forget he’s a really good player, and really good players step up when you need them the most,” Hinch said. “We’re going to need that starting Friday.”DUBIOUS RECORDOrioles first baseman Chris Davis sat out the e

Hockey in the NHL is a far different game than it was 45 years ago Authentic Oscar Fantenberg Jersey , when the Broad Street Bullies ruled the ice with their fists.In the 1970s, the Philadelphia Flyers had guys like Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, Bob “The Hound” Kelly and Andre “Moose” Dupont to not just beat opponents but beat them up, too.The current Flyers may still carry the “Bullies” nickname but they are hardly bullying anyone: They are one of only two teams in the NHL that has not been assessed a fighting major a quarter of the way through the season.The old Bullies can hardly believe it.“They’re two different animals, the way the game is today,” Kelly said. “With the rules today, you can’t hit anybody, you can’t verbally intimidate anybody, so that takes a lot out of it. You don’t have to fight anybody. The biggest thing you’re given is a face wash.”It’s no secret that fighting has been weeded out of the game over the years, but nobody expected the Flyers to be on the leading edge of the anti-pugilistic trend. With tough players like Wayne Simmonds, Radko Gudas and Dale Weise, Philadelphia isn’t exactly a group of shrinking violets. Even general manager Ron Hextall fought five times during his playing career and he was a goaltender.This is the latest in a season the Flyers have ever gone without an official NHL fighting penalty, eclipsing the previous record from 1967. That was the first year of existence for the franchise and it was before the players were beaten up in a brawl against the St. Louis Blues, an incident that prompted founder Ed Snider to demand a tough-as-nails approach.“We have a new mascot called Gritty now, and I think the Flyers’ fans expect that from then players to play like Gritty because of the name he has,” said Bullies-era defenseman Joe Watson, who believes the current team is more about finesse. “Fighting is a form of intimidation. … Players think twice of going in the corner with this guy or that guy because they might get a punch in the face or hit severely or so on and so forth, and it just doesn’t seem to happen right now. We do have guys that can handle themselves. I don’t know why it has happened this way. It’s hard to believe.”Philadelphia has no fighting majors and a 9-9-2 record through 20 games. While the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers lead the league with seven fights apiece Tanner Pearson Jersey , the Flyers and Arizona Coyotes are the only ones stuck on zero.“I think we’re team tough,” Weise said. “I don’t think anyone takes advantage of us. I think if the situation arose, we’ve got a lot of guys that can handle themselves. But I just think the way hockey is going, you can’t take a stupid penalty (if you) go and get an instigator or something like that or get a roughing and put (another) team on the power play.”Philadelphia isn’t a small team, with players averaging 6-1 and 198 pounds, but Jakub Voracek said: “I really cannot say that we are big and tough if we don’t have a fight yet.”Maybe the answer lies in some of that size and toughness.“When you have a Wayne Simmonds on your team, I don’t think people want to fight him and it’s always good to have a guy like that who can play,” said Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, who holds the Flyers’ all-time penalty minutes record with 1,815 and 171 fights during his career. “If there had to be a fight, he’s a pretty good deterrent guy to have. I just don’t think anybody wants to fight Wayne Simmonds. That’s probably why there’s no fights.”Simmonds and his teammates have tried to goad opponents into fights and a handful of times have dropped their gloves only to find no willing dance partner. According to HockeyFights.com, less than 16 percent of games leaguewide this season have had a fight, down from 41 percent as recently as 2009-10.The NHL years ago sought to curb staged fights between enforcers, and even a lot of the fighting following big hits has decreased.In 2009-10, 171 games included more than one fight. Last season, only 41 games had more than one.“I don’t feel there’s any hate in the league anymore,” said Kelly, who dropped the gloves 97 times in the NHL. “The rules have definitely changed the whole game Jonny Brodzinski Jersey Womens , the whole approach and it’s holding back a lot of the physicality that players used to play with. It’s not worth the fight, and unfortunately you have to watch your teammate skate off hurt or something because somebody gotcheap shot or did something and you just can’t afford to want to jump in and help out.”Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said people can debate whether the sport is better with less fighting, but most agree there is still a purpose for it. Commissioner Gary Bettman has suggested an occasional fight keeps tensions from boiling over, something Tocchet agreed with.“The league’s trying to take control of the head injuries, the hitting from behind, the cheap stuff, sticking a guy behind his knee,” Tocchet said. “The NHL’s trying to clean that up, so you don’t need that deterrent of a guy going in there and policing (the game) himself. I still think that there’s still a need for fighting in certain places … The odd time a guy needs to be reminded that he can’t do the stuff he’s doing on the ice if things aren’t being called.” BALTIMORE (AP) — Adam Jones began the season by hitting a game-winning home run in the 11th inning. He ended it by walking off the field to a standing ovation.In between opening day and the season finale, there was a whole lot of anguish for Jones and the Baltimore Orioles.The Orioles closed out a trying season Sunday with a salute to Jones and a 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros that could end up serving as a parting gift to manager Buck Showalter.Jimmy Yacabonis, Paul Fry (1-2) and Mychal Givens combined on a one-hitter against the AL West champions, who open the playoffs at home Friday against Cleveland.Baltimore finished at 47-115, the most losses in franchise history and the most for a big league team since Detroit’s 119 in 2003. The Orioles were only the fifth team since 1900 to lose 115 or more.Baltimore is already in full rebuilding mode, which means the 33-year-old Jones and Showalter may not be back.“These decisions aren’t mine anymore,” Jones said. “It’s going to be fun.”When it came time for the Orioles to take the field before the game, Jones went out alone while players from both sides applauded and the fans stood and cheered.“My teammates sending me out there on an island by myself, I didn’t know that was going to happen,” Jones said. “Weird Womens Tyler Toffoli Jersey , because I’m never on the field by myself.”Jones started in center field, the position he held from 2008 until he was bumped to right field in August by 23-year-old rookie Cedric Mullins.Many in the crowd of 24,916 stood before each at-bat by Jones, who went 0 for 4.In the top of the ninth, Showalter sent Joey Rickard in to replace Jones , who received yet another standing ovation as he jogged off the field. Upon his arrival in the dugout, the chain of hugs and high-fives ended with his arms wrapped around Showalter.“It’s been a great run,” Jones said. “Go somewhere and see what the next chapter of my career is.”Hired by Orioles owner Peter Angelos in 2010, Showalter — like Jones — has a contract that expires this year and may not be renewed.“Mr. Angelos’ family has been great to me and mine,” Showalter said before the game. “So whatever direction they decide to go, I’m at peace with it.”Houston manager A.J. Hinch rested most of his regulars, making sure they’re fresh for the postseason. Charlie Morton started and worked three innings, allowing just one hit in a performance that showed he’s ready to be a factor in the playoffs.“He was good. It was nice him go back out there,” Hinch said. “I think cleared his conscience a little bit that he could let it go and everything was going to be OK.”Morton struck out four to finish with 201, making the Astros the fifth team in baseball history to have three pitchers with 200 Ks. The others were the 2018 Indians, 2013 Tigers, 1969 Astros and 1967 Twins.Brad Peacock (3-5) gave up four runs in the fourth inning, getting only one out.Houston’s only hit came in the fourth http://www.officialwild.com/authentic-adidas-devan-dubnyk-jersey , when Jose Altuve hit a sharp single to right before leaving for a pinch runner.The defending World Series champion Astros finished 103-59 and have won a collective 204 regular-season games over the last two years.WHITTLING THE ROSTERHinch shaved five players off his projected playoff roster, with more cuts to come.Right-hander Dean Deetz, OF Kyle Tucker and LHP Reymin Guduan had their seasons end Sunday. Pitchers Framber Valdez and Cionel Perez will work at the team’s spring training facility.CORREA SHARPAstros shortstop Carlos Correa was rested Sunday after an abbreviated appearance Saturday that indicated he was no longer bothered by back soreness.“I don’t think we can forget he’s a really good player, and really good players step up when you need them the most,” Hinch said. “We’re going to need that starting Friday.”DUBIOUS RECORDOrioles first baseman Chris Davis sat out the entire series and finished with a .168 batting average, lowest in major league history by a qualifier.The previous record was .177, by Rob Deer in 1991 and Dan Uggla in 2013.ATTENDANCE DROPThe Orioles drew 1,564,192 for 78 home dates, their lowest figure in a non-strike season since 1978.“It’s up to us to give them something they want to embrace,” Showalter said. “Attendance is down. It’s our fault, not theirs.”UP NEXTAstros: Hinch hasn’t announced his rotation for the playoffs, but Justin Verlander is the likely starter in Game 1.Orioles: The 2019 season opener will be at Yankee Stadium on March 28.