this was one of those punch-back games he sometimes talks about, the manager nods in agreement.Banister and his backpack leave the ballpark at around midnight. Back at the hotel, he watches a c

After 52 years of championship drought, the city of Cleveland has claimed the UFC heavyweight championship and the NBA Finals in 2016.Born and raised Ohioan Stipe Miocic will look to give the region another championship moment on Saturday, when he defends his title against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203 inside Clevelands Quicken Loans Arena.In addition to the main event, a second high-profile heavyweight matchup between former champion Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne will take place, as well as the long-awaited MMA debut of former professional wrestling star Phil CM Punk Brooks.Lets take a closer look at this welterweight rematch. Dont agree with the pick? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventStipe Miocic (15-2) vs. Alistair Overeem (41-14) Heavyweight championship Odds: Miocic -145; Overeem +125Time flies, doesnt it? We are now five years and 10 fights into Overeems career in the UFC, and the truth is: He has thoroughly dominated his opposition. But in the rare moments things have gone bad for Overeem, they have gone spectacularly bad.Theres a good chance that trend continues in Cleveland. Generally speaking, this isnt a bad matchup for Overeem. Miocic is a capable boxer with a power right hand, is an above-average wrestler and a mentally composed champ -- but its hard to find an area where he holds a sizable technical advantage. If were looking at straight-up skill in hand-to-hand combat, Overeem gets the nod. Hes the far more experienced of the two and just brings a much more versatile playbook into the Octagon than Miocic.But similar observations could have been made before every one of the three UFC fights Overeem lost. In a 25-minute fight, Overeem is always at risk for one of those aforementioned bad moments. And those have typically occurred after he has gassed himself out.Miocic is a definite threat in terms of simply outlasting Overeem. Hes extremely durable, which he needs to be, as theres a good amount of risk in his pressure-oriented style. He prefers to be the one in charge, pressing forward behind the jab and the left hook, maintaining that boxing range and creating windows to throw the hammer -- his right hand. He has the wrestling shot at his disposal, but in the past and particularly in this matchup, the threat of that shot might be more effective than the shot itself. In other words, its unlikely Miocic will wrestle his way to his first title defense, but the constant threat of him getting a takedown adds a layer to this standup fight.When Overeem fought another boxer-based striker in former champ Junior dos Santos, he all but shut down the Brazilians forward movement with circular movement and constant, constant feints. Overeems feints were so intelligent and effective in that matchup that dos Santos pace slowed to a boo-inducing crawl; he was eventually reacting so much to every movement that it was almost easy for Overeem, who is terrific at misdirection, to set up whatever shots he wanted. Miocic cant fall victim to similar tactics, and based on his skill set, his best counter is likely to not react to the feints at all. Bell to bell, bully through them and get to that preferred boxing range.As notoriously dangerous as Overeems clinch striking is, its an area Miocic probably cant shy away from. There arent many tools in MMA as intimidating as Overeem knees, but in order for Miocic to cut off the cage and consistently get in Overeems face like he needs to, he has to be prepared for the clinch. The good news is that as the fight progresses, that clinch should favor him more and more based on his cardio. Given Overeems history in the UFC, even if Miocic loses rounds early, hell still be in a strong position to finish later on provided he is surviving and forcing Overeem to work.?One thing to really watch is how Overeem attacks the lower body. Those side kicks to the lead leg, a staple of Jackson-Wink MMA, could be very effective in breaking the pace Miocic wants to set. Front kicks to the body and, of course, the knees any time they lock up could essentially erase Miocics cardio advantage. And if it all adds up to Miocic being unable (or unwilling) to keep up his aggression, Overeem will have stacked the deck in his favor.Prediction: To be clear, there is a darn good chance Miocic sets Cleveland on fire with a one-punch, right-hand KO ... but my pick is the other way. Overeem via TKO, third round.Featured undercard boutsFabricio Werdum (20-6-1) vs. Travis Browne (18-4-1), heavyweightRepeat of a fight from 2? years back, a decision loss that remains Brownes worst night ever in the Octagon. Redemption? Crazy things happen at heavyweight, but odds are against it.Prediction: Werdum, 30-27 decision.CM Punk (0-0) vs. Mickey Gall (2-0), welterweightNot a whole lot of information to base this prediction on. Punk is brand-new, as is Gall. At the very least, Gall looks the part of a young prospect with natural skill. Punk is 37 and coming off back surgery.Prediction: Gall via rear-naked choke, first round. And bonus prediction: Punk does fight again.Urijah Faber (33-9) vs. Jimmie Rivera (19-1), bantamweightHow many times has Faber been in this spot? Coming off a title loss, accepting a lesser known opponent in a potential hangover situation ... fourth time in four years weve been here! Faber has never suffered back-to-back losses, does it happen here?Prediction: Rivera by decision.NHL Jerseys China . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Wholesale NHL Jerseys .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. Cheap NHL Jerseys . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Authentic NHL Jerseys . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th.THE GUY WALKING?into Fenway Park at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, looks like an older college student: plaid shirt, jeans, backpack.In actuality, Jeff Banister is the manager of one of the best teams in the American League, a job that delights but hardly defines him. Hes a dutiful son and a doting father of two, a former major league catcher (1-for-1!), a presumed Pirates lifer, a Texan through and through, and a survivor of both bone cancer and a temporarily paralyzing home-plate collision.Hes also a man whos liable to open the daily media briefing in his office this way: OK, whats your favorite song?That question, asked on this arduous 10-game road trip, elicited a little head-scratching by the writers and mic holders, then a variety of responses: songs from artists ranging from Train to Kris Kristofferson to Nirvana to Tommy James and the Shondells (Crystal Blue Persuasion?!). When Banister was pressed for his own choice, he said, Im tempted to go with the theme from The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, but my wife would kill me if I didnt choose Restless Hearts Ill Still Be Loving You. That was our wedding song.Was there a motive in opening his briefing that way? Not really. I just like to connect with people, learn a little something about them.Turns out Banister is a student -- of people, of baseball, of life. As befitting the son of two educators, he likes to ask questions, and even if he already has the answer, he wants to hear yours. To borrow a baseball term, he has range, a sense of humanity that is reflected in both the standings and his @Bannyrooster28 Twitter account. (Its worth checking out if only for the photos of the teams star-spangled ensembles for the trip to Boston.)Given his AL Manager of the Year Award in 2015 and the Rangers 5?-game lead in the AL West at the All-Star break, there is one nagging question that clings to the 52-year-old Banister: Why did it take so long for him to become a major league manager?Good question, says Jon Daniels, the Rangers 38-year-old general manager. In the initial interview [in 2014], everybody was blown away, and when we made a trip to his home outside of Houston to meet his family, I was even more impressed.But if you really want to know when I knew we made the right choice, it was at the end of April last year. We had just got beaten late to fall way below .500, and I had this woe-is-me look on my face. He looked at me and said, JD, I cant have you looking like that. I want our people to see that its just one loss and that were going to be all right -- its a long season. I knew then that I had found a true partner in constructing this ballclub.The Rangers not only righted the ship but also sailed through the second half, taking over first place for good in September thanks to a five-game winning streak that propelled them past the Houston Astros. Long before that, though, Daniels called Banisters former boss, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, to thank him for recommending Banister. Clint said, JD, I didnt send you some boy. I sent you a grown-ass man!SAID MAN IS?sitting in the visiting dugout shortly after his ritual exercise walk through the park on July 5. Its the start of an ordinary day in the life of Jeff Banister -- game time 8:10 p.m. -- but its also a chance to review his extraordinary life. Every game brings Banister a parade of reminders of the people and events and games that brought him to this spot.Take the early arrival in the Rangers visiting clubhouse of young Dominican right hander Jose Leclerc, brought up from Triple-A Round Rock to shore up the Rangers overworked bullpen. This is Leclercs first call-up to the majors, and Banister greets him warmly and makes him feel at home -- even on the road.It was during this month, 25 years ago, that Buffalo Bisons manager Terry Collins told journeyman catcher Jeff Banister that the Pirates were calling him up to fill in for the injured Don Slaught. The move was so unexpected that Banisters wife, Karen, and mother, Verda, were left behind in Oklahoma City, where they expected to see him play for Buffalo.July 23, 1991. I walked into the clubhouse in Three Rivers Stadium, and there was my name on a major league jersey, Banister says. And the number was 28, my number ever since I broke my neck wearing No. 17. I know for a fact it wasnt on purpose -- I like to think a higher power had something to do with it.Anyway, I went in and introduced myself to the manager, Jim Leyland. But I really didnt know what to say or even how to mingle with the other players.With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Pirates leading the Braves 10-3, Leyland sent Banister up to pinch-hit for starting pitcher Doug Drabek. He had to borrow the bat of teammate Cecil Espy. On the mound was Dan Petry, and on a 1-1 count, Banister grounded the ball into the hole between short and third and beat shortstop Jeff Blausers throw to first.Verda, watching with her daughter-in-law from their Oklahoma City motel room, remembers it this way: That run down the first-base line was so Jeff. Hes not exactly a speed demon, you know, but he was not going to be denied. We went crazy.Banister accompanied the team to its next stop, his hometown of Houston, but he never got another at-bat in the majors, or a chance to play in the field. That does give him the distinction of being one of only 15 non-pitchers to get a hit in his only at bat --the perfect ending (1.000) to a less-than-perfect major league playing career. And he still has the ball -- or rather his son, Jacob, has it.Ill always remember the euphoria of hearing the cheers as I stood on first base, he says. They werent that loud -- it wasnt a big hit in the scheme of things. But it was to me. So when I got a chance to help Chi Chi Gonzalez savor the moment in his debut last year, I took advantage.Banister is referring to the start Gonzalez made at Globe Life Park on May 30, 2015. The rookie right-hander no-hit the Red Sox for the first five innings of his major league debut, then ran into a little trouble in the sixth. With two outs, Banister went to the mound to replace him. As soon as I arrived, Chi Chi handed me the ball and started to walk off the mound. I told him, Hold on, son. Lets wait a second and let me signal for a reliever. And then I want you to listen to the noise -- its going to get real loud. Thatll be for you.When Banister raised his right arm for Tanner Scheppers, the crowd of 42,831 rose as one to cheer Gonzalez. Ill never forget the standing ovation, Gonzalez says. But Ill also never forget Jeffs thoughtfulness.IN THE FIVE or six hours before a game, much of a managers time is taken up with meetings and phone calls. On this day, Banister checks in with Daniels about roster moves, meets with his coaches and sits down with Adam Lewkowicz, the Rangers director for advance scouting and game strategy.Lewkowicz comes from the world of baseball analysis -- his own playing experience didnt go beyond Division III Hamilton College in upstate New York. But he has become a key member of the Rangers staff, acting as a liaison with the analytics team and providing Banister with the tools and videos he needs to fine-tune defensive positioning, pitching matchups, batting order, et cetera, et cetera. He wants it all, Lewkowicz says, and I mean that in a good way. He speaks two languages, the one that scouts and players understand and the one that the analytics department uses. He asks questions, some of which he already knows the answer to, but hes always open to a new concept.The coaching staff for this road trip includes a welcome addition: Tony Beasley. Ordinarily the third-base coach, Beasley had to take time off to get treatment for colon cancer. He and Banister go way back in the Pirates organization -- Beasley actually played the infield for him on the 1997 Carolina Mudcats. The only coach Banister brought with him when he took the Rangers job was Beasley.I was so happy for Jeff when he got the job, Beasley says. Hes great at taking the pulse of the players, and he sees things before any of the rest of us see them. Hes got your back, and hes got your front.When Beasley was diagnosed with cancer after last season, Daniels and Banister told him to take his time and return at his own pace. Jeff was one of the first people I talked to because hes been there. He shared my pain. He also told me, Do everything you can to fight it. Dont allow cancer to change you.When Banister was just 16 and a sophomore at La Marque (Texas) High School, doctors discovered that he had bone cancer in his left leg -- an ankle injury that had been slow to heal suddenly became osteomyelitis, an infection that had spread up to his knee. Amputation was recommended to save the rest of the leg, but he and his parents prevailed upon the doctors, who would perform seven operations to save his athletic career.His recovery period included five months in a Texas City hospital. One of his memories is of his father, Bob, the high schools football coach, sitting at his bedside day in and day out. As Banister told Richard Justice of MLB.com, Ill never forget his head resting on my chest while Im attached to all these tubes and machines.Two things constantly remind Banister of that passing storm cloud. One