ars, three with me, Collins said.LAW RETURNSNorthwesterns NCAA hopes in some ways hinge on Law.The 6-foot-7 forward brings the athleticism and all-around gam8 reb

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Instead of going home to Kentucky, where his family had planned for him an elaborate 30th birthday party, Steve Delabar will spend the last day of his 20s in New York City as a member of the American League All-Star team. Delabar won the "Final Vote," an mlb.com and Twitter campaign for fans to select the last members of the AL and NL rosters. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is the National League winner. What a way to ring in the next decade of your life. "When we landed (in Baltimore) my phone just blew up," said Delabar, who turns 30 on Wednesday. "I had 50 texts. I flip over to Twitter and it said that Freddie Freeman myself and I are in and I was like, this is pretty cool. I just nonchalantly showed Casey (Janssen) the Twitter and he was like, youre in, congratulations buddy! Then they made an announcement on the plane and (Im thinking) this is pretty cool." Three years ago Delabar was working as a substitute teacher and an assistant high school baseball coach. The year prior, hed broken his elbow pitching in a game for the Brockton Rox, an independent league team. A steel plate and nine screws later, the surgery to repair his arm was complete. Back to playing softball with buddies, Delabar began to learn an arm strengthening program created by Jamie Evans. His intent was to teach the program to the pitchers he was coaching. Instead, he found his own velocity returning. He caught on with the Mariners in 2011 after impressing in a tryout. He was acquired by the Blue Jays on July 30, 2012, for Eric Thames. Evans is now employed by the Blue Jays as a consultant and Casey Janssen, Brett Cecil and Dustin McGowan are among the disciples of his arm strengthening program. Asked what he would have told you on a summer day in 2010 if youd suggested hed be going to the 2013 All-Star Game and Delabar laughs. "Where do I pick up my ticket," joked Delabar. "I probably would have laughed and said yeah right. I would have envisioned myself being in the softball all star game before I would be here. Its crazy the things that can happen in a short period of time and to be where I am right now and like I tell everybody, Im blessed to here." The Blue Jays bullpen, as it has for much of the season, leads the league with 327 2/3 innings pitched. Its 20 wins are ranked second in the majors and its 2.97 ERA, the only stat in this paragraph which reflects positively on the ballclub, is fourth. "Its a well deserved honour," said manager John Gibbons. "To have two guys going from your bullpen who are not in the closers role, which is very rare anyway, speaks volumes to what theyve done, the kind of years theyre having. Theyve both been real strong go-to guys and have had tremendous years." Delabar hinted that Munenori Kawasaki was his campaign manager in the lead up to the final vote. "Im happy," said Kawasaki. "Delabar and me played in Seattle together, last year in Seattle. Hes my friend. "Im watching All-Star on TV." Delabar will have his parents, Steve and Debbe, his wife, baby daughter and in-laws with him in New York. Dino Ciccarelli Stars Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Craig Hartsburg Stars Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/tyler-seguin-hockey-jersey/ . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Esa Lindell Stars Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Julius Honka Stars Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. EVANSTON, Ill. -- Bryant McIntosh sees the progress.The star point guard endured a losing season as a freshman and was a big reason why Northwestern set a school regular-season record with 20 wins a year ago.Now as he enters his junior season, McIntosh sees no reason why the Wildcats cant continue their climb.The experiences that Ive gone through the past two years, it keeps telling me its our time, its my time, McIntosh said.The Wildcats are counting on McIntosh to help them continue the progress they have made under coach Chris Collins and maybe -- at long last -- lead them to their first NCAA Tournament. Northwestern went 20-12 overall and 8-10 in conference play to finish ninth in the Big Ten a year ago.In McIntosh , the Wildcats boast one of the Big Tens top point guards.He set a school record with 213 assists and ranked second in the Big Ten -- ninth nationally -- at 6.7 per game last season. McIntosh is also the teams top returning scorer after averaging 13.8 points.I wouldnt trade Bryant for any other guard in college basketball, Collins said. I love the kid. Hes been with me since day one. He committed to us and has been there, and weve given him the ball as a freshman. Hes done nothing but get better and better every year.Here are some things to look for from the Wildcats:STEADY PROGRESSNorthwestern appears to be headed in the right direction, going from 14-19 to 15-17 to 20-12 in Collins three seasons. But the question remains. Can Northwestern, the host of the first Final Four in 1939 -- reach the NCAA tourney?I think you cant let your mind wander to March, Collins said. I think you have to understand the games in November and December are just as important as the ones in late February and early March.ddddddddddddCollins thought the Wildcats were in good position to challenge the NCAA drought last year. Losing forward Vic Law for the season to a shoulder injury and center Alex Olah (foot) missing time damaged their chances.PARDON HIMNorthwestern planned to redshirt center Dererk Pardon as a freshman last season. Olahs injury changed that.Pardon wound up averaging 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 20 games. Now that Olah is gone, Northwestern is counting on bigger things from him.I think hes ready to take that role on. Alex Olah has been such a constant in our program the last four years, three with me, Collins said.LAW RETURNSNorthwesterns NCAA hopes in some ways hinge on Law.The 6-foot-7 forward brings the athleticism and all-around game that could go a long way toward determining how far the Wildcats go. A highly touted recruit, Law averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot 35.5 percent on 3-pointers as freshman in 2014-15.TWO TIMENorthwestern needs to find a scoring threat to pair with McIntosh in the backcourt, now that last years leading scorer Tre Demps is gone. That could be up to junior Scottie Lindsey, who shot just under 41 percent on 3-pointers last season. Law might also be a possibility.OVERHAUL COMINGSay goodbye to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a while.The 63-year-old facility is in for a $110 million renovation after this season, with chair-back seats replacing wooden bleachers, premium seating, wider concourses and updated audio and video systems. While the arena gets a makeover, the Wildcats will play home games during the 2017-18 season at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. ' ' '