Hamlin, most polarizing driver, in NASCAR, just keeps winning
Denny Hamlin was booed in celebration again.
The Joe Gibbs Racing superstar, a driver whose 52 wins in the Cup Series rank as the 13th most in NASCAR history, heard another heaping of disapproval and contempt when he climbed from his No. 11 Toyota at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday.
Victor and villain. Hamlin stopped short of egging on the hostile crowd this time, though. After winning his second consecutive victory at the famed short track — his fourth overall inside the concrete coliseum — Hamlin skipped his catchphrase “I just beat your favorite driver” and simply flashed his index finger in every direction to remind everyone who finished No. 1.
Surely some of his detractors responded with a different finger.
It’s become the surreal norm for Hamlin and shows no signs of quieting even as he continues to rise NASCAR’S alltime win chart. Hamlin has Hall of Famers Lee Petty (54) and Rusty Wallace (55) within reach this season and has closed the gap on Kyle Busch (63) for the most wins by an active driver.
He may already have surpassed Busch as the most hated driver in the garage.
“I don’t mind it. I really don’t because it’s just noise,” Hamlin said before the race. “There were many moments mid-career where there was just claps; that’s just not a needle mover one way or the other. A lot of it comes with success as well. If you are a contender each and every week, you are going to get more noise typically.”
COLLEGE ATHLETICS Dartmouth won't work with union
Dartmouth will not enter into collective bargaining with the union its men’s basketball players voted to join earlier this month, the school said Monday in a move that could send the case to federal court.
In a statement announcing its refusal to bargain a labor deal with the athletes, the school was adamant that it believes “athletes in the Ivy League are not employees.”
A regional director of the National Labor Relations Board ruled last month that Dartmouth basketball players were employees, clearing the way for them to vote to join the union.
The players then voted 13-2 to join the Service Employees International Union Local 560.
Dartmouth is asking for a review of the regional director’s decision by the full board.
BASEBALL Bauer set to pitch against Yankees
Trevor Bauer says he will pitch for the Mexican team Diablos Rojos in their Sunday exhibition game with the New York Yankees.
Bauer, 33, the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, is attempting to return to Major League Baseball for the first time in three years following his lengthy suspension by MLB and release from the Dodgers after a woman accused him of sexual assault.
Bauer said Monday in a social media post that he has also agreed to pitch five games for Diablos Rojos from April 11 to May 8 “in lieu of a traditional spring training period as it’s the best way for me to stay ready to pitch.”
“This will help me stay in game shape and I’ll be able to join a rotation immediately if or when an MLB offer comes,” Bauer said. “Hope to see you on Sunday and can’t wait to show y’all what Mexican baseball is all about!”
The Yankees are playing a pair of split-squad exhibition games with Diablos Rojos on Saturday and Sunday at Mexico City’s Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.
Bauer hasn’t pitched in the majors since being placed on administrative leave by MLB in July of 2021 after a woman alleged that he assaulted her on two different occasions at his home in Pasadena during what she said began as consensual sexual encounters between them.
Bauer denied the allegations and said the encounters were consensual. Prosecutors decided in February 2022 not to file charges. The woman sued him and Bauer countersued, though the two parties settled their legal dispute last fall.
■ Bryce Elder, who made the NL All-star team with the Atlanta Braves last season before struggling late in the year, has been optioned to the minors.
The decisions to option both Elder and Huascar Ynoa signaled that Reynaldo López will be the fifth starter in a rotation that also includes Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Chris Sale. The Braves signed López to a $30 million, three-year contract in November.
NFL Chargers announce free agent signings
The Chargers on Monday announced the signings off free agents center Bradley Bozeman and linebacker Troy Dye.
General manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman both worked with Bozeman in Baltimore. Bozeman was a sixth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2018 draft and was there for four seasons before spending the last two in Carolina. Bozeman is projected to be the Chargers’ starting center with Corey Linsley expected to retire due to a heart issue.
Dye, a Norco High grad who spent his first four seasons with Minnesota, is expected to contribute primarily on special teams. He led the Vikings in special teams tackles with 11 in 2021.
■ Buffalo signed All-pro nickel cornerback Taron
Johnson, 27, to a three-year contract extension, locking him up through the 2027 season.
■ Leighton Vander Esch retired following six NFL seasons, with the linebacker stepping away after missing 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year because of the latest in a series of neck injuries.
■ The Atlanta Falcons signed receiver/returner Ray-ray Mccloud to a twoyear contract.
■ Washington signed former Chargers cornerback Michael Davis to a one-year contract.
■ Pittsburgh Steelers signed special teams ace Miles Killebrew and former Rams receiver Van Jefferson.
SOCCER Bay FC wins inaugural game, beats ACFC
Asisat Oshoala scored the first goal in Bay FC history as the National Women’s Soccer League expansion team opened the season with a 1-0 win over Angel City on Sunday night.
In the 17th minute, Bay FC’S Tess Boade intercepted a pass up the field and found Oshoala in the box. Oshoala scored into the upper right corner with her first touch.
The Nigerian forward is a six-time African Player of the Year.
Angel City responded well in front of a sellout home crowd at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, but was continuously spoiled by Bay FC goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx, who made eight saves to earn the shutout in her NWSL debut. The one shot that got past Proulx was cleared off the line by defender Caprice Dydasco in the 91st minute.