BERLIN -- Germany defender Per Mertesacker is retiring from the national team, becoming the third member of the World Cup-winning squad to quit. Alex Blandino Jersey . Mertesacker announced his decision in interviews with ZDF television and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper Friday. "After 10 fantastic years in the national team, I have reached the decision to step down," ZDF quoted Mertesacker on its website as saying. "It was always important to me to stop at a successful time, and that is the case after winning the World Cup title." The 29-year-old, capped 104 times, added that many young and fresh players are coming up and "the point simply has come now to make the next step possible for these boys." The Arsenal defender follows Philipp Lahm and veteran striker Miroslav Klose, who have both walked away from international football since Germany beat Argentina 1-0 last month to win its first World Cup since 1990. "The national team is in such good shape that Im not at all worried about three players retiring now," Mertesacker said. He will now concentrate on his career with Arsenal, and told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that he wants to become English champion with the London club. Mertesackers first game for Germany was against Iran on Oct. 9. 2004. He scored four goals for the national team during his career, and appeared in six of Germanys seven matches at this years World Cup in Brazil. World Cup-winning coach Joachim Loew, who is staying on for the 2016 European Championship, said Mertesacker "was always open to new things -- he always wants to learn, despite his immense experience." Loew said Germany would miss "Pers experience ... his positional play, above all his character and his attitude." "I could always rely on him in the 10 years he played for the national team," he said. Lucas Sims Jersey . -- Felix Girard scored on the power play in the third period to lift the Baie-Comeau Drakkar past the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Friday. Fred Norman Jersey . Early in the first period, Stuart pinched in from the blue line, hit Nash and was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing. Nash remained in the game for the rest of the first period, but did not return for the second. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . Mladenovics quick hands at the net made the difference while Bencics inexperience in doubles showed. "We took a lot of pleasure," Mladenovic told Sport Plus television. "Its extremely difficult to play in such conditions, but our doubles team showed a lot of quality.SURPRISE, Ariz. -- If Yu Darvish is feeling any pressure after leading the majors in strikeouts last season, it isnt showing. The Texas Rangers ace was even in a joking mood Tuesday at spring training. Darvish wisecracked that the New York Yankees might have paid too much for fellow Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka by giving him a seven-year, $155 million contract on top of a $20 million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles. The deal made Darvish No. 2 when it comes to Japanese players in the majors: He has a six-year, $56 million deal signed before the 2012 season after the Rangers paid $51.7 million to Hokkaido for the right to negotiate with him. "I dont know the details of the posting system, but I think the Yankees gave him a little bit too much," Darvish said with a chuckle through his interpreter during his first spring training session with reporters. Even before the session was done, the remark was all over social media and the Rangers released a statement to make sure everyone knew Darvish was kidding. "I am sorry if anyone took my comment seriously about Masahiro Tanaka at the press conference," Darvish said in the statement. "I assumed by the reaction in the room that everyone knew I was joking." The 27-year-old Darvish could opt out of his contact after five years if he wins a Cy Young Award and potentially get a contract exceeding that of Tanaka. He came close last year, finishing second to Max Scherzer in the balloting after leading the majors with 277 strikeouts -- the most since Randy Johnson struck out 290 in 2004 with Arizona. Darvish, who manager Ron Washington has already named the opening day starter, was 13-9 with a 2.83 ERA in 32 starts last season. "If we score him runs, he might win 35 games and hess only going to get 32 starts," Washington said. Aristides Aquino Jersey. Darvish lost four 1-0 decisions, the first pitcher to do that in a season since Orel Hershiser with the 1989 Dodgers. "Never once did he ever make any whimpers of, Boy it sure would be nice to get some runs, never once," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "Thats the kind of teammate he is. Hes going to go out and do the best he can and wants everyone else to the best they can." The Rangers averaged 3.08 runs per game in Darvishs final 23 starts. "The game is something you cant control, so you cant be pessimistic or optimistic," Darvish said. "The main thing is to keep yourself healthy. If youre healthy enough, I think numbers are going to follow. The outcome is something that is a result of having a healthy season. I cant really control what goes on in a game situation." Darvish went on the 15-day disabled list last July with a right shoulder strain and was bothered by back nerve irritation in September. Darvish said he shied away from heavy lifting during the off-season to help the back. His lack of fastball command, which gets his pitch count up early, has been a concern. "Youll probably see during the course of the season how much I have improved," Darvish said. "Im more relaxed and I can do many things at my own pace and Im aware of whats going on and people know me better than in the past." An improved Darvish could equate to a blockbuster contract. No joke. Notes: RHP Tanner Scheppers (back spasms) and LHP Matt Harrison (stiff neck) were held out of throwing Tuesday. .2B Jurickson Profars right shoulder is still stiff, preventing him from throwing. He likely will be limited to DH duties until mid-March for exhibition games. ' ' '