Monday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020
Issue No. 348
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A Sportscaster's Memories |
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San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh is hoisted on the shoulders of his team after they defeated the Miami Dolphins, 38-16, in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium. AP Photo/File
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Bill Walsh,
Football Royalty
By Bruce Macgowan
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Bruce Macgowan, Bogey, wife Colette and daughter Molly
Covering the San Francisco 49ers throughout their magnificent decade of the 1980s was truly a special experience. Not only did you get to watch one of the greatest teams in pro football history, but the Niners also played at the end of an era in the NFL, when players didn’t move frequently from team to team.
Fans identified closely with these athletes who were an integral part of the Bay Area sports community. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott, all future Hall of Famers were among the favorites, but I always thought that the most interesting person on those teams was the legendary head coach, Bill Walsh.
Walsh was extremely sensitive to criticism and believe it or not, was much more difficult to deal with after wins than when the 49ers suffered a rare loss.
“I heard a lot of criticism about how we wouldn’t be able to throw against the Cowboys earlier this week, but what did you see today?” he once remarked sarcastically while opening up a postgame press conference.
Perhaps Walsh was a little prickly because he had been overlooked for a couple of jobs with the Bengals and Chargers, after working as a highly respected and creative offensive coordinator for both those teams. Walsh didn’t get a chance to be an NFL head coach until owner Eddie DeBartolo, who had failed with the three other coaches he had hired, brought Walsh in from Stanford.
I always got along with Walsh because I tried to ‘play the game' his way during weekday and postgame press conferences. I always asked him to talk about things that involved the human element and weren’t leading, confrontational or openly questioning of his strategy.
I think Walsh appreciated that so we always seemed to get along. Several times he was gracious enough to invite me to come up to his office at the team’s modest training headquarters near Woodside for lengthy interviews, during which time he would open up about his Bay Area roots and his passion for history.
I shared an interest with Walsh in that area, particularly the American Civil War of the mid 19th century. Walsh returned to Stanford late in his career in the 1990s, and one year his Cardinal team was having a losing season so I tried to cheer him up by giving him a copy of a book I had bought at a used book store entitled ‘The Long Surrender.’
It was the story of how Confederate president Jefferson Davis tried to elude the Union Army after Robert E. Lee had surrendered his troops, thus ending the war. Davis hoped to escape to the deep south but eventually was captured by Union forces and thrown into prison for several years.
Walsh sent a note to me through mail which read, “Bruce, I wanted to thank for the book, ‘The Long Surrender.' Unfortunately, it kind of reminds me of our season!”
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San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh, mayor Diane Feinstein and team owner Eddie DeBartolo waved to fans at the Super Bowl (XIX) Victory Parade in downtown San Francisco the morning after the 49ers defeated Miami, 38-16,
at Stanford Stadium in 1985. Photo by Steve Ringman / The Chronicle.
Fans might not remember that the first two years under Walsh, the Niners won a total of eight games. It wasn’t until 1981, when he was able to combine the talents of young stars such as Montana, Lott and Dwight Clark, along with veteran acquisitions ‘Mean’ Fred Dean, (one of the game’s fiercest pass rushers), Jack ‘Hacksaw’ Reynolds,(a colorful, pugnacious linebacker who once wore his helmet and uniform to a Niners pre-game breakfast), and tight end Charle Young, who had starred with the Philadelphia Eagles for a number of years, that the winning began to start.
Walsh always prided himself on the club’s outstanding road record. What was the secret to his club’s success away from Candlestick?
“I took the example of those 7,000 Spartans who held off a huge army of about 150 to 200 thousand invaders from Persia at a coastal pass during the Battle of Thermopylae. I told my players that ‘it’s us against the world. We don’t have any fans here, we’ve had to come across country to play in lousy weather, but guess what? We have more heart, more smarts and are more talented. There’s no way these guys are gonna beat us.”
Walsh and owner DeBartolo had a stormy relationship, as ‘Eddie D’ frequently went into tirades and had major meltdowns when the team would suffer that rare loss, particularly an upset. After the 1987 first round playoff upset to Minnesota, the infamous 'Fizzle in the Drizzle at Candlestick,’ I remember seeing DeBartolo loudly swearing and furiously kicking a door in frustration.
The next day Debartolo announced that he was stripping Walsh of his position as the club’s GM. Walsh’s sensitive nature and DeBartolo’s volcanic temper was a toxic mix at times, and it was a big factor that led to Walsh leaving the team after winning his third Super Bowl following the 1988 season.
Walsh told me years later he kind of regretted the move, but he was temporarily worn out by the ‘drama’ off the field.
About two months before he died I sat in Walsh’s office at Stanford for about an hour with my friend, Dr Joel Kirsch, of the American Sports Institute, and we conducted a long, informal interview. Walsh talked extensively about his long adventure in football and told some wonderful stories about the men he coached. He seemed very relaxed, expansive and self deprecating, something he’d rarely displayed to reporters during his coaching days.
Coach Jim Harbaugh, who was just starting his stint at Stanford, sat in with us that day, just to listen to a man considered an ‘oracle’ by most coaches.
“I hope to learn something,” Harbaugh explained to me.
I’ll never forget the expression on Harbaugh’s face as Walsh talked in great detail about lessons he had learned and people who had become a big part of his life. Harbaugh had an expression that could only be described a combination of awe and wonderment, as he knew he was in the presence of coaching royalty. Everyone who covered the 49ers and got to know Walsh during his time in the Bay Area probably felt that way from time to time.
I know I did!
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Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published later this year. Below is an excerpt which covers his early years and how he came to be hired at radio station KNBR 680 AM, where he would spend 18 years.
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A San Francisco 49ers Success Story |
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Looking like a seasoned veteran with cool command, reserve quarterback Nick Mullens directed the 49ers to a 36-9 dismantling of the New York Giants in the MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Mullens, pictured above having his way with Dallas last year (49ers 17, Cowboys 9) completed 25 of 36 passes for 343 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The fourth year quarterback under Kyle Shanahan turned in a 108.9 quarterback rating and rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk was his favorite target, hauling in five passes for 70 yards. The 2-1 49ers return to Levi's Stadium on Sunday for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles beginning at 5:20 p.m. Photo by Rich Yee.
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Your Oakland A's are 2020 AL West Division Champions!
The A's are ready to #RepTheTown in the Postseason for a third consecutive year.
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Oakland A's 6
Seattle Mariners 2
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Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas struck out 13 batters as the A's defeated the Seattle Mariners in their season finale, 6-2, at RingCentral Coliseum on Sunday, Sept. 27. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Oakland Athletics team photographer Michael Zagaris takes a selfie before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at RingCentral Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Left fielder Tony Kemp dives into home to score a run in the seventh inning.
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San Francisco Giants 4
San Diego Padres 5
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A long fly out is recorded in front of the Giants bullpen but it was not enough, as the playoff-bound San Diego Padres eliminated the San Francisco Giants from post-season play with a 5-4 win in at Oracle Park on Sunday, Sept. 27. Photo by Rich Yee. |
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Nearing the end, Giants team members and coaches line the dugout steps in the final inning to watch and hope. Behind them are their faithful fans, who never wavered in their support. Photo by Rich Yee.
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The last batter in the last game at Oracle Park in 2020, Austin Slater stands silently and reflects on what just happened, after being called out on strikes, several of which were deemed to be questionable calls. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo by Rich Yee.
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San Francisco Giants 5
San Diego Padres 6
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San Francisco Giants designated hitter Wilmer Flores hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to put the Giants ahead of the San Diego Padres, 5-3. However, the Padres Trent Grisham hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Giants, 6-5, in the second game of a doubleheader at Oracle Park on Friday, Sept. 25.
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In Friday night's second game, San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samarzdjia started for the first time since Aug. 7. He was 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA this season, after spending significant time at the club's Sacramento alternate training site, recovering from injuries. Samarzdjia gave up three runs in three innings for a no-decision. On Saturday the veteran right-hander was released.
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San Francisco Giants 5
San Diego Padres 4
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San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run home run as the Giants defeated the San Diego Padres, 5-4, in the first game of a doubleheader at Oracle Park on Friday, Sept. 25.
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San Francisco Giants 7
Colorado Rockies 2
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San Francisco Giants center fielder Mauricio Dubon hit a 3-run homer to break a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning as the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies, 7-2, at Oracle Park on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Pitcher Logan Webb came in after an inning by opener Caleb Baragar to earn the victory, giving up 2 runs in 5-1/3 innings. Caption and photo
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Third baseman Evan Longoria opened the scoring for the Giants with a solo home run in the fourth inning. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
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Odds to win the 2020 World Series |
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Oakland Athletics -- 10/1 |
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Eric Sogard, second baseman,
Milwaukee Brewers
"Nerd Power" was the nickname given to Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard by his admiring fans in the right-field bleachers at Oakland Coliseum. Drafted 81st overall out of Arizona State University by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 MLB draft, Sogard spent a few years in the Padres' minor league system before being traded to the A's in 2010. As the shortstop for the Sacramento River Cats, Oakland's then AAA affiliate, Sogard excelled in 2010, was promoted to the A's mid-season in 2011, and hit his first career major league home run off of New York Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colón. Sogard became the A's opening-day starting second baseman in 2013, and finished second in the 2014 fan balloting for the "Face of MLB" behind New York Mets third baseman David Wright. In 2016, Sogard had surgery on his left knee and eventually elected to become a free agent at the end of the season. From 2017 to 2019, Sogard played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays before being signed a second time by the Brewers. Last month, on August 29, 2020, Sogard hit his first career walk-off home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a two-run blast which sealed the victory for Milwaukee.
Caption and photo by Kenny Karst.
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I made my Major League debut with the Chicago White Sox, but I've spent the last five seasons with Oakland, earning double-digit wins in 2019 for the first time in my career. Concept and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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Monday, Sept. 28, is the sixth game of the NHL Championships. Commissioned in 1892 and first awarded in 1893, The Stanley Cup is the oldest existing professional sports franchise trophy in North America. It's awarded to the winning team of the National Hockey League playoffs each year. Only twice since 1893 has the trophy not been awarded. Name one of the occasions.
(See answer below...)
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"It's an ocean planet. As the oceans go, so goes the planet."
-- Bill Carvalho, Wild Planet founder and president
Wild Planet Foods has been honored with TWO awards by Whole Foods Market -- Global Supplier of the Year AND Environmental Stewardship! The annual awards recognize suppliers who embody Whole Foods Market's mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, and partnership.
More Awards and Counting!
Prevention -- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards
Men's Health -- 125 Best Foods for Men
Prevention -- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods
Every Day with Rachael Ray -- Brand New Buy
Better Homes and Gardens -- Catch of the Day
Clean Eating -- Clean Choice Awards
Natural Health -- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards
Runner's World -- Good Catch
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San Jose State Spartans Football |
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Above, former Spartan safety Brian Nunez's game-winning interception return for a touchdown in the 70-63 win vs. Rice in 2004. (The Spartans trailed 34-7 in the second quarter and still won in regulation.) Photo: Ron Fried.
Season & Single-Game Comebacks
By Lawrence Fan
Associate Athletics Director for Football Comms
& Special Projects
There was no Spartan football in 1920 as the country dealt with the end of the Spanish Flu pandemic and celebrated the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. In college football, the University of Oregon played in the 1920 Rose Bowl, losing a one-point decision to Harvard, 7-6. San Jose State football resumed in 1921 after a 20-year hiatus.
In 2020, games in the traditional college football season were postponed or canceled in stages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The voter registration surge for the upcoming general election continues. And Oregon began the 2020 calendar year playing in the Rose Bowl, eking out a 28-27 win over Wisconsin, another one-point outcome.
Compared to today, with just over 100 Spartans on the 2020 football roster, not enough men were enrolled at San Jose State one hundred years ago to field a team. According to the 1921 La Torre, the 224-page campus yearbook, the six athletically-eligible men enrolled had to play varsity basketball in order for the college to have one men's intercollegiate team.
But on September 24 of this year, San Jose State University learned college football would be played in the 2020 calendar year after the Mountain West Board of Directors voted for an eight-game regular season beginning Saturday, October 24 and a conference championship game on Saturday, December 19. The announcement was a reversal from an August 10 declaration that the 2020 football season would be conducted in Spring 2021 at the earliest.
With conformity to state, county, and local health ordinances and in consultation with government officials and scheduling and preparation-to-play issues on going, the "comeback" theme is today's view from the press box.
Onside kicks key late fourth quarter stunning comebacks
Spartans - The Kicking Team
Sports Illustrated's 1986 "Game of the Year" was San Jose State's 45-41 win over nationally-ranked Fresno State, undefeated prior to kickoff. The Spartans' 24-0 second-quarter lead evaporated in the third quarter. The surging Bulldogs had a 41-31 lead with 1:15 to go in the game but San Jose State trimmed the deficit to 41-38 with 0:42 on the clock on Mike Perez's fourth touchdown pass of the game. The Spartans successfully recovered their on-side kickoff attempt. Three plays later, Perez ducked under Fresno State oncoming pass rusher Jethro Franklin and connected with wide-open wide receiver Lafo Malauulu on a 26-yard game-winning touchdown pass with 0:18 left in the game for an improbable 45-41 victory in front of an announced crowd of 28,158, the largest home crowd for a San Jose State football game until the 1990 Fresno State encounter.
To continue enjoying Lawrence Fan's article on improbable Spartans football victories, click here...
