Cronkite Sports Stories

Tamsyn Stonebarger and Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

Cactus League a big winner regardless of World Series outcome

No matter who wins Game 7 of the World Series between the long-suffering Cleveland Indians and longer-suffering Chicago Cubs, Arizona wins.
8 years ago
Al Maag, a Cubs season ticketholder, returned to Wrigley Field for the Cubs first home World Series...
Trisha Garcia/Cronkite News

From Sloan Park to Wrigley Field, longtime Valley Cubs fans celebrate World Series run

From Eddie Johnson and Jerry Colangelo to a longtime Valley PR exec, Valley residents who grew up Cubs fans are excited about Chicago's World Series run.
8 years ago
Nearly 400 Chicago Cubs fans gathered at Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill in central Phoenix to vi...
Lindsey Wisniewski/Cronkite News

Cubs’ World Series appearance a home run for Valley businesses

It’s been 71 years since the Cubs last reached the World Series, which returns to Wrigley Field Friday with the Cubs and Cleveland Indians tied at one game apiece.
8 years ago
Tyler Ulis received a rookie backpack during Suns training camp. (Photo by Angela Denogean/Cronkite...
Tamsyn Stonebarger/Cronkite News

From pancakes to ping pong, Suns rookies build bond as season begins

Suns rookies Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis and Dragan Bender all live in the same complex, making it easier for them to bond on a level other than basketball.
8 years ago
Scottsdale Scorpions outfielder Tim Tebow watches from the dugout during the team’s matchup again...
Nicole Vasquez/Cronkite News

Tim Tebow’s presence draws crowds to Arizona Fall League

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback turned baseball player Tim Tebow has bought an attendance spike to the Arizona Fall League.
8 years ago
ASU assistant track and field coaches Ronnie Williams and Tamara Ards answer questions as Chinese c...
Ryan Decker and Alex Caprariello/Cronkite News

Chinese coaches getting athletic education at ASU

Almost 100 Chinese coaches are spending the next couple of months at ASU to exchange coaching ideas in swimming, track and basketball.
8 years ago
The Phoenix Suns rookies show off the backpacks the veterans gave them during training camp. (Photo...
Jonathan Saxon/Cronkite News

Suns rookies add to franchise’s youth movement

The Phoenix Suns' morning practice at NAU during training camp had drawn to a close and the players were going through their cool down routine.
8 years ago
Cleveland Indians’ No. 19 prospect Greg Allen crosses home plate after the Toronto Blue Jays’ N...
Jeanna Berg/Cronkite News

World Series foes share dugout in Arizona Fall League

While the Cubs and Indians battle in the World Series, prospects from both organizations are teammates on the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.
8 years ago
A decorated football remembering Arizona State’s 22-15 victory over Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bow...
Brendan Kennealy/Cronkite News

Arizona State gathers 1986 team for 30th anniversary of Rose Bowl win

The ASU Alumni Association gathered players from the school's only Rose Bowl winning team at a Legends Luncheon held at the Arizona Grand Resort on Friday.
8 years ago
Aguilar Elementary students and teachers pose for a photo with Sparky and Bobby Hurley. (Photo by R...
Alex Caprariello and Ryan Decker/Cronkite News

Hurley and Final Four come together to encourage Arizona kids to read

Bobby Hurley and Sparky were at Aguilar Elementary in Tempe to get the third-graders excited for the NCAA’s upcoming “Read to the Final Four” program.
8 years ago
The Arizona Coyotes may have a different look as they take the ice for their 20th season, but their...
Brendan Kennealy and Madalyn Heimann/Cronkite News

Coyotes celebrate 20 years in Arizona, continue to grow hockey culture in the desert

It has been 20 years since the Winnipeg Jets said goodbye to Canada and moved to the Arizona desert.
8 years ago
ASU’s Jack Smith practices as the third-string quarterback, wearing No. 3 instead of the No. 34 j...
Trisha Garcia/Cronkite News

Injuries force ASU freshman Jack Smith’s return to familiar role: QB

Only one player on Arizona State’s football roster threw for more than 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.
8 years ago
The Arizona Coyotes may have been one of the tallest and heaviest teams in the NHL last season, but...
Madalyn Heimann/Cronkite News

Undersized players making an impact for Coyotes

Coyotes forwards Anthony Duclair and Max Domi both fall under the average size for NHL players.
8 years ago
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown against the New York Jets duri...
Jonathan Saxon/Cronkite News

Balanced attack driving Cardinals’ return to winning ways

Over the last two games the Cardinals' attack has been almost perfectly balanced – 50.15 percent on the ground and 49.85 percent from the pass.
8 years ago
A group of Arizona Coyotes players gather and listen to assistant coach Jim Playfair explain a dril...
Matt Layman/Cronkite News

Coyotes overhaul penalty killing unit

The Arizona Coyotes roster has a new look to it.
8 years ago
Carlee Swanson/Cronkite News

Graham says ASU needs better blocking, tackling against Washington State

Following a blowout loss to Colorado last weekend, ASU football plays Washington State at home, where it is 4-0.
8 years ago
Mike Hazen was introduced Monday as the Arizona Diamondbacks new executive vice president and gener...
Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

New D-backs GM: Winning a championship to be ‘at the forefront of what we do’

The Diamondbacks introduced Mike Hazen as their next GM and executive vice president two weeks after his predecessor was fired.
8 years ago
Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata listens to the explanation of a drill during a team practice in the pr...
Matt Layman/Cronkite News

Radim Vrbata beginning third go around with Coyotes

This season marks the beginning of Radim Vrbata’s third stint with the Arizona Coyotes in a 15-year NHL career.
8 years ago
Matt Layman/Cronkite News

Arizona hockey community celebrates record debut of Auston Matthews

When Auston Matthews became the first player to score four goals in his NHL debut Wednesday, the Arizona hockey community celebrated with him.
8 years ago
Head Coach Norris Vaughan is focused on bringing Mountain Pointe High School its second Arizona sta...
Ben Halverson/Cronkite News

Mountain Pointe football coach Vaughan turned Pride into powerhouse

Since Norris Vaughan took over, Mountain Pointe football has an 82-15 record, reaching the state playoffs every season.
8 years ago
ASU football players, including Tyler McClure (75) huddle during practice. (Ryan Decker / Cronkite ...
Ryan Decker/Cronkite News

ASU has rich history of walk-on football players

ASU's history of producing quality walk-ons includes linebacker Adam Archuleta, offensive tackle Levi Jones and linebacker Darren Woodson.
8 years ago
Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi, right, shoots over Minnesota Lynx defenders Lindsay Whalen, center...
Alexis Ramanjulu/Cronkite News

Taurasi says Mercury need to get tougher inside to improve in 2017

“We have to get tougher on the interior. I think that’s a weakness throughout the season that just hurt us way too much,” Diana Taurasi said.
8 years ago
ASU pitcher Connor Higgins pitched for the Mat Su Miners in the Alaska Baseball League over the sum...
Gabriel Vasquez/Cronkite News

From Alaska to Arizona, summer league baseball prepares ASU players for upcoming season

Fourteen Arizona State baseball players recently participated in summer leagues in various states, leading to some long days for some.
8 years ago
Diamondbacks’ Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick and President and CEO Derrick Hall address th...
Trisha Garcia and Jeanna Berg/Cronkite News

Diamondbacks’ housecleaning could produce baseball’s first female GM

The Diamondbacks cleaned house Monday, not renewing the contract of general manager Dave Stewart and firing manager Chip Hale.
8 years ago