Players approve steroids testing.(Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO _ Apparently weary of accusations of widespread steroid abuse, major league baseball players on Wednesday dropped their longstanding opposition to random testing for the performance-enhancing drugs.

Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, proposed that testing of major leaguers could begin next year. The offer was made during ongoing talks to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expired last November.

The union's offer stopped short of the extensive testing sought by owners, and negotiations will continue on testing and larger economic issues. Players have not dropped the threat of a possible strike.

But management viewed the union's changed stance on steroid testing as a major step.

"Frankly we're quite pleased that the union made a forthcoming proposal in this area," said …