Peace through strength, Taiwan president says on China battle anniversary

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By Reuters, Posted by TOE KINMEN, Taiwan — Peace can only be secured through strength and not even an inch of territory can be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on ⁠Sunday, visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago. Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which lie just off the Chinese coast, since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists. No peace ⁠treaty or armistice has ever been signed. In heavy rain, ​Lai ⁠laid a wreath and bowed at a memorial park for the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash with Chinese forces, known as the start of the second Taiwan ⁠Strait crisis — the last time Taiwanese and Chinese forces battled on a large scale. Addressing veterans later, ​Lai ⁠expressed gratitude to those who “stood united and ‌fought a bloody battle to repel Communist totalitarian aggression”. “Our resolve to unite ...
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Cardinals manager Oli Marmol gets two-year contract extension

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JUPITER, Fla. - The St. Louis Cardinals and manager Oli Marmol have agreed to a contract extension through the 2026 season.

The Cardinals announced Marmol's new extension on Friday, though did not disclose financial details.

Marmol is preparing for his third season as the team's manager. The Cardinals are 164-160 since he took over as manager ahead of the 2022 season.

Marmol's first year as manager ended with 93 wins and an NL Central Division title. His second year fared quite differently. The Cardinals finished 71-91, missed the postseason for the first time in five years and ended up with their worst record in decades.

The Cardinals ownership and front office still feel confident in Marmol as manager.

“Oli is a well-respected member of the Cardinals organization, who came up through the ranks of our player development system, and has made a nice transition to managing at the Major League level,” stated Cardinals’ Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. “We are pleased to have Oli under contact for the next three seasons.”

“Over the past two seasons, we have experienced a lot of different emotions, both up and down, and through it all, Oli has helped navigate us through these challenging times,” said Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “Oli has the support of our players, our coaching staff, and the front office.”

Marmol first joined the Cardinals organization in 2007 as a prospect. He coached in the Cardinals' farm system from 2012 to 2016, then joined the St. Louis coaching staff in 2017. The Cardinals fired Mike Schildt as manager after the 2021 season, paving the way for Marmol's opportunity.

The extension comes as the Cardinals brought back Yadier Molina, one of the most decorated catchers in Cardinals history, in a special advisor role. The Cardinals had previously discussed coaching opportunities with Molina, and there was some degree of mutual interest. Molina, who managed Puerto Rico during the World Baseball Classic last spring, will take on a scaled-back advisor role for the foreseeable future.

Oli Marmol opened up about his first two seasons and his personal expectations during the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up offseason event in January, offering the following remarks:

“You learn a lot. You have a positive season in ’22. You have a season in ’23 that wasn’t so positive. It was a difficult year, and you learn a lot about yourself.

“It tested my character. It really did. It makes you sit back and think through what went well, what didn’t, and what I would do different.

“The reality is, I needed to be better. Last year wasn’t good enough, and our staff needs to be better. But that starts with me.”

The Cardinals have less than two weeks of spring training games remaining. The 2024 season begins with a road matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 28.



from FOX 2 https://ift.tt/pE3uQX7

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