Mirjam Swanson
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mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Mirjam Swanson
@mirjamswanson.bsky.social
770 followers 260 following 240 posts
Sports columnist. 🗞️ Southern California News Group. Trying to kick something that means something. Please, do tell. 🐙🍷😭🙏🏽🔑

🔗 https://www.ocregister.com/author/mirjam-swanson/
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mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Got to meet some drag racing royalty this week: NHRA star Brittany Force is going out on top — and it’s bittersweet.

For the ladies:

www.ocregister.com/2025/11/14/s...
Swanson: NHRA star Brittany Force is going out on top, and it’s bittersweet
After this weekend’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, the world’s fastest race car driver and two-time NHRA world champion will step away to start a family.
www.ocregister.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:26 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Like you, I feel some kind of way about the prospect of UCLA football moving from the Rose Bowl to SoFi.

No, I don't like it either.

Actually, I hate it.

www.ocregister.com/2025/11/11/s...
Swanson: UCLA bailing on Rose Bowl for SoFi? Nothing is sacred
UCLA appears ready to punt on its one advantage, leaving behind one of America’s most venerable, most beautiful sports stadiums.
www.ocregister.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Love L.A.? Dig baseball?

Well then I highly recommend a championship parade.

Asked a bunch of people along the route to pick a *favorite* moment of the ridiculously entertaining World Series — and a theme emerged.

We love a song about unsung heroes:

www.ocregister.com/2025/11/03/s...
Swanson: Iconic plays, unexpected heroes – L.A. loves that song
What was fun about the dogpile of not-so-minor miracles on the way to the Dodgers’ second straight World Series title was that so many of them came from members of the beloved ensemble.
www.ocregister.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
thucnhi.bsky.social
This week's newsletter on the unofficial love language of the Lakers: trolling

www.latimes.com/sports/newsl...
Lakers newsletter: Why 'trolling' might be the key to unlocking Deandre Ayton
One play showed why there could be a bright future for Deandre Ayton's revenge tour and the Lakers' title hopes.
www.latimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Shohei is wild for that. And for that. And for that, too.

The man just keeps out-doing himself -- and everyone else, ever.

On Ohtani's historic contributions to an incredible night:

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/28/s...
Swanson: Soak it up, Shohei Ohtani keeps making history
Ohtani homers twice and ties a 119-year-old major league record with four extra-base hits in Game 3 of the World Series, putting on yet another postseason show in the Dodgers’ epic, 18-inning victo…
www.ocregister.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social
A house is not a home, by Rein Kooyman, 2025, 📸 via @mlbonfox
October 28, 2025 at 1:45 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
I cannot believe Eric posted this at 12:08 p.m. — almost 12 hours before Freddie Freeman finally ended this latest Paisley thriller. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I can’t decide whether I want Paisley back tonight or never again.
October 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Got an easy one for you: If Team A has an Elite Offense & Elite Pitching and Team B has an Elite Offense & Solid Pitching, which team has the advantage?

Team A, duh.

So the Dodgers better bat around, eh?

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/26/s...
Swanson: No offense, but Dodgers better hit if they want to repeat
Don’t bank on the Blue Jays bats going cold the rest of the World Series, bank on the Dodgers’ hitters needing to keep pace at the plate.
www.ocregister.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
We all have that friend who is convinced everything is fixed. Shoot, maybe *you’re* that friend.

Or, after this week, maybe I am?

Strung together some thoughts on gambling in/and the NBA.

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/25/s...
Swanson: Gambling makes it harder to believe in the NBA
This week’s news that Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were swept up in federal investigations into illegal gambling is a reminder of how betting can damage a league’s cre…
www.ocregister.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Where Sabreena Was for Freddie’s slam …
sabreenajm.bsky.social Sabreena Merchant @sabreenajm.bsky.social · Oct 21
love this story idea! I was at prayers, services had ended, was huddled around a friend's phone in the lobby, and you knew the moment you heard the crack off Freddie's bat it was special
October 21, 2025 at 2:56 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
This was a fun one -- asked a bunch of people Where Where You When ... Freddie Freeman hit his Game 1 Grand Slam?

And actually got all kinds of answers.

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/20/s...
Swanson: Where Were You for Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam?
All over Southern California, crowds of people gathered for sporting events and celebrated the World Series Game 1 game-winner together.
www.ocregister.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:41 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Called my little brother today and he answered like this: “I better never hear you complain about your job!”

Our coverage of an epic night:

@billplunkettocr’s banger of a gamer: www.ocregister.com/2025/10/17/s...

My column on GOAT stuff: www.ocregister.com/2025/10/17/s...
October 19, 2025 at 6:04 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Just the greatest baseball player of all time having the greatest game of all time — in no small part because of the great time he picked to do it. Bye, bye Brewers. Hello World Series.

Holy Shohei Ohtani, man.

Got to write about it.

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/17/s...
Swanson: Did Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani have the best postseason game ever?
With three home runs, 10 strikeouts and six scoreless innings in a win that sends his team back to the World Series, the game’s greatest player authors an unforgettable night at Chavez Ravine.
www.ocregister.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
ericstephen.bsky.social
man what a dominant outing

Yamamoto retired his final 14 batters, first Dodgers postseason complete game in 21 years
October 15, 2025 at 3:01 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
I love when walk-ons steal the show.

Shoutout King Miller — and shoutout to Jess Holguin, USC occupational therapy professor and the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first USC football walk-on to score a TD?

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/14/s...
Swanson: Only 2 USC walk-ons have scored TDs, meet the first
King Miller became the first Trojans walk-on to score a TD since 1994, when it was done by Jess Holguin, now a professor of clinical occupational therapy at USC.
www.ocregister.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:12 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
L.A. 💙s Roki!

A column:

www.ocregister.com/2025/10/09/s...
Swanson: Dodgers’ new hero Roki Sasaki emerges from the bullpen
With a perfect eighth, ninth and 10th inning in Thursday’s 2-1 NLDS-clinching Game 4 victory over the Phillies, the Japanese rookie came through for his new city in its time of need.
www.ocregister.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
ericstephen.bsky.social
the Dodgers' wild ride is over

www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scor...
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts finish Dodgers sweep of Reds
Yoshiinobu Yamamoto struck out 9 and pitched into the 7th inning. Mookie Betts had 4 hits with 3 doubles and 3 RBI as the Dodgers swept Reds in the wild card
www.truebluela.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:22 AM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
The Kawhi Era was already disappointing. Now a bombshell report alleging the Clippers might have circumvented the salary cap has us wondering if it's worse than that.

On this mess, and how I just don't think Kawhi has been worth the headaches.

www.ocregister.com/2025/09/04/s...
Swanson: Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been worth the headaches
A bombshell report laying out allegations that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer might have circumvented NBA salary cap rules brings into sharper question Leonard’s time with the team.
www.ocregister.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
An all-girls college prep school as a football power?

Well, yes.

You know that Loya kid with all the talent?

No, not the former Bruin Logan Loya. I mean his little sister -- Lexi!

A column on girls getting in on the ultimate team sport:

www.ocregister.com/2025/09/03/s...
Swanson: Football? Yes, girls can do that too now
Flag football at schools like Saint Joseph High in Lakewood allows girls to experience the game they grew up watching their brothers and others play.
www.ocregister.com
September 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
“It sucks. They’re taking stuff away from the kids.”

On DJ Wingfield, Kaedin Robinson and the arbitrary nature of the eligibility rulings coming down for former JUCO football players:

www.ocregister.com/2025/08/20/s...
Swanson: To play or not to play, judges make call for former JUCO talents
While others get the go-ahead, a California judge’s ruling effectively blocks DJ Wingfield and Kaedin Robinson from playing – and collecting substantial NIL earnings – at USC and UCLA.
www.ocregister.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
rey-rey.net
The Sparks and Valkyries will play each other on Saturday night in Ballhalla. Both teams are 14-15 and winner will take sole possession of 8th place. Game preview in the Sporting Tribune.
Sparks play Valkyries with 8th spot on the line
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Sparks are possibly playing their biggest game in years.Winners of three in a row and eight of nine games overall, the Los Angeles Sparks have found themselves
www.thesportingtribune.com
August 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Out there in the I.E. — checking in with firefighting pool skateboarding legend Tristan Rennie before the upcoming Rockstar Energy Drink Classic.

www.ocregister.com/2025/08/09/s...
Swanson: Firefighting-skateboarder Tristan Rennie is living the dreams
The renowned pool skater from Rialto is juggling two dreams jobs – firefighter and pro skateboarder – including answering a call to compete at the Rockstar Energy Open in Portland.
www.ocregister.com
August 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
jimalexander24.bsky.social
The Audible is back after a couple of weeks off for vacations. @mirjamswanson.bsky.social and I discuss LAFC's newest star, an old favorite returning to the Chargers, and ... well, let's just call it an outbreak of ugly behavior at WNBA games.

Join us.

www.ocregister.com/2025/08/07/t...
The Audible: Son rises at LAFC, Keenan Allen returns, and fan offensiveness
Columnists Jim Alexander and Mirjam Swanson discuss some of the week’s sports issues.
www.ocregister.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Talk about rekindling a Spark.

L.A., your WNBA team is has its swagger back.

💯💯💯💯💯 …

www.ocregister.com/2025/08/08/s...
Swanson: Watch out, the Sparks are fun again
On a hot streak, the Sparks are worth watching again as they’re running up the score and doing it in style during a late-season playoff push.
www.ocregister.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Mirjam Swanson
mirjamswanson.bsky.social
Britain Covey is new to L.A. and the Rams, but the electric punt returner sorta expected he’d land here eventually, and he feels at home considering Puka Nacua is a little like a little brother and Sean McVay keeps quoting Covey’s grandfather…

www.ocregister.com/2025/08/05/s...
Swanson: Rams’ Britain Covey reunited with Puka Nacua in LA
The punt-return specialist from Utah says he’s loving Los Angeles, with a chance to play with his childhood friend and hear Sean McVay quote his grandfather.
www.ocregister.com
August 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM