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June 17 -- June 23, 2024

Issue No. 542

Publisher: Christopher Weills

Marketing Director: Robert Moselle

Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski

Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, 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, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young

Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim, Ammar Bhaiji

Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net

Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Letters to the Editor

Sports Jeopardy

Today's Most Disappointed Athlete for $1,000

Correct answer: Who is Rory Mcllroy?


Commentary on "Live from the U.S. Open" Golf Channel: "Bryson

DeChambeau can't believe his luck today. The door was open and he walked through. Rory succumbed to the pressure with a lack of focus." 


“Probably the best shot of my life,’’ DeChambeau said afterward. "This will be the highlight of my life. I still can’t believe it.’’


Meanwhile, Mcllroy bolted from the clubhouse with tears in his eyes, went straight into his courtesy car and drove away without having spoken to anyone. As exhilarating as this win was for DeChambeau, "...on the Rory side, it felt like a Shakespearean tragedy."


It's been 10 years and 37 tries since his last win at a Major championship. Mcllroy held a one-shot lead on the 16th hole and missed a par putt from inside three feet out, one of two costly putting errors during the final four holes of the day. On the 18th, another short putt rimmed around the edge of the cup and stayed out, to give DeChambeau the chance to win the tournament. 


DeChambeau is not eligible to participate in the Olympics, as the Olympics uses a points system which does not allow LIV-tour players to be counted for the World Standings. Bryson knew that when he jumped ship for the big money. C'est la vie. It's the U.S. Open. Of local note, DeChambeau was born in Modesto and moved to Clovis, where he attended Clovis High School.


Robert A. Moselle

Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/ 


Dubs Time: 6/20/22

Warriors 21-0 Run UNCUT vs Celtics -- Game 6

"If you're feelin' a little blue, this YouTube video is the perfect elixir."

Or to quote Jackie Gleason, "How Sweet It Is!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwdiky5Zcw (5:20)


Jerry Monkman

South San Francisco

Donate Today -- Click Here!

Contents

Games

Bay FC 0, Utah Royals FC 1

Oakland Roots 3, Sacramento Republic FC 2

Oakland Soul SC 2, California Storm 2

San Jose Earthquakes 2, FC Cincinnati 4


Features & Commentary

Baseball -- Still in the Soul of America, by Bruce Macgowan

Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, by Ed Jay

Gaylord Perry, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff

It Was A Big Deal In Chicago, by Howard Pearlstein

Jim Zelinski, by Andy Dolich

Modern-Day Don Quixote A True Hero, by Dave Newhouse

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



Organizations

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 SC

Oakland Spiders

Saint Mary's College Gaels

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Nighthawks

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

Father's Day Tribute



Baseball --

Still in the Soul

of America




by Bruce Macgowan

A philosopher once wrote, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball. Only baseball could have captured our hearts and minds for the springs and summers of 100 seasons.”

 

Those words were written back in 1969, a year before Monday Night Football and the merger of the National Football league with the old AFL. From that point on football, mainly because it was the perfect sport for television, started to eclipse baseball in overall fan interest.

 

But the time 1969 rolled around, I was a high school senior in the middle of a full-blown love affair with the game. If you were a Giants’ fan in the 1960s, you grew up with Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal and Gaylord Perry, five future Hall of Famers.

 

Throughout much of that decade, there were very few games on television so the hometown radio announcers played a major role.  

 

Here in the Bay Area we had two Hall of Fame broadcasters calling the action; Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons. During baseball’s Golden Decade of the 1960s, they were probably the most popular radio voices in Northern California.

 

My dad gave me a transistor radio for my seventh birthday back in 1959, and I used to plug in a little earphone at night so I could listen to the final innings of games while I was in bed. My interest in baseball and in broadcasting were both born that year and I later carved out a near five-decade career as a sportscaster, most of it in San Francisco. 

 Outfielder Jackie Brandt played for the New York /

San Francisco Giants in 1956-1959


In September of 1959, my dad actually took my brother and me out of school, explaining to the school principal we were going to an important family function.

 

That “function” was actually a Giants-Cubs game at old Seals Stadium in the city. Seals Stadium was an intimate ballpark as it sat about 25,000 fans and had only one deck. I remember we had good seats, about halfway up the grandstand on the first base side.

 

The Giants had only moved from New York to San Francisco the year before, but Bay Area baseball fans were starting a full-blown love affair with the team. And in 1959 the Giants were involved in a tight pennant chase with the Milwaukee Braves and the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

It was a typical San Francisco afternoon for this game, with the familiar “marine layer” cloaking the city while gentle breezes wafted across the diamond. The stretch drive of that 1959 season was intense, so every game took on its own significance.

 

On this day, the Giants seemed to have things well in hand. Future Giants’ manager Felipe Alou cracked a solo homer to open the scoring in the second inning, and in the fourth, sensational rookie Willie McCovey clubbed a long homer over the right field wall.

 

Young Giants left hander Mike McCormick was pitching a gem of a game but after eight innings manager Bill Rigney took him out, probably because McCormick was showing signs of tiring. Sam ‘Toothpick” Jones, who was normally a starter, was brought in to finish the game but the Cubs’ great Ernie Banks had other ideas. Banks quieted the noisy crowd by slashing a game-tying double down the leftfield line. So the score was 3-3 going to the last of the ninth.

 

One of the great things about baseball is that because there are so many games, there’s always a chance a little known player will step up and enjoy a moment of glory. And so it was on this day as backup outfielder Jackie Brandt smashed a game winning opposite field home run to give the Giants a stunning 4-3 win. 

 

For a seven-year- old, it was a thrill I still remember to this day, and I’m always grateful that dad introduced my brother and me to the game by pulling us out of school to watch the Giants play ball. My heart and mind were captured by baseball that day, and my love affair with the game is still going strong.

* * *

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.

A Heartfelt Loss

Jim Zelinski


by Andy Dolich

Four things that can’t be hidden for long. The Sun, Moon, Truth and Jim Zelinski’s focus on teamwork, leadership and trust.


On June 7th the Oakland sports family lost Jim after a long battle with cancer at 65. I have been lucky enough to work with many competitive accomplished professionals in every aspect of the sports business from coast to coast for five decades. Jim’s focus every day in every way was to do everything in his power to keep Oakland’s professional sports teams from abandoning their home at 66th Avenue.


It wasn’t for lack of efforts by Zelinski, his colleagues at Save Oakland Sports (SOS), The Sell Movement, Reverse Boycott Group and many other local grassroots movements over time. Every one of these groups were up against team owners, league executives and local elected officials who could never get on the same page on understanding the true DNA of Oakland as a championship city for the Raiders, A’s, and Warriors.

(L-R) Jim Zelinski, Dave Newhouse, Phil Green, (friend of Phil Green’s), Kenny Mellor (SOS Treasurer), Christopher Dobbins (SOS President), John Lupo (SOS member), Rick Tittle (radio personality and former host of the Raiders and A's pre- and post-game shows),

Gary Flaxman (SOS member).


Jim and I became friends years ago through our positions relating

to mutual frustration with these three groups in working together

to keep Oakland as a vibrant sports city. We also talked at length

about our interest in fishing.


My writing partner, Dave Newhouse and I were lucky enough to

have Jim as part of our book, “Goodbye Oakland-Winning,

Wanderlust and a Sport’s Town’s Fight for Survival”


When I think about Jim Zelinski’s contributions to the history of

Oakland professional sports I’m reminded of this quote.


When Michelangelo was asked how he created the famous statue

of “David” he replied: “David was inside the stone, I just chipped

away all the pieces that weren’t David”


Jim Zelinski was both Michelangelo and David.


* * *

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.

Passing of a Passionate

Sports Advocate



Modern-Day

Don Quixote

A True Hero



by Dave Newhouse


A true champion of Oakland — possibly the truest — was Jim Zelinski, who, sadly, lost a 12-year, three-month battle with bladder cancer June 6, passing away at 65, but defending Oakland until his final breath.


“We need more Jim Zelinski's in the world,” said pro-Oakland supporter Chris Dobbins. “Jim was relentless. He did not mince words and did not hold back his passion or his disdain for those who wronged the City of Oakland.”


Zelinski was a modern-day Don Quixote, jousting with Oakland’s three sports owners, Mark Davis, Joe Lacob and John Fisher, who've abandoned Oakland even though punctured with Zelinski’s verbal thrusts. They weren’t alone in this regard.


“Jim had a knack for asking tough questions of politicians and fans alike,” Dobbins continued. “But true to his word, Jim stopped rooting for the Warriors and Raiders when they left, and he would have stopped rooting for the A’s.”


Zelinski was born in Oakland, grew up in the East Bay, and worked in journalism and public relations. In 2012, Zelinski, Dobbins, Joe Audelo, Jorge Leon and Garth Kimball founded Save Oakland Sports (SOS), which continues to this day even though Oakland appears beyond saving as a major sports town.


When Andy Dolich and I wrote Goodbye, Oakland last year, we devoted part of the book to Oakland’s abandoned sports fans, including Jim Zelinski, who became an addicted fan at 12. Here are some of his thoughts from the book about that addiction, including his offering advice to one of the fleeing owners:


“I called up Mark Davis directly,” he said. “I told Mark, ‘You’ll have excitement in Las Vegas the first couple of years, but you’re going to learn what your father (Al Davis) learned, that the fan base in Oakland and the East Bay is irreplaceable. You’ll never have the same mystique and atmosphere, no matter how hard you try. You’ll be playing in a hermetically sealed dome. You won’t be able to smell the grass or the hot dogs.’ He just listened.”

(L-R) Christopher Dobbins, SOS President; Jim Zelinski, Chris Fry-Lopez, SOS Vice President; Ricky Ricardo, Ricky’s Sports Bar & Grill owner.


But that conversation spoke of Zelinski’s zeal for Oakland. He called up Davis the younger, and got him to listen. How many fans are that successful in even getting an owner on the phone? Don’t bother counting.


“Right now, the NFL needs atmosphere at its games,” Zelinski said for our book. “Football needs to be played in the cold, not under a dome. And where else but Oakland can you go into a parking lot for tailgating, and every socioeconomic level is represented? But Oakland’s fans are the most disrespected, unappreciated fans in the history of professional sports, anywhere in the world.


“People have said to me, ‘You know, Jim, if you were owner of the Raiders, and someone dangled $750 million in front of you in free money, you’d do the same thing.’ I can say this without reservation: I absolutely would not. These teams in Oakland became rich and famous. If Mark Davis had stayed instead of doing what his father did in leaving (earlier for Los Angeles), I would have erected a statue to him.”


With Zelinski’s life ebbing away, he decided to write his own obituary, in part to honor his family.


“I am the proud father of two children,” he wrote, “my son, Nikolas, in his 30s, and my 20-year-old daughter, Ava, who despite her physical and developmental challenges, remains loving, observant, and always wears a smile. I am immensely proud of Ava and cherish being her father.


“My wife, Kelly, whom I’ve loved for 30 years, has been my rock. She not only kept our family afloat with her employment and care, but essentially cared for two disabled people when I could no longer work. Kelly deserves a medal for her unwavering dedication.


“I sincerely apologize to anyone I might have offended or annoyed over the years,” he concluded. “To all my friends and people I have known, I wish you health, success and happiness.”


Zelinski had an impact on people right up to the finish.


“Jim taught me a lot about life,” said Dobbins. “He had three words of wisdom for me: 'Always be professional, always wear a tie, and always call people back.' Those words have guided me well in my law practice and in just being a good citizen.”


Jim Zelinski was a special man.

* * *

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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Bay FC 0

Utah Royals FC 1

PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Bay FC forward Tess Boade (#12) spins around Utah Royals FC forward Ally Sentnor (#9) in the first half. Utah Royals FC defeated Bay FC,

1–0, in a NWSL match at PayPal Park on Sunday, June 16, 2024 in

San Jose, California.  © 2024 Alex Ho. 

Bay FC forward Tess Boade (#12) tries to kick a rebound in front of the Utah goal in the first half. © 2024 Alex Ho

Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji (#9) and Utah Royals FC defender Kate Del Fava (#8) battle for the ball. © 2024 Alex Ho

Utah Royals FC defender Kate Del Fava (#8) heads the ball past Bay FC goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland (#0) in the 89th minute. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.  © 2024 Alex Ho

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San Francisco Giants

The Emmy Award winning San Francisco Giants Productions team traveled to Birmingham to learn more about the history of the Negro Leagues and the impact of baseball on the community in advance of Giants vs. Cardinals game at Rickwood Field on June 20.

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Steph Curry surprises the crowd at African American Night at Oracle Park on Friday, May 31 versus the New York Yankees.

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Gaylord Perry -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

Gaylord Perry pitched for the San Francisco Giants from 1963 to 1971. When I met him at a sports collector show in the early 1990s, I purchased two baseballs which he signed for me. I gave one to my brother and kept this one. Gaylord currently has a statue in front of Oracle Park and the Giants have retired his uniform number 36.


Rich YeeSports Today Photographer

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

So Much for a Boston Celtics Sweep


I believe the Celtics let them have the game so they could close it out in Boston. The Mavs led by 45 at one point, the largest lead in an NBA finals game in the last 50 years. In the end, they won by 38 points.

A blowout indeed.


Though impressive, the lopsided outcome isn't the biggest blowout in the history of the NBA Finals. What is the record for the most lopsided game in

NBA Finals history? 


Hint: The record was set in the 1998 NBA Finals.

Answer below...

Sports Precis

It Was A Big Deal In Chicago


by Howard Pearlstein


Chicago’s Wrigley Park, field laid out for soccer for the first time -- Chicago Red Stars vs San Jose’s Bay FC -- plastic turf replaced with grass and a record-breaking crowd of 35,308.


So much of it was new to me. The TV announcers kept reminding us that the field was narrower and shorter than usual. I didn’t know that, unlike American football, regulation soccer field sizes are variable: 90-120 meters long and 45-90 meters wide. (AKA 100-130 yards by 50-100.) Field size mutability is something that can be a literal game-changer.


I had just finished reading a couple of thoughtful columns, the first by Anne Killion, her characteristic cutting-through-the-blah-blah-BS. This one was on why those making an uproar about Caitlin Clark not being on the U.S. Olympic Team were just displaying their ignorance of what the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team is about versus what a rookie needs to learn in the WNBA.


The other column was by Marisa Ingemi asking if the enthusiastic fans of the 4-8-0 Bay FC would stick around until their team got it together. Spoiler alert. It was premature, so emphatically premature as to set the mind to imagining a pre-game scene from an old movie with some generic version of Knute Rockne firing up the team by yelling the column out in the locker room.


And even, finally, late in the game, around minute 75, those hometown announcers had to stop repeating how the Red Flags always come back to win from behind and start talking about Bay FC’s surprisingly strong game.


And while I was processing this and that and everything that was new, I was hit by a mini-tsunami wave of nostalgia. The TV cameras proudly panned around the stadium to show the seats filled all the way up, flashing me back to another game in another stadium in another June: Candlestick Park, watching the Giants fall through the bottomless hole of their annual June Swoon. The nostalgia wasn’t about a sold-out crowd packing the place, as if. It was how the fans were passing beers to each other with gloved hands and huddling in warm hooded jackets, a typical Mark Twain San Francisco summer day, something not quite a drizzle, barely discernible, but which soaked through your clothes to a deep wet chill in the bones. They used to call that “low clouds.”


No, the similarity to the Giants’ “wait till next year” era ended there.

The Bay FC women came out swarming. They covered the Red Flag players like 11 NFL shutdown defensive backs on wide receivers, shadowing every Red Flag player’s move. Some people have found fault with the team’s defensive play, but this was a dance, one in which BAY FC took the lead and made the Red Flag players dance backwards. Shut them out for 90 minutes. And ok, the Red Flags did finally get a goal, but it wasn’t until three minutes into the stoppage time.


As to offense, it seemed maybe the Red Flags were so busy trying to cover forwards Oshoala and Kundananji they let the other players slide. Defender Kiki Pickett put in the first score, turning a deflected pass into a goal around 25 minutes in. And midfielder Joelle Anderson was quick enough to catch a Red Flag kick intended to clear a failed goal attempt out of the area. She put it in for a second goal at 79 minutes.


Bay FC outdid the Red Flags in every possible way. Some stats to show it. 60% possession time, Shots: 14-4, Corners: 11-1, Crosses: 24-6, Touches: 30-7.

  * * *

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

 Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader

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


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

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

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

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Newsletter, Image, Likeness

Vol. 84: What's So Bad About Using Lambos To Recruit Players?

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought


by Darren Heitner

Founder of HEITNERLEGAL


Last Friday, a video caught the attention of many in and around college sports.


It featured Lamborghinis parked outside of the University of Texas' athletic facility.


The luxury cars were strategically placed there as high school athletes were scheduled to step foot on campus for their official visits.


An X account named Jon Tweets Sports wrote, "Just 3 years ago CFB players were getting suspended for autograph sessions. We’ve come a long way."


Shannon Terry, the Founder and CEO of On3 quoted the tweet and said, "This needs to leave college sports." That comment received millions of views on top of the millions of views that Jon Tweets Sports accumulated over the following week. It also received many replies, which I will leave for you to peruse through if you desire.


My view on this isn't shared by all. I'm confident it isn't shared by Terry, given his commentary.


But I'm confused as to why "this" -- in this case the lining up of Lamborghinis to excite highly talented people about the potential rewards that come with playing at Texas -- needs to leave college sports.


I commonly negotiate signing bonuses for clients, whether they are about to be retained as independent contractors or signed to employment agreements. Oftentimes, these signing bonuses are quite lucrative. They make a Lamborghini look like a pittance.



These bonuses, or lofty promises that may come in different forms, are typical for companies to dangle before prized individuals to persuade them to provide their labor and talents as opposed to working for a competitor or themselves. Perhaps, from time to time, these incentives are denigrated but, in general, they are expected in most industries and those who are rewarded with them tend to be praised.


So, what's the big deal about flaunting that a Lamborghini dealership has a history of covering the lease payments for certain Texas athletes and may decide to do the same for future recruits? Why does it need to leave college sports?


continued...

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San Jose Earthquakes 2

FC Cincinnati 4

PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Saturday, June 15, 2024

FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (#18) is unable to stop Quakes Hernán’s goal in the 57th minute. FC Cincinnati defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 4–2, in a MLS Matchday 20 game at PayPal Park on Saturday, Jun 15, 2024 in San Jose, California. © 2024 Alex Ho 

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough (#25) grabs the ball above FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (#4) in the first half. © 2024 Alex Ho 

FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (#4) clears the ball in front of the Cincinnati goal in the second half. © 2024 Alex Ho 

Krazy George eagerly awaits the start of the game. © 2024 Alex Ho 

San Jose Quakes fan before the match. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net

© 2024 Alex Ho 

Oakland Roots SC 3

Sacramento Republic 2

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, CA

Saturday, June 15, 2024

OaOakland Top NorCal Rivals Away in Sacramento, 3-2


Oakland Roots got on the board first when Camden Riley played a cross into Johnny Rodriguez, who laid it off to Lindo Mfeka for a calm finish in the 20th minute to put Oakland 1-0 up away in Sacramento.

 

Oakland earned a penalty in the 27th minute of the game through Trayvonne Reid. Johnny Rodriguez stepped up for Oakland, but his effort was tame and an easy save for Danny Vitiello of Sacramento.

 

After some big chances and a couple of penalty shouts for Sacramento, Oakland was able to carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.

 

Lindo Mfeka got the second half off to a fast start as he exploded into space and ripped a shot past Vitiello to give Oakland a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute.

 

Oakland Roots got a third goal when substitute Baboucarr Njie reached the end line and crossed to Jeciel Cedeño, who scored low to give the Roots a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute of play.

 

Sacramento made multiple changes around the 70th minute as they chased the game down 3-0.


continued...


Click Here

Oakland Soul SC 2

California Storm 2

Merritt College, Oakland, CA

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Soul Concede Added Time Goal at Home to Cal Storm, Draw 2-2


Oakland was moments away from keeping their home record unblemished in franchise history, but a goal from visiting Cal Storm in added time of the second half ensured a 2-2 draw at Merritt College on Thursday evening.


The match started on level ground, with both teams earning their share of scoring chances. Heading into the final moments of the first half, it looked as though the two sides would walk into their locker rooms scoreless.


But Sam Tran had other ideas. In the 44th minute Tran dribbled into the right side of the penalty area past a Storm defender and sent a strike towards the left side of the goal which found its way past the diving keeper and into the net to give Soul a late first half lead. 


Soul started the second frame the same way they ended the first. Just minutes after the whistle Arianna Veland doubled the Oakland lead when a 47th minute corner kick led to a scrum in the box. Veland found just enough room to put a shot on the screened keeper and into the twine to give her side a 2-0 advantage.

Click Here

The Voice of Laguna Seca: Dick Sisich


If you have attended an event at Laguna Seca anytime in the last 62 years, chances are you KNOW Dick Sisich. You may not have seen his face but to be sure, you know his voice. Dick has been calling most of the major races here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca since the early ‘60s and as he gets ready to finally hang up his microphone, we ask that you tune in to hear from him and his side of the story.


Click HERE!

Get Tickets for Rolex Monterey Reunion

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

San Francisco, CA

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Alcatraz serves as a clarion call to all triathletes around the world as a bucket list item to say they swam from Alcatraz. Photo and

caption by Ed Jay.

The transport to Alcatraz. Athletes occupy multiple levels of the San Francisco Belle from bow to stern. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Triathletes are deep in their own thoughts as they congregate on the bow of the San Francisco Belle. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Thumbs up on the upper deck before the plunge into the 55 degree bay water. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

She's already focused on the bike portion as she runs and takes off her wetsuit. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Triathletes run up from the beach and begin the 1.4 mile run to Transition 1, the bike portion at the Marina Green. Photo and

caption by Ed Jay.

He's happy the toughest part of the race is over and is off to the bike portion with half his wetsuit off. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

The 18-mile bike portion begins on Marina Blvd. Photo and

caption by Ed Jay.

The long stretch on Marina Blvd to the second transition from bike to run. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Kelly Barton, of San Francisco, wins the female division with a time

of 2:18:21. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Wiktor Rajca, of Berkeley, wins the overall race with a time of 2:03:16. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

(L-R) Franklin Rice, overall winner Wiktor Rajca and Tom De Bruyn.

To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

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Cal Bears

Abbey Weitzeil, left, and Ryan Murphy are each favorites to earn

a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.


Cal To Send Sizable Contingent To U.S. Olympic Trials


34 Swimmers Look To Punch Ticket To

Summer Games In Paris


Thirty-four swimmers affiliated with Cal are preparing to gather in Indianapolis to chase a dream at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.


Twenty-three men and 11 women will represent the Golden Bears at the trials, which run June 15-23 and serve as the official qualification event for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.


The top two finishers in each event earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team, provided he or she has posted an Olympic qualifying time.


continued...

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Stanford Cardinal

23 Named CRCA Scholar-Athletes


23 members of the Stanford women's lightweight and heavyweight rowing programs were named CRCA Scholar-Athletes


STANFORD, Calif. – The Collegiate Rowing Coaches of America (CRCA) announced 23 Stanford rowers have been named National Scholar-Athletes, excelling both on the water and in the classroom. 16 members of the women's rowing team and seven Cardinal lightweight rowers earned the honor, announced by the coaches association Thursday. 


In order to qualify for the honor, athletes needed to maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher, be of at least sophomore standing academically, and row in an NCAA or IRA boat for a minimum of 75 percent of the season's races.


Stanford women's rowing completed its 2024 season with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships in Bethel, Ohio. The Cardinal captured three podium finishes, including a national championship title in the second varsity eight. The 2024 campaign included the program's third consecutive Pac-12 team title with a sweep of the regatta's races and its third consecutive sweep of the conference's end-of-year honors.


photo: Scott Gould / isiphotos.com

continued...

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San Jose State Spartans

NACDA AND THE FIESTA BOWL HONOR SJSU AS 2024 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER


LAS VEGAS – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl announced San José State University (SJSU) as the winner of the 2023-24 Community Service Award today during the 2024 NACDA & Affiliates Convention. San José State University received the award for its 20,000 hours of community outreach.

 

The Community Service Award will be presented by NACDA and the Fiesta Bowl this fall, at an on-campus event hosted by SJSU.

 

"Thank you to NACDA for recognizing our student-athletes for their outstanding efforts in the San José and surrounding communities with this prestigious award," said SJSU's Director of Athletics Jeff Konya. "Our life skills program, Beyond Sparta, is one of the best in the country and I want to thank our staff for helping build champions in the community as part of the Charge of the Spartans!


continued...


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Saint Mary's College Gaels

SB | Alex Casas ‘19 Signs with the Hub City Adelitas of the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League


LUBBOCK, TEX. — As the sport of softball continues to grow in popularity, more professional opportunities continue to arise for players coming out of the collegiate game. One of those opportunities has been granted to former Gael standout Alex Casas '19, who has become one of the first signings of the Hub City Adelitas, a new expansion team in the Women's Professional Fastpitch League, playing in Lubbock, Texas. 


Casas played at Saint Mary's from 2020-23. The Perris, California native appeared in 145 games in her time as a Gaels, seeing time all over the field before settling in as the Gaels everyday catcher in her senior year. A career 0.276 hitter, Casas tallied 28 extra base hits and 50 RBI in her four years in Moraga. Her eight career triples tie her for fourth all-time in program history, while her 0.964 career fielding percentage ranks her ninth best in program history. In 2020, Casas became just the fifth ever Gael, and the first ever SMC freshman, to be honored as a WCC Player of the Week, earning the accolade after breaking up a no-hit effort by ninth ranked Oregon with a double in the sixth inning. 


continued...

Photo: Piper Westrom / SMC Athletics

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USF Dons

Tim Widing Qualifies for U.S. Open

at Pinehurst



PINEHURST, N.C. - Tim Widing, a 2020 graduate of the men's golf program at the University of San Francisco, will be competing in the U.S. Open this week, the third of four major championships in the year of golf, at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

 

Additionally, Widing has officially secured his PGA Tour card for the upcoming 2025 season as the Korn Ferry Tour recently announced that Widing is the first member of the tour to earn PGA Tour membership for the upcoming season.

 

Widing, who was a four-time All-WCC selection with the Dons, won back-to-back tournaments in April when he earned his first Korn Ferry Tour win via a three-way playoff at the 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic followed by a record-setting victory at the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship just one week later.


continued...

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Santa Clara Broncos

Former Bronco Softball Player Ashley Trierweiler Signs with Pro Fastpitch Team


HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Former Santa Clara softball All-American Ashley Trierweiler signed to play for the New York Rise, a professional fastpitch team competing in the inaugural season of the Association of Fastpitch Professionals (AFP). 

 

Based in Long Island, New York, the Rise is one of four teams in the AFP and is comprised of 17 players. They will play a 19 game regular season beginning June 19 encompassing a six week season culminating in the Champion Cup Tournament from July 23-28. 

 

Trierweiler closed out her Santa Clara playing career in 2023 when she was named D1Softball second-team All-American, National Fastpitch Coaches Association third-team All-American, first-team All-West Coast Conference and NFCA Division I first-team All-Pacific Region. That season, Trierweiler finished second nationally among Division I players in batting average at .486 and third with an .584 on-base percentage.


continued...

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University of Pacific Tigers

Pacific Student-Athletes Achieve Academic Excellent in 2023-2024


University of the Pacific student-athletes excelled in the classroom during the 2023-24 academic year, with 42 earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages in the fall semester and 43 more in the spring.


Of Pacific’s 311 student-athletes, 77% had at least a 3.0 GPA and 41% posted a GPA above 3.5, earning a spot on the Dean’s Honor Roll.


The cumulative GPA of the department was a 3.27.


continued...

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UC Davis Aggies

Avery Sussex Selected to Canada Basketball’s U18 National Team


TORONTO – UC Davis women's basketball incoming freshman, Avery Sussex, was recently named to the Canada Basketball U18 National Team ahead of the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup.

 

The 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup will be held from June 17-23 at the Coliseo Bicentenario Arena in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The field will comprise the top eight teams from across the Americas zone.

 

The top four teams in the event will successfully qualify for next summer's FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025.

  

continued...

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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Jenna Rodriguez Named Pioneer of the Month - May 2024


With the 2023-24 academic year concluding in May, the final Pioneer of the Month has been announced. Sophomore Jenna Rodriguez from Cal State East Bay women's track & field earned the final monthly Pioneer honor of the academic year for May 2024. 


Rodriguez picked up her second consecutive silver medal in the 800 meters at the CCAA Track & Field Championships during the first week of May with a time of 2:15.66. Rodriguez also was on the seventh place 4x400 meter relay team for East Bay in the CCAA Championships. 


continued...

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St. Francis Yacht Club

Careers At St. Francis Yacht Club


Founded in 1927, St. Francis Yacht Club is steeped in nearly a century of yachting traditions. From the beginning, St. Francis Yacht Club’s membership has included many of the Bay Area’s most prominent citizens and greatest sailors. The Club’s annual regatta schedule is one of the most active in the world and it has been consistently rated the #1 Yacht Club in America. Career opportunities at StFYC are many and varied—with three dining facilities, private party and event spaces, docks and small boat fleets, a robust 2,400+ membership, and a private island in the Delta—the club requires a talented staff to meet the needs of members and guests and to maintain its top-notch facilities.


continued...

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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff

Thanks to ESPN


for the article found at this link listing the top

five NBA Finals blowouts. The answer I've provided

is from this article. 


1998 NBA Finals

Bulls defeat Jazz, 96-54, in Game 3 


The Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, held the Utah Jazz to 30% (21-70) shooting from the field, including 11.1% (1-9) from 3-point range, and forced 26 turnovers in a 42-point win. Utah's 54 points remain the fewest by a team in NBA playoff history.


Celtics in 5! 

Go Red Sox!

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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy

Bay FC 0, Utah Royals FC 1, June 16, 2024.

Photos and captions by Alex Ho.

 

San Jose Earthquakes 2, FC Cincinnati 4, June 15, 2024.

Photos and captions by Alex Ho.


Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, June 9, 2024.

Photos and captions by Ed Jay.


Oakland A’s 0, Toronto Blue Jays 7, Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Photos by Darren Yamashita.

 

Oakland Roots SC 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0, June 8, 2024.

Photos by Ron Sellers

 

Oakland Souls SC 6, Academica 2, June 8, 2024.

Photos by Ron Sellers.

 

Oakland Spiders 18, Colorado Summit 17, Friday, June 7, 2024. Photos by Ron Sellers.

 

Oakland A’s 2, Seattle Mariners 1, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.


San Francisco Giants 3, New York Yankees 7, June 1, 2024.

Captions and photos by Darren Yamashita.


San Francisco Giants 2, New York Yankees 6, May 31, 2024.

Photos by Rich Yee.

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Weekly Bay Area

Sports Calendar


Monday, June 17, through

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Monday, June 17

San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 5:05 p.m.

Tuesday, June 18

San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 5:05 p.m.

Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 6:40 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 19

San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 11:20 a.m.

Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 6:40 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 4:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 20

San Francisco Giants @ St. Louis Cardinals, 4:15 p.m.

Oakland A's vs. Kansas City Royals, 12:27 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 4:30 p.m.

Oakland Soul SC vs. Pleasanton Rage, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 21

Oakland A's vs. Minnesota Twins, 6:40 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 22

San Francisco Giants @ St. Louis Cardinals, 11:15 a.m.

Oakland A's vs. Minnesota Twins, 1:07 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 4:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes @ LAFC, 7:30 p.m.

Bay FC vs. Angel City FC, 7 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC @ Monterey Bay FC, 3 p.m.

Bay Area Panthers @ Duke Gladiators, 5:05 p.m.

Sunday June 23

San Francisco Giants @ St. Louis Cardinals, 11:15 a.m.

Oakland A's vs. Minnesota Twins, 1:07 p.m.

Oakland Ballers @ Yolo High Wheelers, 1:05 p.m.

Sports Today's Book Shelf

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/

“A must read…an in-depth look into stories that come from all avenues of professional sports."

-- Andy Dolich, prominent Bay Area sports executive



To order: $18.50

(includes shipping)

Visit Pete Elman at  https://www.peteelman.com/insights-and-outtakes

"An invaluable and inspiring compilation that shines a light on unsung athletes of color."


To order:

https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Their-Sacrifice-Unheralded-Athletes/dp/153817197X


377

 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.

To Order
To Order

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

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.

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