SHARE:  

April 24 - April 30, 2023

Issue No. 482

For Gmail addresses, we recommend using the link immediately below for a pristine copy.

View as Webpage

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: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Arnie Passman, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff,

Shelia Young

Social Media: Jenny Kim

Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net

Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Now Available!!!!!

The Ultimate Sports Guide proudly announces the release of Insights and Outtakes, Excerpts and Epiphanies from the World of Sports, a compendium of Pete Elman essays which have appeared

in Sports Today.


Crafted to perfection, talented sports writer Elman covers the Warriors, A's, Raiders and

Bay Area sports.

Absorbing, frank and informative, Elman's smart prose makes for entertaining reading and brings to life our sports world with a deft touch.

Highly recommended by:


Dave Newhouse, former Oakland Tribune sports journalist

and author of 19 books


Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL


Arif Khatib, author, filmmaker, founder of the African American Sports Hall of Fame


* * * * *

To order: $18.50 (includes shipping)


Visit Pete Elman at: https://www.peteelman.com/insights-and-outtakes

Letters to the Editor


NEW Sports Today Tournament: Pick The NBA Finalists

In Sports Today's second Non-profit Tournament" ©️, all you need to do is pick the NBA finalists, East & West. Do not include who you think will win the Final. (That will be next).


Winners will receive free Sports Today promotion for their favorite non-profit, and acknowledgement of your accomplishment and generosity! ST's first non-profit NCAA, 30-1 Longshot" Tournament" generated donations for the worthy recipient, selected by the winners: www.balichildrensproject.org. They are most grateful.

 

To enter "Pick the NBA Finalists" email your picks, asap, to: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com


Early Entrants: (entries open through next weekend)


Sal Zavala, Grove Market, Pacific Grove, CA

Sacramento Kings. vs. Boston Celtics

Grove Market, Pacific Grove, CA


Robert Moselle, Monterey, CA

Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks


Kristen LaRue, San Francisco, CA

Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks


Jerry Monkman, South San Francisco, CA

Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks


Dennis Shary, (Bona fide psychic)

Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers


Robert Moselle

Monterey, CA

https://www.cce-mcle.com/



How was the Traffic to Sac'to?

How was that bus ride back to Sac-Town last night?


I'll bet it was just swell!


Don't be sad. Draymond will visit you soon.


Kristen LaRue

San Francisco, CA



The Better Choice

If the A’s had asked me I’d have steered them to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.


Patric D. Mayers, Esq.

Rancho, Mirage, CA

Subscribe Now! FREE!

Contents


Columns

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff


Games

Oakland Roots 0, Loudoun United FC 2

San Jose Earthquakes 1, Real Salt Lake 3


Features & Commentary

Consider A Donation

Just A Matter of Point of View, by Howard Pearlstein

Lenda Murray, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

Saying Goodbye, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Sports Haiku -- Kevon Looney, by Robert Moselle

Warriors and Kings Putting on a Show, by Bruce Macgowan


Organizations

Cal Bears

Golden Gate Fields

Oakland A's

Oakland Roots

Saint Mary's College Gaels

San Francisco Giants

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose State Spartans

Santa Clara Broncos

Sonoma Raceway

St. Francis Yacht Club

Stanford Cardinal

University of Pacific Tigers

USF Dons

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

A Note From Amaury Pi-Gonzalez





Saying

Goodbye




by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Everybody Loves DRaymond

Warriors vs. Kings, 126-125, April 23, 2023.

Draymond finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists,

a steal and a blocked shot and one turnover

Sports Haiku


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!


Thank you for your many entries!



Kevon Looney is the NBA's great unsung hero. This Haiku expresses the admiration Warriors fans have for our no-nonsense, selfless, high-aptitude

Golden State star.  


True to his Haiku identity, Kevon Looney brought

a lunch-pail full of grit to fuel yesterday's

126-125 victory over Sacramento.


Blue Collar Basketball


Kevon Looney is the Warriors' blue-collar, lunch-pail star and symbol of NBA GRIT. With an innate,

uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, Looney's Basketball IQ is through the

arena roof! Rock Steady, Kevon. 


KEVON LOONEY STYLE


He blocks, rebounds and


guards the other teams' Monsters


Looney M V P

* * *

Contributed by Robert Moselle, Esq.

Executive Director, Center for Continuing Education

https://www.cce-mcle.com/


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


To: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com


Golden State Warriors


Warriors

and Kings

Putting On A Show



By Bruce Macgowan


 Is this what you expected? A fight to the finish between the defending NBA champs and one of the most exciting young teams in pro basketball? 


The Warriors, who got hot at the end of the season, have had quite a battle with the young Sacramento Kings. Everyone who follows the NBA knew the series would be a barnburner, but Sunday’s heart shaker was almost too close for Comfort. Over 18,000 limp-as-a-dishrag fans filed out of the Chase Center Sunday afternoon, trying to catch their breaths after witnessing the most exciting game of the series.


If former Warrior Harrison Barnes had been able to nail a last second three-point try, the Warrior hopes for this post season would have been all but extinguished. And Stephen Curry also would have worn the goat horns for the loss. With the Warriors in possession of the ball and a five-point lead with under a minute to play, Curry called a timeout that the Warriors did not have, and Steve Kerr’s eyes practically bugged out as he held his head in disbelief with his two hands. As a result, the Kings trimmed the lead to a mere one point, making for a harrowing last 27 seconds of action. 

 

The Warriors could have run the clock down to just a few seconds, but Curry tried to give his team a three-point lead with a short runner in the lane with 17 seconds remaining. The ball was batted around for a few seconds before the Kings finally secured it and called time out. Tension was dripping throughout the Chase Center as the two teams huddled for the games’ final sequence. Sacramento had a chance to win with just under 11 seconds left.


The Warriors immediately overplayed the Kings’ hottest shooter, De’Aaron Fox, who finished with a game high 38, forcing him to pass it off to Barnes who was wide open on the left perimeter. For a second it looked as if his shot was going down and the crowd held its breath. But the ball hit the back rim and bounced out, the buzzer sounded, and the fans exploded in a wave of delirium.

Golden State survived Stephen Curry calling a time out they didn’t have. Curry's mistake in the final minute led to a technical foul as Game 4 came down to the final possession


Right now, the Warriors have as good a team as any in the league. Andrew Wiggins has played magnificently since coming back from a long layoff. Curry has been as expected, almost in his own world. Klay Thompson lit it up Sunday, as did Jordan Poole while Draymond Green and Kevon Looney continued to do the dirty work underneath. The Warriors’ bench is also deep and explosive with quick-handed veteran Donte DiVincenzo, explosive 20-year-old Jonathan Kuminga, poised youngster Moses Moody, veteran JaMychal Green and defensive specialist Gary Payton II all ready to contribute.   


But in addition to Fox, the Kings also have quite a crew. Malik Monk is a fearless and aggressive young player and could be a future star. Keegan Murray is a rookie who struggled in the first three games against the Warriors but then came out and had a big game Sunday, helping to keep his team in the game with clutch shooting. And of course, Domantas Sabonis can do a little bit of everything. The Kings made a master trade bringing in Sabonis from Indiana in a six-player deal last year which involved the popular young star guard, Tyrese Haliburton. There were many in Sacramento who ripped the deal, but Sabonis has given the Kings something they sorely needed; a strong inside presence. Kevon Looney has done a terrific job against the bigger Sabonis thus far, but the big guy has still had his moments. He also uses a nice shooting touch from the outside when things get too crowded underneath the hoop.   


The pace at which these two high powered offenses play is almost dizzying, and fans are getting their money’s worth. If the Warriors lose this series, it will be a major disappointment because a defending champion is not supposed to go down early in the playoffs. But if the Kings lose, they will also be depressed, as they had a brilliant season engineered by one of the NBA’s most unappreciated coaches in former Warriors’ assistant Mike Brown. Kings fans are thrilled to see their team in the playoffs after the long 16-year drought, but they would really be bummed if the Kings ran out of magic in the opening round of the playoffs.


After nearly four decades, it seems as though these two teams might finally be starting what could be a great rivalry. This first-ever playoff series between the Warriors and Kings has been everything Northern California hoop fans could have hoped for. Explosive, hard fought games watched by two fanatic fan bases that are among the most loyal and loudest in the NBA. 


For what it’s worth, my prediction is this: the Kings and Warriors will win on their respective home courts in the next two games and then the Warriors will take game seven in Sacramento.


Who do YOU think will win?

* * *

Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Macgowan, published in

Sports Today, click HERE.

Consider A Donation


Sports Today is a dynamic sports journal distributed each Monday to the sports industry and media professionals, colleges and universities and avid San Francisco and Northern California sports fans.


FREE of charge since 2014, each issue provides extensive professional and collegiate team coverage, unmatched photo essays, schedules, scores, humor and much more. Our contributors are highly respected journalists and authors who provide a wide array of in-depth articles, and our Letters to the Editor delight readers.

 

Your donation, of any amount, will help offset costs of production, internet-related service fees, and other items related to this unique, highly acclaimed FREE weekly sports journal.  


To make a contribution, comments or questions, send to:

Christopher Weills, Publisher,

Sports Today, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704

or theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com


Sports Today

thanks the following generous donors!

Steve Chain

Tarzana, CA


Harvey Cohen

Montrose, CO


Robert Flammia

Berkeley, CA 

Bill & Nona Hool

San Rafael, CA


Ann McNaughton

Alameda, CA 


James Reynolds

Berkeley, CA 

Chloe Satterlee

Berkeley, CA


Selina Satterlee

Hanalei, Kauai


Robert Scheer

Los Angeles, CA


Narda Zacchino

Los Angeles, CA 


Advertise in Sports Today!



* Reach thousands of fans on a weekly basis

* Economical rates

* Sponsorship opportunities




Call (510) 414-5394

or write acooke3495@aol.com

Ann Cooke, Director of Sales

San Francisco Giants

How to Train Like a Big League Infielder

with David Villar

Watch Now!

Dave Newhouse and Andy Dolich invite you to join them for a discussion and book signing for Goodbye, Oakland from Triumph Publishing.


Tuesday, April 25 in San Francisco

Perry's Restaurant, 1944 Union Street, 5-6:30 pm


Books will be available for purchase or

wherever books are sold:


They look forward to seeing you.

* * *

For great advertising rates call: APG Sports,

P.O. Box 3164, Fremont, CA 94539. Dir tel: 510-579-0682

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

Who was the first team to win three consecutive NBA titles? 

 

Seeing as how we are in the season for the NBA playoffs/finals let's stay with NBA Finals firsts. 



Threepeats pale when compared to the incredible championship win streak of the Boston Celtics. 

The Celtics won eight NBA championships in a row from 1959 to 1966. Their streak is the longest consecutive title run of any professional team in U.S. sports history.


You are a genius if you can name the team that stopped the Celtics from winning their ninth in a row in 1967.


Answer below...

Dubs' Report

Just a Matter of Point of View


by Howard Pearlstein



I realized I’d been watching the Dubs instead of watching the games, meaning I wasn’t really watching both teams. Easiest way to explain that is how, years ago, I was catching migratory hawks for U.S. Fish & Game. And I remember the first day up on Slacker Hill in Marin, a more experienced fellow was pointing out over the mile-away open space and saying: “There a red tail.” And I was saying “What? Where?”


And I learned to do scatter-vision, defocusing the eyes instead of looking for something. Just gazing. Letting everything come into view, seeing motion out of the corner of the eye and then re-focusing to see exactly what it was.


In short – predator vision. Which is what I was, in essence, a benevolent predator looking to catch it -- weigh it, measure it, pick off parasites and bottle them, put a band on its leg and let it go.

 

In the same way, watching the games as a game is making more sense of what I’ve been seeing, watching the Dubs play all season.


And what I saw in Game 2 in Sacramento was what I’d seen before – that all the pieces were there BUT they hadn’t knitted together into a single organism. Hadn’t played an entire season together, as the Kings had. Learning/knowing the corner of the eye stuff -- gestures, the spacing, the positions and all that jazz, knowing it well enough to make intuitive interactions work.


It’s Wednesday right now and I realize, that unless that integrated entirety comes together really fast, the Dubs may be out of the playoffs by the time you read this.


Or, if they can come together in the two games at home, with the fans who love them, instead of an angry mob, e.g., when the ref reviewed a play in Sacramento and found no foul, I thought a lynch mob was assembling in the stands.


And, since you’re reading it on Monday, it probably won’t be impressive for me to say that as soon as Draymond was suspended for Game 3, I realized that the Dubs would respond by going gangbusters on the Kings. He wasn’t absent through injury or illness. He was out because Adam Silver was in the stands as Draymond did his usual post-penalty taunt of walking and clapping at the hostile fans and Silver had to save face. Or, as I saw it, the skinny white guy who thought he was in charge had to flex his flabby corporate muscles at the powerfully athletic black guy who he thought was mocking him, saying “You can throw me out but so what,” when the fact is, Draymond probably didn’t even know he was there. “Hey Adam, it ain’t about you.”


And I knew the Dubs’ answer that petty overkill was to go after the Kings like Seal Team Six went in to take out Osama Ben Laden. And they did – go in and do the job -- no mercy, no side trips, no letting up. It was also an in-your-face message to all the people who were saying “The Dubs are over, done, finito, too bad.” The almost complete Dubs were forged in fire by that outrageously chicken s—t ruling.


That’s why I held off finishing this until Friday morning, so I could watch the Thursday game. They won’t be as angry on Sunday, but they’ll be as tough. Maybe tough enough to win out the first round, because Steph has their number.


Will that be enough to carry them through the playoffs? Maybe.

I’m hopeful.


* * *

Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.

An old friend once said, "Howard, you live your life like you're trying to fill in a dust jacket blurb." Well, then all I have to do is write a book that will get published.

Lenda Murray -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

Lenda Murray is an eight-time Ms. Olympia in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002 and 2003. I met her at a body building competition in San Jose where she made a special guest appearance. She had a table set up there where she was selling t-shirts and signed photos. I chose this photo and she signed it for a fee. She was very nice and patient as she chatted with all her fans.


Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer

San Jose Earthquakes 1

Real Salt Lake 3

American First Field, Sandy, Utah. Saturday, April 22

Earthquakes 1, Real Salt Lake 3

Espinoza scores sixth goal of the season; Quakes face Monterey Bay F.C. on Tuesday



SANDY, Utah – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Real Salt Lake 3-1 on Saturday night at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Forward Cristian Espinoza scored his sixth goal of the season and is now tied with Eric Wynalda for ninth most goals in club history (21).


Real Salt Lake opened the scoring towards the end of the first half through Jasper Loffelsend. The Quakes found the equalizer in the 49th minute via free kick taken by Cristian Espinoza, before the Utah side added two more goals later in the second half.


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.sjearthquakes.com

Oakland Roots SC 0

Loudoun United FC 2

Segra Field, Leesburg, VA. Sunday, April 23

Oakland Roots Fall 2-0 in Virginia to

Loudoun United


Oakland was able to create a few chances early on, but it was the goalkeeping effort of Paul Blanchette that kept the game scoreless for the first 25 minutes. Just before the half-hour mark, Loudoun United was awarded a penalty for a high boot by Oakland. Zach Ryan stepped up to give the home side from Virginia a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. Both teams battled for the final 15 minutes of the half, which ended with Loudoun in the lead by one.


Loudoun found the first big chance of the second half when Panos Armenakas scored in the 58th minute to give United a 2-0 advantage. Coach Noah Delgado made five subs in search of answers in response, but Oakland was unable to find their way back into the game as they fell to Loudoun by a score of 2-0.


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.oaklandrootssc.com

Cal Bears

Cal Punches Ticket To National Championship


Bears Defeat BYU 55-31 To Advance To Finals



BERKELEY – California rugby defeated Brigham Young 55-31 on Saturday afternoon in the national semifinals of the D1A National Collegiate Championships. The Golden Bears will now advance to the finals on May 6 in Houston where they will take on the U.S. Naval Academy in pursuit of the championship title.


"Congratulations to BYU on a really fine season," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "Proud of our boys for advancing."


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.calbears.com

Stanford Cardinal

Chan Secures Series Win over Cal


Kyra Chan hit a sixth inning sacrifice fly to propel No. 8 Stanford to a 3-2 win over California



STANFORD, Calif. -- No. 8 Stanford fought back from being down 2-1 in the fifth inning to beat California 3-2 on Sunday at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal recorded its fourth series win of the season and sits in fifth in the Pac-12 standings.


Senior Alana Vawter (16-6) got the win out of the bullpen for Stanford (34-10, Pac-12 10-8). The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing three walks and striking out one. Freshman NiJaree Canady started the ballgame and went four innings, surrendering one run on three hits, walking one and striking out seven.


continued...


By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE

www.gostanford.com

San Jose State Spartans

Longtime SJSU SID Lawrence Fan to be Inducted Into SJSU Sports Hall of Fame on May 6



SAN JOSE, Calif.— Longtime San José State University sports information director Lawrence Fan will be inducted, posthumously, into the San José State Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m., in a ceremony to be held at CEFCU Stadium prior to the Spartan football spring game at 4:00 p.m.


  • The ceremony will last approximately one hour and is part of a ticket package which includes Brewfest. Tickets can be purchased here


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

#AllSpartans

www.sjsuspartans.com

Saint Mary's College Gaels

Offense Sputters in DH Sweep at LMU



LOS ANGELES — Saint Mary's softball made the trek down to Los Angeles for a huge three-game series against the LMU Lions, with first place in the West Coast Conference on the line. With both teams sitting at 5-1 through two weekends, it was shaping up to be a great day for softball as the Gaels faced their best competition of the season. In the end, the Lions were able to get the best of SMC with scores of 7-0 and 5-1. After Saturday's results, Saint Mary's falls to 14-20 (5-3) while LMU improves to 21-17 (7-1).


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

#GaelsRise

www.smcgaels.com

USF Dons

Dons Finish Strong at WCC Championship



BREMERTON, Wash. – Hitting the links for the final time this year, the University of San Francisco women's golf team finished fourth overall (19-over-883/296-294-293) at the 2023 West Coast Conference Championship at Gold Mountain Golf Club as Riana Mission (4th) and Yvonne Shang (T-8th) each finished in the top ten individually for the Dons this weekend.


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.usfdons.com

Santa Clara Broncos

Men's Track & Field Has Good Showing

This Weekend



SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's track & field was at the Payton Jordan Invitational Friday and the Mustang Invitational Saturday.


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.santaclarabroncos.com

University of Pacific Tigers

Zamora Honored in Last Match of the Season



STOCKTON, Calif.- The Pacific women's tennis team (7-11, 2-6) fell to #29 San Diego (11-9, 5-1) in the season's final match, 6-1.


Pacific honored senior captain Danielle Zamora before the match today. Zamora picked up four singles wins this season and two doubles points. Her most impressive win this season was a clinch in an upset against the Portland Pilots.


continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.pacifictigers.com

Squarespace?

Have proficiency with Squarespace?

We'd love to hear from you.


Visit: www.ultimatesportsguide.net

Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Subscribe Now! FREE!

Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent." 



Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450

https://www.cce-mcle.com/

Historic Trans Am Rumbles to Life at SpeedFest


Get ready to rumble…the rumble of historic Trans Am cars. The Trans Am SpeedFest May 5-7 is an exciting weekend of motorsports shared between the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), which is the largest and one of the oldest vintage racing organizations in the U.S. Together, it makes for an incredible three days of non-stop racing and family activities.


continued...


Click HERE.

www.weathertechraceway.com

Four-Time NBA Champion and World-Renowned DJ Shaquille O’Neal Headlines

Sonoma Pre-Race Concert

 

SONOMA, Calif. (April 20, 2023) – Basketball fans worldwide know him as Shaquille O’Neal, but it’s his alter ego DJ Diesel that will rev up the crowd with electronic dance music prior to the June 11 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.


The four-time NBA champion and platinum-selling recording artist will drop the beat on the pre-race stage to headline race festivities for the 34th annual NASCAR Cup Series race.


DJ Diesel isn’t new to the sport. In 2010 O’Neal had the opportunity to race Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his reality TV show "Shaq Vs." but this will be O’Neal’s first appearance ever at Sonoma Raceway before the annual NASCAR Cup Series race and his last raceway stop before the summer music festival season.


continued...


Click HERE.

www.sonomaraceway.com

St. Francis Yacht Club

Photos & video © St. Francis Yacht Club / Salty Brother


Johnny Heineken Wins Inaugural Spring Wingding & Pacific Coast Wingfoil Championships



SAN FRANCISCO, CA—On April 14-16, St. Francis Yacht Club hosted the Spring Wingding & Pacific Coast Wingfoil Championships, the first-ever wingfoil regatta of its kind on San Francisco Bay. For racers and spectators, there was a shared spirit of adventure as this new sport took on traditional forms of buoy racing, slalom-style, at speeds most sailboats will never hit. 

