Monday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020
Issue No. 350
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Ramon Laureano mashed two home runs in the final A's game of the season,
a 11-6 loss to the champion Astros. Photo by Darren Yamashita
Nothing Has Changed...
by Pete Elman
Today’s journal entry will be in two parts; I will do my best to keep them reasonable in length and moderate in tone, though that may prove difficult, given the subject matter.
Last Thursday, at Chavez Ravine, a.k.a. Dodger Stadium, of all places, sight of the worst moment in the long and storied history of the Oakland Athletics franchise—think Kirk Gibson, October 15, 1988—the A’s once more fell short in the postseason. Mercifully, this one may have been easier to swallow.
My son, who was born the day after the Athletics were swept by the Reds in the 1990 World Series, said back in July, at the beginning of this weirdest of seasons, that he was afraid the A’s might finally win a World Series—and it will mean absolutely nothing. I shared his fears; after all, the A’s went into this season—way back in February, before the super-spreader-in-chief and his henchmen ruined American life as we know it—as possible favorites to win the pennant.
Their pitching staff, both starting and bullpen, was stellar, at least on paper. Frankie Montas, who showed so much promise despite last year’s long suspension, was the ace. Jesus Luzardo, only 23, looked like a future Cy Young winner. Sean Manaea was poised for a comeback after his disastrous 2019 wild card debacle. Mike Fiers brought experience and stability, and Chris Bassitt was an above average fifth starter. A.J. Puk, injured, would have to wait his turn.
The relief corps was no less impressive. Anchored by the affable and articulate Aussie Liam Hendriks, our best closer since Eck, the pen looked daunting. Soria, Petit, Trivino, Wendelken, and veteran lefties Jake Diekman and TJ McFarland were pros that could get guys out and limit the walks.
The lineup was no less talented: Chapman, Semien, Olson, Laureano, Canha, Piscotty, Pinder, the fine young catcher Sean Murphy. Hitting, defense, power and speed—it was all there. 2020 was going to be the A’s year.
But it wasn’t to be. The first sign was the injury to Chapman. Then the pitching got shaky, and the bats went silent. But they got a big monkey off their back when they grinded out a gutty wild-card series comeback win over the White Sox. Fittingly, next up was their divisional nemesis of the past six years-- the Houston Cheaters.
With the exception of A’s-killer Justin Verlander, the veteran Astros were finally healthy, a loaded team ironically led by one of the kindest, classiest and greatest of all baseball men, Johnnie B. Baker, who graciously said after winning this series, “I'm thankful and happy, but I've still got some happiness left to get.”
Not one player on that squad suffered any consequence of any kind for their role in the worst baseball cheating scandal in 100 years. Nevertheless, they are carrying a chip the size of Texas on their shoulders, and they took it out on the A’s with their bats, destroying the starting pitching and leaving the bullpen in tatters. The beautiful old park in east LA became a launching pad—24 homers in four games.
After four one-sided games—the only bright spot being Hendriks’ late-inning heroics--the Athletics, for the 12th straight time since Robbie Alomar’s spirit-crushing homer off Eck in 1992, have failed to advance past the ALCS, losing 10 of those years in the Division series.
Now my son and I won’t have to worry about what would have been a tragic irony if our guys had gone all the way in this, the strangest of all seasons. And I am now free to root for the Tampa Bay Rays, who made me so happy Friday when they dramatically knocked out the Yankees. Good riddance to the Evil Empire, at least for another year…
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The A’s lost their star third baseman and emotional leader, Matt Chapman, to season-ending hip surgery in early September, compromising the team's chances.
Photo by Rich Yee
This leads me to Part Two. I am in the middle of reading the terrific 1963 book, Eight Men Out, by Eliot Asinof, about the Chicago Black Sox, who threw the 1919 World Series. Many of you may have seen the fine John Sayles film from 1988, which starred John Cusack, Charlie Sheen and Bay Area stalwart Bill Irwin.
Any serious baseball fan must read the book, because it chronicles with meticulous detail exactly what transpired, who was involved, and how and why it happened, with in-depth historic background and character studies of all the principals involved, most notably the self-centered White Sox owner Charles, “the Old Roman” Comiskey, whose predations would not have been out of place in a Trump administration.
The story reads like a Greek tragedy, all about American dreams, values, aspirations, weaknesses, power and cowardice. (Sound familiar?) And lo and behold, 100 years later, it happened again. When the Astros were finally busted after years of cheating—the whistle blown by none other than the A's Mike Fiers—it proved that nothing has changed. Players cheat, owners lie, the league looks the other way.
The only difference was that back then the cheaters--who had a lot more reason to cheat because their salaries were woefully low--were severely punished. Not today, however. Not even a token fine of one player; just a slap on the wrist to the team and it's business as usual.
Until the powers that govern our national pastime, our beloved sporting jewel which has lasted 150 (150!) years, can look themselves in the mirror and say, “We can do better,” well, nothing will change. That said, I will give baseball credit.
This 60-game campaign, which so many, me included, feared would be a disaster, with a unique postseason format which seems to be actually working, has somehow miraculously succeeded, complete with drama, great personal stories, memorable performances, exciting rookies—and not one fan in the seats.
What does that tell you about baseball? That it will survive. In the words of the great Neil Young, son of a Canadian sportswriter, “Long may you run...”
Pete Elman
Oakland, California
October 10, 2020
* * * *
From 2000-2005 I wrote a column for the late great Oakland Athletics Fan Coalition (OAFC) entitled Elman Swings, a play on the fact that I'm a musician. Some of you may remember the OAFC, an East Bay organization that at its peak had several thousand members devoted to keeping the A's in Oakland and guess what? They succeeded! -- Pete Elman
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San Francisco 49ers Humbled |
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The play of San Francisco 49ers halfback Raheem Mostert was one of the few highlights during the 43-17 drubbing handed out by the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at Levi's Stadium. Hobbled Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo started the game but was replaced by C.J. Beathard when it became apparent he could not be effective. Beathard failed to rally the team from an early deficit and Miami scored on seven of nine possessions. Speedy Raheem Mostert, pictured above during last year's Carolina Panthers game, rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries, including an early 37-yard burst. Unfortunately a gauntlet of seven straight top teams are scheduled next, starting with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening, October 18, at 5:20 p.m. at Levi's Stadium. Surprisingly, the team is 0-3 on their home field.
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Thank you for your support
this season
Even from home, your joy, cheers, and pride in the A's helped make this a season to remember. Thank you!
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Frank Gore, running back, New York Jets
It's hard to imagine that Frank Gore (21) is currently the oldest running back in the NFL; but at the tender age of 37, the pride of Coconut Grove, Florida is still chewing up the gridiron in his 16th season, now as a member of his fifth professional football team, the New York Jets. As a graduate of the University of Miami, the former 2001 BCS national champion Hurricane was selected 65th overall in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. During his decade-long tenure with the Niners, Gore became the 2006 NFC rushing leader with 1,695 yards, and was selected to play for the NFC squad in the NFL Pro Bowl five times (2006, 2009, 2011-2013). In 2015, Gore signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, followed by three one-year deals with the Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019) and New York Jets (2020). He holds the NFL records for most seasons with at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage (12), most career games by an NFL running back (227), and in 2019, became the fourth player in NFL history to amass 15,000 rushing yards in his career, placing Frank Gore at third on the all-time rushing yards list behind only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Caption and photo by Kenny Karst.
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A Sportscaster's Memories |
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Jeff Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 as a San Francisco Giant and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen. From 1997 to 2005, he drove in 90 or more runs in a season
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Jeff Kent, a Star and Curmudgeon
By Bruce Macgowan
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Bruce Macgowan, Bogey, wife Colette and daughter Molly
Reporters who cover baseball closely will always consider Jeff Kent one of the game’s great second baseman. He played for only six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, but in those half dozen years the Giants went to World Series, won three NL West titles and contended until the final days of the season in the other three years. Kent played a huge role for the Giants during his time with the club.
Kent was probably one of the most serious athletes I’ve ever met. In some respects, he reminded me of the Giants' Will Clark. Clark was very bright and passionate, but he could be a bit prickly at times.
I mention that quality because you had to expect Kent to get a little snippy with reporters from time to time. Like Clark, Kent used a distinctive look on his face to intimidate or dismiss reporters who asked questions he thought were leading or stupid. It was a sneer but also an expression of a guy who smelled something really bad.
However, and when he wanted to, Kent could be interesting, engaging and articulate. He was usually available to talk after games but before games? It was never a good idea to ask him for an interview.
I learned my lesson the hard way in his second or third year. The Giants were still playing at Candlestick and Kent knew me from my frequent visits to his locker, with other reporters after games. We also had him on for several interviews on the Giants radio station, KNBR, so he knew I was a ‘friendly’ reporter.
On this day I walked into a near-empty Giants clubhouse a few hours before the game and Kent was one of the few players who hadn’t yet left for batting practice. I had just spent a half an hour in the visitors’ clubhouse getting some pre game feature interviews for my show later that morning and I was also hoping to get a Giants player.
Kent was standing in full uniform, with his back to me, fiddling with his bats when I asked him: “Hey Jeff, you got a few minutes? I was hoping we could talk a little baseball for my pregame show.”
Kent looked at me with that classic “Get away from me now!” kind of face and flatly told me, “I don’t do interviews before the game, sir!”
I kind of laughed, which was a mistake, but then I told him, “Hey, you know me Jeff. You don’t have to call me 'sir.'”
He then gave me a sarcastic grin and replied, “Well, what do you want me to call you, shit-head, ass-hole, or fuck-face?”
I was kind of stunned but let out a chuckle and replied, “No, actually 'sir' sounds good to me!”
“I thought so,” he grinned. “Now would you mind getting out of the way? I gotta go do some hittin’ in the cage,” and he quickly walked away.
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Kent and Bonds were not always on the same page but shared a mutual love for each of their families
Kent did not have the greatest relationship with his teammates. It wasn’t that they disliked the guy, he just never seemed interested in developing any friendships. I particularly noticed this when I went on frequent road trips on the team plane or rode team buses to the hotels, the airport, or the ballparks. Kent usually sat in the back of the bus by himself. He usually wore sunglasses and seemed totally disengaged from the rest of the world.
But as I said, Kent could be engaging and even friendly if the mood struck him. Back in 2001 I was covering the All-Star game in Seattle and after the home run hitting contest the day before the game, I wandered over to the baseball village outside of Safeco Field to check out the diversions which MLB had set up for fans.
As I was walking in I heard a voice behind me with that distinctive Texas twang. (Kent was NOT from Texas but he lived there and like to tell people that was where he was from.)
“What is this place anyway?” he asked me. After I told him, he replied: “Well, let’s take a look around.”
For the next 20 minutes we walked about, checking out the different exhibits and he chatted informally about his family.
Kent’s father was a stern highway patrol officer who unfortunately would rarely make time to come to Kent’s high school games.
“I would come home sometimes really excited, because I had gotten three hits in four-at-bats and I’d tell him about it. But he would then say, ‘Well, what happened in that fourth at bat?’ ”
It’s well known that Kent and Barry Bonds did NOT like each other. They got into a few scraps, once even in front of TV cameras which were trained on the Giants’ dugout during a game in San Diego.
But Kent later grew to respect Bonds. On a long preseason trip to play some exhibition games in Japan, the two men got to talking about their families and their dads. Bonds also had a difficult time with his father, Bobby, the great Giants slugger of the 1970s, so he could relate to Kent’s stories about his own stern father. Both men also really loved spending time with their kids.
I remember a line that both sometimes used as they would be leaving the park after games. “Sorry guys, I got my kids waiting outside.”
It was good to see that like Bonds, Jeff Kent once in awhile would flash his ‘soft side.’
* * *
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.
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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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By the time you read this, the NBA Championship Series between the Heat and the Lakers will be over, with Los Angeles the victor. Toronto, the 2019 champs, could not repeat. Maybe 2021 will have a successful defender making a repeat. THREE-PEATS are very rare... Who coined and who owns the term, 'THREE-PEAT'? To win, you need only name one. (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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Trainer Leanna L. Ekstom wins the third race at Golden Gate Fields with Reina De Reyes, ridden by Armando Ayuso (for his first win at the bay side track), owned by Terri Ekstrom. The one mile turf race went in 1:42.60 with a purse
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
Portland Timbers 3
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Quakes snap three-match winning streak; face LA Galaxy on Wednesday
PORTLAND, Ore. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 3-0 on Sunday night at Providence Park, snapping their three-match winning streak.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose before traveling to face the rival LA Galaxy on Wednesday, Oct. 14, presented by Sutter Health. Kickoff from Dignity Health Sports Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
San Jose now holds a 5-7-5 record in the 2020 regular season and remains above the playoff line in seventh place in the Western Conference.
The Earthquakes now hold a 3-1-0 record in their last four matches.
Quakes defender Oswaldo Alanis started and played 90 minutes. It marked his first appearance since suffering an injury on Sept. 16, also against Portland, that caused him to miss four matches.
Reprinted courtesy San Jose Earthquakes
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NHRA Sonoma Nationals Return to Sonoma Raceway
in 2021
SONOMA, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2020) – The 11,000-horsepower dragsters of the newly-rebranded NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is scheduled to return to Sonoma Raceway, July 23-25, 2021, the series announced today as part of its full 2021 season schedule release.
The 33rd NHRA Sonoma Nationals is the 12th race on the 22-race schedule and the series' only visit to Northern California. It will also be the second race of the series' famed Western Swing, the popular three-race summer tradition. Sonoma Raceway's drag strip is one of the quickest and fastest in the country; Robert Hight set the standing NHRA Funny Car national speed record in Sonoma at 339.87 mph in 2017.
“The NHRA Sonoma Nationals is a unique weekend carnival that rattles the hills with horsepower, speed and fun,” said Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page. “I know our fans will be excited to see the big show return next July.”
The 2020 NHRA Nationals race weekend at Sonoma Raceway was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, marking the first time the Northern California NHRA event had been cancelled or delayed since its debut in 1988. Sonoma Raceway is dedicated to hosting a safe event for attendees and its surrounding communities, and will work closely with local and state officials regarding safety guidelines.
Details on Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying days will be announced in coming weeks. Deposits for tickets and camping for the 2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals will go on sale soon. All 2020 NHRA Sonoma Nationals ticketholders will be contacted by Sonoma Raceway regarding 2021 tickets. For more information, visit www.SonomaRaceway.com or call 800-870-RACE (7223).
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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Answer: Basketball Icon Pat Riley. Although Riley trademarked the term "three-peat" in 1988, he credits one of his players at the time, Byron Scott, with coining the phrase. Riley reportedly earned $300,000 in royalties when the Bulls three-peated in the 1990's. I hope Pat shared the wealth with Byron... https://bit.ly/3nGSj1U will take you to the history of the teams which have done such a thing. One team showed how small a feat of a three-peat is by
doing an eight-peat.
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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, Jerry Warren Raider Jerry.
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USF's Men's & Women's
Basketball Schedules
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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, October 12 through
Sunday, October 18, 2020
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Games for most major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled.
Monday, October 12
Tuesday, October 13
Wednesday, October 14
San Jose Earthquakes @ LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. , NBCSCA
Thursday, October 15
Friday, October 16
Saturday, October 17
Sunday, October 18
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 5:20 p.m., NBC
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m., NBCSCA
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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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Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
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Join Us As A Sponsor!
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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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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, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
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