Kansas City, Mo ? A lifelong Royals fan who says he’s too young to remember the glory days of George Brett and Frank White has the talent to help Kansas City return to prominence, general manager Dayton Moore said.

The Royals introduced first-round draft pick Aaron Crow on Friday with high expectations and a sense of relief. The 22-year-old former Missouri ace has signed in time to participate in the Arizona instructional league, which begins play Monday.

Crow, a native of the Topeka, Kan., area and 2008 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, signed a three-year deal Thursday after sitting out a year when he failed to come to terms with the Washington Nationals. Washington drafted him with the ninth pick in the 2008 draft and offered him $3.5 million.

The deal he signed with the Royals guarantees the hard-throwing right-hander $3 million if he doesn’t reach the majors. He would earn about $4.5 million if he makes it to the big leagues.

“I think last year just wasn’t the right opportunity for me,” said Crow, 22. “This year everything came together and fit well for me and my family.”

Moore said the key to making Kansas City competitive again is building up its farm system, and Crow is part of that equation. Before Thursday night’s game against AL West-leading Detroit, the last-place Royals were 59-87.

“Prior to September, we had five home-grown players on our 25-man roster,” Moore said. “That needs to reflect more like 60 to 70 percent for us to win long term, so once we get to that point, that’s when realistically we can compete year in and year out.”

Crow’s senior season at Missouri is considered one of the best ever for a Tiger pitcher. In addition to pitcher of the year, he was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award given to the top college baseball player after going 13-0 with a 2.35 earned-run average in 15 starts.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

NCAA clears OSU

Oklahoma City — The NCAA has determined Oklahoma State did not commit a major infraction when a church group gave a baseball player a used car.

AUTO RACING

Montoya claims pole

Loudon, N.H. — Juan Pablo Montoya has set a track record while winning the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Montoya turned a lap at 133.431 mph to take the top qualifying spot Friday. Montoya broke the record of 133.357 set by Ryan Newman in 2003.

The former Formula One driver will start on the front row for Sunday’s opener of the Chase for the championship. Montoya qualified for the 12-driver Chase field for the first time.

Tony Stewart qualified second and was followed by Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards as Chase drivers claimed the first five spots.

GOLF

Haas opens with 62

Conover, N.C. — Jay Haas shot a 10-under 62 during the first round of the rain-delayed Greater Hickory Classic on Friday, taking a three-shot lead into the weekend. Haas is the 2005 tournament champion and tied for second two years ago. He played a bogey-free round at Rock Barn Golf and Spa’s Robert Trent Jones course.

Gil Morgan was second after his 65, with Tom Jenkins, Jerry Pate and three-time major champion Nick Price another stroke back. Nine other players, among them former PGA Championship winners Jeff Sluman and Hal Sutton, were tied for sixth after rounds of 67.

Shin takes one-shot lead

San Diego — Jiyai Shin of South Korea shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-shot lead over Lorena Ochoa and Ai Miyazato in the second round of the Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines on Friday.

Shin, who was tied for the lead after the opening round, has a 36-hole total of 135 atop the elite field of 20. She was 10 under for the tournament after sinking a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-5 13th, but followed with a bogey and finished with four straight pars.

NFL

Bills CB signs extension

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee has signed a contract extension. The deal is for four years, according to a person familar with the contract.

Eagles’ McNabb doubtful

Philadelphia — Eagles quarterback Dononvan McNabb is doubtful for Sunday’s game against New Orleans because of a fractured rib.

McNabb sat out of practice for the third straight day Friday. Coach Andy Reid refused to rule out McNabb and said there was a chance he would participate in today’s walkthrough. Kevin Kolb took snaps with the first team and is expected to start if McNabb can’t play. Kolb would be making his first career NFL start ahead of veteran Jeff Garcia, who signed Tuesday as an emergency backup.

Moss, Webster fined $5,000

Ashburn, Va. — The NFL has fined Redskins receiver Santana Moss and Giants cornerback Corey Webster $5,000 apiece for their tussle during last week’s game. The league announced the discipline on Friday. Moss and Webster struck each other in the head during the second quarter of New York’s 23-17 victory over Washington on Sunday. Webster knocked Moss’ helmet off. Both were assessed personal foul penalties on the play.

Tomlinson ruled out

San Diego — LaDainian Tomlinson has been ruled out of the San Diego Chargers’ home opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday due to a sprained ankle, just the second time the running back will miss a start due to injury in his nine-year career.

NBA

Cavs guard West arrested

Upper Marlboro, Md. — Police say Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West was arrested after officers pulled him over for speeding on a motorcycle while carrying two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case. Prince George’s County police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Reedy says the Cleveland Cavaliers player was arrested about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Replacement refs possible

New York — The NBA will begin training replacement referees next week after discussions broke down with its referee union over a new contract. The NBA did not say in a statement Friday where the training camp would be conducted or who will be invited. It also did not say whether the NBA planned to resume contract discussions.