Author: Mike Brehm, USA TODAY

Phil Niekro, who learned the knuckleball from his father, recorded 318 wins and 3,342 strikeouts with the Braves and three other teams.

The Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning usually would play the runner-up Dallas Stars two times the next season, but now they meet eight times.

Virginia Tech had played in a bowl for 27 years in a row, but coach Justin Fuente said of players’ tough season, “I think they sacrificed enough.”

The Raiders are right behind the Colts in the playoff race, and Derek Carr and Philip Rivers will renew their rivalry.

The NFL said it came to its attention that players and staffers had out-of-town Thanksgiving guests. Teams playing Monday and Tuesday are exempt.

Goalie Braden Holtby, delayed by paperwork at the border as he tried to bring the family tortoises into Canada, is safely in, as are Honey and Maple.

The Astros look to become sixth major professional team to win series by overcoming 3-0 deficit. It was done once in MLB and four times in the NHL.

Much of this year’s NHL entry draft will be different, including that it will be all-virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gibson spent his entire 17-season career with the Cardinals and was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1981.