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"Sports Quote of the Day"

"I'm always asked, 'What's the secret to success?' But there are no secrets. Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room." ~ Dwayne Johnson, ("The Rock"), Actor, Producer, Singer and Professional Wrestler

TRENDING: Jonathan Toews' four-point night paces Blackhawks past Canucks. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: NFL Conference Champions and Super Bowl Opponents:

The Atlanta Falcons Vs. The New England Patriots

TRENDING: Bears' best rookies will have another learning curve. (See the football section for Bears News an NFL updates).

TRENDING: Why Cubs are excited for pitching prospect Dylan Cease: He's 'throwing lightning bolts'. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).

TRENDING: Hadwin cards PGA Tour's second 59 in as many weeks. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

NFL "Conference Championship" Scores

Green Bay Packers 21

Atlanta Falcons 44

Pittsburgh Steelers 17

New England Patriots 36

Tom Brady and Patriots join Matt Ryan and Falcons for a fun Super Bowl LI matchup.

By Frank Schwab

In the first conference championship game Sunday, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan put on a 392-yard show that legitimized his likely MVP season, as if there were any doubt.

Then in the second game, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had to remind everyone that he’s just as good as ever.

If you like quarterback play, Super Bowl LI will be a treat. If Ryan doesn’t win this season’s MVP award, it’s because Brady barely beat him. Ryan and Brady were the two best quarterbacks over the entirety of this season, and they’ll meet in Houston on Feb. 5 with a championship on the line. The Patriots punched their Super Bowl ticket with a surgical 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC earlier on Sunday.

The win was historic in a few ways for New England. The Patriots set an NFL record with their ninth Super Bowl berth. Bill Belichick will set a record for a head coach by appearing in his seventh Super Bowl, breaking a tie with Don Shula. Brady will also play in his seventh Super Bowl, setting an NFL record for a player, breaking a tie with Mike Lodish.

Brady is one win from a fifth Super Bowl championship, and if he accomplishes that it would be tough to argue he’s not the greatest quarterback ever. And he could add to his accomplishments for at least a couple more seasons. At an age in which almost every quarterback in NFL history has slowed down, the 39-year-old Brady looked as good as ever in dissecting the Steelers.

Brady has been New England’s starter since 2001 and has put together a resume that is unmatched in NFL history. But he hasn’t had many games better than his masterpiece on Sunday.

Brady was 32-of-42 for 384 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He did a great job controlling the game at the line of scrimmage, and was as accurate as ever. He found open receivers time and again, and the Steelers had no answer. Brady was the best player on the field, yet again.

It’s amazing what Brady is doing at this stage of his career. History says he doesn’t have many more games like Sunday left before he retires, but he has also shown no signs of slowing down. Only two 40-year-old quarterbacks, with a minimum of nine starts in a season, have posted a rating of 80 (Brett Favre in 2009 and Warren Moon in 1997). Brady turns 40 on Aug. 3. While there’s almost no track record of success for quarterbacks in their 40s, Brady looks like he can be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks for a few more years.

Just in case, the Patriots shouldn’t appreciate every Super Bowl opportunity they get with Brady leading the way. It’s not going to last forever. The Falcons stand in the way of an incredible fifth Super Bowl title during the Brady-Belichick dynasty. In an otherwise anticlimactic playoffs, it looks like a great Super Bowl matchup.

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Jonathan Toews' four-point night paces Blackhawks past Canucks.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Jonathan Toews has been doing a lot of things right this season. The offensive production, however, has been hit and miss as the Blackhawks' captain looked for the same consistency on the score sheet he had in the rest of his game.

On Sunday, he hit pay dirt.

Toews recorded a four-point night, including the game-winning goal, and Corey Crawford won his 200th career game as the Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Sunday night. The Blackhawks remain in second place in the Western Conference. They and the Minnesota Wild each have 65 points, but the Wild still have three games in hand.

It was a milestone night for a few Blackhawks. Marian Hossa had an empty-net goal late to record his 400th point in a Blackhawks uniform. Toews' three assists put him 13th all-time among Blackhawks in that category with 331. Brian Campbell recorded his 500th career point.

Richard Panik had a goal and an assist.

The Blackhawks had arguably their best start of the season in this one, outscoring the Canucks 2-0 (Panik and Patrick Kane) and outshooting them 18-9. But in less than a minute in the third period, the Blackhawks lost the lead, thanks to Troy Stecher's power-play goal and Bo Horvat's rebound goal.

But Toews, who played his part in the Blackhawks' start, was there for the finish. Panik's late third-period shot caromed off the backboard and went right to Toews, who scored for the 3-2 lead with 1:18 remaining in regulation.

"I guess the goals have scored lately are just getting those bounces and being in the right spot at the right time. Nice to get that one on my stick," Toews said. "I just keep telling Hartsy (Ryan Hartman) and Panner to keep shooting — they both have unbelievable shots — and we're going to generate stuff whether it hits the end wall, goes in or hits the guy's pads. We'll find something around the net. It's nice to get that bounce late in the game."
The Blackhawks had some bad luck — and Michal Kempny had a rough shift or two — during the Canucks' third-period comeback. It was a bit of frustration at the time, but coach Joel Quenneville said the Blackhawks kept their cool.

"I still thought we didn't get away from our game at that point, which could have happened," he said. "Finding a way to get it to overtime or scoring a late goal tonight is something our guys have been good at. Just (the) play at the net, Johnny in the right spot with the finish. I still thought we kept our composure at that point."

Crawford, meanwhile, stopped 25 of 27 shots and looked better than he has in some recent outings.

"We gave him some looks where he could feel comfortable again, and he had some great plays in close from post to post on their power plays, especially in the second," Toews said. "He was finding them all night. Nice to see Crow play the way he did tonight and obviously he was a big part, as usual, in the win."

The Blackhawks had a bit of a gaffe early in the third period, but they were able to weather it. Toews has been steady in most facets of his game this season but was looking to build on his production. Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction.

Five Things from Blackhawks-Canucks: Corey Crawford rebounds.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Blackhawks’ starts have been all over the map this season but their finishes have usually been strong. That was the case again on Sunday night as the Blackhawks took a lead, lost a lead and regained a lead for good in their 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

This one featured a little bit of everything. So let’s just get to the Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ victory over Vancouver.

1. Jonathan Toews breaks through. If the Blackhawks captain’s confidence was a little shaken with his lack of scoring this season, it should’ve gotten a boost with his Sunday outing. Toews’ goal and three assists were as big for him as they were the Blackhawks, who needed every bit of it late against the Canucks. In his last 12 games Toews has three goals and eight assists. He’s getting there. Said coach Joel Quenneville, “it seems like he was around the puck way more and when he does that, usually good things happen.”

2. Great start. This hasn’t been written very often but it was more than evident on Sunday night. If this wasn’t the Blackhawks’ best opening period of the season it was pretty close, as they broke out to a 2-0 lead against the Canucks. The Blackhawks, outside of a 3 ½-minute sequence without a shot on goal, were tenacious and ready to shoot, taking an 18-9 shots-on-goal edge in that first.

3. Corey Crawford rebounds. Quenneville considered Scott Darling for this game, an understandable thought with Darling coming off a 30-stop shutout. But he wanted Crawford to get back to where he was prior to his appendectomy, and Crawford took a step in that direction on Sunday night. In stopping 25 of 27 shots Crawford got his 18th victory of the season and 200th of his career. Quenneville said Crawford “looked like he was in control.”

4. Michal Kempny’s tough stretch. When Kempny has been good this season he’s been very good. When he’s been bad... The defenseman was in the penalty box when the Canucks scored their first goal and he was beaten by Bo Horvat on the Canucks’ second goal. Kempny didn’t play the final 14 minutes of the game. Quenneville, who liked what Kempny brought on the team’s road trip, said Kempny just has to work through some things. “Coverage with awareness and knowing sometimes it’s man coverage, sometimes it’s playing the puck and clearing the loose stuff,” Quenneville said. “Defenseman is a tough position as you’re growing and learning it, but the more you play the better you play and I still think he’s making progress.”

5. Brian Campbell gets to keep No. 500 this time. Campbell thought he had his 500th point against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night but it was taken away. Well he got it back on Sunday night, setting up Richard Panik’s 11th goal of the season in the first period.

One-goal victories are great but Blackhawks’ method has to change.

By Tracey Myers 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)  

See the Blackhawks get off to a slow start. See the Blackhawks get outshot. See the Blackhawks lean on their goaltending. See the Blackhawks find some offense in the third period. See the Blackhawks win.

This is a story the Blackhawks have written and played out plenty this season. Despite all evidence that it should work out to the contrary, the Blackhawks continue to pull out victories. But as we're well into the second half of the season, how much longer can they win with this formula? And is this, more than anything, a testament to how much they need to acquire someone (or plural) at the deadline to bolster their forward lineup?

Entering Sunday night's game against Vancouver the Blackhawks remain second in the Western Conference, two points behind Minnesota. Not surprisingly, they enter Sunday coming off another one-goal victory, a 1-0 decision over Boston on Friday night. Friday's game was cut from the same cloth as so many other one-goal games this season (please see above for the script). 

Here's how the Blackhawks are doing in one-goal games (through 48 games played this season) and how they've done in previous seasons:

Year	Record
2016-17	18-7-5
2015-16	17-7-9
2014-15	22-13-6
2013-14	17-8-15
2012-13	19-3-5 (lockout yr.)
2011-12	22-6-11
2010-11	16-13-9
2009-10	23-9-8

The Blackhawks played 41 one-goal games (half of their regular-season games) in the 2014-15 season. Thirty of their 48 games this season have been one-goal games. But again, it comes down to how you're winning those games, and the Blackhawks are winning just about all of them in the same way: deal with a slow start and come back in the third period, relying on goaltending the entire time.

Being outshot the amount of times the Blackhawks have this season remains alarming. Sure, sometimes a lot of shots don't mean a lot of quality chances. But it's still better than minimal shots, and any shot can be an opportunity for a rebound, a deflection, something. From our stats guru Chris Kamka, here's a breakdown of the Blackhawks' shots per game vs. opponents, dating back to 2008-09:

Year	Shots/Gm	Opp. Shots/Gm	Diff.
2008-09	32.7	28.6	+4.2
2009-10	34.1	25.1	+9.1
2010-11	32.2	28.7	+3.6
2011-12	31.5	28.6	+3.0
2012-13	31.1	26.2	+4.9
2013-14	33.1	27.2	+6.0
2014-15	33.9	30.2	+3.8
2015-16	30.5	30.8	-0.3
2016-17	29.3	31.1	-1.7

It's no surprise that the Blackhawks' differential was especially good in their Stanley Cup-winning seasons (and even 2013-14, when they went to the Western Conference Final). Those Blackhawks teams were deep, especially at forward. They weren't waiting for the perfect shooting opportunities as much as just firing. They had great four-line rotations, something they've sorely been lacking the past two seasons, which makes a difference with puck possession.

The Blackhawks will see what's available at the trade deadline. As I wrote a few days ago, there will be names out there but, considering some teams are still hoping for playoff spots, you take mentions for what they are right now. Over the next few weeks the picture will become clearer, and adding the right depth could rekindle that four-line rotation.

We've said throughout this season that the Blackhawks can't keep this up. We said it in November, and December, and now. Understand where we're coming from here; the Blackhawks can absolutely keep winning one-goal games. They've shown that in recent seasons and in the postseason, when the ability to do that is critical. But it's doubtful they can keep doing it the way they have most this season.

Marian Hossa scores game winner as Blackhawks beat Bruins. (Friday night's game, 01/20/2017). 

By Associated Press

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Blackhawks backup Scott Darling insists he isn't trying to take playing time away from No. 1 goalie Corey Crawford.

"I don't know if you guys know who my goalie partner is," Darling said with a smile after beating the Boston Bruins 1-0 on Friday night. "He's one of the best goalies in the world, hands down, no arguments. So I'm just pretty happy to get any games I can."

Marian Hossa scored with 1:26 left to break a scoreless tie, and Darling stopped 30 shots to post his second shutout of the season. Darling is 12-4 and he brought a 2.34 goals-against average into the game, even better than Crawford's 2.54.

"He seems huge there; he's always making key saves," Hossa said. "It's unreal just the way he's always been ready when he hasn't played for a long time. And when he got the chance, he wasn't afraid of it."

A three-time All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Crawford had started five straight games before taking a night off as the Blackhawks prepare for a six-game road trip that will start at the end of the month.

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't commit to a starter for the Blackhawks' next game but said of Darling, "He certainly helped himself."

Tuukka Rask made 21 saves for Boston, which has lost three straight games and four of its last five. The Bruins were shut out at home for the second game in a row.

"The winning goal goes through three of our guys and it's in our net with a minute and a half left," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We have to stand there, take the responsibility for our own actions. It's unfortunate because that minute and a half that was left in the game kind of tarnished everything we had done for the first 58 minutes."

It was a rematch of the 2013 Stanley Cup finals, when Chicago scored twice in the final 76 seconds of the third period in Game 6 to overcome a one-goal deficit and claim the NHL title.

This time, the game was scoreless before the Blackhawks made their final charge.

Vinnie Hinostroza picked up the puck at the red line and skated it in, sliding to his right to avoid traffic as he crossed into the Boston zone. He pushed it up to Tanner Kero on Rask's left, and he backhanded it across the crease for Hossa.

"The clock starts ticking down and you think, OK, maybe we are going to play some extra hockey," Darling said. "But, I mean, what a goal."

Blackhawks acquire Michael Latta from Kings in swap of minor leaguers.

By Charlie Roumeliotis

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Blackhawks made a minor league deal on Saturday, announcing the acquisition of forward Michael Latta from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Cameron Schilling.

Latta, 25, has two goals and four assists in 29 games this season with the Ontario (Calif.) Reign of the American Hockey League.

He has four goals and 13 assists in 113 career games in the National Hockey League, all with the Washington Capitals from 2013-16.

Latta, who was a third-round pick (No. 72 overall) by the Nashville Predators in 2009, will report to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. He carries a $600,000 cap hit, and is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Schilling ranked second among defensemen on the IceHogs with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 40 games, and had a minus-3 rating. The 28-year-old blue liner signed a two-year contract worth $575,000 per season with the Blackhawks in July 2015.

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears numbers don't indicate 3-13, yet still lie.   

By Chris Boden

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

In doing some post-season wrapping up of my Nerdy NFL Notebook as we begin turning the page to the 2017 season, part of it involves compiling where each team finished in big-picture team offensive and defensive categories: overall ranking (total yards), as well as team rushing and passing ranks on both sides of the ball.

So if the Bears wound up ranked 15th overall in total yards gained and allowed, they should've finished…oh, 8-8, right? It adds to the deception of some of the deeper issues that focus on a lack of playmakers, which tied into their inability to make plays when it matters most. In John Fox's 9-23 start, 18 of those games have been decided by six points or less. They've won just six of those games. 

Offensively, the Bears ranked higher in total offense than five playoff teams: Kansas City (20), Detroit (21), Miami (24), New York Giants (25) and Houston (29). They wound up 17th in rushing offense, better than four teams who advanced: Seattle (25), Green Bay (26), New York Giants (29) and Detroit (30). And their 14th-ranked passing offense ranked better than the Giants (17), Kansas City (19), Dallas (23), Miami (26), Houston (29).

On the other side of the ball, they'd be even better off before allowing 109 points over the final three losses. Their total defense ranked better than Detroit (18), Green Bay (22), Kansas City (24), Atlanta (25), Oakland (26) and Miami (29). After being gashed for 558 rushing yards the last three games, they fell to 27th in the NFL against the run (better than only 30th-ranked Miami). But the seventh-ranked pass defense, despite collecting a measly eight interceptions (among only 11 turnovers), was better than nine playoff teams: Miami (15), Pittsburgh (16), Kansas City (18), Detroit (19), the Giants (23), Oakland (24), Dallas (26), Atlanta (28) and Green Bay (31).

What do all the hollow numbers indicate? A lack of complementary, opportunistic football, playmakers on both sides of the ball, a minus-20 turnover ratio, and a lack of quality and continuity at the quarterback position — to name a few. All of those playoff teams have more impact players (or kept more of their impact players healthy) than the Bears in 2016.

While some of the numbers aren't that bad to look at, and some even raise an eyebrow, there's still a deep climb from the most significant numbers: 3-13.

Bears' best rookies will have another learning curve.

By Chris Boden

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

There's a sense of irony and, to a certain degree, concern about what changes the Bears' coaching staff has undergone.

Think of the best of Ryan Pace's 2016 rookie class: Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair, and Jordan Howard. They were brought along under the position group tutelage of outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt, offensive line coach Dave Magazu and running backs coach Stan Drayton. The latter was the first to depart, shortly after the season ended, to return to the collegiate ranks on Texas' new staff.

He's been replaced with former 49ers and Bills offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins (also serving as that position coach in Detroit, Buffalo, Arizona and Kansas City). Howard certainly adapted to the NFL game well, more than anyone expected, as the NFL's second-leading rusher. One would think Drayton played a part in that.

Longtime John Fox assistant Magazu was also let go after the season despite the impressive move of second-round pick Whitehair to center the week of the season opener after Josh Sitton was signed following his release by Green Bay. Whitehair was sold as a "quick study" following his selection out of Kansas State, where he was a four-year starter at three different positions (but not center).

Like Howard, he wound up making the All-Rookie team, but whether he remains in the middle of the line or not, he'll be getting his orders now from Jeremiah Washburn.
Rounding out the trio of All-Rookie selections was Floyd, who was brought along by Hurtt. He impressed Fox enough to be kept around from Marc Trestman's staff, and moved from defensive line to outside linebackers.

That's where he assisted Willie Young in morphing to a foreign role, yet still managing 14 sacks over the last two seasons. The Bears have yet to name a replacement for Hurtt, who's joined the Seahawks in taking over one of their strengths in recent years, the defensive line.

These three were already good, and the jewels of last year's draft. But if they're to grow and ascend into impact contributors if and when this team becomes a regular playoff contender, it'll come from new faces, new voices in their respective classrooms and position groups.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Dwyane Wade gets a little help but saves the day defensively vs. Kings. (Saturday night's game, 01/23/2017).

By Vincent Goodwill

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

It was a gift and the Bulls weren't going to look it in the mouth as Dwyane Wade was poised to finish off another one of his sterling defensive plays with a breakaway dunk with the game tied and Arron Afflalo and DeMarcus Cousins trailing.

Lightly touched by the small of his back by Cousins, Wade miscalculated his liftoff and missed the dunk but was bailed out by the refs for a foul with 14 seconds left.
Then, he bailed the Bulls out.

Wade had his fifth fourth-quarter defensive play, stripping Cousins on a steal on the ensuing possession with the Sacramento Kings having a chance to win, leading to a Michael Carter-Williams dunk and finishing a 102-99 win Saturday night at the United Center.

It was a clock-turning performance for Wade on both ends of the floor, even if his missed dunk is a reminder that he is 35 years old. 

"I took off too far as I look at the instant replay," Wade said. "I should've took maybe one more dribble. Can't say I felt 35, I just took off too far (laughs). But hey, sometimes you get calls, sometimes you don't. I'm a person who hasn't gotten a lot all year so I'm not gonna apologize for nothing."

Stripping Cousins on his spin move was the finale, but he swatted an Arron Afflalo corner triple in the fourth, smothered Ty Lawson at the rim twice for blocked shots to end the third and tortured Lawson again in the fourth for another steal that led to him following up a Jimmy Butler missed layup with a follow and foul.

"Just a read," said Wade on stripping Cousins. "We knew he was gonna go to DeMarcus at that point. Once we forced him left, I knew he had to come back to the right hand. And being in the right place at the right time, the ball was right there for me."

Wade played like a desperate and motivated man, putting up 30 with six rebounds and four assists on the second night of a back-to-back is proof positive he took Friday's loss to Atlanta personally and used his play to back up those feelings.

He took to twitter to apologize for the poor effort against the Hawks, producing his best all-around performance as a Bull.

"We've been good in desperate moments," Wade said. "We haven't been good in non-desperate moments, when we win three in a row or playing a team that we should beat. But (in) the desperate moments I like us."

He scored 13 in the fourth, along with the last of his four blocked shots and all three of his steals took place in the final 12.

"I thought he was terrific," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He was aggressive all game long, taking the ball to the basket, getting to the line 15 times. He came up with two big plays."

Hoiberg threw out different lineups and rotations, playing Paul Zipser as a sixth man and having the second-round draft pick close the game. Zipser took advantage, hitting three triples and scoring 13 points.

"I thought it was night and day from last night," Hoiberg said. "Our energy was really good all night long. We got just enough stops to find a way to win."

Cousins dominated the game with 42 and 14 rebounds in 35 minutes, the only Kings player in double figures all night.

"He was pretty much unguardable for the majority of the game, Taj did a solid job on him," Hoiberg said. "When Robin was on him, they put him on the perimeter and let him shoot threes. He's a monster."

Back-to-back triples from Cousins gave him 40 and tied the game at 97, as a third one rimmed out with a little under two minutes left.

Cousins dominated the start of the third quarter, hitting midrange jumpers over Lopez and taunting the Bulls bench after hitting a jumper to put the Kings ahead, 70-63 midway through the third.

But the Bulls stayed close, with Hoiberg choosing to sit Rajon Rondo for the second half after playing him six minutes in the second quarter, using Wade as a point guard and going with Carter-Williams for defense, along with Zipser, who didn't look scared of the moment.

"I like the wrinkle coach put in there, putting him in early," Wade said. "He gave him an opportunity and he helped us big time."

Butler scored 23 with seven assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes, didn't have to play the hero for once and made fun of Wade's apology tweet.

"He was due for a big night," Butler said. "He can tweet again if he can come out again and give us 30 and some big steals and big dunks."

"I think that's what called of him, to score baskets and guard. It's kinda sneaky. You never really expect it until it happens."

It looked like the worst was over when the Bulls made a short run to end the third, surviving the onslaught from Cousins — and surviving their own experimenting with Zipser instead of going with Denzel Valentine, switching things up altogether.

But the tone was set by the leaders, who can only manufacture but so much urgency on a nightly basis.

"I like this team when we're desperate," Wade said. "A desperate team, we're not bad."

Bulls fall to Hawks 102-93. (Friday night's game, 01/20/2017).

chicagobulls.com

(Photo/chicagobulls.com)

The Atlanta Hawks Friday defeated the Bulls 102-93 in a most unusual way, a band of Bulls benchers cutting a 30-point fourth quarter deficit to five in the last minutes. It forced the Hawks to bring their starters back with 90 seconds left to save what appeared to be a night long blowout victory.

A Bulls group that alternated with Bobby Portis, Nikola Mirotic, Denzel Valentine, Jerian Grant, Paul Zipser and Bobby Portis, showing the energy and interest the starters didn’t, brought the Bulls back within five points with just over a minute left. The Hawks desperately brought back their best players while the Bulls starters watched. Grant had 12 points, Valentine 10 and Zipser 10.

The Bulls were led by Jimmy Butler with 19 points. He shot six of eight and Robin Lopez had 10 points on five of seven. The other starters were a combined six for 21. Butler was the only starter who attempted a free throw in a passive starters’ effort. Dwyane Wade was two of 10 for four points, this coming despite the Bulls coming off two off days. Dennis Schroder dominated the Bulls guards for 23 points. The Hawks led by more than 30 points most of the third quarter with neither team’s starters playing in the fourth quarter until the Hawks’ late.

The Bulls, 21-23, return to the United Center Saturday to play the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks are 25-18.

The Bulls had Taj Gibson back from missing the Dallas game with ankle soreness. And he scored early to give the Bulls a 4-2 lead, their last for the game as the Hawks drove the ball past the Bulls for easy layups, run outs and short jumpers. First it was Schroder, pushing past Michael Carter-Williams for eight points that brought a quick substitution to Rajon Rondo five minutes into the game with Atlanta ahead 13-6. But it didn’t stop the Hawks, who repeatedly got easily to the basket and then running off Bulls turnovers, eight in the first quarter. It was another poor opening by the starters. The Bulls had lost earlier this season in Atlanta despite 39 from Butler. The Hawks then went on an 11-4 run thanks to four Bulls turnovers in five possessions and then closed the quarter with 11 straight points for a 35-13 lead after one quarter. Atlanta made 15 of 19 shots in the first quarter, but to their credit with swift ball movement and unselfish play. The Bulls failed to change their attitude coming out in the second quarter as the Hawks opened with a three, and though the Hawks only scored on one of their next seven possessions, the Bulls failed to challenge. Former Bull Mike Dunleavy then made a pair of threes and Schroder scored on a three-point play for a 49-19 Atlanta lead. Butler then exerted himself, even taking Schroder on defense. Butler scored six straight points to send the Hawks into a timeout with five minutes left in the half leading 49-26. But there was only so much the Bulls All-Star could do as the Hawks began smothering him with two and three defenders. Paul Millsap added a driving score and a three and the Hawks were flying again, taking a 65-36 halftime lead. Butler had 17 points on five of six shots for the Bulls. The rest of the team was a combined nine for 32 shooting in the first half. The Bulls were three of 17 on threes in the half, Butler two for two. The Hawks still were shooting 68 percent at halftime with eight of 12 threes. Schroder had 16 points and Millsap 12.

The Bulls then committed a turnover to start the second half, a harbinger of things to come thereafter as the Hawks basically ended the game in the third quarter as they went ahead 87-53 and closed the third quarter leading 87-57. It was as poor as effort throughout three quarters as the Bulls have had all season as coach Fred Hoiberg went with reserves for the rest of the game and finally got the hustle the team needed.

CUBS: Why Cubs are excited for pitching prospect Dylan Cease: He's 'throwing lightning bolts'.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Theo Epstein's front office is heading into Year 6 with the Cubs and they're finally talking about a pitcher as one of the organization's most exciting prospects.

That's how senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod framed his Dylan Cease report to fans at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago last weekend.

It was a tongue-in-cheek summation from McLeod after he spent the previous few minutes fawning over Cease, the Cubs' sixth round pick in 2014.

Of course, McLeod and the Cubs can poke fun at the lack of impact pitching the farm system has developed when the homegrown position players like Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber just helped lead the franchise to its first World Series championship in over a century.

Cease, however, has been one of the more intriguing Cubs prospects for years — a right-handed pitcher capable of touching 101 mph on the radar gun.

"This guy is throwing lightning bolts out of his arm," McLeod said. "It's really exciting. But we also understand he's only in Low-A this year, so he's far away."

The Cubs expect Cease to pitch for Class-A South Bend in 2017 after spending last season pitching for short-season Eugene and the 2015 campaign working in the rookie league in Arizona.

Cease — who just turned 21 in late December — put up some impressive numbers at both stops in the Cubs system, posting a 2.36 ERA and 1.165 WHIP to go along with a whopping 91 strikeouts in 68.2 innings. He also only surrendered one homer and walked more batters (41) than reached via a basehit (39).

Control is obviously an issue for Cease, but the upside is evident.

"He's so far away," McLeod said. "He's gonna go into 2017 as a starter. As with a lot of young guys, it's gonna come down to command and depend on that third pitch and the ability to land them for strikes.

"It's a special arm. He can pitch 95-100 mph with a big power curveball. He's unlike anyone else we have in our system since we've been here in terms of pure stuff."
One fan compared Cease to Carl Edwards Jr. in terms of their lanky build and high velocity, setting McLeod up for a layup joke.

"Well, Dylan is much stronger physically than CJ is...as is everybody in this room," McLeod said as the ballroom filled with laugher. "Don't tell [CJ] I said that. 

"They have different body types, obviously. Carl is long and lanky and Dylan has probably put on 20 pounds since we drafted him, so he's more like 6-foot-2, 190."

By comparison, Edwards — who goes by "The String Bean Slinger" for his slight build — is listed at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds.

Edwards was drafted in the 48th round in 2011 and spent his whole minor-league career as a starting pitcher until the Cubs converted him to a reliever in 2015.

Cease may eventually go down the same path, but the Cubs are going to give him every opportunity to make it as a starter first.

Cease was one of the top pitchers available in the 2014 draft, but his stock took a hit when he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow while at Milton High School in Georgia.

That scared off a lot of teams — as did the potential signability issues with college offers looming — but the Cubs took a chance and have now watched Cease soar to a top prospect in the system (No. 4 by Baseball America; No. 7 by FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus) despite the cautious approach and lack of innings in professional ball.

"We have to thank Kyle Schwarber, actually, as one of the main reasons we got to sign Dylan Cease," McLeod said. "Because we took Kyle fourth overall, we were able to save money on the selection with him, which gave us the resources to go get Dylan Cease.

"He was a Top 10 pick in the draft — a high school arm that got hurt, fell down to the fifth round and he had a commitment to Vanderbilt, I think it was, and we were able to use the money we saved from Kyle.

"Just another reason to love Kyle Schwarber."

Baseball world mourns Ventura, Marte.

By Jesse Sanchez

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The baseball world mourned the unexpected deaths of Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura and third baseman Andy Marte on Sunday.

Ventura, 25, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Marte, 33, also died in a separate car crash Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

"Today is a very sad day for our entire game and particularly for the many loyal fans in the Dominican Republic, the home of both Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte," said Commissioner Rob Manfred. "Yordano was a key figure in the Royals' recent success. His electric talent on the mound helped lead the Royals to two American League pennants and the 2015 world championship.

"Andy was a respected member of six organizations who played seven Major League seasons, including for the Cleveland Indians from 2006-10. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, teammates, friends and fans of both players."

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura," Major League Baseball Players' Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. "It's never easy to lose a member of our fraternity, and there are no words to describe the feeling of losing two young men in the prime of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, friends, teammates and fans throughout the United States and Latin America."

Ventura, who signed with the Royals as an amateur free agent in 2008, went 11-12 with a 4.45 ERA last season.

"We have suffered an indescribable loss today," Ventura's representatives at ISE Baseball said in a statement. "Our hearts and souls are broken with the passing of Yordano Ventura. Yordano's heart and passion for the game of baseball and for life had no equal. Today we lost a teammate, who never backed down; a friend, who never let you down; and a brother, who always made you smile. Rest in peace."

"Our prayers right now are with Yordano's family as we mourn this young man's passing," said Royals general manager Dayton Moore, who said he learned of Marte's death early Sunday morning. When he subsequently received the call notifying him of Ventura's passing, Moore thought it had to be a mix-up. "[Ventura] was so young and so talented, full of youthful exuberance and always brought a smile to everyone he interacted with. We will get through this as an organization, but right now is a time to mourn and celebrate the life of Yordano."

Ventura burst on the scene in 2014 in Kansas City, emerging as an American League Rookie of the Year candidate after going 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA. Marte, who signed with the Braves in 2000 as an international free agent, was ranked No. 9 on MLB.com's '05 Top 50 Prospects list. He last played in MLB in '14 with Arizona.

"Words can't express the emotions from the loss of our client Andy Marte. Gone too soon. A great person on and off the field," Marte's agency, J.M.G. baseball, said on Twitter.

There was an outpouring of grief across baseball.

WHITE SOX: Williams says Hall not just for 'all-time greats'.

By Scott Merkin

White Sox executive VP believes Konerko deserves Cooperstown plaque.

Ken Williams does not have a vote for Baseball's Hall of Fame.

If the White Sox executive vice president did have a say, then quite a few more players would be honored.

"Admittedly, if I were heading the election committees or whatever it is, the governing body out there, we would have to build a few new wings. It might be cost prohibitive," Williams told MLB.com. "I'm a lot less stringent on admission into what for me should be a celebratory Hall for the game.

"The NBA and NFL, great players get in. They don't have to be all-time greats. They are just great players that fans enjoyed for years and years. And they made people feel good.

"Why do we continue to limit access to a Hall that is supposed to be for the fans' enjoyment?" Williams said. "Give people in the various cities the opportunity to celebrate their heroes. What's wrong with that?"

Williams spoke eloquently last year at this time about Tim Raines deserving to be in the Hall of Fame, an honor which eluded the one-time White Sox outfielder in '16 but came to fruition Wednesday by Raines garnering 380 votes and 86 percent support in his 10th and final time on the ballot. Williams stumped for accomplished players such as Fred McGriff and Mike Mussina this time around.

Talk turned to one-time White Sox captain Paul Konerko and his 439 career homers, 1,412 RBIs and the 2005 World Series title to which he greatly contributed -- not to mention his leadership on and off the field. Konerko becomes Hall of Fame eligible in 2020, and Williams believes the White Sox first baseman belongs as part of that group.

"Is he a Hall of Famer in my book? Yeah. I ran out there on that field. To hit over 400 home runs, you know how hard that is?" Williams said. "You can't honestly compare the talent level and the competitive level in the late 1800s, for instance, to the early 1920s, to the 1940s. The game has changed so much. Now you are looking and comparing against some of what has been called the steroid era.

"I'm not suggesting what the criteria should be," Williams said. "I'm just saying that if you get in a room and you say, 'Wow, this guy was a really great player,' then, 'OK, he's in.'"

Hall of Fame criteria for Williams seems to center on what he perceives as best for fans' enjoyment and appreciation as well as great players with storied careers.

"Let the good players in that have thrilled fans so that each city can enjoy their favorite player, guys who have excelled at the height of their profession," Williams said. "And the people who played against them will tell you they were some of the best that they've ever played against."

Dominican Republic academy re-opens with upgrades.

By Scott Merkin

White Sox add second building, more classrooms.

The White Sox re-opened their Dominican Republic academy this past Tuesday with great excitement concerning the upgrades made to the complex in Boca Chica.

Buddy Bell, the organization's assistant general manager, spoke of a second building being added to go along with the two baseball fields already in place, along with additional classrooms, lounges and computers. It now becomes somewhat of a selling point as the White Sox continue to establish themselves in the international market, but all of the changes are directed toward helping the kids.

"We just made some changes to kind of give it a new feel," Bell said. "First of all, the kids stay there every day. They eat there, they sleep there. Parents come in, and they see where their kid is staying and what kind of food they eat and things like that. It has just become more important.

"A lot of these kids don't ever get to get over here, so it's really important to us to give them an education regardless if they get over here or not. A lot of these kids just don't have the resources."

Ever Magallanes takes over as the supervisor of the academy, with Manuel Santana serving as the complex operations coordinator, Guillermo Reyes as the field coordinator and Julio Valdez as the manager of the Dominican Summer League team. Magallanes has viewed the changes in person and applauds the White Sox making things better for the players to truly focus on their talents once they get into baseball action.

"They can sleep better, and all the tension is on the field," Magallanes said. "Not that it was bad in the past. But we just want to upgrade a little bit more.

"I've been down there a lot, so I've seen the change and what it was before and now. We still have a ways to go, but it's awesome, and I'm happy for the kids. I'm happy that they are experiencing it and get to have a place, a complex that it's nice to go to. It's nice to go to work."

English classes become the most important thing for these players, and that education has always been solidly provided by the White Sox in Bell's estimation. But the changes also have the White Sox hiring a sport psychologist for the Academy, as well as a focus placed on nutrition and doing more work on computers.

"An unfortunate thing, and I hate this, is that some of these kids are judged that they aren't smart," Bell said of players who stop going to school when they focus on baseball. "But they've never been given an opportunity. How would you know if a guy is smart or not when they don't have the proper education? We are not going to do it just because everybody else is doing it. We feel it's the right thing.

"But it's a big part of our organization now. It needs to be. We need that to supplement our domestic Draft. We can't be more happy with what we've done here in the last three or four months."

Golf: I got a club for that..... Swafford wins CareerBuilder for first Tour title.

By Nick Menta

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Hudson Swafford birdied three of his final four holes to win the CareerBuilder Challenge by one over the eighth player in Tour history to break 60, Adam Hadwin. Here’s how things finished up Sunday in Palm Springs:

Leaderboard: Swafford (-20), Hadwin (-19), Brian Harman (-18), Bud Cauley (-18), Dominic Bozzelli (-17), Brendan Steele (-16), Chad Campbell (-16)

What it means: This is the first win of Swafford’s PGA Tour career. Playing his fourth season on Tour, Swafford came into this event having made his last 18 consecutive cuts dating back to last May. The 36-hole leader who started the day two back, Swafford opened with a bogey and followed with five pars before closing his front nine with birdies at 7, 8 and 9. He would win the tournament with another three-hole birdie streak on the back, circling Nos. 15, 16 and 17 to finally emerge from a packed leaderboard. With the win, Swafford, 204^th in the world, is now heading to his first Masters.

Round of the day: Patrick Reed made eight birdies and a bogey for a 7-under 65 to finish tied for 12th. Reed didn’t make a par for a five-hole stretch from Nos. 13-17, picking up four birdies and dropping his only shot of the day when he missed a 4-footer at 14.

Best of the rest: Scott Stallings rode an eagle-birdie-birdie finish to a Sunday 66 and a T-7 finish, his first top-10 of the season after four missed cuts and a 70^th.

Biggest disappointment: The 54-hole leader, Adam Hadwin couldn’t turn the ninth 59 in Tour history into a win. After playing his first 15 holes even par, he birdied both 16 and 17 to keep himself one back of Swafford but missed the fairway and the green at 18 to settle for par and a round of 2 under. His four rounds this week: 71-69-59-70.

Shot of the day: Swafford’s tee shot from 167 yards at the par-3 17^th that stopped 17 inches from the hole.

Quote of the day: "To make three of the last four ... it's pretty special." - Swafford

Hadwin cards PGA Tour's second 59 in as many weeks.

By Nick Menta

Adam Hadwin on Saturday became eighth player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59.

The 29-year-old Canadian posted 13-under 59 at La Quinta Country Club in the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge to take the lead by one at 17 under for the week.

In the process, he tied Chip Beck for the most birdies in a round on Tour, with 13.

Asked after the round how it felt, Hadwin struggled to find the words: "I don't know," he began. "I don't know. Perfect, I guess?"

Hadwin had an opportunity to post the first round of 14 under in Tour history but missed the green at the par-4 18th. Instead, he chipped to roughly 3 feet and brushed in his putt for par and 59.

"I was shaking, I really was," he said. "The last thing you want to do is miss a 3-footer for 59. So, it went in."

En route to his round of 13 under, Hadwin put together two lengthy birdie streaks, ripping off six in a row on Nos. 2-7 and five in a row on Nos. 11-15. He also circled Nos. 9 and 17, the latter of which got him into the history books.



"I walked off 17, and I said to my caddie Joe, 'Man, it looks like there's a lot more people [following us] than when we teed off today," said Hadwin, who first started thinking about the possibility of a 59 while walking off the 11th green.

He hit 12 of 14 fairways, 15 of 18 greens, and needed just 21 putts, one-putting 15 times.

"For whatever reason, any time I hit a putt, it went in," he said. "Everybody talks about being in the zone, and it being your day, and it was my day."

Hadwin’s 59 is the second on Tour in as many weeks after Justin Thomas carded 11-under 59 in the first round of last week’s Sony Open, which he went on to win.

This is the second round of 59 recorded at the CareerBuilder, after David Duval did it on PGA West’s Palmer Private course in 1999.

Hadwin is only the fourth player to shoot 59 on a par-72 layout, joining Duval, Beck (1991), and Al Geiberger (1977).

Of the nine sub-60 rounds in Tour history, six of them have come since 2010 and three of them have come in the last six months (Thomas, 59; Furyk, 58).

Fleetwood rallies for Abu Dhabi title.

By Will Gray

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

England's Tommy Fleetwood authored a back-nine 31 to rally for a one-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Fleetwood was 1 over through seven holes Sunday and still three shots adrift when he made the turn. But a chip-in eagle on No. 10 sparked a run that saw the 26-year-old pass an elite field. After starting the day one shot behind Martin Kaymer and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Fleetwood shot a final-round 67 to edge Dustin Johnson and Pablo Larrazabal and earn his first European Tour win since August 2013.

"It's pretty cool. Didn't see it coming, really," Fleetwood said. "I think I've made the cut here once in six years, so it just shows that that makes no sense at all. A lot of hard work's gone into it."

The shot of the tournament came on the 72nd hole, where Fleetwood was not punished for a wayward drive. Instead, he was afforded a favorable lie in the rough from which he hit driver off the deck, setting up a two-putt birdie that proved to be the difference.

"I did get a lucky break, but it's just one of those shots you have to take on," he said. "I had to give it a go. You have to take those chances if you want to win."

Fleetwood had been on the cusp of the top 50 in the world ranking as recently as December 2014, but his game fell on hard times in recent months as he fell as low as No. 188 in the world. Things started to turn around last summer, and Fleetwood's victory caps a run of 10 top-20 finishes in his last 13 worldwide starts.

"I had a really tough time from July 2015 to July last year, where I really struggled with my game," he said. "From August onward it's been an onward curve, had some good finishes toward the end of last year. Started the season well in Hong Kong. The only thing left was, 'Let's get a win,' and if you keep knocking on the door, it'll come."

After Further Review: Why did Woods choose Torrey?

By Golf Channel Digital

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

On Tiger's impending return at Torrey Pines

Tiger Woods will play his first official PGA Tour event in almost 18 months when he tees it up this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

And, of course, he’s diving right back into the deep end at Torrey Pines, where he’s won eight times as a pro. But the last time we saw him at the Farmers, he withdrew with a case of the yips and some deactivated glutes. That was two years ago.

Woods impressed at the Hero World Challenge in December, leading the field with 24 birdies that helped make up for his eight bogeys and six doubles. If Woods is just as scattershot at Torrey, the result won’t look so encouraging.

Rather than start out on courses that have yielded 59s in back-to-back weeks to help build some confidence – a la Phil Mickelson at the CareerBuilder – Woods is going to a U.S. Open venue that routinely eats up guys who haven’t been on the shelf for a year and a half.

Expect anything different? – Nick Menta

On today's young stars battling injuries

Rory McIlroy’s withdrawal from the Abu Dhabi Championship with a stress fracture of his ribs and Jason Day’s back issues make Henrik Stenson wonder about the violent torque the younger generation creates today. It makes him wonder whether today’s youth train to go too hard at the ball and whether more injuries await as they get older.

“They really go after it, and that’s going to put a lot of pressure on knees and back and neck and so on,” Stenson said at Abu Dhabi last week. “It doesn’t show up normally when you’re 20, 25. It comes at a later stage. We’ve got more injuries now, possibly because of the way everyone tries to hit it and get distance off the tee.”

Nobody’s going to gear back in this power-obsessed generation, but Stenson’s caution raises questions about whether the sum of a rising young power player today may be greater than his parts. - Randall Mell

NASCAR: NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 honored, inducted.

By Reid Spencer

The enshrinement of three car owners of paramount importance to stock car racing, a driver who proved a prolific winner in NASCAR’s top-two series and a former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion who would become one of the most beloved storytellers in the history of the sport highlighted Friday night’s induction of the Class of 2017 into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Not only did the emotional proceedings usher one of NASCAR’s first car owners, Raymond Parks, into the Hall. Also recognized were the ongoing accomplishments of two owners -- Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick -- whose efforts have helped to produce a pair of seven-time champions.

Friday night also brought the induction of driver Mark Martin, who won 40 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, another 49 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and who finished second in the championship standings at NASCAR’s highest level no less than five times.

Perhaps the most gripping moment of the night was the enshrinement of 1973 Cup champion Benny Parsons, a man of indefatigable good humor who flourished after his driving career as one of the most beloved broadcasters the sport has known.

Parsons lost his life on Jan. 16, 2007 after a courageous battle against lung cancer.

Appropriately, Parks was first to be enshrined. Introduced by Kevin Harvick and inducted posthumously by family friend Kyle Petty, Parks was a close friend of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and a pillar of the sport in its formative years.

Born in the mountains of north Georgia, Parks shares "moonshine" roots with such NASCAR pioneers as Junior Johnson. Parks later grew successful jukebox and vending machine businesses in Atlanta before venturing into NASCAR ownership.

Parks won NASCAR's first two championships, in modifieds in 1948 and in Strictly Stock (NASCAR's top division) with Red Byron behind the wheel and Red Vogt as crew chief.

"He put his money where his mouth was, investing in our great pastime as an owner," Harvick said. "The World War II veteran captured NASCAR's first premier series championship in 1949 and nearly 70 years later has earned the highest honor from the sport he always believed in."

"Without Raymond Parks, there would be no Richard Petty -- there’s nothing to build on," Kyle Petty said.

Introduced by fellow Michigander Brad Keselowski, Parsons won his only championship in 1973, an achievement that came during a string of nine straight years (1972-1980) in which Parsons finished in the top five in the final standings.

All told, Parsons won 21 races, including the 1975 Daytona 500, during a career whose hallmark was remarkable consistency. In 526 starts at NASCAR’s highest level, Parsons finished in the top 10 283 times, an enviable 54 percent.

"He's from Detroit, and he came from being a Michigan taxi driver to a NASCAR champion," Keselowski said. "Think about that. That seems like the script from a Hollywood movie.

"But that is exactly what Benny Parsons accomplished in 1973."

Childress’ grandsons, Austin and Ty Dillon -- both of whom are racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this year -- introduced their "Pop Pop," the car owner with whom inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class member Dale Earnhardt won six of his seven championships.

"My brother and I are so proud and honored to introduce Pop Pop," Austin Dillon said. "There are countless family stories I could share of his true grit, persistence, determination, and love for others."

Including Earnhardt’s six with RCR, Childress has won 11 titles combined in NASCAR’s top three touring series, second only to fellow inductee Hendrick’s 15.

I’m honored to go into the NASCAR Hall of Fame with my heroes," said Childress, who was inducted by his wife, Judy Childress. "Just look around this wall and look at the greats that we'll be going in the Hall of Fame with. Unbelievable. And to go in the Class of 2017 with so many great inductees is quite an honor."

Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time titleholder Jeff Gordon did the introduction honors for Hendrick, their car owner.

"The stats speak for themselves: 15 national series championship, 245 Cup wins, certainly impressive numbers, but more important than the wins and the championships is the person behind them," Gordon said. "He's the most loyal man I know. He'll take the shirt right off his back for you. His accomplishments are endless, and his character is unrivaled."

Hendrick accepted induction from his wife, Linda Hendrick.

"I humbly accept this tonight, and all the drivers that have been involved in our company, all the mechanics, everybody that's ever been a part of it, I accept this on your behalf, past and present," Hendrick said. "I know my son (Ricky Hendrick, killed in a 2004 plane crash) is watching tonight, and he's so proud. Congratulations to Jimmie for winning No. 7, dedicating it to him …

"But I can tell you that the feelings that I have for this sport and for all the people in it, all the sponsors -- and I've got so many here tonight I can't name them all, don't want to do that -- but it's your faith, it's your family and your friends that get you through life, and that's the most important thing. When it's all over, it's the people that you touch and the lives you change that make a difference in this world."

Introduced by former Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth and inducted by team owner Jack Roush, Martin chronicled a career that began in 1981 and ended at Michael Waltrip Racing in 2013. In between, Martin finished second in the standings four times with Roush -- the first in 1990 -- and once with Hendrick, in 2009, during Johnson’s run of five straight titles.

Martin won 96 races across all three NASCAR national touring series, currently seventh all-time. He credited Roush with giving him a welcome opportunity to drive RFR Fords in 1988, after his career had stalled.

"He was hell-bent and determined as I was to make a name for himself winning races and competing for championships at NASCAR's highest level," Martin said. "Jack Roush gave me that second chance."

During Friday night’s ceremony, Martinsville Speedway founder H. Clay Earles was recognized with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Opened in 1947, Martinsville is the only track to have hosted races at NASCAR’s highest level since the sanctioning body’s formation in 1949.

The late Benny Phillips, former reporter and sports editor for the High Point (N.C.) Enterprise received the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. Overcoming polio to pursue his career as a journalist, Phillips also wrote for Stock Car Racing magazine for 27 years and spent 12 years covering racing with TBS.

(Pictured: Richard Childress, Mark Martin and Rick Hendrick)

NBCSN to broadcast NASCAR announcement at 6 p.m. ET Monday.

By Daniel McFadin

NBCSN will air live a press conference held by NASCAR industry stakeholders to discuss the upcoming 2017 season at 6 p.m. ET Monday.

The announcement will be attended by NASCAR executives, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers, NASCAR team representatives and NASCAR track representatives.

The press conference is being held at the Charlotte Convention Center.

NMPA names Jimmie Johnson Driver of the Year among annual awards.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Jimmie Johnson was named the Richard Petty Driver of the Year on Saturday by the National Motorsports Press Association as part of its annual awards banquet.

It’s the seventh time that Johnson – who was named on 62 percent of the ballots cast – has been recognized with the award. He previously won it in 2004, ’06, ’07, ’09, ’10, and ’13.

The award comes after Johnson became the third driver to win a seventh championship in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

The NMPA also named Al Pearce of Autoweek as its annual Pocono Spirit Award winner.

The award, sponsored by Pocono Raceway, “recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.”

Pearce won for a four-year project that raised $13,000 through the auction of a racing helmet signed by the 20 living World Driving Champions and Phil Hill and Sir Jack Brabham prior their passing. Proceeds from the project went to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.

Dave Ferroni, the public relations representative for Furniture Row Racing,  was awarded the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award.

Involved in auto racing for more than 30 years, Ferroni was the publicist for the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey team in 1980 before later serving working for Brainerd International Raceway and the National Hot Rod Association. His company, DMF Communications, has also worked with U.S. Army, Miller Brewing Co., Pennzoil, McDonald’s and Valvoline.

The Ken Patterson award is sponsored by Talladega Superspeedway, where Patterson served as the public relations director, and has been given out since 2004. The track will donate $1,000 in Ferroni’s name to the Kenneth Patterson Educational Trust Fund.

SOCCER: PL Sunday round-up.

Southampton 3-0 Leicester City

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

Chelsea 2-) Hull City

PL Saturday roundup: City, Spurs finish level; United drops points at Stoke.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

League leaders Chelsea weren’t in action on Saturday, but things couldn’t have possibly gone any better for the Blues.

With Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United all dropping points in their respective matches, Antonio Conte‘s men have the opportunity to widen the gap atop the Premier League on Sunday as Chelsea faces Hull City.

Here, we take a look back at Saturday’s action from around England’s top flight.

Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham — RECAP

The Citizens will surely feel disappointed in referee Andre Mariner’s lack of a penalty decision, and more so both sides are feeling the affects after finishing level at the Etihad Stadium. Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris had a rough go of it early in the second stanza after two goals to Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne just four minutes apart. Luckily for the visitors, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son each netted for Tottenham to give Mauricio Pochettino‘s side a share of the points.

Liverpool 2-3 Swansea City — RECAP

It was bound to end some time but Liverpool certainly wasn’t expecting a fight from the Swans on Saturday. Unfortunately for them, that’s exactly what they got. And more. Swansea picked up its first ever top-flight win at Anfield, and the victory couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Fernando Llorente netted twice for the visitors, while Gylfi Sigurdsson played hero on the day for the Swans. The loss for the Reds snapped a 25-match unbeaten streak at home, while also opening the door for Chelsea to extend its lead at the top of the PL.

Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United  — RECAP

Wayne Rooney was the star of the show, but the veteran attacker’s moment of achievement was overshadowed by his side’s failure to pick up three points. Rooney’s 250th goal was surely the day’s biggest talking point, but Juan Mata‘s earlier own goal ensured United that a draw was their fate on the day. The Red Devils currently sit 11 points out of the top spot in the PL, while the draw keeps Stoke in ninth.

Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace — RECAP

The Toffees have found new life a recent string of victories but it’s Palace that has become the bigger story on Saturday after falling into the depths of the relegation zone. Seamus Coleman sealed the victory for Everton after Tom Davies picked out the veteran Toffee for the match’s lone finish. Outside of Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory over Bolton, the Eagles have lost eight consecutive PL fixtures, prompting the team’s fall into 18th place.

West Brom 2-0 Sunderland — RECAP

Goals from Darren Fletcher and Chris Brunt kept the Baggies on the top half of the table as Sunderland continues its relegation woes. The Black Cats now sit three points buried at the bottom of the PL following Saturday’s defeat.

West Ham 3-1 Middlesbrough — RECAP

The Hammers moved into the top half of the PL courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Jonathan Calleri, while the Boro couldn’t keep up with Slaven Bilic‘s surging side. West Ham has now moved up to 10th place after winning five of its last seven league matches. Christian Stuani managed Middlesbrough’s lone tally on the day, however, the club now sits just four points above the bottom three.

Bournemouth 2-2 Watford — RECAP

Four straight draws between the two sides have left very little between the mid table clubs but Saturday’s encounter surely had its share of entertaining moments. The Hornets led twice on the day with goals from Christian Kabasele and Troy Deeney, however, Bournemouth managed to fight back on both occasions to record the draw. The Cherries currently have a two-point advantage over Watford in the table, with the two clubs sitting 11th and 14th, respectively.

La Liga & Serie A: Sevilla avoids Osasuna upset, Barcelona cruises.

By Matt Reed

(David Ramos/Getty Images)

Eibar 0-4 Barcelona

Four different goalscorers and three points has put Barcelona inches closer to Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, and it certainly was a complete effort for the Blaugrana. Denis Suarez gave Barca the lead ahead of halftime before Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each netted in the second stanza to give Luis Enrique’s side a strangle hold on the match. Barca now sits just two points behind Real as the season nears its halfway point.

Meanwhile, Barca suffered a major loss during the match when Sergio Busquets was carted off the pitch after sustaining an ankle injury. Busquets left the game after receiving the brunt of a Gonzalo Escalante tackle in the eighth minute.

Osasuna 3-4 Sevilla

There were goals galore at the Estadio El Sadar, however, Osasuna remains at the bottom of La Liga despite their best efforts. The last place side led on two occasions against Sevilla, but a strong second half from the visitors allowed Los Rojiblancos to remain within a point of league leaders Real Madrid. Vicente Iborra recorded a brace for Sevilla, with goals on both sides of halftime, while Franco Vázquez and Pablo Sarabia also inked their names on the score sheet.

Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Atletico Madrid

Atleti went ahead early on against Bilbao, but Diego Simeone’s men needed a late Antoine Griezmann finish to earn a point on Sunday. Koke struck inside of three minutes to give Madrid the early advantage before goals from Íñigo Lekue and Oscar de Marcos gave Bilbao the lead. Atletico has now fallen eight points behind Real Madrid, while Bilbao sits seventh on 29 points.

Elsewhere in La Liga

Real Betis 0-0 Sporting Gijon

Real Sociedad 1-0 Celta Vigo

Juventus 2-0 Lazio

Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain each found the back of the net early on for Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri’s side never looked back from there. After scoring in the fifth and 16th minutes, respectively, the Bianconeri remain atop of Serie A after picking up the team’s 16th win on the season. Lazio remains fourth following the defeat, now sitting eight points behind the league leaders.

Roma 1-0 Cagliari

Edin Dzeko netted his 14th league goal of season for Roma on Sunday en route to the team’s fifth consecutive victory in all competitions. The win sees Roma move to within a point of Juventus at the top of Italy’s top flight, however, the Bianconeri currently hold a game in hand. Meanwhile, Cagliari sits 11th in Serie A on 26 points.

La Liga & Serie A: Valencia stuns Villareal, Napoli defeats AC Milan.

Matt Reed

(Photo/Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

Villareal 0-2 Valencia

In a dramatic and purely unexpected result, Salvador González Marco’s side picked up a massive win over the sixth place Villareal in order to give Valencia some space above the bottom three. Valencia has now won two straight matches in league play, after goals from Carlos Soler and Santi Mina lifted the bottom half side.

Real Madrid 2-1 Malaga

Sergio Ramos scored twice in the first half for the hosts, and it turned out to be enough for Real to end its recent losing streak. The Madridistas got back on track Saturday with its victory over Malaga, opening up a four-point lead in La Liga over second place Sevilla. Malaga made the match interesting just beyond the hour mark when Juanpi pulled a goal back for the visitors, however, the 13th place side couldn’t muster up a second tally.

Elsewhere in La Liga

Espanyol 3-1 Granada

Alaves 2-2 Leganes

AFCON wrap: Burkina Faso tops Group A, Cameroon also through.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Two nations advanced out of Group A on Sunday, and neither of the spots were held by the tournament’s hosts.

