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Phelps tops Sports Illustrated list

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Sports Illustrated fans voted Michael Phelps' record wins at the Olympics in London as the most memorable sporting moment of 2012.

Readers were allowed to vote via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Sports Illustrated said in a release.

About 21 percent of voters cast their votes for Phelps' performance in London, where he won gold in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter medley, and was on the winning 400-meter medley and 800-meter freestyle relay teams. He earned silver in the 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter freestyle relay and ended up as the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a record 18 golds and 22 overall medals won in three Olympic games.

Gabby Douglas winning gold at the Olympics for gymnastics came in second on the list of five with 19 percent.

The two Olympic moments were followed by Peyton Manning being traded to the Denver Broncos, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt setting records at the Olympics, and the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series.

Red Sox trade for reliever Joel Hanrahan

BOSTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox acquired relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a six-player trade announced Wednesday.

Boston will receive Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt from Pittsburgh, which will get pitchers Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan De Jesus and utility player Jerry Sands in return.

Hanrahan had 36 saves in 63 appearances last season with the Pirates. No other player on the team had more than three saves in 2012. He became Pittsburgh's main closer in 2011, piling up 40 saves that season, and was selected to the National League All-Star team each of the last two years.

He has a 22-17 record with a 3.74 earned run average and 96 saves in 353 appearances for Washington and Pittsburgh since 2007.

Holt made his major-league debut in September, hitting .292, picking up 19 hits in 24 games.

Melancon was 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA for Boston, after earning 11 saves and a 0.83 ERA in 21 appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket. He played in 147 major league games over four seasons.

Pimentel was 6-7 with a 4.59 in 22 Double-A games in 2012.

De Jesus has played 31 major-league games and Sands has appeared in 70.

League OKs Pierzynski deal with Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The one-year agreement between catcher A.J. Pierzynski and the Texas Rangers has been approved by baseball officials, the American League team said Wednesday.

Pierzynski, 35, will be paid $7.5 million next season. He joins catchers Geovany Soto and Eli Whiteside on the Texas roster.

Pierzynski hit .278 with 27 home runs and 77 runs batted in for the Chicago White Sox last season.

He was with the White Sox for eight seasons after previously playing for Minnesota and San Francisco. In 15 major league seasons, Pierzynski hit .284 with 155 home runs and 730 RBI.

Pierzynski played in two All-Star Games and was one playoff teams after four seasons, including in 2005 when the White Sox won the World Series.

Steelers put three on injured reserve

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers said Wednesday they have placed three players, including their second-leading receiver, Heath Miller, on injured reserve.

Miller, a tight end; cornerback Ike Taylor; and running back Baron Batch were put on the injured reserve list, meaning they will miss the Steelers' season-ending game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Miller will undergo surgery to repair injuries to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. He caught 71 passes for 816 yards this season, trailing only Mike Wallace in both categories for Pittsburgh.

Taylor, who had played in 135 consecutive games before being hurt, suffered an ankle injury three weeks ago and hasn't played since. He had 32 tackles and one interception in 12 games this season.

Batch had a fractured bone in his right arm last week. He had 25 carries for 49 yards in 2012.

Tight end Jamie McCoy, safety Damon Cromartie-Smith and linebacker Marshall McFadden were signed to fill the roster sports.