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December 11 -- December 17, 2023
Issue No. 515
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Deebo Samuel scored two TDs and Brock Purdy threw for a career-best 368 yards as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks,
28-16, to improve to 10-3 and a lead in the NFL West
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49ers --
NFL's Best
by Bruce Macgowan
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Yes, right now the 49ers are the NFL’s best team. No question. No debate. Anyone who saw the way they eviscerated the homesteading Eagles in Philadelphia on December 3rd and then followed it up a week later with a scrappy win at home over Seattle would have to agree.
While this club features at least a dozen Pro Bowl candidates, what also makes the 49ers so special are those intangible qualities that can't always be summed up by statistics. Analytics may be all the rage in pro sports these days, but they don’t measure heart, sacrifice, teamwork and passion. Watch this team closely and you’ll see these qualities in action.
The Niners scored six TDs on six straight possessions against the Eagles, turning The Link into a mausoleum which led to a mass exodus of hardcore Eagles’ fans in the early fourth quarter. Then against Seattle, the 49ers kept their poise by overcoming penalties and bad breaks to stave off the determined Seahawks.
As far as individual talent goes -- while Travis Kelce of KC is still considered the gold standard for NFL tight ends, is he a better blocking tight end than George Kittle?
The guy with the flowing blonde locks loves running over people after catching passes and made a couple of crushing blocks that led to scores by the explosive Deebo Samuel the last couple of weeks.
As for Samuel, he’s one of the most exciting and versatile players in the game. The guy is like a bolt of lightning. Give him just a little opening and he can turn a short pass into a stunning, streaking score. Speaking of scoring, Deebo has piled up five TDs in the last two wins.
The Niners best route runner and possession receiver is young veteran Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk was in coach Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse a few seasons ago because of lackluster practicing habits. Shanahan pulled him aside and whatever advice he gave must have stuck because Aiyuk has caught passes for over 1000 yards in each of the last two seasons.
But running back Christian McCaffrey is probably the most impactful player on this team and in the league. On the first play of scrimmage against the Seahawks, McCaffrey brought a roaring sellout crowd at Levi's Stadium out of their seats with a weaving, stunning tackle-breaking run of 73 yards to set up a short TD one play later. Even though he’s only 5 '11" tall, McCaffrey knows how to dart through holes so quickly and then sometimes drag tacklers an extra four-five yards. McCaffrey comes from good athletic stock. His mom played sports in her youth and his dad, Ed, was a brilliant wide receiver for both the 49ers and Broncos.
And it’s still mind boggling that a soft spoken, baby faced 23-year-old who was the last player taken in the draft a couple of years ago is now the best quarterback in the league. And think about it; had it not been for injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo last season, would Brock Purdy still be sitting on the bench this year? But Purdy is no fluke. People forget that he started four years at Iowa State, which plays at the highest level of college football. Purdy may look as if he’s only 18, but he plays as if he were 28. How could so many pro scouts have missed the guy who was the last player taken in the 2022 draft?
On the other side of the ball, premier pass rusher Nick Bosa is happy to draw double teams and usually the best opposing offensive linemen. Bosa also flashed some amazing moves that have left offensive lineman shaking their heads as he spun around them or bull rushed through them on his way to terrorizing the quarterback.
Linebacker Fred Warner is as good as any player at his position in 49er history. He always seems to be around the ball, making or finishing off tackles, tipping passes or grabbing an occasional interception. Dre Greenlaw meanwhile, is one of the fiercest defenders in the game. His play was a little over the top when he body slammed an Eagles ball carrier near the sidelines, but he seems to set the tone much in the same manner as the great Draymond Green does for the NBA Warriors.
The secondary is also outstanding. There’s a reason the 49ers spent a boatload of cash to bring in defensive back Charvarius Ward. In the Thanksgiving night win at Seattle a few weeks back, Ward stuck to the Seahawks premier wideout DJ Metcalf like a magnet, rendering him practically useless all night. But Ward suffered a groin injury early in the win over Seattle so he might miss a few games.
Imaginative young veteran head coach Kyle Shanahan loves to use his options with a dash of trickery, and he’s got a very respectable O-line which includes future Hall of Famer Trent Williams at the all- important left tackle spot.
