PAT GRAHAM Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Colorado Rockies' Warming Bernabel, right, is doused by teammate Jordan Beck, back left, after hitting a walk-off RBI single off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Justin Wrobleski in the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Rockies were once in danger of breaking MLB mark for losses. Now, they’re piling up wins

August 18, 2025

The Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 courtesy of Warming Bernabel’s walk-off single in the ninth inning. It snapped a 10-game skid against the Dodgers. The Rockies have now tied their season-high winning streak of four games. Since the All-Star break, they’ve gone 14-15, while the Dodgers are 13-15. Colorado needs to win six of its final 37 games to avoid the modern-era MLB record for losses owned by the 2024 Chicago White Sox. All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman says the team is focused on improving and playing clean baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows the flight of his RBI single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Bernabel’s walk-off single helps Rockies beat Dodgers, ending 10-game losing streak to Los Angeles

August 18, 2025

Warming Bernabel hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning as the Colorado Rockies rally to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 on Monday night. The victory snaps a 10-game losing streak against the Dodgers. Ezequiel Tovar started a one-out rally with a bloop double, and Bernabel brought him home with a hit up the middle. Tovar also tied the game in the seventh with a solo homer. The Rockies extended their win streak to four games. Victor Vodnik pitched a perfect ninth inning. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed three runs over seven innings in a no-decision.

FILE - Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter throws during an NCAA college football spring game, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP PhotoJack Dempsey, file)

Deion Sanders keeps Colorado’s starting QB a well-guarded secret ahead of season opener

August 11, 2025

Deion Sanders has a quarterback dilemma at Colorado and he isn’t rushing to solve it. His primary options are 17-year-old phenom Julian “JuJu” Lewis, a pure passer, or to lean on the experience of Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. Sanders might even rotate both. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter in the NFL, this will be a new-look offense for the Buffaloes. The QB competition is friendly, with both players embracing the challenge. To help improve the running game, the Buffaloes added Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as a coach. Colorado opens the season Aug. 29 by hosting Georgia Tech.

Deion Sanders feels like ‘my old self’ after treatment for bladder cancer, concentrating on football

August 8, 2025

Deion Sanders appreciates questions about his health after a recent scare. The Colorado coach says he feels healthy and vibrant. Sanders has returned to the team after treatment for bladder cancer. He’s focused on preparing for the season opener against Georgia Tech on August 29. A key task is deciding between quarterbacks Julian Lewis and Kaidon Salter. Sanders says the team will play a different style of offense this year. He’s taking his time to evaluate the quarterbacks, with a hand from Byron Leftwich. Sanders, who turns 58 on Saturday, says he’s enjoying life and learning to trust his instincts more.

FILE - Colorado safety Carter Stoutmire (23) celebrates after an overtime victory in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, FIle)

Coach Deion Sanders’ return to Colorado lifts team spirits after his battle with bladder cancer

July 30, 2025

Colorado defensive back Carter Stoutmire sees Deion Sanders as more than just a coach. Sanders has returned to the team after battling bladder cancer, and his presence has lifted spirits. Stoutmire, whose father played in the NFL with Sanders, expressed relief at his return. Sanders revealed Monday that doctors removed his bladder to combat an aggressive form of cancer. His return has energized the team. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston praised Sanders’ leadership, noting his impact on and off the field. Sanders emphasized the importance of regular health checkups, a message that resonated with Livingston.

Colorado Rockies' Orlando Arcia, left, congratulates Ryan McMahon as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Erick Fedde in the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Yankees acquire third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies for pair of prospects

July 25, 2025

The New York Yankees have acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, giving them a veteran at a position of need as they try to stop their slide down the AL East standings. The Yankees sent pitching prospects Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring to Colorado. The 30-year-old McMahon, an All-Star a year ago, was hitting .217 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs for last-place Colorado. His 127 strikeouts this season led the National League entering Friday. He’s owed about $36.2 million from the remainder of a $70 million, six-year contract through 2027.

FILE - The Colorado Rockies rest on the dugout rail while trailing the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Rock bottom? Rockies try to avoid worst mark over 162-game season as they emerge from All-Star break

July 17, 2025

The Colorado Rockies are enduring a historically dismal season, sitting at 22-74. They’re on pace for 125 losses a year after the Chicago White Sox went 41-121, which is the worst mark since baseball adopted a 162-game schedule in 1961. The slump led to the firing of manager Bud Black in May. Last weekend, the team drafted Ethan Holliday with the fourth overall pick for a glimmer of hope down the road. The Rockies haven’t won back-to-back home games this season and risk setting a record this weekend for losing the most home series in a row. Despite the struggles, attendance remains robust, averaging over 30,000 fans per game.

FILE - Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs on May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Three-tim MVP Nikola Jokic will delay signing extension with Nuggets this summer, AP source says

July 8, 2025

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has decided to delay a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither Jokic nor the Nuggets have addressed the matter publicly. It doesn’t affect Jokic’s status in Denver in the short term. He has at least two years remaining on his deal. By waiting until next summer to sign, Jokic would be eligible to add four years to his existing deal at even more money than this summer’s extension would have guaranteed.

New York Mets' Juan Soto celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

In Charlie Hustle’s day, 110% effort was non-negotiable. In modern baseball, it’s more complicated

June 13, 2025

There’s no quicker way for a player to earn praise inside the dugout than with a little hustle. On the flip side, the lack of it can land a player in a manager’s doghouse. In this modern era of baseball, where the average salary topped $5 million for the first time this season, the politics of hustle may play a role. It’s a balancing act between going all out — the old-school way — and conserving energy over the course of a long season. Yankees infield Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s recently outlined a theory where going 70% might be the way to cut down on strained obliques and pulled hamstrings.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge smiles as he steps on first base after being issued an intentional walk in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Judge insists that despite hitting .395 with 18 homers, he doesn’t ‘feel too great at the plate’

May 24, 2025

Aaron Judge insisted he doesn’t pay too much attention to his numbers, which for the record are eye-opening. He’s hitting .395 with 18 homers and 46 RBIs. Even more, the New York Yankees slugger also hinted he’s not as locked in as one might think. He said he doesn’t “feel too great at the plate” after New York’s 13-1 win over the slumping Colorado Rockies on Saturday. Now that’s a scary thought. After all, he’s flirting with .400 well into May. He has certainly taken a liking to Coors Field in his first regular season visit this weekend, homering in back-to-back games.

PAT GRAHAM Sports Writer.