vsky -- and if this success continues, the Blue Jac

ATLANTA -- R.A. Dickey was won over by an Atlanta Braves sales team that included two Hall of Famers, including a fellow knuckleballer.Dickey said he knew the Braves would be a good fit after meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, with a group that included manager Brian Snitker, general manager John Coppolella and two Hall of Famers -- former manager Bobby Cox and knuckleballer Phil Niekro.I had a great feeling then there was great hope I would be able to join the organization, Dickey said Thursday after agreeing to a one-year contract with an $8 million guarantee.He considers Niekro to be part of the Jedi council of knuckleballers who influenced his career.Phil and I have a good relationship, Dickey said. I consider him a friend. We filmed a documentary together.He gets a $7.5 million salary next year, and the Braves have an $8 million option for 2018 with a $500,000 buyout. The deal for the 42-year-old right-hander, the first of the 158 free agents to switch teams this offseason, is subject to a successful physical, tentatively planned for late next week.Dickey said he had the Braves near the top of a short list of prospective teams. He noted the short travel distance -- 3 hours, 15 minutes from doorstep to doorstep -- from his home to Atlanta was a big factor.Ive grown up a Braves fan and have always admired the organization, Dickey said.Dickey said having four children ages 14 and younger kept retirement an option if he did not find interest from the right team.Dickey had a career-high 20 wins and won the NL Cy Young in 2012, his final season with the New York Mets. The right-hander spent the last four years with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 10-15 with a 4.46 ERA this year.Dickey said the velocities on his knuckleball were as high as theyve ever been and he expects to pitch 200 innings in 2017.No one had double-figure wins for Atlanta this year, prompting Coppolella to say he will pursue at least two established starters on the free-agent market. Julio Teheran heads a rotation projected to include Josh Collmenter.Dickey is 110-108 with a 4.01 ERA in his career. He logged at least 200 innings five straight seasons from 2011 to 2015. Since 2010, his 1,441 innings rank ninth in the majors.He said it was a challenge to pitch in the AL Easts small parks and said the rebuilding Braves potential in their new SunTrust Park in suburban Atlanta was a selling point. Cheap Canadiens Jerseys . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Cheap Custom Canadiens Jersey .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. http://www.customcanadiensjersey.com/ . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Authentic Custom Canadiens Jersey .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. Jacques Plante Jersey Large .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. What do you need to know about last nights big stories? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.Stamkos sidelined: Losing Steven Stamkos for any length of time is a terrifying thought for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The teams captain appeared to have injured his right leg during the first period of a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings?on Tuesday night. Lightning coach Jon Cooper did not give reporters an update after the game but said the veteran forward would be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Tampa has been forced to play without Stamkos in the past, but the timing of this injury is particularly bad: Coming off signing an eight-year, $68 million extension in the summer, No. 91 has been playing well, with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 17 games. Three years ago Stamkos broke his right tibia when he crashed into the net against the Boston Bruins, in November 2013. The Lightning also did not have his services when he had surgery to remove a blood clot in March, forcing him to miss the final month of the season and all but one game of the playoffs. If hes out for an extended length of time this time around, it will be detrimental to the Lightning.Tortorella getting results: Watch out for the Columbus Blue Jackets -- coach John Tortorella has his team focused and productive. After Cam Atkinson scored 37 seconds into overtime in a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals?on Tuesday, the Blue Jackets are now 6-1-1 in their past eight and 8-4-2 overall. Tortorella coached a winless Team USA duriing the World Cup, and some believed his methods and messages were tuned out by the players.dddddddddddd So, it was going to be interesting to see how the Blue Jackets began the season. They are a good team -- and are receiving solid goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky -- and if this success continues, the Blue Jackets could surprise. Tortorella described the win over the powerful Capitals as an identity win for Columbus and its culture. Lets see how long it lasts.Price needs to pace himself: An individual streak is impressive, and it usually equals wins. That was the case for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. However, a chance at history ended when the Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad scored in overtime for a 4-3 win over the Canadiens on Tuesday. Price started the season with 10 straight wins and, with Tuesdays loss, missed a chance at tying George Hainsworths 89-year-old record of 11 consecutive wins. Still, the Canadiens are 13-2-2 to lead the Atlantic Division with 28 points, and Price is the main reason. Individual statistics dont win championships, but Montreal cant win big without him. With the two in harmony, it can lead to great things. Coach Michel Therrien needs to make sure that Price, 29, doesnt get overworked, especially considering his workload during the World Cup. Hes played 11 NHL games already, and with veteran Al Montoya as backup, a good number for Price this season is around 55 games. ' ' '