BASEBALL

Rivera finalizes deal, supports Pettitte

Mariano Rivera is backing Andy Pettitte.

After completing his $45 million, three-year contract with the New York Yankees on Monday, Rivera said he was impressed with Pettitte for admitting that he used human growth hormone after his name was included in the Mitchell Report.

"The thing that I admire is that he came out and said he did it," Rivera said on a conference call.

Rivera was surprised to hear Pettitte was included last week in the report with Roger Clemens and several others on the Yankees teams that won four World Series titles from 1996 to 2000.

Pettitte later said he used HGH while he was on the disabled during the 2002 season.

"It was definitely the wrong thing to do," Rivera said.

Lopez to attempt comeback with Braves: Javy Lopez is trying a comeback with his former team, agreeing to a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

The catcher was out of the majors this year after he was cut by Colorado in spring training. He played for the Braves from 1992 to 2003 and was selected to three All-Star teams.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Willingham fires two assistants from staff

Tyrone Willingham will return despite Washington's third consecutive losing season. Some of his staff won't.

Willingham announced during a staff meeting that oft-criticized defensive coordinator Kent Baer, a 13-year assistant of his dating to their days at Stanford and Notre Dame, will not return in 2008. Neither will Bob Simmons, the special-teams and tight ends coach and former head coach at Oklahoma State.

SOCCER

Brazilians Kaka, Marta win FIFA awards

Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards by winning FIFA's World Player of the Year.

The Milan playmaker received 1,047 points, ahead of with Messi with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426 in a vote by national team captains and managers. The three were picked as finalists from a list of 30 candidates.

On the women's side, Marta of Brazil captured the award with 988 points, ahead of Birgit Prinz of Germany with 507 and Cristiane of Brazil with 150.

Meanwhile, Argentina finished No. 1 in soccer's world rankings in 2007, winning FIFA's team of the year in the process. The United States remained at No. 19.

Argentina was first with 1,523 points, followed by Brazil (1,502) and world champion Italy (1,498).

TENNIS

Fernandez will coach, then become captain

U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison will be joined next year by coach Mary Joe Fernandez, who will take over as captain in 2009.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced the pairing of the former doubles partners. The U.S. will play Germany in the Fed Cup quarterfinals Feb. at La Jolla.