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May 5 -- May 11, 2025
Issue No. 588
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49ers Draft --
Who Are These People?
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San Francisco 49ers 2025 NFL Draft Class:
1 (11): ED Mykel Williams, Georgia. 2 (43): DI Alfred Collins, Texas
3 (75): LB Nickolas Martin, Oklahoma State 3 (100): S Upton Stout, Western Kentucky 4 (113): DI CJ West, Indiana
4 (138): WR Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss 5 (147): HB Jordan James, Oregon 5 (160): S Marques Sigle, Kansas State 7 (227): QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana 7 (249): G Connor Colby, Iowa 7 (252): WR Junior Bergen, Montana
My question is, why did we let powerhouse RB Jordan Mason go? Other Niners chose a change of scenery for their own reasons. That said, the need to bulk up the D-Line was obvious, and Williams and Collins will be welcome additions. The sleeper is Jordan James, RB, Oregon, who will be vital as a back up Christian McCaffrey,
with Mason off to Minnesota. QB Kurtis Rourke is 24 and last played in the CFL: maybe next year. Only one Guard, Connor Colby was selected. Key facts: He's 6'0", 309 pounds and has a mullet.
With Kittle signed (whew!) and Purdy, Mr. Now-Relevant a certain return, and an expanded corps of receivers and more beef on the D-Line, although many Draft analysts give the 49ers' draft very low grades, (as in "D"), I look for a fresh look with a healthy McCaffrey,
Purdy and Kittle on offense and Warner and Co. on Defense to lead the 49ers back into the hunt!
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
Chess Match Guru
With Buddy Hield's first quarter clutch shots and tough team defense, it was just a matter of time before Steph would be unleashed. Kudos to Steve Kerr on a master chess game while Houston continued to play hockey. That got old in the second half as the Dubs teamwork prevailed, and they sailed to victory.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Full Game 7 Highlights - May 4, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEqHBak05BQ (9:41)
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
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Government Spy
Moe Berg, a Washington Senators catcher, played an AL record 117th consecutive, errorless games. A graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Law School, Berg regularly read ten newspapers a day.
In 1934, five years before he retired as a player, Berg made a trip to Japan as part of a traveling major league All-Star team. One might wonder what the seldom-used catcher, a .251 hitter that season, was doing playing with the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Berg, who spoke seven languages, including Japanese -- one teammate said Berg can speak seven languages, and can't hit in any of them -- made his way to the roof of one of the tallest buildings he could gain entry into -- a hospital -- and took home movies of the Tokyo skyline. In 1942, Berg provided American intelligence with his photos of the city in case they were of use
to plan bombing raids.
Berg became a member of the OSS, worked behind enemy lines, and was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to civilians during wartime from President Harry S. Truman.
https://www.historynet.com/morris-moe-berg-how-baseballs-odd-man-out-became-an-american-spy/
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Contents
Games
Bay FC 1, San Diego Wave FC 2
Cal Men Earn Fourth Straight Big Meet Win Over Stanford
Golden State Warriors 103, Houston Rockets 89
Oakland Roots SC 0, Sacramento Republic FC 1
San Jose Earthquakes 4, Portland Timbers 1
Features & Commentary
Age-Defying Ouster of Rockets, by Dave Newhouse
Frank Zane, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Popovich's Long-Ago Win at Cal, by Dave Newhouse
Wild Guesses Posing As Done Deals, by Howard Pearlstein
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francsco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
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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Buddy Hield exploded for 33 points and Curry finished with
22 points after scoring just three in the first half
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Age-Defying Ouster of Rockets
by Dave Newhouse
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Golden State trudged into Houston for a Game 7 showdown on Sunday, having dissipated a 3-1 first-round NBA postseason series lead over the Rockets, with the Warriors about to discover if youth has the edge over experience.
The air deflated from the Warriors balloon the previous two games as the younger, springier Rockets gained control of the series, in what really shouldn’t have been a surprise.
For the Warriors' top three players are Stephen Curry, 37, and Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, both 35. Additionally, Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II are 32, while Kevon Looney is 29.
That’s considerable wear and tear physically compared to the Rockets, who present more recent birth certificates. Their oldest regulars are Fred Van Fleet and Steven Adams, both 31, and Dillon Brooks, 29. But Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green and Tari Eason are 23, Amen Thompson 22, Jabari Smith Jr. 21, and Cam Whitmore 20.
Yes, the Warriors have veteran talent, but the Rockets have fresher legs, so it remained to be seen which of these factors would prevail in Game 7.
In all honesty, the Warriors wouldn’t have made the postseason without acquiring Butler. But even with Playoff Jimmy, the Warriors were about to discover if the first round was their last round. Skepticism.
The answer — the moment of truth — would then determine if more changes are needed for the Warriors to return to their NBA glory years this century. More skepticism.
Payton II was sidelined with illness Sunday, a big loss without his athleticism. And Curry missed all four shots in the first quarter, including three from deep. The Warriors also continued their chief failing this series -- dumb turnovers. But they stayed close the whole period, which ended with Hield hitting a 42-footer for a 23-19 lead. Less skepticism.
And Hield was just getting started, with 22 first-half points. Curry finally scored with a 3-pointer in the final minute before intermission as the Warriors walked off the court ahead, 51-39, with their defensive pressure posing a problem for Houston.
The big question then became could the No. 7 seed Warriors hold on against the No. 2 seed Rockets, who are capable of second-half explosions. The elderly Warriors’ future — short term, long term — hinged on the outcome.
Golden State kept the pressure on in the third quarter, but the Rockets behind Thompson had 22 points, narrowing the Warriors’ lead to 63-60. But — bam! — a Butler corner jumper and two baskets by Green gave the Warriors a 70-62 lead heading into the deciding fourth quarter. Could the Warriors hang on?
Hang on? The Warriors hung a doozy on the Rockets with an age-defying final period. Hield totaled nine three-pointers for 33 points. And Curry had a memorable closing burst, stealing the ball from Sengun and then hitting a three for a controlling 91-74 lead. Farewell skepticism.
The Warriors quieted VanVleet, who had blitzed them for six games, and built a 20-point lead before closing out a memorable 103-89 victory. The Warriors proved they’re not too old at all, eliminating those young whippersnappers from Texas.
Sunday had to be one of the most impressive postseason victories in franchise history. Considerable credit must go to Steve Kerr, who delivered one of his most signature coaching victories, in Oakland or San Francisco.
The timeless Warriors moved on against Minnesota. Sometimes, age must be served over youth. Ask Houston.
Methuselah triumphs!
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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 Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with guard Tony Parker
in 2008. (Darren Abate / Associated Press)
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Popovich's
Long-Ago
Win at Cal
by Dave Newhouse
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The first time I saw Gregg Popovich, he was a college basketball player. But it was so long ago — 55 years — that I don’t remember much of what I saw.
Popovich didn’t stand out during that game in Berkeley, but he ended the evening in his accustomed manner — he won.
He just announced his coaching retirement with San Antonio after 29 seasons, leading the Spurs to five NBA championships, while becoming the league’s all-time winning coach, and also entering the Basketball Hall of Fame.
But on January 23, 1970, he was a senior guard at the Air Force Academy, which upset Cal, 56-55, at Harmon Gym, the forerunner of Haas Pavilion.
Cal was loaded with talent, including future NBA guards Charlie Johnson and Phil Chenier, plus the talented Jackie Ridgle and Ansley Truitt. But the Falcons’ Mark Bean hit a 12-foot jump shot with nine seconds left, then the visitors held their breath as Cal’s Tom Henderson missed a follow-up shot just before time expired.
Popovich, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, scored 8 points that night on a pair of field goals and four-for-four accuracy at the free throw line. I had to look that up because I didn’t recall his presence in the game, which I covered for the Oakland Tribune.
Upon further discovery, he led the Falcons in scoring that season at 14.3 points, tied with 6-foot-6 center Bob Weiland. Popovich was voted the Falcons’ team captain, and his .559 field goal accuracy still ranks seventh at the academy.
| | Gregg Popovich, top row, left, went 2-22 as a first-year Pomona-Pitzer coach in 1979-80 and had a courtside view to the end of a rival’s 99-game losing streak. (Courtesy of Steve Johnson) | | |
Popovich and I have something in common: both serving in the Air Force. In fact, in 1958, I was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, the initial home of the Air Force Academy before its permanent move to Colorado Springs.
But, ever curious I looked up Popovich’s personal history. He grew up in East Chicago, Illinois, the son of a Serbian father and Croatian mother. His tough hometown upbringing and strict parents obviously instilled in him a no-nonsense personality.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Soviet Studies, then underwent Air Force intelligence and briefly considered a CIA career. He served five years of active duty, one more than yours truly, and was captain of the U.S. Armed Forces basketball team which won the AAU championship. He was invited to the USA Olympic Basketball Team trials, failing to make the team, but thought to be most deserving.
In 1973, he returned to the Air Force Academy as assistant basketball coach, while earning a Master’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Denver.
He moved slowly through the coaching ranks, including the years 1979 through 1988 at tiny Pomona-Pitzer College, where he produced the school’s first outright basketball title in 68 years.
Don Nelson then hired him as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors from 1992 to 1994, before his moving on to San Antonio.
Popovich, 76, whose health issues — he had a stroke in November — forced him to step down as coach, will remain with the Spurs as team president.
He leaves pro coaching with 1,422 victories, but I wonder if he remembers that one-point win in Berkeley.
Perhaps he does better than I do.
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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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Cal’s Men Earn Fourth-Straight Big Meet Win Over Stanford
Edwards Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, May 3, 2025
| | Squaring off under beautiful Berkeley weather, Cal hosted the 130th Big Meet against their rival, the Stanford Cardinal from Palo Alto. Cal’s men's team would finish with a 20-point lead, taking a fourth win in a row, while the Cal women’s team took their second in a row. Several meet records were set, three by Cal and one by Stanford. Above, celebrating a personal best with a handstand among teammates, Cal's Kai Burich would cross the 60-meter mark in his hammer throw. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | |
Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust and a Sports Town’s Fight for Survival, written by Andy Dolich and Dave Newhouse (Triumph Books), transitioned from hard cover to paperback in April.
The book, dealing with Oakland’s disappearance as a major sports town, has sold in excess of 3,000 copies, thereby prompting the move to paperback.
All aspects of Oakland’s sports dissolution is covered by the authors, including interviews with civic leaders, economists, politicians and sports figures, plus in-depth studies of team owners who lifted Oakland to the top of the national sports scene, then left for San Francisco and Las Vegas (twice), stamping Oakland as America’s most abandoned sports city.
Sports commentator Chris Berman wrote on the book cover: “Goodbye Oakland takes us through all of it, from when the sky was the limit to when the bottom fell out.”
Oaktown is trying to recover with minor-league baseball and men’s and women’s soccer, but it’s a significant uphill climb.
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Our Mission:
Weavery's mission is to provide data and ai strategy advice, training, and innovative solutions to high impact humanitarian organizations. Weavery leverages artificial intelligence to enhance operations and amplify impact to serve a world in need.
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If you enjoy our free publication,
a contribution to help defray costs
would be appreciated.
| | Thanks to the following generous donors! | | |
A. Nonymous
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Steve Chain
Harvey Cohen
Richard Cross -- Founder / San Francisco Nighthawks
Andy Dolich
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Robert Flammia
Bill & Nona Hool
Sheila Jordan
Arif Khatib
Mitchell Kim
David Larson
Ann McNaughton
Timothy Maroney
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Dave Newhouse
Timothy Palacios
James Reynolds
Ross & Vicki Robinson
Chloe Satterlee
Selina Satterlee
Robert Scheer
Leonard Schwab
Narda Zacchino
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Willy Adames against the Seattle Mariners, April 5, 2025.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Why stop at one? Adames hits first two homers at Oracle Park
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
SAN FRANCISCO -- The left side of the infield is heating up for the Giants.
After third baseman Matt Chapman homered in back-to-back games for the first time this season, Willy Adames put on his own power display in Sunday afternoon’s 9-3 win over the Rockies at Oracle Park.
The Giants’ new shortstop launched a pair of solo shots in his first two at-bats against right-hander Germán Márquez, marking the first time he’s gone deep at home this year.
continued...
www.sfgiants.com
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"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
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JJ Bleday against the Chicago Cubs, March 31, 2025.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Bleday continues big series (2 HRs) against his former club
Justin Morris
MIAMI -- The Athletics have seen a homer a day from JJ Bleday thus far in Miami.
Bleday, a former fourth overall pick of the Marlins in 2019, has found fortune in familiar territory. He clubbed his second homer of the series in the Athletics’ 9-6 walk-off loss to Miami Saturday afternoon at loanDepot park, following a third-inning rope Friday night.
Bleday went 2-for-4 with a walk in the series-opening win, scoring three runs, while notching his seventh double of the season. And Saturday, he had two more hits, maintaining his .500 batting average for the series.
continued...
www.athletics.com
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Ballers Owners,
Our second community investment round just closed and it was a HUGE success thanks to all of you! We have now raised over $3M across our 1st and 2nd rounds.
People wanted to write off Oakland sports, and we’re proving that when you invest in the people of this community – they invest back in you! So you’re in. You can officially say you own a baseball team. Now what?
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Well, here’s how you can protect and grow your new investment.
Buy Tickets
Our first homestand is coming up fast — grab your seats, bring your crew, and let’s fill the stands!
Opening Day is Tuesday May 20th. That game is going to sell out… But the way we really prove Oakland baseball is stronger than ever is by buying tickets to the 2nd game on May 21st. We’ll be giving out four 3-day passes to Bottle Rock that day, too.
On May 22nd, hip hop superstar Too $hort will be in the house!
On May 24th, Lyrics Born will also be performing. We’re bringing it. Come by and celebrate with your fellow owners. We need to pack that first homestand. And with over 3K fan investors, we should be able to fill the stands.
| | Volunteers assembled on Sunday morning, May 5, to help the Oakland Ballers plant trees around Raimondi Park in West Oakland. Two nonprofit organizations, the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation and Sidewalk Trees and Gardens, teamed up with the Ballers to plant 18 new trees. | | Of the 18 trees planted, half are water gums and the other half are gold medallions, which will bloom in the spring in the Ballers’ signature gold. Donations for the planting were also received from the Ponderosa Tree Service. | | |
San Jose Earthquakes 4
Portland Timbers 1
PayPal Park, San Jose CA
Saturday, May 3, 2025
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Earthquakes 4, Portland Timbers 1
San Jose return to win column behind Cristian Espinoza brace; Quakes now prepare for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 home clash with Sacramento Republic FC
on Wednesday
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Portland Timbers 4-1 on Saturday night in Major League Soccer regular-season play at PayPal Park behind two goals and an assist from team captain Cristian Espinoza. The match was presented by Valley Health Plan.
The Earthquakes’ explosive attack fired the first salvo in the 16th minute when Cristian “Chicho” Arango found an open DeJuan Jones on the right wing and his one-touch into the box found Espinoza to open the scoring, 1-0. In the 24th minute, Espinoza played a one-two with Ousseni Bouda, with the former finishing the play clinically to double San Jose’s advantage, 2-0. Three minutes later, Jones connected with Arango in transition and the Colombian star charged forward down the right wing with the ball, ultimately slotting it home for a 3-0 Quakes lead. The goal lifted Arango into a three-way tie for the league lead with seven.
In the 41st minute, the Timbers pulled one back when Antony and David Da Costa combined on the left wing to feed Felipe Mora for the finish to make it 3-1 at intermission.
The second half saw the Quakes appear to extend their lead a little past the hour mark from a second Arango goal, but it was called back after video review. San Jose would seemingly get another opportunity in the 69th minute when Beau Leroux was fouled in the box, but the awarded penalty kick was reversed once again on review. San Jose would not be denied and in the 88th minute, Espinoza and Arango combined on assisting a streaking Bouda, who slid and poked the ball past Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to seal a 4-1 final result.
The Black and Blue will now look ahead to their debut in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 7, when they take on Sacramento Republic FC in the Round of 32. Kickoff from PayPal Park will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT, and the game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network as well as streamed on Paramount+.
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Oakland Roots SC 0
Sacramento Republic FC 1
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Sunday, May 4, 2025
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Roots Fall to NorCal Rivals Sacramento Republic 0-1 in Oakland
Oakland played an aggressive style of soccer on the city’s birthday May 4th at the Coliseum, but it was rival Sacramento Republic FC that would come away from the Coliseum victorious, defeating Roots 0-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Roots controlled every facet of the match in the first half, playing creatively and hemming Sacramento into their own defensive third for long stretches of the contest.
This pressure led to a prime scoring opportunity just eight minutes into the match when a through ball from José Luis Sinisterra found Peter Wilson alone behind the defense. Wilson’s shot, however, was cleaned up by Republic keeper Daniel Vitiello, who handled the rebound try from Roots’ Wolfgang Prentice as well to keep the game level.
Oakland continued to earn dangerous chances throughout the first 45 minutes of play, but despite tilting the turf heavily in their favor, could not find the back of the net in the first half.
When the second half of play began, Roots looked as if the gas was running out.
Just two minutes into the second frame, Oakland’s Baboucarr Njie conceded a foul in the Oakland area prompting the referee to point to the dot. Sacramento took the lead on the subsequent penalty kick when Russell Cicerone sent his try to the low left side, beating Kendall McIntosh to give the visitors an 0-1 lead.
Near the end of the contest, Roots came back to life earning a number of premium scoring opportunities, but failing to finish any of them to at least salvage a point in the table.
Roots will look to get back in the win column next Saturday when they travel to Texas to face conference leaders San Antonio FC on May, 10th at 5:30 PM PT.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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Bay FC 1
San Diego Wave FC 2
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Sunday, May 4, 2025
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Match Recap: Bay FC falls 2-1 in heartbreaker at San Diego Wave FC
San Diego, Calif. (May 4, 2024) — Bay FC fell in a heartbreaker Sunday in San Diego, falling 2-1 to San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. After giving up and early lead, forward Karlie Lema scored her second goal of the season, seemingly sending this match to a 1-1 draw. However, San Diego would go ahead in the dying moments when Wave defender Trinity Armstrong headed in a corner kick to give the hosts all three points.
“Any game in the NWSL is really tough. Proud of the group for responding to going down a goal early, I think we were resilient in that,” said defender Abby Dahlkemper after the match. “Not hanging our heads, but the little things make a big difference in this league. We’re taking the positives, focusing on the little things that can help us improve and looking forward to another game next weekend.”
A wide open first half provided each side chances early in the match. San Diego got out on the front foot with the game’s first goal just six minutes after the opening whistle. A corner kick served by by San Deigo forward María Sánchez was headed over the line by defender Kennedy Wesley. The Wave continued to press early following the opening goal, but a strong save by Jordan Silkowitz sent away a chance in the ninth minute, before another free kick chance from close range was cleared by Bay FC’s backline.
continued....
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WEST INDIAN T20 SPECIALIST ROMARIO SHEPHERD SIGNS FOR SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS
- Guyana-born bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd is the latest Unicorns signing for Cognizant Major League Cricket 2025.
- Shepherd brings IPL, CPL, SA20, and previous MLC experience to the Unicorns’ roster for the third edition of the US cricket tournament.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 1, 2025) — The San Francisco Unicorns has added West Indian T20 specialist and bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd to its roster for the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket season.
Having made his name in the Caribbean Premier League, Shepherd, 30, has gone on to become a household T20 star, representing some of the biggest global franchises in the world, including Mumbai Indians and Joburg Super Kings, while earning over 50 T20I caps for his native West Indies.
Shepherd holds career-best bowling figures of 4/13 in the shortest format, and while known primarily for his pace with the ball, has gained a well-earned reputation as a destructive finisher at the crease, with an international average of over 26 at a strike rate of 139.
The West Indian will come prepared for the conditions of MLC cricket and the strength of the Unicorns’ team, having represented MI New York four times in 2024, including an appearance against his new side at the Grand Prairie Stadium, which ended in a Unicorns victory.
Romario Shepherd is the latest signing to bolster the San Francisco team’s roster for the new season, with Australian internationals Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett recently announced, along with New Zealand international wicketkeeper batsman Tim Seifert.
Romario Shepherd said: “I’ve seen first-hand the quality and entertainment that’s on show at Major League Cricket, and this represents a huge opportunity to return for the 2025 season and help the Unicorns to success in what’s going to be the tournament’s biggest edition yet.
“I got a taste of the Texas support and Grand Prairie atmosphere last year, but playing in front of our home fans for the first time at the Oakland Coliseum will be a completely different experience. I can’t wait to get started with Shane and the team.”
continued...
www.sfunicorns.com
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Wild Guesses Posing As
Done Deals
by Howard Pearlstein
This is the time of year when there’s enough “nothing’ happening to bring out all the wannabe Nostrodumbasses to imagine what might take place. The news feed syndicates get in the game with click-bait headlines that publish these wet dream wish lists as done deals.
The feed I get has given me four (count ’em, FOUR!) banner headlines that “the Purdy contract deal” is done, signed, sealed and delivered, while other headlines on the same feed, sometimes the same day tell me it will never happen because…
They give us click-bait with the authority of stone tablets thrown down from heaven to instruct and guide us mere mortals on The Way It Is. Except it isn’t.
Click-bait is the internet version of Bait-and-Switch. I’m barely able to remember headlines that gave us actual information. Was it just this old man’s dream that a headline could read -- and this is an imaginary situation I just made up: “Economic Crisis Is Affecting the Future of Pismo Beach’s BART System.”
Not gonna see the likes of that anymore. What we get is, “Will this Bay Area City’s Problems Upset Your Daily Commute?” They get paid for how many people click on it to find out WTF they’re talking about. Click-bait.
This morning, one article was about the most important player the 9ers need in the 2026 NFL draft. 2026! (From that players’ agent?) Writers cultivate sources while sources cultivate income-enhancing stories. It’s about money, not information.
Whatever journalism used to be, the most basic rule of it was: Who? What? Where? When? How? And we ain’t seen hide-nor-hair of that standard in internet feeds since.
The wonder of the internet is that everyone can have access to speak his or her or their GLBTQ truth. (I’m sorry – I’ve spent too many years pursuing a more perfect mastery of the English language to accept the idiotic solution of referring to a single person as the pural: “they.”) If you don’t know, ask.
I encountered that problem nearly 50 years ago, spending a few weeks doing an in-depth article on the difficulties pre-op transsexuals have in negotiating the modern world, even including dilemmas like which public toilet to use. I solved it by asking, each day, to whom I was talking: “him” or “her” or “other?” (An aside -- she told me she felt liberated in Japan where public toilets are just toilets without gender. As the children’s book says: Everybody Poops.)
Journalism used to rely on writers’ bonafides, connection to some corporation or academic institution that had vetted them and could assert the probable reliability of things they wrote. Now, fact-checking is the reader’s responsibility. The internet requires people to use some analytic ability on the meaning of what they read, and that’s not taught in America’s public schools, where intellectual vandals denounce ideas they don’t like as propaganda.
Today my fact-checking on Duck-Duck-Go was to spellcheck Bay FC player names like Racheal Kundananji and Caprice Dydasco, because my current interest is to see how the NWSL is doing with the new players’ contract.
The ‘radical’ elimination of the draft moves professional players’ relationship with the owners away from an echo of the plantation system. Players have chosen teams to be in/near their hometowns and/or for the type of game or other players they know best. Because of that, many of them have been able to be first-year starters.
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Someone once told me that my peripatetic life-path reads like the dust jacket of an experimental novel. He didn't realize that it is that novel, still being written.
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | | |
WOW!
Who would have thunk it?
The Warriors move on. No more time for
a Rockets comeback!
What is the biggest NBA comeback
in playoff history?
answer below
| | Frank Zane -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | | |
I met bodybuilder and three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane at Gold's Gym in Venice Beach back in the 1980s. Since that's where all the professional bodybuilders worked out at, I knew I would meet one of them there. When I saw Frank Zane in the gym after his work out I approached and asked him to sign this exercise booklet which was for sale behind the counter. He was really nice and even asked if I was planning to work out at the gym that day. I left that day with several autograph photos and a few
Golds Gym T-shirts which I had purchased.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
| |
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 130 Mario Chalmers'
NIL Lawsuit Dismissal Signals Tough Road Ahead For
Legacy Claims
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
On April 28, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Engelmayer delivered a decisive blow to former Kansas basketball star Mario Chalmers and 15 other ex-college athletes, dismissing their antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and six major conferences. The ruling, which found the plaintiffs’ claims untimely and precluded by prior litigation, underscores the significant legal hurdles facing former college athletes seeking compensation for the NCAA’s historical use of their NIL. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, this decision offers critical lessons for similarly situated athletes and could reshape the trajectory of pending and future lawsuits.
Filed in July 2024, the lawsuit targeted the NCAA and conferences like the Big East and SEC, alleging violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, alongside unjust enrichment claims. The 16 plaintiffs, all of whom competed in NCAA Division I men’s basketball or FBS football before June 15, 2016 (which is why they are excluded from the House v. NCAA settlement and thus brought a separate action), argued that the NCAA’s requirement to sign annual Student-Athlete Statements forced them to relinquish their NIL rights in perpetuity. These agreements, they claimed, enabled the NCAA to profit from their images and footage through broadcasts, advertisements, and licensing deals, without compensation, both during and after their college careers. The plaintiffs sought damages and injunctive relief, asserting that each commercial use of their NIL constituted a new antitrust injury.
The NCAA countered with a motion to dismiss, arguing that the claims were barred by the four-year statute of limitations, precluded by prior settlements like O’Bannon and Alston, and failed to adequately plead injury. Judge Engelmayer’s 34-page opinion sided with the defendants, granting dismissal with prejudice.
Judge Engelmayer’s ruling hinged on two primary grounds: timeliness and preclusion. On the statute of limitations, the court rejected the plaintiffs’ argument that each use of their NILs was a new “overt act” under the continuing violation doctrine. Instead, the court held that the alleged anticompetitive conduct—compelling plaintiffs to sign away their NIL rights—occurred when they executed the Student-Athlete Statements, between 1994 and mid-2016. As the judge explained:
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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IMSA’s only stop in Northern California is almost here! You don’t want to miss the TireRack.com Monterey Sportscar Championship weekend, May 9-11.
On track, the stars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will tackle the serpentine circuit alongside incredible action from the Mustang Challenge and Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series. Off track, you’ll enjoy paddock access, Sunday’s pre-race fan walk on the grid, driver autograph sessions and much more!
Save more than 25% by locking in your three-day general admission and paddock access tickets or upgrade your race weekend experience with the brand-new WeatherTech VIP Club. A limited number of weekend tent camping spots are still available, but you’ll need to act fast!
Looking for fun for the whole family? Kids 15 and under get in free all weekend with a ticketed adult or take advantage of code MAY 9 for a FREE single-day Friday ticket, while supplies last.
See what’s happening on track with the Race Day Schedule.
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have the biggest comeback win in playoff history, having come back
from a 31-point deficit.
In game Two of the 2019 Western Conference
First Round, the Clippers were trailing 63-94 in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors on
April 15, 2019, and came back to win the game,
135-131.
Go Celtics
Go Red Sox
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NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Cal Wins 29th National XVs Championship
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The California rugby team beat Life University, 55-38, in the highest-scoring national championship match in D1A history to clinch the program's 29th XVs championship title and 34th overall, including its five sevens titles. The championship is Golden Bears' Head Coach Jack Clark milestone 30th national title, 25 of which are in 15-a-side competition.
"Very difficult game. There was a lot of resolve in both teams. It was punch-for-punch for 80 minutes," Clark said. "I'm especially proud of our captain Charlie Walsh. He willed our team through some really challenging periods this season, and he's now become one of the legendary Cal captains."
Cal was first to put points on the scoreboard, with freshman Filip Edstrom successfully converting a penalty kick to give the Bears three points. Edstrom was later named Man of the Match for his superb performance.
Life scored a converted try in the seventh minute, but Cal answered with a try of its own at minute 15 to take back the lead. The Bears were playing deep in Life's territory, grinding out multiple phases before senior Dom Paga punched it in on the goal line.
A penalty on the restart gave Life an attacking lineout which it mauled in for a try in the 17th minute. The Running Eagles scored once more off their maul three minutes later to extend their advantage.
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Photo: Guy Warren Photography
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Big Wins at Big Row
No. 1 Stanford wins in all five boats against
No. 9 California
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Top-ranked Stanford defeated No. 9 California on Saturday morning at the annual Big Row at Redwood Shores, sweeping all five boats in its final regular-season event.
Both varsity four boats cruised to victory to begin the morning, with Stanford’s second varsity four (7:51.8) posting a faster time than California’s first varsity four (7:53.5). The only time Stanford has posted a wider margin of victory in the varsity fours this year came against Virginia on April 13, also at Redwood Shores.
Things continued strong for the Cardinal in the first varsity eight, with a 15-second win over the Golden Bears. The second varsity eights held the largest margin of victory (18.4 seconds) for the varsity eights. Stanford’s third varsity eight closed out the morning with a 2.7-second win, securing the sweep of California.
Postseason action is ahead for the Cardinal as it competes in its first ACC Championships, beginning on May 16 and concluding on May 17. Syracuse is the defending champion of the ACC, but Stanford swept Syracuse at Redwood Shores on April 12. Stanford has won its last three conference championships dating back to 2022. Clemson hosts this year’s ACC Championships at Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C.
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Photo: Bob Dahlberg
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Spartans Fall in 12-Inning Battle to UNLV Presented by El Camino Health
SAN JOSE, Calif. – David Thomas and Nolan George combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just three earned runs in 12 innings pitched to lead the San José State baseball team (22-25, 9-14 MW) in a 5-3 loss to UNLV (26-20, 11-12 MW) at Excite Ballpark on Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three game series, presented by El Camino Health.
The Spartans struck first with an unearned run in the bottom of the first, sparked by a single from Rocco Caballero and a hustle play by Jake McCoy, who drove in the run and later homered in the eighth to tie the game at 3-3.
San José State starter Thomas delivered six strong innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Reliever George matched him with six innings of relief, surrendering just one earned run, but took the loss (3-3) after UNLV scored twice in the 12th inning.
Offensively, Zach Chamizo and Caballero led the way with three hits apiece, while Zach Tallerman and McCoy added two each.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
Jenavee Amador: 2-4 3 RBI
SB | Gaels Sweep Saturday Twin Bill with Toreros, Move Season Long Win Streak to Five Straight
MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels (25-22, 8-3 2nd in WCC) continue to stay red-hot, as they took both games of a doubleheader today against the University of San Diego (20-28, 4-10 6th in WCC) to remain just one game back of first place in the conference. The wins were the Gaels fourth and fifth straight, tying, then breaking the season's longest win streak mark.
GAME ONE: SMC 3 - USD 2
Mia Nishikawa got the ball in game one of the series for the third time in four conference clashes this year. After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, the Toreros took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two out double, followed by a two run blast to left. For the third time in the last four games, the Gaels were asked to play from behind early, and to attempt a comeback. That doesn't happen if your pitcher doesn't respond to the early adversity, and respond Mia did! The sophomore hung up five straight zeroes from the third through the seventh innings, allowing just two hits and three total base runners for the rest of the game, leaving plenty of time for her offense to chip away.
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Toreros Strike Late to Defeat Dons
in Series Opener
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Despite a valiant effort in the early stages of the contest, the University of San Francisco baseball team (20-26, 7-12 WCC) dropped a 10-1 West Coast Conference decision to San Diego (18-26, 12-4 WCC) in the series opener Friday evening at Fowler Park.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- San Diego scored the opening run in the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a Jack Gurevitch leadoff home run over the wall in left field.
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Answering in the top of the second, San Francisco tied the game at a run apiece after Matty Fung recorded an RBI bunt single. Eddison Esquivel worked a leadoff walk to begin the frame and quickly moved into scoring position after a Zack Ramppen hit-by-pitch. Fung followed with a flawless bunt down the third-base line that skipped past the third baseman AJ Beltre, scoring Esquivel from second.
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A pitching duel ensued, as neither program scored in the subsequent four frames. The Dons held the Toreros to one baserunner during the four-scoreless frames, as starting pitcher Gabriel Barrett allowed just one walk in the bottom of the fifth.
- San Diego regained the lead and broke open the game in the seventh inning, scoring eight runs to take a commanding 9-1 advantage. The Toreros added one more tally in the eighth to push the lead to 10-1.
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Photo: Christina Leung
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Softball Remains in First Place Winning Both Ends of Doubleheader Against LMU
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball remained in first place of the West Coast Conference standings winning both doubleheader games against LMU on Saturday, 5-4 in the first game and 7-5 in the second game. The Broncos improved to a record of 9-2 in league action, staying one game ahead of second place Saint Mary's who kept pace winning both their games against San Diego to move to 8-3.
Santa Clara has now won 30 games, tying the program record for the most wins in a season, a feat that's been achieved three times previously in 2003, 2004 and 2024. This is also the second time in program history, the team has won 30 games in back-to-back seasons.
Game 1: Santa Clara 5 - LMU 4
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Santa Clara (29-18, 8-2 WCC) scored all five of their runs in the third and fourth innings and hung on for a 5-4 victory in the opening game of the series.
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Hope Alley drove in two runs with a single in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game up at 2-all, answering the two runs LMU (20-27, 5-4 WCC) scored in the top half of the inning on Jasmine Sofowora's RBI hit and a Bronco error.
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In the fourth, SCU loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single against Lions starter Lindsay O'Dell. Pinch hitter Kyla Acres hit an RBI grounder to put the Broncos ahead by a run, followed by a triple by Cairah Curran to the right center gap to score two more to make it 5-2. Curran went 2-for-4, getting her 73rd and 74th hits of the season to break Angela Kabanuck's Bronco single season hit record of 72 that she set in 2007 (the most since at least 2000).
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Hannah Edwards came in relief of Cari Ferguson to start the fifth but got in trouble loading the bases on Justine Lambert's single, Arianna Jaurequi reached on an error and walked Izzy Jamgotchian. Mika Chong got her third hit of the day, a single to right field, to trim the Bronco lead to one run at 5-4. With runners at first and second, Edwards got Sakora Harvell to line out to third baseman Hope Alley who doubled off the runner at second to kill the Lions rally.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Strikes First in Series-Opening Loss to Saint Mary’s
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific baseball program continued its season-long eight-game homestand against Saint Mary's, dropping an 8-2 decision Friday night at Klein Family Field.
The Tigers (18-28, 6-10 WCC) scored the first two runs of the contest, but the middle innings led the Gaels (24-20, 8-8 WCC) to eventually taking the series opener.
Sophomore Braeden Schnabel smashed his first home run of the season at home and his fifth on the 2025 campaign that went 416 feet to straight away center field to give Pacific an early lead. Graduate student Kordell Brown added a two-out RBI hit that presented the Tigers with a 2-0 lead after two innings.
Fifth year John-Howard Bobo continued his hot streak in conference play, collecting three hits from the two-hole. Senior Drake Bicknell and redshirt senior JT Waldon also recorded multi-hit games at the plate.
Sophomore Regan Carter turned in his longest start of his Tiger career, going 5.0 innings and striking out a pair of Gaels.
Following the Tigers' two-run lead after the first two innings, Saint Mary's scored eight unanswered runs across the next seven innings to ultimately take game one.
Pacific and Saint Mary's will go head-to-head in game two of the series tomorrow night with a first pitch slated for 6 p.m. PDT from Klein Family Field.
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Five Aggies Earn 2025 Big West Women's Water Polo Awards
IRVINE, Calif. – Sophomore Bridget Miller earns a spot on the All-Big West Second Team, while sophomore Chelsea Johnson, redshirt junior Gianna Nocetti, sophomore Sadie Henry, and senior Kelly Hungerford pick up the honorable mention titles.
After the 2024 season, Johnson and Miller were named to the All-Big West Freshman squad, while Nocetti has a repeat offense with the honorable mention title; making it the second year in a row that the trio earns conference nods. This is Hungerford's first award after her knockout curtain closing season, and Henry's first title as well.
The center from Ladera Ranch, California put up some impressive stats for the Aggies, posing as a consistent threat in the water to the other teams. Miller led the team in goals with 47 on the season, and added 8 assists, 15 steals, and drew a whopping 57 exclusions. She totaled up fifteen multi-goal games of the 28 played, scoring 4 against Cal Baptist, UC Merced, and Cal State Fullerton. A marksman in her craft, Miller has maintained a perfect shooting rate in the game five times this season as well.
Hungerford, originally rooted from Santa Ana, California, led the team in assists with 47 on the season; also breaking the Davis career assist record, now crowned at the top with 154. She has also put up 20 goals, 45 steals, 14 drawn kickouts, and 14 field blocks. Hungerford had a monumental game versus UC Irvine, where she found the back of the net five times and added two assists to her stat line in the one game alone. She aided her teammates' offense and made five assists on two separate occasions: versus Pacific and Cal State Monterey and has had five multi-goal games this season.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Baseball Celebrates Senior Day With 4-1 Win
HAYWARD, Calif. — Behind an outtsanding performance on the mound from senior Gabe Tanner and timely hitting from the heart of the lineup, Cal State East Bay capped its 2025 baseball season with a 4-1 win over Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Baseball Field. Pior to the game, the Pioneers celebrated Senior Day honoring 23 members of the team before their final game in a Cal State East Bay uniform.
GAME SUMMARIES:
After falling behind on a solo home run in the fourth by Brent Cota, East Bay answered swiftly in the bottom half. Jacob Klinovsky sparked the rally with a single up the middle, and Camron Grant followed with a double to left, putting two runners in scoring position. With two outs, Danelle Daniels delivered a clutch two-run single to left to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead.
Daniels came through again in the sixth. After back-to-back singles by Grant and Luke Brown, Daniels drove in Grant for his third RBI of the day, extending the lead to 3-1.
In the eighth, East Bay added an insurance run. Klinovsky drew a walk and gave way to pinch runner Dominick Najar, who advanced to third on Grant's second double of the game. Brown then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Najar for a 4-1 advantage.
Gabe Tanner in relief, earned the win in his final appearance on the mound with the Pioneers improving to 5-3 on the season.
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, May 5, through
Sunday, May 11, 2025
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Monday, May 5
San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 4:40 p.m.
A's vs. Seattle Mariners, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6
Golden State Warriors @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 6:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 4:40 p.m.
A's vs. Seattle Mariners, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7
San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs, 11:20 a.m.
A's vs. Seattle Mariners, 12:35 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sacramento Republic FC, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
Golden State Warriors @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 5:30 p.m.
Friday, May 9
San Francisco Giants @ Minnesota Twins, 5:10 p.m.
A's vs. New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 5:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Minnesota Twins, 4:45 p.m.
A's vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Colorado Rapids, 6:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ San Antonio FC, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11
San Francisco Giants @ Minnesota Twins, 11:10 a.m.
A's vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
Bay FC @ Kansas City Current, 9:50 a.m.
Oakland Soul SC vs. Academica FC, 6 p.m..
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, 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
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Artist: Carl Macki
Webmaster/Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
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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