With all of these great players to root for, 49er fans are confident that, “This is our year!”
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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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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Josh Nickel, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).
Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Arnie Passman, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff,
Shelia Young
Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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"Follow Me," said #71, Trent Williams
And Christian McCaffery said: "Yes, Sir!" and ran the first play of the game 72 yards to the three-yard line. And Jordan Mason said: "Yes, Sir," and ran in for a Touchdown. 7-0, San Francisco, 57 seconds into the game.
Regardless of respective W-L records, we knew it would be a slugfest. The Niners bolted out in front but eight plays and 75 yards later, Seattle would tie the score on a TD pass from Drew Lock to DK Metcalf and then take the lead as the 49ers had trouble with the Seahawks run game, which resulted in a field goal and a 10-7 Seattle lead toward the end of the first quarter. After the 49ers started to stuff the run, Seattle punted to the SF 13-yard line. A CMC run and rainbow-style long pass to Deebo Samuel in full stride combined for a 49ers touchdown and a 14-10 halftime lead.
The second half started with a series of punts, with one incredible run on a fake punt by Mitch Wishnowski called back due to a penalty. Line play was rugged and Clelin Ferrell stuffed Lock for a one-yard loss before Lock connected with Lockett (Seattle always seems to have a Lockett – and they're always good). However, Seattle was forced to punt and the 49ers took over on their own 25. After exchanges, Purdy connected with Aiyuk, CMC ran behind Trent, Deebo ran a pass to the One and polished it off with a TD run behind Trent: 21-10, San Francisco.
Seattle rebounded and on three plays went 78 yards for a TD. They elected to go for a 2-point conversion which failed. 21-16, San Francisco. The 49ers resumed the festivities with a short pass by Purdy to Deebo, which he turned into 30 yards to end the third quarter. Brock then found a wide-open George Kittle who raced in for a 44-yard score: 28-16, 49ers (the Final Score).
A key interception stopped any potential Seahawk comeback, as did Bosa, who was in Lock's grill all game. A big sack by #5, Niner newbie Randy Gregory, and an interception by Fred Warner after Chase Young hit Lock's arm, sealed the deal. The hot-headed Metcalf started a brawl which was quickly brought under control, and both he and Lenoir were ejected (Lenoir, unfairly). It was moot, and Jordan Mason ran for eight yards and then a first down to send Pete Carroll and friends back to the Seattle Fish Market.
The 49ers had six 30-plus yard plays, which included CMC's 72-yard run and passes of 54, 45, 30 and 44 yards to a panoply of recipients. Brock Purdy finished 19-27, a career-high 368 passing yards and a 122.1 QBR.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
2023 Week 14 YouTube Condensed Game (14:22)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtY3IGszeDE
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
Much Ado about Alabama
There is much ado about Alabama being chosen over Florida State for the College Playoffs. The standard line is that the playoff selection committee went for TV revenue over record in their decision.
I would like to suggest a different criterion: what teams have the best chance of winning the championship? From that point of view, I think they got it right. Alabama is a much better team now than earlier in the season. It would not be a great shock to see any of these four teams come out on top. Even Ohio State and Georgia might be preferred over Florida State by that measure. The playoff slot should not be a prize for a good season. Florida State will remain undefeated, and at most one of the others will. My personal favorite is Washington.
Next year’s 12 team playoff will be easier. A subjective judgment about who is 12th best won’t be easy but will be less consequential than a judgment about who is fourth.
Gary Venter
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Cal (WBB) Bears 76, Nevada Wolf Pack 49
Cal (WBB) Bears 70, Gonzaga Bulldogs 78, OT
Special Features
Sports Today Goes TikTok, by Ammar Bhaiji
Features & Commentary
49ers -- NFL Best, by Bruce Macgowan
A Modest Proposal, by Howard Pearlstein
Carl Lewis, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Hoodslam Oakland, by Rich Yee
Ohtani is Going to Hollywood, by Amaury Pi-Gonzales
Spread Christmas Cheer -- Your Support is Welcome!
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Organizations
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Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden Gate Fields
Golden State Warriors
Oakland A's
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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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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A professional freestyle mountain biker dreamed of defying gravity on a massive wooden loop he built with his friends and crowd-sourced funds. The short story? Gravity won. | |
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Dear Reader --
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or send to: Christopher Weills, Publisher,
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Sports Today
thanks the following generous donors!
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Exclusive Discount Offer:
Giants Baseball Camps
Gift an unforgettable summer to the young ballplayer in your life. Use promo code HOLIDAY50 to save $50 on Giants Baseball
Camps this summer.
Hit a home run with this exclusive holiday offer! Valid for
first 50 redemptions.
Giants Baseball Camps are open to all children 4-13 years old at different locations across Northern California.
2024 Giants Baseball Camp Includes:
- Two (2) tickets to the Camper Reunion Game on Sunday, August 11 at Oracle Park. The Giants face off against the Tigers with first pitch at 1:05 p.m. Exclusive pregame event will feature a current or alumni player and Q&A session.
- Autographed headshot of a current Giants player
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continued...
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The A’s held the first overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft and selected
right-hander Mitch Spence from the Yankees’ Triple-A roster.
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A's leave Winter Meetings with perspective,
new pitcher
Martín Gallegos @MartinJGallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter.
To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to receive
it regularly in your inbox.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The activity was rather subdued for the A’s, and most teams for that matter, during the Winter Meetings. However, that’s not to say that they did not get some productive work done over the past few days.
Oakland's front office contingent, led by general manager David Forst, departed the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon, heading back home without having added to their roster outside of a Rule 5 Draft selection. But while no moves were made, there was groundwork laid for potential shake-ups in the coming weeks.
“It’s not sexy to say, 'We got a lot done,'” Forst said. “Frankly, [no clubs] consummated too much while we were here. But I feel like we can go back to the office next week and figure out where we’re headed because of the conversations we had here.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.athletics.com
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Author Dave Newhouse, Bettina Flores and author Andy Dolich
at an Oakland book signing
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Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story | |
Former Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani has signed a contract worth $700 million for ten years on Sat Dec 9, 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers the largest contract in professional sports | | |
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Ohtani is Going to Hollywood -- 10 Years for $700 Million
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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Today, Saturday, December 9, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year $700 million contract. Largest ever in American sports.
During a wild and furious December 8, Friday afternoon, rumors swirled about the Toronto Blue Jays signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Some believed Ohtani had boarded a plane from Santa Ana, California, to Toronto, Canada.
Others refute such information, saying that Ohtani remained in Southern California. The Los Angeles Dodgers had their eyes on Shohei Ohtani since he was in high school in Japan. They made him the centerpiece of this off-season and will have him in the lineup in 2024. They hope to have him back after surgery to pitch in 2025.
The Dodgers will open the checkbook and invest over a half billion dollars on Shohei, and now they are after a pitcher or two who could help that rotation, which is short for the Dodgers; they are after Dylan Cease, and if they even want to spend more money, the Japanese free agent right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which would be close to a $300 million investment. Yamamoto is just 25 years of age and the best pitcher in Japan. In seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, he is 70-29 with a sensational 1.82 ERA and 922 strikeouts.
The 2024 Major League Baseball season (MLB) is scheduled to begin on March 20–21 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held in Seoul, South Korea, before the regular season proper runs from March 28 to September 29. You can bet, Ohtani will be the DH for the Dodgers in Korea.
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Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness
Vol. 56: Coaches Are Saying The Quiet Part About 'NIL' Out Loud
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The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
by Darren Heitner
Founder of HEITNERLEGAL
NC State's head football coach Dave Doeren sent out a plea to fans.
He asked 5,000 of them to donate $1,000 per person to NIL collectives that very overtly support athletes at the school that employs Doeren.
He said that the request was made so that NC State's football program can "recruit, retain and develop."
There was no sugarcoating the purpose of his call to action.
If you do the simple math, Doeren is asking for a total contribution of $5 million so that collectives tied to NC State can embark on "NIL" or, in his words, to "recruit, retain and develop." Stated otherwise, it's to persuade high school athletes to commit to NC State and convince current athletes at the school to remain there as opposed to leaving for a competitor through the transfer portal.
It just so happens that Doeren earns $5 million annually through his contract with NC State. The school is responsible for paying his salary, but has zero obligation and cannot, under the NCAA's interim NIL policy, compensate athletes under the guise of "NIL." Similarly, Doeren is precluded from contributing any of his salary to be redirected to athletes at the school. And who knows if he would be so gratuitous even if he were allowed to send some cash to his players.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Cal Bears 76
Nevada Wolf Pack 49
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley
Saturday, December 9
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Cal Bears senior guard McKayla Williams scored a team-high 20 points to lead the Bears to a 76-49 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, December 9th at Haas Pavilion. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
Sports Today Goes TikTok! | |
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Sports Today has ventured into the TikTok realm with Cal Football Fan, a TikTok account dedicated to covering Cal Football. This and next season you can expect all sorts of Cal Football content, including commentary, game recaps, and TikToks covering Cal Football alumni who are in the NFL currently or were at some point in time.
Keep checking our TikTok account, Cal Football Fan, and please feel free to follow our account and share with Cal alums, football fans, or anyone you think would enjoy it. Additionally, feel free to comment on content that you’d like to see, as feedback is always encouraged! We can be reached at theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com.
https://www.tiktok.com/@cal.football.fan?_t=8gdIUGofPpO&_r=1
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California Memorial Stadium Berkeley | |
Creator Ammar Bhaiji is a Cal alumni who graduated in the Spring of 2023. Ammar majored in public health and hopes to attend medical school in the future, but is taking some time to explore other passions, including social media and football. Outside of sports and social media reporting, Ammar enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and hanging
out with friends.
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Cal Bears 70,
Gonzaga Bulldogs 78
Overtime at Haas Pavilion, Berkeley
Thursday, December 7
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Cal Bears guard Lelani McIntosh scored 13 points and handed out 11 assists during the Bears' 78-70 overtime loss to the 23rd ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday, December 7th at Haas Pavilion. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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A Modest Proposal
by Howard Pearlstein
Have a little patience. Read the following as maybe a good way to take a step back and see the bigger picture, understand this good thing that’s happening with our NBA Warriors. Might be a Heresy against the Basketball gods, but nonetheless, here it is: Forget
Win-Loss, at least for a while. It’s not relevant.
What IS relevant is the dance, a game in which players get to know more of what to expect from other players. It’s still evolving, not yet fully functional with key players out with injuries, and exacerbated by being in middle of one of the dumbest, most cynical shallow side-step shiny distractions ever made up to avoid facing the real issue: the need to decrease the number of games in a season.
Instead of making an actual change to preserve the physical health of the players from seasonal bruising and battering, like taking it down to around 70 games, they – the Lords of the NBA -- have come up with a trick that demands post-season intensity right now, and actually increases the likelihood of injury and exhaustion.
Why? It’s money, honey. What else?
The In Season Tournament created with a mystical system of scoring wins and loss so complicated and anti-intuitive, you might think it came from the Illuminatus Division of the IRS. The whole idea that you can win a game and lose (or conversely, lose a game and win) because of the relative number of points by which the opposition won its other games AND by a greater (or lesser) average than that rivals the most picayune, problematic and esoteric elements of tax law.
The In Season Tournament is to basketball like M&M’s on pizza, or chocolate-covered Matzoh. Whatever it is, it ain’t pizza or Matzoh (the Bread of Affliction eaten to remind us of our ancestors’ bitter slavery). And it definitely ain’t NBA.
Of course it winds up in Las Vegas, land of shiny slot machines, high-priced whores and sleazoids like John A Fissure. (FYI: this was my odious view of it back when it looked like the Dubs might win it.)
It’s just a distraction. I remember as a child, I was taken to see Eleanor Roosevelt. The Great Lady’s speech was rudely and profanely interrupted. She simply stepped over that foolishness with one word: “nonetheless,” and continued on to the end.
So: “nonetheless.” Let’s watch Steve Kerr developing a system in which the team is, essentially, 10 starters, or maybe, two starting teams, allowing a flexible variety of mix-and-match combinations changing as needed, matching particular talents against particulars of the opposition, adding a fair amount of, “who is this guy?” to the problems of the defense. Add in the demanding constant motion, with the resting and rotating in and out to increase stamina, stay off final quarter fatigue and keep a leading score from vaporizing into a loss.
So put Win-Loss aside for a spell. Will it all work? The recent Blazers game, pulling out a win after 46+ minutes without a lead, tells me maybe it could. Every player doesn’t have to know the moves of every other player, as long as Draymond does.
Which may be why Timberwolf Rudy Gobert bragged before that fateful Dubs game that he could trap Draymond into a T or 2. Get Jaden McDaniels to start the fight. (How often does a player actually tear another player’s jersey?) So Gobert puts his hands around Klay’s throat and Draymond needed a handle to pull Gobert off Klay: Gobert’s throat. And that was that.
A suspension made of pure crap.
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Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Carl Lewis -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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When Olympic Track & Field star Carl Lewis was doing a book signing tour in San Francisco I went to see him. I took along two magazine pages that had incredible photos of him in the Olympics. I bought one of his books and had him sign it along with the two photos I brought with me. He was very nice and signed everything. Carl Lewis has won nine Olympic gold medals and one Olympic silver medal. He was once named “Olympian of the Century” by Sports Illustrated.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Quakes & Santa Clara County Plan to Build State-of-the Art Public Soccer Fields
Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez, 17-year-old Homegrown Player Edwyn Mendoza, and President Jared Shawlee were joined today by Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and City of San Jose leaders to unveil the details of a major signed agreement allowing Santa Clara County and the San Jose Earthquakes organization to partner with the City of San Jose to develop four public, lighted state-of-the-art soccer fields on Santa Clara County’s Fairground property near Umbarger
& Monterey Roads.
In addition to the public fields, the San Jose Earthquakes plan to lease approximately 14 of the 30 acres for the team’s new training facility & four professional quality soccer fields.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sjearthquakes.com
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Your Tickets Are Waiting
Whether you are getting them for yourself or as a gift for a loved one this holiday season, make sure to get your tickets now! Prices may increase as events approach and our hospitality experiences sell out!
**Stay Tuned for more information on Ferrari Challenge and
GRIDLIFE Coming Soon**
Trans Am Speedfest
The Trans Am Series has been thrilling fans and drivers alike since 1966, with a range of classes that include production-based entries all the way up to the iconic 850-plus horsepower Trans Am class. Come see America’s muscle like Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers competing against European-based Audi and Mercedes-AMG for racing honors on Monterey County’s iconic racecourse, Trans Am’s spiritual Monterey home.
Supporting the modern-day racing is a full grid of the original Historic Trans Am racers of the past that made the series so dominating. These historic Trans Am cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s will once again roar to life on the same track where driving legends once competed in door-to-door and paint-swapping action.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.weathertechraceway.com
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New Racing Surface to Greet Drivers at Sonoma Raceway; Bay Cities Paving & Grading
to Repave Iconic Racing Surface
Photo courtesy Brandy Falconer
SONOMA, Calif. (December 5, 2023) – Racers and fans are about to be treated to a newly paved surface at California’s busiest racing facility.
Sonoma Raceway announced today a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to providing the best racing experience for fans and drivers alike. The world-renowned road course will undergo a comprehensive repaving project in preparation for the June 7-9, 2024 NASCAR race weekend.
“Our racing surface is in use more than 300 days per year,” said Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “While our headline event is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, our raceway is used by car clubs, automotive enthusiasts, corporate clients and manufacturers on a daily basis. It’s important that we continue to upgrade this first-class facility for everyone who comes to Sonoma Raceway.”
Local area business Bay Cities Paving & Grading of Concord, CA has been awarded the contract for the project.
“We’re thrilled to have our repaving project managed by a Bay Area company,” Flynn said. “This is part of our continuing effort to work within our community while producing world-class events that bring in guests from around the country and the world.”
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
www.sonomaraceway.com
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Chancery Way wins the Bear Fan Stakes for $75,000 Guaranteed running 6 furlongs in 1:09.81 with Evin Roman in the saddle and Jamey R. Thomas training the 4 Y.O. Owned by Andy Smolich or Rob Smolich. Vassar Photography / Ronnie Wackerly | |
Wikipedia – “Hoodslam is an underground professional wrestling which takes place in Oakland. Created in 2010 by Sam Khandaghabadi as a regular gathering for wrestlers who wanted to perform edgier acts for adults, Hoodslam quickly became a popular event in the Bay Area, attracting over 1,000 attendees at each monthly performance. Hoodslam performances combine the athleticism and tropes of professional wrestling with more bizarre, absurd characters, as well as profanity, sexuality, and public consumption of drugs and alcohol, which are not considered appropriate at mainstream professional wrestling events.” -- Photo by Rich Yee. | |
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Bears Handle Nevada, 76-49
Williams Has Career High 20 Points, Four 3-Pointers,
Six Assists
BERKELEY – The California women's basketball team used a dominant defensive effort to extend its winning streak to six games against Nevada in a wire-to-wire 76-49 victory at Haas Pavilion Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bears held the Wolf Pack to just 28.1% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. Cal hit 12 3-pointers on 42.9% shooting – both season highs.
McKayla Williams had a stellar all-around game, leading all scorers with career-highs of 20 points (7-of-8) and four 3-pointers. Williams also added a career-high six assists along with six rebounds. Leilani McIntosh poured in 17 points with eight assists and a season-high five steals. Lulu Laditan-Twidale and Kemery Martín also scored in double figures with 11 points each.
Cal held Nevada to just six points on 17.6% shooting in the first quarter. Consecutive 3-pointers from Williams and Martín fueled a 13-0 run, giving the Bears a 15-2 lead at the 3:38 mark. The Wolf Pack had a stretch of 0-for-11 from the field before hitting a jumper at the 2:22 mark. A McIntosh layup with under two minutes to go stretched Cal's lead to 16 points going into the second quarter.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
Photo: Darren Yamashita, Ultimate Sports Guide
www.calbears.com
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Fischer Named NCAA Top 10 Award Recipient
Former standout Aria Fischer selected as recipient of NCAA Today’s Top 10 Award
STANFORD, Calif. - Former Cardinal standout Aria Fischer has been selected as a recipient of the NCAA Today's Top 10 Award, recognizing student-athletes for their exceptional athletic and academic achievements, as well as their contributions to their campuses and communities.
Fischer will be honored at the NCAA Convention on Jan. 10 in Phoenix, Arizona, and joined by fellow awardees Kobe Brown (Missouri), Callie Dickinson (Georgia), Divonne Franklin (Pennsylvania Western University, California), Noah Gulden (Lipscomb), Sydney Packard (Worcester Polytechnic Institute), Ashley Rogers (Tennessee), Trinity Thomas (Florida), Anika Washburn (Case Western Reserve) and Turner Washington (Arizona State).
NCAA Today's Top 10 awardees were selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, composed of representatives from member schools and conferences, as well as nationally distinguished citizens, including past awardees.
continued...
By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, click HERE.
www.gostanford.com
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AMEY JR., CARDENAS POWER SPARTANS PAST NEW ORLEANS
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Myron (MJ) Amey Jr. scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Alvaro Cardenas had a double-double of 16 points and a career-high 10 assists to lead the San José State men's basketball team (6-5, 0-0 MW) in an 87-82 win over New Orleans (4-5, 0-0 SLC) on Saturday afternoon.
Cardenas' double-double was his second in as many games and the second of his career as he had 22 points and 10 rebounds at North Dakota State on Dec. 4.
Cardenas is now 10th all-time for most career assists at SJSU with 261.
18 of Amey Jr.'s points came in the first half, including a two-minute stretch where he scored 11 straight points for the Spartans.
Amey Jr. knocked down four 3-pointers in a game for the second time this season.
The Spartans scored on 13 of their final 15 possessions and made four key free throws in the final minute.
continued...
For a full report, click HERE.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
WBB | Gaels Lead Wire to Wire in Win Over Montana State
MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball led from the opening tip to the final buzzer in a 59-53 win over Montana State on Friday night. The Gaels largest lead was 18 early in the fourth quarter, before a 7-0 run by the Bobcats late in the contest the made the final score closer than the game really was.
SMC shot 47.9% from the field and kept Montana State to just 32.7% shooting on the night. Freshman Emily Foy led the Gaels with 15 points on five three pointers for her first collegiate game in double figures scoring.
LEADING WIRE TO WIRE
The Gaels scored five seconds into the game as Ali Bamberger tapped the opening tip to Zeryhia Aokuso before she hit a pull-up jumper, and they would slowly build their lead from there.
They led 14-11 after the first quarter, and kept the Bobcats to just eight points in the second to lead 30-19 at the half. Foy's second three pointer of the night put Saint Mary's up by eight early in the second quarter, and Ali Bamberger's first bucket of the game gave the Gaels their first double-digit lead at 21-11 with 6:35 to go in the half.
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For a full report, click HERE.
#GaelsRise --- Photo/Tod Fierner
www.smcgaels.com
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Three Reach Double Figures as Dons Fall to Northern Arizona
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Despite having three players reach double figures, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team (2-7) dropped a hard-fought battle to Northern Arizona (6-3), falling 92-76 Saturday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Luana Leite put San Francisco on the board right after the opening tip, scoring on a driving layup seven seconds into the game. The Dons continued to grow their advantage the following minute, extending the lead to 7-2 after Debora dos Santos connected on a free-throw attempt at the 8:33 mark.
Northern Arizona quickly took its first lead, using a 6-0 run to jump ahead, 8-7, at the 6:56 mark of the period. The Dons regained the lead shortly after when Cami Fulcher knocked down a long three-point basket, giving the team a 10-8 advantage.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.usfdons.com
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Men's Hoops Takes On New Mexico This Saturday
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Another Bronco is going pro. Santa Clara women's soccer's Annie Karich has signed a professional contract with SC Freiburg in Germany and will join the team after the fall quarter.
Karich was an impact player in her two years at Santa Clara. After moving from midfielder to center back this season, Karich was named the 2023 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-WCC and First Team All-West Region. She had a pair of goals to go with two assists while starting all 21 games.
She made her presence felt right away, being named the 2022 WCC Freshman of the Year while also taking home First Team All-WCC and WCC All-Freshman honors that year. Karich was selected Second Team All-Region. She led the team as a freshman with eight assists.
Karich is now one of seven Broncos playing overseas with another seven playing in the NWSL.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.santaclarabroncos.com
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
PACIFIC’S ROAD WOES CONTINUE AFTER FALLING AT FRESNO STATE
FRESNO, Calif. - Pacific men's basketball (4-7) ended its three game, two-week traveling slate by falling to Fresno State (5-4) 89-56. The Tigers have a week off before hosting UC Davis at home on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Junior forward Cam Denson led the Tigers with 14 points, shooting 7-11 from the floor. Senior guard Donovan Williams added nine points off two three pointers and some free throws, while senior forward Judson Martindale led Pacific with six rebounds.
The Tigers found some life from their bench, which produced 26 points in the effort. Graduate student guard Greg Outlaw put up seven points coming off the bench, going 2-2 from beyond the arc in the first half. Freshman guard Tan Yildizoglu produced seven points coming out of halftime. He ended the evening 3-5 from the floor, while leading Pacific with three assists.
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For a full report, click HERE.
www.pacifictigers.com
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UC Davis Edged by Milwaukee, 81-79
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Evanne Turner posted a double-double in what was her best performance of the season, but it wasn't enough, as last season's PAC-12 tournament champions Washington State remained unbeaten inside Beasley Coliseum in its 77-52 win on Friday night.
Evanne Turner poured in a season-high 20 points while grabbing a team-high boards in an excellent night for the senior. She netted four of her eight attempts from deep and went 8-of-19 from the field.
In addition to Turner's impressive performance, the Aggies (2-5) were led by Megan Norris, who totaled five points, nine rebounds and two blocks, and by Tova Sabel, who added six points. Sydney Burns notched nine points while making three of her six shots on the night.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
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Pioneer Women's Basketball Wins Thriller on Saturday, 82-80
POMONA, Calif. - In the closing seconds of a CCAA game on Saturday afternoon, the Cal State East Bay women's basketball team took an 82-80 lead over Cal Poly Pomona after a driving layup by Camryn Washington. Although the Broncos had one more opportunity to score, the Pioneers prevailed with a thrilling 82-80 win at Kellogg Arena.
GAME SUMMARY
For the first eight minutes of the game, both CSUEB and the Broncos traded points until Pioneers took an 18-15 on a Lailah Carey 3-pointer with 1:24 left in the first quarter. By the end of the quarter, the Pioneers led 22-17.
In the second quarter, the Broncos started on a 10-2 run, capped by a Mydrea Moore layup with 6:28 left in the half, to take the lead at 27-24 and ultimately led 36-30 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Broncos would start the quarter on a 22-12 run, capped by a Dalayja Hurt-Floyd layup, to lead 58-42, with 1:36 left in the quarter as they finished the quarter ahead 60-48.
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For a full report, click HERE.
Photo/Rob Edwards / KLC foto
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PRESS INFORMATION
A CELEBRATION OF WORLD-CLASS RACING
Widely regarded as the West Coast’s premier regatta, the Rolex Big Boat Series features four days of world-caliber competition for buoy and stadium-style racing at St. Francis Yacht Club on San Francisco Bay. From its inception, the Rolex Big Boat Series has been the annual showcase of what is “big” in west coast sailing. As sailing trends evolve, so too does the regatta. It remains on the cutting edge of sailing by continually adding new classes and championships to its lineup.
A REWARDING HISTORY
Founded in 1964, the inaugural Big Boat Series regatta attracted nine yachts, with Jim Wilhite’s Sparkman & Stephens 63ft yawl Athene claiming the St. Francis Perpetual Trophy after a narrow victory over Jim Kilroy’s Kialoa II. In 1972, another perpetual trophy—the Richard Rheem Trophy—was added to the competition and awarded to Bill Clute’s Ericson 39, Chiquita. The fourth perpetual, the Keefe-Kilborn Memorial Trophy, was added in 1976 and awarded to Lucian Taylor’s Peterson 40 Racy. In 1978 (with a then-record of 46 entries), the Atlantic Trophy was added and won by Bill Sullivan’s Peterson 43 Blue Norther. In 2004, the Commodore’s Cup was added and is now awarded to the winner of the largest one-design fleet in the series. Chris Perkins and Dave Wilson’s J/105, Good Timin’, won the inaugural trophy.
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For a full report, click HERE.
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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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Hoodslam Oakland. December 4, 2023.
Photos by Rich Yee.
Cal (WBB) Bears 76, Nevada Wolf Pack 49, December 9, 2023. Photos by Darren Yamashita..
Cal (WBB) Bears 70, Gonzaga Bulldogs 78, December 7, 2023.
Photos by Darren Yamashita.
Cal (WBB) Bears 74, Saint Mary’s Gaels 69, December 2, 2023. Photos by Darren Yamashita.
Stanford Cardinal (FB) 23, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 56, November 25, 2023. Photos and captions by Alex Ho.
Cal Bears (FB) 33, UCLA Bruins 7. November 25, 2023.
Photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
Golden State Warriors 118, San Antonio Spurs 112, November 24, 2023. Photos and captions by Rich Yee.
Cal Bears (WBB) 74, San Jose State Spartans 51, November 24, 2023. Photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
UC Davis Aggies (FB) 31, Sacramento State Hornets 21, November 18, 2023. Photos and captions by Ron Sellers.
Cal Bears (MBB) 60, Montana State Bobcats 63. November 17, 2023. Photos and captions by Ron Sellers.
Saint Mary’s Gaels (MBB) 57, Weber State Warriors 61, November 12, 2023. Photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
Cal Bears (FB) 42, Washington State Cougars 39, November 11, 2023. Photos and captions by Ron Sellers.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, December 11, through
Sunday, December 17, 2023
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Monday, December 11
Tuesday, December 12
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13
Thursday, December 14
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 5:15 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 15
San Jose Sharks @ Arizona Coyotes, 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 16
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets, 5:30 p.m.
Cal Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders, Independence Bowl, 6:15 p.m.
Sunday, December 17
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers, 6 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Colorado Avalanche, 5 p.m.
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Enjoy the
Ultimate Sports Guide website!
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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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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Call (510) 414-5394 or write acooke3495@aol.com
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Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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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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