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2B Daily News – Thursday, October 3, 2013 A's opening Service academy games to day starter go on despite shutdown in bullpen OAKLAND (AP) — Brett Anderson could hardly be happier about returning to the postseason, even if it's in a much different role than he's accustomed to with the Oakland Athletics. Nearly a year after starting Game 3 of the 2012 division series, and six months after getting the ball on opening day, Anderson will be in the bullpen when Oakland hosts the Detroit Tigers in the AL playoffs beginning Friday. ''I have to be ready from the first pitch to the last out,'' Anderson said following the A's workout Wednesday. ''I could be in any situation. My stuff kind of plays anywhere, so it's being open to those roles and trying to help the team win.'' It's not a brand-new job for Anderson. The left-hander has been pitching in relief for the AL West champions since returning from the disabled list in late August after missing more than four months with a sprained ankle and stress fracture in his right foot. His numbers as a reliever are actually better than they were as a starter. In five starts, Anderson went 1-4 with a 7.23 ERA. As a reliever, he had three saves and 22 strikeouts over 21 innings with a 4.71 ERA. With the A's hoping to make a deep run in the postseason, Anderson is content taking another shot at a World Series ring no matter what his role. ''Starting is what I've done pretty much up until this point but now it's, where is the need?'' Anderson said. ''Egos go out of the window in the postseason.'' That was the type of response A's manager Bob Melvin was hoping for after leaving Anderson's name off the list when he announced Oakland's starting rotation for the best-of-five series with the Tigers. Bartolo Colon will pitch Game 1, rookie Sonny Gray goes in Game 2 and Jarrod Parker will start Game 3, while Anderson could conceivably pitch in all three. ''He wanted to contribute, and he knew that was probably going to be his best option,'' Melvin said. ''He is that one guy where there's no set role for him. He can pitch a couple innings for us, he can match up against a lefty. It allows him to be ready for whatever role we use him in.'' It hasn't always been an easy adjustment for Anderson to make. As a starter, he prepared himself to pitch every five days. As a reliever, he has to be ready to go at any given moment. ''It's more of like an everyday player's mentality,'' Anderson said. ''As a starter you get three or four days to think about it — good, bad or otherwise. As a bullpen guy, especially with the role that I'm in, I could be there in the second inning, I could be there in the sixth inning or I could be there in the eighth inning.'' Melvin has been very methodical and regimented about how he's used his relievers when trying to protect a lead. Sean Doolittle and Ryan Cook have excelled as setup men for closer Grant Balfour, who had a career-high 38 saves during the regular season. That trio worked very well for Oakland and was a key factor in the team's ability to win the AL West for a second straight season. Anderson isn't likely to bump any of those three pitchers out of their spots, but he does give the A's some much-needed flexibility in the bullpen. ''He can come in and pitch the seventh, eighth or ninth, or he could be used in a one-inning role late in the game,'' Doolittle said. ''The versatility he can give us, it's definitely an asset. He just wants to be out there and help. ''That sums up our team. Whatever roles guys are told they're going to be in, they embrace it rather than complain.'' GOLF (Continued from page 1B) son). The matches are at Muirfield Village, were Tiger Woods has won five times and Matt Kuchar won in June. The Americans have never lost the Presidents Cup on home soil, which is not all that unusual considering they have only lost once since the Presidents Cup began in 1994. ''I understand that and how it looks on paper,'' Scott said Wednesday after the final day of practice. ''It's hard to write off guys who are top 60 in the world, because on any given day, anyone can beat anyone. And we've seen that a million times, especially in 18-hole match play. Yeah, I see how that looks. I also see seven guys here for the first time pumped up and ready to go. And I think that's giving me a great feeling about a new experience in the Presidents Cup after having a run of really big defeats.'' The Presidents Cup gets started with Jason Day and Graham DeLaet taking on Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker in the first of six fourballs matches. It's the first time since 1996 that the better-ball format has been used in the opening session. Scott is taking the youngest player on the International team — 21-year-old Matsuyama — as his partner against Bill Haas and Webb Simpson. Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, undefeated in three matches last year at the Ryder Cup, take on Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. International captain Nick Price made sure a veteran played with a rookie, except with seven newcomers, he had no choice but to put two rookies together — Branden Grace and Richard Sterne in the anchor match against Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner. Els is the veteran of this International team, especially with five other players from southern Africa. But when the younger play- (AP) — U.S. military academy football teams will play this weekend, despite the government shutdown. A senior defense official said Wednesday the decision affects this weekend's games only, and future games will be evaluated as events unfold. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity. Army's game at Boston College, and Air Force's game at Navy in Annapolis, Md., on Saturday were in jeopardy after the Defense Department temporarily suspended sports competition at the service academies as a result of the budget impasse in Congress. The teams will be allowed to play because the games are paid for with non-appropriated funds, and have been long planned. Nonappropriated funds generally come from outside sources and are not approved through Congress. A phone message left with Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk was not immediately returned, along with email messages left with spokesmen for Army and Air Force. Earlier in the day, Gladchuk said he was optimistic the Pentagon would allow the games to be played. He said the athletic department has provided information to Pentagon officials to assure them that no government funds will be spent on any aspect of the game. Gladchuk said a Navy home game brings in about $4 million from tickets, sponsorship, television and radio rights fees and other revenues such as parking and concessions. The game essentially pays for itself, he said. Football revenue also funds Navy's 32 other sports teams. "It would be devastating to our budget," Gladchuk said about having a home game canceled. The coaches and players involved were still preparing for the games to be played. "I wouldn't say they're oblivious, but they are practicing and trying to maintain that laser focus," Gladchuk said. Boston College coach Steve Addazio said: "In my mind, we are playing on Saturday. It's just how I feel." LeBron tops NBA jersey sales PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — LeBron James has the world's best-selling NBA jersey. The Miami Heat star and four-time league MVP tops the NBA's global list of jersey sales for this past season, according to numbers released Tuesday. James — who also has the topselling jersey in the United States — outsold Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Heat teammate Dwyane Wade for the No. 1 spot. James said having the world's top-selling jersey ''means everything'' to him. ''To know that so many people look up to me, so many kids, that's what means more than any- thing, that I continue to inspire the youth and they look at me as a role model,'' James said after learning the news at Heat training camp in the Bahamas. ''I understand, when you wear someone's jersey, you actually like believe in them. You believe they can do supernatural things. It's like an extension of our family and I really appreciate that.'' The league unveiled the rankings — based on Adidas' global sales for the past season — just three days before the start of NBA Global Games 2013, which include eight preseason games in seven different countries, then regular-season games in Mexico City on Dec. 4 and London on Jan. 16. Many of the top names on the global-sales list — including Rose, Bryant and Durant — are on teams taking part in this season's international matchups. Carmelo Anthony is sixth on the global-sales list, followed by Dwight Howard (his now-former Lakers jersey), Deron Williams, Blake Griffin and Rajon Rondo to round out the top 10. In spots 11-15 on the global list are Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Garnett (his nowformer Celtics jersey) and Joe Johnson. In U.S. sales, James is followed by Rose, Bryant, Durant, Anthony, Wade, Howard, Williams, Griffin and Rondo. Despite missing all of last season with a knee injury, Rose had the topselling jersey in China, Latin America and Europe. James had the top-seller in the Philippines. To James, finishing atop these rankings further signified how things have changed since he made his decision to sign with Miami in 2010 after spending the first seven seasons of his career in Cleveland. ''I've come a long way,'' James said. ''I've come a long way. I've grown as a basketball player and as a person off the floor in every aspect since 2010. I'm definitely humbled by it, appreciative. You always hear me say that I'm just a kid from Akron, and to be able to have this stature and that accomplishment, I think that's pretty cool.'' Orgeron coaches USC's 1st practice after Kiffin LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ed Orgeron promised fun at Southern California when he replaced Lane Kiffin, and that's what the Trojans got on the irrepressible interim coach's first day of practice. The Trojans also got cookies. Orgeron's booming Cajun drawl echoed over the campus fields Wednesday while the Trojans concentrated on drills designed to raise their competitive fire. Although many players are still stunned by Kiffin's firing Sunday, Orgeron is making sure the Trojans (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) realize their season hasn't stopped — and there's still plenty of fun to be had. ''This is my shot,'' said Orgeron, USC's defensive line coach and the former Mississippi head coach. ''This is our shot, as a team. I didn't know if I'd ever become a head coach again, but I ers talk about the week and the importance of winning, Scott's name always gets mentioned. Perhaps a green jacket can make the voice a little stronger. ''Scotty is really determined,'' said Marc Leishman, who will partner Angel Cabrera against Woods and Kuchar. ''He has not been on a winning side. Ernie has been vocal, as well; Angel, too. All the experienced guys are really motivated and determined to win. Think they are getting sick of being on the wrong end of this competition.'' It's getting to the point where ''competition'' might be a little strong. The last three President Cups have been a rout. ''I feel it's really important for the Internationals to get a win,'' Scott said. ''We need to make this thing really relevant, make it a real competition, because it's gotten a big lopsided the last few outings. I think we've got a team that can win this week, but the only way we can do it is by playing good do have a shot and I'm going to give it my best. I'm excited for it. I think I'm very well prepared for it. Under the circumstances, they're adverse, but I've been through adverse circumstances before.'' The Trojans were blown out by Arizona State last weekend, but Orgeron clearly thinks his talentladen roster will benefit just as much from an attitude adjustment as any strategy shifts during his administration. Orgeron already has made cosmetic changes that could make a difference: Players were thrilled when he returned desserts to the training table meals this week. ''You feed a lineman a cookie, he's happy, you know?'' Orgeron asked. The Trojans' next game is at home against Arizona on Oct. 10, giving Orgeron more than a week and wanting it more than the Americans. The last few days have been about building our spirit and our feeling to that point where we want to get out there tomorrow and want it badly.'' The Americans have never trailed after any session dating to Sunday singles in 2005. The International team has been talking about the need to win for the last 10 years. The difference this year is that not many expect that to happen at Muirfield Village. As much as Price can lean on experience from Scott and Els, the seven rookies might be the key. They don't have experience in the Presidents Cup. They don't have experience losing, either. ''The guys who have not been here want to start on the right foot,'' Scott said. ''And the guys who have played in several ... want to turn this around and get a win. And so I think everyone is coming in very determined to put ourselves in front and try and win as many sessions as we can.'' to address whatever problems he sees in a winning team that hasn't impressed anybody this season. The Trojans seemed excited about the change from the taciturn Kiffin to Orgeron, who is known for roaming outside his position group during USC's practices. As USC's top recruiter, Orgeron also helped to draw many players at every position to Los Angeles. ''He did exactly what we're supposed to do — pick up the torch when somebody goes down,'' USC receiver Nelson Agholor said. ''All he did was light another fire for us to get better. He's going to do a great job building this team. ... I'm grateful for everything Coach Kiffin did for me. A lot of people probably wish it would have gone different. For me, it's a business, and I can't control that.'' NBA (Continued from page 1B) and more of their revenues and profits are going to come from outside the United States. The numbers make it clear, because there are 300-plus million people in the U.S. and we're approaching 7 billion outside the U.S,'' Stern said in a phone interview. ''And so looking at every enterprise that's doing business, communicating with consumers and the like, I have seen international as a growth opportunity that will continue literally for decades, and our sport is one that crosses borders, along with soccer, in a wonderful way. And we have just scratched the surface.'' The schedule opens Saturday with Oklahoma City playing Turkey's Fenerbahce Ulker in Istanbul, where Kevin Durant was MVP of the world basketball championship in 2010. Philadelphia plays the next day at Bilbao, Spain, a host site for next summer's renamed World Cup of Basketball. The Thunder then meet the 76ers on Oct. 8 in Manchester, England, before Indiana and Houston face each other in the Philippines and Taiwan — the latter the home country of Rockets guard Jeremy Lin's parents. ''I have no idea what to expect,'' Lin said. ''It's a preseason game, so you never really know what's going to happen in terms of the plan or minutes or whatever. But I just know it's going to be two games against a really good team and the opportunity to work on some stuff. Hopefully give the fans across the world something to cheer about and a fun event to attend.'' The Lakers and Warriors play twice in China, and Chicago faces Washington in Rio de Janeiro. The games that count include San Antonio against Minnesota in Mexico City in December, followed by Atlanta playing Brooklyn in London in January. Every location has a reason. Turkey is one of the league's largest social media markets. Stern said the Philippines is a top-three basketball market with a new arena in Manila. Rio is host of the 2016 Olympics, and building toward that, the league now has about 20 employees working on Latin America.