A group of former Major League Baseball players, including David Ortiz, announced on Wednesday the formation of a new private equity firm to invest in baseball-specific companies. Dan McCullers Jersey .Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Barry Larkin, along with Ortiz, Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells are the principal financial backers of the firm, called Dugout Ventures.The firm is the latest in a trend of athletes investing in companies. Carmelo Anthony founded Melo7 Tech Partners in 2013, and Kobe Bryant announced a $100 million venture capital firm in August.Dugout Ventures has already had its hand in two baseball-related brands. The company financed protection company EvoShield before it was sold to Amer Sports in October and also invested in bat company Marucci.Like Warren Buffett says, its not what you know, but how realistic you are about what you dont know, Ortiz said in a statement. We know baseball. But we plan on finding the best people in the business to help us on what we dont know.In addition to the retired players money, Dugout Ventures is inviting investors to finance up to $50 million in a fund of the companys investments.Players arent the only ones investing in sports; teams are as well. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for example, have two accelerator programs designed to boost young companies through financial backing. Joe Gilliam Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Daimion Stafford Jersey . 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. http://www.steelersfanaticproshop.com/ .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. What to watch for during todays break before Game 3 of the World Series:---SCHWARBERS STATUSKyle Schwarber has already made an impact in this series after returning from a severe knee injury that cost him almost the entire season. He drove in two runs in Game 2 and has looked so comfortable at the plate that his status for Games 3-5 in Chicago is sure to be a significant topic during Thursdays day off. The Cubs cant use him as a designated hitter at home, so its a question of whether he can play the field.Schwarber was in left field for his only two games of the regular season in early April, and manager Joe Maddon said its possible he could take some flyballs during Thursdays workout at Wrigley Field.The Indians have a similar issue. Theyll have to be creative if they want to keep Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli in the lineup without the DH when the Series resumes Friday night.THE COUNTDOWNWhile Cleveland fans were fired up to host the first two games of this series -- especially with Game 1 on the same night the Cavaliers raised their championship banner --- the moment when the Cubs take their positions for the first World Series game at Wrigley Field since 1945 will be something special. Rocky Bleier Jersey. Even the off-day workout, when they take the field with Series patches on their hats, may seem like another landmark moment.RESTEDThe Indians had to throw 196 pitches in Game 2, but the stars of their bullpen -- Andrew Miller and Cody Allen -- got the night off. With another day off before Game 3, theres no reason manager Terry Francona cant work his top relievers hard again if Cleveland reaches the middle innings with a lead.STARTERSKyle Hendricks returns to the mound for the Cubs in Game 3, pitching for the first time since leading Chicago to a pennant-winning victory in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series at Wrigley. Its been a much longer layoff for Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin, who pitched well in Game 2 of the ALCS against Toronto on Oct. 15 and hasnt made an appearance since. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '