Monday, June 13, 2022
Issue No. 437
For Gmail addresses, we recommend using the link immediately below for a pristine copy.
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Carlos Rodon struck out eight over six innings as the San Francisco Giants shutout the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, 2-0, and swept their SoCal rivals for the first time since 2016. Rodon is now 5-4,
with a 3.18 ERA.
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Giants
Get Some Spring Back Into Their Step
By Bruce Macgowan
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Terrific starting pitching. Clutch hitting. A lights-out bullpen. The Giants had it all going this past weekend when they stunned the best team in the National League with a three-game sweep. And all three games at San Francisco’s beautiful waterfront ballpark against the rival Dodgers were classics. Fraught with tension. Full of dramatic moments. There were even several instances in which the crowd literally hushed on every pitch.
This is the kind of baseball Giants fans saw on a regular basis last year. This was a reminder that this 2022 edition is really not that much worse than the team that set a franchise record for wins a year ago. The same elements seem to be in place. Yes, missing Buster Posey and having a defense that is not quite as slick as a year ago has made this season sometimes very trying for manager Gabe Kapler and the fans. But a three-game sweep over the Dodgers in front of three noisy, sellout crowds? That’s exactly what the Giants needed to put some much welcomed spring back in their step.
After taking Friday’s game in decisive fashion, the Giants squeezed out a one-run win when stopper Camilo Doval survived a high wire act to save a one-run win. Then things got even more dicey on Sunday.
Flame throwing lefty Carlos Rodon had been inconsistent of late and badly needed to go out and give the Giants at least six solid innings. Rodon did just that, striking out nine hitters along the way while keeping one of baseball’s premier lineups quiet. A pair of first inning home runs by Austin Slater and Mike Yastrzemski was all the support Rodon and the San Francisco bullpen needed. They stranded nine runners and pitched out of some difficult jams. Rodon and then later John Brebbia both reared back and got clutch final outs in the fifth and seventh innings, retiring one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, Mookie Betts, with two runners aboard each time. In the eighth inning, Dominic Leone got some help when Slater made a brilliant catch in centerfield, and then he stuck out Chris Taylor with the tying runs on base to finish off the eighth inning. Towering lefty Jake McGee then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the sweep as Doval needed a game off after saving the previous night’s win.
For the first six innings Sunday, Rodon did a nice job of controlling the tempo of the action, something he hadn‘t been doing in his recent outings. When he felt the need, he stepped off the mound and took a deep breath, thus getting the LA hitters out of their rhythm. Fans and media folks often complain about this tactic but there’s a reason for it. As a pitcher, you want to do as much as possible to take a hitter out of his ‘comfort zone.’
Rodon’s arrival this off-season has helped offset the loss of Kevin Gausman, an All-Star last year who signed a huge contract with Toronto over the winter. Rodon is a big fellow. He weighs about 240 pounds and gets much of his power from his lower body. Rodon's thighs look like those you’d see on a defensive lineman in the NFL. Perhaps it is sacrilegious to make the comparison, but there’s trace of the great Hall of Fame lefthander Sandy Koufax in Rodon’s style. I saw Koufax pitch more than a few times while growing up. Rodon doesn’t throw so hard that his cap occasionally flies off his head, (as it did sometimes with Koufax) but you sometimes notice hitters almost cringing when they settle in for an at-bat.
Rodon’s solid outing mirrored the Giants sudden resurgence. After kicking the ball around and getting beaten by lesser lights such as the Colorado Rockies earlier in the week, this three-game sweep of LA was totally unexpected and much needed.
Players and managers will tell you that each game is as important as the next but we all knew that wasn’t true going into this past weekend’s series. After all, these were the Dodgers. League leaders. A formidable lineup with no weaknesses. A longtime rival. After the win Saturday several players admitted these games meant a bit more. And to win three against a team which has an All-Star at almost every position? That means a lot.
As with last year, fans are becoming familiar with newcomers such as veterans Rodon and Joc Pederson as well as youngsters like infielder Thairo Estrada and outfielder Luis Gonzalez.
No, they will NOT win the NL West or set another record for wins. That’s almost a given. But the Giants should stay in the playoff chase and make it another highly entertaining summer for baseball fans in Northern California.
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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 Macgowan, published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).
Contributors: 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
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The eleven then-living members of Baseball’s Hall of Fame met on
June 12, 1939 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the game in Cooperstown, NY. Ty Cobb was late for the picture but the others shown are: left to right, rear; Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker Napoleon Lajoie, George Sisler and
Walter Johnson. Front, Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack
and Cy Young.
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Jason Kidd's expectations are coming full circle...literally |
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Letters to the Editon
Why We Despise The Boston Celtics (Part II)
This is an "I told you so," follow-up to my Letter in last week's Sports Today (see below). Same teams, same targeted-Warrior, same injury from another thug.
The Celtics don't have a game plan, they have a Business Plan. And the same repulsive Chant, with a twist for Game 4. After Thompson picked up his fourth foul with 5:33 left in the game, the crowd chanted at him the same obscene chant they had directed at Draymond Green in Game 3 but replaced “Draymond” with “Klay.” About one minute later, Thompson’s 3-pointer gave Golden State a 95-94 lead.
These are the Boston Celtics. Their fans and crude and vulgar. They are Boston.
Thug Celtic Video -- Al Horford injures Steph Curry: Part II
Kristen LaRue
San Francisco
Why We Despise The Boston Celtics (Part I)
And THIS, ladies and gents, is one of many reasons we DESPISE the Boston Celtics. Dust off the cobwebs.
Thug Celtic Video -- Marcus Smart injures Steph Curry: Part I
Said coach Steve Kerr on why he shouted at Marcus Smart for the play: “I thought it was a dangerous play. I thought Marcus dove into Steph’s knee and that’s what I was upset about. I have a lot of respect for Marcus. He’s a hell of a player, gamer, competitor. I coached him in the World Cup a few summers ago. We talked after the game and we’re good, but I thought it was a dangerous play. I just let him know”
These are the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Cowboys of the NBA. Evil incarnate. They MUST, and WILL be vanquished by the Warriors for the good of humanity.
Kristen LaRue
San Francisco
Larry Krueger Redux
I agree with the Letter and think Larry would be a great addition to the extraordinary contributors of Sports Today.
Jerry Monkman
South San Francisco
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Oakland Roots SC 2, Rio Grande Valley Toros 2
Oakland Spiders 24, Colorado Summit 29
San Jose Earthquakes 0, Nashville SC 0
Features & Commentary
2022 A's Redux of 1979? by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
El Senor and Mr. Mojo aren’t the only ones we need to consider,
by Howard Pearlstein
Giants Get Some Spring Back Into Their Step, by Bruce Macgowan
Grove Market -- Sports Today's Peninsula HQ
If Mother Goose was a Dubs fan, by Andy Dolich
Sports Haiku ©️ Giants--World, by Robert Moselle
Organizations
Cal Bears
Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
Golden Gate Fields
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
San Francisco Giants
San Jose State Spartans
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
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If Mother Goose was a Dubs fan
by Andy Dolich
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ITS RAINING ITS POURING
He’s raining He’s pouring
Steph was in Beantown scoring
He pumped in forty-three
With his usual face of glee
With a shimmy thrown in for free
STEPH BE NIMBLE
Steph is nimble
Steph is quick
Steph sends 3 balls from the land of Asterisk
Steph shoots them high
Right in their eye
And left the Celts at home to cry.
PETER PIPER aka STEPH CURRY
Stephen Curry bounced a ball of leather
Another display of net snapping treys with the touch of a feather
Curry was in a hurry to launch another flurry
The Guys in Green knew it was time to Worry.
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Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is EVP of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies. Dolich is also co-author of: 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro and co-author of LOL, Loss of Logo,
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Six Members to be Inducted into
Athletics Hall of Fame
After three years, it is finally time to bring the Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony back to the Oakland Coliseum. On Sunday, August 7, we are thrilled to invite Bay Area fans to join us in honoring the six members of the 2022 Class of the Athletics Hall of Fame: Two-time Major League All-Star catcher and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ray Fosse, four-time All-Star "Captain Sal" Bando, Gold Glovers Eric Chavez and Joe Rudi, Special Advisor to Player Development Keith Lieppman, and former A's Clubhouse Manager Steve Vucinich. These inductees will be enshrined in franchise history forever and as a celebration, all fans in attendance will get to enjoy a pregame ceremony and will also receive an Athletics Hall of Fame Rally Towel giveaway.
“For an organization with as rich a history as the Oakland A's, it's so important to honor the franchise legends who make the Club what it is,” said A’s Manager Mark Kotsay. “I love that we get to celebrate amazing players like Ray, Sal, Joe, and Chavy, as well as Liepp and Vuc, two guys who dedicated their lives to this team.”
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Former Oakland Athletic Mitchell Page, who passed away in 2011,
was the star player for the A’s in 1979 as the A’s were
selling off players
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2022 A's Redux of 1979?
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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For longtime local Oakland A’s fans, it is impossible for this season not to go back to the memory of the 1979 season. The team ended with a 54-108 record and finished seventh in the American League West Division.
The total home attendance after the 1979 regular season of 81 games was 306,763 paying customers. There are many similarities at this time to the 2022 season with one-third of the season completed. Then team owner Charlie Finley nearly sold the team to owners who would have moved the team to New Orleans.
Finley sold most of the team marquee players. Finley also fired most of his front office staff and at one point there were six to eight people (at most) working in the front office.
However, Oakland got lucky when Finley sold the team to the Walter Haas family who kept them in Oakland and ushered in a new era for the team. A winning culture ensued with league championships, as well as three consecutive World Series appearance, winning it all in 1989.
Roy Eisenhardt, Wally Haas, Andy Dolich, Sandy Alderson and all the people running the team had a great run, one of success, because they did things correctly, marketing the team to the community and developing a good product on the field. They made Oakland and their fans proud to be a major league city.
That new era of baseball under Walter Haas included the debut of Rickey Henderson, who would play for over two decades (with the A’s in four different stints) and also with other teams. But Rickey was always an Oakland A’s at heart, as he is currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the A’s uniform.
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Early Hammer Time! MC Hammer, aka Stanley Burrell, was an
Oakland Athletics bat boy and modeled a VP cap
1979 was the night were only 250 fans showed up for a game at the Coliseum, to be exact on April 17, 1979, when they played the Seattle Mariners. I remember 1979 well, when Stanley Burrell, a teenager would bring us coffee to the Spanish broadcast booth, No.19.
He was one of those Finley “employees;” he then became famous when he changed his name to MC Hammer. His dream was to be a baseball player, but later scored his biggest hit, U Can’t Touch This, a number one song with a hip-hop, pop and rap beat. Mr. Finley discovered Burrell listening to a boom box radio at the Oakland Coliseum parking lot and brought him along.
As the team is now playing on the road, the A’s have played a total of 30 games at the Coliseum, with a record of 7 wins and 23 losses (worst home record in MLB). Their attendance is also the lowest, with a total of 248,501, an average of 8,283 per game, also the lowest in baseball.
Just by numbers; the Oakland/Bay Area population is larger today than in 1979, so they should draw more than the 306,763 in 1979. But similarities remain remarkable from 2022 to 1979, 43 years later.
In 1980 Charlie O Finley agreed to sell to local buyer Walter A. Haas, Jr., president of Levi Strauss & Co, a historic business born in San Francisco in 1853, where the blue jeans were born. In August the new owners paid Finley $12.7 million for the team, as the deal was finalized before the 1981 season.
The final story of the current Oakland A’s is still to be decided on the field and by votes of city representatives and baseball owners and planners, commissions, and so on. Although nobody can predict what will develop during the second half of this season, one thing is for sure, 2022 reminds us very much of 1979.
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Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play-by-play talent for the Oakland A's heard on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco LeGrande and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. For earlier articles by
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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El Senor and Mr. Mojo aren’t the only ones we need to consider
by Howard Pearlstein
I was reminded of that in Game 3. It wasn’t about the loss per se, but about how things were happening.
I don’t know if there are any stats on how many in-and-out almost scores are usual or average in an NBA game, but I can’t recall seeing anywhere near as many as I did in Game 3 – right into the basket dropping through the net halfway down and then – as if an invisible hand was goal-tending from beneath -- up and out.
And then I remembered the other major magical mythical player in our lives, and that one is a true artist – Coyote, The Trickster. Every culture has one – Loki in Nordic lore, The Monkey King in Chinese tales… everywhere in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia – there’s always a Trickster who plays his own game for his own amusement, sometimes to your benefit, sometimes to your despair.
I call Coyote an Artist because like every serious Artist – painter, sculptor, poet, dancer, musician, athlete: he or she does it for his own gratification. This is Art with a capital-A, meaning the Art that he or she considers the true stuff, the outcome that is worth the struggle and deprivation and all the frustrations--the real thing. And that is always what is done for his or her own satisfaction.
So when a great professional athlete we consider an artist says something like, “I don’t do it for the money. I love the game and I’d do it for free,” it’s not BS.
Of course, since so many people love seeing the grace and magic and excellence of the game being played, there’s also a lot of money there. And while the money is not necessarily the goal, they’re not going to turn it down, since, if nothing else, the amount of money is a measure of how high they (the team owners, the fans, the tv people, et al), how high that player stands compared to all of the others in the game.
Years ago I had read almost every book with Coyote tales I could find, including one I have always thought of as the best, partly because of the way I found the book at a now long-gone used bookstore in San Leandro -- Grey Wolf Books. It was a cavernous, old wood building with books stacked three-deep on the shelves and aisles way too narrow to pass fire safety standards. And walking down one of those aisles, a book seemed to jump off the shelf and bite me on my shoulder. Which was, of course, the way any coyote introduces himself. It was Coyote Blue, Christopher Moore’s second novel.
Coyote is, as all tricksters are, someone you need to accept and deal with. He’s totally self-serving, sometimes funny, sometimes seriously cruel. Always greedy, he does things for his own gain and thinking how smart he is, he amuses himself.
But his attendance at games does fit with the idea that the Warriors – win or lose – are more fun to watch. Same reason El Senor and Mr. Mojo enjoy the games.
One thing about Coyote, different from all other tricksters, is that he has his own trickster who plays tricks on him -- Rabbit. And in those stories, Rabbit is clever and Coyote is not very smart. Rabbit plays on how smart Coyote thinks he is and counts on Coyote to be greedy and overdo it
So we get to Game 4.
Personally, I think of Steph Curry and Steve Kerr and the Dubs as the clever rabbit not always making a lot of noise, but in fact, when the chips are down, getting very quiet and playing our game as we know it needs to be and outsmarting the Celtics, the team one of the announcers kept saying over and over, the team that the Dubs just couldn’t handle because they were “Bigger and more athletic.” As if that were all it takes.
Howard Pearlstein
Oakland, CA
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Autograph Stories Invited |
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Have an autograph with a story behind it?
Sports Today thinks this would be an ideal opportunity
to share a sports moment with our readers.
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Cal Claims No. 1 Ranking In ITA Northwest Region
BERKELEY – The California women's tennis team added more accolades for the 2021-22 season on Wednesday, with the Golden Bears earning the top spot in the ITA Northwest Regional team ranking and numerous Bears collecting individual regional rankings. Ranked 11th nationally in the final ITA team poll of the season, Cal claimed the No. 1 regional ranking ahead of No. 2 Stanford, which was ranked 13th in the national poll.
The Bears – who finished with an 18-8 overall record and captured the Pac-12 regular-season title with an 8-1 conference mark – concluded their season in the NCAA Championship round of 16.
Led by the ITA Northwest Regional Coach of the Year Amanda Augustus and ITA Northwest Regional Assistant Coach of the Year Zack Warren, five Bears are featured in the ITA Northwest Regional singles poll, with three Cal duos ranked regionally in doubles. The Bears ranked in singles are Haley Giavara (18-15 record), who's ranked fifth, Jessica Alsola (32-10), ranked sixth, Katja Wiersholm (21-3) who's 10th, Julia Rosenqvist (26-9), ranked 11th, and Valentina Ivanov (14-13), who's 17th. Nationally, Giavara finished 36th in singles, while Alsola was 70th.
In doubles, Cal's top partnership of Giavara and Ivanov (18-8), which finished with a No. 40 national ranking, is ranked No. 2 in the region, while Alsola and Erin Richardson (10-4) – ranked 74th nationally – sit at No. 4 in the region, and the pair of Alsola and Wiersholm is fifth in the northwest.
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Director of Athletics Jeff Konya Signs Extension Through 2027
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Director of Athletics Jeff Konya has signed an extension to be at San José State through December 2027, announced by SJSU Interim President Stephen Perez on Wednesday. Under Konya's direction, the Spartans added one of the best multimedia rights deals in the country, secured a partnership with NBC Sports Bay Area, televised the Sammy Awards for the first time in program history, One Spartan Nation witnessed record increases, and SJSU Athletics created the department's new vision statement The Charge.
"I'm excited that we can solidify our relationship with Jeff into a bright future for Spartan Athletics and San José State," said Dr. Perez. "Jeff's leadership fosters an environment that supports the full development of our tremendous student-athletes in the classroom, in competition, in the community, and for their futures. San José State athletics serves as a crucial community building piece of our strategic plan and Jeff fully embraces our goals of educating our students, engaging with our community, and striving for excellence. It's a great day to be a Spartan and there are greater days on the horizon."
Konya is a two-time National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2016-17 (Oakland University) and 2020-21 (Northeastern University), becoming just 1-of-4 Athletic Directors to earn that distinction in a four-year span. Under Konya's leadership, San José State has increased its outreach and brand exposure through strong partnerships with Playfly Sports, media outlets and corporate partnerships with a significant increase of One Spartan Nation membership.
"Thank you to Dr. Perez and San José State University for your confidence in my leadership here at SJSU," said Konya. "It's a pleasure to work with our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the President Cabinet. I believe in what we are trying to do as a university with Transformation 2030, and as an Athletics Department with our 'Charge'. We will keep rolling up our sleeves and continue to help One Spartan Nation reach new heights."
Konya Highlights
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Created new vision statement for the department called The Charge
- One Spartan Nation membership has nearly doubled, significant progress in capital projects being built and corporate partnerships are reaching record heights
- Secured partnership with NBC Sports Bay Area/California to televise four games (football, men's basketball, and two women's basketball games)
- First time the Spartans have been televised on NBC Sports Bay Area
- Signed a multimillion dollar deal with Playfly Sports to serve as multimedia rights provider over the next 10 years to significantly enhance the Spartans' brand
- Restructured the organization and executive leadership team to better serve the student-athletes, including the addition of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officer for the department
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) won its first-ever Mountain West SAAC Community Service Award in 2021-22
- Social Media continues to witness increases in engagement and followers, including over 60 million views on video posts
- Football witnessed its largest attendance numbers in over a decade
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Developed a new All-Access Show, The Charge, with unique storytelling features on student-athletes, staff and department accomplishments
- Football game against New Mexico State is a finalist for the SVG College Media Awards for Most Outstanding Live Game Production
- Improved in-game experience by adding elements in marketing to continue to engage fans
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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With my Celts not dominating the series, I'm not feeling like thinking too hard, so, it's an easy question...
What NBA player holds the point scoring record for
a single NBA Championship Game?
(See answer below...)
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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
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Haiku: A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Sports Today! has expanded Haikus to embrace our readership and invites you to submit your own. Top entries will be published!
Thank you for your many entries!
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San Francisco Sports Camaraderie
THE SANCTUM: Expansion to Baseball
As previously reported, deep within the Chase Center lies a Laboratory accessible only to those with a
top-secret clearance. Known only as "The Sanctum," it is the facility where formulae for new ideas are conceived, developed, and assessed for experimentation and implementation in "Warriors-World." And now, sources have revealed an invitation to the San Francisco Giants to utilize The Sanctum, in a show of San Francisco sports camaraderie.
Recent research reveals an evolved formula, crafted to amplify the potent fusion of talent, intellect, and unique physical abilities of the Giants. Details are held in strict confidence, released only to trusted media, (such as Sports Today). Information we can share with readers is in the Sports Haiku below.
A 'Giants-World' Formula for Success
Ruf Yaz Thairo Joc
The Captain will be back soon
Kapler Kruk and Kuip
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* * *
Contributed by Robert Moselle
As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for "Best Sports Haiku." The winner will be published!
Sports Haikus ©️ USG/Sports Today's Haiku Invitation
Ultimate Sports Guide
Wants to Publish Your Haiku
You must send it in
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Ann Cooke, Director of Sales |
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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.
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Editor's Note
Have a favorite Sports Moment you would like to share?
With perhaps a photo or two? Send a brief description along with any photos and we'll make room. Why not bring those memories to life?
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
Nashville SC 0
June 11, 2022
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MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 0, Nashville SC 0
Quakes record second shutout of 2022 to earn road point
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Nashville SC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday evening at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn. San Jose prevented Nashville from scoring on their home turf for just the second time since the start of the 2021 season, inclusive of 22 matches.
The Quakes played without several regulars including Francisco Calvo (international duty), Marcos Lopez (international duty), and Jackson Yueill (injury).
Nashville nearly had the match’s opening goal in the ninth minute. Hany Mukhtar played a through ball to Luke Haakenson, who dribbled around goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and put a shot towards the empty net before Paul Marie made a last-ditch slide tackle to put the ball out of play.
Marcinkowski, who wore the captain’s armband in Yueill’s absence, made several critical saves throughout the match to help San Jose record their second shutout of the season.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to prepare for their third consecutive road match when they face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 18. The match will kick off from Rio Tinto Stadium at 6:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
MEDIA ASSETS
GAME NOTES
- The Earthquakes currently hold a 3-6-6 record (15 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
- The Quakes are now 0-0-2 all-time vs. Nashville SC, including a 0-0-1 record on the road.
- San Jose is now 3-2-3 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.
- Midfielder Cristian Espinoza made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 79 minutes.
- Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made five saves to record his second shutout of the season and 12th of his MLS career.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season, Nashville SC 0 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, June 11, 2022 – GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn., Attendance: 28,672
Man of the Match: JT Marcinkowski
Scoring Summary: None
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 67’, NSH – Brian Anunga (caution) 74’, SJ – Judson (caution) 83’, SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 90+4’
NASHVILLE SC: Joe Willis; Daniel Lovitz, Jack Maher, Eric Miller, Taylor Washington; Dax McCarty (Brian Anunga 69), Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl, Luke Haakenson (Ake Loba 60), Sean Davis; CJ Sapong. Substitutes not used: Ethan Zubak, Ahmed Longmire, Josh Bauer, Elliot Panicco, Meyer.
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 17; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 6
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie, Tanner Beason, Nathan, Tommy Thompson; Eric Remedi (Judson 76), Jan Gregus, Jamiro Monteiro; Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanović 76), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza (Shea Salinas 79). Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano (GK), Oskar Ågren, Will Richmond, Jack Skahan, Casey Walls, Jackson Yueill.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 5
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO
On takeaways of today’s match and getting a point on the road:
“I think it’s true that we did not create as many chances as we would have wanted. I think we had our opportunities but to play here in Nashville with the humidity that there is here and the effort the team put in was amazing. You’re not always going to score the amount of goals that we have been scoring, like for example today Jeremy [Ebobisse] did not score a goal but he put in a great effort to help us and get the clean sheet.”
On JT Marcinkowski’s performance tonight and his improvement in recent months:
“I spoke with JT [Marcinkowski] a few times and I think it was after the Kansas City [Sporting KC] game, where JT [Marcinkowski] has helped us a lot in some games. Sometimes as a player you have better games than others and today JT [Marcinkowski] put in a great effort to keep that zero in our goal. One of his qualities is being very good and fast under the three posts of the goal. He’s very fast and one of his saves to the left was amazing.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JT MARCINKOWSKI
On dealing with teams getting in behind the defense:
“Yeah, they definitely got in behind a few times. I think it was definitely more in the first half. We kind of made some changes at halftime to make sure our lines stayed a little bit more compact. Nathan stepped out a few times in the first half as he does really well, but obviously [Hany] Mukhtar and [CJ] Sapong and their other players are really good. And so, they obviously created some chances, but at the end of the day, I just tried to do my best to be there for the team and to make some saves. I think it’s something that we highlight in our training with Matt [Bersano] and Emi [Ochoa] and I. It’s nice to see it fold out during the game.”
On the need to get all three points at Real Salt Lake next weekend:
“I think you go into every away game, whether it’s in a tough environment or an environment in which you’ve won before, you’re always looking for three points. Tonight, it’s a little bit different of a feeling of a draw compared to let’s say Vancouver on the road just because that game was a little bit more in our grasp. I think this game was pretty even, and in this environment, in front of this crowd, I think the defense had a really good performance. Looking ahead to next week, I think RSL has had a really good year so far and they’re a tough team. They’re a team that plays much different at home compared to on the road, and we’ll look at the film and we’ll try to go in there and get three points.”
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Oakland Roots SC 2
Rio Grande Valley Toros 2
June 11, 2022
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Roots Equalize Late To Earn Draw Against
Rio Grande Valley
Roots came back from a 2-0 deficit to settle for a point against Rio Grande Valley on Saturday night at Laney College. It was the second meeting of the season between the two sides; the USL Western Conference teams met on matchday one of the season and Rio Grande Valley came away with a 1-0 win.
Roots started the first half on the front foot but it was the Toros who struck first when right defender Roberto Coronado pounced on a ball in the box and rifled the ball home. The Toros doubled their lead nine minutes later when Rio Grande defender Wahab Ackwei scored an acrobatic volley shortly after a Toros corner kick.
Oakland struggled to find momentum in the second half and the game was mostly played in the midfield as both teams battled for control of the ball. In the 78’ minute, the Roots won a corner and after two bungled headers the ball found its way to Juan Azocar on the back post who nodded it home.
Ten minutes later with a rocking Laney College egging them onwards, winger Edgardo Rito beat two players on the right side before dishing the ball to Charlie Dennis who took a touch and lasered it home for the game tying goal, sending the Roots fans into a frenzy.
Oakland pressed on and had chances to win it in extra time but ran out of gas and settled for a draw.
Talking to Head Coach Juan Guerra
Another big comeback. What are your initial reactions from the match?
Juan Guerra: I'm not happy. Tonight was probably our worst game of the season. Games are 95 minutes, not 25 minutes. If we keep on thinking it's 25 minutes, it's going to be a long season until November. I know what my boys are capable of — we just have to start putting together 90 minute performances. First 65 minutes were not good. We stepped to the field not ready and we're going to have to reflect tonight — I'll start with myself.
Juan Guerra: We could've pressed a bit better in the first half. We got a point, and I'm not happy, but we have to start thinking about Wednesday night. When we play at home with the team we are and the culture we're trying to build, at home we win. And when we travel to away games we don't lose. That's what we want to do. We have to be better Wednesday night if we want to beat New Mexico.
Oakland Roots SC vs Rio Grande Valley FC, USL Championship | June 11, 2022
Venue: Laney College, Oakland, California, Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT, Weather: 75 degrees,
sunny
SCORELINE: OAK: 2, RGV: 2
SCORING SUMMARY: RGV: 14’ Roberto Coronado, RGV: 23’ Wahab Ackwei, OAK: 78’ Juan Azocar, OAK: 88’ Charlie Dennis
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY: OAK: 1’ Tarek Morad (yellow card), RGV: 15’ Wahab Ackwei , yellow card), RGV: 35’ Juan Torres (yellow card), RGV: 39’ Erik Pimentel (yellow card), RGV: 66’ Luka Malesevic (yellow card), RGV: 69’ Emilio Yeaza (yellow card), RGV: 79’ Javier Garcia (yellow card), OAK: 81’ Ottar Magnus Karlsson (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Benny Diaz, Danny Barbir (Charlie Dennis), Tarek Morad, Emrah Klimenta (c), Juan Azocar, Edgardo Rito, Matias Fissore (Darek Formella), José Hernández, Mikael Johnsen, Lindo Mfeka (Johnny Rodriguez), Óttar Magnús Karlsson
Unused subs: Paul Blanchette, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Jesús Enríquez, Joseph Nane
Shots: 9 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corner Kicks: 2 | Fouls: 12 | Offside: 1 |
RIO GRANDE VALLEY LINEUP: Javier Garcia, Jonathan Ricketts, Luka Malesevic, Erik Pimentel (c), Wahab Ackwei, Robert Coronado, Juan Pablo Torres, Isidro Martinez (Duilio Herrera), Emilio Yeaza, Ricardo Ruiz, Aolfo Hernandez. Unused subs: Alexis Gonzalez, Jesus Vazquez, Angel Luna, Gael Gonzalez, Stefan Mueller, Dylan Borczak
Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corner Kicks: 2 | Fouls: 13 | Offside: 2 |
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca |
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Image taken by photography legend Jesse Alexander.
Courtesy of Nancy Alexander.
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Renames Participant Parking at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to Honor Phil Hill
MONTEREY, Calif., June 7, 2022 — Recognizing one of America’s greatest drivers and gentleman of the sport, Phil Hill will be celebrated by the renaming of the hillside participant parking to “Phil Hill” for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Aug. 17-20 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Hill was an annual participant and visitor to Monterey since the inception of historic racing, that was then-called the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. He was a fixture in the paddock and track, driving Aston Martins, Ferraris and a big Blower Bentley in historic competition.
Hill was the first American to win the Formula One World’s Drivers Championship (driving for Ferrari in 1961), and a 14-time entrant and three-time overall winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is celebrating the kickoff to a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the world’s most famous sports car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“John Lamm was a dear friend of Phil’s, and John and I talked for hours about Phil and his achievements,” explains Barry Toepke, director of heritage events and public relations at WeatherTech Raceway. “John and I always thought we need to do something that would honor him, but also make him chuckle a little. Thus, with the gracious permission of Alma Hill and Derek Hill, we debut ‘Phil Hill.’”
“Laguna Seca was always one of my father’s true home tracks and my memories of attending and racing there always were shared with my father’s presence,” says Derek Hill. “From his first races at Laguna Seca back in the ‘60s when he won in Can Am to his post-retirement years racing competitively in historic cars, this track was always a staple in the family summer calendar. He was there for me when I clinched the Barber Dodge Pro Series Championship and I’ll never forget getting to drive him around at speed in a Maserati MC12 several months before he passed away. It would be his last time experiencing taking high speed laps on any circuit, a day he thoroughly enjoyed. To have the very familiar hillside participant parking fittingly named after him is a wonderful way to honor his legacy and to maintain a gentle reminder to all the fans, participants and teams alike who arrive at the circuit."
Each Rolex Reunion participant will receive a commemorative parking tag that features one of the most iconic images taken of Hill. Shot by photography legend the late Jesse Alexander, who was on the scene during the Golden Age of motorsport. The image of Hill was captured after a dominating win at the Grand Prix of Italy in what would be the last Grand Prix victory for a front-engined Ferrari.
“There isn’t a more fitting photographic tribute to Phil and longtime friend Jesse than to use this image, which his lovely wife Nancy agreed,” Toepke adds. “Jesse had an uncanny knack for capturing a person’s inner feelings and bring them to life in print.”
“Jesse would be delighted about the hillside area being named for Phil,” said Nancy Alexander. “They became good friends in Italy so many years ago, which later grew to include both of our families in the States. Phil’s sense of humor and wonderful stories always made me laugh. I am pleased to share this image, taken at Monza in 1960, just one of Jesse’s many photos of Phil.”
For tickets, camping and information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion visit WeatherTechRaceway.com or call the tickets and accommodations specialists at 831-242-8200.
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Oakland Spiders 24
Colorado Summit 29
June 11, 2022
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Running down a long huck midway through the first quarter, hometown (Alameda) native Ashton Paulus (#13) lays out in the end zone for the score but would leave the game. The Oakland Spiders played host to the Colorado Summit on Saturday evening, June 11 at Oakland Tech High School, in Oakland, CA. Final score: Colorado 29. Oakland 24. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Playing on the wild side, Gavin May (#0) never seems to catch a disc on two feet. Here May stretches out for the disc early in the game.
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Jump ball. (Disc!) Robin Vickers Batzdorf (#2) tips the disc out of reach of his defender and catches the disc to keep the momentum going in the third quarter. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Under the setting sun and with time running out for the Spiders, Oakland’s Brandon Fein (#8) winds up for another pull in the closing minutes of the match. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and
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Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon 2022
June 5, 2022
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With the race about to start, swimmers moved to the front. |
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The cycling portion began in a consistent rain/mist. |
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff |
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Elgin Baylor / Los Angeles Lakers
Above, Sam Jones of the Celts defends against Baylor in what may have been the game in which Elgin scored 61 points in the 1962 Championship Series. The Celts won in 7 games.
"Had Elgin Baylor been born 25 years later, his acrobatic moves would have been captured on video, his name emblazoned on sneakers, and his face plastered on cereal boxes. But he played before the days of widespread television exposure, so among the only records of his prowess that remain are the words of those who saw one of the greatest ever to play."(Some of these words are found at the provided link) https://on.nba.com/3aOSSVg
top 100 players in this category. Steph appears three times, in the 9th, 19th and 80th positions. Klay comes in
once at 92nd place...
Go Celtics!
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy |
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
Sports Today - #415 -- Jan. 10 - Jan. 16
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, June 13, through
Sunday, June 19, 2022
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Monday, June 13
Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics, 6 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals, 6:45p.m.
Tuesday, June 14
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals, 12:45p.m.
Oakland A's @ Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m.
Oakland Roots vs. New Mexico United, 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 16
Golden State Warriors @ Boston Celtics, 6 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Boston Red Sox, 10:35 a.m.
Friday, June 17
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Spiders vs. Seattle Cascades, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 18
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 1:07 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Real Salt Lake, 6:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ San Antonio, 6 p.m.
Bay Area Panthers @ San Diego Strike Force, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 19
Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics, 5 p.m. (if needed)
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 10:35 a.m.
Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 1:07 p.m.
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Sports Today's Monterey Peninsula HQ
Grove Market, Pacific Grove
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Charlie Higuera, 85, founder of Grove Market in Pacific Grove, flanked by grandchildren Sarah Staples, far left, and John Mason, right; daughters Kate Matuz, to his left, and Karen Staples to his right.
Photo: David Royal
In addition to delicious food and the friendliest service in the world, Grove Market is home to some extremely savvy sports aficionados, (and Sports Today subscribers). A tip of the Cap to the Grove Market sports team of John Mason, Sal Zavala and Cameron (whose favorite teams are always opposite of mine). These gents know their sports and it's always fun to celebrate Pot Pie Wednesdays and talk sports at Sports Today's Monterey/PG HQ.
-- Robert Moselle
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Pictured above, owner Charlie Higuera.
In honor of the great Mike Krukow:
"Grab some pine, MEAT!"
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Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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This is an eBook available in .epub or .mobi file formats.
Navigating a career in any business is highly complex, especially in the world of sports and entertainment. Knowing how to separate the logo on your business card from your personal identity is a valuable skill for creating your own career path. Building a career in the sports industry is easier said than done, especially since the business is extremely addictive. Cool corporate logos and titles should never control your true sense of self; your name on the card is much more important! Welcome to the world of LOL, or “Loss of Logo.”
Written for aspiring sports professionals, current sports industry professionals, and any career enthusiasts who are chasing the fancy logo and corner office, LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Comprised of powerful perspectives from 38 multitalented industry professionals, this book will give you the tools to succeed in the industry, with or without
your logo.
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The New York Yankees are the greatest dynasty, not only in baseball but in all of sports. The Yankees, in fact, embody a series of dynasties, from Ruth-Gehrig through Jeter-Rivera. But the absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. The Yankee Way, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's forward, is “full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competitions, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods.” Key contributors to this dynasty, including Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, and manager Casey Stengel, are remembered by their teammate, Charlie Silvera, catcher and co-author.
Dave Newhouse was an award-winning sportswriter/columnist for the Oakland Tribune before his retirement. He has continued his work as an author and The Yankee Way is his eighteenth book. He lives with his wife, Patsy, an artist, in Oakland, CA.
ISBN 978-1-937943-60-8 – 196 pages – $24.95
Published by St. Johann Press, P.O. Box 241, Haworth, NJ 07641 (201) 387-1529 www.stjohannpress.com
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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
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Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
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510-915-5664
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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