SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy pro with more than $2 million in winnings, gives optimal NBA DFS lineup advice for NBA playoff action on Wednesday, May 6

A lot of baseball talent has come out of local high schools, not just in recent years but stretching back decades.As part of USA Today Sports' commemoration of the country's 250th anniversary, we're asking readers to vote on who was the best of the best to play local high school baseball.This poll, which will run until 8 p.m. on May 27 contains only 12 names when it could easily include 20 or more. Readers may also write in their own choices.Capsule writeups below vary with statistics more easily available for players who played high school ball in more recent years. The poll is grounded in players' high school performances. Because of this, some players who went on to big league careers are not on the list. Not on the list is Ken Singleton, the former first round Mets draft choice (No. 3 overall in 1967), Orioles star and former Yankees announcer.Playing for Mount Vernon, he launched a ball off the clock tower that's behind the centerfield fence at Mamaroneck. That's a 450-foot shot and he did this with a wooden bat. But, according to Singleton, who starred in basketball at Mount Vernon (Class of 1965), he didn't get much playing time on the school baseball team. The three-time MLB all-star, who had more than 2,000 hits in the majors, received an athletic scholarship to Hofstra for basketball and also played baseball there. But he explained he was seen by pro scouts and drafted largely because of his play in a high-level baseball league in the Bronx. Thus, his absence.Note: If you want to write someone in, please note what school he attended.The choicesChris Algozzino, North Rockland His glory years were largely limited to high school, but Algozzino's time on the diamond for North Rockland was, indeed, special. The southpaw finished his Red Raiders career a perfect 24-0. As a junior in 1992, he pitched a complete game as North Rockland claimed its first ever state championship in any sport in an 11-3 win over Lockport. The next year, he went 8-0 with an ERA under 1.. Batters hit just .190 off him and he struck out better than one per inning. Algozzino, who also hit .353 that final season, while also playing center field, picked up the win in the state semifinals. The Red Raiders went on to win their second straight state title. Twice named All-State, he was also 1993 NYSPHSAA Baseball Player of the Year and 1993 USA Today New York State High School Baseball Player of the Year.Robbie Aviles, SuffernAviles, who suffered a serious arm injury his senior year at Suffern, was, nevertheless, drafted out of high school in the seventh round by the Cleveland Indians that's just how good he'd been. His senior year, the 2010 Suffern grad went 8-0 with an 0.68 ERA. He was Section 1 Pitcher of the Year and was also an All-American. He finished his Suffern career 25-3 with a 1.26 ERA, a perfect game, three other no-hitters and three one-hitters. Oh, and he struck out 275.Ralph Branca, A.B. Davis High School, Mount VernonThe high school may no longer exist but Branca's photo now hangs inside Mount Vernon High School, the school into which A.B. Davis was folded. Stats are sparse on Branca but he pitched for Davis, then only for a year at NYU before making his Major League debut, so his success on the mound for Davis is undeniable. The righty pitched for 12 years in the majors. While his career was largely successful (he made three all-star teams), Branca's best known for giving up Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World National League Pennant-winning home run in 1951.Will Cunnane, Clarkstown NorthWill Cunnanes senior year of baseball in 1992 was a special one. The righty went 6-2 with a microscopic 0.38 ERA on the hill for Rams. But his entire time at North was pretty special. He graduated with school records in ERA (1.36), shutouts (five) and strikeouts (195) Undrafted, he was signed by the Florida Marlins as a free agent a couple of months after he graduated. He passed up an offer from NCAA baseball power Clemson. Cunnane went on to play for four Major League teams and had an eight-year MLB career.Henry Davis, Fox LaneNow, 26, the catcher was the first player taken in the 2021 MLB draft. He'd played for three years for the University of Louisville and, before that, was a standout at Fox Lane. The 2018 Fox Lane graduate was Section 1 Player of the Year as a junior and as a senior.. His senior year he hit .441 with seven homers, 32 RBI and 27 runs scored. He was first-team All-State both years.Dave Fleming, MahopacThe lefty hurler was regarded as a star even when pitching in local youth tournaments. He dominated on the mound at Mahopac and then at the University of Georgia before being selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1990 MLB draft. As a senior in high school, Fleming was second-team ABCA/Rawlings High School All-American. His MLB career was little more than four seasons long, in part due to injuries. But he was third in 1992 in the Rookie of the Year voting. He won 17 games that season.George Kirby, RyeThe 28-year-old lanky righty is in his sixth season in the big leagues and is a starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, who drafted him 20th overall in 2019 out of Elon University. His selection was no surprise. The Mets had drafted him out of Rye but Kirby, who didn't lose a game from his sophomore through senior seasons as a Garnet, opted to play in college. He was named All-State three times in high school twice first team. He was 7-0 as a junior and 6-0 as a senior. His senior year, he struck out 73 in just 43.1 innings and his ERA was 0.32.Rick O'Keeffe, YorktownO'Keeffe owns a true might-have-been story with injuries derailing a very promising pro career, But people in Yorktown and neighboring towns still remember the big fireballer for his high school feats. O'Keefe was a 6-foot-6 lefty with a blazing fastball throwing harder as a Yorktown senior in 1975 than many Major Leaguers were throwing. If he were on the mound for the Huskers, the stands were sure to include multiple MLB team scouts. He had a 27-7 record for the Huskers that included five no-hitters one being a perfect game. Three of those no-hitters were in his senior season of 1975, when he struck out more than half the batters he faced and had an ERA of 0.40. He also hit. .426 with five home runs. Drafted straight out of high school, he was the 1975 No. 5 overall pick, going to the Milwaukee Brewers.Sammy Stafura, Walter PanasThe 2023 lohud Westchester/Putnam Baseball Player of the Year was also New York Gatorade Player of the Year that season, which was his last at Panas. The Panther shortstop hit .516 in 2023 with 14 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 38 RBI and 50 runs scored. Besides power, he was also recognized for his speed and exceptional glove. Instead of going to Clemson out of high school, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds, who drafted him in the second round. The 21-year-old is currently playing High-A ball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. B.J. Surhoff, RyeIf things had played out a little differently, Surhoff might have been a star for the Yankees. Surhoff, whose left-handed swing probably would have garnered him many more home runs than the 188 he totaled in the Majors had he played in the Bronx, was drafted by the Yankees in the the fifth round in 1982. The was after the Rye catcher hit .520 and was named All-State after receiving the same honor in football and basketball. But Surhoff decided to go to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for baseball, where he was All-ACC for three years and All-American for two. The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him with MLB's first overall pick in 1985. Surhoff enjoyed a 19-year MLB career, during which while best known behind the plate, he also played outfield and first base. He finished with more than 2,300 hits.Joey Vetrano, LakelandThe 2019 New York Gatorade Player of the Year, who missed playing his senior year of high school due to the COVID-19 shutdown, was named Journal News/lohud Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year as both a sophomore and junior and might have done the unthinkable and three-peated if not for the shutdown. As a sophomore, he opened eyes both on the mound and at the plate. Pitching and playing first, the lefty was 9-0 on the mound with a 1.48 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 66 innings. He also hit 462 with nine doubles, nine home runs, 22 RBI and 29 runs scored. As a junior , Vetrano threw a no-hitter and went 9-2 with an 0.74 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 66.2 innings. He batted .442 with eight doubles, five triples, 11 homers, 34 RBI and 42 runs scored. Vetrano went on to Boston College, where he starred at first base and was taken by the LA Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB draft. He currently plays with the Dodgers Double A Tulsa Drillers.Walt Weiss, SuffernThe current Atlanta Braves manager and holder of a World Series ring from his playing time with the Oakland A's, starred at shortstop for the Suffern Mounties. In honor of his contributions to that program and in honor of what he did post-high school in baseball, Suffern's baseball field bears his name. Weiss, who was Rockland Player of the Year in 1982, was drafted out of high school in the 10th round by Baltimore that year but instead decided to go the the University of North Carolina. After a strong, three-year career there, he was again drafted, this time in the first round by the Oakland A's. He was 1989 AL Rookie of the year and played for 14 seasons, winning the World Series with Oakland in 1989.Nancy Haggerty covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Best all-time lohud high school baseball player poll

The managerial merry-go-round at Santiago Bernabu has taken a sensational turn with reports of a high-level summit between two of football's biggest power brokers. Jos Mourinho has moved into the spotlight as a serious candidate to retake the reins at Real Madrid following direct talks with club president Florentino Perez. A secret summit in Madrid The "Special One" could be set for a sensational sequel in the Spanish capital. According to reports from Esdiario and journalist Sergio Valentin, Mourinho and Perez have engaged in a video conference that lasted approximately one hour to discuss a potential return to the Real Madrid dugout. The meeting reportedly included the presence of Mourinhos long-term representative, Jorge Mendes, though the super-agent was said to be acting primarily as an observer. This direct line of communication comes at a time when pressure on the current coaching staff has reached breaking point following a disappointing campaign and mounting internal uncertainty. Mourinho's non-negotiable demands While the prospect of a reunion is firmly on the table, the Portuguese tactician is not prepared to walk back into the Bernabeu without total control. Mourinho, who is currently managing Benfica under a contract that runs until 2027, has reportedly laid out a series of non-negotiable conditions that Perez must meet before he agrees to lead the project once again. Interestingly, these demands are not centered on his personal salary or financial package. Instead, Mourinho is demanding a total overhaul of the club's internal functioning. He is reportedly asking for absolute sporting control, a restructure of the medical department, and full disciplinary authority over the squad. These requirements highlight his desire to avoid the internal politics that plagued the final months of his first tenure between 2010 and 2013, a period in which he led the team to one title each in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana. Divided opinions at the Bernabeu The news of a potential Mourinho return has immediately polarized the Real Madrid fanbase. To many, he remains the manager who broke Barcelona's dominance and instilled a winning "killer" mentality in the squad during one of the most competitive eras in La Liga history. His experience and tactical discipline are seen by supporters as the perfect remedy for the current squad's lack of consistency. However, others remain wary of the baggage that follows the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss. His first spell ended in a fractured dressing room and public spats with club legends, a memory that still lingers for a section of the Madridismo. The prospect of bringing back such a combustible figure is viewed by some as a step backward rather than a forward-thinking solution. The ball is in Perez's court Despite the complexity of the negotiations, Mourinho has not shut the door on the record European champions. He has left the possibility open, but the final decision now rests with the president. Perez is expected to weigh up Mourinho's structural demands against other potential candidates, such as Unai Emery, who has also been linked with the post. Perez is expected to deliver his response to Mourinho sometime next week. Whether the club is willing to grant the manager the unprecedented level of control he craves remains the sticking point. If an agreement is reached, it would signal the start of one of the most dramatic and highly-anticipated second acts in the history of the sport.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday defended World Cup ticket prices, insisting that football's global governing body was obliged to take advantage of US laws that allow tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above face value.

SportsLine's model reveals its San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2 picks

Is this hell?No, this is Tropicana Field.That might be what the Toronto Blue Jays think of The Trop.Since 2021, the Jays have a .655 OPS and a 10-22 record under the tilted roof at One Tropicana Drive, and losers of 10 of the last 12.Even the Blue Jays, biggest podcast, Gate 14, has paid their respects to try and reverse the jinx.Podcast is live. Big series coming up. Watch here https://t.co/AadaRfMBpXpic.twitter.com/6JE8xMenGW Gate 14 Podcast (@Gate14Pod) May 6, 2026Lets get to the action. The Rays six game win streak, and streak of 13 straight games of allowing three runs or less to opponents, has by and large been the byproduct of the Flappy Boys use of leather.Taylor Walls made a stellar play from shortstop to end the first inning and keep Kazuma Okomotos first inning double from scoring.Not getting past the infield Walls pic.twitter.com/qpAkioa3Qf Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 6, 2026Things remained quiet through the third inning, with Patrick Corbin getting two double plays and finishing three frames with more balls than strikes.Shane McClanahan would go on to match and supplant his fellow southpaws goose eggs, going 5 2/3 innings of two hit, one walk, and four strikeout ball, all while earning the win.Over his last three starts, Sugar Shane is sporting a 16 2/3 scoreless inning streak.Shane McClanahan, Wicked 84mph Curveball. pic.twitter.com/KpYviavxm0 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 6, 2026Jonny DeLuca drove in Jonathan Aranda from first base with an RBI double in the fourth.Chandler Simpson would pick up his eighth RBI of the season, driving in DeLuca with a two out single in the same frame. 2-0 Tampa Bay.Two would be all the Rays would need, as the bullpen shut the door on Canadas Team with Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger, and Brian Baker each earning saves, and Ian Seymour earning his first career save.Undefeated against the AL East (6-0) the Rays areShipping up to Bostonto take on the Red Sox in a four game set from Fenway Park starting on Thursday.

Harry Kane has matched Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible UEFA Champions League record by scoring in six consecutive knockout appearances. However, the striker's historic goal was not enough to save Bayern Munich from elimination. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the final with a 6-5 aggregate victory, prolonging Kane's wait for elusive European glory. Historical record for Kane Kane became just the second player in history to score in six consecutive Champions League knockout stage matches, matching the impressive feat achieved by Ronaldo between 2012 and 2013. The English forward netted a dramatic goal in the 94th minute during a 1-1 draw against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena. Despite his late heroics and an earlier penalty in the 5-4 first-leg defeat, Bayern suffered a heartbreaking exit. The German giants have been eliminated with a 6-5 aggregate scoreline, sending their French opponents to the final. European dream put on hold Kane famously left his boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich with the primary ambition of securing major European silverware. Although the Bavarians finally reached the semifinals this season after suffering quarterfinal exits in their previous two campaigns, the ultimate prize remains frustratingly elusive for the prolific striker. Kane previously reached just one Champions League final during his time with Tottenham, where his side suffered a painful defeat against Liverpool. Despite enjoying a spectacular individual campaign with 56 goals across 49 appearances, he must now endure a wait of about nine months to resume his quest. Defending champions advance to Budapest While the Bavarians lament their missed opportunities, PSG are celebrating a hard-fought progression to defend their crown. The visitors took an early lead through Ousmane Dembl just three minutes into the match, forcing Bayern to chase the game. Despite dominating possession with 66 percent and registering 18 total shots, the hosts could not overturn the deficit. The defending champions will now travel to Budapest for the highly anticipated Champions League final, where they are set to face Arsenal. The English side have successfully navigated past Atltico Madrid to book their place in the showpiece event. Domestic finals await Bayern Munich must quickly refocus as they look to conclude their season on a high note. Having already officially secured the Bundesliga title, the club have two remaining league fixtures. Furthermore, they will face Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final on May 23, offering Kane an opportunity for domestic glory.

Mikel Arteta said that Arsenal fans "set the standards" after the Gunners reached the Champions League final with a 2-1 aggregate win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The incidents that inspired the non-calls were similar to an incident in last week's first leg in Paris, when the referee on that day made the handball call that resulted in a PSG penalty

Heinrich Klaasen has surged to the top of the Orange Cap standings after his fluent 69 off 43 balls against Punjab Kings, a knock that helped Sunrisers Hyderabad secure a crucial win and climb to the top of the table. Klaasens innings, which included three fours and four sixes, underlined his consistency this season. He now leads the run charts with 494 runs in 11 matches, averaging 54.89 at a strike rate of 157.32. What makes his effort stand out even more is his batting position. Unlike most players in the top run-scorers list, Klaasen operates outside the top three, making his numbers even more impressive given the limited balls he often faces. Right behind him is Abhishek Sharma, who continues to dominate at the top of the order. He has scored 475 runs in 11 matches at an average of 47.50, striking at a remarkable 210.18. His aggressive approach has been a key factor in SRHs success this season. KL Rahul sits third with 445 runs from 10 matches, averaging 49.44 at a strike rate of 180.89. He has combined stability with intent, playing anchor roles while still maintaining a high scoring rate. Ishan Kishan is fourth on the list with 409 runs in 11 matches. He has averaged 37.18 and scored at a strike rate of 186.76, often providing brisk starts and maintaining momentum through the middle overs. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been one of the standout performers this season. With 404 runs in 10 matches, he has averaged 40.40 while striking at an extraordinary 237.65, the highest among the leading run-scorers. His fearless hitting has made him one of the most exciting batters in the tournament. Sanju Samson completes the top group with 402 runs in 10 matches. He boasts the best average among the leading names at 57.43, along with a strong strike rate of 167.50, highlighting his ability to anchor and finish games under pressure.Orange Cap standings (IPL 2026):PlayerMatchesInnsRunsAvgSR4s6sHeinrich Klaasen111149454.89157.323623Abhishek Sharma111147547.50210.184336KL Rahul101044549.44180.894424Ishan Kishan111140937.18186.764122Vaibhav Sooryavanshi101040440.40237.653537Sanju Samson101040257.43167.504221