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April 30 -- UT athletes honored for academic achievement: AUSTIN (AP) -- More than 100 student-athletes, managers and trainers -- including nine with a 4.0 grade point average -- were honored by the Texas Men's Athletics Department for their academic achievement.

April 30 -- Bailey is Barnes' first recruit: AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas basketball coach Rick Barnes has signed his first recruit: Nathaniel Bailey, a 5-10, 175-pound point guard from North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

April 30 -- Blackmar looking for history to repeat: THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) -- Phil Blackmar is hoping lightning strikes twice.

April 30 -- Open records request prompts department-wide audit: HOUSTON (AP) -- A television station's open records request of time sheets signed by basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy and others has led to an audit of the city's entire Parks and Recreation Department.

April 30 -- Motorplex owner targets Dallas area for NHRA track: ENNIS, Texas -- In National Hot Rod Association circles, Texas Motorplex owner Billy Meyer is considered a visionary, one of the sport's most innovative track operators.

April 30 -- Houston, Arlington, vie for 2012 games: HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston and Arlington have won some sideline support in their efforts to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

April 30 -- Stars struggle to get out of first round: DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Stars, who had the best regular season record in the NHL, must find their lost offense or face another first-round playoff disaster.

April 29 -- City investigating Calvin Murphy's time sheets: HOUSTON (AP) -- Time sheets submitted by city youth athletic director Calvin Murphy, the longtime Houston Rocket and Hall of Famer, are being investigated by the city to ensure he worked all the hours he claimed.

April 29 -- Rockets looking to regain poise for Game 3: HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has a wonderful list of priorities for the playoff series with the Utah Jazz listed on a bulletin board in the Rockets locker room.

April 29 -- Big Lake's Thompson awaits WNBA dream: BIG LAKE, Texas -- You think of the dusty fields, empty lots and lonely streets -- wherever children can gather, divide into teams and play games -- when you think of where athletes are made.

April 29 -- San Antonio's shooters come through as Spurs take 2-1 series lead: SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns went into their playoff series with San Antonio known as the team with the better outside shooting game.

April 28 -- Duncan leads Spurs past Suns: SAN ANTONIO - On the day he was named Rookie of the Year, Tim Duncan looked like anything but a raw rookie.

April 28 -- Rangers' Rodriguez is throwback to Yogi: Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez stands 5 feet 9. "I like him," Yogi Berra said after meeting him recently, "because he's short, like me."

April 28 -- Tim Duncan is NBA Rookie of the Year: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Top draft pick Tim Duncan, a major force in the San Antonio Spurs' record-setting season, overwhelmingly won the league's Rookie of the Year award on Monday.

April 28 -- Rough stuff likely to continue with Rockets, Jazz: HOUSTON (AP) - Whining, shoving, technical fouls, flagrant fouls, trash talk, scuffling - and that's just the first two games between the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz. There's bound to be more before the survivor of this brutal NBA first-round series limps on to the second round.

April 28 -- After busy season, things have slowed down for Finley: DALLAS - Michael Finley was the busiest player in the NBA this season.

April 27 -- Phoenix, San Antonio tied 1-1 as series moves to Texas: SAN ANTONIO - After a 1-1 split with the Suns at Phoenix, the San Antonio Spurs plotted their home-court strategy behind closed doors Sunday.

April 27 -- Rockets, Jazz take turns battling officials: HOUSTON - The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets have each proven that whining doesn't win games.

April 26 -- Houston leaders to lobby in Washington for Summer Games: HOUSTON -- The push is on to bring the Olympic Games to Houston in the summer of 2012.

April 25 -- Rockets make believers out of Jazz with upset: SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz now believe all those good things they said about the Houston Rockets.

April 25 -- Pitchers use height to their advantage: DALLAS -- At 6-9, Highland Park's Chris Young is hard to miss when he stands atop the mound.

April 25 -- Seven Named as Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees: DALLAS (AP) -- Southwestern Bell amd the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association named seven greats Friday as the first inductees into the bowl's Hall of Fame.

April 24 -- Hatchell to leave Big 12: DALLAS (AP) -- Big 12 commissioner Steve Hatchell plans to leave the conference he helped form three years ago shortly after the league's spring meetings.

April 24 -- Temple baseball team rides skill and luck to district lead: TEMPLE, Texas -- Some players wear the same outfit for good luck, while others have a pre-game ritual they go through.

April 24 -- Stars' Nieuwendyk out at least two weeks: IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Stars, who had the best record in the NHL this season, will be without leading scorer Joe Nieuwendyk for at least two weeks.

April 23 -- Stars hoping Belfour carries team to Stanley Cup: DALLAS (AP) -- Ed Belfour had lost his way to the Stanley Cup in San Jose, but a phone call to Dallas Stars general manager Bob Gainey last summer set him back on the path.

April 23 -- Special Rodeo gives kids a chance to ride: WHITESBORO, Texas -- Flags flapped in the wind and music blared from loudspeakers as 9-year-old Rodeo Queen Audra Harden and her two Rodeo Queen runners-up circled a Whitesboro ring. Later, Audra, in the best tradition of rodeo queens, was circled by admirers.

April 22 -- Softball coach learns from hard season: GALVESTON, Texas -- Imagine, finally living your dream of playing a professional sport, reaching the championship game and then having to walk away. That's what happened to Jenny Jimenez, who played in the inaugural season of the World Professional Fastpitch League.

April 22 -- Players enjoy taking their sons 'to work' with them: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Before a recent Texas Rangers' game against the Baltimore Orioles, a couple of guys named Narron and Dent were shagging balls in the outfield at The Ballpark.

April 22 -- Top-seeded Stars hope to avoid repeat of 1997 first-round loss: IRVING, Texas (AP) -- With the memory of last year's first-round playoff collapse and a looming opponent with a history of giant-killing, the NHL-best Dallas Stars have much to prove against the San Jose Sharks Wednesday.

April 21 -- Ryan makes his pitch to improve baseball: PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) - He sees scores better suited for football and games lasting 4-1/2 hours. He says the pitching is diluted and the umpiring inconsistent.

April 21 -- Barkley hobbled for playoffs: HOUSTON (AP) - Injuries that have plagued the Houston Rockets throughout the regular season will follow them into the playoffs.

April 21 -- Lightly regarded Rangers dominant in early going: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - First in hitting, second in pitching, and tops in the American League West by four games. It's hard to find something that isn't working for the Texas Rangers.

April 21 -- Lima enjoys baseball, music: HOUSTON (AP) - Jose Lima has been one of the Houston Astros most consistent performers this season - pitching and singing.

April 21 -- Warrant issued for Tarpley: DALLAS (AP) - An arrest warrant was ordered for ex-Dallas Maverick Roy Tarpley, who did not show up Monday for trial over a November domestic violence incident.

April 21 -- Movie on Texas high school football filming in Austin area: AUSTIN - In the eight years Mark Ellis has recruited football players to appear in motion pictures, he's seen some outstanding athletes. And he's heard some outlandish claims.

April 21 -- Mavericks' season mercifully ends: DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Mavericks' motto for the 1998 season was: "Never a Dull Moment." There wasn't one. But not in the way the public relations department intended.

April 21 -- Judge rejects NBA player's request: HOUSTON (AP) - A judge ruled Monday that Charlotte Hornets guard Vernon Maxwell must remain in a Houston jail on marijuana conviction, though the shooting guard might have another chance to return to his team in time for the playoffs.

April 20 -- Rangers 11, Orioles 7: ARLINGTON (AP) - The way the Texas Rangers are hitting, even mediocre pitching is good enough.

April 19 -- Stars earn their first Presidents' Trophy: DALLAS -- The men in the suits rolled out the tarps at center ice for the trophy presentation at game's end. The Dallas Stars are still new enough at this winning business that the Presidents' Trophy registers as a major event.

April 19 -- Barnes talks of bringing the fight back to Clemson: CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Rick Barnes' goal from the moment he took the Clemson job was adding some "Grrr" to the Tigers' growl.

April 19 -- Drexler, Cougar assistant coaches, planning resurgence: HOUSTON (AP) -- Coaches meetings for University of Houston basketball assistants Reid Gettys and George Walker are anything but routine.

April 18 -- Birds darken Texas Rangers minor league playing field: PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -- A Texas Rangers farm team has to play its games with a partly darkened outfield because ospreys are raising babies in a nest atop a stadium light pole and won't let repairmen replace blown light bulbs.

April 18 -- Cougars building with local talent: HOUSTON (AP) -- The Phi Slama Jama era at the University of Houston was built around local talent and Cougar coach Clyde Drexler hopes the same strategy will work again.

April 18 -- Armstrong to return to racing in May: AUSTIN (AP) -- American cyclist Lance Armstrong, who left the European racing circuit two months ago after saying it had become a grind, will return to competition in the United States in May.

April 18 -- Watkins hires two assistants at Texas A&M: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Texas A&M basketball coach Melvin Watkins named two assistants Friday.

April 17 -- Former NFL, Lamar player helped bring down racial barriers: BEAUMONT, Texas -- When it comes to race relations in sports, former NFL linebacker Anthony Guillory knows firsthand the barriers of color. He also knows how to break them down.

April 17 -- Houston high school player declares for NBA draft: HOUSTON (AP) -- Rashard Lewis, a 6-foot-10 high school standout, declared his eligibility for the NBA draft Thursday, becoming the latest prep school star to bypass college for the lure of the pros.

April 17 -- Two Stephen F. Austin stars expect NFL careers: NACOGDOCHES, Texas (AP) -- The effort to recruit Mikhael Ricks, a multi-talented football player and a fair tuba player, to Stephen F. Austin has included a musical interlude.

April 17 -- Williams insures his future: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas running back Ricky Williams has insured his future after deciding to turn down millions in the NFL and return for his senior season with the Longhorns.

April 16 -- Officials weigh impact of Tech's sanctions, await next steps: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- While Texas Tech soon will celebrate the end of a two-year NCAA investigation into its athletic department, this week's stern self-imposed sanctions and the potential of further penalties have left an aftermath of uncertainty.

April 16 -- Mavericks were home breakers in 1998: DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks were practically home alone in 1998.

April 16 -- Most golfers should spend more time working on their short games: FORT WORTH, Texas -- As a former scientist in the NASA space program, Dave Pelz knows how to analyze and crunch numbers. So, when he says his numbers show the short game in golf represents more than 50 percent of the game, believe it.

April 15 -- James stepping up to role as starting QB: WACO, Texas -- While Jeff Watson and Jermaine Alfred battled for the starting job and racked their brains trying to pick up a new offense last spring, Odell James did nothing but watch and learn.

April 15 -- Ex-mobster warns UT athletes about gambling: AUSTIN (AP) -- Even the smallest bets with the least suspicious bookmakers could lead to big trouble for student athletes, according to a former mobster.

April 15 -- Former TCU players get probation for bar fight: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Two former Texas Christian football players have been sentenced to probation in the 1996 beating of another student outside a bar.

April 15 -- Texas Tech self-imposes penalties related to NCAA charges: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Texas Tech has admitted breaking several NCAA rules from 1991-97 and will compensate by reducing athletic scholarships and forfeiting victories -- potentially dozens -- in several sports.

April 15 -- In second stab at forum on race, Clinton focuses on sports: HOUSTON (AP) -- Narrowing the focus of his national dialogue on race, President Clinton gathered with an all-star lineup of sports figures Tuesday to discuss stereotyping and other race issues in athletics.

April 14 -- Barnes immediately imposes discipline on Texas: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Before Rick Barnes attended his introductory news conference as the new basketball coach at Texas, he met with a disgruntled star player who is transferring and laid down the law with a divided team.

April 14 -- Barnes, who defies doubters, takes over at Texas: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - When Rick Barnes took over at Clemson in 1994, one newspaper predicted his team could be the worst in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

April 14 -- Stars sign Modano to six-year, $43.5 million contract: DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Stars on Monday eliminated one more distraction before the playoffs, signing injured center Mike Modano to a six-year, $43.5 million contract.

April 14 -- Hispanics protest lack of representation on race forum panel: HOUSTON (AP) - A presidential town hall meeting intended to smooth race relations has instead ruffled Hispanic activists.

April 14 -- Maxwell begins serving 90-day jail sentence: HOUSTON (AP) - Charlotte Hornets guard Vernon Maxwell traded his red-white-blue windbreaker for an orange prisoner's jumpsuit Monday after he was booked to begin serving a 90-day jail sentence resulting from a 1995 marijuana possession case.

April 14 -- TCU's Huffman is a punter, receiver, returner and baseball hitter: FORT WORTH, Texas - When Royce Huffman was selected 'The Sporting News/ national player of the week recently, TCU coach Lance Brown was slightly surprised at the numbers attached to his star's hot streak.

April 13 -- Axtell says he's transferring from Texas to Kansas: DALLAS (AP) - Texas freshman Luke Axtell, who ignited a controversy and player revolt that ended up costing Longhorns coach Tom Penders his job, says he will transfer from Texas to Kansas.

April 13 -- Clemson's Rick Barnes new Longhorn coach: AUSTIN - Clemson's Rick Barnes was named basketball coach at Texas Sunday, replacing Tom Penders, the Longhorns' winningest coach who resigned after a player revolt.

April 13 -- Hispanics protest makeup of race forum panel: HOUSTON (AP) - Hispanic activists voiced opposition Sunday to the makeup of a panel participating in Tuesday's presidential town hall meeting on race and sports, calling the one Hispanic representative "a token."

April 13 -- Rangers beat Blue Jays: ARLINGTON - Kevin Elster hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday to give the Texas Rangers a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

April 12 -- Rangers' Juan Gonzalez should demand an outfield makeover (Randy Galloway Column): ARLINGTON, Texas -- The local sports question of the past week was, "Why did they build it that way to start with?"

April 12 -- Bam Morris released from jail: DALLAS (AP) -- NFL free agent running back Bam Morris was released from the Rockwall County jail Saturday after serving 89 days of a 120-day sentence for marijuana possession.

April 12 -- Texas officials locked on Majerus or Barnes: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The University of Texas' search for a new basketball coach continued to focus Saturday on Utah's Rick Majerus and Clemson's Rick Barnes.

April 11 -- High school athletes skate at any hour in search of hockey action: ADDISON, Texas (AP) -- In Texas, where football is king and basketball is the crown prince of high school athletics, ice hockey doesn't even have a spot in the prep kingdom.

April 11 -- Malone suspended for Friday's game after elbowing Robinson: SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs played without their stars on Friday night.

April 11 -- Field of Texas basketball candidates narrows: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- With Washington's Bob Bender and Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson withdrawing from consideration, Utah's Rick Majerus and Clemson's Rick Barnes are the front-runners to fill the basketball coaching vacancy at the University of Texas.

April 10 -- Leonard's predicament (Column): AUGUSTA, Ga. -- When I drove through the entrance Wednesday at Augusta National Golf Club, I liked Justin Leonard's chances of winning the Masters.

April 10 -- They're off again at Lone Star Park: GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (AP) -- Daggett's Crossing made sure I Are Sharp didn't steal the headlines in this year's opening race at Lone Star Park.

April 10 -- Clinton to head to Texas next week for discussion on race and sports: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Seeking to bring his discussion of race relations to as wide an audience as possible, President Clinton heads to Houston next week for a nationally televised town hall meeting on the topic of race and sports.

April 10 -- Robinson returns home after getting knocked out in Utah: SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Spurs center David Robinson was released from a Utah hospital and returned home Thursday after suffering a concussion when he was elbowed by Karl Malone.

April 10 -- Source: Odom among those being considered by Texas: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Wake Forest's Dave Odom has joined the list of basketball coaching candidates being considered by the University of Texas, according to a high-ranking university source.

April 9 -- Lone Star Park back bigger and better: GRAND PRAIRIE (AP) -- Like a college recruiter, Corey Johnsen chases talented prospects.

April 9 -- Trainer Tom Bohannon rebuilds with 12-horse stable at Lone Star Park: GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- For trainer Tom Bohannan, the road that returns to the Triple Crown and prominence could begin in Texas. That's his hope.

April 9 -- National signing day comes and goes without UT coach: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The search for a basketball coach at the University of Texas may be expanded, a high-ranking university source said Wednesday.

April 9 -- Is Bob Bender staying or leaving at UW? He says he doesn't know: SEATTLE (AP) -- Bob Bender, who coached the Washington Huskies into the NCAA's Sweet 16 last month, said Wednesday that he hasn't been offered the job at Texas and he doesn't know if he'd take it if it was offered.

April 8 -- Source: Bender is front-runner for Texas job: AUSTIN -- Washington coach Bob Bender has emerged as the front-runner for the head basketball coaching job at Texas, according to a high-ranking university source.

April 8 -- New-found power makes Justin Leonard a contender at Augusta: FORT WORTH, Texas -- His thin biceps are easily hidden beneath the billowy sleeves of his golf shirts. Justin Leonard, at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, will not quibble about that.

April 8 -- Overnight celebrity: Justin Leonard captures the attention of Masters crowd: AUGUSTA, Ga. -- When Justin Leonard and his parents arrived Sunday, they virtually had Augusta National Golf Club to themselves. Justin played a nine-hole practice round; his parents walked along.

April 8 -- Spurs face three best teams in West in upcoming games: SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The NBA playoffs are two weeks away, but for the San Antonio Spurs the postseason seems to be starting now.

April 8 -- University of Texas at Dallas names first-ever basketball coach: DALLAS (AP) -- The University of Texas at Dallas has named Ray Farrell, a former assistant at Southern Methodist and other schools, as its first-ever men's basketball coach.

April 7 -- Utah and Washington coaches top of list of UT replacement: AUSTIN - Utah's Rick Majerus and Washington's Bob Bender are heading a short list of coaches being considered by the University of Texas to replace Tom Penders, according to a high-ranking university source.

April 7 -- Rockets voice opinions on possible Bulls breakup: HOUSTON - Charles Barkley had an opinion. "(Michael Jordan) should be able to dictate the whole scenario (on his future)," the Rockets forward said Sunday. "(The Bulls) were nothing before he got there, and they'll be nothing when he leaves. But (ownership) let you know, no matter what you've done, accomplished, you don't mean anything to them."

April 7 -- Scottie Pippen has Houston on his mind, among others: HOUSTON - Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich must have been listening to Scottie Pippen's latest tirade. When a reporter asked Tomjanovich if the Rockets, who will be about $14 million under the salary cap next season, would be interested in signing the Bulls' free agent, Tomjanovich beamed like he did when Houston won those back-to-back championships.

April 7 -- Strong start in Hooks, Texas, boosts Stephen F. Austin linebacker: DALLAS -- It wasn't a difficult decision for linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to skip his senior season at Stephen F. Austin to enter the NFL draft this April. In fact, it was no decision at all.

April 7 -- Jennings gives Baylor a one, two punch: WACO, Texas - In an age of specialization, Baylor's Jason Jennings is a throwback to an era when baseball players did everything.

April 7 -- NASCAR to Texas track: Fix it: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - When Bruton Smith spent $130 million to build Texas Motor Speedway, he hoped NASCAR would want to run two Winston Cup races a year at his track. The way things are going, he may not have any.

April 6 -- Penders' demise brings cloud to Texas: AUSTIN - Jim Harrick and Steve Fisher may have some consoling words for Tom Penders. Harrick and Fisher, successful college basketball coaches at UCLA and Michigan, respectively, with national championships under their belts, were abruptly ousted to the surprise of many.

April 6 -- Report: Majerus to meet with Texas : AUSTIN (AP) - Rick Majerus, who spurned an offer from Arizona State after leading Utah to the NCAA title game, will meet with University of Texas officials to discuss their coaching vacancy, the Austin American-Statesman reported Sunday.

April 6 -- Cliburn on time, but flag-holders have problems: FORT WORTH - This time, Van Cliburn made it to the Texas Motor Speedway right on time. The piano virtuoso was slated to play the national anthem before last year's inaugural Winston Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway, but a mixup in helicopter scheduling left him stranded at a nearby airport.

April 6 -- Rangers beat Jays: TORONTO - Rusty Greer doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning Sunday and the Texas Rangers overcame three Toronto homers to beat the Blue Jays, 6-5.

April 5 -- Jarrett says drivers should stop complaining, start racing: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Dale Jarrett has some advice for his fellow NASCAR drivers who continue grumbling about problems with the track at the 1-year-old Texas Motor Speedway: Deal with it.

April 5 -- Earnhardt Jr. earns first title: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt choked up again Saturday.

April 5 -- Water problem solved -- for now -- by overnight work: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Work crews spent all night spraying compressed air into the spots on the Texas Motor Speedway track where moisture rose to the surface Friday, forcing postponement of qualifying for the Texas 500.

April 5 -- 3 SW Texas gridders charged with raping 2 women: AUSTIN (AP) -- Southwest Texas State University students say alcohol consumption in campus dormitories is common.

April 4 -- Solid Sele puts faith in family: ARLINGTON, Texas -- Those who know Rangers right-hander Aaron Sele best describe him as modest, reserved, conservative and private.

April 4 -- University apologizes, reinstates basketball player: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The University of Texas publicly apologized Friday and reinstated Luke Axtell, the basketball player whose grades were given to a radio station during the controversy that brought the resignation of Longhorn coach Tom Penders.

April 4 -- Jarrett says drivers should stop complaining, start racing: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Dale Jarrett has some advice for his fellow NASCAR drivers who continue grumbling about problems with the track at the 1-year-old Texas Motor Speedway: Deal with it.

April 3 -- Baylor coach says his Bears are where they ought to be ... finally: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- The Baylor Bears are exactly where coach Steve Smith hoped they'd be, only a year late.

April 3 -- Fans like bullpen seats so they can get close to Wetteland: ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jan Rhinefort and Ann Patrick are twins who love their Rangers season tickets even though their seats are more than 400 feet from home plate.

April 3 -- Penders resigns as Texas coach: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Tom Penders, the winningest basketball coach in University of Texas history but the target of a player revolt, resigned Thursday.

April 3 -- State soccer tournament kicks off Friday: GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) -- The boys' and girls' teams from Arlington Martin and San Antonio Churchill will be attempting to pull off rare double championships when the University Interscholastic League state soccer tournament kicks off on Friday.

April 3 -- Drivers: Old problems remain, plus new ones at TMS: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- When it comes to fixing up superspeedways, $517,000 must not go very far.

April 2 -- Rangers asleep at the plate in season opener: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Things were unfolding perfectly for the Texas Rangers in their first at-bat of the season.

April 2 -- Ballpark museum exhibit displays memorabilia from women's teams: ARLINGTON, Texas -- Downstairs, the words of Dodgers great Roy Campanella are written boldly across one wall: "You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living; But you gotta have a lot of little boy in you . . . "

April 2 -- Second year at TMS has to be better: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- The first crash at Texas Motor Speedway came on the first turn of the first lap of the first Winston Cup race.

April 2 -- Watkins takes over as basketball coach at Texas A&M: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Melvin Watkins, after two years of success at North Carolina-Charlotte, promised Wednesday a new attitude and new excitement at Texas A&M University as he took over the Aggies' struggling basketball program.

April 1 -- Texas basketball saga continues: AUSTIN (AP) -- Tom Penders has been hitting the sports radio talk show circuit the way a politician hits the campaign trail.

April 1 -- A tournament that started great and got better: SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Let the argument begin: Was this the best tournament ever?

April 1 -- New auto races threaten to overshadow traditional tracks: FORT WORTH, Texas -- When NASCAR comes to the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth for this weekend's Texas 500, the best stock car drivers in the country will race at a multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art facility before almost 200,000 spectators for a purse of more than $4 million.

April 1 -- Rangers' payroll is championship caliber: ARLINGTON -- The Texas Rangers set their opening-day roster on Sunday.