The Columbian

National Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani smiles during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles.

Shohei Ohtani is AP Male Athlete of Year for 2nd time in 3 years

December 21, 2023, 12:15pm National Sports

Before Shohei Ohtani stepped into the bright lights of Hollywood and signed the most lucrative contract in professional sports history, baseball’s two-way superstar put together yet another season of unparalleled brilliance from Tokyo to Anaheim. Read story

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) stops a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles.

Daccord matches franchise record with 42 saves as Kraken hold off Kings 2-1

December 20, 2023, 10:15pm National Sports

Joey Daccord matched his own Seattle franchise record with 42 saves — 21 in the first period — and survived a furious final three minutes to help the Kraken hold off the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Wednesday night. Read story

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, top, celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal on an assist from center Matt Duchene (95) as Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35), defenseman Ryker Evans (39) and center Yanni Gourde (37) look on during overtime of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in Dallas.

Duchene scores twice and sets up Harley’s overtime goal to give Stars 4-3 win over Kraken

December 18, 2023, 8:29pm National Sports

Matt Duchene scored twice and assisted on Thomas Harley’s goal 2:16 into overtime that gave the Dallas Stars a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. Read story

Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) tries to keep control of the puck as he falls against Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann (19) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Seattle.

Carl Grundstrom lifts Kings past Kraken in 9th round of shootout

December 16, 2023, 11:15pm National Sports

Carl Grundstrom scored the deciding goal in the ninth round of a shootout and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Saturday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Trevor Moore and Anze Kopitar scored in regulation for Los Angeles, which improved to 12-1-1 on… Read story

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Luka Doncic has triple-double in Mavericks’ 131-120 victory over Trail Blazers

December 16, 2023, 9:06pm National Sports

Luka Doncic had a triple-double with 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 131-120 on Saturday night. Read story

Seattle Kraken right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) celebrates after scoring against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Seattle.

Yamamoto scores 2 early goals to spark Kraken to 7-1 romp over Blackhawks

December 14, 2023, 9:41pm National Sports

Kailer Yamamoto scored twice in the first period, Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists and the Seattle Kraken shut down rookie sensation Connor Bedard in a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. Read story

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, is handed a baseball cap by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman during a news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles.

In first news conference with Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani dodges questions on Tommy John surgery

December 14, 2023, 4:09pm National Sports

Shohei Ohtani opened his first news conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers by dodging questions about whether he had a second Tommy John surgery. Read story

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, center back, makes a save against Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Seattle.

Kraken snap 8-game losing streak with 4-0 win over Panthers

December 12, 2023, 9:54pm National Sports

Joey Daccord made 24 saves for his first career shutout, Kailer Yamamoto scored the first of two goals from Seattle’s fourth line and the Kraken snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Read story

Former Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani agreed Saturday, Dec. 9, to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.

Ohtani’s Dodgers contract has $680 million deferred, lowering tax value to $46 million annually

December 11, 2023, 7:04pm National Sports

Shohei Ohtani will receive just $20 million of his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the next 10 years, with $680 million payable from 2034-43 in an unusual structure that gives the team greater payroll flexibility in coming seasons. Read story

FILE - Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani smiles before a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Philadelphia. Shohei Ohtani is a favorite to win his second AL Most Valuable Player award, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, and is likely to speak publicly since tearing an elbow ligament on Aug. 9, an injury that required surgery and will keep him off the mound next year.

Shohei Ohtani agrees to record $700 million 10-year contract with Dodgers

December 9, 2023, 12:25pm National Sports

Shohei Ohtani agreed Saturday to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal was announced after days of speculation over where the unique, two-way star would continue his career after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. “This is a unique,… Read story