Red Sox win rights to deal with Japanese star
BOSTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox have won negotiating rights to try to sign 26-year-old Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.
The Red Sox reportedly put in a bid as high as $51.11 million and will now have a period of 30 days to sign Matsuzaka to a professional contract.
Matsuzaka has been playing for the Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League.
Matsuzaka pitched for Japan in the inaugural World Baseball Classic this year and was named tournament MVP after going 3-0, including a win over Cuba in the championship game.
Matsuzaka also helped Japan to a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. He is known for throwing a gyroball, a different style of delivery intended to reduce stress on the pitcher.
In his eight years in the Japanese Pacific League, Matsuzaka has a 108-60 record with a 2.95 ERA and 1,355 strikeouts in 204 games. His ERA was 2.13 this past season.
NBA fines Charlotte guard $10,000
NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The NBA announced TuesdayNBA announced Tuesday it has fined Charlotte guard Brevin Knight $10,000.
The league fined Knight for failing to leave the court in a timely manner with 2:21 remaining in Charlotte's 99-85 loss to Seattle on Friday.
The Stanford product is averaging 17.5 points and seven assists in six games so far this season. He has a career average of 8.3 points and 6.8 assists in 542 games.
Haynesworth returning to Titans
NASHVILLE, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth returns to the team on Wednesday following a five-game suspension handed to him by the NFL last month.
Haynesworth said he still doesn't forgive himself for stepping on the head of Cowboys center Andre Gurode.
Haynesworth, who is eligible to return for this Sunday's game at Philadelphia, has undergone several anger management training sessions since the incident.
The suspension came as a result of an incident in the Titans' 45-14 home loss to Dallas on Oct. 1. After Cowboys running back Julius Jones scored on a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, Haynesworth stomped on Gurode, who had lost his helmet.
An unnecessary roughness penalty was called on Haynesworth and he was ejected from the game. Gurode needed nearly 30 stitches to close a gash on his forehead and beneath his eye.
Haynesworth apologized to Gurode the Tuesday after the Dallas game.
Patriots sign 43-year-old QB Testaverde
FOXBORO, Mass., Nov. 14 -- The New England Patriots announced Tuesday they signed 43-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde.
Testaverde ranks sixth in NFL history in both passing completions and yards, with 3,691 attempts and 45,252 yards.
He is eighth in league history with 269 touchdown passes.
The Patriots are his sixth team, after 19 seasons spent with Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Baltimore, the New York Jets and Dallas.
The 1986 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Miami was selectred first overall in the 1987 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.
Testaverde played in six games with the New York Jets last year where he set an NFL record by throwing at least one touchdown pass in his q9th consecutive season.
New England Coach Bill Belichick coached Testaverde with the Cleveland Browns from 1993 to 1995.
