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May 25 -- May 31, 2026
Issue No. 643
| | Note: Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net | | |
San Francisco Giants 8
Chicago White Sox 5
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, May 24, 2026
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115th Bay to Breakers
San Francisco, CA -- Sunday, May 17, 2026
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Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace in San Francisco, typically on the third Sunday of May. The phrase "Bay to Breakers" reflects that the race starts at the northeast end of the downtown a few blocks from The Embarcadero and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway (adjacent to the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach). The complete course
is 7.46 miles (12 km) long.
Bay to Breakers is well known for participants wearing costumes. The 1986 edition set a Guinness World Record at the time for being the world's largest footrace with 110,000 participants. The 115th annual Bay to Breakers race drew an estimated
30,000 registered participants.
Photos are by Sports Today photographer Rich Yee, who is also the official photographer for the Bay to Breakers.
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Don't Miss Out!
As of Monday, May 25, 2026
over 13,000 guests have visited our remarkable new site for sports updates and outstanding photography.
Don't be left out!
Click:
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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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San Francisco Giants Willy Adames hits a solo homer to left field to extend the Giants lead to 2-0 against the Arizona Diamondbacks
on May 19, 2026. The ball would be caught by the same couple
TWO nights in a row!
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Couple shows up to wrong game, then catches HR ball from same player on back-to-back days
View here!
By Jared Greenspan
Sometimes, it pays to be wrong.
It certainly did for the Johnsons.
On Tuesday, the couple showed up at Chase Field thinking they had purchased tickets to that night’s game between the D-backs and Giants. But when they tried to scan their tickets at the gate, they did not work. Only then did they realize that their tickets were for the next night.
Instead of driving back home, the Johnsons purchased new tickets with seats near the left-field foul pole.
Their decision quickly paid off. In the second inning, Giants shortstop Willy Adames launched a home run to left field, right into the glove of AJ Johnson.
The next day, the Johnsons returned to the ballpark, this time using their original tickets. They arrived at the game early and, with the help of a Giants staff member, got Adames to sign the home run ball. Then they ventured back out to left field, with seats in nearly the same spot as the night before.
It had to already feel like déjà vu. Then, in the second inning Adames came to the plate. Sure enough, he hammered another ball deep into left field. This one touched down in the Arizona bullpen, took a wild ricochet off the wall and into the stands, and landed directly in Johnson’s glove for the second consecutive night.
Two home runs by the same player. Two sterling grabs by the same fan, in nearly the same spot, on back-to-back nights. You truly never know what might happen when you go to the ballpark.
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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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A's first baseman Nick Kurtz ties Rickey Henderson with
46-game on-base streak
Big Amish, meet Man of Steal: Kurtz ties Henderson's 46-game
on-base streak
View here!
By Martin Gallegos
SAN DIEGO – Athletics manager Mark Kotsay has made his dislike of speaking on any player’s ongoing streak very clear. But when the greatest player in franchise history becomes involved, avoiding that talk is impossible.
Carrying MLB’s longest active on-base streak (45 games) into Saturday’s game against the Padres at Petco Park, Nick Kurtz was on the verge of tying Hall of Famer and A’s icon Rickey Henderson for the third-longest streak in franchise history, leaving Kotsay no choice but to acknowledge it.
“I like to focus on the player’s day-in, day-out routines,” Kotsay said. “The consistency that he’s shown. The focus he has when he prepares himself. Every day is a new day for him. That’s where the mindset needs to be. He’s not a hitter that chases hits. He’s a hitter that takes what’s given to him. I think that’s reflective of where he’s at right now.”
It didn’t take Kurtz long to match the Man of Steal. After working an advantageous 2-1 count against Padres starter Lucas Giolito in the first inning, Kurtz roped a fastball down in the zone to right field for a single at an exit velocity of 110.5 mph, pushing his on-base streak to 46 games in the A's 2-0 loss.
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Langer's Original #19 Sandwich
Not far from the raw fish and sushi of Dodger Stadium is a sandwich favored among Los Angeles baseball fans that’s way different than the motley Dodger Dog. Featuring Langer’s Deli’s famous #19 sandwich stacked with pastrami, creamy house-made coleslaw, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and handmade Jewish-style rye bread from nearby Fred’s Bakery, this heaping tribute to old-school Jewish deli traditions is the one sandwich LA locals recommend as the best in town.
Since 1947, Langers Deli has been serving what many proclaim America’s Best. Langer’s offers a jersey that resembles the
Dodger one, emblazoned with the #19 trademark.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
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Sharks sign forward Carson Wetsch to entry-level contract
San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Mike Grier announced today that the club has signed forward Carson Wetsch to a standard, entry-level contract.
“Carson brings size, scoring touch, a high-motor and strong character to our organization,” said Grier. “We are excited to add him to our group and continue his development in San Jose.”
Wetsch, 20, enjoyed a career year with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2025-26, captaining the club and finishing the season with career bests of 72 points and 50 assists over 65 games, tied for the team lead in assists and finishing second in scoring. His 22 goals were the third-most in his WHL career, and he finished the season with five multi-goal games as part of 21 total multi-point efforts. He went on to tally four points (two goals, two assists) over eight postseason games and will compete at the Memorial Cup starting on May 22.
Prior to this past season, Wetsch played for the Calgary Hitmen for three seasons, tallying a career-high 33 goals while serving as team captain in 2024-25, the second of back-to-back 50-point campaigns to end his stint with the club. In his junior career that dated back to the end of the 2021-22 season, Wetsch amassed 196 career points (90 goals, 106 assists) over 246 WHL games. He also appeared in 24 postseason contests, finishing with eight goals and 11 points in playoff action.
In international competition, Wetsch helped Canada win the U-18 World Junior Championship in 2024, finishing the tournament with three points (two goals, one assist) over six games. He also competed at the 2022-23 U-17 World Hockey Challenge, posting four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games while earning Silver with Canada’s Red squad.
The six-foot-two, 200-pound native of North Vancouver, British Columbia was selected by San Jose in the 2024 NHL Draft (third round, 82nd overall).
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Ballers make furious comeback to win Friday night thriller, 12-11
McKenzie’s walk-off sacrifice fly completes seven-run comeback
By Gareth Kwok
OAKLAND, CA – The Oakland Ballers furiously rallied from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Long Beach Coast on Friday night by a final of 12-11 from Raimondi Park.
Long Beach (2-2) led Oakland 10-3 through four innings after jumping on Ballers starting pitcher Charlie Hurley from the start. The Coast hit three homers off Hurley, including a three-run shot from Cuba Bess in the fourth, to give Long Beach its largest lead of the game.
The 24-year-old right-hander lasted 3.1 innings, allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout in his Ballers debut.
However, the Oakland (2-2) bats picked him up significantly. Jaden Sheppard collected his first professional RBI with a single in the fifth before Jeter Ybarra hammered a two-out, opposite field grand slam in the sixth to bring the Ballers within just two.
Despite a strained bullpen to start the season, Oakland turned to relievers Valek Cisneros, Matthew Maloney and Langston Burkett who dug deep and combined for 4.2 scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts to keep the game close for the Ballers.
In the seventh, Damian Stone caught a high fastball from left-hander Jake Dixon and sent it over the left-field wall to make it 10-9 Long Beach.
A solo homer from Paul Winland Jr. off Braydon Nelson (W, 1-0) in the ninth extended the Coast lead back to two but the Ballers ninth inning rally started emphatically with Ybarra. He led off the frame with his second homer of the game off Zach Voelker (L, 0-1) to cut the deficit back down to one.
After two walks from Voelker and a walk from sidearmer Steven Ordorica to load the bases, pinch hitter Noah Blythe drew a seven-pitch walk to score the tying run.
The bases remained loaded with one out for T.J. McKenzie, who sent a line drive to center deep enough to score Jaden Collura from third for a game-winning sacrifice fly completing a seven-run series-opening comeback win.
The Ballers continue their six-game series against the Long Beach Coast on Saturday afternoon. LHP CJ Blowers will take the mound for Oakland against RHP Cole Cressend for Long Beach. First pitch is scheduled for 4:35 p.m. Fans can tune in beginning at 4:15 pm on HomeTeam Network and on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel.
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 3, Portland Timbers 1
Quakes earn first-ever road win in Portland in MLS era as Preston Judd brace powers San Jose to victory in last game before MLS takes World Cup break; Black and Blue to play international friendly July 3 vs. Club Tijuana at PayPal Park
Watch Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. — The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Portland Timbers 3-1 on Saturday night behind a Preston Judd brace for their first-ever victory at Providence Park in the MLS era. As it was the last Major League Soccer regular-season game before the league goes on hiatus during the FIFA World Cup, the Quakes enter the break even on points with first-place Vancouver Whitecaps FC with only the latter’s higher goal differential separating the two teams in the table.
In a wide-open first half, San Jose opened the scoring in just the second minute. The Earthquakes forced a turnover in their own end and midfielder Beau Leroux pushed the ball ahead to winger Jack Skahan, whose accurate through ball found a streaking Preston Judd in the attacking third. The striker then unleashed a low shot from the edge of the box past Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis for his 10th goal of the season to give the Quakes an early 1-0 lead.
The Quakes doubled their advantage in the 12th minute when midfielder Nick Fernandez, who starred in college at the University of Portland, stole the ball from midfielder Cole Bassett, charged forward and fed Judd in the box, who turned and fired it into the net for his second of the night and 11th of the campaign to make it 2-0 for San Jose. The hosts would pull one back in the 18th minute; Timbers forward Antony made an overlapping run from the left wing, collected a pass from David Da Costa and slotted the ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel via the near post to cut the visitors’ lead to 2-1.
But San Jose would score once more in minute 24 after a corner kick. Skahan took it short and dished it to Fernandez, who gave it back on the right wing at the edge of the box. Skahan’s low cross was then swept past Pantemis by defender Daniel Munie to make it 3-1 for San Jose. After a dominant display defensively in the second half, the Quakes held the Timbers scoreless the rest of the way for a historic victory—their first in 20 tries at Providence Park in the MLS era dating back to 2011.
The “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match will air on KTVU Plus on Wednesday, May 27, at 8 p.m. PT. Earthquakes fans can also watch game highlights, analysis and features on the newest episode of “Quakes Exclusive,” the club’s new half-hour prime-time magazine show, on KTVU FOX 2 on Friday, May 29, at 8 p.m. PT. All episodes of “Quakes Exclusive” are available on demand on the FOX Local app.
The Black and Blue now enter a break from league play for the World Cup but will publicly return to action on Friday, July 3, in an international friendly against LIGA MX side Club Tijuana. Kickoff from PayPal Park is 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are on sale now HERE.
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Roots Rally Twice, But Eventually
Fall 2-3 on the Road at
Orange County SC
Watch Highlights
Despite scoring two levelling goals and dominating large portions of the match, Oakland Roots fell 2-3 on the road to Orange County SC on Saturday night in Santa Ana, dropping just their second match of the USL Championship season.
Roots started the match a bit sluggish, conceding the first goal of the night in the 8th minute after OC played the short game on a corner kick which led to a cross into the 6-yard box. That cross found Nico Benalcazar with a leaping header that buried the ball into the twine to make it 0-1 County.
Following the opening goal, Roots began to build back into the match, slowly turning momentum in their favor.
In the 40th minute, Oakland scored their first leveling goal of the contest after a great run up the right side from Bertin Jacquesson led to a long switch in the final third. Peter Wilson drew the attention of two defenders midway through the pass and allowed the ball to drift through him to reach Wolfgang Prentice who made no mistake with a shot into the bottom left to make it 1-1.
Roots nearly added on to their lead multiple times in the waning moments of the first half and the opening moments of the second, all in part due to the tenacious play of Jacquesson.
But despite this, it was Orange County who would convert next when in the 50th minute Oakland keeper Raphael Spiegel took a touch on the ball while out of his area, giving it away to OC’s Stephen Kelly who chipped it into the empty net from near the top of the box to give County their second lead of the night at 1-2.
Still battling though, Roots stormed back into the game in short order when just minutes later in the 57th Peter Wilson leveled it for Oakland once again after Jesus de Vicente played a gorgeous through ball up the left side to find Wilson alone in the back. Wilson beat the OC keeper who came off his line before putting an easy shot into the open goal making it 2-2.
Oakland then went on a dominant run for much of the remainder of the match, playing much of the game in the attacking third and making it nearly impossible for OC to maintain any sustained possession.
But near the 86th minute, momentum swung in the other direction, as County began threatening on a consistent basis.
These threats came to fruition in the 87th after a deflected clearance attempt from inside the Oakland box found the foot of OC’s Ousmane Sylla who struck a volley bottom left to make it 3-2 to give his side their third and final lead of the night.
Oakland nearly brought the game even once again on multiple occasions in the final minutes of the match, but couldn’t find their third rally before the final whistle.
Roots will now return home to close out the month of May at the Oakland Coliseum as they prepare to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for a league fixture on Saturday, May 30th at 5 PM PT.
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Match Recap:
Bay FC Fights Hard Despite Pair
of Sendoffs, Falls 1-0 to
Chicago Stars FC
Watch Highlights
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 24, 2026) – Bay FC showed plenty of grit but came up just short in a 1–0 loss to Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, May 24, at PayPal Park. Reduced to 10 players early, Bay showed resolve throughout the match and pushed Chicago to the final whistle.
Defender Aldana Cometti was shown a red card in the 12th minute, forcing Bay to play the majority of the match shorthanded. Despite the setback, Bay created key moments and nearly carried a lead into halftime. Taylor Huff found the back of the net late in the first half, but the goal was overturned following video review, with Cristiana Girelli ruled offsides in the buildup.
The challenge intensified in the second half when goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz received a red card after handling the ball outside the penalty area. With a two-player advantage, Chicago capitalized shortly thereafter, as Mallory Swanson—making her second appearance since returning from maternity leave—scored with a left-footed strike after entering at halftime.
Even down two players, Bay FC continued to press. In the final moments, Hannah Bebar nearly delivered a dramatic equalizer, her shot grazing the crossbar as time expired. The result marked Bay FC’s second straight loss, and the club will look to regroup in its final match before the league’s month-long break, traveling to face Orlando Pride on Friday.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13, right) get into a scuffle on Friday, May 22, 2026, during the first half of a game against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Grace Smith/IndyStar
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Tiffany Hayes, Kaitlyn Chen Combine for 37 Bench Points in Loss to Fever
Highlights!
The Golden State Valkyries fell 90-82 to the Indiana Fever on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on the second night of a back-to-back set for Golden State.
Tiffany Hayes scored a team-high 19 points for the Valkyries. The trio of Caitlin Clark (22 PTS, 9 AST), Aliyah Boston (20 PTS, 16 REB) and Kelsey Mitchell (19 PTS) combined for 61 of the Fever's 90 points.
CHEN'S CAREER-HIGH
Kaitlyn Chen scored nine of her career-high 18 points in the second quarter, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field in the frame. Chen was able to score in a multitude of ways, beating her defender off the dribble, finishing in the lane and knocking down catch-and-shoot threes.
Chen shot an extremely efficient 7-for-11 from the field and made both of her 3-point attempts.
HAYES OFF THE BENCH
Tiffany Hayes scored a season-high 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Hayes got her buckets from all three levels, showcasing her playmaking skills and ability to take her defender one-on-one off the dribble.
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Albany Strollers & Rollers
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On May 16 and 17 almost 300 people biked various distances around Sonoma and Marin Counties in the Climate Ride Green Fondo NorCal to benefit climate-oriented non-profits. Albany Strollers & Rollers fielded a team of 13, including local sports production freelancer Amy Smolens. Participants rode between 52 and 157 hilly miles over the two days...but the crazy, gusty winds were the hardest part (anyone in the Bay Area will remember that windy weekend.)
We had a wonderful group of people involved, all riding to help the future of our planet! Albany Strollers & Rollers has funded hundreds of bike racks, public pumps and infrastructure to make the city of Albany safer to bike, walk and roll. The $13,000+ raised so far will go a long way toward getting more people of all ages and abilities to experience the exhilaration of the great outdoors!
Thanks to all those who rode and donated. (You can still donate if you’d like!) https://support.climateride.org/teams/6644
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Bikes at rest at an Albany bike parking spot, conveniently located in front of Ales Tales for any needed refreshments.
www.albanystrollroll.org
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On June 23 & 24th the 80th NBA draft will be held at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York
Since 2006 the NBA draft has been said to be
in its 'One and Done' era.
What is the reason it is the
'One and Done' era?
Answer below...
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SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS TO CELEBRATE BAY AREA CRICKET COMMUNITY WITH FAMILY DAY | |
San Francisco Unicorns Family Day Presented by Toyota
to take place on June 21, 2026 at Adrian Wilcox
High School, Santa Clara
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Unicorns have announced the return of their annual Family Day for the 2026 Major League Cricket Season. Toyota returns as the presenting sponsor for the popular community event, which will be held at Adrian Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, CA, on June 21, 2026.
The fourth edition of the annual Family Day aims to build relationships between the franchise, sponsors, and local communities, while inspiring aspiring cricketers with access and coaching opportunities. It will be the first opportunity for Bay Area cricket fans and residents to meet Unicorns’ players in the Bay Area this season.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet the entire Unicorns roster, including new star signing Ravichandran Ashwin, captain Matt Short, and head coach Cameron White. They will be joined by team ambassadors, including former Unicorn Liam Plunkett and recently unveiled team mascot “Sparky”.
Throughout the day, Unicorns players and staff will host cricket clinics, teaching skills for one of the world’s most popular sports to those aged 6-14.
The event is free to attend and all ages are welcome.
Family Day runs from 1pm to 5pm and will also feature refreshments, various family-friendly activities, a merchandise hub, and other sponsor activations from partners including BART and Royal Rice.
David White, CEO of San Francisco Unicorns, said: “Family Day has become a must-attend event on the calendars of all cricket fans in the Bay Area and we’re really looking forward to the 2026 edition. I want to thank Toyota for their continued support of this fun, inclusive day out. They truly embrace what this sport means to our community, and together we’re aiming to inspire the next generation of Unicorns with access to their heroes and hands-on coaching clinics.
Dave Johnston, Northern California TDA President, added: "It’s a privilege to continue our collaboration with the Unicorns for Family Day. As an event, it showcases the diverse communities and passionate sporting base of the Bay Area and Northern California, and we look forward to putting on a show that ensures everyone in attendance has a great day out.”
The San Francisco Unicorns Family Day takes place in the lead up to the first Oakland Coliseum leg of matches, which commence on June 24, 2026 with the Unicorns facing Texas Super Kings. Tickets are available now at tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.
San Francisco Unicorns Family Day presented by Toyota
June 21, 2026, from 1pm-5pm PT
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SPECIAL LINKS TO BACK ISSUES
Years of Back Issues, Facebook Albums,
Autographs and Haikus
Immediately below is a link to over 350 issues of
Sports Today! which bring to life memories of Bay Area sporting events and the stories behind them. Reclaim memories of titles won and lost and championships reclaimed and slipped away.
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Comments? Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Bill Walsh -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I once attended a San Francisco 49ers FanFest and stood in line to meet their head coach, Bill Walsh. When I finally got to meet him, he was signing this photo for fans or anything you brought to him.
Bill coached the 49ers from 1979 - 1988. During that time he lead the team to three Super Bowl championships.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 185: The Rules Were Always There
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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The SCORE Act was once again pulled from the House floor this week. It's the latest in a now-familiar pattern of Congress declining to act on college sports legislation.
The SCORE Act is now 0-for-3 in actually reaching the House floor for debate. Since 2020, more than 40 bills to reform college sports have been introduced in Congress. Not one bill has advanced. Not. One. Bill. Forty-plus bills, years of committee hearings, millions of dollars in lobbying expenditures, and the scoreboard reads zero. The people who complain that college sports need to be saved and that all of this spending is unsustainable have kept hiring lobbyists, kept flying delegations to Capitol Hill, and kept expressing urgency ... that evaporates the moment anyone is asked to actually vote.
My friend and colleague Michael McCann at Sportico cut to the core of it this week when he wrote that a better fix for what ails college sports would be for colleges to simply follow the NCAA rules they have already agreed to follow. He added a simple truth. Rules are only effective when they are followed and enforced and not undermined by the very targets of those rules, and no bill in Congress will change that. I'm not sure why people have a tough time comprehending that. Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua put a sharp point on it from a different angle when he told Sports Business Journal that the only thing worse than having no rules is having rules that are amorphous and that people are not following. Both men are describing the same disease, which Congress can't cure.
The institutions that have spent years pleading for federal antitrust protection and legislative guardrails are the same institutions that have spent those same years systematically dismantling whatever guardrails existed, whether through aggressive NIL structuring that mimics the pay-for-play model the rules were designed to prohibit, through cheering on antitrust lawsuits against their own membership organization, or through welcoming ineligible players through the courthouse door when the competitive moment demands it. The SCORE Act, had it been passed and signed into law, would have conferred antitrust protection to the NCAA, conferences, and schools when they establish rules for player transfers, eligibility, NIL, and agents. It also would have declared that college athletes are not employees. Those are significant structural changes, but they would not stop colleges from circumventing rules that are designed to promote fair play and fair competition. McCann is right in that the enforcement problem is not legislative. It is a will problem.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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The 2026
ROLEX Monterey Motorsports Reunion
August 12-15, 2026
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The 2026 ROLEX Monterey Motorsports Reunion is where history roars to life - a living museum on wheels featuring hundreds of historic and period-correct race and sports cars spanning nearly every era of motorsport.
Recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious motorsport lifestyle gatherings, the 2026 edition will honor the Icons of Japanese Motorsport as the featured marque. The celebration will showcase legendary machines from Mazda, Toyota, Yamaha, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Mitsubishi and more - representing decades of innovation, craftsmanship and competition.
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But First…
The Pre-Reunion and Corkscrew Hillclimb
August 8-9, 2026
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Kick off Monterey Car Week at the Montrey Pre-Reunion, where racing history comes alive at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Watch hundreds of historic race cars - from iconic prototypes to classic sports car battle wheel-to-wheel on the legendary circuit in a relaxed, fan-friendly atmosphere. It’s the ultimate chance to get up close to cars, meet drivers, and experience the sights and sounds of vintage racing before the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
The fifth annual Corkscrew Hillclimb happens Saturday, August 8th, as drivers take on the world-famous Corkscrew in reverse, charging uphill through one of the motorsport’s most iconic corners in a thrilling showcase you won’t want to miss.
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Three-Time World Series Champion Matt Cain Named Honorary Race Official For Toyota/Save Mart 350
at Sonoma Raceway
Cain to deliver official invocation ahead of green flag
for NASCAR Cup Series race
SONOMA, Calif. (May 21, 2026) – Sonoma Raceway announced today that former San Francisco Giants ace pitcher and three-time World Series champion Matt Cain will serve as an Honorary Race Official for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, June 28.
Cain will deliver the official invocation prior to the green flag for Northern California’s premier NASCAR race, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race. The race will air live nationally at 12:30 p.m. PT on TNT Sports.
One of the most accomplished pitchers in Giants history, Cain helped lead San Francisco to World Series championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014. A three-time MLB All-Star, Cain remains beloved by Bay Area sports fans for his consistency on the mound and his perfect game thrown on June 13, 2012 — the first in Giants franchise history.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Matt Cain to Sonoma Raceway as part of our Toyota/Save Mart 350 race day,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “Matt is one of the most respected athletes in Bay Area sports history, and his championship pedigree and connection with Northern California fans make him a perfect fit for this incredible NASCAR event.”
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 marks the only NASCAR Cup Series race in Northern California and annually attracts fans from across the country for world-class racing, entertainment and hospitality in the heart of Sonoma wine country.
“I’m honored to be part of such an iconic event at Sonoma Raceway,” said Cain. “Northern California has always been home for me, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the excitement and energy of NASCAR race day.”
Tickets, camping, upgrades, premium options and much more are all available at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE [7223].
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Hardly Trival Answer by T. Buff | | |
One & Done Era
Beginning with the 2006 draft,
the NBA instituted a new requirement:
players would be eligible to be selected to the world’s premier basketball league only if they met two criteria:
(1) at least one year had elapsed since the player graduated from high school and
(2) the player turned 19 in the year of the draft
As a result, many of the best players began
spending just one year in college before turning pro.
This practice earned the name “One and Done.”
--wikipedia
An entertaining piece is the wikipedia entry
about the history of the draft.
Go Red Sox
Go Celtics NEXT Year
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Kaylyn Noh Qualifies For US Women’s Open
Former Cal Golfer Played at Berkeley From 2022-25
Former Cal women's golfer Kaylyn Noh qualified for the U.S. Women's Open, shooting a 1-under-par 143 at Bermuda Dunes Country Club on May 13 in the U.S. Women's Open Qualifier.
The one-day, 36-hole tournament featured 69 with the top two players from the field earning a spot in the 2026 U.S. Women's Open, which will take place on June 4-7 at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. The qualification marked Noh's first time qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open, one of five major championships on the LPGA tour.
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Photo: Catharyn Hayne / KLC fotos
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Fourth Round Unlocks for Card
Stanford has two cracks at an individual national championship
CARLSBAD, Calif. — Top-ranked Stanford women’s golf has started to find its stride at the 2026 NCAA Championship, and that’s scary for the rest of the field. On the third round of the championship course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Stanford once again put up the best round of the day to take the overall team lead heading into the final round of stroke play.
Stanford survives the first cut of the tournament, from 30 to 15 teams, by posting an 843 as a team (-21), five strokes better than No. 2 USC in second and 11 strokes better than No. 21 Oklahoma State in third. It’s the second day in a row where Stanford shot the best round of the day, with the team’s 9-under 279 the lowest round of the tournament to this point.
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Fernandes and Smith Named First Team All-Mountain West
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Alex Fernandes and Dylan Smith have both been named First Team All-Mountain West, announced by the conference on Thursday morning.
Fernandes just finished up one of the best offensive seasons in San Jose State history. Fernandes posted a batting average of .401 on the season, becoming the fourth Spartan ever to hit .400 in a season and the first since 1993. Fernandes’ batting average was the tenth best in the nation this season and his on base percentage of .528 was sixth best in the nation.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
Sr. Aidan Lee: 66 (-6) final round
MGOLF | Gaels Record Tournament Low 9-Under Final Round to Conclude 2026 NCAA
Marana Regional
MARANA, Ariz. - The Saint Mary's men's golf team left it all out on the course in Wednesday's final round of the 2026 NCAA Marana Regional at Gallery Golf Club, putting together their low round of the tournament at 9-under-par to remain in ninth place and end their postseason run.
Senior Aidan Lee had been the low shooter for the Gaels all week and added to his score on Wednesday, carding a team low 66 (-6) which included six birdies and zero bogeys. The 6-under-par final round for the Pasadena native moved him to 10-under for the tournament, solidifying a top six finish for his lowest three round score of the 2025-26 season. Lee was just 2-under through the front nine as the Gaels teed off on one to start the day, but birdied the final three holes coming in to crack the top ten for his second top ten finish of the year.
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Dons Conclude Season at WCC Tournament
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The University of San Francisco baseball team (28-30) concluded the 2026 season in the West Coast Conference Tournament, with a split against Saint Mary's (34-25) on Saturday at Scottsdale Stadium.
GAME ONE: San Francisco 9, Saint Mary's 8
- Saint Mary's gained an early advantage in the opening frame, scoring three times to take a 3-0 lead.
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Photo: WCC photo
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Men’s Soccer Signs
Internationally Experienced
Center Back from Sweden
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's soccer announced the signing of Anton Carell, a 6-foot-3 left-footed defender who started in all games in the Swedish pro club U19 league and with experience playing in more than 100 international club games.
"I chose Santa Clara for the coaches, the facilities and the ability to combine college soccer at the highest level with an excellent education in the most dynamic tech eco system in the world," said Carell.
A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Carell played last season at the Darlington Soccer Academy's U19 squad in Rome, Georgia where he was appointed team captain for his leadership, consistency and accountability.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Tigers Bow Out of WCC Tournament
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Pacific baseball program fought tooth and nail all day, dropping its first third round game to No. 5 seed Saint Mary's, 10-7, before falling in an elimination game to No. 3 seed San Francisco, 10-6, on Friday at the West Coast Conference Tournament from Scottsdale Stadium.
The No. 2 seed Tigers (24-30-1, 15-11-1 WCC) battled in the winner's bracket against the Gaels (33-24, 15-12 WCC) in a narrow offensive outburst, followed by another slugfest defeat to the hands of the Dons (27-29, 15-12 WCC).
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Women’s Water Polo: Gianna Nocetti Named ACWPC All-American Honorable Mention
DAVIS, Calif. — Already named an All-Big West Second Team selection, UC Davis women's water polo's Gianna Nocetti has landed on the 2026 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-American Team, making the list as an Honorable Mention.
This marks the first time that Nocetti has made an All-American team in her career, capping off a remarkable tenure where she secured a Big West All-Conference selection in every single season of her career.
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Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
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Rodriguez Caps Historic Season at NCAA Championships
EMPORIA, Kan. – Jenna Rodriguez concluded a historic 2026 outdoor season Friday afternoon by representing Cal State East Bay in the women's 800 meters at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Welch Stadium.
Competing against the nation's top middle-distance runners, the Pioneer senior recorded a time of 2:16.64 in the preliminary round of the women's 800m to cap an outstanding season for the Cal State East Bay women's track & field program.
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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 25, through
Sunday, May 31, 2026
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Monday, May 25
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 2:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 12:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 12:05 p.m.
Oakland Soul SC @ Pleasanton Rage, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 28
Golden State Valkyries vs. Indiana Fever, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 29
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. New York Yankees, 6:40 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 6:10 p.m.
Athletics vs. New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 5 p.m.
Oakland Soul SC @ Monterey Bay FC, 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Athletics vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces, 12:30 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
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Software Engineer / Sports Today! Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
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: $10 hardcover, $7 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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