a rookie who made his debut for the defending World Series champions in May

So much heartache, washed away after two hours of intense combat -- the Western Bulldogs are AFL premiers.The Dogs broke through for their first premiership since 1954 after a titanic grand final against the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday.As they had done all season, the Dogs scrapped and fought their way to victory after an all-day arm wrestle against the tenacious Swans, who tasted grand final defeat again after going down to Hawthorn in 2014.Amid scenes of jubilation and disbelief, the Bulldogs held firm in the gripping final quarter to win 13.11.89 to 10.7.67 in front of a touch under 100,000 people.Fittingly, it was Tom Boyd, the centre of so much conjecture after his multi-million dollar move from GWS, who sealed the match for the Dogs, booting a monster bomb from outside 50 late in the final term -- his third of the match.It was the straw that broke the camels - or rather Swans - backs.Speedy defender Jason Johannisen -- named Norm Smith medallist -- was superb with 33 disposals as were midfielders Jack Macrae and Luke Dahlhaus.Club veterans Dale Morris, Matthew Boyd and Liam Picken -- who kicked three goals -- were all enormous for the Dogs, but this was a win built on belief and effort rather than talent.The victory completed a perfect finals series for the Bulldogs, who won their way to the flag from seventh place on the ladder.In the jubilant Bulldogs rooms after the match, Dahlhaus said the success-starved club started believing a flag was possible after the crushing elimination final win against West Coast in Perth.I think I did [believe we could win the flag this year] - we always believed that, but the turning point was going over to Perth and beating West Coast, he told ESPN.We were so dominant over there, and then with that finals monkey off our back, we were really, really good for the last three weeks, beating Hawthorn, GWS up there, then today, the odds were against us all the way through.What a story. What history weve made for the club today - this club is amazing and the fans deserve everything they get tonight.Dahlhaus teammate Morris said the impact of a second premiership win couldnt be overstated.It means everything - its our second one, it means the world to a lot of people, he said in the Dogs changerooms post-match.Its crazy, its unbelievable, Im lost for words but Im so proud of the boys, the whole club, everyone involved, its an amazing experience. Im over the moon.This was a grand final that will go down as one of the best in recent history.The two sides crashed into each other with relentless ferocity, with the Swans -- led by the rampant Josh Kennedy (34 touches, seven tackles, three goals), Tom Mitchell (26 possessions, 13 tackles, two goals) -- having several moments of ascendancy.Lance Franklin failed to fire, with the dynamic forward appearing troubled by an early-game leg injury.He tried to lift the Swans with an incredible goal from the boundary line in the final quarter, which brought his side to within a point, and had Bulldogs supporters shifting in their seats.But Jake Stringer, Franklins peer in different colours, then responded after hardly touching the ball all game, snapping the ball out of a pack as the Dogs drew away again.As the clock started ticking down and heart rates around Australia started to rise, Picken, then the much-maligned Boyd, kicked vital majors to but the Dogs on the brink.Picken, who in many ways typifies the Bulldogs tenacity and combative attitude, then put the icing on the cake with another goal to ensure the Dogs could finally win a second premiership.Pre-game, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge, such a revelation since taking over at the end of 2014, quipped there was a bit of room in the Bulldogs threadbare premiership cabinet.His love of his players has been a constant theme since joining the Dogs, which was apparent when he gave his premiership medal to injured captain Bob Murphy during the post-match celebrations.That duo, and the 22 warriors who defied the Swans, can now ensure the cup makes its way to Whitten Oval to sit proudly alongside the other won in 1954. Jacoby Ellsbury Yankees Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Andy Pettitte Yankees Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. https://www.cheapyankees.com/1311g-chance-adams-jersey-yankees.html . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Tyler Lyons Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Jacoby Ellsbury Jersey . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. DETROIT -- The Kansas City Royals began the game by hitting for the cycle as a team, then Whit Merrifield nearly did it by himself.Merrifield hit a triple as part of Kansas Citys four-run first inning, and he later added a single and a double in a 12-9 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The Royals hit four homers to drop the Tigers in the AL wild-card race -- and avoided elimination themselves.I havent played in the playoffs, but that was as close to a playoff atmosphere as Ive been a part of, said Merrifield, a rookie who made his debut for the defending World Series champions in May. (The Tigers are) fighting for a spot, and theyre going to give you your best shot, so youre going to have to play all 27 outs.Kansas City started the game with a single by Billy Burns, a triple by Merrifield and a double by Kendrys Morales before Salvador Perezs two-run homer made it 4-0. It was the first time the Royals first four hitters combined for a cycle since Sept. 30, 2006, also at Detroit.Tigers starter Matt Boyd (6-5) lasted only one more hitter after Perezs homer, giving up another hit before being pulled. The Tigers fell 1 1/2 games behind Baltimore for the second wild-card spot. The loss cut Clevelands magic number to clinch the AL Central to one -- the Indians start a four-game series in Detroit on Monday night.Boyd said he understood 100 percent why he was taken out so quickly.I might have been able to work myself through it, but the margin of error is zero right now, he said. Every run is important right now and so is every game.The Royals led 7-0 after Cheslor Cuthbert and Raul Mondesi hit consecutive homers in the third.Dillon Gee (8-9) got the win in relief, and Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 26th save in 29 chances. Miguel Cabrera came up as the tying run but lined out to shallow left field to end it.Plate umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Cameron Maybin from the Detroit dugout during that final at-bat.Victor Martinez hit a grand slam for Detroit in the third to make it 7-4, and the Tigers loaded the bases again that inning, chasing starter Edinson Volquez in the process.dddddddddddd But Andrew Romines bunt attempt with two outs was fielded easily by reliever Peter Moylan, and the force at home ended the inning.Detroit tried several former starters in long relief -- Anibal Sanchez, Shane Greene and Mike Pelfrey all pitched -- in an attempt to keep the game close, but the Royals kept adding runs. Alex Gordons