January 29 -- February 4, 2024

Issue No. 522

Slighted Sports Star, No. 2

Steve Garvey played Major League Baseball as a first baseman for the

Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1987. He won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1974 and was the National League Championship Series MVP in 1978. Garvey won his only World Series ring as a member of the Dodgers' 1981 Series-winning squad. -- Wikipedia

Garvey's Dual

Candidacies:

Two Whiffs?

by Dave Newhouse

Steve Garvey is about to discover what’s more challenging, being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame or getting elected to the United States Senate. He’s digging in and ready to take his cuts again, but he could swing and miss a second time.

Garvey has Cooperstown qualifications but no Cooperstown plaque, even though his baseball achievements are greater than many inductees in the game’s treasured hall in upstate New York.

However, he has failed to gain entry through the normal voting process, plus the veterans committee's last-ditch effort to gain induction. It’s shameful that it turned out this way, but his, “I guess they don't like me,” reply of years ago still rings true.

And so he will watch newest entries Adrian Beltre', Todd Helton and Joe Mauer be inducted this summer. By that time, Garvey may have struck out in his political pursuit, unless the unexpected happens and he hits it out of the park.

One thing about Garvey: He doesn't shy away from facing those who hurl things at him, like baseballs and insults.

As a dark horse candidate facing U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee and Katie Porter in last week’s first of three debates, Garvey was the only Republican on the stage, and this former Los Angeles Dodger was dodging loaded questions, bordering on attacks a good part of the evening. Facing J.R. Richard and Steve Carlton was tame by comparison.

The three others in debate treated Garvey as a political lightweight, and dishonest for refusing to answer if he would vote for Donald Trump a third time for President, following 2016 and 2020, this coming November if Trump is allowed legally to run.

“Once a dodger, always a dodger,” Porter chided him.

Garvey, now 75, seemed ill-equipped to handle criticism that came his way, thus he must put on a better show in the next two debates before the March 5 primary, which will send the top two vote-getters to November’s general election.

Could Garvey, with no political experience, hold his own against three experienced politicians? Though it seems unlikely, it’s possible. If he can convince the majority of the 24 percent of registered Republican voters to support him, he could slip into the November election while the Democrats divide their votes.

On October 10, 2023, Garvey announced he was running in the 2024 United States Senate election in California as a Republican.

It’s hard to know what Garvey is thinking as a rookie politician, though he recognizes that an Alabaman named Tommy Tuberville became a Washington, D.C. politician on the basis of once being Auburn’s football coach. So you never know.

And is Garvey additionally thinking that by projecting himself into the spotlight, he could renew public interest in him as the most overlooked Cooperstown candidate ever, thus increasing his chances of being inducted yet? Maybe, just maybe.

But look at his impressive baseball achievements: .294 career batting average, six 200-hit seasons, five times leading the National League in fielding at first base, including a perfect 1.000 season in 1994, four Gold Gloves, plus All-Star Game and post-season MVP honors.

He was complete as a player, but found incomplete by voters, some of whom were disenchanted with his goody-goody image, especially after his baddie-baddie personal life became public. But the Baseball Hall of Fame is open to all-comers, saints and sinners.

And Steve Garvey belongs in Cooperstown, regardless of his rather late-in-life political pinch-hitting.

* * *

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 from Triumph Books. 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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Letters to the Editor

After the game, Brandon Aiyuk credited a ladybug — which is a sign of good luck — with sparking his good fortune Sunday.

The Lions Weep Tonight

The Scene:

Levi's Stadium fans witnessed a bona fide classic, a tale of two halves, the first dominated by a determined and confident Lions squad, the second by a bold and relentless San Francisco team undeterred by a 24-7 halftime score. In the first half, the Niners seemed unable to stop Detroit's run game as fans wondered, "Where's the Beef?" Coupled with a lack of a forceful 49er pass rush, the Lions were able to consistently move the ball.

Tashaun Gipson Sr. saved a number of big plays, but it was still 14-0 Detroit after the 1st Quarter. The 2nd Quarter marked the arrival of the real 49ers, as Christian McCaffery (CMC), behind George Kittle blocks, and a nifty scramble by QB Brock Purdy to find #44, FB Juszczyk, our Harvard man, and CMC powered in behind Aaron Banks, Big #65 (an El Cerrito H.S. Grad), to make it 14-7, Detroit.

However, the Lions QB Jared Goff, (from Novato and Cal), continued

to mastermind an effective run game capped by a 20-yard TD run by Jahmyr Gibbs. A field goal made it 24-7 Lions at halftime. Brock Purdy was 7/15 and a 39.0 QBR at the half. Goff was 13/20 and 145 yards and an 86.5 QBR.

What would fans witness as the second half began? Deebo broke a tackle and "Mr. Clutch," Jauan Jennings, made a fantastic one-handed catch. Jake Moody connected from 43 and it was 24-10, Detroit.

Incremental, but perhaps a sign of a rosier second half? Javon Kinlaw made a big stop on a 3rd and 4, and when San Francisco took over, Deebo Samuel left broken tacklers in his wake as he ran for 20 yards.

(Drum roll please, for perhaps the Play of the Year). Purdy launched a long pass to Brandon Aiyuk who caught the ball after it was deflected off the defender's helmet for a 51-yard gain. Purdy then would find

Aiyuk in the end zone for a 6-yard Touchdown pass. It was now 24-17, Lions. Next, Gipson ripped the ball out of a runner's hands and the heady Arik Armstead recovered it. The 49ers took over on the Lions' 25-yard line, Brock scrambled and ran to the 5, Deebo ran for a yard and then CMC did the rest as he powered in to tie the score, 24-24, at 3:02, 3rd Q.

That was 17 points in eight minutes! On defense, Chase Young forced an unsuccessful pass and the Lions' punt was carried into the 49ers end zone by one of their own, a much-appreciated gift as S.F. started from their 25, instead of the 2-yard line.

Brock hit Juszczyk on a sideline tip-toe pass, CMC ran for a first down and the 3rd quarter ended tied at 24. With a pass to George Kittle and a Purdy run, both were good for First Downs. Purdy was sacked twice but Moody came through with a 33-yard FG, to make the score 27-24, 49ers.

Defensive pressure on Goff started to take a toll, and when Detroit gambled and went for a first down rather than a field goal on 4th and 3, his pass was incomplete and the Niners took over with about six minutes left. CMC kicked it into high gear and Purdy continued to escape tackles, hit Deebo with a first-down pass and then ran it himself to the 28. CMC broke tackles and ultimately Elijah Mitchell, behind the tight-end tandem of Woerner and Kittle, ran for the touchdown to make it 34-24, 49ers.

Goff maneuvered the Lions to the 2-yard line and threw a touchdown pass to make it 34-31 S.F., but thanks to a Dre Greenlaw tackle and a key tackle by strong safety Logan Ryan, the clock wound down to under a minute. Kittle recovered the onside kick and Elijah Mitchell's runs accompanied the tick-tock sounds of a Victory. A hard-earned Victory it was, and no knock on the Lions, but it is the San Francisco 49ers who will be movin' on up!

Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 34, Detroit Lions 31

YouTube Game Highlights | 2023 NFC Championship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFQy0I3g8co

Robert A. Moselle, Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus

Had Me Worried For A While

I find this stuff ridiculous. 86% DET never seemed plausible.

Is there a theme growing? Is San Francisco a second half team?

And now: what does Kansas City having going for it anyway? All I’ve heard about is a Kansas City woman and a bottle of Kansas City wine.

Gary Venter

New York City

In Defense of All Detroit

Thank you for this extraordinary publication.

I respectfully make comment to Bay Area Sports Dean Andy Dolich, a guiding light of sports journalism. (Andy Dolich: I'm Worried, Issue #519.) Andy understands how Detroit teams fall to the bottom to thrust through the top. The Lions are doing that now.

All Detroit know bad Pistons leak, smoke and smell trying to convert losing pressure into motion. The team can play with bad Pistons, but they can't win. Homeboy Tom Gores, who wasn't born with a silver spoon, realizes Piston replacement cost depends on size, brand, warranty and how many needed. The nature of his business style won't allow that cost. The only excuse I can come up with.

Some days I think the league will send your Clay to lead our hapless losers, and kick Daymond back home to put some guts in the belly of the cylinders.

Bill McCrary / Promoter

Detroit, MI

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Contents

Games

Cal Bears (WPOLO) 8, UCLA Bruins 9

Features & Commentary

49ers Going to the Super Bowl, by Bruce Macgowan

Boxing -- A New Word in 2024, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Garvey's Dual Candidacies: Two Whiffs?, by Dave Newhouse

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, by Robert Moselle

Sports Haiku --The Warriors' Sanctum: Buddha, Socrates and AI,

by Robert Moselle

Sports Podcast Awards, by ADC Partners

Sports Today Goes TikTok, by Ammar Bhaiji

Spread New Year's Cheer -- Your Support is Welcome!

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.

When Someone Close to You Dies, by Howard Pearlstein

Organizations

Cal Bears

Cal State University East Bay

Golden Gate Fields

Golden State Warriors

Oakland A's

Oakland B's

Oakland Roots SC

Oakland Soul

Oakland Spiders

Saint Mary's College Gaels

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco Giants

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose State Spartans

Santa Clara Broncos

Sonoma Raceway

St. Francis Yacht Club

Stanford Cardinal

UC Davis Aggies

University of Pacific Tigers

USF Dons

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna

Seca

San Francisco 49ers

49ers Going

to the

Super Bowl!

by Bruce Macgowan

Amazing, thrilling, wild, unpredictable, euphoric....there are not enough words to describe the last two weeks of post season play of the San Francisco 49ers. The bottom line is that they overcame their own mistakes, bad breaks and misfortunes to pull out two remarkable wins.

I was one of the lucky ones who got to closely cover the entirety of the Montana-Young era when the 49ers went to 12 Conference Titles and won five Super Bowls. While NOTHING will ever replace that experience for 49er fans, these two pulsating, come-from-behind playoff wins over upstarts Green Bay and Detroit will not soon be forgotten.

After driving the length of the field for a clock-eating, game-winning TD drive in the final minutes against Green Bay, the 49ers performed magic once again just eight days later at the expense of the young Lions.

It looked like a disaster early when Detroit grabbed a 14-0 lead so quickly that the hyped up, sellout crowd in Santa Clara watched slack-jawed in stunned disbelief. They had to be wondering. “What the heck is going on here!?”

‘Gamblin’ Dan Campbell, the big, lovable super-enthusiastic Lions’ coach had his young team playing like a champion. Local boy Jared Goff, who starred in his high school days in Marin County and was an All American quarterback at Cal looked as good as ever. Goff quarterbacked a Lions’ offense that pummeled a highly touted 49er defense with a deadly mix of runs and short passes. Most NFL observers feel Detroit will almost certainly be an NFL Title contender for years to come and they looked every bit that way in the first half of the NFC Title game. Detroit is no fluke. They have a veteran leader in Goff, a corps of terrific young receivers and two speedy, tricky young running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. On defense, a super-aggressive young unit features one of the best “edge rushers” in 23- year-old Aiden Hutchinson, a 6’7”, 270 pound force of nature who is the Lions version of Nick Bosa. But lack of experience in the postseason really hurt Detroit when it counted.

Leading 24-7 at halftime, the 15-minute break might have been the worst thing that could have happened to the Lions. It gave Niners’ coach Kyle Shanahan and his battle-tested veterans time to recoup and regroup.

“We are not going down like this!” Kyle Shanahan emphatically told his players and coaching staff at halftime. Asked after the game what else was said in the locker room, defensive line star Bosa remarked that several of the veterans bluntly told their teammates: “Just do your job!”

And in the second half, Bosa and the 49ers certainly did just that.

Almost quick as a wink, the 49ers turned the game on its head on the first possession of the third quarter. A spectacular catch by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a ball that hit the helmet of a Lions’ defensive back set up a TD that narrowed it to 24-17 Lions. Suddenly the game was up for grabs. Then on the first play of Detroit’s next possession, defensive back Tashaun Gibson Sr. knocked the ball loose from Gibbs and Niners’ defensive lineman Arik Armstead recovered at the Detroit 24. The noise level of the tens of thousands of red-clad 49er fans packing Levi's Stadium was now deafening. They were screaming out of their minds while madly jumping out of their seats. Four plays later SF scored again, this time on a short run by star Christian McCaffrey. Now it was 24-24.

A sense of unreality fell upon the stadium. It was kind of like watching a heavyweight boxing match. The 24-year-old quarterback Brock Purdy and his offense were suddenly in rhythm and landing the big punches. Purdy showed he was no fluke the week before against Green Bay and once again, the unassuming young man flummoxed the Lions with some brilliant play calling. Purdy also showed off his running skills, scampering 49 precious yards on five carries to put the shaken young Lions’ defense back on its heels. Rookie kicker Jake Moody booted a 33-yard field goal to put SF up 27-24. Then the Niners came up with the crusher; a clock eating, 11 play, 75- yard fourth quarter TD drive featuring bruising runs by McCaffrey, a clutch 27-yard scramble by Purdy and then a three-yard power dive into the end zone by fresh backup Elijah Mitchell.

Give Goff and Lions kudos for answering with a 75-yard TD drive of their own, but it came with just a minute to go and was too late. A desperate Lions’ onside kick try was recovered by the sure-handed George Kittle, and Purdy and the SF offense then ran out of the clock. And now as many expected, the 49ers are headed for Las Vegas and a rematch with mighty Kansas City

* * *

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 Magowan published in

Sports Today, click HERE.

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Cal Bears 8

UCLA Bruins 9

Spieker Aquatics Center, Berkeley, CA

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Cal Bears attacker Elena Flynn was one of eight Bears to score a goal in their 9-8 defeat to the UCLA Bruins during the Cal Cup played at Spieker Aquatics Center on Sunday, January 28th.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Two-time ACWPC All-American goalkeeper Isabel Williams made 11 saves. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Center Feline Voordouw scores on a penalty shot in the third quarter. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

California Golden Bears and UCLA Bruins players greet each other after the game at Spieker Aquatics Complex. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo

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San Francisco Giants

Giants Name Dusty Baker Special Advisor to Baseball Operations

The San Francisco Giants today announced that former manager Dusty Baker will return to the organization as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations and will perform duties both on the baseball and business side.

“We are so excited to welcome Dusty back into the Giants organization,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer. “Dusty’s experience, knowledge and the success he’s had in his 50 years of baseball will be an invaluable piece to the success and continued development of our baseball operations efforts both on and off the field.”

“I was fortunate enough to get to know Dusty when we overlapped in the organization in 2019, and I’m excited to get to work with him again,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “We’ve had a chance to meet in person and discuss our shared vision of bringing championship baseball back to San Francisco. I learn something new in every interaction with him and look forward to leaning on his experience and perspective on the game.”

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.sfgiants.com

Attend the Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour with stops in Sacramento, San Jose and Napa

The Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour 2024 is a new, reimagined experience for Giants fans that transforms the traditional one-day San Francisco-based event into an expanded series across Northern California. Current and former Giants players, coaches, broadcasters and Lou Seal will caravan to meet fans in their local communities - including Sacramento, San Jose and Napa -- to sign autographs, participate in Q&A sessions, distribute merchandise and more. Admission is free.

continued...

Click HERE.

Oakland A's

www.oaklandas.com

Goodbye, Oakland

(L to R) Dave Newhouse, Ignacio

De La Fuente, Andy Dolich

Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story

For purchase through Triumph Books

https://www.triumphbooks.com/goodbye--oakland-

products-9781637272152.php

It’s an Election Year and We Need

Your Vote!

Can you believe it? Our podcast has been nominated by the Sports Podcast Awards as a Finalist for Best Sports Business Podcast!

Want to send out a HUGE thank you to all the guests, listeners, and advisors/counselors/therapists who helped us get to this point.

And now, one favor to ask. Turns out YOU can help put us over the top! Just click the “Vote Now” button below to register your vote. (Yes, of course you can vote for any of the podcasts listed, but we’d sure appreciate it

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Every vote counts (e.g. there’s no Electoral College working its dark magic…), so thank you in advance for clicking and voting!

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Boxing Draws A Line

Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the WBC agrees that transsexuals have an advantage over other women boxers

Boxing --

A New World in 2024

by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

A new boxing rule this year, 2024, by the national governing body for amateur/Olympic-style boxing, just codified a rule permitting male participation in the women’s division in its 2024 rule book. The policy is for a biological man who made “changes” and became a woman-transsexual to be able to fight biological women.

Here is the “hook”(to use a boxing term): Male boxers who transition to female are eligible to compete in the female category. These are the conditions. (1) To qualify for the female division, a man must declare his gender identity as female. (2) He must have undergone gender reassignment. (3) Done hormone resting for a minimum of four years after these procedures, and finally, (4) Must have met testosterone limits set by USA Boxing.

Controversial, to say the least, this could revolutionize boxing as we know it. However, not everybody agrees.

Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the WBC, acknowledged that trans athletes, identifying as women, have overwhelming male physical advantages that can overpower and threaten women. “In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted, regardless of gender change,” he said. “There should be no gray area around this, and we want to go into it with transparency and the correct decisions. Woman-to-man or man-to-woman transgender change will never be allowed to fight a different gender by birth.”

Biological men who became transsexual are already competing in sports like swimming, whereas trans-athletes like Lia Thomas excel in swimming competitions against biological women; Thomas usually dominates and wins by large margins. But that is swimming, which is not a contact sport, but boxing presents a new dilemma. Because unlike swimming, in boxing, people can get seriously hurt.

The uncharted territory we are in when it comes to this topic. It is way above my pay grade, as the saying goes, but it shows that, in this case, the boundaries of humanity are being seriously tested.

* * *

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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Sports Haiku

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 Warriors' Sanctum:

Buddha, Socrates and AI

As regular readers know, Sports Today occasionally releases limited, select information on "The Sanctum," the highly secretive laboratory located deep within Chase Center, effectively utilized by the Warriors to help secure NBA Championships. You will not hear or read of

The Sanctum elsewhere. Usual media sources do not have access to this information, which we now discreetly release in this

"Time of Confusion" for the Dubs. What do the great minds of

The Sanctum now ponder to right the Good Ship Golden State?

To say their thoughts are "outside the box" would be an understatement. However, where their thoughts are is exactly where they need to be -- a place where X's and O's take a back seat to a deeper approach, one which draws upon both the Platonic Ideals of the Ancients and the Forces of the Future, to be empowered by the great minds which reside within The Sanctum.

Beware NBA.

Golden State now goes where no other team dares.

"The Sanctum"

* * *

Wisdom Meets Science

The Buddha Meets Socrates

And Welcomes A I

* * *

As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for

Best Sports Haiku. The winner will be published!

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Can Socrates help the Warriors Win?

Yes

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Sports Precis

When Someone Close to You Dies

by Howard Pearlstein

When someone close to you dies – a friend, a co-worker, a husband or wife, a sister or brother, it leaves a hole in your life.

Or in this instance, a beloved coach of the Dubs they saw every day, and when a person so much a part of one’s life dies suddenly (“I just saw him yesterday…”) it leaves a hole in the sense of reality, leaves life with a question mark, “But how could that be – he was only 46…”

For an athlete, playing a sport is all about life. To paraphrase Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, “There’s no dying in baseball.” Nor in basketball or football or soccer, rugby. Sports are about life.

The person is gone from your life but the resonance remains – the overtones that existed that we often didn’t know were there.

Overtones in music are part of some notes -- complex tones that contain a higher harmonic.

The only way I can describe it is in ways of tuning an acoustic guitar. Six strings, starting with the lowest. E-A-D-G-B-E. Traditionally, using a tuning fork, you start on A which is 440hz (Or use the dial tone on your phone – the same.) And tune the other strings by pressing at the 5th or 7th fret.

But for finer tuning you can use overtones, which you can get at the same fret locations by just touching the string lightly and playing it. You get a ghost note, an overtone of that string – sounds like a little bell.

In other words, it’s a part of what you knew but maybe rarely noticed on its own, until when a person who was close enough for you to grieve is suddenly gone. His or her overtones linger on. It’s part of why you know what that person would think of something – a song, a joke, a movie – “He’d laugh at that.”

A long-time friend of many years called me after his wife had died after a close relationship of 50+ years. He knew that my own wife had died suddenly a while back after a close marriage of nearly 40 years, which included working together on many jobs and projects.

He asked me about something President Joe Biden had said in an attempt to comfort family members of people who’d been killed in a mass shooting. A nightclub? A church? Synagogue or Mosque? A shopping mall? Whatever. Biden was speaking of the result of the sudden loss, and that it left an empty place in the heart.

Joe Biden, of course, had lost enough family members to death, sudden or otherwise, to have become the recipient of some unwanted expertise on the subject, an expertise most of us would rather not have. It’s a knowledge which his job as President all too often calls into use, and he had always been willing to share the specifics of the traumas involved as a way of helping people understand their own time of grief.

And my friend asked me if that empty space ever goes away. His voice was hopeful, but I had to say, no, it never goes away -- but after a while, it can become a place you come to know, like a quiet nook in the house or a quiet corner in a busy restaurant, a place he could go to and be with her, because the overtones remain. I mentioned the quiet corners we and our wives knew from the evenings we got together at Brennan’s. The overtones can always remain.

And sharing this: The only thing said to me when I was in that place of loss that actually helped me see it differently was this, said to me by a friend’s wife: “When you think you’re feeling his absence, you’re really feeling his presence."

In memory of the sudden loss of Warriors coach Dejan Milojević.

* * *

Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.

Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader

Tim from the Midwest is making his 2024 San Francisco Giants season tickets available, as follows: Section 106, row 1, seats 5/6. Prices will vary and the entire season is available. Prices are for both seats and there is no parking.

26 games are 136.50, 28 games are 196.50, 17 games are 296.50,

6 games are 342.50. One is a DH, 3 games are 454.50. (View from 106, Row 1, Seat 7, one seat closer to home plate than seats 5 and 6.)

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These are Tim's costs, no markups, no fees, tickets are all via smart phones. For more information: Tim Maroney, 610-519-0125

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Newsletter, Image, Likeness

Vol. 64: Beware Of One-Sided NIL Collective Contracts

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought

by Darren Heitner

Founder of HEITNERLEGAL

have drafted many NIL collective contracts. Similarly, I have reviewed countless contracts, created by collectives, on behalf of the athletes who receive them. Sometimes, others representing athletes as legal counsel or in an agent capacity review a contract and feel compelled to send it to me.

That happened a few days ago and I figured, since I have you as my attentive audience, I would share what I observed.

This collective put a contract in front of an athlete that indicates the maximum compensation amount is $75,000 and that it is to be paid over a term of 11 months. That is unless it is sooner terminated in accordance with the agreement. More on that in a few.

In exchange for the compensation, the athlete is to provide various content deliverables, memorabilia deliverables, and event deliverables, which is fair and necessary given the NCAA's requirement that NIL deals contain an element of quid pro quo.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE..

Sir Stirling Moss Autograph

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE

Laguna Seca used to have low-key and very tasty BBQs by the old SCRAMP offices for the big races. At one of the Historic Car Races, promoted by General Racing and Steve and Debbie Earle in association with Laguna Seca, the guest honoree was Sir Sterling Moss. As my father was Executive Director of SCRAMP (the non-profit

Sports Car Racing Assoc. of the Monterey Peninsula which ran Laguna Seca), I could relax under the trees and enjoy the scene.

I spotted a gentleman, seated alone, whom a friend advised was Sir Stirling Moss. I walked over, engaged him in conversation, and asked for his autograph. As the true gentleman he was always reported to be, he was happy to oblige.

As an aside, I think it was the next year I met Prince Albert of Monaco who was a guest, and who took time to drive around the track in

a non-competitive event. What a remarkably friendly, down-to-earth person he was. We chatted for a good while, and it was the best "royalty statement" and I had received in years (: A very calm and cool gent, but I wasn't ready to break out a pen and paper and ask for an autograph -- unlike my usual M.O.

For more information on Sir Stirling Moss, click on the link below. Some highlights include that he was from a Jewish family, (originally "Moses", changed to "Moss,") and that bullying toughened him up in Jolly Olde England.

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss OBE became a British Formula One driver. An inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame,

he won 212 of the 529 races he entered across several different motorsports competitions and has been described as "the greatest driver never to win the Formula One World Championship".

In the 1950s, small boys wanted to be Stirling Moss, and so did men. Boys saw him as the swashbuckling racecar driver whom many considered the best in the world. Men saw this and more: Moss made more than $1 million a year, more than any other driver and was invariably surrounded by the jet-set beauties who followed the international racing circuit.

Moss was a modern-day St. George, upholding the honor of England by often driving English cars, even though German and Italian ones were superior. Polls showed he was as popular as the queen. Moss was more than his talent. His name still connotes the high style era of blazers, dance bands and cigarette holders. One legend had him driving hundreds of miles in a vain effort to introduce himself to Miss Italy the night before a big race. For a couple of generations, British traffic cops sneeringly asked speeding motorists, “Who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?” (Moss, who had been knighted, was once

asked that question, and answered, “Sir Stirling, please.”)

I liked him, and I certainly admired his style. Still do!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Moss

Robert A. Moselle, Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus

Sports Today Goes TikTok!

Sports Today has ventured into the TikTok realm with Cal Football Fan, a TikTok account dedicated to covering Cal Football. This and next season you can expect all sorts of Cal Football content, including commentary, game recaps, and TikToks covering Cal Football alumni who are in the NFL currently or were at some point in time.

Keep checking our TikTok account, Cal Football Fan, and please feel free to follow our account and share with Cal alums, football fans, or anyone you think would enjoy it. Additionally, feel free to comment on content that you’d like to see, as feedback is always encouraged! We can be reached at theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com.

https://www.tiktok.com/@cal.football.fan?_t=8gdIUGofPpO&_r=1

Ammar Bhaiji

California Memorial Stadium Berkeley

Creator Ammar Bhaiji is a Cal alumni who graduated in the Spring of 2023. Ammar majored in public health and hopes to attend medical school in the future, but is taking some time to explore other passions, including social media and football. Outside of sports and social media reporting, Ammar enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and hanging

out with friends.

San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Announce 2024 Theme Nights

and Promotions

Fan giveaways, musical performances, and postgame fireworks to mark 50th anniversary

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced their theme nights for all home matches during the 2024 MLS regular season.

The Quakes kick off the season with a “This Is 50” anniversary celebration when they host the LA Galaxy on Saturday, March 2, presented by PayPal. The match marks the 99th California Clásico between the two teams in official competitions and the first time San Jose has hosted the Galaxy in the home opener. Every fan in attendance will receive a commemorative retro Quakes flag. The match will also feature new 50th anniversary merchandise.

Mexican Heritage Night returns to Levi’s Stadium on May 4 against LAFC, presented by Audi. The largest Cinco De Mayo Party on the West Coast will feature a pregame Fan Fest with Mexican National Team legend Oswaldo Sánchez, Reynoso and Soltero of The Give N Go Podcast, social media sensations San Jose Foos, and other influencers and celebrities. There will also be a live performance from San Jose natives Sueñatrón and food and community booths celebrating Mexican culture. Marca MP will headline a musical performance at halftime. The award-winning group boasts 6.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify with honors such as best collaboration at the 2023 Latin American Music Awards and the 2022 Premios de la Radio for “Ya Acabo,” their hit single.

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For a full report, click HERE.

www.sjearthquakes.com

Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots SC and the USL Championship have released the full kickoff times and schedule for the 2024 USL Championship season.

Oakland Roots SC will have 7:00 PM PT kickoffs for 15 of 17 home games, with the August 31st 5-year Roots Birthday Party game and the only Sunday, September 29th game kicking off at 3:00 PM PT.

Last week, Oakland Roots SC released the Theme Nights schedule for 2024 home games at Cal State University, East Bay. There is something for everyone; purchase your Membership to enjoy all the magic in 2024.

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE

BUY TICKETS

continued...

Click HERE.

www.oaklandrootssc.com

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Longtime participant Ed Archer stands proudly next to his 1915 Ford Racer Model T that he still competes in

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Launches "Then & Now" Series and Social Media Content Featuring 50 Years of Historic Racing

MONTEREY, Calif., Jan 25, 2024—WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca proudly announces the launch of an exciting new feature series titled "Then & Now," dedicated to exploring the rich stories, news, facts, and photos that encapsulate the 50-year history of historic races. This series is set to be a captivating journey through time, celebrating the evolution of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from its inception in 1974 as the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.

The "Then & Now" series will aim to encapsulate all that makes historic racing events what they are today including run groups, iconic cars and drivers, and fan activities that have defined this remarkable event over the years. From the early days of the Monterey Historics to the present-day Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the series aims to provide a comprehensive look at the transformation and growth of historic racing.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.weathertechraceway.com

Donate Today! -- 10th Anniversary! Click Here!

Cal Bears

Three Bears Post Program Top 10s

Jacobs, Coleman, Shaw Etch Names In Cal Record Book

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – California track & field started off its indoor campaign in strong fashion, posting five top-three finishes as well as three program top-10 entries on the first day of the New Mexico Team Open.

Two of those top marks came in the women's weight throw, courtesy of sophomore Audrey Jacobs and freshman Adrianna Coleman. Jacobs shattered her old personal best by nearly a meter and a half, posting a third-place toss of 18.64m (61-1.75) for the seventh-best throw in program history, while Coleman's fourth-place attempt sailed 18.14m (59-6.25) for Cal's No. 10 all-time mark in her collegiate debut. Fellow freshman Angie Schykerynec also reached the weight throw final, placing sixth at 17.95m (58-10.75); were it not for Jacobs and Coleman re-setting the list, her performance would have also made it into Cal's top 10.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

Photo: Milton Lau

www.calbears.com

Stanford Cardinal

Double Trouble

Iriafen and Brink combine for 47 points in

80-50 win at ASU

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – Kiki Iriafen had 27 points and 14 rebounds, Cameron Brink had 20 points and 16 rebounds and No. 6 Stanford handled Arizona State 80-50 on Friday.

Hannah Jump had 13 points as Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer won her 1,204th game, extending her NCAA career record for victories in both women's and men's programs.

"Having two big players out there kind of gives teams, like, 'pick your poison,'" said Iriafen, who like Brink is a 6-foot-3 junior. "Whoever they want to guard, the other big goes off, and vice versa. We have a lot of energy between us."

It was Iriafen's 10th double-double of the season and the 42nd career double-double for Brink as the Cardinal (18-2, 7-1 Pac-12) won for the 10th time in 11 games.

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Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE .

Photo: Brandon Vallance/isiphotos.com

www.gostanford.com

San Jose State Spartans

Williams Sets SJSU Record As Spartans Finish Day One in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Aliyah Williams set a new San José State indoor record in the 600-meter run on Friday to lead the Spartans in day one of the UNM Indoor Open. The Spartans combined for 17 personal records on the day.

WOMEN:

Williams ran the event in 1:33.25 to set the SJSU record and finish second overall in the event.

Emilia Sjostrand made her 2024 indoor debut in the long jump with a 6.13-meter jump to finish in third.

Lina Schubert took sixth in the high jump at 1.65 meters.

Savana Dutton finished in fifth place in the 600-meter run with a 1:37.54.

MEN:

Cameron Tarver took third place in the 200-meter dash, running the event in 20.68 seconds.

Jeremiah Walker followed with a 20.97-second run to finish seventh.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.sjsuspartans.com

Saint Mary's College Gaels

Women's Tennis Opens the Spring Season In Seattle

MORAGA, Calif. - The Women's Tennis Team will begin head-to-head competition this Sunday in Seattle Washington, where they will face Seattle University at 9:00 a.m.

This will be the first time in program history that the Gaels and the Redhawks will face each other.

THE DETAILS

Saint Mary's (0-0) vs. Seattle University (1-2)

Sunday, January 28 at 9:00 a.m.

Amy Yee Tennis Center – Seattle, Wash.

LAST TIME OUT

The Gaels competed at the Cal Winter Invite that was held in Berkeley earlier this month, with multiple players winning their singles and a duo winning their doubles.

Juliette Daries started off the Gaels strong with a 6-4, 7-5 win against USF Julia Visaya. Sofia Daryaie followed with another win for SMC against Cal Poly Azaria Hayes 6-3, 6-4. Tiziana-Marie Schomburg from Cal Berkeley challenged the Gaels Stefanie Silva, pushing the set to three. Silva defeated Schomburg 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.

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For a full report, click HERE.

#GaelsRise

www.smcgaels.com

USF Dons

Dons Push Bulldogs to the Brink in Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. - Battling until the final buzzer, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (15-6, 4-2 WCC) pushed Gonzaga (14-5, 5-1 WCC) to the brink on Thursday night, but the Bulldogs held on to top the Dons, 77-72, at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Broncos Shake off Slow Start To Take Down Waves For Third-Straight Win

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's basketball shook off a sluggish start to put together their best shooting performance of the season on Thursday evening as they erased a 15-0 deficit to take down Pepperdine, 94-71, inside the Leavey Center for their third-straight win. With the victory, the Broncos are now 6-1 in WCC play for the first time since 1994-95.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Santa Clara (15-7, 6-1) was scoreless for the first six minutes of action as they watched Pepperdine surge ahead to a 15-0 advantage. Starting 0-for-4 from the field and 0-for-2 from behind the arc, the Broncos couldn't find much success until Bal finally put them on the board with 14:15 on the clock.

The Broncos continued to battle back and cut the score to 26-24 with five minutes left to go in the first half. Adama-Alpha Bal tied the game at 30 on a jumper just minutes later, and Christoph Tilly laid one in to give SCU their first lead of the night. Carlos Marshall Jr. with a trey on the next possession to put the Broncos up 35-30.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

Photo: Jeff Fung

www.santaclarabroncos.com

University of Pacific Tigers

2024 Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame Feature Series: 2003-06 Men's Basketball Teams

By Michael Gutnick

STOCKTON, Calif. – The men's basketball teams from 2003-04 through 2005-06 completed the best three-year stretch in Pacific history, finishing with a 76-20 overall record, including a combined 47-3 mark in the Big West Conference.

The 2003-06 men's basketball era will be honored as part of the Class of 2024 for the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame. A special reception and dinner take place on Friday, Feb. 23 in the Janssen-Lagorio Gymnasium on the Pacific campus.

"It's awesome because they were three of the best teams that I've coached. It was a fun three-year period to watch them develop and see how good they could become. It was great to be a part of it," said Bob Thomason, who served as Pacific men's basketball coach for 25 years (1988-2013). "All three of the teams were a little different in their style of play. Each year, we learned and got better. As the season went on, we became a really good basketball team and they really wanted to win badly. Those teams understood how to win, and they played well together. They developed confidence in the program that we could go play anybody and play well."

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For a full report, click HERE.

www.pacifictigers.com

UC Davis Aggies

Aggies Fall Shy in Opening Match

STOCKTON, Calif. — UC Davis Men's Tennis team competed in their first match of the 2024 season this Friday. The Aggies fell short against UOP, 4-3, but put up a valiant effort against their competitors in Stockton today.

The match was highlighted by a few key moments. Ryan Torres won on court 1 against Justas Trainauskas in straight sets. We also saw a strong start to the season from freshman Max Fardanesh at court six where he took down his opponent Tommy Czaplinski securing the Ags their second point of the match. Constantinos Djakouris continued to bring the energy from last season into this year defeating Tiago Silva at court two and bringing home the last point for the Aggies.

The Ags compete tomorrow on their own home courts starting at 10:30 A.M. versus Saint Mary's and then again at 2:30 P.M. where they'll face off against Fresno Pacific.

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For a full report, click HERE.

www.ucdavisaggies.com

Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Pioneer's Women's Basketball Defeats CSUMB, 60-58 on Thursday

HAYWARD, Calif. - With less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, Cal State East Bay women's basketball led 59-58. A block and rebound by Lailah Carey was the first of three defensive stops by the Pioneers in the closing seconds, leading to what became a 60-58 win on Thursday against Cal State Monterey Bay inside Pioneer Gymnasium.

GAME SUMMARY

In the first quarter, neither team had a lead larger than three in a close battle to start. Payton Sterk score nine of the Pioneers' 15 points, though the Otters led 17-15 after the opening quarter.

The back-and-forth pace continued in the second quarter. The Pioneers would gain their largest lead of the quarter at two, at 19-17, on an Abigail Cooper free throw with 9:05 left in the half. The Otters then answered with a 12-5 run, capped by a Ciarah Michalik 3-pointer with 3:44 left in the half, to take their largest lead of the half at 29-24.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

Photo / Rob Edwards / KLC fotos

www.eastbaypioneers.com

St. Francis Yacht Club

Year Round Junior Sailing and

Summer Camps

We teach kids as young as eight years old, in boats sized just for them. For the older and more accomplished, we offer trapeze sailing with spinnakers, keelboat sailing and anything that pops up when opportunity strikes. You do not have to be a St. Francis Yacht Club member for your child to participate in these programs, and we find time for giggles so a kid can be a kid.

New sailors start with the Learn to Sail program and grow into Learn to Race. Sailors ages 8-11 sail our very manageable RS Teras. At about age 12, they grow into the RS Feva and C420, a two-person dinghy that our more ambitious teenagers race in national championships. Our J/22 programs are popular for teens who want to sail with friends, friends and more friends and get a grip on handling keelboats. All of these are excellent training vessels, provided and maintained by the Club.

continued...

For a full report, click HERE.

www.stfyc.com

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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Do They Have Greatness in Their Future (#493)

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The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

"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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