Cameroon 0-0 Gabon

Hosts Gabon needed a victory to reach the final eight, however, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and co. struggled mightily to break down the Cameroonian backline.

The Panthers failed to manage a shot on target on Sunday, while Cameroon — who finishes second in Group A — recorded a shot goalward just once.

Cameroon will likely face Senegal in the knockout phase after the Lions of Teranga locked up a spot in the next round.

Guinea-Bissau 0-2 Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso topped the group based on goal differential after an early own goal and Bertrand Traore added a second after halftime.

Rudinilson Silva was caught in an uncomfortable position after 11 minutes when the Guinea-Bissau defender put the ball into his own net. From there, Traore doubled the advantage for Burkina Faso after finishing off a Prejuce Nakoulma pass.

The Stallions will face the runner up of Group B, currently Tunisia, in the quarterfinals.

Group A table (* indicates teams that advanced)

*Burkina Faso (5 points, +2 GD)

*Cameroon (5 pts., +1 GD)

Gabon (3 pts., 0 GD)

Guinea-Bissau (1 pt., -3 GD)

Monday’s AFCON schedule

Senegal vs. Algeria — 11 a.m. ET

Zimbabwe vs. Tunisia — 2 p.m. ET

AFCON wrap: Ghana books place in quarterfinals, Egypt edges Uganda.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

One Group D side has already sealed its fate in the final eight, while another squad moved on step closer to the African Cup of Nations knockout phase on Saturday.

Ghana 1-0 Mali

The Ghanaians ensured their place in the knockout round after Asamoah Gyan scored for the Black Stars.

Gyan, 31, nodded home a Jordan Ayew cross in the 21st minute, giving Ghana its second straight win in the competition.

Mali will need a victory in its final group stage match against Uganda in order to have a shot at advancing to the last eight.

Egypt 1-0 Uganda

Abdallah El Said played hero on Saturday for Egypt after scoring in the 89th minute to lift Héctor Cúper’s side past Uganda.

The Al Ahly forward finished off Mohamed Salah‘s cross in the game’s dying moments to give Egypt a strong shot at advancing out of Group D.

The Egyptians currently sit second in the group on four points, while Uganda has officially been eliminated from advancing.

NCAABKB: College basketball weekend winners and losers: Arizona headlines busy Saturday.

By Henry Bushnell

Allonzo Trier and Arizona were the biggest winners of the weekend. (Photo/Getty)

It wasn’t exactly a memorable two days of college basketball. There were no earth-shattering upsets, no crazy buzzer-beaters, and no tripping controversies.

There were, though, two games between top 20 teams, one of which produced the most consequential result of the weekend. And up and down a crowded Saturday slate, there were plenty of teams that pulled out significant victories or slumped to damaging defeats, and plenty of players who stood out as individuals.

Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from the weekend in college hoops:

WINNERS

Arizona — A whirlwind 24 hours for the Wildcats began when the NCAA notified the program that Allonzo Trier’s latest drug test had come back negative. It ended with Trier on the court for the first time this season, and with Arizona outscoring UCLA, which is about as tough a task as there is in college basketball. The Wildcats are the new Pac-12 favorites.

Baylor — The Big 12 has a stronger, more balanced and more fluid second and third tier than any other conference, which makes almost every single road trip a treacherous one. Baylor had one of those trips this weekend, at resurgent TCU. The Bears were only 2-point favorites. Yet they came away with a quietly impressive 62-53 win, and further distanced themselves from that disastrous night in Morgantown two weeks ago.

Duke’s bench — The Blue Devils had an ugly first half against Miami. They scored 0.69 points per possession, and trailed 36-25 at halftime in an extremely physical game. To open the second period, Jeff Capel, coaching in place of Mike Krzyzewski, made the bold decision to go with three reserves — Frank Jackson, Matt Jones and Marques Bolden — in place of usual starters Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard and Harry Giles. The move couldn’t have worked out better. Those three, and Jones in particular, led Duke on a 22-1 run to open the half. The bench guys combined for 17 of the 22 points, and Jones himself contributed 11 on 3-for-3 from deep and 4-for-4 from the field. The second unit, playing alongside Amile Jefferson and Jayson Tatum, changed the game, and Duke went on to win 70-58.

Wisconsin’s big three — The Badgers trekked west for a rivalry game at Minnesota, and came away with a 78-76 overtime victory thanks to their three most talented players. Ethan Happ was the best of the three, and his stat line was dizzying: 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks. Nigel Hayes also had a nice game, and then Bronson Koenig, who had been quiet in the second half, drilled two go-ahead three-pointers in overtime, the second of which put Wisconsin ahead for good with 44 seconds left.

Indiana’s backcourt — The Hoosiers have been decimated by injuries; OG Anunoby is out for the season, Juwan Morgan has missed the past two games, and Collin Hartman has missed the entire season after undergoing knee surgery in September. Without those three, the onus has been on the backcourt to carry the Hoosiers, and for the second straight game, James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson have done that. Three days after his buzzer-beater to defeat Penn State, Blackmon Jr. put up 33 on just 16 shots to lead Indiana to a crucial 82-75 win over Michigan State.

Marcus Keene — He’s 5-foot-9, he leads Division I in scoring, and he became the first D-I player to score 50 points since 2013 in Central Michigan’s 101-92 victory over Miami (OH).

Iowa State — With Jordan Woodard back from injury, Oklahoma is suddenly part of that aforementioned class of dangerous Big 12 teams. That’s why Iowa State’s 92-87 double-overtime win in Norman was notable. It’s not a résumé win because the Sooners were so bad in non-conference play, but it was nonetheless important for a Cyclones team.

LOSERS

West Virginia — Can the Mountaineers win games if they don’t win the turnover battle? They haven’t shown the ability to do so in Big 12 play, and didn’t Saturday at Kansas State.

Florida — The Gators’ loss at South Carolina on Wednesday was understandable; their 68-66 loss to Vanderbilt at home was just the opposite. Florida’s résumé prior to Saturday had been built on avoiding bad losses. So much for that.

Texas Tech — There are many ways to state your case for the NCAA Tournament. Losing to Oklahoma State — the same Oklahoma State that was previously winless in the Big 12 — at home by 19 is not one of them.

Texas A&M clock operators — Georgia had the ball down one in College Station with the shot clock turned off. With 5.6 seconds to play — poof! — off went the game clock too. It got stuck at 5.6 as Georgia tried to find a potential game-winning shot. The Bulldogs eventually did, and Yante Maten was fouled a few feet from the rim. But after the refs recognized the clock problem and reviewed the play, they ruled that the clock would have hit zeros before the foul had it not malfunctioned. Georgia felt hard done by, but, by rule, it was the correct decision. The doesn’t excuse the clock issue, though, which was apparently the result of a “belt pack malfunction” — whatever that means.

In the end, Georgia, a bubble team, was the real loser here.

Clemson — There are a lot of reasons to think Clemson is actually a pretty good team. The Tigers were a possession away from beating full-strength North Carolina a few weeks ago, are a top 40 KenPom team, and had six top-100 non-conference wins, including a road victory at South Carolina. The overtime loss to Carolina, however, was the first of six losses in a row. The latest came Sunday, at home against Virginia Tech. Brad Brownell’s team will have opportunities in the loaded ACC, but at 1-6 in conference play, they’re now playing catch-up.

NC State — Wake Forest and NC State played what was essentially an NCAA Tournament elimination game Saturday in Raleigh, even in early January. And the Wolfpack, despite having a future lottery pick at point guard, fell flat at home in a 93-88 loss. They’re 2-5 in the ACC, are underwhelming for the second-straight year, and Mark Gottfried’s seat is sizzling.

Washington — Speaking of teams with superstar point guards who play embarrassing

defense… Washington gave up 94 points to Utah, and is now 9-10 on the season. How, you ask? This defensive possession probably gives you a pretty good idea:

No. 15 Noah Dickerson’s “help” defense is as laughably bad as it gets.

NCAAFB: Michigan AD Warde Manuel on NCAA rule: We'll continue to be creative.

By Mark Snyder

Michigan AD Warde Manuel on NCAA rule: We'll continue to be creative. (Photo/Detroit Free Press)

Asked if he thinks people are "coming after" Harbaugh, he said: "I don't look at it that way."

The latest legislation will take effect on Aug. 1, so U-M could still take a spring break trip this year with the football team but Manuel wouldn't discuss that, even after TheWolverine.com report Friday that the football team is considering going to Rome, Italy, in April.

An international trip would seem to have more of an educational component than being in Bradenton, Fla.

"It's all relative to what is or is not educational," Manuel said. "My first trip to Florida was to the Citrus Bowl when I was an administrator. It was very educational for me when I was an administrator. It's not just about what happens with books, it's about what experience a different place, it's about having a different experience and talking to different people and education goes beyond reading a book or somebody giving a tour. ... Having spring ball and being able to practice gave those kids a week on the back end with nothing to do and be able to study and prepare for finals."

The issue with the new rule prohibiting the break hits Manuel in a few different ways, which he made the point in Nashville, primarily wondering what's different about spring break.

"We want and feel that we have the desire when we need to take kids other places to practice," he said. "We do it with foreign tours with basketball and other programs, we take our kids to train at different places. My problem with the rule is it does not prohibit you from practice. It's trying to prohibit you from traveling to practice when we already have things on the books that allow you to do it. So why target this one particular segment of spring break to prohibit that when we allow it at other times?"

Manuel also wonders why football is the only target for the legislation when there are time demands in other sports over breaks.

"The other aspect of it is, if we're really concerned about what we do with these young people's time and what they do as students, we should look at other sports and that we play over different holidays," he said. "I'm saying don't target just one. ... Let's look at it as a whole."

Mike Leach has some hot takes about the offenses of the SEC.

By Sam Cooper

Washington State coach Mike Leach has some thoughts about SEC offenses. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

New Ole Miss offensive coordinator Phil Longo is following a path very similar to Washington State head coach Mike Leach from 20 years ago.

Longo is making the jump from the FCS level, where he was the OC at Sam Houston State, to the SEC. Leach, in 1996, made the move from Division II Valdosta State to Kentucky. After meeting Leach at a coaching clinic during Leach’s time at UK, Longo modeled his offense — a variation of which he’ll run at Ole Miss — after Leach’s air raid spread scheme.

Leach, in a story about Longo in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, said there’s no reason to doubt a coach making the leap from a small school to the SEC. Leach always speaks his mind, and he was very blunt in his assessment of the SEC and the perception of the league throughout college football.

“I’ve got bad news for all these levels people,” Leach said. “Your level isn’t special, your conference isn’t special. All this ‘different level this, different level that.’ That’s crazy. How is it better? Somebody coaches better athletes, somehow they morph into something smarter? That’s crazy. I mean, you still have problems, you still have 11 parts you can wiggle around to counter the other 11 parts.”

Leach had plenty of success when he made the move to Kentucky, setting a whopping 41 SEC records, and that offensive prowess has followed him wherever he’s been — from Oklahoma to Texas Tech and now as head coach at WSU. All the while, at each stop, folks have questioned his system — especially in the SEC, he said.

From the Clarion-Ledger:

Leach coaches in the Pac-12 now but coached in the Big 12 and SEC previously. He said he faced the most skepticism when he coached in the Southeast.

“First, it becomes it won’t work,” Leach said. “Second, they basically say, ‘oh it’s a system,’ suggesting that people who don’t do it that way — who just run it up the middle, stick all your asses together so one hand grenade can kill everybody — that’s the right way to do it. Since they do it the right way, they’re OK with the fact they lost.

“This is a great time to be in the SEC; everybody’s got the same offense: run right, run left, play action. And they tease themselves and say we threw it four more times a game this year than we did last year.”

At Sam Houston State, the Bearkats ranked No. 1 in FCS in total offense the past two seasons and were No. 1 in scoring offense in 2016. Ole Miss, which has a potential star at quarterback in Shea Patterson, hopes Longo’s success will translate to the SEC West.

Leach certainly seems to think it will.

Rexrode: NCAA gets serious about ending violence against women.

By Joe Rexrode

(Photo/NCAA)

“If women could have stopped violence and sexual assault,” Tracy said, “we would have already done it.”

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Education and attacking what Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, called “toxic masculinity” are front-end solutions. In the entitled and often twisted world of big-time college athletics, so is eliminating all trace of using women as a recruiting enticement.

The question I have is on the back end, the “institutional and individual accountability” that will be explored by an NCAA commission created in August — for the record, the full name is the NCAA Board of Governors Commission To Combat Campus Sexual Violence.

As badly as strong punishments are needed to deter bad behavior, I hope we don’t forget that each case is unique, and that second chances have value. I hope we don’t go overboard and wipe out everyone accused of anything in this realm.

And I hope we always judge coaches and administrators at a higher standard than we judge athletes. Tracy has been outspoken this week in her criticism of Texas coach Tom Herman after he hired former Baylor staffer Casey Horny.

Herman said Friday, per the Dallas Morning News, that Horny is a “fantastic father to his wonderful daughters” who was “vetted very rigorously,” and Herman also referenced some “uninformed and regrettable tweets” that Horny posted in support of former Baylor head coach Art Briles.

Tracy’s response on Twitter: “Unacceptable.”

When it comes to Baylor, and the disgusting meddling some of Briles’ coaches and staffers that got them fired, it’s hard to justify more chances. I don’t care how many tears Briles squeezes out in disingenuous TV interviews, he should never coach again.

That’s consequence and deterrent. And any of his people at Baylor known to be involved should be viewed the same way. There’s no justification for adults to disregard human life like that.

Second chances for young people can be trickier. When the grotesque 2014 video of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punching student Amelia Molitor became public in December, Tracy sent an email to Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione and football coach Bob Stoops. (Mixon, now off to the NFL, was suspended for the 2014 season and played the past two.)

Tracy told them “your program looks really terrible right now — and justifiably so,” but also that this was an opportunity to make things right with tougher policies moving forward. She talked to both men shortly afterward, and on Thursday she sat next to Castiglione on the stage in the Opryland ballroom.

Other than the Oklahoma fans who watched that video and somehow determined Mixon was defending himself, the obvious reaction is to ask why Mixon was allowed to stay at Oklahoma. That was my reaction. Castiglione, under siege in the past month, talked for an hour after the session with another reporter and me, on and off the record.

The discussion didn’t change my mind, but there were things about the incident I didn’t know and hadn’t considered. It’s rarely as simple as it seems.

The next case like Mixon probably results in a fast dismissal. It’s hard to argue otherwise. But it might just mean sending a problem to another place that is less-equipped to deal with it.

“We don’t get to go back and re-evaluate,” Castiglione said. “So we gave (Mixon) a very strict path and he chose that and has tried to become a better and a stronger person because of that. And we just hope that he continues to grow from that experience and become an even stronger person.”

That answer won’t satisfy many. We need to think more of the victims, less of the “redemption” of the athletes. We have a long way to go. At least we’re still going.

California Chrome wins Horse of the Year at Eclipse Awards.

By Tim Reynolds

(Photo/Yahoo Sports)

California Chrome has one race left in his career, and is in such good condition right now that trainer Art Sherman is clamoring for more time with him. It's easy to see why.

California Chrome was the biggest winner at the Eclipse Awards on Saturday night, taking home three trophies celebrating his accomplishments in 2016 — including Horse of the Year for the second time. He also won an Eclipse as the best in the older dirt male division, and his victory at the Dubai World Cup was picked as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's moment of the year.

"It's really an honor," Sherman said. "People don't realize how hard that is to be horse of the year, and I appreciate it. It gives me a chance to say, 'Wow.' I got the horse of the year trophy when he won it the last time we were here. It's a gorgeous trophy. This will be another one in my trophy case. It's been filled up pretty good by Chrome, I can tell you that."

California Chrome beat out Arrogate — who toppled Chrome when they met at the Breeders' Cup Classic — and Songbird for horse of the year. California Chrome is the eighth horse to win that crown multiple times, after also winning in 2014, and joined John Henry as only to do so in non-consecutive years.

California Chrome's final race is Jan. 28, when he'll face Arrogate again in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.

"It's been an once-in-a-lifetime horse," Sherman said. "And I'll tell you, it's been a hell of a ride."

Just about every category had an overwhelming consensus in the voting results.
There were three unanimous winners out of the 248 votes cast in 17 divisions — California Chrome (older dirt male), Classic Empire (2-year-old male) and Songbird (3-year-old filly). Beholder (older dirt female) and Arrogate (3-year-old male) were practically unanimous, getting 99 and 98 percent of the votes, respectively.

Beholder won her fourth career Eclipse, and is now retired.

"My life will never be the same without her," trainer Richard Mandella said.

Champagne Room (2-year-old filly), Drefong (male sprinter), Finest City (female sprinter), Flintshire (male turf), Rawnaq (steeplechase) and Tepin (female turf) all also prevailed in their divisions by wide margins. Each got at least 56 percent of the ballots cast.

The human winners also enjoyed decisive margins.

Javier Castellano won his fourth consecutive Eclipse as the best jockey, getting 59 percent of the vote to outpace runner-up Mike Smith — who was in the mix for what would have been his first Eclipse since 1994.

Castellano became just the second jockey to win the award four straight times; Jerry Bailey did it from 2000 through 2003. Castellano was one of four winners who also got an Eclipse last year, alongside Tepin, Beholder and Songbird.

"I truly love what I do," Castellano said. "It is a joy to do it every day. ... God bless America."

Chad Brown was the overwhelming pick for the Eclipse as top trainer after sheer dominance in turf races and winning the Saratoga training title — a track just a few miles from his hometown of Mechanicville, New York. Brown got 84 percent of the votes cast, winning the Eclipse for the first time.

"What an honor," Brown said, before thanking his staff.

Luis Ocasio was the runaway winner in the apprentice jockey division. Juddmonte Farms won the Eclipse for the third time as top owner. WinStar Farm got the Eclipse as top breeder for the first time.

The Eclipse Awards are selected by voters from Daily Racing Form, the NTRA and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, January 23, 2017.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1879 - The National Archery Association was organized in Crawfordsville, IN.

1944 - The Detroit Red Wings set record for the most goals, most consecutive goals and most points in a game. The Red Wings beat the New York Rangers 15-0 and had a total of 37 assists.

1950 - NFL owners approved the unlimited substitution rule that had been used on a trial basis for 1949.

1966 - The Detroit Red Wings ended a streak of 47 straight wins when leading after two periods. The streak started on November 21, 1964.

1982 - Diana Ross performed the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XVI.

1985 - O.J. Simpson became the first Heisman Trophy winner to be elected to pro football’s Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

1988 - At the Quaker State Open, Bob Benoit won a $100,000 bonus and became the first bowler to win a televised tournament by rolling a perfect 300 game.

2002 - The NHL fined Theo Fleury (New York Rangers) $1,000 for making an obscene gesture to fans after a game the night before.

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