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Jockey Juan Espinoza wins the 8th race at Golden Gate Fields on Sept. 27, 2020. Owned by Leon Scott and trained by Quinn Howey, this was Quinn's third win on the day. Hong Kong Cowboy completed the one mile race in 1:37.62 with a purse of $11,000. Photo credit: Vassar Photography.
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Trainer Quinn Howey gets his fourth training win on Sunday's card with Navy Armed Guard, ridden by Frank Alvarado and owned by Travis Boersma. The one mile race went in 1:35.69 with a purse of $32,000. The time sets a New Track Record. Photo credit: Vassar Photography.
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San Jose Earthquakes 2
Los Angeles Football Club 1
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The Earthquakes celebrate Jackson Yueill's game-winning goal in stoppage time
Quakes score twice late to earn first win over LAFC
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes earned a come-from-behind 2-1 road win over the defending Supporters' Shield winners Los Angeles Football Club on Sunday night at Banc of California Stadium. Shea Salinas and Jackson Yueill scored for San Jose, the latter coming three minutes into second-half stoppage time.
LAFC got on the board just moments before halftime through Mark-Anthony Kaye to take a 1-0 lead into the locker rooms.
The Earthquakes' pursuit of an equalizer was fulfilled in the 80th minute when substitute Shea Salinas curled his right-footed attempt around goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega and into the side netting. San Jose continued to push on for a game-winner and found it in the 93rd minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a low cross in front of goal and Jackson Yueill cleverly flicked it around
the goalkeeper.
The Quakes will now return to San Jose to host Cali Clasico rivals LA Galaxy on Saturday, Oct. 3, presented by Valley Health Plan. Kickoff from Earthquakes Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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In 1919, the Spanish influenza epidemic forced the Montreal Canadiens and the Seattle Metropolitans to cancel their series tied at 2–2–1, marking the first time the Stanley Cup was not awarded. The second time was an NHL lockout started in 2004: https://bit.ly/30c5E83. The Stanley Cup is also the most valuable of North American major sports trophies: https://bit.ly/345RAyl.
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Ricky's Sports Bar --
GoFundMe page established to help
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SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) — A well-known San Leandro sports bar may have to close after 74 years because of the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, the bar’s owners said last week. Financial struggles could shut down Ricky’s Sports Theatre and Grill at 15028 Hesperian Blvd., which has been
open since 1946.
“Nobody wants to be in this spot,” owner Tina Ricardo said in an interview.
“I hope to get it back open.”
Ricky's has been closed during the shelter-in-place order and still has bills to pay, wrote supporter Dr. Robert Gingery, a vascular surgeon, on a GoFundMe page to raise money for the bar. Gingery is friends with the owners,
Tina and Ricky Ricardo.
To help this valuable and venerable community treasure, please visit the GoFundMe page: Save Ricky’s Sports Bar organized by Robert Gingery
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In the last seasons of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Ed Jay collected images and stories of some of the Raiders most passionate and beloved fans. To view and read their stories, click on this link and revisit your all-time favorites. Above, Wayne Mabry, aka the Violator.
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Who Am I?
Oakland A's pitcher Chris Bassitt
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The Chicago White Sox selected pitcher Chris Bassitt in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, with the 501st overall selection. After working as a relief pitcher, the White Sox used Bassitt as a starting pitcher in 2013. Prior to the 2014 season, Bassitt broke his right hand.
After the 2014 season, the White Sox traded Bassitt, Josh Phegley, Marcus Semien and Rangel Ravelo to the Oakland A's for Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa. Bassitt began the 2015 season with the Nashville Sounds of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and was promoted to the major leagues in April.
In 18 games, Bassitt finished 1-8 with a 3.56 ERA.
Bassitt's 2016 season was short-lived after five starts with a 0-2 record and a 6.11 ERA. On May 5, 2016, it was announced that Bassitt would undergo Tommy John surgery, putting him aside for the rest of 2016. He missed more than half of the 2017 season while recovering. He was recalled in June of 2018 for his first start in two years. He was sent down and back up to the Majors in the following two weeks. On March 26, 2019, Bassitt was placed on the disabled list with a leg injury.
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The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the Ultimate Sports Guide, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The Ultimate Sports Guide is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net or send $5 to: Ultimate Sports Guide,
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, September 28 through
Sunday, October 4, 2020
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Games for most major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled.
Monday, September 28
Tuesday, September 29
Oakland A's vs. Chicago White Sox, 12 noon
Wednesday, September 30
Oakland A's vs. Chicago White Sox, 12 noon
Thursday, October 1
Friday, October 2
Saturday, October 3
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 4
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 5:20 p.m.
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Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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We can help!
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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Join Us As A Sponsor!
Economical and rewarding.
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
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