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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.

Home runs dominated in this year's MLB postseason

Long ago, Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine established that chicks dig the long ball. However, winning clubs during the 2023 postseason were also big fans. 

Resignation of analyst could be first domino to fall in Michigan sign-stealing scandal

Recruiting analyst Connor Stalions is no longer part of the the Michigan football program. However, this may be only the first shoe to drop for the Wolverines. 

Packers tease unleashing offensive standout again

Limited throughout the season by a hamstring injury, running back Aaron Jones hasn't been too involved in the Green Bay Packers offense. However, after several teases, the team appears ready to unleash arguably their best offensive weapon.

Steelers rookie requested matchup against three-time All-Pro on 'TNF'

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is nothing if not confident in his abilities.

'TNF' takeaways: Steelers win ugly, Will Levis proves he's the man in Tennessee

It wasn't pretty, but the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) got the job done, coming from behind to defeat the Tennessee Titans (3-5) 20-16 on "Thursday Night Football." Here are three takeaways from the Steelers' primetime win.

NFL world reacts to controversial roughing-the-passer penalties on 'TNF'

The NFL has gone to great lengths to protect quarterbacks, but has the league gone too far?

Watch: Steelers' T.J. Watt doesn't need a helmet to sack Titans QB Will Levis

Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt can become a man possessed when pursuing the quarterback, something Tennessee Titans rookie Will Levis discovered first-hand on "Thursday Night Football."

NFC North stock up, down at midpoint: Which teammate did Lions QB Jared Goff compare to Aaron Donald?

Nearing the 2023 season's midway point, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the NFC North.

World Series Game 5 takeaways: Rangers shut out Diamondbacks to win first World Series title

After 62 seasons and several heart-wrenching losses in the Fall Classic, the Rangers won the franchise's first World Series title on Wednesday night.

Week 9 NFC North predictions: Vikings look to keep rolling without QB Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings are playing strong football and that trend may well continue in Week 9, even without QB Kirk Cousins. Predictions for the NFC North.

Bob Knight saw greatness in Michael Jordan before anyone else

Legendary Hall of Fame head coach Bobby Knight died at 83 on Wednesday, leaving behind a complicated legacy.

'SNF' takeaways: Justin Herbert rebounds, Bears D comes down to earth

The Los Angeles Chargers snapped a two-game losing streak in style, cruising to a 30-13 win over the Chicago Bears on "Sunday Night Football."

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' incredible streak snapped in one-sided loss to Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback didn't have his best day in a one-sided loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 8. Stricken with the flu, Mahomes — unlike Michael Jordan — struggled to produce while watching an incredible streak go up in smoke. 

A.J. Brown continues to pay huge dividends for Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles stunned the NFL world ahead of the 2022 season when they traded for playmaking receiver A.J. Brown during the draft. Roughly halfway through his second season in Philly, the move continues to pay huge dividends. 

Five potential trade targets for Vikings to replace injured QB Kirk Cousins

It appears Cousins is done for the year after suffering an Achilles injury. At 4-4, the Vikings will likely need to make a move under center to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Watch: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey ties NFL record with TD

Late in the first quarter of the battle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals, McCaffrey found the end zone for the 17th straight game, tying Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for the longest streak of consecutive games with a touchdown in NFL history.

World Series Game 2 takeaways: Strong pitching and timely hitting help D-backs even series with Rangers

The Arizona Diamondbacks were able to collect themselves after a gut-punch loss in Game 1 of the World Series. How did they do it? Here are three takeaways from Arizona's Game 2 victory in the Fall Classic.

Watch: Christian Walker showcases his reflexes to make tremendous one-handed snag at first

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker doesn't show a lot of emotion on the field, so it should come as no surprise that he was left unfazed by a funky play at first during Game 2 of the World Series.

Francis Ngannou stuns the boxing world in split-decision loss to Tyson Fury

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury may have taken a split-decision win over Francis Ngannou on Saturday, but it required a real effort.

Watch: Wild ruling allows USC to attempt second-quarter FG after halftime

As if Saturday's matchup between No. 24 USC and California couldn't get any stranger, a potential football first occurred at the start of the second half. 

NFL world reacts to controversial fine against Steelers running back

The NFL handed down a significant fine to Pittsburgh Steelers second-year running back Jaylen Warren for unnecessary roughness committed in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Takeaways from Rangers' stunning extra-innings win over D-backs in Game 1 of World Series

Powered by two dramatic home runs late, including the walk-off deep fly from the red-hot Adolis Garcia, the Rangers came from behind to top the Diamondbacks.

Watch: Luka Doncic hits four straight three-pointers to lead Mavericks over Nets

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic went supernova on Friday, destroying the Brooklyn Nets with a 49-point performance that included a late stretch in which he hit four consecutive three-pointers.

Watch: Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte ties incredible postseason streak in Game 1 of World Series

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte is on an absolute postseason tear and he's beginning to reach some huge statistical milestones.

Golden Knights denied a spot in the history books

The defending Stanley Cup champions can't have everything.