 

Sixty wingfoil riders competed in 11 races over three days in perfect conditions on courses situated between the StFYC clubhouse, Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge, adjacent to Crissy Field. Racing commenced with five heats on Friday, followed by a Grom Freestyle Session. Saturday opened with two races, then the “San Francisco Bay Challenge” — a distance race of approximately 20 nautical miles from the San Francisco city front east to Berkeley and back, that was also open to Hydrofoil Kites and Formula Windsurfers. Scores for the Bay Challenge counted twice in the overall results. On Sunday, competitors were whittled down to the top 20 in three heats, who then competed in two final championship races. 

 

Overall winner and Pacific Coast Champion was Johnny Heineken, who won all 11 races plus the two championship races. His sister, Erika Heineken, won the Women's division.


continued...


For a full report, click HERE.

Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff

Minnesota Lakers Win Three

Consecutive NBA Titles



The Minnesota Lakers were in Minneapolis from the 1951-52 to the 1953-54 seasons. They defeated Max Zaslofsky and the New York Knicks for the first two championships, then the Syracuse Nationals for their third championship. A Minneapolis Lakers team history

can be found here.


The Boston Celtics were the second team

to three-peat.


The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA East finals in 1967, ending the Celtics' domination of NBA championships at eight and went on to beat the San Francisco Warriors for the NBA crown.


This link will take you to the 1966-1967 NBA season recap noting a number of NBA firsts which would make

great trivia questions.



Go Celtics!

Bonus for Sports Today Readers!

Is This The Last Dance?, a new essay below from

Pete Elman, author of the compelling new book, 

Insights and Outtakes

Insights and Outtakes,

Excerpts and Epiphanies from the

World of Sports, written by Pete Elman


Previously shared:

Rocket -- Or Flawed Star? (#472)

Just Win, Baby (#473)

Knockin' on Heaven's Door (#474)

It Was More Than Just A Game (#475)

Looking Over The Ledge (#476)

The Slider That Saved Baseball (#478)

Is This The Last Dance? (#480)

“A must read…an in-depth look into stories that come from all avenues of professional sports."

- Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL

To order: $18.50 (includes shipping)


Visit Pete Elman at: https://www.peteelman.com/insights-and-outtakes

For Purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Their-Sacrifice-Unheralded-Athletes/dp/153817197X

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

"Good things come to those who wait"

The Guinness is pouring well and honestly we can't drink it all by ourselves so join us. Open Monday through Thursday at 4pm. Friday through Sunday at 12pm. Happy Hour 4pm to 6pm. Look forward to seeing all your smiling

faces once again.

https://www.thechieftain.com/

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?

Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net

Join Us -- FREE!
Golden Gate Fields
374 - ggf
Where The Bay Comes To Play!
Dan - final
Visit our Website!
Wild Planet
Subscribe Now! FREE!
Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy

Cal Bears (Rugby) 29, Saint Mary’s Gaels 28, April 15, 2023.

Photos by Alex Ho.


Oakland Spiders @ Oakland Roots Match, April 15, 2023.

Photos by Ron Sellers. 


Oakland Roots 1, Hartford Atlanta 2, April 15, 2023.

Photos by Ron Seller.


Cal Bears Spring Football Showcase, April 15, 2023.

Photos by Ron Sellers.


San Jose Earthquakes 3, Sporting KC 0, PayPal Park, Saturday,

April 15, 2023. Photos by Alex Ho.


San Francisco Giants 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 10, Wednesday, Oracle Park, April 12, 2023. Photos by Rich Yee.


Oakland A’s 6. New York Mets 17, April 14, 2023.

Photos by Darren Yamashita.


Stanford vs. Cal Beach Volleyball, April 8, 2023.

Photos by Rich Yee.


San Francisco Falcons 13, Los Angeles Astra, 15, April 8, 2023.

Photos by Darren Yamashita.


Brutus Hamilton Invitational at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, Saturday, April 8. Photos by Ron Sellers.


Cal Bears 5, Utah Utes 4, April 2, 2023.

Photos by Darren Yamashita.

Subscribe Now! FREE!
Sports Today logo

Back Issues

Not to be missed!

Offering superb photography and

entertaining chronicles


Sports Today - #481 -- Apr. 17 - Apr. 23

Sports Today - #480 -- Apr. 10 - Apr. 16

Sports Today - #479 -- Apr. 3 - Apr. 9

Sports Today - #478 -- Mar. 27 - Apr. 2

Sports Today - #477 -- Mar. 21 - Mar. 26

Sports Today - #476 -- Mar. 14 - Mar. 20

Sports Today - #475 -- Mar. 6 - Mar. 13

Sports Today - #474 -- Feb. 27 - Mar. 5

Sports Today - #473 -- Feb. 20 - Feb. 26

Sports Today - #472 -- Feb. 13 - Feb. 19

Sports Today - #471 -- Feb. 6 - Feb. 12

Sports Today - #470 -- Jan. 30 - Feb. 5

Sports Today - #469 -- Jan. 23 - Jan. 29

Sports Today - #468 -- Jan. 16 - Jan. 22

Sports Today - #467 -- Jan. 9 - Jan. 15

Sports Today - #466 -- Jan. 2 - Jan. 8

Sports Today - #465 -- Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 2023

Sports Today - #464 -- Dec. 19 - Dec. 25

Sports Today - #463 -- Dec. 12 - Dec. 18

Sports Today - #462 -- Dec. 5 - Dec. 11

Sports Today - #461 -- Nov. 28 - Dec. 4

Sports Today - #460 -- Nov. 21 - Nov. 27

Sports Today - #459 -- Nov. 14 - Nov. 20

Sports Today - #458 -- Nov. 7 - Nov. 13

Sports Today - #457 -- Oct. 31 - Nov. 6

Sports Today - #456 -- Oct. 24 - Oct. 30

Sports Today - #455 -- Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

Sports Today - #454 -- Oct. 10 - Oct. 16

Sports Today - #453 -- Oct. 23 - Oct. 9

Sports Today - #452 -- Sep. 26 - Oct. 2

Sports Today - #451 -- Sep. 19 - Sep. 25

Sports Today - #450 -- Sep. 12 - Sep. 18

Sports Today - #449 -- Sep. 5 - Sep. 11

Sports Today - #448 -- Aug. 29 - Sep. 4

Sports Today - #447 -- Aug. 22 - Aug. 28

Sports Today - #446 -- Aug. 15 - Aug. 21

Sports Today - #445 -- Aug. 8 - Aug. 14

Sports Today - #444 -- Aug. 1 - Aug. 7

Sports Today - #443 -- July 25 - July 31

Sports Today - #442 -- July 18 - July 24

Sports Today - #441 -- July 11 - July 17

Sports Today - #440 -- July 4 - July 10

Sports Today - #439 -- Jun 27 - July 3

Sports Today - #438 -- Jun 20 - Jun 26

Sports Today - #437 -- Jun 13 - Jun 19

Sports Today - #436 -- Jun 6 - Jun 12

Sports Today - #435 -- May 31 - Jun 5

Sports Today - #434 -- May 23 - May 30

Sports Today - #433 -- May 16 - May 22

Sports Today - #432 -- May 9 - May 15

Sports Today - #431 -- May 2 - May 8

Sports Today - #430 -- Apr. 25 - May 1

Sports Today - #429 -- Apr. 18 - Apr. 24

Sports Today - #428 -- Apr. 11 - Apr. 17

Sports Today - #427 -- Apr. 4 - Apr. 10

Sports Today - #426 -- Mar. 28 - Apr. 3

Sports Today - #425 -- Mar. 21 - Mar. 27

Sports Today - #424 -- Mar. 14 - Mar. 20

Sports Today - #423 -- Mar. 7 - Mar. 13

Sports Today - #422 -- Feb. 28 - Mar. 6

Sports Today - #421 -- Feb. 21 - Feb. 27

Sports Today - #420 -- Feb. 14 - Feb. 20

Sports Today - #419 -- Feb. 7 - Feb. 13

Sports Today - #418 -- Jan. 31 - Feb. 6

Sports Today - #417 -- Jan. 24 - Jan. 30

Sports Today - #416 -- Jan. 17 - Jan. 23

Sports Today - #415 -- Jan. 10 - Jan. 16

Sports Today - #414 -- Jan. 3 - Jan. 9

Sports Today - #413 -- Dec. 27 - Jan. 2, 2022

Sports Today - #412 -- Dec. 20 - Dec. 26

Sports Today - #411 -- Dec. 13 - Dec. 19

Sports Today - #410 -- Dec. 6 - Dec. 12

Sports Today - #409 -- Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

Sports Today - #408 -- Nov. 23 - Nov. 28

Sports Today - #407 -- Nov. 15 - Nov. 22

Sports Today - #406 -- Nov. 8 - Nov. 14

Sports Today - #405 -- Nov. 1 - Nov. 7

Sports Today - #404 -- Oct. 24 - Oct. 31

Sports Today - #403 -- Oct. 18 - Oct. 23

Sports Today - #402 -- Oct. 11 - Oct. 17

Sports Today - #401 -- Oct. 4 - Oct. 10

Sports Today - #400 -- Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

Sports Today - #399 -- Sept. 20 - Sept. 26

Sports Today - #398 -- Sept. 13 - Sept. 19

Sports Today - #397 -- Sept. 6 - Sept. 12

Sports Today - #396 -- August 30 - Sept. 5

Sports Today - #395 -- August 23 - August 29

Sports Today - #394 -- August 16 - August 22

Sports Today - #393 -- August 9 - August 15

Sports Today - #392 -- August 2 - August 8

Sports Today - #391 -- July 26 - August 1

Sports Today - #390 -- July 19 - July 25

Sports Today - #389 -- July 12 - July 18

Sports Today - #388 -- July 5 - July 11

Sports Today - #387 -- June 28 - July 4

Sports Today - #386 -- June 21 - June 27

Sports Today - #385 -- June 14 - June 20

Sports Today - #384 -- June 7 - June 13

