LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL

For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits

ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.

MORE HARM THAN GOOD?

Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier

HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong

GEM COLLECTOR

In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?

EARNING POWER

A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS

No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.

NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM

The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors

ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS

For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.

INTERNATIONAL TREASURES

Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever

HIGH-FLYING BIRDS

Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule

ORGANIZATION REPORTS

At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.

NOBODY'S PERFECT

No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile

Breaking New Ground

Sunny Choi is heading for Paris, where her sport-yes, sportwill make its olympic debut

THE SECRET TO SPEED IS IN YOUR BLOOD

Some of the world's best runners credit this unorthodox Norwegian training method for their success. Is it right for you?

STOP LISTENING TO MUSIC WHILE YOU RUN! (TRY AUDIOBOOKS INSTEAD)

I'VE RUN MORE than 30 marathons over the past 20 years, but I recently found one hack that has made my last two training cycles the most fun I've ever had logging a ton of miles: audiobooks.

HOW TO START A RUN WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT

I'VE ALWAYS FELT validation when reading a story about writers and their love of procrastination.

I NEED A DRINK RUN

TO KEEP THE cold at bay one December night in 2022, my friend Justine and I got together for some mulled wine, a hot drink as delicious as it is sentimental to me, reminding me of holiday gatherings and Christmas markets back home in the Czech Republic.

TEAM BONDING AND AMATEUR FILMMAKING

I WENT TO my first high-school cross-country practice freshman year in jean shorts, mostly walking as I heaved and huffed.

RISE OF THE "ILLEGAL" RUNNING SHOES

Banned shoes emerged courtside long before they found their way onto a marathon course.

PARENTING THROUGH RUNNING

I GRAB MY headlamp and run down the driveway, heading out for the quiet streets an hour before sunrise.

HOW FAR CAN RUNNING LAKEYOU AFTER A DECADE OF ADDICTION!

WHEN MITCH AMMONS FINALLY GOT CLEAN, HE COULD BARELY JOG A HALF MILE. NOW HE'S LINING UP WITH SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP DISTANCE RUNNERS AT THE 2024 OLYMPIC MARATHON TRIALS.

THE CASE FOR NOT RUNNING

I HAVE TO let you in on a little secret: I haven't been running much these last few months, and it's the best decision I've made.

THANKS, SPECTATORS!

IN THE EARLY MORNING hours of Marathon Sunday, the nerves hit me even before I donned the shirt I made for the race, with \"ALY\" across my chest in hot-pink glittery letters.

Can the Saudis Buy Soccerr?

Saudi Arabia is spending an unfathomable fortune to lure the biggest stars of global football (Ronaldo! Benzema! Neymar!) to its upstart league ventured to the kingdom to discover what the gambit represents. Is this the future of the world's most popular sport? The vanguard of sportswashing? Or something way bigger?

How Angel Reese Manifested the Life of Her Dreams

The college basketball phenom knows what she wants and how to get therewith epic focus, drive, and determination.

Angels and Demons RIDING TWO-UP SOUTH THROUGH ALASKA

A not-so-warm welcome as we entered Hatchers Pass from Willow to Palmer, Alaska.

Stuant Gregory IS IT AN ADDICTION?

Five-Time Dakar Malle Moto racer