12/03/2008 - Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners have signed infielder Russell Branyan to a one-year deal. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not released.
"Russell gives us a veteran left-handed bat with power and can be used as a first baseman, third baseman or designated hitter," said executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Jack Zduriencik. "One of our offseason goals is to add some left-handed power to our club. The addition of Russell accomplished some of that."
Branyan appeared in 50 games -- 35 starts -- for the Milwaukee Brewers last season and batted .250 with 12 home runs and 20 RBI. He was especially useful off the bench, as he ranked fourth in batting average and was tied for second in home runs among National League pinch-hitters with at least 10 plate appearances.
For his career, Branyan is a .230 hitter with 133 home runs and 320 RBI in 766 games for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Brewers.
Branyan, who will turn 33 on December 19, has played for five different teams over the last three seasons.
<< Westbrook, Allen, Jones earn NFC weekly honors
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian
Westbrook, Minnesota Vikings defense end Jared Allen and Carolina Panthers
return specialist Mark Jones have been selected as the NFC's top players for
Week 13
<< Palermo goalkeeper Fontana set for January exit
Palermo, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Palermo have given veteran goalkeeper
Alberto Fontana permission to seek a move away from the club in the January
transfer window.
The 41-year-old shot-stopper has struggled to command a first-t
<< Slaton, Mathis, Leggett earn AFC weekly honors
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton,
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis and Kansas City special teamer
Maurice Leggett have been selected as the AFC's top players for Week 13 of the
NFL sea
<< Bayern keen on Hoffenheim's Ibisevic
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich president Frank Beckenbauer
has admitted that his club may try and purchase Hoffenheim's star striker
Vedad Ibisevic in the near future.
Ahead of the meeting of the two title rivals
Sakic out at least six weeks >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic will miss at
least the next six weeks while receiving treatment for a herniated disc in his
back.
Sakic sustained the injury on his first shift of the November 28 game a
Coyotes acquire Lindstrom from Anaheim >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes have acquired forward
Joakim Lindstrom from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Logan
Stephenson.
Lindstrom, a second-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, has fou
USC's Hazelton set to transfer >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southern California wide receiver Vidal
Hazelton says he intends on transferring at the conclusion of this season.
A junior from New York, Hazelton entered this season as USC's number-one
returnin
Giants ink Howry to one-year deal >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants have signed
right-handed reliever Bob Howry to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the
deal were not released.
"We feel that Howry brings a tremendous amount of talente
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting