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October 30 - November 5, 2023
Issue No. 509
For Gmail addresses, we recommend using the link immediately below for a pristine copy.
View as Webpage
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Josh Nickel, 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 & Production: Jenny Kim
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Bengals-Niners Lowlights: Week 8, 10/29/23
In front of Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and numerous other 49er legends in attendance at Levi's Stadium, today's squad could not match that greatness and was defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals, 31-17. From the outset, it was tough.
After a McCaffery eight-yard run, the Niners were stuffed on two-yard runs twice in a row, and punted, and the Bengals efficiently ran down the field for a score. After a clutch pass from Purdy to Aiyuk, McCaffrey ran one in for a 49ers TD, 7-7. The Bengals then, untouched by human hands, drove and scored to make it 14-7. Thanks to a classic jinx by Jim Nantz on the Bengals kicker as he fawned over his accuracy from 50-plus yards, it went wide right. Purdy, Aiyuk and CMC then got close enough for Moody, our kicker, to kick a FG and make it 14-10 at halftime. Reasonable enough.
In the second half, an Arik Amstead sack helped hold the Bengals to a FG, 17-10. The Niners had an impressive drive, but Purdy was intercepted on the 10-yard line, and the third quarter ended 17-10. Another Purdy interception and a TD pass to Chase made it 24-10. After a remarkable pass to Kittle, Purdy found CMC in the end zone for a TD, 24-17, and those Super Bowl days when we beat Cincinnati loomed large. However, the Bengals' run game was strong all day, with a final score on a run by Joe Mixon. (Yes, Mixon's the one). A subsequent Purdy fumble with 1:45 left was of no consequence, but the game did leave San Francisco with three straight losses, with a bye-week in sight.
Lowlights may be watched on the below link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpCusbU66cM
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
Bob Melvin Fan
I was very excited to see the Giants announce Bob Melvin as the new manager. In a way, it's like keeping part of the A's in the Bay. I hope he leads the Giants to many victories in 2024!
Kayla Webster
Paralegal
Siegel, Yee, Brunner & Mehta
Oakland, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Cal Bears 49, USC Trojans 50
San Jose State Spartans 35, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 0
Stanford Cardinal 33, Washington Huskies 42
Special Features
Las Vegas A's? Whoa, Hold On, Says Las Vegas, by Dave Newhouse
Sports Today Goes TikTok, by Ammar Bhaiji
Features & Commentary
...but Victor Wembanyama, by Howard Pearlstein
16th Annual Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, by John Marconi
A Star is Born in 2023 and his Name is Esteury Ruiz, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
Don't Wait to Donate! -- Now At #509! -- Your Support is Welcome!
Grand National Rodeo, Horse, and Stock Show, by Rich Yee
Kristi Yamaguchi, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Muay Thai Boxing, by Ed Jay
Organizations
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Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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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
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Sports Today Goes TikTok! | |
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Sports Today has ventured into the TikTok realm with Cal Football Fan, a TikTok account dedicated to covering Cal Football. This and next season you can expect all sorts of Cal Football content, including commentary, game recaps, and TikToks covering Cal Football alumni who are in the NFL currently or were at some point in time.
Keep checking our TikTok account, Cal Football Fan, and please feel free to follow our account and share with Cal alums, football fans, or anyone you think would enjoy it. Additionally, feel free to comment on content that you’d like to see, as feedback is always encouraged! We can be reached at theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@cal.football.fan?_t=8gdIUGofPpO&_r=1
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California Memorial Stadium Berkeley | |
Creator Ammar Bhaiji is a Cal alumni who graduated in the Spring of 2023. Ammar majored in public health and hopes to attend medical school in the future, but is taking some time to explore other passions, including social media and football. Outside of sports and social media reporting, Ammar enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and hanging out with friends. | |
Submitted by A.Nonymous, Northern California | |
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Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman. “It’s been a dog-and-pony show.”
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Las Vegas A’s? Whoa, Hold On, Says Las Vegas
by Dave Newhouse
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Editor's note: Dave Newhouse, a sportswriter-columnist for the Oakland Tribune for 45 years (now retired), is applying his considerable editorial skills to battling the Oakland A's
relocation to Las Vegas.
For those convinced the Oakland A’s will join the Raiders in Las Vegas — even some diehard A’s fans themselves — mustn't give up hope just yet. There are important skeptics to be heard from, who just happen to live in the state of Nevada.
Skeptics? How about the most recent mayors of Las Vegas, and Nevada's former governor?
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“I’m not convinced the A’s are coming,” said Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman. “It’s been a dog-and-pony show.”
She referred to stadium negotiations involving A’s owner John Fisher and team president David Kaval, the canine and equine in what has become a circus act.
“What we were looking at for their stadium,” the mayor continued, “was perfect, 57 acres owned by the city and next to the two main corridors in or out of Nevada. It is an area that can be revitalized in the heart of a historic city where everything happens — a perfect spot. After a beautiful presentation, I was shocked that Dave Kaval wouldn’t say, ‘Let’s have future talks.’"
"Then they went and looked at other sites. I never saw so many sites, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘This doesn’t seem serious. Are they playing us?’ The area they chose at Las Vegas Boulevard and the Tropicana (casino) is a highly congested area.”
An area of nine acres compared to 57 acres, thus not much room to build a major-league ballpark, though Fisher and Kaval are most capable of illogical thinking.
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“Las Vegas doesn’t do well with losers,” former
mayor Oscar Goodman warned.
“Las Vegas doesn’t do well with losers,” former mayor Oscar Goodman warned. “We want winning teams or teams with potential; that’s when this community gets behind teams with bravado.”
Bravado? The punchless A’s had the worst record in baseball this year, 110 losses, combined with the lowest attendance numbers, including inflated ticket prices for a purposely devalued team, and all connected to a cruel, heartless owner.
“Las Vegas likes a winner,” said Goodman, echoing his wife, the current mayor. “And I don’t know if the A’s owner is willing to spend the money to build a winner. People here like those who put their money where their mouth is or they’ll go someplace else. They’re not going to spend their money on a half-baked team. The city is willing to give the A’s this (57-acre) area for development, but they don’t even want to talk about it. They don’t seem too smart, if you ask me. And their president (Kaval) went to Stanford.”
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“People here are willing to support a team, but they want winners
or they won’t go to games," said one-term
Nevada governor Steve Sisolak.
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Steve Sisolak was a one-term Nevada governor who has similar doubts about the A’s planned relocation to the Silver State.
“I know the A’s have been at the bottom of revenue producing,” he said. “People here are willing to support a team, but they want winners or they won’t go to games. Green Bay just played here, and 40 percent of the fans at the game were Packer fans. If you’re going to watch your NFL team for one away game a year, you’re going to come to Vegas. There’s a lot to do here, and the Raiders are getting fans like that. That’s why you see more visiting fans in the stands than Raider fans, but the Raiders are profiting every game from those ticket prices.”
Raiders owner Mark Davis is popular in Las Vegas so far, partly because he also owns the WNBA Aces, who just repeated as women’s professional basketball champions. But the Raiders don’t yet resemble the winning juggernaut that Las Vegas practically demands.
“They’ve been struggling since they moved here,” said Jay Kornegay, executive vice-president of Super Book Sports, a gaming enterprise.
“They haven’t produced a winning product. The Raiders are a regional team, and when they were having success, even before they moved here, the biggest games we had on the gaming side each week were Raider games. We couldn’t believe how many Raider fans were in town. As soon as they become half-way decent or contending, that will benefit them.”
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Las Vegas Review-Journal's David Schoen -- “When the 49ers played here (against the Raiders), there were more red shirts in the
stadium than black shirts."
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David Schoen isn’t holding his breath. A sportswriter both in Oakland and Las Vegas, he has a unique perspective as a current Nevada resident.
“The Raiders here have had their issues off the field,” he said of the team's growing police-blotter status. “Besides that, with their poor drafting, they’re not the most stable franchise. And there’s still the same amount of chaos around that franchise that there’s always been.”
But along with the chaos that existed in Oakland, there were Super Bowl championships. And the sports kings in Las Vegas play on ice -- the Stanley Cup-winning Golden Knights, who are heavily community oriented besides. The Raiders don’t come even close to the Golden Knights’ popularity.
“When the 49ers played here,” Schoen added, “there were more red shirts in the stadium than black shirts. I wouldn’t say it’s like that at every home game…but you go to a Raiders game and you’re supposed to feel grateful that they’re letting you in the door.”
Will the MLB owners take any of the above comments into consideration in mid-November when they vote on the A’s proposed move? They really should.
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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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Five Giants prospects on the rise
by Maria Guardado @mi_guardado
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here.
And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants took care of their first order of offseason business on Wednesday, when they named Bob Melvin the 39th manager in franchise history.
Melvin’s arrival on a three-year deal -- coupled with president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi’s matching extension -- will give the Giants much-needed stability as they attempt to retool following two consecutive disappointing seasons.
With Hot Stove season looming, let’s lay out five big questions the club will face in the coming months:
Will the Giants land a star free agent from the Pacific Rim?
Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will be the prize of the offseason, even after undergoing right elbow surgery that is expected to keep him off the mound until 2025. Ohtani, 29, is still planning to return as a hitter next season and should command a lucrative contract in free agency given his unprecedented success with the Angels over the last three seasons.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sfgiants.com
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Oakland A’s Esteury Ruiz heads home after hitting a two-run homer off the Detroit Tigers on September 23, 2023, at the Oakland Coliseum. Ruiz led the American League with 67 stolen bases
in the 2023 season.
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A Star is Born in 2023 and it is Esteury Ruiz
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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The Oakland A’s rookie, Esteury Ruíz, stole a rookie record 67 bases
this past season. Ruiz was born in Azua, a town of over 120,000 people west of the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 100 kilometers and 62 miles away.
Numerous players were born in Azua, including the Miami Marlins Sandy Alcántara, who in 2022 unanimously won the Cy Young Award in the National League. Ruiz, the 24-year-old rookie, was tutored by MLB's Rickey Henderson, the undisputed stolen base king of all time.
The stolen base record for a rookie and established by Ruíz this past season is the new major league record. The record of 66 was previously held by Kenny Lofton, in 1992, with the Cleveland Indians
(today the Cleveland Guardians).
Esteury Ruíz established the new MLB record during his 132nd game of the season. It was in Anaheim, with two games left in the 2023 season, on a sunny Sunday when in the third inning the Dominican kid broke Lofton's record, stealing his 67 base.
The rookie will never forget this 2023 season. “Nunca se me olvidará este año.” Translated -- “I will never forget this year.” Yet he knows he needs to exhibit more patience at the plate, as he only walked 20 times in 449 plate appearances.
It is unfair to compare this young man with Rickey Henderson, because one season doesn’t make a career. However, not a power hitter, Ruíz has many other good tools, like his defensive play in center field, just one season after the A’s had another young man playing that position, Christian Pache, now playing with the best team in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies, probably on his way to the World Series.
Esteury Ruíz, who mostly hits in the lead-off position or last in the lineup, is a good kid, enjoys the game, works hard and loves...I mean loves...to run the bases. He also knows there is only one Rickey. Because in 1982 Rickey Henderson stole 130 bases, the current one-season record, then also became the first and only three-time over 100 stolen bases per-year-player in history, in 1980-82-83, retiring with 1,406 stolen bases, also the current record in history.
Was 2023 a good year to steal in? Yes. The bases are slightly larger, and the pitchers are limited in how often they can throw over to first base. Second base is where the majority of the bases are stolen. It is “Donde está la acción.” Translated: “Where the action is.”
In the 2023 season stolen bases were at an all-time high of an 81% success rate. And Ruíz did his part. Felicidades Esteury!
"I was stealing all the bases, and when you had to go to arbitration they said, 'You know, only the big boys make the money,' So I got to try and figure out how to hit a home run, too." -- Rickey Henderson.
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Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and
Commentary podcasts
at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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16th Annual Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
The Olympic Club -- San Francisco
Sunday -- October 22
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(Left to right) Ernie Grunfeld, Lily Grunfeld, Dan Grunfeld, NCJSHOF President Steve Sockolov. The NCJSHOF was proud to induct this exceptional family into the 2023 Class. Photo credit: John Marconi.
The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame held its 16th Annual Induction Dinner at The Olympic Club, Lakeside Clubhouse on October 22, 2023. Along with an extraordinary class of inductees, the NCJSHOF awarded 10 local high school seniors with scholarship awards.
The Class of 2023 included Bay Area soccer icon Dave Fromer, Golden State Warriors legend Chris Mullin, San Francisco 49ers Director of Inclusion and Diversity Christina A. Jefferson and Golden State Warriors President and COO Brandon Schneider.
Additionally, former NBA player and executive Ernie Grunfeld and his son Dan, a former Stanford and international basketball player, were honored. Ernie’s mother Lily, who was in attendance and is a Holocaust survivor, was presented with a special Lifetime Achievement Award.
San Francisco Giants Public Address Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the third year in a row and longtime sports executive Andy Dolich was the panel moderator. The
two combined for a highly professional and entertaining evening that also brought knowledge and personality to the assembled guests.
The annual event raises funds to provide scholarships for local high school student athletes, as well as supporting the UCSF Concussion Outreach Initiative, which has provided care to over 2600 athletes in the SFUSD by helping students stay ahead of concussions.
ncjshof.org
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Chris Mullin was presented with the 2023 Mensch Award. The Mensch Award is given to an individual who embodies the word – a truly
good person! Photo credit: John Marconi.
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Founder and Past President Jack Anderson is acknowledged at the dinner. Photo credit: John Marconi. | |
(Left to right) Mistress of Ceremonies Renel Brooks-Moon, panel moderator Andy Dolich, Harpreet Basran, Kristina A. Jefferson and IIana Kaufman. Photo credit: John Marconi. | |
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Golden State Warriors President and COO Brandon Schneider and his inductor, former Warriors President Rick Welts.
Photo credit: John Marconi.
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Left to right: Dave Fromer was honored by two longtime friends, Christian Mills and Joanie Ciardelli. Photo credit: John Marconi. | |
The 2023 Class of Scholarship Winners (left to right), front row: Kaia Place, Joseph Charlesworth, Joriana Gibbens-Egoff, Joshua Marx. Standing: Andromeda Kelly, Audrey Poster, Lucas Cohen, Jeremy Coe, Mia Firestone, Emilee Rosenstein. Photo credit: John Marconi. | |
Dave Newhouse, Ignacio De La Fuente, Andy Dolich | |
Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story | |
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Cal Bears 49
USC Trojans 50
California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
Saturday, October 28
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Under perfect conditions, the hyper excitement of USC coming into California Memorial Stadium was apparent blocks away from the game, as crowds gathered in front of the various fraternity houses enjoying the playful shouting and merriment. But it was the game that unfolded that was the real payoff, as Cal went for the two-point conversion in the closing minutes of the game to attempt to take the lead which was thwarted by good defense. USC escaped with a 50-49 win in front of the largest crowd of the season for the Golden Bears. Before the game’s scheduled 1 p.m. kickoff, a group of students sat down in the center of the field, dressed in white t-shirts which read “JUSTICE 4 IVONNE” — and locked arms, showing support for professor Ivonne del Valle, currently on paid administrative leave. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
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The first quarter was electric, with both teams scoring points but it was the Cal defensive line which held the Trojans’ running game to minus one yard on eight attempts in the third quarter. Here a gang tackle from defensive linemen Ricky Correia (#91), Brett Johnson (#90) and outside linebacker Myles Jernigan (#33) stifled
the rush attempt at the line of scrimmage.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams (#13) for USC, escapes the grasp of the Golden Bear defender Ryan McCulloch (#43) early in the second quarter. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
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In a game of costly turnovers, inside linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (#53) was in the right place to catch the fumbled ball, after defensive back Patrick McMorris (#9) dislodged the ball from USC’s quarterback. Cal would have one fumble recovery, as USC collected three in the game. 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 Ron Sellers.
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Stanford Cardinal 33
Washington Huskies 42
Stanford Stadium, Stanford
Saturday, October 28
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The Cardinal prepares to take to the field before the game. Washington defeated Stanford, 42–33, in a Pac-12 conference game at Stanford Stadium, Stanford University on October 28, 2023.
© 2023 Alex Ho.
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Stanford sophomore quarterback Ashton Daniels (#14) scored on a five-yard keeper for the Cardinal’s first touchdown. © 2023 Alex Ho. | |
Washington sophomore safety Makell Esteen (#24) breaks up a deep pass aimed at Stanford sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (#13) in the second quarter. © 2023 Alex Ho. | |
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Stanford sophomore quarterback Ashton Daniels (#14) scores a touchdown on a two-yard keeper in the third quarter.
© 2023 Alex Ho.
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Stanford sophomore quarterback Justin Lamson (#8) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Levi Rogers (#57) after Lamson’s two-yard keeper in the fourth quarter. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. © 2023 Alex Ho. | |
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San Jose State Spartans 35
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 0
Honolulu, Hawaii
Saturday, October 28
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Spartans Bring Home Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy With 35-0 Win Over Hawaii
HONOLULU –Kairee Robinson continued his touchdown streak on Saturday night and Chevan Cordeiro threw for 251 yards on 16-for-26 passing and two touchdowns as San José State (4-5, 3-2 MW) knocked off Hawai'i (2-7, 0-4 MW) 35-0 for the fourth-straight season to retain the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy.
- This is the first shutout win for the Spartans since August 29, 2013 when they defeated Sacramento State 24-0 in their season opener.
- It is the first FBS shutout and road shutout since the Spartans defeated Navy 12-0 on September 29, 2012.
- This was the first time Hawai'i has been shut out since 2017 and the first time they've been shut out at home since 1998.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sjsuspartans.com
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San Jose Earthquakes 0 (2)
Sporting Kansas City 0 (4)
Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, MO
Wednesday, October 25
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Earthquakes 0 (2), Sporting Kansas City 0 (4)
San Jose’s return to playoffs ends on penalty kicks
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The San Jose Earthquakes battled Sporting Kansas City to a scoreless draw in regulation but fell 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card round on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
The Earthquakes’ defense turned in a stellar performance for 90 minutes on the road as goalkeeper Daniel made three saves and the back line continuously kept the SKC attack at bay. While San Jose’s offense came to life in the second half, they could not emerge with the game-winning goal and the two teams immediately went to penalty kicks.
Though Daniel saved one SKC attempt, and Jack Skahan and Carlos Akapo netted for the Quakes, the hosts would emerge with the narrow win. San Jose concludes their season having returned to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in three years.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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NBA Champion Jason Kidd Joins Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club’s Ownership Group
Bay Area Born and Raised NBA Hall of Famer becomes co-owner of Oakland Roots and Soul SC, joining 4,500+ new investors in a record-setting Community Investment Round.
Oakland, CA -- Jason Kidd, hoop legend and NBA champion has become the latest Oakland icon to join the ownership group of Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club. Born and raised in Oakland, Jason Kidd has reached the pinnacle of his sport by winning an NBA Championship, two Olympic Gold Medals, and being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Growing up in Oakland made me who I am today,” said new Oakland Roots and Soul SC owner Jason Kidd. “Participating in youth sports defined my journey and soccer was one of the first sports I played. We always had our athlete heroes from the Bay Area to look up to. Between my love for Oakland, the game of soccer, and my mission to create equality for female athletes in their respective sports, I knew I had to get involved with Oakland Roots and Soul so that all youth growing up in Oakland would always have a team in the city to support and aspire to.”
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Jason founded a 501c3, JK Select, Inc., with a mission of empowering young women and creating equality for female athletes in sports and beyond. In 2020, Jason’s foundation started sponsoring basketball programs in the Bay Area for female athletes at the high school and youth level. The program has garnered tremendous success over the last three years, achieving remarkable milestones, with players collectively receiving over 250 Division 1 scholarship offers, totaling an astounding $75,000,000 in offers. This achievement is further underlined by an impressive 34 D1 commitments.
Fans can join Jason Kidd as well as rockstar Billie Joe Armstrong, NFL legend Marshawn Lynch, global rap star G-Eazy, and NFL quarterback Josh Johnson as part-owners of Oakland Roots and Soul SC today via the Community Investment Round, which launched on September 13th. Fans aged 18 and older can become a part-owner for as little as $100 by heading to wefunder.com/oakland. Over 4,500 new owners have invested over $2,600,000 into the club, making it one of the most successful Community Investment Rounds in the United States. The Community Investment Round closes on Tuesday, October 31st at 8:59PM PT. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of history.
Welcome to the Club, Jason.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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...but Victor Wembanyama
by Howard Pearlstein
It’s the parenthetical aside that’s going to be part of mitigating after every loss. (“We were doing fine…but “) Not the 49ers, even tho it took getting a second kick in their WTF plus a concussion late in the game to Brock Purdy for them to wake up. (No excuses but those 2 passes?)
I mean the NBA -- any team in the 2023-2024 NBA season. And the Dubs.
How’re the Dubs looking this year? Not off to the greatest start, BUT only lost 11 turnovers AND took 11 steals..
On the plus side, the starting 5 looks like the starting 7 or 8, add Chris Paul, Kuminga and Moody in the mix, all ticking along as beautifully as a naval chronometer. GPII and Saric looking good along with some good-looking “let’s see what happens” others when Draymond gets back.
But Victor Wembanyama…
Seven-Foot-Four with an Eight-Foot wingspan, not a Center but a Forward who can move like a Point Guard. In a word: YIKES!
Even worse -- he’s only 19 and playing for Greg Popovich, who is the Mother Tree of this generation of NBA coaches. (The Mother Tree* is what arborologists call the one tree in a forest that oversees and assists other trees’ growth and health to improve their likelihood of success.) *Google it -- amazing.
Popovich has been for the NBA what Bill Walsh and his so-called West Coast Offense was for the NFL – a coach who looked at the game in a different way and innovated it, improving players’ chances for success by modifying specific tactics according to their talents and abilities.
Yet, even in preseason, Kuminga sort of figured out how to shoot high arching backets OVER Victor's blocking hands, and even defend against him, pushing him with straight up body blocking.
And insofar as rebounds are concerned -- at least in the one preseason game -- Wembanyama only got four while Kuminga got up over him for six and Moody got eight.
Wemby is kind of skinny-looking, so I wonder about his durability, makes me think about the song Big Boss Man:
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call
You ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
Lebron is a real Big Boss Man -- 6’9” and 250 pounds. Shaq was 7’1” and 325. No one pushed either one around. Even skinny-looking Kareem, went 225 at 7’1” and Kevin Durant, another player who always looks sort of skinny, is 6”10 and 240.
Wemby is 7’4” weighs in at 209 and that’s heavy for him – he came in at 180 and had to beef up to it. (To be fair, spindly-looking Manute Bol was 7’7” and only 201 pounds and he made it work full schedule for 7+ years of blocks and rebounds and 4 years of situational minutes.)
Kuminga, on the other hand, is 6’7” and 227, and he was body pushing Wembanyama around a bit in their first meeting. Anyone who’s done martial arts dojo work knows there’s more useable leverage when you’re going against a taller opponent and pushing up than pushing down on a shorter one. Big guys in the NFL, so they say, are always prized for their ability to get down low for more of that pushing-up power.
Finally – my old Iguodala T-shirts are getting threadbare, so maybe I’ll get some new ones – can’t afford personalized, but two of my favorites -- Looney and Moody -- are available right now, so if the Dubs sign a player named Cranky or Old-Fart, I’ll be set.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Muay Thai Boxing
Alameda Point, Alameda
Saturday, October 21
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Fight Night was held at Alameda Point in the shadow of the famed USS Hornet aircraft carrier. 15 Muay Thai bouts were on the card and lasted deep into the night. Muay Thai Boxing allows for punches plus kicks and body slams. The centuriesold sport is steeped in tradition and respect for your opponent. The USS Hornet was the recovery vehicle for the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969 when man first walked on the moon. Many onboard displays highlight the Hornet’s role in the mission. Caption and photo by Ed Jay. | |
Kristi Yamaguchi -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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I often see former Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi at various Bay Area events such as charity golf tournaments, San Jose Sharks games and her own fundraising events. She was promoting a product at Macy’s in San Francisco when I went to see her and she signed this photo for me. She is always very friendly with her fans and such a nice person to meet. I have several other signed photos of Kristi which
I’ll share in the future.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Grand National Rodeo, Horse
and Stock Show
Cow Palace, Daly City
October 6, 7
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The Grand National Rodeo, Horse, and Stock Show is one of the largest rodeo events in the United States. Held annually in the Cow Palace in Daly City, the annual Grand National brings rodeo to an urban audience. Photo by Rich Yee. | |
Cars & Coffee Returns on November 4th at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Get ready, automotive enthusiasts, the Cars & Coffee event is back at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and it promises to be an unforgettable morning of horsepower, camaraderie, and community support. Mark your calendars for November 4th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. because there are only two more Cars & Coffee events left!
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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NASCAR’s Only Northern California Stop
Set for Sonoma in 2024
Sonoma Raceway claims same summer
weekend next June
Sonoma, Calif (October 4, 2023) – The NASCAR Cup Series returns next summer, roaring back to Sonoma Raceway as the only points race held in California all season. The 2024 date for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be Sunday, June 9, released as part of NASCAR’s official announcement of its full 2024 season schedule. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will join the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Sonoma Raceway for a second year in a row, racing on Saturday, June 8.
Fans will be treated to a weekend full of opportunities to see their favorite drivers compete in the Cup and NXS practice, qualifying and races. Known for producing some of the NASCAR Cup Series’ biggest stars and some of the series’ most surprising twists, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is a platform for up-and-coming drivers.
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For more information, click HERE.
www.sonomaraceway.com
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Golden Bears Best Black Bears
Cal Secures Fourth Seed In America East Tournament With Win Over Maine
ORONO, Maine – The California field hockey team secured the fourth seed in next week's America East Tournament with an emphatic 4-1 win over host Maine on Sunday morning at the UMaine Field Hockey Facility. The Golden Bears extended their winning streak to a season-best five games, their longest streak since 2017.
Cal (9-7, 5-3 America East) finished the day with 18 shots, 12 coming on goal. The frontline trio of Kitty Baccanello, Bente Baekers and Daniella Rhodes was too much for Maine (7-11, 3-5) to contend with. It was Baccanello's brace that gave Cal all the cushion it would need as the defense held the Black Bears to one goal on 16 shots. Tina Jolly (9-7) earned her ninth win of the year, tallying eight saves.
"Heading into the final regular season conference game I was just really asking for the team to stay present and not think too far ahead and keep our momentum and keep learning from game to game and I'm happy we did that," the Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead said. "Once again Tina had a really good game, they had a flurry of corners at one point there that we were worried about and she stood up really well."
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.calbears.com
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Stanford Plays No. 2 UCLA Even
No. 4 Stanford played to a draw at No. 2 UCLA
LOS ANGELES – Meeting UCLA for the final time in Pac-12 play, No. 4 Stanford (14-0-4, 7-0-3 Pac-12) battled to a 1-1 draw with the second-ranked Bruins (15-1-1, 9-0-1 Pac-12) on Sunday from Wallis Annenberg Stadium to keep its undefeated season alive.
With the draw, UCLA clinched the 2023 Pac-12 title, extending the streak of Stanford or UCLA being crowned Pac-12 Champion in each season since 2001.
After a scoreless first half, UCLA finally broke through with a goal in the 68th minute as Sofia Cook hammered home a loose ball in the box for her first goal of the year.
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By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE.
www.gostanford.com
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SJSU'S WEINMAN, MAYO NAMED TO MW ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San José State women's soccer players, Sabrina Weinman and Kennedy Mayo, were named to Mountain West all-conference teams on Sunday morning. Weinman garnered first-team recognition while Mayo was listed on the all-newcomer team.
Sabrina Weinman, Midfielder, Graduate Student, Bakersfield, Calif./South HS
Started and played at least 79 minutes in all 11 conference matches
Led the team with four goals and two assists in conference play, finishing in the top 10 in the Mountain West in both categories.
A set-piece specialist, two of the goals came from direct free kicks and the other two were from the penalty spot.
Scored goals in back-to-back matches twice this season.
14 of her 23 shots in conference play were on goal (60.9%).
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
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MSOC | Three Goals In Second Half for Gaels in 3-0 Win at USF
SAN FRANCISCO – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer scored three goals in the second half in a 3-0 victory over San Francisco on Friday night to remain unbeaten in their last six meetings with the Dons.
Freshman Toke Amtrup scored his first career goal for what proved to be the game winner, and Jack Landreth made four big saves for his fourth shutout of the season and fifth as a Gael.
FIRST-HALF STALEMATE
In a scoreless first half, USF made a late push right before the end of the first 45 minutes, but Landreth made a great right-leg save to not only preserve the scoreless tie, but give the SMC some momentum going into the half.
Landreth and the Gaels defense got a little help from the woodwork when the Dons hit the right post in the 53rd minute. That would lead to a Saint Mary's counter opportunity they would eventually cash in.
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For a full report, click HERE.
#GaelsRise
www.smcgaels.com
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Vasquez Scores Sixth Goal of the Season as
Dons Fall at Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. – The University of San Francisco women's soccer team (6-7-3, 3-2-1) dropped a West Coast Conference matchup against Portland (10-3-2, 4-2), falling 4-1 at Merlo Field.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
The Dons kept the game close in the first half, holding off the Pilots' offensive attack for the first 19 minutes of action. In the 20th minute, however, the Pilots broke through, scoring the game's first goal on a Sophia Mattice long-range shot.
Falling behind 2-0 in the second half, the Dons cut the deficit to one in the 74th minute when Marissa Vasquez buried the ball in the back of the net for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Pilots responded with a third goal 19 seconds later and solidified the win with a score in the 83rd minutes.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.usfdons.com
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Strong Second Day for Women's Tennis at Saint Mary's Fall Invitational
MORAGA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's tennis had a strong second day at the Saint Mary's Fall Invitational on Saturday with a total of 13 victories, including five in doubles and eight in singles.
Two Broncos doubles teams advanced to the finals of their respective draws. JennaMarie Gordon and Velizara Fileva will play in the top-flight (blue) finals and Kacey Feng and Gabriela Tevez in the red draw consolation finals.
In singles, Gordon, Fileva and Tevez all advanced to the top-flight (blue) consolation bracket semifinals and Varya Zlotnik to the red draw consolation semis.
NEXT UP:
The third and final day of the SMC Fall Invitational continues on Sunday.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
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#16 TIGERS DROP DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWN TO #14 SPARTANS
STOCKTON, Calif. – On a sunny afternoon, the #16 Pacific men's water polo team put together a strong defensive effort, but ultimately fell to #14 San Jose State, 9-7, Sunday at the Chris Kjeldsen Pool at the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
The Tigers fall to 11-11 on the year while the Spartans improve to 8-8.
Graduate student Stefan Vavic led the Tigers' offense, scoring his seventh hat trick of the season. Fifth-year senior Rene Peralta and junior Gil Gvishi each added a goal, extending their season-long point streaks. Junior Ran Souva tallied his fourth multi-point performance of the year, tacking on a goal and an assist.
Freshman Benjamin Gronbach drew the starting assignment in goal, making six saves. Gronbach also collected the first two assists of his collegiate career, feeding Peralta and freshman Spencer Burdack on breakaway goals.
In an opening period that saw both teams take shots from the perimeter to test the goalies, it was the Spartans who carried a 3-1 lead after eight minutes.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.com
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
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Pioneer Swimming Sweeps Alaska Road Trip With Saturday’s Dual Meet Win
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – On Saturday, the Cal State East Bay women's swimming team won its second straight dual meet in as many days at Patty Center Pool, defeating Alaska Fairbanks, 146-59.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
To lead off the meet, the team of Lily Caraway, Delaney Carlson, Tehani Kong and Brooklyn Dressel won the 200 yard medley relay in one minute, 49.42 seconds.
In 11:00.25, Emilie Giannini won the 1,000 yard freestyle. Giannini also won the 500 yard freestyle in 5:23.81.
Carlson captured two individual first place finishes, including the 50 yard freestyle (25.22) and the 100 yard freestyle (54.90).
Winning the 200 yard backstroke was Hannah Sharp, with a finish of 2:06.52.
Kong took first place in the 200 yard butterfly in 2:13.97.
Dressel also took first place in the 200 yard freestyle in 1:58.43.
Closing out the meet, Kong, Carlson, Olivia Parham and Dressel won the 200 yard freestyle relay in 1:39.44.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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THE HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB
Becoming St. Francis
There is a tide that flows through the Golden Gate. There is a tide in the affairs of men.
In 1927, San Francisco Bay sailors crossed both in a single tack. The Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915 had reimagined the waterfront to the east of the Army’s Presidio, and one of the developments was a harbor. After the fair, the harbor remained. With that, it became possible to imagine placing a yacht club on the San Francisco city front, and there were visionaries with that in mind. They believed the city was “the” place for a great yacht club on San Francisco Bay.
First came the not-at-all-minor matter of negotiating a rift within the venerable The San Francisco Yacht Club, which dated from 1869. That institution had been founded in the sunny shelter of Mission Bay but was driven out by industrialization. Now it needed to relocate a second time. In this case, the issue was a clubhouse in downtown Sausalito, across the bay from the city, where the press of railroad traffic and ferry traffic had become intolerable. Or perhaps we should say, the issue was that a prime piece of dry—and wet—real estate was available in a cove in the lee of Belvedere that would be ideal for a clubhouse and a marina. That seemed a perfect solution to many of the members, especially those who lived nearby. But the marina, when dredged, was never going to be deep enough for the largest yachts of the club, which would have to moor off the windward face of Belvedere.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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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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The 23rd Annual
Biletnikoff Foundation Crab Fest!
It’s become a family reunion!
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Absorbing, frank and informative, Elman's smart prose makes for entertaining reading and brings to life our sports world with a deft touch.
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“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
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"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/
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy | |
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Stanford Cardinal 33, Washington Huskies 42, October 28, 2023. Photos by Alex Ho.
Cal Bears 49, USC Trojans 50, October 28, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Muay Thai Boxing, Photos by Ed Jay. October 21, 2023
Stanford Cardinal 7, UCLA Bruins 42, October 21, 2023.
Photos by Alex Ho.
Las Vegas Raiders 21, New England Patriots 17, October 15, 2023. Photos by Ed Jay.
Stanford Cardinal 9, Cal Bears 8, (Water Polo) October 14, 2023.
Photos by Alex Ho.
Oakland Roots SC 1, El Paso Locomotive 2, October 14, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
San Jose Earthquakes 2, C.D. Olimpia 2, October 14, 2023.
Photos by Alex Ho.
Cow Palace, Grand National Rodeo. October 6-7, 2023
Photos by Rich Yee.
Cal Bears 40, Oregon State Beavers 52, October 7, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Cal Bears 11, UCLA Bruins 14, (Water Polo), October 7, 2023.
Photos by Darren Yamashita.
San Francisco Giants 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 5, October 1, 2023..
Photos by Darren Yamashita.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, October 30, through
Sunday, November 5, 2023
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Monday, October 30
Las Vegas Raiders @ Detroit Lions, 5:15 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, October 31
Wednesday, November 1
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 2
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 3
Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 5 p.m.
Saturday, November 4
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Cal Bears @ Oregon Ducks, 2:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal @ Washington State Cougars, 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 5
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Giants, 1:25 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 3 p.m.
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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
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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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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
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and 4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and
Spanish versions, too!
Go to www.checkforbikes.org or email contact@checkforbikes.org
with questions or to order.
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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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