segment on the local news in Houston, | Forum

Following the tragic passing of Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, retiring Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz requested that the Tampa Bay Rays cancel their pregame ceremony honoring his career. Under Armour Cheap Shoes . The Rays obliged.Instead, Chris Archer and Evan Longoria of the Rays presented Ortiz his gifts in private before the game. The 40-year-old received an oil painting commemorating his 500th career home run, which he hit at Tropicana Field last year, and 34 handmade Diamond Crown Maximus cigars.Fernandez, 24, was killed in a boating accident in Florida early Sunday morning. The Rays, like the rest of major league baseball, held a moment of silence for the pitcher before their game; cameras caught tears streaming down Ortizs face.Ortiz took to Twitter on Sunday to address Fernandezs passing.Ortiz also honored Fernandez on his hat by writing 16 JF in silver marker.Fernandez was a big fan of Ortizs and famously said before this years All-Star game in San Diego that he was going to groove the slugger three fastballs down the middle of the plate in hopes that Ortiz would hit a home run off him. Facing Ortiz in the third inning, Fernandez walked him on a full count. Under Armour Wholesale China . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Cheap Under Armour Free Shipping . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. http://www.underarmourcheap.net/ . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. HOUSTON -- When 7-year-old Will Erickson penned a letter to Jeff Luhnow imploring the Houston Astros general manager to not trade George Springer, he never dreamed hed get a response.The reason was simple.Because hes busy, Will told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Will decided to write the letter when he heard the Astros could be looking for pitching this offseason and might need to trade a player such as Springer to get it. His letter was straightforward. With a few spelling errors, it said: Please dont trade George Springer these are the reasons 1. He is my favorite player 2. I get my hair cut like his 3. He is a team leader.It turns out that Luhnow wasnt too busy to take some time to get back to the second-grader.?Will said it took him about 15 minutes to write the letter. He decided after a recent letter-writing project at school that it would be cool to write instead of sending an email. He wasnt nervous about reaching out to a baseball executive, despite being in elementary school.No, because it was just a letter -- not like talking, Will said.He has been to quite a few Astros games and loves the work of Springer, who is an outfielder.I like how he robs homers and hits home runs, Will said.During the week, Wills bedtime is 8 p.m., so he isnt able to watch much of Astros games live, as they begin at 7:10 p.m. But he DVRs every game and watches his beloved Springers work from the night before after school each day.As for the haircut, Will decided to change his hairstyle after sseeing Springers cool do, which has shaved sides and is longer on top. Under Armour Outlet Store. It was supposed to be for only a little while, according to Wills parents, but now they cant get him to change it and say its part of his personality.Theres no curls [on mine], but its the same, Will said.After Luhnow tweeted Wills letter, it got a lot of attention on the internet, with scores of people retweeting it and dozens of news stories written about it. Wills father discussed the letter in a segment on the local news in Houston, and Wills teacher played the segment in class Wednesday.They called me famous, Will said of his classmates.Will hasnt met Springer but is a little worried about how hell respond if he ever gets the chance.If I saw him, I would faint, he said.When he isnt talking trades with baseball executives, Will is a typical elementary school boy. He plays little league baseball and fit his first interview in between school and a trip to see Santa Claus at a nearby Christmas village.Its not much of a surprise what he planned to ask Jolly Old Saint Nick for on Wednesday. He wants real snow or a baseball lesson from Springer at Minute Maid Park.Both are a tall order, but considering Will lives in a place where temperatures in December can soar into the 70s, his parents arent sure which wish is more unlikely.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '