The 2012 sporting year in quotes

OLYMPICS"These were happy and glorious Games," - IOC president Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony."I did everything I wanted to. I finished my career the way I wanted to," - American swimmer Michael Phelps after retiring with 18 gold medals."I hope that this medal inspires the kids at home to put down guns and knives and pick up a pair of trainers instead," - Erick Barrondo, winner of Guatemala's...

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UPDATE 1-Baseball-'Godzilla' Matsui retires from baseball

* Former Yankee ends 20-year career* Tributes flood in for Japanese sporting celebrity (Adds quotes, details, dateline)TOKYO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Hard-hitting Hideki Matsui, who set several milestones for Japanese players in Major League Baseball, has announced his retirement from the game.The 38-year-old slugger played for 10 seasons in MLB, seven of them with the New York Yankees, producing the most...

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NEWSMAKER-Baseball-Fire goes out for 'Godzilla' Matsui

TOKYO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - No longer the fearsome, fire-breathing "Godzilla" of old, injury-ravaged Hideki Matsui retired from baseball with his head held high and as a huge source of national pride for Japan.The 38-year-old slugger, World Series MVP in 2009 with the New York Yankees, helped put Japanese baseball on the map after the trail-blazing Hideo Nomo and mercurial Ichiro Suzuki had enjoyed...

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News Corp buys regional sports channel in Ohio

- News Corp said on Friday it bought SportsTime Ohio, a Cleveland-based regional sports network that broadcasts Cleveland Indians baseball games.The company did not disclose financial details. A source close to the matter said on Friday the deal was worth roughly $230 million, which Reuters first reported on December 3.The network, owned by the Cleveland Indians baseball team, also airs programming...

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After prison release, Urbina returns to baseball

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Former major league pitcher Ugueth Urbina returned to baseball Friday after serving 7½ years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch.Before taking the field in his native Venezuela to play for the Lions of Caracas, Urbina described himself as "more mature" and said he was "very excited to play baseball again.""I'm excited to be here," Urbina...

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Thatcher papers show fascination with Reagan visit

LONDON — It is not often that the president of the United States needs to seek fashion advice. But when Ronald Reagan was getting ready for a visit to England as a guest of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1982, his people had an important question for the Brits: Just what does one wear to go riding with the queen in the magnificent horse country surrounding Windsor Castle? The answer: Something smart,...

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U.S. suspends embassy operations in rebel-hit Central African Republic

The United States said on Thursday it was suspending operations at its embassy in the Central African Republic as rebels appeared poised to move on the capital of the impoverished but resource-rich nation. U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the U.S. embassy had temporarily suspended operations and that the U.S. ambassador and other embassy personnel had left the country. "This...

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CAR appeals for French help against rebels, Paris balks

The president of the Central African Republic appealed on Thursday for France and the United States to help push back rebels threatening his government and the capital, but Paris said its troops were only ready to protect French nationals. The exchanges came as regional African leaders tried to broker a ceasefire deal and as rebels said they had temporarily halted their advance on Bangui, the capital,...

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US shuts embassy in Central African Republic

The State Department has closed its embassy in the Central African Republic and ordered the ambassador and his diplomatic team to leave the country as rebels there continue to advance and violence escalates, U.S. officials said Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale, said that at the State Department's request, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had directed U.S. Africa Command to evacuate...

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AP Exclusive: Photos show NKorea nuclear readiness

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Recent satellite photos indicate North Korea has repaired flood damage at its nuclear test facility and could conduct a quick atomic explosion if it chose. But analysis provided by the 38 North website to The Associated Press on Friday also shows water streaming out of a test tunnel that may cause problems. Washington and others are pushing for U.N. sanctions in response...

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