Angels land slugger Hamilton in $125 million deal: report

(Reuters) - Free agent slugger Josh Hamilton has agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal to join the Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball's (MLB) website reported on Thursday.The five-time All-Star, who overcame drug and alcohol addictions to become one of MLB's most feared hitters, helped power the Texas Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.The 31-year-old hard-hitting...

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Angels land slugger Hamilton in $125 million deal

in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas …more (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Angels grabbed Major League Baseball's prized free agent for a second consecutive year on Thursday by signing slugger Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract.Hamilton, a five-time All-Star who overcame drug and alcohol addictions to become one of Major League Baseball's...

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Yankees sign former rival Youkilis to one-year deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Red Sox rival Kevin Youkilis officially joined the New York Yankees on Friday when he signed a one-year contract to fill a void left by the absence of Alex Rodriguez, the American League team said.The three-time All-Star, 33, will serve as the starting third baseman with slugger Rodriguez expected to be sidelined until midseason after having surgery on his left hip.The...

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Marlins trade away Escobar to Rays

(Reuters) - The Miami Marlins continued an off-season of cost-cutting by trading away recently acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.Escobar was signed last month in a 12-player deal that sent Miami players Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson to Toronto.However, the six-year player with a .282 career batting average has now been quickly shipped to the Rays in exchange...

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Sports fans can pursue U.S. antitrust case over programs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday allowed sports fans to pursue a lawsuit accusing Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and various networks of antitrust violations in how they package games for broadcast on television or the Internet.U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin in Manhattan said the subscribers could pursue claims that the packaging has reduced competition,...

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Phillies trade young pitchers to Twins for OF Revere

(Reuters) - The Philadelphia Phillies have filled a big need by landing speedy center fielder Ben Revere in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, the Major League Baseball teams said on Thursday.The Phillies sent right-handed pitcher Vance Worley and right-handed pitching prospect Trevor May to Minnesota."Ben is an outstanding, young, controllable center fielder who fits nicely with our club," Phillies...

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UPDATE 2-NFL-Redskins and Vikings complete playoff picture

* Redskins top Cowboys to win NFC East* Vikings upend Packers to set up rematch* Super Bowl champs Giants eliminated (Adds Cowboys-Redskins)Dec 30 (Reuters) - The Washington Redskins completed the National Football League playoff puzzle by beating the Dallas Cowboys 28-18 on Sunday to bring down the curtain on the regular season and set up an intriguing wildcard playoff matchup.With the victory the...

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NFL-Brief profiles of 12 playoffs teams

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Brief profiles of the 12 teams that qualified for the National Football League playoffs, which begin with Saturday's wildcard round. American Football Conference (AFC) DENVER BRONCOS Founded: 1960 Home field: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado Head coach: John Fox Starting quarterback: Peyton Manning Super Bowl titles: Two 2012 regular season record: 13-3 How...

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UPDATE 2-NFL-Redskins beat the Cowboys to claim the NFC East

* Washington claims final playoff spot* Rookie Morris rushes for 200 yards, three TDs* Redskins to host Seahawks next Sunday (Adds details, quotes)LANDOVER, Maryland, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The Washington Redskins defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-18 on Sunday to claim the NFC East crown for the first time since 1999 and deny their bitter rivals a spot in the postseason.Rookie running back Alfred Morris...

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NFL-Final-game loss sinks Cowboys' playoff pursuit

LANDOVER, Maryland, Dec 30 (Reuters) - A heartbreaking loss ended another Dallas Cowboys' season on Sunday, the third year in a row the storied franchise has missed the playoffs."We have a big challenge ahead of us," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Dallas lost to the Washington Redskins 28-18 and squandered their chance to win the NFC East."One of my jobs is to basically evaluate, analyze and...

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Final-game loss sinks Cowboys' playoff pursuit

LANDOVER, Maryland (Reuters) - A heartbreaking loss ended another Dallas Cowboys' season on Sunday, the third year in a row the storied franchise has missed the playoffs."We have a big challenge ahead of us," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Dallas lost to the Washington Redskins 28-18 and squandered their chance to win the NFC East."One of my jobs is to basically evaluate, analyze and make decisions...

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AP source: Dolphins' Smith has knee bruise

A person familiar with the diagnosis says Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith escaped serious injury when he hurt his left knee in the team's victory over Buffalo.An MRI test Monday determined the injury was only a bruise, the person told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins are not releasing details about the injury.Smith, a fourth-year pro and Miami's best...

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NFL-Pagano joins playoff bound Colts after battle with cancer

 The Indianapolis Colts and their fans got an early Christmas gift when head coach Chuck Pagano returned to work on Monday, three months after being forced to the sidelines to battle cancer.Diagnosed with leukemia in late September, Pagano spent the last three months undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, while his inspired team led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck battled on the field...

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Pagano back to coach Colts after cancer treatment

 Chuck Pagano stepped to the podium Monday, hugged his team owner, thanked his family for its support and wiped a tear from his eye.He might, finally, turn out the lights in his office, too.Nearly three months to the day after being diagnosed with leukemia, the Colts' first-year coach returned to a team eager to reunite with a boss healthy enough to go back to work."I told you my best day of...

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Pagano joins playoff bound Colts after battle with cancer

The Indianapolis Colts and their fans got an early Christmas gift when head coach Chuck Pagano returned to work on Monday, three months after being forced to the sidelines to battle cancer.Diagnosed with leukemia in late September, Pagano spent the last three months undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, while his inspired team led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck battled on the field earning...

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Ryan says Tebow would have done wildcat if asked

 Tim Tebow would have done whatever Rex Ryan asked — if the New York Jets coach had asked him.Ryan acknowledged Monday that Tebow wasn't happy when the coach chose Greg McElroy to start for the benched Mark Sanchez, but insisted Tebow was willing to play in any role Sunday against San Diego — including the wildcat."He was disappointed, there's no question," Ryan said Monday. "He was disappointed...

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Durant scores 41 as streaking Thunder top Hawks

ATLANTA (AP) — Oklahoma City's biggest stars displayed a unique version of balanced scoring against Atlanta: Russell Westbrook led the Thunder in the first half and Kevin Durant dominated the Hawks over the final two quarters.Durant set a season high with 41 points and Oklahoma City held off Atlanta 100-92 on Wednesday night for its 12th straight win.Westbrook had 27 points — 21 in the first half...

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NBA-James and Bosh feel Heat have plenty of room to improve

MIAMI, Dec 20 (Reuters) - LeBron James and Chris Bosh feel the defending champion Miami Heat have work to do if they are to reach peak form in time for the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, but both embrace the challenge.The Heat (16-6) trail only the New York Knicks (19-6) in the Eastern Conference just past the quarter-mark of the NBA's regular season but Bosh is well aware his team...

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James and Bosh feel Heat have plenty of room to improve

MIAMI (Reuters) - LeBron James and Chris Bosh feel the defending champion Miami Heat have work to do if they are to reach peak form in time for the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, but both embrace the challenge.The Heat (16-6) trail only the New York Knicks (19-6) in the Eastern Conference just past the quarter-mark of the NBA's regular season but Bosh is well aware his team is not...

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Top prospect Parker chooses Duke

CHICAGO (AP) — Jabari Parker still had just about everyone guessing. Then, he pulled out that blue T-shirt with a white "D," and, finally, it became clear.The prized prospect from Chicago's Simeon Career Academy, one of the most highly touted recruits in years, is headed to Duke to play for Mike Krzyzewski. Parker made the announcement in front of a national TV audience Thursday, in his high school...

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