BALTIMORE -- In his first year with the Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts played shortstop alongside third baseman Cal Ripken, Jr., who was in the final year of what turned out to be a Hall of Fame career. Now in his first season with the New York Yankees, Roberts is lining up next to shortstop Derek Jeter -- whos putting the finishing touches on what appears to be a Hall of Fame career. "Ive definitely been extremely blessed to take part in both of their last years," Roberts said. "They have so many similarities: the way they go about the game, the way they go about their business on and off the field, so professional in both ways, so respected by everyone. When you play with each of them you see why. They both do just do everything the right way, treat people the right way. Its something that all of us can learn from." The 36-year-old Roberts wont soon forget the experience. "We all take things from every place that weve been and people that we play with, but certainly when you play with guys of that calibre and that stature in the game, I think its special for all of us to have the opportunity to do that," he said. Roberts played 51 games at shortstop in 2001, his first year with the Orioles, and has been at second base ever since. After spending 13 years with the Orioles, he signed as a free agent with the Yankees in January. He returned to Camden Yards on Friday for the first time since his departure. "Its crazy," he said in the New York clubhouse. "I dont know if I walked in here one time in my career. Its definitely strange to walk by the home clubhouse and come over here but its kind of a new chapter of life. Im certainly excited to be back. Spent the night in my house. Good to sleep in your own bed sometimes." Roberts was extremely popular in Baltimore, but during the later stages of his career he played sparingly because of a variety of injuries -- most notably a concussion that impacted his 2011 and 2012 seasons. Being healthy with the Yankees was just what he wanted when he opted to play another year. "Its been great. Thats all I was hoping for this year was to have the opportunity to get out and play on a consistent basis and feel healthy and feel like I was contributing," Roberts said. "From that standpoint, its certainly been a year Ive been pleased with." Playing with the Orioles, however, was tough to beat. "Certainly the 13 years that I had in Baltimore were the best years of my life," Roberts said. "No one can take that away from us. Very appreciative to have those years. And now, to do this is just something new." New York manager Joe Girardi expected Roberts to get a warm reception from the fans at Camden Yards. "He put up a lot of big numbers here, did a lot of great things here," Girardi said. "He was a fan favourite for a long time here, so I would hope they would greet him well." When Roberts got to the plate in the second inning, he received a smattering of applause. He then drove the first pitch from Miguel Gonzalez over the right-field scoreboard for his fifth home run of the year. Blake Griffin Jersey . Lack replaced an injured Roberto Luongo late in the first period then watched defenceman Chris Tanev score the winning goal midway through the third as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Jets 2-1 in a tight NHL game. Johnathan Motley Clippers Jersey . Monta Ellis had 30 points and nine assists, Nowitzki was another of seven Dallas players in double figures with 11 points and the Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-104 Tuesday night. https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/Ivica...ion-Jersey/.com) - Will Conant booted a 39-yard field goal as time expired and Air Force played spoiler with a 27-24 win over 21st- ranked Colorado State on Friday. Los Angeles Clippers Jerseys . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Louis Williams Jersey . According the CSNBayArea.com, the 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury in his right knee on Friday when he collided with Anaheims Emerson Etem during a pre-season game.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Kobe Bryant is sitting out the Los Angeles Lakers game against the league-leading Golden State Warriors to rest his tired legs.The 36-year-old Bryant, in his 19th NBA season, shot 3 for 15 in a one-point loss to Oklahoma City last Friday and was 8 for 30 in a seven-point defeat at Sacramento on Sunday. He entered Tuesday third in the league in scoring with 24.6 points per game, and passed Michael Jordan for third place onn the career scoring list Dec.dddddddddddd 14 at Minnesota.This is the first game Bryant has sat out this season, after missing 76 games last season because of a torn Achilles and a fractured left knee. Coach Byron Scott said less than two hours before tipoff that the two-time scoring champ was on board with the decision, adding that Bryant would be evaluated before Thursdays nationally televised Christmas Day game at Chicago. ' ' '