LISBON, Portugal -- Atletico Madrids only previous European Cup final appearance branded the club with the nickname that has co

LISBON, Portugal -- Atletico Madrids only previous European Cup final appearance branded the club with the nickname that has come to encapsulate its penchant for misfortune. Taylor Hearn Rangers Jersey . Beating Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday may finally put that moniker to rest. Atletico was on the cusp of winning the European Cup on its first appearance in the final in 1974, leading Bayern Munich 1-0 in extra time after Luis Aragones curled home in the 114th-minute at Heysel Stadium. The Spanish club was clinging on until defender Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck stepped up to smash home a powerful right-footed equalizer from outside the area in the 120th-minute. Without penalties to decide the champion, a replay was scheduled just two days later in Brussels. But having experienced the title slipping from its grasp in such fashion proved too much for Atletico, and it lost 4-0 to a team featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Mueller. Following the defeat, president Vicente Calderon termed Atletico "the jinxed ones" or "pupas." "We practically had the trophy in our hands," said Atletico goalkeeper Miguel Reina, father of Spain international Pepe, reminiscing of what could have been before Schwarzenbecks low shot beat him. The loss seems to have had a long-lasting effect on the club. "Atleticos history may have been different with that title, which was the first for Bayern," said former striker Jose Eulogio Garate, who played in that final 40 years ago. Atleticos history is filled with success and clouded by unnecessary turmoil and disorder. Such is Atleticos knack for dramatics that the team hymn includes the phrase: "What a Way to Suffer." One of the most famous advertising campaigns in Spain featured a young child looking up at his father to ask "Daddy, why do we support Atleti?" The father looks off in thought before the phrase "Its hard to explain" takes over the screen. During its Spanish league title winning run this season, Atletico did the near unthinkable -- it did not stumble or implode as might have been expected. Instead, coach Diego Simeones team showed the verve of a champion and a knack for coming through when it counted to secure a fourth major trophy since 2009/10 -- following two Europa League titles and a Copa del Rey. "The club is growing. Were pushing forward, building a stronger team, getting better -- despite the economic differences in this league," said Simeone, who has also relied on one of the top qualities of the 1974 team -- strength on the counter attack. Atletico won the Intercontinental Cup after Bayern spurned its invite, and it has an impressive trophy haul overall: 10 Spanish league titles, 10 Copa del Reys, one Cup Winners Cup, two Europa Leagues and two European Super Cups. "Its been seven or eight years now that pupas doesnt follow us anymore," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said after the club secured its first league title since 1996 last Saturday. "When Calderon labeled the team that, it certainly was at that time. Maybe now they should call us the good luck ones." That could be difficult as Atletico almost seems to embrace the nickname at times, like when it celebrated the 40th anniversary of its lone European Cup final defeat last week. "Atletico does represent something different, something special," said Spanish coach Javier Irureta, who played against Bayern. "Usually they only organize homages for champions, not for the losers. "But the club is like that." Charlie Hough Rangers Jersey .The rookie goalie made 36 saves to help the Calgary Flames blank their Pacific Division rivals 1-0 on Saturday following a 48-hour ordeal that included lost baggage, a cancelled flight and a new pair of contact lenses. C. D. Pelham Rangers Jersey .com) - Avery Bradley scored 21 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets, 89-81. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/2892h-harold-baines-jersey-rangers.html . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer.MINNEAPOLIS – It doesnt matter how but it does matter when. The Blue Jays two All-Star representatives are counting on seeing a different looking club by the time the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline rolls around. They wont deny it, if general manager Alex Anthopoulos swings a deal, it would be welcome. “Huge impact,” said Bautista. “Any team that does a trade at the deadline in order to improve their club is going to benefit from it. Obviously thats why you do it. Well see. We have capable guys, though, that we dont necessarily need to go out there but it would be a tremendous help for us to go get somebody. More importantly we need our guys that are hurt to come back into the line-up so we can have our real team come on the field altogether.” Mark Buehrle echoed Bautistas last sentiment, while opining the four-day break would do the Blue Jays some good. “Lets hope,” said Buehrle. “Everybody goes home and clear their minds and gets away from baseball for a few days and comes back refreshed like its the beginning of the year. The injuries, to me, are the biggest key right now.” Anthopoulos faces a delicate balancing act as he tries to upgrade his club for today while retaining its best pieces of tomorrow. Hes dealing with budget parameters, the numbers of which arent clear but Anthopoulos often talks of being “creative” with any deal. Translation: dollar in-dollar out is the likely requirement of a completed trade. The Jays would like to move reliever Sergio Santos and the remainder of his $3.75-million salary. Theyd explore takers for Colby Rasmus and whats left of his $7-million contract. Neither player would be tied to an acquiring team next season. Santos has the first of three successive club options ($6-million in 2015) while Rasmus enters his final year of arbitration eligibility. While trading Rasmus would leave the Jays weaker in centrefield, at least offensively, his deletion would free up significant cash to acquire an asset. The Blue Jays need help in the infield, in the bullpen and like most other clubs not playing in Oakland and perhaps Southern California, could use another starting pitcher. The players realize the division is available. Bautista said the Jays chance of winning the American League East is the best since he arrived in Toronto. “Not necessarily record-wise but momentum, division, competition,” said Bautista. “Ive been here and our team has been hovering around .500 but it seems like, in the past, the division leader has [run] away with it and this time its not the case. Were certainly within striking distance and weve got to take this break and hopefully come back with a different mindset like we were in the first two months.” Injuries to Brett Lawrie (finger), Edwin Encarnacion (quadriceps) and Adam Lind (foot) have exacerbated an offensive downturn which began while all three were still in the lineup. Its reasonable to believe that if manager John Gibbons was able to field his starting line-up, the offence would have reawakened by now. The Blue Jays continue to play in the top 10 in most major offensive categories despite the struggles of the last five weeks. If theres a point of concern, aside from recent performance, its the abundant reliance on the home run. The issue is the lack of depth to cover for the injuries. Mississauga native Dalton Pompey, who isnt major league-ready, is the clubs only hot non-pitching prospect playing as high as Double-A. “You would like to have some depth in your minor league system and some capable guys to come in and replace if somebody gets hurt,” said Bautista. “Theres an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up right now and make a name for themselves and contribute and help out with wins. Right now were going to the farm system but there are different methods of acquiring talent and if its working out a trade or whatever it is … bottom line is there [are] opportunities out there on our team right now and how we get the players doesnt really matter as long as the guys that come in step up.” Bautista slams turf Jose Bautista made waves on the recent road trip when he spoke out strongly against Major League Baseballs flawed replay system. While that topic wasnt broached during Mondays media availability, Bautista touched on a topic closer to home: the turf at the Rogers Centre and the effect it has on players bodies. Only two teams, Toronto and Tampa Bay, still utilize turf. “It seems like us and the Rays, we all have to deal with more injuries than normal and playing banged up a little bit bbecause of the turf,” said Bautista. Josh Hamilton Rangers Jersey. “Its the only two stadiums left with turf. Even in football and other sports, you can see and you can tell teams that play on turf get hurt more often than teams that play on natural grass.” Players often murmur about the turf, especially toward the end of lengthy homestands when they feel the aches and pains associated with a consecutive stretch of games on the fake surface. Bautista is realistic about the natural grass solution, or lack thereof, and called on the organization to otherwise adapt. “I dont know if theres a way to address it in Rogers Centre so we just have to deal with it and figure out a way to get deeper with our farm system and have guys that can step in and contribute right away if somebody gets hurt,” said Bautista. “Weve got to get creative and weve got to figure it out. Just like we have to figure out how to win weve got to figure out how to stay on the field or have capable guys to come in and replace because some of these injuries, theyre not even caused by any lack of preparation or people not working, its just that you get beat up more when you play on turf.” Buehrle isnt fussed about Tuesday At 35 years-old and in his fifth All-Star Game, his first since 2009, Mark Buehrle knows his chances of returning to the Midsummer Classic are dwindling. Still, hes not concerned about pitching on Tuesday night if American League manager John Farrell decides to go in a different direction. “If I dont throw its not going to be the end of the world,” said Buehrle. “Theres some young guys. Ive been here and Ive thrown in these games before and if there [are] some younger guys that they want to get in there, hometown guys playing in Minnesota that they want to throw and they come over and say, hey, were not going to throw you, Im not going to argue, its not going to be the end of the world. Im just here to enjoy it and have fun.” With 10 victories at the All-Star Break, Buehrles assured himself of a 14th-straight double digit win total. Hes four wins shy of 200 for his career. Buehrles midseason ERA of 2.64 is a run and a half better than his final number from last season (4.15). In his 15th year, Buehrles never finished with an ERA below 3.00. His best, 3.12, came in 2005, the year his White Sox won the World Series. A family affair Mark Buehrles wife, Jamie, and his son and daughter are in Minneapolis to share in his All-Star experience. One of his brothers, along with his wife and children are also here. Buehrles son, Braden, is now seven years old. His daughter, Brooklyn, is five. This is the first time hes been an All-Star when his kids have an opportunity to remember the event. The treatments been first class. “We took a private jet up here,” said Buehrle. “Im like, these kids are so spoiled right now. Like, they dont realize how spoiled they are so hopefully they can soak it in and have fun with it.” Buehrles mother, Pat, and father, John, arent taking part. John underwent knee replacement surgery earlier this month and is struggling to get back on his feet. John insisted on attending but Mark put his foot down. “Im not going to make mom or have mom be pushing you around,” said Buehrle. “Youre going to get bumped. Youre going to be sweating so, a chance of getting infected, there were too much health risks to get him here.” Hurry-up Offence The Blue Jays played back to back nine-inning games, on Wednesday in Anaheim and on Friday in Tampa Bay, which combined took almost eight hours to play. “Its annoying how long some of these games are,” said Buehrle. Buehrle is one of baseballs fastest-working pitchers. He notices the length of games, their lack of pace and admitted its becoming increasingly talked about amongst players. “I think they did that speed up rule a couple of years ago and it seems like since theyve done that the games have gotten actually longer,” said Buehrle. “I dont know exactly how you can enforce it or make it more strict but they need to do something.” Buehrle on Jeter Buehrle tipped his cap to outgoing Yankees captain Derek Jeter. “Hes owned me over his career so Im not too sad to see him go and obviously get out of the game,” said Buehrle. “Obviously what hes done for baseball and over his career, I mean hes the top guy in Major League Baseball on and off the field so its going to be sad to see him go.” Buehrles right. Jeters hit him well, lifetime .341/.356/.545 in 46 plate appearances with two home runs and three doubles. ' ' '