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Dreadful to dynamic: We rank all 30 Major League Baseball fan bases
As the only uncapped major league, MLB Baseball features a considerable gap between the haves and have-nots financially. That dynamic has given rise to a reality where about 10 teams are trying hard to win, 10 are trying hard to lose and 10 are stuck in the middle. That makes being a fan awfully tough in some cities. Here's Yardbarker's ranking of fan bases from worst to first. (All attendance figures through Aug. 26, 2019.)
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TODAY'S BEST
Aaron Boone addresses Alex Rodriguez’s criticism of Yankees
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded Sunday, one day after Alex Rodriguez suggested his team lacks discipline and accountability. On FOX’s MLB pregame show Saturday, Rodriguez questioned the “accountability” of the Yankees after Boone did not pull Jazz Chisholm from Saturday’s loss to Miami after the infielder made a brutal baserunning blunder. Rodriguez suggested that the Yankees do not face consequences for such mistakes, and that it has contributed to further errors. “If any one of us made a mistake, we would be sitting our butt right on the bench,” Rodriguez said. “I see mistake after mistake, and there’s no consequences.” Boone took issue with those remarks when asked about them on Sunday. He said he accepts that the Yankees will always face added scrutiny, but that he disagreed with the substance of Rodriguez’s remarks. “I would disagree a little bit with the accountability factor, but the reality is, we’re focused every day on being the best we can be,” Boone said, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “That’s how we have to do it. But I understand when it doesn’t happen, or we don’t have the record that I think we should have, or certainly people think we should have — that comes with the territory.” Boone is known for keeping things positive publicly, even when things are going poorly for the Yankees. That has led to some criticism from fans, who feel that he goes too easy on his players when they are underperforming. The team’s recent stretch of mediocre play combined with a lack of consequences for errors like Chisholm’s have reinforced those critiques. The Yankees lost again on Sunday and were swept by the Marlins, dropping them to 60-51 on the season. Until the team starts consistently winning again, Boone is going to hear more comments like Rodriguez’s.
25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
Dolphins lock in defensive standout to long-term extension
It's been a lucrative weekend for some of the NFL's defensive tackles. Just one day after the Denver Broncos locked in Zach Allen on a long-term deal, the Miami Dolphins did the same with another Zach — Zach Sieler — and signed him to a three-year, $67 million extension that will now make him the highest-paid defensive player on the Dolphins roster. The Dolphins defense took a big step forward in 2024 and climbed to the top 10 in points allowed and the top four in yards allowed. They still struggled against some of the NFL's better teams, but it was a better unit overall and Sieler was a big part of that. He's been a full-time starter the past three seasons and is coming off back-to-back 10-sack campaigns for the Dolphins. He is going to turn 30 just after Week 1 of the season, but his game should age well throughout the contract extension. It was a quiet free agent signing period for the Dolphins defense, mainly focusing on depth additions, but they did make one blockbuster trade by sending Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick. They also addressed the defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft in a big way by selecting defensive lineman with two of their first three picks. That included first-round pick Kenneth Grant out of Michigan and fifth-round pick Jordan Phillips out of Maryland.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Star Leaves Training Camp Practice With Groin Injury
Training camp is often a time of hope and excitement as teams prepare for the grind of the NFL season. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s also a proving ground—one where the pieces of a championship-worthy roster come together under the watchful eye of head coach Mike Tomlin. But for every moment of optimism, there’s also the looming risk of injuries. Unfortunately, the Steelers were hit with one of those moments recently when star outside linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered a groin injury during practice. The news has triggered both concern and introspection within the team and among fans. Highsmith isn’t just another player on the depth chart—he’s a foundational piece of the Steelers’ defense. His absence, whether it’s short or long-term, could have major implications for the team’s plans this season. Here’s a closer look at Highsmith’s value, the challenges of his recovery, and how the Steelers can adapt in his absence. Alex Highsmith’s Role in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Defense The Watt-Highsmith Duo When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, T.J. Watt understandably comes to mind first. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year commands double teams and wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. But Alex Highsmith has emerged as an equally vital force on the opposite side of the field. Together, they form one of the NFL’s most dynamic pass-rushing duos. Alex Highsmith, entering his sixth NFL season, has developed into a nightmare for offensive opponents. His mix of speed and strength, coupled with his relentless motor, allows him to excel both against the pass and the run. Last season, despite missing some time due to a similar groin issue, Highsmith still recorded six sacks and made countless disruptive plays that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. Beyond the stats, Highsmith’s presence impacts the entire defense. His ability to apply pressure from the edge forces quarterbacks into hurried decisions and creates opportunities for the secondary. With Highsmith and Watt healthy, Pittsburgh’s defense can dominate games. Their complementary styles make it nearly impossible for offenses to focus protection schemes on one player, giving the Steelers an edge—literally and figuratively. Leadership on and off the Field Highsmith’s value goes beyond his physical abilities; he’s also an emotional leader. Known for his work ethic and team-first attitude, he has become a key figure in fostering the Steelers’ locker room culture. His absence during camp doesn’t just leave a gap on the field—it leaves a void in leadership during an important bonding period for the team. The Challenge of a Groin Injury Tricky Recovery Process Groin injuries are notoriously difficult to manage. They impact a player’s ability to move explosively—something critical for a pass rusher who relies on short bursts of power and agility. The recovery process requires a careful balance of rest, physical therapy, and gradual reintroduction to full activity. Rushing back too soon can lead to setbacks or re-injury, so the medical staff will likely take a cautious approach with Highsmith. While the severity of his current injury hasn’t been fully disclosed, it’s worth noting that he dealt with a similar issue last year. That history could influence how both the team and Highsmith handle his rehab. Timing as a Silver Lining The good news—for now—is that the injury happened during training camp, leaving weeks before the start of the regular season. This gives Highsmith valuable time to recover without having to miss meaningful games. However, even a short absence from training camp can disrupt a player’s rhythm and conditioning. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, ensuring Highsmith is fully healthy and at peak readiness by Week 1 will be a priority. Implications for the Steelers Adjusting Without Highsmith If Highsmith is sidelined for any amount of time, the Steelers will need to rely on their depth to fill the gap. Fortunately, Pittsburgh has a solid stable of defensive players who have impressed during camp. Nick Herbig, a rookie out of Wisconsin, has shown promise in early practices and could see an expanded role. Additionally, the team has veterans like Markus Golden, who bring experience and versatility to the position. That said, no combination of replacements can fully replicate what Highsmith brings to the table. His absence would force the Steelers to adjust their defensive schemes, potentially limiting their ability to generate consistent pressure without sending extra blitzers. A Test of Resilience If there’s one thing the Steelers’ organization is known for, it’s resilience. Injuries are part of the game, and Mike Tomlin’s teams have consistently shown they can adapt and overcome adversity. Still, losing a player like Highsmith, even temporarily, underscores the importance of depth and preparation throughout training camp. Final Thoughts Alex Highsmith’s groin injury is an unwelcome development for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it’s far from insurmountable. His contributions as a pass rusher, leader, and disruptor are invaluable, and his recovery will be critical to the team’s fortunes this season. While the injury serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, it’s also an opportunity for the Steelers to rally and reassert their strength as a unit. Here’s hoping Highsmith’s recovery goes smoothly and that the Steelers’ pass-rushing star is back wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks in no time. Until then, resilience will remain the team’s rallying cry as they prepare for what promises to be another hard-fought NFL season.
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