Bill Singer locked up baseball's first save in 1969 but didn't realize he'd made history until years later

Bill Singer was the most unlikely of pitchers to earn baseball's first save in 1969. He was a starter who would win 20 games that season, and he went on to another 20-win season and a no-hitter. Yet Singer, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of Don Drysdale on opening day that season, notched baseball's first save (a stat adopted that year). Singer didn't realize he'd made history until years later. My story for ESPN.com: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20460/before-riveras-600-singer-forgot-first-save

U.S. women's hockey team goes into world championships with blend of youth, experience

One is an 18-year old college kid; another is a 32-year-old, three-time Olympian. Together they help make up an all-star roster of youngsters and longtime national team players who have been selected for the U.S. women's hockey team that goes into the World Championships in Canada. Though their taste in music and movies might be far different, the teens, 20somethings and players past 30 have one thing in common: bring back a gold medal. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Sochi-2014/Features/2013/April/02/Young-Talent-Keep-US-Women-Strong-Fresh.aspx

Niners trade for McCoy to battle for backup job

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In his short tenure in Cleveland, Colt McCoy took a beating on the field and to his won-loss record. Now the former Texas star gets a fresh start in San Francisco. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McCoy-Pummeled-in-Cleveland-Gets-Fresh-Start-With-49ers--201073921.html

For Raiders, is Flynn the answer? Or another question?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland traded for Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn, giving him a chance at the starter's job for 2013. Will Flynn be the solution to the team's problems at the position for a decade, or is it just another questionable deal? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hope-Flynn-is-Answer-to-Quarterback-Question-201063291.html

In 1974, it took a very special North Carolina State team to end UCLA's championship streak

The Wolfpack of North Carolina State had David Thompson (aka Skywalker), 7-foot-2 center Tommy Burleson, 5-foot-7 point guard Monte Towe and exceptional role players. It also had a chip on its shoulder, having been declared ineligible for the postseason the previous season for a recruiting violation. But in 1974, coach Norm Sloan's team put itself into the discussion of the best teams in NCAA history by stopping the Bruins and interrupting UCLA's long string of championships. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20400/in-1974-n-c-state-stood-atop-hoops-world

With Hunter back, 49ers backfield could be crowded

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Recent reports say running back Kendall Hunter is ahead of schedule in recovery from Achilles' tendon surgery. If he returns, Niners would have talented and crowded backfield with Frank Gore and LaMichael James. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Backfield-May-be-a-Crowded-Place-200883291.html

Some believe 49ers will move up to take impact player

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers have the 31st pick in the first round, but some believe they might trade extra picks to move up high to select wide receiver Tavon Austin. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bold-Move-Up-in-Draft-Could-Give-49ers-Impact-Player-200602311.html

No veteran is safe on Raiders roster

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With the release of Tommy Kelly, the Raiders roster has just 18 players remaining from the Al Davis era. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Continue-Roster-Makeover-With-Release-of-Kelly-200437151.html

The best of the best: The 33 greatest (and most unbreakable) streaks in sports history

The Miami Heat came up short in its bid to topple the 33-game winning streak of the Los Angeles Lakers, shining a light on what that Lakers team accomplished. But that NBA winning streak by Los Angeles is just one of many terrific streaks by individuals and teams. A (subjective) look at the 33 best: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20149/the-33-best-streaks-in-sports-history

Bonanza of picks gives 49ers future options, too

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers probably don't need 14 rookies, so there's a chance the team can use some of its 14 draft choices this season to garner picks in future drafts. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Multiple-Picks-Give-49ers-Options-for-Future-Drafts-200245941.html

Raiders looking at Vince Young and Matt Flynn

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Carson Palmer possibly on his way out, reports indicate the Raiders are looking at free-agent Vince Young and Seattle backup Matt Flynn as possible options. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Young-Flynn-May-be-on-Raiders-Radar-200239031.html

Bigger cornerbacks? Niners may be interested

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco may have seen what the Seahawks are doing with bigger cornerbacks and want to add one (or two) itself. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-go-Bigger-at-Cornerback-200063231.html

Palmer may not restructure Raiders deal

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Carson Palmer apparently doesn't want to restructure his deal with the Raiders, meaning Oakland may end up cutting him. Then what? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Palmer-Trade-Still-Haunts-Raiders-200050021.html

Two giants of football coaching, George Allen and Don Coryell, once graced tiny Whittier College program

Whittier College has never produced a great football player, and it's always played in the shadows of other nearby programs such as UCLA, USC and even Long Beach State (before it was disbanded). But once upon a time, the Poets of Whittier had two giants of coaching, George Allen and Don Coryell, and the school produced victories galore. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20015/whittier-college-once-had-allen-coryell

Niners looking at former Dolphins QB Pat White

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Pat White has been out of the NFL since 2010, but his background as a read-option standout quarterback at West Virginia makes him attractive to the 49ers, who have asked him to work out for them. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Exploring-Options-for-Backup-Quarterback-199871121.html

Harbaugh says his drive to win has grown stronger

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After two seasons of success and a trip to the Super Bowl, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh says his competitive fire and will to win are even greater than when he took the job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Harbaughs-Fire-Burns-Even-Brighter--199556081.html

Raiders still need help at cornerback

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though the Raiders are very thin at cornerback, they have yet to make a move in free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Have-Yet-to-Make-a-Move-at-Cornerback-199547941.html

Chickens as pets? It's a growing trend among urbanites

In many urban and suburban back yards these days, you can see chickens ranging across the lawn, climbing into their coops and clucking the day away. People have started to keep chickens not just as a food source, for fresh eggs, but for their personalities and plumage. Keeping chickens as family pets is a growing trend, and families say they love the birds, give them names and laugh at their antics. My stor for U-T San Diego's pets page: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/21/chickens-pets/

Raiders' entire draft class of 2009 is now gone

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's no secret the Raiders have hurt themselves with bad drafts in recent years. The latest example is the 2009 draft class. No players remain on the roster just four years after Draft Day. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Draft-Futility-is-Apparent-199363561.html

Harbaugh says Kaepernick won't be satisified, will improve

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has many concerns this offseason, but Colin Kaepernick isn't one of them. He's convinced his QB is too much a competitor to ever rest on his laurels. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Harbaugh-Convinced-Kaepernick-Will-Improve-199371591.html