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The Toronto Blue Jays conclude the interleague portion of their schedule over the next three days, with three games in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs came into being in 1998 and appear destined to finish second in the AL West after the Tsunami that is the Los Angeles Dodgers swept over them. I thought it might be interesting to see what the D-backs have done over their 16 years compared to what the Blue Jays have done over their past 16 campaigns. The numbers are just this side of startling. Over the last 16 years, including 2013, the Jays cumulative record is 1278-1287. Arizona has a very slight edge at 1279-1285. So what you appear to have on the surface is two mediocre, somewhat underachieving clubs. But the year to year records and accomplishments tell a somewhat different story. Over its 16 year history, the D-Backs have finished in first place in the National League West five times. They also won the National League Championship once, and the World Series in 2001 in a classic seven game victory over the Yankees. Arizona has also finished second twice (probably a third time this year), third place three times, fourth place once and four times in fifth place. In just their second year of existence, the Diamondbacks reached 100 victories -- a total the Blue Jays have never attained. In their fourth year, they won 92 games and won a World Series quicker than any franchise in Major League history. After drawing over three million fans in three of their first five years, theyve off to where they hover around the two million mark, as they have over the past five seasons. The D-Backs have been no strangers to change. Theyve had two principle owners in Jerry Colangelo, and since 2004, Ken Kendrick. Theyve had five general managers over 15-plus season, including the current boss Kevin Towers. Theyve also had six managers; the most successful of which has been one-time Blue Jays catcher Bob Brenly, who led the D-Backs to two division titles and their lone World Series victory. To contrast, this with the Blue Jays over the past 16 years, the Jays have two ownership groups, Interbrew and Rogers, three GMs in Gord Ash, J.P Ricciardi and now Alex Anthopoulos. The Blue Jays have also had eight managers, including John Gibbons twice. Over that same 16 year span, though, the Blue Jays have finished in third place eight times, fourth place five times and fifth place twice if you count this year with four weeks to go. The bright light was in 2006, under John Gibbons, where the Jays finished in second place. Arizona also showed a propensity for the big turnaround. In 2010, they finished in last place. The following year, they jumped all the way to first place. The 29 game improvement from 2010 to 2011 is tied for third best since 1998. Its interesting both teams have changed the name of their ballparks; Arizona went from Bank One Ballpark to now Chase Field. The Jays went from Skydome to the Rogers Centre. There are other connections between these two franchises. In the 97 expansion draft, Arizona chose right hander Marty Janzen and lefty Omar Daal from the Blue Jays. Dahl went on to throw the first shutout in D-backs history on July 30, 1998; a four-hitter against the Cubs at Bank One Ballpark. Another ex-Blue Jay, Todd Stottlemyre, picked up Arizonas first ever post-season victory on October 6, 1998. He tossed a four-hitter over six and 2/3rd innings in a 7-1 victory over the New York Mets. Two other former Jays 2nd basemen figured into hitting marks with the D-Backs. Kelly Johnson hit for the cycle against the Giants on July 23, 2010, then current second sacker Aaron Hill hit for the cycle in 11 days last season -- June 18th versus Seattle and June 29th at Milwaukee. Brooklyns Babe Herman is the only other player in the modern era to accomplish that feat, and he hit for the cycle three times in his career. An ex-Diamondback holds a couple of Blue Jays power hitting records as well. Tony Batista, who spent less than three full years in Toronto, slugged 26 homers as the shortstop and 41 homers as a third baseman -- both franchise records for those positions. Considering the overall records are nearly identical, its not easy to explain why the Diamondbacks have won five division titles in 16 years and the Blue Jays have none. Part of it is the Blue Jays are playing in the tougher American League East. But thats not even as true as it once was, with the Dodgers spending the way they are and the Giants having won two of the last three World Series. This, another one of those stats that really sticks out. Since 2008, Tampa Bay has only used 19 starting pitchers. Speaking of the Rays, theyre sitting three-and-a-half games ahead of the Yankees in the race for that second Wild Card slot in the American. The Rays have 27 more games left, one more than the Yankees. In terms of the teams they are playing, the Rays have the slightly easier schedule. However, Tampa Bay plays only 11 of those remaining 27 at home. They are currently on a western swing with seven to play, including four against the Angeles and three against Seattle. Their only three remaining games with the Yanks are in New York from September 24 through to the 26th. The Yankees, on the other hand, still have seven games left with Boston, including four at home this week. Joe Girardi and company also wind up the season with three games in Houston against the lowly Astros. The Rays, meanwhile, play their final three at Rogers Centre against the Blue Jays. Its going to be a very interesting race indeed. Cheap Kansas City Chiefs Gear . The Oilers jumped into the free agent market early by signing defencemen Keith Aulie (six-foot-six, 228 pounds) and Mark Fayne (6-3, 210 pounds) and left-winger Benoit Pouliot (6-3, 197-pounds). Two days earlier MacTavish traded lightweight forward Sam Gagner to Tampa Bay for 6-3, 203-pound right winger Ted Purcell. Custom Chiefs Jerseys . It was a loss. But it was also a learning experience. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson had 24 points each to lift Brooklyn to a 94-87 win over the Raptors, making their first playoff appearance since 08. "I thought we played a little bit as expected as it is our first playoff game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. http://www.cheapchiefs.com/. Roy says he will know more about Duchenes potential playing status Sunday. Duchene has been out since damaging the MCL in his left knee when he ran into a teammate against San Jose on March 29. Hes been skating on his own all week, before joining the team Saturday hours before a pivotal game in a series tied at 2. Wholesale Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . -- Coyotes coach Dave Tippett thinks of one thing when he watches Eastern Conference teams struggle against Western opponents before they get to Phoenix: His team must keep pace. Authentic Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . -- The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Brandon Lyon that includes an invitation to their big league camp for spring training.LONDON - When European footballs January transfer window opens for business on Wednesday, the market is expected to have a slow start. In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Chasing their first league title in 10 years, the Gunners are reportedly looking for a forward to add to France international Olivier Giroud, who ended a seven-match scoring drought with the winner at Newcastle on Sunday, ensuring that his club starts 2014 at the top. Although Giroud said Arsenal has sufficient attacking options for the remainder of the season with himself, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted he could be tempted to sign a couple of new players. After failing to lure Luis Suarez, Wenger wont bid again for the Uruguay striker, who signed a new deal with Liverpool this month. "We are, as many clubs, certainly on alert. If something special turns up, we will not turn it down," Wenger said. "But we are not as well desperate because we have a big depth in our squad." Lagging two points behind Arsenal in the standings, Chelsea could also be looking for extra firepower after Samuel Etoo, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres scored only six goals between them in the league so far this season. With Ba, Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne possibly leaving, British media reported that Chelsea and Liverpool have held discussions about the possible arrival of Suarez at Stamford Bridge that could make up for Jose Mourinhos failure to sign Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney in the off-season. While a Suarez move to Chelsea looks highly unlikely, Monaco forward Radamel Falcao is a more realistic target for Mourinho, with the Colombian reportedly unhappy in the French league. Xabi Alonso has also been linked with a move to the Blues. After a shaky start to the season, defending champion Manchester United haas managed to limit the damages with four consecutive wins and trails Arsenal by eight points going into the new year.dddddddddddd David Moyes has not been able to replace Paul Scholes and is in need of a creative midfielder. The Red Devils manager could make a 50 million pound ($82 million) offer for Everton marvel Ross Barkley. Avoiding the drop to the second-tier League Championship is crucial, with topflight teams boosted by increased revenues. And last-place Sunderland will beef up its defence with Marcos Alonso, who will join from Fiorentina until the end of the season. "Marcos is a player that I have known well for a very long time," Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said. "He was desperate to come and play for Sunderland and he is a player I am excited to work with." Staying among the elite is also vital for West Ham. The London club is languishing in 19th place after scoring only 18 goals in 19 matches and signed 18-year-old striker Jaanai Gordon from Peterborough. Everything looks relatively quiet in Spain, too. Barcelona seems more concerned with getting Lionel Messi healthy again for the second half of the season, and will probably be more than content to have its star forward playing at full speed again. The only possible big move would be Barcelona signing a replacement for goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has said he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. Atletico Madrid is reportedly reinforcing its title challenge by bringing in midfielder Jose Sosa from Metalist. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is expected to confirm in the coming days that he will be leaving for Bayern Munich at the end of the season, while AC Milan has already announced the arrivals of Adil Rami and Keisuke Honda. In France, winger Jeremy Menez is lacking playing time at Paris Saint-Germain and has been linked with a move to Juventus to boost his chances of making the trip to the World Cup in Brazil, and Bastia signed former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse on an 18-month deal. 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