charges. The 38-year-old Danville native wa

DANVILLE, Ill. Johnny Davis Rays Jersey . -- Former Toronto Raptor Keon Clark, who has said he is trying to turn his life around, was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday in a plea agreement with prosecutors on weapons and driving under the influence charges. "I, uh, did a lot of stuff in my past," Clark tearfully said at his plea hearing in Vermilion County Circuit Court, The News-Gazette reported. "I have to own up to it." Clark pleaded guilty to two charges in two separate cases and was given four years for each count. He previously faced weapon, drug and traffic-related charges. The 38-year-old Danville native was 23 when he became the 13th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He last played for the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Clark has spoken publicly of his long battle with alcohol, which he says also occurred during his NBA career. He now says hes been sober for five months. He previously told the newspaper he wasnt prepared mentally to handle the lifestyle of a professional athlete, and says he was already on a "destructive path." "The money, the fame, the fact that I was on TV. People think money will make your life better. Money didnt dissolve my problems. It increased them," he said, adding that hes been getting counselling while hes in custody. Clark has been in the Vermilion County jail since Aug. 4. Prosecutors said he will have to serve 50 per cent of his sentence. He will receive credit for 138 days already served and must serve his sentences consecutively. Clarks defence lawyers requested that the judge recommend he serve time at an Illinois Department of Corrections drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility outside Chicago so he can continue treatment. Lawyer Jim Martinkus of Champaign said after the hearing that he hopes Clarks treatment would "cure him of his addiction, which is the cause of most of his troubles." Clark smiled and waved to supporters at the beginning of the hearing, including his mother and members of the Carter Metropolitan Community Church in Danville. At one point during the hearing, he stood and addressed them, saying, "It couldve been a lot worse. Its going to be a lot better." Clark played six seasons in the NBA, including a season and a half in Toronto. The Raptors acquired him in a trade from Denver midway through the 2000-01 season. He averaged nine points and 5.4 rebounds over 46 games. Clark played the entire 2001-02 season with Toronto, making 31 starts. He had his best statistical year, averaging career highs in points (11.3) and rebounds (7.4). Clark averaged 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds over 353 career games. Brandon Lowe Rays Jersey . The Raptors second-year forward has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the early-season trade, breaking out and becoming a vital part of his teams success on both ends of the floor. Around the league, teams are starting to take notice and feature Ross more predominately in their pre-game scouting reports but its not just the opposition that hes impressing. Hoby Milner Rays Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. NEW YORK -- Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley are quickly putting their stamp on a playoff surge for the New York Yankees. Acquired earlier this month from NL West also-rans, they teamed up Thursday to help the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 4-2. McCarthy threw six more solid innings, Headley delivered another timely hit and New York won for the sixth time in seven games. "From the beginning of spring training, its about giving yourself a chance in the post-season," said Headley, obtained this week in a trade with San Diego. "What an opportunity for me," he said. "I take it as an honour and privilege to be here." McCarthy improved to 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts since the Yankees got him from Arizona. He was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA at the time of the trade. "I really felt I wanted more pressure," he said. "Its ramped up all the way. I feel like Ive responded." "Its the opposite of how I felt earlier in this year. I was a burden on the team and holding things up," he said. With the Yankees, the newcomers are now in the thick of the race for the AL East crown and the wild-card spots. "When you go out and get players that produce, its a lift for your team," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Texas fell to 3-17 in July and dropped 22 games under .500 for the first time since the final week of the 1988 season. "Right now, were just not getting it done," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. McCarthy limited Texas to one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out five, and fanned Alex Rios to finish off an 11-pitch at-bat that ended the first inning. Rios almost got even in the eighth with Texas trailing 3-2, hitting a drive off All-Star reliever Dellin Betances that was caught on the warning track in right field. David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 27 chances. Colby Lewis (6-8) gave up three runs and four hits in 6 1-3 innings. He took the loss, but kept his composure -- in his previous start, he got rankleed when Torontos Colby Rasmus bunted for a two-out single midway through the game. Austin Meadows Rays Jersey. There were no problems with the field at Yankee Stadium, either. New York won 2-1 Wednesday night when a sudden, heavy storm prevented the grounds crew from quickly putting the tarp down in the fifth inning. The rain stopped soon enough, but the field was too wet to continue. Texas took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Elvis Andrus. Brett Gardner doubled in the fourth and scored on Headleys two-out single off the right-field wall. Headley was acquired from the Padres on Tuesday and beat Texas that night with a single in the 14th inning. Francisco Cervelli hit a go-ahead double in the fifth and later scored when left fielder Shin-Soo Choo made a fine running catch on Gardners sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead. Earlier, Rangers centre fielder Leonys Martin ran way back to grab Ichiro Suzukis drive. J.P. Arencibia homered in the Texas seventh. Brian McCann had an RBI double in the New York eighth. "Im not frustrated, I think its going to happen, I think were going to turn the hitting around," Arencibia said. NOTES: The Yankees evened their home record at 24-24. They have 33 home games left, most in the AL. ... A day after Texas traded closer Joakim Soria to Detroit, RHP Neftali Feliz will inherit the role for the time being, Washington said. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter got a day off for rest. ... Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.86) starts Friday night at Yankee Stadium against RHP Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.88). Buehrle is 1-11 lifetime vs. the Yankees. ... Texas RHP Yu Darvish will remain on regular rest after pitching 4 1-3 innings in the rain-shortened loss, Washington said. ... Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux will miss the weekend series vs. Oakland to see brother Greg inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bullpen coach Andy Hawkins will fill in for Maddux, and Triple-A pitching coach Brad Holman will be the bullpen coach for the three games against the As. ' ' ' DANVILLE, Ill. Johnny Davis Rays Jersey . -- Former Toronto Raptor Keon Clark, who has said he is trying to turn his life around, was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday in a plea agreement with prosecutors on weapons and driving under the influence charges. "I, uh, did a lot of stuff in my past," Clark tearfully said at his plea hearing in Vermilion County Circuit Court, The News-Gazette reported. "I have to own up to it." Clark pleaded guilty to two charges in two separate cases and was given four years for each count. He previously faced weapon, drug and traffic-related charges. The 38-year-old Danville native was 23 when he became the 13th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He last played for the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Clark has spoken publicly of his long battle with alcohol, which he says also occurred during his NBA career. He now says hes been sober for five months. He previously told the newspaper he wasnt prepared mentally to handle the lifestyle of a professional athlete, and says he was already on a "destructive path." "The money, the fame, the fact that I was on TV. People think money will make your life better. Money didnt dissolve my problems. It increased them," he said, adding that hes been getting counselling while hes in custody. Clark has been in the Vermilion County jail since Aug. 4. Prosecutors said he will have to serve 50 per cent of his sentence. He will receive credit for 138 days already served and must serve his sentences consecutively. Clarks defence lawyers requested that the judge recommend he serve time at an Illinois Department of Corrections drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility outside Chicago so he can continue treatment. Lawyer Jim Martinkus of Champaign said after the hearing that he hopes Clarks treatment would "cure him of his addiction, which is the cause of most of his troubles." Clark smiled and waved to supporters at the beginning of the hearing, including his mother and members of the Carter Metropolitan Community Church in Danville. At one point during the hearing, he stood and addressed them, saying, "It couldve been a lot worse. Its going to be a lot better." Clark played six seasons in the NBA, including a season and a half in Toronto. The Raptors acquired him in a trade from Denver midway through the 2000-01 season. He averaged nine points and 5.4 rebounds over 46 games. Clark played the entire 2001-02 season with Toronto, making 31 starts. He had his best statistical year, averaging career highs in points (11.3) and rebounds (7.4). Clark averaged 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds over 353 career games. Brandon Lowe Rays Jersey . The Raptors second-year forward has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the early-season trade, breaking out and becoming a vital part of his teams success on both ends of the floor. Around the league, teams are starting to take notice and feature Ross more predominately in their pre-game scouting reports but its not just the opposition that hes impressing. Hoby Milner Rays Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. NEW YORK -- Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley are quickly putting their stamp on a playoff surge for the New York Yankees. Acquired earlier this month from NL West also-rans, they teamed up Thursday to help the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 4-2. McCarthy threw six more solid innings, Headley delivered another timely hit and New York won for the sixth time in seven games. "From the beginning of spring training, its about giving yourself a chance in the post-season," said Headley, obtained this week in a trade with San Diego. "What an opportunity for me," he said. "I take it as an honour and privilege to be here." McCarthy improved to 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts since the Yankees got him from Arizona. He was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA at the time of the trade. "I really felt I wanted more pressure," he said. "Its ramped up all the way. I feel like Ive responded." "Its the opposite of how I felt earlier in this year. I was a burden on the team and holding things up," he said. With the Yankees, the newcomers are now in the thick of the race for the AL East crown and the wild-card spots. "When you go out and get players that produce, its a lift for your team," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Texas fell to 3-17 in July and dropped 22 games under .500 for the first time since the final week of the 1988 season. "Right now, were just not getting it done," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. McCarthy limited Texas to one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out five, and fanned Alex Rios to finish off an 11-pitch at-bat that ended the first inning. Rios almost got even in the eighth with Texas trailing 3-2, hitting a drive off All-Star reliever Dellin Betances that was caught on the warning track in right field. David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 27 chances. Colby Lewis (6-8) gave up three runs and four hits in 6 1-3 innings. He took the loss, but kept his composure -- in his previous start, he got rankleed when Torontos Colby Rasmus bunted for a two-out single midway through the game. Austin Meadows Rays Jersey. There were no problems with the field at Yankee Stadium, either. New York won 2-1 Wednesday night when a sudden, heavy storm prevented the grounds crew from quickly putting the tarp down in the fifth inning. The rain stopped soon enough, but the field was too wet to continue. Texas took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Elvis Andrus. Brett Gardner doubled in the fourth and scored on Headleys two-out single off the right-field wall. Headley was acquired from the Padres on Tuesday and beat Texas that night with a single in the 14th inning. Francisco Cervelli hit a go-ahead double in the fifth and later scored when left fielder Shin-Soo Choo made a fine running catch on Gardners sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead. Earlier, Rangers centre fielder Leonys Martin ran way back to grab Ichiro Suzukis drive. J.P. Arencibia homered in the Texas seventh. Brian McCann had an RBI double in the New York eighth. "Im not frustrated, I think its going to happen, I think were going to turn the hitting around," Arencibia said. NOTES: The Yankees evened their home record at 24-24. They have 33 home games left, most in the AL. ... A day after Texas traded closer Joakim Soria to Detroit, RHP Neftali Feliz will inherit the role for the time being, Washington said. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter got a day off for rest. ... Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.86) starts Friday night at Yankee Stadium against RHP Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.88). Buehrle is 1-11 lifetime vs. the Yankees. ... Texas RHP Yu Darvish will remain on regular rest after pitching 4 1-3 innings in the rain-shortened loss, Washington said. ... Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux will miss the weekend series vs. Oakland to see brother Greg inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bullpen coach Andy Hawkins will fill in for Maddux, and Triple-A pitching coach Brad Holman will be the bullpen coach for the three games against the As. ' ' ' DANVILLE, Ill. Johnny Davis Rays Jersey . -- Former Toronto Raptor Keon Clark, who has said he is trying to turn his life around, was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday in a plea agreement with prosecutors on weapons and driving under the influence charges. "I, uh, did a lot of stuff in my past," Clark tearfully said at his plea hearing in Vermilion County Circuit Court, The News-Gazette reported. "I have to own up to it." Clark pleaded guilty to two charges in two separate cases and was given four years for each count. He previously faced weapon, drug and traffic-related charges. The 38-year-old Danville native was 23 when he became the 13th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He last played for the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Clark has spoken publicly of his long battle with alcohol, which he says also occurred during his NBA career. He now says hes been sober for five months. He previously told the newspaper he wasnt prepared mentally to handle the lifestyle of a professional athlete, and says he was already on a "destructive path." "The money, the fame, the fact that I was on TV. People think money will make your life better. Money didnt dissolve my problems. It increased them," he said, adding that hes been getting counselling while hes in custody. Clark has been in the Vermilion County jail since Aug. 4. Prosecutors said he will have to serve 50 per cent of his sentence. He will receive credit for 138 days already served and must serve his sentences consecutively. Clarks defence lawyers requested that the judge recommend he serve time at an Illinois Department of Corrections drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility outside Chicago so he can continue treatment. Lawyer Jim Martinkus of Champaign said after the hearing that he hopes Clarks