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TAMPA, Fla. - A day after Ryan Braun, Joe Mauer and Team USA again failed to reach the championship game in the World Baseball Classic, there was plenty of talk around the sport about what this latest loss meant.

MIAMI - As a reward for their latest victory, the Dominicans get a World Baseball Classic rematch against the team that eliminated them in 2009.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Marc-Andre Fleury couldn't help it.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - That scruffy beard Cole Hamels has been sporting this spring training will be gone by the time the Philadelphia Phillies open the regular season. Hamels plans to look his best for his first career opening-day start.

FARAYA, Lebanon - When three-time Olympian Chirine Njeim hits the slopes in the United States or Europe, somebody inevitably asks the questions.

The Victoria Grizzlies drew first blood in Round 1 of the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Hockey League playoffs on Friday night at Bear Mountain Arena — a thirsty-looking lot who snapped a six-game winless stretch over the last half-dozen regular-season games.

They have their sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ West season, their Florida trip and even their annual Keg Cup spring tournament, but there’s always one particular game members of the University of Victoria Vikes men’s soccer team have circled on their calendars.

The offensively challenged Everett Silvertips were just what the doctor ordered for the depleted and struggling Victoria Royals.

MONTREAL - There wasn't much of Patrick (The Predator) Cote's face visible under the woollen cap he wore against Montreal's cold, but it was still hard not to miss his bearded smile.

SURPRISE, Ariz. - George Brett juggles three baseballs near the mound of a practice field, then loosens up his right arm and delivers a pitch to Mike Moustakas to start off batting practice.