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LOS ANGELES -- Vin Scully has returned to Dodger Stadium for the first time since ending his 67-year career behind the microphone.The 88-year-old Hall of Fame announcer was at Game 5 of the NL Championship Series as a spectator Thursday night. But the Dodgers couldnt resist putting him to work briefly.Its time for Dodger baseball! Scully proclaimed from an upstairs suite, where he planned to watch the game with his wife.Typically that pregame cry is handled by whoever throws out the ceremonial first pitch. On Thursday, it was former Dodgers first basemen Steve Garvey and Eric Karros. They were in position behind home plate and bantered a bit before unveiling the surprise: Scully would say it for all in the audience to hear.Scully called his final game at the stadium last month before concluding his career with the teams regular-season finale in San Francisco on Oct. 2.The Cubs and Dodgers were tied 2-all going into Game 5 of the NLCS. .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. The Gold Coasts controversial surge from $151 outsiders to unlikely finalists is being attributed to the conviction of coach Neil Henry, who has been rewarded for a stellar 2016 campaign with a one-year contract extension.Already signed for next year, an option has been activated following the clubs top eight finish that will keep Henry on Queenslands glitterstrip until at least the end of 2018.Ahead of their first finals appearance since 2010 against Brisbane on Friday, co-captain Nathan Friend has paid tribute to the man known as King.While a chorus of knockers began the year writing off the side, Friend said the former Raiders and Cowboys coach had turned the organisation around.He said Henrys strength of character in moving some players on he thought werent pulling their weight and attracting Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Peats and Konrad Hurrell had been pivotal.Hes moved in and hes got rid of the guys he thought werent worthy of the club and may have inhibited the performance on the field, Friend said.And hes recruited really well. He knew what he wanted to get out of the squad and hes got a group of young guys more than capable this year and beyond.I see nothing but good going forward.The Titans began the season teetering on the edge after a string of blows inclluding players in court over a cocaine scandal, the loss of star three-quarter James Roberts to a contract bungle and the departures of playmaker Aidan Sezer and State of Origin prop Nate Myles.ddddddddddddThe clubs depth was also tested with young halfback Kane Elgey suffering a season-ending knee injury on the first day of pre-season.Friend said they were now taking pride in proving people wrong.The so-called experts thought we were no chance and thought wed be at the bottom of the table, Friend said.Weve proven to ourselves, not anyone else, that the effort we put in through the season has amounted to this.The young guys weve got there can lift another level come Friday.While Henry acknowledged the clubs difficulties, he deflected praise to his playing group.Its been a bit difficult in context of our ownership model too and what we had to do around training facilities, movement, players on contract and moving players as well, Henry said.Its all evolving I suppose to try and change the roster, its not always easy.All season theyve been willing to work hard for each other. Its a feather in their cap the way theyve handled things. ' ' '
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