NEWS » probably more than 10

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If David Ortiz wanted to compete in one last Home Run Derby on the eve of the All-Star Game, the Boston Red Sox wouldnt stand in his way.All things considered, though, the Sox are thrilled the retiring slugger wants to sit it out.If it turns out he doesnt participate in the Home Run Derby, I think thats probably music to all of our ears, manager John Farrell said Wednesday after Ortiz told WEEI radio that he doesnt intend to take part in the contest. But at the same time, hes earned the right to enjoy and experience that opportunity in San Diego as much as anyone.Ortiz hasnt swung for the fences in the annual home run-hitting contest since 2010, when he won it in Anaheim, California. Entering play Wednesday, he led the majors with a 1.108 OPS and the Red Sox with 18 homers. His 521 career homers are the third most among active players, trailing only Alex Rodriguez (695)and Albert Pujols (574).But while Ortiz would be a big attraction in the Derby, the Red Sox would prefer that he kick up his aching feet as much as possible. The 40-year-old designated hitter has started 66 of 78 games despite dealing with pain and soreness in his heels and ankles. In particular, Ortizs feet flare up when he takes two bases at a time, and he leads the majors with 31 doubles.The one thing is, weve charted the total bases to date and particularly its the doubles, the two-base running that really taxes him, Farrell said. Its usually that fourth or fifth at-bat where its starting to rear its head a little bit, so we try to get him off his feet when we can at that point. We know this will be an ongoing maintenance situation. Cristian Pache Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. 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At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Larry Bird still believes in the power of basketball diplomacy. The Hall of Famer sat down with ESPN.com recently and opened up about the impact playing for Team USA had on his life and his feelings on Paul Georges resurgence.For you personally, what does it mean to see Paul George not only back but also representing Team USA after his gruesome leg injury in 2014?Bird: Its a pretty good situation for him because he came back [and] had a pretty good year last year. No pain. Got through all that. And I think that his goal was always to go back and play for his country and be around the guys [who] are the best in the league, or some of them are. Just get back involved in USA Basketball because it has been a long couple years for him.Was there ever a doubt in your mind that he would be back at this level on that stage?Bird: Well, you never know. But we had every indication from the doctors that he was going to be just fine. Just let the bones heal and get him back out there. When you go through something like that, I think its more mental than it is physical. ... But it was a horrific injury. It took him time, but he worked hard and did the things necessary to get back.You always stood behind USA Basketball after the injury. Why were you strong in your support of the program?Bird: I had an opportunity in high school to play against the Russians, and I thought that was the neatest thing in the world. I got in college, I played overseas, and it was over a month, and [I] got to see the world and play the game I love. And had an opportunity there at the end of my career to get into the Olympics and play for my country. Even though it was the end of my career, its still an honor. And I just wish everybody had that feeling. If you love your country and you get to represent them and you can win, its one of the greatest feelings, and I wanted Paul to have the same feeling. And I know he cares, he wants to play and he wants to win, and I think its awesome.Youve had that experience at every level of the USA program. If down the line, they came to you and said, Larry, we want you to have more of an active role within USA Basketball, is that something youd be interested in?Bird: I dont know. Im getting at an age now where everythings starting to slow down for me. But its like I said: Going back to high school, I got to play against the Russians. And that was when the Cold War was really going on, you know? And I said, Man, Im playing against the Russians. I couldnt believe it. They were very talented, very good, and I was always mesmerized by how they did things over there. My high school coach sort of gave us ... Even though it wasnt my high schhool team, it was an All-Star team, he was telling us about it and how they train, and they take the best [players] and put them together.dddddddddddd It caught my eye, so I was always interested in international basketball because I liked their style. I liked how they played. I like the up-tempo, I like the 40-minute game, and theres really no interruptions. If you go over and watch a team over in Italy, wherever its at, international rules, theyve got a flow to it. Theres no stoppage all the time, and I really like that. So I always enjoy playing it.As far as the Dream Team goes, as you look back all these years later, what do you think of that team and its impact on the game?Bird: It changed everything. From coaching to training, its really interesting. Dave Gavitt ... told me the importance for Magic and Michael and I to go over there with this team because its going to change the game forever throughout the world. And what he meant by that was once we kicked their butts so bad, a lot of their coaches are going to come over and see our training and how we do things. If you think about international training, you think about two workouts every day and a lot of shooting, and their bigs come out and take a lot of shots from the outside. And he was right. If you look at the NBA from then to now, we have probably more than 100 international players in our league, so theyre getting better. Its pretty awesome to me to see the change over that period of time.When you see Magic and Michael over time, how often does your Barcelona Olympic experience come up? Bird: We dont bring it up. I dont see Michael. I see Magic a little bit more. We had a sit-down -- I dont know when it was, time flies, it could have been a few years ago. Well, they had most of us in a circle talking about [the Olympics]. Thats the first time I think I ever really talked about it with another one of my teammates. Great memories, great time, we had a lot of fun. Our families were with us. And youre playing for your country, how can you beat that?So much was always made out of the Dream Team practices. Out of all three of you guys, who do you think was the most competitive out of that group?Bird:?Oh, I dont know. Everybodys competitive in their own way. Its hard to say one guys more competitive than another. I always said its easier to be competitive when Michael Jordan can run and jump as high as he does, as quick as he is. So I think me and Magic had to be more competitive because we didnt have that speed and we couldnt jump that high. ' ' '