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May 12 -- May 18, 2025
Issue No. 589
| | Robin Roberts -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | | |
I purchased this Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Day card from Robin Roberts at a card collector show many years ago. This is the only one I've ever seen offered in a card collector show so I thought I'd get it for my collection as it was something different. After buying the signed card, Robin give me the baseball card to go along with the purchase for free.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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G-Men -- Put some runs in the Bank!
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Sitting a mile away, fans enjoy a Dodgers vs. Giants game
at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1958
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Contents
Games
Athletics 2, New York Yankees 12
Bay FC 1, Kansas City Current 4
Golden State Warriors 97, Minnesota Timberwolves 102
Oakland Roots SC 2, San Antonio FC 1
Oakland Spiders 26, Seattle Cascade 21
San Jose Earthquakes 2 , Colorado Avalanche 0
Features & Commentary
Curry Injury A Postseason Gut Punch, by Dave Newhouse
Major New Sports Trades, by Robert Moselle
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Robin Roberts, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Sometimes An Unfinished Column Can Be A Good Thing, 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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Curry Injury
A Postseason
Gut Punch
by Dave Newhouse
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Stephen Curry sat in street clothing next to his Warriors teammates, watching the court action with a smile or a frown, offering an occasional comment to those around him. But at the end of Game 3 Saturday, Curry buried his head in his hands.
For the second straight postseason game against Minnesota, Curry couldn’t suit up because of a hamstring strain, and the Warriors lost without him. By the time the greatest shooter in the world is healthy again, it may be too late: The season could be over.
He played less than a half in the opener, and the Warriors used that brief impetus for a 99-88 victory in Minneapolis. Then he watched the Timberwolves triumph 117-93 and 102-97 to take a 2-1 series lead. Curry wasn’t expected to play at home Monday evening or in Game 5 on Wednesday back in Minnesota. Game 6 is scheduled next Sunday, with the Warriors’ offseason potentially underway.
And just like that, the Warriors season, which turned around with the Jimmy Butler acquisition and turned right back around by losing Curry, could be history.
Poor Steve Kerr. How can you coach in May without your franchise player? And this isn’t a new postseason setback for Kerr, who lost an NBA championship series to Toronto in 2019 because Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were both injured.
Butler, though, not Curry is the reason the Warriors got by Houston in Game 7 of the opening playoff series against Houston. But Butler, without Curry, is the reason the Warriors lost Saturday. He scored 33 points, but none in the final eight minutes as the Wolves caught fire. Butler missed six easy shots by the basket down the stretch. Suddenly, Playoff Jimmy was Fade-Off Jimmy.
But he wasn’t the only reason the Warriors surrendered a 73-67 lead entering the fourth quarter. Buddy Hield was inconsistent the entire night. Jonathan Kuminga rose up, spectacularly, with 30 points, but Anthony Edwards lifted the Wolves on his shoulders with 36 points bolstered by a standout second half.
It’s damaging when a player of Curry’s all-time stature isn’t available this time of year. Try to imagine, thinking historically, at not having Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, Hakeem Olajuwon or Michael Jordan available. Doomsday.
| | Draymond Green fouled out with four minutes remaining | | |
Draymond Green certainly didn’t help matters Saturday by using another questionable defensive tactic, cutting off Warrior momentum. Additionally, Green picked up his fifth and sixth fouls within 18 seconds of each other in the final period. Sometimes, his actions are just difficult to defend, though Kerr does so with unbelievable — unexplainable? — patience.
This series has had a negative impact on Brandin Poziemski’s shooting, which had been consistently accurate against Houston. But he stays on the court because his hustle and intuition are positives, like his creating charging fouls. But seeing Podziemski sprawled on the court again, he has become the Chuck Wepner of basketball, referencing the onetime heavyweight boxer who literally looked up to opponents from the canvas.
The Warriors’ other frustrating tendencies — senseless turnovers and missed free throws — further explain the predicament confronting them as the final curtain begins to lower itself on their heads.
Unless, that is, a miracle appears in the nick of time with Stephen Curry back in uniform, hitting 3-pointers from the parking lot.
Keep hoping, Warriors fans. It’s your only hope in a season gone so terribly wrong so quickly.
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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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-- Letters to the Editor, cont. --
Cancellation
| | Antonio Giuseppe Paolo Reali, host of Around The Horn | | |
Dear Mr. Reali:
I write to share author Robert Moselle's reflections on the recent announcement of Around The Horn’s cancellation after its remarkable 23-year run. Excerpted from Sports Today! (April 27, 2025) below, the article Around The Horn Television Show – The Voyage Ends captures both the nautical origins of the show’s title and its unique format:
“Around The Horn, the seaman’s infamously dangerous voyage, has once more emerged victorious over a would-be sailor… Captain and Host Antonio Giuseppe Paolo Reali (Tony Reali to viewers of this popular sports-talk show on ESPN) is the latest victim. How a show which airs repeatedly every weekday, with no shortage of commercials, merits cancellation is a puzzle. In my opinion, it is the only actually funny sports show on the air…”
“…Reports are that ESPN cancelled Around The Horn after a 23-year run to prepare for the launch of an upcoming direct-to-consumer service. The seas are rough in the world of sports TV. What some may call ‘progress’ is just another shipwreck.”
(Please enjoy the full article: https://conta.cc/3EveRzX)
Thank you for two decades of incisive wit, spirited debate, and your unmistakable “mute button” flair. Around The Horn has been more than a sports-talk program—it has been a daily voyage that challenged conventions and celebrated the best of sports journalism.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas in your next chapter.
Sincerely,
Carl Macki
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 323-9187 (txt/cl)
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A's 2
New York Yankees 12
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Sunday, May 11, 2025
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Fans sit in the lawn area behind the right field fence before the game between the Athletics and the New York Yankees at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sunday, May 11th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
| | (L to R) The mothers of Athletics pitcher Grant Holman, left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, and outfielder Lawrence Butler throw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the Mother's Day celebration. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | | |
Major New Sports Trades
by Robert Moselle, Esq.
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A typical Sports Trade might read: "The Steelers are reported to have traded offensive lineman XXL to Atlanta for the rights for two second-round draft choices in 2028. "Yawn." Who cares? Do fans even know who the players are or could conceivably be? No.
Here are a few Inter-Sports trades which might be more relevant. First Trade: Golf & Basketball.
CBS trades Jim Nantz, The Voice of Golf, to TNT, or designee, for the rights to Basketball Voice Kevin Harlan in an effort by the PGA to generate more excitement for major tournament play. Expect Harlan to excitedly describe the drama as a foursome approaches the green. "Scheffler already has the putter in his hand and glares at Rory. His caddy shakes his head but Scottie continues his march. The crowd rushes to the green to watch the action! This is unprecedented in golf history!"
Meanwhile, on the basketball court, Nantz manages to slow down NBA action to appeal to a new demographic: those who crave stories of players from decades ago and who like to take long walks when the game moves into the second quarter. Now sponsored by AARP, the play-by-play consists of wonderful tales from the days when players consistently shot two-pointers (as in, before 3-pointers were allowed). Basketball is just "too-fast" now. What a boost for the NBA!
Second Inter-Sport trade: Basketball & Football -- San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors! "The 49ers have announced a trade which will send Fred Warner to the Warriors for the rights to Quinten Post" Post, at 7'0", is slated to be a weapon as he stands just inside the end zone where Purdy can lob him the ball where no defender can reach it. For the Warriors, Warner's focus will continue to be tough defense. Opposition rebounders and shooters will be sacked and tackled until they prefer the bench. Not "unnecessary roughness," just good, clean hits!
Trader Victories!
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Robert A. Moselle, Esq., Executive Director, Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA. https://www.cce-mcle.com
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San Francisco Giants 9
Colorado Rockies 3
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, May 4, 2025
| | Darth Vader made an appearance at Oracle Park on Star Wars Day, Sunday, May 4. Photo by Rich Yee. | | New Giants shortstop Willy Adames launched a pair of solo shots in his first two at-bats. Photo by Rich Yee. | | Mike Yastrzemski singled to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Yaz would go 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Photo by Rich Yee. | | |
While most of California’s East Bay sports fans are still mourning the loss of both the Raiders and the A’s, a bright light is beginning to shine again on the Oakland Coliseum.
Following the Oakland Roots soccer team move to the Coliseum in March of this year, T20 Cricket is preparing to share the field beginning Thursday, June 12, while the Roots are out of town.
At the recent unveiling of the pitch last week, which arrived after a 3,000-mile journey to its new home, was Director of League Operations David White and David Agnew and Damian Hough, both fellow Head Curators for T20 Cricket. The pitch is now being groomed for transfer onto the Oakland Coliseum floor, a four-hour production utilizing a heavy crane and multiple staff.
Cricket is the second most popular sport on Planet Earth, boasting fan numbers of 2.5 billion annually. Only Soccer (called Football in all countries save for the USA) claims more, recording fully 3.5 billion fans per year.
Though NFL football tops the fan base for the United States, it should come as welcome that our beloved Oakland Coliseum is now home to two avidly followed sports: Soccer and Cricket.
Tickets and information for the Thursday, June 12th inaugural T20 match between the San Francisco Unicorns vs. the Washington Freedom can be found at https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/matches
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David White, Director of
League Operations
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(L-R) Damian Hough and David Agnew, Head Curators for
T20 Cricket
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In marketing capacities, Ann has worked for both the
Oakland A’s and the Oakland Raiders
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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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| | Thanks to the following generous donors! | | |
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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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San Francisco Giant Bryce Eldridge
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Giants' top prospect Eldridge clubs HR in first at-bat back from injury
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
SAN FRANCISCO -- Bryce Eldridge is back.
The Giants’ No. 1 prospect made his season debut with Double-A Richmond on Tuesday after completing his rehab from a left wrist injury and immediately picked up where he left off from his breakout 2024 campaign.
The 20-year-old first baseman homered in his first at-bat of the year, crushing a hanging breaking ball from Akron right-hander Tommy Mace 386 feet out to right field to put the Flying Squirrels on the board in the top of the second inning.
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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Nick Kurtz against the New York Yankees, May 11, 2025.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Kurtz still looking for first homer, but showing that he 'belongs here'
By Martín Gallegos @MartinJGallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WEST SACRAMENTO -- When Nick Kurtz was called up on April 23 for his Major League debut, he led all of baseball -- Minors and Majors -- with seven home runs.
That we are almost two weeks into the Nick Kurtz Era and the Athletics’ No. 1 prospect (MLB Pipeline’s No. 33 overall prospect) remains homerless does feel a bit strange. Despite the power outage, A’s manager Mark Kotsay has been pleased with what he’s seen from Kurtz’s small sample size in the big leagues.
“Nick’s getting his feet on the ground,” Kotsay said before Monday’s series opener against the Mariners. “It’s always difficult to make that jump. Nick’s had less than 500 Minor League plate appearances. But that confidence he has, I don’t see that wavering. I see a kid that belongs here and can impact our club.”
continued...
www.athletics.com
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Ballers, City of Oakland Agree to
10-Year Lease Extension
(Oakland, Ca.) The Oakland Ballers and the City of Oakland agreed to a landmark 10-year lease extension for the team to play at Raimondi Park. This significant long-term commitment solidifies the Ballers' presence in Oakland and underscores the remarkable rise of the franchise, which has created a unique and celebrated sporting experience rooted in community.
"When the Oakland Ballers launched in November 2023, the team vowed to stay in Oakland forever," says Paul Freedman, Oakland Ballers co-founder and CEO. "Today's agreement powerfully doubles down on that commitment, ensuring professional baseball has a lasting home in The Town."
Since the Ballers established their home base in West Oakland, the neighborhood has experienced a surge in positive activity, attracting new businesses and entertainment options for families and residents. The recent opening of the Prescott Market across the street from Raimondi Park is a further testament to the growing economic vitality and job creation in the area.
"The Ballers long-term vision is ambitious: we are cultivating the area around the park into Oakland's own version of a 'Wrigleyville' a thriving, year-round hub alive with energy and community spirit," says Bryan Carmel, Oakland Ballers Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer.. "This lease is the foundation upon which we build that future. We will develop Raimondi Park into a living museum, a dynamic tribute that actively honors and celebrates Oakland's rich and robust legacy for fans old and new."
continued...
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San Jose Earthquakes 2
Colorado Rapids 0
DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
Saturday, May 10, 2025
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Earthquakes 2, Colorado Rapids 0
DeJuan Jones, Chicho Arango goals lift San Jose to second road win of 2025 and first back-to-back triumphs in Colorado since 2012-13; Quakes extend winning streak to three in all competitions; Black and Blue now return home Wednesday to face Inter Miami CF
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Saturday night in Major League Soccer regular-season play at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in front of 15,003 fans.
After a scoreless initial 45 minutes, the Earthquakes pulled ahead in the third minute of stoppage time of the first half. DeJuan Jones faked a shot from the top of the box to lay it off long on the left wing for Vítor Costa. Costa then passed it back to Jones who one-timed his shot past Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen to make it 1-0 at the break. Jones would go on to earn Man of the Match presented by Northern California Honda Dealers.
In the second half, San Jose continued to put the pressure on the hosts. Beau Leroux almost doubled San Jose’s advantage with a long-range effort that rattled the crossbar in minute 53. In the 67th minute, Cristian “Chicho” Arango blocked a Chidozie Awaziem long ball attempt, outraced the back line and chipped the ball over a flailing Steffen to make it 2-0 for the visitors and stay on pace for the league lead in goals. Daniel and the back line then kept the Rapids at bay until the final whistle to earn their second clean sheet of the season and back-to-back road wins in Colorado for the first time since the 2012-13 campaigns.
The Black and Blue, on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, will now travel home Wednesday, May 14, to take on Inter Miami CF. Kickoff from PayPal Park will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as on local radio via KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM (English) and 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
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Oakland Roots SC 2
San Antonio FC 1
Toyota Field, San Antonio, CA
Saturday, May 10, 2025
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Roots Win 2-1 on the Road Versus Conference Leaders
San Antonio FC
On 510 Day Oakland snapped their longest winless streak against a single team, defeating Western Conference leaders San Antonio on Saturday night in Texas by a final score of 2-1.
Oakland started out on the attack, nearly taking the lead just three minutes into the game when Peter Wilson dribbled into the San Antonio box, beating the keeper but pushing his shot on the empty net wide left as the defense began to collapse on him.
Following this strong start, the match settled a bit as both sides began trading scoring chances. Perhaps slightly against the run of play, it was San Antonio that would find the back of the net first. In the 12th minute Jorge Hernandez received a ball inside the Oakland box from a headed pass, and had just enough room to fire a strike on net, beating Roots keeper Kendall McIntosh to the right side to make it 0-1.
San Antonio started playing very possession minded soccer, keeping the ball away from Oakland and slowing the pace of play.
Despite struggling to maintain possession, Roots earned a penalty kick in the 23rd minute when Peter Wilson was fouled in the San Antonio area. José Luis Sinisterra was the man at the dot, and in the 25th minute Oakland leveled the match at 1-1 when Sinisterra fooled San Antonio keeper Richard Sánchez, and leisurely deposited the try into the lower right of the goal.
Both sides traded scoring opportunities through the remainder of the first frame, while San Antonio continued to win the possession battle.
The second half of the match started slower than the first, with scoring opportunities waning for both squads. This changed around the final third of the contest when San Antonio started pushing hard to break the deadlock, peppering McIntosh with shot attempts and playing much of their game in the Oakland defensive third.
But against the run of play it was Oakland who would find a winner. In the 84th minute San Antonio’s keeper flubbed a throw attempt, giving the ball straight to Peter Wilson who was again alone on net. This time, Wilson made no mistake, finding twine to give Roots a 2-1 lead.
San Antonio continued to push, but perhaps pushed a bit too hard as an 89th minute red card shown to Mitchell Taintor left his side down a man when they needed a goal most.
Roots held on until the final whistle, earning their first ever victory versus San Antonio, and their third win in their last four USL Championship contests.
Oakland will look to make it four of five when they head to Cary next Friday, May 16th for a faceoff with North Carolina FC at 4 PM PT.
www.oaklandrootssc.com
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Bay FC 1
Kansas City Current 4
CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, KS
Sunday, May 11, 2025
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Match Recap: Bay FC falls 4-1 Sunday to league leader Kansas City Current
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 11, 2025) — Bay FC fell 4-1 Sunday in Kansas City at CPKC Stadium. Kansas City found the net three times in the opening half before Bay made some changes at half, allowing the visitors to get one back on Penelope Hocking’s first score of the season. Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga put a fourth over the line for the hosts just after the hour mark. Bay FC closes out its two-match road stretch following the match and will return home to face Angel City FC Saturday, May 17.
“Today we knew we were going to take a risk and play into a bigger shape,” said Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “The last couple of games we’ve been a bit more defensive, and we knew that this would be a difficult game. This is the mentality we’re going to have, our players enjoy playing this type of football, and we just have to be a little bit cleaner on keeping the ball.”
The hosts controlled the early goings, tallying five shots with two on target in the opening 15 minutes, including the game’s first goal in just the third minute. After taking possession in the middle of the park, defender Hailie Mace played forward to forward Bia Zannerato, who slotted it through for the opening score.
continued....
