Kenny Barnabee learned how to play soccer in China, and now he’s back stateside trying to help Long Beach Poly win its first Moore League title in 15 years. “It’s an experience that not many people get to have, and an experience I won’t ever forget,” Barnabee said. “I lived in China. Who would’ve thought? […]
One of the most surprising storylines of 2019 was the city of Long Beach entering into negotiations with the Anaheim Angels about bringing the team to our city, with a new stadium potentially being constructed on the “Elephant Lot,” also known as the Long Beach Arena’s parking lot. While the Angels conversations fell through (the […]
This will be a season of change for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball program no matter what results they find on the field. New coach Eric Valenzuela is rebuilding the roster and changing the approach after taking over in the summer. He turned around the St. Mary’s program with his energy and modern approach, […]
Long Beach Century Club president Sharleen Higa has announced the club’s 64th Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted at the club’s annual Sports Night banquet on Jan. 27. “We’ve got a really good mix of younger athletes and people who’ve been contributing for a long time,” said Higa. The Century Club’s Hall of […]
Jordan alum Ron Fairly had one of the most unique lives of any Long Beach athletes, making his name twice over as a baseball star and as a beloved broadcaster. Fairly died on Oct. 30 after a years-long battle with cancer, at the age of 81. Fairly grew up in Long Beach in the 1940s […]
Wilson High alum Aaron Hicks wasn’t even supposed to be in the New York Yankees postseason lineup because of an injury, but he ended up being the hero in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series last weekend. Hicks, 30, had been placed on the 60-day injured list in early August with a nagging […]
A pair of former Lakewood Lancers are trying to keep the Tampa Bay Rays’ season alive in the Major League Baseball playoffs this month. Lakewood High alums Matt Duffy and Travis d’Arnaud have both waited for their opportunities to come up with big plays for the Rays, and they’ve both been part of the exciting […]
The Eric Valenzuela era with the Long Beach State Dirtbags will begin with the difficult nonconference schedule left behind for him. LBSU will host five different Pac-12 opponents next year after opening the season against Cal on Feb. 14 at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The Dirtbags season-opening 11-game home stand ends with Mississippi State […]
This Major League Baseball season continues to produce some of the best and worst story lines for players with Long Beach ties. Marco Estrada, 36, is reportedly set to retire after nagging injures caused the Oakland A’s to release the 12-year veteran pitcher. The former Long Beach State Dirtbag signed a one-year $4 million dollar […]
From the national championships for Beach FC and Shore Aquatics to the regional tournament victories for Uptown LB and Los Altos baseball leagues — it’s been another incredibly successful summer for Long Beach youth sports. It isn’t rare to find a group of young Long Beach athletes dominating their competition, and it isn’t a coincidence […]