treatment would "cure him of his addiction, which is the cause of most of his troubles." Clark smiled and waved to supporters at the beginning of the hearing, including his mother and members of the Carter Metropolitan Community Church in Danville. At one point during the hearing, he stood and addressed them, saying, "It couldve been a lot worse. Its going to be a lot better." Clark played six seasons in the NBA, including a season and a half in Toronto. The Raptors acquired him in a trade from Denver midway through the 2000-01 season. He averaged nine points and 5.4 rebounds over 46 games. Clark played the entire 2001-02 season with Toronto, making 31 starts. He had his best statistical year, averaging career highs in points (11.3) and rebounds (7.4). Clark averaged 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds over 353 career games. Brandon Lowe Rays Jersey . The Raptors second-year forward has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the early-season trade, breaking out and becoming a vital part of his teams success on both ends of the floor. Around the league, teams are starting to take notice and feature Ross more predominately in their pre-game scouting reports but its not just the opposition that hes impressing. Hoby Milner Rays Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. NEW YORK -- Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley are quickly putting their stamp on a playoff surge for the New York Yankees. Acquired earlier this month from NL West also-rans, they teamed up Thursday to help the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 4-2. McCarthy threw six more solid innings, Headley delivered another timely hit and New York won for the sixth time in seven games. "From the beginning of spring training, its about giving yourself a chance in the post-season," said Headley, obtained this week in a trade with San Diego. "What an opportunity for me," he said. "I take it as an honour and privilege to be here." McCarthy improved to 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts since the Yankees got him from Arizona. He was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA at the time of the trade. "I really felt I wanted more pressure," he said. "Its ramped up all the way. I feel like Ive responded." "Its the opposite of how I felt earlier in this year. I was a burden on the team and holding things up," he said. With the Yankees, the newcomers are now in the thick of the race for the AL East crown and the wild-card spots. "When you go out and get players that produce, its a lift for your team," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Texas fell to 3-17 in July and dropped 22 games under .500 for the first time since the final week of the 1988 season. "Right now, were just not getting it done," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. McCarthy limited Texas to one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out five, and fanned Alex Rios to finish off an 11-pitch at-bat that ended the first inning. Rios almost got even in the eighth with Texas trailing 3-2, hitting a drive off All-Star reliever Dellin Betances that was caught on the warning track in right field. David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 27 chances. Colby Lewis (6-8) gave up three runs and four hits in 6 1-3 innings. He took the loss, but kept his composure -- in his previous start, he got rankleed when Torontos Colby Rasmus bunted for a two-out single midway through the game. Austin Meadows Rays Jersey. There were no problems with the field at Yankee Stadium, either. New York won 2-1 Wednesday night when a sudden, heavy storm prevented the grounds crew from quickly putting the tarp down in the fifth inning. The rain stopped soon enough, but the field was too wet to continue. Texas took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Elvis Andrus. Brett Gardner doubled in the fourth and scored on Headleys two-out single off the right-field wall. Headley was acquired from the Padres on Tuesday and beat Texas that night with a single in the 14th inning. Francisco Cervelli hit a go-ahead double in the fifth and later scored when left fielder Shin-Soo Choo made a fine running catch on Gardners sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead. Earlier, Rangers centre fielder Leonys Martin ran way back to grab Ichiro Suzukis drive. J.P. Arencibia homered in the Texas seventh. Brian McCann had an RBI double in the New York eighth. "Im not frustrated, I think its going to happen, I think were going to turn the hitting around," Arencibia said. NOTES: The Yankees evened their home record at 24-24. They have 33 home games left, most in the AL. ... A day after Texas traded closer Joakim Soria to Detroit, RHP Neftali Feliz will inherit the role for the time being, Washington said. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter got a day off for rest. ... Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.86) starts Friday night at Yankee Stadium against RHP Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.88). Buehrle is 1-11 lifetime vs. the Yankees. ... Texas RHP Yu Darvish will remain on regular rest after pitching 4 1-3 innings in the rain-shortened loss, Washington said. ... Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux will miss the weekend series vs. Oakland to see brother Greg inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bullpen coach Andy Hawkins will fill in for Maddux, and Triple-A pitching coach Brad Holman will be the bullpen coach for the three games against the As. ' ' '