Red Sox 2B Pedroia wins AL MVP

NEW YORK (AP) Dustin Pedroia could easily be mistaken for a mechanic, carpenter or plumber, most anything except a major leaguer.

"I'm not the biggest guy in the world. I don't have that many tools," he said. "If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn't think I'm a baseball player."

Well, not unless he was carrying his AL MVP award.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Dempster, Cubs agree to 4 years, $52M

CHICAGO (AP) Ryan Dempster made the successful switch from closer to starter this season, winning 17 games and helping the Chicago Cubs compile the best record in the National League.

Once the postseason rolled around, though, Dempster's spring training prediction that the Cubs would win the World Series fell way short when Chicago was swept in the first round for the second consecutive year. (MORE)

Texas' Muschamp named coach-in-waiting

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has been designated as the head-coach-in-waiting by the university, expected to take over the Longhorns when Mack Brown retires.

Muschamp is in his first year with Texas, but athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Tuesday he and Brown know they want to keep him at Texas. To do that, they will more than double his salary from $425,000 to $900,000 in January. He will remain defensive coordinator. (MORE)

Rivers: Garnett suspension 'ridiculous'
BOSTON (AP) Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers wasn't too happy about being forced to play without All-Star Kevin Garnett against the New York Knicks. Garnett was suspended for one game for hitting Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut in the face near the end of Saturday's game. (MORE)

ESPN to air BCS games from 2011-14
NEW YORK (AP) Bowl Championship Series games will move to ESPN starting in January 2011. The network and the BCS announced a new four-year contract Tuesday. ESPN outbid Fox, which is paying $80 million annually to broadcast the games from 2007-10. (MORE)

Ballesteros out of intensive care

Hall of Fame Racing planning staff cuts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hall of Fame Racing, the NASCAR team owned by Arizona Diamondbacks executives, will cut its staff even if it secures sponsorship to run a full 2009 season. Other teams aren't waiting. (MORE)

Armstrong fears for safety at Tour
LONDON (AP) Lance Armstrong fears he could be attacked by spectators if he returns to the Tour de France next year. The seven-time Tour champion, who is making a comeback after three years in retirement, said in an interview in The Guardian on Tuesday that he is concerned about his safety. (MORE)

Griffey newest US Public Diplomacy Envoy
WASHINGTON (AP) Ken Griffey Jr. has joined a new team. The star outfielder became the newest American Public Diplomacy Envoy, introduced Tuesday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (MORE)

Bush plans to attend Army-Navy game
WASHINGTON (AP) President George W. Bush plans to take in the next chapter of one of college football's most-storied rivalries, going next month to watch the annual Army-Navy football game. The 109th meeting between the two teams takes place Dec. 6 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Navy leads the series 52-49-7. (MORE)