Bill Plaschkecolumnistfollow

It was a wondrous Dodger postcard, a man in a Fernando Valenzuela jersey lifting a woman in a Dodger bucket hat as she waved an historic home run ball high above a sea of blue.

As incredible as it might seem that Shohei Ohtani's interpreter could steal $16 million from him, the Dodgers star is simply a victim, not a gambler.

Ippei Mizuhara entered a courtroom in shackles. Shohei Ohtani flew around Chavez Ravine on wings.

DENVER — The reality hit like a D'Angelo Russell brick. The truth echoed like a Rocky Mountain roar.

DENVER — The collapse ended with a punch to the face, a blow to the ears, a dagger through the heart.

Reggie Bush and USC should celebrate the return of his Heisman Trophy, but the NCAA findings that still hinder the Trojans can't be forgotten.

The Lakers may struggle to contend for a title if they keep making quick coaching changes, but that might not be enough to save Darvin Ham's job.

Sigh, scream, here we go again, same Lakers ending, same Lakers failure, same two tiresome words. What now?

This wasn't October. This can't be confused with October. This has nothing to do with October.

The buzz reached its peak late in the fourth quarter, the Sparks losing but winning, the stands downcast but dancing, the tiny gym teeming with hope.