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20 modern acts classic country fans need to hear
For fans of classic country music, turning on the radio isn't exactly the best way to find new tunes. Mainstream country radio has pursued a poppier sound, leaving more traditionalist acts to thrive on streaming services and social media.
Looking for new artists that stay true to the style of classic country? Flip through the gallery below for 20 modern acts to add to your playlists right now.
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Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following the troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
Mets Could Steal Massive Star From Their Biggest Rival
In 2024, the New York Mets may have pulled off the biggest jersey swap of all time- acquiring massive free agent Juan Soto on an enormous 15-year, $765 million deal. However, this shouldn’t be the end of the line for New York. The team still has money, and perhaps they can use it to pay for a massive star. Big-Name Free Agent Could Be on the Radar for Mets The Biggest Bat on the Free Agent Market May Not be Kyle Tucker Sure, Kyle Tucker is a younger player with some superstar potential. Some might say that he is a superstar. However, the one very consistent bat is the bat of Kyle Schwarber. Over the last five seasons, Schwarber has hit at least 32 homers. This season is no exception, as he is on pace for 57 home runs. Schwarber strikes out a lot. However, his at-bats usually end in either a homer, a strikeout, or a walk. Schwarber remains one of the most significant game-changing bats on the market. He is heading into his age-33 season, but he reminds many of a Nelson Cruz-type bat. A bat that can last well into the late 30s. Tucker may be a good defender and a possibly excellent bat, but consistency remains on the side of Schwarber. The Mets Shouldn’t Stop at Alonso and Soto Now, the Mets may very well have to contend with another free agency of Pete Alonso. However, if the Mets have learned anything this season, they probably won’t hesitate to sign Alonso, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market. This will leave the Mets with options in free agency. Go big or play it safe and improve minimally. The Mets typically aren’t used to liking Schwarber, who seems to always be on a rival team. However, this doesn’t mean that it is impossible for him to pry away from the Phillies. Sure, the Mets can be content with the signing of Soto and, hopefully, also Alonso. But if New York wants to make the best team ever to play in Queens, New York may very well want to go after some of the bigger names on the market. If many people thought the Mets were in contention for Vladdy, then they can definitely be in contention for Schwarber. The Mets also don’t have a definitive DH, and even with some saying Soto is a potential DH in the future, Soto will likely continue to play the outfield. Schwarber would be a dream DH for New York. Schwarber Will Not Be Easy To Sign, But Neither Was Soto If there is one thing that many have learned over the last few seasons, it is that the Mets don’t just settle. The Mets have made huge trades, huge signings, and more. Schwarber has made it relatively clear that he likes Philly, and even his teammates have expressed that they want him to stay. And of course, Philly is capable of providing the money for Schwarber to stay. However, New York is even more capable. If the Mets make a good trade ahead of the deadline, young players live up to their potential, and the Mets make a big splash in free agency, then New York would be virtually unstoppable. It used to be the New York Yankees that got everything they wanted. Now, there might be a new sheriff in town. The Mets are starting to turn the corner and are becoming the new juggernaut in New York. Perhaps the Soto signing was just the beginning. Signing a free agent away from a bitter rival wouldn’t be easy. However, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time for New York.
Ten most egregious MLB Hall of Fame snubs by position
On July 27, first baseman/third baseman Dick Allen, outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Dave Parker and pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. They will join the 351 players already immortalized, either for their performance on the diamond or their contributions to the game itself. While many of the greatest players in MLB history have been enshrined in Cooperstown, there have been several who have yet to join their ranks. Let's take a look at the biggest snubs for the Hall of Fame by position. Catcher: Thurman Munson The heart and soul of the New York Yankees in the 1970s, Munson was a fiery leader who was named the sixth captain in franchise history. A seven-time All-Star, Munson posted a .292/.346/.410 batting line with 113 homers and 229 doubles over parts of 11 seasons. The 1970 AL Rookie of the Year and 1976 AL MVP was just 32 years old when he died as the airplane he was flying crashed, trapping Munson in the wreckage. First base: Keith Hernandez Hernandez is better known for his appearance on "Seinfeld" and as a commentator during New York Mets' broadcasts these days, but he is arguably the best defensive first baseman in MLB history. Hernandez won a record 11 Gold Glove awards at first, and his 120 runs saved is the most of any first baseman. A five-time All-Star and a 1979 co-NL MVP, Hernandez was a solid hitter as well, slashing .296/.384/.436 during his career with 162 homers and 426 doubles. His 60.3 bWAR is the most of any eligible first baseman not tied to PED allegations who is not already enshrined. Second base: Lou Whitaker Whitaker, by virtually any measure, should already be in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he received just 2.9% of the vote in his only year on the ballot. A five-time All-Star, Whitaker was one of the best all-around second basemen of his era. He had a .276/.363/.426 batting line with 2,369 hits, 244 homers and 420 doubles while stealing 143 bases. Whitaker was the 1978 AL Rookie of the Year, won three Gold Glove awards and was a four-time Silver Slugger. His 75.1 bWAR is the sixth most of any second baseman in MLB history. His enshrinement is long overdue. Third base: Buddy Bell Bell had the misfortune of playing during the careers of two of the greatest third basemen in MLB history — Mike Schmidt and George Brett. Nonetheless, Bell had an impressive career in his own right. A five-time All-Star, he batted .279/.341/.406 with 2,514 hits, 201 homers and 425 doubles. Bell was a six-time Gold Glove winner and ranks third all-time in runs saved at the hot corner. Shortstop: Bill Dahlen One of the best shortstops of the dead-ball era, Dahlen is a forgotten great of the game. "Bad Bill," so nicknamed due to his battles with umpires and fiery temperament, put up a .272/.358/.382 slash line with 2,461 hits, 413 doubles and 163 triples. Although his 975 errors at short are the second most in MLB history, he was considered an excellent defensive shortstop with great range during his playing days. His 75.3 bWAR is the sixth-best of any shortstop, helping revive his Hall of Fame candidacy. Left field: Barry Bonds Bonds faces an uphill climb to enshrinement due to suspicions of PED usage and his connection to the BALCO scandal. Nevertheless, no one can argue his greatness on the diamond. Bonds was a 14-time All-Star, a seven-time NL MVP, won 12 Silver Slugger awards and eight Gold Gloves. The single-season and career home run leader, Bonds boasted a .298/.444/.607 batting line with 2,935 hits, 762 homers and 601 doubles while stealing 514 bases. He is one of just eight members of the 300 homer/300 stolen base club and the only player in the 400-400 and 500-500 clubs. Center field: Kenny Lofton As was the case with Whitaker, Lofton had just one year on the Hall of Fame ballot, earning 3.2% of the vote. However, like Whitaker, Lofton is one of the best at his position in major league history. Although overshadowed by teammates such as Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez during his time in Cleveland, Lofton was a six-time All-Star and won four Gold Glove awards. He has a career .299/.372/.423 batting line with 2,428 hits, 130 homers and 383 doubles while stealing 622 bases. Lofton's 68.4 bWAR ranks ninth in MLB history, the highest mark of anyone either not enshrined or eligible for induction. Right field: Dwight Evans Evans was the victim of timing. Had he played in the Moneyball Era, he likely would have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer due to his ability to work counts, get on base and hit for power. Overlooked for much of his career, the three-time All-Star had a .272/.370/.470 batting line with 2,446 hits, 385 homers and 483 doubles. An eight-time Gold Glove winner, Evans ranks in the top 20 all-time in putouts (4,247, third), assists (155, 15th), double plays (42, ninth) and runs saved (71, 13th) in right. Starting pitcher: Roger Clemens As is the case with Bonds, Clemens' Hall of Fame case is hurt by PED allegations. Baseball history cannot be written without acknowledging Clemens' place therein. An 11-time All-Star, Clemens won a record seven Cy Young awards, doing so in three different decades. He went 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.173 WHiP over his 4916.2 innings, striking out 4672 batters, including a pair of 20-strikeout games — the only pitcher to strike out 20 batters in a game twice. Relief pitcher: Firpo Marberry One could argue that Marberry was the prototype for what became the closer role. Although he would function as a starter, including five years where he started most of his appearances, Marberry was a dominant force out of the bullpen. He twice reached double digits in wins and saves in the same season (1924 and 1926). Overall, Marberry produced a 148-88 record while recording 99 saves, retroactively leading the AL seven times and leading the majors six times. He pitched to a 3.63 ERA and a 1.323 WHIP in 2,067.1 innings, ranking seventh in bWAR (31.7) among any pitcher with at least 60% of their appearances coming out of the bullpen.
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