UPI NewsTrack Sports

Cubs sign Milton Bradley for 3 years

CHICAGO, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs Thursday signed switch-hitting, sometimes volatile outfielder Milton Bradley to a three-year contract believed to be worth about $30 million.

The much-traveled Bradley is with his seventh team since breaking into the major leagues in 2000. He hit .321 with 22 home runs for the Texas Rangers last season.

"I'm a guy who can make a difference," Bradley said after he was introduced by the Cubs.

The 30-year-old Bradley's big league career has been marked by disputes with management, umpires and others.

Bradley was injured in 2007 while being restrained after an altercation with an umpire. The Cleveland Indians traded him after a confrontation with the manager. He accused a Los Angeles Dodger teammate of being a racist. Last season, he tried to confront a Kansas City TV announcer because of comments made on the air.

Bradley has a career batting average of .280 with 103 home runs and 399 RBI in 817 games with Montreal, Cleveland, the Dodgers, Oakland A's, San Diego and the Rangers.

Cardinals' Boldin status uncertain

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Injured Arizona Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin has not practiced this week, and his status for Saturday's playoff game at Carolina remained uncertain.

Boldin suffered a strained hamstring in Arizona's 30-24 playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons last week. It appeared that the Cardinals would make a game-time decision on whether Boldin will play against Carolina.

Arizona and the Panthers will clash Saturday night in an NFC divisional playoff in Charlotte, N.C.

Boldin caught 89 passes for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games this season, earning a third trip to the Pro Bowl.

Howard leads NBA all-star voting

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Orlando's Dwight Howard led the voting Thursday for the NBA All-Star Game with Cleveland's LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant not far behind.

Voting continues through Jan. 19.

The All-Star game will be played in Phoenix Feb. 15.

Howard had 2,102,268 votes to 1,940,162 for James and 1,903,798 for Bryant.

Others leading at their positions include Miami's Dwayne Wade, Houston's Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Boston's Kevin Garnett, Detroit's Allen Iverson, San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Denver's Carmelo Anthony.

U.S. ice-dancing team out with injury

CLEVELAND, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- An injury has forced five-time U.S. ice-dancing champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto to withdraw from the upcoming U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

"It's a huge disappointment for us," said Agosto, who injured his back. "We had been looking forward to defending our title once again at the U.S. championships. However, the good news is that I am making progress, and I hope to begin training again in a few weeks."

The 2009 championships are scheduled for Jan. 18-25 in Cleveland.

Belbin and Agosto won the silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

"Ben is making steady progress," Belbin said. "While he recuperates, I am continuing to train hard on my own, so I am certain that we'll be in top shape before March. We have requested that U.S. Figure Skating consider us for the U.S. World Team."

Belbin and Agosto are planning to compete in the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles March 22-29.