Every team has that one character guy, the one who is the glue of the team, the heart and soul. It’s not necessarily always about the numbers, or the amount of All-Star appearances, but the intangibles. Amir Johnson is that guy for the Toronto Raptors. Dwayne Riley-Grant explains just how far the young big man has come in 2012-13.

The Sacramento River Cats are cracking down on individuals who misspell their name in print. From Rivercats to RiverCats and everywhere in between, perpetrators will be issued a $1 fine that will be donated to charity. The press release has Jesse Goldberg-Strassler contemplating the rest of the quirks of the world of baseball team names.

We all know about the 1984 NBA Draft, Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon have made sure of it. Then 1996, with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson, is hard to forget as well. If we can assume that 2003’s offering of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony reaches that same level, then does 2008’s with Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love?

I’ve never hidden the fact that I love the New England Patriots franchise. My Twitter background has the Patriots logo image. My Google+ profile – not that I use it regularly – says that the only thing that I prefer to the Patriots is The Wire, and that the only thing I prefer to The […]

Running back has long been an important position in the NFL, but as a title, it’s a bit of a misnomer. In reality, the position’s often about much more than just running ability, especially in today’s league where there’s such an emphasis on passing. This year in particular, with a new head coach on board in Chicago, Bears’ RB Matt Forte stands to cash in on the air game.

It’s not always easy to be a Houston Astros fan. Now that the franchise boasts a miniscule $20 million payroll, a mark smaller than 20 different individuals in professional baseball, they’ll have their work cut out for them dealing any sort of damage on the diamond. Still, with hew boss Jim Crane calling the executive shots, it may not be long before we start seeing signs of life from the classic club. A new league and new look are only the beginning.

As Gordon Bombay famously said, “Ducks fly together.” Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry proved the fictional coach right by re-upping with Anaheim, ignoring the lure of unrestricted free agency. By locking up their premier duo for a combined $135 million, the Ducks avoided their own version of Sophie’s choice and ensured themselves a chance at the Stanley Cup this season and beyond. Is the long-term commitment, however, worth the cost?

When former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson traded Rick Nash to the New York Rangers last summer, the move was expected to add an element they were sorely lacking. What wasn’t expected was that it would be Columbus netting a return of forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon and a first-round pick in this year’s entry draft, who would ultimately get the better of the deal.

The WBC symbolizes the dawn of a new year of baseball, but it’s not without its share of criticism. Harlan Ambrose takes a good look at the Classic’s strengths, weaknesses and everything in between.

As the Toronto Blue Jays have come and gone over the course of the past decades, so too has youth and grass roots baseball. Will this current World Series push do for the kids of today what Joe Carter’s club did for Generation Y? Ryan Wight takes a look at the ebb and flow of baseball participation among Canadian youth, all while showing that you’re never too old to get excited about your Big League club gearing up for a title.