You've read the latest mock drafts from draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Now it's time for our NFL Nation reporters to share their expertise on the 2021 NFL draft as we close in on Round 1 (Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN App).

NFL Nation reporters played general manager for the teams they cover and executed a first-round mock. By the end, there were five quarterbacks taken -- including with the first three picks -- and the first defensive player wasn't taken until No. 8. Trades were not allowed. Here are the full results:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson | Highlights

Lawrence is the most polished quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck (2012) and ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has him as his fourth-highest-graded QB prospect, behind only John Elway, Peyton Manning and Luck. The Jaguars, who have lost 10 or more games in nine of the past 10 seasons, desperately need him to fix an offense that has been dreadful the past decade: They ranked 30th or worse in the NFL in points scored, yards per game, red zone efficiency, third-down conversion percentage, completion percentage and passer rating. -- Michael DiRocco

2. New York Jets

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU | Highlights

The Jets locked into Wilson in late March, prompting them to trade Sam Darnold to the Panthers. The Jets view Wilson as an ideal scheme fit because of his accuracy, play-action skill and ability to throw in a moving pocket. There's risk, though. He was a one-year wonder who piled up impressive numbers against weak competition. His smallish frame also raises durability questions. The organization's job is to protect him and cultivate his obvious arm talent. -- Rich Cimini

3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA through HOU)

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama | Highlights

It wouldn't be a surprise if the 49ers went with another option, especially North Dakota State's Trey Lance, in search of more upside. But ultimately, coach Kyle Shanahan puts a premium on being able to operate successfully from the pocket and that's what Jones does best, with an FBS record 77.4% completion rate in 2020. His 61.2% completion percentage on passes traveling 20-plus air yards could also bring a missing element to Shanahan's offense. Selecting Jones wouldn't be popular with the fan base but all will be forgiven if he can win big in San Francisco. -- Nick Wagoner

4. Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida | Highlights

If the draft were to fall this way, it's easy to see Atlanta trying to trade down with a quarterback-needy team to acquire more capital. While quarterback is a possibility for Atlanta, the thought of that player sitting for two years behind Matt Ryan might not be palatable. Pitts becomes an instant starter for the Falcons and a player who coach Arthur Smith can move all over the field, in-line and split out wide in an offense with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. He's potentially the best non-Trevor Lawrence player in the draft and general manager Terry Fontenot can build around him in the future. -- Michael Rothstein

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU | Highlights

The debate all offseason has been Chase or Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. Bengals exec Duke Tobin has said the team believes the draft isn't as deep at receiver as it is on the offensive line. Chase gives the Bengals another playmaker on the perimeter and reunites him with quarterback Joe Burrow, his former LSU teammate. Chase will be a strong fit for an offense that primarily uses three wide receivers. -- Ben Baby

6. Miami Dolphins (via PHI)

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama | Highlights

The dreams of Miami landing Pitts or Chase died here, but this isn't a nightmare scenario. Miami may try to trade back a few spots and still land one of the Alabama playmakers -- Smith or Jaylen Waddle -- a choice that could go either way. Waddle is faster and more explosive after the catch, while Smith is far more advanced as a route runner and hands-catcher with more success against press coverage. The slight edge goes to Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner who can be a No. 1 receiver from Day 1. -- Cameron Wolfe

7. Detroit Lions

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon | Highlights

It's no secret the Lions need to rebuild their roster. They have a lot of flaws, notably on the defensive side. But it would make sense for first-year general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell to impact the bigs on either side or trade out of the spot before starting to entertain the skill positions. Sewell is a safe pick for the new regime, especially long-term. Sewell has elite foot speed and if he's able to protect franchise quarterback Jared Goff, he will get love in Motown. -- Eric Woodyard

8. Carolina Panthers

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech | Highlights

Look for Carolina to trade back if the draft falls this way. GM Scott Fitterer has already talked to at least five teams looking for a quarterback, such as Justin Fields. But if the Panthers stay put, a big press corner like Farley (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) fits what Fitterer looked for at Seattle. However, there are medical concerns with Farley, who recently had back surgery. Alabama's Patrick Surtain II and South Carolina's Jaycee Horn also could fit Carolina's corner need, just not at No. 8. After Pitts, Chase and Sewell, a corner would have the biggest immediate impact. -- David Newton

9. Denver Broncos

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State | Highlights

The Broncos will listen to any and all offers they get to move out of this pick. In this scenario they would give a long look to players such as Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons or Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. But general manager George Paton has said the team will add a quarterback either in the draft or in "the trade market." Lance gives them the flexibility of the developmental prospect with the opportunity to see what Drew Lock will become in 2021. Lance won't turn 21 until May and will need some time to get his NFL footing after one full season as a starter (2019) and one game played in the 2020 season. -- Jeff Legwold

10. Dallas Cowboys

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina | Highlights

Horn fits what the Cowboys need. After allowing the most points in franchise history in 2020 -- including 34 touchdown passes (27 by wide receivers) -- the Cowboys need help all across their defense, but a bona fide pass-rusher is not in the mix at this spot. Horn has shown the ability to make plays on the ball. His father, Joe, played for Mike McCarthy in New Orleans. His college coach, Will Muschamp, is close with coordinator Dan Quinn. -- Todd Archer

11. New York Giants

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama | Highlights

The 31st-ranked offense last year is getting back Saquon Barkley (who only played two games after tearing his ACL) and adding Kenny Golladay and now Waddle. Certainly they will not lack for weapons to assist quarterback Daniel Jones. Waddle can do it all -- play inside, outside and return kicks. The Giants can use him all over the field and wait for the big plays to happen. "Explosive" is the word that multiple scouts and executives used to describe him. His speed has been compared to Tyreek Hill. Waddle averaged 44.5 yards per catch on his 17 career touchdown grabs at Alabama, per ESPN Stats and Information. His 24.4 yards per punt return in 2019 was the third-highest since the FBS and FCS split in 1978. -- Jordan Raanan

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA through SF)

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama | Highlights

The Eagles traded back from No. 6 to 12 and still manage to land one of the top prospects in the draft. Surtain is a technically sound lockdown corner with the size (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) to get physical at the line of scrimmage and against the run, and the speed (4.46 second 40-yard dash) to stick with receivers down the field. The addition of Surtain will be music to the ears of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, a former defensive backs coach who is expected to put a heavy emphasis on the secondary. Surtain, the 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, will slide right in as the starting corner opposite Darius Slay. -- Tim McManus

13. Los Angeles Chargers

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern | Highlights

Slater is considered by some to be the best offensive lineman in the draft, ahead of Sewell. He can play every position on the line. The Chargers are beefing up their line and he could slide into left tackle, a position he played (along with right tackle) at Northwestern before opting out. The object is to protect the franchise in QB Justin Herbert. And Slater had a dominant performance in 2019 against Ohio State's Chase Young, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020. -- Shelley Smith

14. Minnesota Vikings

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech | Highlights

If one of the top three offensive tackles are available here, this pick is a no-brainer. Minnesota has needs on both the offensive and defensive lines but can find better value for a pass-rusher later. Darrisaw is the type of prospect who could start at left tackle from Day 1 and know you're potentially set at the position for years, which is the type of long-term stability this offensive line has long desired. This would allow the Vikings to have four of the five spots on the O-line set before training camp begins. The Virginia Tech standout is a zone scheme fit who excels in pass protection -- two attractive qualities for a unit that needs to shore up its ability to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins. -- Courtney Cronin

15. New England Patriots

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State | Highlights

The thought was the Patriots would have to move up for their QB of the future, so this is a dream scenario ... even if the Patriots aren't believers, they should find plenty of trade interest with Fields still on the board. The Patriots attended both of Fields' pro days, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the second, so there's no shortage of intelligence to make the call. The last QB to be picked at No. 15 was Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins -- a reminder that there are no slam dunks here. -- Mike Reiss

16. Arizona Cardinals

Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern | Highlights

Newsome has the size (6-foot-1), speed (4.38 in 40-yard dash) and ability to be the Cardinals' No. 1 cornerback of the future. He's versatile enough to seamless transition into Vance Joseph's scheme and is talented enough to see the field early in his rookie year. Newsome will also benefit from learning from the likes of Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford, as well as Budda Baker and Isaiah Simmons, priming him for a productive career. And with this year's receiving class being so deep, the Cardinals could hold off on drafting one until later rounds if the top three are off the board. -- Josh Weinfuss

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State | Highlights

A playmaking alpha linebacker for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley? Yes, please. Though it's hard to see Parsons falling into the Raiders' lap. Still, Las Vegas needs a versatile linebacker to fit Bradley's scheme and Parsons would nicely complement Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski. A more realistic option in this scenario, if the top three OT prospects are gone by the 17th pick, is for the Raiders to trade back a few slots and select a versatile offensive lineman like USC's Alijah Vera-Tucker. He could slide inside to right guard and Denzelle Good could potentially move to right tackle. -- Paul Gutierrez

18. Miami Dolphins

Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia | Highlights

The Dolphins land the draft's first true edge rusher. It was a tough decision between Ojulari and Michigan's Kwity Paye, but the former got the nod because of his impressive bend and dip move, proven production and very good first step. Continuing the Tide reunion with RB Najee Harris was heavily considered, but Ojulari is too good to pass up, and the Dolphins can get their running back early in Round 2 with Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams available. -- Cameron Wolfe

19. Washington Football Team

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame | Highlights

Washington wanted more production and versatility from its linebackers. It will get both in Owusu-Koramoah. (There are linebackers they like in Round 2 so a trade back will be explored). Owusu-Koramoah can play weakside linebacker in Washington's base 4-3 front, and, playing behind this front, should have clean paths to the ball more often than not. He also can cover so Washington can mix coverages and formations, using him at times in a strong safety role or in its nickel packages. But the pick is a lot about his explosiveness and ability to make plays -- traits that will be enhanced playing behind guys like Montez Sweat and Chase Young. -- John Keim

20. Chicago Bears

Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State | Highlights

The Bears have a glaring need at right tackle, and Jenkins gets the nod over USC's Alijah Vera-Tucker, whose ultimate NFL position is a toss-up between tackle and guard. Jenkins plays with a mean streak, and the Bears could use more nasty on their offensive line. Plus, starting left tackle Charles Leno's contact expires after the season, so the Bears might have to overhaul both tackle spots over the next 12 months. Jenkins feels like a safe pick at a position of need. Chicago must draft a Week 1 starter at No. 20, and Jenkins seems to check every box. -- Jeff Dickerson

21. Indianapolis Colts

Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan | Highlights

Linebacker Darius Leonard and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner need some help now. Denico Autry and his 7.5 sacks are in Tennessee and veteran Justin Houston (8.0 sacks) is a free agent. Paye, despite 11.5 sacks in a little more than three years at Michigan, fits coordinator Matt Eberflus' style of having fast and aggressive players. -- Mike Wells

22. Tennessee Titans

Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss | Highlights

Adding another impact player on offense is a top priority for the Titans after losing WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith in free agency. Reuniting Moore with college teammate A.J. Brown gives the Titans a reliable slot receiver who can replace Adam Humphries. Moore's speed provides a much-needed vertical threat while his quickness makes him a viable option underneath. Moore's willingness to make catches in a crowd will quickly earn the trust of QB Ryan Tannehill. Titans OC Todd Downing can showcase Moore's dynamic playmaking on jet sweeps and quick hitting passes that get him the ball in space. Moore also adds excitement as a punt returner. -- Turron Davenport

23. New York Jets (via SEA)

Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC | Highlights

After drafting Wilson, the Jets get some much-needed protection for their new franchise quarterback. Vera-Tucker is a plug-and-play guard who can replace Alex Lewis at left guard. With Vera-Tucker alongside 2020 No. 1 pick Mekhi Becton, the Jets should have a formidable left side for at least a few years. Vera-Tucker played left tackle last season for the Trojans, but scouts believe his best pro position is guard. He should add some punch to the running game, which has languished in recent years. This is a pick that marries need and value. -- Rich Cimini

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama | Highlights

Linebackers were tempting but Pittsburgh has to fix a shoddy running game and the league consensus is Harris is special. Plus, the Steelers have gone linebacker with five of their last seven first-round picks. Time for something new. With four of the top tackles and the top guard off the board, the Steelers take the most complete running back in the field, ready for contact on Day 1. Expect the Steelers to grab a running back somewhere in the first three rounds regardless. They've done a lot of work on the position -- Harris included -- in recent weeks. -- Jeremy Fowler

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)

Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama | Highlights

Coach Urban Meyer believes you build your team around the defensive line, and Barmore would be a key piece. Barmore is the best defensive tackle in the draft and adds a pass-rush element (he led Alabama with eight sacks in 2020) that was missing from the Jaguars' interior last season. The Jaguars also signed two defensive linemen in free agency (Roy Robertson-Harris and Jihad Ward) and traded for nose tackle Malcom Brown, but that's not enough to fix one of the team's biggest weaknesses. Barmore will help significantly. -- Michael DiRocco

26. Cleveland Browns

Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami | Highlights

Yes, the Browns just signed DE Jadeveon Clowney to pair with Myles Garrett. Clowney, however, comes in with health concerns. He's also on a one-year deal. Phillips might have health concerns of his own. But grabbing quite possibly the most talented edge rusher in the draft at No. 26 is too much upside to pass up. When facing quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, you can never have too many prolific pass-rushers. -- Jake Trotter

27. Baltimore Ravens

Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU | Highlights

The Ravens' most underrated need is a ball-hawking safety the team has lacked since Ed Reed left after the 2012 Super Bowl season. Moehrig is the consensus best safety in the draft who has traits Baltimore covets: a vocal leader and a knack for being around the ball. His 19 pass breakups over the last two seasons are the most among all college safeties. The Ravens return both starting safeties, but DeShon Elliott is a free agent after this season. Over the last three years, Baltimore's safeties have totaled six interceptions. The addition of Moehrig will change that. -- Jamison Hensley

28. New Orleans Saints

Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky | Highlights

Coach Sean Payton identified cornerback as the Saints' biggest remaining need last week. But none of the top four prospects came anywhere close to falling in this mock. So they fill another glaring hole instead -- a linebacker to pair alongside All-Pro Demario Davis. The 6-foot-4, 234-pounder started for one year at Kentucky, but he made the most of it with three interceptions and averaging around 10 tackles per game. He has the size and athleticism to defend the run and drop back in coverage as an every-down player. Multiple receivers and DEs could also tempt New Orleans in this spot. -- Mike Triplett

29. Green Bay Packers

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota | Highlights

If GM Brian Gutekunst truly subscribes to the best-player-available theory -- isn't that what QB Jordan Love was last year? -- then he has to go this way. He needs a corner, but Farley, Horn and Surtain are off the board. He needs a tackle, but the Bears snatched Jenkins nine picks ago. So the Packers may finally end their 20-year, first-round receiver drought. -- Rob Demovsky

30. Buffalo Bills

Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami | Highlights

Clemson RB Travis Etienne was tough to pass up but GM Brandon Beane is thinking long-term here. As much as Etienne would help the offense right now, Rousseau has better long-haul value. Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison will suffice for another year but Buffalo still lacks an elite edge rusher. After registering 15.5 sacks as a freshman, the 6-foot-7 Rousseau has the potential to be one after learning from the two productive veterans. Pared opposite A.J. Epenesa, the Bills could have the future of their defensive line in place. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

31. Baltimore Ravens (via KC)

Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU | Highlights

After adding a playmaker on defense earlier in the draft, the Ravens use their second first-round selection on a sizable weapon for Lamar Jackson. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Marshall perfectly pairs with the speedy Marquise Brown. Marshall has a great catch radius to bring down contested passes and knows how to finish off drives. His 23 touchdowns in 2019 and 2020 rank third in the FBS despite him playing 19 games. The Ravens could also trade back here to add more picks in order to address wide receiver, pass-rusher and offensive line all on Day 2. -- Jamison Hensley

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe Tryon, OLB, Washington | Highlights

With all 22 starters on offense and defense returning from their Super Bowl LV win, the Bucs don't have pressing needs for starters. They could go any number of directions here. But there is a drop-off at outside linebacker behind Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. Coach Bruce Arians said they wanted to get faster and physical on defense, too -- Tryon fits the bill and can bolster their rotation. Texas' Joseph Ossai was also in play here. So was Tryon's UW teammate, defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who could be groomed behind Ndamukong Suh. -- Jenna Laine

The Milwaukee Bucks are offering COVID-19 vaccinations to fans attending their game Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Bucks announced Tuesday that any eligible fans attending the game can receive a first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a mobile vaccination site at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks are offering the vaccine in partnership with the Milwaukee Health Department. Fans who get their first dose at Fiserv Forum can schedule their appointment for a second dose with health department officials on site.

Josh Giddey -- a 6-foot-8 Australian playmaking guard -- is entering the 2021 NBA draft, his agents Daniel Moldovan and Alex Saratsis of Octagon Sports told ESPN on Tuesday.

Giddey is the No. 13 prospect in ESPN's Top 100 NBA draft rankings and could climb higher in the lottery.

Giddey, 18, has played a starring role in Australia's National Basketball League that delivered rookie of the year candidate LaMelo Ball to the NBA a year ago. Giddey has spent this season with the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL, averaging 11 points, 7.4 assists and 7.1 rebounds.

"I know that playing in the NBL has more than prepared me for the next level, so I'm ready to take that jump and enter the 2021 NBA Draft," Giddey told ESPN in a statement. "The 36ers have done a great job developing me, and have put a lot of work into my game over the entire time I've been here. My teammates and the coaching staff here in Adelaide have helped my game reach a new level, and that's only given me more confidence that this is the right decision for me."

Giddey is a gifted passing guard with a flair for the spectacular. He recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on Sunday, making him the youngest player to post a triple-double in the league since Ball a season ago.

Giddey has a chance to be the first international player chosen in the 2021 NBA draft.

NEW YORK -- Jerry Blevins, a left-handed reliever who split the bulk of his career between the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets, announced his retirement after 13 big league seasons Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old last pitched in the majors for Atlanta in 2019. He had been working at the Mets' alternate training site in Brooklyn after failing to land a bullpen spot out of spring training.

He announced his retirement on Twitter, saying he looked forward to sleeping in his own bed, giving up the routine of icing his arm and "being a better father, husband, brother, son, friend to the many people I've neglected in pursuit of my dream."

Blevins was a 17th-round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and debuted in the majors with Oakland in 2007. He was with the A's through 2013, compiling a 3.30 ERA. After struggling in 2014 with Washington, he ended up with the Mets, with whom he had two of his best seasons in 2016 and '17.

He finishes his career 30-13 with a 3.54 ERA and seven saves in 609 games.

Engaging and funny on social media and in person, Blevins was a fan favorite in Queens.

"I'll see you guys at Citi Field tomorrow," he wrote. "Bringing my family to a ball game. Gonna have a beer and a hotdog and watch the (at)Mets. I've always been a fan first."

The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Mike Tauchman from the New York Yankees on Tuesday for left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta and a player to be named later.

The 30-year-old Tauchman, a veteran of five major league seasons, had a breakout year for the Yankees in 2019 when he set career bests with a .277 average, 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. But he hasn't been able to replicate those stats since, slashing .242/.342/.305 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and .214/.267/.286 in 16 plate appearances this season. He hasn't hit a home run since the 2019 season.

With Clint Frazier and Brett Gardner splitting time in left field, there was little opportunity for Tauchman to find a spot in the Yankees' lineup.

The Giants were in search for an outfielder with Mike Yastrzemski -- who like Tauchman also bats left-handed -- dealing with an oblique injury. Yastrzemski had an MRI on Monday, which revealed "a very mild oblique strain," according to manager Gabe Kapler. Yastrzemski exited Sunday's game with the injury and sat out Monday's 12-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Peralta, 29, is 2-1 with two saves and a 5.40 ERA in 8⅓ innings over 10 appearances this season. Last season, Peralta went 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 25 relief outings. Left-handed hitters were just 7-for-41 (.171) against him. The six-year veteran has a 4.72 ERA over 220 appearances in his career.

Peralta becomes the third left-hander in the Yankees' bullpen after closer Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. Zack Britton is on the 60-day injured list following elbow surgery and is expected back in June.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Yadier Molina on the 10-day injured list Tuesday because of a tendon strain in his right foot, the team announced.

Molina initially injured his foot on Friday while running out a double. He missed games on Saturday and Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds but had returned to the lineup on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The nine-time Gold Glove winner said he "had trouble moving around,'' according to manager Mike Shildt.

The Cardinals recalled catcher Ali Sanchez from their alternate site in a corresponding move.

The 38-year-old Molina, in his 18th season with the Cardinals, has had a strong start to the season at the plate, hitting .323 with five home runs and 14 RBIs.

The nine-time All-Star is leading the team in both batting average and RBIs and is tied for the team lead in home runs with shortstop Paul DeJong.

Andrew Knizner is expected to get the bulk of the work behind the plate in Molina's absence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LINCOLN, Calif. – Northern California has its own Mr. Excitement and now Iowa can match.

Andy Forsberg races winged sprint cars and Mr. Excitement is his nickname, earned during a career that now shows 187 main event wins at Golden State ovals.

Iowa’s Mr. Excitement has never raced, but makes a big impact on Friday and Saturday nights during the Midwest racing season. Jerry Vansickel is not on a crew, not a promoter or track owner, does not own a race car, but uses his talent to make each race night special.

Vansickel is the track announcer at Marshalltown Speedway and Boone Speedway, two of the most highly respected tracks in the Midwest.

His parents took him to Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa, starting when he was six months old. That became the location of his early years in working in some capacity at a race track.

“I got involved because for many years my dad videotaped the races at Webster City,” explained Vansickel. “I always had the hopes and dreams of being a flag man. I was selling programs and the local newspapers around age 10. At that time you could not be under age 14 and be in the pits. Once I turned 14 I was able to go into the pits and do small things.  It wasn’t really a job, but being a kid who wanted to work in racing I did not care.

“Eventually I became a corner worker and got paid a whole $20 a night at age 16. In 1993 I was able to pick up a microphone for the first time when the current announcer said he wasn’t going to do this forever and would need someone to fill his spot. He asked if I wanted to do it. I said I’ll give it a shot, don’t know if I’ll be any good at it.”

Vansickel was 17 that first night he announced, working with the regular guy, and recalls how the late model feature provided a special memory.

“The late model feature came down to two guys I had looked up to as race car drivers, Mike Smith and Craig Jacobs,” Vansickel recalled. “I had the call on the last handful of laps.  It was exciting as these were the guys I had watched as a kid growing up. I got to say their name and tell the people what’s going on.”

Vansickel thinks his style in his early announcing career was the same as now because he was just that fan talking and telling you the action. He also candidly rated his early efforts.

“It was very terrible,” admitted Vansickel. “I remember that I was told I was yelling and it was hard to hear me and hard to understand. I talked louder so I could hear myself. My dad was still filming at that time and I was plugged into that so I listened to it and it did sound bad. It was like, that guy sounds like an idiot.”

He did one year at Webster City, then a new promoter came on board with his own announcer, so Vansickel returned to being a corner worker or helping in staging. Eventually he was contacted to announce at another track and it wasn’t long until he was doing four nights a week either as an announcer, or flag man, or something else at each track.

Besides all the track work, Vansickel has been in the car business 25 years. He is currently the recondition manager and shop foreman at a Des Moines dealership and has kept his promise to cut down to two nights of announcing when reaching the age of 40.

After flagging three years at Marshalltown, he moved into the announcing spot when the previous announcer moved on. Working at Boone came at the same time and he has seven years of announcing at both tracks, a job he states is often easy.

“If the racing is great, then my job is easy,” Vansickel said. “If the racing is not great, then my job becomes more difficult because you have to get creative to sell what the people are seeing, that it’s not a terrible race, it’s not a bad show. We have those nights. No matter if it’s raining, or it it’s cold or hot, if it’s windy or the track is dusty, or it’s muddy, those are the elephants in the room.  We don’t need to talk about that because the people can see it.  You have to sell it not only to people in the grandstands but also the people at home.”

Vansickel admitted his announcing style is a bit out of the ordinary.

“Unorthodox,” said when describing his announcing style. “I don’t have a style, it just happens. People ask me how do I come up with the one-liners. I don’t know how I do it, it just happens. I don’t show prep, I don’t have the stats. I am by nature a pretty high strung individual. When things get crazy like five wide racing, I get amped up. I love racing and have a passion for it.  I’m just a race fan and someone thought it was a good idea to put a microphone in my hand.”

If a race is exciting, listening to Vansickel makes it even more exciting. It a race is not entertaining, then hearing his announcing will improve that experience. His enthusiasm and humor makes a good thing even better.

Vansickel is definitely Iowa’s Mr. Excitement.

In the end, the clubs' colour schemes told the tale. Chelsea blue shirts, blue-collar work ethic. Real Madrid, by a distance the most famous white strip in the history of football, white-collar "bosses," who like things to happen the way they want to happen -- not necessarily the way that the actual workers see it.

The only trouble, as whenever blue-collar workers of the world have united in ferocity and passion, is once you've got the executives, the ruling class, on the run, once you've got them divided, doubting themselves and flustered at the ancien regime being disturbed you must irrevocably seize power -- or usually regret it.

And blue-collar Chelsea should, frankly, already be one and half strides into the Istanbul final.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Pulisic becomes first U.S. male to score in UCL semi

Before anyone who supports Thomas Tuchel's club splutters and exclaims in indignation that I've categorised them as the sleeves-rolled-up, hard-working team in this first part of the Champions League semifinal, should know it comes with not one shred of disrespect.

Not for the first time the aggressive, often mercurial German, who could do a passible Niles Crane of Frasier fame impersonation, understood precisely what Real Madrid hate, what will get right under their skin and his record against Los Blancos (specifically Zinedine Zidane's teams) is notable.

This is the first time Tuchel has schemed against a Zidane XI in a knockout tie. But the previous four matches, two in charge of Borussia Dortmund and two as head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, had direct similarities to this, his fifth match without defeat against the emperors of Europe.

What stood out was the fact that Chelsea were crystal clear about their game plan, they were crystal clear about what damage it would do to Real Madrid and they had total confidence that they could bully the exceptional, but ageing, Spanish champions.

Some examples were the way in which, across the contest, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, goal-scorer Christian Pulisic and Chelsea's various wing-backs squeezed the daylights out of increasingly indignant, exasperated and, ultimately, passive world greats like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

Because Zidane opted for a 3-5-2 formation, the strategies, on paper, were like for like. But that doesn't always mean that the teams will play man-for-man. Chelsea, however, did. In fact it's always the litmus test for a special performance, especially against a nominally "greater" rival that you seem to have more players on the pitch than them.

It's an optical illusion, I'm pretty sure, but there were long spells, particularly in the first half, when Tuchel seemed to have 14 or 15 guys on the sodden Valdebebas playing surface in Madrid. And it might explain how utterly shocking Madrid were, initially, if it transpires that they were wasting time trying to count Chelsea's players instead of marking them and instead of passing past them instead of directly to them.

The beneficiary was United States men's superstar Pulisic. He'd done enough of the harrying, scurrying and pressing to earn a reward, but the way that he invented the first goal was simply gorgeous.

If you've been watching Real Madrid's European progress this season, you'll see the bitter irony in how they conceded.

Back in the quarterfinals when Liverpool came visiting and it was champion vs. champion, Jurgen Klopp's team was exhausted, slow to press and Kroos quarter-backed Madrid to victory. Liverpool simply couldn't press him properly and his pass-making was the determining factor.

In this game, it was a mirror image. Casemiro, of all people, who utterly loves snarling and breathing fire in the face of his opponents, just watched passively as Antonio Rudiger looked up and assessed his ability to make a 40-metre pass without it being of the Hail Mary variety.

The Germany defender backed himself, and quite rightly.

Pulisic was making a lovely "bent" run, which means he starts deeper than a traditional striker who risks the offside line by playing on the shoulder of his defender.

Via the shaped trajectory of his run the Hershey, Pennsylvania born boy arrived right into the path of Rudiger's perfect pass -- and onside.

This is when a lovely series of events directly affected the fact that Chelsea took a deserved lead and scored an away goal which may yet win them a place in the final.

Pulisic's control, honed on the Dortmund Brackel Training Ground, didn't fail him. The defensive instincts of Nacho and Eder Militao did, however.

The 22-year-old American faced up to the two of them plus Thibaut Courtois, who'd already broken a Chelsea heart or two (more later) and the daft decisions Madrid's two defenders made will live with them a long time -- particularly if they fail in London.

Both the Spaniard and the Brazilian decided to run away from Pulisic and occupy space on the goal line. This left Courtois, all 6-foot-4 of him, trying to jockey with the young American, a joust that Pulisic was going to win all night.

When Chelsea's No. 10 did his soft-shoe shuffle away from Courtois he was left shooting fish in a barrel, smashed his effort between the two statuesque defenders on the line and his goal was reward for technique, timing, brains and lovely self confidence.

The harsh fact was, and this relates back to the idea of the workers letting the executives off the hook, that this should have been Chelsea's 2-0 goal.

Just a little earlier, Mount had skipped and frolicked past Militao in midfield as if he wasn't actually there and the result was that Pulisic, again free between Marcelo and Nacho, made a superb choice and cushioned a literally perfect header back into the path of Timo Werner.

This isn't a memo to Tuchel, but I'd put forward the idea that, judging by tonight, it may be worth paying Pulisic and Oliver Giroud and Tammy Abraham some extra daily bonus money to stay behind after training to teach the German to finish.

The opportunity from Werner was saved exceptionally by Courtois at point-blank range, but while Chelsea still defiantly look favourites to reach the final this was the kind of miss that you rue for a week and then leaves you self flagellating forever if the second leg eliminates your team. Just horrible.

The ultra hard-working Cesar Azpilicueta admitted post match: "We could have scored more goals. We started with courage, we knew we had to perform at our best level, the semifinal of the Champions League demands that.

"We pressed well, recovered the ball well, but that last pass or finish we lacked. Otherwise, this could have been a different result."

The tarnished nature of Madrid's performance, huffing and puffing and utterly detesting the fact that, unlike domestically, they didn't have a moment to breath or think, made their equaliser shimmer and shine like a regal diamond.

Chelsea, when Real Madrid won their corner just before the half hour, dozed off for nine or 10 seconds. That, in itself, is a huge warning for next week. Do not, repeat after me a thousand times, give a technically superior and vastly experienced rival you think is on the canvas, any respite whatsoever.

They did though. Despite ensuring that they were touch-tight in the six-yard area, Chelsea failed to notice that Kroos and Modric were working on a short corner routine or that Marcelo had joined them.

Kante sprinted across too late but, by then, the change of angle of attack was nice for Marcelo's sweet left foot to pinpoint Casemiro at the back post. His nod across goal was helped on by Militao, making part amends for his part in Pulisic's opener, and then crash, bang, wallop it was Benzema-time.

Only the true greats score this goal. Chest control, so that the ball's trajectory was where he could hook a boot at it, quicker to think, quicker to react, quicker to slash it home amid a cluster of bodies that included Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva.

Edouard Mendy looked more shocked than dejected that his countryman had inflicted something quite so outrageous on him during the Chelsea keeper's inaugural Champions League semifinal.

Then, slowly, Madrid began to play with more energy, denying Chelsea so much time on the ball, Tuchel's team began to look like they were happy with what they'd got and, bar the odd moment, none of which superseded Benzema's stunning long-range shot off Mendy's right hand post, the teams started mental and physical preparation for next Wednesday in south west London.

Tuchel conceded: "We were a bit tired second half with only two days in between two away games. We had a big chance to keep the intensity up and hurt Madrid in the second half as well."

The blue-shirted, blue-collar, sleeves rolled up attitude won some significant concessions from the long-established European giants, but they were only scraps off the top table, not the whole banquet.

Chelsea start the second leg as slight favourites, but anyone who thinks it simply doesn't matter that they let Madrid off the hook hasn't been paying attention properly.

NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball says 70% of players, on-field staff and support personnel have been fully or partially vaccinated for the novel coronavirus.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Tuesday during SporticoLive's online discussion of its estimates to baseball franchise valuations.

In an email to The Associated Press, Manfred said his figure referred to all individuals defined as Tier 1 in MLB's protocols, which includes players, on-field personnel such as managers, coaches and athletic trainers, plus essential personnel who need to be in close proximity, such as translators and media and travel staff. He said the 70% figure includes partial vaccinations for those receiving two-stage vaccines.

"I think we're around 70%. The clubs have worked really hard with their players," Manfred said. "We're continuing to press to try to get everybody up above that kind of 85[%] number that we think is so important."

MLB told players on March 29 that COVID-19 protocol restrictions would be relaxed when 85% of Tier 1 personnel are vaccinated.