Dein erstes Forum » to us.And with just two games left until finals

HOUSTON -- When 7-year-old Will Erickson penned a letter to Jeff Luhnow imploring the Houston Astros general manager not to trade George Springer, he never dreamed hed get a response.The reason was simple.Because hes busy, Will told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Will decided to write the letter when he heard the Astros could be looking for pitching this offseason and might need to trade somebody like Springer to get it. His letter was straightforward. It said: Please dont trade George Springer these are the reasons. 1. He is my favorite player. 2. I get my hair cut like his. 3. He is a team player.It turns out that Luhnow wasnt too busy to take some time out to get back to the second-grader. He tweeted a picture of the letter with the words: Sound logic dont you think?Will said it took him about 15 minutes to write the letter and decided it would be cool to write one instead of simply sending an email after a letter-writing project his class did recently. He wasnt nervous about reaching out to a baseball executive despite being in elementary school.No, because it was just a letter not like talking, he said.Hes been to quite a few Astros games and loves the work of Springer, who is an outfielder.I like how he robs homers and hits home runs, Will said.During the week Wills bedtime is 8 p.m. so he isnt able to watch much of Astros games live since they begin at 7:10 p.m. But he DVRs every game and gets to watch his beloved Springers work from the night before after school each day.As for the haircut, Will decided to change his hairstyle after seeing Springers cool do, which has shaved sides and is longer on top. It was only supposed to be for a little while according to his parents, but now they cant get him to change it and say its part of his personality.Theres no curls (on mine) but its the same, Will said.After Luhnow tweeted Wills letter it got a lot of attention on the internet, with scores of people retweeting it and dozens of news stories being written about it. There was even a segment on the local news in Houston where his father discussed the letter that Wills teacher played on Wednesday for his class.They called me famous, Will said about his classmates.Will hasnt met Springer, but is a little worried about how hell respond if he ever gets the chance.If I saw him I would faint, Will said.When he isnt talking trades with baseball executives Will is a typical elementary school boy. He plays little league baseball and fit his first interview in between school and a trip to see Santa Claus at a nearby Christmas village.Its not much of a surprise what he planned to ask Jolly Old Saint Nick for on Wednesday night. He wants real snow or a baseball lesson from Springer at Minute Maid Park.Both are a tall order, but since Will lives in a place where temperatures in December can soar into the 70s, his parents arent sure which wish is more unlikely. Shoes NZ Online . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Shoes NZ 2020 .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. https://www.shoesnzonline.com/ . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. 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As far as statements go, they dont come much bigger or bolder than the one made by Sydney and superstar forward Lance Franklin with their stunning second-half onslaught against St Kilda on Saturday night.The Swans led by five points at halftime at Etihad Stadium but then showed the rest of the competition the sort of irresistible, high-intensity footy theyre capable of, outscoring the Saints 15 goals to four on their way to a 70-point demolition.It was just a really powerful second half ... just a fantastic second half, Swans coach John Longmire said.We probably got our hardness right, which was good, and our pressure on the opposition was good and then we were able to use the ball going forward (as well).We were able to get a combination of the hardness and the effort but also a bit of the finish and the composure.That mix in the second half really stood out to us.And with just two games left until finals, Franklin hit peak form with a brilliant 28-disposal, six-goal display as the Swans emphatically consolidated theiir hold on second spot.ddddddddddddBuddy grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after a hotly-contested first half with 15 possessions and three goals in an inspired third-term effort.He had a pretty reasonable third quarter ... he was getting involved up the ground - that was the thing that we noticed, Longmire said.Thats what makes him a good player - he can play right up the ground and then be so useful going into the forward 50.It was a pretty handy quarter.But while Franklin was an obvious standout, Sydney had winners all over the ground.Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker dominated the stoppages after halftime with Callum Mills and Aliir Aliir eye-catching in defence.And if the Swans werent looking formidable enough heading into September, Longmire confirmed they will most likely welcome back Kurt Tippett from a long-term hamstring injury against North Melbourne next week. 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