The Columbian

National Sports

New Orleans Saints quarterback Garrett Grayson (18) passes in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.

Grayson among last of Saints preseason cuts

September 2, 2017, 8:20pm National Sports

Veteran running back Travaris Cadet, quarterback Garrett Grayson and linebacker Adam Bighill are among New Orleans Saints players cut before the NFL deadline to reduce rosters to the regular season maximum of 53. Read story

Floyd Mayweather Jr. connects to the face of Conor McGregor during their super welterweight match Saturday at Las Vegas.

Money still talks with TKO of McGregor

August 26, 2017, 11:01pm National Sports

Floyd Mayweather Jr. figured out a 50th opponent, letting Conor McGregor have the early rounds before stalking him late and leaving the mixed martial artist defenseless and exhausted on the ropes. Read story

From left, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, center, and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif. What started as a protest against police brutality has mushroomed a year later into a divisive debate over the future of Kaepernick who refused to stand for the national anthem and now faces what his fans see as blackballing for speaking out in a country roiled by racial strife. The once-rising star and Super Bowl quarterback has been unemployed since March, when he opted out of his contract and became a free agent who could sign with any team.

NAACP wants meeting with NFL commissioner about Kaepernick

August 23, 2017, 9:32am Nation & World

The NAACP wants a meeting with the NFL commissioner to discuss the fate of Colin Kaepernick (KAP’-ur-nihk). Read story

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies dives to home plate to score as Seattle Mariners first baseman Yonder Alonso waits for the throw after a rundown on the third base line during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Atlanta.

Braves pitchers give M’s the runaround

August 22, 2017, 11:15pm National Sports

Ozzie Albies got caught in a rundown, and it worked out just fine for the Atlanta Braves. Read story

Minnesota Twins players Ehire Adrianza front, and Ervin Santana back, along with other members of the team watch the solar eclipse before a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Chicago.

Baseball fans flock to minor league stadiums to see eclipse

August 21, 2017, 4:23pm National Sports

Baseball fans in more than a half-dozen cities from Oregon to South Carolina crowded into minor league ballparks Monday to watch the solar eclipse at game-day viewing parties. Read story

Ragan Smith, center, waves to fans along with Jordan Chiles, left, and Riley McCusker after winning the women’s all-around at the U.S. gymnastics championships, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W.

Vancouver’s Chiles 2nd at U.S. gymnastics championships

August 20, 2017, 8:27pm Editor's Choice

Vancouver gymnast Jordan Chiles finished second on Sunday at the U.S. gymnastics championships in Anaheim while Ragan Smith pulled away with the title. Read story

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, center, and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before a game in 2016.

America still in turmoil a year after Kaepernick’s protest

August 20, 2017, 5:15pm National Sports

What started as a protest against police brutality has mushroomed a year later into a divisive debate over the future of a football player who refused to stand for the national anthem and now faces what his fans see as blackballing. Read story

In this Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, photo, Amanda Hopkins talks with others before a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles in Seattle. Hopkins, 24, is about to complete her second year as an area scout for the Mariners, a position that has made her a part of baseball history. She is the first full-time female baseball scout in more than a half-century, breaking through a barrier that required diligence on her end and willingness by the Mariners organization.

Hopkins 1st full-time female baseball scout in over 50 years

August 18, 2017, 4:16pm National Sports

Nearly two years ago, Amanda Hopkins’ phone rang. It was a call she dreamt of receiving, one that broke barriers and made her a part of baseball history. Read story

People walk down a main street in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Police in Barcelona say a white van has mounted a sidewalk, struck several people in the city’s Las Ramblas district.

U.S. college teams in Barcelona during van attack, players OK

August 17, 2017, 3:30pm National Sports

Men’s basketball teams from several U.S. universities, including Oregon State, Clemson and Arizona, were in Barcelona, Spain, when a van drove into pedestrians Thursday but school officials said the players and staff were safe. Read story

Maria Sharapova, of Russia, has been granted a wild-card invitation for the U.S. Open's main draw. Sharapova is among eight women who were given entry into the 128-player field by the U.S. Tennis Association on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, and by far the most noteworthy.

Sharapova granted wild-card entry into U.S. Open

August 15, 2017, 11:59am National Sports

Maria Sharapova was granted a wild-card invitation for the U.S. Open's main draw on Tuesday and will take part in a Grand Slam event for the first time in more than 1½ years. Read story