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July 15 -- July 21, 2024
Issue No. 546
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski
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, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim, Ammar Bhaiji
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Special Praise
Congratulations on your brilliant piece, The Sportsmanteau, (Robert Moselle/#545 -- https://conta.cc/3VScls9) in last week's Sports Today. Robert, your creativity in coining Sportsmanteau and your engaging explanations of Bomel and Belmo are commendable.
Your detailed account of Bob Melvin’s career with the Giants and Jason Belmonte’s revolutionary bowling style highlights your deep understanding and passion for sports. The article educates and inspires readers to appreciate these sports figures' unique contributions.
Thank you for sharing such a well-crafted and enjoyable read. I look forward to more of your innovative contributions to Sports Today.
Best regards,
Carl Macki
Fairfax, CA
High Marks
I love Stephen Curry. He is one of our best athletes and a wonderful man all around! (Dave Newhouse/#544 -- https://conta.cc/3RQwDRC)
Much is going on and the Olympics coming up – so exciting!
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
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More Praise
An excellent contribution to the long list of great sports news provided by this publication. Keep sending 'em, and I will keep reading 'em. Oh, and sending 'em on their way to others.
Arif Khatib
Founder & President, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
Publisher: African American Sports Magazine
Author: In the Shadow of Obscurity...Toiling In A Reluctant Society
Remember Their Sacrifice....Stories of Unheralded Athletes of Color
Film Producer: Because They Believed
Cultural Ambassador -- Indian American Hindu Community
www.multiethnicsportshof.com www.becausetheybelieved.com
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Contents
Games
Bay Area Panthers 46, Northern Arizona Wranglers 47
Oakland Roots SC 0, Pittsburgh Riverhounds 5
San Francisco Giants 3, Minnesota Twins 2
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Sporting Kansas City 2
Features & Commentary
35th American Century Championship at Edgewood Lake Tahoe
Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!
Klay "Sweet" Approaching Klay Feet, by Dave Newhouse
More About Steph Curry, by Howard Pearlstein
Muhammad Ali, from the Autograph Collection of Andy Dolich
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Working with "The Logo," by Andy Dolich
Organizations
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Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
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San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Nighthawks
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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35th American Century Championship at Edgewood Lake Tahoe, CA
Wednesday-Sunday, July 10-14, 2024
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Mardy Fish wins! Mardy Fish tosses the ball he sunk his winning put on to the crowd at the American Century Championship
at Lake Tahoe.
The 35th American Century Championship at Edgewood Lake Tahoe was won by former tennis star, Mardy Fish. Pushing Mardy to the very end was former San Jose Shark Joe Pavelski, followed by Annika Sorenstam. Records crowds turned out to see a wide array of Hall of Famers from multiple sports as well as celebrities from the entertainment world.
It was the second win at Lake Tahoe for Fish, the first being in 2020. The winner’s check of $150,000 was presented to Mardy at the end of the final round. The tournament honored one of its former players, former Red Sox star Tim Wakefield who died last year after a short battle with cancer. Wakefield’s #49 was seen prominently on and off the course during the weekend tournament.
Photo and caption by Jeff Bayer / American Century Championship.
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San Francisco Giants 3
Minnesota Twins 2
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, July 14, 2024
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San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski hit a triple in the bottom of the ninth inning and then scored the winning run after the throw went into the dugout as the Giants entered the All-Star break with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, July 14th at Oracle Park. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
Starting pitcher Blake Snell pitched six perfect innings, surrendering a single in the seventh, while striking out eight in his strongest outing of the season. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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San Francisco Giants third base coach Matt Williams (9) stands on the field as uniform numbers of Hall of Fame members Willie Mays (24) and Orlando Cepeda (30) hang on the right field wall before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo by
Darren Yamashita.
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Hope For The Giants
by Bruce Macgowan
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Last year they were boring and mediocre. This season the San Francisco Giants are still mediocre, but at least they’re not boring.
The Giants have been involved in their share of one-run thrillers. They managed to go into the All-Star break by winning another one of those nail biters, playing the tightrope act in the ninth inning in a game this past Sunday. On their way to what looked like a 2-0 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins, bullpen ace Camilo Doval failed to close out the 9th inning. Doval gave up two runs, thus denying what would have been the first win of the season for Blake Snell, who finally looked like the pitcher the Giants signed for two years and the astronomical sum of $64 million dollars.
Up until recently, Snell had been pretty much a non-entity on the Giants’ pitching staff. He missed all of spring training, then suffered an injury after a very poor start to his season and only came back a few weeks ago.
But last year’s Cy Young winner with the Padres was unhittable over the first six innings of Sunday’s game, (actually, he pitched SIX perfect innings,) before giving up a single in the seventh. Normally, the veteran lefty strikes out about six or seven hitters a game but also walks four or five so he rarely goes longer than six innings. But Sunday, Snell was getting ahead of hitters with pinpoint control and ended up with eight strikeouts and no walks before departing to a standing ovation.
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San Francisco Giants fans applaud starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) after a base hit ends his perfect game bid against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Oracle Park.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Any further success by Snell and veteran starter Robbie Ray, who will pitch for the first time in a year after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, could be the difference in the Giants making it to the playoffs as a wild card team or finishing out of the running again. Otherwise, they will continue to scuffle with the rest of a mediocre bunch of clubs that are all hovering around the .500 mark.
Manager Bob Melvin has had a difficult time in his first year back home with the team he once played for. The Peninsula native has not been a happy man. One can see the expressions of frustration on his face as he’s watched his team struggle to play consistent baseball.
But after being practically derailed by injuries over the first couple of months of the year, the ball club finally looks healthy and seems ready to make a move. General manager Farhan Zaidi’s offseason free agent signings have had mixed success, but when you look at the Giants everyday lineup, there is really only one player who other teams’ pitchers are really worried about and that’s rookie outfielder Heliot Ramos. A top prospect for a couple of years, Ramos is finally healthy and has been scalding the ball and playing pretty good defense in the outfield to bring some excitement back to the yard.
A much deserving All-Star selection along with ace pitcher Logan Webb, Ramos is a bundle of positive energy and a likable young man whose mastery of English has helped him gain even more adulation from local fans.
But let’s make this clear; the Giants’ hitting is NOT putting much fear into opposing pitchers. During a recent team-wide slump, I asked Giants’ announcer Dave Flemming if the club was ever gonna start hitting. “No,” he flatly said while ruefully chuckling.
The inconsistency of this club has been a source of constant frustration, The Giants will win four, they lose four out of five, win three on the road and then come home and lose two out of three. Their best hitters were supposed to be newcomers Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman and although Chapman plays platinum quality defense at third, both he and Soler are strike out machines and are among the league leaders in that dubious category.
The best chance of success then is the pitching staff. With a solid bullpen, (with the recent exception of closer Doval who has struggled,) plus a seemingly revitalized Snell and the addition of former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, the second half of the season could bring some success, In any case, the Giants are a lot more interesting to watch than they have been over the last couple of years!
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* * *
Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Klay "Sweet"
Approaching
Klay Feet
by Dave Newhouse
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Tears are flowing because a beloved Warrior is no more. Klay Thompson will be launching shots next for Dallas, though not nearly as frequently with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the Mavericks top gunners.
The local sobbing is understandable because Thompson meant so much to the Warriors' championship past, with his coming back from a two-year physical recovery to, heroically, regain star stature.
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Klay Thompson believes he could be the missing piece for the Dallas Mavs after leaving the Golden State Warriors | |
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But let’s get a hold of ourselves over his departure, because sports heroes leaving town isn’t something new. Willie Mays ended his career with the New York Mets, Joe Montana with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Rick Barry with the Houston Rockets.
And that’s just getting started. Babe Ruth finished his career with the Boston Braves after starting with the Boston Red Sox. Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar each played for multiple NBA teams. And Jerry Rice didn’t retire as a San Francisco 49er.
History is replete with sports legends playing for any number of franchises. Pete Rose wore four different uniforms, likewise Hugh McElhenny. Joe Namath wound up as a Los Angeles Ram and Johnny Unitas retired as a San Diego Charger.
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San Francisco's talented and aptly-nicknamed backfield consisted
of four Hall of Famers: (L to R) Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry,
Y.A. Tittle and John Henry Johnson
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Speaking of McElhenny, he was part of the 49ers’ Million Dollar Backfield with Y.A. Tittle, Joe Perry and John Henry Johnson. Four Pro Football Hall of Famers, and all four ended their careers elsewhere.
For every Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Cal Ripken, Sandy Koufax, Jim Brown, Bart Starr, Lawrence Taylor, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, all lasting with one just team, there are twice as many superstars who moved on. I mean Michael Jordan as a Washington Wizard? How ridiculous does that sound?
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(L to R) Run TMC's Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin
Klay Thompson was a Warrior fixture, no doubt, but so were Nate Thurmond and the Run TMC trio of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin and all four moved to different NBA cities.
Thus don't be surprised if Draymond Green leaves the Warriors one day, though Stephen Curry’s exit would be more difficult to accept. However, Ty Cobb didn’t remain a Detroit Tiger, Oscar Robertson a Cincinnati Royal, or Kenny Stabler an Oakland Raider.
And if we’re really getting into different zip codes in franchise shifting, don’t overlook Rickey Henderson.
Of course, there’s always LeBron James, who has been his own moving company in becoming the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
Closer to home, of the Giants’ five ballpark statues — Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda — none were lifetime Giants.
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(L to R) Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart, Charlie Finley
The A’s retired the numbers of Henderson, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart (both wore 34), and all six played elsewhere.
Tears are necessary, no doubt, when a sports legend motors off elsewhere, whether it's Rogers Hornsby or Roger Clemens, Lefty Gomez or Lefty Grove, Chick Hafey or Chuck Klein, Dizzy Dean or Dazzy Vance, Goose Goslin or Goose Gossage.
Just remember, Rick Barry was an afterthought as a Houston Rocket, just as Klay Thompson will be as a Dallas Maverick, because you can't stop the aging process. Getting old is inevitable, especially with athletes, even the greatest ones. It never ends.
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* * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. 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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A personalized statement from Jerry West addressed to
co-worker Andy Dolich
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Working with "The Logo"
by Andy Dolich
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As a proud second teamer at Valley Stream South High on Long Island and one year on the varsity basketball pine at American University in Washington, DC., I never could have imagined that someday I would work with the NBA “Logo.” From 2002 to 2007, Jerry West was President of Basketball Operations, and I was President of Business Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies.
His passing on June 12th at 86 has been chronicled by sports journalists all over the basketball world. When your life’s journey is on the front page of the New York Times, that is the ultimate indicator of global importance.
In April of 2002, Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley hired Jerry West to run the basketball operation. Less than two years later the Grizzlies won a franchise record 50 games and clinched their first playoff berth. We made the postseason three consecutive times from 2003-06. Jerry left the Grizzlies in 2007.
In May of 2011, Golden State Warriors ownership hired West as an advisor and member of their executive board. Of all the quality acquisitions the team made, this was a significant statement that championship planning is best done by those who have won championships. “The Logo” went on to advising Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer in 2017.
Some numbers worth thinking about during Jerry West’s career:
* 14 NBA All-Star teams during his 14 years with the Lakers
* 33 straight wins with the Lakers in the 1972-73 season.
* 3 NBA Championships as the GM of the Lakers.
* Olympic Gold medalist in the 1960 games.
* Named MVP of the NBA finals in 1969 when his team lost to the Boston Celtics. Only time this has ever happened in NBA history.
* Player, Coach, GM and Team President during his time in the NBA, 42 of those years with the Lakers.
* Busted his nose 9 times.
* Nicknamed “The Logo”, “Mr. Clutch”, “Mr. Outside"
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Front cover of Emphasis, celebrating the Memphis Grizzlies' new FedExForum in Memphis, TN | |
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There are five examples which stand out in my mind as to why Jerry West was one of a kind. We live in a sports world in which analytics and metrics play an increasing role in player personnel selection. West had the X-ray vision to see beyond the numbers into the heart, mind, soul and grit of players and coaches. He seemed to know what would work when others were still pouring over their computer screens and white boards.
1.) Hiring Hubie Brown
Sixteen years removed from his last NBA coaching job, Brown was hired by Jerry to coach the Grizzlies in 2002. During Hubie’s introductory press conference a media member kept pushing the point that Hubie was out of touch with the current NBA. Jerry told him that “Hubie is a teacher, all great teachers are relevant in any situation, with any group of players at any time.” The reporter slunk back into his seat.
The Grizzlies’ choice of Brown was controversial at the time since he was the NBA’s oldest coach at 69. The team underwent a complete turnaround the next year finishing 50-32 and making the postseason for the first time in team history. Brown was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year. Jerry West and Hubie Brown 1, Media 0.
2.) Monta Ellis
Monta was a star from Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi who as a junior scored 42 against national power Oak Hill and 72 points in a game as a senior. I remember a High School All-Star game at FedExForum with the USA vs. an International team. Jerry immediately weighed in that Monta would turn into a major scorer when others had their questions. Monta bypassed a scholarship to Mississippi State to enter the NBA draft in 2005 where he was the 40th player chosen by the Warriors. He played 12 productive seasons in the NBA with the Warriors, Bucks, Mavericks and Pacers.
3.) Klay Thompson
I had no details on the insider discussions among the Warriors brain trust when the team was considering the Kevin Love deal for Klay but I do know that Jerry was a Klay Thompson fan from his college days. West told the organization that if they made the deal, he would let the basketball world know he was 100% against it. “Splash Brothers” created championship excitement because they listened to “The Logo.”
4.) The Maybach going away party
Team owner Mike Heisley told me that after our last game of the 2007 season Jerry was going back to California. Mike wanted to give him a memorable going away gift. Heisley knew Jerry liked cars so he bought him a Mercedes Benz Maybach as a surprise. Let’s just say you don’t see too many Maybachs cruising around the neighborhood.
The car was brought into the players-only garage. Heisley proudly presented Jerry with the keys in front of a small group of the Grizzlies front office. Jerry stared at the car, looked at the keys and walked around the luxurious Maybach.
He shook Heisley’s hand and said, “Thanks, Mike. This is incredibly generous of you, but I’m good!” He handed Heisley back the keys and walked away as only The Logo could.
5. Winning Time
In 2022, the Hyperbolic Hollywood HBO Hardwood series “Winning Time” unfairly chronicled the Showtime Lakers. The actor, who portrayed West, was irrational, sloppily dressed, a boozer-tantrum throwing brooder. West said this about the characterization. “It was deliberately false, egregious and cruel.” In my time with Jerry, he never came close to the character that betrayed who he really was.
Lakers’ legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn once said: “He took a loss harder than any player I’ve ever known. He would sit by himself and stare into space. A loss just ripped his guts out. His competitive fire was always burning on high.”
Having worked with a few icons during my career, it can be a bit difficult to separate the legend from the daily regimen of going to work and doing their jobs. That was never a problem during the time we worked together in Memphis.
He was and will always be “The Logo.”
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Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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It's Miller Time in Arlington!
Right-handed pitcher Mason Miller is wanted in Texas! Mason will represent the Green and Gold at the 94th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, July 16,
at Globe Life Field.
For the year, Miller leads MLB relievers with 66 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched (15.77 per nine innings). He ranks tied for the fourth lowest opponents batting average in the majors among relievers (.143), ranks sixth in OPS (.471), and tied 10th in on-base percentage (.225). Miller has thrown 278 pitches this season of 100+ MPH, most in the majors and the most by an A's pitcher since MLB began tracking pitch speed in 2008.
Miller leads Major League rookies with 14 saves and ranks tied for 16th overall. He won American League Relief Pitcher of the Month honors for March/April after recording eight saves, 28 strikeouts, four walks, seven hits allowed, and a .149 opponents batting average.
Watch the Midsummer Classic in Texas on Tuesday,
July 16, on FOX.
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Calling all Super Heroes!
Get your squad together to join forces as we battle the Los Angeles Angels for Marvel Super Hero™ Night. Fans of all ages can enjoy fun photo opportunities, trivia, video board specials, and more at the ballpark. After the game, head down to sit on the outfield grass for the postgame Drone Show featuring your favorite Marvel characters flying through the sky.
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Authors Dave Newhouse and
Andy Dolich sold out at Oakland's Fans' Fest
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Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story | |
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Oakland Ballers Launch Historic Community Investment Campaign:
A New Model for Fan Owners
Oakland, CA – The Oakland Ballers were born from the belief that the social contract between sports teams and fanbases is broken, and that it’s fans who create the value of a sports team. Now they are doubling down on that belief by unveiling a community investment campaign that aims to revolutionize the sports ownership model by giving fans a real seat at the table. In addition to the economic rights that go with an investment in the Ballers, the Ballers’ new ownership structure will go beyond any previous sports ownership models, offering fans an unprecedented bundle of rights that includes checks and balances on key team decisions including where the team is based, changes to the logos and brandmarks, and even some front office hiring decisions.
“Oakland is just the latest example of a systemic problem with how pro sports teams are run in the United States. Over the past 80 years, more than 30 teams have moved, leaving fans heartbroken and powerless. Team owners often hold fans hostage, demanding public money for new stadiums, and if they don't get it, they move the team to a different city that's willing to pay up. Even if you're not an Oakland sports fan, you get our frustration because we've all seen something we love taken away for someone else's gain.
The Ballers believe there’s a better way and that Oakland's the perfect place to make it happen. That’s why we’re excited to unveil a new sports ownership model, one that we hope will signal a positive change in how things are done,” said Bryan Carmel, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers.
continued...
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Muhammad Ali -- from the Autograph Collection of
Andy Dolich
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He Was The Greatest!
Ever since Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston on May 25th, 1965 in Lewiston Maine, he became my boxing hero.
The shocking first round knockout delivered by a supposed
"Phantom Punch" as well as a botched count by the referee "Jersey Joe" Walcott aroused suspicion of a fix which was never proven.
As a collector of sports memorabilia, I always wanted an autographed Ali boxing glove. When I was with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2000 to 2007, we partnered with the National Civil Rights Museum on a number of community projects. My friendship with a person who was connected to Ali through the Civil Rights movement made my dream come true.
-- Andy Dolich
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More About Steph Curry
by Howard Pearlstein
Dave Newhouse’s article on Steph Curry was in these pages a couple weeks ago. Loved it and now I‘m adding two more Steph Curry items here.
Back in 2016 or 2017, I did something I never do, wrote an angry letter to a newspaper. It was in response to one in the East Bay Times from a superficial ignoramus of a middle school teacher somewhere out 580. He’d written that Steph Curry was an inappropriate role model for children, since “having a talent for throwing a basketball” wasn’t much to emulate.
I wrote back because there was something to point out, aside from the idiocy of allowing someone to teach children, someone who didn’t understand that the path from having talent to being the MVP was something few humans can travel without an amazing amount of work and commitment.
I side-stepped all that to explain why Steph Curry was a fine role model, telling him something I thought wasn’t widely known to the general public, that for each three-pointer he made, Steph donated a medically-treated anti-malarial sleeping screen. It stuck in my mind since I knew that every year a million or more Sub-Saharan African children under 12 died of malaria. The donations weren’t for any glamorous “someday we’ll have a cure” research. Just a simple matter-of-fact effective prevention against the disease, stopping the Anopheles mosquito, which feeds at night. I knew that some other NBA players had joined the cause, also not self-aggrandizing “look at how socially conscious we are.” It was, “Here’s some money to save one more child’s life.”
THAT is definite role model behavior someone might want to emulate.
I know that Lenny Bruce cynically said, “The only truly anonymous donor is the guy who knocked up your daughter,” but there are some people who actually think in terms of the biblical phrase: “Hope, faith and charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.” (King James and Douay Versions)
Having been raised in the Jewish faith, I find myself happily surprised when I see people who call themselves Christians actually acting within the tenets of their faith. Not very often, but always wonderful.
And the other item?
October 23, 2019, the day of the Kincade Fire, there was the same scary 30-40 mph wind here in Oakland. I had a kitchen fire that went up into the attic crawlspace and revealed the asbestos and lead that was there as it ultimately washed into my living room when the water took down the ceiling. Half the house needed to be rebuilt and my insurance company put me in an apartment complex in San Leandro, where I spent most of 2020 COVIDing there.
Didn’t know anyone there, but there was a boy around 12 years old who spent his days more or less outside my door, continually dribbling a basketball.
He told me he wanted to be like Steph Curry.
I got him a book on Steph, an unauthorized biography by Clayton Geoffreys, detailing what it took for Steph to go from skinny kid with a 3-ball to the MVP.
Hundreds of hours of work, like learning how to move differently because the quick turns and twists that made him so difficult to defend were destroying his ankles. Hundreds and hundreds of hours of that and other things he needed to master to compensate with taller defenders.
And can we all remember his daily workout which other professional athletes tried and couldn’t do? All in that book, a perfect gift for a kid who wanted to be like his role model.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader | |
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Tim from the Midwest is making his 2024 San Francisco Giants season tickets available, as follows: Section 106, row 1, seats 5/6. Prices will vary and the entire season is available. Prices are for both seats and there is no parking.
26 games are 136.50, 28 games are 196.50, 17 games are 296.50,
6 games are 342.50. One is a DH, 3 games are 454.50. (View from 106, Row 1, Seat 7, one seat closer to home plate than seats 5 and 6.)
https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/143157/Oracle+Park/section-106/row-1/seat-7/
These are Tim's costs, no markups, no fees, tickets are all via smart phones. For more information: Tim Maroney, 610-519-0125
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we are simply happy to make these seats available to our readers
and as a favor to a loyal subscriber, Tim Maroney.
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Vol. 88: A Longform Settlement Is Expected To Be Finalized 'In The
Upcoming Weeks'
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The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
by Darren Heitner
Founder of HEITNERLEGAL
All sides are working to complete the longform of the settlement in the House case, which is expected to be finalized in the upcoming weeks and presented to Judge Wilken. A few details need to be hashed out in the near future, per sources." That was a tweet written by ESPN's Pete Thamel on July 8.
It reads a lot different than his prose in a May 23 article where he said, "Nothing is easy in college sports. And with the Power 5 conferences and NCAA board of governors voting Thursday to accept the settlement of three antitrust cases that create a new structure for the sport, the moment is layered in both historic change and looming ambiguity."
In less than 2 months it feels like the commentary went from proclaiming an historic settlement to acknowledging that there is still a long way to go.
Thamel's July 8 tweet thread added that enforcement of a "mechanism around collectives" remains "vexing for everyone" and that details "may not be fully hashed out until after the longform [settlement] is done." He also advised that we should not "expect immediate clarity on how athletic departments will handle monetary distribution" related to a revenue sharing system that is expected to be revealed as part of a settlement agreement, if it is ever approved by the court. "That’s still a major topic, but not one required to be addressed in this settlement."
continued...
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San Jose Earthquakes 1
Sporting Kansas City 2
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Saturday, July 13, 2024
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Earthquakes 1,
Sporting Kansas City 2
Late charge from San Jose falls short; Quakes finish homestand Wednesday night vs. Houston Dynamo
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Saturday night at PayPal Park.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 48th minute when Erik Thommy unleashed a deep left-footed shot from the center of the edge of the box that found the back of the net. In the 57th minute, SKC doubled their advantage when Nemanja Radoja picked out a streaking Alan Pulido for the finish.
San Jose refused to fold, and in the 82nd minute, a Jack Skahan pass in the box from the right wing ended up in the net when SKC’s Khiry Shelton swept it in for an own goal. The Quakes put on a final furious charge in the waning minutes but could not obtain the equalizer.
The Quakes will complete their three-game homestand when they take on the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, July 17. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
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Oakland Roots SC 0
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 5
Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Saturday, July 13, 2024
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Oakland Goes Down in Pittsburgh in
Big 0-5 Defeat
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds broke a long scoreless run to get on the board first against Oakland Roots when Junior Etou found the back of the net after a quick shift in play, giving the home side a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
Pittsburgh controlled the next 30 minutes of the game, earning a penalty kick following a Bryan Tamacas handball in the 29th minute. Robbie Mertz stepped up to score, giving the Riverhounds a 2-0 lead.
Pittsburgh were able to get a third goal just before the break as Sean Suber headed home from a set piece, giving his side a 3-0 lead.
At the end of 45 minutes, Pittsburgh maintained their 3-0 advantage into the halftime break after controlling the entire first period of play.
Early in the second half, Pittsburgh got a fourth goal through Kenardo Forbes, making the score a mountain to climb for the visiting Roots.
It became five in the 70th minute when Junior Etou secured his second goal of the match, making the score a full landslide at 5-0 in favor of Pittsburgh
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Friends of Laguna Seca Receives $500,000 Donation and Endorsement From Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation
Local foundation demonstrates its full support of Friends of Laguna Seca’s Concession Agreement with the County of Monterey
MONTEREY, Calif., July 11, 2024 – Friends of Laguna Seca (Friends) has received a $500,000 donation from the Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation (LSRF) in partnership with the Monterey County Parks Foundation (MCPF). This significant donation comes with the full endorsement from both the LSRF and MCPF as Friends begins its appointed stewardship of the Laguna Seca Recreation Area for the next 55 years.
“We are encouraged by the longstanding support of both the Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation and the Monterey County Parks Foundation,” said Friends of Laguna Seca CEO Lauri Eberhart. “These two local foundations share our unwavering passion to honor our local history, culture, youth and industry by prioritizing community access and further development of the Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area. We value their mutual vote of confidence as our team takes on the task of facility upgrades and improvements outlined in our agreement with the County.”
“The Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation is proud to support Friends of Laguna Seca as they take over management and operation of the cherished raceway and recreation area,” said Arthur Cook, president of Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation.
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Photo provided by Marc Miramontez
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DENSO NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS ROAR AGAIN IN SUMMER 2025
SONOMA, Calif. (July 10, 2024) – NHRA fans will get to hear, smell and feel the nitro-booming 22,000+ horsepower drag racing machines again in beautiful wine country next Summer as Sonoma Raceway will retain its July date in 2025. NHRA announced today their return to Sonoma July 25-27, 2025, marking the 37th year of this thunderous event at one of the most coveted locations on the schedule.
Sonoma Raceway, known for its picturesque surroundings and high-octane action, will host the best in the business at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals as top NHRA drivers compete for glory at the racetrack’s quarter-mile drag strip. This is more than just a race weekend - it’s a celebration of speed, horsepower, and the vibrant community of drag racing fans who have made this event a staple of the summer.
“There’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of NHRA drag racing against the backdrop of beautiful Sonoma,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “This event has become a cherished tradition, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for our fans and drivers.”
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Bay Area Panthers 46
Northern Arizona Wrangler 47
Sap Center, San Jose, CA
Sunday, July 7, 2024
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Rowan Hamilton (left) and Mason Mangum (right) were named Academic All-Americans for the first time in their respective careers.
Hamilton, Mangum Earn Academic All-America Honors
Alums Add Accolades From College Sports Communicators
AUSTIN, Texas - California track & field's Rowan Hamilton and Mason Mangum were announced as College Sports Communicators (CSC) Men's Track & Field Academic All-Americans on Wednesday, with Hamilton earning a second-team spot and Mangum a third-team nod.
It is the first Academic All-America honor and second major academic award (2023 NAIA Scholar-Athlete) for Hamilton, who transferred from British Columbia in the 2023-24 school year to pursue a graduate certificate at Cal. During the indoor track & field season, the Chilliwack, British Columbia, native broke the program's weight throw record at 22.36m (73-4) and became Cal's first male weight thrower to reach the NCAA Indoor Championships, earning Second-Team All-America status. His record-breaking ways continued in the outdoor season, when he became Cal's first conference champion in the men's hammer since 1919 and its first NCAA Champion in the event since 1922; his personal best of 77.18m (253-2) is not only a program record, but the No. 8 collegiate performance of all time. Hamilton, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country (USTFCCCA) West Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, will represent Canada at the upcoming Olympic Games.
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WORLD CLASS CARDINAL
Five Stanford alumni representing three different nations will join junior Torri Huske and head coach Greg Meehan in Paris
STANFORD, Calif. – With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games just two weeks away, a group of five former Cardinal swimmers and divers across three different nations are set to represent their home countries alongside current Cardinal junior Torri Huske and head coach Greg Meehan.
The group of former Cardinal standouts extends an impressive streak of producing world-class talent on The Farm, as Stanford women’s swimming & diving has sent at least one athlete to the Olympic Games since 1976.
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SJOSTRAND NAMED SECOND TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
AUSTIN, Texas—San José State student-athlete Emilia Sjostrand has been named to the 2023-24 second team Academic All-America® women’s track and field/cross country teams, as announced by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
She is the second Spartan women’s track and field/cross country student-athlete to receive this honor in program history after Rebecca Garcia was a third-team honoree in 2015.
Sjostrand is the second Spartan to receive Academic All-America® honors after women’s swimmer Ela Freiman was named a third team honoree in April.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Group of Former Gaels Compete in Early Wave of Summer League Games, Prepare for Vegas
SACRAMENTO, Calif./SALT LAKE CITY — The early wave of NBA Summer League competition has come to an end and teams are getting geared up for the major NBA 2K25 Summer League event in Las Vegas, which begins tomorrow. A pair of former Gaels were able to get their feet wet in the early Summer League events in Sacramento and Salt Lake City, while two more are getting geared up for their 2025 Summer League debuts in Vegas.
Of the four Gaels on Summer League rosters, Jordan Ford is the only one who has seen time on an NBA court. The 2020 Saint Mary's graduate made his NBA debut with the Sacramento Kings on October 25 against the Utah Jazz, and scored his first NBA points a little over a week later against the Houston Rockets on November 4. In total, Ford appeared in six contests, shooting 57.1% from the field and 66.7% from three in limited action. He also appeared in 24 contests with the NBA G-League Stockton Kings, averaging 15.5 points and 4.2 assists per game.
