VIENNA, Austria -- Unlike the rest of the motorsport community, Lewis Hamilton says he was not surprised by his teammate Nico Rosbergs decision to retire from Formula One after winning the title this year.In a shock announcement at the FIA prize giving ceremony on Friday, Rosberg made the news public in a press conference ahead of the main event. After losing out in title battles to Hamilton in 2014 and 2015, Rosberg said part of the reason behind his decision was the feeling he had after finally securing the title in 2016.But Hamilton, who spoke in Vienna after Rosbergs announcement, said he had seen it coming.The sport will miss him and Im sure it was a surprise for many people, he said. Im probably one of the only people it was not a surprise to, but thats because I have known him for a long, long time. But this is motor racing.Hamilton and Rosberg started karting together in their early teens and have followed similar career trajectories before being matched as teammates in F1 at Mercedes in 2013.Asked if he would miss the rivalry, Hamilton added: Well, this is the first time he has won in 18 years, hence why its not a surprise that he decided to stop. But also hes got a family to focus on and probably wants to have more children and Formula One takes up so much of your time.In terms of missing the rivalry, of course [I will]. We started out when we were 13 and we would always talk about being champions and when I joined this team Nico was there -- again which was something we talked about when we were kids. Its definitely going to be very strange and for sure I will be sad not to have him in the team next year.Hamilton had talked about his desire to beat Rosberg in a straight fight next year, but the announcement means he will now be paired with a new teammate.Of course it is a shame that he wont allow me to fight it to take it back, but that was his choice and I respect his decision -- go out on top while you can. I have a different viewpoint. I won the championship the last two years and I gave an opportunity each year to have another shot for someone.That is genuinely how I am and I consistently believe in my ability and what I can do each year. Even if I was to win again most likely Id like to get another opportunity. I like being challenged by different competitors, but again we have been racing for 18 years so its not the worst scenario. Atlanta Braves Shirts . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cheap Braves Jerseys . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. https://www.cheapbraves.com/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Braves Jerseys 2019 . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. Braves Jerseys China . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. In describing what the Chicago Cubs are up against Monday night in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park in San Francisco, manager Joe Maddon spared no hyperbole.I was a Cardinal fan growing up, and seeing Bob Gibson do what he did in the 60s and then Mr. Koufax, what he did. Its really unique. I hope the kids that are really watching right now understand how good this guy is and how it parallels throughout baseball history, what hes doing right now, he said.This guy of which Maddon speaks is San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, who once again is tasked with pitching in a win-or-die environment. Thats something no pitcher of this generation does any better.In his last three games in which San Francisco had to win or go home, Bumgarner has worked 23 scoreless innings, including Wednesday nights 3-0 shutout at the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card Game.The Giants need more of Bumgarners nerveless magic, down 2-0 in a best-of-5 series to an opponent that appears to have the edge in just about every category across the board.For his part, Bumgarner downplayed Maddons narrative that he compares to all-time greats like Gibson and Koufax.You cant. As soon as you start buying into that, thats probably going to take a turn, Bumgarner said. Im just going to go out there and keep going at it the way I have, and whatever happens, happens.Whats happened against Chicago in Bumgarners career has mostly been good. Hes 8-2 with a 2.25 earned run average in 12 starts, going 2-0 this year with a 1.32 ERA and 16 sstrikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.ddddddddddddBut the Cubs arent exactly conceding defeat with their Game 3 starter. Jake Arrieta, last years NL Cy Young Award winner, won 18 games this year and is 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco.Arrieta was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the Giants this year, the loss occurring against Bumgarner last month at Wrigley Field.Theres going to be a lot of adrenaline flowing, Arrieta said. The crowds going to provide a lot of that. You just look forward to moments like that.While Chicago is a game away from advancing to its second straight NL Championship Series, San Franciscos nucleus understands what it takes to wipe out a 2-0 deficit.The Giants started their dramatic 2012 run to a World Series by winning three straight games in Cincinnati after dropping the first two at home in their NLDS.This club has a history, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. Thats what you like about whats going on now, of finding a way to win that game they had to win and moving on. And that experience, thats so vital to draw on.So, too, is the pitcher who baseball fans have come to associate with clutch performances under the games brightest lights.I know theres a sense of confidence that goes over the club, Bochy said of Bumgarner. Hes such a tough competitor that thats contagious. I think good players do that. They make the rest of them better. ' ' '