Brad Ausmus joked, "I just bought my first pack of Marlboros"

In celebration of the clubs 40th anniversary, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have launched a new Ring of Honour to acknowledge exemplary players and figures who have embodied "Our all. Our honour." and who represent the clubs three core values: Unity, Winning, and Honour. Based on input from a selection of alumni, the first four inductees will be Bob Lenarduzzi, Carl Valentine, Domenic Mobilio, and Andrea Neil. "When we decided to launch our Ring of Honour, we were looking for people who have left a lasting legacy," said Rachel Lewis, Whitecaps FC chief operating officer. "Bobby, Carl, Domenic, and Andrea represent exactly what this club has always stood for and each of them have made remarkable contributions to our club and community. Theyre exceptionally deserving of being the first four inductees." Lenarduzzi will be the first to be inducted during the next home match on Saturday, May 3, as he joins the rest of his teammates from the inaugural 1974 Whitecaps team. This match will celebrate the first game in Whitecaps history, played on May 5, 1974, against San Jose Earthquakes – nearly 40 years to the day. "Im humbled to be inducted into the Ring of Honour," said Lenarduzzi. "There have been amazing soccer moments in this city over the years and Im very grateful to have been a part of many of those. Throughout it all Ive had incredible teammates, so it will be fantastic to have several of them with me on May 3." Neil will be inducted on August 10 at BC Place, 10 years after she captained Whitecaps FC to their first United Soccer Leagues W-League championship on August 8, 2004. Two years later, Neil was again captain as the Caps won a second W-League championship on August 6, 2006, at Swangard Stadium. Valentine will be honoured at the September 10 match. On September 9, 1979, a 21-year old Valentine joined his teammates in front of 100,000 people at the championship parade in downtown Vancouver to celebrate the clubs Soccer Bowl triumph. Finally, on October 4, members of the Mobilio family will be at BC Place for the induction of the late striker. After setting a league scoring record and winning league MVP, Mobilio led Vancouver 86ers to their fourth consecutive Canadian Soccer League title on October 6, 1991. Who should be inducted next into the Ring of Honour? Four nominees have been put forth based on voting received from alumni thus far, with a write-in option also available. Fan voting for the next inductee begins today and will run until the end of May at whitecapsfc.com/since1974. Ring of Honour Inductees Bob Lenarduzzi A product of Grandview Legion minor soccer and member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Bob Lenarduzzi has been a part of the Whitecaps since the inaugural season in 1974. Lenarduzzi is the all-time leader in games played in the North American Soccer League with 312 and ranks first all-time for Whitecaps FC in games started with 356 and second all-time in games played with 362. Primarily a left back, Lenarduzzi also sits 13th all-time in club scoring with 34 career goals. In 1978, he was voted as the only Canadian ever to win NASL Player of the Year and in 1979 he helped the club win the NASL Soccer Bowl title. As a player/coach, he led Vancouver 86ers to the CSL title in 1988, and after retiring as a player, he coached the team to another three championships for an unprecedented four straight CSL titles. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, played with Canada at the countrys only FIFA World Cup appearance in 1986. Today, after 40 years, Lenarduzzi remains with Vancouver Whitecaps FC as club president. Carl Valentine One of the all-time fan favourites in Vancouver professional sports and a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Carl Valentine is the clubs all-time leader in appearances with 409 and fourth all-time in goals scored with 65. The English-born talent arrived in Vancouver for the start of the historic 1979 season and became a key contributor to the clubs run to the NASL Soccer Bowl. Valentine would stay in Vancouver until the NASL folded following the 1984 season and would go on to join West Bromwich Albion back in England. The winger represented Canada in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and in 1987 he returned to Vancouver to become a key member of the 86ers team that went on to win a remarkable four straight CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. Valentine played 19 memorable seasons in Vancouver and remains with Whitecaps FC today as club ambassador and Residency staff coach. Domenic Mobilio The all-time leading scorer in Canadian Soccer League history and the most prolific goalscorer in club history, Domenic Mobilio sits alone atop the charts with 170 career goals – nearly 100 more than any other player. A member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, the Vancouver, BC-born striker, who is also fifth all-time with 286 appearances, was a member of Vancouver 86ers for each of the teams four consecutive CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. A six-time CSL all-star and league MVP in 1990, Mobilio played a total of 15 seasons in Vancouver. In 2004, Mobilio tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack. Andrea Neil The first female soccer player ever inducted into Canadas Sports Hall of Fame, Andrea Neil had an 18-year career with the Canadian womens national team program, and six years with Whitecaps FC women. From 2001 to 2006, Neil played for the Caps (originally known as the Breakers). She was the clubs captain for the first six years of the franchises existence and was a player/assistant coach for the last three seasons. In 2004 and 2006, she led the club to two United Soccer Leagues W-League championship titles. She ended her Whitecaps FC career as the teams all-time leader in assists with 22 and games with 69, as well as third all-time with 24 goals. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, represented her country in four consecutive FIFA Womens World Cup tournaments. Cheap China Jerseys . Bostons bats exploded in Mondays opener, as David Ortiz belted a pair of two-run homers, Stephen Drew homered and drove in four runs and the Red Sox pummeled the Blue Jays, 14-1. NFL Jerseys From China . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. http://www.cheapjerseysnflwholesaleauthentic.com/ . 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Wholesale Cheap Jerseys .The McLaren MP4-30 was launched on Thursday, with chief executive Ron Dennis saying it marks the start of a lengthy journey back to winning grands prix and eventually world championships.McLaren, which hasnt won a grand prix since 2012, will be using Honda engines for the first time since 1992, and has signed two-time world champion Fernando Alonso to partner Jenson Button for the upcoming season.KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Detroit Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow and will be sidelined for the entire season. A candidate to become Detroits eighth-inning setup man, Rondon felt discomfort Monday after pitching a scoreless inning against Washington the previous day. Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said Rondon was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, and an MRI revealed the tear. Dombrowski said the 23-year-old will have surgery next week. "He just came in one day and said he was a little tender," Dombrowski said Friday. "At that point, we figured he should see a doctor. Before that, he hadnt complained of any problems at all." Rondon becomes the latest pitcher hurt during spring training and headed to Tommy John surgery, following Atlantas Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, and Oaklands Jarrod Parker. Arizonas Patrick Corbin also may need the procedure. Rondon was 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA as a rookie last year, striking out 30 in 28 2-3 iinnings, and he had a 1.dddddddddddd29 ERA in seven spring training games this year. Dombrowski said the Tigers, who signed Joba Chamberlain during the off-season, will fill Rondons spot internally. "We feel we have a lot of depth there," Dombrowski said. "Some guys will have to step up and I think they will." Rondon was competing with Chamberlain for the eighth-inning role leading to closer Joe Nathan. Now Al Alburquerque will likely get some of those opportunities, and expanded roles may go to Evan Reed and left-handers Ian Krol and Phil Coke. The Tigers have been beset by injuries. Shortstop Jose Iglesias could miss the entire season because of stress fractures in both legs; Andy Dirks, slated to platoon in left field, will miss the first two months after back surgery. Asked how he was holding up, first-year manager Brad Ausmus joked, "I just bought my first pack of Marlboros" — a reference to former manager Jim Leylands smoking habit. ' ' '