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Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens will undergo hip replacement surgery before Christmas, a procedure that could put an end to his riding career, he announced in a statement released early Tuesday. Justin Schultz Penguins Jersey . Stevens cautioned he was unsure whether he would be able to return to riding in 2017.According to the statement, released through his wife, Angie Athayde Stevens, Stevens has been fighting a problematic hip in recent months and was hoping to ride through the spring before needing treatment. He underwent tests on Monday that indicated the operation needed to be moved forward.The setback is the latest change in short-term plans for Stevens, who said earlier this fall that he planned to ride at Oaklawn Park in 2017. He reversed course last month with the announcement that he would ride first-call in Southern California for Mick Ruis.In Tuesdays statement, Stevens indicated that he will continue to work with Ruis as an advisor and assistant trainer. Ruis has said repeatedly that he plans to take out a trainers license for 2017 and hopes to have a stable of more than 40 horses. His horses are currently trained by Craig Dollase.Stevens expressed concern that the hip injury could end his illustrious career.I wasnt ready to hang it up and I still dont know if Im ready, he said in a statement. Im going to have the procedure done next week and Ill play it by ear. Im in a great position with Ruis Racing and I dont want to lose that. Luckily, I can continue on as part of the team and see what happens in a few months.All I can do is have it done and hope for the best, he said of the operation. I hope Im in a position in a few months where I can make the choice if I want to go back to riding or not.Stevens, 53, has had an outstanding year, having ridden Beholder to a dramatic win by a nose in the Breeders Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Beholder was retired after the BC Distaff and has been sent to Kentucky to be bred next year.In 2016, Stevens won 40 races from 316 mounts who earned $5.9 million. Stevens was often selective with his mounts, frequently riding only a few horses a day.Stevens has won 15 stakes this year, the most recent of which was the Ruis-owned Defiantly in the Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 12.Stevens has won 5,083 races in the United States and Canada and has ridden extensively internationally, notably in Dubai, England, and Hong Kong in a career that began in 1979.Stevens has fought knee problems in the past that have led to temporary retirements. With the exception of one mount in an exhibition, Stevens once did not ride for seven years, making a comeback in January, 2013. That year he won the Preakness Stakes on Oxbow and the Breeders Cup Classic on Mucho Macho Man.In 2014, he underwent knee replacement surgery that resulted in a four-month break.Earlier in his career, Stevens won the Kentucky Derby three times -- on Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), and Silver Charm (1997).Stevens won the 1998 Dubai World Cup on Silver Charm. Justin Schultz Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Paul Coffey Penguins Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/bryan-trottier-jersey/ . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy didnt take kindly to what he believed were two intentional pitches thrown inside at Buster Posey, and wound up getting ejected for the first time this season.Brandon Crawford felt the same way and paid the Diamondbacks back the best way he could.Crawford drove in three runs and came within a triple of hitting for the cycle, Jeff Samardzija overcame a shaky first inning to win and San Francisco beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 on Friday night.Crawfords home run came shortly after Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin (4-7) threw two consecutive pitches that nearly hit Posey. The second went behind Posey and nearly hit him in the back, causing home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott to warn both dugouts.Bochy came out after Wolcott issued the warnings and was ejected.That kind of fired me up, Crawford said. When (Posey) walked I wanted to make them pay for doing that. Im not going to sugarcoat it, thats what I was going for.Brandon Belt walked four times and scored for the Giants after earlier in the day being voted by fans to fill the final spot on the NL roster for next weeks All-Star Game.Crawfords homer was his ninth of the season, and he also singled, walked and doubled.Corbins pitches close to Posey followed on the heels of Samardzija hitting Arizonas Jean Segura -- who homered leading off the game -- in the top of the second.I understand theyre not happy their guy got hit but I cant have Buster being a target, Bochy said. They threw once at him, throws another one thats up high at his back. Thats enough. Thats when guys get hurt.Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale, who was ejected in the fifth for arguing balls and strikes, defended Corbin.I just think he was trying to pitch in, Hale said. He was trying to pitch in and the ball got away a little bit.Samardzija (9-5) walked three and struck out six in 6 1/3 innings to win foor the first time in four starts. Sidney Crosby Jersey. . The right-hander gave up two runs, both in the first inning. Samardzija also scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error after doubling leading off the fifth.Three relievers completed the seven-hitter.It was a tough way to start the game but I like the way it finished, Samardzija said.Crawford had an RBI single in the third, walked in the fifth and doubled in the seventh.Corbin allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings. The left-hander walked five with one strikeout.Gregor Blanco hit a pinch-hit home run in the eighth for the Giants.After the game the Diamondbacks announced they traded closer Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox for two prospects.HITTING PITCHERSCorbin and Samardzija earn their money on the mound but both continue to show their skills at the plate. Corbin singled in the second inning to give him 13 hits this season, tops among all pitchers in the majors. Samardzijas double in the third is his third extra-base hit this season.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: RHP Zack Grienke (left oblique strain) is feeling better but has not started playing catch. ... INF Chris Owings (left foot plantar fasciitis) and OF David Peralta (low back sprain) took batting practice before the game.Giants: OF Hunter Pence (hamstring) ran the bases and will continue with baseball activities throughout the weekend. ... RHP Matt Cain allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings with Triple-A Sacramento. . 2B Joe Panik (concussion) took grounders and hit off a tee before the game.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (4-7) makes his third start against the Giants this season Saturday. Ray pitched six scoreless innings to win at AT&T Park on April 19.Giants: RHP Jake Peavy (5-7) seeks his 18th career win against Arizona. ' ' '