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April 29 -- May 5, 2024
Issue No. 535
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, 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, Ammar Bhaiji
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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G-Men are "Off the Interstate"
After San Francisco finished 6-4 on their longest homestand of the season, with series wins over the Mets and Pirates and a split with Arizona, the vibes feel good! Thairo Estrada and Mike Yastrzemski hit back-to-back homers for the Giants in the third inning of Sunday’s game, and Yaz should be extra pumped in Fenway. Bob Melvin has instilled a sense of calm confidence and has a great rapport with the players and vast managerial experience.
To borrow a phrase from our leaders, Kruk & Kuip, as a team the
G-Men are "Off the Interstate," (a slang reference to averages below .200, as in I-80). Now it's time for "Pedal to the Metal!"
Robert A. Moselle
Marketing Director, Sports Today!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Contents
Games
Bay Area Falcons 18, San Diego Superbloom, 11
Oakland Roots 0, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2
Oakland Spiders 20, Los Angeles Aviators 17
San Francisco Giants 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 2
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Nashville SC 1
Features & Commentary
Bob Mathias, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!
John Fisher's Role in Network, by Andy Dolich
NFL Draft: Scientific, But Flawed, by Dave Newhouse
NFL Draft Week Blues, by Howard Pearlstein
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Organizations
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Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden Gate Fields
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
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San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Giants Have Yet To Find
An Identity
By Bruce Macgowan
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After making a number of noteworthy acquisitions this off season, including the hiring of new manager Bob Melvin, the Giants have still to establish an identity. Are they the mediocre, boring team we’ve watched for the first month of the season or will they come to life as expected with a rejuvenated lineup and an impressive starting rotation?
When one thinks of the Giants front line pitching, it’s easy to imagine their staff being among the best in baseball. But it could take a while before that becomes reality. The biggest concern is Cy Young winner Blake Snell who is on the shelf with a groin pull after getting shelled his first three starts. In fairness to Snell, he’s a notoriously slow starter and might have been trying to fight his way through the injury. Groin muscle pulls have put him out of action in previous years but not for extended periods. The Giants are expecting big things from Snell after he signed a two-year deal worth 62 million dollars.
Logan Webb and newcomer Jordan Hicks have both pitched extremely well, but the Giants will have to keep depending on young starters Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn until Snell and Alex Cobb, (off-season hip surgery) are back in the rotation. While Camilo Doval has done a superb job with seven saves in the early season, the middle relievers have been mediocre at best,
“That’s been a problem,” admits Melvin. “We give up too many runs in games that we’re not using key guys. Those guys have to pitch better.”
One of the young middle relievers who could turn out to be a key contributor is hard throwing Erik Miller, a hulking lefthander who could be an ideal set up man for Doval. Miller has shown flashes of brilliance in his early appearances.
Meanwhile, Keaton Winn has stabilized the rotation with several outstanding performances, including six strong innings of work in his past Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Pirates. Winn was not considered a hot prospect in the Giants’ farm system but over his last 28 innings he has a 1.61 ERA and three wins. Winn is a big fellow at 6-4 and 205 pounds and has been compared to Kevin Gausman, who was an All-Star three years ago when the Giants stunned everyone by winning the National League’s Western Division.
“I understand I’m going to have some hiccups delivery-wise and there will be days I struggle. It's just trusting that everything I’ve gone through will help me in the long run,” Winn said after his latest victory.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ hitting attack has been grinding its gears and has been stuck in the mud. As of now, there is not a single hitter in the everyday lineup who puts fear into opposing pitchers.
“We’ve been spotty,” admitted Melvin recently. “You look at the stats across the board, and it hasn’t been great. But to sit right near .500…it’s not a horrible place to be.”
Prized free agent third baseman Matt Chapman has displayed his Gold Glove talents at third base and his bat is slowly coming around. Jung Hoo Lee has been quite productive as a leadoff hitter in his first season in the big leagues, but DH Jorge Soler has been a bust thus far. Soler has left too many runners in scoring position.
The other day in a close game against the Mets, the Giants had the bases loaded but Soler popped up to end the inning and the Giants ended up losing the game. Soler’s batting average dropped into the low .200s recently and his struggles have been frustrating.
“It’s been a very difficult start of the season,” he said after a recent game. “I haven’t been able to find my groove but things like this,” (a long two run homer on Saturday night,) will help me find my rhythm.”
With 16 games in 16 days, including a ten-game road trip to Boston, Philadelphia and Denver, the Giants need to start hitting. If they do that, then perhaps they will put an end to the inconsistency that has frustrated Giants’ fans thus far.
* * *
Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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San Francisco Giants 3
Pittsburgh Pirates 2
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, April 28, 2024
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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn limited the Pittsburgh Pirates to one run and three hits over six innings as the Giants took the series with a 3-2 win on Sunday, April 28th at Oracle Park. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
Second baseman Thairo Estrada (top) leaps for a throw as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (bottom) steals second base during the sixth inning. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
...they (49ers) traded first-round picks in 2021, 2022 and 2023, plus a No. 3 in 2022, to Miami to get the Dolphins’ third overall pick, and selected quarterback Trey Lance, who’s now a backup in Dallas... | | |
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NFL Draft: Scientific,
But Flawed
by Dave Newhouse
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Two years ago, Brock Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant, the very last pick in the NFL Draft, chosen by the yawning San Francisco 49ers, who knew that every position player as the 262nd final choice since 1976 — covering the 46 years of Mr. Irrelevant history -- hadn’t succeeded. Only Ryan Succop, Mr. Irrelevant in 2009, punted his way into the league.
Well, here’s a toast to relevancy because Purdy not only succeeded, he quarterbacked the 49ers in the Super Bowl a couple of months ago. And if you watched last week’s NFL Draft on television, who appeared in an automobile commercial but Purdy, now clearly in the driver’s seat in more ways than one.
That’s the uncertainty of the NFL Draft: You just never know who’s a bust or who’s a potential Hall of Famer. Even the people doing the drafting don’t know. If you want examples, they are endless.
But the latest prime example is JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick by the then Oakland Raiders in 2007, who was a colossal bust. Pro Football Hall of Fame surprises? Joe Montana was drafted in the third round, Tom Brady in the sixth round, Johnny Unitas in the ninth round, then cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For decades, the first round of the NFL draft, it seems, has produced as many failures as successes. So why get excited about the draft, which people do regardless? It was a mob scene in Detroit as a half-million-plus NFL fans showed up for the latest draft, which resembled a political convention on steroids. But nobody can gussy things up like the NFL, which had a band playing at the draft, plus games for children, and an incredible variety of draft presenters from around the world. It’s overkill watching someone from Norway announcing an NFL draft pick, but the league discarded subtlety a long time ago.
When I first covered the NFL draft in the early 1970s, it was hardly a circus. I showed up at draft headquarters, San Francisco or Oakland, waited for the draft picks, interviewed the No. 1 selection, and covered the whole process in a day or two. No band was playing outside, no international commentary was required, and it wasn’t a carnival atmosphere across the league. Those drafts were sedated, almost comatose, compared to today's.
But the longer the NFL exists, it continues to have no idea what it’s doing in deciding draft-able talent any more than it did in the ‘70s, back when the computer wasn’t available. Thus personal scouting was the only method of evaluating college talent.
In this regard, Ron Wolf was a scouting genius for the Raiders, finding Hall of Fame prospects in places where others weren’t looking hard enough. Thus Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Ray Guy, Cliff Branch and other Raiders were on their way to Canton. When Wolf left the Raiders, their No. 1 draft picks nosedived. The picker: Al Davis.
The 49ers aren’t guiltless in this regard, mind you. A couple of years before finding a pearl in Purdy, they traded first-round picks in 2021, 2022 and 2023, plus a No. 3 in 2022, to Miami to get the Dolphins’ third overall pick, and selected quarterback Trey Lance, who’s now a backup in Dallas. At least, somebody else wanted Lance; you can’t say the same thing about JaMarcus Russell.
Now look at the just concluded NFL draft, where five quarterbacks went in the first 10 picks, an NFL record. But how many of these same quarterbacks will become Trey Lance? Caleb Williams of USC, the No. 1 overall selection, looks like a keeper, with a strong arm and great instincts. The other four, who can tell. I don’t see an Andrew Luck in the bunch.
The NFL has been drafting players since the 1920s, but they’re making mistakes now as they did back then, and for the same reasons: mind and heart. You can measure someone’s height, weight and speed, and throw in an I.Q. test, but none of that projects greatness. The big problem: you can’t pre-judge someone’s mind set and instant reactions at the NFL level, because the college game doesn’t offer final proof.
And so the strike-up-the-band, mega-production, computerized NFL draft isn’t any more predictable that the long ago, scrap-it-together days of Red Grange and Bronco Nagurski.
In fact, it could be less.
* * *
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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Howard Beale (John Fisher) receiving the news... | | |
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John Fisher's Role in Network
by Andy Dolich
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Think of yourself as the most ardent Oakland A’s fan in the role of Arthur Jensen, the fictional chairman of CCA (Communication Corporation of America) in the movie Network. He described the unimportance of individuals and the omnipotence of money as the center of his universe.
Below is Jensen’s famous speech to his UBS (Union Broadcasting System) anchorman Howard Beale. I have made several changes so that comments might be directed to A’s owner John Fisher playing the role of Howard Beale.
“You have meddled with the primal forces of A’s baseball, Mr. Fisher, and I won’t have it! Is that clear?! Do you think you’ve merely stopped 56 years of A’s history in Oakland? That is not the case!”
“You have taken millions of dollars out of the pockets of the A’s most ardent fans for 19 years of your ownership. You are a man who thinks in terms of bottom lines and ongoing asset appreciation. In your world there are No A’s MVPs, No A’s World Series, No Coliseum, No Howard Terminal, No Sellouts, No Marcus Semien, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and No direct interaction with the fans.”
“There is only one system of systems, one vast and immense,
interwoven, interacting, multivariate dominion of dollars. Family
dollars, GAP-dollars, Old Navy-dollars, MLB revenue sharing dollars, Nevada State Legislature approved $380 million new ballpark dollars”.
“Your greed for green and gold is greater than A’s fans’ decades-long devotion to the Green and Gold worn proudly by the players. Mr. Fisher, you have meddled. There is no more “Parallel Path.” There are no more Oakland A’s."
"Am I getting through to you, Mr. Fisher? You wake up and point to the lack of attendance, possums in the Press Box. Roto-Rooters in the dugout, nor leftover fans’ food for starving seagulls in the seventh.”
“Mr. Fisher, the world of pro sports franchises is inexorably determined by the immutable by-laws of return on investment. The baseball world is a business, Mr. Fisher. I have chosen you, Mr. Fisher, to preach this MLB strategy of Finance over Fans."
(Fisher: "Why me?")
“Because you’re willing to turn your back on Oakland, along with 80 million A’s fans who have put their heart, mind, souls and hard-earned cash into your pant’s pockets and Major League Baseball’s Bank.”
* * *
Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.
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A.Nonymous
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When Camilo Doval took the field against the New York Mets on Monday, Giants fans were treated to a new entrance for the
All-Star Closer.
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Show some love to your favorite nurse! Nominate the special nurse in your life to showcase their hard work, compassion, and selflessness in their community. Five honorees will be chosen to receive special recognition, an A's swag bag, and four tickets to our Nurse Appreciation Night presented by Kaiser Permanente
on Wednesday, May 22.
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We also invite you to join alongside other local nurses and loved ones for Nurse Appreciation Night! Tickets purchased through this special link will include a commemorative belt bag presented by
Kaiser Permanente.
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Authors Dave Newhouse and
Andy Dolich sold out at Oakland's Fans' Fest
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Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story | |
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NFL Draft Week Blues
by Howard Pearlstein
This is about the talk of trading Brandon Aiyuk for anything being pure clickbait crap. Same people who push the idea of trading Kuminga for the unlikely possibility of someone better. Seriously?
I saw Purdy when he was a rookie doing a few garbage time minutes in a preseason game and his calmness and presence in the pocket made me think of The One Who May Not Be named -- Joe Montana. (There are two things you don’t do in polite company -- compare any QB to Joe Montana or say that capitalism might have just been a big mistake.)
Before there was enough playing time to give the new QB a chance in a real game, he and Aiyuk developed a mutual understanding of each other and what to do if the play doesn’t work and who does what improvised thing to make it work. What we’ve seen in games is something real going on between them, a knowledge of each other’s game that reminds me strongly of Montana and Rice. Or Draymond
and Steph. (But hey -- what about Purdy with both Aiyuk AND Pearsall, wow!)
Still, the provocateurs were unhappy that the 49ers didn’t ship Aiyuk’s ass off to somewhere over the rainbow for a 2024 First Round pick.
Allow me to say that would have been one of the dumbest things the 9ers ever did.
And the 9ers have, on more occasions than they might like to admit, stumbled into some solid gold world-class blunders, especially where the draft is involved and they traded the proverbial Bird-in-Hand for something making rustling noises in the bush.
Does the name Trey Lance ring or just go Klack-Klack like a broken bell? That was THREE first round picks for a talented fellow who played 17 games and a bit, and was pretty successful in the Missouri Valley Conference. A high pressure pick that only incidentally destroyed Mr. Lance’s career. “Whoops, sorry kid, that’s the way it goes in the Big Time.”
And don’t forget the total debacle of Jim Harbaugh, competing against his big brother while imprinted on the college-coach premise of, “Only have this guy for two or three years” with Colin Kaepernick.
Didn’t understand that it can take those two or three years for an NFL Quarterback to learn the game well enough to actually play -- speed, complexities, footwork, etc.
He didn’t have Alex come back when his injury healed, as was always the rule, didn’t give Colin enough clipboard time to integrate his NFL game experience into the next level, severely wounding both careers. Harbaugh used up the 49ers he was given to get to and lose the Super Bowl, triggering an exodus of good and great players who rued the wrongness of it all.
And the Keyboard Kommissars still confuse the Fantasy Football names they wrote on paper with the men out on the field, the ones busting their asses every day to succeed in their lives’ dream, trading them like the old Topps football cards as fodder for their petty gambling. Hey guys – a clue: the map is not the territory. The
names on paper are NOT the actual players.
Robert Coover’s book,The Universal Baseball Association, Inc., J. Henry Waugh, Prop., was a delight to read, a detailed imaginary baseball league, not a plan for some imitation of life. But ok, it’s a camaraderie thing.
Still, when Fantasy sports players forget that they don’t own the actual people whose names they put on paper, they become their own fantasies, toxic malignant destructive fantasies that corrupt everything they touch.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Bob Mathias -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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I met Bob Mathias at a sports show in the 1990s. Up until that point I had only known him as an Olympic athlete. He had won gold medals in 1948 and 1952 in the Decathlon. Later I found out he was also a Stanford graduate, served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was an actor. I remember we chatted briefly about this incredible vintage photo which he was happy to signed for me.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Bay Area Falcons 18
San Diego Superbloom 11
Fremont High School, Oakland, CA
Saturday, April 27, 2024
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With the second of three home games in the books for the 2024 season, it was the Bay Area Falcons who prevailed against the undefeated San Diego Superbloom who came into the game already qualified for the playoffs. Final score: Falcons 18, Superbloom 11. Above, amongst the trees of the taller Superbloom defenders, it was Vicki Chen (#9) who came down with the disk on a long huck downfield in the second quarter, as the Bay Area Falcons hosted San Diego Superbloom, WUL, at Fremont High School, in Oakland, CA.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Using the constant winds and her height, Allyson Tsuji (#11) forces the offensive to throw up over the top to keep the disc in play.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Molly Munson (#2), one of the primary disk handlers, steps out and low to swing the disc to a crossing Falcon downfield as time is running out. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader | |
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Tim from the Midwest is making his 2024 San Francisco Giants season tickets available, as follows: Section 106, row 1, seats 5/6. Prices will vary and the entire season is available. Prices are for both seats and there is no parking.
26 games are 136.50, 28 games are 196.50, 17 games are 296.50,
6 games are 342.50. One is a DH, 3 games are 454.50. (View from 106, Row 1, Seat 7, one seat closer to home plate than seats 5 and 6.)
https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/143157/Oracle+Park/section-106/row-1/seat-7/
These are Tim's costs, no markups, no fees, tickets are all via smart phones. For more information: Tim Maroney, 610-519-0125
Tpmmd@hotmail.com
If you are interested, please contact Mr. Maroney directly via his email or phone. Sports Today does not receive remuneration --
we are simply happy to make these seats available to our readers
and as a favor to a loyal subscriber, Tim Maroney.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness
Vol. 77: States Modify NIL Laws In Wake Of Virginia's Major Move
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The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
by Darren Heitner
Founder of HEITNERLEGAL
No NIL law goes as far as Virginia's, which permits schools to directly pay athletes for their publicity rights. See Vol. 76. And I'm not sure we will see another state copy Virginia's effort any time soon.
2 states, Mississippi and Nebraska, had the opportunity to mimic Virginia's move, with legislation on the table for their respective governors to sign. An amendment could have been thrown in for consideration. But it didn't happen.
Instead, both states approved modifications to their NIL laws and further allowed schools to be involved in the process of negotiating NIL deals through third parties, but the flow of capital directly from institution to player remains off the table, although Nebraska left the door open ever so slightly.
The amended law in Nebraska allows schools to create, facilitate, enable, and support NIL deals including those with third-parties, and also makes clear that there is no prohibition on athletes being paid to promote the school as well as competitions.
For now, schools cannot compensate players directly, but that could change if any of the following occur: (i) the NCAA modifies its prohibition; (ii) a court order enjoins the NCAA on that prong of its interim policy (which was not the subject of the injunction secured by attorneys general for Tennessee and Virginia); (iii) or there is a settlement agreement. Oddly, that's what it says -- a settlement agreement. Quite vague and broad, but OK.
In Mississippi, the new law will let schools identify, create, solicit, facilitate, negotiate, support, assist, and otherwise enable opportunities for athletes to earn or attempt to earn compensation for the use of their publicity rights. The right includes discussing with an athlete the potential to earn compensation for his/her publicity rights if the athlete attends the college.
The law also lets Mississippi-based college athletes be compensated in exchange for promoting their respective schools as well as competitions.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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San Jose Earthquakes 1
Nashville SC 1
Geodis Park, Nashville, TN
Saturday, April 27, 2024
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San Jose earns first road point of the season; Quakes host LAFC next Saturday at Levi’s Stadium for the Biggest Cinco de Mayo Party on the West Coast
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The San Jose Earthquakes drew 1-1 with Nashville SC on Saturday night at GEODIS Park in front of 28,984 fans to earn their first road point of the season and snap a four-game losing streak.
Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring for the hosts in the 19th minute with a deep blast well outside the box. Nashville almost doubled the lead in the 62nd minute but Sam Surridge’s header did not cross the goal line thanks to some expert positioning from William Yarbrough to secure the ball. The Quakes goalkeeper’s defensive prowess was rewarded seconds later when Rodrigues fed second-half substitute Jack Skahan for the equalizer.
The Quakes also ended a 10-game road regular-season losing streak dating back to last season. San Jose’s last trip that resulted in points was their road finale on October 7, 2023, a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas thanks to a third-minute Jeremy Ebobisse goal.
The Quakes will now return to the Bay Area to host LAFC at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, May 4. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish). A pregame Fan Fest for the Biggest Cinco de Mayo Party on the West Coast will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Faithful Mile in front of SAP Tower between Gates A and C.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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Oakland Roots SC 0
Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2
Cal State University--East Bay, Hayward, CA
Saturday, April 27, 2024
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Oakland Falls 0-2 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Home
Despite coming to the East Bay winless, visiting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC earned all three points in Hayward on Saturday night, scoring two second half goals to double their season scoring total.
Colorado Springs opened the match with an immediate scoring opportunity, putting the ball off the crossbar in the first minute of the match. But it was Oakland that controlled the majority of the first half of play.
Only moments after the Switchbacks opportunity, Roots worked a counter attack, earning a free kick in the attacking third. The set piece was converted into a goal in the third minute, but negated by an offsides call due to a Roots player pushing forward a bit too early on the try.
Oakland continued to dominate time of possession throughout the remainder of the first half, playing keepaway in the Colorado zone and earning scoring chance after scoring chance. But Roots could not convert. Thanks to a late diving save from Paul Blanchette the home team entered halftime knotted up at 0-0.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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The dominate 1991 AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Accepts 400-Plus Entries for 50th Anniversary Gathering
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hosts Premier Annual Event August 14-17
MONTEREY, Calif., April 17, 2024 — The highly coveted letters of acceptance have been delivered to the final selection of entrants into this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The cars are among the world’s best and all carry on the 50-year standard of being period-correct and with proven race provenance.
The Golden Anniversary celebration of arguably the birth of historic racing events will be held August 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The selection took place after many weeks of evaluations by members of the seven-person, all-volunteer Advisory Council, along with support of the event’s sanctioning body, Historic SportsCar Racing.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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Zip Co. Charges Through the Pack as Sonoma Raceway’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Entitlement Sponsor
Introducing the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250
SONOMA, Calif. (April 24, 2024) – Zip, the innovative digital financial services company, has been named the official entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday, June 8. The race is part of a three-day lineup for one of the biggest sports weekends of the year in Northern California.
The sponsorship marks Zip’s entry into the automotive industry and includes naming rights for Saturday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, which fields NASCAR’s rising stars on one of the toughest road courses on the NASCAR circuit for a pivotal 156-mile battle. Both veteran and up-and-coming drivers will be learning the nuances of the freshly-repaved road course at Sonoma Raceway, so an exciting afternoon of racing is anticipated.
"We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Speedway Motorsports, a pivotal move in Zip's expansion into the entertainment & automotive industry,” said Zip Co-Founder and U.S. CEO Larry Diamond. “The next generation of consumers are choosing buy now, pay later as a more flexible payment alternative, and Zip is leading the charge. This sponsorship will not only enhance access to essential automotive components and services but also deliver unforgettable experiences to racing fans across the nation."
“We eagerly look forward to working with Zip Co. as the new entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “Zip Co.’s vision to expand its customer base through motorsports mirrors our own dedication to attracting diverse audiences to the thrilling world of racing.”
The Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 isn’t just about the exhilarating racing action, it’s about creating unforgettable memories for fans of all ages. With pulse-pounding action on the track and interactive experiences throughout, the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 promises something for everyone.
Weekend packages for three full days of racing, music and entertainment at Sonoma Raceway start at just $105. Adult tickets for the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 on Saturday, June 8, start at just $40, while kids 12 and under get in free.
Visit www.sonomaraceway.com for complete details, schedules and ticket information. Call 800-870-7223 [RACE] for ticket information.
www.sonomaraceway.com
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Lammas wins the 2024 San Francisco Mile, with a guaranteed purse of $175,000, ridden by Irving Orozco, trained by Manuel Badilla and owned by Ron Charles and Samuel Gordon, the 1-mile race went in 1:34.30. Photo credit: Vassar Photography | |
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Oakland Spiders 20
Los Angeles Aviators 17
Fremont High School, Oakland, CA
Saturday, April 27, 2024
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The Oakland Spiders defeated the Los Angeles Aviators, 20-17, in the season opener at Fremont High School on Saturday, April 27. It was the first time the teams faced off since Los Angeles stole the last playoff spot from the Spiders during the 2023 season. The Spiders take on the Seattle Cascades on May 3rd at Fremont High. Above, Oakland Spiders player Dylan Burns (99) catches the frisbee in the end zone to tie up the match at 4-4 in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Aviators. Caption and photo by Julien Dagan. | |
Oakland Spiders player Jason Vallee (94) looks to pass the disc during the game against the Los Angeles Aviators at Fremont High. Caption and photo by Julien Dagan. | |
Oakland Spiders player Justin Lim (14) throws his hands up in celebration as the Spiders head into halftime leading 11-7 against the Los Angeles Aviators. Caption and photo by Julien Dagan. | |
A fan shakes her cowbell during the game against the Los Angeles Aviators at Fremont High. Caption and photo by Julien Dagan. | |
Captains Max Williams (87), Evan Magsig (32) and Matt Burke (26) meet with the Los Angeles Aviators captains and UFA Officials for the pregame coin toss. Caption and photo by Julien Dagan. | |
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Oakland Spiders player Max Williams (87) embraces a teammate after their 20-17 victory against the Los Angeles Aviators. 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 Julien Dagan.
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Cal Finishes As Runner-Up At Pac-12 Championship
3 Golden Bears Finish In Top 13 Individually
CAREFREE, Ariz. – No. 21 California earned its best finish at the Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship since 2016 as it placed second overall on Sunday at Desert Forest Golf Club. Three Golden Bears – Ethan Fang, Sampson Zheng and Eric Lee – finished third, sixth and 13th individually, respectively, to lead a Cal lineup that finished the three-day, 72-hole tournament at 43-over-par (368-370-360-365 – 1463).
Tournament host and third-ranked Arizona State (+27) won the Pac-12 title by 16 strokes, using a dominant fourth-round 3-under-par 352 to pull away from Cal and the rest of the conference field. Cal entered the final round trailing the Sun Devils by just three shots, but could not keep pace. Stanford (+44) – led by individual medalist Karl Vilips (-2) – Washington (+48) and Oregon (+48) rounded out the top five.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: David Venezia / Pac-12 Conference
www.calbears.com
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Top-10 Series Win in Seattle
Cardinal Wins 2-1 to Take Series Victory at Washington
SEATTLE – Stanford softball added a top-10 series win on the road to its résumé today, with the No. 7 Cardinal topping No. 8 Washington 2-1 to win the three-game series. Sophomore pitcher NiJaree Canady picked up her second win of the series, limiting the Huskies to just one run on three hits.
Sophomore Taryn Kern drove in the game's first run, doubling into the gap in left-center to score sophomore River Mahler and put the Card ahead in the third. Three batters later, senior Aly Kaneshiro doubled to score Kern and make it a 2-0 lead.
The Huskies got on the board in the bottom of the sixth, but Canady was able to limit the damage to just one run. With the bases loaded and only one out, Canady picked up a strike out for out number two. The sophomore walked in a run in the next at bat, but forced a fly ball to get out of the inning with the 2-1 lead.
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Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE.
www.gostanford.com
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SPARTANS WITH MULTIPLE TOP-PLACE FINISHES AT FRESNO STATE INVITATIONAL
CLOVIS, Calif. – Both Men’s and Women’s 400 Relays had two of the multiple top-place finishes for San José State Track & Field after the second and final day of competition at the Fresno State Invitational in Clovis on Saturday.
In Women’s 400 Relay, Selena Arjona-Alcazar, Eve Divinity, Morgan Little, Alyssa Bean, Sarah Mosteller, Nakai Johnson placed first with a 44.69.
In Men’s 400 Relay, Cameron Tarver, Malachi Snow, Jaden Smith, Isaac Davis took first place with a 39.77.
Snow took first place in the Men's 100 Dash with a time of 10.32 seconds.
Also, in Men's 100 Dash, Tarver placed third with a time of 10.55 seconds.
In the Men's 200 Dash, Snow finished first with a time of 20.63 seconds.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
SB| Broncos Clinch Series Against Gaels on a Walk-Off in Another Pitcher's Duel
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (24-20, 4-4 WCC) dropped the series finale to Santa Clara (25-20, 4-4 WCC) in heartbreaking fashion, as the Broncos walked off the Gaels with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to squeak out a 2-1 victory.
After yesterday's complete game shutout, Mia Nishikawa drew the start in the finale, and tossed four scoreless innings. She was gifted a 1-0 lead in the first, when Jenavee Amador and Sam Buckley collected back to back two out hits, with Buckley's double scoring Amador to net the Gaels and early lead.
In the fifth inning, Odhi Vasquez came out of the bullpen, and surrendered the game tying solo shot on the first pitch she threw, but recovered to retire the side with the score level. She also recorded the first two outs of the sixth before giving way to Avrey Wolverton, who stranded the go-ahead run on third. Wolverton recorded two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a flare single to left with a runner on third would end the game in favor of the Broncos.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Todd Fierner / Saint Mary's Athletics
#GaelsRise www.smcgaels.com
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Soberon Leads Dons to Series Win
Over Pacific
SAN FRANSCISO, Calif. – Led by Joe Soberon's solid pitching performance and timely hits, the University of San Francisco baseball team (19-25, 3-12 WCC) defeated Pacific (8-35, 3-12 WCC) in the rubber match to secure the series win Sunday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Soberon started on the mound, issuing a leadoff walk before the Dons' defense cleaned up the next three Tiger batters.
Heating up, Soberon returned in the second inning and quickly retired the side with back-to-back strikeouts and a flyout to keep the game scoreless.
On the attack in the bottom of the third, Blake Pitts got things started for the Dons with a one-out single to right center. Following his lead, Charles-Etienne Pelletier knocked a single through the left side, and Matty Fung loaded the bases on a five-pitch walk.
Reaching on a fielder's choice in the following at-bat, Myles Kallinger batted in Pitts to give the Dons the lead. Kody Watanabe stepped up to the plate and hit a two-out double down the right-field line to bring Pelletier home shortly after, extending the lead to 2-0.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.usfdons.com
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Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader With Saint Mary's
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball and Saint Mary's split the doubleheader on Saturday with the Broncos taking the first game 5-3 and the Gaels winning the second game 3-0.
Game 1: Santa Clara 5 - Saint Mary's 3
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Santa Clara (24-19, 3-3 WCC) got a strong performance from two-way player Hazyl Gray who threw 6 1/3 innings to earn the win and helped her cause in the batter's box with two hits and two RBIs in the 5-3 win over Saint Mary's (23-19, 3-3 WCC).
Gray (3-4) gave up three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out three before being replaced by Avery Seva in the top of the seventh.
With the potential game-tying run at the plate and one out, Seva got the final two outs to pick up her fifth save of the season.
Saint Mary's led 1-0 into the bottom of the fifth behind a solid pitching performance by Avrey Wolverton but Gray roped a double to left center to plate Rebecca Rubio and Cairah Curran for a 2-1 lead. The Broncos would not look back again, adding a third run in the same inning and two more in the sixth on Morgan Salmon's 2-RBI double.
The Gaels got two runs in the seventh to narrow the gap to 5-3 before Seva closed things out.
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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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NO. 21 Pacific Drops GCC Third Place Game To No. 23 San Diego State
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – No. 21 Pacific women's water polo dropped the Golden Coast Conference third place game to No. 23 San Diego State by a score of 12-8 on Sunday at Sullivan Aquatic Center.
Sophomore Dora Alaksza led the way with a game-high five goals while registering two steals. Junior Hila Futorian notched three points on two goals and one assist.
Freshman goalkeeper Maja Lizy Dulic grabbed 12 saves in net and registered two steals.
Alaksza got Pacific (16-11, 4-3 GCC) going with a 2-0 start in the first period. San Diego State (17-15, 4-3 GCC) responded with three-straight goals to take the 3-2 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.
The second period was back and forth between both teams. Senior Annikah Lillie and Futorian contributed goals that tied the game at five-all with 3:08 left before halftime. Dulic blocked a shot attempt by the Aztecs to keep the Tigers' chances of a comeback alive at halftime.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.com
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Aggies Fall to Causeway Rivals
The Short Story: UC Davis men's and women's track and field teams fell to its Causeway rivals, Sacramento State, for the second straight year at the Causeway Classic Dual meet on Friday night at Hornet Stadium. The women were defeated 114-84 while men fell 104-83.
WOMEN'S EVENTS (TRACK)
Maddie Kackley and Brooke Butler headlined the distance events with their first-place finishes in the 1500m and 5000m respectively.
WOMEN'S EVENTS (FIELD)
Sarah Graessley came out victorious in the pole vault, reaching 3.75m to ascend to the top spot.
Ashpreet Kler posted 51.67 in the long jump to earn another first-place finish for the Aggies.
MEN'S EVENTS (TRACK)
Samuel Wilson raced to first place in the 100m, clocking in at a blistering 10.63.
Kian Maher impressed in the 200m and 400m, winning each event convincingly.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
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Pioneer Water Polo Reaches WWPA Final With 10-4 Win on Saturday
LA MIRADA, Calif. – The semifinals of the 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championships took place Saturday from Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center. Cal State East Bay women's water polo advanced into Sunday's championship match with a 10-4 victory over McKendree.
MATCH SUMMARY
The first three goals of the match were scored by Alex Andrist, as the Pioneers had a 4-1 advantage following the first quarter of action. In the second quarter, the Pioneers kept the Bearcats out of the net with a 3-0 advantage taking a 7-1 lead into halftime. In addition to Andrist's three goals, Audrey Dexter, Luna Sarmiento, Elise Whitworth and Bailey Barlow each netted one goal in the first half.
Although the score in the second half was an even 3-3, with two of CSUEB's goals from Sarmiento, McKendree was unable to climb back in the match as the Pioneers cruised into the championship showdown with a 10-4 win.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Visiting & Docking
Visiting the Club
The St. Francis Yacht Club is open for members, guests of members and reciprocal club members.
Located on the shores of San Francisco Bay, StFYC boasts incredible panoramic views that span from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz Island. Guests should note that the Club is open all days of the week, but observes quiet days on Mondays and Tuesdays, when dining services are not offered and bar service is limited.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.stfyc.com
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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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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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San Francisco Giants 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 2, April 28, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Bay Area Falcons 18, San Diego Superbloom 11, April 27, 2024. Photos by Ron Sellers.
Oakland Spiders 20, Los Angeles Aviators 17. April 27, 2024. Captions and photos by Julien Dagan.
San Francisco Giants 3, Arizona Diamondbacks 5, April 21, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Oakland A’s 2, St. Louis Cardinals 3, April 16, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Oakland A’s 2, Washington Nationals 1, 10 innings, April 12, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Oakland Ballers Open Tryouts, Saturday, April 6, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Opening Day, San Francisco Giants 3, San Diego Padres 2, April 5, 2024. Photos by Rich Yee.
Bring Your Own Big Wheel, March 31, 2024.
Photos by Rich Yee.
Bay Area Panthers 47, Arizona Rattlers 41, March 31, 2024.
Photos by Ed Jay.
Bay FC 2, Houston Dash 3, March 30, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Bay Area Falcons 18, Seattle Tempest 10, March 30, 2024.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 29, through
Sunday, May 5, 2024
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Monday, April 29
Oakland A's vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30
San Francisco Giants @ Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1
San Francisco Giants @ Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 12:37 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Portland Thorns FC, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 2
San Francisco Giants @ Boston Red Sox, 10:35 a.m.
Friday, May 3
San Francisco Giants @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Miami Marlins, 6:40 p.m.
Saturday, May 4
San Francisco Giants @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Miami Marlins, 1:07 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC, 4:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ San Antonio FC, 5:30 p.m.
Bay Area Panthers vs. Vegas Knight Hawks, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday May 5
San Francisco Giants @ Philadelphia Phillies, 4:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Miami Marlins, 1:07 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Chicago Red Stars, 5 p.m.
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
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LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | |
The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | |
More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | |
The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | |
To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
www.sereankimmel.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!
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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