NEW YORK >> Cameron Maybin’s new-found ability to draw walks isn’t new after all. Maybin insists it’s just the result of a change he made a few years ago, which this year is clicking more than ever. “It’s just a growth process,” Maybin said Thursday. “I’m developing a really good approach that

NEW YORK >> Cameron Maybin has played parts of 11 big league seasons, with five different organizations, and he says he has never seen a team quite like this one. “I can honestly say, this is the most mentally tough team that I’ve ever been on,” Maybin said. “We continue to not give at-bats aw

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: ARIYONNA AUGUSTINE, Long Beach Poly, Jr. Junior sprinter Ariyo a Augustine will be the first to admit that this year caught her off guard. After wi ing state titles in the 100 and 200, Augustine shook her head when asked if she could believe what had just happened. “No, not re

CALABASAS >> When Long Beach Poly and Oregon product Jordan Bell had his pro day workout with the Golden State Warriors, one of the people who popped in was the team’s owner, Joseph Lacob. Although the Warriors didn’t have a pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Lacob told Bell they were pla ing on

Lisa Fe andez (St. Joseph), one of the greatest high school pitchers in history, will be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame on July 2 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Fe andez still rank

Radio silence permeated the air for the Lakers on Wednesday, a stark contrast to the noise generated the previous day. The Lakers enter Thursday’s NBA draft without clarity on whether they can acquire Indiana forward Paul George after having preliminary discussions as early as Tuesday mo ing. No si

NEW YORK >> Ricky Nolasco is caught in a two-month nightmare. Nolasco was charged with five more runs in the Angels’ 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. It was the 10th straight game the Angels have lost with Nolasco starting, a combination of his ineffectiveness and a remarka

LAS VEGAS >> Five days ago, Ducks general manager Bob Murray waved goodbye to Simon Despres and the rest of his large contract. And it became clear Wednesday that he had long been at work making another burdensome deal disappear. The cost to shed defenseman Clayton Stoner came with some pain a

LAS VEGAS >> Perhaps in other years with other finalists, Ducks center Ryan Kesler might have taken home his second Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward. But when it came to the voting from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Assocation, there was no dislodging Boston’s Patric

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. >> The Road Warriors of MLS did it again. Jack McBean scored two goals to double his career total and the streaking Galaxy beat the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. McBean, who hadn’t scored an MLS goal since March 17, 2013 against Chiv

LOS ANGELES >> Adrian Gonzalez has been dealing with back pain on and off since 2012 – more frequently on than off over the past two years. He is not willing to put up with it much longer. The Dodgers’ veteran first baseman said he went to the DL for the first time in his 14-year career last m

LOS ANGELES >> LOS ANGELES – Rich Hill made history Wednesday night. But he’s probably happier about making progress. Hill gave up a home run and a double to the first two batters he faced but allowed just two more hits in five strong i ings as the Dodgers beat the New York Mets, 8-2, extendi

Life will change forever today for one Long Beach product, as Poly alum Jordan Bell eagerly awaits the NBA draft. The former Jackrabbit and Oregon Duck is projected as a low first-round draft pick by most major mock drafts. The NBA draft begins at 4 p.m. and both rounds will be televised on ESPN. Th

Valley Christian sophomore Ke edy Wesley showed up to the practice field on campus on Wednesday thinking she was doing a photo shoot and interviews for an ESPN article. However, early in her workout, two-time Olympic champion and 2015 FIFA World Cup Champion Abby Wambach appeared and asked her if s

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker likes to dream big and Saturday night is just that and more. Coker’s Bellator MMA lands at Madison Square Garden with a split card, with Bellator 180 on SpikeTV and Bellator NYC on Pay-Per-View ($49.95). “From top-to-bottom, this is a card I would watch and that’s

Lakers’ beat writer Mark Medina of the Southe Califo ia News Group discusses what the Lakers see in former UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, in preparation for the NBA Draft. Medina also talks about why D’Angelo Russell was traded, and if Lonzo’s father LaVar will be a tho in the Lakers’ side. Video by Jonatha...

Rancho Cucamonga boxer Daniel Franco, 25, has improved enough from bleeding in the brain that his family hopes he can soon be transported from Iowa to Southe Califo ia. Franco, who was knocked out in the eighth round of a June 10 bout in Sloan, Iowa, was moved out of the intensive care unit Tuesd

EL SEGUNDO — For brief moments between scrimmages, shooting sessions and sprints, NBA draft prospects could look around the gym and see some of the symbols and faces that defined the Lakers’ history. Championship ba ers and retired jerseys hang on the walls of the practice facility. Magic Johnson w

Lakers veteran Nick Young plans to inform the organization Wednesday he will opt out of the $5.7 million player option on his contract, according a to league source familiar with the situation. The Lakers expected Young to opt out. Following his exit interview, the guard/forward suggested he would l

NEW YORK >> The Doug Fister Experiment is over, at least as far as the Angels are conce ed. The Angels on Wednesday released the veteran right-hander, who requested to become a free agent per the terms of the deal he signed last month. His contract had an opt-out date of Wednesday if he wasn’