Monday, Dec. 27 -- Sunday, Jan 2, 2022
Issue No. 413
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).
Contributors: Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Contact us at: TheUltimateSportsGuide@gmail.com
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1996 Sun Bowl: Stanford 38, Michigan State 0
For a game video, click here
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Nick Saban's Worst
Defeat
by Dave Newhouse
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Nick Saban’s worst nightmare as a football coach was being shut out by 38 points in a bowl game.
Honestly, this actually happened, and the perpetrator was none other than Stanford.
Saban has scaled the summit of coaching with his exploits at Alabama, but he stood at the foot of the same mountain 25 years ago as Michigan State’s head coach. And that’s when Stanford buried his Spartans, 38-0, in the 1996 Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve in El Paso, Texas.
“Saban may be the greatest coach in college history,” said Damon Dunn, who scored a touchdown for Stanford that afternoon. ”But he was on his coaching journey back then. And at Michigan State, he wasn’t the Nick Saban he is today.”
Hardly. Michigan State was Saban’s second head coaching job after finishing 9-2 at Toledo in 1990. He took over in East Lansing, Michigan in 1995, and his five-year record there was a non-Alabama-like 34-24-1. In fact, his Spartans and Stanford were both 6-5 when they met in the 63rd Sun Bowl, which turned into the second biggest blowout in the game’s history up to that point.
“We had a joint team dinner before the game,” Dunn recalled, “and when the Michigan State players were introduced, all of their players were bigger than ours. They flexed their muscles in front of us, confidently.”
Well, David then slew Goliath as Stanford brought Michigan State to its knees, rolling up 495 yards to the Spartans’ 229. Stanford scored its first touchdown when John Madsen intercepted a pass at his 10, returned it to midfield, then lateraled to Leroy Pruitt, who sprinted the remaining 50 yards.
“They went downhill at that point,” said Dunn. “They didn’t fight for 60 minutes. They had bigger people, but we played better.”
Saban has never been so humiliated in a bowl game/playoff situation, leaving Michigan State in 2000 for Louisiana State University, where his five-year record was 48-15. After two years coaching the Miami Dolphins to a 15-17 record, he took over at Alabama in 2007, improving his coaching record to 273-66-1 while elevating his name among such coaching icons as Knute Rockne and Bear Bryant.
“Nobody will have 22 better starters than Nick Saban,” Dunn continued. “He has the passion to develop skills, and college football is all about talent and fundamentals. The NFL is a game of skill and high I.Q., a different game.”
Nonetheless, as I watched from the press box, Stanford put a whipping on a Saban-coached team, something Rockne and Bryant never encountered in a bowl game.
“I don’t gloat,” said Dunn, who’s now a successful food-chain owner in Washington state. “But we had played well late in the year, and had jelled. Michigan State wasn’t as committed as we were, and if you don’t win the battle of wills, you get shut out.”
Stanford increased its lead to 21-0 at halftime on Chad Hutchinson’s eight-yard pass to fullback Jon Ritchie and fellow fullback Adam Salina’s one-yard plunge.
“They went downhill at that point,” Dunn said. “They didn’t fight for 60 minutes. They had bigger people, but we played better.”
That doesn’t sound anything like a Saban-coached team. Dunn scored on a 27-yard run in the second half, and Stanford added Kevin Miller’s 25-yard field goal and Jeff Allen’s nine-yard return for a touchdown on an intercepted pass. Dunn also had four catches, and the game’s longest reception of 44 yards.
Coaching is decidedly different these days for Saban, who’s seeking his ninth national championship at Alabama. His No. 1 seed Crimson Tide will meet No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl in one College Football Playoff semifinal, with No. 2 Michigan facing No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl in the other CFP semifinal, both on New Year’s Eve.
Tyrone Willingham, Stanford's coach that afternoon in El Paso, didn’t wish to be interviewed about his 38-point win. He is a private man, but also a Michigan State graduate. However, he did provide Dunn’s contact information.
“But our coach was the better coach that day,” noted Dunn.
Whew, by plenty!
(For a video of the game, click here.)
* * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. His most recent book, The Yankee Way, is available in bookstores and on amazon.com. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Letters to the Editor
Lowered Expectations
After Thursday's "Parade of Horribles" vs. the Tennessee Titans, like most Sports Today! readers, I am EFFIN DEPRESSED. My take is that 49er Coaches were like Lifeguards on a beach as relentless, huge waves battered the shoreline and swimmers were warned to stay out of the water.
The Lifeguards/Coaches, perched on their elevated chairs and equipped with binoculars, watched as one swimmer in particular was in trouble, and people shouted, "Swimmer in trouble! Throw out a life preserver. Do something!"
Over and over the Swimmer, obviously in over his head, literally, bobbed up and down and waved his arms to indicate his distress. The crowd begged the Lifeguards to act, but instead, they continued to just watch the novice swimmer pop up and down in acute distress.
Finally, he went down a final time as the Lifeguards just watched.
The Titan receivers were the waves, and Shanahan was the Lifeguard in charge. 49er #20 was the novice who ended up swimmin' with the fishes, and the Titans didn't need a Google algorithm to know that our defense would refuse to change or provide help.
JUST HELP THE ROOKIE! Was that so tough to grasp? Throw him a life-preserver! Instead, Shanahan just rolled the dice, and it was "craps" all right, but in the traditional sense of that word. Over and over, play after play, #20 was torched. WHY? Post-game, Whitner rattled off half a dozen defenses which should been deployed. Meanwhile, #20 drowned, as, possibly, did the Niners playoff chances.
Maybe we'll make it into the playoffs with our statistical edge over Minnesota and Philadelphia, but in general, I have LOWERED MY EXPECTATIONS.
On a brighter note, the Warriors victory over the Memphis Grizzlies squared the unusual NorCal vs. Tennessee double-header, and eased the pain. Steph’s 46-point performance was an artistic masterpiece. Coupled with their Christmas victory over the Suns, the Warriors were Professional Lifeguards, and threw me a life preserver to keep me afloat until the Niners next game.
Big Ed
Antioch, CA
An Avid Fan
Thanks for the journal and Happy Holidays to you and all your staff! This year has been something for all levels of our society – sports as well. Let’s hope for a better 2022 for all of us. Stay safe and please continue your good work! Thanks again from your faithful reader.
"Carpe Diem."
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Cal Bears (W) 73, Saint Mary's Gaels 55
Golden State Warriors 113, Sacramento Kings 98
San Francisco 49ers 17, Tennessee Titans 20
Features & Commentary
A Ray of Silver Amidst the Black, by Pete Elman
Crystal Ball for 2022, by Andy Dolich
Nick Saban's Worst Defeat, by Dave Newhouse
Sports Haikus©️
The Dons, the WCC and Stanford crushes Michigan State, A Prolegomenon, Part I, by Robert Moselle
Organizations
Oakland A's
San Jose Earthquakes
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
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San Francisco 49ers 17
Tennessee Titans 20
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Despite a hot start and leading 10-0 at half time, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's two interceptions and deficiencies in the Niners' secondary kept the Tennessee Titans (10-5) in the game and led to a 20-17 defeat. San Francisco (8-7) still has a 70% chance to make the playoffs, down 13% after their loss, but maintains the No. 6 seed. The Niners are favored by 3.5 points, with the over-under set at 45.5, over the visiting Houston Texas (4-11). Week 17's contest takes place at Levi's Stadium at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2022. CBS • KNBR 680 AM • 104.5 FM • 107.7 FM “The Bone"
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A's Name Mark Kotsay as Manager
We are excited to announce Mark Kotsay as the new manager of the Oakland A's. He agreed to terms on a three-year contract through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025 and will become just the sixth person to manage the team over the last 36 years. He is the 19th manager in Oakland history and the 31st in Athletics history.
Kotsay has spent the last six seasons on the A's coaching staff. He joined the club as bench coach in 2016 and filled that role until taking a leave of absence on June 19, 2017. Kotsay served as the A's quality control coach from 2018-20 and moved into the third base coaching box for the 2021 season. He made his professional coaching debut as the San Diego Padres hitting coach in 2015 and joins Jeff Newman, who was interim manager in 1986 between Jackie Moore and Tony La Russa, as the only managers in Oakland history with no previous
managerial experience.
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Have answers? See below... |
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Crystal Ball for 2022
by Andy Dolich
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Do you remember who won the following events in 2021 without looking it up? |
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World Series
Super Bowl
NBA championship
NHL Championship
Cal-Stanford Big Game
MLS Cup
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NCAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship.
Masters Golf
Kentucky Derby
Indy 500
Nobel Prize in Sports
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OK, let's move ahead to 2022 and peer into the COVID-clouded crystal ball of sports and see what 22 random sports events might capture our attention as the calendar turns.
1. Will Klay be OK?
2. George Kittle will make a play in the NFC championship which will
become 49ers lore.
3. How many athletes, nations and leagues (NHL) will skip the trip to
China for the start of the Winter Olympics on February 4?
4. The Oakland A’s Parallel Path will continue down the Yellow Brick
Road without any concrete resolution as to where they will break
ground on the new ballpark. Hopefully Opening Day will begin on
time when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and their MVP Shohei
Ohtani are scheduled to visit the Coliseum on March 31.
5. Will 13-year-old Charlie Woods win his first PGA golf Tournament?
6. MLB will announce that the Field of Dreams game in 2023 will be at
Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Willie Mays was born in
Westfield only nine miles away.
7. The World Police and Fire games are scheduled to begin on July 22
in Rotterdam. Will there be enough participants available?
8. A fully vaccinated and boostered Kyrie Irving will be offered a free
ride on Elon Musk’s Space X to show him that his Flat Earth theory
could use a bit of rounding off.
9. COVID could rear its ugly, rounded head with a new variant in Qatar
at the World Cup in November.
10. Shouldn’t the 49ers Super Bowl championship on February 13,
2022 led by Jimmy G’s three TD tosses end the speculation that he
will be traded?
11. Steph Curry will break his personal scoring record of 62 points
when he goes for 65 against the Detroit Pistons on January 18 at
Chase Center.
12. The Stanford Cardinal women win their fourth NCAA title led by
Tara VanDerveer on April 3 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
13. On November 19, during the 125th Big Game at Cal, the Stanford
Tree will be run over by Oski on the way to the winning
touchdown.
14. I’ll be at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on May 2 for the
finals of the World Snooker Championship. Will you?
15. Will we find out the real story if anything happened to Chinese
tennis star Peng Shuai?
16. Will UFOs land at any stadium, ballpark, racetrack or golf course in
2022? Will any of the crew members visit a concession stand?
17. Free Solo Rock Climbing on Everest. Several of the world's top
climbers are thinking about giving Everest a try in 2022. I don’t
think that climbing shoes and chalk are going to summit.
18. No date or location has been released for the World Bossaball
championship in 2022. I’ve heard that Nick and Joey are not happy
with their family name being thrown around with the extra S.
19. An NFT of Dr. James Naismith’s original peach basket from the
YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 will sell for $348,000.
20. A’s owner John Fisher will continue with his streak of 17 years
without an in-depth article or press conference as to why he owns
the team.
21. There will be a minor Earthquake during a San Jose Earthquakes
game.
22. As a fisherman, I’m looking ahead to September 24 when the
Carnivorous Baits Kayak Fishing World Championship in Torre de
Moncorvo, Portugal takes place. What will the largest fish weigh?
As the calendar changes to 2022, wishing all of us good health so we can participate and enjoy the incredible variety of sport we have in Northern California.
* * *
Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is EVP of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies. Dolich is also co-author of: 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro and co-author of LOL, Loss of Logo,
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Golden State Warriors 113
Sacramento Kings 98
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Steph Curry acknowledges the 18,064 fans in attendance at the Chase Center on December 20 who honored his new title as the Three-Point King.
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The Kings Damian Jones (#30) guards the Warriors Steph Curry (#30) who would score 30 points in their 113-98 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Monday, December 20. The Warriors played host on the evening, sending their guests down to a 113-98 defeat. Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
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Early in the first quarter the Kings' Tristan Thompson (#13) and the Warriors' Kevon Looney (#5) tangled during a free throw. Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
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1996 Sun Bowl: Stanford 38, Michigan State 0
For a game video, click here
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Nick Saban’s worst nightmare as a football coach was being shut out by 38 points in a bowl game.
Honestly, this actually happened, and the perpetrator was none other than Stanford.
Saban has scaled the summit of coaching with his exploits at Alabama, but he stood at the foot of the same mountain 25 years ago as Michigan State’s head coach. And that’s when Stanford buried his Spartans, 38-0, in the 1996 Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve in El Paso, Texas.
“Saban may be the greatest coach in college history,” said Damon Dunn, who scored a touchdown for Stanford that afternoon. ”But he was on his coaching journey back then. And at Michigan State, he wasn’t the Nick Saban he is today.”
Hardly. Michigan State was Saban’s second head coaching job after finishing 9-2 at Toledo in 1990. He took over in East Lansing, Michigan in 1995, and his five-year record there was a non-Alabama-like 34-24-1. In fact, his Spartans and Stanford were both 6-5 when they met in the 63rd Sun Bowl, which turned into the second biggest blowout in the game’s history up to that point.
“We had a joint team dinner before the game,” Dunn recalled, “and when the Michigan State players were introduced, all of their players were bigger than ours. They flexed their muscles in front of us, confidently.”
Well, David then slew Goliath as Stanford brought Michigan State to its knees, rolling up 495 yards to the Spartans’ 229. Stanford scored its first touchdown when John Madsen intercepted a pass at his 10, returned it to midfield, then lateraled to Leroy Pruitt, who sprinted the remaining 50 yards.
“They went downhill at that point,” said Dunn. “They didn’t fight for 60 minutes. They had bigger people, but we played better.”
Saban has never been so humiliated in a bowl game/playoff situation, leaving Michigan State in 2000 for Louisiana State University, where his five-year record was 48-15. After two years coaching the Miami Dolphins to a 15-17 record, he took over at Alabama in 2007, improving his coaching record to 273-66-1 while elevating his name among such coaching icons as Knute Rockne and Bear Bryant.
“Nobody will have 22 better starters than Nick Saban,” Dunn continued. “He has the passion to develop skills, and college football is all about talent and fundamentals. The NFL is a game of skill and high I.Q., a different game.”
Nonetheless, as I watched from the press box, Stanford put a whipping on a Saban-coached team, something Rockne and Bryant never encountered in a bowl game.
“I don’t gloat,” said Dunn, who’s now a successful food-chain owner in Washington state. “But we had played well late in the year, and had jelled. Michigan State wasn’t as committed as we were, and if you don’t win the battle of wills, you get shut out.”
Stanford increased its lead to 21-0 at halftime on Chad Hutchinson’s eight-yard pass to fullback Jon Ritchie and fellow fullback Adam Salina’s one-yard plunge.
“They went downhill at that point,” Dunn said. “They didn’t fight for 60 minutes. They had bigger people, but we played better.”
That doesn’t sound anything like a Saban-coached team. Dunn scored on a 27-yard run in the second half, and Stanford added Kevin Miller’s 25-yard field goal and Jeff Allen’s nine-yard return for a touchdown on an intercepted pass. Dunn also had four catches, and the game’s longest reception of 44 yards.
Coaching is decidedly different these days for Saban, who’s seeking his ninth national championship at Alabama. His No. 1 seed Crimson Tide will meet No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl in one College Football Playoff semifinal, with No. 2 Michigan facing No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl in the other CFP semifinal, both on New Year’s Eve.
Tyrone Willingham, Stanford's coach that afternoon in El Paso, didn’t wish to be interviewed about his 38-point win. He is a private man, but also a Michigan State graduate. However, he did provide Dunn’s contact information.
“But our coach was the better coach that day,” noted Dunn.
Whew, by plenty!
(For a video of the game, click here.)
* * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. His most recent book, The Yankee Way, is available in bookstores and on amazon.com. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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West Coast College Athletics:
A Prolegomenon: Chapter One
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The Dons, the WCC and Stanford Crushes Michigan State
by Robert Moselle
What better place to start on Sports Today!'s special coverage of
West Coast College Athletics than with the WCC and a historic Stanford victory.
The Prolegomenon promised a future series on college sports west of Oklahoma, Alabama and other states where sports factories have a monopoly on coverage. The Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today! will give our tough, talented West Coast athletes the exposure they deserve as part of our mission! We take pride in our strong relationships with Sports Information Directors and hope to take awareness of our teams up a notch as part of our mission.
Of course we will continue to publish our unmatched, in depth, superlative sports journalism with a keen eye on history, such as the report in this issue by the legendary Dave Newhouse about a West Coast triumph, 25 years ago, when Stanford bludgeoned Nick Saban's Michigan State team, 38-0, in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
To kick off the Prolegomenon, we are pleased to report on the
University of San Francisco men's basketball team (13-1, 0-0 WCC), which continued its dominance at home with a 64-52 victory over Southern Illinois (7-5, 1-0 MVC) on Wednesday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on December 22. Message to Alabama, Michigan, et al: Take West Coast college teams lightly
"At your own peril!"
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Stay tuned and please share your thoughts, team news and ideas with us at: Theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com. We take pride in our relationships with Sports Information Directors and our thousands of fans, and count on your inside knowledge and unique stories as we continue this Series.
Thank you!
Robert Moselle
Counselor at Law
Sports Today! Marketing Director
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Cal Bears 73
Saint Mary's Gaels 55
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Cal forward Evelien Lutje Schipholt recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Bears completed non-conference play with a 73-55 victory over the Saint Mary's Gaels on Tuesday, December 21 at Haas Pavilion. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Saint Mary's forward Ali Bamberger led the team in scoring with 12 points while also grabbing eight rebounds and tallying four steals.
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The San Francisco 49ers could still be in the playoffs. Here's a question regarding their glory days from the 1980s. Which 49er was the first NFL player with 1,000 rushing yards AND 1,000 receiving yards in
the same season?
(See answer below...)
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Quarterback Derek Carr brought his Las Vegas Raiders to Cleveland's
30-yard line with three seconds to play
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A Ray of Silver Amidst the Black
by Pete Elman
It was Thanksgiving week, 1988, and I was visiting my wife’s family in Cleveland. Her grandfather, originally from Canton, Ohio, played college football before World War One, and in 1962 was one of the city fathers who launched a campaign to build the NFL Hall of Fame in
their city.
So that Sunday my in-laws, season-ticket holders, took us to a Browns game. It was just what you’d expect; a cold, damp, gray day, the ancient hulking stadium by the lake packed with throngs of blue-collar fans, diehards, the rust belt children of immigrants. The home team won that day, and I will never forget the roar of the crowd when the Browns scored the go-ahead touchdown. It was loud, raw and passionate. These were not wine-and-cheese front-running Californians; no matter how terrible the Browns were, these fans loved their team—unconditionally.
Fast forward 30 years to 2018, when I wrote I piece entitled The death of a beloved franchise: the demise of the Silver and Black. After the Mount Davis debacle, the Tuck rule tragedy, the death of Mr. Davis, the firing of Greg Papa, and the unforgivable second betrayal—moving to Las Vegas--well, I was done.
Now here we are in 2021, and it’s COVID Christmas, Part Two, and talking about football seems a bit surreal. Last Monday the Raiders were playing a rescheduled game in Cleveland; two teams probably going nowhere, hanging on to slim playoff hopes. The Browns were missing their top two quarterbacks, their best receiver and their best defender. The Raiders were missing their heart; the one they left in Oakland three years ago.
As hard as it has been, I have avoided watching the Raiders these past few seasons—it is just too painful. But something changed that night. They say you can never go back—but I did.
I really like Derek Carr. In his own way he personifies the spirit of the Raiders of yesteryear. He has talent and grit, never complains, takes responsibility and is always positive; he is an outstanding young man, with loads of character, and in my heart I will always root for him. I want him to succeed.
So this time I decided to record the game. I started watching, and I just could not turn it off. The Raiders should have been ahead by 20 points, but they staggered into the fourth quarter with a 13-7 lead, and it was nervous time. Sure enough, the Browns, led by 49er castoff Nick Mullens, scored with 3:45 left, taking a 14-13 lead. Vintage Raiders, I said cynically.
And at 3:00 Derek threw a pick. It’s over now for sure, I thought.
But the stalwart Raider defense forced a three-and-out, properly using all of their precious timeouts. They got the ball back with 1:50 at their own 29, and Carr found Zay Jones at the Browns’ 30 with 34 seconds left; they were in business.
After all, the Raiders have one of the best kickers in the NFL, the heir apparent to Sebastian Janikowski; Daniel Carlson, already the fourth highest-ranked kicker of all-time, whose powerful and accurate right leg is only matched by his confident swagger. This is a guy who wants to take that kick. And he doesn’t miss.
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Daniel Carlson's field goal, with three seconds left, gave the Las Vegas Raiders a 16-14 win over the Cleveland Browns
But then, like a yellow dagger, out came the dreaded penalty flag—offensive holding. Classic Raiders.
Pushed back now to their 43 with only 34 seconds left and no timeouts, Derek Carr dug deep and completed two passes to get them back to the Browns’ 30, where he spiked the ball with three seconds left, screaming and pumping himself up as he stormed off the gridiron. Daniel Carlson did his job—in style—and the Raiders walked away winners.
And in that moment, as the Silver and Black celebrated on the field, I did my own fist pump, smiled, and hollered out “Yes!” I flashed back to 1960, when, as a nine-year old I fell in love with the Oakland Raiders. I thought I was over them, but clearly I am not. Just to clarify, it has not been a true love-hate relationship these past 39 years since they left for LA. But it has been complicated.
As part of the agreement to bring the Raiders back to Oakland in 1995, the city agreed that they would increase the capacity of the Coliseum. The tragic result was Mount Davis, which was completed in time for the 1996 season. Despite the eyesore that obscured the ice plant and the views of the East Bay hills and all the bad feelings, the loyal fans still came. The Raiders were back in Oakland, where they always belonged.
But over the next 20 years it all fell apart. What do you do when the team you love repeatedly drops the ball, whether it be the annual league–leading penalties, the awful track record with high draft picks, the once-beloved coach whose tawdry e-mails got him fired, or the annual late-season fade into oblivion and out of the playoffs? And, to make it worse, when their home town doesn’t even want them here?
But they are still the Raiders, and I am happy because they just won their second game in a row, dominating historic rival Denver, 17-13. They hung on despite three turnovers; the defense held fast, and a brilliant call by offensive coordinator Greg Olson sealed the victory. They are 8-7 and cling to a slim hope of getting into the playoffs.
I could never hate the Raiders, although I actually thought I had moved on. But if I’m being honest with myself, I haven’t. As Celine Dion sang in her signature song, the gorgeous romantic ballad from the film Titanic, I know I can’t.
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Pete Elman
Oakland, California
Christmas, 2021
* * * * *
From 2000-2011 Elman wrote a column for the Oakland Athletics Fan Coalition and covered sports for the Bay Area News Group. In 2013 he penned an acclaimed children's book and recently co-authored a book on unsung minority athletes entitled In the Shadow of Obscurity; Toiling in a Reluctant Society. He is currently teaching 13 courses on popular music and sports at Bay Area colleges. For earlier articles by Elman published in the Ultimate Sports Guide, click HERE.
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Earthquakes Select Midfielder Jan Gregus in
Re-Entry Draft Stage 2
Contract will need to be negotiated before player is added to roster
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes selected midfielder Jan Gregus with the seventh pick in Stage 2 of the 2021 Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft on Thursday. San Jose will be required to make a genuine offer to the player within seven days. If an agreement cannot be reached between the club and the player, the Earthquakes will hold the Right of First Refusal for him in MLS.
Gregus, 30, competed for Minnesota United FC for the past three seasons, totaling 63 appearances, 57 starts, two goals and 18 assists. In 2019, his first season in MLS, Gregus made 30 appearances and tallied 11 assists, tied for 11th most in the league, helping Minnesota to a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference. The following year, Gregus started 18 of Minnesota's 21 games during the COVID-shortened season and tallied six assists en route to another fourth-place finish. He also played every minute and provided one assist during Minnesota's run to the Western Conference Final. Gregus then made nine starts in 15 total appearances in 2021 to help Minnesota reach the postseason as the No. 5 seed.
Prior to MLS, Gregus played for teams in Denmark, the Czech Republic, England and Slovakia. He made over 100 appearances for Danish side FC Copenhagen, including four appearances in UEFA Champions League competition, and led the team to the domestic double during the 2016-17 season. He has also scored four goals in 36 caps for the Slovakia National Team since his international debut in 2015.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) - Earthquakes select M Jan Gregus in Stage 2 of the 2021 Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft and must make a genuine offer to the player within seven days.
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"Good things come to those who wait"
and we have decided we don't want to wait any longer. The Guinness is pouring well and honestly we can't drink it all by ourselves so join us. Reopening October 1st. We will be open 7 days a week, Monday through Thursday, 3pm til close. Friday through Sunday 12pm til close. Look forward to seeing all your smiling faces once again.
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Haiku: A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Sports Today! has expanded Haikus to embrace our readership and invites you to submit your own. Top entries will be published!
The Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today! wishes our readers a very Happy Holiday Season!
We received so many entries after JACQUES DIAMOND'S recent "Not Enough Syllables" Warriors-themed Haiku, that we feel compelled to add another "Warriors Greatness" Haiku to the Sports Haiku ©️ Hall of Fame.
This week's winner, on the Sports Today! podium, is
KRISTEN LA RUE, of San Francisco who laments: "So few syllables, so many stars! A tough challenge, but a fun way to remember Warriors' special moments. An eclectic collection, yes, but these were the players who connected with me.
Thank you. The Sports Haikus are always a hoot!"
KRISTEN LA RUE's top entry,
"Warriors Greatness: Not Enough Syllables: The Sequel"
is the winner of the highly sought-after Haiku Contest prize, publication in Sports Today! We thank the many readers who submitted creative, witty, and often profound Haikus.
BARON J-RICH SPREE
MUGGSY PURVIS JOE BARRY
WARRIORS' GREATNESS
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Sprewell Dunk-O-Rama!
As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for
"Best Sports Haiku." The winner will be published!
Sports Haikus ©️ USG/Sports Today's Haiku Invitation
Ultimate Sports Guide
Wants to Publish Your Haiku
You must send it in
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Editor's Note
Have a favorite Sports Moment you would like to share?
With perhaps a photo or two? Send a brief description along with any photos and we'll make room. Why not bring those memories to life?
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Dear History Lover:
This holiday season consider giving the gift of education with this film. It’s intended for all ages and released at the right time with the prevalence of systemic racism, and social justice as a current topic.
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Stanford Business School
Winter, 2022
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High-Performing Teams:
Lessons from the Sports World
According to basketball legend Michael Jordan, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Without organization-wide teamwork, leadership, and trust, sustaining a championship level of performance—in sports or business—is highly unlikely. How do leaders of the most successful sports franchises overcome the hurdles of free agency, arcane rules, injuries, egos, salary battles, operational challenges, and the human element? How can these lessons be effectively applied to every type of business?
In this course, we will look at how sports organizations achieve smooth and superior transitions from year to year, especially after the rigors of championship seasons. Difference makers in the world of sports, including team executives, general managers, athletic directors, coaches, media observers, and athletes, will discuss the elements necessary to create and maintain elite-performing organizations, and reveal how a prevailing commonality among all of them includes a powerful culture. Students will leave the course able to apply broad relevant concepts to their challenges, such as alignment of goals, adherence to culture, and pervasive interactive communication, as well as numerous operational pearls of wisdom
from guest experts.
Andy Dolich
President, Dolich Consulting; EVP, Fan Controlled Football
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. He is a co-author of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won’t Go Pro and LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the
Ultimate Sports Guide.
BUS 209
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:50 pm (PT)
10 weeks, January 12 – March 16
2 units, $640
Refund Deadline: January 14
Course Format: Live Online
Registration begins 11/29
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca |
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca receives
high marks from guests in 2021
MONTEREY, Calif., Dec. 22, 2021 – Whether it was to enjoy a race weekend, camp out under the stars or take a day trip, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Laguna Seca Recreation Area both earned stellar ratings from visitors throughout 2021.
An estimated 180,000 people attended race events at the world-famous track this year, and the campgrounds saw plenty of action as well with nearly 10,000 people staying at least one night.
The review breakdown on Google showed that of the hundreds of reviews posted in 2021, 88 percent of patrons awarded the facility five stars, while another 10 percent gave it four stars.
The campground surveys provided to all visitors told a similar story, with an overall mark of 4.70 out of five being the average response.
“In my two years of overseeing the operation of this race track and recreation area, we’ve made it a priority to provide a top-flight experience for every person who enters our facility,” said John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “There’s no bigger reward for our team than to see the positivity of the reviews by our valued guests.”
As Monterey County emerged from a pandemic, WeatherTech Raceway provided a safe and sanitary place for race fans and campers to gather outdoors.
Hiking and bike trails – adjacent to the Fort Ord National Monument – were busy in 2021, as more than 4,200 visitors bought day-use passes.
With the recent news that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution that approves funding for significant renovations to take place in the next 18 months as part of the five-year Capital Improvement Program, the future is bright.
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff |
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Roger Craig
In 1985 San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig not only ran for 1,050 yards on 214 carries and led the NFL with 92 catches for 1,016 yards, but also scored a team high
15 touchdowns. With fullback Tom Rathman, also from Nebraska, the two formed the 49ers' "Cornfield Backfield."
Christian McCaffrey and Marshall Faulk have joined Craig as the only players in NFL history with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy |
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For the best real estate listings homes and property on
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Consider!
DO YOU LOVE SPORTS?
And are you a techno-wizard who would like
to be involved in the Bay Area Sports scene?
The USG/Sports Today needs an "influencer."
We need You!
The Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today needs people with social media savvy, website technology knowledge and
e-marketing skills. Advance your career, add to your resume, and learn from sports industry professionals!
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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, Dec. 27, through
Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
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Monday, December 27
Tuesday, December 28
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 29
Thursday, December 30
Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets, 6:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 31
Saturday, January 1
Golden State Warriors @ Utah Jazz, 6 p.m.
Sunday, January 2
San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans, 1:05 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts, 10 a.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Pittsburgh Penguins, 10 a.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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This is an eBook available in .epub or .mobi file formats.
Navigating a career in any business is highly complex, especially in the world of sports and entertainment. Knowing how to separate the logo on your business card from your personal identity is a valuable skill for creating your own career path. Building a career in the sports industry is easier said than done, especially since the business is extremely addictive. Cool corporate logos and titles should never control your true sense of self; your name on the card is much more important! Welcome to the world of LOL, or “Loss of Logo.”
Written for aspiring sports professionals, current sports industry professionals, and any career enthusiasts who are chasing the fancy logo and corner office, LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Comprised of powerful perspectives from 38 multitalented industry professionals, this book will give you the tools to succeed in the industry, with or without
your logo.
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The New York Yankees are the greatest dynasty, not only in baseball but in all of sports. The Yankees, in fact, embody a series of dynasties, from Ruth-Gehrig through Jeter-Rivera. But the absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. The Yankee Way, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's forward, is “full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competitions, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods.” Key contributors to this dynasty, including Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, and manager Casey Stengel, are remembered by their teammate, Charlie Silvera, catcher and co-author.
Dave Newhouse was an award-winning sportswriter/columnist for the Oakland Tribune before his retirement. He has continued his work as an author and The Yankee Way is his eighteenth book. He lives with his wife, Patsy, an artist, in Oakland, CA.
ISBN 978-1-937943-60-8 – 196 pages – $24.95
Published by St. Johann Press, P.O. Box 241, Haworth, NJ 07641 (201) 387-1529 www.stjohannpress.com
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Advertise in Sports Today!
* Reach thousands of fans on a weekly basis
* Economical rates
* Sponsorship opportunities
Ann Cooke, Director of Sales
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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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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
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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 and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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