Tigers catcher Alex Avila took a foul ball of his mask last night and sparks flew -- literally.

That's the only explanation for this video, in which the team literally explains to fans how to cheer at home games.

I recently got an e-mail ripping for me failing to acknowledge Salma Hayek's birthday on Sept. 2. Since she's in this new photo gallery for Allure magazine, I figured this was a good time to wish her a belated happy birthday.

The Mets held "Star Wars Night" on Tuesday. ... Here's a photo gallery of Erin Andrews working out. ... West Virginia has asked its fans to not wear vulgar T-shirts to games.

Youngsters on the Angels and the Rays recently had to dress up in embarrassing costumes.

Two things: One, the two days I took off on Monday and Tuesday were completely ruined by the betting loss I had Saturday night with Utah +8.5 against USC. If you don't know the story by now, here it is. Two, for my fellow Yankees fans, as Mariano Rivera closes in on the all-time record, I strongly recommend checking out this database.

You won't see a more vicious sack than the one Saskatchewan Roughriders safety Craig Butler put on Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce last weekend. (Thanks to Tom Pura, of Grande Prairie, Canada, Mike Farrer, of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Mark, of Ladner, British Columbia, for the video.)

Five basketballs, two hands, two feet, magic. (Thanks to Phil Matta, of Raleigh, N.C., for the video.)