas Thibaut Courtois who has kept six. Since joining United in June 2011, only Joe Hart (77) has made more shut-outs than De Gea (65) in the Premier League. After a proposed transfer to Real Madrid fell through last summer, De Gea dusted himself down, signed a new contract, and continued the excellent form that has made him one of the worlds best goalkeepers. Premier League clean sheets since 2011 Rank Player Clean sheets 1st Joe Hart 77 2nd David De Gea 65 3rd Petr Cech 64 4th Simon Mignolet 56 5th Tim Howard 51 Since being reinstated to the team in September 2015, he has kept more Premier League clean sheets than any other goalkeeper. His total of 19 is one higher than Petr Cechs. He has also managed to usurp Iker Casillas as Spains No 1 and won an FA Cup winners medal, too.De Gea has a good record against Arsenal. He saved a Robin van Persie penalty with the score at 1-0 in his first appearance against the Gunners in August 2011. The save proved crucial as United went on to record an emphatic 8-2 victory. Premier League clean sheets since September 2015 Rank Player Clean sheets 1st David De Gea 19 2nd Petr Cech 18 3rd Kasper Schmeichel 17 4th Hugo Lloris 16 5th Heurelho Gomes 12 De Gea has won five of his nine Premier League appearances against the Gunners in total, keeping two clean sheets in the process. His only defeat came 13 months ago when he conceded three goals in the first 19 minutes at the Emirates Stadium. David De Gea has proven himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world In the opposite goal is a player De Geas manager Jose Mourinho knows very well. Cech was one of Mourinhos first signings at Chelsea in 2004 and was a member of the squad that won seven trophies under his management. When Roman Abramovich allowed Cech to join Arsenal in 2015, Mourinho said publicly that he wanted to keep the 34-year-old. Petr Cech has impressed for Arsenal this season Cech has enjoyed regular success when facing United. He made his debut in English football in Chelseas 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in August 2004. Saturday will be his 30th appearance against the Red Devils and his 20th in the Premier League. Premier League clean sheets against Man Utd Rank Player Clean sheets 1st= Petr Cech 6 1st= David Seaman 6 3rd= Brad Friedel 5 3rd= Joe Hart 5 5th= Tim Howard 4 5th= David James 4 5th= Tim Krul 4 His total of six Premier League clean sheets is a joint record against United and on Saturday he is looking to become the first away goalkeeper to keep three clean sheets at Old Trafford.dddddddddddd Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price As well as keeping a Premier League record 182 clean sheets, Cech averages the fewest games per shut-out in Premier League history at 2.08. Best clean sheet records in Premier League history Rank Player Clean sheets Games per clean sheet 1st Petr Cech 182 2.08 2nd Pepe Reina 134 2.13 3rd Edwin van der Sar 132 2.36 4th Peter Schmeichel 128 2.42 5th David Seaman 140 2.46 6th Carlo Cudicini 64 2.52 7th Joe Hart 119 2.54 8th David de Gea 65 2.71 9th Nigel Martyn 137 2.72 10th Jens Lehmann 54 2.74 Cech has lost only one of his last eight appearances against United, but he has not always had success against Saturdays opponents. Most memorably, Cechs Chelsea side were beaten on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! 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