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June 24 -- June 30, 2024

Issue No. 543

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

On the Grid: Worldwide Sports, 6:00 A.M.


Now that we are in the Era of Leagues, ESPN and other channels have more content to share with viewers. I was awake on Sunday at 6:00 A.M. and it was either Sports or C-SPAN, so I checked the Guide for Sports. This is a summary of the available content on Comcast Cable, with Channel numbers and relevant acronyms:

 

732: CBS Sports: UIM-E1 - The first Electric Boat Championship, from Spain. The price of these boats starts at $29,000.

731: FS1: 2024 UEFA European Championship, the Union of European Football Associations, (Belgium vs. Romania).

730: NFL: "NFL Explained: Worst Weather Wildest Games"

729: MLB: "Quick Pitch" - Baseball/MLB Roundup

728: NHL: NHL Tonight

727: NBA: Playoff Playback, 2024

726: ESPN: ACL Cornhole League: "ACL Bag Brawl"

725: ESPN HD: "37 Words" - A Title IX History and Progress Report (Yes, 'Nixon's the One' who signed it).

724: ESPN: Formula One Spanish Grand Prix(The Sales Force pedestrian bridge added some local color).

722: GOLF: DP World Tour (the European Tour, legally the PGA European Tour): The KLM Open

721: California Sports: Pocket Hose Copper Bullet (Infomercial)

720: Sports Bay Area: Cyber Threats - How to Protect Your Home (Infomercial)

 

With multiple new local Bay Area leagues and teams, perhaps 720 and 721 can replace their infomercials with actual local sports.

ESPN: "ACL BAG BRAWL" - "Let's get ready to Rumble. (Or Bar-B-Q!)"


Robert A. Moselle

Marketing Director, Sports Today!

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

Donate Today -- Click Here!

Contents

Games

Bay FC 1, Angel City FC 0

Oakland A's 0, Minnesota Twins 3

Oakland A's 5, Kansas City Royals 1

Oakland Roots 1, Monterey Bay FC 2

Oakland Spiders 22, San Diego Growlers 19

San Jose Earthquakes 1, Portland Timbers 2


Features & Commentary

1974 Oakland Athletics Championship Team, by Darren Yamashita

America's Pastime: Willie Mays, by Dave Newhouse

Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!

Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff

Say Hey at the Bat, by Andy Dolich

The Lazy Daze of Summer, by Howard Pearlstein

The Greatest is Gone -- Willie Mays, RIP, 1935-1924, by Bruce Macgowan

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

Willie Mays, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee



Organizations

Bay Area Falcons

Bay Area Panthers

Bay FC

Cal Bears

Cal State University East Bay

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

Unforgettable

"Say Hey at the Bat"


by Andy Dolich

The outlook was tearfully sad for fans of Major League Baseball

that day

A lifetime of greatness ended at 93, with an incredible career that millions were lucky to see “Say Hey.”


When Vic Wertz smashed a ball far over his head

All New York Giants fans thought their team was dead.


If only Willie could get a bead on that blast 

He would make a basket catch, it would be one that would always last

As Willie lost his cap running down the sphere

Fans forever would tell their grandkids, "I was there!"


Then the inning changed just like that

Now the Giants were coming up to bat.


Then from thousands of Polo Grounds throats there rose a fantastic roar

It rumbled through the press box, it rattled off the Giants bullpen door

It pounded around the foul poles and recoiled upon Coogan’s bluff 

The “Say Hey Kid” was advancing to the plate to show his arms that were buff.


There was ease in May’s manner as he stepped up to the plate

There was pride in his bearing and a smile was added to his spiked gait.


Forty thousand eyeballs were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt

Multi-thousands screamed approval when he wiped the Polo Grounds dust on his shirt.


Now a leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air

As Willie stood a-watching it with his “I got this," stare.


Close by the sturdy Giant the horsehide-covered ball sped

"That ain't my style," said Mr. Mays. "Strike one!" the umpire said.


He signaled to the Cleveland pitcher, and once more the stitched sphere flew

But Willie ignored it, the umpire said, "Strike Two!"


They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain

And they knew that "Say Hey" wouldn't let that ball go by again.


And now the Indians' pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of his bat's mighty blow.


Oh, somewhere, someday in this favored land the sun is shining bright,

Somewhere leaders who are always in a fight are finding out what’s right.


And somewhere fans are smiling, and somewhere children fuss

There will always be Joy in Baseball, The Say Hey Kid was, is and will always be playing for all of us.

Willie racing toward the center field wall of the spacious Polo Grounds for an over-the-shoulder catch, becoming the most iconic moment in the Hall of Famers' decorated career


* * *

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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Baseball's Gift To Us



America's

Pastime:

Willie Mays



by Dave Newhouse


A month ago, I mailed Willie Mays a 93rd birthday card to his Atherton home, never thinking there wouldn't be future birthdays for this iconic baseball figure.


We didn’t have a close relationship, yet I had Mays' address and his home phone number from previous experiences. This included his 65th birthday, when I visited his residence to interview him for an Oakland Tribune column on this milestone event, when the Say Hey kid became a senior citizen. He had aged, yes, but he still seemed ageless in manner and movement.


The first time I saw him play was 1961 after I had returned from three years of Air Force duty in France. It was a Friday evening at Candlestick Park, and the Dodgers were putting a whipping on the Giants. I sat in the right-field bleachers with a direct side view of Mays in center field. After yet another Giant pitching change, I saw Mays shivering, his body motionless but his head bobbing against the chill. I left after three innings, but many nights, days, too, Mays braced himself against the suffering cold at the Stick.


Later, after college, I occasionally got to write a Giant “sidebar" — not the main game story, but a secondary piece. And on May 11, 1966, I was there when Mays hit his 512th home run, passing Mel Ott to set the National League career record. That historic moment is the most overlooked part of Mays’ numerous achievements, but it kept me up all night writing four Mays-related stories for the then afternoon Tribune, getting home at 7 a.m. My main story lead: “Willie Mays moved 365 feet and one Giant step closer to Cooperstown last night.” Oh, Mays hit that homer off Claude Osteen of the Dodgers to right field.

San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA.

Photo by Ed Jay.


The A’s still were in Kansas City in 1966, so the Giants ruled locally. The Trib’s main baseball writer needed some time off, so I occasionally covered Giants road games, including one evening at the Houston Astrodome that produced another Mays headline story that gets no mention today. Clyde King, then managing the Giants, said he didn’t see Mays in the locker room with game time approaching, so he assumed Mays wanted the night off. Sitting in the press box, I had a clear view of the Giants dugout and saw an irate Mays approach the bespectacled, seated King with his arm drawn back, only to be grabbed from behind by Gaylord Perry. Would Mays have hit the elderly King? I can’t imagine, but in interviewing him after the game, he played it off, and so has history.


But Mays left vivid memories of all kinds for this sportswriter, mostly positive. Perry told me years later that Mays was the smartest baseball person he knew, someone who knew where Giants should be positioned on every pitch, and even what pitches Giants should throw certain hitters.


Mays was a reluctant interview as a player unless he truly knew you, so I didn’t get lengthy interviews with him until he became a senior citizen. But I can tell you this: Even approaching 40 with his uniform top off, Mays was chiseled, the best conditioned Giant.


Mays hit 660 home runs, but how many more would he have swatted if he wasn’t drafted in the Army in his early 20s? He missed a good year of baseball, so 700 homers? It’s anyone’s guess, but Mays defied normalcy.


He was the hardest player for a pitcher to hit that I ever saw. He could drop so fast, you thought the ground was giving way beneath him. Then he’d pop right back up and re-take his stance. I saw him take Don Drysdale deep on the next pitch after a beanball attempt. And I was there, too, when he and Bobby Bonds collided at the fence on a long drive at Candlestick. Bonds looked all around for the ball, but it was in Mays' glove as he trotted toward the dugout.


Mays was the smartest base runner any of us have ever seen. And his 1954 World Series snatch of Cleveland’s Vic Wertz’ 480-foot drive at the Polo Grounds, while running madly backwards yet making a basket catch over his head, remains baseball’s greatest defensive play.


So hat’s off to Mays, whose cap had a hard time staying on his head. But was he baseball’s greatest player? I asked Frank Robinson who said, “A Willie Mays comes along once in a century.”


At the bottom of Willie Mays' birthday card, I projected his 100th birthday. He missed by seven years, but his life was a basket catch regardless.

* * *

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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The Greatest Is Gone


Willie Mays

RIP

1931-2024



by Bruce Macgowan


He was simply the best. Few of us find our true calling in life. Fewer still manage to gain recognition from our efforts. But Willie Mays was meant to play baseball. And he has been recognized as the best 5-tool player in the game; one with speed, who hits for a high average, hits for power, plays terrific defense in the outfield and is a dangerous runner on the bases.

 

Growing up in the 1960s, it was a privilege to see Willie play some 200 games in person and it was a blessing to know him personally and become one of his friends at the ballpark.

 

“Hey Bruce! Willie’s here…come on in and say hi!” Giants’ longtime clubhouse manager Mike Murphy called out to me from his office in the Giants’ clubhouse. I had wandered in as I usually did a couple of hours before a game, to see if I could talk with a couple of players. Willie was sitting at a table in Murphy’s office. The two of them had known each other for almost 50 years, from the time “Murph” worked as a visiting clubhouse manager at Candlestick.

 

Willie was wearing a Giants jacket and baseball cap, and was squinting at me as I walked in.

 

I had recently been “downsized” out of my longtime sports on-air job at KNBR when new ownership bought the station, but I was fortunate enough to get part-time work filling in at KGO.

 

“Where you been Bruce? Why aren’t you on the radio anymore?" Willie asked me, before grabbing my hand in a vise-like grip that practically crushed my fingers. Willie had large, powerful hands and was still strong well into his 80s.

Willie Mays on October 31, 2014 in a San Francisco Giants

World Series parade. Photo by Ed Jay


“Hey Willie, go easy man! You practically broke my hand!” I laughed.

Willie was somewhat of a prankster and his patented squeal of high-pitched laughter was immediately forthcoming.

 

“Willie, I’m no longer working at KNBR, but I got a job at KGO radio which is just down the street.”

 

“What?” Willie responded, almost incredulously. “KGO!? Where the heck is that?”

 

“It’s the newstalk station, it’s been the number one radio station in the Bay Area for years,” I explained.

 

‘“I never heard of ‘em. I only listen to the sports station. You should still be there! Why did they get rid of you?”

 

“Well, Willie, that’s what happens sometimes in the broadcast business. Even after working there for 18 years, they just didn’t need me anymore.”

 

“Well, that’s wrong! I’m gonna call them and tell ‘em they should put you back on the air!”

 

“That’s nice of you to say, Willie, but please don’t feel badly for me. Remember, everything good comes to an end. Hey, the Giants traded you after 21 years, didn’t they?”

 

Willie chucked loudly and said, “Yeah, that’s right. They sent me packing to New York!” he laughed again.  

 

I then sat down and we talked about all sorts of things, including the game the night before.


Willie had some spot-on observations about the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that was visiting San Francisco that weekend.

 

I had interviewed Willie several times over the years from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s but had never really gotten to know the man. He was kind of defensive and sometimes curt with reporters, but once he felt comfortable with you, he was a warm, friendly man, full of laughter and fun.

 

When the Giants moved to their new waterfront ballpark in 2000, the front office brought Willie back to take a more active role in the organization so he was around Oracle a lot. I got to know Willie pretty well because of KNBR’s long-term association with the Giants but I rarely asked for an interview. I just enjoyed informally chatting with him instead. We sometimes talked about games he had played and pitchers he had faced.

 

“Sandy (Koufax) was a great pitcher. I didn’t hit too many home runs off of him!” he once told me. True, but Willie victimized many other pitchers more than a few times!

 

What stood out most about Willie Mays was his unique style and brilliance on the diamond. He played baseball with joy, kind of like Stephen Curry plays basketball for the Warriors.

 

He was the best. Simply the best. RIP Number 24!   

* * *

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.

Oakland A's 0

Minnesota Twins 3

Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Hogan Harris gave up three runs over six innings as the Athletics dropped a 3-0 decision to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, June 23rd at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Left fielder Miguel Andujar robs a home run hit by Royce Lewis in the first inning. Andujar also collected two of the A's three hits on the day. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

JJ Bleday breaks his bat during an at-bat in the fourth inning.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics team photographer Michael Zagaris (left) and former Topps baseball card photographer Doug McWilliams (right) pose for a photo before the game. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Athletics 1974 World Series Championship Reunion

The main scoreboard display is changed to commemorate the 1974 Oakland Athletics championship team before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.  

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics former pitcher Rollie Fingers (center) waves to the crowd while riding with the World Series championship trophy during the 1974 World Series Championship team reunion. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics former pitcher John “Blue Moon” Odom waves to the crowd. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

(L to R) Former Oakland Athletics players Rollie Fingers, Bert Campaneris, Gene Tenace, Joe Rudi, John “Blue Moon” Odom, and Bill North sit on the field during the 1974 World Series Championship team reunion. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

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Bay FC 1

Angel City FC 0

PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Bay FC midfielder Deyna Castellanos (#10) passes the ball upfield as Bay head coach Albertin Montoya watches. Bay FC defeated Angel City FC, 1–0, in a NWSL match at PayPal Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024 in San Jose, California. © 2024 Alex Ho 

Bay FC midfielder Dorian Bailey (#19) fires a shot in the first half.

© 2024 Alex Ho 

Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala (#8) volleys a cross high in

the first half. © 2024 Alex Ho 

Angel City FC defender Megan Reid (#6) leaps for a header in the second half. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net© 2024 Alex Ho 

San Francisco Giants

The Giants return home to take on Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs in a four-game series at Oracle Park, Monday through Thursday.


Don’t miss the Los Angeles Dodgers in their final regular season visit to Oracle Park this season. Experience the best rivalry in baseball as the Giants take on Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers June 28-30. The weekend begins with an incredible postgame fireworks show on Friday, June 28. On Saturday, June 29 , the first 20,000 fans receive a “Beat LA” Aloha Shirt. Catch the most magical promotion of the season on Sunday, June 30, as the first 15,000 fans receive a Mickey Mouse Ears Hat, presented by Ghirardelli and courtesy of the

Disneyland® Resort.


Get in on all the action and exciting promotions at Oracle Park.

Buy Tickets!

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time." 


We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!


www.thechieftain.com

Friday, July 5 vs. Orioles | 6:40 p.m.

Rex Foundation

Don't miss out as the A's pay tribute to legendary Bay Area musician Jerry Garcia on Friday, July 5. A special ticket purchase includes exclusive access to enjoy a pregame concert featuring Stu Allen and Mars Hotel beginning at 5 p.m., a one-of-a-kind corduroy hat giveaway, and a ticket to the game later that night against the Orioles. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold through this special event link will be donated to the Rex Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by the Grateful Dead family and friends in 1983.

For more information and to secure discounted group tickets that include the special ticket giveaway item, contact groups@athletics.com.

Learn More

Goodbye, Oakland

Authors Dave Newhouse and

Andy Dolich sold out at Oakland's Fans' Fest

Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story

For purchase through Triumph Books

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

products-9781637272152.php

Oakland A's 5

Kansas City Royals 1

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker went 2-for-3 with two RBI as the A's defeated the Kansas City Royals, 5-1, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Wednesday, June 19th.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. 

Starting pitcher Luis Medina gave up one run over 5-2/3 innings to earn the win. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. 

Zach Gelof hit his eighth home run of the season with a solo shot in the eighth inning. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. 

Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof is congratulated by designated hitter Brent Rooker (25). To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. 

Oakland Ballers

Look who’s here to stay! Scrappy, the Rally Mascot! Glad to have you at Raimondi Park. Oakland Ballers.

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

Willie Mays -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

As a sports photographer, I’ve had several opportunities to meet briefly with Willie Mays at Oracle Park over the years but could never ask for his autograph while I was working. Willie Mays is one autograph that I really wanted to add to my collection and so I purchased this signed jersey from a reputable sports dealer. It came with the “Say Hey” Authenticated hologram so I knew it came from Willie‘s company.


Rich YeeSports Today Photographer

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

Not That Anyone Around Here Cares...


but the Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of becoming the second team in NHL history to do a "reverse sweep," meaning coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup. (The Toronto Maple Leafs did it in

the 1942 championship series.)


Only one team in MLB history has come back from

a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game championship series. What team did it? 


Hint: It was an ALCS series, not the World Series! 

Answer below...

Sports Precis

The Lazy Daze of Summer


by Howard Pearlstein


This is the time of year most pro sports teams are doing clean-up-your-room stuff: contracts, draft planning, coaching staffs, fixing facility problems. And expansion teams which won’t be playing until the next season (WNBA Golden State Valkyries) or teams in the process of getting established, such as Oakland Roots and Soul FC, but need to find a home field. (CSU Hayward? Oakland Coliseum? A new stadium built on the Coliseum grounds? [could have been done for John A Fisher, who didn’t want it, which is why the A stands for A---hole, a fine word to sum up his brief presence in our sports lives]).

 

Not much in to see, meaning TV, which is how most of us take most of our sports.

 

That’s football, basketball, and increasingly, soccer, although finding your favorite soccer team on TV can be a problem – if, when, what channel?

 

And baseball, still trying hard to keep their forever title as “The American Pastime.” But that was because it doesn’t need special equipment to play – just bat, ball, glove, and was from back when taking the family to see a game was actually something affordable.

 

Given all that, sports columns pretty much put us into what I call Nostrodamnation, a metaphysical place populated by those who need to write a column telling us what’s going to happen, i.e., the Nostrodamnedfools, because they’re reduced to speculating (guessing) about that, leaning hard into what they hope will happen.


They stir things up so much, the people who do the actual work solving those problems have to add that weight and noise to their already difficult situation.

 

What about Oakland Roots and Soul SC, where will they play while CSU Hayward is making necessary upgrades to their facilit? The Roots will play their 2025 home games at the Oakland Coliseum. And TV? Most of their games will be broadcast on ESPN and KTVU+.

 

The women’s team, Oakland Soul, no TV known, will also play in the Coliseum in 2025. But their final game of this season is next Sunday, June 30, against the San Francisco Glens at Merritt College at 6:00 p.m. Maybe a big crowd of fans at the game might show some local station that TV is a good idea.

 

Bay FC, the professional women’s soccer team based in San Jose, is halfway through their first season and are broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California (also on NBC BA Plus and CA Plus). They’ve mostly been on ION TV this year. Their next game is June 29 at Racing Louisville FC to be nationally broadcast on ESPN at 1:00 PM (PT).

 

The new expansion WNBA team, Golden State Valkyries, based and practicing in Oakland, will play their home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.

 

And, relevant to the Valkyries, I recently watched an episode of the old (2010-2016) Canadian TV series, Lost Girl, in which all the magical creatures of the Fae world are alive today and working in the jobs best suited to them. And they still try to keep their presence unknown to humans.

 

Something to know about the Fae – they don’t normally show their true faces but instead cover them with what is called “Glamour.” And a Valkyrie named Tamsin (Rachel Skersten), who is a Mercenary and Bounty Hunter, appears in 30+ episodes. In this particular episode, she takes down an attacker by dropping her glamour and showing her true death stare face. Then she says: “People never seem to learn you don’t mess with a Valkyrie.”

 

Nice slogan for Valkyries to be able to say.

 

  * * *

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

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

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Newsletter, Image, Likeness

Vol. 85: Who Will Be Responsible To Share Revenue With College Athletes?

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought


by Darren Heitner

Founder of HEITNERLEGAL


We are just a year away from universities having the capacity to participate in revenue sharing with college athletes (assuming a long-form settlement, still to be drafted, in the House v. NCAA case is agreed upon and approved by the judge).


Universities will need to plan for a world where revenue sharing is a possibility and, as shown below and discussed in recent volumes of this newsletter, many schools are actively preparing while announcing their intention to share revenue with their athletes.


If this revenue-sharing plan comes about, an important consideration for schools is how monies will be distributed. Will revenues flow directly from schools to athletes or will intermediaries exist as a buffer with the intention for schools to shed legal and tax risk?


It is something that my colleague Jay Ezelle discussed this week in a lengthy thread on X. Therein, he wrote the following:


continued...

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San Jose Earthquakes 1

Portland Timbers 2

PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

The Quakes line up for the National Anthem with special shirts commemorating Juneteenth. The Portland Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 2–1, in a MLS Matchday 21 game at PayPal Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in San Jose, California. © 2024 Alex Ho 

San  Jose Earthquakes defender Paul Marie (#3) celebrates his

50th minute goal. © 2024 Alex Ho 

San Jose Earthquakes forward Amahl Pellegrino (#9) shoots around Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis (#41) but was just wide of the post. © 2024 Alex Ho 

Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis (#41) leaps for a save

in the second half. © 2024 Alex Ho 

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jacob Jackson (#98) is unable to stop the Timbers’ goal in the 22nd minute. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net

© 2024 Alex Ho 

Oakland Roots SC 1

Monterey Bay FC 2

Cardinale Stadium, Seaside, CA

Saturday, June 22, 2024

OaOakland Falls 2-1 Away in Monterey


Monterey Bay FC got on the scoreboard first in the 30th minute against Oakland Roots when Walmer Martinez found Tristan Trager, who lost his marker for a free header to give the home side a 1-0 lead.


Outside of the goal, both teams failed to truly threaten the opposition's net, as the score remained 1-0 in favor of Monterey going into halftime.


Monterey got the second half started quickly as Chuy Enriquez hit a perfect cross-field pass to Alex Lara, doubling the lead to 2-0 in their favor.


Johnny Rodriguez got Oakland back into the match with a fancy finish, calmly slotting the ball home over his shoulder to cut the lead in half in the 65th minute, making the game 2-1.


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Oakland Spiders 22

San Diego Growlers 19

Foothill High School, Oakland, CA

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Under warm borderline scalding turf, the Oakland Spiders played host to the San Diego Growlers, who are also fighting for their playoff lives in the same division at Fremont High School in Oakland. Above, making an immediate impact in his first game of the season (post-college DIV I play), second-year player Raekwon Adkins (#30) scores the first of his seven goals in the game. Photo and caption

by Ron Sellers.

After delivering the pass downfield, co-team captain Evan Magsig (#32) takes a shot by the defender and drawing the contact foul. Magsig retained possession of the disc midway through the third quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

Having laid out to block the throw, Daniel Ritthaler (#17) prepares to hit the turf. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

In the post game celebration, friends, family, and fans are allowed to come down onto the field for a chance to meet the players. Here Raekwon Adkins (#30) signs his signature to an already filled disc for a young fan. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

Driver and team hats were quickly swapped for anything with a brim for the show. Photo by Robert Watt.


Country Concert Thrills INDYCAR Fans at Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey


MONTEREY, Calif., Jun 23, 2024 — The highly anticipated country concert featuring Abby Leigh Anderson and George Birge was a tremendous success with INDYCAR fans at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on Saturday night. For the first time during an NTT INDYCAR Series event, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosted a concert at the podium stage, drawing enthusiastic fans from the day's Race Qualifying and the over 400 campers throughout the Laguna Seca Recreation Area for an evening of music and dancing.


Abby Leigh Anderson, known from the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show on iHeart Radio, headlined the concert following a serendipitous connection with Laguna Seca via Instagram. Abby visited the track on Friday, experiencing the exhilarating world of motorsport up close, including a tour of the paddock and a thrilling ride through the Corkscrew in a pace car. She also had a delightful encounter with Firestone Mascot Firehawk, who loves to entertain and interact with fans.


Saturday evening, Abby ignited the crowd with beloved covers like "Boys of Summer" and "Strawberry Wine," alongside her original hits such as "Hey There Hometown" and an exclusive debut song. Her warm energy and radiant smile captivated the audience, who responded with equal enthusiasm. "The energy is unlike anything I have ever seen," Abby said after the show. "I am now a race fan."


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Cal Bears

Foster Places Seventh In Olympic

Trials Semifinal Heat


Cal Sprinter Clocks In At 10.23


EUGENE, Ore. — David Foster of the California men's track team took seventh place in the semifinal round of the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials Sunday. The Golden Bear improved on his time from yesterday's first round, but did not land a spot in the finals.


Foster topped his time of 10.26 on Saturday night with a 10.23 in the semis finishing seventh out of eight in third of three heats. The top two finishers from each heat plus the next top three times overall advanced to this evenings final for a chance to go to Paris.


Trials continue tomorrow with Jasmine Blair and volunteer assistant coach Elena Brucker competing in the first round of the women's discus at 5 p.m. PT.


continued...

Photo: David Fairchild

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Stanford Cardinal

23 Pair Of Titles At U23 Pan AMS


Cardenas, Garvin win gold for USA


RIONEGRO, Colombia - Daniel Cardenas and Hunter Garvin won gold medals for the United States at the U23 Pan America Championships, Saturday, in Rionegro, Colombia.


Cardenas (70 kg ) and Garvin (74 kg) were two of nine USA champions in men's freestyle. Cardenas won all of his matches by bonus points.

Cardinal redshirt freshman Tyler Knox placed fifth at 65 kg for Puerto Rico.


Team USA finished with 245 points to capture the U23 Pan American men’s freestyle team title. The U.S. was 106 points ahead of runner-up Canada (139 points), while Puerto Rico (138 points) finished in third.


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San Jose State Spartans

SJSU Sets Record With 256 Points In Learfield Directors' Cup


San José State recorded its highest finish in the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup standings in the Mountain West with a program-best 256.00 points to finish 81st in the country, and second in the Mountain West.


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Saint Mary's College Gaels

WBB | Gaels Head to Italy for 10-Day Summer Foreign Tour


"Forza Gaels: Esplora l’Italia, Gioca con Cuore!" Go Gaels: Explore Italy, Play with Heart!


MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Women's Basketball announced on Thursday the dates and schedule for their foreign tour to Italy beginning June 24. The 10-day tour is the first for the women's basketball program and includes three games across three cities in Italy.

 

The Gaels will leave the Bay Area on Monday, June 24 on a flight to Rome, Italy and head north, just outside of Florence where the first four days of the tour will take place. While the Gaels get adjusted to the travel, they will also take in some sites around Venice and Pisa, prior to their first game on June 28.

 

Next on the tour is a three-night stay in Rome, where Saint Mary's will visit Siena and the Trevi Fountain along the way, as well as tours of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The Gaels will play two games on back-to-back days in Rome to end their stay in the city.


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USF Dons

Tim Riley Steps Down as Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach


SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - After six years leading the University of San Francisco cross country and track and field programs, Tim Riley will be stepping down from his position as head coach on July 12 due to new professional opportunities within his family.

 

"He has been an incredible asset to the University of San Francisco, its cross country and track and field programs and the student-athletes under his tutelage," Director of Athletics Larry Williams said. "As a humble leader with a deep commitment to the development of the whole person, he actualizes numerous Jesuit values. The men and women with whom he has worked have excelled in competition and are thriving in their civic, professional and personal lives."


continued...

Photo: Christina Leung

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Santa Clara Broncos

Broncos On Tour --

Amsterdam Day Two


AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Hallo! This is Elena Radeff and on the second day of exploring Amsterdam, we rented bikes and toured the city. We biked through Dam Square and saw the Royal Palace, looked at the skyline from the top of the NEMO Museum, and took the ferry to see the street art at the NDSM art galleries. My favorite part was biking through the canals and getting made-to-order focaccia sandwiches at Zero Zero. Then we biked to Blauw-Wit hal where we had a match against Armixtos Dames 1 and got to have dinner with them afterwards. I would say it was a successful day and I can't wait to explore the city more tomorrow!

 

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University of Pacific Tigers

Pacific Baseball a Family Affair

for Four Players


The University of the Pacific baseball team has not one, but two sets of brothers on its roster.


Adrian ’27 and Andre Vidal ’26 and Luis ’27 and Omar Vargas ’27 have found a new home, harnessing their brotherly competition to sharpen their skills and foster a cohesive team spirit.


Adrian and Andre Vidal, from Miami, Florida, have been nearly inseparable on the diamond, playing baseball together since the age of five.


“Since the beginning, we’ve practically played baseball our entire careers together,” Andre Vidal said. “It’s a great, fun experience. Playing with him is just a really special connection.”


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UC Davis Aggies

Legendary Head Coach Bill Maze Retires After 34 Years Of Coaching


DAVIS, Calif. – In 1995 Bill Maze stepped foot on the campus of UC Davis as the new women's tennis head coach. Little did Maze or the Aggie faithful know that over the next 29 years Maze would develop young women into winners and leaders as he helped navigate the women's tennis program through success at both the Division II and Division I level.

 

Now, after more than three decades of coaching and a near lifetime in the sport of tennis, Bill Maze is stepping down. Announcing his retirement from UC Davis by summing things up as only Bill can.

 

"It's been a great 29 years at UC Davis! And I feel very, very lucky, but at the same time, I'm OLD and it's time to move on and pass the baton."


continued...

Photo: Mark Honbo

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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Abigail Cooper and Chris James Named CSUEB's Dr. Hal Charnofsky Awards for 2023-24


ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - The CCAA announced its recipients for the 2023-24 Dr. Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award. Cal State East Bay's recipients include Abigail Cooper from women's basketball and Chris James from men's basketball. 


Recipients were selected by each athletic department in the CCAA in consideration of the student-athletes' efforts representing the institution and the CCAA to the highest standards in athletic and academic performance, with consultation from the Faculty Athletics Representative. The annual award is in honor of Dr. Hal Charnofsky, who served as a faculty member at Cal State Dominguez Hills who valued the student-athlete experience. 


In four of the past five years, a student-athlete from Cal State East Bay women's basketball has received the honor. CSUEB men's basketball had a recipient for the first time since 2018-19. 


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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.


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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff

Boston Red Sox!


The Boston Red Sox took out the New York Yankees

in the 2004 ALCS after losing the first three games.

The Red Sox then won their first World Series since 1918, ending what was called The Curse of the Bambino


This link will take you to the wiki entry naming all the pro sports teams who have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a championship series.


Celtics in 5! 

Go Red Sox!

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Weekly Bay Area

Sports Calendar


Monday, June 24, through

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Monday, June 24

San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38 p.m.

Tuesday, June 25

San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 6:35 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26

San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Los Angeles Angels, 1:07 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 6:35 p.m.

Thursday, June 27

San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs, 12:45 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 6:35 p.m.

Oakland Soul SC vs. The Olympic Club, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 28

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:15 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, June 29

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:15 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 1:05 p.m.

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

Bay FC @ Racing Louisville FC, 1 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC @ Orange County SC, 7 p.m.

Bay Area Panthers @ Vegas Knight Hawks, 6:05 p.m.

Sunday June 30

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.

Oakland Ballers vs. Northern Colorado Owlz, 1:05 p.m.

Oakland Soul SC vs. San Francisco Glens, 6 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/

Now Available!

Insights and Outtakes,

Excerpts and Epiphanies from

the World of Sports

written by Pete Elman


Essays Recently Shared:

Do They Have Greatness in Their Future (#493)

Rocket -- Or Flawed Star? (#472)

Just Win, Baby (#473)

Knockin' on Heaven's Door (#474)

It Was More Than Just A Game (#475)

Looking Over The Ledge (#476)

The Slider That Saved Baseball (#478)

Is This The Last Dance? (#480)

The Heart of a Champion (#483)

The Warriors: An Appreciation (#485)

“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

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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


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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.

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
Contact Information:

Ultimate Sports Guide

P.O. Box 4515

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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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