OAKLAND, Calif. Kyle Fuller Jersey . -- Bob Welch, the 1990 AL Cy Young Award winner with the Oakland Athletics and the last major leaguer to win at least 25 games in a season, has died. He was 57. Welch died late Monday night at his Southern California home in Seal Beach, the team said Tuesday. Police said officers responded to a call for medical aid and found Welch dead in the bathroom area. Authorities have not released the cause of death. The coroner was awaiting toxicology test results, which can take eight to 12 weeks, said Lt. Jeffrey Hallock, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriffs Department. Welch was known best for his famous battles with Reggie Jackson in the World Series and alcohol addiction. The two-time All-Star was an admitted alcoholic early in his career and spent time in rehabilitation. He later co-authored a book with George Vecsey about his addiction titled "Five OClock Comes Early: A Ballplayers Battle With Alcoholism." "The fact is, Im crazy when Im drunk," Welch said in the book. "Theres every chance I would have been dead by now if I was drinking." The right-hander played on five teams that reached the World Series -- 1978, 1981, 1988, 1989 and 1990 -- and won two titles, one in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and another in 1989 with the As. Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten called Welch "one of the greatest competitors to wear the Dodger uniform." "Welchie was a special guy. We lost a really good friend," said Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, a longtime teammate with the Dodgers. In Oakland, Welch figured prominently on teams that won three straight AL championships from 1988-90, including the club that swept the San Francisco Giants in the earthquake-interrupted World Series. "This is a sad day for the entire As organization," general manager Billy Beane said. "Those of us who knew Bob as a teammate and a friend will miss him greatly." Welch finished 211-146 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 seasons with the Dodgers (1978-87) and Athletics (1988-94). He also was the pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks when they won the 2001 World Series and had served as a special instructor for the As in recent years. "He had a great arm, but what made him so special at a young age was the way he could command the corners with his velocity," Scioscia said. "He was a great talent, but that wasnt really what he was about. Bobby was a guy who, every time there was a roadblock in the way, he got over it. He didnt take the easiest path, but he was a solid guy." New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, the former Oakland GM who acquired Welch for the As after the 1987 season, said Welch would be missed. "He was an interesting character, really sort of hyperkinetic," Alderson said. "He was a super guy and a very likable, if not loveable, guy." Welch was drafted in the first round by the Dodgers in 1977 out of Eastern Michigan. His most memorable moment for Los Angeles was against the Yankees in the 1978 World Series, when the rookie struck out Jackson with two runners on base to end Game 2. "I was stone sober, too," Welch said in his book. "I hadnt gotten around to drinking before a game, particularly a World Series game -- although, given time, I would have." Dodgers first base coach Davey Lopes, a former teammate, recalled the battle with Jackson fondly before the team played in Cincinnati on Tuesday night. "I dont know if it gets any greater than that," Lopes said. Welch won the AL Cy Young Award after going 27-6 with a 2.95 ERA in 1990 for Oakland. His 27 wins tied him with Steve Carlton in 1972 for the most in a season since Denny McClains 31 victories in 1968. "He will always be a significant part of our franchises history," As President Michael Crowley said. Several current As players also offered condolences on Twitter. "Devastated to learn of Bob Welchs passing," left-hander Sean Doolittle wrote. "The As organization lost not only one of its best pitchers, but one of its best people." No one answered the door at Welchs home Tuesday, which had been sealed with a sticker from the Orange County coroner. Neighbour Alma Purcha said she woke up to find police cars outside the home several blocks from the Pacific Ocean. She said Welch divided his time between Arizona and Seal Beach. She last saw him with his son and daughter Friday, when they exchanged pleasantries. Welch was born in Detroit and was lauded by the school he led to two trips to the College World Series. Eastern Michigan athletic director Heather Lyke called the pitcher one of the universitys "greatest ambassadors." "The one thing Bobby definitely loved is this game of baseball," Scioscia said. "He understood pitching, and I know he did a great job for the Diamondbacks, and working for the Oakland organization was a natural for him because he had so many tremendous seasons there. I know he really connected with the kids and had a lot to give." The As said Welch is survived by sons Dylan, 25, and Riley, 23; daughter Kelly, 18; and former wife Mary Ellen. Walter Payton Womens Jersey . But the drama wasnt done. Less than three weeks after Pettine took the job, the Browns announced the dismissal of chief executive officer Joe Banner and general manager Michael Lombardi, Banner after a transition and Lombardi immediately. http://www.nflbearsus.com/Womens-Ego-Ferguson-Authentic-Jersey/ . Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia scored with an impressive header in the 43rd minute, and its defence did the rest as it gave Valencia no chance to rally at its Mestalla Stadium. Diego Simeones side moved six points clear of Real Madrid, which has a game in hand, while Barcelona remained within four points after coming from two goals down to beat Villarreal in its first game since the death of Vilanova.The NHLs Board of Governors has made a decision on a plan for NHL realignment. The league has approved a new four-conference format that is expected to be implemented next season. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will also speak to the NHLPA before implementing the changes. The discussion and vote to approve the new realignment plan at the NHL Board of Governors meetings in Pebble Beach, California took an hour on Monday. A total of 26 teams voted in favour of the plan with four teams opposing it. The realignment became necessary when the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg and became the Jets. The plan finalized on Monday would see four separate conferences established to replace the current two-conference, six-division system. The proposed new conferences would be arranged to accommodate both geographic proximity as well as established rivalries. The existing Northeast division would be expanded to include the leagues two Florida-based teams, making a conference of: Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto. Meanwhile, the existing Atlantic Division would gain two teams for a seven-team conference including: Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington. The Winnipeg Jets would be the only Canadian team in an expanded Central Division that would also include Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, and St. Louis. Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver would remain together in a proposed Western Conference that also includes Anaheim, Colorado, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Jose. While the new schedule presents new challenges for all 30 teams, Bettman believes the solution works best for the needs of all the leagues teams. "This is not a subject that everybody is going to get their first choice on," said Bettman. "What you try to do is come up with something that everybody can live with, get comfortable with and understand the value of." Many early realignment proposals centred on moving either Detroit or Columbus to the Eastern Conference. However, choosing between the wishes of those two teams was not a call the league wanted to make, according to Bettman. Also, thhe idea of moving one team often created a domino effect for other teams in terms of their own travel schedules "If you asked 30 clubs you probably would get 30 different solutions," Bettman mused. Brandon Marshall Pro Bowl Jersey. The realignment is aimed at evening out the travel schedules for all NHL teams with each team playing teams outside their conference twice per year, once at home and on the road. For the players it presents new rivalries and a chance to face every team in the league. "As players, you want to see everybody, you want to go to every city," said Senators forward Jason Spezza. "I think thats going to be a real positive." Others, meanwhile, are already looking ahead to a change in competition. "Its going to be a tough division, but thats down the road right now," said Tampa Bays Steven Stamkos, who suddenly finds himself in a conference with the likes of Boston, Montreal and Toronto. "They spent a lot of time on it and obviously made the right decision in their mind[s]." One of the biggest changes will be to the leagues schedule. In the seven-team conferences, teams would play each other six times - three home, three away. In the eight-team conferences, a bit more maneuvering would be required. Teams in the conferences of eight would play either five or six times per season on a rotating basis; three teams would play each other six times and four teams would play each other five times. This process would reverse each season. The playoff format would also undergo changes, harkening back to the divisional playoff format last employed by the league during the 1992-93 season. The top four teams in each conference would qualify for the playoffs. The first-place team would play the fourth-place team; while second and third-place finishers would square off. The four conference champions would meet in the third round of the playoffs, with the last two clubs playing for the Stanley Cup. NHL general managers will determine the playoff structure after round two in the proposed realignment. The concept of re-seeding is a strong contender, however the league wants the general managers input before implementing. ' ' '
