“I feel the fans have embraced me, and I feel like I’ve embraced the fan base of Boston since Day 1,” he said.

Sam Levinson, one of his agents, joked about the contract length, asking the first question on a telephone conference call and inquiring whether Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein would add a fourth year.

“Well Sam. I’ve heard you ask that before,” Epstein said, chuckling.

(Read content ‘Lowell, Red Sox finalize $37.5M contract (AP)’…)

3 $Updated: yvonnej$ –>

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — rookie has been sidelined indefinitely with an injured right shoulder.

Conley, the fourth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, hurt the shoulder Saturday against Dallas.

The 6-foot-1 guard has been placed on the inactive list and will miss a minimum of two to three weeks, the team said Tuesday.

(Read content ‘Grizzlies rookie G Conley out indefinitely’…)

Some commuters cross the tracks as others wait on a crowded platform after getting out of their train at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, Tuesday. (Remy de la Mauviniere/The Associated Press)

PARIS: President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted, in the face of broad strikes by civil servants and transit workers Tuesday, that France needs reform, saying “we will not surrender and we will not retreat.”

Adopting a defiant tone, Sarkozy said French voters gave him a mandate to carry out economic reforms when they elected him in May.

(Read content ‘Sarkozy pledges not to surrender on reform plans in the face of strikes’…)

The 31-year-old Estrada batted .278 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs for the Brewers this year. He can become a free agent after the 2008 season.

“Johnny adds depth to our catching situation,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. “He’s a former All-Star who switch-hits and has hit over .300 three times in his career.”

Estrada had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct.

(Read content ‘Brewers trade Estrada to Mets for Mota (AP)’…)

NARITA, Japan: Japan started fingerprinting and photographing arriving foreigners Tuesday in a crackdown on terrorists, despite complaints that the measures unfairly target non-Japanese.

Nearly all foreigners age 16 or over, including longtime residents, will be scanned.

(Read content ‘Japan starts fingerprinting and photographing visitors’…)

U-21 International: N Ireland 3-0 Moldova

Tuesday, 20 November 2007 21:59

Northern Ireland picked up three more European Under-21 Championship qualifying group nine points tonight with a win over their Moldovan counterparts.

A strong first-half display enabled Roy Millar’s troops to follow up Friday’s 5-0 defeat of Luxembourg with another win.

Michael O’Connor settled the home side’s nerves at Glenavon’s Mourneview Park with a goal in the second minute.

Four-time Pro Bowl tailback , who returned to the field with the last month following nearly two years of inactivity, is considering retirement after re-injuring his neck in last Sunday’s 13-10 loss to the .

Holmes, 34, has spent the past few days counseling with family members and friends and speaking with medical experts, two sources close to him told ESPN.com on Tuesday night. (Read content ‘Sources: Chiefs’ Holmes considering retirement’…)

The driver of the second vehicle also was killed, said Dorris Teague, a spokeswoman for the state troopers.

Stacy, 39, a star running back for Alabama during 1989-91, was listed in stable condition in surgical intensive care at Flowers Hospital in Dothan.

Stacy, who has been employed by a mortgage company, was the first pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1992 draft, but amid injury and legal problems he was cut the next year.

(Read content ‘Ex-Tide RB Stacy involved in fatal wreck (AP)’…)

The Melbourne Metro YHA has reinforced its status as a Victorian backpacking industry leader by winning the Victorian Tourism Award for Backpacker Accommodation. The hostel is the fifth Australian YHA Hostel to win their state award this year and will now proceed to the National Awards.

The 23rd annual Victorian Tourism Awards were presented at a gala dinner in the Palladium Room at Crown Casino on Monday 19 November 2007.

(Read content ‘Melbourne Metro YHA wins Victorian Tourism Award for Backpacker Accommodation’…)

The world’s top-ranked player came back to beat the man he is chasing for the all-time Grand Slam titles record. Federer won 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday in the first of three Asian exhibitions. These tennis greats of the past and present meet again Thursday in Kuala Lumpur and Saturday in Macau.

“Pete was one of my idols growing up and it’s great to play him,” Federer said.

(Read content ‘Federer defeats Sampras in exhibition (AP)’…)