Source: Josh Hamilton Signs with Angels

Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton agreed to a five-year contract worth $25 million a year on Thursday with the Los Angeles Angels, according to ESPN Dallas.

Hamilton was one of the big free agents still left on the market and will join an Angels lineup that already features Albert Pujols.

The Texas Rangers were hoping to re-sign their 2010 MVP, but were unable to negotiate a deal.  Hamilton's camp also reportedly met with the Seattle Mariners during last week's Winter Meetings.

Hamilton batted .285 with 43 homers, and 128 RBIs in 2012 while in Arlington. 

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ESPN: 7 Catholic Schools May Leave Big East

Joe Robbins/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Big East might be losing some more teams, but this time it's because of basketball.

The presidents at the seven Catholic schools in the Big East that are non-Football Subdivision schools are expected to hold a teleconference with Big East commissioner Mike Aresco Thursday, to decide whether the schools will leave the conference, according to sources of ESPN.

ESPN was also told it would be an "upset," if the schools remained in the league.

The seven schools are DePaul, Georgetown, Providence, Marquette, Seton Hall, Villanova and St. John's.

Those teams could attempt to dissolve the league or leave the league as a group. The league can be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote by league members, according to Big East by-laws. There are currently only 10 members of the league that can vote, the seven Catholic schools, Cincinnati, UConn and South Florida.

This means the seven Catholic schools could vote to dissolve the League.

At this time, it is unknown whether the schools would attempt to do that.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

A.J. McCarron Will Return to Alabama for Senior Season

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) -- Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron announced Wednesday in a statement released by the school that he will return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season.

"I had many goals for myself when I came to the University of Alabama," McCarron said. "I have been lucky enough to achieve some of those goals, but some are still ahead of me. There were many factors in my decision to return to Alabama for my senior year but, after talking with my family and coaches, I knew it was the right choice for me."

McCarron has gone 24-2 as a starter for Alabama, helping lead the school to its second straight BCS championship game. This season he has thrown for 2,669 yards, completing 66.8 percent of his passes throwing for 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

"We are pleased that AJ has decided to return for his senior year next season," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. "He's done a great job for us and has really grown, not only as a quarterback and a player, but as a leader of our team."

McCarron and the 2nd ranked Crimson Tide square off with top ranked Notre Dame Jan. 7 in Miami in the Discover BCS National Championship Game.

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Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins Suspended One Game

Sacramento Kings/NBA(NEW YORK) -- Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was suspended for Wednesday night's game versus the Milwaukee Bucks for hitting Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo in the groin on Monday.

In the second quarter of the Kings 119-96 loss to the Mavericks Monday, Cousins, after fighting for positioning with Mayo, jabbed backwards with his fist hitting Mayo in the groin. Mayo proceeded to confront Cousins resulting in double technical fouls being called.

"That guy has some mental issues, man," Mayo said. "He's a talented player. He has an opportunity to be the face of that organization, but I don't think he wants it."

This is the second time this season Cousins has been suspended. He was suspended for two games in November after confronting San Antonio Spurs TV commentator Sean Elliott following a loss to the Spurs.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Texas Tech Hires Kliff Kingsbury as its Football Coach

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images(LUBBOCK, Texas) -- Kliff Kingsbury is headed back to Texas Tech. The school's former quarterback was hired Wednesday as the Red Raiders head football coach.

The 33-year-old Kingsbury served as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach this season. The Aggies are currently third in the nation in total offense behind Kingsbury, who also helped groom this year's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.  

"Bittersweet..happy for him though couldn't of happened to a better guy and a great coach," Manziel tweeted.

Before working at Texas A&M, Kingsbury served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Houston, where he worked with Case Keenum, one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NCAA history.

Kingsbury takes over for Tommy Tuberville, who shocked many by leaving for the same job at Cincinnati.

Kingsbury played at Texas Tech from 1998-2002, throwing for 12,429 yards and 95 touchdowns. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Scoreboard Roundup - 12/12/12

Getty Images/Hemera(NEW YORK) -- NBA: The Golden State Warriors (15-7) defeated the Miami Hat (14-6), 97-95.

The Atlanta Hawks (13-6) zapped the Orlando Magic (8-13), 86-80.

The Brooklyn Nets (12-9) tamed the Toronto Raptors (4-19), 94-88.

The Indiana Pacers (11-11) outpaced the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-18), 96-81.

The Chicago Bulls (12-9) dropped the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers (12-10), 96-89.

The Los Angeles Clippers (16-6) clipped the Charlotte Bobcats (7-14), 100-94.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (18-4) buzzed the New Orleans Hornets (5-16), 92-88.

The Houston Rockets (10-11) vanquished the Washington Wizards (3-16), 99-93.

The Minnesota Timberwolves (10-9) dunked the Denver Nuggets (11-12), 108-105.

The Milwaukee Bucks (11-9) crowned the Sacramento Kings (7-14), 98-85.

The Phoenix Suns (8-15) nipped the Memphis Grizzlies (14-5), 82-80.

The Boston Celtics (12-9) stopped the Dallas Mavericks (11-11) in double overtime, 117-115.

The Utah Jazz (13-10) upended the San Antonio Spurs (18-5), 99-96.

Top 25 Men's College Basketball: (7) Ohio State (7-1) pounded Savannah State (5-5), 85-45.

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Arizona Cardinals Place QB Kevin Kolb On IR

Christian Petersen/Getty Images(TEMPE, Ariz.) -- The Arizona Cardinals placed starting quarterback Kevin Kolb on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season. He hasn’t played since going down with a rib injury in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills.

The Cardinals announced Ryan Lindley will start this Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

In six games this year, the 28-year-old Kolb tossed 1,169 yards and eight touchdowns against three interceptions.  

After beginning the season 4-0, Arizona has lost nine straight.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Royals Welcome Shields And Davis To Kansas City

Robbie Rogers/MLB Photos via Getty Images(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) -- The Kansas City Royals introduced pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis to the media on Wednesday. The duo was acquired in a six-player trade this past weekend with the Rays, which saw the Royals send top prospects Wil Myers and Jake Odorizzi along with two other minor leaguers to Tampa Bay.

In his seven-year career with the Rays, the 30-year-old Shields is 87-73 with a 3.89 ERA in 218 games. He has struck out 1,250 batters in 1,452 2-3 innings of work.

“If I go out there one day and I throw eight innings, Wade is going to come in right behind me trying to throw nine,” Shields said. “That’s the kind of culture I always been accustomed to and I want to create here.”

In 54 relief appearances last season for the Rays, Davis went 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kobe Bryant Addresses Lakers Struggles

Los Angeles Lakers/NBA(NEW YORK) -- The Los Angeles Lakers on paper looked like they would be one of the contenders to win an NBA title in 2012, but that has not yet been the case on the court.

Sitting at 9-13, the Lakers have lost five of their last six games.  Los Angeles will take on the Knicks on Thursday night and Kobe Bryant was asked about the biggest problem his team is having this year.

“Our transition defense has been our Achilles heal,” Bryant told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith in an interview on Wednesday.  “Teams are really taking advantage of us, makes and misses.  Pushing the ball up the court and getting the easy opportunities.”

The Lakers added Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their roster in the summer and fired head coach Mike Brown in October, before bringing in former Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni.  D’Antoni has yet to find a way to make it work, with Nash still sidelined from a broken fibula.

“This is the challenge.  When people say, ‘You can’t do it’, count us out,” said Bryant.  “Then you bounce back and respond to the challenge and shut everybody up, that’s part of sports.”

Bryant admitted that this is one of the toughest challenges he’s endured during his NBA career with all the talent around, but not a good record to show for it.

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Seahawks' Russell Wilson Talks Rookie Success

Kevin Casey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has led his team to an 8-5 record in his rookie season as the NFL season quickly comes to a close with only three weeks remaining.

Wilson entered preseason in a quarterback battle with Matt Flynn, but won the job come week one.

The rookie was asked about earning the respect of the veterans in the Seattle locker room.

"I just do what I love to do the most," Wilson told ESPN Radio on Wednesday.  "That's study, get here early, leave late, and ask tons of questions."

The Seahawks are 2-5 on the road in 2012 and will take on the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday. 

Wilson spoke about what he needs to do when playing on the road.

"Trusting your reeds and playing smart with the football," Wilson said.  "Being in attack mode, you can't be scared in this league."

And what does he think about his rookie success?

"I just take one day at a time, you’re so grateful for this opportunity," the quarterback said.  "You realize you just want to take one day at a time and just try and play your best football every single day."

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