News and notes while DeAngelo Hall sends former coach Bobby Petrino a Christmas card…

Cubs win Fukudome sweepstakes (ESPN.com News Services) The Japanese import will apparently sign with the Chicago Cubs for four years, $48 million, according to ESPN 1000 in the ‘Windy City.’

Report: Kuroda nearing pact with Dodgers (LA Daily News) Reports in the Pacific Rim claim he’s signed with the Dodgers, but the Los Angeles Daily News’  Tony Jackson writes that the deal isn’t done — yet.

Iguchi, Padres near deal (San Diego Union-Tribune) In this piece from the Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic, the San Diego Padres and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi have come to terms on a one-year deal.

Petrino officially named head coach at Arkansas (AP/USA Today) The saga is over — we can sleep again.

Four NHLers skating on heated blades (CP/The Hockey News) Four anonymous NHL players testing out Thermablade, a heated-skate technology said to enhance skating performance.

Gumbel to miss Thursday’s Broncos-Texans tilt (Houston Chronicle) Due to a sore throat, Bryant Gumbel will miss the NFL Network’s Thursday game and Tom Hammond of NBC Sports will fill-in for the contest. (i-five to Awful Announcing)