BETH HARRIS Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams cannot make a catch in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, file)

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams decides to retire from NFL at age 30

July 17, 2025

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has retired from the NFL at age 30. His agent informed the team Wednesday, just before training camp began Thursday. Williams signed a one-year deal in March but was placed on the physically unable to perform list Monday due to an undisclosed injury. Williams played eight NFL seasons, including stints with the Jets and Steelers, and had 330 career receptions and 32 touchdowns. Known for his leadership, he was a key player for the Chargers. Meanwhile, the Chargers signed tackle Ryan Nelson from the UFL and are addressing wide receiver Tre’ Harris’ holdout.

Justin Herbert surprises teammates with red-tinted contact lenses at Chargers camp

July 17, 2025

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is testing tinted contact lenses during training camp. He wore them on Thursday under sunny skies after trying them earlier in the week with rookies. Herbert says the lenses, which act like sunglasses, help reduce squinting. He previously tried a tinted visor but disliked constantly cleaning it. The contacts make his blue eyes appear red, surprising teammates in the huddle. Herbert believes he could wear them in games with a medical prescription for his sensitive eyes. He says the lenses improve his vision on the field, which could enhance his performance.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander smiles after winning the Best Athlete Men's Sports award at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simone Biles win top honors at ESPYS

July 16, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simone Biles have been named Best Male and Female Athletes at the ESPYS. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title last month and was also named league MVP. Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist, won for her standout performance at the Paris Games, earning three golds and a silver. Suni Lee received the Best Comeback award after battling kidney diseases. Basketball legend Oscar Robertson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his groundbreaking work in NBA labor rights. Comedian Shane Gillis hosted the event, drawing mixed reactions for his controversial monologue.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his cap after recording his 3,000th career strike out by striking out Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

A slider, a milestone and a heartfelt thank you: Kershaw’s 3,000th strikeout

July 3, 2025

Clayton Kershaw has reached an incredible milestone, becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. On Wednesday night, he struck out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox with a slider in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old Dodgers pitcher joins an elite group, including just three other left-handers, to achieve this feat. Fans at Dodger Stadium gave Kershaw a standing ovation as he tipped his cap and acknowledged his family in the stands. Despite not earning the win, Kershaw expressed gratitude for his teammates and the moment, calling it a special achievement in his 18th season.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Ohtani ‘feeling good’ after his Dodgers pitching debut and could return to mound this weekend

June 17, 2025

Shohei Ohtani came out of his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers in good order, even if he was his own worst critic. Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani is “a little fatigued” but otherwise feeling good a day after returning from elbow surgery and pitching in a major league game for the first time since August 2023. Ohtani, who threw one inning, says he wasn’t quite happy with the results overall. He gave up a pair of hits and a run in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win over San Diego. He could pitch again this weekend when the Washington Nationals visit Dodger Stadium.

Sho-time at Dodger Stadium as Ohtani makes his long-awaited return to the mound after elbow surgery

June 16, 2025

Shohei Ohtani gave up a pair of two-strike hits and a run in his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut against the San Diego Padres, which came 21 months after the two-way superstar had elbow surgery. Ohtani threw 28 pitches — 16 for strikes — in the first inning as Dodger Stadium fans hung on every one of them. They oohed when a fastball was clocked at 100.2 mph — the second-hardest pitch thrown by a Dodgers hurler this season. After getting through the top of the first on the mound, Ohtani struck out swinging at the plate leading off the bottom of the inning against Dylan Cease. Los Angeles reliever Anthony Banda replaced Ohtani in the second.

LA28 organizers confident Trump’s latest travel ban won’t affect Los Angeles Olympics

June 5, 2025

Planning and preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has made “significant progress” and organizers say they’re confident that President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban won’t prevent games participants from entering the U.S. LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman says the federal government already recognizes that the Olympics require special consideration. Sixteen International Olympic Committee members wrapped up a three-day visit to Los Angeles on Thursday, having inspected multiple venue locations in their second visit since November. Wasserman also says he’s “incredibly confident” the games will turn a profit.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy watches the flight of the ball on a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Muncy’s 2 homers and Freeman’s RBI double lift Dodgers over Mets 6-5 in 10 innings

June 3, 2025

Max Muncy homered twice, including a tying shot in the ninth inning, and Freddie Freeman doubled home the winning run in the 10th to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Mets 6-5. Freeman’s slicing fly to deep left field was misplayed by Brandon Nimmo, who got twisted around and appeared to lose sight of the ball as it dropped on the warning track beside him. That allowed automatic runner Tommy Edman to score from second base with one out. The Dodgers earned their 20th comeback win of the season after blowing a 4-1 lead they established in the first.

New York Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough celebrates after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman to end the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Yarbrough shines as Yankees avoid sweep with 7-3 win over Dodgers. Judge and Ohtani go hitless

June 1, 2025

Ryan Yarbrough limited baseball’s best offense to four hits over six innings, Ben Rice hit a tiebreaking two-run homer and the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 to avoid getting swept for the first time this season. Yarbrough improved to 3-0 while allowing one run and striking out five against his former team. Yoshinobu Yamamoto fell to 6-4 after giving up a season-high seven hits and striking out two in 3 2/3 innings. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani each went hitless with a combined three strikeouts. The Dodgers got homers from Tommy Edman, Andy Pages and Max Muncy.

Yarbrough’s revenge: How a World Series ring inspired his win for the Yankees over the Dodgers

June 1, 2025

Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July 29 and the next day traded him to Toronto. So even though he wasn’t around for their World Series victory over the Yankees last fall, Yarbrough earned a ring. He signed with New York in March and is 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA this season.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin, left, and catcher Will Smith watch during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Judge and Ohtani light up the first inning with historic homers in Yankees-Dodgers rematch

May 30, 2025

Reigning MVPs Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani blasted historic home runs in the first inning as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers met in a rematch of last year’s World Series. Judge got the fireworks going with a 446-foot solo shot to dead center on a 1-1 pitch from Tony Gonsolin. The Yankees slugger’s 19th homer of the season tied him with Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh for second in the majors. Ohtani matched him in the bottom of the frame with a 417-foot homer to center on the first pitch from Max Fried. Ohtani homered again leading off the fifth, extending his major league lead to 22 homers.

BETH HARRIS Sports Writer.