DALLAS -- Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton freely bent his left leg back and forth without feeling any pain seven weeks after extensive surgery on his knee.While still a long time from getting back on the field, Hamilton said Thursday that he anticipates being fully healthy and ready when the Rangers get to spring training in Arizona before next season.Im just really excited that I feel likes it better, I feel like its fixed, Hamilton said. Now the only thing is taking my time, strengthen it up and be ready for next year.During surgery June 8 in Houston, Hamiltons anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed. Dr. Walt Lowe also repaired meniscus and lateral cartilage in the knee.That was Hamiltons third surgery on the knee since September, along with cortisone shots and a stem cell and a platelet-rich plasma injection during spring training that may have actually led to more damage.When Hamilton went for a recent checkup, he told the doctor he felt good and then asked how the knee looked. The doctors response was unusually good, and when Hamilton asked what that meant, the doctor told him that at five weeks he was already at the point it took most patients 3 1/2 months to get to in recovery. But that also came with a reminder.He said the most important thing ... I know it feels good but at the same time youve still got some healing to do, so we really need to focus on that and going through the process of rehabilitation in the right matter, said Hamilton, who could start jogging again in about a week. Ive got plenty of time to not have to speed it up.In his first appearance for the Rangers since his surgery, Hamilton took part in a ceremony at the Texas Rangers MLB Urban Academy in West Dallas where a field has been named in his honor after contributing to the project.Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was also there after making a contribution toward a major league-size turf field for an indoor facility that will be built on the 17-acre site. Beltres No. 29 will be inscribed in the turf.Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP in his five seasons with the Rangers from 2008-12. He left in free agency and signed a $125 million, five-year contract with the AL West rival Los Angeles Angels.The Angels traded Hamilton back to Texas last year when he was coming back from shoulder surgery, and agreed to pay the Rangers for all of his $24 million salary this season and $22 million of the $24 million the outfielder is due in 2017, the last year of that contract. Hamilton played only 50 games last season, hitting .253 with eight homers and 25 RBI.When Hamilton is removed from the 60-day disabled list after this season, he knows it is possible that Texas could use his roster spot for another player. That would mean the 35-year-old outfielder would have to report to spring training with the Rangers on a non-roster deal.I feel confident that when Im healthy, really healthy, Im just as good as anybody in the game, and I still believe that, Hamilton said. I dont expect anything as far as like `Oh yeah, here you go, heres your spot, or anything like that. I expect to go out there and play. If I have to win a spot, wherever that is, thats fine with me. Ill just be happy to be back out there and be pain free and playing again. Magic Jerseys From China .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Mario Hezonja Jersey . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. http://www.cheapmagicjerseyschina.com/ . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Dwight Howard Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Cheap Magic Jerseys . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. DURHAM, N.C. -- As the weather got worse, Corbin McCarthys smile got bigger. It was going to be a good day for defense, especially Dukes defense.It was backyard football, said McCarthy, Dukes senior safety. Before I even put pads on today, I was a giddy 12-year-old kid. There was barely anyone in the stands, but it didnt matter. It was one of the purest forms of football Ive played in a long time, and it felt absolutely great.Daniel Jones and Parker Boehme each threw a touchdown pass as Duke beat Army 13-6 on Saturday.The Blue Devils (3-3) jumped out to a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter, and their defense stifled Armys rushing attack to hold on for the victory in pouring rain. Duke caused three turnovers, including a forced fumble by McCarthy to set up his teams first touchdown.Both teams struggled on offense as Hurricane Matthew made its way through North Carolina. The storm produced stiff wind and driving rain for hours leading up to the game and throughout the contest, making every punt, pass and kick difficult.The teams combined for 93 passing yards, averaged 3.4 yards per play and had as many punts (17) as first downs.Probably the MVP of the day was Matthew, meaning the storm, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. He was the baddest dude on the field for both teams. But we got a win when it was not as perfect as you would like.Andy Davidson rushed for 120 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown run late in the first half, for the Black Knights (3-2).Army entered the game averaging an FBS-leading 374 rushing yards per game but ran for a season-low 165 yards on 43 attempts against Duke.Boehme threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erich Schneider after Davidson lost a fumble at the Army 9 on the Black Knights second possession. Jones tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Young for Dukes other score.THE TAKEAWAYArmy: The Black Knights outplayed Duke after falling behind 13-0, but they could not sustain drives. Army converted two of 13 third-down plays and failed all four times on ffourth down, including three times on fourth-and-1 runs.dddddddddddd Credit Duke, Army coach Jeff Monken said. They played very physical. We couldnt block them. We couldnt sustain a block. It was disappointing.Duke: The Blue Devils gutted out a victory, but they still need three more wins to qualify for a fifth consecutive bowl game. That will be a difficult task against Dukes six remaining opponents, each of which is bigger, faster and more talented than Army.FOURTH AND STRONGAfter stopping Army four times on fourth down, Duke has held its opponents to no fourth-down conversions on eight attempts this season. The Black Knights were 9 of 11 converting on fourth down in their first four games.Dukes fourth-down stops were huge. One set up Dukes second touchdown, and another stopped the Black Knights from converting a blocked punt into points after they moved to the Duke 4. The Blue Devils amped up the pressure on fourth down, blitzing defenders who knifed through the line to make tackles in the backfield.INJURY REPORTDuke lost starting center Austin Davis and leading rusher Jela Duncan to leg injuries. Neither player returned to the game. Left guard Zach Harmon moved over to center in the absence of Davis, and he successfully executed each of his snaps in the harsh conditions.WET AND WILDThe teams played in an almost-empty stadium due to the weather. But a few fans channeled the creativity of their basketball brethren, the Cameron Crazies, and cheered without shirts while wearing swimsuits, swim caps and goggles.UP NEXTArmy: After playing four of their first five games on the road, the Black Knights return home against Louisiana-Lafayette for their first home game since Sept. 10.Duke: The Blue Devils visit No. 7 Louisville on Friday night to kick off the second half of their season. Four of the remaining six opponents on Dukes schedule entered the weekend ranked. Cheap Jerseys [url=http://www.cheapjerseysbasketball.com/]Wholesale Basketball JerseysWholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '