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April 15 -- April 21, 2024
Issue No. 533
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NCAA Women's Championship | |
South Carolina Gamecocks Dawn Staley (left) thanked Caitlin Clark in her NCAA Championship speech for ‘Lifting up our sport’
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Clark, Staley Lift Their
Sport Higher
by Dave Newhouse
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Sports Illustrated, are you listening? I have your 2024 Sportsman of the Year award wrapped up in April. Actually, Sportswomen of the Year, because of what Dawn Staley and Caitlin Clark have done for women’s basketball, elevating it to new glorious heights.
Together, Staley and Clark have changed the popularity of their sport. Only I’m sure Staley would say that Clark has been the major catalyst in this regard, lifting Iowa University out of the state’s cornfields into national prominence.
Staley coached South Carolina to its second straight NCAA championship with an 87-75 victory over Iowa, overwhelming the Hawkeyes with a deeply talented roster, while focusing intently on containing Clark, who finished with 30 points on an uncharacteristic 10-of-28 shooting from the field in her final college game.
So why Sportswomen of the Year? What Clark has done, abetted by Staley, is historic in college basketball. For their championship game in Cleveland drew a larger television audience than the men’s title game the next night between Connecticut and Purdue.
Think of the unprecedented impact that Clark has brought to the women’s game. Her 3,951 points is an NCAA record for both men and women. She led the nation in both scoring and assists. She is one of a kind in her sport historically.
Without her, Iowa is a 20-19 team instead of 34-5. But she shoots like Stephen Curry, and passes the ball like John Stockton, making her the most versatile player in the sport, and a certain first pick in this month's WNBA draft. Indiana has that pick, and is salivating over the impact Clark will have on the pro game.
“I don’t really get offended when people say I never watched women’s college basketball before,” Clark said after her farewell college performance. “I think, one, you’re a little late to the party, yes. But, two, that’s cool. We’re changing the game. We’re attracting more people to it.”
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Caitlin Clark scored 30 points in her final collegiate game
That’s because of Clark, mainly. She had 18 points in the first quarter, an NCAA post-season record, before the Gamecocks wore Clark and her teammates down with an inside-outside shooting barrage. Still, Clark gained respect from the opposing coach.
“I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” Staley said. “She carried a heavy load for our sport….Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you’re one of the GOATS of our game. We appreciate you.”
GOATS is a plural extension of the Greatest Of All-Time. There have been so many greats of the women’s game from Cheryl Miller to Breanna Stewart, but nobody, college or pro, has been more exciting than No. 22 at Iowa. She can’t be expected to dominate the WNBA right way, but she can improve her team immediately with her all-around offensive game. Defense is another matter for Clark, but we’ll have to see how that develops over time.
But, for the time being, we’re talking about Sportswomen of the Year, which the classy Staley gets to share with Clark in this writer’s mind.
Staley certainly has the hoops pedigree as a great player herself, plus an Olympian to boot, and she has coached the Gamecocks to three NCAA titles in the past eight years. But it wasn’t an easy transition at South Carolina, for when Staley arrived 16 years ago, the Gamecocks were a non-threatening entity in the Southeastern Conference.
Staley slowly changed that culture by making sure the players she recruited would be of high character as well as high-leaping,
“We find the right pieces to help us. We really do things the right way. We’re very disciplined in how we approach basketball,” she explained. “I’m always going to make sure that our players are respectful. I’m always going to make sure that they know the history of the game. I want to make sure that they are always respectful to our opponents.”
Staley led the way in that regard immediately after defeating Iowa. She broke down in tears, at first, in describing her emotions, showing there’s even pressure in building a 38-0 team and in becoming the 10th team to go undefeated in a season.
Championship coaches, at the trophy ceremony, pay tribute to their players and fans, but generally say very little about their opponents besides offering congratulations.
But what Staley said about Clark was something new, a championship coach going overboard about an opponent, demonstrating incredible grace.
That’s why I believe Clark and Staley would be ideal Sports Illustrated end of the year honorees. Nobody else has lifted their sport higher.
* * *
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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Berkeley to Augusta: "You're Welcome!"
The Masters -- As expected, Scottie Scheffler's workmanlike performance was enough to get him another green jacket. The Swedish sensation, Ludvig Aberg, came in second, but it was not a nail-biter as far as classic tournament finishes go.
What is of interest, and which was not mentioned in the non-stop barrage of Jim Nantz blather, is that Cal Berkeley golfers provided the real excitement of the Masters as they made runs in the first few rounds and into the final round. At one point, Cal alumni were second and third on the leaderboard, behind Scheffler. Props to Scheffler, but let's give the Cal Bears some well-deserved credit. The Swede, we heard repeatedly, attended Texas Tech. But Cal? Zip.
Who are these alumni? Collin Morikawa, a two-time Major winner who got his B.A. in Business Administration from Cal in 2019, and Max Homa, a multiple-winner who went 3-1-1 in the Ryder Cup, hit a drive 477 yards in the '24 Sentry and earned his degree from Cal in "Consumer Behavior." Good show, gents!
Robert A. Moselle
Marketing Director, Sports Today!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Contents
Games
Oakland A's 2, Washington Nationals 1
Oakland Roots SC 3, El Paso Locomotive 2
San Jose Earthquakes 0, Colorado Rapids 3
Features & Commentary
Clark, Staley Lift Their Sport Higher, by Dave Newhouse
Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!
Giants Having A Rough Start, by Bruce Macgowan
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Jimmy Connors, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Tara VanDerveer, by Ed Jay
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Was Hoping I Could Say, “They’ve Got It,” But Not Yet, by Howard Pearlstein
Organizations
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Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden Gate Fields
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
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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
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Golden State Warriors
Playoff-Bound...
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Above, Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks (0) looks to drive around Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter of the Dubs win on Sunday afternoon, 123-116, at Chase Center | |
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Gentlemen, Start Your Engines:
The Warriors will play Sacramento on Tuesday, April 16, in Sac-Town, 7:00 P.M. The Loser will be eliminated from the playoffs.
With a strong record over the last two months, the Dubs are ready to start a new season with a drive to another Championship.
The winner of the Warriors/Kings game will play the loser of the Lakers/Pelicans game. The winner of that game plays the #1 seed.
Warriors-Kings games can be intense and expect no less on Tuesday: 7:00 P.M. TNT, 95.7 The Game, Sirius XM
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Giants
Having A Rough Start
by Bruce Macgowan
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After all the notable free agent signings, the excitement and the anticipation of a new season, things haven’t exactly gone as planned for the Giants in the early 2024 season.
A lack of spark, a hitting slump and some poor pitching have all contributed to an unexpectedly lousy start. Fans who watched a boring, mediocre team the last two seasons are now beginning to wonder if the same problems that bedeviled the Giants haven’t returned, only with a new cast of characters.
Premier pitcher Blake Snell has struggled thus far, losing his first two starts and hardly looking like a Cy Young winner. When he went up against his old team in Tampa on Sunday, Snell got lit up like a roman candle. He was knocked out early after giving up a pair of homers and seven earned runs. But we have to remember that Snell had no spring training as the Giants signed him a couple of weeks before the season started. So Snell will probably have another rough outing or two before he gets into a groove. But the Giants will need him to be at peak level this year if they want to make a run at the playoffs.
In all probability Snell will be the pitcher the Giants expected he would be when they signed him. The hard throwing lefthander is just too good to fail. Meanwhile, Giants manager Bob Melvin has plenty of depth in the rotation. Logan Webb finally got the hitting support he rarely received last year this past weekend when the Giants offense temporarily came to life with an 11-run outburst which featured four homers. Between Webb and Snell, the Giants have two aces. But the rotation is much deeper with newcomer Jordan Hicks and the hard throwing rookie lefty, Kyle Harrison.
Hicks has been the Giants’ best starter in the early season and that’s most encouraging because this is a guy who has had to make the challenging transition from hard-throwing reliever to starter. There was a concern that because Hicks has been a power pitcher who’s fastball tops off in the low 100s that he might have a difficult time finding other effective pitches in his repertoire. Such doesn’t appear to be the case, however.
And once lefthander Robbie Ray joins the rotation after the All-Star break -- he’s rehabbing from Tommy John surgery -- the Giants could have the strongest starting rotation in the National League. On top of that, young closer Camilo Doval gives the Giants one of the best closers in the game.
So pitching is probably not going to be a problem this year. But hitting could be. Two of the Giants new three regulars in their everyday starting lineup seem to be caught in the twilight zone. Both Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman are collectively hitting close to the Mendoza Line, which is around the .200 mark. (In case you’re wondering, the Mendoza Line is a reference to the light-hitting shortstop Mario Mendoza who was one of those “all field, no hit” guys who played for the lowly Seattle Mariners in the 1980s.)
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San Francisco Giants assistant coach Alyssa Nakken, the first female full-time coach in MLB history, congratulates second baseman Thairo Estrada for his game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning on the Giants' Opening Day. Photo by Rich Yee
The good news? Hitting slumps usually don’t last as long as pitching slumps. But will Chapman and Soler start hitting? Chapman has not hit well since last April when he was playing in Toronto and was one of the hottest batters in the game. But since then his average has hovered below the .200 mark. And like Soler, Chapman is striking out way too much, stranding too many runners in the early season.
Michael Conforto carried the ‘big stick’ over the first couple of weeks but, as expected, he’s cooled off. Thairo Estrada is finally starting to hit and that’s a positive development. And Korean rookie Jung Hoo Lee, who is considered by many baseball scouts as one of the brightest young hopefuls in the game, is making the difficult adjustment of going from what is essentially double A baseball to the big leagues. So far he’s been looking ok. Lee has speed, a good glove and should eventually become a solid lead-off hitter.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the Giants have several complementary players who are going to have to kick in as well. Catcher Patrick Bailey is better noted for handling pitchers and he also can supply some pop. LaMonte Wade Jr. is looking more like the “Late Night LaMonte” who came out of nowhere to deliver numerous clutch hits in the late innings during the incredible 2021 season.
And then there is Wilmer Flores, probably the most unappreciated Giant but who is also one of the big favorites of Giants fans. There is no reason that this team, with its deep starting rotation and a lineup which should start hitting soon, can’t straighten out its problems. But patience is the key.
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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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Oakland A's 2
Washington Nationals 1
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Friday, April 12, 2024
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Oakland Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler (4) hit a walk-off single during the tenth inning to defeat the Washington Nationals,
2-1, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Friday, April 12th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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What families have to say about Giants Camp:
“Great learning opportunity for the kids to learn baseball in an environment that exudes all things Giants. Our son had the
best time, and is already talking about next year.”
-- Parent of 5-year-old camper
“My kids LOVED it! Fun, engaged counselors, good
competition, and very well organized!”
-- Parent of 10-year-old camper
2024 Camp Highlights:
- Two (2) tickets to the Camper Reunion Game against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, August 11 at 1:05pm at Oracle Park. Exclusive pregame event will feature a current or alumni player and Q&A session.
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Double Play Wednesdays are back in 2024!
Grab $2 tickets and $1 hot dogs on June 5, July 24, and Aug. 21.
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This is an online only promotion and cannot be combined with any other offer. While supplies last. | |
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Authors Dave Newhouse and
Andy Dolich sold out at Oakland's Fans' Fest
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Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story | |
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Ballers Sign Three Players from Open Tryouts Including Team’s First
Female Player
(OAKLAND, CA)—The Oakland Ballers agreed to terms on contracts with three players who attended the open tryout last Saturday at Laney College. Infielder Andrew Martinez, right-handed pitcher Connor Caporale, and right-handed pitcher Kelsie Whitmore all signed contracts and will attend the team’s Spring Training in May.
Kelsie Whitmore, from Temecula, CA, made history in 2022 as the first woman to sign a professional contract with an MLB Partner League team as a member of the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League. Whitmore’s first ever professional baseball appearances came in Northern California as a player for the Sonoma Stompers in 2016-2017.
Martinez, who is from San Francisco and went to St. Francis High School, was twice drafted out of UC Santa Barbara -- first by Miami in the 33rd Round of the 2018 MLB Draft and then by Baltimore in the 24th Round in 2019. He spent three years in the Baltimore system, reaching as high as High-A Aberdeen, before spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons in independent leagues.
Caporale is a pitcher from Vacaville who spent his college career at Simpson University in Redding, CA. After three seasons at Simpson, Caporale spent the summer of 2023 in the Coastal Plain League with the Wilson Tobs in North Carolina, before getting his first professional experience with the Westside Woolly Mammoths of the United Shores League in Michigan.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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Was Hoping I Could Say
“They’ve got it,” But Not Yet
by Howard Pearlstein
We’ve been seeing flashes and even extended periods and entire games in which Steve Kerr’s plan is working. Correction for accuracy: what I believed was the plan he was creating, that we would have what amounted to a ten-player starting team in two more-or-less arbitrary lineups, on the court and/or on the bench. And, most
important – any player could be inserted seamlessly as needed, able to play successfully with any other four. Whether to deal with some Big or a superstar or whatever. A team in which any player can play with any others.
Because players who are unquestionably starters and All-Stars are coming in from the bench, where they could help the “bench players” development along.
That’s something we saw as a result of bringing back Andre Iguodala, despite his limited minutes. His signature moves, (e.g., clean sweep blocking and steals from behind, et al), showing up in the newer players’ defense.
We had the talent we needed. But to have that talent working where it was needed, they needed enough minutes for each player to know the others’ game well enough to make those moves work. And to that end, we have been seeing it happen -- Podziemsky and Jackson-Davis and Moody for example, going in for minutes and able to play with the others. Granted, they started out much higher than anyone
could have expected a rookie to start, but there is always a lot to learn.
A lot of that includes knowing where to be as needed. We see it with Jackson-Davis anticipating offensive rebounds and being close enough to put them back in the basket. Moody and Podziemsky find places to take their shots but are also aware of who is moving where for a pass to a possibly better one. And Kuminga – well wottahell boss, if he hasn’t got it all, he’s getting it. And Wiggins is back to championship level.
Their success toward that goal took, and is taking, time, sometimes benefitting with additional game minutes from players out with injury or illness or suspension.
Similarly, their progress may have been hampered by the absence of that player’s insight and experience.
But it was coming along. And we could see it in the last three or four games. Even the Portland game, not about the W or L, but about holding their own against a good team as desperate for a win as we were.
Just I don’t think I’ve seen enough of that amazing dance where everyone is in touch with everyone else to KNOW they’ve got it.
Example – two years ago, there was a question of whether or not the Dubs would even make the playoffs. It was a struggle. But I remember seeing that first game, and I saw it, ordered a Gold-Blooded T-shirt because I knew as the playoffs went on, there might not be enough
in stock to get quick delivery. I didn’t know they would win it all, not some Nostrodumbass. I just knew that had their game together, working and tough.
I expect we’ll see it again if it’s there. Maybe it will show up in the final game against Utah, but more likely in the two play-in games.
But when the Dubs are playing THEIR game, this new one with amazing rookies and G-leaguers, continual motion with and without the ball that confuses defenses but NOT the other players, they can beat anyone. And no matter who is covered, double teamed All-Star or whomever, those defenders are going to be left with a great big “Who’s THAT guy?” making the shot.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Jimmy Connors -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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I happen to be in Los Angeles in early 2000 when I found out that Jimmy Connors and a few other tennis players were making an appearance at a new tennis center grand opening. I got into the Meet & Greet line early as I usually do and was one of the first to get his autograph on this photo he was handing out. He also signed a tennis ball for me but the ink has totally faded away.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Tara Ann VanDerveer has retired as head women's basketball coach at Stanford University. VanDerveer led the Cardinal to three NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championships: 1990, 1992 and 2021. VanDerveer is the 1990 Naismith National Coach of the Year and a ten-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year. She is also one of only nine NCAA Women’s Basketball coaches to win over 900 games, and one of ten NCAA Division I coaches – women's or men’s – to win 1,000 games. VanDerveer was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Above, VanDerveer is pictured at the 2019 Bay Area Sport Hall of Fame ceremony where she was inducted. Photo by Ed Jay. | |
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
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The Oakland A's are going to be the first MLB team to change homes four times.
Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland and, after a layover in Sacramento, Las Vegas. Connie Mack must be rolling over in his grave! There is only one other MLB franchise which has changed their home three times?
What franchise is it?
see Answer Below...
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Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader | |
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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,
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness
Vol. 75: The Consequences Of Charlie Baker Proposing That Schools Pay
Athletes NIL Money
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The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
by Darren Heitner
Founder of HEITNERLEGAL
Does the NCAA have a game plan?
In late 2023, NCAA president Charlie Baker brought to light various proposals, including one where amateurism rules are relaxed so that schools can directly pay players for their NIL rights. Since then, states such as Virginia have pushed forward with legislation that would not wait for the NCAA to act and instead codify that nothing stands in the way of schools directly compensating athletes (see Vol. 74).
While some may commend Baker for his progressive tone, is he and the NCAA burdened by the actions and inaction of years past?
My colleague Michael McCann brought up a good point this week in an article where he said, "Should the NCAA permit colleges to make direct NIL payments, the association better take compliance and enforcement seriously. If any so-called 'NIL' payments turn out to be pay-for-play and the NCAA is shown to have acquiesced, a court would be inclined to conclude the NCAA permits pay-for-play."
Furthermore, McCann noted that "there’s the related NCAA worry of whether college athletes are employees. By itself, direct NIL payments shouldn’t trigger employment recognition if the payments are really about the right of publicity . . . the bigger worry for the NCAA is if purported NIL payments are revealed as recruiting and retention payments. Those payments would resemble compensation for labor, which is more akin to employment."
Why would such payments that go directly from school to player be looked at any differently than the current slate of transactions between collectives and athletes? While collectives are wise enough to include endorsement-related deliverables and NIL-styled grants of rights, most consumers of college sports are also wise enough to see between the lines and respect that a premise to these deals is that athletes will attend and perform for a specific school.
Why does Baker and the remainder of the NCAA believe that "NIL" payments from schools to players, removing the collective as a "pass-through," will avoid scrutiny on the subject of whether the payments are truly salaries disguised as NIL? It's like thinking that just because a contract may be titled "Independent Contractor Agreement," it can't be deemed to be an "Employment Agreement." This appears to be a dangerous road for the NCAA to follow unless, of course, it is at the point where it is throwing its hands up in the air and, behind closed doors, resolved that even an employment model is preferable to the current state of affairs.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
Colorado Rapids 3
PayPal Park, San Jose
Saturday, April 13, 2024
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Quakes back on the road next Sunday for 100th California Clásico vs. LA Galaxy
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Colorado Rapids 3-0 Saturday night at PayPal Park.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 10th minute when they drew a penalty kick and forward Miguel Navarro converted from the spot. Colorado doubled their lead at the hour mark when a Keegan Rosenberry cross bounced around in the box off Cole Bassett and found an opportunistic Navarro, who tapped it in. The Quakes were dangerous all game, outshooting the Rapids (22-13) and putting more attempts on goal (6-3), but could not find the back of the net for just the second time this season. Bassett scored a third in the 80th minute to put the game away.
The Quakes travel to Southern California for their next contest against archrival LA Galaxy on Sunday, April 21, in what will be the 100th California Clásico in all competitions. Kickoff from Dignity Health Sports Park is set for 5:15 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and nationally on FS1, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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Oakland Roots SC 3
El Paso Locomotive 2
Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
Saturday, April 13, 2024
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OOakland Take All Three Points from
El Paso in 3-2 Victory
El Paso Locomotive took control of the game early on and found the opening goal in the 13th minute when an early corner kick led to a goal from Armando Moreno, making it 1-0 for the home side.
Oakland Roots responded with a set piece of their own in the 31st minute when Niall Logue scored off the delivery from Memo Diaz, leveling the game at 1-1.
El Paso earned a penalty kick in the 42nd minute of the game when Irakoze Donasiyano made a challenge inside the box. Jusstin Dhillon stepped up to make it 2-1, restoring the one-goal lead for Locomotive.
The half ended with El Paso in the lead at 2-1 as the sides headed into the locker rooms.
Oakland came out of the half quickly as Johnny Rodriguez scored from long range in the 47th minute, making it 2-2 as he became the club's all-time leading goal scorer with his 20th goal for Oakland.
Within minutes, Oakland was awarded a penalty kick of their own that Johnny Rodriguez stepped up to score, completing his brace and giving Oakland the 3-2 advantage.
Oakland held on for the 3-2 victory through the two goals from Johnny Rodriguez and early goal from Niall Logue.
Roots will now return to the East Bay to face NPSL squad El Farolito in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday April, 16th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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Bear & Flag Roadside Quietly Expands with Exciting Location at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
MONTEREY, Calif., April 12, 2024 — Bear & Flag Roadside, the café known for its concept of good simple food, fresh ingredients, and excellent meats, quietly opened its second location amidst the bustling race season last year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Following its successful launch in October 2021 in Carmel Valley, the team behind Bear & Flag Roadside brings their culinary expertise and passion for great dining experiences to race fans and visitors alike.
The brainchild of Todd and Ada Fisher and Emily and Arlen Frew, Bear & Flag Roadside was born from the shared desire to create a California roadside eatery experience in Monterey. The concept was conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the four friends found themselves isolated in a pod. A friendship they say is built on good times, good taste, and smart ideas the team envisioned a café that was reminiscent of casual roadside dining, infused with the quality and expertise of fine dining drawing from Todd Fisher's extensive 30-year career as a chef.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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Paving is Complete at Sonoma Raceway!
Charity event lets participants break in the new asphalt on the newly-repaved road course.
After 61 days of work, crews from Bay Cities Paving & Grading and ABSL Construction finally removed their hard hats to celebrate the completion of the Sonoma Raceway road course repave project. In honor of the first complete repave in 23 years, the track is offering to be one of the first to drive the newly repaved road course, and support local kids and families in need at the same time.
The transformation started to take shape after the Christmas holiday with crews milling the old surface of the track as the calendar flipped to a new year. Over the course of two months, the track was ground down, cracks were repaired and brand-new, long-lasting asphalt was put down to enhance the racing surface at Sonoma Raceway. With paving complete, the 2.52-mile road course is once again ready to host some of the fastest cars and most talented racers in the world.
To start, the Drive For Charity – First Laps event March 11 from 9am – 4pm will give participants the opportunity to take three laps around the track in their own car and experience the smoothest surface the track has seen in decades. All proceeds benefit Speedway Children's Charities Sonoma, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, which supports local children and families in critical need.
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Click HERE.
www.sonomaraceway.com
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Bears Complete The Sweep
Cal Sweeps Cougars In Pullman For First Time Since 2022
PULLMAN, Wash. – The California baseball team got another stellar relief pitching performance and pounded out a season-high 17 hits as the Golden Bears completed the sweep over host Washington State, taking the finale 8-2 on Sunday at Bailey-Brayton Field.
Reliever Trey Newmann (1-4) earned his first collegiate win tossing 5.0 complete. The freshman from North Medford, Ore., struck out a career-high nine batters, and scattered five hits, a run and a walk. Starter Tom Mayer was equally as effective, going 4.0 complete, allowing three hits, a run with two walks and four strikeouts. The two pitchers were stellar with runners in scoring position, holding Washington State (17-17, 7-11 Pac-12) to one hit in 12 at bats in that scenario.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Dean Hare / Washington State Athletics
www.calbears.com
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Stanford Wins In Seattle
No. 3 Cardinal caps perfect weekend in PNW with 6-1 win at No. 6 UW
SEATTLE - No. 3 Stanford capped a perfect weekend in the Pacific Northwest with a 6-1 victory at No. 26 Washington on Sunday afternoon.
Winners of four straight, the Cardinal is now 18-2 overall and 7-1 in conference. Stanford has beaten its last four opponents by a combined score of 21-1.
Connie Ma and Alexandra Yepifanova clinched the doubles point for Stanford over No. 69 Astrid Olsen and Alexia Jacobs (6-4) after the pair of Katherine Hui and Valencia Xu picked up their second ranked win of the season in as many tries, beating No. 78 Melissa Sakar and Catherine Gagnon (6-2).
Angelica Blake rolled to a win on Court 1 over Erika Matsuda, 6-3, 6-1, and Katherine Hui won her ninth in a row with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Sakar on Court 4.
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Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Matthew Huang / isiphotos.com
www.gostanford.com
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NO. 17 SPARTANS FALL TO NO.5 CALIFORNIA ON THE ROAD
BERKELEY, Calif. - Ivanna Anderson-Villela scored three goals to lead the No. 17 Spartans (9-13, 0-6 MPSF) in their 16-9 loss to No. 5 California (13-4, 2-1 MPSF).
Goalkeeper Grace Smith recorded eight saves and a steal.
Emma Ruzic led the team in assists with two.
Lucy Miszewski, Sinia Plotz, and Darcy Spark each scored two goals.
This was Anderson Villela's second hat trick of the season.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will compete at the MPSF Championships in Bloomington Ind. from April 26th - 28th.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
BSB | Gaels Slug Their Way to Series Victory Over LMU
MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Baseball (21-13, 6-3 WCC) won a rubber match at LMU (14-23, 2-10 WCC) to pick up another series win in conference play. The Gaels offense was the driving force behind the victory as they won 13-7 on Sunday afternoon. Saint Mary's now sits in third place in the WCC through three conference series.
The Gaels got going early with a Brian Duroff bases-loaded two-RBI single that scored the first runs of the game and gave Saint Mary's a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first. LMU responded in the bottom half with a first and third play and stole home, cutting the lead to 2-1.
The Saint Mary's offense would respond with an explosive 6-run second inning that consisted of Dalton Mashore driving in two runs with a single into left field, Ryan Pierce delivering an RBI single down the right field line, and finally a Coleman Schmidt three-run home run beyond the left center field wall that capped the Gaels rally. LMU put one more across the plate in the bottom of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly, but Saint Mary's established an 8-2 lead at the end of two innings. Ryan Wiltse got the start and pitched 2 innings allowing two earned runs on two hits with three walks and one strikeout.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo Emily Smith / Saint Mary's Athletics
#GaelsRise www.smcgaels.com
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Dons Compete in Bryan Clay Invitational and Chuck Buettner Twilight
AZUSA/HAYWARD, Calif. – The University of San Francisco men's and women's track & field teams faced off in two meets on Thursday, Apr. 11 – Saturday, Apr. 13, competing in the Bryan Clay Invitational, hosted by Azusa Pacific and Chuck Buettner Twilight, hosted by San Francisco State.
Jacob Cann recorded a stellar performance in the 1500 meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational, setting a new program record with a time of 3:42.62. Ed Buck, also taking part in the 1500 meters, set a new personal best of 3:56.69 on his way to a 22nd-place finish.
On the women's side, Petra Helebrantova, Kamilla Vanadzina, and Julia Morales all set new personal bests in the 1500 meters, finishing in 50th, 71st, and 105th, respectively.
Olivia Alexandre grabbed a 27th-place finish in the 800 meters at 2:04.16, a new personal best.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Christina Leung
www.usfdons.com
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Softball Hits Five Home Runs in Split Against Incarnate Word
SAN ANTONIO – Santa Clara softball and Incarnate Word split the Saturday doubleheader to set up Sunday's rubber match. Each team won by an 8-7 score that saw a total of seven home runs and big come backs on both sides.
Game 1: Santa Clara 8 - Incarnate Word 7 (8)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Rebecca Rubio's sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth scored the go-winning run in Santa Clara's 8-7 comeback victory over Incarnate Word in game one of the doubleheader.
With the game tied at 7-all in the extra inning, Abigail Charpentier was hit by a pitch by UIW reliever Bella Mitchell to lead off the inning. Charpentier moved to third after a sacrifice bunt and a base hit by Leiora Davidson before coming home on Rubio's fly ball to left field. It was the fourth-straight inning the Broncos scored.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Image copyright / Donald Jedlovec / Santa Clara Athletics
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
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PACIFIC DROPS SERIES FINALE TO KANSAS
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Pacific baseball team dropped the finale of its three-game road series to Kansas, 19-3, on Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
For the second day in a row, the Tigers (6-29, 1-8 WCC) held an early lead, but the Jayhawks (19-14, 7-8 Big 12) answered with one big inning that ultimately sealed the series sweep for the home team.
Sophomore Rylan Evans had a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a run scored. Sophomore Kaden Petersen reached base safely in his three trips to the batter's box while also collecting an RBI double.
Junior Owen McWilliam made his first start of the season for the Tigers and gave the Tigers a fighting chance early on. The right-hander pitched 4.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits while striking out a pair of Jayhawks.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.com
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Jill Humphrey Represents US Equestrian
At FEI World Cup Finals
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – UC Davis equestrian head coach and alum Jill Humphrey will take her Aggie Pride and talents on the international stage when she competes for U.S. Equestrian at the 2024 FEI World Cup Finals.
The finals are set to run from April 16-20. Humphrey specifically will be representing U.S. Jumping.
"I'm so excited for this opportunity," said Humphrey. "It's a huge honor to ride for and represent U.S. Jumping, and I'm so grateful to be paired with Branscomb Farms' wonderful horse, Chromatic BF."
A 2004 graduate, Humphrey is in her second season as head coach, and sixth year on the coaching staff.
"UC Davis, the equestrian team, and the athletics department have been so supportive throughout this journey," said Humphrey. "They've been asking when and where they can watch the livestream, and it's such a warm feeling to have that Aggie Pride continue throughout the experience."
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For a full report, click HERE.
FEI / Andrew Ryback Photography
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Baseball Shuts Out CSUDH in Series Finale
HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay played the final game of a four-game CCAA series with Cal State Dominguez Hills at Pioneer Baseball Field on Sunday. The Pioneers won 3-0 over the Toros to split the season series at 2-2.
GAME SUMMARY
The Pioneers had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the third and fifth innings but were unable to capitalize.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Sam Gilliam led off with a single, then reached second base after a sacrifice bunt by Niko Mollat, then got to third base after a single by Jaylen Hodges. Then, Danelle Daniels hit a sacrifice fly to center field that drove in Gilliam for a 1-0 lead.
After Gilliam scored, Luke Brown singled, then Luke Novitske hit an RBI single to left field that scored Hodges for a 2-0 lead.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Justine Willard / KLC Fotos
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HIGH SCHOOL SAILING
Race for Your School
At StFYC, High School Sailing brings students from seven San Francisco schools together in a unified training program. It’s athletic, it’s challenging, it’s coed, and it’s about the “team.”
This is a St. Francis Yacht Club program, but in competition our High School Sailing students represent their schools. Across different regions of the US, structures in this discipline vary, but in California we race very simple Flying Junior dinghies, locally and afar. StFYC supports High School Sailing in the fall semester, providing boats, coaching, hot showers, mentorship and reminders.
High School Sailing is not a beginner class. It is a competitive team environment. You don’t have to be the greatest—our coaches are here to help sailors train and improve—but you need to have made a beginning. If you are interested in joining your High School team, we will put you in touch with your school’s representative.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.stfyc.com
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | |
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Charting the Atlanta Braves history is interesting but I would rather talk about the Oakland A's!
The A's have an incredible and much more interesting history than the Braves. I felt bad as a Red Sox fan having lived through part of the 'The Curse of the Bambino', but after looking at the A's history,
I don't feel so bad.
I'm not going to fill this space with stats but take a look at Red Sox post-season play and the Athletics
post-season play and tell me who has had a
rougher time of it.
I can remember going to Fenway in the early 60s, after Ted Williams retired and Yaz was a rookie, with the stands as empty as the current A's. The Red Sox never abandoned their fans by moving away!
Go Red Sox!
Go Celtics!
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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Absorbing, frank and informative, Elman's smart prose makes for entertaining reading and brings to life our sports world with a deft touch.
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“A must read…an in-depth look into stories that come from all avenues of professional sports."
-- Andy Dolich, prominent sports executive with fifty years experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL
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"Good things come to those who wait"
The Guinness is pouring well and honestly we can't drink it all by ourselves so join us. Open Monday through Thursday at 4pm. Friday through Sunday at 12pm. Happy Hour 4pm to 6pm. Look forward to seeing all your smiling
faces once again.
https://www.thechieftain.com/
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy | |
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Oakland A’s 2, Washington Nationals 1, 10 innings, April 12, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Oakland Ballers Open Tryouts, Saturday, April 6, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Opening Day, San Francisco Giants 3, San Diego Padres 2, April 5, 2024. Photos by Rich Yee.
Bring Your Own Big Wheel, March 31, 2024.
Photos by Rich Yee.
Bay Area Panthers 47, Arizona Rattlers 41, March 31, 2024.
Photos by Ed Jay.
Bay FC 2, Houston Dash 3, March 30, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Bay Area Falcons 18, Seattle Tempest 10, March 30, 2024.
Photos by Ron Sellers.
Oakland A’s 0, Cleveland Guardians 8, March 28, 2024.
Photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
San Francisco Giants 1, Oakland A’s 3, March 26, 2024.
Photos by Rich Yee.
San Francisco Giants 4, Oakland A’s 1, March 25, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
California Golden Bears (WBkB) 61, Saint Joseph’s Hawks 63,
March 24, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Saint Mary's Gaels (Rugby) 38, California Golden Bears 31, March 23, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
San Jose Earthquakes 3, Seattle Sounders 2, March 23, 2024. Captions and photos by Alex Ho.
Baseball Trading Card Show. March 21-23, 2024
Photos by Rich Yee
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 15, through
Sunday, April 21, 2024
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Monday, April 15
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:40 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Edmonton Oilers, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16
Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 9:10 a.m.
Oakland A's vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 12:37 p.m.
Thursday, April 18
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:45 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Calgary Flames, p.m.
Friday, April 19
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7:15 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Cleveland Guardians, 4:10 p.m.
Saturday, April 20
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Cleveland Guardians, 3:10 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ Detroit City FC, 6 p.m.
Bay FC @ Kansas City Current, 4:30 p.m.
Bay Area Panthers vs. San Diego Strike Force, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday April 21
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Cleveland Guardians, 10:40 a.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ LA Galaxy, 5:15 p.m.
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
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LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | |
The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | |
More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | |
The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | |
To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
www.sereankimmel.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!
Go to www.checkforbikes.org or email contact@checkforbikes.org
with questions or to order.
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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 helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq. is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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