Sports Today - #383 -- May 31 - June 6

Sports Today - #382 -- May 24 - May 30

Sports Today - #381 -- May 17 - May 23

Sports Today - #380 -- May 10 - May 16

Sports Today - #379 -- May 3 - May 9

Sports Today - #378 -- Apr. 26 - May 2

Sports Today - #377 -- Apr. 19 - Apr. 25

Sports Today - #376 -- Apr. 12 - Apr. 18

Sports Today - #375 -- Apr. 5 - Apr. 11

Sports Today - #374 -- Mar. 29 - Apr. 4

Sports Today - #373 -- Mar. 22 - Mar. 28

Sports Today - #372 -- Mar. 15 - Mar. 21

Sports Today - #371 -- Mar. 8 - Mar. 14

Sports Today - #370 -- Mar. 1 - Mar. 7

Sports Today - #369 -- Feb. 22 - Feb. 28

Sports Today - #368 -- Feb. 15 - Feb. 21

Sports Today - #367 -- Feb. 8 - Feb. 14

Sports Today - #366 -- Feb. 1 - Feb 7

Sports Today - #365 -- Jan. 25 - Jan. 31

Sports Today - #364 -- Jan. 18 - Jan. 24

Sports Today - #363 -- Jan. 11 - Jan. 17

Sports Today - #362 -- Jan. 4 - Jan. 10

Sports Today - #361 -- Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021

Sports Today - #360 -- Dec. 21 - Dec. 27

Sports Today - #359 -- Dec. 14 - Dec. 20

Sports Today - #358 -- Dec. 7 - Dec. 13

Sports Today - #357 -- Nov. 30 - Dec. 6

Sports Today - #356 -- Nov. 23 - Nov. 29

Sports Today - #355 -- Nov. 16 - Nov. 22

Sports Today - #354 -- Nov. 9 - Nov. 15

Sports Today - #353 -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 8

Sports Today - #352 -- Oct. 26 - Nov. 1

Sports Today - #351 -- Oct. 19 - Oct. 25

Sports Today - #350 -- Oct. 12 - Oct. 18

Sports Today - #349 -- Oct. 5 - Oct. 11

Sports Today - #348 -- Sept. 28 - Oct. 4

Sports Today - #347 -- Sept. 21 - Sept. 27

Sports Today - #346 -- Sept. 14 - Sept. 20

Sports Today - #345 -- Sept. 7 - Sept. 13

Sports Today - #344 -- August 31 - Sept. 6

Sports Today - #343 -- August 24 - August 30

Sports Today - #342 -- August 17 - August 23

Sports Today - #341 -- August 10 - August 16

Sports Today - #340 -- August 3 - August 9

Sports Today - #339 -- July 27 - August 2

Sports Today - #338 -- July 20 - July 26

Sports Today - #337 -- July 13 - July 19

Sports Today - #336 -- July 6 - July 12

Sports Today - #335 -- June 29 - July 5

Sports Today - #334 -- June 22 - June 28

Sports Today - #333 -- June 15 - June 21

Sports Today - #332 -- June 8 - June 14

Sports Today - #331 -- June 1 - June 7

Sports Today - #330 -- May 25 - May 31

Sports Today - #329 -- May 18 - May 24

Sports Today - #328 -- May 11 - May 17

Sports Today - #327 -- May 4 - May 10

Sports Today - #326 -- April 27 - May 3

Sports Today - #325 -- April 20 - April 26

Sports Today - #324 -- April 13 - April 19

Sports Today - #323 -- April 6 - April 12

Sports Today - #322 -- March 30 - April 5

Sports Today - #321 -- March 23 - March 29

Sports Today - #320 -- March 16 - March 22

Sports Today - #319 -- March 9 - March 15

Sports Today - #318 -- March 2 - March 8

Sports Today - #317 -- February 24 - March 1

Sports Today - #316 -- February 17 - Feb. 23

Sports Today - #315 -- February 10 - Feb. 16

Sports Today - #314 -- February 3 - February 9

Sports Today - #313 -- January 27 - February 2

Sports Today - #312 -- January 20 - January 26

Sports Today - #311 -- January 13 - January 19

Sports Today - #310 -- January 6 - January 12

Sports Today - #309 -- Dec. 30 - Jan. 5, 2020


Click here for 2019 editions.

Sports Haikus

Sports Today -- #470 -- Menu of Champions (Warriors)

Sports Today -- #469 -- Dallas Cowboys

Sports Today -- #463 -- "Pensive" (San Francisco Giants)

Sports Today -- #456 -- Grandmaster Funky (Chess)

Sports Today -- #455 -- Draymond Punched Jordan

Sports Today -- #453 -- San Francisco Giants

Sports Today -- #452 -- San Francisco Giants

Sports Today -- #447 -- Evan Longoria

Sports Today -- #446 -- The Understudy

Sports Today -- #445 -- The Sanctum Revisited

Sports Today -- #444 -- Name Image Likeness

Sports Today -- #443 -- Coach Shanahan -- This Is Your Playbook

Sports Today -- #442 -- TWO-PRONGED UNICORNS

Sports Today -- #441 -- TWO-PRONGED UNICORNS

Sports Today -- #439 -- TWO-PRONGED UNICORNS

Sports Today -- #438 -- GLIMPSES OF NIRVAVA

Sports Today -- #437 -- THE SANCTUM -- Expansion to Baseball

Sports Today -- #436 -- Golden State Warriors (Marcus Smart)

Sports Today -- #435 -- Golden State Warriors (The Sanctum)

Sports Today -- #434 -- Golden State Warriors (Wordle)

Sports Today -- #433 -- Kevon Looney

Sports Today -- #432 -- Loser's Hall of Fame (GOLF)

Sports Today -- #431 -- The Golden Buddha

Sports Today -- #430 -- The Essence of Baseball

Sports Today -- #429 -- Warriors Wordle

Sports Today -- #428 -- San Francisco Giants

Sports Today -- #427 -- Manute Bol

Sports Today -- #426 -- Kevon Looney

Sports Today -- #425 -- It's Curtains for Smart

Sports Today -- #424 -- A Warriors-World Formula for Success

Sports Today -- #423 -- March Madness / Basketball Style

Sports Today -- #422 -- Car 54

Sports Today -- #420 -- Stanford Cardinal Women's Basketball

Sports Today -- #419 -- Procol Harum

Sports Today -- #418 -- Barry Bonds

Sports Today -- #417 -- Waiting to Exhale:

Sports Today -- #416 -- Cowboys Are America's Team? Not!

Sports Today -- #415 -- Baseball Hall of Fame: Justice Served!

Sports Today -- #414 -- First Take? Y'all Can Have It!

Sports Today -- #413 -- Warriors Greatness

Sports Today -- #412 -- Curry 3-pointer!

Autograph Collections

#481 -- Muhammad Ali -- Rich Yee

#480 -- Buster Posey -- Rich Yee

#479 -- Harlem Globetrotters -- Rich Yee

#476 -- Art Thoms -- Rich Yee

#474 -- Kerri Walsh -- Rich Yee

#472 -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- Rich Yee

#471 -- Arnold Schwarzenegger -- Rich Yee

#470 -- Cal Bears Women's Gymnastics Team -- Rich Yee

#469 -- Sugar Ray Leonard -- Rich Yee

#468 -- Steve Young -- Rich Yee

#467 -- Mike Tyson -- Rich Yee

#466 -- Pele -- Rich Yee

#465 -- Yamila Diaz -- Rich Yee

#464 -- Wayne Gretzky -- Rich Yee

#463 -- Björn Borg -- Rich Yee

#462 -- Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Joe DiMaggio -- Rich Yee

#461 -- Joe Montana -- Rich Yee

#460 -- Dale Earnhardt -- Rich Yee

#458 -- Joe DiMaggio -- Ross Robinson

#457 -- Manny Pacquiao / Freddy Roach -- Rich Yee

#456 -- Stars on Ice -- Rich Yee 

#453 -- Richard Petty -- Rich Yee

#452 -- Mark McGwire -- Rich Yee

#450 -- Billie Jean King -- Rich Yee

#447 -- Yao Ming -- Rich Yee

#446 -- Yogi Berra -- Rich Yee

#445 -- Bill Russell -- Rich Yee

#444 -- Michael Phelps -- Rich Yee

#443 -- Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover -- Rich Yee

#442 -- Nadia Comaneci, Olympic Gymnast -- Rich Yee

#441 -- Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants -- Rich Yee

#438 -- Billyball, Oakland A's 1981 Season -- Bob Brackett

#435 -- James Brown, King of Soul -- Robert Moselle

#433 -- "Stormin" Norm Nixon -- Robert Moselle

#430 -- Randy Cross, San Francisco 49ers -- Robert Moselle

Drabble

#468 -- Tom Brady -- T. Buff

#457 -- Patric Mayers -- Stu Miller

#456 -- Bill Hool -- San Francisco Giants 

#455 -- Richard Charles -- Go Guardians!

Sponsors


Golden Gate Fields; Serean Kimmel, Re/Max Accord; 

Dan Siegel; Wild Planet Foods;

The Yankee Way, Baseball's Greatest Dynasty;;

Center for Continuing Education (www.cce-mcle.com)


Weekly Bay Area

Sports Calendar

Monday, April 24, through

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Monday, April 24

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes @ Monterey Bay FC, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m.

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC @ Sacramento Republic FC, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 27

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, TBD

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 1:07 p.m.

Friday, April 28

Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings, TBD

Oakland A's vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6:40 p.m.

Saturday, April 29

San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres, 3:05 p.m.

Oakland A's vs. Cincinnati Reds, 1:07 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes @ Austin FC, 5:30 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC vs. Miami FC, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 30

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings, TBD

San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres, 1:05 p.m.

Oakland A's vs. Cincinnati Reds, 1:07 p.m.

Enjoy the
 Ultimate Sports Guide website!

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
Ricky
Ricky Liu
Natalie
Natalie Leung
Yafei
Yafei Lang
Kasey
Kasey Woo

Sports Today's Book Shelf

FIELD OF PLAY


For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.


To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/

377

 LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office.

The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983.

To Order
To Order

More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented.

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 foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author).

To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704

To Order

Advertise in Sports Today!


* Reach thousands of fans on a weekly basis

* Economical rates

* Sponsorship opportunities



Call (510) 414-5394 or write acooke3495@aol.com

Ann Cooke, Director of Sales

Kimmel
Serean Kimmel, Associate
Kimmel  #2
5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723

CalBRE License #:01770629

Agent  510.512.2145
Office  925.847.8900

348 - Amy

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!

Go to www.checkforbikes.org or email contact@checkforbikes.org

with questions or to order.

Contact Information:
Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-915-5664
Visit our website
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  

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.