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September 9 -- September 15, 2024

Issue No. 554

Publisher: Christopher Weills

Marketing Director: Robert Moselle

Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski

Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, James Molgaard,

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

WEEKEND POTPOURRI


25th Annual Petaluma Poetry Walk - September 15th

11am-8pm, Sunday

September 15, 2024

Sports Today always emphasizes the benefits of exercise for both 

body and mind, and the Petaluma Poetry Walk incorporates this credo. For the calendar of events and venues, visit:

https://www.petalumapoetrywalk.org/

(Petaluma Poetry Walk illustration by Richard Benbrook)

The Petaluma Poetry Walk is an annual poetry festival founded in 

September 1996 by the late poet Geri Digiorno. It features over two dozen poets reading their works at eight venues. The event has grown over the years, attracting notable poets and a diverse audience and includes readings in both English and Spanish.


Thanks to S/T contributor, Carl Macki, for his efforts on this historic event for many years.


Robert A. Moselle

Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.cce-mcle.com/


The NFL: New Friends League

 

The NFL has approved Private Equity buyers. The terms are complex, and buyers also include SWFs (Sovereign Wealth Funds). Some of the private equity firms approved may sound familiar, like Blackstone and Carlyle. A sovereign wealth fund or sovereign investment fund is a state-owned investment fund that invests in real and financial assets. Think LIV and Golf.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_wealth_fund


Somebody has to help pay Dak Prescott's four-year contract extension worth upwards of $240 million, with a historic $231 million in guaranteed money. His lack of performance in the playoffs is almost as extraordinary as his contract. The money may as well be from an SWF from another far away land (besides Dallas).


Robert A. Moselle

Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.cce-mcle.com

Oops! Final score:

California 21, Auburn 14


The entire six-person College GameDay panel picked Auburn to beat Cal on Saturday during the show's final segment.


(See Cal Bears report below...)

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Contents

Games

Bay FC 1, Racing Louisville FC 0

Oakland A's 1, Detroit Tigers 9

Oakland A's 5, Seattle Mariners 4

Oakland Roots SC 0, North Carolina FC 5

Stanford Cardinal 41, Cal Poly Mustangs 7



Features & Commentary

A Baseball Millionaire? Just Hit .240, by Dave Newhouse

Alvin Attles, a Man Among Men, by Arif Khatib

Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!

Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff

Last Week I Applauded NSWL, by Howard Pearlstein

Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.

The National Pastime...of Collecting, by Andy Dolich

Y.A. Tittle, 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

SF City

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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Oakland A's 1

Detroit Tigers 9

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Oakland Athletics left fielder Lawrence Butler extended his hit streak to 18 games as the A's dropped the final game of their penultimate homestand, 9-1, to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, September 8th at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

Starting pitcher J.T. Finn struck out five over five innings of work.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Reliever Ross Stripling allowed six runs over 2/3 of an inning to put the game out of reach. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

A stadium worker watches players warm up from the bleachers before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Bay FC 1

Racing Louisville FC 0

PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Racing Louisville FC goalkeeper Katie Lund (#1) deflects the ball in the first half. Bay FC defeated Racing Louisville FC 1–0 in a NWSL match at PayPal Park on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in San Jose, California.

Photo and caption by Alex Ho. 

Racing Louisville FC goalkeeper Katie Lund (#1) reaches for the ball in front of Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala (#8) in the first half. 

Photo and caption by Alex Ho. 

Bay FC forward Rachel Hill (#21) laments a missed opportunity in the first half. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. 

Bay FC goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland (#99) grabs the ball in the second half. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.

Photo and caption by Alex Ho. 

Oakland A's 5

Seattle Mariners 4

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Monday, September 2, 2024

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers hit a walk-off home run to defeat the Seattle Mariners, 5-4, on Labor Day at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) reacts while rounding the bases after hitting a walk-off home run against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

 Oakland Athletics players wait for Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (not shown) to reach home plate.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics players react as catcher Shea Langeliers (23) leaps towards home plate. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Langeliers is doused with Gatorade by Lawrence Butler (left) and Max Schuemann (obscured) during a post-game interview. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Starter Osvaldo Bido pitched into the sixth inning, giving up four runs while striking out four. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Stanford Cardinal 41

Cal Poly Mustangs 7

Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Stanford Cardinal (1-1) wide receiver Mudia Reuben (0) caught a five-yard TD pass from quarterback Ashton Daniels in the second quarter for the game’s first score. With the extra point kick, the Cardinal took a 7-0 lead and an eventual 41-7 win over the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs (0-2). This was the first-ever matchup between the

two schools. Photo by Ed Jay.

Stanford backup quarterback Justin Lamson (8) scored on a two-yard run. With the extra point kick, Stanford took a 14-7 lead with 21 seconds left in the first half. Photo by Ed Jay.

Cardinal wide receiver Ismael Cisse (84) caught a pass for a 23-yard gain in the second quarter. Cisse led all Stanford receivers with eight receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown. Photo by Ed Jay.

The Mustangs scored with trickery in the second quarter. Cal Poly quarterback Bo Kelly threw a backward pass to wide receiver Michael Briscoe who then threw a 22-yard touchdown strike to a

wide open Jake Woods. Photo by Ed Jay.

Cardinal running back Chris Davis Jr. (5) netted 56 yards on six attempts for an 8.8 yard average. The Cardinal makes its ACC debut at Syracuse on September 20. Photo by Ed Jay.

San Francisco Giants



A Baseball

Millionaire?

Just Hit .240



by Dave Newhouse


Congratulations to Matt Chapman on the latest baseball salary

heist. A six-year contract worth $151 million, which the San Francisco Giants have agreed to pay their third baseman, is the National Pastime's equivalent of robbing Fort Knox.


Let’s see, by breaking down Chapman’s contract, he’ll make slightly more than $25 million a season. All that dough, folks, for a .240 hitter. I just heard Ty Cobb, Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn kicking inside

their coffins.


This is no disrespect to Chapman, who’s only playing the same easy money game available to ballplayers these days. You don’t need to hit .300 anymore to become a millionaire. Or .250 for that matter.


But have you looked at the batting leaders in both major leagues lately? Five out of the top 10 in the American League were hitting above .300, and only three out of the top 10 in the National League were above .300. Yet none of the Top Ten in either league is becoming poorer on pay day.

The Giants locked up star third baseman Matt Chapman with a

six-year, $151 million contract extension which will keep the

four-time Gold Glove winner in San Francisco through

the 2030 season. Photo by Darren Yamashita


To justify Chapman’s lofty compensation, the Giants are quick to point out his peerless defense, his home run power, and his health, i.e., he rarely misses games because of injuries. OK, but $25 million a season for a 31-year-old -- that isn’t a sizable gamble?


Apparently not to the Giants, or Major League Baseball franchises in general, frequently overpaying their on-field personnel, including bench players. You can become a millionaire either way. So why be a bank robber when you can break the bank as a ballplayer?


Chapman is an all-star; that’s in his favor. He’s also the modern-day Brooks Robinson at third base, brilliant with both a glove and a throwing arm. But let’s not forget that Robinson hit .267 lifetime, while Chapman has hovered below .220 for much of his career.


I read earlier this season that MLB baseball attendance is down from past years. Baseball salaries, on the other hand, are always on the up cycle. If that means more expensive ticket prices, parking costs and ballpark food and drink prices for the fans, so be it.


However, let’s focus on the Giants. They are analytics driven by Farhan Zaidi, president of the team’s baseball operations. But, the truth is, they don’t have much of a team. They have nobody even close to Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, Jeff Kent or Barry Bonds in talent. And that’s why they’ll miss the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years. They don’t even look good on a computer, right, Mr. Zaidi?


Chapman is the best of this Giants bunch by far, and so he just signed a contract for $25 million and change for six years. Timing is everything in life, but especially in baseball where the bank is open; in fact, you don’t even have to break in to get rich.


And you don’t even have to hit .250 to be worth $151 million. Just be the star player on an otherwise star-less team, and sudden wealth is yours. This is the new National Pastime.

* * *

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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San Francisco Giants

The Giants and Matt Chapman have agreed on a six-year contract extension through the 2030 season.


The 31-year-old has started 135 of the Giants’ 140 games this year and leads the team in home runs (22), runs scored (90), doubles (33), hits (126) and RBI (69). He also leads all MLB third basemen with 13 defensive runs saved and ranks ninth among all MLB position players in bWAR (6.0).


The 2019 All-Star is a four-time Gold Glove Winner (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) and two-time Platinum Glove winner (2018, 2019).


Chapman’s extension includes an annual donation of $125,000 to the Giants Community Fund through 2030.

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www.thechieftain.com



The National Pastime...

of Collecting



by Andy Dolich

During my years with the A’s (1980-1994) I collected a number of items. Fifty-six years at the Coliseum will come to an end on September 26th. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite pieces of Oakland A’s Memorabilia in the pages of the Ultimate’s Sports Guide’s Sports Today.



Joe DiMaggio

Joe Morgan

Johnny Bench

Mark McGwire

Reggie Jackson

Over the years I have been able to acquire signatures on baseballs from some of the game's greatest players. Here's part of the lineup that I've encased in my lucite protected Baseball Hall of Names.

Johnny Bench, Joe DiMaggio, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Sandy Koufax, Billy Martin, Mark McGwire, Joe Morgan

Frank Robinson

* * *

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.


Winning and Wanderlust:

The History of the Oakland Athletics

Quarter: Fall

Duration: 6 weeks

Date(s): Oct. 22--Dec. 3

Class Meeting Day: Tuesdays

Please note: No class on Nov. 26

Tuition: $405

Unit(s): 1

Status: Registration opens Aug 19, 8:30 am

Instructor(s): Andy Dolich

Format/Location: Live Online

Class Recording Available: Yes

Class Meeting Time: 6-7:50 p.m.


Refund Deadline: Oct. 24

Since the team's Oakland debut in 1968, the Athletics have experienced some of the most dramatic fluctuations in fortune among sports franchises. With a controversial move to Las Vegas looming after a protracted negotiation to remain in the East Bay, the Athletics will play their next three seasons in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento. This course immerses students in the history of the rise and fall of this once-revered franchise. Led by an instructor with 14 years of executive experience during the team's heyday, it features insightful conversations with key figures from the Athletics' history in sports, politics, and economics. From the World Series era, featuring icons like Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter, to the powerhouse ’80s and ’90s, led by slugger Mark McGwire and closer Dennis Eckersley, and through the groundbreaking Moneyball era pioneered by general manager Billy Beane, the A’s have taken their fans on a roller-coaster journey of triumphs and setbacks. Join us as we delve into the complex identity of the Oakland Athletics as they continue to grapple with relocation challenges and maintain the unwavering loyalty of their fan base.


Guest speakers include:

Dave Stewartformer Oakland A’s starting pitcher

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist

Mark Purdyformer San Jose Mercury News sports columnist

Ted Robinsonnational sports broadcaster

Dave Newhouseformer Oakland Tribune sports columnist and co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a

Sports Town's Fight for Survival


Andy Dolich

President, Dolich Consulting

Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is the executive vice president of Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment. Dolich is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival with Dave Newhouse and of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and

a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide/Sports Today.


Textbook for course:

(Required) Andy Dolich & Dave Newhouse, Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival (ISBN 978-1637273401)


For more information

Al Attles

L-R: George Johnson, Clifford Ray, Charles (Hopper) Dudley, Bill Bridges, Sonny Parker, Arif Khatib, Al Attles, Dick D'Oliva. 

Photo: Willamina Attles 

Al Attles – A Man Among Men


by Arif Khatib

                               

I was a Philadelphia 76ers fan and Al Attles (the Destroyer), Wilt Chamberlain and Guy Rogers became my favorite players.


Jamaal Wilkes, drafted by the Warriors in 1974, asked me to seek housing for him in Oakland and introduced me to then Warriors coach Al Attles. Later coach Al Attles helped me launch the African- American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. (Now known as the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame.)

  

I became friends with several players when the Warriors won the 1975 championship. I honored the team in 2000 and introduced our Hall of Fame on the 25th Anniversary of the World Championship. All three Oakland professional teams won championships in 1975. The A's won the American League West title, the Raiders won the AFC West title, and the Warriors won the World Championship. I titled the event, That Championship Season.

 

I asked Al to help with the logistics and he gladly agreed. His willingness to help organize the event was astonishing. He contacted owner Franklin Mieuli, and Jamaal agreed to help locate and confirm the players. The event was held at the Waterfront Hotel with 80% of the players in attendance, including owner Franklin Mieuli, assistant general manager Hal Childs and trainer Dick D'Oliva.

 

Although it may have been viewed by some as insignificant at the time, the ceremony was talked about within many circles and Al, the players and I became better friends. Al and I spoke regularly and I would visit at his home and the Warriors office. The day he retired he called to tell me he had just retired from the Warriors. I was shocked. I asked him why. “It's time, he explained.”  He further stated, "You are doing great work with your organization, but when it's time for you to retire, you will know it."

 

I offered to induct him into our Hall of Fame but he wanted others to have the opportunity. There are many things I loved about Al and his selflessness and character was always at the top. Thinking of others first. 

 

I asked Charles (Hopper) Dudley how the Warriors, who were called the Cardiac Kids, were able to win the 1975 championship. "Players like Rick Barry and Clifford Ray helped us create a family kind of team and that is very rare in sports. We had 12 guys and the other team simply could not keep up with us."

 

Dudley has developed a film titled The Cardiac Kids. I was deeply honored to be asked to appear in this historic film with such high-profile luminaries. The film is expected to be screened at the 2025

All-Star Game.

 

When members of the 1975 team attended the memorial for assistant coach Joe Roberts, I was invited to be in the photo. Al looked at the assembled players and asked me, "Who am I going to bring off the bench?" He was still thinking as a coach. 

 

Above all, the man had character and was the face of the Warriors organization. He was an incredible coach but a better person.

* * *

Arif Khatib is Founder and President of the Multi-Ethnic

Sports Hall of Fame.

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Oakland Roots SC 0

North Carolina FC 5

Wake Med Soccer Park, Carey, NC

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Oakland Roots Suffer Heavy 5-0 Defeat in North Carolina

 

North Carolina got off to a great start, taking an early 1-0 lead over the visiting Oakland Roots. Rodrigo da Costa capitalized on a rebound off the post to give the home side the advantage.

 

Oakland quickly conceded a second goal when Rafa Mentzingen scored for North Carolina, extending the lead to 2-0 within the first 8 minutes.

 

North Carolina extended their lead to 3-0 with a well-placed header from Paco Craig off a corner kick, giving the hosts a commanding advantage just past the half-hour mark.

 

The home side extended their lead just before the half-time break when Paul Blanchette's giveaway led to an Evan Conway goal, making it 4-0 for North Carolina. 

 

The hosts took a comfortable four-goal advantage into the half-time break, with Oakland trailing 4-0.


continued...

Photo Credit: Oakland Roots SC

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Y.A. Tittle -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

I met former 49er quarterback Y.A. Tittle many years ago at a sports collectors show. He played for the 49ers from 1951 to 1960. I don’t recall the reason why he signed a NY Giants photo for me instead of a 49er photo. He was nice and took the time to chat with fans.


Rich YeeSports Today Photographer

Sports Precis

Last Week I Applauded NWSL 


by Howard Pearlstein


for making structural changes in team-player relations, giving the players a little more respect than professional athletes have had since… well, never.


I was hoping maybe that might move the male players in the NFL and NBA to give a “Hey, what about us?” shout out.


An occasional reader of this column, the estimable Greebs, said he liked the idea but no way it could happen, too much money involved. And I knew he was right. Millions and hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions, stacking up like an unclimbable mountain.


Still, as a proud member of civilization’s malcontents, I wondered why that had to be right. Why couldn’t the concomitant reverberations of women’s bold advance in player relations echo through the world of sports and bring some positive changes. Surely it must be possible that the Anything you can do, I can do better song could work in both directions, even evolve into a healthy positive competition.


Before going further, a note: Freud wrote about Civilization and its Discontents. Different thing.


Discontents are grudge-holding angry people, dissatisfied with the way they’ve been treated.


Malcontents are dissatisfied with existing conditions of almost everything. It’s not personal. Not that you’d want to spend winter in a cabin with either kind.


But after happening onto an episode of Mystery of Blind Frog Ranch, a series about some good old boys who own a bunch of rocky wilderness in a remote part of Utah and are looking for legendary Aztec gold in some legendary cave. Every crack, hole or possible opening in the sedimentary layers of rock has them crawling through a fissure, hoping it’ll open up to that cave. Some are too tight to even turn around. I wish them luck but watching them do that triggered my claustrophobia, made me get up off the couch and go outside. And made me wonder if there was an access crack in the mountain of No Way?


The draft? No, no way the owners and GMs and scouts would give up the “Gimmee Gimmee Gimmee” of watching NCAA football all season. Unrestricted Free Agency? Nah. Improved Mental Health Benefits? Really? If it weren’t for tv and public pressure, they’d still be in the “just walk it off” era.


But, maybe! Player approval of trades. That might work since it also involves getting rid of a player who has an attitude, meaning thinks for himself. That might be the first real crack in the wall.


So, having solved that, I watched the Chiefs play the Ravens, first game of the season, therefore the only Thursday Game that’s not an outright short-week insult to players. The Chiefs were disgustingly good and talking Super Bowl Three-Peat.


I remember the Bill Walsh/Joe Montana Forty-Niners, after winning two Super Bowls, looking for that Three-Peat Hat Trick. And I thought “Wouldn’t it be fine and heal a lot of wounds if the 9ers meet the

Chiefs in the Super Bowl again this year -- and win?”


This is not what my late wife used to call “A true Cassandra,” in which I’d get a flash of something that later actually happens. No, this is what a writer, which I am, would call poetic justice. Not making any sort of a prediction, not going down that Nostrodumbass path. No, just making up a fantasy happy ending.


Because Sports stories are the ones in which a happy ending isn’t sappy. It’s what we all want to see, why we watch sports. To see OUR team have a happy ending, maybe done in the last seconds with an impossible catch in the end zone.

  * * *

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

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

My final trivia question about the Oakland A's

for this season is an easy one. 


What historical significance do these

uncancelled tickets hold? 


Answer below...

Newsletter, Image, Likeness

Should Athletes Be Giving Away A Portion Of Their House Settlement Funds To An NIL Claims Service?


by Darren Heitner, Esq.

Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration


The Weekly Longer NIL Thought


On September 5, 2024, there was a hearing before Judge Wilken concerning the potential preliminary approval of a settlement in the House/Hubbard/Carter v. NCAA cases. The result of that hearing is that there is still no settlement and there will never be one unless the parties can resolve what Judge Wilken believes to be a major issue -- third-party NIL restrictions intended to inhibit deal making between NIL collectives and athletes.


Jeffrey Kessler, counsel for the plaintiffs in the actions, told Judge Wilken that he does not expect such third-party payments from NIL collectives to be reduced as a result of the settlement and that, if anything, he believes they will increase. However, the NCAA's legal counsel said his client will not settle the case unless those NIL collective restrictions remain in place.


You can go back to Vol. 80 (May 17, 2024), where I commented that I didn't see how it was possible and found it unlikely that a federal judge, knowing there are many people following the matter, would rubberstamp what cannot be enforced, which is prohibiting booster pay if it is not based on "true NIL." Another issue I pointed out in Vol. 80, which Judge Wilken also noted concern about, is attaching individual athletes who aren't parties to the settlement in an attempt to prohibit them from suing the NCAA in the future. Finally, Judge Wilken expressed concerns about replacing one cap with another (on the amount of revenue sharing), which I discussed at length in Vol. 91, where I further fleshed out the above issues.

continued...

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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Celebrates Excellence with Prestigious Awards


WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca President and General Manager John Narigi opens the Prize-Giving ceremony. Photo by Lisa Watt


MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 21, 2024—The 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion concluded with a series of awards that recognized exceptional performances, sportsmanship, and significant contributions at the event that celebrated 50 years of historic racing. Held at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the event brought together racing enthusiasts from around the globe, celebrating both the cars and the individuals who bring them to life.


The awards were presented by Kevin Harris who has hosted the Live Broadcast alongside Jonathan Green for many of the past historic races. Special thanks were given to the staff at WeatherTech Raceway, the Laguna Seca Volunteer Association, the participants and selection committee and the event Grand Marshal Bill Warner, who went above and beyond his duties all weekend.


continued...

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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff

Oakland Coliseum, section 124, row 8



Factoids About These Tickets


-- Sadly, A's Bob Welch died at the age of 67 in 2014. 

-- According to Wikipedia, A's Mike Bordick works at

(maybe this one) The Baseball Warehouse!

-- The seat on each ticket would cost me $90 + $12.20 tax,

or $102.20 each, to see the Yanks on September 22. 


The Historical Significance Is The Game Was Never Played!


Wikipedia says it best and it is truly a sad read:

"The World Series was played every year until 1994 despite World War I, the global influenza pandemic of 1918–1919, the Great Depression of the 1930s, America's involvement in World War II, and even an earthquake in the host cities of the 1989 World Series. A breakdown in collective bargaining led to a strike in August 1994 and the eventual cancellation of the rest of the season, including the playoffs." 


I have held onto these tickets to remind me baseball is a business and we, the fans, are pretty much at the whim of the owners. The A's fiasco and departure is evidence of that. I feel confident there is some collector that would want to own these tickets. I'm not greedy. Offers over $100 each will be

thought about.


Hey! Who knows? Maybe the A's would be delighted to exchange the tickets for current tickets? As noted above, the tickets for the seats would cost a lot more today. I don't want to bother myself to make an exchange. Write the Editor

if you have an interest! 


Go Celtics!

Go Redsox!

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Cal Bears

Nyziah Hunter (13) caught two touchdown passes for the Bears


Bears Turn Back Auburn 21-14


Cal Defense Forces Five Turnovers in

Impressive Road Victory


AUBURN, Ala. – There is only one thing sacred in the California football program, and it has nothing to do with any player or coach.


It's the football itself.


Two games into the 2024 season, the Golden Bears are once again demonstrating the importance of getting the football in their hands. Saturday, it resulted in one of the most pivotal nonconference wins in Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox's eight seasons at Cal.


The Bears forced Auburn into five turnovers without committing one themselves, and Cal held on for a 21-14 victory over Auburn in front of a sellout crowd of 88,043 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.


"We talked about it going into today, that we wanted to be plus-2 or plus-3 (in turnover margin)," Wilcox said. "It was about protecting the football and not giving it to them. That's the only sacred thing – not a coach or player. It's the football, and we took care of it today."


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Stanford Cardinal

Winds of Change


With every victory, Stanford’s women hope to

fix college sailing



A LIGHT NORTHEASTERLY teased Michelle and Vanessa Lahrkamp all morning as they sat under a tent on the pier, wishing for even a ripple of wind to fill their sails on Little Neck Bay at the edge of Long Island Sound.


The sisters were ready to race at the Inter-collegiate Sailing Association’s 2023 Open Fleet Race National Championships, with sunscreen applied, visors on, and lifejackets at the ready. But the winds at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, were not cooperating.


Michelle, a Stanford senior co-terming in management science and engineering, was on the verge of history, for herself and for her team. But as the postponement dragged on, Michelle needed to get her mind off sailing for a while and decided to “check out,” by watching a lecture on stochastic modeling and Markov chains.


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San Jose State Spartans

Spartans Sweep Delaware


CORALVILLE, Iowa—Nayeli Ti’a recorded her second consecutive double-double to lead the San José State volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep (25-18, 25-19, 25-20) of Delaware Saturday afternoon at the Hawkeye Invite #1 at Xtream Arena.


  • Ti’a led all hitters with 18 kills and added a team-high 14 digs. She hit .282 for the match and added three blocks.
  • Brooke Bryant led the team in blocks with six block assists and added four kills.
  • Emma Testi recorded seven kills, hitting .312, and added five block assists.
  • Randilyn Reeves also recorded double-digit digs with 11.
  • Brooke Slusser recorded 24 assists, eight digs, four kills and two blocks.
  • Ava Martin had seven assists and three digs in her appearance, while Jade Epps had two blocks and a kill.
  • The Spartans used a 9-0 scoring run in the third set to take a 23-16 lead and won the match on Blaire Fleming’s ninth kill of the day.


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Saint Mary's College Gaels

WSOC | Gaels Hold No.1 Stanford to One Goal, Falling in a 1-0 Loss


MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's soccer team fell 1–0 to the No. 1 team in the nation, Stanford. 

 

FIRST HALF SMC 0-1 STANFORD

Saint Mary's put a stump on Stanford's goals coming within five minutes at the start of the game; however, Cardinal Andrea Kitahata headed the ball in the 11th minute of the game to give Stanford the lead. 

 

In the 30th minute, Saint Mary's had one of their best chances to score for the night. After Savannah Schwarze gained possession in the midfield, she passed it to her teammate to the left side, allowing Briana Salvetti to fight for it at the top of the box. Salvetti, with one more pass, allowed Saint Mary's to launch the ball into the box. With the pass intended for Schwarze, Stanford goalkeeper Haley Craig ran out colliding with Schwarze to gain possession. 

 

The first half of the match relied majority on SMC's defense with Stanford maintaining 63% of possession and attempting a total of five shots. Saint Mary's goalkeeper Kate Plachy was able to save two of these five shots. 

 

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SMC Athletics / Tod Fierner

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USF Dons

Dons Outshoot No. 11 Seattle U,

Drop Tight Match to Redhawks

 

SEATTLE, Wash. - Applying pressure all night, the University of San Francisco men's soccer team (0-3-2) outshot No. 11 Seattle U (2-0-1) by a wide margin on Friday night, but the Dons ultimately dropped a tight match, 3-2, to the Redhawks.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

  • Firing right out of the gates, Junhwan Park and Alex Solomis each got a shot off to begin the match before Olivier Sylvain put home the game's first goal just 5:03 into regulation to give San Francisco an early 1-0 lead.
  • Responding less than two minutes later, Seattle U evened the score at 1-1 on a penalty kick goal from Onodera Taketo at 6:17.
  • Finding a rhythm offensively, Park and Solomis each ripped another shot in the minutes to follow before Park found Gabriel Bracken Serra at the 18:29 mark for his second goal of the season, which put the green and gold back on top, 2-1.
  • Defending their home pitch, Seattle U answered once again as Luke Hammond found Titus Washington at 23:27 to knot things up at 2-2.
  • Dominating the shot chart, USF held a 13-2 advantage in total shots at halftime as the game remained tied after the first 45 minutes of play.
  • Out of the locker room, Sylvain logged another shot while Reid Roberts tallied a shot on goal of his own, but the Redhawks went on top at 56:19 when Yeider Zuluaga delivered the ball to Lennard Fock, who then scored to give the hosts a 3-2 lead.
  • Following this goal, San Francisco continued to fight back as the Dons held Seattle U to just three shots for the remainder of the contest.
  • Despite shots from Bracken Serra, Park, Adrian Medina and David Raphael down the stretch, the Redhawks also dug deep defensively as goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier denied the final attempts from USF. Hanging on to win a hard-fought match, Seattle U squeezed past the green and gold, 3-2, on Friday night.



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Photo: AJ Tinio

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Santa Clara Broncos

Julie Sullivan Appoints Heather M. Owen to Lead Santa Clara Athletics


SANTA CLARA, Calif, September 5, 2024—Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan announced today the appointment of Heather M. Owen, Stanford University deputy athletics director/SWA (Senior Woman Administrator) as the next Broncos director of athletics. Owen, who earned a J.D. from Santa Clara University's School of Law, is a former student-athlete and WNBA player and is an accomplished athletics administrator who has risen rapidly in positions of responsibility at Stanford Athletics over the past 15 years.

 

Sullivan cited Owen's values-based approach to supporting student-athletes, experience with multiple aspects of athletics administration, and proven leadership accomplishment as key factors in her appointment.  

 

"We are in a transformative moment for college athletics overall, and several important qualities stood out that make Heather the ideal person to lead Santa Clara Athletics," said Sullivan. "She has high academic and athletic aspirations for her student-athletes, and the experience, commitment, and track record to support them in attaining both. Her success as a student-athlete and WNBA player reveals her competitive nature and commitment to excellence. As a leader, she has the smarts and strategic and operational acumen needed to achieve it—and, importantly, the candor, calm, and trustworthiness required to successfully manage the challenges faced in building a highly competitive program. In Heather, we have found the perfect fit."


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University of Pacific Tigers

No. 7 Pacific Opens Season with 21-11 Win at No. 20 Brown


PROVIDENCE, R.I. – After a 22-11 exhibition win over Iona, the seventh-ranked Pacific men's water polo program began the regular season with a 21-11 road victory against 20th-ranked Brown on Saturday at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center.

 

The match against Brown (0-2) was tied 3-3 late in the first quarter when a buzzer beater by graduate Matthew Hosmer sparked a 6-0 run to create separation in the second. The Tigers went up 10-4 at the intermission and never looked back.



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UC Davis Aggies

Men’s Water Polo Sprints Towards The 2024 Season


DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis men's water polo is primed for the 2024 season, fronted by returning threats and promising talent the Aggies look to make a run at the Big West and the nation's best.

 

"We're an extremely hardworking team and a cohesive unit," said Child and Meisel Families Director of Men's Water Polo Daniel Leyson. "I think we will continue to improve as the season goes on because we have so many new players that will be playing prominent roles.

 

"We have solid players from top to bottom and we expect to have a lot more depth in our bench this year."

 

The eighth-ranked Aggies will start their season on the road at the Triton Invite in La Jolla, California this weekend. There, they will face off against tough competitors such as No. 3 Stanford and No. 4 USC.

 

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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Pioneers Wrap Up Road Trip With 3-0 Sweep of ENMU in Steel City Classic


PUEBLO, Colo. - In a dazzling display of resilience and skill, the Cal State East Bay Pioneers closed out the 2024 Steel City Classic with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds. Saturday's match, held at Massari Arena, saw the Pioneers sweep with set scores of 26-24, 25-17, and 25-22.


The opening set was a nail-biter that set the tone for the entire match. Down by as many as six points, the Pioneers showcased their fighting spirit, clawing their way back into contention. Alexandria Gloria's kill knotted the score at 19-19 to complete the climb back. With their backs against the wall at 24-23, East Bay capitalized on a Greyhounds error before two more points for East Bay, as Mia Jordan delivered a kill to win set point, securing the set, 26-24. 


Riding the momentum, the Pioneers found their groove in the second set. After a tense start that saw both teams locked at 10-10, Gloria once again rose to the occasion. Her decisive kill gave East Bay the 11-10 lead they wouldn't relinquish, cruising to a comfortable 25-17 set win.



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Weekly Bay Area

Sports Calendar


Monday, September 9, through

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Monday, September 9

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets, 5:15 p.m.

Tuesday, September 10

San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.

Wednesday, September 11

San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.

Thursday, September 12

San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:45 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 11:10 a.m.

Friday, September 13

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 7:15 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Chicago White Sox, 4:40 p.m.

Bay FC @ North Carolina Courage, 4 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal vs. TCU, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 14

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 7:15 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Chicago White Sox, 4:40 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes @ Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m.

Oakland Roots SC vs. San Antonio FC, 7 p.m.

Cal Bears vs. San Diego State, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday September 15

San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings, 10 a.m.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens, 10 a.m.

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 1:05 p.m.

Oakland A's @ Chicago White Sox, 11:10 a.m.

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