Monday, May 2, 2022
Issue No. 431
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).
Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
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Joe DiMaggio, age 55, taking BP in an empty Yankee Stadium
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"A hot dog at the game beats roast beef
at the Ritz."
~ Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart, nicknamed Bogie, was an American film and stage actor.
In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Bogart as the greatest male star of classic American cinema
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Letters to the Editor
Poetry in Motion
From John Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn": 1819
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,"—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
And that a Klay Thompson 3-pointer meets the criteria.
Kristen LaRue
San Francisco
The NFL Draft: Do Nor Cal Teams Even Exist?
What is Derrick Deese, Jr.? Chopped liver? I've watched enough college football and San Jose State games to know a valuable draft pick and bona fide talent when I see it. Derrick Deese, Jr. is clutch, reliable, tough, and the son of 49er great Deerick Deese, who spent the majority of his career with the 49ers from 1992 through 2003, was All Pro two years and played in the 49ers win in Super Bowl XXIX, primarily at left tackle. (He played with the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2004 and 2005 and played all five positions on the offensive line during his career.)
I was sure the Niners would at least select Deese, Jr., even as "Mr. Irrelevant," the final pick of the draft, #262, as a bonus opportunity for promotion, to embrace one of their own, score points with long-time 49ers fans AND pick up a proven, LOCAL player. But no, they preferred Iowa and distant lands over home-grown talent. And what about Stanford and Cal? Stanford had ONE player selected and Cal, TWO! Memo to Shanahan regarding the talent in your own backyard. Take a 30-minute drive sometime and check it out!
With this perpetual lack of respect for our local college and professional teams, we are fortunate to have the wisdom of Sports Today's adopted expert, Rodney Dangerfield, to comfort us: "I'm so ugly....I worked in a pet shop, and people kept asking how big I'd get."
Jacques Diamond
Oakland, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Oakland A's 8, Cleveland Guardians 9
Oakland Roots SC 0, Colorado Springs Switchbacks 3
San Francisco Falcons 13, Los Angeles Astra 7
San Francisco Giants 8, Oakland A's 2
San Jose Earthquakes 0, New York City FC 3
Features & Commentary
Bring Your Own Big Wheels, by Rich Yee
Giants and Warriors Looking Solid, by Bruce Macgowan
Sports Haiku ©️ -- The NFL Draft, by Robert Moselle
Wandering in the Desert by Andy Dolich
Organizations
Golden Gate Fields
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
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The Warriors' Klay Thompson has perfected his 3-point accuracy with vanquishing results, such as Sunday afternoon in Memphis when his arc sailed through and provided the margin of victory: Warriors 117, Grizzlies 116. (Thompson is shown in an earlier game against the San Antonio Spurs. Photo by Darren Yamashita.)
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Giants
and
Warriors Looking Solid
by Bruce Macgowan
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For now, life is looking pretty good for the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors.
The Giants, despite being short handed due to injuries and Covid, seem to be picking up where they left off last season when they won a West Coast record 107 games.
And after two years of irrelevance, the Warriors are in the conversation about possibly making it back to the NBA Finals.
We’ll start with the Giants. This past Sunday, I was lucky enough to take in a ballgame on one of the most beautiful afternoons this spring. There was only a light breeze under brilliant blue skies while the temperatures hovered in the high 60's. Nearby McCovey Cove and San Francisco Bay beyond were teeming with watercraft while nearly 38,000 fans packed the waterfront ballpark.
The game turned out to be a dud as Giants’ starter Alex Cobb, perhaps still nursing a minor groin injury, didn't get out of the first inning after giving up five runs to lowly Washington.
The Giants did come back from an 8-0 lead to score five and they brought the tying run to the plate before a possible comeback fizzled out.
Playing with a bunch of young guys, several just up from the minors who are still unknown, the Giants are again depending on ‘strength in numbers’ to keep the winning ways going. And with one of the better starting pitching rotations and deep bullpen, it would not be a major surprise if the Giants won the NL West again, despite playing in a division with arguably the best team in baseball.
Hard-throwing newcomer Carlos Rodon, who signed that huge two-year free agent deal in the off season, has proven to be as good as the revitalized Clayton Kershaw down in LA, while Logan Webb, despite some early season shakiness is still one of the better young pitchers in the game.
The great thing about the Giants is that they have a lot of position players manager Gabe Kapler can mix and match and once they get LaMonte Wade Jr, Evan Longoria and Tommy La Stella back, the offense will be even better. Coming into the month of May, the Giants were averaging about five runs a game.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ bullpen has been the best in baseball. Closer Octavio Dotel continues to impress, throwing pitches close to 100 mph while bulky lefty Jarlin Garcia and sidewinder Tyler Rogers are excellent set-up men.
There’s no question that rookie catcher Joey Bart is still very raw and doesn’t have nearly the kind of defensive skills or ability to call games as future Hall of Famer Buster Posey. But it’s unfair to make any comparisons right now.
The first two games of the season at Los Angeles should give a slight indication of what to expect this year. You might remember that last year the Giants won the regular season series before barely losing in five games to LA in a stirring first round playoff series.
While we were watching the Giants get hammered Sunday by Washington, most of us in the press box were also keeping an eye on the Warriors vs. Memphis playoff opener. It turned out to be the most exciting win of the season and gave an indication that the series with Memphis might go a full seven games.
The Grizzlies have been extremely tough on the Warriors the last two years but when you have a playoff savvy team with three of the best players in the league, plus arguably the best coach in the NBA, Memphis fans should be wary.
Stephen Curry is playing as well as ever, Draymond Green may be as volatile as ever but he’s also at the peak of his powers, and Klay Thompson, who has worked hard to come back and play very well after missing two seasons.
The two biggest differences in this series are experience and coaching. Memphis may find themselves a little less composed in the final minutes of a tight game as Golden State, as the Warriors’ Big Three and their brilliant coach have been to five NBA Finals and won three of them.
Emerging star Ja Morant of Memphis is an amazing athlete who will continue to give the Warriors fits. He nearly won that first game while power forward Jarin Jackson Jr. is fast becoming a terrific player. But Memphis showed a lack of maturity when Morant and Jenkins started showboating and preening in the first half when the Grizz built up a nine point lead. You just don’t do that kind of thing in the first half, especially against a composed, talented and proud team that has won multiple NBA Titles in recent years.
The Grizzlies may be bigger up front as the Warriors lack the size they had several years back when guys such as Andrew Bogut, Zaza Pachulia, Javale McGee and David West did the ‘dirty work’ underneath..
But Gary Payton II and Jordan Poole came out of obscurity this year and have been dazzling while veterans Andrew Wiggens, Kevon Looney and Otto Porter have picked up the slack when the Big Three have had off nights.
Memphis has one of the better young coaches in the game in 37 year old Taylor Jenkins. He’s worked for nine years in the NBA, including the last three as the Grizzlies head coach. But you’d have to give Steve Kerr the edge and that is one of the reasons I’m picking the Warriors to win this series in seven games.
* * *
Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Macgowan, published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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San Francisco Giants 8
Oakland A's 2
April 26, 2022
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A's catcher Sean Murphy connects with the ball in the top of the third inning.
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A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty is out at first base.
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Oakland Athletics 8
Cleveland Guardians 9
April 29, 2022
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Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy hit a 3-run home run during their 9-8 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, April 29th at RingCentral Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Four World Series trophies, from 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989,
sit in a case at the Oakland A’s offices
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Wandering
In
The Desert
by Andy Dolich
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Three things that can’t be hidden for long, the Sun, the Moon and the Truth.
The Oakland A’s and their owner, John Fisher, are doing a fantastic job of hiding what their true end game is when it comes to the Parallel Path of either building a new ballpark at Oakland’s Howard Terminal or somewhere around Las Vegas.
Here are a few absolute truths relating to the Oakland A’s current situation:
- The A’s have played 4,200 games at the Coliseum and will continue that streak until they finally open up a new ballpark.
- During that time their ball field has been named Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, Network Associates, McAfee, Overstock.com, O.co. and RingCentral.
- John Fisher has owned the A’s franchise for 17 years.
- Quality players have left the A’s starting lineup including Josh Donaldson, Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea and manager Bob Melvin.
- The A’s have been searching for the perfect ballpark location for years, investing millions of dollars in the process. We have seen a portfolio full of artist’s renderings for proposed diamonds at Cisco Field in Fremont, Diridon Station in San Jose, Victory Court in Oakland, Peralta College site in Oakland and now several different looks for their Howard Terminal project.
- The A’s have proposed a $12 billion dollar multipurpose urban ballpark city The 55 acre project includes a 35,000 seat baseball park, 3,000 residential units, 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, a 3,500 seat indoor performance center, 400 hotel rooms, 18 acres of public open space and a high capacity Gondola.
- The Howard Terminal site is the target of multiple lawsuits by Union Pacific Railroad, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Coalition of Oakland port workers, truckers and cargo terminal operators.
- A’s President Dave Kaval has said that the A’s are on a Parallel Path to develop a new ballpark in or around Las Vegas.
The A’s have said they will announce progress on Las Vegas ballpark sites soon. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is supporting the A’s in their Parallel Path strategy. If the A’s move to Las Vegas they will most likely play in a domed stadium.
Last season the A’s drew 701,430. This was the lowest attendance at the Coliseum since 1979. (yes, the impact of Covid-19 protocols played a factor.)
The A’s have repeatedly stated that the Coliseum property doesn’t figure in their plans for a new ballpark. That being said, the A’s have purchased 50% of the Oakland Coliseum’s 150 acres from Alameda County for a reported $85 million dollars. The City of Oakland’s 50% of the Coliseum property is unsold at this point. The City has reached an agreement to negotiate their 50% with the AASEG (African American Sports & Entertainment Group) led by local businessman Ray Bobbitt. AASEG has committed to negotiate a deal within 18 months. The A’s say they need 100% ownership of the Coliseum property to help finance Howard Terminal.
No matter where the A’s decide to play ball it will be a minimum of four years to build a new ballpark.
The ongoing Groundhog Day of the ballpark search has been a gut punch and attendance killer to the A’s fan base. Through the first 10 home games of this season the team has drawn 90,160 for an average of 9,016 fans per game.
MLB has talked about expanding by two markets in the future for a reported $2.2 billion dollars for each. Commissioner Rob Manfred said that there needs to be solid new ballpark plans for the A’s and Rays before expansion talks can ramp up.
Relocation fees to another market for the A’s and Rays are rumored to be $500 million for each.
OK, got all that in your Oakland A’s stadium saga computer memory. What should the A’s do to bring about a solution to the ongoing ballpark soap opera they have scripted on what was once a large, vibrant, green and gold fan base throughout Northern California.
Millions of people go to Vegas to test their luck, why not the Oakland A’s? Millions return home with far less cash than they had going in.
The A’s Triple A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators play at the new “Las Vegas Ballpark” in Summerlin about 20 minutes from Downtown. It seats 10,000. The Aviators play 72 home games. The team and the ballpark are owned by the Howard Hughes Corporation. You remember Howard Hughes, the late high flying, Hollywood honcho, reclusive billionaire.
If there is no resolution to the Parallel Path of Rooted in Oakland or Leaving for Las Vegas, why don’t the A’s just join the Aviators for a test flight of a season and see if Vegas is really paved with the gold the team says it needs to build a championship roster?
Las Vegas Ballpark has 101 open dates through September in their upcoming seasons. That’s more than enough for 81 A’s home games for an out of Oaktown road trip.
* * *
Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is EVP of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies. Dolich is also co-author of: 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro and co-author of LOL, Loss of Logo,
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
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Why is the balk rule necessary for baseball?, is NOT my question for the week. https://bit.ly/3kv7HOg will take you
to that answer.
Charles Tips, co-founder of the Baseball Star Maker Academy, gives the best answer as it comes from the phrase, “Every trick in the book begins and ends with baseball. Baseball depends on deception, but a lot of deception has been ruled not in the spirit of the game." Tips also explains why there is a belt tube as opposed to hooks on the pants of MLB players.
My question is, who holds the record for most balks in a season? Bonus points if you know the holder of the career balk record holder...
(See answer below...)
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
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Haiku: A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Sports Today! has expanded Haikus to embrace our readership and invites you to submit your own. Top entries will be published!
Thank you for your many entries!
THE NFL DRAFT
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The marathon coverage of the NFL draft is heavy on metaphors and similes: "It's a 20-minute Uber
ride to get around this pick at 345 pounds," or "He'll smash a runner like a bug on a windshield."
However, the most powerful forces are not on-screen
and are rarely mentioned. Ownership: the Golden Buddhas whose decisions will dictate the futures of the new NFL on-field soldiers, those selected
in the draft.
As team's selections are announced,
destiny awaits. As each envelope is unsealed,
so are careers determined.
"The moving finger writes, and,
having writ moves on."
The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam
The NFL Draft
Fat Old Buddhas Carved in Gold
Create History
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* * *
Contributed by Robert Moselle, Esq.
Executive Director, Center for Continuing Education
As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for
"Best Sports Haiku." The winner will be published!
Sports Haikus ©️ USG/Sports Today's Haiku Invitation
Ultimate Sports Guide
Wants to Publish Your Haiku
You must send it in
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Autograph Stories Invited
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Do you have an autograph with a story behind it?
Sports Today thinks this would be an ideal opportunity to share
a personal sports moment with our readers.
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DO YOU LOVE SPORTS?
And are you a techno-wizard who would like
to be involved in Bay Area Sports?
The USG/Sports Today needs an "influencer."
We need You!
The Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today needs people with social media savvy, website technology knowledge and
e-marketing skills. Advance your career, add to your resume, and learn from sports industry professionals!
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Advertise in Sports Today!
* Reach thousands of fans on a weekly basis
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Ann Cooke, Director of Sales
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"Good things come to those who wait"
The Guinness is pouring well and honestly we can't drink it all by ourselves so join us. Open Monday through Thursday at 4pm. Friday through Sunday at 12pm. Happy Hour 4pm to 6pm. Look forward to seeing all your smiling
faces once again.
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Editor's Note
Have a favorite Sports Moment you would like to share?
With perhaps a photo or two? Send a brief description along with any photos and we'll make room. Why not bring those memories to life?
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Where The Bay Comes To Play!
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Royal 'N Rando (pictured left) with jockey Frank Alvarado, win the Silky Sullivan $75,000 Guaranteed with a time of 1:37.28. Trained by Steven Specht.
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
New York City FC 3
May 1, 2022
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MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 0, New York City FC 3
Quakes to host Colorado Rapids at PayPal Park on May 7
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the defending MLS Cup champions New York City FC 3-0 at Yankee Stadium on Sunday morning.
The Earthquakes held NYCFC’s high-scoring offense off the board for 73 minutes before the home side was able to break through. NYC then added two more goals in the 78th and 88th minute, respectively.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, May 7, presented by Audi. Kickoff from PayPal Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050, and 1370 KZSF.
MEDIA ASSETS
GAME NOTES
- The Earthquakes currently hold a 1-5-3 record (6 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
- The Quakes now hold an 0-5-1 overall record against New York City FC, including a 0-4-0 on the road.
- The Earthquakes are now 2-1-0 in three games in all competitions under interim head coach Alex Covelo.
- Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made a season-high six saves.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season
New York City FC 3 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes, Sunday, May 1, 2022 – Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y., Attendance: 17,174
Scoring Summary: NYC (1-0) – Keaton Parks (Talles Magno) 74’, NYC (2-0) – Gabriel Pereira (Santiago Rodriguez, Talles Magno) 78’, NYC (3-0) – Chris Gloster (Maxi Moralez) 88’
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Alexander Callens (caution) 77’, NYC – Valentin Catellanos (caution) 80’, NYC – Santiago Rodriguez (caution) 82’
NEW YORK CITY FC: Sean Johnson; Thiago Martins, Alexander Callens, Malte Amundsen (Chris Gloster 56), Tayvon Gray, Nicolas Acevedo (Gabriel Pereira 65); Thiago (Maxi Moralez 65), Santiago Rodriguez (Gedion Zelalem 90+1), Talles Magno, Keaton Parks; Valentin Catellanos. Substitutes not used: Luis Barraza, Maxime Chanot, Justin Haak, Andres Jasson, Vuk Latinovich.
SHOTS: 23; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Tanner Beason, Francisco Calvo, Paul Marie, Jamiro Monteiro (Cade Cowell 71), Jackson Yueill, Eric Remedi, Jan Gregus (Ousseni Bouda 85), Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Benji Kikanović 71). Substitutes not used: Oskar Ågren, Matt Bersano, Will Richmond, Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan, Tommy Thompson.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 6
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO
On the positive takeaways from today’s match:
“I take some positive things. I think we were well organized in the first 70 minutes, trying to point out those passing lines in sight on their best players, the collective effort that our guys did trying to close the field again and keep New York City without options. For the most part we defended well in the box, and offensively, there was a moment when we saw that San Jose that we would like to see more.”
On why the team conceded goals in the final stretch of the game:
“From my understanding there is a mental element, but we need to keep doing what we did. I think that a lot of times in the first half, and if the opponent scores, you have to keep going, be focused, and keep working. I think that the guys did an amazing job doing what we were asking for. It’s a matter of time and finding more minutes doing what we did in the first half. I think it’s that. We were there until the first goal. After the first goal, I think mentally the focus was difficult to handle.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL
On making training adjustments due to field differences at Yankee Stadium:
“Well first, [NYCFC] is a really good team. I think we prepared pretty well. We made our training field a little bit smaller. We tried to play in tight spaces during training throughout the week. We tried pressing a little bit differently with our forwards going up into their field and we thought that they can jump. I think our game plan was really good. I think we had to do it for about 70 minutes and in the last 20 minutes we got away from it a little bit. I think that’s when the game kind of slipped away from us.”
On adapting to interim head coach Alex Covelo’s game strategies in recent matches:
With Alex [Covelo]’s system, we emphasize a lot about spaces and being not so man-oriented as we have been in the past few years. I think that allows for you to get in front of your mark and be more connected to your teammates than it is to worry about the other players. I think that’s allowed us to close the lines a little bit and allow our back line to step up and not feel so worried about the gaps. I think that’s kind of helped with winning the ball higher. The coaches do a great job on anticipating and maybe we can get Jamiro [Monteiro] and Cristian [Espinoza] to press and be our triggers. With their speed and their aggressiveness and their timing, I think we can put back lines under pressure and I think we did a good job of winning balls today. I think they were able to press well for the game. We’re still learning, it’s still processing. We’re getting better with the press and understanding Alex a lot more.”
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Oakland Roots SC 0
Colorado Springs Switchbacks 3
April 30, 2022
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Roots Fall 3-0 at Home to Western Conference Leaders
Despite a number of premium scoring chances, Oakland could not solve Colorado Springs goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, as Roots fell 3-0 to the Switchbacks on Saturday night.
Roots faced heavy pressure in the first 20 minutes of the match, but eventually adjusted to the high press defense of Colorado Springs, leading to a Penalty Kick for Oakland in the 30th minute which was taken by Ottar Magnus Karlsson, but ultimately denied by the Switchbacks keeper who played a stellar match.
Roots controlled possession throughout most of the contest, but two key defensive lapses in the second half led to Switchbacks goals in the 56th and 70th minutes. Colorado Springs sealed the win with a goal as added time expired.
Oakland Roots will head on the road for matches against Orange County SC and Las Vegas Lights FC before returning home to face LA Galaxy II at Laney Football Stadium on May 21st.
Talking to Head Coach Juan Guerra: Give us your initial takeaways.
Juan Guerra: This sport when you’re playing well, we don't put the ball in the back of the net, it doesn't matter. You’ve got to make sure we are taking the license we have for creating enough chances to win games. We are just not putting the ball in the back of the net enough. At the end of the day, I don't think this is about heart. This is not about character. This is just a bit about that final product of putting the ball in the back of the net. The team keeps playing well. Our north is clear. Ideas are not going to shift. The coaching staff, the players are committed. We're gonna keep pushing forward.
The last two games, one thing I noticed is you guys are creating your own opportunities. But, you know, finishing touches just inches away. Talk about how the offense is creating, and what you pull from this game?
Juan Guerra: We played a very good team tonight. Colorado is a very good team, they're not first place by coincidence, their front three are very fast, dynamic and athletic. The way we worked on the week, we were able to take away spaces that they couldn't exploit until the 65th/70th minute, but then it opened up a bit more. By that time, we should have been up at least two or three - zero. Like I said, I think the boys are absorbing well what we want. Our idea and identity is clear. And we’re creating chances. It's just a matter of time, and a matter of putting the ball in the back of the net. And again, nobody likes losing. The boys are gonna walk in there and they're devastated right now. But I'll protect each one of them. And like I said, at the end of the day, we need to keep pushing forward.
Oakland Roots SC vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks, USL Championship | April 30, 2022, Venue: Laney College, Oakland, California, Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT, Weather: 60 degrees, clear
SCORELINE: OAK: 0, COS: 3
SCORING SUMMARY: COS: 57’ Zach Zandi, COS: 70’ Michee Ngalina, COS: 90+4’ Hadji Barry
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY: OAK: 11’ Charlie Dennis (yellow card), OAK: 18’ Jose Hernandez (yellow card)
COS: 41’ Cam Lindley (yellow card), COS: 42’ Jimmy Ockford (yellow card), COS: 72’ Zach Zandi (yellow card), OAK: 74’ Danny Barbir (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Benny Diaz, Tarek Morad, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Danny Barbir (Johnny Rodriguez), Juan Azocar, Edgardo Rito, Joseph Nane, José Hernández, Charlie Dennis (Jesús Enríquez), Óttar Magnús Karlsson. Unused subs: Max Ornstil, Emrah Klimenta, Memo Diaz, Taylor Bailey, Mikael Johnsen
Shots: 10 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corner Kicks: 9 | Fouls: 21 | Offside: 1 |
COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS LINEUP: Jeff Caldwell, Isaiah Foster (Elvis Amoh), Triston Hodge, Matt Mahoney, Jimmy Ockford, Malik Johnson (Issa Rayyan), Beverly Makangila, Cam Lindley, Zach Zandi (Kharlton Belmar) , Hadji Barry, Michee Ngalina (Stevie Echevarria). Unused subs: Christian Herrera, Tobi Adewole, Yesin Van Der Pluijm
Shots: 10 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corner Kicks: 2 | Fouls: 14 | Offside: 3 |
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San Francisco Falcons 13
Los Angeles Astra 7
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The San Francisco Falcons overcame a slow start and windy conditions to defeat the Los Angeles Astra, 13-7, in their WUL season finale at Fremont High School on Saturday, April 30. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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With defense the name of the game for the San Francisco Falcons and under heavy winds early, Sharon Lin (#3) went up to block the long huck (top), but the wind held the disc up enough for Los Angeles Astra player Maggie O’Conner (#12) to make a diving catch to score late in the second quarter.
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
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Monterey County Board of Supervisors Approve Funding for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Improvements
MONTEREY, Calif., April 28, 2022 – The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved $9.7 million in funding for crucial repairs at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca, the only major track in the United States that is government owned.
Work that will be done includes resurfacing the iconic track and replacing the Start/Finish Bridge.
Late last year, the Board approved $450,000 for the design work for these projects. The County of Monterey Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department and the County’s Laguna Seca Recreation Area management firm, A&D Narigi Consulting LLC., are working with design consultants to complete plans, formalize the bid package, and acquire any necessary permits. Plans are to have the work completed in time for the 2023 racing season.
The financing for the project is composed of available Laguna Seca Enterprise Fund balance, some unassigned General Fund balance, a County-funded loan that will be paid back through Transient Occupancy Tax revenue over the next several years, and income from sponsorships.
“Laguna Seca has been an asset to our county and an asset to our region because events there bring in major revenue and they do keep people working in restaurants, hotels and other tourism related businesses,” says Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo. “This is an amount less than $10 million that we have delayed for so long, we have kicked the can down the road. We know that with some recent litigation, it’s only a matter of time before there is an injury that would cost us millions of dollars by neglecting our duty to do this maintenance.”
Supervisor Mary Adams, whose district includes the raceway, supported the project funding as an investment not only for safety but in Monterey County’s tourism industry.
“The track has been neglected far too long, and if we are going to continue to compete in the world market of racing where we get international coverage, and that international coverage is what brings people to our county.”
Included in the approval is a plan for setting aside future Laguna Seca Recreation Area earnings into a special capital projects fund to prepare for future capital needs.
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An uniquely San Francisco fun event, Bring Your Own Big Wheel, took place on Easter Sunday when hundreds of thrill seekers raced down San Francisco's Vermont Street which has more curves than the famous Lombard Street. The first hour was devoted to the younger kids, then the "older" kids took over the course. It was a mad dash to get to the bottom of the hill on
anything with wheels.
The race originally started in 2000 with only one rider going down Lombard Street. Each year it grew bigger until the residents of Lombard put a stop to the races and the organizer moved it to Vermont Street in 2008, and
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff
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Oakland A's pitcher
Dave Stewart
In 1988, Oakland's Dave Stewart set the record for most balks in a season with 16. I went to a lot of A's games in '88 but don't remember any balks by Stewart. What I do remember is the walk-off home run by Mark McGwire, in game three of the World Series. It was the only game they won against the Dodgers.
The Phillies' Steve Carlton set the career record for balks with 90. https://bit.ly/3MFZind will take you to all balk-related records, by league, one would care to know.
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
Sports Today - #415 -- Jan. 10 - Jan. 16
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 25, through
Sunday, May 1, 2022
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Monday, May 2
Oakland A's vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6:40 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3
Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies, 6:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 12:37 p.m.
Thursday, May 5
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Friday, May 6
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Minnesota Twins, 5:10 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 5:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Minnesota Twins, 11:10 a.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ Orange County SC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 8
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Minnesota Twins, 11:10 a.m.
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Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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This is an eBook available in .epub or .mobi file formats.
Navigating a career in any business is highly complex, especially in the world of sports and entertainment. Knowing how to separate the logo on your business card from your personal identity is a valuable skill for creating your own career path. Building a career in the sports industry is easier said than done, especially since the business is extremely addictive. Cool corporate logos and titles should never control your true sense of self; your name on the card is much more important! Welcome to the world of LOL, or “Loss of Logo.”
Written for aspiring sports professionals, current sports industry professionals, and any career enthusiasts who are chasing the fancy logo and corner office, LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Comprised of powerful perspectives from 38 multitalented industry professionals, this book will give you the tools to succeed in the industry, with or without
your logo.
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The New York Yankees are the greatest dynasty, not only in baseball but in all of sports. The Yankees, in fact, embody a series of dynasties, from Ruth-Gehrig through Jeter-Rivera. But the absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. The Yankee Way, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's forward, is “full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competitions, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods.” Key contributors to this dynasty, including Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, and manager Casey Stengel, are remembered by their teammate, Charlie Silvera, catcher and co-author.
Dave Newhouse was an award-winning sportswriter/columnist for the Oakland Tribune before his retirement. He has continued his work as an author and The Yankee Way is his eighteenth book. He lives with his wife, Patsy, an artist, in Oakland, CA.
ISBN 978-1-937943-60-8 – 196 pages – $24.95
Published by St. Johann Press, P.O. Box 241, Haworth, NJ 07641 (201) 387-1529 www.stjohannpress.com
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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
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Berkeley, CA 94704
510-915-5664
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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