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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. Jazz Jersey . Here at TSN.ca we will take a look back at the season by bringing together a panel of experts to help pick the best 50 players of the season. Swingman John Stockton Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Canadiens at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The game can also be heard on TSN Radio Montreal 690. 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With Washington teammate Nene drawing double-teams coming off his big game against the Lakers, Gortat scored 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wizards to a 100-92 win in overtime over Milwaukee on Wednesday night.Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) - The Williams sisters are through to the fourth round at the Australian Open, but both top seed Serena and No. 18 seed Venus had to rally from a set down Saturday. Serena, a five-time Aussie champion, came back to down 26th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0. Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, topped talented Italian Camila Giorgi, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. It was a rough start for Serena, who fell behind 5-2 in the first set, but then won the next two games. Svitolina came back to hold at love the next game to take the set. The final two sets were completely different, as the 18-time Grand Slam champion and reigning U.S. Open queen won the first four games of the second and throttled her opponent in the third. My next match Im just going to have a longer warmup, more intense warmup. But as long as I was able to come through today, I can always have an opportunity for tomorrow, Serena said. There was a brief opening for Svitolina in the third game of the final set, but she blew a pair of break point chances. Revenge could be a factor in Serenas next match. She was the defending champion hheaded into the 2014 French Open, but lost in the second round to Spains Garbine Muguruza.dddddddddddd Muguruza, the 24th seed here, set up her match with Serena with a win over Switzerlands Timea Bacsinszky, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. It was a good loss, Serena said of her loss to Muguruza. As angry as I was, it was the best loss I had the whole year last year. Had a lot of them. But that one in particular made me realize what I needed to work on. It opened my eyes towards a lot of things. Venus was two points away from losing the match to Giorgi, but then rallied. Giorgi double-faulted 16 times. This will be the first time Venus has reached the round-of-16 at a major since Wimbledon 2011. Its definitely been a lot of work and a lot of learning and a lot of perseverance, Venus said. It will continue to be that for me. Just have to come to terms with it. Next up for Venus is sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. The Wimbledon runner-up surged past American Varvara Lepchenko, the 30th seed, 6-0, 7-5. Also Saturday, 11th seed Dominika Cibulkova defeated 19th seed Alize Cornet, 7-5, 6-2; and Madison Brengle upended fellow American Coco Vandeweghe, 6-3, 6-2. China Jerseys ' ' '