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In a time of high unemployment and low job creation, oddly, there still seemed to be money for sports. A closer look reveals a largely stagnant industry -- except for skyrocketing media rights to broadcast sports.

For a decade and a half, the Yankees and the Red Sox have been in a club by themselves. But the Tigers, the Rangers and the Angels are knocking on the door to superpower status.

Two and a half years ago, in the fall of 2009, Arte Moreno believed the Los Angeles Angels had arrived. After major disappointments in 2004, 2007 and 2008, his team had finally beaten the Boston Red Sox in a playoff series, sweeping the Red Sox in th...

The Angels and Rangers have legitimately joined the Yankees and Red Sox in terms of operating on an extremely high payroll level.

Making a pennant run just got harder for teams that don't win their division. Howard Bryant was cynical about the playoff expansion before talking to players at spring training softened his stance.

Albert Pujols' contract with the Angels is a clear indication of Major League Baseball's strength and stability next to the uncertainty of Chris Paul's future in the NBA.

The Rangers, who have undergone several changes in the past year, are back on the national stage with the potential to become the American League's next superpower.

Although there are more high-profile spots on the calendar, the next six weeks of the baseball season is by far the most intriguing. This period of discovery foreshadows the pennant finale and October glory.

Did the Yankees buy a World Series celebration? Their money didn't hurt, but that $207 million payroll is the least of baseball's competitive-balance problems.

The ALCS continues, and so too will the examination of the jobs being done by managers Mike Scioscia and Joe Girardi.

The Angels are up against the wall, but don't underestimate their chances to still win the ALCS.

In order to pull even in the ALCS, the Angels must figure out a way to solve CC Sabathia in Game 4.

The Angels' impact players aren't producing, and coupled with their physical and mental mistakes have made it likely they won't recover in the ALCS.

Instead of talking to the media, Alex Rodriguez is leaning on his extraordinary talent to change the perception about his postseason failures.

CC Sabathia knows all about success in the regular season. But after falling flat in the past two postseasons, he's focused on becoming a success in October.

Josh Hamilton and David Ortiz each had opportunities to clear their conscience Saturday, but only one -- Hamilton -- sounded like a human being.