Red Sox sign Sizemore to one-year deal
BOSTON (AP) — Oft-injured outfielder Grady Sizemore has agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.
A three-time All-Star, the 31-year-old has played eight major league seasons, all with Cleveland. He is a .269 career hitter with 139 homers and 458 RBIs.
Sizemore was an AL All-Star in each of his last three full seasons (2006-08) and hit .279 during that stretch. He has been hampered by injuries over the last five years, missing the past two seasons following operations on his right knee and back. Before 2009, he had never been on the disabled list.
Sizemore’s base salary is guaranteed under Wednesday’s deal, and he can make $4 million in performance bonuses and $1.25 million in roster bonuses.
Right-hander Brayan Villarreal was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
Sherman surprised by interview reaction
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Richard Sherman wondered if he came to the NFL 20 years too late, whether his swagger might have fit better a few decades earlier when that confidence and an unfiltered tongue was perhaps more accepted.
The Seattle Seahawks’ All-Pro cornerback spoke at length for the first time since Sunday’s NFC championship game win over San Francisco where his postgame comments to Fox reporter Erin Andrews became the talking point. It was a loud, emotional moment that happened just a few minutes after the Seahawks earned the second Super Bowl berth in franchise history.
Sherman said the reaction that followed over the next two days left him a little stunned.
Sanders takes Newton, Luck for Pro Bowl
KAPOLEI, Hawaii (AP) — NFL great Deion Sanders took quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Cam Newton with his first skill position picks in the Pro Bowl draft, going for passers early before focusing on defense in building a team for one win.
Jerry Rice chose New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and then Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy with his first two picks, giving active player captain Drew Brees his top target early to go along with two Saints offensive linemen picked the previous day.
The picks kicked off the three-hour process of divvying up 60 players for Sunday’s all-star game. The game is being played in an “unconferenced” format for the first time, straying from its usual AFC vs. NFC teams. The new format is meant to liven up the Pro Bowl, which has been criticized by fans and even Commissioner Roger Goodell for the quality of play.
Steelers sign fired Titans coach Munchak
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Munchak is going back to his roots, and heading closer to home in the process.
A person familiar with the decision said the former Tennessee Titans head coach will join the Pittsburgh Steelers as offensive line coach.
Munchak was fired by the Titans on Jan. 4 after leading Tennessee to a 22-26 record in three seasons.
Titans hire former Jags coach Mularkey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have hired former Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills head coach Mike Mularkey as tight ends coach on Ken Whisenhunt’s staff.
U.S. Olympians tell families to stay home
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Concerns about safety in Sochi have prompted some U.S. Olympians to tell their loved ones to stay home, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter, who will skate for Team USA next month, is one of them.
He said his wife and two young children won’t be traveling to Russia for the Winter Games. The long trip is part of the reason, but recent news about terroristic threats made the decision “a little bit easier.”
Suter said he’s confident in USA Hockey and International Olympic Committee officials to keep the event safe, but anxiety is human nature.
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