2004-11, he had eight straight seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI.You can just count on him. And its such an admirable trait, Showalter said. Just a real

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Baltimore RavensOverall: 26 Title track: 6 Ownership: 12 Coaching: T10 Players: 22 Fan relations: 28 Affordability: 22 Stadium experience: 27 Bang for the buck: 90 Change from last year:?-8Not even a five-win season (the Ravens worst record since 2007) can drop this team too far in our standings, thanks to affordable tickets and one of the NFLs best coaches and rosters. The Ravens ranked in the top quarter of all teams in all categories but one -- bang for the buck -- which could change quickly next year with a few more wins.Whats goodA sixth-place title track ranking is second only to the Patriots in the NFL, and no surprise: The Ravens are one of four NFL franchises to win multiple Super Bowl titles since 2000. This franchise has come a long way since relocating from Cleveland in 1996 and being a perennial loser for its first four seasons in Baltimore. Thats in large part thanks to coach John Harbaugh (ranked 10th overall). Few coaches have placed an immediate stamp on a franchise like Harbaugh. His teams pride themselves on being tough, aggressive and intelligent. Last year was among his best coaching seasons, when he held the team together through a trying 5-11 season. I truly believe that if it wasnt for him approaching the season and each game the way he did, I dont think the team would have held it together the way we did, Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith says. Instead of him coming and blaming us every week, he was figuring out ways to get better and how to stay positive. I think thats carried over to the team.Whats badThe Ravens ticket prices have never been outrageous, so, combined with their perennial winning records, theyve always placed well in bang for the buck. But this year, after a 5-win season, they dropped 55 spots, all the way to 90th overall. (Only eight NFL teams were worse.) But considering theyre already 3-1 through Week 4 of 2016, they should climb back up quickly next year.Whats newMaintaining a connection with their fan base has been a priority for the Ravens, and they do this in creative and surprising fashion -- helping explain a 21-spot jump in fan relations this year. Players have popped up at toll booths, distributed prepaid gift cards for gas at a convenience store, delivered gifts to newborns and their families in the nursery unit of a hospital and hosted a pizza party at a firehouse for first responders. Quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley snuck up behind fans at a Ravens festival and photo-bombed them. Smith even greeted season-ticket holders at the team facility in full uniform. All this, plus fans ranked the team the best in the NFL in connecting fans to information they want online.Next: Jacksonville Jaguars?| Full rankings Air Force 1 Mid Nere .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Air Force 1 Alte Nere . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-mid-utility.html . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Air Force 1 Alte Summaeverythang .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Air Force 1 Sp Outlet . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira hugged one teammate at a time as he walked off the field, initially near his familiar spot at first base and then right down the line in the New York Yankees dugout.He tipped his cap to the crowd of 33,277 as the fans offered a standing ovation, patting his chest with his mitt and saying, Thank you.And with that, one of baseballs most prolific switch-hitters said goodbye.Mentally and emotionally, I kind of prepared for it, Teixeira said. It wasnt as weird as I thought it would be.Teixeira was honored by the Yankees during a 12-minute ceremony Sunday prior to his final major league game. He went 0 for 3 in a 5-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, his hometown team, and was replaced at first base by Tyler Austin with one out in the seventh inning so he could soak up the cheers as he exited, fully composed.I couldnt have asked for anything more but a win, Teixeira said. I got a chance to say goodbye, which was very important.The switch-hitting slugger was given several gifts before the game, with fans still filing in for the season finale on an overcast afternoon. Teixeira waved and doffed his cap as one video board posted Thank you Tex! while the large one in center field displayed his career achievements and rolled through various highlights in tribute.Once the game started, the entire crowd joined in when the Bleacher Creatures chanted Teixeiras name during roll call. And the 36-year-old first baseman soon flashed his Gold Glove form with a fully outstretched, diving play behind the bag to rob Matt Wieters of a hit in the second inning.Teixeira made another nice stop in the fifth, but failed to scoop third baseman Ronald Torreyes short-hop throw in the fourth just before Wieters two-run homer.With his contract set to expire, Teixeira announced Aug. 5 his plans to retire after this season, his 14th in the majors.Because this was my last year with the Yankees, it made it so much easier, he said. Playing my last year somewhere else just wouldnt have felt right. The last few spring trainings have been pretty sad because Ive had to leave my family, and I think thats a sign.Teixeira batted fifth and grounded out twice before flying out to shallow center field in his final at-bat. Over in the Baltimore dugout was manager Buck Showalter, Teixeiras first big league skipper in Texas.Asked before the game how he planned to handle Teixeiras farewell, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was leaving it up to the three-time All-Star and would look for the perfect way to help him exit.He seems to be in really good spirits, Girardi said. I think this day is going to be filled with every type of emotion.During the ceremony, Yankees players and coaches were perched on the top step of the dugout and they applauded after the highlight reel.ddddddddddddWith his wife and three children at his side near home plate, Teixeira was presented with a framed No. 25 jersey by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and his wife, Christina, as well as general partner Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal.Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia gave Teixeira an encased base autographed by his teammates, and the festivities also celebrated Teixeiras years of charity work with Harlem RBI.Thank you for all you have meant to the New York Yankees, public address announcer Paul Olden said.Drafted fifth overall out of Georgia Tech by the Rangers in 2001, Teixeira also played for the Braves and Angels. He finished his career with the same amount of hits as games played (1,862). He batted .268 with 409 home runs and 1,298 RBI, joining Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, Chipper Jones and Carlos Beltran as the only switch-hitters in major league history to reach 400 homers.He knew how to play the game, and that will be missed, Girardi said. Its unfortunate that his injuries, I believe, cut his career short.Teixeira joined the Yankees in January 2009 when he signed a $180 million, eight-year contract. He delivered immediately, helping New York to a World Series title that year and finishing runner-up for AL MVP.He hit a game-ending homer in the playoffs against Minnesota that season -- then created another lasting memory just days before his finale with a walkoff grand slam Wednesday night to beat rival Boston.I told Joe that I wouldnt be able to top what happened on Wednesday night no matter what, Teixeira said. After my third at-bat, I told him I was ready.Teixeira has won five Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger awards. He is the only first baseman in big league history with at least five Gold Gloves, 400 homers and 400 doubles.Before a string of aches and pains began to take their toll in recent years, Teixeira was very durable. And from 2004-11, he had eight straight seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI.You can just count on him. And its such an admirable trait, Showalter said. Just a real consistent human being.IN THE FUTURETeixeira said he doesnt think hed be interested in the daily grind of managing or coaching at the major league level, though hed be open to being a spring training instructor down the road. He said he thinks working in television would be a lot of fun.Im not leaving my house tomorrow. I told my wife if its nice out, Ill play outside with the kids, he said. I just want to enjoy doing nothing for a day, and Tuesday Im going to play golf.Im going to stay very busy, thats kind of my nature, he added. Ill always be a Yankee. ' ' '