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February 20, 2023
Issue No. 473
For Gmail addresses, we recommend using the link immediately below for a pristine copy.
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Campanelli
Resurrected
Cal Hoops
by Dave Newhouse
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Writing about Lou Campanelli has challenged me twice: First his coaching life, and now, sadly, the end of his life.
In 2015, I co-authored with Campanelli on Dare To Dream (George F. Thompson Publishing), an autobiography about his starting a Division I men's basketball program at James Madison University in Virginia that produced three upset-minded NCAA Tournament teams, before he travelled west to rejuvenate a dormant hoops atmosphere at the University of California, bringing him further achievement in March Madness.
And now I must write about his late-January passing at 84 after a lingering illness, a sad farewell to an ultra-successful coach whose career ended in a controversy that was unwarranted and misunderstood. I’m hopeful that this obituary will set the record straight.
Campanelli’s coaching at James Madison belongs in the believe-it-or-not category. Recruiting from scratch at first, he led the giant-killer Dukes to March first-round wins over Georgetown, Ohio State and West Virginia from 1981 through 1983. He came to Cal in 1985 and immediately ended UCLA’s 52-game winning streak over the Bears, 75-67, in Harmon Arena, which Campanelli had renamed from Harmon Gym. Cal then moved from an NIT invite to the NCAA Tournament, where in 1990, Cal took down Bobby Knight and Indiana, 65-63.
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Lou Campanelli
California Golden Bears basketball coach, 1986-1993
“He showed everyone at Cal that, yes, we can win here,” said Jon Wheeler, a Cal forward under Campanelli who graduated in 1987. ”The mentality before Lou came was 'It would be nice if we didn’t finish last (in the conference).' When he guaranteed the boosters that we’d beat UCLA that first time, there were tears in their eyes. He brought Cal into the modern era. He was the right guy at the right time.”
David Butler, a Cal forward who was Wheeler’s teammate, said Campanelli put Cal basketball “back on the map. With Lou’s coaching, I think of intensity, focus and simplicity. He simplified the game, and so we became good at taking charges, preventing layups — a tough defensive team. He was a tough guy; he held your feet to the fire.”
Campanelli was a vocal coach in an era of vocal coaches, with Knight, possibly, the most vocal. That type of coach is almost non-existent today, but both Wheeler and Butler insisted that Campanelli, while loud, wasn’t ever unfair. Leonard Taylor would agree.
“Lou taught us to be a man, to be responsible, to be accountable,” said Taylor, a forward whose last Cal season was 1989. “He challenged us — he saw something in us that we didn’t see in ourselves.”
Campanelli’s verbal approach backfired during the 1992-93 season, when the Bears, led by future NBA players Jason Kidd and Lamond Murray, resisted his coaching approach. I watched personally in New Jersey when Cal played dismally, blowing breakaway dunks and playing listless defense, in getting blown out by, yes, James Madison and then, oh, my, Cornell on back-to-back nights. Two weeks later, Campanelli was fired.
There was behind-the-scenes chicanery going on with athletic director Bob Bockrath and assistant coach Todd Bozeman, who replaced Campanelli and took Cal to the NCAA Tournament, where the Bears upset Duke. Bockrath and Bozeman had, reportedly, engaged in underhanded play to unseat Campanelli, which needn’t be addressed in this column. But both Bockrath and Bozeman then left Cal in a cloud of controversy themselves.
Campanelli, showing class, chose not to address these matters in his book. But there is another sticky matter: The portrayal of Campanelli as having racist tendencies that led to his dismissal at Cal. Well, none of the black players I interviewed at James Madison felt this way, and neither does Leonard Taylor, who is black.
“I never had a problem that way,” he said. "(Campanelli) treated us all the same — he yelled at me, he yelled at everyone. Most of those coaches were yellers. Did Bobby Knight change his ways? With Coach Campanelli, it wasn’t bad. He was just loud.”
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Lou Campanellini
August 10, 1938 – January 31, 2023
The last pro-Campanelli voice in this column is someone who knows him best, and would defend him first, and that is his son Kyle, a guard who played for his father at Cal in 1991-92.
“My dad was passionate, and that passion would just come out,” said Kyle. “He wanted to bring the best out of each player. He came to practice every day that way. He loved the guys, whoever they were. And he brought Cal back from the ashes.”
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, the truth needs to be heard. Lou Campanelli’s funeral is pending. R.I.P., coach.
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Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. His most recent book, The Yankee Way, is available in bookstores and on amazon.com. 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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The Ultimate Sports Guide proudly announces the release of Insights and Outtakes, Excerpts and Epiphanies from the World of Sports, a compendium of Pete Elman essays which have appeared
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Crafted to perfection, talented sports writer Elman covers the Warriors, A's, Raiders and
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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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* * * * *
"Elman's writing probes the brain, clutches the heart and grips the reader with its wisdom, tenderness, humor and haymakers."
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"Insights and Outtakes enables readers to understand the who, when, where, how and why of pro sports. Pete Elman brings his microscope, telescope and stethoscope for an in-depth look into stories that come from all avenues of professional sports. Having spent a lifetime in the business of sports, the stories told in this book resonated with me on many levels. Insights and Outtakes is a must read."
-- Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL
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* * * * *
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Bonus for Sports Today Readers!
One of Pete Elman's essays is included
for your enjoyment
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Letters to the Editor
Cha-ching, Cha-ching
Please enter me in your Pool for non-profit promo. Teams are: Xavier 60-1, Maryland 60-1, Hofstra 1000-1 and College of Charleston 1,000 - 1. Thanks -- this is fun.
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This publication covers so many sports, both men and women, that there are articles for all readers. If a person loves sports, or was not lucky enough to attend a given event, Sports Today fills in with great pictures and recaps what took place. Keep them coming.
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Remember Their Sacrifice....Stories of Unheralded Athletes of Color
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Welcomed Change
Native-American concern over the Kansas City football team being named the Chiefs is easily overcome by renaming them the TORNADOS (TORNDOES?), reflective of the part of country they are in, and a much more powerful nickname.
Arnold Passman
Berkeley, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Cal Bears (WBkB) 81, USC Trojans 78 (Overtime)
Cal Bears (WBkB) 54, UCLA Bruins 67
Cal Bears (WGYM) vs. UCLA Bruins -- Tie at 197.975
Saint Mary's Gaels 71, BYU Cougars 65
Stanford Cardinal vs. Ohio State Buckeyes, Artistic Swimming
USF Dons (MBkB) 76, Pacific Tigers 68
Features & Commentary
Cal Upsets Ranked Trojans in Overtime, 81-87, by Jenny Kim
Changes in Baseball Coming to a Park Near You, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
Consider A Donation
Just Win, Baby, by Pete Elman
Talking with God about the Dubs -- Part II -- Miracles and Magic, by Howard Pearlstein
Campanelli Resurrected Cal Hoops, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
Cal Bears
Golden Gate Fields
Oakland A's
Oakland Roots
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco Giants
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
University of Pacific
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
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Now that the NFL season is over it's time to move
to other sports.
Let's start with basketball. I went to my first Chase Center game and saw a Warrior win. I know less about basketball than football, so almost everything I ask is new info to me. This question is probably as hard as it gets. I had no idea Carl Lewis was drafted by an NBA team.
Which team selected legendary sprinter Carl Lewis
in the 1984 NBA Draft?
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No. 6 UCLA Bruins &
No. 7 Cal Bears Tie
Saturday, February 18, 2023
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What a meet! Two top-tier programs going head-to-head and the result is a TIE! Stepping out for her curtain call, Cal’s eMjae Frazier gets recognition as the best all-around gymnast on the day with a total of 39.70 points as the University of California Golden Bears played host to the University of California Los Angeles, UCLA Bruins in PAC-12 women’s gymnastics at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Saturday, February 19.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Mya Lauzon cannot hold in the excitement of her performance which tied her for best floor exercise with teammate eMjae Frazier at 9.975.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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With an average score of 9.975, Madelyn Williams looks to complete the transfer from the lower bar to the high bar with her near perfect performance. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
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Throughout the floor exercise, eMjae Frazier radiated confidence and poise and would tie teammate Mya Lauzon with a top score of 9.975.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Major League Baseball Changes | |
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Major League Baseball’s 15-second pitch clock will now be joined by the hitter’s clock. The batter has eight seconds to get in the batter’s box and hit or could be charged with a strike call. These rules will be implemented for the 2023 season.
