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Tom Goldman Tom Goldman is NPR's sports correspondent. His reports can be heard throughout NPR's news programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on NPR.org.
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Tom Goldman

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Wednesday

Sports

Willie Mays, widely considered baseball's best all-around player, dies at 93

Known as the "Say Hey Kid," Mays' career spanned more than two decades, from the 1950s to 1970s. He spent nearly all of those years with the Giants – first in New York and then in San Francisco.

Willie Mays, widely considered baseball's best all-around player, dies at 93

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Tuesday

Willie Mays is widely considered the best baseball player in history. His speed, his hitting and overall understanding of the game. He's shown here at the 2004 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Willie Mays is widely considered the best baseball player in history. His speed, his hitting and overall understanding of the game. He's shown here at the 2004 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y. Al Messerschmidt/WireImage / Getty Images hide caption

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Al Messerschmidt/WireImage / Getty Images

Obituaries

Willie Mays - the 'Say Hey Kid' considered baseball's best all-around player - dies at 93

Willie Mays is widely considered to be the greatest baseball player of all time. The 'Say Hey Kid' had incomparable skills and an infectious smile. He dazzled on the field and off.

Friday

Jim Brown, one of the NFL's all-time great running backs, has died at age 87

This is an undated photo of Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown. Brown was an All-American at Syracuse in 1956 and NFL Rookie of Year in 1957. He also led the NFL in rushing 8 times, 8-time All-Pro in 1957 to 1961 and 1963 to 1965, 3-time MVP in 1958,1963 and 1965 with Cleveland, ran for 12,312 yards and scored 126 touchdowns in just 9 seasons. AP hide caption

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AP

Sports

Jim Brown, one of the NFL's all-time great running backs, has died at age 87

During his nine-year Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Browns, Jim Brown averaged more than a hundred yards rushing in every regular season game. He's the only player in NFL history to do that.

Jim Brown, one of the NFL's all-time great running backs, has died at age 87

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Thursday

Sports

Brittney Griner speaks to press ahead of WNBA season

Women's basketball star Brittney Griner meets the press on Thursday ahead of the WNBA season. Griner has said little publicly since her release from Russia after a months-long detention.

Brittney Griner speaks to press ahead of WNBA season

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Wednesday

Sports

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs features games with intriguing storylines

So far there's been drama in nearly every series in the first round of the NBA playoffs: upsets, injuries to key players and older stars are flexing their aging muscles.

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs features games with intriguing storylines

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Saturday

Sports

Saturday Sports: Oakland A's; Chicago Cubs; Tom Goldman says goodbye

The Oakland A's take a step toward moving to Las Vegas, and an ALMOST perfect game for the Chicago Cubs. Plus, Tom Goldman says goodbye - he's retiring!

Saturday Sports: Oakland A's; Chicago Cubs; Tom Goldman says goodbye

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Tuesday

Sports

For the first time, Texas is missing as the NBA Playoffs get underway

The NBA Playoffs get underway later Tuesday and — for the first time ever — not a single team from Texas will be playing and all four teams from California made the playoffs.

For the first time, Texas is missing as the NBA Playoffs get underway

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Friday

Sports

Which teams will be left standing, when the women's Final Four is over?

There'll be a showdown in Dallas Friday night as the Final Four teams in the NCAA women's basketball tournament get ready to battle: LSU vs. Virginia Tech and then Iowa vs. South Carolina.

Which teams will be left standing, when the women's Final Four is over?

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Thursday

Sports

MLB's Opening Day brings rule changes meant to enliven the game

It's Opening Day for Major League Baseball. The league is hoping that some new rules this season will mean big changes for players — and for fans.

MLB's Opening Day brings rule changes meant to enliven the game

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Monday

Sports

4 teams are left in the men's NCAA basketball tournament

The men's and women's March Madness tournaments truly have been filled with madness — upsets have roiled many a bracket. The excitement is not done — the women's Final Four will be decided Monday.

4 teams are left in the men's NCAA basketball tournament

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Saturday

Sports

Saturday Sports: Women's and men's NCAA; World Baseball Classic's cinematic end

The women's and men's NCAA basketball tournaments continue and the World Baseball Classic comes to a cinematic end.

Saturday Sports: Women's and men's NCAA; World Baseball Classic's cinematic end

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Friday

Sports

The Sacramento Kings are hungry to break their 16-year playoff drought

The NBA's Sacramento Kings are close to clinching a playoff spot, which is saying a lot. The have the longest running playoff drought — 16 years — of any U.S. major professional sports league team.

The Sacramento Kings are hungry to break their 16-year playoff drought

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Thursday

The men's Sweet 16 tips off Thursday, as basketball fans enjoy a wild March

The Sweet 16 includes Desi Sills (#13) and the Kansas State Wildcats, in an NCAA men's tournament that lacks any of the four top "blue blood" programs, such as Kentucky. Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images hide caption

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Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Sports

The men's Sweet 16 tips off Thursday, as basketball fans enjoy a wild March

Any team that can put together a four-game winning streak will become the next champions. Only two No. 1 seeds are alive in the tournament, and the highest-profile schools have already gone home.

The men's Sweet 16 tips off Thursday, as basketball fans enjoy a wild March

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Sports

March Madness action resumes with the Sweet 16

The men's college basketball tournament resumes Thursday, and the women's on Friday — after several upsets in the opening rounds of both tournaments

March Madness action resumes with the Sweet 16

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Tuesday

Sports

The World Baseball Classic has provided some thrilling moments and record numbers

The tournament wraps Tuesday night with what should be a riveting game between defending champion U.S. and two-time winners Japan. The WBC has been a big hit, with record attendance and viewership.

The World Baseball Classic has provided some thrilling moments and record numbers

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Saturday

Sports

March Madness is in full swing. Catch up on the highlights so far

We're in the full swing of March Madness with the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments underway. There have already been a few upsets and surprises.

March Madness is in full swing. Catch up on the highlights so far

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Sports

Saturday Sports: March Madness begins; men's FIFA World Cup expands format

March Madness has begun in college basketball with some stunning upsets in the first round, the World Baseball Classic comes to a close, and the men's FIFA World Cup expands its format.

Saturday Sports: March Madness begins; men's FIFA World Cup expands format

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Friday

Sports

Is your bracket intact? More games are on tap in the Men's NCAA basketball tournament

March Madness is fully underway. The opening of college basketball's tournament season brought exciting play and some upsets.

Is your bracket intact? More games are on tap in the Men's NCAA basketball tournament

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Monday

Sports

Hoops fans can now start filling out those March Madness brackets

March Madness is set. The men's and women's brackets for the NCAA basketball tournaments have been finalized.

Hoops fans can now start filling out those March Madness brackets

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Saturday

Sports

Saturday Sports: Mikaela Shiffrin's ski record; college basketball coaches retire

This week in sports, Mikaela Shiffrin skis towards another record, the World Baseball Classic highlights unlikely stars, and college basketball says goodbye to two storied coaches.

Saturday Sports: Mikaela Shiffrin's ski record; college basketball coaches retire

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Tuesday

Sports

Stolz stuns sports world with historic performances at speedskating championships

American speedskater Jordan Stolz is setting records as he looks ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics. He recently became the first man to win three individual gold medals at the world championships.

Stolz stuns sports world with historic performances at speedskating championships

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Wednesday

A reporter's indulgence no longer a secret — 'The NBA's Damian Lillard made me a fan'

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 23, 2023. Steph Chambers/Getty Images hide caption

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Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Sports

A reporter's indulgence no longer a secret — 'The NBA's Damian Lillard made me a fan'

Damian Lillard has played his whole NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Unlike other star players, he has wowed fans in the Northwest with his demeanor & wisdom - including NPR's Tom Goldman.

A reporter's indulgence no longer a secret — 'The NBA's Damian Lillard made me a fan'

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Saturday

Sports

Saturday Sports: Controversy for Alabama basketball players; USWNT goes undefeated

Alabama basketball players are the subject of controversy. The U.S. Women's National Soccer team went undefeated in a tournament this week. A Mississippi pitcher throws fastballs ... with either arm.

Saturday Sports: Controversy for Alabama basketball players; USWNT goes undefeated

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Tuesday

After Russia finds 'no fault' in doping scandal of figure skater, WADA appeals case

Russia's Kamila Valieva competes in the women's single skating event during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on February 17, 2022. Manan Vatsyayana/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Manan Vatsyayana/AFP via Getty Images

Sports

After Russia finds 'no fault' in doping scandal of figure skater, WADA appeals case

Kamila Valieva helped Russia win gold in team figure skating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. It wasn't until after the competition that it was learned she'd previously tested positive for doping.

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