Yardbarker

Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for nearly 30 years. If he could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High and Grand Lakes University.

The best domed/retractable-roof stadiums of all time

Whether talking about classic domed stadiums or the more modern sports venues with those popular and practical retractable roofs, there have been, and remain, some special places of the kind throughout the world. Here's our list of the 25 best. 

The roles that truly define an actor's career

There are some film, television or streaming roles that make an actor's or actresses' career, so much that nothing they've done — before or after — can compare... for better or worse. Here is our list (in alphabetical order) of those who fit that bill.

Way-too-early Top 25 for the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season

It's never too soon to start thinking about the 2024-25 men's college basketball season. We may not know exactly who will be staying or going around the country, but there's a good idea of which programs have a chance to shine next season.

The best performances by rookies in the NHL playoffs

The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs tend to bring out the best in young, or inexperienced, players. Especially rookies. Here's our list of the top single-season, rookie playoff moments in league history.

Notable American music artists/bands who found greater success abroad

Just because an American-born musician(s) don't find long, consistent commercial or critical success in the United States doesn't mean all hope is lost.

The most unexpected MLB pitchers who threw a no-hitter or perfect game

The no-hitter and perfect game in Major League Baseball knows no bounds.. It doesn't matter how efficient or attractive said performances look, both are still a special moment in the game.

The greatest high school basketball teams of all time (non-prep school)

Hoops fans won't find the likes of Oak Hill Academy or Monteverde, or their ilk here. Those prep schools that welcome talent from all over the country are in a different world. So, high school basketball fans, get ready to agree — and certainly disagree — with what we have here.

25 notable matches in the England-Scotland football rivalry

There is no older rivalry in the international football world than that of England vs. Scotland. These United Kingdom nations, as of February 2024, had met on the pitch 116 times.

The 25 most memorable MLB Opening Day moments

Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season is all about making memories for those on the field and in the stands. In the spirit of this special sports day, here's our chronological list of our most notable Opening Day moments.

The 25 greatest Final Four games of all time

It's NCAA Tournament time, and we're offering a history lesson. In this case, the lesson is our top Final Four games in the history of the event — one of the perennial great days on the sports calendar.

The top scorers in NCAA men's basketball tournament history

These are the best of the best when it comes to scoring the basketball in the NCAA Tournament.

The best 1-seed vs 16-seed games of all time

Here's our ranking of the all-time best 1-vs-16 matchups.

25 best first-round NCAA Tournament games of all time

From memorable upsets to overtime thrillers to buzzer-beating baskets, here is our look at the best first-round matchups in NCAA Tournament history.

Second chances: Notable bands and musicians who experienced a career resurgence

There are plenty of bands and musical artists who achieve worldwide success, then cool off or disappear altogether. Then, for whatever the reason, or reasons, they'll resurface and get a second chance at fame.

The 20 concert tours you can't miss in 2024

Whether a fan of rock, pop, country, rap, hip hop, or just about every other style of music, there is something for everyone when it comes to the 2024 concert scene.

The 25 best rock songs from 2023

Trying to list the 25 best rock songs in a single year is quite daunting. Subjectivity reigns supreme. However, these 25 offerings, listed in alphabetical order based on artist, are pretty strong.

The 25 breakout stars of 2023

Checking out 25 notable personalities from the world of film, television, music, sports and pop culture who enjoyed breakout moments in 2023. Listed in alphabetical order.

The 25 biggest entertainment stories from 2023

Our list of the 25 stories America, and the world, couldn't stop talking about in 2023. Listed in chronological order.

U.K. footballers who managed to find notable post-career success

When it was time to say goodbye to the game they love, there have been plenty of United Kingdom footballers to enjoy success in a post-playing world. We've narrowed it down to 20 worthy of being highlighted.

The most notable NBA players to never make an All-Star team

Some of the NBA's most successful and lauded players never made an All-Star team. The reasons are plenty, but the 20 that made our list truly stand out.

The 25 most notable one-time NBA All-Stars

The all-time list of NBA All-Stars is obviously long, and notably distinguished. However, there are some players — for various reasons — who the casual, or even most-dedicated, NBA fans can't recall having earned All-Star nods.

The 25 best movies about high-school sports

The subject of high-school sports has made for some of the most popular — and even beloved — movies of all time. Here's our chronological list of the 25 best.

The most notable two-sport professional athletes of all time

Starring in one professional sport is hard enough. Doing so in more than one is practically legendary. Here are 20 notable athletes who pulled it off.

The 25 greatest players in Texas men's basketball history

Texas might still be looking for that elusive NCAA national championship, but the Longhorns program has produced some of the college game's greatest players.

Way-too-early prediction for the 2024 12-team College Football Playoff

It's never too early to start thinking about the 2024 college football season, even when predicting what the first 12-team College Football Playoff field will look like — and how it will play out.