Biography
Bill Plaschke, a sports columnist at the Times since 1996, has made nationally recognized contributions in both journalism and public ...
Stafon Johnson's mother is never far away
November 26, 2009
Sometimes, late at night, her faith run ragged from trying to raise a voice from the dead,
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Stafon Johnson's mother is never far away
November 26, 2009
Sometimes, late at night, her faith run ragged from trying to raise a voice from the dead, Kim Mallory sneaks away to listen to her dream. ¶ She clicks her son's old laptop to YouTube. She clicks to an old video of her son giving an interview. ¶ He is Stafon Johnson, a USC running back, speaking to a television reporter after scoring the first two touchdowns of his career. ¶ "He's stuttering, he's searching for the right words," she says. "He sounds just beautiful."
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The city could be UCLA's for the taking
November 22, 2009
The sweat still dripping, the stains still fresh, Rahim Moore ran from the Rose Bowl's grassy stage to a sideline stage.
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Lakers' Gasol proves his worth, even if fans don't notice
November 20, 2009
The World's Tallest Actor With Bed Hair And Braces returned to his day job Thursday, back to the Lakers and the season's most pressing question.
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A culture crash for Trojans
November 15, 2009
A Stanford senior communications major stood in the middle of a nearly empty stadium, the homecoming crowd having long since gone home, and administered the latest plunge into the heart of a USC football season.
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Phoenix's big-top antics come to a stop against Lakers
November 13, 2009
The NBA's traveling carnival came to town Thursday, tilt-a-whirl breaks and cotton candy shots everywhere.
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Dodgers put a low price on decades of experience
November 12, 2009
After spending the last couple of weeks choking on the McCourt divorce numbers -- $6,000 a year for birthday parties? -- Dodgers fans can finally relax.
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Kevin Prince is UCLA's best quarterback option
November 8, 2009
Did you see what I saw? Did you see what Rick Neuheisel should be seeing?
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A friend across the line in Garfield-Roosevelt game
November 6, 2009
They sit next to each other at the kitchen table like oversized stuffed animals propped up on a bedroom shelf.
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USC's Pete Carroll is left alone at the top
November 4, 2009
From a dreary field in Seattle to an eerie field in Eugene, the whispers have been the same.
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Bradford finally delivers on his promise
October 25, 2009
The black under his eyes shined like the bruises on Oregon State.
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In the end, Dodgers 'just didn't have what it takes'
October 22, 2009
Nowhere, fast.
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Dodgers pay again for whiffing on Cliff Lee
October 19, 2009
On a blustery night featuring timid Dodgers offerings and furious Phillies hacks amid an angry stadium awash in blue blood, you know what I would have liked to see?
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Destiny calls, Dodgers collect and charge Phillies
October 17, 2009
Destiny is not always about a fireworks show. Destiny is sometimes about a fight.
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Joe Torre should have pulled Kershaw sooner
October 16, 2009
There was wildness, whiffling, waffling, a proud kid being whittled into an absolute wreck.
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Now it's a Dodgers given: They won't be giving up
October 9, 2009
The line drive pounded below Matt Holliday's chest and the dormant Dodgers' heart started pumping.
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Two can play at this game
October 7, 2009
They may be 31 miles apart, but they're in this together.
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Dodgers finally come to play
October 4, 2009
Sick of staring at it, the Dodgers became it, pouring themselves across Chavez Ravine on Saturday night like the champagne that has haunted them.
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Not even Tom Lasorda can stir these Dodgers
October 3, 2009
Now you can wonder.
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The reason isn't clear, but Manny Ramirez isn't right
August 29, 2009
He used to own this kind of moment, circling it with his giant swing, swarming it with his giant smile.
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Lakers' Buss knows when to hold 'em
March 2, 2008
The best owner in the history of professional sports is strolling through his sprawling hilltop home when he comes upon an ornate wooden door riddled with three gaping holes.
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A sullied part of Dodgers' history
December 14, 2007
The scene is chilling in its deceit, and startling in its chaos.
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Progress was rarely seen in Dorrell era, much like the coach
December 2, 2007
His offense ran off the field for the last time, their soiled and bandaged jerseys passing his spotless and pressed jacket.
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Lakers need to speak now to bring the peace
May 30, 2007
This city's most beloved sports storefront stands today covered in dripping eggs and nasty graffiti.
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Swarming to Task, They Really Can Win This
April 2, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS — Just when everyone thought they had UCLA's number, the Bruins changed it.
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Murray's impact still is plain to hear
March 30, 2006
TEN years ago, when an editor discovered me shivering underneath a pile of one-sentence paragraphs and inexplicably made me a Times sports columnist, I knew there would be changes.
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Cohen Didn't Act the Part, so of Course She Didn't Get the Part
February 24, 2006
TURIN, Italy — She didn't want to be there.
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