PYONGYANG, North Korea -- Dennis Rodman said Monday that a game he and other former National Basketball Association players are planning in North Korea will be a "birthday present" for one of their most unlikely fans: leader Kim Jong Un. Jermaine Kearse Jersey . Rodmans squad -- featuring ex-All Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker -- will play against a team of North Koreans on Wednesday, which is believed to be Kims birthday. The former NBA players, who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, also include Eric (Sleepy) Floyd, guard Doug Christie and Charles D. Smith, who played for the New York Knicks. Four streetballers are also on the squad. Rodman told The Associated Press he was glad to be in North Korea for the game, though he said he has gotten death threats for his repeated visits. He said proceeds from the game would go to a charity for the deaf in North Korea. "The marshal is actually trying to change this country in a great way," Rodman said of Kim, using the leaders official title. "I think that people thought that this was a joke, and Dennis Rodman is just doing this because fame and fortune." Instead, he said, he sees the game as a "birthday present" for Kim and his country. "Just to even have us here, its an awesome feeling. I want these guys here to show the world, and speak about North Korea in a great light," he said. "I hope people will have a different view about North Korea." The game will be another milestone in Rodmans surprising relationship with Kim, who rarely meets with foreigners and about whom very little is known outside of North Korea. Rodman is the highest-profile American to meet Kim since the leader inherited power after his father, Kim Jong Il, died in late 2011. Rodman travelled to North Korea for the first time last February with the Harlem Globetrotters for an HBO series. After spending time together, Rodman called Kim a "friend for life" and came back just before Christmas to hold tryouts for the North Korean basketball team, though he did not meet with Kim then. Rodman has been given the red-carpet treatment on each of his trips, but visiting North Korea for any high-profile American is a political minefield. To keep the game itself friendly, the two sides will only play against each other in the first half, and then mix together in the second. Americans are regarded as enemies in North Korea since the two countries never signed a peace treaty to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War. Thousands of U.S. troops are still based in South Korea, and the Demilitarized Zone between the North and South is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. Relations are also tense because of the Norths development of nuclear weapons and its threats to use them if a conflict breaks out with Washington or Seoul. Rodman has also been slammed for not trying to use his influence with Kim to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary with health problems who is being held in North Korea on charges of committing "anti-state" crimes. To make the trip more complicated, Kims once-powerful uncle was recently executed for a long litany of alleged crimes, including trying to divide the regime and usurp power from Kim. Although that has generated speculation abroad about the regimes unity, North Korean officials say the execution settled the issue and there is no instability. Rodman, however, says none of that is his concern. "Im not a president, Im not a politician, Im not an ambassador," he said before arriving. "Im just an athlete and the reason for me to go is to bring peace to the world, thats it. Thats all I want, no money. I want no money, no money." Former Knicks player Smith said he hopes the game will lead to better relations between the two countries. "Its new being here, but overall the concept is not new," he said. "The team is made up of a lot of guys who really care, thats the most important, its not about bringing dream-teamers. Its about guys who are coming that want to be a part of this, that care, and really that care about humanity." Jordan Jenkins Jersey . Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. Brandon Copeland Jersey .She struggled with a hacking cough, she was sick, and she twice celebrated too early, but she held her composure in a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory on Saturday.On her third match point, she let her racket go before hearing a let call to what she thought was an ace. http://www.officialnewyorkjetsfootball.com/authentic-ardarius-stewart-jersey-womens . Marcus Olsson, 23, joins Blackburn on a free transfer from Swedens Halmstads. He made 139 appearances and scored 17 goals in his four years with the club. He earned his first caps for Sweden this month, featuring against Bahrain and Qatar.Michael Saunders used to daydream about playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.It wont be long before he gets to do it in real life.A day after Toronto acquired the Canadian outfielder in a deal with the Seattle Mariners, Saunders spoke about getting the opportunity to ply his trade on home soil.I think it was more of a storybook ending for me if you would, like One day it would be really cool if I was able to wear a Blue Jays uniform, Saunders said on a conference call Thursday. Theres 30 teams and the chances are slim that that would actually happen.Im honoured to be able to wear a Blue Jay uniform and Im very proud of that.The Victoria native, who spent 10 years with the Seattle organization, played for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and said he understands the burden that comes with playing north of the border.Im a proud Canadian, said the 28-year-old, who cheered for the Blue Jays and Mariners growing up. If I was to get traded to a team I couldnt pick a better one than Toronto.Im extremely excited to play for the Blue Jays, but its not just about representing the Blue Jays, its about representing my country.Saunders, who was acquired for left-hander J.A. Happ, said he was at his daughters swimming lesson when he found out about the trade from Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.I was sitting there watching my daughter swim when I got the call, said Saunders. Last night was kind of a blur for me. There were so many mixed emotions. This is my first time going through a situation like this.Its expected Saunders will take over in left field for Melky Cabrera, who declined the Blue Jays US$15.3-million qualifying offer last month and is a free agent.An 11th round pick of Seattle back in 2004, Saunders said he spoke with both Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons soon after the deal was struck.I definitely got the feeling that I was wanted, said Saunders. Theyre just going to go out and let me play. I know that theres some talented outfielders in the organization and thats not to say Alex is finished making moves.But Im going to do everything I can to hold down the everyday left field job.Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games last season while battling joint inflammation in his right shoulder and a strained left oblique.If you play the game hard sometimes you put yourself at risk to injure yourself by trying to make the play, he said. You do that for the team. Curtis Martin Jersey. Youre playing for the team at that point, and the fans.While hes happy to be joining Toronto, Saunders doesnt leave Seattle on the best terms after Zduriencik criticized his ability to stay healthy for 162 games following the 2014 campaign.The comments came as a surprise. Im not going to lie to you, said Saunders. Im very confident in what I do in the off-season to prepare my body. I think the comments might have come out of frustration more than anything due to the fact we were one game away from going to the playoffs.Jack and I have had numerous conversations since then and there have been no hard feelings, but as far as calling my conditioning into question, (its) something I think is uncalled for. I work just as hard as anybody.In parts of six seasons, Saunders has a .231 average with 51 home runs, 182 RBIs and 54 stolen bases in 553 games, only becoming an everyday player at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field in 2012.I really think you learn more from failure than you do from success, he said. I know what I bring to the table and I try to continually get better at that. I just try to bring an all around game and do whatever I can to help the team win.Saunders has played well at Rogers Centre — a stadium known for its home runs — but he said joining Torontos potent lineup that includes Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and newly acquired Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin is what excites him the most.You have multiple all-stars, you have MVP finalists and guys that really know how to hit, he said. Theres certain people in the game that strike fear in you when youre on the opposing team, and theres a couple different guys in that lineup that do that.I think the first thing you see when you think of the Blue Jays is the power thats there. Theres no question theres a ton of power in the lineup, but not only that, theres professional hitters from 1 to 9.Saunders said he would always check the schedule to see when Seattle was coming to Toronto and added that his wife, Jessica, is also pleased about the move.I love the city, my wife loves the city. It was funny, when we first met we were discussing where to raise the kids and she said Absolutely not in Canada. Were raising them in the U.S., said Saunders. Then she came to visit me when we were on the road and she said OK, Ill let you raise the kids in one spot in Canada and thats Toronto. 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