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April 22 -- April 28, 2024
Issue No. 534
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Tara VanDerveer is the all-time winningest basketball coach,
men or women...
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Tara: Cheers; O.J.: Sneers;
Dubs: Fears?
by Dave Newhouse
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A columnist doesn’t get a trifecta like this often: Tara VanDerveer's retirement, O.J. Simpson’s death, and the Warriors’ rocky finish. With all of that occurring just this month, it’s best to analyze each topic separately, beginning with the leading lady on The Farm.
TARA VANDERVEER has changed a great deal since taking over the Stanford’s women’s basketball program in 1985, when Ronald Reagan was the nation's President and Joe Montana was our local leader. Talk about a perfect union coming together at Stanford; VanDerveer changed the whole culture of Cardinal women’s hoops, while in her off time becoming a superb snow skier on the most difficult Black Diamond runs and, even later, developing into an excellent pianist.
But it was on the basketball court where she would leave her mark, becoming the all-time winningest coach, men or women, an achievement deserving special recognition, for it’s not easy to qualify for admission to highly academic Stanford, and so she took her lumps in the postseason against schools with lower entrance requirements. Thus VanDerveer’s three national titles and fourteen Final Fours in 38 years at Stanford is a major plus not a minus.
She produced All-Americans from Jennifer Azzi all the way to Cameron Brink, and developed future head coaches, including Kate Paye, VanDerveer’s former player and assistant coach for 17 years, who now succeeds the legend just as Stanford shifts from the sadly defunct Pacific-12 Conference to the cross-country Atlantic Coast Conference.
That extended travel is an added burden for Stanford if it wishes to maintain its women’s hoops excellence, which VanDerveer built and held together, though her teams weren’t as quick and athletic as their Final Four opposition most years. But she got there anyway with well-coached teams.
If she’s still into skiing and playing the piano, VanDerveer, who turns 71 in May, can fill whatever idle time that’s available in her new undefined advisory role in the Stanford athletic department. She’s always worth listening to and learning from.
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He ran through an airport for Hertz in the nation’s most popular television commercial...
O.J. SIMPSON plummeted from fame like nobody else in the American sports culture before dying in disgrace at 76 on April 10. From sports hero to accused double murderer, it was a free-fall descent without a parachute. Yes, he was acquitted — "If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit” — but no other suspects were ever found, thus he remains guilty in the minds of most people.
It’s staggering to consider just how liked he was once, and how that adoration then turned to hate and contempt. The transformation struck me, too, because Simpson was as nice to me as he was to others.
It’s still framed on my wall, my first book, Rose Bowl Football Since 1902, with a foreword by O.J. Simpson. We asked, my co-author Herb Michelson and I, and Simpson agreed. He had that kindness about him. When he was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player after becoming the first back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, he was also voted the NFL’s most cooperative interviewee by the league’s sportswriters.
He ran through an airport for Hertz in the nation’s most popular television commercial, and though he didn’t dignify himself in movie roles, he was given slack because he was “The Juice,” so utterly popular. It was all a facade, of course, but we didn’t know it yet.
I interviewed Simpson at different times, including for my book Heismen: After the Glory, which became a story in itself. I was told by his office manager that he was too busy to be interviewed. So, in desperation, I contacted an intermediary who provided me with his home phone number. I called, nervously. Simpson answered, and I asked if he had one hour, no longer, available for an interview. He agreed, naturally.
I flew to Los Angeles, and he was there on time at his office to answer my prepared questions. When the hour was up, I ended the interview as promised, though I’m sure he would have stayed longer.
He had just married the former Nicole Brown, 12 years younger, whom he gloated about.
“If someone were to ask me about Nicole,” he said for the book, “I would say that I like her first before I would say I love her. She’s a wonderful person who doesn’t mind if the guys come over. She even enjoys cooking for them.”
Already an expectant father, he added, “After Nicole and I have our first kid, we’re going to have another right away. I may have missed my other kids (from his first marriage) growing up, but I won’t miss these two growing up, I guarantee you.”
His guarantees had asterisks, just like his checkered life.
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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob (right) and head coach
Steve Kerr attend a summer league game in 2022
JOE LACOB owns the Warriors, and from the beginning with a vision of dominating the NBA, which he succeeded at until now.
The franchise has ended its dynastic run, with no immediate reversal foreseen. Therefore, I began contemplating Steve Kerr’s future, which made me think of a Bill Walsh quote when he coached the 49ers.
Walsh said that after 10 years as a coach in one place, the 49er players no longer listened to him as intently, feeling they’ve heard the same speeches over and over. Well, Kerr has coached the Warriors
10 years, and could the same thing be happening to him?
My guess would be no way. He is the most remarkable people-person I’ve seen as a head coach or manager since Dusty Baker, the all-time best in my eyes. Kerr is so thoughtful, always finding good in stressful situations, like coaching Draymond Green.
But Lacob thinks he’s God’s gift as an owner, and I’m wondering how he perceives Kerr. The Warriors have grown older with their star players, and an overhaul looms to avoid further slippage.
They need a more intense defensive approach, meaning better defenders, including shot-blockers, thereby taking pressure off their capable shooters. Does Lacob feel Kerr is the man to lead such a possible turnaround? Lacob is a hands-on owner, with his fingerprints everywhere on his team.
But does Kerr even want to continue as coach? The Warriors’ off-season will be considerably more interesting than their just concluded season.
* * *
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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Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Arnie Passman, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff,
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NBA Playoffs and Jury Selection
With the Warriors out of the NBA playoffs, my level of enthusiasm to watch the playoffs has dropped below the Mendoza Line. It's more: "Which team do I dislike more, which team has a player I dislike for some reason, which city do I dislike, and other deep thoughts and biases. Similarly, in a non-Warriors playoff it's like what a seasoned
trial lawyer told me, "Jury Selection is Jury Deselection" (and don't pick another lawyer to be on the jury). For Basketball, which teams, coaches, players, cities do you like the least? Deselect!
Personally, I can't root for the Celtics, Dallas (ever -- any sport) and at best, I am neutral on most games and just check in and pick one with some players I like, or a serious underdog. Fortunately, I have the New York Knicks to cheer for as I go back to my roots.
Otherwise, it's time to BET -- yes, it's "Over-Under Time" on every channel, with a remarkable record of incorrect choices by the myriad experts. Scandal? What scandal?
No thank you. A star-heavy team just might join the Loser's Hall of Fame.
SPLASH BROTHERS STRONG!
Robert A. Moselle
Marketing Director, Sports Today!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Contents
Games
Oakland A's 2, St. Louis Cardinals 3
Oakland Roots SC 1, Detroit City FC 3
San Francisco Giants 3, Arizona Diamondbacks 5
San Jose Earthquakes 3, LA Galaxy 4
Features & Commentary
Bonnie Blair, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!
Everyone Defines The Line, by Andy Dolich
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Requiem For The Revenant, by Pete Elman
Tara: Cheers; O.J. Sneers; Dubs: Fears, by Dave Newhouse
The Dubs’ Quintet Played Jazz in the Key of G (League), by Howard Pearlstein
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
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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San Francisco Giants 3
Arizona Diamondbacks 5
Oracle Park, San Francisco
Sunday, April 21, 2024
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San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning of the Giants' 5-3 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, April 21st at Oracle Park.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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The highlight of this year's NBA All-Star festivities was a 3-point contest between Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty. Curry prevailed, 29-26 | | |
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Everyone Defines The Line
by Andy Dolich
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Concept:
Basketball possesses a unique capacity to unite, transcending identity, gender, backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities. Millions of viewers everywhere were mesmerized by the incredible 3 point shooting competition between Sabrina Ionescu and Steph Curry at this year's All-Star game.
It perfectly defined that basketball is one of the few sports that men,
women, girls and boys can match each other in a skill that is prized by
every player on courts around the globe.
At the end of the 3-Point Pandamonium the real winners were the
charities of choice for Ionescu and Curry.
Think about the success of Hoop it Up. The NBA and WNBA have a 3
point competition that can grow everyday in every way, everywhere.
Who:
The NBA and WNBA teams.
The greatest 3-point shooters in both leagues.
The top 3-point shooters from college men’s and women's teams in
Northern California (If allowed).
The Greatest 3-point shooters from Northern California High Schools.
Greatest 3-point shooters in wheelchair basketball.
The Great 3-point shooters in youth clubs ages 12 and over.
Junior NBA Skills Challenge opportunities.
What:
Sabrina and Steph’s roots in the San Francisco Bay Area is perfect timing for the 2025 event to expand its magic across the country. The NBA/WNBA and their teams/players could structure local 3 point shooting contests between boys and girls, men and women at every level of basketball.
Teaming up with the Warriors and their WNBA team the NBA/WNBA could roll out a 3 Point competition in Northern California as a beta test in 2025 leading up to or right after the 2025 All-Star weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Jr. NBA might be the perfect way to launch what will be fantastic
community events on courts everywhere to raise money for worthwhile local organizations.
When:
The 74th NBA All-Star weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area,
February 14-16, 2025.
Where:
Chase Center/Thrive City, Oracle Arena and courts throughout
Northern California.
How:
I’m guessing that the NBA/WBA is already creatively constructing next
year's 3-point competition. Maybe the “Splash Brothers” vs. Sabrina
and Caitlin Clark. Maybe add in Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Las
Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, both 3-point shooting legends.
No matter what form the presentation takes for 2025, the basketball
world will be watching. The All-Star weekend seems to be the perfect
launch for all hoopers to show their local communities that Everyone
Defines The Line.
Seems like the perfect opportunity to show the world what athletic
equality is all about.
* * *
Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.
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Requiem For The Revenant
by Pete Elman
Requiem: from the Latin for rest; a mass for a dead person; a song or hymn of mourning performed as a memorial; an elegy celebrating
a life.
Revenant: one that returns after death or a long absence.
In the aftermath of the Warriors’ 118-94 drubbing at the hands of the Sacramento Kings, there has been a lot said about how such a promising last half of a season, albeit one fraught with tremendous mood swings, could come to such a startling, abrupt and disappointing end. In fact, my therapist friend Scott aptly described the Warriors as a “bi-polar” team. They certainly were this season.
Yes, they chose a bad time to play arguably their worst game of the season. No one saw it coming—but many are not surprised. I will leave it up to our talented group of beat writers to perform the painful post-mortem, to surgically dissect the how and why of what happened, and to prognosticate what the team’s future looks like; a future that absolutely no one can predict with any certainty.
“We’ve got an off-season and a lot to think about,” said head coach Steve Kerr.
But there is one ineffable, inevitable truth we can all agree on, and as much as it hurts, must accept; this is what the end of a dynasty looks like. It was a remarkable decade of achievement and excellence that saw the Warriors go from the bottom to the very top, winning four titles and appearing in six finals, and it appears over.
Looking forward, the 2025 roster may look similar—or different--but one cannot deny the harsh reality: this team is past its prime. An allegorical theme dawned on me Tuesday night after that excruciating loss. I am not a particularly religious person, but if the Warriors have been our gilded temple, I think it is okay to genuflect at this moment. A proper requiem is in order.
* * *
But backtrack to 1975, when Golden State shocked the world, sweeping the Bullets in four games to win it all. And then became the worst franchise in pro sports, wandering for 40 years like the ancient Hebrews who, because of their lack of loyalty to the God who had just liberated them from tyranny, were punished with four decades in the desert before entering the Promised Land.
But the loyal fans never gave up hope. And so it came to pass; in 2015 the team came back from the wilderness to win it all; thus began the dynasty. The moribund, cursed franchise was truly revenant. After a five-year run, the Warriors again sunk to the depths during the pandemic year, winning 15 games and looking to all the world done. But they weren’t. Two years later, they stunned the world, defeating the Celtics for their fourth title of the decade. They were once again revenant.
There has been a phoenix-like quality to the Warriors, for they have risen more than once from the ashes of doubt, turmoil and failure. But it isn’t just the team that has displayed those qualities; it is the individuals.
After sustaining the two toughest injuries in sports and missing two- and-a-half-seasons, Klay Thompson’s career was a question mark when he returned in February of 2022.
But all he did was win a title that year; lead the league in three-pointers the next year and overcome a miserable first half to finish strong this season. He came back against all odds and should not be judged on one awful game. Klay may be an enigma, but he is nothing if not revenant.
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Steph, Dray and Klay...walking into the Hall of Fame
Say what you will about Draymond Green, and how his antics have hurt the team, casting a shadow over the last two seasons, perhaps costing them a playoff seed this year. But one cannot overlook that when he returned-- after a long absence--the Warriors were a different team; they went on a 27-12 tear to end the regular season. After that second suspension he was considering quitting and Adam Silver, of all people, talked him out of it, the same Adam Silver who suspended him in 2016, costing the Warriors a title.
“Incredible highs, sh---y lows; the common denominator is that we’ve gone through every scenario together,” said Draymond after the loss to the Kings. And from Steph, “There’s a lot more in the tank. For me, that’s the mindset. All we want to do is win.” I, for one, have never doubted #30. But sometimes one has to face reality. We all get old, and everything must end, someday.
Me, I can close my eyes and in my mind I see Steph lighting it up for 50 in game seven in 2023 against the Kings, Draymond playing out of his mind in game six at the Boston Garden in 2022, shutting down the Celtics and shutting up the vulgar Boston fans, and "game six" Klay fearlessly taking down the Thunder in 2016.
And when I open my eyes, they are moist. It is not sadness I feel; these are tears of joy. Words cannot describe what they have given us. For it is truly a joyful hymn we sing, a requiem for the revenant.
We must celebrate and honor them.
Pete Elman,
Rockridge, Oakland
Monday, April 22, 2024.
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* * *
Pete Elman is the author of an outstanding new book, Insights and Outakes, a collection of sports essays covering Bay Area teams and sports personalities. For more information, see below.
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The Giants take on the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 18 through Sunday, April 21 at Oracle Park. The four-game weekend series features terrific promotional giveaways. On Saturday, the first 15,000 fans receive a Patrick Bailey Bobblehead, presented by Chevron. On Sunday, the first 15,000 fans receive a Logan Webb Basketball Jersey, presented
by Super Duper Burgers.
The New York Mets visit Oracle Park for a
three-game series, April 22-24.
The Pittsburgh Pirates visit April 26-28. On Friday, catch a postgame fireworks show. On Saturday, April 27, the first 15,000 fans receive a New York Giants Throwback Jersey, presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Then on Sunday, April 28, the first 7,500 fans age 14 and under receive a Youth Performance T-shirt, presented by Bank of America.
Experience all the action at Oracle Park.
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Show some love to your favorite nurse! Nominate the special nurse in your life to showcase their hard work, compassion, and selflessness in their community. Five honorees will be chosen to receive special recognition, an A's swag bag, and four tickets to our Nurse Appreciation Night presented by Kaiser Permanente
on Wednesday, May 22.
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We also invite you to join alongside other local nurses and loved ones for Nurse Appreciation Night! Tickets purchased through this special link will include a commemorative belt bag presented by
Kaiser Permanente.
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Oakland A's 2
St. Louis Cardinals 3
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
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Oakland Athletics catcher Kyle McCann hit his first Major League Baseball home run during the A's 3-2 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, April 16th at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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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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Warriors Free Throws for Futures, Presented by PG&E and the PG&E Corporation Foundation, Donates $641,000 to Bay Area Youth
Warriors Community Foundation Distributes Over $4.5 Million Throughout 2023-24 Season
SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors Community Foundation, in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation), has granted a total of $641,000 to four Bay Area nonprofit organizations, equating to $160,250 each, as part of the Warriors’ Free Throws For Futures program, it was announced today.
Through Free Throws For Futures, each Warriors’ made free throw during the regular season yielded $500 for four education focused nonprofit organizations working locally to improve opportunities and successful outcomes for youth.
Prior to yesterday’s game, the Warriors Community Foundation hosted a pregame reception and check presentation to celebrate this year’s Free Throws for Futures grant. For video, Click Here.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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The Dubs’ Quintet Played Jazz
in the Key of G (League)
by Howard Pearlstein
First, the up-and-down season of almosts, nearlies, good games,
and ‘but we were ahead’ losses ended with a dull thud in a heart sickening Play-in loss.
And the ghouls who’d been circling all season, got louder, open mouths dripping saliva for human flesh, calling out in hoarse voices: “Give us Klay. Give us Wiggins. Chris Paul? Looney? Give us SOMEONE! We’re hungry.”
Back to the graveyard, subhumans! Feast on those already dead. Your clamoring to kill off those still alive is nauseating.
What’s REALLY IMPORTANT is what happened in the last regular season game against Utah. (There’s no real jazz in Utah. The team moved to Salt Lake City but the Jazz stayed in New Orleans.) Jazz is a flowing thing of collective improvisations on a basic theme with individual flights of beauty and amazement.
The fourth quarter of the Utah game was that, but the G League Five were the ones who played it. Played it like the original Miles Davis’ Quintet that redefined jazz in the 50’s with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Philly Joe Jones, and Paul Chambers. (Ok, I’m old, but as we also say about the 60’s, “we got to hear the best bands.”)
The Five G League Gentlemen gave us a performance matching Steve Kerr’s ideal: continual movement, everyone on the court clear and fully aware of each other, where they were and which way they were moving. Like a group mind. Not metaphysical cosmic hooey (which I love), but the result of good players getting better and better the more they play together. Seeing each other, knowing each others’ strengths and inclinations, same in basketball as in music.
They’d all spent time in G league Santa Cruz Warriors, and most of them played with each other learning to do that dance. To paraphrase the old Carnegie Hall Joke, tourist asking: “How do you get to Chase Center?” “Practice, Practice, Practice.”
Lester Quinones, Gui Santos, Usman Garuba, Jerome Robinson, Pat Spencer and already hitting it, Moses Moody. Yeah, I know that’s six. Who’s the sixth man?
Really? None of them. Ok, it’s still Andre Iguodala. Far as I’m concerned, the Sixth man forever. Same as they say about Michael Jordan and Joe Montana: “There’s no next one.”
The last couple years I watched a lot of G League games and even though I knew there weren’t enough minutes for new guys, I still wanted to see Quinones and Gui Santos and Moody play with Steph and Klay and Draymond.
Also, other briefly G League vets -- Podsziemsky (1 game) and Trayce (4 games). Kuminga too (6 games). Some sort of Young Guns Brotherhood seeds got planted there.
I had mixed feelings about the Dubs making the playoffs, losing all those weeks of rest, rehab, reboot, revive time after a season that’s 10-12 games too long, too far over the line of physical ability. (70 games would allow the best to still be at their best when they play the best.)
So the loss provided one good thing. The post-season off-time lost to playoffs seven of the past 10 years regained. Time to meet the next season ready, the Splash Triplets mind-melded with the G-League Guys.
Meanwhile, there’s soccer: continual motion, passing, assists, and on tv, fewer commercials.
San Jose’s high-scoring NWSL Bay FC; TV on Ion and NBC Sports California. MSL Earthquakes, Apple TV. Both play home games at PayPal Park.
Oakland Soul Women play home games at Merritt College. Oakland Roots Men home games at CSU in Hayward, TV on KTVU and ESPN.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Bonnie Blair -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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Bonnie Blair is a retired Olympic speed skater who has won five gold medals and one bronze between 1988 --1994. I met her several years ago in San Francisco when she was making a guest speaker appearance. I showed up at the event with this photo in hand and she was delighted to sign it for me as she arrived.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Sports Today!/Ultimate Sports Guide would
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Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
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The Warriors Are Out!
When Steph Curry beat Ray Allen's NBA 3-point record of 2973 on December 15, 2021 Curry said he hoped to continue on and set a record no one else could ever catch. 3747 3-pointers is now his record. That is six short of his Free Throw total.
On the other end of the spectrum is one of the best
all-time NBA players ever. Shaq O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and a 15-times NBA All-Star. He dominated each and every aspect of the game, except one, three pointers.
How many 3-pointers did Shaq have in his
illustrious career?
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,
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.)
https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/143157/Oracle+Park/section-106/row-1/seat-7/
These are Tim's costs, no markups, no fees, tickets are all via smart phones. For more information: Tim Maroney, 610-519-0125
Tpmmd@hotmail.com
If you are interested, please contact Mr. Maroney directly via his email or phone. Sports Today does not receive remuneration --
we are simply happy to make these seats available to our readers
and as a favor to a loyal subscriber, Tim Maroney.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness
Vol. 76: NCAA Says Schools Can Assist To Identify NIL Deals; Virginia Goes
Much Further
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The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
by Darren Heitner
Founder of HEITNERLEGAL
On April 17, the NCAA Division I Council adopted rules allowing schools to assist college athletes with NIL opportunities.
Under the new rules, schools will be able to identify NIL opportunities and facilitate deals between athletes and third parties.
There's an odd catch, though. Schools can only provide such assistance to athletes who disclose NIL activities valuing $600 or more to their schools. I'm not sure how the NCAA intends to determine when an athlete has a deal worth more than that which has not been disclosed, since deals tend to be confidential, but it's not my problem.
In reality, this isn't about giving schools the ability to match an athlete with a sports nutrition brand; it's opening up the path for schools to be overtly involved in NIL collective deals. We all know that coaches and athletic department staff have already been very much a part of many negotiations but, until now, such activity was technically against NCAA rules.
Schools remain prevented by the NCAA from paying players despite some states, like Virginia (see Vol. 74), intending to allow schools to engage in such activities no matter what the NCAA says.
On that note, Virginia's governor signed the bill that I discussed a couple of weeks ago. It will take effect July 1 unless amended between now and then. As I wrote back then:
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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San Jose Earthquakes 3
LA Galaxy 4
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson
Sunday, April 21, 2024
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Quakes' furious second-half comeback falls just short in 100th California Clásico
SAN JOSE, Calif. – In a seven-goal thriller, the San Jose Earthquakes fell to the LA Galaxy 4-3 Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in the 100th California Clásico between the two clubs in all competitions.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Gabriel Pec outraced. The Galaxy would add a second one 10 minutes later when Joseph Paintsil converted from the spot after a video replay ruled a handball in the box had occurred off a set piece. The Galaxy added a third when Maya Yoshida headed home a corner kick at the half-hour mark. However, San Jose would answer three minutes later when Rodrigues headed in a set piece that came off a deflection of a Cristian Espinoza service.
LA extended the lead once more in the 56th minute when Riqui Puig netted in transition, but the Earthquakes refused to fold. Espinoza collected his second assist of the match in the 58th minute when he found substitute Benji Kikanović, who promptly pulled one back for San Jose. Then in the 70th minute, the Quakes clawed back into the game when Galaxy defender Eriq Zavaleta hauled down Jeremy Ebobisse in the box. A red card was given and Ebobisse scored the ensuing penalty to cut the deficit to one. With LA playing with 10 men, the Black and Blue furiously pushed the issue for the rest of the game but could not find a late equalizer before the final whistle.
The Quakes now travel to Tennessee for their next match against Nashville SC on Saturday, April 27. Kickoff from Geodis Park is set for 5:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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Oakland Roots SC 1
Detroit City FC 3
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, Michigan
Saturday, April 20, 2024
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OOakland Falls 3-1 on the Road
in Detroit
The home team, Detroit City FC, took an early lead with Ben Morris scoring in the 8th minute on a counterattack, making it 1-0.
As the game grew more intense, Detroit received two early yellow cards, with Michael Bryant and Aboulaye Diop both cautioned within the first 20 minutes.
Detroit extended their lead to 2-0 after a penalty kick was awarded in the 27th minute, with Maxi Rodriguez converting for the home side.
Oakland also received two yellow cards in the first half, with Memo Diaz and Gagi Margvelashvili both booked, leaving Oakland trailing
2-0 at halftime.
Detroit quickly capitalized on the momentum after halftime, with halftime substitute Victor Bezerra scoring on another counterattack to make it 3-0 in favor of Detroit.
Oakland Roots managed to pull one back with a well-crafted build-up play, as Daniel Gomez delivered a perfect cross to Justin Rasmussen at the back post. Rasmussen calmly slotted it home, reducing the deficit to two goals.
Almost immediately after the goal, Oakland's Gagi Margvelashvili was called for a foul, earning his second yellow card of the match and subsequently a red card, forcing him off the field.
continued...
Click HERE.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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The dominate 1991 AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Accepts 400-Plus Entries for 50th Anniversary Gathering
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hosts Premier Annual Event August 14-17
MONTEREY, Calif., April 17, 2024 — The highly coveted letters of acceptance have been delivered to the final selection of entrants into this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The cars are among the world’s best and all carry on the 50-year standard of being period-correct and with proven race provenance.
The Golden Anniversary celebration of arguably the birth of historic racing events will be held August 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The selection took place after many weeks of evaluations by members of the seven-person, all-volunteer Advisory Council, along with support of the event’s sanctioning body, Historic SportsCar Racing.
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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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No. 20 Cal Walks Off No. 8 Washington
Bears Take Sunday Series Finale From Huskies
BERKELEY – Tianna Bell drove in Tatum Anzaldo in the bottom of the seventh inning as the No. 20 California softball team earned a walk-off win over No. 8 Washington in the series finale on Sunday at Levine-Fricke Field.
Bell went 3-for-4 with her 10th home run of the season and Anzaldo doubled twice for the Golden Bears (31-14, 5-11 Pac-12). Brooke Nelson homered for the Huskies (30-8, 12-6 Pac-12).
Washington got on the scoreboard first for the first time of the series in the opening frame when Nelson hit a solo shot off of Cal starter Haylei Archer. Bell answered right back in the home half when she went deep to the opposite field, making the score 1-1.
Archer, making her fourth appearance of the week, got it going in the middle innings against the potent Huskies lineup, putting zeroes on the board in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Trailing 2-1, Anzaldo and Acacia Anders gave the Bears their first lead of the day in the third.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Andrew Madsen / KLC Fotos
www.calbears.com
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Leading After Round One
Heck and Ganne are one stroke back of the lead, while Stanford owns a seven-stroke advantage through Sunday
PULLMAN, Wash. — The top-ranked team in the country finds itself leading the Pac-12 Championship through 18 holes of golf. Stanford women's golf was the only team to find any type of real success during the first round at Palouse Ridge, with weather playing a real factor in scoring on Sunday.
Temperatures were nearly freezing when play began, with it climbing into the low 40s when Stanford teed off around 10 am. It eventually warmed up into the 50s, but winds remained steady at 15-20 miles per hour all day long in Pullman. 55 golfers entered the field from the 11 teams in the conference, and only five were sub-par on Sunday.
Fortunately for Stanford, two of those five are Cardinal, and another two were even at par, giving Stanford four golfers in the top-10.
continued...
Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Dean Hare / Washington State Athletics
www.gostanford.com
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Spartans Earn The Sweep In Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. – The San José State baseball team (16-23, 11-10 MW) earned the series sweep over Fresno State (25-13, 14-7 MW) with a 9-2 win on Sunday behind two home runs from Hunter Dorraugh and eight innings on the mound from Ethan Ross.
Ross's eight innings in the win on the mound was a career high for the senior left-hander. He struck out two batters in the game.
Dorraugh continued his dominance at the plate, homering twice in the game, including a three-run blast in the ninth inning that put the Spartans up 9-2.
He drove in five runs in the game and homered three times in the series.
The Spartans had five total home runs in the game, starting with Sebastian Orduno who led the game off with a home run in the first inning.
Robert Hamchuk followed later in the inning with a solo shot, his second of the series and seventh of the season.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
ROW | Gaels Compete At The Two Day Triton Invitational
Chula Vista, Calif. - The Saint Mary's Women's Rowing team competed in the Triton Invitational where each boat competed three times over a span of two days.
Starting off the weekend, the Saturday morning race was held first as the 1v8+ came in behind USD and Sacramento State, finishing with a time of 6:45.92. The 2v8+ boat finished with a time of 7:08.59, trailing USD and Sacramento State, and the 1v4+ boat clocked in with a time of 8:35.02, finishing behind both teams.
The Gaels continued to compete on Saturday in the evening, as the 1v8+ team finished 5.53 seconds behind LMU and 9.33 seconds behind USD. SMC took second place in the 2v8+ with a time of 7:07.87. In the 1v4+ race, USD had three boats competing, taking up the first three slots. Saint Mary's came in behind USD and LMU with a time of 8:53.43.
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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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Men's Tennis Celebrates Program Legacy In Final Match
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Competing in their final match in program history, the University of San Francisco men's tennis team gave it their all on their final day of competition, but the Dons ultimately fell to Saint Mary's (8-13, 3-5 WCC), 4-2, on Saturday at California Tennis.
Notably, Paul Theate and Asaf Friedler earned the two singles wins for the green and gold. The day was also dedicated to the two graduating student-athletes - Davide Cortimiglia and Moritz Hoffmann - as USF also celebrated the legacy of the program throughout the afternoon.
RESULTS VS. SAINT MARY'S
Doubles:
Diego Jarry/Paulo Hugo Etchecoin (SMC) def. Davide Cortimiglia/Giovanni Branchetti (USF), 6-3
Mathis Moysan/Thibaud Maxant (SMC) DNF Asaf Friedler/Roman Lafond (USF), 4-4
Carlos Ramos Membrives/Felipe Rincon (SMC) def. Paul Theate/Moritz Hoffmann (USF), 6-1 Order to finish – 3, 1
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Christina Leung
www.usfdons.com
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Broncos Finish Third At WCC Championship
BREMERTON, Wash. - Santa Clara women's golf wrapped up play at the 2024 WCC Women's Golf Championships on a high note with a 6-over 294 final round, their best round of the event and second-best round of the day among the field, to finish the event in third at 32-over 306-296-294--896.
Meva Schmit had the best individual finish for the Broncos with a tie for seventh at 7-over 76-73-74--223.
Pepperdine won the team title at 15-over 879 while the Waves' Lauren Gomez captured individual medalist honors at 3-under 213.
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS:
Schmit was 2-over 74 in the final round with three birdies to clinch the three-way tie for seventh.
Audrey Brust finished right behind Schmit at 8-over 76-75-73--224 to finish in sole possession of 10th place. She had her best individual round on Sunday with a 1-over 73 that featured four birdies.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
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NO. 48 TIGERS COMEBACK STOPPED BY NO. 41 WAVES
STOCKTON, Calif.- The No. 48 Pacific men's tennis team ended its regular season with a 4-3 loss to No. 41 Pepperdine after the Waves stopped the surging comeback in its tracks. The Tigers prepare for the WCC Tournament in San Diego from Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27 as the conference's three seed.
The Waves narrowly grabbed the doubles point after securing wins on courts one and two. Sophomore Tiago Silva and freshman Christof Schaertlin Coffey took the 6-3 win from court three to even the doubles decision 1-1, but the Waves broke through in the tiebreaker on court one to take the match lead 1-0.
Senior Andre Rodeia got the Tigers on the board behind a 6-2, 6-3 victory on court six. The senior has won his last three singles matches to move to 12-5 on the season. The Waves reclaimed the lead after wins on courts two and five.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.com
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Aggies Finish Off Regular Season
At Stanford
Score: UC Davis 2, GCU 3/ UC Davis 0, #3 Stanford 5
Location: Stanford, CA
Records: UC Davis 16-15, GCU 14-17, #3 Stanford 28-3
The short story: The Ags finished off their regular season at Stanford where they battled it out with GCU and Stanford. The Ags finished their day 0-2 against their competitors going 2-3 against GCU and 0-5 versus Stanford.
WHAT TO KNOW
Tabitha Mitchell and Kimi Waller scored the first points of the day for the Aggies taking home a win against the Lopes on court 2 winning in straight sets 21-16 21-18
Next rounding out the scoring for the Aggies was Morgan Coolbaugh and Lindsay Heller who also secured a straight set victory 21-19 21-19
Colleen Miller & Kylie Miller as well as duo Anna Braun and Kate O'Steen each picked up set wins on their respective courts giving their opponents a good run
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Baseball Shut Out By Coyotes
In Series Finale
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Cal State East Bay baseball concluded a four game CCAA series against Cal State San Bernardino on Sunday as the Coyotes won 15-0 over the Pioneers.
GAME SUMMARY
The Coyotes got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning with three runs and would explode for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to lead 9-0.
CSUSB added six more runs over the course of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings for the final score of 15-0.
The Pioneers would get runners into scoring position in the third and seventh innings but could not plate the runners. CSUEB was limited to only three hits on Sunday.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
Justine Willard / KLC Fotos
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Tinsley Island Summer Sailing
A Once In A Lifetime Experience
This once-in-a-lifetime sleepaway sailing camp experience is designed for beginner and intermediate sailors. Sailors will spend the week learning to sail RS Teras, RS Quests, Lasers and Windsurfers. Other camp activities and games will include kayaking, paddle boarding, land games and pool time. Tinsley Island camp runs Monday through Friday. Girls and boys sleep in separate bunkhouse rooms with instructor supervision. Camps enjoy three gourmet meals per day, prepared by the camp chef.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.stfyc.com
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | |
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ONE!
Shaquille O'Neal attempted 22 three-pointers in his entire career and converted only one. It is hard to imagine a player with 11,196 buckets in his NBA career had only one 3-pointer, isn't it?
It was on February 16, 1996 when the Orlando Magic inbounded the ball with two seconds left.
"One of the ugliest bank shots ever in the history of
the NBA was made by Shaq."
This link, https://bit.ly/3fHX6wP, will take you to his shot...Shaq's final points were scored as a Boston
Celtic in 2011. None involved a 3-pointer.
This link, https://bit.ly/3yv5Xun, will take you to
many more of Shaq's facts.
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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San Francisco Giants 3, Arizona Diamondbacks 5, April 21, 2024. Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
Oakland A’s 2, St. Louis Cardinals 3, April 16, 2024.
Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.
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.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 22, through
Sunday, April 28, 2024
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Monday, April 22
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ New York Yankees, 10:05 a.m.
Tuesday, April 23
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ New York Yankees, 4:05 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets, 12:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ New York Yankees, 4:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 25
Oakland A's @ New York Yankees, 4:05 p.m.
Friday, April 26
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:15 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Baltimore Orioles, 4:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 27
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Nashville SC, 5:30 p.m.
Bay FC @ San Diego Wave FC, 7 p.m.
Oakland Roots vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 7 p.m.
Sunday April 28
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Baltimore Orioles, 10:35 a.m.
Bay Area Panthers @ San Diego Strike Force, 3:05 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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