Danielson, who will turn 74 in September, played 11 seasons in the NFL before joining ESPN in 1990. He called games for ESPN and ABC for 16 seasons before joining CBS in 2006.
VCU introduces coach Phil Martelli Jr., who wants to ‘make memories’ in the NCAA Tournament
Since 2002, VCU has had to hire a basketball coach seven times. The last five have all led the Rams to the NCAA Tournament. So, as he spoke to the media, boosters and fans on Thursday during his introductory press conference, Phil Martelli Jr. knew what kind of expectations he would be taking on as the latest coach in that line.
This Michigan basketball staffer was responsible for putting Auburn hoops on the map
A decade ago, K.T. Harrell went on a historic run for Auburn in the SEC tournament. He's now Michigan's director of basketball operations.
Kings Face Crucial Stretch: Home-Ice Dominance Key in Playoff Push
The Los Angeles Kings are beginning a crucial stretch of their season that could determine their playoff positioning and home-ice advantage. Their next four out of six opponents are all the top teams in the league, including the Colorado Avalanche today, who have won 11 straight games at home, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and the Edmonton Oilers.
This stretch will test how real the Kings are because despite winning four straight games, three of which were at home, The Kings haven’t shown any confidence that they can win on the road to this point.
The crazy thing is that the Kings are the only team above .500 in the Western Conference with a sub.500 record on the road. Even teams with fewer wins and more losses, including the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, and Vancouver Canucks are all better on the road.
King’s Upcoming Schedule
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) At Colorado Avalanche (44-25-3) - March 27, 7:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) Vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (43-25-3) - March 29, 4:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) Vs. San Jose Sharks (19-42-9) - March 30, 7:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) Vs. Winnipeg Jets (49-19-4) - Apr 1, 7:30 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) At Utah Hockey Club (32-28-11) - Apr 3, 6:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9) Vs. Edmonton Oilers (41-25-5) - Apr 5, 1:00 p.m.
Home Dominance on the Line
With an impressive 26-3-4 home mark, the Kings have controlled play at Crypto.com Arena this year. Their most recent 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers extended their home winning streak to seven and set a franchise record with a 15-game home points streak. This home-ice advantage will be priceless as they face top teams.
THE KINGS ARE NOW 26-3-4 ON HOME ICE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GjGHl76mSn
— NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2025
Despite this impressive record at home, the Kings have struggled to win games in the playoffs. They’ve been better on the road, but either way, it’s reasonable to say that they have gone home in the first round the last three seasons because they haven’t had home ice.
Colorado Avalanche
The Kings' next game is tonight at the Colorado Avalanche, which has won ten in a row at home. It should be a good test for LA. The Avalanche recently won 5-2 over the Detroit Red Wings, showing their offense and defense power. Shutting down Colorado's high-scoring forwards and getting past their solid defense will be the formula for the Kings to win.
We've got a huge Western Conference showdown tonight on @ESPN:@LAKings: 4 straight wins, 9-1-0 in their past 10@Avalanche: 3 straight wins, 8-1-1 in their past 10
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 27, 2025
The Rush to the #StanleyCup Playoffs continues at 10 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/hVZcZtg77h
Toronto Maple Leafs
After the brief trip to Denver, the Kings host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, who beat them 6-2 earlier this season. The Toronto offense, led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, has always been elite, which was demonstrated in their 7-2 thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers last week. The Kings must harden their defense and score on their chances to avenge their defeat.
Defensive Battle with the Jets
The Kings also welcome the top team in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets, a team built around strong defense and stellar goaltending. Winnipeg is the top defensive team in the NHL (172 GA), with the Kings sitting second (178 GA). The Jets are led by outstanding netminder and likely Vezina trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.
The two teams have met twice this season and split 1-1. The losers in both matchups scored one goal, making the season series a battle of defensive wills. That will likely be the storyline for this next matchup, as both teams have two of the best defenses in the league, so it should be a hard-fought game.
Pivotal Clash with Edmonton
The most crucial of these games will be against the Edmonton Oilers, chasing the Kings in the standings. Edmonton's best line, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, has been a tough matchup for the Kings in recent history.
However, given both McDavid’s and Draisaitl’s injuries, it remains to be seen if they will be in the lineup. Given their injury history and penchant for tormenting the Kings, it would not be surprising to see both be ready for that pivotal game.
This is a big game. Whether McDavid and Draisaitl miss one of the two matchups in April will still matter, as both teams will fight for home-ice advantage in a potential first-round playoff series.
This will be one of two times they meet in April, and it will likely decide who will have the home-ice advantage between these two teams. The Kings have been fighting with the Oilers for the second seed in the Pacific division all season, but with Edmonton’s recent skid, they’ve climbed past them and have a chance to overtake the Vegas Golden Knights.
Players to Watch
The primary contributors must step up for the Kings to weather this tough stretch.
Kevin Fiala has been a key offense-igniting catalyst, showing his playmaking ability and scoring acumen.
Quinton Byfield has emerged as a valuable two-way center, giving the Kings the depth they've long desired in the middle of the ice.
Anze Kopitar, the veteran stalwart, continues to set the tone for the team offensively and defensively.
Both goaltenders, Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich, have been playing well. However, Kuemper is the best player all-around and should get the start with his strong net play, which will be required to negate these high-scoring offenses.
Playoff Implications
The Kings are currently second in the Pacific Division with a record of 40-21-9 and 89 points. This stretch might secure them in the second position or see them lose the Oilers in home-ice advantage contention. With the Kings' remarkable home victories, maintaining that advantage might be crucial in a potential playoff series.
Do you agree with these Super 16 rankings? 💬
— NHL (@NHL) March 27, 2025
See the full list from @NHLdotcom here ➡️ https://t.co/njfI6bWpCo
Presented by @Enterprisepic.twitter.com/LILIYHdqQ3
Kings Outlook
The Kings' stretch ahead provides the opportunity to become defined—an opportunity that will demand focus, commitment, and determination. Completing this test successfully would strengthen the Kings' image as actual playoff threats and solidify their standing among the NHL's top home-ice squads.
The journey to the playoffs never gets easy, and for the Kings, it's about competing for home ice.
Top 5 Candidates to Replace John Tortorella as Flyers Coach
No matter who it is, the Philadelphia Flyers must get their next coaching hire right after dismissing John Tortorella on Thursday morning.
Tortorella, 67, had one year remaining on his contract with the Flyers and finished his tenure in Philadelphia with a 97-107-33 record. Tortorella's .479 points percentage with the Flyers was his worst with a single team in his 23-year NHL career.
Further to that point, Tortorella's .445 points percentage this season was the third-lowest of his NHL career when coaching a full, 82-game season, trailing only his last season in Tampa Bay (31-42-9, .433 in 2007-08) and his first full season in Tampa Bay (27-40-11-4, .421 in 2001-02).
Essentially, Tortorella's 2024-25 Flyers team was his most underperforming team of the last 17 years, unless the 2020-21 Columbus team is included, despite the COVID-19-shortened season.
This decision leaves the Flyers at a crossroads, with no apparent in-house replacements young enough or experienced enough to replace Tortorella and spearhead the next phase of the rebuild.
Brad Shaw, who the Flyers named their interim head coach, will turn 61 on April 28.
When the Flyers play against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, Shaw will manage his first NHL game since the 2005-06 season, when he led the New York Islanders for 40 games , also as an interim coach.
No. 5: Ian Laperriere, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Though Shaw may be an unlikely option, one candidate that may offer more intrigue is none other than Lehigh Valley Phantoms bench boss Ian Laperriere.
Laperriere, 51, is a French-Canadian like Flyers GM Danny Briere, played for the Flyers with Briere at the end of his career, and served the Flyers as an assistant coach for eight seasons before taking the Phantoms' head coaching post.
If clichés like "the culture" and being a "Flyer" are still highly valued by the organization, there are few better options out there, aside from someone like Rick Tocchet, who may not even leave Vancouver but could be pursued regardless.
During his time as a Flyers assistant and as Phantoms head coach, Laperriere has overseen the development of players like Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Scott Laughton, Brayden Schenn, Shayne Gostisbehere, Travis Konecny, Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, and more.
There's not much to say that hasn't already been said about the Flyers and their ability, or lack thereof, to consistently develop players over the last decade, but Laperriere has also coached the best of them--a good number of which are still with the team today.
Plus, you can't really blame Laperriere for the Flyers' decisions to let players leave Philadelphia for better opportunities. Or, for trading players, like Gostisbehere, for literally nothing.
Expect Laperriere to at least get an interview.
No. 4: Jeremy Colliton, New Jersey Devils
Some could argue that Jeremy Colliton was dealt a bad hand when taking over the Chicago Blackhawks' bench nearly a decade ago.
In 2018, the then-34-year-old received the first NHL head coaching job of his career, taking on the unenviable task of replacing Joel Quenneville at the helm of a team that had been considered a dynasty only a few years prior.
Colliton, now 40, guided the Blackhawks to a 30-28-8 finish after Quenneville started the season 6-6-3.
Despite missing the playoffs, Alex DeBrincat had exploded for a career-high 41 goals and 76 points, with the latter being the second-best mark of his career to date.
An established superstar like Patrick Kane achieved high watermarks in assists (66) and points (110), while the Robin to his Batman, Jonathan Toews, enjoyed a personal-best 81-point campaign.
Colliton was ultimately undone by Chicago's defense, which ranked 30th out of 31 teams in goals against that season. He did, however, improve the offense to eighth in the NHL from 23rd the year prior.
From there, things only got worse for the Alberta native. Toews and Kane were getting older, and Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook began to break down.
He was ultimately fired after a 1-9-2 start in 2021-22, leaving the Blackhawks in the same transition period we see them in today, two head coaches later, despite many positive signs they saw--or neglected--during Colliton's tenure, especially early on.
Colliton spent the last two seasons serving as the head coach of the AHL Abbotsford Canucks before resurfacing at the NHL level as part of Sheldon Keefe's coaching staff with the New Jersey Devils this year.
Colliton already has 11 seasons of head coaching experience at various levels, and at 40 years old, is still a very young and appealing option. The former New York Islanders forward has managed veterans with big personalities and up-and-coming prospects alike, and his second chance at the NHL level could be right around the corner, be it with the Flyers or another franchise.
No. 3: Sergei Zubov, HK Sochi
KHL feeder club HK Sochi just fired Sergei Zubov for a second time, but there is reason to believe the Hockey Hall of Famer has the chops to coach an NHL team.
Zubov, 51, has parts of six seasons of experience as a head coach, which, of course, excludes some of the valuable experience he's gained as an assistant coach.
One of the best defensemen to ever grace the ice at the NHL level, Zubov has leveraged his elite playing career to pass on knowledge to players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Matvei Michkov, Pavel Buchnevich, Igor Shesterkin, Nikita Gusev, Alexander Nikishin, Ivan Demidov, and more.
As a defenseman, Nikishin's rapid development under Zubov, in particular, adds to the intrigue.
The 23-year-old prospect will walk into the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup the minute he signs a contract there. Imagine if Zubov could work the same magic with Flyers defensemen Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, for example.
Further, Zubov worked with current Canucks goalie coach Marko Torenius during his short time as the head coach of SKA St. Petersburg.
Torenius, of course, has coached goalies like Shesterkin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Yaroslav Askarov, and Pyotr Kochetkov in the KHL.
If Zubov and the Flyers could lure Torenius away from Vancouver, that just adds to the value he brings to an organization. We all know how the Flyers' goaltending situation is playing out.
Zubov is certainly a sleeper pick, but he has the player and coaching connections that matter and a Hall of Fame CV to back it up.
No. 2: Greg Brown, Boston College
Boston College head coach Greg Brown actually played under John Tortorella at the NHL level once, when the former was a young NHL prospect and the latter was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres back in 1990-91.
Brown, 58, has seen many different personalities despite his relatively unaccomplished playing career. The Hartford, Conn., native played alongside legends like Mario Lemieux, Teemu Selanne, Alexander Mogilny, Dale Hawerchuk, Dave Andreychuk, Pierre Turgeon, Eddie Olczyk, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Zhamnov, Ron Francis, Keith Tkachuk, Markus Naslund, and Larry Murphy, among others.
Brown spent 14 years as an assistant coach at Boston College before joining the New York Rangers for three seasons, from 2018 to 2021, as an understudy to David Quinn.
Brown returned to BC in 2022 and has spent the last three seasons coaching talents like Cutter Gauthier, Drew Fortescue, Jacob Fowler, Gabe Perreault, Ryan Leonard, Will Smith, Teddy Stiga, Dean Letourneau, and some dude named James Hagens.
It's unclear if Brown, who captained BC during his playing days, would consider walking away from his home so late into his coaching career, but the opportunity to become an NHL head coach rarely knocks twice.
For the Flyers, landing a top collegiate name like Brown could do wonders for their outward appearance in some circles after the Gauthier debacle, too.
No. 1: David Carle: University of Denver
Sticking with the collegiate theme, the top choice, like most people's, is none other than David Carle, the head coach of the University of Denver.
Carle, 35, is arguably the hottest head coaching candidate out there, even though he has no prior NHL experience, even as an assistant.
Carle, the younger brother of former Flyers defenseman Matt Carle, has spent the last 12 seasons leading Denver, seeing names like Will Butcher, Trevor Moore, Danton Heinen, Troy Terry, Logan O'Connor, Bobby Brink, Shai Buium, Massimo Rizzo, Carter Mazur, make the leap from the NCAA to turn pro.
A former disciple of Jim Montgomery, Carle has turned Zeev Buium and Jack Devine into NCAA stars, and he still has a host of other NHL talents on the upswing.
Before hiring Keefe, the Devils were interested in Carle last summer, and with their vacancy, the Flyers will assuredly be the next to inquire.
If the Flyers are truly aiming for a successful, long-term project that is profitable for both a coach and his players, Carle is the best option out there.
Carle, a three-time NCAA champion and the winner of back-to-back World Junior Championships, has won all there is to win at his current level, and the Flyers can present a new challenge with an equal reward.
The Wraparound: Which Bottom-10 NHL Team Is Closest To Contending?
Welcome to a new episode of rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Wraparound.
Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:
Which Bottom-10 NHL Team Is Closest To Contending? by The Wraparoundundefined0:00: Who could replace John Tortorella as the Philadelphia Flyers’ coach of the future?
5:33: Was Jakob Chychrun’s extension a smart long-term bet by the Washington Capitals?
8:25: What Wayne Gretzky record is most likely to be broken next?
10:28: Is Bobby McMann one of the most valuable players for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
12:55: What decision has been the most regrettable for Barry Trotz as GM of the Nashville Predators this season?
19:27: What bottom-10 team is closest to contending?
22:16: With Dylan Holloway’s breakout season, will more teams be inclined to send out offer sheets to eligible RFAs this summer?
25:44: Which trade deadline acquisitions have been the best and worst fits?
30:02: Can Lindy Ruff be a part of an eventual turnaround for the Buffalo Sabres?
See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.
2 Nashville Predators Players Clear Waivers
Nashville Predators forward Kieffer Bellows and defenseman Marc Del Gaizo have cleared waivers, as reported by 102.5 The Game's Nick Kieser.
Bellows, 26, was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals by the Predators back on Feb. 21. In 13 games with the Predators this season, the 2016 first-round pick has two goals, one assist, 26 hits, and a minus-3 rating, Before his call-up, Bellows had not played at the NHL level since the 2022-23 season. During that campaign, he had three goals and a minus-8 rating in 28 games split between the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers.
Down in the AHL this season with the Admirals, Bellows has 14 goals, 29 points, and 54 penalty minutes.
Del Gaizo, on the other hand, has one goal, seven assists, eight points, and 58 hits in 35 games this season with the Predators. The left-shot defenseman has also played in 30 AHL games this campaign with Milwaukee, posting eight goals, 12 points, and a plus-10 rating.
Del Gaizo was selected by the Predators with the 109th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 career NHL games, the Basking Ridge, New Jersey native has one goal, 11 points, and a plus-2 rating.
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After rumors all winter, Bohm demonstrates importance to Phillies on Opening Day
After rumors all winter, Bohm demonstrates importance to Phillies on Opening Day originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
WASHINGTON — For three months this offseason, Alec Bohm had no idea where he’d be on Opening Day.
Philly? Seattle? Kansas City? Elsewhere? Trade rumors were rampant, and a 28-year-old, cost-controlled, All-Star third baseman is the sort of commodity most of the league finds attractive.
It’s a good thing he remained where he was, third in the Phillies’ lineup, because he’s as necessary as ever hitting between Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. And in Game 1 of 162, Bohm delivered the winning blow, a two-run double to left-center in the 10th inning to untie the game in a 7-3 Phillies victory.
“The (trade rumors) were real, he had a possibility of going somewhere else,” Harper said. “A lot of guys in here, including myself, we love that kid. He plays the game hard and understands what it takes. He just needs to not put too much pressure on himself and enjoy what he does. What a big at-bat for him to come through right there.”
Bohm’s name wasn’t out there over the winter because the Phillies were itching to trade him. It was because the Phillies viewed him as a player who could bring back a meaningful return. From a practical standpoint, Bohm’s skill set is exactly what the Phillies need and would have been difficult to replace. They need not just Bohm’s right-handed bat but his penchant for hitting line drives and using the entire field. His two hits Thursday were a double to left-center and single to right. He utilizes the whole field better than any of his teammates and he’s a .312 career hitter with runners in scoring position, .323 the last two years.
“It’s not very often that you get to play three, four seasons in a row with the same group in professional sports like this,” Bohm said. “It’s nice to be back here, back where I’m comfortable and familiar.”
Things were not comfortable for either side’s hitters for six innings. Shadows played a role, as they often do early in 4 p.m. games. It didn’t help the bats that Zack Wheeler was throwing 97 mph and Mackenzie Gore had maybe the best stuff of his career.
The Phillies trailed by a run with one out in the seventh inning when Harper woke up his team with a solo homer. The Nationals were using a right-handed reliever, Lucas Sims, because Trea Turner and Bohm were two of the three hitters due up. Harper, in between, made them pay. The Nats turned to a lefty two batters later for Kyle Schwarber, but he also came through with a solo shot.
So much focus has been on the Schwarber vs. Turner leadoff conversation, but each of the first four spots is equally important for this Phillies team. There will be many times like Thursday when the Phillies have the top of the order due up in late innings and an opponent feels it must use a righty to combat Turner and Bohm rather than prioritize Harper over them with a lefty. The more damage Harper does, the more teams will be tempted to use a lefty instead, which would play into the favor of the righties, Turner and Bohm.
It wasn’t an ideal offensive performance — the Phillies’ strikeouts were the most ever for a team that won on Opening Day – but a W is a W.
“I mean, obviously we don’t want to punch out 19 times. That’s comical,” Harper said. “It’s not fun to do that and we can’t do that as a team, but today, made it work. We’ll take it.”
The 1-0 Phillies are off on Friday. They have Jesus Luzardo and Aaron Nola pitching on Saturday and Sunday with forecasts of 80 and 74 degrees. The Nationals counter with right-hander Jake Irvin and lefty Mitchell Parker, far cries from the caliber of Gore.
“When you go back and forth and have an off day tomorrow,” Bohm said, “it would not have felt great to lose that one.”
New SMU AD Damon Evans will try to build on momentum program hasn’t seen in decades
New SMU athletic director Damon Evans is taking over a department enjoying momentum it hasn't seen in decades after the Mustangs exceeded expectations in their first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The football team didn't lose an ACC regular-season game and qualified for the first expanded, 12-team playoff. The men's basketball team flirted with an NCAA Tournament bid before settling for the NIT and reaching the second round.
Does a rivalry game hit different in March Madness? Duke, UNC meeting in NCAA women’s tournament for the first time ever
The Tobacco Road rivalry is finally happening on the NCAA tournament stage on Friday.
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson joins Baseball Bar-B-Cast: 'You are the first Gunnar in MLB history'
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)
Gunnar Henderson is gearing up for what could be a defining season in his young MLB career. Coming off a breakout year in 2024, the Orioles' shortstop is striking a pose on the cover of "MLB The Show" alongside two other breakout stars, Paul Skenes and Elly De La Cruz.
On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discussed with Henderson how a spotlight moment such as this is both a privilege and a pressure. As Mintz quipped, "You are the first Gunnar in MLB history.”
While his name might be unique, Mintz and Shusterman both believe that Henderson’s on-field impact is poised to transcend novelty.
[Read more: The top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season]
The art of facing aces and staying cool
Facing off against MLB’s hardest throwers is never easy, a fact Henderson knows all too well. In the episode, he reflected on a memorable matchup against Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
Henderson said his strategy involves maintaining calm under pressure, focusing on timing rather than trying to out-pace the pitcher. This is a vital skill for someone who might face Skenes more often as both players continue to rise. Mintz and Shusterman emphasized Henderson’s disciplined approach at the plate, underscoring his potential to evolve into a key player for the Orioles.
The trio also discussed the palpable camaraderie within the Orioles’ locker room. Teammates such as Adley Rutschman and Jordan Westburg represent a new wave of youthful energy congregating in Baltimore — something that Shusterman said might be overlooked but is "central to the rebuilding narrative."
Team dynamics and hitting the right notes
Henderson’s off-the-field relationships reflect the kind of ethos the Orioles need. His friendship with the light-hearted Colton Cowser is a case in point. Although the two are polar opposites personality-wise, Henderson said he values their interactions, which bring levity and unity to an otherwise intense environment.
“It’s easier to face the long season when you’ve got a guy like Cowser who’s eternally optimistic,” Henderson said.
Looking ahead, it’s not only about Henderson's individual accolades but also the role he plays as a catalyst for his team’s performance. Mintz’s bold prediction that Orioles pitchers and hitters might combine for 500 home runs this year puts some tangible numbers behind the hype. If Henderson steps up, the offensive fireworks could be a reality, not just a fantastical prediction.
Is Henderson ready to assume the mantle of the next big baseball star? The Orioles’ hopes might very well hinge on it. As Shusterman put it, Orioles fans, "get ready for a season of surprises."
Henderson's trajectory is not just about outperforming expectations but also about setting a new standard for rising talent in MLB.
To hear the full interview with Gunnar Henderson, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yankees' Austin Wells hits leadoff home run in Opening Day win
Opening Day came and went for the Yankees who beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-2, and it didn't take long for some history to be made in The Bronx.
Leading off the bottom of the first inning, Austin Wells hit a solo home run off Freddy Peralta to give New York a quick 1-0 lead. It was the first time in MLB history that a catcher hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day.
Wells also became the first Yankee with a leadoff home run on Opening Day.
LEADOFF HOMER FOR AUSTIN WELLS! 💣
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) March 27, 2025
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/PjpKSZ2TWI
"It's pretty cool," Wells said after the game. "Obviously not playing to break records but it's still pretty cool to hear."
The ball traveled 348 feet to right field -- caught by a fan in the first row -- and had an exit velocity of 103.7 mph, getting out in a hurry.
What makes the home run even more impressive is it came in Wells' first at-bat hitting leadoff.
"I don't know, it felt pretty good I think," Wells said when asked about how he felt batting first in the order. "It was cool."
Without a true leadoff hitter in the lineup, New York tried Wells at the top of the batting order during spring training and the catcher answered the call well, prompting the Yankees to keep the 25-year-old there, at least for the beginning of the season.
"Pretty early on in camp I felt like -- you know I get it it’s unconventional, it’s the catcher, he’s not a burner and all that, but to me it made a lot of sense potentially," Boone said about Wells in the leadoff spot. "He’s one of the guys in my head I can say, this works for me and I just think that’s where he is as a hitter now too. I think he’s really a lot more advanced and I think he’s gonna take another step from last year."
When Boone first told Wells about his idea of batting him No. 1, the catcher thought he was joking, saying, "I didn’t really take it seriously."
Wells never envisioned himself as a leadoff hitter, but being in front of Aaron Judge has helped him make the switch.
"I think it’s something new for me and it's kind of exciting getting to hit in front of Aaron Judge and trying to get on base for him," Wells said. "I think that’s kind of helped me mindset-wise, just get on base anyway that I can."
Cummins’ rare feat as Marsh’s epic IPL return continues, man of match calls out ‘not fair’ pitch
Pat Cummins achieved a rare feat while fellow Australians Travis Head and Mitch Marsh had big knocks overnight as Lucknow Super Giants easily chased down a target of 191 to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad for their first win of the new IPL season.
Ole Miss basketball’s Chris Beard still runs one Tom Izzo, Michigan State drill
Ole Miss men's basketball coach Chris Beard talked about the one Tom Izzo drill he still runs every day and previewed their March Madness matchup.
Don’t write off future Cinderellas just because it’s an all-power conference Sweet 16, coaches say
Nearly every year there's at least one lovable underdog that rises from obscurity in the NCAA Tournament to capture the hearts of basketball fans and bust their brackets. All 16 regional semifinalists are from power conferences for the first time since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The popular theory is that the transfer portal has led to a concentration of the best players at the big schools paying the most NIL money and, soon, the most through revenue sharing.