Left field

When politics enters sports

For many people, watching a ball game represents a chance to escape the problems of everyday life.

Money problems melt away, at least for a few seconds, when watching LeBron James take off from the foul line and rip down a rim-rattling, backboard-swaying slam dunk. Watching Albert Pujols slug a three-run homer into the upper deck with two runners on in the bottom of the ninth can make one forget, albeit briefly, painful family issues.

That’s why the Phoenix Suns wearing “Los Suns” on their jersey for Wednesday’s playoff game against San Antonio crosses the line. The uniform change is not meant merely to support the Latino community but to slam a new controversial Arizona immigration law.

The law requires state and local police to determine people’s immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion” they are in the United States illegally.

Sports picture of the day

Kevin Fylan

Feb 27, 2009 17:59 UTC

Herewith the latest selection from Sports Pictures Editor Greg Bos:

A well executed shot using a remote camera above the net shows Shaquille O’Neill jumping up to score. Lucy Nicholson is one of the best in the business at operating remote cameras to capture great sports action moments.

ORIGINAL CAPTION: Phoenix Suns’ Shaquille O’Neal (top) goes up to slam dunk over Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol of Spain during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles February 26, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)