By DAVID MURPHY When the Phillies host their first series at Citizens Bank Park in April, Pat Burrell likely will be in the lineup.Rays close to landing Burrell MLB.comTampa Bay adds big bat in Burrell Chicago Tribune (news.google.com)

by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter Neal C. Lauron/Columbus DispatchEcstatic teammates pile atop cornerback Anderson Russell after Russell's interception late in the first half sent the Buckeyes into the break with a 6-3 lead.Texas rallies past Ohio State 24-21 in Fiesta The Associated PressTexas' Cosby has experience beyond football f... (news.google.com)

The 93-year-old owner of the Minnesota Twins, who died Monday, never retired, even after making a fortune. By NEAL ST. ANTHONY, Star Tribune Somewhere in Heaven Bob Casey, Kirby Puckett, Herb Carneal and Carl Pohlad are catching up on old times.Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad dead at age 93 The Associated PressTwins owner Carl Pohlad has died, ag... (news.google.com)

by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter Ross D. Franklin/Associated PressWhether or not these Ohio State fans waited out the scalpers for heavily discounted tickets on Monday night, they didn't deny themselves any Fiesta Bowl fun as the opening ...Ohio State's Lane carted off field Seattle Post IntelligencerOhio State player carted off fie... (news.google.com)

The nation's largest owner of timberland disclosed Monday that it will no longer pursue changes in agreements governing its use of U.S. Forest Service roads — changes that critics complained could transform forests into housing subdivisions. (www.newsvine.com)

Though never charged with a crime, Muhammad Saad Iqbal spent six years in American custody, during which he says he was secretly taken to Egypt and tortured. (www.nytimes.com)

by Doug Lesmerises Neal C. Lauron/Columbus DispatchChris Wells breaks through the Texas defense for a 20-yard gain in the second quarter Monday night.Fiesta Bowl Halftime Update: Texas -Ohio State JOCKlife.comOhio State player carted off field after injury International Herald Tribune (news.google.com)

Japan's cash-rich trading companies are on the hunt for bargain acquisitions outside Japan, seizing the opportunity to expand. (feeds.wsjonline.com)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Pat Burrell went from one World Series team to the other. The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing Monday on a $16 million, two-year contract with Burrell.... (hosted.ap.org)

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CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs and free agent Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $30 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. (feedproxy.google.com)

The Chicago Cubs and free agent Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $30 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. (www.newsvine.com)

St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays have signed outfielder/designated hitter Pat Burrell to a two-year deal. Financial terms were not released, but numerous reports have stated that the contract will be worth $16 million.Rays sign Burrell to two-year deal Rotoworld.comBurrell a bargain for Rays ESPN (news.google.com)

by Ken Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.Report: Cubs sign Bradley for $30 million Rotoworld.comReport: Milton Bradley Finally Headed to the Chicago Cubs FanHouse (news.google.com)

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to signing free agent Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16 million contract, FoxSports.com reports. Burrell, fresh off of a World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies, will be the Rays' designated hitter, ...Rays On Verge Of Signing Burrell Tampa TribuneReport: Rays close to signing Burrell Rotoworld.com (news.google.com)

By David Gollust The Bush administration said it is pushing for a Gaza agreement that will end Hamas rocket fire into Israel, arms smuggling through tunnels from Egypt, and re-open Gaza crossing points for relief supplies and commerce.Video: Israel Pounds Gaza, Vows to Continue Campaign AssociatedPressPalestinians want UN resolution demanding Gaza ... (news.google.com)

Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Inc., said it plans to publish a memoir by US first lady Laura Bush in 2010. Associated Press US first lady Laura Bush, shown at a television interview last month.Speculation on advance for Laura Bush memoir Financial TimesLaura Bush's memoir on the way Baltimore Sun (news.google.com)

House members are seeking answers as to how Bernard L. Madoff was able to hide his alleged $50 billion scheme. (dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com)

The trustee overseeing Bernard L. Madoff’s firm has sent the forms to customers seeking to recover collectively billions from the money manager’s alleged Ponzi scheme. (dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com)

The New York Yankees scheduled a news conference Tuesday to announce Mark Teixeira's $180 million, eight-year contract has been finalized. (www.newsvine.com)

by Ken Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.Rays On Verge Of Signing Burrell Tampa TribuneReport: Rays close to signing Burrell Rotoworld.com (news.google.com)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition on Monday started hammering out a multibillion-euro package to cushion Europe's biggest economy against a deepening recession, with leaders at odds over proposals for tax relief as they enter an election year. (www.boston.com)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has rejected Republican Norm Coleman's request to count an additional 650 rejected absentee ballots in the state's US Senate recount.Video: Schumer: Franken Clear Winner, Should Be Seated AssociatedPressColeman's best hope is in court Minneapolis Star Tribune (news.google.com)

The lower shool of the Obama girls' new school, Sidwell Friends, is set way back from the road. (CBS) Malia and Sasha Obama will be the youngest kids to live in the White House in decades.Video: Obama Got 'choked Up' Leaving Chicago Home AssociatedPressObama's girls enroll for classes at private school The Associated Press (news.google.com)

Happy New Year. It was a long, tough 2008, and we hope you got some well-deserved time off over the past week or two to rest up for what is likely to continue to be another rough couple of months (if not longer, if you believe Nouriel Roubini). Talk of the financial crisis and the [...]. (dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com)

by Doug Lesmerises Associated Press PhotosOhio State's Kurt Coleman, left, and Texas' Chris Ogbonnaya tackle some hard questions -- OK, they're easy, but entertaining -- in a head-to-head matchup prior to tonight's Fiesta Bowl game.Ohio State win would give relief to BCS FOXSports.comOhio State's Pryor has Young-eyed look USA To... (news.google.com)

He won't take office for more than two weeks, but President-elect Barack Obama already has been busy soliciting citizens' opinions about how to improve health care in the United States.Time is now to ensure health care for all Munster TimesCommunity gets involved in health care reform Asheville Citizen-Times (news.google.com)