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CHASKA, Minn. -- Rory McIlroy is a big boxing fan, and he looked as if he had gone 15 rounds late Saturday afternoon as the sun set on Hazeltine National. A raging headache was surpassed only by the rage he carried around with him for 11 riveting hours at the Ryder Cup.McIlroy threw a few haymakers himself, and the celebratory uppercuts were part of an exhausting day that saw him and Thomas Pieters win two matches for Europe while also fighting the unfortunate battles with those outside the ropes.The ugliness was outdone only by McIlroys inspired golf. And when he started to wane toward the end of the day, there was Belgiums long-hitting Pieters to pick him up off the mat.After a 4 and 2 victory against Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler in the morning foursomes, McIlroy and Pieters took it to Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka in the afternoon, never trailing, building a 4-up lead and withstanding a late mini-rally to close it out 3 and 1.The European duo has combined for 3 of Europes 6? points, while putting up with a good bit of undesirable nonsense from a loud, obnoxious minority of spectators who for some unknown reason have taken out their anxieties on one of golfs nicest and most accomplished players.Its a tough environment for us to come play in, said McIlroy, a four-time major winner from Northern Ireland who now lives in Florida. We expect that. Its the same for the U.S. guys when they come to play in Europe. You have to keep your concentration out there. Its been a long day and sometimes emotions run high.McIlroy was being diplomatic while trying to carry the European team on his back -- along with Pieters, who is now 3-1 in his first Ryder Cup. If the European galleries have ever gone over the line, it has not been to the extent heard here.It was more than clear that McIlroy was agitated with the behavior of spectators who went beyond the typical partisan rooting that is common and a part of the Ryder Cup. He was heckled throughout the day, and while a good bit of it was in good fun, it became increasingly nasty as the alcohol flowed and the day became more intense.After making what was an unlikely birdie at the seventh hole of the afternoon match, McIlroy punctuated his celebration by turning toward Lake Hazeltine and letting out a howl which pierced the murmuring in the crowd. And then it got particularly unpleasant.As he walked to the 8th tee, a 300-yard journey that becomes a gauntlet as fans scream and yell from a few feet away outside the ropes, at one point, a fan leaned toward McIlroy and screamed an obscenity at him.For most of the day, McIlroy ignored the taunts. But this was impossible to put aside. McIlroy, seething, immediately stopped and pointed at the fan, called for security and continued a stare down that didnt end until a police officer arrived. McIlroy then headed up the hill to the tee, striped a 3-iron onto the green and he and Pieters won the hole to go 3-up.It fueled me a lot, he said. The more they shouted, the better we played. I hope they shout all day tomorrow.McIlroy has probably not helped matters. The best way to deal with the unruliness and crudeness is to ignore it, pretend those fans and their comments dont exist, go about the business of making birdies and posting blue on the scoreboard. Easy for you or me to say.The taunts then got personal. He was serenaded several times with Sweet Caroline, a reference to his former fiancée, professional tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. At one point, he mockingly sang along, clapping. All the while, his current fiancée, Erica Stoll, walked along inside the ropes. Yep, classy.When his approach shot found the water next to the 16th green -- helping to momentarily extend the match -- the crowd erupted as if the Vikings had just scored a touchdown in the old Metrodome.Theres nothing wrong with such partisan cheering at the Ryder Cup. But why such venom has been directed at McIlroy is beyond puzzling. This is one of the more popular, gracious players when he competes in PGA Tour events. He just won the Tour Championship on Sunday -- and the FedEx Cups $10-million bonus -- and youd be hard-pressed to find anyone at the tournament who didnt cheer that victory.Its been tough, but you have to keep your focus and concentration at all times and not let it affect you, said McIlroy, who admitted tiring toward the end and was backed up by Pieters, who birdied three of the last five holes. But, at the same time, when you play a good shot or you win a hole or you hole a putt, you want to let them know that.So as much as they are giving it to us, we are trying to give it straight back at them.The big question now is if McIlroy has anything left. Playing five matches, as