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Photo: SMC Athletic/Piper Westrom
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Women's Golf Announces
2024-25 Schedule
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's golf team and Head Coach Sara Doell have officially announced the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
"I'm very excited as we're gearing up for the 2024-25 season," Doell said. "With an experienced roster, we have an opportunity to compete with the best teams in the nation at a high level this season."
San Francisco claimed nine top-10 team finishes during a successful 2023-24 campaign, accentuated by a standout performance at the West Coast Conference Championships, finishing the tournament in second place. Individually, Riana Mission earned her second-career victory at The Clash at Boulder Creek and was selected as an individual qualifier to the Cle Elum Regional for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship.
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213 Broncos Earn WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll Recognition
More than 200 Broncos student-athletes landed on the 2023-24 WCC Commissioner's
Honor Roll Friday
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Santa Clara University athletics got even better in the classroom in 2023-24, with 213 Broncos student-athletes landing on the West Coast Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, 10 more than a year ago.
The Broncos had 45 student-athletes earn "Gold" honors with cumulative Grade Point Averages between 3.75 and 4.00. That included two perfect 4.000 GPAs: Hannah Edwards of softball in her psychology master's program, and Olivia Schlieman in her biology major.
The 2023-24 Commissioner's honor roll is the 12th consecutive featuring more than 1,000 WCC student-athletes collecting honors for possessing at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Over 1,600 student-athletes qualified for recognition this year. Santa Clara was one of four WCC schools boasting over 200 honorees.
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES 2024 SCHEDULE
STOCKTON, Calif. -- The Pacific volleyball program unveiled its upcoming schedule for 2024, in preparation of its 49th season, by highlighting the new year through welcoming two new conference opponents to the fold.
Pacific punctuated its 2023 campaign with an 18-11 record overall and a fourth-place finish in the West Coast Conference, while making the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) for the third-straight season.
The Tigers kick off 2024 with a non-conference schedule that is exclusively on the road. The four-week stint features four new opponents and includes stops in Las Vegas, Charleston, Phoenix and Fresno.
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UC Davis Adds Sahana Kanagasabay to Complete Signing Class
DAVIS, Calif. – Head Coach Jennifer Gross has added Providence transfer Sahana Kanagasabay to the roster, finalizing her signing class for the 2024-25 season. Kanagasabay joins incoming freshmen Ryann Bennett and Avery Sussex, both of whom committed during the early signing period in November. The addition of Kanagasabay strengthens an already experienced UC Davis roster.
SAHANA KANAGASABAY (Guard / 5'11"/ Surrey, British Columbia / Providence)
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Alumni Day - July 21 -
Watch the Oakland Roots host Sacramento Republic
Oakland Roots vs. Sacramento Republic
Pioneer Stadium | Hayward, California
Sunday, July 21, 2024 - 1 p.m.
Special Ticket Price: $20
Purchase Tickets Here!
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Careers At St. Francis Yacht Club
Founded in 1927, St. Francis Yacht Club is steeped in nearly a century of yachting traditions. From the beginning, St. Francis Yacht Club’s membership has included many of the Bay Area’s most prominent citizens and greatest sailors. The Club’s annual regatta schedule is one of the most active in the world and it has been consistently rated the #1 Yacht Club in America. Career opportunities at StFYC are many and varied—with three dining facilities, private party and event spaces, docks and small boat fleets, a robust 2,400+ membership, and a private island in the Delta—the club requires a talented staff to meet the needs of members and guests and to maintain its top-notch facilities.
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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/
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For Sports Today
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Back Issues
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Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, July 15, through
Sunday, July 21, 2024
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Monday, July 15
MLB Home Run Derby, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16
MLB All-Star Game, 5 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, July 18
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 6:35 p.m.
Friday, July 19
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, July 20
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Angels, 1:07 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 6:35 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Minnesota United FC, 5:30 p.m.
Bay FC @ San Diego Wave, 7 p.m.
Bay Area Panthers @ San Diego Strike Force, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday July 21
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Angels, 1:07 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. Sacramento Republic, 1 p.m.
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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/
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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. | |
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 | | |
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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 helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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