Despite such a massive number of games played, playoff races in MLB are often tight. With the addition of a second wild card, things will be even more hotly contested. The AL East is often a very competitive division and with the Yankees leading the way, the Rays and Orioles are hot on their tail. Will a playoff play-in game make the difference for any of these franchises?

This summer has seen some wild spending in the NHL, and some major changes have taken place among rosters. Teams like the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings have lost key members and are in a position to decline. But is it that easy to write them off? History suggests it to be so.

The 1992 Dream Team is widely considered the best basketball team ever assembled, and they proved it by winning gold medals quite easily. In his new book, author Jack McCallum reveals some behind-the-scenes details about how the players interacted and clears up some of the myths that have surrounded them for the past two decades.

Baseball’s war against chewing tobacco is making headlines at the Major League level, but in the Minors, things are a lot more cut-and-dry. MiLB players are not allowed to possess chewing tobacco either on the field or even during club travel. They may believe it’s a “gross habit,” but what gives the leagues the right to say that players – largely adults – cannot possess it away from the eyes of fans?

When you look at the last season that Ducks players Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry had, you have to assume that this year will be better. Good players and teams that have poor campaigns find incredible pressure placed upon them to rebound, and looking at recent trends, there’s plenty of evidence to support the idea that teams like the Ducks and Lightning will be threats in this upcoming NHL season.

John Dittrich has been involved in baseball for over 40 years. With a career that began in a rather peculiar way, John has molded a legacy with the Springfield Sliders that has touched countless individuals, both professionally and personally. His legacy is recounted – and honored – by Sliders Director of Community Relations Darin Martin

There’s nothing more volatile in MLB than relief pitching. Despite being baseball’s version of the proverbial box of chocolates, GMs are still willing to pay top dollar for “proven” closers, while those earning fractions of what the big names make prove time and again that they can put up the same numbers. Still, long-term investments in bullpen arms rarely proves to be a wise choice.

Perhaps more than any other major sport, the NBA television broadcast has changed drastically over the years. Gone are the likes of team variety and double- or triple-headers, in are star teams and ESPN logos. This hasn’t translated into a drastically larger audience, so is there something better to be done?

To some, an NHL contract amnesty clause sounds like an easy way to cause a player to lose his job and free up salary cap space. However, there are many benefits to such a clause to the player, the team and even the fans. When the NHL and NHLPA are done debating the major issues in the new CBA, contract amnesty is something they should also look into.

Lew Ford completed one of the most epic journeys through baseball when he suited up for the Baltimore Orioles this past weekend. The very definition of “journeyman,” Ford had been completely overlooked by the baseball brass – twice. His return proves that there’s hope even for the lowliest of prospects.