Angels' Shohei Ohtani wins AL MVP unanimously  —  Shohei Ohtani, who starred as a hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, won the American League MVP Award unanimously, becoming the 11th player to sweep the voting in the AL.  —  The other unanimous winners in the AL: Hank Greenberg …

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson feeling ‘much better,’ aiming to catch up for game vs. Bears after return from illness  —  There was no prolonged mystery as the Ravens began practice Friday.  Lamar Jackson bopped around the field in his familiar black No. 8 jersey, tossing spirals despite the blustery chill in Owings Mills.

Commissioner Rob Manfred says lockout could move MLB collective bargaining agreement talks forward  —  CHICAGO — Major League Baseball owners have not yet decided to lock out players if there is no new labor deal after the Dec. 1 expiration of the current one, commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday …

Billy Eppler introduced as Mets GM, says he can take ‘bigger swings’ and spend on free agents  —  In the earliest days of Billy Eppler's newborn tenure as general manager of the Mets, his boss, the multi-billionaire team owner Steve Cohen, has made sure Eppler understands at least one thing …

With Dolphins and Jets in latest Rebuild Bowl, Patriots again show how it's done  —  The New England Patriots aren't a highlight reel this year.  They're a how-to manual.  And the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, who meet in their annual Rebuilding Bowl on Sunday, should be alternately sick …

Giants safety Logan Ryan tests positive for COVID-19, likely to miss Bucs game  —  Giants safety Logan Ryan went on the COVID-19 reserve list Friday after testing positive for the virus and likely is out for Monday night's game at Tampa at least.  —  Ryan's absence could be devastating.

Bucs' Antonio Brown accused of obtaining fake vaccine card  —  A former live-in chef also says Brown, who missed one game this season after testing positive for COVID, owes him $10,000.  —  Updated Just now  —  TAMPA — Bucs receiver Antonio Brown obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card …

Cleveland Guardians' launch starts with store sign crashing to sidewalk  —  CLEVELAND (AP) _ A special opening day for the newly named Cleveland Guardians began with a bang.  —  Not the one they hoped for, either.  —  As fans were buying the first available Guardians merchandise on Friday …

New York Yankees designate Clint Frazier, Rougned Odor, Tyler Wade for assignment  —  NEW YORK — Clint Frazier's tenure with the Yankees might have ended after five unfulfilling seasons when New York designated him for assignment Friday to open a roster spot for a prospect ahead of the winter meeting draft.

Sources: James Harden and Jerami Grant are on Sixers' latest list of Ben Simmons trade targets  —  DENVER — How do you feel about the 76ers bringing Jerami Grant back to Philly?  Better yet, what about the Sixers making another attempt to acquire James Harden in exchange for Ben Simmons?

New York Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner talks free agency, praises Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman  —  CHICAGO — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said Wednesday the team is “not going to be afraid to get into the free-agent market” and suggested the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal …