Monday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021
Issue No. 406
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Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today!
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: Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez,
T. Buff
Contact us at: TheUltimateSportsGuide@gmail.com
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Letters to the Editor
Hair Hair
I was once told by a very wise woman, "Never trust a man who grows a beard -- he has something to hide."
Over the years I have found this to be almost uniformly true. Last week, coach Shanahan was nearly clean-shaven after weeks of such dark, dense facial hair that his picture was better suited for the walls of a Post Office than a locker room. And, with his new, clean-shaven look, THE 49ers BEAT CHICAGO!
I hoped he would retain that appearance for the Arizona game, but when he emerged with a new growth of hair on his chin and lower cheeks, I grew worried as he paced up and down, glued to his clipboard.
In my opinion, the darker and thicker the beard, the more worried fans should be. It's Nixon's 5-O'Clock Shadow on steroids, and we know how that worked out.
Jerry Monkman
South San Francisco
Accolade
Thanks for continuing to publish high-quality overviews and insights into our sports world.
Jim Zelinski
San Ramon
A Worthy Substitute
Thank you – I missed the Monday paper. Glad you have the reminder. Go 49ers! Looking better and was glad to see the Braves win the championship. Good work as always on your part and stay safe. Have a great weekend and enjoy the light rain. Carpe Diem!
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore
(See Letters to the Editor continued below...)
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Golden State Warriors 114, Charlotte Hornets 92
Oakland Roots SC 1, El Paso Locomotive 0
San Francisco 49ers 17, Arizona Cardinals 31
San Jose Earthquakes 1, FC Dallas 1
Santa Cruz Warriors 110, G League Ignite 88
Features
Bob Melvin, A Bay Area Original to San Diego, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
Carousel of Change, by Dave Newhouse
Sam Spear Eulogy, by Andy Dolich
Say It Ain't So, Aaron, by Pete Elman
Searching for John Fisher, by Andy Dolich
Sports Haikus©️
Organizations
PAC-12 Rugby 7 Sevens
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco 49ers 17
Arizona Cardinals 31
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Winning one home game out of twelve is not a recipe for a return Super Bowl visit and the 49ers (3-5) stumbled again on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, losing 31-17 to their NFC West rival, the Arizona Cardinals (8-1). But several Niners distinguished themselves, including Brandon Aiyuk who made a number of contested catches and finished the day with a season-high 89 yards on six receptions and a score. Tight end George Kittle (above) returned from Injured Reserve and put up his first 100-yard performance of the season, posting 101 yards on six receptions and a score. The 49ers (3-5) next host the Los Angeles Rams (7-2) at Levi's Stadium on Monday evening, Nov. 15 at 5:15 P.M. ESPN • ESPN2 • KNBR 680 AM • 104.5 FM •
107.7 FM “The Bone"
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Saying Goodbye to Mr. Posey |
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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey
2009-2019, 2021
Seven-time All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015–2018, 2021);
Three-time World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014);
NL MVP (2012);
NL Rookie of the Year (2010);
Gold Glove Award (2016);
Four-time Silver Slugger Award (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017);
Two-time Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award
(2015, 2016);
Two-time Fielding Bible Award (2015, 2016);
NL Hank Aaron Award (2012);
Two-time NL Comeback Player of the Year (2012, 2021);
NL batting champion (2012); Golden Spikes Award (2008);
Dick Howser Trophy (2008)
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49ers Quarterback Controveries |
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Frankie Albert (1946-1952) |
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Carousel of Change
by Dave Newhouse
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The Battle by the Bay, Jimmy Garoppolo versus Trey Lance, has gripped the attention of San Francisco 49ers fans, debating who will become the team’s quarterback of the near future. Pardon my yawn, because I’ve witnessed this same, ho-hum, team debate nearly my entire life.
For all you relatively new 49er fans, quarterback controversies clearly represent the franchise’s identification, reaching all the way back to its infancy.
Frankie Albert was the 49ers quarterback when they started out in 1946, a local hero who led Stanford to its last Rose Bowl victory, and who even had a Hollywood movie made about him in college. Take that, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, etc.
Albert was a quarterbacking magician who turned the bootleg play into pure art form. But he couldn’t throw a deep pass to save his life. So the 49ers acquired Y.A. Tittle, who had that kind of arm, which resulted in the franchise’s first quarterback duel, forcing Albert to Canada to finish his career.
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But just when Tittle thought he was in charge, here came Earl Morrall, who was traded away, followed by another Stanford quarterback, John Brodie, and so Tittle lost out, headed off to greater success with the New York Giants, including the impetus for his induction in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.
Brodie outlasted every 49er quarterback in time of service, 17 seasons, while having further post-Tittle duels with George Mira, Billy Kilmer, and Brodie’s toughest competition, Heisman Trophy-winning Steve Spurrier.
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Steve Spurrier (1967, 1969,
1972, 1973)
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Jim Plunkett (1976, 1977) |
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But Spurrier sputtered after Brodie retired in 1973, and then ensued a succession of quarterbacks, including Tom Owen, Norm Snead, Steve DeBerg and Jim Plunkett, who didn’t tilt the field in the 49ers direction, although Plunkett later won two Super Bowls with the Oakland Raiders. |
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The 49ers finally got it right, after flailing for 34 years, when Joe Montana lifted the 49ers to Super Bowl glory in the 1980s. No more quarterback controversies, everyone thought, then along came Steve Young and the biggest controversy of all occurred, eventually forcing Montana to depart for Kansas City and a farewell run with the Chiefs.
Young would have Super Bowl success, too, throwing a record six touchdown passes to beat the San Diego Chargers. But too many head blows forced his retirement, and what immediately took place is best summed up as the Jim Druckenmiller era, or rock bottom.
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Alex Smith (2005-2007,
2009-2012)
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Colin Kaepernick (2012-2016) |
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Because it’s the 49ers, another quarterback controversy soon reared its head. They took Alex Smith with the first overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft, deeming him a career quarterback, unfortunately not all of it in San Francisco. For along came Colin Kaepernick, and during one juncture when Smith was sidelined by a minor injury, 49er coach Jim Harbaugh coldly elevated Kaepernick as the No. 1 quarterback.
Kaepernick did lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl, as did Garoppolo later on following his heralded arrival from the New England Patriots. But quarterbacks can, miraculously, descend from royalty to stable hands, even when the rest of the team is failing. Thus the 49ers drafted Lance with the third overall pick of this year’s draft as “the quarterback of the future.” Which likely means that Garoppolo — like Albert, Morrall, Kilmer, Plunkett, Montana and Smith before him — will be quarterbacking for another NFL franchise.
However, if it’s the 49ers, who can speculate how good Lance will become. The team’s history argues against such speculation.
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Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. His most recent book, The Yankee Way, is available in bookstores and on amazon.com. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in
Sports Today!, click HERE.
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Golden State Warriors 114
Charlotte Hornets 92
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Warriors guard Jordan Poole scored 31 points with four steals as Golden State defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 114-92, at Chase Center on Wednesday, November 3. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Oakland A's owner John Fisher and A's president Dave Kaval |
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Searching for John Fisher
by Andy Dolich
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The Oakland A’s need a new ballpark. Almost everyone agrees, except some overweight seagulls who love the Coliseum’s seventh inning bird buffet.
On October 26 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors took a non-binding vote to consider supporting an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) as proposed in the city of Oakland's term sheet to fund a new ballpark project for the Oakland A's at Howard Terminal.
The vote passed 4-1. This was a square covered in an ongoing extra inning game of Ballpark bingo.
Multiple steps remain on a path to ballpark approval. Those include the A's and the city of Oakland actually agreeing on a term sheet (negotiations are ongoing) and the city submitting and approving a final draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
A's president Dave Kaval said during Tuesday's meeting that the team is "under a lot of pressure from Major League Baseball" to come up with a new stadium solution, whether it gets built in Oakland, Las Vegas or elsewhere, adding, "time is running out."
The A’s have been searching for the perfect ballpark location for years, investing many millions of dollars and time in the process. We have seen a growing portfolio full of ballpark artists’ renderings for proposed diamonds in the rough 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 proposed Howard Terminal Urban Ballpark City.
On May 11 Major League Baseball said the Oakland Coliseum is “not a viable option for the future vision of baseball.” I’m not sure commissioner Rob Manfred has voiced a coherent strategic detailed future vision for baseball or the A’s. Does that vision include parboiling players and fans during Las Vegas summers or building a Doofus Dome with a significant air conditioning bill?
Now we turn our lonely eyes, perked up ears and Truth-ometer to A’s majority owner John Fisher.
What do you say, John? Are you 100% committed to 100% privately financing the $12 billion dollar cost for the new urban ballpark city plan at Howard Terminal? Do you have the means through the jeans or is there a Gap in your plan?
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. Throw in environmental remediation, the 880 entrance and exit additions necessary to circumvent the traffic of locomotives and 18-wheelers carrying cargo containers to and from the port.
Is Mr. Fisher waiting on signing a deep-pocketed developer to be drafted by the A’s so that the 100% promise can be realized? Estimate for the ballpark alone is $1.4 billion dollars.
Franchise shifting is a modern day sports soap opera. Oakland is the national poster child for this maddening process. Oakland A’s owner John Fisher, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf have lost their way with the heart and soul of what the A’s mean to Oakland and millions of their loyal fans. They and other leaders have been spectators as San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Inglewood have built: Pac Bell (now Oracle) Park -- opened in 2000, Levi’s Stadium -- opened in 2014, Golden 1 Center -- opened in 2016, Chase Center – opened in fall of 2019, Allegiant Stadium – opened in Las Vegas in 2020 and So-Fi Stadium – opened in Inglewood in 2020.
Mr. Fisher, it is your time to step forward or step aside and let another committed owner restore the pride in a storied franchise that has won four World Series, participated in 14 playoffs, sent four players and a manager to Cooperstown and thrilled tens of millions of fans who have been, are and will always be “Rooted in Oakland.” Are you?
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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 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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Santa Cruz Warriors 110
G League Ignite 88
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Santa Cruz Warriors guard Moses Moody scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Warriors' 110-88 victory over the G League Ignite at Chase Center on Wednesday, November 3. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Center Jordan Bell had 10 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
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Ignite center Michael Foster Jr. led his team with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Based in Walnut Creek, the Ignite are a developmental team composed of a number of future NBA draft picks. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
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Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin signed a three-year contract with the San Diego Padres and should right the ship in San Diego with such superstar players as Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Bob Melvin --
A Bay Area Original to San Diego
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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In case anybody forgot – the last three managers of the San Diego Padres were rookie managers at the time they were signed. This next season the Padres are going for the experience. In 2022 they will have an experienced, steady, and calm hand at the helm. Bob Melvin managed the A’s for 11 seasons and leaves very good memories with the Oakland A’s fans in the Bay Area and everywhere. With constant personnel changes every year, Melvin led the A’s to three AL Western Division titles and six playoff berths.
The three-time Manager of the Year (2007 in Arizona and 2012 and 2018 in Oakland) will take his managing skills and relaxed style to beautiful PETCO Park in downtown San Diego, where he will be managing such players as Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jay Cronenworth.
The Padres were the biggest underachievers in baseball. Many picked them to rival the Dodgers in the NL West but they ended up in third place, 28 games out of first place. They also suffered key injuries and it was an ugly year for the Friars.
Bob Melvin is truly a Bay Area original. He was born in Palo Alto, went to high school on the Peninsula, and the University of California at Berkeley. He played as a catcher for 10 years in the major leagues, including from 1986 to 1988 with the San Francisco Giants, his longest tenure among the seven teams he played for.
Melvin is well known for developing good relationships among his players. He listens to them, communicates well, and sometimes sends a player a text message or two. He knows his players, leads them on the field, and guides them to navigate the world of Major League Baseball, especially the young players who come to Oakland. Yoenis Céspedes (a star outfielder and one of the A’s fan favorites) told me once about Melvin: “Es un buen manager, me conoce como jugador y siempre me mantiene al tanto de todo.” Translated: “He is a good manager, he knows me as a player and he keeps me aware of everything going on.”
Communication is never overrated for a manager, especially in today’s game, where it is becoming more of a player's game and so many decisions are made from “upstairs,” inside the front offices of many ball-clubs, without the human element and where computers and statistics in this fast world of communications are running the show.
I was always impressed with Melvin’s style as manager and often told him, “Someday you are going to be a general manager.” He usually smiled and dismissed it, not saying much about it. From his days in Seattle to his time at Oakland where he managed the longest, 11 years, he will be missed. We will miss him. Affable, always available to the
media, and definitely a fan favorite for Oakland A’s fans. Definitely a Bay Area original.
We wish BoMel nothing but the utmost success in one of America’s finest cities.
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Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez published in Sports Today!, click HERE.
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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What was the first year the Warriors played under the
Golden State name in the NBA?
Hint: If it wasn't a significant anniversary,
I wouldn't ask!
(See answer below...)
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"Good things come to those who wait"
and we have decided we don't want to wait any longer. The Guinness is pouring well and honestly we can't drink it all by ourselves so join us. Reopening October 1st. We will be open 7 days a week, Monday through Thursday, 3pm til close. Friday through Sunday 12pm til close. Look forward to seeing all your smiling faces once again.
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San Jose Earthquakes 1
FC Dallas 1
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San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Chris Wondolowski (#8) watches a video tribute with his family after announcing his retirement. The San Jose Earthquakes drew 1–1 with FC Dallas in a MLS regular season week 35 match at PayPal Park on November 7, 2021 in San Jose, California. © 2021 Alex Ho.
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San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Cade Cowell (#44, L) and striker Jeremy Ebobisse (#11, R) lament a missed opportunity in the second half.
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FC Dallas midfielder Andrés Ricaurte (#10) watches a San Jose shot sail wide.
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Veteran horse racing sage Sam Spear passed away recently and a memorial service was held on Monday, Nov. 1 at St. Isidores in Danville. Below is the eulogy delivered by a long-time friend, Andy Dolich.
Photo: Vassar Photography.
When asked how he created the statute of David, Michelangelo replied, “David was inside the stone. I just chipped away all the pieces that weren't David.”
We were lucky to have had a true communication artist in our midst when it came to Institutional Knowledge and I don't mean Artificial Intelligence.
No matter the subject, whether it was sports, music, wine entertainment, two-or-four legged legends, he knew them all. He was the Spearmedia of our beloved Bay Area.
Promoting any sport is a challenge, especially in a hyper competitive market like Northern California. Organizations don't shine without Teamwork, Leadership and Trust. Sam exemplified all three.
Jazz legend Miles Davis said, “Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.” That's how the album Kind of Sam was created.
Sam started the telecast At the Races on Labor Day in 1978. He was the host, producer/director, and advertising sales team. In recent years, it was At The Track on Sunday mornings on KNBR. I don't think that he ever threw a shoe or came up lame.
When you wanted to know Up from Down or anything from A-Z, it was time for a Sam Session. A twenty-second question could end up with a 20-minute story containing hidden gems.
Anybody know Marilyn Monroe's favorite song?
You can Google it, ask Alexa or shout out Siri for help. I just called Sam on my highly complicated piece of a breakthrough digital technology call THE TELEPHONE. Sam made a Cray supercomputer seem like an elementary chalkboard.
Of course you knew the answer to the Marilyn question. It's Ella Fitzgerald's I've got a Crush on You, told personally to Sam by his good friend and her hubby, just a regular Joe from Martinez nicknamed The Yankee Clipper.
“Hey Andy, you know Sam Spear, right? What's he like?” friends would ask me.
Have you ever seen It's a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart? Sam was like Clarence only he was a story-telling angel sent to earth by the Ultimate CEO.
Think of how many photo finishes Sam saw, walk-off homers, hours of jazz LPs spinning, quality wine bottles drained, long lunches and facts separated from fiction in the lives of thousands that live, work and play in Northern California.
Sam could chat up KNBR's Lee Hammer and MC Hammer in consecutive conversations without missing a beat. YOU CAN'T TOUCH THAT!
To all those who felt that Sam made bad calls on the playing fields and basketball courts of Alameda decades ago, Sam has this message, GET OVER IT!
To me, there are only four things that can't be hidden for long: the Sun, the Moon, the Truth and Sam Spear's Smile.
For those of us who knew Sam, listened to Sam and loved Sam, we will always...see him...At The Races!
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Sam Spear (center) stands with Hall of Fame jockeys Johnny Longden (left) and Bill Shoemaker at Bay Meadows in San Mateo in the early 1980s. Photo: Vassar Photography.
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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 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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California over USC 34–5 in a 2021 PAC-12 Rugby Sevens Championship Pool Play match at AutoZone Park on November 6, 2021 in Berkeley, California.
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California over USC 34–5 in a 2021 PAC-12 Rugby Sevens Championship Pool Play match at AutoZone Park on November 6, 2021 in Berkeley, California.
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California over Arizona 27–5 in a 2021 PAC-12 Rugby Sevens Championship Cup Semi Final match at Witter Rugby Field, University of California on November 7, 2021 in Berkeley, California. © 2021 Alex Ho.
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California over UCLA 10–5 in the 2021 PAC-12 Rugby Sevens Championship Cup Final match at Witter Rugby Field, University of California on November 7, 2021 in Berkeley, California. © 2021 Alex Ho. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
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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 entry will be published!
Congrats to Jerry Monkman for his Haiku in last week's Sports Today! on Kyrie, "The earth is flat, Basketball is round." As promised, as winner, Mr. Monkman's new entry on Buster Posey,
is published below.
Buster goes to Hall
of Fame on first vote or I'll
Be up in their Grill
As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for
"Best Sports Haiku." The winner will be published!
Sports Haikus ©️
Ultimate Sports Guide
Wants to Publish Your Haiku
You must send it in.
To: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Editor's Note
Have a favorite Sports Moment you would like to share?
With perhaps with 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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In the Shadow of Obscurity |
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Author Arif Khatib (above left)
As a person who has traveled the world and chronicled his journey, and recently completed his memoirs for his family, Arif Khatib set out to create a book that would combine three of his passions: sports, history and social justice, while shining a much-needed light on the contributions of forgotten and unheard-of athletes of color. The Shadow of Obscurity: Toiling in a Reluctant Society realizes his vision.
Author Pete Elman (above right)
Pete Elman is a musician, journalist, author and teacher. Originally from Washington, D.C., he grew up loving rock and roll, sports and history. His father, a Justice Department lawyer who argued cases in the Supreme Court—most notably Brown vs. Board of Education—imbued in young Peter a strong sense of social justice.
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Stanford Business School
Winter, 2022
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High-Performing Teams:
Lessons from the Sports World
According to basketball legend Michael Jordan, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Without organization-wide teamwork, leadership, and trust, sustaining a championship level of performance—in sports or business—is highly unlikely. How do leaders of the most successful sports franchises overcome the hurdles of free agency, arcane rules, injuries, egos, salary battles, operational challenges, and the human element? How can these lessons be effectively applied to every type of business?
In this course, we will look at how sports organizations achieve smooth and superior transitions from year to year, especially after the rigors of championship seasons. Difference makers in the world of sports, including team executives, general managers, athletic directors, coaches, media observers, and athletes, will discuss the elements necessary to create and maintain elite-performing organizations, and reveal how a prevailing commonality among all of them includes a powerful culture. Students will leave the course able to apply broad relevant concepts to their challenges, such as alignment of goals, adherence to culture, and pervasive interactive communication, as well as numerous operational pearls of wisdom from guest experts.
Andy Dolich
President, Dolich Consulting; EVP, Fan Controlled Football
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. He is a co-author of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won’t Go Pro and LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
BUS 209
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:50 pm (PT)
10 weeks, January 12 – March 16
2 units, $640
Refund Deadline: January 14
Course Format: Live Online
Registration begins 11/29
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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As a result of a positive COVID-19 test, Aaron Rodgers missed the Green Bay Packers game against the Kansas City Chiefs
Say It Ain’t So, Aaron
by Pete Elman
In 1992 when it was alleged that Woody Allen sexually abused one
of his children, Congressman Bob Dornan of California lamented: “I'm a big fan, Woody. Please say it ain’t so.'”
Today I feel the same way about Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Amid the uproar over his COVID status, fueled by his August 26, “I’m fully immunized” comment, the past few days have seen a whirlwind of lies, misinformation, and blaming —all coming from the reigning MVP himself.
My friend Tom was a college quarterback and knows his football, and he and I believe that A-Rod might be the greatest quarterback of all time. He may not have Tom Terrific’s rings or the élan of Joe Cool, but man can he play football.
When Rodgers was a freshman at Butte JC, Cal football coach Jeff Tedford happened to be in Chico recruiting someone else. He saw Aaron and said, “Son, how’d you like a degree from Cal?” Grades were never a problem for Rodgers; he considered quitting football to study for law school. And that is what makes this story so maddening.
The Lies: “I’m fully immunized.” Immunized against what, Mr. three-time MVP? The truth, apparently. At best he misled everyone; his team, the league, the press and Packer fans. At worst, he lied—and made light of a pandemic that has killed at least 756,000 people in this country.
The Misinformation: “I was taking homeopathics which I believed protected me.” The scientists and medical experts overwhelmingly discourage their use as an alternative to vaccines for COVID. Rodgers said that “fatherhood is the next great chapter of my life, and to my knowledge there have been zero long-term fertility studies around the vaccine."
Hey Aaron, maybe you should call Dr. Leana Wen. “It is just not true that getting the vaccine is associated with infertility," she said. "In fact, we know that there are actually consequences, if somebody gets COVID-19, in terms of the impact on the male reproductive system," said Dr. Wen, possibly the foremost public health expert on COVID in the United States.
Rodgers said he sought advice from noted social media troll Joe Rogan, and underwent alternative medical treatments, stating that he took ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Yikes, Aaron---really?
A Selfish Teammate: “Those protocols are ‘shame-based’ and not based in science.” Rodgers conducted news conferences without a mask while the Packers' other unvaccinated players held media sessions via Zoom. He did not follow protocols for unvaccinated players by gathering with groups of teammates outside of the building. He may have infected teammates, including receivers DaVante Adams and Allen Lazard, whose presence on the team was a condition for Rodgers
resigning this year. And he will miss at least one game.
The Blaming : “This is a witch hunt, cancel culture,” -- Where have we heard those phrases before?
The Aftermath: “We are ending our partnership with Aaron Rodgers,” announced homeopathic company Prevea Health. Oh, and he will miss one game.
The Denial Meets the Myopia: “I believe strongly in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body, not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture,” Rodgers said. Guess what--I think it is you who needs to wake up. I expected more from you, buddy. You are a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Please say it ain’t so, Aaron…
Pete Elman (Lapsed Raider fan)
Oakland, CA
November 8, 2021
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From 2000-2011 Elman wrote a column for the Oakland Athletics Fan Coalition and covered sports for the Bay Area News Group. In 2013 he penned an acclaimed children's book and recently co-authored a book on unsung minority athletes entitled In the Shadow of Obscurity; Toiling in a Reluctant Society. He is currently teaching 13 courses on popular music and sports at Bay Area colleges. For earlier articles by Elman published in Sports Today!, click HERE.
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Letters to the Editor cont... |
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Us Old Guys Remembering the 49ers Super Bowl Years
So ok –
I grew up in Philly watching the A's and the Warriors (yeah, even Tom Gola). Went to a basketball high school -- 300 students, 7-12th grade and we won the PIAA state basketball championship.
Never cared for the Eagles, came out here in 1963 and pretty soon here came the A's and the Warriors -- and fell in love with the 49ers' Red & Gold.
And it took time but we remember how great it was (also, come on -- we remember how great it also was to be 40 years younger) but Montana and Solomon and Dwight Clark and Dwight Hicks and Ronnie Lott and Wendell Tyler and Roger Craig and Hacksaw Reynolds and etc. and etc., all of them a team that worked as a team...and with and because of Bill Walsh.
The moments of Red & Gold perfection KNOWING they will pull it out in the fourth quarter as a team, if needed, and even if they don't always get it done, KNOWING that they can.
And we miss that...
Except we still have it, it's called The Warriors – and Steph Curry and Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney and Kerr and looking ahead and coming up strong Wiggins and Jordan Poole and Juan Toscano-Anderson and Bjelica and Porter and Moses Moody and...Steve Kerr.
A team that loves their game, that the stars and the other guys are all in it together, each one doing all he can and for all of them...and a team that wins and has a lot more games a year to watch...
IN OTHER WORDS, local champs. Back then it was the 49ers. Maybe again soon (with Garoppolo, yeah), but now it's our other local guys. Anyway, the rituals are different indoor, outdoor, etc..
But its also, when, as someone once said, "When you scrape all the eggs off the pan, you get down to see it's the same thing."
i.e. -- Our Guys.
Howard Pearlstein (not afraid of being an optimist)
Oakland, CA
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Oakland Roots SC 1
El Paso Locomotive 0
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Oakland Roots Best El Paso Locomotive to Move on to Conference Semifinals of USL Championship Playoffs
Oakland Roots traveled to El Paso for their first-ever playoff appearance in the USL Championship. Coming into the game, Roots had their work cut out for them as El Paso Locomotive had not lost a home match in 470 days. Throughout the first half Roots found themselves on the defensive, as El Paso were constantly in the attacking third, but the squad did have their offensive chances as Quincy Amarikwa drew a foul that led to a free kick midway through the first half but was shot wide by Emrah Klimenta. The defense stood strong and kept the clean sheet despite eight shots from El Paso, taking the level score into halftime.
Roots came out swinging in the second half. More often than not, they found themselves in the attacking third with shots on goal. A lot of the half was back and forth with both teams exchanging counter attacks. In the 74th minute, head coach Jordan Ferrell subbed on leading goal scorer Jeremy Bokila and within two minutes of stepping onto the pitch, he found the game-changing goal, putting the ball between the El Paso goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net. From then on, Roots looked to maintain possession and keep a strong defensive showing. Even with five minutes of stoppage time, it wasn’t enough for El Paso to find the equalizer as Roots SC charged onto victory, sending them to the conference semifinals of the 2021 USL Championship playoffs.
Roots will face the winner of the Colorado Switchbacks FC and Orange County SC game.
Oakland Roots SC vs El Paso Locomotive, USL Championship | November 5, 2021, Venue: Southwest University Park, El Paso, TX, Kickoff: 6:30 PM PST
Weather: 75 degrees
SCORELINE: 1 2 FT
ELP 0 0 0
OAK 0 1 1
SCORING SUMMARY: OAK: Jeremy Bolkila 76’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY: ELP: Andrew Fox (Yellow 21’); OAK: Joseph Nane (Yellow 26’); ELP: Diego Luna (Yellow 78’); OAK: Tarek Morad (Yellow 90+ 3’)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Matias Fissore, Jesus Enriquez, Joseph Nane, Akeem Ward, Jose Hernandez (Tarek Morad), Paul Blanchette, Emrah Klimenta, Memo Diaz (Max Ornsti), Quincy Amarikwa, Kai Greene, Johnny Rodriguez (Jeremy Bokila). Unused Substitutes: Ariel Mbumba, Tarn Weir, Taylor Bailey, Yohannes Harish
Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corner Kicks: 4 | Fouls: 12 | Offside: 1 |
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC LINEUP: Logan Ketterer, Mechack Jerome, Macaulay King, Andrew Fox, Eder Borelli (Matt Bahner), Dylan Mares (Sebastian Velazquez), Richie Ryan (Leandro Carrijo), Diego Luna, Nick Ross, Luis Solignac, Aaron Gomez
Unused Substitutes: Louis Herrera, Ricardo Zacarias, Jose Aguinaga, Benjamin Beaury
Shots: 20 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corner Kicks: 6 | Fouls: 9 | Offside: 6 |
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff |
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Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are 'Golden' this year at 50.
1971 is when the Warriors franchise recognized the geographical area as opposed to the San Francisco handle.
The Warriors franchise is 75 years old and first established in Philadelphia in 1946. https://bit.ly/3BUe18e will take you
to the wiki entry.
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy |
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For the best real estate listings homes and property on
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Consider!
DO YOU LOVE SPORTS?
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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 Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, Nov. 8 through
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021
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Monday, November 8
Golden State Warriors vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, November 9
San Jose Sharks @ Calgary Flames, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 10
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 11
San Jose Sharks @ Winnipeg Jets, 5 p.m.
Friday, November 12
Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 13
San Jose Sharks @ Colorado Avalanche, 6 p.m.
Cal Bears vs. USC Trojans, 12:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal @ Oregon State Beavers, 2:30 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans vs. Utah State Aggies 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 14
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 5:20 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets, 4 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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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
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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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