The Columbian

National Sports

FILE - Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses for a photo in 1973. Butkus, a fearsome middle linebacker for the Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. He was 80. According to a statement released by the team, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, Calif.

Dick Butkus, fearsome Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker, dies at 80

October 5, 2023, 4:14pm Latest News

Fearsome Chicago Bears middle linebacker Dick Butkus has died at 80. The team announced his death on Thursday. Read story

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti and coach Mark Daigneault are trying to control the hype about Chet Holmgren’s (7) return, saying it’s not fair to expect too much from a player who has been out for more than a year recovering from a foot injury.

Chet Holmgren adds a ‘new dynamic’ to Thunder after missing last season with a foot injury

October 4, 2023, 6:18pm National Sports

Thunder general manager Sam Presti and coach Mark Daigneault are trying to control the hype about Chet Holmgren’s return, saying it’s not fair to expect too much from a player who has been out for more than a year with a foot injury. Read story

United States' Simone Biles competes on the floor during the women's team final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.

Biles leads U.S. women to record 7th straight team title at gymnastics world championships

October 4, 2023, 3:34pm National Sports

Led by Simone Biles, the U.S. women won a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships. The American team of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong combined for a total of 167.729 points to edge Brazil and France. Read story

Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais, left, pulls starting pitcher Luis Castillo from a baseball game against the Texas Rangers during the third inning, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Seattle.

Mariners have resources to make moves after 88-win season but it might not be in free agency

October 3, 2023, 7:30pm National Sports

Jerry Dipoto heard the concerns coming out of the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse after the team was eliminated from playoff contention on the final weekend of the regular season. But the president of baseball operations for the Mariners doesn’t necessarily believe going out and signing high-profile free agents is the answer. Read story

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day in Portland, Ore., Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

Blazers begin new era without Damian Lillard

October 2, 2023, 3:51pm Blazers

The recent flurry of trade activity and the void left by Damian Lillard means the Portland Trail Blazers are building a new identity with different players looking to emerge as leaders. Read story

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford heads for home on a grand slam against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Seattle.

Crawford’s grand slam leads Mariners to 8-0 win over Rangers

September 29, 2023, 10:10pm Latest News

J.P. Crawford hit his third career grand slam, Ty France and Josh Rojas hit solo homers and the Seattle Mariners stayed in the thick of the American League playoff race with an 8-0 win over the Texas Rangers. Read story

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler points to the bullpen, calling for relief pitcher Camilo Doval during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Giants fire manager Gabe Kapler with 3 games left in his 4th season

September 29, 2023, 4:13pm National Sports

The San Francisco Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler on Friday with three days left in the season and the club eliminated from the playoffs. It was the first managerial change of 2023. Read story

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford, right, celebrates his game-winning, two-run double with Luis Torrens (22) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Seattle.

Crawford’s 2-out hit in ninth lifts Mariners past Rangers 3-2

September 28, 2023, 10:09pm Latest News

J.P. Crawford lined a two-run double with two out in the ninth inning, lifting the Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 win over Texas on Thursday night and stopping the Rangers from clinching a playoff berth for at least one day. Read story

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez (44) is held back by an umpire after he exchanged words with Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris following a strikeout in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Seattle. The Astros won 8-3.

Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez says Astros’ Hector Neris crossed line with his antics

September 28, 2023, 5:08pm National Sports

Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez says he believes the antics of Houston pitcher Hector Neris crossed a line during a contentious confrontation between the two that led to both benches emptying and has Major League Baseball looking into the incident. Read story

Analysis: Adrian Griffin, as he enters Year 1 as head coach of Bucks, is winner of Lillard trade

September 28, 2023, 2:42pm National Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks were winners of the Damian Lillard trade sweepstakes, obviously, because they got him. Damian Lillard was a winner of the sweepstakes, also obviously, because now he gets a chance to really contend for an NBA title, even if he didn’t get sent to Miami like he preferred. Read story