News und Ankündigungen » hat hasnt always been the case in Cleveland,

CLEVELAND -- Only hours before this seasons home opener, the Indians guaranteed Jason Kipnis will be around for more than a few more. The All-Star second baseman agreed to a $52.5 million, six-year contract on Friday, binding him to the Indians through the 2019 season. The deal includes a club option for 2020. Kipnis signed the contract one day after turning 27, giving him a birthday gift of wealth and security hell never forget. "Its an amazing feeling to get something done," said Kipnis. "I wanted to stay here. Im excited about being here." Kipnis is the latest core player to be signed to a long-term deal by the Indians, who reached agreements with outfielder Michael Brantley (4 years, $25 million) and catcher Yan Gomes (6 years, $23 million) in the past two months. "Its the ownership, the top, showing us that they believe in us, that weve got the guys who can win games now and we want them stick around," Kipnis said. "Im excited about be a part of that." Kipnis had already signed a one-year deal worth $554,900 in the major leagues and $305,700 in the minors. The new deal calls for a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $2 million this year, $4 million in 2015, $6 million in 2016, $9 million in 2017, $13.5 million in 2018 and $14.5 million in 2019. The Indians option for 2020 is at $16.5 million with a $2.5 million buyout. He gets a hotel suite on road trips. And he would get a $500,000 payment if hes traded. Kipnis agreement covers this season, all three of his arbitration-eligible years and extends through at least the first two seasons after he could have become a free agent. The Indians and Kipnis agents had been negotiating a deal for months. "This was our third attempt at it, so its good to finally be able to get it done," general manager Chris Antonetti said . "Its a complicated thing. You have to figure out what the right value is, what the appropriate way is to share risk, and this was the time we were able to do it." Kipnis developed into one of the ALs rising stars last season, batting .284 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs in 149 games. He also stole 30 bases, scored 86 runs and led the Indians in runs, hits, RBIs and steals. Kipnis has endeared himself to the Indians, manager Terry Francona and Cleveland fans with his hustling, win-at-all-costs playing style. That grit on display Wednesday night in the ninth inning in Oakland, when after twice failing to move two runners over with a bunt, Kipnis beat out a fielders choice, stole second and scored the go-ahead run as the Indians rallied for a 6-4 win in the second game of a doubleheader. "That was Kip in a bottle," Francona said. "Thats the way Kip plays. Youd see a lot of guys maybe not get the bunt down, strike out, get mad because we asked him to bunt and we lose." After going 92-70 last season and making the AL playoffs for the first time since 2007, the Indians have shown a strong commitment to winning -- now. That hasnt always been the case in Cleveland, where fans have seen the front office trade star pitchers CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee before they could leave as free agents. These new deals, coming a year after the Indians signed free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to multiyear contracts, are a signal the club intends to compete for a championship. "Its so awesome," Swisher said. "This is not a one-and-done organization anymore. The moves that were making are all the right moves." The signings, too, have changed outside perception of the Indians, who havent won a World Series title since 1948. "When I was on other teams in coming to Cleveland, if you didnt sweep, it was a bad road trip," said Swisher, who previously played with the Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. "For us now, people are realizing that when you come in here, were going to fight for it. I think last years record speaks for itself, but that wasnt our goal, to go out and have one great, amazing season and then just fall off. Everything is going in the right direction." Jalen Brunson Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson said he feels like hes playing the best basketball of his 10-year NBA career. Dwight Powell Mavericks Jersey . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/ko...vericks-jersey/. -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are tightening the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. Dirk Nowitzki Jersey . Basketball fans around the globe will be watching as Kobe Bryant makes his season debut - 240 days after tearing his left Achilles - against Toronto, a team he has used as his own personal punching bag. Steve Nash Mavericks Jersey . The freestyle skier from Calgary finished sixth in the qualification round with a total of 82.00 points. Groenewoud won a silver medal at the X Games last month, just over five weeks after undergoing double knee surgery.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Adrian Peterson did not testify at his appeal hearing Tuesday and NFL executive Troy Vincent is scheduled to testify Thursday, according to two people familiar with the case.Peterson gave a statement, said one person. Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side is discussing the case publicly.Peterson left without comment after spending more than three hours at the hearing. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said only that the hearing will continue Thursday.The proceedings were held before longtime hearing officer Harold Henderson.Peterson is seeking reinstatement after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the rest of the season for violating the leagues personal conduct policy. Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15.The 2012 NFL MVP hasnt played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played ouut, and he pleaded no contest Nov.dddddddddddd 4 to misdemeanour reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.The NFL Players Association called the punishment unprecedented, arbitrary, and unlawful. The union is arguing Peterson should get credit for time served on the exempt list.The NFLPA submitted a tape of a conversation between Peterson and Vincent in which the NFLs executive vice-president of football operations tells Peterson he would be credited with time served and receive a two-game suspension if he attended a disciplinary hearing Nov. 14 with Goodell. Peterson skipped that meeting.The union asked Henderson to compel Vincent to testify and he obliged. Vincent testified in Washington on Tuesday before a Senate Commerce Committee hearing about domestic violence in professional sports.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi ' ' '