Michael Saunders used to daydream about playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Michael Dickson Jersey .It wont be long before he gets to do it in real life.A day after Toronto acquired the Canadian outfielder in a deal with the Seattle Mariners, Saunders spoke about getting the opportunity to ply his trade on home soil.I think it was more of a storybook ending for me if you would, like One day it would be really cool if I was able to wear a Blue Jays uniform, Saunders said on a conference call Thursday. Theres 30 teams and the chances are slim that that would actually happen.Im honoured to be able to wear a Blue Jay uniform and Im very proud of that.The Victoria native, who spent 10 years with the Seattle organization, played for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and said he understands the burden that comes with playing north of the border.Im a proud Canadian, said the 28-year-old, who cheered for the Blue Jays and Mariners growing up. If I was to get traded to a team I couldnt pick a better one than Toronto.Im extremely excited to play for the Blue Jays, but its not just about representing the Blue Jays, its about representing my country.Saunders, who was acquired for left-hander J.A. Happ, said he was at his daughters swimming lesson when he found out about the trade from Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.I was sitting there watching my daughter swim when I got the call, said Saunders. Last night was kind of a blur for me. There were so many mixed emotions. This is my first time going through a situation like this.Its expected Saunders will take over in left field for Melky Cabrera, who declined the Blue Jays US$15.3-million qualifying offer last month and is a free agent.An 11th round pick of Seattle back in 2004, Saunders said he spoke with both Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons soon after the deal was struck.I definitely got the feeling that I was wanted, said Saunders. Theyre just going to go out and let me play. I know that theres some talented outfielders in the organization and thats not to say Alex is finished making moves.But Im going to do everything I can to hold down the everyday left field job.Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games last season while battling joint inflammation in his right shoulder and a strained left oblique.If you play the game hard sometimes you put yourself at risk to injure yourself by trying to make the play, he said. You do that for the team. Youre playing for the team at that point, and the fans.While hes happy to be joining Toronto, Saunders doesnt leave Seattle on the best terms after Zduriencik criticized his ability to stay healthy for 162 games following the 2014 campaign.The comments came as a surprise. Im not going to lie to you, said Saunders. Im very confident in what I do in the off-season to prepare my body. I think the comments might have come out of frustration more than anything due to the fact we were one game away from going to the playoffs.Jack and I have had numerous conversations since then and there have been no hard feelings, but as far as calling my conditioning into question, (its) something I think is uncalled for. I work just as hard as anybody.In parts of six seasons, Saunders has a .231 average with 51 home runs, 182 RBIs and 54 stolen bases in 553 games, only becoming an everyday player at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field in 2012.I really think you learn more from failure than you do from success, he said. I know what I bring to the table and I try to continually get better at that. I just try to bring an all around game and do whatever I can to help the team win.Saunders has played well at Rogers Centre — a stadium known for its home runs — but he said joining Torontos potent lineup that includes Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and newly acquired Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin is what excites him the most.You have multiple all-stars, you have MVP finalists and guys that really know how to hit, he said. Theres certain people in the game that strike fear in you when youre on the opposing team, and theres a couple different guys in that lineup that do that.I think the first thing you see when you think of the Blue Jays is the power thats there. Theres no question theres a ton of power in the lineup, but not only that, theres professional hitters from 1 to 9.Saunders said he would always check the schedule to see when Seattle was coming to Toronto and added that his wife, Jessica, is also pleased about the move.I love the city, my wife loves the city. It was funny, when we first met we were discussing where to raise the kids and she said Absolutely not in Canada. Were raising them in the U.S., said Saunders. Then she came to visit me when we were on the road and she said OK, Ill let you raise the kids in one spot in Canada and thats Toronto. Nick Vannett Jersey .Y. - Joe Johnson hit six 3-pointers in his 27 points, Mason Plumlee added 18 points, and the Brooklyn Nets won their 11th straight at home, beating the Boston Celtics 114-98 Friday night. C.J. Prosise Jersey . Bring on Freddy Garcia. The well-travelled 36-year-old right-hander earned his second NL victory since 2007, and his first since he joined the Atlanta Braves last month, pitching six innings to help beat Miami 6-1 Thursday. http://www.cheapseahawksjerseyssale.com/?tag=tyler-ott-jersey-sale . Maximilian Arnold put Wolfsburg ahead in the eighth minute, when the stationary Fallou Diagne allowed him to guide Patrick Ochs cross beyond the helpless Freiburg goalkeeper, and Ivica Olic doubled the lead three minutes later after Luiz Gustavo did well to set him up. INDIANAPOLIS -- Robert Mathis never got to see Deacon Jones take down opposing quarterbacks in person. He learned to appreciate Jones creativity over time. The Colts Pro Bowl linebacker and newly crowned sacks champion was honoured Thursday as the inaugural winner of the NFLs Deacon Jones Award, which goes to the leagues sacks leader. Mathis will be recognized at the NFL award banquet Feb. 1. "Deacon Jones is the creator of the sack, so to be able to win the first award in his honour is an honour," Mathis told reporters in Indianapolis. "Im very proud that I was able to win it and I thank my teammates, mainly the d-line, who were very instrumental in helping me get to the quarterback." League officials named the award after Jones died June 3 at age 74. Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. Mathis has been one of the leagues top sack artists since joining the Colts as a fifth-round draft pick in 2003. For nearly a decade, Mathis and Dwight Freeney were among the NFLs most feared pass-rushing tandems. But when Freeney left in free agency during the off-season, the critics contended Mathis would struggle witthout his longtime teammate and close friend. Wholesale Seahawks Jerseys Online. Instead, Mathis used it as motivation. When asked Thursday why he has played so well over the years, Mathis responded: "The fact that I do have a chip on my shoulder every time I play. When people say you cant do something, you want to show them that you can." So the 32-year-old who is in his second season as a rush linebacker delivered the best season of his career. He broke Freneeys franchise record for sacks in a season (16) with 19 1/2 and became the Colts career sacks leader (111), surpassing Freeneys previous mark (107 1/2). Mathis finished the regular season with 65 tackles, matched his career high with eight forced fumbles -- two of which led to safeties -- and helped lead the Colts to their first AFC South title without Peyton Manning. Indy (11-5) will host Kansas City (11-5) on Saturday afternoon in a wild-card game. 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