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NEW YORK -- Outfielder Carlos Beltran and the New York Yankees have finalized a $45 million, three-year contract. The agreement, reached Dec. 6, was announced by the team Thursday. The eight-time All-Star is to be introduced at a Yankee Stadium news conference Friday. The 36-year-old played for the Mets from 2005-11, when he was dealt to San Francisco. He signed a $26 million, two-year contract with St. Louis before the 2012 season and reached the World Series for the first time this year. Slowed by knee injuries, Beltran has retained a potent bat -- especially in October. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for the Cardinals this year and added two homers and 15 RBIs in the post-season. Beltran injured ribs in the World Series opener when he banged into Fenway Parks right-fight fence while robbing Bostons David Ortiz of a grand slam. New York seems to have a logjam among outfielders on its roster, a group that includes Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki, Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells. To open a roster spot, the Yankees designated right-hander Brett Marshall for assignment. Air Max 97 Undefeated For Sale .com) - Damian Lillard poured in 40 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with 11 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-111, in overtime on Tuesday. Air Max 97/1 For Sale . Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. http://www.outletairmax97.com/air-max-97-vapormax-cheap.html. Durant had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and made the go-ahead foul shots in overtime to lift the Thunder past the Wizards 106-105. John Wall missed a driving layup attempt at the buzzer for Washington, which was seeking its third straight win. Air Max 97 Plus Black Shock Orange . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand. Air Max 97 Shanghai . Petersburg of the KHL. Belov was a free agent last summer when he signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. In 57 games this season he had one goal and six assists with 34 penalty minutes in Edmonton.Former Rutgers University football player Eric LeGrand, whose recovery from a paralyzing injury suffered during a game has become a unifying and inspirational story for the school, was announced Tuesday as one of its commencement speakers, a day after he said the offer to do so was rescinded "for political reasons." The announcement from Rutgers President Robert Barchi, who said there was a "miscommunication" about the speeches, is the latest development in a strange saga surrounding the May 18 ceremony. The New Jersey university initially announced that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would give the keynote address, and school officials maintained that she would not be "disinvited" as some students and faculty protested her selection, including holding a sit-in last week. They objected largely because of her role in deciding the U.S. would go to war in Iraq. But on Saturday, Rice withdrew from the speech. On Monday, former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, who was one of the chairmen of the Sept. 11 Commission, was named as the new keynote speaker. Hours after that announcement, LeGrand tweeted that he had been offered the chance to give the speech, but that the university rescinded the offer "for political reasons." Rutgers spokesman Greg Trevor said when university officials spoke with LeGrand, they may have given the impression that he was to be the keynote speaker, when that was not the plan. LeGrand will speak before Kean at the ceremony. LeGrand did not return a message from The Associated Press seeking further details. He told NJ.com that athletic director Julie Hermann told him on Monday that Rutgers had decided tto go with another speaker.dddddddddddd Trevor said he would look into that assertion. "I just want an explanation," LeGrand told the website. "I wish somebody would have given me a call tonight and explained to me why. Then I can understand, but dont just leave me hanging." In his statement Tuesday afternoon, Barchi said LeGrand had been invited as one of multiple speakers. "It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker. We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to have him participate," Barchi said. "Eric holds a special place in the hearts of the class of 2014 and the entire university community. We are thrilled that he will be joining us on stage to make this special occasion ever more memorable." LeGrand also will receive a degree at the ceremony. He was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle on a kickoff during a 2010 game against Army. He now is able to breathe on his own and stand upright with the help of a metal frame. LeGrand is known mostly for his hopeful outlook. He has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, helped with Rutgers football broadcasts, become a motivational speaker and signed a symbolic contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they were coached by his former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Last fall, LeGrand became the first football player to have his number retired by the university. LeGrand told the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick that he was mapping out what he would say in a speech. "I was just going to give inspirational words about how they should attack life," he said. "All the things Ive learned so far." ' ' '