FRISCO, Texas -- For nearly five minutes, an emotional Tony Romo addressed his past, present and future as Dallas Cowboys quarterback almost three months after suffering a compression fracture in his back that has kept him out of the first nine games of the regular season.Romo read a prepared statement that lasted just under five minutes, and did not take any questions.Romo accepted that he will be Dak Prescotts backup when he returns this week against the Baltimore Ravens.Hes earned the right to be our quarterback, Romo said. As hard as that is for me to say, hes earned that right. Hes guided our team to an 8-1 record and thats hard to do. If you think for a second that I dont want to be out there, then youve probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasnt left me. In fact it may burn more now than ever.Romo entered 2016 feeling as good about his game as he has ever felt. He was able to go through an entire offseason program and training camp without any issues from a back that required two surgeries in 2013. The twice-broken left collarbone that forced him to miss 12 games last year was surgically repaired in the offseason.Then on the third play of the Aug. 25 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Romo suffered a compression fracture of his L1 vertebra when hit from behind by defensive end Cliff Avril. He attempted to re-enter the game but was held out. After the contest he expressed confidence that his back was able to withstand such a hit. On the next day he was diagnosed with the fracture.To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement, Romo said. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team youve ever had was a soul-crushing moment for me. Then to learn its not three of our weeks but 10 is another blow. And through it all you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having let your teammates, fans and organization down. After all they were depending on you to bring them a championship. Thats what quarterbacks are supposed to do. Thats how were judged. I love that. I still do.In his 14th year and 36 years old, Romo knows he does not have many chances left to compete for a championship.He said he has felt like an outsider, as the Cowboys have put together the best record in the NFL while he rehabbed. Last week marked the first time he went through three straight full practices since late in the 2014 season. After Sundays win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the Cowboys would go with Prescotts hot hand.Its a dark place, probably the darkest its ever been, Romo said. Youre sad and down and out and you ask yourself, Why did this have to happen? Its in this moment you find out who you really are and what youre really about.Romo also knows the business of the NFL. In 2006, he did what Prescott is doing. Bill Parcells went to him over Drew Bledsoe after six games and he spurred the Cowboys on to the playoffs. He has been the Cowboys starting quarterback ever since, becoming the franchise leader in touchdown passes and yards while compiling a 78-49 record.Its not always easy to watch, Romo said. I think anybody whos been in this position understands that. But what is clear is that I was that kid once, stepping in, having to prove yourself. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. And if I remember one thing from back then, its the people that helped me along when I was young.And if I can be that to Dak, you know, Ive tried to be and I will be going forward. We all know something magical is happening to our team. Im not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by becoming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back. And I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, its about the team. Its what weve preached our entire lives. Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Hydro Flask 21 Oz Standard Mouth . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. http://www.hydroflask32oz.com/flex-cap.html . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Hydro Flask 24 Oz Standard Mouth . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Hydro Flask 10 Oz Wine Tumbler . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. The last time the Chicago Cubs won 100 games, Franklin Roosevelt was president, the U.S. had 48 states and night baseball was just arriving in the major leagues.That was 1935, when the Cubs went 100-54 before losing to Detroit in the World Series. This years team is on pace to reach that milestone and exceed it. Chicagos victory Sunday improved its record to 88-48, and the Cubs lead second-place St. Louis by 16 + games in the NL Central.Chicagos march toward a division title seems like a mere formality now, and the Nationals and Rangers also have sizeable leads in their divisions. Cleveland has won six in a row to take a 5 +-game advantage in the AL Central.For all the other teams chasing postseason spots, the final month of the regular season should be full of highs and lows. Division titles in the AL East and NL West are still very much up for grabs, and there are several teams in the hunt for wild cards in both leagues.Here are a few things to watch over the last few weeks of the regular season:L.A. STORYThe Dodgers are in good shape to make the postseason one way or another -- they lead the NL West by three games, with a wild card a potential safety net. This should be an eventful stretch run in Los Angeles, thanks to Clayton Kershaws return, Vin Scullys impending retirement and a division race with the rival Giants that could go down the wire.Kershaw is set to pitch Friday at Miami after spending over two months on the disabled list with a herniated disk.LAST HURRAHDavid Ortiz is heading into retirement with a flourish. His OPS of 1.033 is the third-highest of his career.These next few weeks will determine if hell have one more chance to leave his mark on the postseason. The Red SSox are a game out of first place in the AL East, and they hold the first wild card in the American League.ddddddddddddBut Boston is only two games ahead of Baltimore and Detroit, who are tied for the second wild card.IMMEDIATE IMPACTThe New York Yankees traded away some of their key players before the deadline and were expected to fade from the playoff picture in the AL. Instead, rookie Gary Sanchez went on a tear, hitting .389 with 11 home runs in August. The Yankees are only 3 + games out of the second wild card.Sanchez is one of several rookies who could make a difference for teams fighting for postseason spots. Others include Michael Fulmer of Detroit, Aledmys Diaz of St. Louis and Yoan Moncada of Boston.PATCHWORKThe New York Mets entered the season with an embarrassment of riches on the mound and have had their depth severely tested by injuries. Matt Harvey is out the for the season, and Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are both sidelined now, leaving the likes of Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman and Rafael Montero making crucial starts for the defending National League champions.Still, the Mets have won 11 of their last 15 and trail St. Louis by one game for the second wild card.BALTIMORE BASHERSThe Orioles could end up with the major league leader in home runs for a fourth straight season. Mark Trumbo is setting the pace at the moment with 41, and nobody else has more than 36.Chris Davis (2015 and 2013) and Nelson Cruz (2014) were the other Orioles who have led the big leagues in homers during this stretch.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Cheap Throwback Baseball Detroit Tigers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Colorado Rockies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Houston Astros Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Kansas City Royals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Angels Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Miami Marlins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Minnesota Twins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Mets Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Yankees Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Oakland Athletics Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Diego Padres Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Francisco Giants Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Seattle Mariners Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Texas Rangers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Washington Nationals Jerseys ' ' '