CATEGORIES

DEADLINE DECISIONS

Alexander trade a harbinger of tough choices looming for 49ers

STOCK UP STOCK DOWN

The third-year veteran continued to establish himself as the best player on the San Francisco

Does Jimmy G still have future with 49ers?

San Fran must consider moving on from QB

BYE WEEK CHECKLIST

49ers have plenty of work to do during late break in schedule

OLD MEETS NEW

Brian Snitker expertly navigated the Braves to a third straight division title despite myriad pitching injuries

Focusing on the Northeast pays off for the Indians

Over the past few years, the Indians have mined the Northeast for talent. The 2020 team got big-time contributions from former college righthanders Aaron Civale (Northeastern) and James Karinchak (Bryant). Waiting in the wings are three more prospects from the region, all from high school: third baseman Nolan Jones (Bensalem, Pa.), catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) and righthander Lenny Torres (Beacon, N.Y). All five of those players were signed by area scout Mike Kanen, a former Baseball America intern. BA recently spoke with Kanen about his first impressions of those players. The interview is edited for brevity.

SECRET WEAPON

Bobby Dickerson was integral in transforming the Padres’ infield from error-prone to October-caliber

TRUST THE TOOLS

The minor league season was lost, but dynasty players should keep the faith for these nine prospects

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: FEW TEAMS CAN MATCH THE DODGERS' DOMINANCE

The 2020 Dodgers led the National League in runs scored and fewest runs allowed.

BLUEPRINT

From scouting to player development to analytics to acquisition, the Dodgers cover all the bases as baseball’s model franchise.

COAST TO COAST

Andrew Friedman has more money to play with in Los Angeles than he did in Tampa Bay, but his core principles remain unchanged— just like the results

WINTER OF DISCONTENT

The hot stove could quickly turn to deep freeze

A MODERN-DAY CRASH DAVIS

Cody Decker mashed his way into the hearts of minor league fans

A LASTING LEGACY

All-star player. Decorated manager. Ambassador for the Dominican Republic. Felipe Alou wore many hats, but above all he was a pioneer who helped pave the way for generations of Latino players.

Running becomes a mystery

The Washington Football Team running backs are an interesting bunch for sure. What was considered to be the strength of the team in July is one of the more perplexing groups on the roster and perhaps the league.

Road to playoffs narrows

Seven games to grow. To improve. To ready for 2021. All good things. But to make the 2020 playoffs? It’s not the easiest route.

Rivera picks the wrong passer

RIDING THE PINE Dwayne Haskins probably deserved to be benched, but with him sitting games out, the Washington Football team won't know if he learned anything.

Smith is next passer up

“Every day, I think about the things that he’s done and where he is today. I mean, it’s a heck of a story, but to be honest with you, the thing I’m really pleased with [is] the way he’s played.” – Ron Rivera

To Do List

TACKLING PRODUCTIVITY The Washington defensive line might be more productive if they put Tim Settle and Ryan Kerrigan in more.

NO PRESSURE, NO DIAMOND

Seeing defense is not believing

Humble pie for holidays

BRIGHT SPOTS In a losing year, a few rare gems have emerged, including receiver Isaiah Wright.

Young ends remindful of Manley-Mann

When Washington was great, most fans cited the quarterbacks, receivers, Hogs, and cornerback Darrell Green. And, they were all great.

‘Rivera strong' after cancer treatments

Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera would be doing a lot better if his team’s record was reversed. It’s not and while he knew it would be a Mount Everest-like climb to reverse a losing football culture in Washington, he might not have saw this coming.

3 big thoughts

WILL SPORTS WAGERING KEEP TEAM IN LANDOVER?

GOLD CUP NORTH CENTRAL

If there is one good thing about this year’s Covid closures of states and counties, it is that tracks that might not normally have gotten a shot at hosting a National or Gold Cup event, were now given that opportunity.

MID-AMERICA NATIONALS

2ND COMING USA BMX STOPS IN NEBRASKA ...AGAIN.

GOLD CUP SOUTHEAST

This year the DK Bicycles Gold Cup South East Finals were held at one of the fastest BMX tracks in Alabama - Circle City BMX, in Dothan. If trying to claim one of the coveted Gold Cup Plates brought you to Circle City BMX for your first time you might have been surprised when you first saw the track layout.

GOLD CUP SOUTHWEST

When you roll into the local Quiktrip and one of Tucson’s finest looks at your shirt and asks if you know Corben Sharrah, you can only be in one city in America. Often coined as the loudest city in BMX, it doesn’t matter if there is a single fan or a gaggle of Tucsonans, they know how to bring the energy.

GOLD CUP NORTHEAST

With all of the uncertainty in event planning this year, it was not a huge surprise that the DK Bicycles North East Gold Cup Finals shifted locations somewhat last minute. We were very lucky to have it and at a great location, Akron BMX in Akron, Ohio. The Big Red Truck was last here for the 2018 North East Gold Cup Finals, and the track is located in a pretty incredible location.

THE THIRD Coming

FOR DJ WAGNER, SON OF DAJUAN AND GRANDSON OF MILT—BOTH FORMER NBA PLAYERS—BASKETBALL RUNS IN HIS FAMILY’S BLOOD. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, HE’LL USE THAT TALENT AND HIS NO. 1 RANKING IN THE CLASS OF 2023 TO LEAD CAMDEN HS TO THE TOP OF THE BASKETBALL WORLD (AGAIN).