Read Randy Peterson's 7 best recent columns in honor of the sportswriter's retirement

Longtime Des Moines Register sports reporter and columnist Randy Peterson has retired after 52 years with the publication.

From covering area high school sports to the Iowa Hawkeyes and, most recently, the Iowa State Cyclones, he's compiled thousands of bylines and gained plenty of knowledge.

Here are seven of Peterson's favorite recent columns:

'Field of Dreams game was more than unbelievable. It was perfect.'

Peterson gives his perspective on the MLB's inaugural "Field of Dreams" game in 2021, a special regular-season contest between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox that was played in a ballpark built to resemble the one from the 1989 film and was located just a few hundred feet away from the movie site.

Peterson: Field of Dreams game was more than unbelievable. It was perfect.

Iowa State wrestling's David Carr exemplifies the meaning of student-athlete

Peterson writes about Iowa State wrestling great David Carr, detailing what makes the Cyclone star not only a great competitor on the mat but also a person worth admiring.

Peterson: Iowa State wrestling's David Carr exemplifies the meaning of student-athlete

The biggest day in Iowa State football history followed what was one wild week

Peterson writes about unranked Iowa State football's shocking upset against No. 3 Oklahoma on the road in 2017. The Sooners were led by future NFL No. 1 overall pick quarterback Baker Mayfield, while the Cyclones' signal caller was third-stringer Kyle Kempt.

Peterson: The biggest day in Iowa State football history followed what was one wild week

True freshman QB Brock Purdy has incredible 5-touchdown showing for Iowa State

Before quarterback Brock Purdy overcame his "Mr. Irrelevant" status to take the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl, he was a true freshman at ISU just trying to earn the starting job under center.

After a five-touchdown effort in 2018 to beat Oklahoma State, Peterson writes about Purdy's ascension and what it meant for the Cyclones team at that time.

Peterson: True freshman QB Brock Purdy has incredible 5-touchdown showing for Iowa State

Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly will have a banner at Hilton. It’s just a matter of when.

In this piece, Peterson details why Cyclones women's basketball head coach Bill Fennelly is one of the true legends of Iowa State athletics and what's made him a special and successful coach for so many years.

Peterson: Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly will have a banner at Hilton. It’s just a matter of when.

Amid realignment chaos, a plea: Leave Iowa State vs. Iowa football rivalry alone

Here, Peterson details why the Iowa vs. Iowa State football rivalry is special, historic and should be immune to conference realignment and the business side of the sport, despite there being concerns that the status of the annual matchup could be in jeopardy after the contract expires in 2025.

Peterson: Amid realignment chaos, a plea: Leave Iowa State vs. Iowa football rivalry alone

Iowan Bill Bryson, who dined with Queen Elizabeth II, says she was not a 'remote and forbidding figure'

Peterson writes about author Bill Bryson and a unique experience he had meeting British royalty. It's a quick, easy read that provides perspective and a glimpse into the late Queen's world.

Peterson: Iowan Bill Bryson, who dined with Queen Elizabeth II, says she was not a 'remote and forbidding figure'

Gus Martin is a Digital Producer/Content Director for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on X at @GusMartin_DMR .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Read Randy Peterson's 7 best recent columns in honor of the sportswriter's retirement