he will do at this Ryder Cup along with four of his teammates, is exhausting. He left Hazeltine on Saturday evening in a bit of a daze. There was some great golf, but Pieters -- who won an NCAA title at the University of Illinois in 2012 -- offered support in the end.That wont be the case in singles on Sunday, when captain Darren Clarke desperately needs McIlroy to help the Europeans overcome a 9? to 6? deficit. McIlroy has never lost in three singles appearances, and now is not the time to start.McIlroy, who was energized by all of the emotion and adrenaline Friday, might be running out of energy at this point. But dont bet on it. As he said, the negativity has fueled him, and his production of points proves it.Hell need to punch back for one more day. Packers Jerseys 2021 . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. 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NEW YORK -- Mike Piazza glanced high toward his No. 31 that will forever hang over Citi Field and urged New York Mets fans, hoping to find faith in the most trying moments, to do the same.So every time these guys are down and you need a little bit of inspiration, just give a little peek up there to ol Mikey, he told an adoring crowd Saturday night.The Mets retired Piazzas number in a half-hour ceremony before playing Colorado, six days after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.Speaking at a podium in center field, the 12-time All-Star catcher had to catch himself once, when the emotions started to well up inside him.Youve given me an honor that no man deserves and no player deserves, Piazza said.The tribute included his parents, family members, former teammates, friends and a lot of chanting and cheering. He ended his 6-minute speech with a shout of Lets go, Mets!The 47-year-old Piazza became the fourth Mets person to have his jersey retired by the team, joining pitcher Tom Seaver and managers Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges.Piazzas number now hangs in a big circle on the facade above the upper deck in left field.That means I will always be with you, he said, adding that when the Mets are struggling, know that Im back home watching you guys on TV, saying a lot of prayers -- praying for the Mets. And listening on the radio.Piazza became the fourth different major leaguer to have his No. 31 retired by a team. Greg Maddux (Cubs, Braves), Ferguson Jenkins (Cubs) and Dave Winfield (Padres) also received the honor.With light rain falling, the field was covered with a tarp that sported a big Piazza logo. A giant outline of home plate was cut into the grass in center field with his number and the Mets players wore uniforms that had a Piazza patch.The Mets gathered in the dugout to watch the ceremony, as did a couple of Rockies.Piazza hit .308 overall with 427 home runs and 1,335 RBI -- not bad for someone who didnt even make the varsity on his 10th-grade team and wwas only a 62nd-round draft pick.ddddddddddddhe video board showed his most famous home run, the go-ahead drive against Atlanta in the first big league game played in New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The homer is mentioned on his Hall plaque.A couple hours earlier, Piazza talked about what that moment meant to him and everyone in the ballpark, and beyond.As much as I hit the home run, he said, I felt it wasnt just me.The memory made him pause, and he asked to get a drink of water after the remembrance.Piazza made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992, was traded to the Marlins in 1998 and swapped to the Mets a week later.When he came to the team, it meant the Mets were back, said U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York.King was raised in Queens, not far from Shea Stadium where Piazza played, and attended his pregame news conference.Piazza originally wore No. 25 with the Dodgers and shifted to 31 the next year.Anything 3 is kind of my lucky number, Piazza said. He wore 13 in high school, but its an unlucky number to many and doesnt have the best reputation.When he joined the Mets, former teammate John Franco gave up his number and presented it to Piazza.Hundreds of fans came to Citi Field wearing No. 31 jerseys in shades of blue, white, black, gray and with pinstripes, and the crowd began chanting Piazzas name well before he was introduced.Former teammates Al Leiter, Edgardo Alfonzo and Cliff Floyd sat near Piazza during the festivities. Piazza later stood on the tarp at home plate and tossed out the first ball to Leiter, who scooped the low throw before it bounced at the mound.Waving to the crowd, Piazza was driven off the field on a golf cart. But he promised to be back when 3-year-old son Marco was older.Then, Piazza said, he could point to his No. 31 above the ballpark and assure his day that your dad was cool once. ' ' '