MLB begins testing for HGH in minor leagues

Major League Baseball implemented random blood testing for human growth hormone in the minor leagues, the first professional sports league in the United States to take the aggressive step against doping.

The blood testing becomes part of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, which commissioner Bud Selig introduced in 2001 to test for performance-enhancing drugs.

"The implementation of blood testing in the minor leagues represents a significant step in the detection of the illegal use of human growth hormone," Selig said in a statement. "HGH testing provides an example for all of our drug policies in the future."

Testing will be limited to players with minor-league contracts because they are not members of the players' association, which means blood testing is not subject to collective bargaining.

Pro football: Bryant agrees on terms of deal with Cowboys

With all the stories about Dez Bryant being a character risk, and then with him picking the same agent his buddy and fellow receiver Michael Crabtree had during a holdout that lasted nearly until Halloween last season, plus there being all sorts of labor uncertainty complicating the signing of all draft picks, some Dallas Cowboys fans worried whether he'd ever show up.

Well, guess what: Bryant signed yesterday, becoming the first first-round pick in the entire NFL to strike a deal. The contract is for $11.8 million over five years, with at least $8.3 million guaranteed.

The key is that the deal is done in time for Bryant to be in San Antonio for the start of training camp today and, of course, the first practice tomorrow. By the end of training camp, he might even be pushing Roy Williams for the starting job opposite Miles Austin.

"This was very important to me to be able to get this done in time for the first practice," Bryant said in a statement released by the team. "I want to help this team. I want to compete. I can't wait to start playing football again."

Bryant played only three games for Oklahoma State last season, then was dogged by all sorts of questions about his integrity, starting with an NCAA suspension for lying to investigators about a meeting with former Cowboys star Deion Sanders.

Pro baseball: GM Minaya says Manuel's job with Mets is safe

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya says Jerry Manuel's job as manager is safe despite the team's 8-16 record in its last 24 games.

The Mets opened a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers having lost three in a row. They were second in the NL East, seven games behind Atlanta.

Slumping badly at the plate, New York entered 1-6 on its 11-game road trip and has had only one winning trip this season, from June 11-20 at Baltimore, Cleveland and the Yankees.

More pro baseball: Rose's bat auctioned for $158,776

The black Mizuno bat that Pete Rose used to get his final hit has been auctioned for $158,776, less than expected for the 32 ounces of baseball history.

Rose used the bat for hit No. 4,256, a single off San Francisco's Greg Minton on Aug. 14, 1986. His final hit stands as the major league record.

Lelands.com auctioned the 34-inch, 32-ounce bat online this month. Seven bids were received.

Lelands.com president Mike Heffner expected the bat to fetch a bigger price. He thinks the tough economy and Rose's controversies — he's got a lifetime ban for betting on baseball — held down the price.

Pro basketball: Hornets' Paul requests to be traded

Chris Paul has requested to be traded and the New Orleans Hornets have scheduled a meeting with the star guard on Monday, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Paul will sit down with new head coach Monty Williams, new general manager Dell Demps and team president Hugh Weber in New Orleans, the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not made plans to meet with Paul public, and because Paul has not publicly demanded a trade.

The person also said that Paul, through his representatives, has told the Hornets he would prefer to be dealt to one of only a handful of teams, including the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

Paul, 25, cannot opt out of his contract for two years. However, he said at a recent charity golf tournament that he will be unhappy playing for the Hornets if they fail to demonstrate a commitment to winning immediately.

More pro basketball: Lakers sign veteran C Ratliff

Veteran center Theo Ratliff has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ratliff said he'll join the two-time defending NBA champions as a backup to 7-foot stars Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

The 15-year pro played 49 games last season with San Antonio and Charlotte, averaging 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds. He revived his career while starting 26 games with the Bobcats, averaging 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.54 blocked shots.

College football: Miami-Notre Dame to renew rivalry starting in 2012

Miami and Notre Dame have agreed to renew a football rivalry that during the 1980s helped define each program and decide several national championships.

The Hurricanes and Fighting Irish will play Oct. 6, 2012, at Soldier Field in Chicago, then play a home-and-home starting in 2016 at South Bend, Ind. They play in Miami the next season.

Golf: Shelton advances to quarterfinals at US Juniors

Fourteen-year-old Robby Shelton of Wilmer, Ala., won twice to advance to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Denny McCarthy of Burtonsville, Md., and Gavin Hall of Pittsford, N.Y., also advanced to the quarterfinals after the delay, along with Richard Jung of Toronto, Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., Scott Wolfes of St. Simons Island, Ga., Jim Liu of Smithtown, N.Y. and Anthony Paolucci of Del Mar, Calif.

Soccer: Henry scores in debut

Thierry Henry has scored in his first match with the New York Red Bulls, getting a go-ahead goal in the 24th minute of an exhibition against Tottenham.

The former Arsenal star, who left Barcelona to sign with the Major League Soccer team last week, cut in front of Verdan Corluka to slot in a cross from Estonian international Joel Lindpere past goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

Softball: Finch homers to lead US to 9-0 win over Canada

Jennie Finch hit a two-run homer in her first at-bat after announcing she'll retire from softball, leading the United States to a 9-0 victory in the opening game of the World Cup of Softball.

With a full count, Finch lined a pitch over the left-field fence against two-time college player of the year Danielle Lawrie (0-1) to put the U.S. up 3-0 in the first inning. Kaitlin Cochran and Jessica Mendoza also homered, and Monica Abbott struck out 16 in a two-hitter.

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