ations couldnt fix the detached retina and save his vision.After his Marfan syndrome diagnosis, Austin still got to hear his name called at the NBA draft. He was made a ceremo

WASHINGTON -- The NL Division Series between Dusty Bakers Washington Nationals and Dave Roberts Los Angeles Dodgers is the first postseason matchup in major league history involving two black managers.It gives us some pride, in being African-American, to show people that not only can we do the job, but we can do the job better than most. Especially this year, Baker said Thursday. Hopefully, it motivates other organizations to get some African-American managers, also to motivate other players that are playing now, and former players that have managerial aspirations. It probably brings a lot of pride across America -- and not only African-American people, but everybody.When Baker was hired last November, baseball avoided what could have been its first start to a season since 1988 with zero black managers. Roberts got his job later that month.In April, a study overseen by Richard Lapchick of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida gave baseball teams a grade of C-plus for racial hiring practices for managers.Asked about the bit of history he and Baker will make when the NLDS opens Friday in Washington, Roberts said: Its important, and it doesnt go unnoticed or underappreciated, I think, speaking for Dusty, myself, what it means to the game of baseball, to society.Roberts recently spoke about Baker as a friend, a role model and said its a lot to try to follow what hes done.While this is Roberts postseason debut as a skipper, Baker is participating in the playoffs for the eighth time in 21 seasons with four clubs as a manager. Baker ranks 17th in major league history in managerial wins and said this week he aims to become the first black manager in the sports Hall of Fame.On Thursday, Baker recalled playing under manager Tommy Lasorda with the Los Angeles Dodgers more than 30 years ago -- and hearing Lasorda brag about how many Italian skippers there were in the majors at the time.He says, `Were taking over.I said, `What do you mean, youre taking over?According to Baker, Lasorda then began listing managers he said were Italian. When Lasorda mentioned Billy Martin, Baker responded that he wasnt Italian. But, Baker said, Lasorda retorted that Martins mother was Italian. Then, Baker continued, Lasorda mentioned Chuck Tanner, drawing another objection. And again, according to Baker, Lasorda said Tanners mother was Italian. And the discussion continued in that vein, Baker said.So we went on and on and on. There was some racial pride in him. And he always was talking about being Italian. He even told me to tell some of his friends I was Italian, Baker recounted with a wide smile. And he says, `If he asks you, you tell them youre from Abruzzo, an Italian province.---AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed to this report.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrichNike Air Force 1 07 Lv8 Mens Shoe .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Air Max 360 For Sale . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. http://www.fundfdr.org/cheap-air-force-one-low/nike-air-force-1-low-womens.html . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Buy Air Max 97 . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Cheap Nike Air Force Ones .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.WACO, Texas -- Former Baylor standout Isaiah Austin has been cleared to play basketball again, 2 1/2 years after he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome during a physical before the NBA draft.Austin revealed on his Instagram account this week that his doctor has given him the go-ahead to again pursue his dream of playing professional basketball. The 7-foot-1 player said he has been getting constant checkups, including heart monitoring, since the diagnosis before the 2014 draft when he was a potential first-round draft pick.Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the bodys connective tissue. It can affect many different parts of the body, including the aorta, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.The 23-year-old Austin, who has relied on his strong Christian faith, said he is moving forward with pure joy to chase his dream and share his testimony.Austin had succeeded at Baylor in the Big 12 Conference with a prosthetic right eye only to find out ddays before the draft that he had the rare disorder that could affect his heart.dddddddddddd NBA scouts had already been aware that he was blind in his right eye from a previous injury aggravated doing a dunk in middle school. Multiple operations couldnt fix the detached retina and save his vision.After his Marfan syndrome diagnosis, Austin still got to hear his name called at the NBA draft. He was made a ceremonial pick midway through the first round and presented an NBA cap by Commissioner Adam Silver.Since then, Austin has worked to raise awareness of Marfan syndrome through his foundation . He also wrote a memoir that was published last year, and is enrolled part-time at Baylor and on track to graduate next summer, depending on what happens with his basketball career.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '