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March 6, 2023
Issue No. 475
For Gmail addresses, we recommend using the link immediately below for a pristine copy.
View as Webpage
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The road to 9-73 also began with an 0-15 start | | |
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Losing Time
by Andy Dolich
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On April 3, 2016 the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125-104 to set the NBA all-time best season in history at
73-9. The next day I called my long-time friend and NBA colleague Rick Welts, who was then President of the Warriors.
“Rick, congratulations on setting the record. What do you think is harder, going 73-9 or 9-73?”
He laughed out loud, “Dolich, you are completely nuts!” “We went 73-9. Our record is incredible. What the F are you talking about?”
“Well Rick, I’ll predict that in the not too distant future an NBA team, maybe even yours, will break that record of 73-9.”
I can say with certainty that the team I started my sports career with owns a competitive tombstone that has stood the test of slime for 50 years. Yes, the Philadelphia 76ers went 9-73 in the 1972-73 season.
Why not celebrate the absolute worst team in NBA history? This dribbling disaster will celebrate their season in Hoops Hades on March 25, 2023. Fifty years before that they lost to the Detroit Pistons,
115-96.
Isn’t this the perfect time to dig into how Losing Time compares to the popular current hyperbolic series on HBO, Winning Time about the Showtime Lakers?
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The Sixers would match and exceed the worst record ever
Overview
In 1967 the Philadelphia 76ers, led by the legendary Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain, won the NBA championship beating the San Francisco Warriors in six games. This powerhouse team posted the best record in league history at that time, winning 68 and losing only 13.
Just six seasons later the 76ers entered the other end of the record book with the worst record in the history of the NBA, winning 9 and losing 73. A record that has stood the test of many other putrid basketball teams for the last 49 years.
Don’t bring up the Charlotte Bobcats, who posted a basement dwelling 7-59 record in the 2012 season which was shortened to 66 games due to a lockout. Really rancid teams go the full 82 for the proper smell test.
This is a story of how this legendary basketball franchise fell from grace and took the express elevator from the championship-perfumed penthouse to the odiferous outhouse. How does a sports franchise lose its way? What separates greatness from gruesome? Who was responsible? How did Sixers schizophrenia play itself out?
How much has the NBA changed from the days of 9-73 to 73-9 and beyond? The 76ers car crash cuisinart of personalities is seen through the eyes of a young sports executive cutting his teeth at the start of his career. Andy Dolich, who went on to be president of two NBA teams and an executive in the MLB, NFL and the NHL, was there as the business of sports marketing was beginning to grow into a multi-billion dollar cash machine. He is part of the vanguard of young Turks who helped create a revolution of how sports teams sell themselves to corporate America.
WHO -- Players and others from that team will tell their story: Fred Carter, Kevin Loughery-player/coach, John Q. Trapp, Doug Collins, Mel Counts, Dennis Awtrey, John Block, Fred Boyd, Gary Gregor, Manny Leaks, Mike Price, Dave Wohl, Barry Yates, Don May, Tom VanArsdale, Jeff Halliburton. Coaches/Mgmt: Kevin Loughery, a 5-26 record before he left, assistant Paul Lizzo. Others: Sonny Hill -- Mr. Philly Basketball, Ron Pollack -- son of the legendary Sixers PR man Harvey Pollack, Ike Richman -- grandson of former owner and longtime 76ers PR director, 76ers employees, Spectrum employees, NBA opponents, NBA Sportswriters and Reporters, Sixers fans, Players who played against the 76ers.
WHAT -- Worst record in NBA history. How could one team finish 59 games out of first place? How could one team finish 64 games over .500 and another do the opposite. A story that has never been properly told.
WHEN -- March 25, 2023 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Sixers losing to the Detroit Pistons, 115-96, to set the record of 9-73. Why not get a head start on telling this story.
WHERE -- Anywhere in the world that NBA fans and sports fans are interested in a story that has been largely ignored -- the heart and soul of Philly Sports fans.
HOW -- Andy Dolich is a nationally respected sports executive who began his career in 1971 with the 76ers, history’s worst Pro hoops horror story. He takes you behind the curtain with his first-person account of how greatness turned into an embarrassing ongoing asterisk.
The franchise’s demise is not without moments of hilarity, futility, apathy, stupidity, and peculiarity, all of which led to years of anonymity for this band of basketball brothers. The participants can use their insider positions to create a perfect counter to the popular HBO show, Winning Time. This is truly Losing Time. This group of Sixers can utilize a microscope, telescope and at times a practical proctoscope to tell the story of one of sports most confounding chameleons -- the Philadelphia 76ers basketball franchise.
WHY -- Institutional knowledge is a terrible thing to waste. Let’s look at how the NBA has become a global brand with hundreds of millions of fans from Brooklyn to Beijing. The 50 years of bad-to-best will underscore the explosion of growth:
1972-73 NBA -- 16 teams
2023 NBA -- 30 teams and now televised in 40 countries
Stories that have been lost in the passage of time: “Poor” Roy Rubin. What’s an Ursinus? The tragic life of Raymond Lewis and John Brisker. Who is Al Henry, Dana Lewis, Charlie Tharp and many others. Dave Zinkoff, the original Crowd Pumping PA announcer.
And more: Kosher Salami free throw gifts to fans at halftime shootouts, now it’s for $50,000 smackers. The Philly Fans gene of sports fanaticism. Simple arenas turned to Taj Mahals. Player’s contracts in the thousands of dollars, now in the hundreds of millions. Tape-delayed playoffs then, now hundreds of millions of fans watching live around the globe. $25 dollar courtside seats to now “You can’t afford those courtside seats.” Globalization of players, now 125 International players in the NBA this season.
Isn’t it time to bring Losing Time to life?
Frank Hughes: The year the Sixers were at a loss
https://www.si.com › 2010/01/20 › worst-team
Jan 20, 2010 — Andy Dolich was a 25-year-old intern to the general manager at the time. These were the pre-Magic, pre-Bird days of the NBA, when front-office...
Suffering with the 76ers from someone who worked through the worst
https://www.foxsports.com › stories › nba ›
The 76ers are 0 for the season. However, they have a ways to go to get to where the 72-73 season finished. Andy Dolich lived through 9-73 and wears it like...
* * *
Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 30 years of experience as an executive for professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer teams. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).
Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Social Media: Applications invited via email. Please include resume.
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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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
in Sports Today.
Crafted to perfection, talented sports writer Elman covers the Warriors, A's, Raiders and
Bay Area sports.
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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Highly recommended by:
Dave Newhouse, former Oakland Tribune sports journalist
and author of 19 books
Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL
Arif Khatib, author, filmmaker, founder of the African American Sports Hall of Fame
* * * * *
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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
The Ship Went Down with the Captain
Of course, I mean Brandon Belt, who started last season as the joyous Captain of an enthusiastic Giants squad, with all the pomp and circumstances the G-Men management could roll out on Opening Day.
It was a role which Belt embraced. After injuries and the onset of a lackluster season loomed ahead, the Giants' ship began to sink, and never sailed the high seas as it had as the season had begun. The ship went down with the Captain.
With the gossip and usual tacky, secretive movements behind the scenes, what had been a Happy Belt became a model of the famous John Ehrlichman line from Watergate days: "Well, I think we ought to let him hang there. Let him twist slowly, slowly in the wind."
So Belt has moved across the border to the Blue Jays for a reported $9.3 million.
His 18th inning home run in the 2014 National League Divisional Series against the Washington Nationals remains one of my favorite Giants memories, and while I despise Toronto, I WILL root for The Captain, and will keep my Captain's cap, courtesy of SF Giants' public relations folks.
Kirsten LaRue
San Francisco, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Cal Bears Outdoor Opener, Track & Field
Features & Commentary
Consider A Donation
Did Someone Tell the Dubs to ‘Bring it?’ So, Okay, by
Howard Pearlstein
It Was More Than Just A Game, by Pete Elman
Kerri Walsh, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Losing Time, by Andy Dolich
The Story of Chase Center, by Robert Moselle
Welcome to Major League Baseball, 2023! 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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Sports Today's "30-1 Minimum Odds
Non-Profit" Final 4 Tournament
Joe Lunardi, college basketball's Sports Guru of Bracketology, would appreciate this unique challenge for college basketball fans and would-be Bracketologists. Thanks for all the data and valuable information you always provide. This pool adds, in addition to data and metrics, the elements of fan's favorite teams or alma maters, bits and pieces of televised games, awareness of key players and trends, and, as we say, "the gut."
It is the only one of its kind. To win $1,000,000 there are other places to go, and by all means feel free to do so as well. But only Sports Today's prize and goal promote worthy non-profits. Plus, only Sports Today's tournament has the 30-1 (or longer) odds for teams as an entry requirement.
We have one more entry as we head toward conference tournaments which precede The Big Dance. This one comes from the Big Island of Hawaii, from someone who is not all that into sports, but who is a bona fide psychic. That's a mighty fine credential, as surprises and upsets are always at play.
Selection of Dennis Shary, from the Big Island
Villanova Wildcats: Some monsters have returned to the team in the last games I have watched. 60-1
Toledo Rockets: A good year for the Rockets. They'll shoot for the moon and just might make it. 100-1
USC: Why nobody has selected the Trojans is beyond me. While they're still in the PAC-12 and I want 'em. 60-1
Mississippi State: I draw upon my powers from the beyond for this pick. 60-1
Jerry Monkman, South San Francisco
Admittedly, these picks are not as obscure as some previous entries (College of Charleston?), but nevertheless meet the 30-1 odds criteria yet still could reach the Final Four.
Iowa: Impressed by the way they rallied with a flurry of 3-pointers to beat Michigan State. 30-1
U-Conn: Adama Sanogo is a force to be reckoned with. 40-1
Providence: Cooley is an experienced coach and if they get on a roll, they could be dangerous. 60-1
Northwestern: A "reach" I admit, but I like surprises. 100-1
Jacques Diamond, Oakland, CA
Okay, count me in on your Final Four, "30-1 Minimum Odds" finalists contest. There's a good chance I'll go 0 for four, but here you go:
Iowa State: 50-1 (for Brock Purdy)
Marquette: 40-1
San Diego State: 60-1
Miami: 60-1
Kristen LaRue, San Francisco
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.
Robert Moselle, Monterey, CA
Creighton Blue Jays: 50-1 Creighton: My daily blue jay visitor named Crayton -- plus they're tall and good.
Seton Hall Pirates: 500-1 New coach and high potential.
Duke Blue Devils: 50-1 Duke: Coach K., always has a winner! (Oh wait, Coach K. retired?). No wonder they're 50-1. They're still Duke!
Saint Mary's Gaels: 50-1 Saint Mary's: Great coach, Randy Bennett, plus team intensity and smarts.
Enjoy the games and keep track of this potpourri of selections.
Courtesy of Sports Today. By fans, for fans!
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Mike 'The Human Rain Delay' Hargrove used to drive
opposing pitchers insane
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Welcome to Major League Baseball, 2023!
by Dave Newhouse
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With Major League Baseball implementing new rules this season to make games go by faster, I can’t help but think of two players named Mike who slowed the game down to a crawl.
Mike Hargrove and Mike Moore, take a bow.
Hargrove was known as The Human Rain Delay for his maddening consistency of stepping out of the batter’s box after every pitch to tighten his batting gloves, pull down his batting helmet, and practically recite Casey At The Bat before resuming his stance.
Moore resembled The Human Tornado Watch on the mound, taking forever to release a pitch. Oakland A’s executive Sandy Alderson grew so frustrated that he screamed, “Throw the (bleeping) ball,” at Moore from the owner’s box, albeit without success.
Perhaps Hargrove and Moore are indirectly responsible for MLB’s attempt to speed up games. Thus pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty, and 20 seconds with a runner on. Pitchers must begin their motion in that time frame or be assessed a ball. And batters not positioned in the box by the eight-second count will receive a strike.
By hurrying up the pitcher-batter process, baseball’s hierarchy is intending to shorten nine-inning games, which sometimes have approached four hours.
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Oakland A’s executive Sandy Alderson once grew so frustrated at pitcher Mike Moore that he screamed, “Throw the (bleeping) ball.”
Hold onto that thought for a moment, because other changes have occurred. Besides larger bases, increasing from 15 to 18 inches in width, there will be two infielders on each side of second base, with both feet on the infield dirt. No more second baseman in short right field taking away line drive hits.
This fits into MLB reasoning, because a survey of fans found that they wanted more balls in play, plus action on the bases, and better pace of play.
Larger bases could produce more base-stealing, more runs, and more headaches for pitchers on a pitch clock. But will these new adjustments make baseball a better game to watch? Because fan attendance has plummeted, hence these changes.
But here is something MLB definitely needed to rule out but didn’t -- it’s ridiculous “innovation” in recent years of putting a runner on second base at the start of every extra inning. What type of thinking is this, rewarding a team without individual effort, and sadly turning baseball into a clown show?
Regardless, MLB needed to take the game back from the two Mikes and other sloths who required an hour glass, not a stopwatch, between pitches. But how far back, that’s the question?
Don’t forget, baseball is more expensive nowadays compared to those old, forgotten two-hour games, when parking cost a buck and a hot dog two bucks. Fans now spend upwards of $40 for parking and $10 for a hot dog, not to mention other concession-stand gouging that feeds into the pockets of millionaire ballplayers.
Somewhere, sometime, there may be a happy medium at the ballpark: Wishful thinking. However, I’m left with this image in my mind: A Giants-Dodgers game of yore with Don Drysdale throwing at the head of Willie Mays, who flopped faster from a pitch than any ballplayer I've ever seen, then immediately rose to his feet and dared Drysdale to throw at him again — without ever leaving the batter’s box.
The Human Rain Delay would never understand such machoism.
* * *
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 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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One of those things I would never have thought
to ask of trivia fanatics...
Two NFL Hall of Fame members have played in an
MLB World Series. Who are they?
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Golden State Warriors' Home | |
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The Story of the Chase Center
by Robert Moselle, Esq.
http://www.cce-mcle.com
As Warriors fans well know, the team's record is remarkable in their home arena, the Chase Center.
So, let us give credit where credit is due, and add some grilled salmon to the Warriors' Menu of Champions. (See Menu of Champions Haiku here).
Why? It's time for some history.
The Chase National Bank, a predecessor of Chase Manhattan Bank, which is now JPMorgan Chase, was named in honor of Salmon P. Chase, though he had no affiliation with it, financial or otherwise. Now, the Warriors' home has also been named after the illustrious Salmon P. Chase.
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Salmon P. Chase
In 1860, our Salmon P. Chase sought the Republican nomination for president and had done more to end slavery than any other Republican. However, Abraham Lincoln won the nomination and Salmon Chase supported him.
During the Civil War, Chase served as Secretary of the Treasury in President Lincoln's cabinet from 1861 to 1864. In that period of crisis, there were two great changes in American financial policy: the establishment of a national banking system and the issue of paper currency.
The former was Chase's own particular measure. He suggested the idea, worked out the important principles and many of the details, and induced the Congress to approve them. It secured an immediate market for government bonds and provided a permanent, uniform, and stable national currency. Chase ensured that the Union could sell debt to pay for the war effort and preserve the Union!
Now this currency system is used to pay our own Golden State Warriors, and to provide fans a luxury arena in which to enjoy the games and other events. In fact, Chase's portrait appears on the United States $10,000 bill, the largest denomination of U.S. currency to publicly circulate. The bill was last printed in 1945. In 1969, the Federal Reserve began withdrawing high-denomination bills from circulation, and as of 2009, only 336 $10,000 bills had not been returned for destruction.
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The first issue of $1 notes in 1862 as legal tender, featuring Chase | |
Had a rainout with lightning forcing the cancellation of the meet after only the Hammer Throw event. Captured a few women’s long jump practice jumps before the rain really came down on a cold, wet, windy morning at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday, March 4. Above, huddled under the tent, the women’s long jumpers take cover during the practice, moments before the lightning ended the Cal Outdoor Opener. Participating schools: San Jose State University, University of Pacific, Laney College, Merritt College, City Speed S., Sonoma State, Sierra Race. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers. | |
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Warriors to Celebrate Women's Empowerment Month, Presented by Rakuten,
throughout March
Month-Long Campaign Aimed To Recognize And Support Women In Business And Sports
SAN FRANCISCO – The 2022 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors announced celebrations for Women’s Empowerment Month, presented by Rakuten, aimed to recognize, support, and inspire equity for women in business and sports. To tip-off Women’s Empowerment Month, the Warriors released content of guard Jordan Poole interviewing the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, on topics including empowering women, the importance of community and mentorship, and more. To view the videos, click here.
The Warriors and Rakuten will celebrate Women’s Empowerment Month during the team’s first home game of the month, tomorrow, March 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers, through a variety of activations including a full-building Women’s Empowerment Shirt giveaway. In addition, the Warriors will collaborate with a group of women who are established TikTok creators to develop new, custom food items at three of Chase Center’s women-owned Taste Maker eateries. The creations will be made available to fans throughout March. Additional Women’s Empowerment Month activations include:
continued...
click here.
www.warriors.com
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Kerri Walsh -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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In 2011 I met Olympic Women’s Beach Volleyball player Kerri Walsh at a Bay Area sports card shop. I was first in line to meet Kerri and she was extremely warm and friendly. As she was signing my volleyball I asked if she could include the years she won Gold. She wrote “Gold 2004, 2008 & 2012 Hopeful." Kerri and teammate Misty May went on to win Olympic Gold medals in 2004, 2008 and 2012, including a Bronze in 2016. Kerri is a Santa Clara native now living in Saratoga.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Did Someone Tell the Dubs to ‘Bring it?’ So, Okay
by Howard Pearlstein
The Warriors have been putting it together all year with some key players to trades and such, getting some new ones, and remember – when you’re the champ, you’re surrounded -- every game you play, for the other team, it’s a big one.
And learning curves and all that. The key hurdle – it’s not one I made, someone else did, but when I read it, it rang the “AHA!” bell. They had to learn to play with Steph Curry. Because Steph’s idiosyncratic movements around the court torments opposition defenses. But not just with Steph – Draymond and Klay, too. Add in the amazing Kevon Looney, plus Wiggins, and a new guy might figure there’s no room for him there.
Talking sports heads kept saying how generous Steph was, to be passing off the ball to the newer, still sort of raw, players. They didn’t see it. Steph is building the next generation of the team. Anyone interested in a slightly used dynasty?
When the coach says, “Take more shots, it’s okay,” the new guy says, “Yeah, sure. I’m two years out of college and I’m out here with the Greatest Shooter in History, and the coach tells me it’s ok to take a shot, right.”
But when Steph passes it off to the newbie, it’s a whole ‘nother thing. “The MVP is telling me, 'Take your shot.'”
And they started learning the basic dance steps, even though there was so much else involved in the learning curve. Angles, timing, footwork, and the experience to recognize immediately when someone on the other team is out of place, and what tendencies they’re seeing.
Takes a lot of time to learn, because it’s five people having to do a dance with each other and learn the way to play a game that is both simple and highly complex, all while a bunch of other players, more or less equally talented, are trying to stop them. And that was coming along, too.
And then they had to learn to play without Steph.
More recently, a bunch of doom sayers wondering what was wrong, why was Kerr switching the lineup without seeming reason. Perhaps because every team in the NBA had studied them. And they had sort of figured out some things. But coach Kerr had a lot of toys to play with -- players who could be great on any given night – Kuminga, Lamb, Poole, PBJ, Donte, Ty Jerome… And Andre Iguodala, when not able to play, is mentoring players in the finer points of defense. Have even heard announcers saying about Poole or Wiggins – “That’s an Iguodala move!”
And lots of points in the paint, something new for the Dubs.
And last week, with Klay being brilliant, they brought it. Two games – first one they came from 23 behind to win, the second – last Thursday --coming from down 11 to finish up 24. And with a new look -- lots of points in the paint.
And the big thing was for the Dubs coming out of halftime to kick ass in the third quarter. That has been their signature for years and has been missing for a spell. And here it was again -- The Monster Third Quarter. And against the Clippers, it just kept going through the fourth quarter.
So okay – they’re bringing it, and yes, those are home games. Not saying it means they’ll win all the rest, much as they need to come close to that. Just saying barring tornadoes, flash floods and an epidemic of scurvy, I think they’ve got it.
Road games start on Sunday and we’ll see.
Just remember -- it ain't over till the point guard dances.
* * *
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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Bears Rally For Wild Win Over RedHawks
Cal Splits Second Day At DeMarini Invitational On Saturday
STANFORD, Calif. – The California softball team rallied from two four-run deficits on the way to a 12-11, eight-inning, victory over Miami (Ohio) to split the day at the DeMarini Classic on Saturday.
The Bears (15-4) got a 6-for-7 day at the plate from Mika Lee in the two games and collected a season-high 17 hits as a team against the RedHawks.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.calbears.com
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Tenth Shutout
Regan Krause led No. 14 Stanford in its shutout
win over Villanova
STANFORD, Calif. -- Junior Regan Krause was dealing on Saturday, tossing a two-hit shutout to lead the No. 14 Stanford Cardinal over the Villanova Wildcats 3-0.
Krause (4-1) went the distance for Stanford (17-2), giving up two hits, walking one and striking out nine, tying her career high which she set against Nevada.
continued...
By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE
www.gostanford.com
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Spartans Prep For Air Force To Open
Mountain West Tournament
LAS VEGAS – The No. 10 seed San José State Spartans will open the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Sunday afternoon in a matchup with No. 7 seed Air Force. Tip-off is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV. SJSU students can get into the game for free by going to the SJSU table at the Thomas & Mack Arena and showing their student ID before halftime.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
#AllSpartans
www.sjsuspartans.com
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
Gaels Fly Under the Lights at West Coast Twilight
HAYWARD, Calif. – After a few weeks off, the Saint Mary's Track and Field teams were back in action at the West Coast Twilight hosted by Chabot College.
The Gaels proved unstoppable across numerous track and field events, as multiple SMC runners came away with event victories and personal bests.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
#GaelsRise
www.smcgaels.com
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Dons Outduel Broncos in Double
Overtime Thriller
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Battling past midnight and into Sunday morning, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (20-13, 7-9 WCC) gutted out their second victory in as many nights as the Dons hung on to take down Santa Clara (23-9, 11-5 WCC), 93-87, in double overtime to advance to the semifinal round of the 2023 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.usfdons.com
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Softball Bounces Back with Two Wins
on Saturday
HONOLULU – Santa Clara softball bounced back from a tough first day at the Hawai'i Spring Fling Tournament with two wins on Saturday, shutting out St. Bonaventure 8-0 and downing Niagara 6-3 to close out the tournament with a 2-2 record. Broncos hurler Sage Hager was the winning pitcher in both contests.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
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Ball-Malone Inducted into WCC Hall of Honor
Twenty years before Shohei Ohtani slugged 34 home runs and won 15 games with a 2.33 earned run average as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels last summer, Pacific softball had its own rare two-way star.
Cindy Ball led the Tigers with a .352 batting average and hit 11 home runs as a senior in 2002. She also compiled 28 pitching victories and six saves while fashioning an 0.94 ERA.
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
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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San Jose celebrate Carlos Akapo's game-winning goal in front of a sellout crowd
at PayPal Park
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1
San Jose wins home opener in front of sellout crowd
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in their 2023 home opener in front of a sellout crowd at PayPal Park on Saturday night. San Jose scored two second-half goals to erase an early deficit.
Vancouver took an early lead through Alessandro Schöp in the 17th minute and maintained the one-goal advantage into the second half. San Jose equalized in the 68th minute on a header by Jeremy Ebobisse, his second goal in as many games this season. As the Quakes pushed for the go-ahead goal, the breakthrough finally came in the 77th minute on a near-post strike by defender Carlos Akapo, the first of his MLS career.
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Click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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Can Am returns, as shown in 2016 with Richard Griot in his 1967 McLaren M6A leading Lawrence Stroll in his 1970 Ferrari 512M out of Turn 3. Photo by: TM Hill
Selecting the Best of the Best Begins
for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
MONTEREY, Calif. —The vetting and entry selection process into the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Aug. 16-19 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, begins this week to determine the field of historic race cars that will complete the 14 race groups. Rekindling memories, sights and sounds of the past, the cars are selected based on their authenticity, provenance and mechanical- and period-correctness.
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Click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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Air Show Will Again Thrill Fans Prior to
Toyota/Save Mart 350 Green Flag
Northern California jet team is part of a packed
NASCAR race weekend schedule
SONOMA, Calif. – Fans at Sonoma Raceway’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 in June will momentarily shift their focus from track to sky for a dramatic air show as part of the pre-race festivities. As part of an action-packed weekend schedule, the Patriots Jet Team will thrill race fans with 25-minutes of choreographed aerobatics during the fanfare prior to the green flag.
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Click HERE.
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Oakland Roots Sports Club Launch 2023 Jerseys Celebrating The Town’s Diversity
Oakland Roots Sports Club have released the 2023 Official USL Championship first and second MEYBA kits featuring Oakland Roots SC’s premier partner Anthem Blue Cross as the front of jersey partner.
“We are stoked about the 2023 jerseys,” said Chief Marketing Officer Edreece Arghandiwal. “We are always looking to tell stories of our history and this year's kits are celebrating the mosaic in our crest, the diversity of The Town, and it reminds all of us about why we do what we do here in Oakland…to spread love and be a club where all people are welcome.”
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Click Here.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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St. Francis Yacht Club Announces Felix Weidling to Lead Race Department
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—St. Francis Yacht Club has selected Felix Weidling to lead its Race Department and serve as Race Director. Weidling comes to San Francisco from Kiel Yacht Club, where he served for a decade as Race Secretary and organized various world and continental championships in addition to Kiel Week, an annual nine-day sailing event that draws 4,500 sailors, 1,800 boats and 300,000 spectators, plus millions of visitors to the city for the festivities.
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Click HERE.
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | |
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Jim Thorpe & Deion Sanders
Jim Thorpe played for the New York Giants in the 1917 World Series and Deion Sanders played for the Atlanta Braves in the 1992 World Series. Neither were winners in their series. The White Sox defeated the Giants and Toronto defeated the Braves becoming the first "foreign team" to win a World Series.
Just so I don't use the resource for the question again, here you'll find a bunch of questions.
Let us know how you did!
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Bonus for Sports Today Readers!
From Pete Elman's compelling new book,
Insights and Outtakes
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The fourth title was the hardest -- and the sweetest
Photo: Rich Yee
It Was More Than Just A Game
On March 14, in his first game back after missing 31 games with a back injury, Draymond Green was interviewed post-game. When asked about the Warriors playoff seed possibilities, he gave a surprising, yet totally in character answer. “It doesn’t matter,” he said, “because we’re gonna win the championship anyway.”
At the time that comment seemed cocky, unrealistic, and inadvisable. The team was 43-21, tied for second place in the West with a surging Memphis team, and way behind front-running Phoenix. Klay Thompson was back but rusty, Andrew Wiggins was mired in a post-All-Star slump, and Steph Curry, after a great start, was missing shots at an alarming clip. But in hindsight, Draymond, as usual, was right on the money. The championship DNA emerged in mid-April.
Thursday night in Boston the Warriors showed the world what champions are made of, winning their fourth title in eight years. The list of story lines that make up the most inspiring—and most improbable--of those four titles is long. Let’s call the roll of those who will forever be part of Bay Area sports history.
The Nullifier: For him, it’s never been about individual accolades; scoring titles, MVP awards, jaw-dropping stats or records. They wrote him off—he’s 34, getting beat up by defenses and his shots are off, they said. But they forgot a small item; for one Wardell Stephen Curry, who can shut out the noise and block out everything, there are three things that matter to him: his family, friends and fans; his teammates and coaches; and winning.
The Shooter: Defying all logic, he came back from the two worst injuries in sports and showed guts and grit. After an incredible 941 days of no hoops, he returned to contribute, hit key shots, and play solid defense when it mattered the most. Klay Thompson did it with grace, a sense of humor, humility, and passion.
The Heart and Soul: After being cussed out mercilessly by the vulgar Boston fans in Games 3 and 4, Draymond Green did not flinch; he let his game do the talking. His Game 6 was a clinic; one of the all-time finals’ masterpieces by a brilliant player at the top of his game.
The Soft-Spoken One: With his consistent, relaxed yet intense game, Andrew “Two-Way” Wiggins, in his eighth year, finally showed the promise of that #1 draft pick who was supposed to take the league by storm. It just took the right team—and the right culture.
The Iron Man: Without Kevon Looney’s determination and relentless rebounding, this team would not be hoisting their fourth trophy. He was outstanding all year.
The Thin Prince: Who would have thought that the 22-year-old would become an elite scorer this season? He could have folded come playoff time, but the bright lights were not too big for Jordan Poole. His 38-foot buzzer-beating bank shot in Game 5 to grab the lead is one of the biggest shots in finals history.
The Son of the Glove: Nobody thought he could return from a fractured elbow on his shooting arm in time to contribute—but he did, remarkably. There is tough—then there is Oakland tough. Gary Payton was invaluable in the finals, and showed why he belongs in the NBA.
The Old Man: How fitting it was that Andre Iguodala, 38, came back for one more title push, and in his 18th year played the role of mentor to the young players.
The Coach: Whether it’s cracking self-effacing jokes in a post-game interview or calling out the toxic gun culture, there is no one more humble or generous—or competitive--than Steve Kerr. The man, now a nine-time champion, is the quintessence of dignity, intelligence and class.
This leads to my twin takeaways from Thursday’s victory. There are two stories that live behind the stats, score sheets and the tallying of trophies.
The first is one I referred to before the finals. In my view it is not so much the comeback from two years in the wilderness, or even the miracle of the core three winning after what they all have gone through. It involves payback…
2015: The narrative; they only won because Kyrie and Kevin Love were hurt.
2016: The NBA, in their greedy LeBron-is-God myopia, robbed the Warriors.
2017-2018: The narrative persisted; Kevin Durant brought them two tainted titles.
2019: They only lost to Toronto because of the injuries to Durant and Thompson. In other words, nothing was pristine about any of those finals’ experiences. But this season, which culminated in that near-perfect game Thursday, the Warriors, led by their MVP, convincingly defeated a solid Boston team at full strength—on their home court.
The ghosts of those five finals have finally been exorcised. How sweet it must be for Steph and his teammates. And to all the jealous haters, naysayers, talking heads and misinformed morons of the media—you may now shut up--for good.
In the words of their baby-faced leader, who upon entering the champagne-drenched locker room celebration, had the last word, “What are they gonna say now, huh? What are they gonna say now?!”
And the other story, we can agree, is how impressive the team and coaching staff has been in the way they have handled their journey to the mountaintop; with class, character, and respect for their opponents. In the words of Michelle Obama, whose husband and Steph are golfing buddies, when they go low—we go high.
The Bay Area should be proud of this team, for they have demonstrated throughout the years the qualities that we admire in sports, and in each other: hard work, friendship, teamwork, loyalty, respect, resilience, compassion and joy.
To paraphrase birthday boy Paul McCartney, who turned 80! Saturday, “The joy you take is equal to the joy you make.” And, in the end, it was much more than just a game. It was an affirmation of all that is wonderful about sports, and by extension, the human experience.
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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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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! | |
Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy | |
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California Outdoor Opener (Track), March 4, 2023.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Stanford Cardinal (MBkB) 81, Washington Huskies 69, February 26, 2023. Photos by Darren Yamashita.
Cal Bears (MBkB) 57, Washington State Cougars 63, February 25, 2023. Photos by Ron Sellers.
Stanford Cardinal (WGYM) vs. Oregon State Beavers, February 24, 2023. Photos by Rich Yee.
Cal Bears (MBkB) 56, Washington Huskies 65, February 23, 2023. Photos by Ron Sellers.
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.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, March 6, through
Sunday, March 12, 2023
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Monday, March 6
San Jose Sharks @ Winnipeg Jets, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7
Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 5 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Colorado Avalanche, 6 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Cincinnati Reds, 12:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 12:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 8
San Francisco Giants vs. United States, 6:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Columbia, 12:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 9
Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies, 4:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ St. Louis Blues, 5 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 12:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Friday, March 10
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Texas Rangers, 12:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 11
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 5:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Cleveland Guardians, 12:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 12
San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland A's/SS, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's/SS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
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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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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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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!
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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. | | | | |
