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Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb.

Could Nets PG Ben Simmons play center this season?

A point guard by trade, Simmons has proved to be an effective scorer and rebounder underneath the basket, so the transition to center isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Blue Jays' Alek Manoah on Gerrit Cole confrontation: 'If Gerrit wants to do something he can walk past the Audi sign next time'

Tempers flared Sunday afternoon between the Yankees and Blue Jays after Manoah plunked slugger Aaron Judge with a pitch in the fifth inning. 

Celtics Jayson Tatum admits to playing with 'somewhat of a fracture' in wrist last season

Tatum said he suffered a "non-displaced chip" in his wrist, which failed to heal probably during the season.

Report: Ravens offered QB Lamar Jackson contract worth more than Kyler Murray's five-year, $230.5 million deal

Entering the final year of his rookie deal, quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have yet to agree to a new contract.

Albert Pujols still plans to retire, even if he doesn't reach 700 HR mark by season's end

On Saturday, Pujols passed fellow Cardinals legend Stan Musial for second all-time in total bases (6,143).

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw to skip rehab assignment, could be activated by end of the month

Roberts said Kershaw would forego a minor league rehab assignment and will instead throw a bullpen session and a 3-4 inning simulated game next week.

Watch: Yankees’ Gerrit Cole explodes from dugout after Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah plunks Aaron Judge

Judge, clearly displeased, exchanged words with Manoah as he made his way to first. An enraged Cole flew onto the field from the dugout to confront Manoah.

Tampa Bay Rays make history with eight different nationalities in starting lineup against the Kansas City Royals

When the Tampa Bay Rays took the field Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, they did so with the most diverse lineup in major league history.  The Rays

Andre Drummond: 'By the time I retire, I'll go down as the best rebounder ever'

Speaking with Mike Anthony of CT Insider, Drummond said he wants to go down as the best rebounder in basketball history.

Watch: Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin returns a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown against Chargers

While the former TCU standout and USFL MVP has turned some heads during training camp, 26-year-old wide receiver KeVontae Turpin was able to shine Saturday night in the Cowboys' preseason tilt against the Chargers. 

UFC President Dana White: Jon Gruden blew up deal to bring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to Raiders

"I worked to put that deal together for Brady and Gronk to come to the Raiders, and it was almost a done deal," White said. "And at the last minute, Gruden blew the deal up and said that he didn't want them."

Report: Knicks concerned about giving away 'too many future assets' in potential deal for Jazz star Donovan Mitchell

The Jazz are asking for six first-round picks as part of a package for Mitchell, per ESPN's Steven A. Smith. Smith also reports that the Knicks are willing to include Julius Randle, but the Jazz prefers RJ Barrett. 

Padres to give Josh Hader 'a little break' from closing games

Hader's latest meltdown occurred on Friday night. He took the loss against the Nationals after allowing three earned runs in the ninth without recording an out. 

Watch: Manager Aaron Boone slams podium in disgust after Yankees' third-straight loss

After a third consecutive loss at home on Saturday, frustrations got the best of manager Aaron Boone while meeting with reporters. 

Panthers HC Matt Rhule not ready to name starting QB: 'We'll announce it when it's right"

The Carolina Panthers have yet to officially announce a starting quarterback with their season opener just over three weeks away.

Watch: Mets' Starling Marte steals home in 7-2 win over Phillies

With the Mets up 4-0 in the fifth and runners on the corners, Marte and shortstop Francisco Lindor pulled off a double steal of second and home. 

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to produce 'The Redeem Team' documentary for Netflix

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team reclaimed the gold medal for the red, white, and blue after a disastrous showing in 2004. 

Watch: Yankees rookie Oswaldo Cabrera robs home run in first career RF start

On the very first pitch of the game, Oswaldo Cabrera made a beautiful play and stole a home run away from Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury respects Ravens' preseason winning streak: It's 'part of their culture'

The Ravens have won 21 straight preseason games, an NFL record. Frivolous as it might be, Baltimore has rallied around the streak, which is something Kliff Kingsbury has recognized. 

Watch: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott gets sacked by 'Real Housewives' in DirecTV commercial

If the whole football thing doesn't work out, Dak Prescott may have found a fall-back option in front of the bright lights of Hollywood. 

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan on Tyrese Haliburton: 'We see him as hopefully being the next Reggie Miller'

After posting a losing record for the second consecutive season, the Pacers are looking for someone to lead them into a new era. They think they found their man.

Jim Irsay blasts Carson Wentz again, says Colts are 'set up for excellence' with Matt Ryan

Colts owner Jim Irsay hasn't been bashful regarding his feelings about former quarterback Carson Wentz. 

Report: Nets hope to keep star Kevin Durant and 'run this team back'

Despite not receiving an extension, Brian Windhorst believes guard Kyrie Irving is "invested" in the Nets for next season. Now, the hope is they convince Durant to end his trade demand and return to the fold. 

Padres' OF Wil Myers: Fernando Tatis Jr. broke trust, but it can be 'won back'

Tatis has also come under fire for appearing to duck responsibility, claiming he "inadvertently" took a banned substance used to treat ringworm.