is the slight pain he still feels in his left leg. The other is a tattoo on his left arm: a cross with the date 1/13/88. Thats the day that his father died.A LOT OF major league managers would rather go to the dentist than deal with the media. We take up their precious pregame time with questions that are either stupid or none of our business. Banister either enjoys the sessions or fakes it really well.On this day in Boston, Banisters briefing is twofold..dddddddddddd Eric Nadel, the radio voice of the Rangers for the past 22 years and the 2014 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, gets a little alone time with Banister first. When Jeff got the job, I called Clint Hurdle, who used to be our batting coach, Nadel says. He said, Youre gonna love this guy. And I have. For years, the managers pregame show was four minutes long. Now its six, sometimes six and a half. Jeff has that much interesting stuff to offer.Hell tell you hes sticking with [first baseman] Mitch Moreland, but hell also give you a good reason -- the exit velocity on his batted balls is still really high.When Nadel is through with his session, the door opens, and the rest of the media corps gathers around Banisters desk. On this particular day, the desk is hosting a copy of Ego Is The Enemy, a book by Ryan Holiday that celebrates heroic figures who put higher goals ahead of themselves.Banister gives a postmortem of the Red Soxs 12-5 drubbing of the Rangers the day before, explains why they called up Leclerc, gives a progress report on rehabbing ace Yu Darvish, goes over the pitching plans for the rest of the week. When Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News asks him whether the struggling starter Nick Martinez has perhaps lost his confidence, Banister replies, I can only tell you what Ive seen. Youre asking me to speculate.He says it not in a dismissive fashion, but more like Socrates might -- or Verda, his eighth-grade algebra teacher. The colloquy between Grant and Banister is often the most entertaining part of these sessions; the writer knows his baseball but wants to learn more, and Banister is happy to oblige. You can ask him any question, Grant says, and hell always have a good answer. Hes the most linear, forthright manager Ive ever dealt with.His people skills are evident during batting practice. Thats the time when I like to touch base with everybody, have a little chat. Ill just wander around and ask them how theyre doing. Its not about hitting or pitching or fielding -- they get enough of that. Id much prefer to do life.In perhaps the best move of the MLB offseason, Daniels signed former Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond to play outfield for the Rangers -- at the break, he was batting .322 with 15 homers, 15 stolen bases and 55 RBIs and looking like he was born to play center. One of the things that attracted him to the Rangers was Banister. Because Im from Sarasota, I train in the offseason at Pirate City, and Id heard a lot about Banny, Desmond says. It was all true. Hes passionate, firm, smart, hell put you in a position to succeed, and hell fight for you. You know how in school you had a favorite teacher? He definitely has that vibe.BANISTER HAS ONE other order of business before the game. He announces to the team that Desmond and pitcher Cole Hamels have been named to the American League All-Star team. I also wanted to let them know I thought they were all All-Stars, he says. It says a lot about us that we have the best record in the American League, and only two guys going to San Diego.Banister was an all-star once, too -- He hit a grand slam for the American League to beat the National League, Verda says. He was 10.He and his mother talk on a regular basis, often about baseball. Shell question some of my decisions, and Ill say, Verda, I think I know something about this game. And shell say, Please call me Mother.Her son was also a junior college All-American at Lee College, in Baytown, Texas, and therein lies another tale of resilience -- and one of the reasons he often ends tweets #NeverEverQuit. In 1983 he was involved in a home-plate collision while playing for Lee: He had moved up the third-base line to catch a throw; the runner tried to leap over him; the runners knee hit Banister flush in the head; his whole body went numb.He would need surgery to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord. Reliving that day for Tyler Kepner of The New York Times back in 2013, Banister said, When they put me in the car, I said, Hey, Doc, when do you think I can start working out again? And he said, Jeff, let me tell you something: Youre not going to play baseball again. ... And I smiled at him and told him, Doc, Im going to play in the big leagues. He said, Well, best of luck to you. Youll do good to run.Says Verda, We really did think that was the end of his baseball career.During his year of recovery, Banister went from 225 pounds to 150. But he persevered, trained and returned to the diamond. Not only did he make the junior college All-American team, but he also earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Houston. Thats where he met his wife, Karen, with whom he has two children: Alexandra, 21, a member of the Baylor University volleyball team, and Jacob, 14, whos serious about baseball.Thats also where he attracted the mild interest of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They drafted him in the 25th round of the 1986 draft. OK, he had only one major league at-bat. But the Pirates also found themselves an organization man for the next 29 years. The main reason for his overly long journey back to the majors was that he was so good with the kids -- eight seasons as a minor league field coordinator doesnt exactly put you on the radar. But the Pirates didnt forget his service, because when they went looking for a new major league manager at the end of the 2010 season, he was one of the two finalists. The other was Clint Hurdle.Hurdle knew enough to ask Banister to be his bench coach. And Banister knew enough that he didnt yet know enough about managing in the majors. Im not sure I wouldve been ready back then, he says. Clint taught me a lot.ONE OF THE?things Hurdle taught him was that the best place for a manager to create some necessary space for himself is the dugout before a game. Thats why the only man sitting on the visitors bench a half hour before the first pitch on July 5 is Banister.I love that time, he says. No questions, no obligations -- it clears my mind. And then that quiet seat becomes the best seat in the house. The dugout fills, the fans take their seats, the national anthem plays and the fun starts. (Part of the fun on this night had already started: Two rookie relievers had to roll childrens suitcases out to the bullpen.)As Banister stands with his arms crossed on the far right side of the dugout,?Shin-Soo Choo?swings at David Prices first pitch and launches it 421 feet over the fence in center. Desmond follows with a single, steals second and eventually scores on a sac fly by Elvis Andrus. So far, so good: 2-0.Rangers starter A.J. Griffin gives up a solo homer to Jackie Bradley Jr. in the bottom of the second, then runs into all sorts of trouble in the fourth: double, single, walk, walk, walk. The score is tied 2-2, the bases are loaded with two outs, and David Ortiz steps to the plate. Some fun.Banister stays with Griffin, who gets Big Papi to hit a ground ball into the shift for a Big Out. But Griffin is clearly done for the night, and there are still five innings left to play. Fortunately, Banister and pitching coach Doug Brocail have planned the bullpen choreography for the night: left hander Cesar Ramos, righty Shawn Tolleson, lefty Jake Diekman, righty Matt Bush.Rougned Odor doubles in Andrus in the top of the sixth to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. In the meantime, Banister finds out that Choo had hurt his back on the home run swing and has to be removed from the game. He also gets a text from his son, Jacob, whose travel baseball team is playing in a tournament back home. He got beat 6-2, Banister says later.The Rangers nurse their 3-2 lead until the ninth. Its clear that the game will come down to closer vs. closer, Red Sox All-Star Craig Kimbrel vs. the Rangers?Sam Dyson. But on this night, Kimbrel doesnt have it: walk, single, RBI single and, on a 2-0 pitch to catcher Robinson Chirinos, a three-run blast over the Green Monster in left. Banister smiles as his players slap hands with Chirinos when he returns to the dugout.Dyson gives up two singles to start the ninth. But then he gets Bradley to hit into a double play neatly turned at second by Odor. Not until Brock Holt lines out to short to end the game can Banister rest easy.Actually, rest is the wrong word. Theres still the postgame news conference in which he gives the credit for the victory to the bullpen and Chirinos, who means so much to us. When Grant asks him whether this was one of those punch-back games he sometimes talks about, the manager nods in agreement.Banister and his backpack leave the ballpark at around midnight. Back at the hotel, he watches a condensed video of the game that Lewkowicz has prepared for him. The very act of watching a replay gives him one last reminder of the path that took him here. Because my father was a football coach, we watched a lot of film together.His own internal projector often takes him back to Jan. 13, 1988. I had finished my first season in Double-A in Harrisburg, and I was substitute teaching during the winter. My father took me to Sears Automotive to buy me four new tires for my 23rd birthday. Were just sitting there, talking, and he says, You need to write a journal. You might want to share your story with people someday. He died of a heart attack a few hours later.So I have kept a journal. Ive got a stack of them at home. Sometimes my daughter, Alexandra, will read them and make her own little notes.For now, the journal is best kept in the family. There are chapters that still need to be written. And games and seasons to be played.At 2:45 a.m., Jeff Banister finally turns off the lights. ' ' '