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Our latest news on celebrities, sports, television, and other various sources.
Midnight Man
MLB: Diamondbacks Sign Yoan Lopez With A $8,270,000 Signing Bonus
The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a contract with Cuban pitcher Yoan Lopez that includes an $8.27 million signing bonus, according to multiple reports. A hard-throwing 21-year-old right-hander, Lopez is expected to begin his Diamondbacks career in the minor leagues. It has been reported that the $8.27 million bonus is the largest for a young player who resides outside the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and subject to a team's international signing pool under baseball's collective bargaining agreement. Lopez counts toward a club's signing pool because he is younger than 23 and has played professionally less than five years in a Cuban professional league. Because Arizona would exceed its pool of $2,316,600 by 15 percent or more for the one-year period ending July 1, the Diamondbacks would incur a 100 percent tax on the overage and be barred for the next two signing periods from adding an international player subject to the pool with a bonus over $300,000. The Yankees, Boston, Tampa Bay and Angels have already have gone over their pools by 15 percent or more. The Angels and 20-year-old Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin finalized an agreement Jan. 6 for an $8 million signing bonus. Arizona agreed in December to a $68.5 million, six-year contact with 24-year-old Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas.


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Midnight Man
MLB: Pirates Sigh Jung-Ho Kang For 4 Years At $16,000,000
The Pirates have reached an agreement Monday with South Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang on a four-year deal worth approximately $16 million. The deal, which is pending a physical, also has an option for a fifth year, the source said. The Pirates had a 30-day window to come to an agreement after winning negotiating rights on Dec. 22. Kang, 27, hit .356 with 40 home runs and 117 RBIs in 501 plate appearances for the Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization in 2014. He flew to Pittsburgh on Wednesday and is expected to take a physical. Since Kang reached an agreement with the Pirates, Nexen will receive the posting fee for his rights, which the Yonhap News Agency reported to be just more than $5 million.


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Midnight Man
MLB: Dodgers Sign A.J. Ellis For 1 Year At $4,250,000
Catcher A.J. Ellis and the LA Dodgers have agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract, a $700,000 raise. Ellis hit a career-low .191 last season while playing in 93 games. He spent time on the disabled list for knee surgery and a sprained ankle. New general manager Farhan Zaidi recognized that Ellis is a leader on the club whose preparation and comfort level with the pitching staff is valuable. Ace Clayton Kershaw was vocal in his support of Ellis last season. Ellis, who had been eligible to file for salary arbitration, turns 34 in April.


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Midnight Man
NBA: Ex Player Alvin Robertson Arrested
Authorities say former Spurs Player Alvin Robertson has been arrested after cutting off a GPS monitor while out on bond in a 2009 case. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office says 52-year-old Robertson was arrested Monday afternoon at a San Antonio apartment complex. Officials say he'd been on the run since Jan. 5. Sheriff's officials say Robertson, a former NBA All-Star whose career ended in 1996, was out on bond in a 2009 case in which he was initially charged with trafficking of a person less than 18 for prostitution. He'd been released from jail Dec. 12 and was required to wear the monitor. Robertson's attorney, Brent de la Paz, says his client, who proclaims his innocence, is frustrated with delays in the case.


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Midnight Man
NHL: Sabres Honor Dominik Hasek & Retire Number 39 Jersey
Dominik Hasek has come to realize how much easier it was turning aside pucks than it is accepting honors. Hasek, after all, never had to give any speeches patrolling the crease during a 16-season NHL career. "To play hockey was much easier," Hasek said Tuesday. "Any time I'm standing in front of so many people, not as a hockey player, but as a person, it's definitely much more difficult." The player nicknamed "The Dominator" is getting accustomed to public speaking three years into his retirement. After having his No. 9 retired in his Czech Republic hometown of Pardubice last year, followed by a Hockey Hall of Fame induction in November, Hasek was back in Buffalo to take part in his latest honor. The Sabres paid tribute to their star goalie by retiring his No. 39 in a banner-raising ceremony before their home game against the Red wings. Hasek played for both teams, and won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. Buffalo, however, holds a special spot in his heart. It was during a nine-season stint with the Sabres when Hasek established his reputation as one of the NHL's best, and revolutionized the art of goaltending with an unorthodox flopping style.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing the sound of Sabres fans cheering," Hasek said in opening a 4-1/2 minute speech from a podium at center ice. "Sabres fans are one of a kind and having your support means as much to me as any trophy that I have won." One fan yelled out: "We love you!" Another yelled: "We need you back!" The banner hung above the Sabres' zone, and will eventually join the six others honoring team greats in the northwest end of the arena. The Sabres also honored Hasek by having his number painted behind both nets, before the ceremony, Hasek reminisced about his career and playing days in Buffalo. One of his fondest memories was in 1998, after leading the Czech Republic to the gold medal at the Nagano Winter Games. Returning to Buffalo, Hasek was amazed at being greeted at the airport by thousands of cheering Sabres fans. "It was something that I will never forget," he said. "And that's why I feel like a big part of Buffalo." Hasek forced his trade to Detroit in July 2001 because he wanted a shot to win a championship at a time when the Sabres were entering a rebuilding stage.

Hasek began his career in Chicago, before being traded to Buffalo in August 1992. He also spent the 2005-06 season with Ottawa. After winning his second Stanley Cup with the Red Wings, Hasek spent two seasons playing professionally in Europe before formally announcing his retirement in 2012. He was a two-time NHL MVP, six-time Vezina Trophy-winner and six-time all-star. Statistically, Hasek ranks first on the NHL career list with a 92.2 save percentage, is sixth with 81 shutouts, seventh with a 2.2 goals-against average and 12th with 389 wins. "He was one of the greatest players to ever play the game," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who coached Hasek in Detroit. "He gave Buffalo an opportunity to win every night. He was an absolutely star, and did it his own way." Hasek's competitive intensity set him apart. And that included practice, where Hasek hated giving up a goal. "He never wanted to be scored on. It didn't matter if it was the pre-game skate or practice and obviously not in a game," Red Wings forward and former teammate Henrik Zetterberg said. "For me, as a younger player coming in, to see the battle he put in practice helped me to go even harder." Hasek's influence particularly resonated back home, where he inspired numerous Czech Republic youngsters to play goal. That includes Buffalo's Michal Neuvirth and Detroit's Petr Mrazek. "He was my idol. I always wanted to be like him," Neuvirth said. Hasek never envisioned the dominant stamp he would eventually place on the game. "It was unclear. I wasn't confident," Hasek said, recalling his arrival in Buffalo. "It took me a few years. But after a while, you feel more confident." He then paused, and broke into a smile. "What can I say?" Hasek added. "What a great nine years I spent in Buffalo."


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Midnight Man
NHL: Ducks Retire Teemu Selanne’s Number 8 Jersey
Teemu Selanne was determined not to cry when his jersey was retired by theAnaheim Ducks, and he barely succeeded somehow during an emotional tribute Sunday to his life and career.
Turns out there's nothing the Finnish Flash can't do in a hockey rink. "Actually the toughest part of keeping the emotions was when I was walking down the stairs," Selanne said, referring to his entrance through a cordon of high-fiving fans. "The whole thing just hit so hard -- plus I have to concentrate so I don't fall down those. What a night. It's very special.'' The Ducks hung Selanne's No. 8 in the rafters to honor the beloved forward who became their franchise scoring leader during his 21-season NHL career. Eight months after Selanne ended a record-setting career spent mostly in Orange County, the Ducks celebrated the franchise's most popular player and the 11th-leading goal scorer in NHL history.

"I feel very lucky in so many different ways," Selanne told the sellout crowd. "You guys have made this a happy place for us. It's overwhelming. You guys have treated me so well. Thanks for making this life so special." Commissioner Gary Bettman, team owner Henry Samueli and Selanne's family joined two decades of teammates on stage before the Ducks faced the Winnipg Jets, Selanne's first NHL club. After the ceremony, the teams surprised Selanne by warming up in replicas of every jersey worn by Selanne with the two clubs -- everything from the Ducks' current look to the franchises' mid-1990s sweaters. "This whole thing has been unbelievable," Selanne said, employing his favorite adjective over the years. After speaking to the crowd, Selanne was joined by his family under a spotlight while a black banner with his No. 8 slowly rose. "I don't remember the last time I was this nervous," Selanne said. "I didn't know what to expect. It was really special. The whole package was perfect.'' Selanne won the Calder Trophy in 1993 and the Stanley Cup in 2007 while delighting hockey fans for a quarter-century with his electrifying offensive abilities and magnetic personality. Samueli hailed Selanne as "the true face of the franchise" and an exemplary leader who "touched thousands of lives'' with charity work.

"We salute you, we thank you, we love you,'' Samueli added. "You are permanently ingrained in the soul of the Anaheim Ducks franchise." Selanne's jersey is the first retired by the Ducks, who came into existence in 1993 -- a few months after Selanne set an NHL record with 76 goals in his rookie season in Winnipeg. Bettman called the goals mark "a record that no doubt will never be broken,'' and he credited Selanne with a large role in hockey's rise to prominence in Southern California -- even while fans greeted the commissioner with his usual round of boos. "I would get booed to be with Teemu any time," Bettman said. "Unless I'm mistaken, it sounds like you're going 'Tee-muuuuuu.''' Selanne laughed and cocked his ear when fans started the "One more year!" chant that became an Anaheim staple over the past half-decade. "That was funny,'' he said. "Luckily, it's not possible." The then-Mighty Ducks acquired Selanne in February 1996, and he returned to the franchise for good in 2005 after brief stints in San Jose and Colorado. Selanne spent parts of 15 seasons in Orange County, where he still lives year-round with his wife and four children. After flirting with retirement for seven consecutive summers, Selanne finally did for good last year after racking up 684 goals and 773 assists in 1,451 games. He is the 15th-leading scorer in NHL history with 1,457 points and the Ducks' career leader in most major categories, including goals (457), assists (531) and games played (966).


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Midnight Man
Showtime Renews “Inside Comedy” For Season 4
Showtime announced today that Inside Comedy has been renewed for a fourth season. The critically-acclaimed documentary series has been picked up for six new episodes that will air later this year. David Steinberg will continue to host the show, with interviews set to include Bryan Cranston, Stephen Colbert, Wanda Sykes, Michael Keaton, and Ted Danson.


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Midnight Man
FOX Renews Bob’s Burgers For Season 6
FOX announced today that Bob's Burgers has been renewed for a sixth season. The network has ordered another 22 new episodes of the animated comedy, which is currently nearing the halfway point of Season 5.
The good news comes just months after the series took home its first Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. Its current season is also continuing to pull in solid ratings on Sunday nights, making a strong case for today's pickup.


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Midnight Man
Supernatural Renewed For season 11
The CW announced today that Supernatural has been renewed for an eleventh season. The veteran drama continues to be a strong performer for the network after a decade on the air and over 200 episodes. Its fiercely-loyal and dedicated fan base has helped keep the show's ratings solid and steady year after year.


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Midnight Man
Reign Renewed For Season 3
The CW announced today that Reign has been renewed for a third season. The period drama is one of the network's lower-rated series but has amassed a decent fan base that keeps its ratings fairly steady from week to week.


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