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CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler played with Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez when the two were growing up in Cuba. They traveled together to Venezuela for a youth tournament.Soler said Fernandezs ability was obvious, right from the start.Since he was a child, since we were kids, I knew he had something, Soler said through a translator. He had a talent. It was very impressive.Fernandezs death in a boating accident at the age of 24 cast a dark shadow over the major leagues on Sunday. Miamis home game against Atlanta was canceled, and several ballparks observed moments of silence. Wrigley Fields iconic hand-operated scoreboard displayed Fernandezs No. 16 in its pitching column next to Miami.But the loss of Fernandez was felt most acutely in baseballs growing Cuban community.He was one of those guys that everybody loved, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Brayan Pena said. He was one of those guys that everybody knew exactly what he meant to our community. For us, its a big, big loss. Its one of those things where our thoughts and prayers are obviously with his family, the Marlins organization and the fans. But it gets a little bit closer because he was part of our Cuban family.There was very little mention of Fernandezs death by Cuban state media, which were virtually silent with none of the countrys main newspapers mentioning it.The sole state-run evening news program also said nothing about the fatal accident. A brief story in Cubadebate, the countrys main news website, said Latin American baseball and the Major Leagues are undoubtedly in mourning, and many of his followers cant believe the news.The flight of baseball talent for rich contracts in the U.S. remains a sensitive topic in Cuba, where a baseball program that was a source of national pride has been devastated by departures for the Major Leagues. With few exceptions, state media do not mention Cuban players who have gone to the U.S. and games featuring those players are not rebroadcast on government-run TV.There were 23 Cubans on opening-day major league rosters this year, an increase of five over last season and the most since the commissioners office began releasing data in 1995. Many of the players share similar stories when it comes to their perilous journey from the communist country to the majors, and the difficulty of adjusting to life in the United States.A native of Santa Clara, Cuba, Fernandez was unsuccessful in his first three attempts to defect, and spent several months in prison. At 15, Fernandez and his mother finally made it to Mexico, and were reunited in Florida with his father, who had escaped from Cuba two years earlier.He was drafted by the Marlins in 2011, and quickly turned into one of the majors top pitchers.How he was on the mound was a reflection of him, Oakland first baseman Yonder Alonso said. A guy who had a lot of fun, was himself. A very talkative guy, he would come into the room and youd know he was in the room. Never big-leagued anyone, very professional. No matter what, he would talk to you about hitting, because he thought he was the best hitter, and he (would) talk to you about pitching, because he thought he was the best pitcher.Alonso said Fernandezs death was a big-time shock. Yasiel Puig used torn pieces of white athletic tape to display Fernandezs jersey on the wall in the home dugout at Dodger Stadium. Cardinals rookie Aledmys Diaz, who had known Fernandez since they were little kids, declined an interview request through a team spokeswoman.We Cuban players know each other well and all of us have a great relationship, Pena said. For us, its devastating news when we woke up. We were sending text messages to each other and we were showing support. Its something that obviously nobody expects.Fernandez, who became a U.S. citizen last year, also was beloved for his stature in the Cuban community in Miami.He was a great humanitarian, Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman said through a translator. He gave a lot to the community and I think thats why he got a lot of respect from the community in terms of what a great person he was and always giving, in terms of always willing to help out in whatever way he can to try to better and progress within the community someone that perhaps wasnt as fortunate as he was.The 28-year-old Chapman lives in the Miami-area in the offseason. He said he spent some time with Fernandez while he was home.He would come by my house. I would go by his, Chapman said. We would have long conversations. We would talk a lot. We spent a lot of good amount of time together. 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Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. SEATTLE -- When the calendar turns to November, Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks get going.In each of the past five seasons, the Seahawks have posted a winning record once November arrives. Since 2012 when Russell Wilson landed in Seattle, the Seahawks are a combined 28-6 over the final two months of the regular season.With that history, the Seahawks are looking to start another second-half run when they host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.I count on it now. I count on us improving and playing better as we get down the stretch and the closer we get to the finish the better we want to play, Carroll said. Thats kind of how weve constructed our mentality.Seattle is in the unfamiliar situation of going two straight weeks without a win after a tie that felt like a loss two weeks ago, followed by last weeks loss at New Orleans.The previous time Seattle went three straight games without a win was the 2011 season -- also the most recent time the Seahawks didnt make the playoffs.But this matchup -- the first time Buffalo is traveling to Seattle since 2004 -- has even more importance for the Bills. Having dropped two straight after a promising 4-2 start, including last weeks home loss to New England, the Bills dont have much leeway left.Its definitely a big road game for us and just a big game for the season, Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. Guys are definitely excited for the opportunity to go out there and show what we could do, and showcase it in front of the world.Buffalo may get running back LeSean McCoy back after missing last weeks game with a hamstring injury, but the Bills could be without standout defensive tackle Marcel Darius after suffering a groin injury against New England.Injuries have defined much of Buffalos season.Weve got to win this game, McCoy said. My main concern is how I feel each day at practice, getting treatment, mentally and physically. Thats what matters most right now.Heres what else to watch:GROUND STOP: The once-vaunted run game of the Seahawks continues to be stuck in neutral.Seattle enters the week 28th in the NFL, averaging just 81.4 yards per game. At its current pace, that would be the worst average in Seattle history for a 16-game season.Last season through seven games, even with Marshawn Lynch limited by injuries, the Seahawks were averaging 143.2 yards per game rushing.While Christine Michael has been inconsistent as the primary running back, the biggest culprit is the lack of running from Wilson, who has just 44 yards rushing through seven games.ddddddddddddGROUND FORCE: Buffalos run game has been the key to its offensive success this season.In their four victories, the Bills have rushed for 847 yards, thanks largely to the running of McCoy. In the four losses, the Bills have run for only 385 total yards.Surprisingly, this may be a week for the Bills to get their run game going. Seattle has allowed a 100-yard rusher in two straight games and three of the past five. The Seahawks had gone 24 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher until Carlos Hyde reached that mark in Week 3.I think youve got to be patient with our running game because like we say, that team is very athletic, Ryan said.WATCH THE FLAGS: Seattle was penalized 11 times last week against New Orleans. But the Seahawks seemed most upset about a pair of non-calls on New Orleans for possible offensive pass interference that led to a pair of key receptions, one of them a touchdown.Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said the league told the team both of those plays should have been penalties.We probably lead the league in NFL apologies the next day, Sherman said.HES BACK: Buffalo has suffered so many injuries at wide receiver, it was forced to bring Percy Harvin out of retirement earlier this week.And just in time to possibly face one of his former teams.Im self-motivated regardless of what team it is and who Im playing against, Harvin said. I just want to be the best I can be and play at the level I know I can. So, playing a team doesnt really matter to me.Harvin had an eventful 1+ seasons with Seattle that included hip surgery, internal conflicts with teammates, a memorable kickoff return touchdown in the Super Bowl and ultimately a stunning midseason trade to the New York Jets when it was clear Harvin was being more divisive than helpful.Harvin played in five games last season for Buffalo and had 19 catches for 218 yards and one touchdown.MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC: Seattles been very good under Carroll in primetime games, going 15-3-1.Going beyond Carrolls arrival in 2010, the Seahawks have been dominant on Monday nights.The Seahawks bring a 10-game win streak on Mondays into this weeks game. Their previous Monday night loss came on Dec. 6, 2004, a 43-39 loss at home to Dallas.Seattle is 22-8 on Monday nights, a .733 winning percentage.---AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '