The Times wins prestigious APSE triple crown, Bill Plaschke takes top columnist honors

The Los Angeles Times' Nov. 3, 2025 sports cover chronicles the Dodgers' World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays. (Los Angeles Times Staff) The Times earned prestigious Associated Press Sports Editors triple crown honors for a sixth consecutive year, claimed first place in two individual categories and finished in the top 10 in eight categories.

The staff submitted work published in 2025 and competed against the largest print and digital sports publications in the country. Bill Plaschke took top honors in the columnist category for a portfolio that included commentary about using boxing to aid his fight with Parkinson's disease , the affect of nearly losing his Altadena home in the Eaton Fire , the Dodgers' 18-inning win during the World Series and UCLA's fight for the right to break its Rose Bowl lease . It was Plaschke's 10th first-place columnist finish of his career.

He previously won the APSE's Red Smith Award , the highest honor in American sports journalism. Read more: Plaschke: I'm fighting Parkinson’s one punch at a time The Times also earned first place in event coverage for the staff's work chronicling the Dodgers World Series Game 7 win , tying with the Dallas Morning News for top honors. Eric Sondheimer , who is poised to begin his 50th year covering high school sports in Southern California, placed second in short feature for his coverage of the chilling affect immigration raids had on Los Angeles high school football players .

Kevin Baxter placed ninth in national beat writing for his coverage of preparation for the 2026 World Cup , including a look at why FIFA president Gianni Infantino has worked to court President Trump . The Times' eight top-10 finishes included the categories print portfolio, digital, event coverage, special sections, investigative , national beat writing, columns and short feature. The staff also earned an excellence in video award .