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MLB continues hurting itself

By Jim Krug For the Mirror Editor’s note: Jim Krug has followed the ups and downs of the Pittsburgh Pirates since the late 1980s. He wrote over 150 articles about the Pirates from 2010-16 for online sports site isportsweb.com. This is the first in a three-part series examining the challenges of Major League Baseball. Over the past two decades, Major League Baseball’s attempts to increase fan engagement and remain relevant against surging popularity from the NFL and NBA have spectacularly backfired. Here are some reasons why: 1. Interleague play Denounced by baseball ...

An appreciation for the career possessed by Roger Federer

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press Roger Federer never let ’em see him sweat. He played tennis with a style that only rarely betrayed the effort behind the masterful serving, the rare-in-its-day attacking and the flawless footwork. He was not one to grunt loudly on shots or celebrate wildly after them. The way he wielded a racket helped him to win, yes, and win a lot, to the tune of 20 Grand Slam championships — a half-dozen more than any man before him — across a 15-year stretch, and 103 tournament titles in all, plus a Davis Cup trophy and Olympic medals for ...

Serena’s sendoff like no other

By Ira Kaufman For the Mirror Serena Williams’ epic final run at the U.S. Open captured the eyes of the world. Sports legends typically retire with a press conference after the season stating that, upon reflection, they are moving on to other things. There may be rumors during their last game of a potential “retirement,” but rarely do the fans know when they are truly watching the end of career. I was at Kobe’s final, “Mamba Out” game in 2016, when he scored 60 points in the final game of the regular season and his career (the Lakers were not in the playoffs). ...

How soon until professional golf outprices itself?

I feel terrible for professional golfers. Listening to the testimonials from the guys who are joining the LIV Tour makes it sound like we need to start a Go Fund Me page to help out these poor souls. “You want us to play four rounds of golf and not just three to earn money?” Preposterous. Those slave lords with the PGA Tour have a cut so if we don’t play well we can’t make $40,000 for last place. There has to be an easier way — and poof. The Great White Shark, Greg Norman, and his slush fund (Saudi Arabian friends) arrive just in time to save these gents from ...

Elliott thinking NASCAR playoffs only

By Dave Skretta The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Chase Elliott wasn’t around to see the fireworks at the end of last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. Or, for that matter, the fire coming from Kevin Harvick’s car. Elliott’s playoff opener was over early after the regular-season champion lost control of his No. 9 Chevrolet and brushed the wall in Turns 1 and 2. Chase Briscoe, closing fast and with nowhere to go, collided with Elliott and caused too much damage for him to overcome. His crew from Hendrick Motorsports tried to repair the broken ...

Northern Cambria has produced its share of coaches

I read the recent article about Moshannon Valley High School’s contributions to high school football head coaching positions, which is very impressive. Northern Cambria High School has also produced a significant number of graduates who became head coaches, most of whom played for Dan Miller, who is in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame. They include Barnesboro High School graduate Hugh “Duffy” Daugherty at Michigan State, Spangler High School graduate George “Skinny” Magulick at Spangler High School (after a stint as a player with the Steelers), Northern ...