Shohei Ohtani
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Ode to Sports: A year when games and fans came off the bench

By Fred Lief Dec. 23, 2021 12:24 PM EST

Team United States walk out to shake hands with team Japan after the gold medal baseball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 2-0.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Japan beats US 2-0 to win 1st Olympic baseball gold medal

By Ronald Blum Aug. 07, 2021 09:21 AM EDT

Dominican Republic's Juan Francisco (34) strikes out during a baseball game against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Olympic baseball a cross between Double-A and Old-Timers Day

By Ronald Blum Aug. 06, 2021 05:51 AM EDT

United States' Eric Filia (5) celebrates his home run with Todd Frazier (25) during the fourth inning against Venezuela in an Americas qualifying tournament baseball game Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Crystal Vander Weit/TCPalm.com via AP)
Better baseball players have less chance for Olympic gold

By Ronald Blum Jun. 30, 2021 12:46 PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks on from the dugout while wearing an arm sleeve with the words "Thanks Dad" inscribed on it during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Alonso will defend HR Derby title; Guerrero to sit out

Jun. 23, 2021 01:42 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run in the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. Looking on is Athletics catcher Aramis Garcia. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
LEADING OFF: Ohtani 1st HR Derby entrant, Buehler vs D-backs

By The Associated Press Jun. 19, 2021 01:59 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run in the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. Looking on is Athletics catcher Aramis Garcia. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
LEADING OFF: Ohtani 1st HR Derby entrant, Buehler vs D-backs

By The Associated Press Jun. 18, 2021 07:42 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, left, laughs with Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera at first during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, June 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Ohtani, backed by Ward's slam, leads Angels past Tigers 7-5

By Greg Beacham Jun. 18, 2021 12:52 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Jared Walsh (20) and Max Stassi (33) celebrate with Taylor Ward (3) after Walsh and Stassi scored off of single hit by Juan Lagares during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ohtani HR, Angels rally past Mariners 12-5; Kikuchi injured

By Joe Reedy Jun. 06, 2021 01:31 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning, left, leaves the mound after he was removed by manager Joe Maddon, right, during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fraley's 1st big league homer lifts Mariners over Angels

By Joe Reedy Jun. 04, 2021 02:24 AM EDT

FILE - Takuma Sato, of Japan, celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, file photo. Sato is trying to become the sixth driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Indy 500 winner Sato wants third race victory and a party

By Dan Gelston May. 26, 2021 01:11 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
LEADING OFF: Ohtani pitches, Kluber vs Rangers, Sox-Twins

By The Associated Press May. 19, 2021 04:17 AM EDT

Colorado Rockies catcher Dom Nunez, left, reaches out to recover the ball after a wild pitch from reliever Jordan Sheffield (not shown) allowed Cincinnati Reds' Nick Senzel, right, to score from third base in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Still with the Cubs, Bryant back to his slugging ways

By Noah Trister May. 17, 2021 02:45 AM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Mayers reacts after striking out Boston Red Sox's Michael Chavis to end the baseball game during the ninth inning, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Ohtani's 2-out, 2-run HR in 9th sends Angels over Bosox 6-5

By Maureen Mullen May. 16, 2021 05:06 PM EDT

Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero, left, reacts after his RBI-double beside Los Angeles Angels' Jose Iglesias (4) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Verdugo hits HR on 25th birthday as Red Sox beat Angels 9-0

By Ken Powtak May. 15, 2021 07:14 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, watches his home run hit in front of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Ohtani's HR helps Angels end skid with 4-2 win over Astros

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 25, 2021 05:32 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani watches his solo home run in front of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Dunedin, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Ohtani homers, drives in 4 as Angels beat Blue Jays 7-1

By Mark Didtler Apr. 09, 2021 10:23 PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ross Stripling throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Dunedin, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Angels win 7-5 in home opener for Florida-based Blue Jays

By Mark Didtler Apr. 08, 2021 11:20 PM EDT

Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa (22) removes starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) from the baseball game as catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, and first baseman Jose Abreu (79) wait on the mound during the fifth inning of a spring training matchup against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Apr. 01, 2021 01:11 AM EDT

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto flies out to center field during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
LEADING OFF: Crowds back on opening day, Cole starts season

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2021 11:46 AM EDT