PAUL NEWBERRY

AP National Writer
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) follows through on a home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ozuna homers twice, Sale shuts down former team as Braves beat Red Sox 5-0
Marcell Ozuna kept up his torrid start with two more homers and Chris Sale pitched six innings against his former team, leading the Braves to a 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
 
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) delivers in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians during a baseball game, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Chris Sale sailing along for first-place Braves, hoping for injury-free season
Chris Sale is hesitant to discuss how good he’s feeling after another strong start for the Atlanta Braves. That’s understandable. Sale doesn’t want to jinx himself after all the injuries he endured with the Boston Red Sox.
 
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) delivers in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians during a baseball game, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Sale, Ozuna lead Braves past Guardians 6-2 in matchup of MLB’s two best teams
Chris Sale shook off another leadoff homer and Marcell Ozuna kept up his torrid start with two more RBIs, leading the Atlanta Braves past the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 in a matchup between MLB’s two best teams.
 
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried (54) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (16) leave the field after defeating the Miami Marlins in a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Max Fried throws Atlanta’s first 9-inning complete game since 2022, beats Marlins 5-0
Max Fried pitched a three-hitter for Atlanta’s first nine-inning complete game since 2022, Adam Duvall had a two-run homer and and the Atlanta Braves blanked the Miami Marlins for the second night in a row, 5-0.
 
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looks on after speaking about his retirement during a news conference Monday, April 22, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Matt Ryan calls it a career. The quarterback officially announces his retirement
Matt Ryan has called it a career. Ryan officially announced his retirement as a player after putting up Hall of Fame-worthy numbers over his long career with the Atlanta Falcons but coming up shy of a Super Bowl championship.
 
23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan celebrates a win by his driver Tyler Reddick after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Talladega. Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NASCAR revels in an M.J. moment. His Airness gives a big boost to his posthoops passion
Michael Jordan’s new life suddenly seems just as satisfying as his old one. This felt a whole lot like M.J. knocking down a buzzer beater, winning the big game, celebrating like a champion.
 
23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan celebrates a win by his driver Tyler Reddick after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Talladega. Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
MJ for the win: Reddick pulls off a Talladega buzzer-beater for Michael Jordan
Tyler Reddick stole a victory at Talladega Superspeedway when front-runner Michael McDowell, swerving up and down the track trying to block Brad Keselowski, wound up crashing with the finish line in sight.
 
Rookie Jesse Love claims 1st NASCAR Xfinity Series win in another wild Talladega finish
Nineteen-year-old rookie Jesse Love has won the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race of his career in a crash-marred, double-overtime finish at Talladega Superspeedway.
 
Chase Elliott celebrates his win in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Randy Holt)
Two teams blowing everyone else away in NASCAR Cup. Can the others catch up at Talladega?
The Rick Hendrick Express rolls into Talladega Superspeedway, with Joe Gibbs Racing nipping at their bumpers. Good luck to everyone else in the NASCAR Cup series.
 
Scottie Scheffler holds the trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Scheffler turns the Masters into another Sunday yawner with a dominating win
Scottie Scheffler drained all the drama out of the Masters. Which has become a familiar storyline at Augusta National.
 
Bryson DeChambeau lines up a putt on the 10th hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
After a messy back nine, DeChambeau’s final swing keeps him in the mix at the Masters
Bryson DeChambeau was rubbing his face in the middle of the 18th fairway, his head shaking slowly, as if he couldn’t quite believe how quickly his shot at a green jacket had apparently slipped away on the back nine at Augusta National.
 
Tiger Woods and caddie Lance Bennett shield, their faces form the blowing sand on the 18th hole during second round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Friday, April 12, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
More history for Tiger Woods. He makes the Masters cut for a record 24th time in a row
Tiger Woods has claimed more history at Augusta National, making the cut for a record 24th consecutive time. Of course, his sights are fixated on a far greater goal — a sixth green jacket.
 
Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tiger Woods off to rousing start in pursuit of more Masters history, maybe another green jacket
Tiger Woods is off to a rousing start in his pursuit of more Masters history. And maybe an improbable run at a sixth green jacket. Woods wasn’t able to complete the rain-delayed opening round at Augusta National, getting in 13 holes before sundown.
 
Peter Malnati and his wife Alicia react as their son Hatcher hits on on the fifth hole during the par-3 contest at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Golf has a ratings problem, and the Masters could shine a light on why viewers are tuning out
Golf has a ratings problem. The week-to-week grind of the PGA Tour has essentially become No Need To See TV, raising serious concerns about what it means for the future of the game.
 
Jon Rahm, of Spain, walks to the 10th green during a practice round in preparation for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
As golf’s civil war rages, all the top PGA Tour and LIV players are at the Masters this week
In some ways, golf finds itself at a point in time not unlike pro football in the 1960s, when two rival leagues duked it out but found a path to reconciliation that produced a game far bigger than anyone could’ve envisioned.
 
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider throws in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in North Port, Fla., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Braves ace Spencer Strider looks to become even more dominant in 2024
Spencer Strider is one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. That’s not enough for him. The Atlanta Braves opening day starter is looking to make things even tougher on anyone who steps up against him in 2024.
 
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) reacts after hitting a three-point basket late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Monday, March 25, 2024, in Atlanta. The Hawks won. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hawks rally from 30 points down to stun NBA-leading Celtics 120-118
De’Andre Hunter scored 24 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining, and the patched-together Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 30-point deficit for a stunning 120-118 victory over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics.
 
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder throws in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in North Port, Fla., Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Braves send 2023 All-Star Bryce Elder to minors. Reynaldo López earns spot in rotation
The Atlanta Braves have optioned All-Star pitcher Bryce Elder to the minors, picking Reynaldo López to open the season as the team’s fifth starter. López signed a $30 million, three-year deal with the Braves in November.
 
FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands the ball off in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. The Atlanta Falcons moved on from Desmond Ridder, trading their former starting quarterback to the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Rondale Moore on Thursday, March 14, 2024a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Falcons trade former starting QB Ridder to Cardinals for WR Moore
The Atlanta Falcons have moved on from Desmond Ridder, trading their former starting quarterback to the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Rondale Moore.
 
FILE - Atlanta Braves' Adam Duvall celebrates after his grand slam home run during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. Duvall is returning for another stint with the Atlanta Braves, who signed the slugging outfielder on Thursday, March 14, 2024, to a $3 million deal for the 2024 season.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
OF Adam Duvall returns for another stint with Braves. He will platoon with Jarred Kelenic
Adam Duvall is returning for his third stint with the Atlanta Braves, who have signed the slugging outfielder to a $3 million deal for the 2024 season.
 
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during a news conference Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Cousins has one playoff victory in his long career. The Atlanta Falcons are betting at least $100 million that he's the guy who can lead them to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Kirk Cousins looks to build his postseason legacy with the Falcons
Kirk Cousins has a single playoff victory in his long career. Even so, the Atlanta Falcons are betting at least $100 million that he’s the quarterback who can lead this star-crossed franchise to its first Super Bowl championship.
 
FILE -Georgia head coach Kirby Smart watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Georgia begins spring practice looking to get back on top after falling just short in 2023
 
FILE -Former NHL player Anson Carter delivers remarks during a news conference to announce the formation of the Player Inclusion Coalition, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. After losing both the Flames and the Thrashers, Atlanta is making a third bid to land an NHL team. Former player Anson Carter announced Tuesday, March 12, 2024 he's heading a group that made a formal request to the league to begin the process of adding an expansion team in metro Atlanta. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Atlanta has lost two NHL teams. Former player Anson Carter leads one of two groups seeking a third
Atlanta is making a third bid to land an NHL team after losing both the Flames and the Thrashers. Former player Anson Carter heads a group that has made a formal request to the league to begin the process of adding an expansion team in the Atlanta area.
 
Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey (41) holds his leg after he was injured during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans PelicansSunday, March 10, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hawks forward Saddiq Bey out for season after tearing ACL in left knee
Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. The Hawks already were playing without two starters — top scorer Trae Young and Jalen Johnson — as well as backup center Onyeka Okongwu.
 
LSU coach Kim Mulkey gestures during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Auburn on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
Column: LSU coach Kim Mulkey manages to go even lower after brawl at SEC championship
Just when you think Kim Mulkey can’t go any lower, the LSU coach managed to defy expectations. After a brawl broke out in the closing minutes of the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game, Mulkey’s lack of class and character revealed itself as soon as she spoke up.
 
FILE - Katie Ledecky competes in the women's 800-meter freestroke final at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Saturday, July 29, 2023. Given the unusual timing — a lingering fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic — many of the biggest names have decided to skip the World Aquatics Championships meet in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
World Aquatics Championships begin in Doha, but many top swimmers are staying home
With all eyes on the Paris Olympics, the World Aquatics Championships feel more like a nuisance than the second-most important event on the swimming calendar.
 
Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder talks with guuard Trae Young in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Trae Young scores 26 points, Hawks hand Lakers another double-digit defeat, 138-122
Trae Young scored 26 points, including his first six attempts from 3-point range, and the Atlanta Hawks handed LeBron James and the Los Angeles their second double-digit loss in as many nights, 138-122.
 
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, right, discusses the decision to dismiss head coach Arthur Smith as CEO Rich McKay looks on during a news conference Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons phase out Rich McKay -- again -- as Raheem Morris comes on board as coach
When the Atlanta Falcons began their search for a new head coach, Rich McKay was sitting side by side with owner Arthur Blank. By the time Raheem Morris was hired, McKay had been shoved aside.
 
FILE - Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris watches players prepare for an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The Atlanta Falcons have hired Morris as their coach after an exhaustive search that included six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Raheem Morris hired as head coach by Atlanta Falcons, who pass on Bill Belichick
The Atlanta Falcons have hired Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new head coach after an exhaustive search that included six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick.
 
FILE - Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Houston. Slowik is a finalist for The Associated Press 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year.(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Atlanta Falcons conduct a second coaching interview with Texans assistant Bobby Slowik
In another sign they are looking beyond six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick, the Atlanta Falcons have conducted a second interview with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
 
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