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SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS ADD AUSTRALIAN BOWLER CALLUM STOW TO COMPLETE 2025 ROSTER
- Callum Stow, 22, follows debut season with Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League with first international T20 franchise signature.
- Australian wrist spinner Stow completes San Francisco Unicorns roster for the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket season.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 9, 2025) — The San Francisco Unicorns has signed Australian left-arm wrist spinner Callum Stow to complete its squad for the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season.
Stow, 22, made his debut for the Melbourne Renegades in the recent Big Bash League (BBL), and has been tipped by San Francisco Unicorns’ scouting team and its partners, Cricket Victoria, for a bright future in the white ball format.
In his two appearances in the BBL, stepping into the shoes of legendary spin bowler Nathan Lyon while he was on international duty, Stow took three wickets at an economy of 7.75. He also performed impressively in the 2024 Global Super League (GSL) tournament in Guyana, taking nine wickets in five games for Cricket Victoria, playing alongside new Unicorns teammates Corey Anderson, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and Karima Gore.
Callum Stow said: “The last few months have been a whirlwind, making the jump from Geelong to the Renegades, and now to Major League Cricket with the Unicorns. I can’t wait to get started in the USA!
“Playing with the likes of Corey [Anderson] and other Unicorns players in the GSL has given me an idea of the high standards and quality culture we’re looking to build in San Francisco, and with Shane’s coaching, this is a huge opportunity for me to show what I’m about and to continue my development as a T2O bowler.
continued...
www.sfunicorns.com
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Oakland Spiders 26
Seattle Cascade 21
Fremont High School, Oakland, CA
Friday, May 9, 2025
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On a beautiful Friday night, the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFC) Game of Week Three, the undefeated Oakland Spiders hosted
their former divisional counterpart and reigning Western Division champion Seattle Cascade in the second of three games this season. The game would go score-for-score at first until midway through the second quarter when the Spiders defense would finally get a break-point. From then on the Spiders would slowly extend their lead over the Cascade to win 26-21. The third game of the series will be the next Spiders' home game on May 24, at 3:00 p.m. at Fremont High School in Oakland. Above, like boxers about to square off, the game officials go through the pre-game drill of reviewing procedural aspects before the two teams take the field. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
| | Starting the game off with a bang, Leo Gordon (#47) hauls in a long huck to bring the disc down to the goal line doorstep in the opening minutes. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | Using all his height, Daniel Ritthaler (#17) extends to catch the disc in a rare upwind possession midway through the second quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | The scoring machine known as Adam Rees (#41) collects a huck away from the defender and dump the disc to a teammate two yards away from the goal line, only to play a little give-and-go, to get the pass right back and finish the game with seven scores, leading both teams. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | |
Hardly quiet, always intense and hyper-focused, Jason Vallee (#94) would lead several stat columns, including co-assist leader with five. Above he gets into the scoring column in the fourth quarter. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and
caption by Ron Sellers.
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Sometimes An Unfinished Column Can Be A Good Thing
by Howard Pearlstein
Some time ago I was writing a column about how ugly it was for writers to go on and on about, “If we could get this one guy… (and the name of some superstar) we’ll have a winner.”
It wasn’t as if I KNEW that one guy didn’t exist. I was just pissed off by the flagrant disrespect, treating players as if they were just the picture cards that came in the bubblegum pack. Trade them. Flip them.
It was creepy and wrong. “We can get this guy, we’ll give them Wiggins and Kuminga and maybe…” even talking about how “Steph still has trade value….”
Fortunately, I got distracted before I was revealed as one of the people I referred to as Nostradumbasses: people making predictions based on nothing but hot air and a lack of empathy. Especially fortunate (for me) that I didn’t get around to it, when, after a bunch of “not the guy” trades (Schroder and others) they got Jimmy Butler.
And Buddy Hield, so that was two.
The reason I was distracted was that I was trying to learn soccer, watching BAY FC on cable TV (ION) and being helped by observations on their growing pains from on-air announcers and the Chronicle columns of Marisa Ingemi. Things like, for example, changing the starting lineup from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3. (Huh? A big WTF like what Tom Waits called Chinese algebra.)
But watching soccer made me think I understood what Steve Kerr was doing. Something he said in mid-season, when the Dubs’ great start turned to crap, and when asked, he said: “The new guys have to learn to play with Steph.”
Steph being the embodiment of continual motion, I thought he meant every player had to be able to come in on rotation and get right into what was going on, knowing who’s where and what they’re doing, especially Draymond.
I think Jimmy Butler could see that Draymond was the pivot point of the game, the one who knew where everyone was, passing the ball, either as an assist or to someone open. Steph was the star (Hey, “greatest shooter ever” isn’t just a mild “he’s pretty good,”)
Draymond was what Ezra Pound’s version of Confucius called The Unwobbling Pivot. Someone who looks into his own heart and, regardless of twists and turns he makes, always knows who he is.
Also, someone who mentors the young. And someone who has a quiet center. This may seem weird when applied to Draymond, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t yell. The quiet center means: “someone who can keep his head in the presence of a tiger.” (Think Draymond playing the Five.)
And of course, as the season went along, Draymond was often uncovered. Defenses thought he was going to pass the ball, so they double-covered Steph.
Except Draymond started getting three-pointers early in each game, one or two a game, maybe three attempts or more. Leading to that uh-oh statement: “Everybody’s gangsta until Draymond starts hitting threes.”
I think Butler saw the ideal Kerr was trying to reach: a dance where anyone could play with anyone else at any time. Draymond was the center of it, like the guy at a square dance, calling out “Change your partner, do-si-do.”
And it was working. Until Steph went down with a hamstring and the guys who covered him were free to cover Butler and Hield and Podziemski. And anyone else who came in. We’ll see how they adapt and either do or don’t deal with that.
Either way, Go Dubs!
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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.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 131 The Trump-Saban Commission Will Focus On The Future of College Athletics
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
Last week ended with a report that President Trump is considering signing an executive order on "college athlete payments." This followed President Trump's meeting with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. For many days, few details surfaced, many people speculated about the significance of the meeting, and what this supposed executive order would cover.
Sen. Richard Blumnethal reacted to the rumors by stating that, "College sports reform can only happen through Congressional legislation based on bipartisan negotiations that put college athletes first. The President is welcome to support Senate negotiations, but he has no power to attempt to rule by decree — especially to give handouts to the NCAA over the blood, sweat, and tears of players."
Steve Berman, one of the lead lawyers for the plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA litigation, commented, "While he was a coach, Saban initially opposed NIL payments to athletes, pushing to add restrictions and red-tape through national legislation to add ‘some sort of control.’ During his time scrutinizing the athlete pay structure, he made tens of millions of dollars and was previously the highest-paid coach in college football. Coach Saban and Trump’s eleventh-hour talks of executive orders and other meddling are just more unneeded self-involvement. College athletes are spearheading historic changes and benefitting massively from NIL deals. They don’t need this unmerited interference from a coach only seeking to protect the system that made him tens of millions."
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RELIVE THE ACTION OF THE 2024 ROLEX
BIG BOAT SERIES
And mark your calendars for September 10-14, 2025!
Sixty years, one excellent regatta! Take a moment to watch a recap video from the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series, and mark your calendars for next year. We look forward to seeing you on the water September 10-14, 2025, at St. Francis Yacht Club!
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Cal Shuts Out No. 2 Florida State, 5-0
de la Torre, Eddy Combine For Shutout
As Bears Even Series
BERKELEY – The California baseball team (20-28, 7-19 ACC) evened a three-game ACC series against No. 2 Florida State (35-11, 15-8 ACC) with a 5-0 shutout victory over the Seminoles in front of 992 on a warm sun-splashed afternoon Saturday at Stu Gordon Stadium. Cal starter Oliver de la Torre (4.0 IP, 3 H, 6 SO) and reliever Gavin Eddy (5.0 IP, 3 H, 7 SO) combined on a six-hitter with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Eddy (4-4) was credited with the victory. Ryan Tayman and Dominic Smaldino keyed the offense with home runs.
Tayman got the Cal on the board when he blasted a one-out solo homer off the top of the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning and Cal held on to its slim 1-0 lead until adding four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Smaldino capped the fifth with a two-run shot over the left wall on a full count with two outs. Cade Campbell had started the fifth-by drawing a leadoff walk and moved to second base two batters later when PJ Moutzouridis drew the second free pass of the frame. Jarren Advincula then singled up the middle to score Campbell before Moutzouridis stole third on the next play and came all the way around to score when the Joey Volini's wild pitch on the same play bounced away from catcher Jaxson West. Two batters later, Smaldino went deep for the first time since April 15 with his team-leading 11th home run of the campaign.
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Photo: Robert Edwards / KLC fotos
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2024-25 Season In Review
Stanford closed out the 2024-25 season with a 16-15 overall record, including an 8-10 conference mark in its first season in the ACC
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford closed out the 2024-25 season with a 16-15 overall record, including an 8-10 conference mark in its first season in the ACC.
SEASON OF CHANGE
- After making 36 consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 1988-2024, Stanford was not an at-large selection to the field and appeared in the WBIT for the first time.
- Stanford was 49th in the NET rankings ahead of Selection Sunday, the fourth-highest rated program to not make the NCAA Tournament (No. 39 Minnesota, No. 46 Virginia Tech; No. 48 UNLV).
- The Cardinal was 50th in the final NET rankings after the completion of the NCAA Tournament.
- With a 16-15 overall record, Stanford posted a winning record for the 38th consecutive season, the fifth-longest active streak in the country.
- The Cardinal's 16 wins were its fewest since 1986-87 (14) and its 8-10 conference mark was its first sub-.500 league record since the same year (8-10).
- Stanford played in a different league for the first time since Tara VanDerveer’s first Cardinal squad played in the Pac-West in 1985-86.
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The 2024-25 campaign was also the first as head coach for Kate Paye. The two-time WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year during 17 seasons on VanDerveer’s staff was hired to lead her alma mater on April 16, 2024.
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Spartans Fall to Fresno State in Second Game of Series
FRESNO, Calif. – Alex Fernandes recorded his sixth hit of the series to lead the San José State baseball team (24-26, 11-15 MW) in a 10-0 loss to Fresno State (25-25, 16-10 MW) at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three game series.
David Thomas (1-4) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing eight runs over 5.1 innings. Cade Cushing worked the final two outs of the sixth, surrendering two runs. Defensively, the Spartans turned a pair of double plays.
- Fernandes is now 6-for-9 in the series after tallying a career-high five hits in the series opener
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Zach Chamizo extended his hitstreak to 12 games and on base streak to 18 games
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
SB | Gaels Clinch Second Straight WCC Title with Doubleheader Split with LMU
LOS ANGELES — Entering the 2025 season, Saint Mary's Softball (28-23, 11-4 WCC) had never had back-to-back winning seasons. Now, at the end of the regular season, the Gaels not only have registered their second straight winning season, but also have secured their straight WCC Title share, after splitting today's doubleheader against LMU (22-31, 7-8 WCC) to secure the series win over the Lions.
GAME ONE: SMC 6 - LMU 9
The Gaels could not have asked for a better start in this one. With two outs in the top of the first, Victoria Castillo roped a double to left, before Taylor Lane bashed her second home run of the series to deep center to make it 2-0 in the blink of an eye. Mia Nishikawa hung up zeroes in the first four frames, while Mia Zabat lifted her second collegiate homer over the left field fence in the fourth for an insurance run.
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Photo: Ryan Barnett /SMC Athletics
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Molly Goodenbour Renews Contract, Extended Through 2027-28 Season
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Molly Goodenbour, head coach of the University of San Francisco women's basketball program since 2016, has signed a three-year contract extension, announced Thursday afternoon.
"We are pleased to extend the tenure of Molly as our head women's basketball coach," Director of Athletics Larry Williams said. "Her tactical and technical expertise is remarkable, and she cares deeply about the student-athletes in her program, the university's mission and values, and the overall growth of women's basketball, especially in the Bay Area."
Goodenbour completed her ninth season on the Hilltop following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, leading San Francisco to a 15-16 overall record and a fifth-place finish in the West Coast Conference standings at 11-9. The Dons' 11 league wins last season marked the most victories in WCC play since 2016-17, when the program compiled an 11-7 record in Goodenbour's first season at the helm.
Guiding the program to one of its best-ever starts in conference play, Goodenbour led the Dons to a perfect 5-0 record, defeating teams by an average of 13.8 points. During the five-game winning streak, the green and gold earned convincing triumphs over Gonzaga, LMU, Santa Clara, Saint Mary's, and Pepperdine.
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Photo: Christina Leung
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Men's Track & Field Races Twice
in Oregon
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's track & field was at the Oregon Twilight Friday and the Pac-12 Invite Saturday. Results can be found here and here.
"Great weekend of racing for our team. Lots of heat wins and competitive efforts at both Oregon and Oregon State. Obviously Colin was a highlight, and I thought Kaden had a a couple of really good finishes too. Looking forward to closing out the regular season next week," head coach Felipe Montoro said.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Tigers Secure Series With 7-6
Victory Saturday
STOCKTON, Calif. – A back-and-forth contest went to the Pacific baseball program, downing Pepperdine by a 7-6 decision on Saturday night at Klein Family Field.
With their second consecutive victory on the weekend, the Tigers (20-31, 8-12 WCC) have taken their fourth West Coast Conference series of the year after sealing game two over the Waves (11-39, 6-14 WCC) tonight.
Sophomore Braeden Schnabel's team-leading sixth home run of the season proved to be the difference as he crushed a first pitch swing over the left field wall to score the seventh and eventual game-winning run for the Tigers in the bottom of the seventh inning. Schnabel went 2-for-3 on the night with the home run and a walk.
The veteran Tiger hitters also stepped up at the plate as redshirt senior JT Waldon stayed hot with a 2-for-2 performance with a pair of RBI. Senior Drake Bicknell brought home a couple Tigers as well with a pair of sacrifice flies throughout the night.
On the pitching front, after five solid innings from senior Adan Perez, senior Ethan Shaver picked up his third win of the 2025 campaign after four innings of one-run ball in relief. Shaver got out of a jam in the eighth inning to keep the Waves at bay and ultimately held on for the victory with three strikeouts to his name.
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Aggies Make Statement At Lubbock Regionals; Finish One Stroke Off
Cut Line In Seventh
Course (Location): The Rawls Course at Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas)
Team Score (After third round): UC Davis: +26
Team Round Scores: R1: +19; R2: +8; R3: -1
Teeing Off: UC Davis women's golf put the nation on notice at the NCAA Lubbock Regionals, finishing better than No. 18 Arizona and just one stroke off the final cut line with an impressive seventh-place finish to wrap up a historic season.
IN THE CLUBHOUSE:
- The final cut line ended up being +25, and the final spot was decided by a one-hole playoff between Purdue and Texas A&M, showcasing how competitive the week was in Lubbock, Texas
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Skyler May set the tone for the Aggies, shooting -3 for the fourth-best round on the day, and her +2 overall placed her eighth in the final standings
- May recorded four birdies, including back-to-back on 16 and 17
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Vani Karimanal put on a show, shooting -2 with three birdies, climbing 15 spots to finish 36th overall and must like May, Karimanal used an early showing of back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 (the Aggies teed off on 10) to pace her round
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Abby Leighton finished 19th overall, shooting +5 for the tournament and +1 on the day, rounding out the pair of Aggies that finished inside the top 20
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Lauren Calderon finished +15 for the tournament and Yu Bai ended her three rounds at +13
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Cal State East Bay Men’s Golf Reaches NCAA Division II
National Championships
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – For the first time since 2017, Cal State East Bay men's golf has advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships. A third place finish in team scoring by the Pioneers at Victoria Club in the NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional on Saturday qualified them into the national tournament later in May.
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East Bay's top finisher was Easton Hether, who's third round score of 68 elevated him up the leaderboard into an eighth place tie at 9-under-par 207 (71-68-68). His Saturday round score was highlighted by an eagle and four birdies.
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Tied for 15th on the leaderboard was Cooper Groshart, at 7-under-par 209.
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Peyton Hendricks was one of eight golfers finishing 5-under-par, tied for 20th on the leaderboard. He had six birdies in the third round.
- Four of CSUEB's five golfers finished under par with one at even par.
- The Pioneers were one of three teams with six eagles. Additionally, they combined for 71 birdies, second most among all teams in the regional tournament.
Winning the NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional was Colorado Christian, followed by Oklahoma Christian, then the Pioneers. The individual regional champion was Oskari Niku of Oklahoma Christian, finishing at 17-under-par 199.
East Bay's last appearance in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships was in 2017 in Kissimmee, Florida, placing 12th overall.
The 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championships take place from May 19-23 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The format includes three rounds of stroke play (54 holes) from Monday to Wednesday. Then, the top eight teams in stroke play advance to match medal play which takes place on Thursday and Friday of the tournament.
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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 12, through
Sunday, May 18, 2025
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Monday, May 12
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 13
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:45 p.m
A's @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14
Golden State Warriors @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 6:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 12:45 p.m.
A's @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 15
A's @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Friday, May 16
San Francisco Giants vs. Athletics, 7:15 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ North Carolina FC, 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
San Francisco Giants vs. Athletics, 6:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ New England Revolution, 4:30 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Angel City FC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
San Francisco Giants vs. Athletics, 1:05 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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