THE LIFE It's time to get up, dust off and enjoy our latest collection of the week's best sports photos from all around the world. Photos of the Week » Continue reading →

Unless you're a New York Yankees fan, you probably haven't thought much about Ivan Nova. You might think he's overrated because he pitches in New York, his 21-8 career record undone by a 4.21 earned run average. Or maybe you think he's underrated, a 5.69 ERA this season offset by a well-above-average 3.46 xFIP (expected fielder independent pitching, a statistical tool that helps gauge a pitcher's performance independent of outside factors, such as the quality of his team's defense). Either way, whether he's regarded as an ace or a back-of-the-rotation starter, Nova warrants notice, his rise to the majors a testament to an almost perfect symmetry of timing, scouting, development, luck and, of course, skill. Reaching the big leagues is a difficult task for most ... Continue reading →