Gordon Monson

Sports columnist

Gordon Monson has been a columnist at The Salt Lake Tribune since 1993. Before coming to Utah, he was a sports and feature writer at the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News. He's hosted a sports-talk radio show in Salt Lake City for 22 years, the past 16 years at 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone.

FILE - In this May 1, 2019, file photo, trainer Bob Baffert watches his Kentucky Derby entrant Game Winner during a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert, who has had multiple horses test positive in post-race drug testing, is taking steps to “do better,” including hiring outside oversight. Baffert said in a statement Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, that he is “very aware” of the incidents involving his horses and the impact that it's had on his family, the sport and himself. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Gordon Monson: Are you a cheater? Is cheating worth it? Will it ever end?

By Gordon Monson | May 11, 2021, 9:45 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune, Roberto Borea | AP file photo) This composite image shows current Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert, front, and Jazz guard John Stockton and forward Karl Malone in the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.

Gordon Monson: The best Utah Jazz team of all time? Could it be the current version, led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert?

By Gordon Monson | May 7, 2021, 8:10 p.m.

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, right, greets fans after being selected by the New York Jets with the second pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Gordon Monson: Broadway Zach! BYU’s Wilson to the Jets is the personification of the risks and rewards of the NFL draft

By Gordon Monson | April 30, 2021, 1:38 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) shoots as the Utah Jazz host the Brooklyn Nets, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Gordon Monson: The Utah Jazz have a luxury — two sixth men, their Frick and their Frack, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles

By Gordon Monson | April 23, 2021, 5:03 p.m.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivai, Files) | Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, in a Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 file photo, Smith, a University of Utah alum and the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, announced his retirement from football on Monday.

Gordon Monson: Utah alum Alex Smith is saying goodbye to football, but at age 36, still has lots of chapters ahead of him

By Gordon Monson | April 20, 2021, 12:33 a.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gives directions to his team mates during a time out, in NBA action between the Utah Jazz and the Atlanta Hawks at Vivint Arena, on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

Gordon Monson: Jazz will ‘figure out’ playing without Donovan Mitchell

By Gordon Monson | April 16, 2021, 11:39 p.m.

(Brandon Dill | AP) Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade stands on the court before an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn.

Gordon Monson: Ryan Smith and Dwyane Wade is a match made in heaven — to the benefit of the Jazz and all of Utah

By Gordon Monson | April 16, 2021, 9:24 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU quarterback Zach Wilson works out for NFL scouts during BYU Pro Day, in Provo on Friday, March 26, 2021.

Gordon Monson: BYU’s Zach Wilson poised to be what no other college player in Utah has been — the NFL’s No. 2 draft pick

By Gordon Monson | April 15, 2021, 3:57 p.m.

Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, puts on the champion's green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament as Dustin Johnson watches on Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Gordon Monson: America, like Japan, should embrace Hideki Matsuyama as Masters champion, remembering golf belongs to all

By Gordon Monson | April 12, 2021, 8:09 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as the Utah Jazz host the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020.

Gordon Monson: Donovan Mitchell leads the Utah Jazz, and he could lead an entire generation

By Gordon Monson | April 9, 2021, 5:00 p.m.