Way to go, Mo: Morris Claiborne must be feeling pretty good today. On Wednesday he was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award: one of just two defensive players to make the list, along with Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. And today Claiborne was named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s best defensive player of the year. The other Nagurski finalists are Kuechly, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus and Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still. The Walter Camp winner will be announced Dec. 8, and the Nagurski winner will be announced Dec. 12. Claiborne has been a key contributor for the top-ranked Tigers this season, with 38 tackles and four interceptions heading into Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. The cornerback also has five pass breakups, one tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry to his credit, and he’s averaging 29.5 yards on 13 kickoff returns.
So long, NL: Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane today, which will lead to the team’s moving from the NL Central to the AL West for the 2013 season. The decision will give each league 15 teams, baseball’s first realignment since the Milwaukee Brewers switched from the AL to the NL after the 1997 season. As part of the Astros’ agreement to switch leagues, the sale price was cut from $680 million to $615 million, a person at today’s meeting told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details weren’t officially announced. Major League Baseball will reportedly make up part of the $65 million difference, paying McLane $35 million over three years. Commissioner Bud Selig says owners also approved two additional wild-card teams for the postseason, meaning 10 of the 30 teams make the playoffs. Selig says he hopes the expanded playoffs can start next year and that the specifics are being worked out. The players’ association favors the move. Read the full story here.
