After clearing the legal hurdles, New England Sports Ventures (NESV) has gained control of the Liverpool soccer franchise.

NESV announced Friday it has completed the purchase of Liverpool Football Club of $ 481 000 000 - or 300 million pounds.

The transaction, which was held in court, means that New England Sports Ventures LLC, owned by John W. Henry and Tom Werner, takes ownership of the football powerhouse that was once owned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.

NESV owns a portfolio of companies, including Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing.

"On behalf of the whole society NESV like to express how incredibly proud and humble to be confirmed that the new owners of Liverpool FC," Henry said in a statement. "We see our role as administrators for the club with a primary focus on returning to the club to greatness on and off the field for the long term."

Liverpool has won 18 championships.

"We are committed first to win," said Henry. "We have a history of winning, and now we want the LFC supporters to know that this approach is what we intend to bring this great club."

A Texas court issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday to halt the sale of minutes before the club's board could vote in the bag.

The restraining order came shortly after the decision by a British judge issued earlier in the day that would have prohibited the sale of the club to NESV.

Hicks and Gillett had challenged in court that the current arrangement drastically underestimate the club. The protective order, issued by the District Court 160th in Dallas, set October 25 as the date for the hearing.

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ARLINGTON - If this was the final appearance of Hideki Matsui with the Angels, the great man from Japan came out with a bang.

At the end of the season, Matsui beaten a two-run homer, his 21st of the season against Colby Lewis on Sunday to hand the Angels an early lead en route to a 6-2 decision over the Rangers in the American League West champion. Matsui also singled in his final at-bat before departing for a pinch runner.

"Hideki was frantic, as in the last 100 at-bats or something like that," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, his team have finished sub-.500 (80-82) for the first time since 2003.
"It was definitely good to see Hideki get a hold of one. You need it."

The Rangers took four regular off the field of individual ovations at the top of the sixth inning in front of 45,446 at Rangers Ballpark, and manager Ron Washington DH Vladimir Guerrero hit by another ovation in the sixth.

Finally settling in on the mound in the sixth after the cheers, Dustin Nippert, starting in place of Lewis, was hit by a Bourj Peter solo homer, his sixth of the season. The Angels added three insurance runs in the ninth, with Mark Trumbo delivery of two with his first major league hit, a line drive single to center off Mark Lowe.

The victory went to Dan Haren with the support of relievers Rich Thompson, Kevin Jepsen and Jordan Walden.

Haren said he was initially confused by the celebration of Texas, adding that he felt that backfired with Nippert grooved a pitch to Bourj.

"It was a bit strange," Haren said. "The thing is I do not know history, we've done something like this in the past. He seemed a little unusual. I feel bad for his pitcher. Had to be there for five minutes and give a home run. He was hung with loss.

"The first time I did, it took me by surprise. It's not like they appear to us. If you are sending a message ... has been the division of the Angels in recent years. We have this year. Let see what happens next year. I like our chances. "

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ANAHEIM - Some of the Angels packed their belongings at Angel Stadium on Monday, none with his future up in the air of Hideki Matsui.

The batter 36-year-old is a free agent designated this offseason, and while looking outside as Matsui does not come in 2011, plans halos, manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Tony Reagins said it was possible that cold again.

Reagins nor Scioscia said the chance was strong, however.

"That's all that we will be talking in the next three months or less," Reagins said. "We will assess your condition as free agents as we will see others who are available and then make a decision. Can I say it is completely out of the possibility that he will be back?" I can not say at this time. Never know, this game is a strange game. "

"I honestly do not know," Matsui said of next year, after asking jokingly told a reporter that the reporter thought the land. "I have no answer for that."

A couple dozen fans waited in the rain in the parking lot of downtown parking area yesterday morning as some players, but not all, dragging his feet inches Bobby Wilson was an early arriver. Mark Trumbo, fresh from his first experience in the majors, was also there, like Brandon Wood, Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli and Maicer Izturis.

A day after the Angels completed a sub-500 final (80-82) for the first time since 2003 with a 6-2 victory over the Rangers, the feeling was unanimous: 2010 was a disappointment. As it has done often, Scioscia said he just wants an adjustment.

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ANAHEIM - The Wild West of the American League has a little wild and out of control in 2010 for the three-time division champion Angels. For the first time since '06 and the second time since '03, which sit at the big party in October.
Almost everything that could go wrong went wrong. There were injuries to key personnel before the season, early in the season, midway and end of the season. None rivaled the sheer impact of the loss of Kendry Morales on May 29 in arguably the most freakish injuries in franchise history.
Jumping on the plate after a game winning grand slam against Seattle in the arms of a dozen teammates at Angel Stadium, Morales landed awkwardly on his left foot and sat down for an uncomfortably long time.
Removed from the lawn as teammates froze in disbelief, Morales was taken to a nearby hospital where X-rays confirmed the worst suspicions. Morales had a broken left leg, and surgical approaches that have off-season. The forecast for 2011 is good for the bottom of slugging first, but the loss of his bat on the rise and meticulous work gloves at first base was devastating.
There were no other losses along the way - Scott Kazmir and Joel Pineiro to start early afternoon, catcher Jeff Mathis, relievers Matt Palmer, Brian Stokes and Jason Bulger, infielders Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis - but Morales was overwhelming. Manager Mike Scioscia nine athletes use different at first in his absence, hoping in vain to fill a void irreparable.
The offense took a short flight in June when the team went 18-9, but a 9-17 jul collapse was followed by the mediocrity of the balance of a frustrating season.
The starting pitching, are joined with the arrival of Dan Haren in a late July trade with Arizona, was first class. Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana were always excellent. The bullpen was erratic, with closer Brian Fuentes tried to Minnesota in August. The defense, like the relief agencies had its ups and downs.
The real problem, however, was a crime that never found his rhythm. Almost all hitters in the lineup less experienced one season after a remarkable number of hitters enjoyed years of career in 2009.
Torii Hunter, once again was the player the Angels' most productive offensive. and nine-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award gardener showed his team attitude first moving from center to right to accommodate the arrival of Pedro Bourj ultraswift and exciting, which is one of the building blocks for the future along with the likes of receiver Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo slugger and, by the way, outfielder Mike Trout.

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