doesnt mimic one past player. Hes taking pieces from several.I wanted to take Hakeems shot-blocking abilities, Whiteside said. I wanted to take Kevin Garnetts face-up jumper. I wanted to take Ti

SAN FRANCISCO -- That visible circle in the back pockets of big leaguers -- typically a sure sign of smokeless tobacco -- might be far less common next season.Players new to the majors wont be able to dip next year without risk of penalty, a provision under baseballs tentative five-year labor agreement reached late Wednesday.I think the smokeless tobacco ban is both logical and I am thankful, Los Angeles Angels reliever Huston Street said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday night. I understand choice, but choosing to die sooner is not one I support.It is possible more than the 12 current major league cities with laws either in place or headed that way will have tobacco bans by the start of the 2017 season. Thats what many health experts and advocates in the prevention efforts are hoping for, at least, though they certainly would have preferred a tobacco ban across the board for baseball to set an example for youth and the sports future.The new collective bargaining agreement reached last night by Major League Baseball owners and players takes a major step forward in removing tobacco from the game by prohibiting all new MLB players from using smokeless tobacco, like chew, dip and snuff, said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Combined with the fact that 12 major league cities already have prohibitions on tobacco use at their baseball parks by all players and team personnel, baseball is now on a clear path to become tobacco-free in the very near future.While we had hoped for a complete prohibition on smokeless tobacco in baseball in the new agreement, this is a major step forward and represents the first time the players and owners have a made a clear commitment to fully eliminating smokeless tobacco use in baseball, he said.Right-hander Cal Quantrill , a first-round draft pick by the Padres this year taken No. 8 overall out of Stanford, isnt sure what the ban will mean for prospects working their way toward the top. The son of former big league pitcher Paul Quantrill, Cal Quantrill doesnt chew.Its hard to say if there is less dipping, but I would say people definitely are more aware of the consequences, said Quantrill, who pitched between the rookie level and A-ball in 2016.With cancer concerns at the forefront since Hall of Famer Tony Gwynns June 2014 death at age 54 from salivary gland cancer complications following years of dipping, the dangers of long-term tobacco use have become a national issue for the national pastime. Gwynns family filed a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this year against the tobacco industry.Sounds like a good start, Giants head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said of the ban. Those players should be used to it as that is already in place in the minor leagues.Five years ago, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy used a hypnotist to quit chewing tobacco. A close friend and old teammate of Gwynns, he has dipped off and on since, facing a constant battle of trying to end the decades-old habit dating to his playing days.White Sox ace Chris Sale quit chewing after Gwynn died .I would think that there would be a lot less in the near future, Giants Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford said in an email.For the last five seasons, big league players were prohibited from carrying tobacco products, including tins and packages, onto the field when fans were in the ballpark. But in the clubhouses, indoor batting cages and other out-of-sight spots, the tell-tale signs were there.This reported agreement between Major League Baseball and its Players Association is a victory for the health of new professional players and young players all around the nation who look up to them as role models, said Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., ranking member of the House committee on Energy and Commerce. The devastating health effects of chewing tobacco are well known, and any opportunity to limit its use at the professional level is a welcome development.In the visiting clubhouse at San Franciscos AT&T Park, there will be no smokeless tobacco. Thats part of the reason clubhouse manager Abe Sylvestri and his staff now has candy jars on two shelves with a dozen or so options -- providing an alternative for players who typically chew, and just a quick sugar jolt for anyone else who might need it.We wont be supplying it at all, Sylvestri said, not worth it.Tim Flannery, former Giants third base coach and a ex-teammate and close friend of Gwynn, appreciates the step and offered an old-school idea.I think its time. In the minor leagues for years its been banned, Flannery said. If a guy really needs a fix he can sneak up the tunnel like the cigarette days. 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Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. MIAMI -- Hassan Whitesides talents are apparently not limited to the dunks and defense that convinced the Miami Heat he was worthy of a $98 million contract this offseason.Turns out, he also does a very respectable Shaquille ONeal impression.When I met him, he was just, `Big fella, youve got to dunk everything, Whiteside said, perfectly mimicking ONeals oft-imitated tone. `I like how you play. Dunk everything.Sounding like ONeal, thats the easy part.Playing like ONeal, thats now the challenge.The Heat guaranteed Whiteside a fortune, and hes now starting to realize that the teams fortunes -- with Dwyane Wade now in Chicago and questions surrounding Chris Bosh health -- are on his copious shoulders. Its a challenge he says that hell embrace, insisting hes still fueled by so many teams passing on him.Each month hes been with us, hes gotten better, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. And I think thats a great statement to make. For two straight years, hes gotten better. Seems like each week, each game that hes played, hes understanding his role. Hes playing with a great motor right now.Hes also coming off a season the likes of which no NBA center had managed in nearly a quarter-century.Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and a league-best-by-far 3.7 blocks per game last season. The last player to finish a season averaging so much in each of those three categories was Hakeem Olajuwon, in 1993-94.In a league where only nine players -- DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, Pau Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Julius Randle and Whiteside -- averaged a points-rebounds double-double last season, a truly elite big man is a rarity these days.He is going to be an essential part of what we do, Heat president Pat Riley said.He was one of seven big men to get deals this summer averaging $16 million or more in free agency. Whiteside, Drummond, Howard, Al Horford and Joakim Noah got deals that will pay them a combined $682 million over the coming seasons. Timofey Mozgov and Ian Mahinmi each got $64 million over the next four years -- and they have career averages of 6.9 and 5.1 points, respectively.In Atlantas case, for example, giving Howard $70.5 million over three years came down to dollars and sense.I still think that players like Dwight, Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said, have a huge impact on what you do.ddddddddddddWhiteside insists that he isnt just a back-to-the-basket player. Hes lobbying each day to have freedom to bring the ball up after rebounds, is working on improving his outside game, even tried to put on a 3-point shooting display for Spoelstra after one recent practice.But he knows the Heat need him to dominate around the rim, on both ends.And thats where he thinks he can separate himself from any center out there.I can score and I can defend, Whiteside said. Youve got guys at the (center) position that can score but they cant guard a shoebox. And youve got guys who are really great defenders but they couldnt score on a shoebox. I just want to be balanced.Whitesides meteoric rise is a story almost like none other in the NBA. The Heat signed him as a free agent a month into the 2014-15 season, doing so in part out of desperation and in part because he captured their attention by dominating a game against the teams NBA Development League affiliate in Sioux Falls. Not even two years later, hes got a max deal.His game, he said, doesnt mimic one past player. Hes taking pieces from several.I wanted to take Hakeems shot-blocking abilities, Whiteside said. I wanted to take Kevin Garnetts face-up jumper. I wanted to take Tim Duncans bank shot. I wanted to take Kobe Bryants work ethic. And Shaqs aggressiveness.Whiteside was the featured guest at a Heat promotional event for fans on Sunday, one of those meet-and-greet appearances where some autographs get signed and selfies get taken. Whiteside was pulling up to the arena and slowed down when he saw about 200 people lined up on a sidewalk, wondering why they were all there.It took him a moment to realize that the fans -- many of whom wore Whiteside jerseys, and one who wrote Whitesides name and No. 21 on his biceps and wanted to flex for the Heat center -- were there for him.Only 23 months after he first hit Miami, the Heat will go as he goes now.It takes a little getting used to, Whiteside said. But I know what the challenge is, and Im ready. ' ' '