ARDMORE, Pa. -- Adam Scott and Steve Stricker dont have much in common except for how infrequently they play golf tournaments. Scott began to scale back on his schedule two years ago, devising a plan that would help him practice more, play less and be ready for the biggest events. Stricker, who turned 46 in February, decided this year to spend more time at home in Wisconsin. The U.S. Open is only his seventh tournament this year, and he might only play three more. "I congratulated him on his semi-retirement," Scott said. "Welcome to the club." Stricker would love to part of another club to which Scott belongs -- a major champion. Since returning to the top of his game in 2006, he has given himself a couple of reasonable chances. Stricker was the 36-hole leader at Winged Foot in 2006 until a 76-73 weekend dropped him into a tie for sixth, three shots behind. He was tied for the lead after 63 holes at Oakmont a year later, only to shoot 42 on the back nine to tie for 13th. He also played in the final group at Carnoustie in the 2007 British Open. He tied the major championship record at Atlanta Athletic Club in the 2011 PGA Championship with a 63 in the opening round, though he couldnt keep it going. At 46, and playing a limited schedule, Stricker is running out of time. And thats OK with him. "Im kind of past that," he said Tuesday. "I think that the decision that I made earlier this year about playing less has taken some of the pressure off me. Im completely fine with my career and what Ive done. And dont get me wrong -- Im still very competitive and I still really want to win. I still want to play well. But Im just enjoying it. "Im enjoying coming out here and playing and not really having any expectations at all." He is far from a forgotten figure. He has a pair of runner-up finishes this year -- to Dustin Johnson at Kapalua and to Tiger Woods at Doral -- and is No. 13 in the world. He remains No. 8 in the Presidents Cup standings, so his form is not far off. What makes him intriguing at this U.S. Open is his wedge game. Stricker is vastly improved off the tee, turning that into one of his strengths. As for his putting? Not only is he regarded one of the best in the game, hes so good with the flat stick that even Woods sought him out for advice in March -- and then beat him to win the World Golf Championship at Doral. But its the wedge play that typically allows Stricker to set up birdie putts. And there are a lot of wedges to be struck at Merion, a course that starts and finishes with holes that are long and strong, and features a stretch of short par 4s in the middle where birdies figure to be made. "I like the setup," Stricker said. "Theres a lot of short irons when you get into certain parts of the course, but there are also a lot of long clubs into some of these holes. I think that still the advantage kind of goes to some longer hitters here, just because were not getting any roll in the fairway at all. But I like that theres a lot of short irons. Theres a good mixture of long and short. You dont really get to play to your medium game too much, unless they move up some of the tees on the par 3s." One thing he can count on is being fresher than anyone else in the field. Stricker hasnt played in a month. He tied for 37th in The Players Championship, where he was coming off another monthlong break since the Masters. Thats not to suggest hes been lounging around the house all day. "Im busier now than I ever have been for some reason," Stricker said. "I dont know what it is -- I guess kids. People know that Im playing less, so theyre asking me for things and to do things. Im staying extremely busy." Alex Colome Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Ken Griffey Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. http://www.marinersrookiestore.com/Mariners-Jean-Segura-Kids-Jersey/ . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Carlos Ruiz Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Ichiro Suzuki Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. A few weeks ago, I spoke with Adam Jones about the challenges Major League Baseball players face when considering whether to speak out on a social issue. On Monday, Jones publicly addressed Colin Kaepernicks protest of the national anthem, citing how baseballs lack of African-American representation makes it difficult for black players to be vocal without consequence. Given baseballs rich history in social reform, whether through the trailblazing efforts of Jackie Robinson or the intentional impact of Roberto Clemente, baseball has always had a voice that society had to acknowledge. But today, issues are clouded by new realities.So why say something now?Why now? For me it just happened, Jones said. I think we as athletes always want to make an impact. In our communities and between the lines of course. But what comes with this job is leadership and responsibility that you didnt know you had. Little kids, future ballers and adults envy what we do. Thats why stadiums are packed.I was asked a question about Kaep and I just ran with it. Its about respect besides the story title. I just think its important we all continue to educate ourselves. The dialogue is all I believe Kaep wanted to create. A dialogue to help stop some of the things that happen in this country. The worse thing is to turn a blind cheek to things. I wasnt raised like that and my momma and most certainly my grandma taught me to stand up for what you believe in. In our sport and life you cant be afraid of the truth. Especially if its brought to attention in such nonviolent matter.For the past few weeks, Ive been posing questions to former and current major leaguers about the challenges of publicly speaking out against social injustice. Torii Hunter, Chris Archer, Jimmy Rollins, Sean Doolittle, Curtis Granderson, David Ortiz, LaTroy Hawkins and many others provided insight into the internal conflict that comes with sticking their necks out to support a cause, from navigating social media to headlines that dont reflect the players sentiment and the basic idea that a players economic future is at risk when players dont tow the company line.Baseball is daily. There is no week to think between games, there is little time to reflect or rethink ones position. Once you jump in the world of public opinion, everything changes, and players believe this isnt reversible. Speak carefully, they say, or dont speak at all.So what does todays baseball player face in finding footing to address social justice issues? Here is what they had to say.What are the challenges of speaking out?Ensuring that your voice and message is not misconstrued. The power of context is really important, making certain that your words arent twisted and that youre represented how you intended to be represented. Reporters dont necessarily dictate headlines, but they hold the power of telling readers your story -- and unfortunately, more often than not, headlines dont properly showcase the intended message. -- GrandersonOnce you do so, you are no longer that role model of being a great citizen for our children to look up to. Now youre the outsider, now all the good you have done is overshadowed by your exercising your freedom of speech -- RollinsMost guys dont do it because they dont feel the sting of the issue once you get to a certain status in society. The biggest challenge is being able to stand up for values cherished by a widespread of people and stay the course for change. -- HawkinsThe backlash a player might receive on social media and from fans. That can end up being a distraction to yourself or your team -- especially if you engage. Oftentimes it is very difficult to fully explain yourself on a social media outlet such as Twitter, where you only have 140 characters, and people can take your message out of context because there is not a lot of room for nuance. The message can get stripped down so much that it becomes very polarizing, which is never a good place to start any discussion on any issue. Theres also those out there who just want athletes to stick to sports, and have this image of who and what they perceive their role models to think and believe. And if it doesnt line up perfectly with their perceived expectations, they get disappointed or even angry that their arbitrary expectations are not met. -- DoolittleHow have challenges evolved over your career?When I started my career a decade or so ago, digital and social media didnt exist. Now, newspaper articles are available online in an array or formats -- blogs, social media, video clips, etc. -- and provide readers the opportunity to publicly comment. In verbal conversations, most people are selective with their comments, but with digital and social media, they say things they wouldnt normally say out loud -- hidden behind emails or user names. -- GrandersonI have learned over the years to proofread my tweets two, three and four times, just to make sure that nothing can be misconstrued or misinterpreted and lead to any amount of negativity or backlash. Ive certainly stopped engaging with fans as much, which is frustrating, because thats the reason I joined Twitter in the first place. -- DoolittleWhy dont MLB players participate openly in national statements? I Cant Breathe, etc.As far as I Cant Breathe or Black Lives Matter or the Kaepernick anthem demonstration, I feel uncomfortable speaking to that. Id rather listen. Here are the facts though: The league is composed of over 60 percent white men. When so much of the league has a background or comes from a place where there might be more privilege and opportunity, its very difficult to relate to something they have never seen nor experienced. Thats human nature. People are slower to educate themselves and be informed about something if they have never experienced it. They might even downplay the level at which those problems exist. But that certainly doesnt let people off the hook. My only experiences with police are when they stand guard in our bullpen or when they escort us to the airport. No one has ever questioned my legitimacy as a citizen or a homeowner or a pedestrian.dddddddddddd But I cant pretend it doesnt happen just because it has never happened to me. If we are willing to have an open mind and empathize rather than immediately getting defensive, then maybe we can start a far more constructive dialogue that hopefully leads to addressing these problems. -- DoolittleI think African-American baseball players just dont have a strong enough voice to be heard in our community because they are not visible in those areas. -- HunterMost kids are so caught up in their own career they feel they have no time to deal with anything that might bring negative attention. -- HawkinsOftentimes you may be the only black player in your clubhouse. That makes it hard to take that stand when its 24-1 plus coaches and staff and upper management. Baseballs history of segregation and later inclusion is well documented but of the major three American sports, its the one where were not the majority. We make up less than a tenth of all major league players. -- RollinsCountless athletes support national statements/causes - the armed forces, veterans, health-related causes, etc. Topics such as politics, gun violence, racial issues are all very important but are typically very controversial, which is why most athletes shy away from sharing their views on those topics publicly. -- GrandersonI would tell them to be careful in following the masses because sometimes the M might be silent. -- HunterThere are certain things you have to shy away from because you dont want to offend your co-workers, just like any working environment. Its hard to explain certain things to people who are looking at the world from a different lens than you. Certain things will never resonate with me, certain things wont resonate with my teammates. Its just life. -- ArcherWhat is most unfair about criticism of players who do not speak out?Just because an athlete isnt speaking publicly to the masses doesnt mean its not important to them or that they arent doing anything to help resolve it. I heard something recently about how its a professional athletes responsibility to speak out about police violence. I disagree strongly with that statement. For example, I have teammates from other countries that have pressing issues such as having enough food for their family, clean running water, safe living conditions, etc. Those athletes are focused on those things, but it doesnt mean they dont care about other issues at hand. Athletes cant be all things to all people. -- GrandersonWhat do you say to people who believe having enough money should free you up to speak out?Using your platform doesnt always have a positive impact. The more fame, money and power you have, the more youll be criticized for your position. -- GrandersonThe more money or power you have, the more attention you can bring to something. That doesnt mean you want to stand there and fight for that issue your entire life. You may just want to protest whats happening in that moment and be done with it, but having money doesnt allow you to just do that because you are always an athlete first. -- RollinsThere are tons of people with money that you dont want speaking on your behalf. Having money doesnt make you smarter. -- HawkinsSo what do you think the role of visible athletes is in expressing concern?Most athletes (like myself) address issues that they have a personal connection to -- some big, some small, but all very important. If a major social justice issue occurs in our society, athletes shouldnt always be the go-to for comments, unless they have a personal connection to the issue. What most people forget is that many professional athletes take a stand on social justice issues 365 days a year, but if those actions arent connected to a national and trending news platform, those stories often go untold. -- GrandersonThe expectation that athletes should take on every social issue is not fair. You have to have a passion for that issue that you are speaking out about. -- HunterSometimes a player can speak from first-hand experience, but if not, we have to make sure we use our platforms responsibly, and must know what it is that we are talking about. Theres no sense in muddying the message with an uninformed or poorly thought-out argument that only serves to add to the white noise in the background of the issue itself. -- DoolittleWho is most responsible for making changes?Doctors, lawyers, culinary artists, teachers, officers, every profession has the ability to make a change, or speak for change. Im sure they do. But it isnt highlighted as much. I honestly feel like it should be digested the same as anyone with any other occupation. Not blown out of proportion. We are people, we have a unique skill set, but doesnt everyone? -- ArcherThese issues that are going on are too big for one person. Everyone will need to take part in making changes. Theres an old proverb that says, If you want to go quickly, you go alone. But if you want to go far, we have to go together. -- HunterWhy do players express concern about sponsors and endorsements?Athlete endorsement and sponsorship deals dont usually make major news unless they are very large lucrative deals. That being said, when an athletes sponsor drops them (for whatever reason), its a major news story. Personally, I always ensure that my partnerships align with my community interests. Im really selective on my off-field deals in an effort to ensure that together we can have a real impact. -- GrandersonHow real is it that players just do not know how to address issues?Its very real that players dont know how to address the issues because there isnt an entity there to guide us, and if there is, it isnt made known by many of us. -- RollinsIf a player really wants to address an issue, the player will find a way to address the issue. -- Doolittle Wholesale NFL Gear Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Online Stitched NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Outlet White NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '