BOSTON - John Lackeys got a big game to pitch. Hes not much for building a rapport with the massive media throng covering the World Series. Hes not going to indulge the narrative. Hes not interested in reflecting on times passed, both good and bad. Lackey, 35, started and won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series for the Angels. That was four days after his 24th birthday. Hes seen this act before, not that hes drawing anything from the memory. "That was a long time ago, man," said Lackey. "I dont think thats going to play much into (tonight.) I think most of those guys in that game arent even playing anymore." Surely he can empathize with his mound opponent, 22-year-old Michael Wacha, whos in a similar position to Lackey circa 2002 and who, like Lackey, seems to pitch as if he has ice water in his veins. "I cant speak to that, I dont know what kind of guy he is," said Lackey. "But personally, I was more excited about it than anything else as far as nerves, that sort of thing." Its something remarkable that Lackey is starting this game. A guy who made his name in Southern California with the Angels, came to Boston and pitched poorly, missed time with serious injury and developed a negative reputation. Two seasons ago, Lackeys second in Boston, he was dreadful. His 6.41 ERA was baseballs worst amongst pitchers with enough innings to qualify. Lackey gave up a major league-high 114 earned runs. He hit an inordinately high 19 batters. His control was off. Lackey was pitching with pain in his elbow and when he wasnt, he was devouring beer and chicken with his mound buddies as Boston crumbled to a historic September collapse. Lackey missed all of 2012, having undergone Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. In his first start of 2013, in Toronto on April 6, in the fifth inning and on his 77th pitch, his right bicep seized. To this observer, at least, the worst-case scenario was envisioned. The way Lackeys arm was hanging, straight down, one wondered if hed blown out his elbow again. Surely, if he had, Lackeys career was over. At his age, it would be tough to come back. Turned out to be just a bicep strain and Lackey was back on the mound 22 days later. He made 29 starts overall and Lackeys 3.52 ERA was the lowest hes posted since he led the American League with a 3.01 mark in 2007. His record of 10 wins against 13 losses was more a reflection of, at times, poor run support or the Red Soxs bullpen blowing late leads. All of thats in the past. Lackeys looking ahead to an opportunity for the Red Sox to clinch a world championship on home turf for the first time since 1918. The man of few words didnt need many to sum up the feeling of what it would be like to celebrate at Fenway Park. "It would be awesome." .C. United has added former Canadian international Enzo Concina as an assistant coach. [url=http://www.footballsteelersauthentic.com/Black-Le-Veon-Bell-Steelers-Jersey... Veon Bell Youth Jersey . Iguodala hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, David Lee scored 23 points and the Warriors won their eighth straight game with a 101-100 victory over the Hawks. . -- The Toronto Blue Jays spring training game at the Pittsburgh Pirates was rained out Thursday. [url=http://www.footballsteelersauthentic.com/Authentic_Antonio_Brown_Steelers_J... Brown Womens Jersey . The club slipped back into the red a year after making a profit for the first time since Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovichs takeover in 2003. Chelsea lost 49. WATFORD, England -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder expects to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in London despite a rib injury. Ponder, injured early in last Sundays 31-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns, emerged from the Vikings first practice in the U.K. on Wednesday confident that he will play at Wembley Stadium. "Its a little sore and its going to be something I will have to work through but I threw more than I thought I would be able to," Ponder said. "Well wait to see how this week plays out, but my expectation and my hope is that I will be playing." Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Wednesdays practice would "be a big signal in what direction well have to go," with a decision expected by Friday. Backup quarterback Matt Cassell also took snaps on Wednesday, and he is ready to step in if Ponder is unavailable to play. Ponder has been under pressure since the loss to the Browns dropped the Vikings to 0-3. The third-year quarterback has thrown five interceptions and two touchdowns for a 655.dddddddddddd9 passing rating, and has also lost two fumbles. "My confidence hasnt wavered," said Ponder, who led the Vikings to the playoffs last season. "I have a great support staff around me with Adrian Peterson and the staff around me." Peterson said he was always ready to give Ponder a pep talk, as he did when fans at Mall of America Field began jeering the quarterback during the Cleveland loss. "Hes bouncing back," the Vikings running back said. "I told him, You know the business. You know how it goes. Just stay focused and continue to work. You know what to do." Frazier said defensive backs Chris Cook (groin) and A.J. Jefferson (ankle) would sit out Wednesdays practice, but safety Jamarca Sanford (hamstring) would take part. Fullback Jerome Felton also is returning from a three-game suspension to provide an extra blocker in the Vikings backfield. The Steelers are also 0-3 going into the first of two NFL International Series games to be played in London this season. wholesale jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china Cheap NFL Jerseys cheap authentic jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china ' ' '