Auto Racing

Four-time champion Vettel replaces Alonso at Ferrari

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – In a widely expected shake-up, four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel will replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso at Ferrari next season.

The 27-year-old German will be leaving Red Bull for the Italian team on a three-year deal, Ferrari said Thursday.

Alonso, a 33-year-old Spaniard who won his two titles with Renault in 2006 and ’06, still hasn’t determined his destination but he is expected to join McLaren.

MLB

Manfred given a five-year term as commissioner

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Praising the transition as quick and orderly, Bud Selig announced Thursday that baseball owners unanimously approved a five-year term for Rob Manfred, who will succeed the longtime commissioner early next year.

Selig spoke at the conclusion of two days of meetings in Kansas City, where owners discussed a variety of issues that included domestic violence initiatives , instant replay and pace of play.

Japan goes 3-2 overall against the MLB All-Stars

NAHA, Japan – Yuki Yanagita greeted Randy Choate with a two-run single in the eighth inning, and Japan beat the Major League Baseball All-Stars 6-4 on Thursday in an exhibition game after their five-game postseason tour.

Japan won the series 3-2, and the teams split a pair of exhibition games that preceded and followed.

NFL

Snowstorm forces Buffalo to Monday in Detroit

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The NFL decided to move the Bills’ home game against the New York Jets to Monday night in Detroit after a severe winter storm pounded western New York.

The storm forced the Bills to cancel their last two days of practice. The team intends to travel to Detroit on Friday and practice at the Detroit Lions’ facility. Detroit will play at New England on Sunday.

Union defends Peterson against Goodell, Vincent

The NFL players’ union Thursday appealed the league’s suspension of Adrian Peterson and demanded an independent, neutral arbitrator hears the case.

In a letter to its player representatives and executive committee obtained by The Associated Press, the NFLPA called Commissioner Roger Goodell’s punishment “unprecedented, arbitrary, and unlawful,” then also accused Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, of telling Peterson that the games he missed on a special exempt list would count as time served toward a suspension.

Soccer

Howard saves a second player of year honor

CHICAGO – Goalkeeper Tim Howard was voted the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Male Athlete of the Year for the second time.

Howard also won the award in 2008.

Howard increased his career total to 55 international wins, two more than Kasey Keller’s previous American record.

Tennis

Federer/Monfils will open the Davis Cup final

LILLE, France – Saying he has recovered from a back injury, Roger Federer has the chance to finally win one of the only notable titles missing from his collection.

Federer will play Gael Monfils on Friday in the second singles match, as Switzerland will play France in the final of the Davis Cup. Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka will open the best-of-five series on indoor clay against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Associated Press