Yardbarker

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.

Nikola Jokic makes Finals history in Game 1 win over Heat

Nikola Jokic had a history-matching performance in the Nuggets' Game 1 win over the Miami Heat.

Pistons break the bank to land former Coach of the Year Monty Williams

Landing the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year is a massive get for the Pistons, who need something to go their way.

Eagles rookie Jalen Carter might have destroyed blocking sled at OTA

2023 first-round pick Jalen Carter has yet to play an NFL game for the Philadelphia Eagles, but his legend is already growing.  

Former All-Star suggests intriguing role change for Angels' Shohei Ohtani

Angels star Shohei Ohtani is making an early case to win the American League Cy Young and MVP Awards. Still, former All-Star pitcher Ryan Dempster believes there's a way the Angels could get even more value out of the two-way phenom. 

Detroit Lions stock up, stock down

With training camp still a few months away, teams throughout the NFL continue to evaluate their rosters. We've done some evaluating of our own, examining the Detroit Lions and whose stock is rising and falling.

Green Bay Packers stock up, stock down

With training camp two months away, teams continue to evaluate their rosters. Here's the stock rising — and falling — for the Green Bay Packers.

Chicago Bears stock up, stock down

With training camp two months away, teams continue to evaluate their rosters. Here's the stock rising—and falling—for the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota Vikings stock up, stock down

With training camp two months away, teams continue to evaluate their rosters. Here's the stock rising — and falling — for the Minnesota Vikings.

Stars will get major boost following Game 5 win over Golden Knights

The Stars staved off elimination for the second game in a row, defeating the Golden Knights, 4-2, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Saturday. 

Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk has split allegiances in NBA's Eastern Conference Finals

Tkachuk has recently formed a bond with Miami Heat standout Jimmy Butler, but he's also a former high school buddy of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. had perfect response to taunting Yankees fans

On Friday, San Diego Padres slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. gifted jeering Yankees fans with a two-run home run.

Phillies' Craig Kimbrel reaches 400-save milestone against first MLB team

Philadelphia Phillies veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel reached an impressive career milestone Friday, earning career save No. 400, fittingly against his initial MLB team – the Atlanta Braves.

Hall of Famer bashes Michael Jordan and Bill Russell

On the topic of the greatest of all time, Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen has strong feelings, which he shared on Friday's "Gimme the Hot Sauce Podcast."

Watch: LSU outfielder makes bid for catch of the year

LSU outfielder Tre' Morgan made perhaps the catch of the year in Friday's SEC Tournament game against Texas A&M, wowing the crowd with an unbelievably acrobatic grab.

Scott Boras shares strong thoughts on MLB pitch clock, calls for changes

MLB isn't likely to drop changes made to quicken the pace of games. However, as Boras hints, perhaps a few tweaks are in order.

Insider reveals link between one AFC contender and DeAndre Hopkins

An NFL insider hears that the Kansas City Chiefs have shown consistent interest in just-released WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Joe Pavelski's milestone OT-winner vs. Golden Knights keeps Stars' season alive

The Dallas Stars live to play another day. Veteran Joe Pavelski kept the Stars' season alive, scoring 3:18 into overtime to lift the Stars over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final.

Jaylen Brown offers warning to Heat after Celtics' Game 5 win

Once down 3-0 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics have life after a 110-97 win in Game 5 Thursday, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.

Mets' Pete Alonso is on historic HR pace

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso smashed his MLB-leading 19th home run Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, continuing a historic power streak.

Matthew Tkachuk beats the buzzer, sends Panthers to Stanley Cup Final

Entering Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final with a chance to sweep the Carolina Hurricanes, Tkachuk again played the hero, tallying the game-winner with five seconds left in the third period to send the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final.

NFL penalizes Patriots for violating offseason rules

The New England Patriots have apparently been slapped on the wrist for a minor offseason rules violation.

Watch: Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin knocked out of Game 4 vs. Panthers after massive hit

Slavin appeared to hit the back of his head on the boards behind the Carolina net and was noticeably woozy afterward.

Even mom of slumping shortstop has booed him

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner revealed that even his mom has booed him during a recent slump

Stars' Jamie Benn issues surprising response regarding brutal cross-check

Following his ejection in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after brutally cross-checking Vegas Golden Knights' Mark Stone in a 4-0 loss, Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn addressed the nasty incident that ultimately led to a suspension from the NHL on Wednesday. 

Gilbert Arenas explains why 'no one will care' if Nikola Jokic wins NBA title

Either way, it seems Jokic can't win. If the Nuggets fail to grab the NBA title this year, haters will saddle Jokic alongside other greats who've earned personal hardware but couldn't win the big one.