Hey there, sports enthusiasts! This is your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
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Now, shifting gears a moment—it’s with a heavy heart that we must acknowledge the passing of John Robinson, a true titan in football. Robinson, who took USC’s football team to glory and had quite the run with the Los Angeles Rams, has left us at the respectable age of 89. Pneumonia may have taken him, but his legacy? That’s going to last longer than a traffic jam on the 405!
Robinson’s achievements are nothing short of impressive. Four Rose Bowl victories and a thrilling NFL career, including not one, but TWO Super Bowl appearances. I mean come on, the man practically wrote the book on turning rags into riches—or at least rags into playoff appearances. And then he was back at USC, raising funds like a fundraising guru on a sugar rush. Talk about versatility! Like I always say: ‘Is it a coach? Is it a fundraiser? No, it’s Super Coach!’
In Robinson’s own words, he wanted to be remembered for enjoying the game and the players. That’s heartwarming, isn’t it? Way to make us feel like we haven’t been doing enough with our lives.
Let’s talk Rams! From the many missed blocks to that infamous three-game winning streak… we had high hopes, didn’t we? But Monday night against the Miami Dolphins? Yikes! It’s like they forgot to bring their ‘A’ game—was it in the wash with their uniforms? The Rams were trailing from start to finish, and if I had a dollar for every missed opportunity, I could finally pay for my therapy sessions after watching that game!
And on the basketball side? Folks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a jaw-dropping 45 points against the Clippers as OKC raced to victory. Meanwhile, the Clippers just couldn’t handle the pressure—maybe they should hire a magician to make that defense disappear? Sorry, haha, but they just looked like deer in headlights! By the end of the night, they were seeing stars, not points.
USC and UCLA soccer teams are kicking off their NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament—good luck, ladies! In a shocking twist of fate—kind of like watching a romantic comedy—both teams want to prove they belong in those sweet, sweet rankings. Can they do it?! Will they make Hollywood proud? Stay tuned.
Now, onto the baseball side of things—Angels fans, rejoice! After a TV deal that felt like it should be a plot twist in a suspense novel, the Angels are keeping their finances afloat! Arte Moreno confirmed—salaries will not be cut. So, breathe easy, fans, your team isn’t throwing in the towel just yet! It’s like they finally found the magic potion to keep them from facing financial doom… or at least the potion to buy them some time, right?
Finally, a brief reminder from history: On this date, several wild plays have left us with unforgettable memories—like when William ‘Pudge’ Heffelfinger was the first pro football player to make $500 back in 1892. Cheers to the man who essentially started the world of sports contracts! If only he could see how much players are getting paid now—he’d probably need a defibrillator from the shock!
So, there you have it, folks! Your daily sports roundup, served with a side of cheeky commentary. Until next time, keep your jerseys clean and your spirits high! Sign up for this newsletter if you haven’t already. Who knows when you might need a fast track to the latest sports gossip or scandal? Because we both know that you live for it!
And remember, if you’ve got tips or just want to have a chinwag, send your love—or complaints—to houston.mitchell@latimes.com. Follow me on Twitter @latimeshouston. Until then, keep calm and pass the popcorn!
Hello, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell, welcoming you to today’s edition of the Sports Report. Let’s dive into the latest developments.
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From Gary Klein: It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Robinson, the iconic football coach who steered the USC Trojans to a national championship and guided the Los Angeles Rams to two NFL conference championship games. Robinson passed away at the age of 89, succumbing to complications from pneumonia in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as confirmed by USC.
Robinson, who masterfully led the Trojans to four Rose Bowl victories during his two terms, took over from the legendary John McKay in 1976 and maintained the program’s impressive winning streak for seven consecutive seasons. He was drafted into professional football by the Rams in 1983 and orchestrated multiple playoff runs and two Super Bowl appearances before returning to USC in the 1990s, where he rejuvenated the football program at Nevada Las Vegas.
After hanging up his coaching hat in 2004, Robinson transitioned into broadcasting, alongside taking on the role of a volunteer assistant football coach at his grandson’s high school in San Diego County. He returned to USC in 2011 to contribute to fundraising efforts, and in 2019 he acted as a consultant for Louisiana State’s national championship-winning team.
During an interview with The Times in May 2024, Robinson shared his reflections on his legacy, stating, “I enjoyed it… You always think, ‘Oh my God, I could have done better.’ But you know, you have to be happy with what you’ve done.”
“I really enjoyed the players and there were a lot of good players,” he noted, emphasizing his fondness for the athletes he coached.
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RAMOS
From Gary Klein: The Rams suffered from numerous missed opportunities, especially when it came to blocking at the line of scrimmage and executing open field tackles.
The plays that fueled the Rams’ recent three-game winning streak were drastically missing in their disappointing 23-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins, witnessed by 72,474 fans at SoFi Stadium on Monday night.
The Rams were behind the entire game, entering halftime trailing 10-6.
This unexpected loss has now brought the Rams’ season record to 4-5 as they gear up to face the New England Patriots this Sunday at Gillette Stadium, adding pressure to bounce back from this setback.
The defeat was particularly surprising for a Rams team that had shown resilience, climbing back from an earlier 1-4 start to claim victories against the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks.
SCISSORS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored an impressive career-high 45 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 134-128 victory over the Clippers Monday night, marking his first season game without Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren is sidelined for at least eight weeks with a broken pelvis sustained during a fall in Sunday’s loss against the Golden State Warriors. At 7-foot-1, he was a key player known for his scoring and shot-blocking abilities.
Gilgeous-Alexander was prolific, making 13 of 21 attempts from the floor and converting 15 of 16 free throws, alongside dishing out 9 assists. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams and Lou Dort contributed significantly with 28 and 19 points respectively for Oklahoma City.
Despite starting a smaller lineup with their tallest player at 6-foot-6, the Thunder maintained relentless momentum while ensuring they kept turnovers to a minimum, finishing the night with only 11. They surged to a notable 47-29 lead during the game.
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 31 points, though he faced challenges, particularly a foul issue with 1:32 remaining. Ivica Zubac also shone, securing 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 20 points. James Harden had a mixed performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists but struggled with his shooting efficiency, hitting just five of 15 attempts and committing five fouls.
UCLA BASKETBALL
From Ben Bolch: UCLA embarked on a challenging journey to reclaim its standing in college basketball, starting with a home game against a lower-profile opponent.
Sadly, they fell short in their opening test, leaving little room for confidence as their performance raised doubts about their place in national rankings.
The exact same issues that plagued the Bruins in their previous match surfaced again, leading to a lackluster showing as they suffered a loss of 71-40 at the Boston University Pavilion.
Despite the setbacks, the Bruins’ defense was formidable against an opponent struggling to cope with their aggressive play style. UCLA (2-1) forced a staggering 28 turnovers, converting those into 36 critical points, marking a slight improvement following their loss to New Mexico.
ANGELS
From Bill Shaikin: With the television broadcaster for Angels games filing for bankruptcy last year, the team was faced with a pivotal decision: reduce charges to uphold its long-standing local television presence or wait in hopes that a replacement broadcaster would emerge.
No matter how the situation unfolded, the looming threat of decreased revenue created an atmosphere for potential salary cuts which can deeply impact any team, especially one currently experiencing its worst season to date.
Fortunately for the Angels, they achieved a vital victory by securing a new television deal, ensuring they maintained enough revenue to avert salary reductions.
“One hundred percent,” Angels owner Arte Moreno confirmed on Monday, announcing, “We are increasing our salaries.”
Reyes
Captain Michael Backlund was instrumental in leading the Calgary Flames to a surprising 3-1 victory over the Kings on Monday.
Jonathan Huberdeau made a significant impact, scoring his sixth goal of the season, while Kevin Rooney secured a late empty-netter against Calgary.
Trevor Moore managed to get his name on the scoresheet for the Kings, but this loss marked just their second defeat in their last seven outings, presenting a setback in their recent form.
UCLA/USC FOOTBALL
From Kevin Baxter: Fourth-ranked USC and No. 9 UCLA kick off the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament at home, with USC squaring off against Sacramento State and the Bruins set to host Cal Baptist on Friday.
Both Southern California teams have enjoyed success in their inaugural seasons in the Big Ten. USC secured the regular-season conference title by defeating UCLA, while the Bruins triumphed in Sunday’s postseason tournament by besting Rutgers.
USC (15-1-3) currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the NCAA, while UCLA (16-3-3) ranks second in its region, just behind Duke.
BOXING
Kevin Baxter dissects the complex rise and fall of Ryan Garcia, the ambitious boxer who aims to redefine himself as the sport’s antihero. Entering 2024, Garcia’s record stood at one loss in 25 professional fights; he was also known for his youthful charm, exceptional skills, and captivating presence. Yet, amidst the cutthroat world of boxing, where determination and self-marketing reign supreme, one can argue that Garcia’s recent missteps have drastically shifted the trajectory of his career.
THIS DATE IN SPORTS
1892: William “Pudge” Heffelfinger becomes the first professional football player to earn $500, playing in the Allegheny Athletic Association against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Heffelfinger does not disappoint his leaders and returns a punt to lead Allegheny to a 4-0 victory.
1920 – Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis is hired as baseball’s first commissioner.
1931 – Maple Leaf Park opens in Toronto with the Chicago Black Hawks winning 2-1 in front of 13,233 fans.
1967 – Green Bay’s Travis Williams returns two plays for touchdowns against Cleveland and the Packers beat the Browns 55-7.
1972: Richard Petty wins a record fourth NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Championship after finishing third in the Texas 500.
1972: Don Shula became the first NFL coach to win 100 regular-season games in 10 seasons when the Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 52-0.
1995 – Miami’s Dan Marino broke Fran Tarkenton’s NFL passing record of 47,003 yards with a 9-yard pass to Irving Fryer in the Dolphins’ 34-17 loss to the New England Patriots.
2010: Minnesota’s Kevin Love had 31 rebounds and 31 points, the NBA’s first 30-30 game in 28 years. Love would take 15 shots in the third quarter alone. Moses Malone was the last player to go 30-30 in 1982: 32 points and 38 rebounds for Houston against Seattle.
2016: Anthony Moglin throws a 24-yard touchdown pass to William Woods with 39 seconds left to lead John Carroll to a 31-28 victory over Mount Union. The loss ends the Purple Raiders’ 112-game NCAA winning streak. The Division III team has not lost since October 22, 2005.
2019: Former Houston Astros MLB pitcher Mike Fiers reveals the team secretly “stole signs” from visiting teams via camera.
Prepared by the Associated Press Agency
Until next time…
This wraps up today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement, or topics you’d like to see featured, feel free to email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @latimeshouston. To receive this newsletter directly in your inbox, click here.
eters sets a new NFL record by rushing for 273 yards in a single game, showcasing his incredible talent and solidifying his place in football history.
1978 – The Seattle Seahawks play their first game in franchise history, facing the San Diego Chargers in a preseason matchup.
1982 – The United States hosts the FIFA World Cup for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the history of soccer in the country.
2004 – The Boston Red Sox complete their historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS against the New York Yankees, eventually winning the World Series and breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.”
2011 – The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens in Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrating the history and achievements of stock car racing.