MVP Mauer...Jayhawks still rule the roost...Nordqvist vaults into the lead

NEW YORK (AP) Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer was named first on 27 of 28 ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and easily captured the American League MVP Award. Mark Teixeira (teh-SHEHR'-uh) and Derek Jeter of the World Series champion New York Yankees finished second and third, respectively.

NEW YORK (AP) Kansas was named first on 56 of 65 ballots cast by members of a nationwide media panel and remains No. 1 in the weekly AP hoops Poll. Michigan State, Texas, Villanova and Kentucky round out the top five.

RICHMOND, Texas (AP) Anna Nordqvist is the leader by two shots as the final round of the LPGA Tour Championship continues. The Swede shaved six strokes from par over her first 12 holes to get to 12 under for the tournament.

HOUSTON (AP) Houston hosts Tennessee tonight in the NFL's Week 11 finale. The Texans check in at 5-and-4 while the Titans have won three straight to get to 3-and-6.

LONDON (AP) Rafael Nadal is off to a rough start at the ATP World Tour Finals, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Robin Soderling in their opening round-robin match. It's the first time the two have squared off across the net since Soderling handed the second-ranked Spaniard his first loss on clay at this year's French Open.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-23-09 1503CST | save this article / add to your favorites list