Major League Baseball launches expanded replay era

Major League Baseball launched the expanded replay era Monday, and saw instant results - a pair of missed calls by umpires got fixed fast, without any arguments.

Opening day showed off the game's newest nod to modern technology in a sport that long relied on the eyes of its umps.

From now on, most every call can be challenged by a manager. When that happens, the final decision will come from a replay booth in New York, rather than the field. And instead of out or safe, fair or foul, disputes will be settled with two words new to baseball's lingo: confirmed or overturned.

Brewers beat Braves 2-0 in Braun's 1st game back

Ryan Braun stepped into the batter's box, admittedly a bit anxious. The sellout crowd at Miller Park quickly put him at ease, showering him with a standing ovation.

First day back on the job after a drug suspension was already a day to remember for the Brewers slugger. Then he added another unique footnote to his career.

Braun went 1 for 4 and stole a base that helped set up a two-run inning, and later was ruled out in the first call overturned under baseball's expanded replay system as Milwaukee beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Monday in a season opener.

The former MVP was returning from suspension for the final 65 games last year in the Biogenesis doping scandal. Played his first game as a right fielder, too.

What a way to start the season.

''It was special. It was an emotional moment for me,'' Braun said.

Braun said the ovation affected him. He flied out to left.

''Swung at some pitches that I typically don't swing at, but it's something that I'm very thankful for and very appreciative,'' Braun said.

Among the 45,691 people in attendance was Commissioner Bud Selig. Two years ago, Braun became the first MLB player to get a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs overturned. Originally banned for 50 games, he filed a grievance and won.

''Fans are fans. That's the way it's supposed to be. He's their hometown player and it was a wonderful reaction. I wish everybody well,'' Selig said.

Later, Braun had his infield single to lead off the sixth overturned to out after the call was challenged by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez under Major League Baseball's new replay format.

The review took 58 seconds.

''I had a pretty good idea that I was out,'' Braun said, drawing laughs. ''For all of us, we just hope they get it right, and they did get it right.''

Yovani Gallardo (1-0) tossed six shutout innings for the win. He allowed just four hits in becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to make five straight opening day starts.

A Braves lineup being relied on to help overcome the adversity to the injury-plagued pitching staff was silenced. Andrelton Simmons finished with two hits.

''You go up there, your third at-bat and (Gallardo) will throw you something completely different,'' said cleanup hitter Chris Johnson, who went 1 for 4 with a double. ''Where did that come from? ... He's one of the tougher guys in the league.''

In a bit of a surprise, Francisco Rodriguez struck out two in the ninth for his 305th career save. The veteran righty looked fine about two weeks after accidentally stepping on a cactus during spring training.

Manager Ron Roenicke said he turned to Rodriguez because Jim Henderson, who had 28 saves last season, was having a little trouble of late with his stuff. He hoped a couple outings outside the ninth would help Henderson get straightened out.

With injuries to pitchers including Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, Atlanta started Julio Teheran (0-1) after a nice spring. He allowed seven hits in six innings.

''For his first start, for his first opening day, I thought he did a terrific job,'' Gonzalez said.

But all eyes in Miller Park were on Braun to start after the 2011 NL MVP played his first game since July 21. He was banned the next day.

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It seemed like all was forgiven for most in attendance.

Braun's hit and steal set up a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez in the fourth.

''It's special, we all know what he went through last year,'' Ramirez said. ''For the fans to do that, it was very special.''

Braun and Ramirez also missed time last season because of injuries.

With their third- and fourth-place hitters back, the Brewers like their chances with an offense that also features the speedy Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura at the top of the order. If the rest of the starting rotation throws like Gallardo, Milwaukee could challenge St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

De Aza's HRs help White Sox start '14 with a bang

One game, one victory, or maybe the beginning of the White Sox reshaping generation?

That theme prevailed throughout the White Sox clubhouse following a 5-3 victory over the Twins before an Opening Day sellout of 37,422 fans at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday. The White Sox also won on Opening Day against the Royals in 2013 behind Chris Sale.

It was a shutout that stood as one of the few memories from an otherwise forgettable season.

Monday's contest had a completely different feel than most of last year's 99 losses or even the 63 victories, based on timely hitting, solid defense and the buzz generated by new additions of Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton and a full season of Avisail Garcia. The good feeling in beating the Twins helped wash away the '13 struggles, but it's a rough past stretch not even thought about much by this current high-energy group.

"I don't think anyone is really thinking about last year. You guys are," said a smiling White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers, who accounted for the game's only run last Opening Day with a solo homer. "I can tell you in the locker room we aren't really thinking about it. We've all kind of moved on and took what we need to from it."

"The energy in the ballpark was awesome," said Sale, who threw 70 of his 108 pitches for strikes over 7 1/3 innings. "The energy in the dugout and the clubhouse before the game, even during the game, we were staying positive. It was fun to watch."

This new-look White Sox crew still was helped out by a couple of old friends in Sale's eight-strikeout, five-hit effort even with less than his best stuff and the home-run ball. Those deep drives came off the bat of Alejandro De Aza, against a 22-mph wind, as the left fielder became the first White Sox player to hit two homers on Opening Day since Jim Thome did the same against CC Sabathia in Cleveland in 2008.

De Aza also became the first White Sox player to hit two homers at home on Opening Day since Minnie Minoso against the Kansas City Athletics in 1960. The left-handed hitter enters the '14 campaign as part of an apparent platoon with Dayan Viciedo and hitting lower in the order at the seventh spot, but certainly responded well to the changes.

"I'll tell you what, I love RBIs," said De Aza, who hit a two-run homer off of Ricky Nolasco in the second and a solo shot in the sixth. "I try to put the ball in play, try to do my job in any position in the batting order that I am. Thank God, it's happened now."

"Ultimately, it came down to a couple mistakes there, and we couldn't quite catch them at the end," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "But I thought we played pretty decent."

Minnesota quickly tied the game off Sale in the third with a two-run single from Kurt Suzuki, but the White Sox reclaimed the lead with two in the bottom of the third. Abreu singled home one run, and Conor Gillaspie tagged up and scored from third on Adam Dunn's foul popup to shortstop Pedro Florimon, who raced from behind second in the defensive shift to make the grab with his back to home plate.

Both instances were positive signs for the White Sox.

In fact, everything Abreu did Monday would qualify as a good sign.

Abreu ripped a double over the head of right fielder Oswaldo Arcia on the first pitch he saw as a big leaguer, and then singled to left in the third. He also lined out twice to center field, as the big man showed his ability to use the whole field.

"More importantly because we won, I was very happy to be a part of that," said Abreu, through translator and White Sox manager of cultural development Lino Diaz.

"He just seems to hit the ball hard a lot," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "He just has a professional approach, and the good news is that Opening Day and being up here didn't change him at all."

With two outs and one run across in the eighth, Joe Mauer represented the tying run for the Twins. But Donnie Veal retired him on a grounder to shortstop Alexei Ramirez, and Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save since April 14, 2011, as part of the Rockies.

Lindstrom found out about being named the closer after Sunday's workout and was excited to be back pitching in the ninth. He was just as excited to see the better team energy in the clubhouse and the dugout.

"It's only one game," Lindstrom said. "But if we can play like that and put together a solid effort all year round, we should be able to do some exciting things."

An off-day Tuesday gives the White Sox a chance to enjoy their opening win. It's another step away from last year and toward what they hope is a significant turnaround.

"Teams go last to first all the time, and it's all about momentum and getting confidence," said Eaton, who had two hits. "Everything went well for us today, but we have to keep it rolling. It's one out of 162."

"You play a clean game, you get the right hit at the right time, you pitch, you've got guys taking an extra base on a ball in the dirt," Ventura said. "It's clean, so you can wipe yourself away from that smell of last year."

Cubs fall on walk-off HR in Renteria's debut

Skipper makes history by issuing first challenge; must wait on first win

New manager Rick Renteria's Cubs looked very much like the Cubs of last year.

As it often happened in 2013, a solid effort by a starting pitcher was wasted as the Cubs went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and lost, 1-0, to the Pirates on Opening Day in front of 39,833, the largest regular-season crowd in PNC Park history.

Neil Walker smacked a walk-off home run in the 10th inning off Carlos Villanueva for the win, spoiling Renteria's debut as a big league manager. It was the first Cubs extra-inning Opening Day game since March 31, 2008, against the Brewers.

"That's not the way you want to start your season," Villanueva said. "I made a couple good pitches ... then I hung a changeup. It was quick -- bad pitch and he took advantage of it, and that was the game."

Walker connected on a 3-2 pitch for his first career walk-off hit. Villanueva won the fifth spot in the rotation, and he will not start until Sunday. He was ready for duty.

"If I'm in the bullpen, I expect to pitch -- early, late, whenever," Villanueva said.

Renteria did make history, becoming the first manager to use Major League Baseball's expanded instant replay system. He challenged a call in the fifth when Jeff Samardzija was called out at first on a close play. After approximately 90 seconds, the call was confirmed. The Pirates had a call overturned in the 10th, when Emilio Bonifacio was initially called safe on a pick-off attempt.

This was Samardzija's second straight Opening Day start, and second in a row at PNC Park. One year ago, he gave up two hits over eight shutout innings in the Cubs' win. The right-hander was named the Opening Day starter after being a hot topic in trade rumors.

"When I think of Jeff Samardzija, I'm really happy he's our Opening Day starter and look forward to a performance like he did last year," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said before the game.

Samardzija is the first Cubs pitcher to record consecutive scoreless Opening Day starts of at least seven innings since Lon Warneke did so in 1933-34. What also was impressive was Samardzija's pitch efficiency, which is a goal he set this season. He threw 89 pitches over seven innings; one year ago, he threw 110 over eight innings.

"That's what we're looking for," Samardzija said. "Obviously, we're going to take a hit on [the number of] strikeouts, but that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is keeping your pitch count down and getting your offense back in the dugout. That's what we're going to go for this year, is attacking the zone and making smart pitches and go for the strikeout when we need it, and ultimately just go out there and pitch so when you need the extra 20 pitches, we'll be able to reach down and go get those."

Both Samardzija and Pirates starter Francisco Liriano were sharp. Samardzija scattered five hits over seven innings, while the Pittsburgh lefty struck out 10 over six innings, giving up four hits.

"We've seen this before," Walker said of Samardzija. "When he's down in the zone, he's tough to hit, and that was the case today. Fortunately enough, our bullpen did what it always does, put up zeros, and we were able to squeak out one run and win the game."

The Cubs had chances, but they went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. That was a recurring theme last season when the team batted a National League-low .218 with RISP. Anthony Rizzo was 0-for-4 Monday, stranding four.

"It's game one of 162," Rizzo said. "You learn from it and move on. Off-day [Tuesday], come back on Wednesday and get going."

What does Rizzo need to do with runners on base?

"You slow the game down in those situations," he said. "I know what he's going to attack me with, and it's about seeing it and putting the barrel on it. Today, I didn't come through, but that's the position I want to be in."

Renteria, 52, is exactly where he wants to be. He has come full circle from when he made his big league debut at Three Rivers Stadium with the Pirates on Sept. 14, 1986, against the Cubs. Now, he was making his managerial debut with the Cubs against the Pirates. He was all smiles before the game.

"Ricky is who he is," Epstein said. "He's very positive, very energetic. He believes in this team, believes in his players, and I think we'll see that translate onto the field."

The Cubs will have a tough time in the NL Central if they can't deliver in the clutch.

"We're a very confident group," Rizzo said. "It's a good thing. There's a lot of good energy in the dugout and the clubhouse before the game. It's a tough loss, obviously, but it's one game. No one's going home yet. It's nice to have the energy in here. Runs will be scored."

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - MARCH 31ST

1878 - Jack Johnson,1st black Heavyweight boxing champ (1908-1915) is born.

1909 - Baseball rules players who jump contracts are suspended for 5 years.

1928 - Gordie Howe, Floral Sask, NHL right wing (Detroit Red Wings) is born.

1931 - Knute Rockne, football player/coach, dies in a plane crash at 43.

1973 - Ken Norton defeats Muhammad Ali in a 12 round split decision.

1976 - Cleveland Cavaliers clinch their 1st ever NBA playoff bearth.
1978 - Red Rum wins 3rd consecutive Grand National & retires.

1991 - St Louis Blues Brett Hull scores his 86th goal.

1998 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1st game they host Detroit Tigers.

2008 - Bill Keightley, "Mr. Wildcat." University of Kentucky 

basketball equipment manger 1962-2008 (b .1926) dies.

Barry Bonds to present Andrew McCutchen with MVP award on opening day in Pittsburgh

Barry Bonds made his big return to the baseball scene as a special instructor for the San Francisco Giants earlier this month. Now he's scheduled to make his first notable non-playing appearance back in front of the fans in Pittsburgh (where his major league career began in 1986) when he presents Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen with his National League MVP award on Monday.

Bonds will be joined for the ceremony by another Pirates legend and a member of their 1960 World Series championship team, Dick Groat. Longtime Pirates manager Jim Leyland will also be on hand to present Clint Hurdle with his Manager of the Year award, but the big news is Bonds' return to Pittsburgh.

Bonds has some catching up to do with the fans he left behind in 1992. Before he became baseball's public enemy No. 1 and long before he was suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs, he was the city's most beloved athlete. Then came free agency following the Pirates' dramatic NLCS loss to the Atlanta Braves, and that ultimately led Bonds to San Francisco on a then-record six-year, $43.75 million contract after Pittsburgh neglected to offer a similar deal.

At the point, the organization was left to rebuild. A process that would take 21 years before the Pirates would achieve a winning record or play in another postseason game. But that's part of what makes the timing of his return so interesting. It's almost as if Bonds and the Pirates' organization are coming full circle together, and it all centers around McCutchen, who has become the undisputed face of the franchise after winning the team's first MVP award since Bonds did it in 1992.

For Bonds, it's an opportunity to step out and reconnect with the fanbase that once adored him. Whether it'll be accepting is yet to be determined, but he's definitely taking the proper steps by accepting Pittsburgh's invitation. For the Pirates, it closes the door on two decades of misery while opening the door to doing business with one of their biggest legends at a time when baseball in Pittsburgh is hitting its stride again.

Regardless of how you feel about Bonds or the Pirates' decision, it makes sense for both sides. The timing is right, and it's nice to see everybody put whatever hard feelings that remained aside to create what should be a special moment for McCutchen on Monday.

Harrison lifts Wildcats to 75-72 win over Michigan

Aaron Harrison made a 3-pointer from NBA range with 2.3 seconds left Sunday to lift Kentucky and its freshmen to a 75-72 win over Michigan and a trip to the Final Four.

After Harrison's teammate, Julius Randle, inadvertently tipped in the tying shot on Michigan's previous possession, the eighth-seeded Wildcats got the ball to the 6-foot-6 guard, whose twin brother, Andrew, is another of the five freshmen in Kentucky's starting lineup.

Standing a good three feet behind the arc, Harrison elevated over Caris LeVert and took a bit of contact on the arm from the Michigan guard as he shot. No matter. The shot rattled in, and for the second straight game in the Midwest Regional, Harrison had the go-ahead points in a tense game for the Wildcats (28-10).

In this one, he scored all 12 of his points off four 3-pointers over the last 8:05.

''I hit a couple before that, so coach said to get the shot we were looking for,'' Harrison said. ''They put it in my hands and I wanted to deliver for them out there.''

Nik Stauskas missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer for second-seeded Michigan (28-9), and moments later, Harrison was under a dog pile - or make that a puppy pile. This is the first all-freshman starting lineup to make the Final Four since another well-known group, the Fab Five of Michigan, did it in 1992.

''I'm gonna see everyone in Dallas this year,'' coach John Calipari said, with his version of a Texas twang, as he addressed the crowd before the nets came down.

The Wildcats will play Wisconsin next Saturday outside of Big D.

Stauskas finished with 24 points for the Wolverines, who finished a win shy of their second straight Final Four.

Randle had 16 points and 11 rebounds for his 24th double-double and was named the region's most outstanding player.

But he was just one of the freshmen stars for the Wildcats Sunday.

While Harrison was being completely shut down early, it was unheralded Marcus Lee keeping the Wildcats in the game.

Lee, one of the six McDonald's All-American freshmen on Calipari's roster, had scored a total of nine points since the beginning of January. But he got minutes that would have normally gone to the injured Willie Cauley-Stein, and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Eight of those points came on put-back dunks that were part of Kentucky's 18 offensive rebounds.

Harrison's first 3 gave Kentucky a 58-55 lead and was part of an 11-0 run that put the Wolverines in catch-up mode, behind 62-55 with 6:30 left.

They fought back, and during a nine-possession stretch of sublime basketball that covered more than four minutes, each team scored every time they got the ball.

The first stop in the sequence gave the Wolverines the ball with about a minute left, trailing 72-70.

Stauskas missed a layup and a 3-pointer and Derrick Walton then missed an open 3. But the fourth attempt went in with 31 seconds left and got credited to Jordan Morgan on a scramble under the basket, though it was Randle's hand that tipped the ball in.

Calipari called a timeout. Michigan burned a foul. And the endgame started with 10 seconds left. The ball went to Harrison and it was clear he was going to take the shot. He spotted up from about 25 feet, and after he hit, he walked backward calmly before being hugged by Randle and Dakari Johnson.

Moments later, Kentucky was celebrating, preparing for the program's 16th trip to college basketball's biggest stage.

UConn upsets Michigan St 60-54, back to Final Four

Shabazz Napier owed UConn.

He could have transferred when academic sanctions barred the Huskies from the NCAA tournament his junior season. But the guard wanted to pay back the school for the joy of a national title his freshman year, for his struggles as a sophomore.

Napier sure did that Sunday, carrying UConn back to the Final Four in front of thousands of roaring Huskies fans at Madison Square Garden. He scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half in a 60-54 upset of fourth-seeded Michigan State.

The East Regional's most outstanding player hit three huge free throws with 30.6 seconds left, making clutch shot after clutch shot just as Kemba Walker did when Napier was a freshman. The Huskies (30-8) rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit to become the first No. 7 seed to reach the Final Four since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

''His will to win - you could just see it,'' said Gary Harris, who led Michigan State with 22 points. ''He wasn't going to let his team lose.''

The Spartans' seniors become the first four-year players recruited by Tom Izzo to fail to make a Final Four.

''As the game got closer and closer to ending, it was on my mind a lot, every huddle,'' said big man Adreian Payne, who had 13 points and nine rebounds but was repeatedly pushed to the perimeter by UConn's defenders.

The undersized Huskies matched Michigan State's physical play box-out for box-out, holding the Spartans (29-9) to just six offensive rebounds and six points in the paint.

''We're physical, too,'' said second-year coach Kevin Ollie, who is now 4-0 in the NCAA tournament after replacing mentor Jim Calhoun. ''Don't get it mixed up. We are predators out there.''

