SOCCER

Beckham expected to train with Arsenal in MLS offseason

David Beckham is expected to train with Premier League club Arsenal early next year to prepare for the Major League Soccer season.

Beckham would likely use the club's training facility, which is close to his English home, before the Los Angeles Galaxy begin its season on March 29, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday.

The 32-year-old midfielder's last game for the Galaxy was an exhibition against the Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand on Dec. 1.

BASEBALL

Ranger obtain Hamilton in trade with Reds

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to trade outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher.

The 26-year-old Hamilton batted .292 this year in his first major league season with 19 homers and 47 RBIs.

White Sox sign Cuban star: Cuban slugger Alexei Ramirez has agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox, giving the club some added punch after it failed to sign two other top offseason targets.

Watson denies using performance-enhancing drugs: A day after being linked to drugs in baseball, former pitcher Allen Watson denied the allegation.

Watson was among nine players accused of doping by former pitcher Jason Grimsley in a federal agent's affidavit unsealed Thursday.

JURISPRUDENCE

Bonds argues to keep top legal team intact

Barry Bonds told a judge he wants two top-notch Bay Area defense lawyers to lead his legal team even though they previously represented potential witnesses against the slugger.

Bonds, who is charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury about his steroid use, appeared briefly in U.S. District Court after prosecutors raised conflict-of-interest concerns about defense attorneys Allen Ruby and Cris Arguedas.

Berbick nephew convicted of killing former heavyweight champion: A nephew of Trevor Berbick has been convicted along with another man of killing the 54-year-old former heavyweight champion.

A jury found 21-year-old Harold Berbick guilty of murder and 19-year-old Kenton Gordon guilty of manslaughter in the death of the former boxer.

Driver convicted of fixing Cal Expo harness race: A harness-racing driver faces up to three years in prison and a lifetime ban from horse racing after his conviction for trying to fix a race at Cal Expo in Sacramento last year.

Driver Daniel Maier, 23, is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

SKIING

Vonn wins women's World Cup downhill

Lindsey Vonn won a women's World Cup downhill at St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria, despite skiing off the course in the first part of the race.

The American overcame her error to race down the Karel Schranz course in 1 minute, 32 seconds for her second victory of the season. She also won the season opening downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta, and extended her lead in the discipline standings.

MISCELLANEOUS

Former IOC president Samaranch leaves hospital

Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch was released from a Madrid hospital after spending two days recovering from a dizzy spell.

The 87-year-old Spaniard walked from his hospital room to a car before flying home to Barcelona, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. said.

The Hospital Clinico said Samaranch responded well to treatment. Samaranch was hospitalized Wednesday after becoming dizzy during a meeting with city officials. He was kept in the hospital so doctors could adjust his treatment for high blood pressure.

He was hospitalized in Switzerland in 2001 for "extreme fatigue" and in Barcelona for high blood pressure. He has also received regular dialysis treatment for kidney trouble.

Samaranch served as International Olympic Committee president from 1980 to 2001. As honorary IOC president for life, Samaranch has continued to attend IOC meetings.