Suit seeks names in steroid probe

Seven media companies, including the Tribune Co., parent company of The Times, filed papers with a federal appeals court Tuesday in support of Hearst Corp.’s fight to get the names of Major League Baseball players implicated in a steroids investigation.

The names of almost two dozen baseball players appear on a federal agent’s application to raid the home of a former New York Mets clubhouse employee and steroids dealer Kirk Radomski last year.

The players, whose names are blacked out on the affidavit, are alleged to have purchased steroids from Radomski, who pleaded guilty to drug distribution and is expected to be sentenced to prison early next year by the same federal judge handling the Barry Bonds perjury case and all related steroids cases.

SOCCER

MLS’ 2008 season

to start on March 29

Major League Soccer will open its 2008 season on March 29 with a rematch of its championship game between the Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution.

The Galaxy also opens that day with a game at Colorado. Chivas USA will travel to FC Dallas on March 30.

Brazilian soccer star Romario, who said he tested positive for the banned substance finasteride in October, attributed his failed drug test to a substance found in anti-balding medication.

Francisco Mendoza, one of Chivas USA’s more recognizable players and a fan favorite who was on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara, is going back to the parent club.

-- Jaime Cardenas

Mexico’s Club America will play today at Argentina’s Arsenal in Buenos Aires in the second leg finale of the Copa Sudamericana. Arsenal won the first game, 3-2. America needs to win by two goals or more to win the championship.

-- Jaime Cardenas

Celtic reached the round of 16 in European soccer’s Champions League, losing to AC Milan, 1-0, and advancing when Shakhtar Donetsk lost to Benfica, 2-1.

Marco van Basten will quit as Netherlands coach after next year’s European Championship.

JURISPRUDENCE

Grand jury identifies

alleged shooter of Taylor

The 17-year-old suspect in the death of Sean Taylor was accused of firing the shot that killed the Washington Redskins safety.

A Miami-Dade grand jury identified Eric Rivera as the gunman in its indictment.

Rivera and his three co-defendants were indicted by the grand jury on charges of first-degree felony murder and armed burglary.

Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20; were ordered held without bail during brief court appearances via a videoconference from Miami-Dade County jail.

The three, who stood silently during the hearing, will remain at the jail under suicide watch after Judge John Thornton Jr.’s ruling.

MISCELLANY

Sherk’s suspension

is reduced by UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Sean Sherk’s one-year suspension for a positive steroid test was cut in half by the California State Athletic Commission.

Sherk, 34, will be able to fight again Jan. 6, but the UFC already has scheduled an “interim” lightweight title fight between former welterweight champion B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson on Jan. 19 in Newcastle, England.

Sherk tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone before his successful title defense over Hermes Franca in Sacramento in July.

-- Lance Pugmire

Six-time NHRA drag-racing champion Kenny Bernstein retired for a second time, saying Tommy Johnson Jr. would take over driving duties for his funny car next year.

Bernstein, 63, won four funny car titles, two top-fuel titles and was the first drag racer to break the 300-mph barrier (in 1992).

He initially retired after the 2002 season but made a surprise comeback last year.

-- Jim Peltz

UCLA baseball Coach John Savage has agreed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.

American bobsledder Todd Hays, who retired after the 2006 Olympics, says that he plans to return to competition in hopes of competing in the 2010 Olympics.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has been chosen as the 2007 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden agreed to a four-year extension and his new contract would take him through 2014. Bowden had reportedly been under consideration for the opening at Arkansas.

Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes a $200,000 annual raise.

Bo Pelini, named Nebraska’s coach on Sunday, will still serve as Louisiana State’s defensive coordinator in the Tigers’ Bowl Championship Series title game against top-ranked Ohio State on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.