BALTIMORE - Nick Markakis endured the lean years with the Baltimore Orioles, suffering through one losing season after another during the worst stretch in franchise history.If that wasnt bad enough, when the Orioles finally turned things around in 2012, Markakis sat out the playoffs with a broken thumb.Now, nine years into his major league career, the 30-year-old right fielder is getting his first taste of post-season baseball. No one on Baltimores current roster has spent more time with the team than Markakis, whose loyalty to the Orioles has never wavered since they made him their first-round pick in the 2003 draft.Even after Baltimore went 70-92, 69-93 and 68-93 in his first three major league seasons, Markakis remained confident he would ultimately reach the playoffs with the Orioles.So he signed a six-year extension in 2009 during Baltimores miserable run of 14 straight losing seasons.In the past, judging by the development and the direction the team was going, I knew it was just a matter of time, Markakis said. Thats one reason I signed here, because I knew eventually it was going to happen. Good things come from a little hard work, patience and dedication. It was just a matter of plugging in players here and there, and weve got it now.Using deft moves by executive vice-president Dan Duquette and the guidance of manager Buck Showalter, the Orioles are in the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1997. When they open at home Friday night against Kansas City, there will be plenty of fans among the sellout crowd wearing No. 21 jerseys with MARKAKIS on the back.Markakis, the Orioles leadoff hitter, ranks among the top 10 in franchise history in games, at-bats, runs, hits, double, RBIs and walks. In his own understated way, hes made a name for himself on lists that include Hall of Fame stars Cal Ripken, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson.You look at the all-time leaders in hits in Baltimore history, that gets your attention, manager Buck Showalter said. Sometimes we dont completely grasp what weve watching here.Showalter remembers how disappointed Markakis was in 2012, when the Orioles finally shed their losing ways and earned a spot in the playoffs as a wild card. Markakis season ended on Sept. 9 when he was struck in the left thumb by a fastball from New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia.It still bothers me, Showalter said. That was a kick in the (rear). It reminded all of us how fleeting this is.For Markakis, watching the post-season from the bench didnt come close to the feeling of playing the game.Every kid wants to be part of something. When theyre doing something and youre not part of it, it makes you appreciate what youre missing, Markakis said. I understand that now. I had it taken away from in 2012, but here I am with a second chance.Hes making the most of it, too. Markakis had three RBIs and scored three runs in the Orioles three-game sweep of Detroit in the AL Division Series, the highlight a two-run homer in Game 2.I know hes excited about being in the playoffs and were all excited to have him, Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy said. Hes kind of one of the steady guys we have on this team. Hes out there every single day, giving 100 per cent playing through pain and all kinds of stuff.The only time in the last seven years that Markakis failed to play in at least 155 games was that lamentable 2012 season.As manager, thats one less thing you have to worry about, Showalter said. Hes such a self-starter a€” and so consistent.That contract Markakis signed in 2009 comes with a club option next season. He will receive $17.5 million in 2015, or the Orioles must pay a $2 million buyout.When he signed in 2009, it was with the notion that he would spend his entire career in Baltimore.High risk, high reward. It was a good decision on my part, Markakis said. I knew what this city was capable of doing and it paid off. Im enjoying this.He cant imagine what it would have been like to spurn the extension, become a free agent and sign with the highest bidder.Theres always an easy way out, Markakis said. You can sign with the team with the most money and best players and everything else, but I always believe in putting in your time and being loyal to the team that who gave you that opportunity.Thats what I abide by, thats how I was raised. I wouldnt have it any other way. Clearance Soccer Jerseys . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . 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Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night.DENVER -- Jonas Gustavsson stopped just about everything, including the Colorado Avalanches six-game winning streak. The backup goalie turned in a 38-save performance and Johan Franzen broke a third-period tie with his second goal of the game as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Avalanche 4-2 on Thursday night to hand Patrick Roy his first loss as a coach. "He had a heck of a game for them," Matt Duchene said of Gustavsson. Had a little motivation, too. This rivalry -- pretty much dormant of late -- just got a little more heated. The Red Wings played inspired hockey after a hard hit knocked defenceman Niklas Kronwall out of the game early in the first period. Seeing him carried off on a stretcher shook up his teammates. "Looked bad," Franzen said. Once they learned he was all right -- a cut on the ear and a concussion -- they went back to dispatching the Avalanche. The Red Wings later announced on their Twitter account that Kronwall "has a concussion; cuts to the ear but hes moving all extremities, being treating in locker room." Cody McLeod received a 5-minute penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. Pavel Datsyuk also had two goals and Daniel Alfredsson added three assists for the Red Wings. But the chatter after the game centred around the hit delivered by McLeod. "I dont know how much time he had to actually slow down there, but hes got to be able to at least lower his point of impact," Franzen said. "Hes got to find a way to not hit (Kronwall) in the head." Kronwall was momentarily knocked out. "It was really scary. He was out. He didnt really know what happened there," fellow defenceman Jonathan Ericsson said. "We found out pretty early he was fine and he was going to recover fine." Roy is withholding his judgment of the play, preferring to see what NHL vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan has to say. "To be honest with you, I didnt look at it because I didnt want to look at it," Roy said. "I didnt want to make a comment on it. From the bench, I thought Kronwall turned his back at the last minute. "Does that make it dirty? I guess Shanahan has to make a decision. From the bench I saw a defenceman turn his back at the last second. For anyone who knows the game its hard for a player to stop." Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog scored for the Avalanche as they fiinished a win short of matching the franchise record for best start (7-0) set by the 1985-86 Quebec Nordiques.dddddddddddd Still, its been quite a beginning to the Roy era on the bench. "Were 6-1. We still have the best or second-best record in the league," Duchene said. "Its unfortunate we couldnt have kept it going against these guys, but we played hard and played really well." The Avalanche simply ran into a hot goaltender as Gustavsson bottled up Colorados potent offence most of the game. Even when the Avalanche pulled Semyon Varlamov for an extra skater with more than 1 minute remaining, they couldnt sneak anything past Gustavsson. "That was a tough one," Paul Stastny said. Franzens game-winner came on a power play when he took a pass from Justin Abdelkader and lined a shot over Varlamovs shoulder. Franzen also scored in the first period -- his first two goals of the season. Datsyuk sealed the game when he scored off his own rebound 13:35 into the final period. Varlamov had a rough night against the rival Red Wings, allowing four goals. He had allowed just six in five starts entering the game. Landeskog and Johnson scored in the second period to tie the game at 2. Johnson took the puck from behind his net, skated up the ice with little interference and lined a shot over Gustavssons right shoulder. It was Johnsons first goal since Feb. 17, 2012. The opening period was dominated by a fired-up Detroit team following that hit on Kronwall along the boards. The hit sent his helmet flying as he crashed to the ice. This rivalry may just be heating back up. It used to be a bitter and bloody one during Roys playing days, but its tapered off a bit, in large part due to the slide of the Avalanche, who have missed the playoffs the past three seasons. Can this rivalry get heated again? After all, the two teams meet just twice this season as the Red Wings switched over to the Eastern Conference. "Were a long way before were getting to where the Red Wings are," Roy said. "Its amazing what theyve been doing over the years. Theyve been there (playoffs) every year." NOTES: Gustavsson made his third straight start with Jimmy Howard bothered by a sore hand. ... Varlamov had an assist on Johnsons goal. ... The announced attendance was 18,101, which topped the season opener (18,007). A good portion rooted for the Red Wings. ' ' '