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Changes in Baseball Coming to a Park Near You
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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“The Only Constant in Life is Change” – Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher once wrote. Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred is no Heraclitus, but under his tenure, he is changing the game of baseball. Well, trying anyway. We remember Mike Hargrove, who played in the 1970s and 1980s, also better known as “The Human Rain Delay” because of his deliberate routine at the plate before each at-bat and before each pitch.
The record books show he played for 12 years in the major leagues, but if we could add all the time he spent at the plate, we can probably increase it by two more years. If he was playing this 2023 season he could not do those antics at the plate. To be fair, there were others that took all the time in the world at the plate like, for example, Nomar Garciaparra.
Beginning this year, hitters will have to be ready inside the batting box and ready to hit in eight seconds. These are changes you will “discover” this season if you attend a game or in your living room in front of the television, or if you watch the games on your telephone. When I was a kid growing up in Cuba, I can imagine what my grandfather, Armando, would have told me if I said to him, “Abuelo, I am going to watch the game on the telephone.” I know his answer, but I will not translate it here.
To continue, click HERE!
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Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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Cal Bears Win in Overtime | |
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Cal forward Michelle Onyiah scored six of Cal's eight points in overtime and pulled down the game clinching rebound as the Bears upset the 25th ranked USC Trojans, 81-78, at Haas Pavilion on Sunday, February 19th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Cal Upsets Ranked Trojans in Overtime,
81-78
by Jenny Kim
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California women’s basketball upset the No. 25 USC Trojans in a thrilling OT game at the Haas Pavilion on Sunday, February 19, ending the afternoon with the score of 81-78.
The Golden Bears and Trojans were fighting for a sizable lead from the start, but were rarely able to get even two points ahead of each other. USC’s forward Kadi Sissoko scored a career-high 30 points, but was followed by California’s sophomore Jayda Curry, who entered the Naismith Trophy Women’s Watch List this season, with 27 points.
With offensive players clashing for a lead, each quarter ended in a tie. At the end of the fourth quarter, tied 73-73, the referee called for the final play to go under review to check for a defensive foul on the Trojans. After a suspenseful wait, the foul was not recorded, and the game continued into overtime.
Though USC took the tip-off, the Golden Bears pulled ahead with two free throws made by Leilani McIntosh with 44.7 seconds remaining. California was able to fend off the Trojans with a tight defense until the final 8.5 seconds, when USC’s Rokia Doumbia fouled Cal’s Ugonne Oniyah.
Despite an initial miss, Oniyah scored Cal’s final point of the game with her second free throw, finishing off the match three-points ahead of the USC Trojans.
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Jenny Kim, a sophomore at the University of California Berkeley,
hopes to contribute to the spread of Bay Area sports.
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Saint Mary's Gaels 71
BYU Cougars 65
Saturday, February 18, 2023
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Saint Mary's freshman guard Aiden Mahaney scored 16 points, including a three-pointer late in the game, to help the 17th-ranked Gaels hold off the BYU Cougars, 71-65, at UCU Pavilion on Saturday, February 18th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Pacific Tigers 68
USF Dons 76
Thursday, February 16, 2023
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Great game with several lead changes, until the Dons pulled away in the closing minutes. Above, the Tigers Luke Avdalovic (#21) throws up three fingers to celebrate hitting another 3-point shot. Avdalovic went 2-2 from behind the line on his way to scoring 10 points in the game, as the University of Pacific Tigers played host to the University of San Francisco Dons at Alex G. Spanos Center, Stockton on February 16. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
Running into the immovable object that is Volodymyr Markovetskyy (#33), who tops the scales at 270 lbs. and stands 7’-2”, Tyler Beard (#3) crumples upon impact late in the first half. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
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Midway through the second half a flurry of offensive fouls were called in rapid succession against both teams. Above, USF’s Khalil Shabazz (#0) reacts to the latest call against teammate Isaiah Hawthorne (#3) shown on the floor.
Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
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Cal Bears 54
UCLA Bruins 67
Friday, February 17, 2023
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Cal guard Jayda Curry recorded 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists as the Bears were defeated by the 16th-ranked UCLA Bruins, 67-54, at Haas Pavilion on Friday, February 17th. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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Stanford Cardinal vs Ohio State
Artistic Swimming
Saturday, February 12, 2023
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Stanford defeated the reigning national champion Ohio State at the Avery Aquatic Center on February 12, by a score of 96-88.
Caption and photo by Rich Yee.
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Talking with God about the Dubs --
Part II -- Miracles and Magic
by Howard Pearlstein
“SO, ok -- you said you don’t do prayers about teams winning or losing…”
“No – I said I don’t like to know who wins when I watch the game. I’m a fan. I want to enjoy the suspense. Besides, answering any prayers about who wins and loses is cheating, like insider trading. What the man once said – ‘Every prayer boils down to “Dear God, don’t let 2 + 2 equal 4.’ But the fun is in letting it.
That’s why we all love to watch sports, from the Angels and Archangels to the Seraphim and Cherubim, and from Allah to Thor and Vishnu to Buddha. (Yeah, I know, he’s not a god, but we all love the cheerful fat guy whose whole schtick is “I’m cool. You too, just let yourself be.”) Sports are one of the few human things that really needs to be fair. That’s why referees -- to make sure no one is cheating.”
“But what about the miracles?”
“Oh that. I don’t do miracles. And if you read the Bible or any other books, it’s never me – it’s the messenger who does them. And his pals. And the saints. But mostly it’s what your own guys do that surprises the hell out of everyone. (True, I got a lot of credit over the years but if a miracle-maker DIDN’T give me the credit, the people would call it Devil’s Work and hurt him.)
“You read Anu Garg’s Wordsmith every day, so think about the roots of the words. Miracle, ‘mira’ from the Latin mirari meaning “Hey look at THAT!” and ‘icle’ from ‘popsicle’ which on hot summer days in Rome was amazing to see. Just between us, the first one was grape.
“Really -- miracles and magic are two things I try not to mess with, although – full disclosure – as a fan, sometimes I slip up and accidentally let a bit of my omnipotence leak out for my favorite team.
“But miracles? Last year the Dubs looked like they couldn’t even make the play-in. But they did and then went all the way. And what caused the miracle? Ok -- Hallmark card time --Love. The love for the game, the love they had for the team and the love they had for each other. Lot of power in that. And home games – a great big dose of love from the fans. And they’re getting back to getting it done on the road.
“And the magic? The Dubs pass it around. Remember Buffy St. Marie -- “Magic rests in an open hand.” Well, what are assists but open hands– assists -- passed around and around and where it stops? The secret is none of them care where it stops. That’s why they’re so much fun to watch. Even with Steph out – like the win against the Wizards last week -- skeenteen assists. Everyone --Klay, Draymond, Poole, Wiggins, Looney, Donte, Ty Jerome, Kuminga, Jamychal, Moody – everyone touched it. And THAT’s why we all love to watch them make magic and miracles --even Vishnu’s ride, Garuda – a big fan - and he’s a bird!
“Wow.”
But – I knew you’d tell people I talked to you – so what did they say?
“Ahh, they asked mostly about your voice, what you sounded like when you talked. You know – the whole legendary deal – Hearing the Voice of God.”
“And…?”
“I said, come to think about it, you sounded a lot like me.”
(God laughs.) “Ok, I think you got it.”
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Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
An old friend once said, "Howard, you live your life like you're trying to fill in a dust jacket blurb." Well, then all I have to do is write a book that will get published.
