Monday, May 18 through Sunday, May 24, 2020
Issue No. 329
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At least it will be a Season
…or will it
by Pete Elman
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All baseball fans, players, coaches and employees of teams are stunned, shocked, upset and disappointed about the prospect of no baseball this year
—
at least so far. But now there’s talk that the season will in fact take place. In a bizarre yet apparently well-thought out scenario, there is serious talk of a three-week “spring training” in June, followed by a July 4 Grand Opening day.
I can see it now—flags flying, the anthem playing, F-22’s screaming overhead, broadcasters waxing patriotic—
and ghost-like empty stadiums, manned by a skeletal crew of players, coaches, umpires and groundskeepers, perhaps masked, every one of them certified covid-free, and television cameras, of course.
The plan is for three divisions of ten teams each, divided geographically into East, Central and West divisions, with all the games to be played in warm-weather states: Arizona, Texas and Florida. These are states where Republican governors have decided, against all scientific and medical advice, to recklessly open up, health and safety be damned, blatantly disregarding the facts that are as plain as the noses on our masked faces. Namely, that wherever, whenever and for however long responsible physical distancing is practiced, the curve is flattened, the numbers go down and less people die. A place like Northern California, thank god.
You would have a hard time convincing me that baseball is
not essential,
but I will begrudgingly admit that in times like these, it probably isn’t. Is it so important to have a ridiculous, forced, makeshift half-season just so owners can break even? If this country actually cared about workers, then all the team and stadium employees would have a safety net and not be facing the specter of being forced to work, while not being allowed to sue ownership if some become sick.
The details of how much the players will receive are irrelevant. The salient questions are: Is it safe? Is it prudent? Is it a positive experience for fans? Is it necessary? Or better yet, is it baseball? Whatever financial hit the MLB owners will necessarily take, why can’t they suck it up like the rest of us? They are all billionaires or close to it…they can afford it.
But if there is one loyal,
long-suffering
fan base that has a right to be especially upset about the virus ruining the 2020 baseball season, it is Oakland Athletics fans. Going into spring training the A’s were poised to overtake the cheating—
and spectacularly busted—
Houston Astros, who, after five years of dominance were now vulnerable. With a stellar rotation, strong defense, team speed, solid hitting and terrific leadership from Bob Melvin on down, the team did not appear to have a weakness. And then the virus struck.
“This is going to be a season,” one team executive said recently, “like we’ve never seen. But that’s fine. It’s at least a season.”
I beg to differ. American lives matter. And I can wait for the green and gold to hoist their fifth World Series trophy.
** The Ultimate Sports Guide sends its best wishes on behalf of A’s fans everywhere to former A's manager Art Howe who was released from a Houston hospital on Sunday after battling COVID-19.
Pete Elman
Monday, My 18, 2020
Oakland, California
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* * * *
From 2000-2005 I wrote a column for the late great Oakland Athletics Fan Coalition (OAFC) entitled Elman Swings, a play on the fact that I'm a musician. Some of you may remember the OAFC, an East Bay organization that at its peak had several thousand members devoted to keeping the A's in Oakland and guess what? They've succeeded! -- Pete Elman
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Gems
Over the years we have reviewed thousands of photos to bring you the finest work from some of the Bay Area's top sports photographers. Each week during the Coronavirus-induced sports lull we will bring you one of our favorites.
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San Jose center and alternate captain Joe Thornton takes a seat on the dasher boards in front of the Sharks bench to celebrate his first hat trick in eight years, recorded against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 18, 2019. (Score in overtime,
Bruins 6, Sharks 5.) Thornton, who has five three-goal games during his 21-year career, last celebrated a hat trick on Oct. 27, 2010 against New Jersey Devils Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur. To view a game photo album, visit our
Facebook Page.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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Michael Jordan's
The Last Dance
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The Last Dance
, Michael Jordan's compelling documentary, concluded Sunday evening after a five-week run. The 10-part series, which garnered the highest-ever ratings for ESPN, followed Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as they battled for their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. In the fall of 1997 a film crew was allowed to follow the team and captured extraordinary footage and candid interviews which were incorporated into a time line of Jordan's historic career. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr played a feature role in episode 9 on Sunday and along with his mother, Ann Zwicker Kerr, discussed the tragic assassination of his father in a wrenching segment. Photo of Jordan taken at the 8th Presidents Cup at Harding Park Golf Club, San Francisco, in 2009 by
Ed Jay.
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The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
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Where The Bay Comes To Play!
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"It's an ocean planet. As the oceans go, so goes the planet."
-- Bill Carvalho, Wild Planet founder and president
Wild Planet Foods has been honored with TWO awards by Whole Foods Market -- Global Supplier of the Year AND Environmental Stewardship! The annual awards recognize suppliers who embody Whole Foods Market's mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation,
and partnership.
More Awards and Counting!
Prevention
-- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards
Men's Health
-- 125 Best Foods for Men
Prevention
-- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods
Every Day with Rachael Ray
-- Brand New Buy
Better Homes and Gardens
-- Catch of the Day
Clean Eating
-- Clean Choice Awards
Natural Health
-- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards
Runner's World
-- Good Catch
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I was leading the Warriors' in blocked shots this season while also being one of the rebounding leaders on the team, with 6.2 per game.
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Confer with your Covid-19 Sommelier for the right choice...
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Wines for the Brave New World
by Andy Dolich
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It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. There is a significant reason for increased wine consumption during these days of ongoing angst. Here are a few vintages which may be appearing in the coming months.
Mitigation
-- This expensive Bordeaux can't be handled without a gentle rinse of the digits
Dystopia
-- Dark vintages since 1984
Zoom
-- Many flavors but lacks direction
Epidemia
--
This new vintage is bound to catch on
Apocalypse
-- You’ll never drink another
Oblivion
-- With just a hint of fentanyl
Intubation
-- Windswept character
Incubation
-- Carefully nurtured over 14 days for maximum impact
Remdesiv Noir
-- A hasty finish
Cabinet Fever
-- Needs to breathe
Pinot Genesis
--
Hard to describe the flavors
Liebfrauzilch
-- Not serious enough to drink
Temperaturenillo
-- Make sure you taste it early & often
Pinot Grim
-- A wine for the times
Rebound Riesling
-- Aromas could return at the most inopportune times.
Valpolice
--
Not be tasted in a crowd
Chianti Fauci
-- Goes well with anything
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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 COO of the Fan Controlled Football League (FCFL) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies.
Dolich is also co-author of the new book:
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Under a cloudy sky, Golden Gate Fields resumed racing on Wednesday, May 13. The first race at 1 1/16 miles on the turf was won by Shanghai Truffles, ridden by Julien Couton, trained by Patrick Gallagher. The 1 1/16 mile race ran in 1:44.91 with a purse of $19,000.
Photo credit: William G. Vassar,
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Who Am I?
Golden State Warriors center Marquese Chriss!
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Golden State Warriors Marquese Chriss (32) drew the start at center against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 24, 2020 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Chriss finished with 13 points to go with two steals and two blocks.
To view an annotated game photo album, visit our
Facebook Page
.
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Stanford Summer Course -- BUS 89
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Playing the Field: How America's Cities Compete for Pro Sports Teams
with Daniel Rascher and Andy Dolich
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The recent relocations of the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors—both with strong local fan support—sent shock waves through Oakland and raised numerous questions for their new homes.
This course will explore what it means for the community and civic life of cities when a sports team comes or goes. Using the Warriors, Raiders, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, and others as case studies, we will explore the economic, emotional, and social impact that sports teams have on their hometowns, and consider such questions as: What happens in the geographical tug of war over teams, which includes team owners, league officials, elected officials, and business leaders? How is the economic impact of franchises on their cities calculated and do these values stand the test of time? And why do the fans and employees of departing teams usually have no significant representation in the process?
With the basics covered, we will also estimate which teams and cities might be next to experience the challenges of expansion or relocation. Finally, we will delve into how new multibillion-dollar sports venues get financed, and what the substantial and ancillary revenue sources are beyond the teams themselves. This course will be of interest to sports enthusiasts and useful for managers in any industry who face similarly complicated business strategies and numerous conflicting constituencies.
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Quarter: Summer
Course format: Virtual
Date(s): Jun 24-Aug 12
Drop Deadline: Jul 7
Tuition: $545
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Status: Registration opens 8:30 am, 5/18
Day(s): Wednesdays
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7-8:50 pm (PT)
Unit: 1
Instructors: Daniel Rascher, Andy Dolich
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Playing the Field:
How America's Cities Compete for Pro Sports Teams
Stanford Continuing Studies -- Summer 2020
Registration begins Monday, May 18, 8:30 am (PT)
Please Note:
This is a virtual course.
Click here
for more information about our course formats, including FAQs.
Daniel Rascher, Professor, Sport Management Program, University of San Francisco; President, SportsEconomics; Partner, OSKR
Daniel Rascher publishes research on sports business topics, consults to the sports industry, and testifies on sports business topics. He has worked on over 150 sports business engagements, published more than 70 articles, including a textbook, and received the 2019 ASMA Scholar Lifetime Achievement Award from the Applied Sport Management Association. Rascher received a PhD in economics from UC Berkeley.
Andy Dolich, President, Dolich Consulting; Chief Operating Officer, Fan-Controlled Football League
Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online
readings may be assigned.
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Sports Prep Star -- Madi Mays
Concord -- Softball -- Senior
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Madi Mays' Minutemen career began as a freshman in 2017 when she helped Concord claim a North Coast Section Division II title. She went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI in the final against Granada. In her last varsity game, she spun a no-hitter against Monte Vista (allowing just one base runner via walk) on March 12. The following morning, all high school sports were halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Mays will be attending Harvard in the fall, and she recently wrote a first-person story for SportStars celebrating her travel softball coach. You can read the story in the
May issue
of the magazine. Photo: Mays family photo.
Reprinted courtesy Sportstars Magazine.
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The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the
Ultimate Sports Guide
, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The
Ultimate Sports Guide
is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit
www.ultimatesportsguide.net
or send $5 to:
Ultimate Sports Guide
,
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
*
Click
here
for 2019 editions.
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WEEKLY SPORTS CALENDAR
Monday, May 18 through Sunday, May 24, 2020
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All games for major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled
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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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Need a website designed or tuned up?
We can help!
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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Join Us As A Sponsor!
Economical and rewarding.
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally s
uited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In
20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro
,
the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order,
click here.
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
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