The recent weekend sweep of the New York Yankees by the Red Sox was a thing to behold, as it not only solidified the team's playoff position for the first time since 2013, but effectively ruined anyremote chance that the Yankees could get in. It also sent other teams in baseball the clear message that, despite their many ups and downs along the way, this team is peaking at the right time.

To those right-minded folks out there who predicted that Stella's quest for three out of four would start fast and furious (furry-ous?) well done.

I had a hard time watching the NFL'sThursdaynight opener.

Not just because they puked so much pre-kickoff pat-themselves-on-the-back pageantry on their fresh-from-the-box cleats (although that certainly didn't help). No, it was the sad, simple fact that the referees have taken on one of the worst habits of NBA officials - and it's impacting the game just as severely.

It would seem that I'm a glutton for punishment.

Kibbles and Picks is back for its fourth year. For those unfamiliar, Kibbles and Picks is a battle of prognosticative powers between myself and my dog Stella. Each week, she and I will pick the winners of each game on the NFL slate. We will tally the totals and hopefully I will manage to outperform the pup.

Well, this probably shouldn't come as a surprise.

The Boston Red Sox are in the thick of things in the American League playoff race as of the end of August, they sat two games behind the Blue Jays for the division lead and two games ahead of the Orioles and Tigers for the first wild card spot. They are very much in contention.

Previewing the latest NFL season

The 2016 National Football League season is upon us. In fact, many of you reading this may have already seen at least some of the first weekend of games the initial match-up takes place on Sept. 8 between last year's Super Bowl 50 foes, the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.

The #Hunters hashtag was adopted not long after Joe Harasymiak was named as the head coach of University of Maine Black Bear football, becoming the youngest Division I coach in the country at age 29. It was clear from day one that the former defensive coordinator was going to bring the aggressive, confident approach that has been a hallmark of the 'Black Hole' defense to the entire team.

Taking the field at Wayne's Wiffle for a Wish

BANGOR There's something wonderful about having a great time for a great cause, and that's just what I did this past weekend.

When you have a passion for something, whether it's a sport or other interest, it can help inform what you do on trips or even in your own backyard. I've had a few of these experiences this summer, and they are both things I won't soon forget.

Rich Kimball and Bob Lucy enter 20th season calling UMaine football

ORONO On September 1, the University of Maine Black Bear football team will travel to Connecticut to take on the UConn Huskies.