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Pitching Leads Bears To Saturday Sweep
Archer, Reimers Both Earn Complete Game Victories
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The California softball team earned a pair of wins behind dominant pitching on Saturday at the Wilson Invitational at the Long Beach State University Softball Complex.
Anna Reimers and Haylei Archer both threw complete games, allowing just one earned run between them as the Bears (8-2) defeated UC Davis, 3-1, and Long Beach State, 6-1.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.calbears.com
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Robinson 23rd in World
Strong day for Stanford at World Cross Country Championships
BATHURST, New South Wales, Australia – Stanford junior Ky Robinson placed 23rd at the World Cross Country Championships on Sunday in his home country.
Robinson was the top Australian and the second non-African-born runner, covering the demanding 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) course at Mount Panorama in 31:11. He also was the second collegian, behind only Spain's Aaron Las Heras of Wake Forest, who was 22nd.
continued...
By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE
www.gostanford.com
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Spartans Close Out Mountain West Swim
& Dive Championship
HOUSTON- Jenna Jagielski broke a school record in the platform dive with a score of 261.75 to place sixth overall helping lead the Spartans in the final day of the Mountain West Swim and Dive Championship at the Campus and Recreation Center Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston. The Spartans finished eighth with 632.5 points.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
#AllSpartans
www.sjsuspartans.com
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
Gaels Back on the Water Against UC Davis,
Santa Clara
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Saint Mary's Women's Rowing team were back in the boats for the first time this year as they faced off in a scrimmage against UC Davis and Santa Clara.
Races began at the Port of Sacramento, as the Gaels competed in three 1500m races, 300m father than the typical 1200m distance.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
#GaelsRise
www.smcgaels.com
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Women's Soccer Announces
Spring 2023 ID Camp
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The University of San Francisco women's soccer program and head coach Jim Millinder are excited to announce the program's Spring ID Camp date scheduled for Sunday, April 23, 2023.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.usfdons.com
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Broncos Take Care Of Portland For 21st Victory
PORTLAND, Ore. – It took Santa Clara men's basketball just 29 games to match their win total from last season. The Broncos picked up their 21st victory of the season on Saturday evening with a dominating performance at the Chili's Center, defeating Portland 103-84. The win is Santa Clara's fifth-straight dating back to their road victory over San Francisco on Feb. 4.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Falls to Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Pacific women's basketball team (12-16, 7-10) battled in a defensive battle with Portland (20-7, 14-2) to a 57-46 final at the Chiles Center.
Senior Sam Ashby led the team in scoring, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds. Sophomore Anaya James added ten points and was perfect from beyond the arc. Sophomore Elizabeth Elliot grabbed eight rebounds and put up eight points
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.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
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Earthquakes II Announce Coaching Staff for
2023 MLS NEXT Pro Season
DeGeer to serve as head coach of MLS NEXT
Pro side in 2023
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have announced the full coaching staff for Earthquakes II ahead of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Head coach Dan DeGeer will be supported by assistant coach Jordan Stewart and goalkeeper coach Jeremy Clark.
“Earthquakes II is an important part of our club and something we take pride in,” said Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch. “We feel really good about the staff we have in place and their respective experiences, both inside and outside of the Quakes organization. The coaches are entrusted to help move young players along our development pathway to the first team and we’re confident in this group’s ability to do that.”
continued...
Click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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“Icons of Porsche” will be the theme for the world’s largest fan gathering
in September 2023
Porsche announces theme and launches new website for Rennsport Reunion
ATLANTA, February 16, 2023—Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) announced the theme for the upcoming Porsche Rennsport Reunion as “Icons of Porsche”. A fitting tribute to the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars being celebrated this year, the four-day event being held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, California, from September 28 to October 1, 2023 will enable fans of all ages to experience many of the most iconic cars, drivers and designers in the marque’s history.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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NASCAR Industry Veteran Karen Davis Named Vice President, Marketing and
Events at Sonoma Raceway
SONOMA, Calif. (February 17, 2023) – Sports Marketing Executive Karen Davis has been named Vice President, Marketing and Events at Sonoma Raceway as the track powers into its 25th season.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role at Sonoma Raceway as it rounds out my professional experience in motorsports marketing with the view of the promoter,” said Davis.
continued...
Click Here.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA—St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, is pleased to announce the 2023 Spring Wingding Regatta, to be held April 14-16, 2023, and open to all wingfoil competitors. The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open. Wingfoiling is the latest iteration of wind-powered water sports, combining the small, fast, hydrofoil boards popularized by kitesurfing, with handheld wing-shaped sails. The event will also serve as the inaugural Pacific Coast Championships for this burgeoning sport.
continued...
Click Here.
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Oakland Roots Sports Club Sign Salvadoran National Team Defender Bryan Tamacas
Oakl
Oakland, CA -- Oakland Roots Sports Club today announced the signing of Bryan Tamacas ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The 27-year-old defender was born in the capital city of El Salvador in San Salvador and has represented his National Team at the senior level on 62 occasions.
“Bryan is someone I know well,” said Roots Head Coach Noah Delgado. “His ability to come to Oakland and make a big impact cannot be overstated. He will be someone Roots fans will connect with right away through his workrate and commitment to the team.”
Tamacas most recently featured for Alianza in the Salvadoran top division. He previously played for Santa Tecla FC on two occasions after spending time with C.D. FAS. Tamacas has won the League Championship in El Salvador on multiple occasions for both Santa Tecla FC and Alianza.
For the National Team, Tamacas made his debut in June of 2016 in a friendly match vs Armenia. Following his debut for the national team, Tamacas has gone on to be part of the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Gold Cup squads as well as being a part of the Salvadoran CONCACAF Nations League side. In 2021, at the Gold Cup, Tamacas was honored with the ‘Fighting Spirit Award’ for his efforts in the quarterfinal match against Qatar.
Welcome to Oakland, Bryan.
continued...
Click Here.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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Bonus for Sports Today Readers!
From Pete Elman's compelling new book,
Insights and Outtakes
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Just Win, Baby
January 3, 2022
Somewhere, in the lush Elysian Fields of green lined with silver and black, three older men are seated around a table. Two of them, despite their years, still carry themselves with the confident jaunt of the quarterbacks they once were. The third man projects a unique blend of charisma and leadership.
Smiles abound, and a pitcher of Oakland-brewed craft beer is passed around. It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a perfect day for a football game. The men have just watched a game on their heavenly high-definition big-screen TV, and they could not be happier with the outcome.
“That kid, Carlson—My God—he has ice water in his veins—he never misses!” exclaims George Blanda, (Raiders, 1970-75) who wore the pirate on his helmet between the ages of 43-48. “I knew if we got it past midfield those Baltimore Colts were toast,” he smiles, taking a long swig.
“They’re now called the Indianapolis Colts, George,” drawls the amiable long-haired Southerner sitting next to him, who learned how to carouse at the feet of Joe Namath. “But man, I sure love that kid Carr. He reminds me of somebody else back in the day.”
“You mean yourself, right, Snake?” The third man, dressed in a white track suit with slicked back hair and an indecipherable accent somewhere between Brooklyn and Alabama, says, with a trace of sarcasm.
“Yeah,” he continued, “I remember some of your plays, Kenny, and I swear this number four sure can pull a rabbit out of the hat—29 times in the fourth quarter now, right?”
“That’s right, Mr. Davis,” agrees the Hall of Fame quarterback, (Raiders, 1968-79). “That California boy’s a gamer.”
“You know, since we’re all up here now, Snake, let’s drop the formalities-- call me Al.” (Al Davis, Raiders, 1963-2011) The three men laugh heartily. It is the seasoned laugh of champions, one that over decades has been honed through hard work and heartbreak, triumph and tears. They have earned it.
Just then the phone rings. Stabler picks it up.
“Hey there, Freddie,” says the Snake, a huge grin across his face. “This must be important for you to be calling us up from down there.
“You saw the game? Wasn’t that something, ‘sticky fingers?’ Our guys seemed to have rediscovered their inner Raider! That boy Renfrow, he is sumpin’ else, ain’t he?
“What’s that you say, Fred? Oh yeah, he’s the spittin’ image of a young Biletnikoff, that’s for sure. You know he walked on at Clemson and helped them boys win two championships? You take care, number 25. What are you, now, 78? Don’t be in a hurry to join us.”
And as fellow Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff (Raiders, 1965-78) is about to say goodbye to Stabler, he says, solemnly, “One more thing, Snake, I think you fellas might have a fourth for your bridge game soon.”
Just as they are about to toast the third thrilling win in a row by their beloved former team, crashing down the field, making a racket the likes of which are rarely heard in these parts, charges a large man loudly spewing what seems like a string of expletives—but upon further listening are actually a string of exclamations—“wham,” “doink,” “woosh” with the occasional “jiminy” mixed in.
“What’d I miss?!” John Madden (Raiders, 1969-78) bellows. “Did we pull it out?! Well, goddammit, DID WE?!”
“Yeah, coach,” they say as one, looking at each other, “We won. Welcome home.”
Back on earth. With 54 seconds left and the game tied 20-20, Derek Carr—on the road, embattled, beaten up, bruised, hurried and sacked all game, faces a third and ten from the Colts’ 48. But he escapes the rush and somehow finds the unflappable Hunter Renfrow, who makes another great catch for a first down.
Renfrow has been brilliant all season, and will most likely break Tim Brown’s team season record for receptions next week. And, predictably, Daniel Carlson wins it at the horn with a 33-yard chip shot and the Raiders’ playoff hopes, remarkably, are still alive. Whatever happens next week, the Raiders are no longer the laughing stock of the NFL.
* * *
And somewhere up there, in the lush Elysian Fields of green lined with silver and black, the man in the track suit, surrounded by his old friends, who are now a happy quartet, raises his glass in a familiar toast.
"Just Win, Baby."
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- Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL
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Chicago Bulls
Carl Lewis was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the
1984 NBA Draft. This was despite Lewis never playing
high school or college basketball.
Lewis would subsequently go on to win nine Olympic gold medals in track and field. This is probably the most difficult question on our NBA quiz challenge, so don’t feel bad if you got it wrong!...
I will not give you a link to the quiz because there are some pretty good questions I'll use for a
couple of weeks...
This link will take you to an interesting blog discussing
the Chicago draft effort and Michael Jordan's
Olympic success...
Is it too early for XFL trivia?
Go Celtics!
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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?
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! | |
See Through It wins the $75,000 Guaranteed El Dorado Shooter, ridden by Brayan Pena, trained by Milton G. Pineda. The six furlong race was run in 1:09.18. Photo credit: Vassar Photography. | |
Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy | |
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Cal Bears (WBkB) 81, No. 25 USC Trojans 78 (Overtime), February 19, 2023. Photos by Darren Yamashita.
Cal Bears (WGYM) vs. UCLA Bruins, February 18, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
UCLA Bruins (WGYM) vs. Cal Bears, February 18, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Saint Mary’s Gaels (MBkB) 71, BYU Cougars 65, February 18, 2023.
Photos by Darren Yamashita.
Cal Bears (WBkB) 54, UCLA Bruins 67, February 17, 2023.
Photos by Darren Yamashita.
USF Dons (MBkB) 76, Pacific Tigers 68, February 16, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Pacific Tigers (MBkB) 68, USF Dons 76, February 16, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Ohio State, Artistic Swimming,
February 12, 2023. Photos by Rich Yee.
Cal Bears (Rugby) 50, UCLA Bruins 13, February 11, 2023.
Photos by Alex Ho.
Cal Bears (MBkB) 62, Arizona State Sun Devils 70 (Overtime), February 11, 2023. Photos by Ron Sellers.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, February 20, through
Sunday, February 26, 2023
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Monday, February 20
San Jose Sharks vs. Seattle Kraken, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, February 21
Wednesday, February 22
Thursday, February 23
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 24
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
Saturday,February 25
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 26
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 4:30 p.m.
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Enjoy the
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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). | |
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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. | | | | |
