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Ron Dennis has experienced extremely difficult times during more than 30 years as boss of the McLaren F1 team but none will be more personally taxing than the months ahead.For a man whose passion is Formula 1 (and always will be, to quote a recent interview), the public hurt inflicted by the boardroom coup will be nothing compared to removal from the helm of a team he nurtured and shaped into one of the greatest in the history of the sport.Pain is a favourite word of Ron when expressing the trials and tribulations of competing. He is going to feel a lot of that -- but without the compensation provided by the totally irreplaceable buzz of going racing and being involved at the highest level. Ron Dennis will miss that. Whether or not racing will miss him is typical of the many contradictions created by this managerial powerhouse.The simple figures behind the Dennis hegemony tell of expanding McLaren from 50 to 3,250 employees and winning more than 20 F1 world championships along the way. The details are more complex -- as befits the man himself -- but intriguing because of it.The story of Ron Dennis and McLaren is a lengthy one in terms of time and achievement; so colourful and varied, in fact, that it leaves those of us who knew him with a series of landmark moments that created an indelible impression -- for reasons good and bad.In March 1981, we were called to a former electronics factory on Boundary Road in Woking to visit not only McLarens new workshop but also to see F1s first carbon fibre chassis. All of this was an outward sign of the new regime driven by Dennis as his company, Project Four, merged with a McLaren team that had been dying on its feet. The event was low-key but the aims were clearly very high, as evidenced by John Barnards revolutionary and lightweight chassis being prepared in these small but unfashionably immaculate premises.Dennis had convinced the talented and occasionally irascible Barnard that they could work together. Ron would use the same powers of persuasion to encourage Niki Lauda to not only make a comeback, but to do it with McLaren. Lauda won the third race of his return in 1982, while John Watson would take victory for the team in Detroit two months later.Thinking, as always, of the future, Dennis confided during a press dinner that weekend that he had approached Ayrton Senna with a view to funding the young Brazilians F3 programme for 1983 in return for an option for F1. Dennis may have been non-plussed when Senna, clearly a rising star, turned him down but that merely doubled Rons determination to eventually have Ayrton on board.By the time that mission had been accomplished for 1988, Dennis had already gone through the quite remarkable phase of convincing Porsche to build what would be the dominant TAG-Turbo. With the Senna/Prost/McLaren/Honda package then winning all but one race in 1988, it really did seem that nothing could stop Dennis. It was no surprise when he was named Businessman of the Year by an esteemed commercial publication that had nothing to do with sport.How long could this go on? The handful of F1 reporters ushered into McLarens charcoal-coloured premises in Wokings Albert Drive in 2002 couldnt help but feel that Dennis had finally over-reached himself when he discussed the latest plans for his company. With the boyish enthusiasm of a youngster showing off his new train set, Dennis revealed a scale model of what would eventually be known as the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC).Perhaps reading our collective doubts, Ron assured the assembled company that the bill (eventually ￡270 million) would be financed over three years by surplus cash flow. And it was. Inbetween, we would don hard hats, boots and high-vis jackets to inspect work in progress, that same excitement still palpable as Ron marched ahead, explaining detail and, at the same time, noting snags. While no longer doubting this project would reach fruition, we couldnt help but feel sympathy for the hapless site foreman as Dennis made requests for cleanliness and perfection that redefined fastidious to the point of damaging obsession.That, of course, would always be the problem. You cannot achieve such phenomenal success without causing upset along the way. While Dennis may have accepted that unfortunate necessity, his arrogance occasionally seemed to blank off its true effect. The chickens, which were bound to come home to roost, crash-landed in the middle of 2007.In January of that year, Ron had held a press lunch in one of the boardrooms at MTC. The purpose was to tell the F1 media how we would deal with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton. This, in not so many words, was the subtext: These are the ground rules. Youll talk to Lewis only when we say so.So intent was Dennis on micro-managing his exciting new charge and instructing so-called Fleet Street to get its house in order, he did not know about damaging events taking place under his own roof. Six months later, the devastating effect of Spygate would explode across the Silverstone paddock, taking with it Rons proudly and earnestly espoused policy of clarity and honesty in all things.At a time when friends are to be valued, Ron found he had an enemy exactly where he didnt need one. The relationship between Dennis, a successful but opinionated working class man, and Max Mosley, an intellectual patrician, was bound to cause friction at some point. These two had previously rubbed along as professionally as possible but McLarens transgression and, in the eyes of FIA President Mosley, Rons denial of key failings would lead to the team paying a price. One hundred million dollars, to be precise. But as Rons detractors knew only too well, it was the bosss personal pride that would be damaged more than the companys bank account.His close family and friends were quick to rally round; something deeply appreciated by a man with a profound belief in the value of loyalty. In yet another contradiction, workers on the shop floor would tell you they rarely saw their boss, never mind exchange a word or two. And yet McLaren to this day is staffed by employees who would not dream of going anywhere else. And those of long-standing known to be considering a move would be the subject of a passionate entreaty from Dennis not to leave the family; a personal plea doubtless prompted by the thought of a rival not only being perceived as superior but also poking Dennis in the eye by winning the tug-of-war.Rons caring attitude often spread beyond the team, as F1 journalists in medical and financial difficulties will attest even though Dennis would not be in favour of broadcasting his unprompted generosity. Such genuine and spontaneous kindness sums up the contradiction behind the methods needed to become the most successful team boss in the sports history.It is the conundrum of a colossus. So very Ron Dennis.Nolan Patrick Jersey . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. 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Travis Konecny Jersey . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players.CLEVELAND -- The doctors told Kyle Schwarber the day after the Chicago Cubs slugger tore two ligaments in his left knee on April 7 that his season was over.Funny how months of relentless rehab and a chance to play in the World Series can speed up the healing process.Schwarber batted fifth and picked up his first hit of the season -- a double off the wall in right field in the fourth inning -- for the National League champions in Game 1 of the Fall Classic against Cleveland ace Corey Kluber.The lined shot by the Cubs designated hitter came 201 days after Schwarbers frightening collision with teammate Dexter Fowler while chasing down a fly ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was Schwarbers first time on base since homering in Game 3 of the 2015 NLCS against the New York Mets.Yes, even Schwarber is surprised hes here.I took regular visits to the doctor every month or two, and he kept telling me, `Its going to be spring training, Schwarber said a few hours before Game 1. Then this past doctors visit I had right before we went to LA for the (NLCS) he looked at my knee, hes like: `Man, its great. Youre strong. Im not going to hold you back from doing anything.Certainly not the chance to end Chicagos century-plus championship drought. Schwarber played two games in the Arizona Fall League, going 1 for 6 with a double and two walks, before flying to Cleveland late Monday. One last checkup later, the guy who blasted a club-record five home runs during the 2015 playoffs found himself on the World Series roster, giving the Cubs another powerful left-handed bat and making Chicago reliever Pedro Strops prediction come true.He said all along, `Man, youre going to be back for the World Series, Schwarber said. But the process was a long time. I mean, at first I didnt think I was ever going to have a normal knee again.Schwarber struck out in his first at-bat before doubling off Kluber.While Schwarber is healthy enough to swing the bat, its unlikely hell have much of a role outside of pinch hitting when the series shifts to Chicago for Games 3-5. Manager Joe Maddon said he was keeping an open mind and will see how Schwarbers knee responds, but he isnt counting on throwing Schwarber into the outfield at Wrigley Field.Regardless of how much you practice and attempt to simmulate a game in practice, you cannot, Maddon said.dddddddddddd. That quick movement, that sudden burst that you derive in a game, you cannot simulate that in practice. Its impossible.Maybe, but the fact that its a decision Maddon even has to ponder is remarkable.Schwarber spent the first six weeks of his rehab off his feet completely, his surgically repaired knee ramrod straight. Then he had to learn to walk again, careful to not push things too hard, too fast. Not exactly an easy thing to do for a 23-year-old desperate to get back and join the summer-long party that ended with the Cubs posting a major league-best 103 wins before rolling through the Giants and the Dodgers on their way to their first World Series appearance since the end of World War II.The easy part, the fun part, came when he was allowed to put a bat in his hands and swing away. The self-proclaimed baseball rat would arrive at the ballpark well before his teammates and spend hours in the cage, to the point where first baseman and good friend Anthony Rizzo jokingly urged Schwarber to get a life.Im like: `Schwarbs what are you doing? Just watch baseball and enjoy it, Rizzo said.No chance. His biggest issue in the final days of his rehab came from the blisters on his hands, collateral damage from working in the cage. He estimated he tracked 1,300 pitches off a machine trying to get his timing back while in Arizona. Hell get a chance to see if all that cramming paid off on the biggest stage of his life.Schwarber predicted hed tear up before the first pitch and credited his teammates as his rock while he worked his way back. Unlike many injured players, Schwarber would stick around to watch the games. Watching Chicago put together a dream season without him wasnt easy.Then again, the season isnt over, is it? The proof came in a text from first base coach Brandon Hyde that included Schwarbers name in the roster for the first time in more than six months. And in the World Series. Top that.It was a long road, but once we step in between those lines, its game time, Schwarber said. Im going to be locked in. Im going to be ready to go and go out there and try to win this. ' ' '
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