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CHASKA, Minn. -- There have been times when Phil Mickelson was accused of not caring about the Ryder Cup. Whether it was the changing of golf equipment on the eve of the 2004 matches, or a horrific singles loss to Wales Phillip Price in 2002 or simply his overall losing record, detractors had plenty of fodder.There is substantial evidence to the contrary, but if you are looking for one perfect example, it was that rather dubious celebratory leap Mickelson took Sunday on the 18th green at Hazeltine National, where he had just holed an 18-foot birdie putt.It was reminiscent of Mickelsons jump on the 18th green at Augusta National in 2004, when his birdie putt on the final green barely squeaked into the cup, assuring him his first major title at the Masters.The Ryder Cup is not a major championship, but it is nonetheless filled with the pressure-packed moments that mark the biggest individual tournaments in the game. Mickelson has seen it all, and he seemed to want that putt Sunday as much as he wanted anything in the game.Its a very emotional deal, and the putt on the last hole, I wasnt sure if it would hang in there, said Mickelson, who mocked his own celebration. I just kind of dropped down to my knees and when it went in, just that excitement propelled me up. Usually, I need a little assistance.It was his 10th birdie of the day, and not even Sergio Garcia matching him with a birdie of his own to assure a tie could take away from the moment. At 46, in what might very well have been Mickelsons last Ryder Cup as a player, he performed at an extraordinary level, delivering a half point at a time Sunday when it seemed it might very well be needed.In the end, the United States cruised to a 17-11 victory over Europe, putting an end to a run of defeats that caused such frustration that Mickelson lashed out at the system, and captain Tom Watson, two years ago in Scotland.All of this has been exhausting, Amy Mickelson, Phils wife, said on the course Sunday while following the match along with their two daughters and son. Im so closer to it and see what has been going on, and I know some tough things had to happen. But Ive seen such a difference for these guys, and all these young guys have been great, theyve been so invested.Mickelson would never say he has been vindicated, but it certainly would not have looked good had the U.S. lost and he played poorly. The U.S. won and Mickelson went 2-1-1, as his halved match against Garcia produced some of the best golf of the week.Four of Leftys 10 birdies came within the last five holes. Not to be outdone, Garcia birdied the last four. Between them they had 19 birdies and just a single bogey. Both players shot 63 on their own ball. It was fitting that their match ended in a tie.With all he had on him coming into the week ... yeah, it was incredible for him to perform like that, said Jim Bones Mackay, Mickelsons longtime caddie.There was Mickelsons takedown of Watson two years ago at Gleneagles, which led to a serious look at the way the Americans had been approaching the Ryder Cup.Mickelson long believed that continuity and putting the players in the best position to win, but eliminating some of the outside factors that go into the Ryder Cup, was the best way forward. A task force was formed, and although the concept has been ridiculed, it produced a new unity.The pressure started when some dumbass opened his mouth two years ago in the media center, said Mickelson, whose move at the time has since been deemed to be calculated as a way to force change.Gone are volunteer presidents of the PGA of America picking U.S. captains. Now, there is a succession plan in place, one that would be easy to predict. Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Mickelson and Tiger Woods can all be penciled in as future captains. All were here at Hazeltine this week.Mickelson was so involved that he was jokingly referred to as the teams de facto captain, even though the official role was held by Davis Love III, who received vindication after the crushing 14? to 13? defeat against Europe four years ago at Medinah, where the Americans blew a 4-point lead on the final day.[Mickelson] put himself out there, no doubt, said Rickie Fowler, one of Loves at-large selections and a player who Mickelson lobbied for extensively behind the scenes. He was under pressure just to make the team on points. And when we played that first match [on Friday], he knew how much pressure was on him, not just the pressure he put on himself but from people on the outside looking in.Mickelson and Fowler earned a victory over Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan in foursomes. They would lose on Saturday morning against McIlroy and Thomas Pieters, but when Mickelson went back out in the afternoon with Matt Kuchar, he helped deliver a four-ball victory over Garcia and Martin Kaymer.That set up the Sunday showdown against Garcia, who has been money in so many Ryder Cups. Garcia was just 1-2-2 this time, but he nonetheless left Minnesota with a 19-11-7 record in eight Ryder Cup appearances.Mickelson fell behind when Garcia birdied the first, but there was never more than a 1-hole difference the rest of the way. At both the 17th and 18th holes, with the match tied, Garcia hit his approach inside of Mickelson, who nonetheless made the putt -- only to see Garcia tie him. It was reminiscent of Mickelsons golf in July at Royal Troon, where he went shot for shot with Henrik Stenson, shooting a final-day 65 without a bogey but finishing runner-up.You kind of get in the moment and get dialed into that one shot and seem to get the best out of it, Mickelson said. It kind of happened for four days at the British [The Open] and it happened today. Itll be great to kind of build on it in the offseason.It is good to hear Mickelson talk that way, as if its no big deal to be thinking about a new year in golf. He has been a pro for more than 24 years, but had his coach, Andrew Getson, here this week to help him work on his game and build to the future.And really, thats what this entire Ryder Cup endeavor has been for Mickelson. Not about winning this year, although that was an added benefit, but building a foundation that will put the Americans in position to do this again.It took guts for Mickelson to say that the system was flawed. That led to change. But ultimately, playing good golf solves a lot of problems, and there was Mickelson on Sunday, playing as well as anyone in an effort to help the Americans win back the Ryder Cup. Deion Sanders Youth Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. 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CLEVELAND -- Two days later, the pain has diminished -- a little.The cruel sting of losing Game 7 hasnt completely left the Cleveland Indians.We all want to hoist that World Series trophy, team president Chris Antonetti said Friday, so it hurt when we lost.At the same time the Chicago Cubs were parading down Michigan Avenue after winning their first title in 108 years, the Indians -- who pushed the NL champions into extra innings in an unforgettable season finale before losing 8-7 -- took the first steps toward getting back to the Series in 2017.For Antonetti, who has been with the club for 18 years, there is some comfort in what the Indians did this season. But hell never be satisfied completely until Clevelands title quest is finished.We went to Game 7 of the World Series, that in and of itself is an accomplishment, he said. Not the ultimate one were striving for, but still a great organizational accomplishment.With deadlines approaching and no time for pity, the Indians jumped right into the offseason by locking up manager Terry Francona through 2020.The club exercised its contract options for 2019 and 2020 on the 57-year-old manager, who did a remarkable job in steering the Indians around numerous obstacles to get them to their first Series since 1997.Cleveland overcame key injuries, suspensions and questions about their legitimacy as title contenders under Francona, who in his fourth season got the Indians within one win of their first title since 1948.He did a masterful job, Antonetti said. The way in which Tito is constantly thinking about how to place individual players in a position to be successful, to most impact the team, is always extraordinary. He does that first and foremost by building really deep relationships with guys, where they know he cares and he has their best interest in mind, and hes always going to find a way for them to be the best versions of themselves.Hes done that from the day he got here. As high as our expectations were for Tito when we hired him, hes gone beyond that. Were really fortunate to have him.Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff also praised Franconas willingness to include everyone in Clevelands front office on major decisions.Hes five steps ahead of all of us (on the field), Chernoff said. Thats just a small part of it. Hes broken down barriers organizzationally for us, whether its scouting, player development, that connection people feel internally, and hes done it on the field with the team and in the clubhouse.dddddddddddd. And the culture he has helped to build, a lot of the resiliency you see, the grit you saw in this team, is a product of that culture. Its not any one move that he made.The Indians have had four straight winning seasons under Francona, who won two titles with Boston. Hes become wildly popular in Cleveland, where he can be seen riding his motorized scooter to the ballpark and where fans have embraced his everyman persona, enthusiasm and self-deprecating sense of humor.Along with rewarding Francona, the Indians exercised their $12 million option on slugger Carlos Santana for next season. The move was expected after Santana belted 34 homers while splitting time at first and designated hitter.Cleveland declined a $13 million option on outfielder Coco Crisp, who gets a $750,000 buyout.Antonetti also said the club has expressed to first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis that they would like to re-sign the potential free agents. The team has until Monday to make qualifying offers to both. Napolis is worth $17.2 million.In his first season with Cleveland, Napoli reached career-highs in homers, plate appearances and RBI. The 35-year-old struggled in the postseason, but Antonetti said the team will take into account the balance of the season.Mike did a phenomenal job for us, he said. He made a huge impact for us on the field and in the clubhouse, and I think thats the lens through which well view it.Davis, too, helped the Indians to their first AL Central title since 2007. The 35-year-old led the league in stolen bases and helped them offset the loss of All-Star Michael Brantley.And for a little while, Davis hit the biggest homer in Cleveland history. His two-run shot in the eighth inning of Game 7 off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman tied the score 6-6 before Chicago scored two in the 10th.Antonetti and Chernoff were together in a suite and couldnt contain their emotions.I didnt even try, Antonetti said.I almost fell out of the booth, Chernoff said.And next time, they hope to celebrate after the Series. ' ' '