Wake-up call: HGH, Notre Dame, Manny Ramirez, Kings

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First things first: There was only one question I had while reading Lance Pugmire’s article this morning in The Times Sports section on how anti-doping authority Don Catlin and cancer detection expert Lance Liotta are close to achieving a test for human growth hormone. Realizing how huge this is to closing a major loophole in drug testing, why didn’t it get more attention this morning? Sports drug testing in general has been a hot issue and Catlin is based here in L.A. Let’s not forget that not only is Southern California home to three baseball teams but more Olympians live or train here than in other regions in the U.S. That is why this summit was held here. Perhaps the truth of the matter is, while there were many mea culpas from the sports press a few years ago on how it missed the MLB doping story, to the general media outlets, sports is often seen as ‘games.’ Even Catlin used the word, referring to baseball: ‘This is a groundbreaking step that’ll change the game ... ‘ But baseball is no game. It is big business. And a test for HGH would be a milestone.

A different kind of test: Mike Downey of the Chicago Tribune thinks Notre Dame’s fans need to get angry at Charlie Weis and his team’s ability to lose games. On Saturday they go up against Navy. As Mike writes, in 2007 and 2008 alone, the Irish:

• Lost 13 of their last 21 games. Been shut out three times.
• Took the worst beating in a season opener in 120 years of Notre Dame football.
• Had a nine-loss season for the first time.
• Were defeated by Navy, which it had sunk 43 times in a row.

So the question is if the Irish lose again to Navy, will that be enough to rile ‘em up in South Bend. This could be the game to watch after what happened last time, when Navy won 46-44 but in triple OT. This being Veterans Day, here is a video tribute to Navy and to that game.

Millions for Manny: SI.com’s Jon Heyman told Dan Patrick this morning that Manny Ramirez is his NL MVP. But he wouldn’t argue with someone who wanted Phillies closer Brad Lidge instead. So does Heyman think Manny will stay a Dodger. Um, no. Not unless Frank McCourt opens his wallet and offers four years instead of two worth about $100 million. That’s what it will take. The free-agent filing period ends Thursday. As The Times’ Dylan Hernandez reported last week, the Dodgers offer is two years for $45 million. Not enough. But as Bill Dwyre points out this morning, don’t hate agent Scott Boras for it.

Hits parade: The Kings take on the Dallas Stars tonight and you can bet on one thing: there will be plenty of hits, partly because Sean Avery is back on the ice at Staples Center -- only in a Stars uniform now. As Chris Foster reports, Dustin Brown is known for his hits along with his scoring ability. But it was Avery who made Brown’s rookie season so tough, picking on the kid without let-up. When Avery was with the Kings a few years back, my son insisted on an Avery jersey for Christmas. He was 14 and loved watching Avery’s antics. Thankfully, my son has matured, something Avery has failed to do. Anyway, below is a video of Dustin Brown hitting Dallas goalie Marty Turco, who had ventured out to collect a puck along the boards. Big mistake on Turco’s part.

-- Debbie Goffa

Top photo: Urine samples await analysis at the UCLA Olympic Laboratory. Its work is commonly considered the gold standard of sports doping science. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Inset: Baseball Comissioner Bud Selig. Credit: Shawn Thew / EPA