The NBA's Anti-Vaxxers Are Trying to Push Around the League — And It's Working  —  Conspiracy theories in the locker room.  Mask police in the arena.  Superstars trying to avoid the shot.  After bringing back the culture from Covid, basketball confronts its own civil war

Cardinals notebook: Club ‘optimistic’ about Lester's recovery, readiness and have Flaherty if needed for upcoming ‘TBD’ start  —  CHICAGO — Whatever he said to manager Mike Shildt and trainer Adam Olsen toward the end of the fifth inning Saturday was enough to keep Jon Lester …

Shohei Ohtani, after pitching gem in another losing effort, on future with Los Angeles Angels: ‘I want to win’  —  Shohei Ohtani might have locked up the American League's Most Valuable Player Award on Sunday, with seven dominant innings against a visiting Seattle Mariners team still fighting for a spot in the postseason.

Umpire provides explanation for wild play at end of St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs game  —  CHICAGO — Umpire Bill Miller provided an explanation Monday for a wild sequence during St. Louis' 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs that added another layer of drama to the Cardinals' 16th straight win.

Can Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still win AL MVP over Shohei Ohtani?  What we're hearing from voters: Inside Baseball  —  They met for the first time at the Home Run Derby at Coors Field during the Summer of Shohei.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. asked ESPN reporter Marly Rivera to see if he could get a photo …

Why Jeurys Familia Could Stick With Mets Beyond This Season  —  With relief pitcher Jeurys Familia set to become a free agent this winter, find out why you shouldn't rule out the possibility of him returning to the Mets.  —  Longtime Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia has certainly endured an up-and-down season this year.

A decade later, the ripples of MLB's wild, legendary ‘Game 162’ are still felt  —  Ten years later, the story of Game 162 still comes up on the golf course.  Dan Johnson will line up a 5-foot putt, take one last look at the break, and a friend is ready with a quip: “Oh, this is no pressure.”

Mother and child die after fall at Petco Park before Padres game  —  San Diego police are investigating what appeared to be “suspicious” deaths but said it is too early to determine whether the incident was accidental or intentional  —  A woman and her 2-year-old son died late Saturday afternoon …

It's official: Mets are eliminated from playoff contention  —  MILWAUKEE — The end the Mets long had feared arrived Saturday.  —  Before they lost to the Brewers, 2-1, they were mathematically eliminated from playoff eligibility by the Phillies' win over the Pirates, making official …

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach: Josef Newgarden wins pole  —  Alex Palou still line to win the NTT IndyCar series championship Sunday even though he qualified 10th on Saturday  —  LONG BEACH — Josef Newgarden on Saturday won the pole for Sunday's Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach …