Shohei Ohtani
Tiger Woods fist bumps his son Charlie Woods on the 16th green during the second round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Ode to Sports: A year when games and fans came off the bench

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

Japan's Munetaka Murakami celebrate after a semi-final baseball game against South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 5-2. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Japan beats US 2-0 to win 1st Olympic baseball gold medal

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

Israel's Jeremy Bleich reacts after hitting two South Korea batters in a row in the tenth inning of a baseball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. South Korea Won 6-5.(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

FILE - Pittsburgh Pirates' Todd Frazier plays during a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, in this Thursday, April 22, 2021, file photo. Frazier, a 35-year-old infielder released by Pittsburgh on May 13 after going 3 for 35, was 4 for 4 with a solo homer and RBI double in the 4-2 win over Venezuela that earned him a trip to the Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Better baseball players have less chance for Olympic gold

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