when she fell behind. "It was like, Oh my gosh,

JUPITER, Fla. -- Matt Carpenter called agreeing to a new US$52-million, six-year deal with St. Louis a no-brainer. The Cardinals are hoping their third baseman sticks even longer than that. "Hes the type of player youd like to think could finish his career as a Cardinal," St. Louis chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt said Saturday. St. Louis began contract talks with Carpenter in August. Both sides characterized the negotiations smooth. "It was not one of those where we were sitting there debating all of Matts faults or his weaknesses, because there werent any," St. Louis General Manager John Mozeliak said. "Hes really a special person not only on the field but off the field." The deal includes a team option for a seventh year in 2020 at $18.5 million. Should the St. Louis decline the option, they would pay Carpenter a $2-million buyout. "For a baseball junkie like myself, I cant think of a better place to play than the city of St. Louis," Carpenter said. "Busch Stadium, I still pinch myself every time I make that drive to the field. "Playing in front of these fans, the city of St. Louis, Cardinal baseball as a whole, its just so much fun. Its such a privilege to put on this jersey. Its something I dont take lightly at all." Carpenters agent, Bryan Cahill, said the 28-year-old received a $1-million signing bonus and will make $1.5 million this season. The salary escalates each year, reaching $14.5 million in 2019. Carpenter hit .318 while leading the National League in hits (199), doubles (55) and runs (126) last season and playing mostly second base. He is moving back to third this season, where he has played most of his professional career. He earned his first all-star selection in 2013 and finished fourth in MVP voting. A 13th-round draft choice out of TCU in 2009, Carpenters first full season in the majors was 2012. Carpenter switched to second during last spring training and started 128 games as a middle infielder in 2013. He also played 24 games at third. Known in the clubhouse for his work ethic and daily preparation, it hasnt taken Carpenter long to take on a leadership role. Hes made an impact not only on the younger Cardinals, but also on the veterans. "They cant help but watch," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "OK, how did this guy get on the board all of the sudden? "Hows he in the MVP running? Where did this come from? They cant help but translate the work thats put in and the discipline." He fought back emotion at Saturdays press conference. "I realize what a responsibility this is for me," Carpenter said. "Im really looking forward to living up to this and continuing being part of such a great organization." Sam Mills Youth Jersey .com) - No Sidney Crosby, no problem. Alvin Kamara Youth Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. San Antonio took the series lead Monday night with a 122-105 home victory in Game 1. The Spurs used a balanced scoring attack and clamped down defensively late in the third quarter to claim the win. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Marcus-Davenport-Jersey/ . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (3) - Early goal against was on the power play. Rickey Jackson Womens Jersey . It was a move of some time in the making. “He hasnt thrown well, clearly some guys are being used more than him right now and the only way to get out of this funk is to pitch,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Marshon Lattimore Saints Jersey . With one penalty, Fourcade finished in 24 minutes, 58.2 seconds, just nine-tenths of a second ahead of Timofey Lapshin, who shot clean in the cold.KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- The celebration began with a series of happy hops that propelled Serena Williams across the court. Soon she was twirling, waving, laughing and mugging for the cameras -- a familiar ritual by a perennial champion. Williams won a record seventh Key Biscayne title Saturday when she overcame a slow start and a set point to beat Li Na 7-5, 6-1 at the Sony Open. She surpassed the tournament record of six titles she shared with Andre Agassi. "I was actually super excited at the end," Williams said, "because I remember sitting here last year trying to get to six, thinking, OK, obviously I want seven, but I dont want to put the pressure on myself to get to seven. Obviously I wanted to have the most titles here." The No. 1-ranked Williams looked tense at the outset and served poorly, and she was broken twice to fall behind 5-2. "At that moment I felt like I had nothing to lose," Williams said. "I just was able to relax. Whenever I relax, I enjoy myself." Li held a set point serving at 5-4, but Williams erased it with a backhand winner. Williams needed another 21 minutes to pull out the set. The final game of the set went to deuce six times, but she finally won it with a booming backhand that Li couldnt handle. Williams ran to her chair with a satisfied scream, her left fist leading the way. She dominated from there, sweeping the final five games. The 17-time Grand Slam champion has more titles at Key Biscayne than at any other tournament. Shes the fourth woman in the Open era to win an event at least seven times. "I think were going to have to rename this tournament," former top-five player Mary Joe Fernandez said during the trophy ceremony. Both finalists are 32, and they shared lots of smiles while holding their trophies. Li explained: "We were talking about, For sure before the match they say, "Oh, two old women."" Theyre close in age, but its a commentary on the yawning gap between Williams and the rest of the womens tour that, even while at less than her best, she won in straight sets against the No. 2-ranked player.dddddddddddd She made only 44 per cent of her first serves and converted just five of 17 break-point chances. Even so, Williams extended her winning streak against top-10 opponents to 15 matches. She beat Li for the 10th time in a row since 2009. "When youre going up against the top players, for me, I have to be ready because they are the best in the world, the whole planet," Williams said. "I enjoy playing people that are ranked like that, because I feel like I can eventually bring out the best in me." The top-ranked men will meet in Sundays final, when No. 1 Rafael Nadal tries for his first Key Biscayne title against No. 2 Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion. No. 1-ranked Mike and Bob Bryan won the mens doubles title for the first time since 2008 by beating Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 7-6 (8), 6-4. Williams lives 90 minutes up I-95 from Key Biscayne and considers it her home event. She said the fans provided a boost when she fell behind. "It was like, Oh my gosh, if I can just hang in here and just try to enjoy myself," she said. "Honestly the crowd pulled me through. I heard some fans go, Go Serena." Williams has played in the tournament 14 times and also won the final in 2002-04, 2007-08 and 2013. She has celebrated so many titles she couldnt remember the first one. "Who was it against?" she said. "Venus?" Actually, she lost finals to her sister Venus in 1999, and to Victoria Azarenka in 2009. She beat Jennifer Capiati for her first two Key Biscayne titles, and the others came against Elena Dementieva, Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova. Li, who won the Australian Open in January, was at the top of her game for most of the first set. Even so, she couldnt close it out. "Only one mistake: I think I should go party last night," Li said with a smile. Williams committed six unforced errors in the opening game, and it took her 16 minutes to win a game. She double-faulted to fall behind 5-2, but then won 11 of the final 12 games, a surge worthy of a champion. ' ' '