Sports

For 25 years, race car enthusiasts have had a place to legally test the limits of their machines: the Irwindale Speedway. Now that space will be no more.

from KCRW Features

Should the U.S. worry about post-Assad Syria? What’s behind the support for the man who fatally shot UHC’s CEO? Plus, KCRW discusses how sports fandom crossed into politics.

from Left, Right & Center

Soccer violence in Amsterdam exposes rising anti-Semitism and challenges the city’s Jewish history while reflecting Europe’s changing stance on Israel.

Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv: Clash of identities and cultures

Soccer violence in Amsterdam exposes rising anti-Semitism and challenges the city’s Jewish history while reflecting Europe’s changing stance on Israel.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The LA Dodgers are World Series champs! The Boys in Blue rallied from a five-run fifth inning deficit Wednesday night to beat the New York Yankees.

‘Start the party, LA!’ Dodgers win 8th World Series behind Freeman’s heroic bat

The LA Dodgers are World Series champs! The Boys in Blue rallied from a five-run fifth inning deficit Wednesday night to beat the New York Yankees.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

For the first time since World War II, Japanese Americans gathered at the site of the former Manzanar internment camp to play baseball at a reconstructed field.

Japanese American internment camp site plays ball

For the first time since World War II, Japanese Americans gathered at the site of the former Manzanar internment camp to play baseball at a reconstructed field.

from KCRW Features

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees face off for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. KCRW breaks down how much it costs to attend.

World Series: How much does it really cost to see the Dodgers v. Yankees?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees face off for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. KCRW breaks down how much it costs to attend.

from KCRW Features

Longtime Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela died on Tuesday at age 63. “Fernandomania” in 1981 left an indelible mark on LA and its Mexican American community.

Remembering Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela’s impact on Latino LA

Longtime Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela died on Tuesday at age 63. “Fernandomania” in 1981 left an indelible mark on LA and its Mexican American community.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Dodgers are back in the World Series after a wild win over the Mets. Now they’re set to face the Yankees in a matchup that’s pure baseball magic.

Dodgers vs. Yankees: A historic showdown in the World Series

The Dodgers are back in the World Series after a wild win over the Mets. Now they’re set to face the Yankees in a matchup that’s pure baseball magic.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

It’s do or die for the Dodgers in tonight’s playoff game against the San Diego Padres. If they win, there will be another game. If they lose, that’s it for them.

If Dodgers don’t win tonight against Padres, they’re done for the season

It’s do or die for the Dodgers in tonight’s playoff game against the San Diego Padres. If they win, there will be another game. If they lose, that’s it for them.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A new Culver City gym filled with “American Ninja Warrior” staff is ready to scale any obstacle as the sport heads to the Olympics.

New Culver City gym trains next gen of ninja warriors

A new Culver City gym filled with “American Ninja Warrior” staff is ready to scale any obstacle as the sport heads to the Olympics.

from KCRW Features

Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in one season. Plus UCLA and USC struggle in Big Ten, and the WNBA announces its MVPs.

Is Shohei Ohtani the best all-around baseball player ever?

Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in one season. Plus UCLA and USC struggle in Big Ten, and the WNBA announces its MVPs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Clayton Frech is the father of Ezra Frech, who took home two gold medals at the Paralympics in Paris.

SoCal dad’s nonprofit helps his son become Paralympic champ

Clayton Frech is the father of Ezra Frech, who took home two gold medals at the Paralympics in Paris.

from KCRW Features

Hope Solo is one of the greatest soccer players of all time — and one of the most controversial. She tells her story in a new Netflix film .

Goalie Hope Solo’s controversies overshadowed her legendary soccer career

Hope Solo is one of the greatest soccer players of all time — and one of the most controversial. She tells her story in a new Netflix film .

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

USC and UCLA won their openers as new members of the Big 10 Conference. NFL season begins Thursday. And LA Dodgers’ Shohei Otani returns to his old stomping grounds in Anaheim tonight.

What’s ahead for college football and the Dodgers post-season

USC and UCLA won their openers as new members of the Big 10 Conference. NFL season begins Thursday. And LA Dodgers’ Shohei Otani returns to his old stomping grounds in Anaheim tonight.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive earlier this year for a banned substance. Authorities said it wasn’t intentional, but it does cast a shadow over this year’s U.S. Open.

Jannik Sinner’s minor doping scandal casts a pall over US Open

Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive earlier this year for a banned substance. Authorities said it wasn’t intentional, but it does cast a shadow over this year’s U.S. Open.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Mayor Karen Bass returned from Paris to LA on Monday, bringing the official Olympic flag with her.

LA Mayor Karen Bass on ‘no-car’ 2028 Olympics, homelessness

Mayor Karen Bass returned from Paris to LA on Monday, bringing the official Olympic flag with her.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA’s 1984 Olympics were the pinnacle of organization, profitability, and viewership. Can LA’s 2028 Games build on that and the momentum from 2024’s successful Paris Games?

Paris passes Olympic baton to LA. What can we expect?

LA’s 1984 Olympics were the pinnacle of organization, profitability, and viewership. Can LA’s 2028 Games build on that and the momentum from 2024’s successful Paris Games?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How Lionel Richie and a Soul Train dancer helped take break dancing from the streets of LA to the Olympic stage, 40 years before becoming an official Olympic sport in Paris.

Breaking's 1984 LA Olympics debut: The untold story before Paris

How Lionel Richie and a Soul Train dancer helped take break dancing from the streets of LA to the Olympic stage, 40 years before becoming an official Olympic sport in Paris.

from KCRW Features

After countless Olympic fans flew to Paris and American athletes insisted on A/C, France had a bigger-than-intended carbon footprint for the Summer Games.

How green were the Paris Olympics, what can LA learn for 2028?

After countless Olympic fans flew to Paris and American athletes insisted on A/C, France had a bigger-than-intended carbon footprint for the Summer Games.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Environmentalists are urging the Dodgers to drop a main sponsor, oil company Phillips 66, which owns the 76 chain of gas stations.

Dodgers fans call for team to cut ties with big oil

Environmentalists are urging the Dodgers to drop a main sponsor, oil company Phillips 66, which owns the 76 chain of gas stations.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand