Plenty of rock songs are worthy of raising your fist and punching the air. Some have an anthemic sound, complete with power and passion. Here's a look at 25 of such songs that have graced our lives over the decades.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, not only extending his major league lead but also making him the first player in baseball to reach the 40-home run mark this season. It also helped him make some history. With his 40th home run, Raleigh became both the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in baseball history to reach the 40 home run mark before the end of July. Here is a look at his 40th home run. He is already in the process of having one of the best seasons ever for a Mariners player, and also one of the best seasons ever for a catcher, for any team. Especially when you add in his defense, where he is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His only serious competition for the American League MVP Award remains New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. But with Judge sidelined for some time now due to an elbow injury, it might open the door for Raleigh to put himself in the lead for that award.
Dallas Cowboys fans appear to have one thing on their mind during training camp, and they made sure to let team owner Jerry Jones know about it on Saturday. Hundreds of Cowboys fans showed up to the team's annual "Opening Day Ceremony" on Saturday in Oxnard, California. Jones addressed the crowd, and the 82-year-old was greeted with a lot of restless supporters when he took the microphone. As Jones began talking about how disappointed he was with his team's 7-10 season last year, many fans shouted the same two-word message: "Pay Micah!" The fans eventually settled enough for Jones to urge them to take note of all the changes the Cowboys have made this offseason. "I was shocked last year when we ended up with the record that we had. I never saw that coming. I want you to know, and I want you to look for as you watch practices this week, I want you to watch what we've done in the areas that we needed to work on," Jones said. "Look at what we've done in this offensive line. Look at what we've done, if you will, with our receiver cops. Look at what we're doing with our defense. A lot of changes out here -- a lot of coaching changes, a lot of player changes." Parsons is set to make $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. He is undoubtedly seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in football, which would mean topping the $41M per year T.J. Watt recently got with his new deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parsons had 12 or more sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons. Jones has hinted that he is playing hardball with the star linebacker in contract negotiations, and Cowboys fans do not seem to appreciate it.
Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, rival GMs believe the Yankees are open to dealing prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones, even amid his recent power surge. Jones has been on fire since his Triple-A promotion. He has 13 home runs in 19 games, a .308 batting average and 1.079 OPS in combined high-A and Triple-A action this season, including a three-homer game last week. That’s putting new power on display just as the trade deadline looms in July. But New York evaluators haven’t forgotten he was a strikeout machine earlier this year. Through 76 games in Double-A, Jones posted a .238/.317/.401 slash line with a 36.9% strikeout rate, loud warning signs about swing-and-miss risks. That dichotomy is what makes him intriguing and also tricky. Jones is a first-rounder with elite tools. But after a slow spring and contact struggles early in the year, calling him polished would be generous. Fans are going to freak out if he’s traded now—especially after watching a 6-foot-7 prospect rock nine dingers over his first 30 Triple-A games and earn Eastern League Player of the Week. But this isn’t about the hot streak; it’s about the long-term plan. If the Yankees deal Jones, it’ll have to be for serious bullpen or rotation help. This isn’t a swap for fringe veteran average, but big-picture trade capital to plug holes at third base or in relief—as Judge’s elbow situation and a crumbling bullpen continue to remind them. The upside is tantalizing, but the strikeouts are real. Adding to the complications are that Jones just missed the last two games, reportedly with back spasms. He's had a history of injuries already that will bring the same questions of durability that Judge faced earlier in his career. For the Yankees, selling high on Jones isn’t about denying his tools. This is about asking what they think they can get back in return.