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SAN DIEGO -- Kris Bryant probably wont get another first-pitch fastball from White Sox ace Chris Sale when the Chicago Cubs slugger bats against the left-hander during the City Series in a couple of weeks.Back in his college town, Bryant showed exactly what he can do with that pitch -- even against a crosstown rival who has owned him.Bryant hit an estimated 410-foot homer on the fourth pitch of the 87th All-Star Game, providing the biggest highlight of a mediocre night for the NL in a 4-2 loss.I just wanted to get a hit, Bryant said. To have my first hit be a home run is special.The NL lost for the fourth consecutive year, which means the NL Central-leading Cubs wont get home-field advantage if they make the World Series, where they hope to end their 108-year championship drought this fall.But it wasnt the fault of Bryant, whose first All-Star hit was an appropriate blast by the NLs 24-year-old leader in homers.Bryant got a warm homecoming in San Diego, where the Las Vegas native spent three years slugging for the University of San Diego Toreros before the Cubs made him the No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft.Being here in front of whats my second home -- I know a lot of people here -- it really felt special, Bryant said. This will be a couple of days that Ill remember for a long time.Homering against Sale was particularly huge for Bryant, who had been 0 for 6 against the White Soxs star, striking out every single time.I guess this one doesnt count toward career statistics, Bryant said with a grin. Im still 0 for 6 with six strikeouts against Chris Sale. Hes one of the toughest pitchers Ive seen. Hes one of those guys you have to attack, because he has strikeout stuff.Bryant became the eighth Cubs player to homer in the All-Star Game, and the youngest since Augie Galan in 1936. Hes only the second player from a Chicago team to homer against a pitcher from the other Chicago team, joining Magglio Ordonez against the Cubs Jon Lieber in 2001.I like playing here, Bryant said of Petco Park. Its one of my favorite places to play. I see the ball really well here. Maybe its all the sun in San Diego.Bryant added some more color to the All-Star Game in a more literal fashion as well: He changed his cleats three times in four innings, showing off a different shade of shoe each time. He did it for Adidas, which sold each eye-catching shoe online while Bryant was wearing them.First baseman Anthony Rizzo also had a hit for the Cubs, who sent seven players to the midsummer classic. Bryant and Rizzo are on the vanguard of the next generation of NL stars, a fact not lost on their teammates.Youre going to be looking at one of the best hitters in the game, Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist said of Bryant. I mean, he already is. But the consistency is what you have to see over time to become a legend like Big Papi. A guy like K.B., Rizz, theyre just beginning that. Theyve got a lot of time to be consistent to get to that level, but theyre playing at that level right now. Seeing their mindsets, seeing the way they handle the stage, it makes me think, `How could they not? Jerseys Cheap Wholesale . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Cheap Jerseys . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. http://www.wholesalejerseysnfl.net/ . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jerseys NFL Cheap . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Cheap Jerseys From China . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Andre Johnson called Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey, asking if they could talk Monday morning. After 14 NFL seasons, the man with more catches than anyone else currently playing had made up his mind.Time to retire.He said hes been contemplating it for weeks and his heart was not in it, Mularkey said Monday. This is a tough business to be in when your hearts not in it.The 35-year-old receiver was nowhere to be found, apparently not ready to publicly discuss his decision. He was not available on Monday and did not release a statement through his agent or the team.None of that prevented Mularkey from trying to talk Johnson into staying. The Titans signed Johnson the day they reported for training camp to a two-year deal paying the veteran minimum this season with the chance at a bigger payday in 2017. Johnson started four of the eight games he played but hadnt caught a pass in the last three.I could tell he had talked about it and it was really useless for what I was saying, Mularkey said.A seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Johnson spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Houston Texans who made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 draft out of Miami. Tennessee had been his third team in as many seasons after Johnson spent 2015 with another AFC South team, the Indianapolis Colts.Johnson finishes his career among the best receivers in NFL history. He ranks ninth all-time with 1,062 catches and 10th with 14,185 yards receiving and also had 70 touchdowns. Johnson led the NFL in catches in 2006 (103) and in 2008 (115). He led the league in yards receiving in 2008 (1,575) and 2009 (1,569).Johnson and former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, are the only NFL players to have four seasons of 100-plus receptions and 1,400-plus yards receiving.Denvers Gary Kubiak, who coached the 6-foot-3 Johnson in Houston, said he texted back and forth with the receiver Monday. Kubiak said Johnson was a fine a football player and person that hes ever been around.Played really big for me, had some really big years. Very unselfish guy, Kubiak said. He was with an organization that was a startup organization, and he always kept his mouth shut and worked. And Im really proud of him. Great person, great career and I hate to see him step away but Im proud of him.dddddddddddd Good man. Good for the NFL.For as much of an impact as Johnson had on the football field, he was so quiet in the locker room that Houston cornerback Johnathan Joseph compared him to a ghost not talking to teammates. Joseph said Johnson opened a bit more in recent years.For him to call it quits, he had to feel in his body that that was the time, Joseph said. Great Hall of Fame career. Great player, great friend off the field, great guy, was a great teammate. It was a blessing to play with him.Johnson also is the leading receiver in Houston Texans history with 1,012 catches for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns.Texans coach Bill OBrien said Johnson will go down as one of the NFLs best receivers of all-time. But the coach recalled what Johnson did off the field for children with Christmas gifts, items during Thanksgiving and clothes as having just as big an impact on Houston.When he spoke, everybody listened, kind of like E.F. Hutton, OBrien said.Johnson had nine catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns this season, including a game-winning score with 1:13 left in a 16-15 victory over the Detroit Lions during the second week of the season. But he hadnt caught a pass in four games this season.The wide receiver called Mularkey on Sunday night, letting his coach know Johnson needed to speak with him Monday.His newest teammates learned of Johnsons decision from coaches and called and Face Timed with the veteran they nicknamed Sensei after the character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They had done their best to soak up how Johnson took care of his body and worked hard from practice to the weight room to meetings.Hopefully one day soon, well get to see him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright said.Game notes Mularkey said the Titans wont be in a rush to fill Johnsons roster spot immediately. Tennessee has its regular workouts of available players scheduled Tuesday. Receiver Tre McBride, currently on the practice squad, is an option for promotion.---AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, and AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '