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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

Signed Manager Ron Washington signed a new two-year contract Thursday with the A.L. champion Texas Rangers, a move that had been expected since before the playoffs began. The deal through the 2012 season was completed three days after the end of the Rangers’ first World Series appearance. Financial terms were not available.

• The Milwaukee Brewers officially hired 54-year-old Ron Roenicke as manager, his first managerial job at the major league level. Roenicke signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2013. Financial terms for the deal remain unknown.

Interviewed Texas Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle interviewed for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager’s job. Hurdle talked to the Pirates, who hadn’t interviewed a candidate since speaking with Braves bench coach Carlos Tosca on Oct. 14.

Suspended A person familiar with the investigation said the New York Mets suspended longtime clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels because he’s involved in an investigation into illegal gambling by the Queens (N.Y.) District Attorney and the New York Police Department. The person said Major League Baseball believes the alleged gambling involved mostly NFL games.

Warned A Brazilian prosecutor warned Felipe Massa that he can be arrested and sentenced to up to six years in prison if he takes team orders to help Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso win the Formula One title. Massa could be charged with fraud if he allows Alonso to pass him or if he does anything else that would somehow alter the result Sunday at Interlagos, according to prosecutor Sao Paulo-area Paulo Castilho.

Injured Xavier has suffered a major setback, losing senior forward Jamel McLean to a broken bone around the eye socket. McLean was hurt Tuesday night during a 73-62 exhibition basketball victory over Northern Kentucky. The fracture will take three to six weeks to heal.

Penalized NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Michael McDowell has been docked 50 points and the crew chief for the No. 46 Chevrolet was suspended indefinitely after weight pellets were found in the car’s frame at Talladega, Ala. NASCAR said the violations were uncovered during an inspection two days before McDowell finished 35th in last Sunday’s race.