UConn dared Michigan State to shoot 3-pointers, and the Spartans nearly made enough, going 11 for 29 from behind the arc. Harris was 4 for 9 on 3s, but his teammates were a combined 10 for 32 from the floor.

Trailing 51-49 with more than two minutes left, Michigan State had a chance to tie or take the lead. Payne threw the ball away, and Napier drilled a jumper on the other end.

After Payne's free throws pulled the Spartans back within two, Keith Appling was whistled for a foul - his fifth- for contact with Napier on a 3-point attempt. Napier extended the lead to 56-51, and after Travis Trice missed a 3, Phillip Nolan slipped free for a dunk that clinched the victory.

''We got what we deserved today,'' Izzo said. ''I tried to tell these guys that, when you get to the tournament, you got to bring it every second. And today Connecticut did, and we just kind of weren't as good as we have been.''

Ryan Boatright made four steals as Michigan State committed 16 turnovers. Some were caused by UConn's quickness, others by what Izzo called poor decisions by the Spartans.

DeAndre Daniels shut down Branden Dawson, who scored 24 points in Michigan State's Sweet 16 win over top-seeded Virginia. Dawson attempted just three field goals, making one, to finish with five points.

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Payne hit two long jumpers to put Michigan State up 32-23 less than four minutes into the second half. But Napier started driving, getting the bigger Appling in foul trouble and UConn back in the game.

''When Coach looks at me a certain way, I just know I got to be more aggressive,'' said Napier, who passed Ray Allen for fourth on the Huskies' all-time scoring list with 1,925 points.

After hitting four straight free throws to tie the score at 32 with 12:38 left, Napier was struck in the face by Harris - the UConn guard was called for a foul on the play - and left the court with his nose gushing blood. He was back less than a minute later when Daniels completed a three-point play to give the Huskies the lead for good.

Boatright's contested 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down put UConn up 49-39 with less than seven minutes left.

The Huskies won their third national title in 2011, but they were ineligible for last year's tournament because of previous low scores on the NCAA's academic progress measure.

They face Florida in the national semifinals Saturday, and they'll be confident they can beat the No. 1 overall seed. The Gators have won 30 straight, but their last loss was to UConn, 65-64 on Dec. 2.

After the Huskies were routed 81-48 by Louisville in the regular-season finale, Ollie showed his players video of that victory to remind them of what happens when they play frenetic defense.

''We're going to be well prepared, because I know about these guys' heart,'' Ollie said. ''That's what got us through: It was a heart of a champion, heart of a lion.''

Kurt Busch bests Johnson to win at Martinsville

Kurt Busch's Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon.

It started with a pit road confrontation with Brad Keselowski, one that had Busch threatening over his radio to rearrange Keselowski's face when the race was finished, and ended with Busch ending an 83-race victory drought.

The victory was his first for Stewart-Haas Racing, in just their sixth race together, suggesting that it could prove a very productive partnership, and one that a reflective Busch said he has learned to approach with a more mature attitude.

''I ran a lot of my early part of my career as an individual and I didn't respect my team, my team owners,'' Busch said, adding that having Tony Stewart as a team owner has helped him learn the value of better team communication.

Celebrating in Victory Lane also was emotional, too, because he got to do it for the first time with girlfriend Patricia's son, Houston.

''It was pretty emotional. To see him starry eyed and not knowing what he needed to do and I was directing him where he needed to stand and where he could see it all better and put him up on stage,''' Busch said, his voice cracking. ''And to have him break down in tears, it got me crossed up because I've been trying to deliver for him ... It kind of took it to a new level.''

Busch did it by passing Martinsville master Jimmie Johnson for the lead with 10 laps to go and holding off the eight-time winner to win at the track for the first time since October 2002. It was his 25th career Cup-level victory, and that it came in the most unlikely of places suggested to Busch that he's finally in the right place, team-wise and personally.

''You've got to put life in perspective, and you have to learn from your mistakes and you can't just sit there and try to muscle your way individually through certain situations,'' he said. ''And so you rely on your experience level, you rely on your team, and this is a great day for me to be able to lift the trophy in Victory Lane for Stewart-Haas Racing.''

Johnson, with eight wins in 25 career starts on the 0.526-mile oval, led 11 times for 296 laps. He seemed on his way to another victory when he took the lead from Busch with 17 laps remaining. But Busch stayed close, ducked underneath Johnson seven laps later and Johnson had nothing left to make a run at the lead, making for a polite-looking finish.

''That's all I had,'' Johnson said. ''Man, I ran the rear tires off the car. I flipped every switch and knob I could in there to get front brake and turns fans off and try to help bring my balance back.''

Just ahead, Busch wasn't sure he could hang on. He hadn't finished in the top 10 in his last 16 starts here.

''I didn't know if we'd be able to do it, you know? The 48 car is king here, him or the 24,'' he said in Victory Lane, referring to Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jeff Gordon, who also has eight Martinsville victories.

''I've been on this journey for a while and every time you come to Martinsville, you just kind of draw a line through it like there's no way I'll be able to challenge those Hendrick guys or be up in the top 10,'' Busch said.

When it was over, Busch brushed aside talk about his in-race comments about his feud with Keselowski, who claimed that Busch ''just drove right through me and ruined my day'' on pit road, causing Keselowski to lose 30 laps and retaliate.

''He tried to flatten all four of my tires,'' Busch said of his former teammate with Roger Penske Racing. ''That's a no fly zone. ... He will get what he gets back when I decide to give it back.''

The race featured an event-record 33 lead changes, and Johnson expected there would be one more, but on a slippery day on the smallest circuit in NASCAR's premier series, the cars at the end weren't conducive to typical short-track racing.

''Man, we were so on edge slipping and sliding,'' Johnson said about the final laps duel, during which there was very little of the beating and banging that usually typifies end-of-the-day racing at Martinsville. ''I think the lack of security in our own car kept us from feeling more racy and putting a bumper to someone or really getting inside someone aggressively.''

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third, followed by Joey Logano and Marcos Ambrose.

Virginia native Denny Hamlin, a four-time winner at Martinsville stung by criticism when he missed last week's race in Fontana, Calif., because of an eye infection, promised Friday that he would win, and qualified second, but finished 19th.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - MARCH 30TH

1889 - John T Reid opens first US golf course (Yonkers, NY)

1940 - Jerry Lucas, Middletown OH, NBA center (Oly-gold-60, NY Knicks) is born.

1943 - 5th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: U of Wyoming beat Georgetown 46-34

1970 - Secreteriat, race horse, Triple Crown 1973 (d. 1989) is born.

1986 - 5th NCAA Women Basketball Championship: Texas beats Southern Cal 97-81

1990 - Jack Nicklaus made his debut in the "Seniors" golf tournament
1991 - First exhibition baseball games at Joe Robbie Stadium (Yanks-Orioles)

1991 - Northern Michigan wins its first NCAA hockey title

Florida 1st to Final Four, beating Dayton 62-52

First yet again this season, the Florida Gators want more. Much more.

Try a national championship.

Scottie Wilbekin scored 23 points and Florida became the first team to advance to the Final Four with a 62-52 win Saturday night over the 11th-seeded Dayton Flyers in the South Region final.

The Gators reached their fifth Final Four after losing at this point in each of the past three NCAA tournaments. This time, they came in as the country's top-ranked team and the overall No. 1 seed.

Florida won its 30th straight game and improved to 36-2, topping the 35 wins by the 2007 national championship squad.

''I couldn't be prouder and happier,'' Florida coach Billy Donovan said after being drenched with water in the Gators' locker room.

''In a lot of ways, outside the Michigan game, we were close to being in three out of four Final Fours right now, and that says a lot about these guys. But I think those experiences maybe helped us be a better team this year than maybe we would have if we'd have gotten to a couple of ones earlier.''

Patric Young scored 12 points, and Michael Frazier II added 10 for Florida. The Gators will play either UConn or Michigan State in Arlington, Texas, in the national semifinal.

The celebration was a bit muted because a regional title isn't the Gators' end goal.

''There's more hunger within us, within this whole team to keep going,'' Young said.

Dyshawn Pierre led the Flyers with 18 points, including the final 11 for Dayton (26-11). Devin Oliver added 12 points.

Dayton came in trying to become only the fourth 11 seed to advance to the Final Four. The Flyers had upset Ohio State and Syracuse in reaching their first regional final since 1984. They missed their second Final Four and first since 1967 as Florida held them to their lowest scoring game this season.

Coach Archie Miller complimented the Gators, saying that just being on the floor with Florida gave Dayton a ''big-time feeling.''

''It's always hard to lose the last game of the season, but in the back of my mind, I'm not sure a team in the nation captured more people's hearts than these guys did, and they did it the right way,'' Miller said.

The Flyers hit one more field goal than Florida (19-18), but the Gators outrebounded them 37-26. They also had a massive edge at the free throw line (21 of 28) to (6 of 8).

Florida finished the first half on a 15-1 run to take the lead for good, going up 38-24. The Flyers opened the second half with two quick 3s to pull within eight, only to watch the Gators push their lead to 17 with 11:35 left on a layup by Young.

The Flyers kept coming but couldn't get closer than eight in the second half, the last at 58-50. The Gators went cold down the stretch, once missing five shots on one possession with five offensive rebounds.

Dayton missed chances to cut the lead as Oliver missed a 3-pointer with 2:07 left, then Scoochie Smith threw it away trying to pass out to Matt Kavanaugh.

Miller said Pierre was completely exhausted late.

''You can't go to a guy eight times in a row and expect him to score every time, but he gave us a fighting chance,'' Miller said.

Then Wilbekin ended the Gators' scoring drought at 4:39 with a pair of free throws, and he hit four of six at the line to finish the game.

Dayton took over the FedExForum so thoroughly that the Gators were booed when they came out for warm-ups and pre-game introductions. Miller tried to use his deep bench, using 11 Flyers at least 5 minutes trying to wear out the Gators with sheer numbers. Donovan nearly matched Dayton by going 10 deep himself.

The Gators went cold for nearly 6 minutes between a dunk by Casey Prather with 11:55 left in the half and a baseline drive by Frazier with 6:00 to go. The Flyers scored eight straight when Smith's 3 gave them their first lead of the game at 21-19 with 6:58 remaining.

Kendall Pollard's layup tied up Florida for the last time at 23, then Dorian Finney-Smith hit a free throw with 4:22 left putting the Gators ahead to stay.

As Florida went on its run, Dayton missed its final five shots. Finney-Smith grabbed a rebound of a missed 3 by Frazier and threw the ball back out for the final shot of the half. Wilbekin then beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer that helped quiet the Flyers' faithful for the first time all day.

Clayton Kershaw goes on DL for 1st time in career

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday for the first time in his seven-year career because of a swollen muscle in his left upper back.

The 26-year-old left-hander, coming off his second Cy Young Award in three years, already had been scratched from his scheduled start in San Diego on Sunday after an MRI revealed the problem.

Kershaw was on a throwing progression program and was tossing the ball at different distances Saturday before the team's Freeway Series finale against the Angels when he experienced some discomfort on his 27th throw.

''He felt it, and that was the last straw,'' manager Don Mattingly said. ''So at that point, we knew we couldn't have gone any farther and that it was a DL situation. It's a situation - not just for me, but for everyone - that we've got to save Clayton from Clayton at this point and be cautious. We can't allow him to try to keep pushing and go forward. If it was up to him, I'm sure he'd want to go farther. But we can't allow him to do that right now.''

Kershaw, who signed a $215 million, seven-year contract on Jan. 15, won the Dodgers' season opener 3-1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia last weekend.

The three-time All-Star was hoping to get back in the rotation for Friday's home opener against San Francisco, but instead it will be Hyun-Jin Ryu, who also will get the assignment Sunday at San Diego against Andrew Cashner. Ryu started and won the second game of the Australia trip, but tore a toenail while running the bases that day and wasn't sure he'd be able to fill in for Kershaw until after his side session Friday.

''I think that once Clayton felt something, he knew that he wasn't going to make his start on Friday,'' Mattingly said. ''With his throwing progression, the fact that he stopped right away is all we've asked of him from the beginning: 'If you feel it at all, you've got to stop.' And he stopped right away.''

Kershaw has made 33 starts, struck out at least 229 batters and logged 227 2/3 innings or more in each of the last three seasons - including a career-high 236 innings last year, when he finished 16-9 with an NL-best 232 strikeouts and a 1.83 ERA.

Kershaw led the majors in ERA for the third straight year, becoming the first pitcher to accomplish that feat since newly elected Hall of Famer Greg Maddux did it from 1993-95.

Now that Kershaw's run at a fourth straight ERA title has been adjourned for the time being, Mattingly wasn't making any predictions on when he will return to the rotation. The Dodgers have five off days scheduled between now and April 15.

''This is not something that we say, 'OK, we think he'll be ready by this date' - and if he doesn't get there, then it's like, 'Oh, Clayton's had a setback,''' Mattingly said. ''We should just let it do what it's supposed to do and let the medical staff do their work let them tell us what he could do.

''And because of all the days off we have and the schedule we have, it's really not worth pushing him.''

76ers end 26-game skid, pound Pistons 123-98

The Philadelphia 76ers snapped their NBA record-tying, 26-game losing streak, routing the Detroit Pistons 123-98 on Saturday night to avoid establishing the longest skid in U.S. major pro sports history.

Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young each scored 21 points for the 76ers, who won for the first time in exactly two months and did it with surprising ease, leading by as much as 32 points. They also ended an 18-game home losing streak, which was one shy of another NBA record.

Beaten badly a number of times during their skid, the 76ers got to experience life on the other side, ringing up a season-high 70 points in the first half.

Their 26 straight losses equaled the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and also the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who dropped 26 straight from Sept. 12, 1976-Dec. 4, 1977.

Henry Sims added 16 points for the Sixers, who hadn't won before their home crowd since beating Charlotte on Jan. 15. Fans were into it from the start and grew louder throughout, standing and cheering for the final 45 seconds.

Greg Monroe had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who lost for the 11th time in 13 games. Blown out a night earlier by Miami, they made the 76ers look as good as the Heat with a sloppy effort that included 18 turnovers, many after starting point guard Brandon Jennings was ejected in the first quarter.

The Sixers were expected to be among the NBA's worst teams, though they briefly fooled everyone when they opened the season by beating Miami and Chicago during a 3-0 start. But they look nothing like that team now, having traded three of their top players before February's trade deadline and replacing them with what coach Brett Brown said is the youngest team in league history, one that has been unprepared or perhaps just unqualified to win NBA games.

There is young talent on the roster, with Carter-Williams the possible Rookie of the Year and Nerlens Noel, still out recovering from a torn ACL, also a lottery pick in last year's draft. Brown doesn't question the Sixers' plans or his decision to leave San Antonio to come coach here, insisting the team was headed in the right direction and that all this losing ''will be a distant memory in September.''

''Our judgment day isn't today and it won't be tomorrow,'' Brown said before the game. ''We're on a three to five-year plan.''

The present was finally fun on Saturday.

The 76ers opened a 10-point lead after one, capitalizing on some free throws when Jennings picked up two technical fouls arguing a call that wasn't even against him and was ejected with 1:18 left. A 9-0 run made it 55-38 with about 5 1/2 minutes left in the half, and when Detroit crept within 10 with 1:32 remaining, Philadelphia closed with another 9-0 spurt to open a 70-51 cushion at the break.

The 76ers extended it to 32 late in the third, and Brown pulled his five starters together with 5:13 left and a 30-point bulge.

Notes: The Dallas Mavericks lost 19 straight home games during the 1993-94 season. ... Monroe played in his 300th NBA game. ... Philadelphia's previous high was 68 points in the first half of a 114-102 victory at Denver on New Year's Day.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY -MARCH 29TH

1917 - Man o' War, American thoroughbred racehorse 

(winner of 20 out of 21 races & $249,465) (d. 1947) is born.

1940 - Joe Louis KOs Johnny Paycheck in 2 to retain Heavyweight boxing title

1945 - Walt "Clyde" Frazier, NBA guard (NY Knicks) is born.

1952 - Teofilo Stevenson, Cuba, Heavyweight boxer 

(Olympic-gold-1972, 76, 80), (d. 2012) is born.

1956 - Kurt Thomas, US, gymnist (Olympics), actor (Gymkata) is born.

1966 - Muhammad Ali beats George Chuvalo in 15 for Heavyweight boxing title

1973 - Dave Cowens, wins NBA MVP

1976 - Jennifer Capriati, Long Is NY, tennis pro (Oly-gold-92) is born.

1984 - NFL Baltimore Colts move to Indianapolis
1985 - Wayne Gretzky breaks own NHL season record with 126th assist

1988 - Ted Kluszewski, American baseball player (b. 1924) dies

1989 - First Soviet hockey players are permitted to play for the NHL

1994 - Coach Jimmy Johnson quits Dallas Cowboys

1996 - Cleveland Browns choose new name, Baltimore Ravens

1997 - First game at Turner Field Atlanta, Braves beats Yanks 2-0 (exhibition)

Grady Sizemore to start in CF for Red Sox

Grady Sizemore's long journey back from a series of injuries that almost ended his promising career is complete: He will be the Boston Red Sox's starting center fielder on opening day.

The three-time All-Star is set to play for the World Series champions Monday at Baltimore.

''It's very exciting,'' Sizemore said Friday. ''It's been a long road for me and I'm happy to keep moving forward and to be in this position for this team.''

Sizemore beat out highly regarded prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. for the starting job. The Red Sox said Friday that Bradley will begin the season at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Sizemore has not played in the majors since September 2011 with Cleveland. He has undergone seven operations since 2009, including surgery on both knees, his back and elbow.

The Red Sox lost star center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the Yankees in free agency during the offseason. Boston signed the 31-year-old Sizemore in January, hoping he could still make an impact.

Sizemore hit .333 in spring training, going 13 for 39 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, and four strikeouts. He held up well in the outfield, playing 82 innings.

''This is one of those situations where the game was taken away from a player and now that it's back in his reach, that appreciation is only going to grow,'' Farrell said. ''There's a greater appreciation that I think any player goes through when they're able to attain that level again.

''He hasn't had any push back with the repetition and the volume in spring training, saying his body can't take it,'' Farrell added. ''We have had a cautious level of optimism with each passing day.''

Entering spring training, the Red Sox were not sure what to expect from Sizemore. But he's passed every marker. What's left is to see how he holds up during the rigors of a full season.

''As far as the durability question, we answered it as best we could given the number of spring training games,'' Farrell said. ''He will still be on a progression in the month of April where there's a prescribed number of games played and there's a progression to that. It's premature to give you an exact number of games per week. But we're working toward an everyday status.''

Sizemore was a third-round pick of the Montreal Expos in 2000 before being acquired in a six-player deal by Cleveland in 2002 when Farrell was the Indians' director of player development.

Before his injuries, Sizemore was one of baseball's most dynamic players. A left-handed batter, he hit 20 or more home runs with 20 or more stolen bases in each of his first four full seasons, from 2005-08, the most 20-20 seasons in Indians history. The only other players ever to record three 20-20 seasons within their first four big league seasons are Darryl Strawberry (1984-86) and Bobby Bonds (1969-71).

Despite his time away from the game, Sizemore never gave up on his baseball career, though.

''I didn't think it was over,'' he said. ''I just didn't know if I'd ever get back to feeling healthy. It wasn't really a matter of playing baseball. It was the little things like being able to run. It was one of those things where you're just trying to find answers.''

The last few years have not been easy on Sizemore. After appearing in a total of 639 games from 2005-08, he has played in just 210 since.

But, on Monday, expect that to change.

''It's nice to have some positive news,'' Sizemore said. ''In the last couple of years everything's been so negative. It's almost hard to realize what's going on. Hard to sink in.''

MLB toughens drug agreement after Biogenesis

In the wake of the Biogenesis scandal that led to 14 suspensions last summer, Major League Baseball and its players' union announced Friday they are toughening penalties and increasing the frequency of testing in the most substantial revisions to their drug agreement in eight years.

Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that year's postseason. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban.

While there were two-to-four major league suspensions annually from 2008-11, the number increased to 12 in 2012 and 14 players were penalized following last year's investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. Among them were former NL MVP Ryan Braun, who agreed to a 65-game ban, and three-time AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, who is suspended for the entire 2014 season.

''Obviously, that showed that there was a need for harsher and stiffer penalties - and this is a very clear and resounding answer for all of that,'' Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said.

Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz returned from their 50-game suspensions in time to participate in last fall's playoffs. Peralta became a free agent and was given a $53 million, four-year contract by St. Louis during the offseason.

''In the past it hasn't been fair that guys, they get popped, they serve their suspension and they come back and play in the playoffs,'' said Oakland reliever Sean Doolittle, whose team lost to Peralta and the Tigers in the division series. ''Then on top of that, guys parlay it into a bigger contract and getting a raise ... it was frustrating, mainly because he did so well against us.''

Accused of being slow to react to steroids in the 1990s, baseball started testing with penalties in 2004, established a 10-day suspension for an initial testing violation in 2005 and increased discipline to 50 games in 2006.

In the last year or two, many players spoke out and said the deterrent wasn't sufficient.

''There are 32 states that have the death penalty for murder, and murders happen in those states every single day. It's not going to stop people from committing the crime, even if you have a death penalty,'' Arizona pitcher Brad Ziegler said. ''You've got to put things in place better to get them caught. That's the thing. People do it when they think they can get away with it.''

New union head Tony Clark, a former All-Star himself, said his members wanted to make sure ''a player is not coming back and affecting a change in the postseason as a result of the decision that particular player made earlier in the year.''

''Our hope here is that the adjustments that we've made do inevitably get that number to zero,'' Clark said. ''In the event that that doesn't happen, for whatever reason, we'll reevaluate and move forward from there. But as I sit here, I am hopeful that players make the right decisions that are best for them, for their careers and for the integrity of the game.''

Players who serve a PED suspension also will not be eligible for automatic postseason players' pool money shares but may be given cash awards at the discretion of their teammates.

''There are a lot of guys who haven't done it right,'' San Francisco pitcher Tim Hudson said, ''and I think the one thing that puts a bad taste in people's mouth that are playing are the guys who have messed around with the stuff but then somehow have still benefited contractually and gotten paid more money than they might have done if they had been clean. Those are the things that kind of stick some players.''

A player serving a season-long suspension will lose all his pay. Under the previous rules, Rodriguez gets 21-183rds of his $25 million salary this year, or $2,868,852.

''Although we had the strongest program in professional sports before these changes, I am committed to constantly finding ways to improve the program in order to eradicate performance-enhancing drugs from the game,'' said baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who had called a year ago for harsher penalties.

An arbitrator would be allowed to reduce a suspension for a first or second testing violation by up to 50 percent if a player proves by ''clear and convincing evidence'' that a positive test was not caused by his ''significant fault or negligence.'' However, penalties may not be cut for muscle-building substances such as testosterone, human growth hormone, Boldenone, Nandrolone and Stanozolol.

In-season random urine tests will increase from 1,400 to 3,200 overall in addition to the minimum two for each player, and offseason tests will rise from 250 to 350.

There will be 400 random blood collections used to detect human growth hormone in addition to the mandatory one for each player during spring training.

''We want to have a level playing field,'' Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said.

Players with PED violations, other than those who penalties are reduced for mitigation, will receive six additional random urine tests and three more blood tests annually for the rest of their careers. Foreign players entering the major leagues and those not subject to the major- or minor-league testing program for at least a year will be required to take urine and blood tests before signing contracts.

''There are certain considerations we need to make in an effort to put guys in a position where the guys who are doing it correctly aren't being adversely affected any more than necessary,'' Clark said.

Eagles release wide receiver DeSean Jackson

Unable to find a taker on the trade market, the Philadelphia Eagles Friday released dynamic wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Jackson was coming off a career-best season in Philadelphia, leading the team with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a $10.25 million contract for the 2014 season and was signed through 2016.

''After careful consideration over this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to part ways with DeSean Jackson,'' the Eagles said in a statement.

Jackson thanked the Eagles organization and fans in his own statement Friday, and also denied ''unfounded reports'' that he was released for off-field issues.

''I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang,'' Jackson said in a statement. '' I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible. I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values.

''I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true.''

Jackson has 356 career receptions for 6,117 yards and 32 touchdowns. He's a dangerous returner who went to the Pro Bowl in 2009 after taking two punts the distance. Jackson has four career scores on punt returns, including the memorable 65-yard game-ending return to cap a comeback win over the New York Giants in 2010.

The 27-year-old receiver is entering his seventh NFL season.

The Eagles had been put out feelers that Jackson was available. Coach Chip Kelly refused to commit on Jackson's return at this week's NFL owner's meetings.

Speaking at the NFL meetings, Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed interest in Jackson, saying: ''We're looking at a number of players, including DeSean.''

Jackson upset the Eagles when he lobbied for a new contact shortly after they were eliminated in the playoffs. His departure leaves the Eagles with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin as the starting wide receivers.

''We just made an extremely unpopular decision, but I couldn't be more excited and happy with where this organization is going!! (hash)FlyEaglesFly,'' offensive lineman Jason Kelce tweeted.

Raiders sign RB Maurice Jones-Drew

Free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew is coming back home to Oakland after signing a three-year contract with the Raiders on Friday.

Jones-Drew returns to his native Bay Area after spending his first eight seasons with Jacksonville and starring in college at UCLA.

Jones-Drew joins quarterback Matt Schaub, defensive linemen Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley and receiver James Jones as successful veterans brought in by general manager Reggie McKenzie this offseason who are looking for a late career spark in Oakland.

''There's a ton of talent here,'' Jones-Drew said. ''Reggie McKenzie and his staff have done a great job of piling on guys that are coming from programs that are winning and know what it takes. Granted, most of us have chips on our shoulders, at least I feel like I got (done) wrong. ... It's something that's going to drive us and push us to that next level.''

The Raiders also signed two defensive linemen, bringing back Pat Sims to a one-year deal and signing former Green Bay Packer C.J. Wilson.

Sims played well in his first season in Oakland with two sacks and 41 tackles while starting all 16 games. He met with other teams before staying in Oakland, according to his agent Rick Smith.

Wilson spent the past four seasons with Green Bay, recording 103 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 50 games with 11 starts.

Jones-Drew had 8,071 yards rushing and 68 touchdowns for Jacksonville but was hampered by injuries the past two seasons. That led the Jaguars to let him test the market in free agency after his five-year, $31 million contract expired.

The Jaguars thanked Jones-Drew for his work on the field and in the community.

''Maurice's toughness, determination and competitive spirit on the field served as a great example to all of his teammates,'' the team said in a statement. ''Maurice has been one of the great Jaguars and he holds several team records for touchdowns that will remain for a long time. His place in Jaguars history is firmly established and we look forward to honoring him in Jacksonville at the appropriate time in the future.''

After more than two weeks on the open market, Jones-Drew finally found a new home in a familiar place. Jones-Drew grew up in the East Bay town of Antioch and starred at nearby De La Salle high school.

Jones-Drew still spent his offseasons in the Bay Area and looked forward to being able to keep his family in one place and that his grandmother will now be able to see him play in person more often.

Jones-Drew has gotten hurt the past two seasons when playing the Raiders in Oakland. He missed the final 10 games in 2012 after injuring his left foot at the Coliseum. He strained a tendon in the same foot when playing the Raiders this past season.

After ranking second in the NFL with 4,321 yards rushing in a three-year span from 2009-11, Jones-Drew has been limited to 1,217 yards in 21 games the past two seasons. He averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry last season.

That has led critics to argue that Jones-Drew has lost a step at age 29 and is on the downside of his career. The Raiders are hoping good health will help Jones-Drew return to the elite form he had before the injuries.

''I have a ton left in my game,'' Jones-Drew said. ''People tend to look at running backs and say, 'Oh, you're 29, you don't have anything left. ... I feel like I have a ton left in the tank and I get an opportunity to show that here in Oakland.''

The Raiders needed help at running back after allowing Jones-Drew's former backup in Jacksonville, Rashad Jennings, leave through free agency to sign with the New York Giants.

Oakland did bring back injury-prone starter Darren McFadden on a one-year deal but has no other proven tailbacks on the roster. The Raiders are hoping last year's sixth-round pick, Latavius Murray, can contribute after spending his entire rookie year on injured reserve.

McFadden has missed 29 games over his six-year career with injuries and has averaged 3.3 yards per carry the past two seasons.

Jones-Drew said he was told there will be an open competition at running back between him and McFadden.

''He kind of has a leg up on me because he's been in this offense already before,'' Jones-Drew said. ''My job is to come in and to compete to play. We both have something to prove and that will help us all out in the long run, competing and being able to push each other.''

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - MARCH 28TH

1891 - First world Weightlifting championship held.

1899 - August Anheuser Busch, Jr., brewing magnate and 

American baseball executive (d. 1989) is born.

1940 - J Michael Plumb, Islip NY, Equestrian (Oly-2 gold/4 silver-1976,84) is born.

1944 - Rick Barry, ABA/NBA forward (NY Nets, Golden State Warriors) is born.

1953 - Jim Thorpe, versatile American athlete (Olympic gold 1912), dies at 64.

1963 - AFL's NY Titan's become the NY Jets.

1972 - Wilt Chamberlain plays his last pro basketball game.

1982 - First NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: LA Tech beats Cheney 76-62.

1990 - Michael Jordan scores 69 points, 4th time he scores 60 pts in a game.

1991 - Mike Tyson admits paternity to Kimberly Scarborough's son.

Why Peyton Manning Had To Be Talked Into Getting Salary Bigger Than Brady's

In this era of supersize contracts and supersize egos, rare is it the case that a player refuses to accept more money than he thinks he's worth.

As if Peyton Manning hasn't already carved out his place as one of the classiest pros around, a new story regarding his salary negotiations should reinforce his stellar reputation.

Manning's agent, Tom Condon, relayed to Andrew Brandt of MMQB a fascinating and revealing tale about Manning's free agency two years ago.

Manning, you'll remember, had missed the 2011 season after undergoing career-threatening neck surgery. Even he wasn't sure how his body would respond on the gridiron. Still, the four-time NFL MVP had plenty of suitors, and after selecting Denver he was in for a mega-deal. Condon thought Manning could command $25 million a year, making him one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Manning, however, had other plans.

He asked Condon how much Tom Brady made, and when Condon told him the Patriots' signal-caller banked $18 million a year, Manning said that would suffice.

“I don’t want to make a penny more than that," Manning said.

The Broncos offered $19.4 million, and when Condon told Manning the quarterback wasn't too happy.

“I told you I didn’t want to make more than Brady!” Manning chirped.

Condon apologized and asked to speak with Manning's wife, who ultimately coaxed him into accepting the deal.

Even though it was a reduction in salary from his deal with the Colts, in which Manning made $26.4 million in his first year, Manning didn't want to burden the Broncos with a huge deal. He wasn't sure how his neck would fare, so he was completely open with the team.

“They’ve got to be protected,” Manning told The Denver Post in March 2012. “That's why the whole medical -- I was as open book as I could be. I told them exactly how I feel, what I was working on. They have to know everything to make their decision."

As it turns out, the deal has worked out pretty well for both sides. Manning has racked up 26 wins in his first two seasons with the Broncos, taking Denver to the Super Bowl in 2014. He was named NFL MVP in 2013 season after setting the single-season record for most touchdown passes with 55. (Brady had set the mark of 50 in 2007.)