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April 13 -- April 19, 2026
Issue No. 637
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Giants Looking Medicore Again
by Bruce Macgowan
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It could be another very frustrating year for Giants fans.
Yes, it’s early in the 2026 season but San Francisco has been playing mostly mediocre, uninspiring baseball.
And you really can’t blame rookie manager Tony Vitello for the slow start. Hitters have to hit and pitchers have to pitch well and the Giants have not been getting enough of either.
In their first eight home games the Giants managed only one win. They opened the season by scoring just ONE RUN in three losses to the mighty Yankees. Then a week later they lost three straight times to the Mets. The last game of that series was particularly galling as the bullpen imploded, ruining a possible win for ace Logan Webb.
On paper the Giants everyday lineup looks dangerous. Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman are all highly regarded, newcomer Luis Arraez was hitting over .300 before injuring a wrist, and it seems likely that both Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee will snap out of early season slumps and start hitting past the dreaded Mendoza Line -- about .220., soon.
But as they did all too frequently last year, the Giants have been wasting numerous chances and leaving too many runners on base.
Perhaps more significantly, however, the pitching staff is shaky. While it appears the Giants have three reliable starters in Webb, lefty Robbie Ray and the emerging Landen Roupp, the bullpen is a mess.
Injuries to young flame throwing Jose Peguero, middleman Jose Butto and lefthander Sam Hedges, who has been dogged by injuries and hasn’t pitched in nearly two years, have hurt.
Vitello has yet to find a closer as Ryan Walker has shown he cannot be relied on to close games. The bullpen is made up of a group of little-known journeymen, such as lefties Ryan Borucki and Matt Gage, and right-handers Keaton Winn, JT Brubaker and rookie Blake Tidwell.
Perhaps the most intriguing reliever is hulking, hard throwing former Stanford star Eric Miller. Miller was having a terrific 2025 until arm injuries derailed him near mid-season. But maybe the big guy can become the Giants’ closer.
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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is batting a respectable .290 to start 2026 with 18 hits. (Pictured above against the Seattle Mariners on April 5, 2025.)
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Last year the bullpen was the Giants biggest strength. But then Buster Posey’s mini-fire sale stripped away Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers and Randy Rodriguez went down with an injury which required Tommy John surgery.
But perhaps the most important thing missing from this year’s 2026 Giants edition is leadership. And we’re not talking about Vitello, his highly respected hitting coach Ron Washington or any other of Vitello’s coaching staff.
The Giants need at least one or two guys from their everyday lineup to lead by example or occasionally light a fire, if necessary, under their teammates. Willy Adames is a great clubhouse guy but he’s more of a likeable, enthusiastic prankster. Rafael Devers can be a force at the plate but seems quiet and introspective. And Matt Chapman was the Giants' lead spokesman a year ago, but something is missing this year.
Somehow, Vitello has to find a way to jumpstart this team because right now they’re looking mediocre and inconsistent at best. Yes, we’re only three weeks into the season but unfortunately, it looks like the same mediocre team we’ve watched for the last four years.
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Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Note to Readers:
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
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears (WWP) 9, UCLA Bruins 10
Golden State Warriors 103, Los Angeles Lakers 119
Stanford Cardinal (WWP) 16, USC Trojans 14
Features & Commentary
Bring Your Own Big Wheel, by Rich Yee
Dave Newhouse Celebration, by Andy Dolich and Bruce Macgowan
Giants Looking Medicore Again, by Bruce Macgowan
Jerry Rice, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 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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Dave Newhouse Celebration
Scott's Restaurant, Oakland, CA
Saturday, April 11, 2026
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Bay Area media members paid tribute to fellow colleague Dave Newhouse who recently passed away
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Saying Goodbye
by Andy Dolich
On Saturday, April 11th, a celebration of Dave Newhouse's life was held at Scott’s Restaurant in Oakland, hosted by son Casey of the Newhouse family.
As I looked around the room of legends I was reminded how lucky we were and are to have an All-Star team of outstanding writers, columnists, media personalities, photographers, editors and publishers telling the stories of our teams and their legendary players.
How about multiple world championships from the Warriors, 49ers, A’s, Raiders in the Bay Area, along with countless college championships and state titles from our high school athletes. Let's not forget our Olympic medalists and Bay Area champions in many other sports.
There is no better market in the country for this group of media marvels bringing us the spectacular stories of sports. Dave Newhouse was a Gold Card carrying member of this elite group.
I arrived in Oakland in December of 1980 after being hired by the Haas family after they purchased the A’s from Charles O. Finley.
Dave’s columns in the Oakland Tribune were a major boost in turning around the franchise through his legion of devoted readers. We gave Dave, his fellow writers and fans a 17-1 start in the 1981 season to rally around the A’s rebirth.
When Michelangelo was asked how he created the world famous statue of David he had a simple response: “David was inside the stone, I just chipped away all the pieces that weren’t David.”
In my view that statue in sports writing could have been David Newhouse. His decades of sports writing style were gifted to his readers through Heart, Mind and Soul every day in every way.
It was a singular honor to work with Dave on our book, Goodbye Oakland.
Dave’s family, friends, sports media colleagues and executives gathered in Oakland to honor the Man for All Sports Seasons by emotionally and respectfully saying "Goodbye!”
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| After the program, guests mingled with friends and colleagues | |
Dave Newhouse
-- A True Gentleman
by Bruce Macgowan
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Dave Newhouse was a terrific sportswriter who covered Bay
Area sports for well over 50 years. His fascination with history and his sincere interest in the athletes and coaches he got to know made him a rarity among the hard-bitten, cynical scribes of his era.
But more than that, Dave was a great guy, a wonderful friend, and didn’t have a mean bone in his body.
Close to 100 of Dave’s family, close friends and colleagues gathered this past Saturday at Scott’s Restaurant in Oakland to celebrate the life of a special man who will be dearly missed.
There were a number of tributes from some of the folks who came out for the event but perhaps the most poignant was delivered by longtime columnist Lowell Cohn.
Quoting from a poem by a famed English writer W.H. Auden, Cohn remarked: “Dave was our west, east, north and south.”
Cohn also pointed out that Newhouse frequently suggested ideas for columns to him and other writers such as Scott Ostler and Mark Purdy, something that was unheard of.
“Columnists and writers rarely shared ideas for stories with each other but Dave did. He was a generous man who always cared about people.”
I feel very regretful that we didn’t have another chance to sit down and have lunch together as we had planned just a few weeks before Dave passed at age 87.
Dave Newhouse had a great life and touched not only hundreds of thousands of readers over the years, but also the hearts of all of his colleagues, friends, and especially his family. Here’s a salute to a man who made his mark on the Bay Area.
Editor’s note: The program, hosted by Andy Dolich and emceed by Joe Fonzi, included speakers Casey Newhouse, Dave Hobler, Brian McGhee, Arif Kahtib, Scott Ostler and Ignacio De La Fuente.
Photos by Medhavee Upadhyaya and Ann Cooke.
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Son Casey Newhouse concluded the program
honoring his remarkable father
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The Newhouse family, headed by Dave's wife Patsy and
son Casey, shared their own table
| (l-R) Ann Cooke, Paula Gassoumis, Frosene Phillips, Shelia Young | Pat Gallagher (l) and Andy Dolich | |
Golden State Warriors 103
San Antonio Spurs 119
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA,
Thursday, April 9, 2026
| Warriors Brandin Podziemski would go on to score 17 points in his 24 minutes on the court. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | The Lakers LeBron James warms up before the game. LeBron would end the night with 26 points. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | Golden State Warriors Gary Payton III soars over James in the fourth quarter. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | |
Steph Curry, in grey t-shirt, sat out for the final home game of
the season. Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
| Golden State Warrior Draymond Green blocks a shot by LeBron James. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | |
Draymond Green would finish the game with only two points in his 22 minutes on the court. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
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Cal Bears 9
UCLA Bruins 10
Spieker Aquatic Complex, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, April 12, 2026
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| | San Francisco Giants’ Jhonny Level | |
Leveling up: The Giants' newest Top 100 prospect is off to
a scorching start
By Rob Terranova
One could argue that no one in baseball is swinging a hotter bat right now than Giants No. 4 prospect Jhonny Level.
The 19-year-old out of Venezuela belted his second home run of the season on Wednesday night -- as part of a three-hit performance that included a pair of doubles -- in Single-A San Jose's 8-2 victory over Visalia at Excite Ballpark.
COMPLETE GIANTS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Level, who joined MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list on April 3, clubbed three home runs in 31 games after joining San Jose for the final month of last season. He needed just five games this year to notch his second this year. The 5-foot-8 infielder also matched his career high in total bases with eight on Wednesday -- the second time he's hit that mark this season.
Level has racked up 22 total bases, more than any Minor Leaguer outside of Triple-A, which opened a week earlier than the other full-season levels. Among Top 100 prospects in the Minors, Level trails only Max Clark, who has played in 10 games at Triple-A and has just one more total base with 23.
continued...
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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson
He tore the cover off the baseball ... with a 14.3 mph exit velocity?
By Theo DeRosa
“Tearing the cover off the baseball” is a phrase typically used for hitters who are locked in at the plate, and with a .311 batting average as a rookie in 2025, Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson would certainly qualify.
After an unusual play in the A's 1-0 win on Thursday at Yan
kee Stadium, Wilson is one of the few hitters to whom the classic baseball idiom applies both literally and figuratively.
At first glance, Wilson’s weak dribbler toward the first-base line -- with an exit velocity of just 14.3 mph -- sure doesn’t seem to evoke an expression meaning consistent hard-hit contact. But when the A’s shortstop made contact off the end of his bat on a low changeup from Yankees lefty Ryan Weathers, it tore the cover partway off the baseball, which spun in a helicopter-esque arc on its way along the grass. This isn’t a first: Wilson joins Freddy Fermin, Martín Maldonado and A’s teammate Shea Langeliers among those who can say they’ve hit the cover off the ball in a Major League game, although they'd probably prefer not to reveal how.
Yankees broadcasters speculated Wilson was likely using a cupped bat, which has a small indentation at the end of the barrel and could account for the unusual damage to the baseball. On what went down as a softly hit groundout, it sure wasn’t due to Wilson squaring up the ball -- although the young star has proven he’s certainly capable of that, too.
continued....
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Whether it’s the bad ass weenie or the millionaire steak sandwich, stadium food has taken a new step in replacing the peanuts and crackerjacks as the main snackables offered behind home plate.
And leading the pack in ratings of great sandwiches, second only to the menu at Oracle Park, is the filet steak sandwich served at the Mets stadium. While praised for its quality meat, sautéed onions, and Monterey Jack cheese on a baguette, it faces criticism for being overpriced (approx. $20), sometimes dry,
and having long wait times.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
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Alternate Captain Macklin Celebrini named 2025-26 Sharks Player
of the Year
The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) announced that alternate captain Macklin Celebrini has been named Sharks Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season in a vote by the Bay Area media. The Player of the Year award is presented to the player who contributes the greatest amount of success to the Sharks in the 2025-26 regular season.
He becomes the fifth player in team history to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Joe Pavelski (2013-14, 14-15), Patrick Marleau (2008-09, 09-10), Joe Thornton (2005-06, 06-07) and Mike Vernon (1997-98, 98-99).
Celebrini, 19, has shined in a historic season, boasting the second-most points (108) ever by a Sharks skater in a single season, six shy of the team record of 114 set by Thornton in 2006-07, becoming one of three skaters in team history to reach triple-digit scoring in one season. In a breakout sophomore campaign, Celebrini became the first Shark to reach the 40-goal mark since Pavelski in 2013-14 (41), boasting the fourth-most ever by a Shark in a single season (42), and his 66 assists stand as the seventh-most in a season in Sharks history. Additionally, he set records for primary points (85) and even-strength points (76) by a Shark in franchise history.
Entering April 11 vs. Vancouver, Celebrini has factored into 46.0-percent (108-of-235) of total goals by the Sharks, currently standing as the highest such mark in team history, has been in on 17 of 35 game-winning goals, seven of 10 overtime strikes and has one game-deciding shootout score. Over the course of the season, the Sharks have gone 35-18-4 when Celebrini tallies at least one point and have amassed a record of 24-3-1 when he posts a multi-point effort.
continued...
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April 2, 2026
Meet the Blazers
It All Started As An April Fools Day Joke
So the other day, we created an April Fools joke announcing our Oakland Blazers alternative identity that was entirely too dope. Soon, the people demanded we actually do it. And we said if the post got over 420 comments, we'd actually do it. And it did.
So we are.
Then we issued this statement:
We owe you an apology.
Yesterday, we made an April Fool’s joke. We announced the Oakland Blazers. And now… we’ve got a problem.
Because you weren’t supposed to love it this much.
You weren’t supposed to ask for merch. You definitely weren’t supposed to demand we make it real.
But Oakland did what Oakland does. You took a joke… and turned it into something bigger. So yeah. That’s on us. We’re sorry for ruining April Fool’s Day by accidentally creating something too good to be fake.
Because now… The Oakland Blazers definitely needs to happen. And this is no longer a joke. You demanded it. And we intend to deliver.
Again, sorry that we ruined April Fool’s Day. Even though no one likes April Fool’s Day anyways.
And sorry for coming up with the most incredible alternate jersey concept ever. Sorry for the fact that you’ll definitely want to spend your hard-earned money on the Blazers hats and jerseys.
And sorry that Opening Day is on May 19th and even if we start production on these hats and uniforms, they might not be ready in time. But we’re trying!
Who are we kidding... We knew this would happen.
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MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 1
Quakes extend club record 6-1-0 start with comeback win fueled by Jack Skahan brace to draw level with first-place Vancouver on points; San Jose sweeps SKC for first time since 2015; Black and Blue return home Wednesday for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 matchup with Phoenix Rising FC
KANSAS CITY, Kans. — The San Jose Earthquakes erased an early deficit and defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Saturday night in front of a Sporting Park crowd of 16,921 fans to extend their club-record start to 6-1-0 and draw level with first-place Vancouver Whitecaps FC on points in the Western Conference.
The hosts opened the scoring in minute 27 when Dejan Joveljić snuck a short through ball to a streaking Jacob Bartlett, who slotted it home for a 1-0 SKC lead. But the Earthquakes would answer before the break in the 45th minute, as Niko Tsakiris took on multiple defenders down the right wing and delivered a perfect low cross for Jack Skahan, who clinically finished to equalize 1-1.
After intermission, the Quakes went right back to work and took advantage of a transition moment in the 49th minute when Benji Kikanović initiated a loose ball in his own box. Beau Leroux collected it and San Jose was off to the races. Preston Judd took the pass and laid it back for a streaking Niko Tsakiris, who pushed it across midfield for a sprinting Judd down the right wing. Judd drew the last defender and dished it to Skahan, who calmly placed his shot from the middle of the opposing box into the back of the net to give San Jose a 2-1 lead. The Quakes weren’t done, and in minute 75, Kikanović’s low cross from the right wing found Daniel Munie in the box. The ball was poked away but off Munie and right to an opportunistic Dave Romney, who put the ball on his right foot and blasted home an insurance goal for the final 3-1 margin and their first season sweep of SKC since 2015.
The Black and Blue now return home next Wednesday, April 15, to face Phoenix Rising FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7 p.m. PT and will stream live on Paramount+, as well as air on CBS Sports Golazo Network.
continued...
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Roots Off to Strongest Start in Club History Following 2-2 Draw at League Leaders Tampa Bay Rowdies
Oakland faced a tough challenge heading on a cross country trip to league first-place side Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night in St. Petersburg. But Roots rose to this challenge, adding the first blemish to the Rowdies' previously perfect record in a 2-2 draw that results in the strongest five-game start to a season in Roots history.
The match didn't begin the way Oakland was hoping for, as Tampa Bay got on the board in just the third minute of the match after some heavy pressure and flustered ball movement from Roots led to a turnover at the top of the box and a strong shot on target. Kendall McIntosh made the initial save but the rebound went straight to Rowdies' Marco Micaletto on the left side who buried the second chance opportunity to make it 0-1 early.
Rowdies nearly doubled their lead on a counterattack in the 8th minute, but the finishing attempt bounced off the Oakland post and right into the gloves of McIntosh.
Roots were able to settle down after these two early bits of attacking from Tampa Bay and earned one back in the 12th minute when a great through ball up the left side from David Garcia found Wolfgang Prentice with space to run in behind. Prentice finished his run with a pinpoint cross into the box which found the foot of Tampa Bay's Charlie Ostrem who inadvertently buried it into his own net to level the match at 1-1.
continued...
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Congleton, England native earns first senior international call-up
Bay FC Forward Keira Barry to Join England Women’s National Team for Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers
SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 7, 2026) – England Football announced today that Bay FC forward Keira Barry will join the England Women’s National Team for a pair of 2027 World Cup qualifying matches vs. Spain and Iceland. Barry’s selection marks her first to a senior national team and her first international call-up of 2026.
Barry was originally selected to England’s U-23 squad for the April international window alongside her Bay FC teammate, defender Anouk Denton. The forward represented England internationally throughout her youth and professional career, last featuring for the Young Lionesses U-23 side in December 2025. She has impressed her first action with Bay FC, making her club and NWSL debut as a substitute March 14 against Denver Summit FC, and scoring her first NWSL goal March 28, also her first NWSL start.
The Manchester United product joins a squad of 24-players selected by Head Coach Sarah Wiegman in preparation for two 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland. England will face Spain on Tuesday, April 14 at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, before travelling to Reykjavik to play Iceland in the historic 500th game for the Lionesses on Saturday, April 18.
Barry is one of several Bay FC players set to join their respective international squads in April for five federations. Defender Sydney Collins (Canada), defender Aldana Cometti (Argentina), Anouk Denton (England U-23’s), midfielder Claire Hutton (United States), forwards Onyeka Gamero and Alex Pfeiffer (U.S. U-20’s), forward Cristiana Girelli (Italy), and midfielder Taylor Huff and Jordan Silkowitz (U.S. U-23’s), also will take the pitch during the international window running April 7-18.
Bay FC will return to action on April 17 as Canadian side Ottawa Rapid FC visits the Bay Area for an international friendly. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, and the match will broadcast locally on Victory+, Bay FC’s official streaming partner. The club will celebrate Star Wars night alongisde the contest – tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets. Visa is Bay FC’s preferred way to pay for tickets.
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Valkyries Re-Sign Iliana Rupert and Janelle Salaün to Multi-Year Contracts; Cecilia Zandalasini to
One Year Deal
The Golden State Valkyries announced Sunday that they have signed forward Laeticia Amihere, guard Kaitlyn Chen, center Mariella Fasoula and guard Miela Sowah to training camp contracts.
Amihere played in a career-high 29 games for the Valkyries this past season, posting 5.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and a 45.6 field goal percentage, all of which are career highs. The Canadian had seven double-digit scoring performances in 2025. Amihere was acquired by Golden State from the Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft and was drafted eighth overall by the Dream in the 2023 WNBA Draft.
Chen played in 24 games her rookie campaign with the Valkyries, averaging 2.0 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 38.0 percent from the field. Chen was selected 30th overall at the 2025 WNBA Draft by Golden State after playing collegiately for Princeton and Connecticut, guiding the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA Championship title.
"Laeticia and Kaitlyn were both part of what we built in year one, and we wanted them back," said Valkyries General Manager, Ohemaa Nyanin. "Laeticia brings a well-rounded presence. She is efficient, she competes inside the perimeter, and she makes strong plays. Kaitlyn is one of the fastest players on the floor, commits to guarding anyone, and brings strong character and a team-first mentality to the locker room. We saw both players continue to elevate their game throughout last season and we believe there is more to come."
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Bring Your Own Big Wheel
Vermont Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, April 5, 2026
| The 24th annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel (BYOBW) race took place on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, on Vermont Street at 20th Street in Potrero Hill, in San Francisco. The free event featured children’s and adult races with participants racing plastic tricycles down the curvy street in costume. Photo by Rich Yee. | |
Pulled From A Deck...
of 100 sports trivia questions comes this:
Who holds the MLB record with 50 consecutive stolen bases without being caught?
Because the answer is given via a multiple choice format, this hint is given. It is not Oakland A's legend Rickey Henderson (which I guessed wrong)!
Answer below...
| San Francisco 49ers Autographs | | |
RISE --
The Bread Project Gala & Auction
will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at the
Hillside Club in Berkeley from 6 to 9 p.m. The Bread Project helps Bay Area residents overcome barriers to employment and secure living-wage jobs in the food industry by providing practical skills, hands-on
training and job placement support.
To attend the Gala, visit: https://conta.cc/412daBo
To donate a valuable auction item and receive two
Gala tickets, plus donation recognition,
email: lynn@breadproject.org
The San Francisco 49ers footballs below are part of
the Gala auction and include the following signatures. Estimated total value of $300.
To bid absentee on the footballs,
email jkaplan@att.net
with the maximum amount of your bid.
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Above Left
#33 Roger Craig RB 1983-90
#86 Charle Young TE 1980-82
#58 Keena Turner LB 1980-90
#21 Eric Wright DB 1981-1990
#27 R.C. Owens OE/RB 1957-61
#13 Steve Bono QB 1989, 91-93
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Above Right
#59 Willie Harper LB 1973-77, 1979-83
#22 Dwight Hicks DB 1979-85
#81 Lee Johnson WR 1969-70
#77 Bubba Paris OT 1983-90
#57 Dan Bunz LB 1978-84
#63 Monte Clark OT/DT 1959-61
#81 Russ Francis TE 1982-87
#30 Bill Ring RB 1981-86
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ROYAL® EXTENDS PREMIUM PARTNERSHIP WITH SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS FOR THIRD SEASON
|
- Royal®, the #1 brand of Authentic Basmati and Sona Masoori rice in the U.S., has extended its Premium Partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns for a third consecutive year
- The continued collaboration includes prominent apparel branding, Family Day and stadium activation, and player-led content throughout the 2026 Major League Cricket season
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (APRIL 6, 2026) — The San Francisco Unicorns have announced that Royal®, the #1 brand of Authentic Basmati and Sona Masoori rice in the U.S., has extended its partnership into the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, marking not only a continued investment in the sport but a broader cultural moment for the brand.
The extension, now entering its third consecutive season, reflects the growing alignment between leading consumer brands and Major League Cricket’s rapidly expanding U.S. audience.
As Royal® deepens its connection with cricket fans and South Asian audiences across the U.S., the 2026 season also serves as the launchpad for its new Royal® Basmati Jute Bag and Royal® Chef’s Secret range brand refresh campaigns, rooted in a renewed commitment to sustainability, heritage, and authenticity.
Royal® is designated as the Unicorns’ Premium Partner for the duration of the MLC season, and will receive prominent branding opportunities across Unicorns’ apparel, media channels, and matchday signage and screens.
The Royal® brand will see its logo positioned on the San Francisco Unicorns’ upper leading arm of its matchday jersey, with similar placements on training kit, staff polos, and various merchandise.
continued...
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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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Jerry Rice -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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On December 17, 1996 former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice did an in-store book signing at Macy’s in San Francisco. He was signing his new book titled RICE ($50) for the first 250 fans
who showed up.
I chose this full page photo from the book for him to sign which he did gladly. When I shook his hand, I remember saying “That’s some grip you've got.” He smiled and gave me a nod.
I still see Jerry at the 49ers games, golf course, Costco, fund
raisers… He’s a great person on and off the field.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 179: The Executive Order That Tells Everyone Else To Do The Hard Part
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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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President Trump signed his second executive order targeting college athletics last Friday, and this one arrived with considerably more specificity than the July 2025 version that has produced nothing of consequence. The new order, titled "Urgent National Action to Save College Sports," was reportedly drafted with significant input from SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, a former SEC chairman and former college soccer player at Lafayette. The order reads like it was written by someone who understands securities enforcement levers.
What the Order Says
The order directs the NCAA to update or clarify its rules before August 1, 2026 across several categories. On eligibility, it calls for a five-year participation window with limited exceptions for military or missionary service, and a flat prohibition on professional athletes returning to college competition. On transfers, it envisions a return to a one-time transfer with immediate eligibility, plus one additional transfer if the athlete obtains a four-year degree. On compensation, the order calls for revenue sharing that preserves or expands scholarships in women's and Olympic sports. It prohibits the use of federal funds for NIL or revenue-sharing payments or coaching compensation. And it targets what it defines as "fraudulent NIL schemes," meaning payments above fair market value connected to a college athlete's participation in intercollegiate athletics, specifically calling out collectives and similar entities as facilitators of improper pay-for-play.
continued...
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Take your race weekend experience to the next level with the Car Corral, where your car becomes part of the show. Park trackside alongside fellow brand enthusiasts, connect with like-minded owners, and enjoy exclusive access that brings you closer to the action. Participants will have the opportunity to drive the legendary circuit, creating unforgettable memories on one of motorsport’s most iconic tracks. As a thank you, all Car Corral participants will receive a special surprise gift from the track. Secure your spot today and
be part of the experience!
| | Hardly Trival Answer by T. Buff | | |
Vince Coleman!
Vince Coleman of the St. Louis Cardinals
holds the MLB record with 50 consecutive stolen
bases without being caught, achieved from
September 18, 1988, to July 26, 1989.
Just so I can't ask any more questions about stolen bases, here is most everything you need to know
about stolen base records...
Just for your info, the multiple choice answers given were, Rickey Henderson, Ichiro Suzuki, Kenny Lofton and Vince Coleman, in that order. The provided link has the reasons why they are listed...
Go Red Sox
Go Celtics
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Senior Tiago Silva Waits To Receive A Serve
Cal Falls To Stanford In The Big Slam
Bears Tally Wins In Doubles And Court 6
In its regular season finale, the California Golden Bears (14-12, 6-7) fell to No. 17 Stanford (16-7, 9-4), 4-2, in Berkeley on Sunday.
To begin the day, the Bears quickly seized the doubles point advantage with a 6-3 victory on court three by Bernardo Munk Mesa and Paris Pouatcha. After falling on court two, Cal came away with a 1-0 lead when Alex Aney and Timofey Stepanov recorded a 6-4 victory on court one.
With a 1-0 lead entering singles play, Stanford evened the match after a win on court three. Then, on court six, Lenn Luemkemann added Cal's second point of the match with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The Cardinal then tallied points on courts one, four and five to clinch the match.
continued...
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Clutch Fourth Quarter Secures Another MPSF Title
Stanford claimed its ninth MPSF title and fourth
in the past five seasons
BERKELEY, Calif. – Juliette Dhalluin matched a career high with six goals while Jenna Flynn added four as No. 2 Stanford rallied past No. 1 USC 16-14 on Sunday afternoon in the final of the MPSF Championship.
Stanford (14-1, 5-1 MPSF) claimed its ninth MPSF title and fourth in the past five seasons after repeating in 2022-23 and winning it all in 2025. The Cardinal also won the MPSF championship in 2014, 2006, 2003, 2001 and 2000.
USC (22-3, 6-0 MPSF) handed Stanford its only loss of the season back on March 22, when the Trojans prevailed 11-10 in the final seconds at Avery Aquatic Center.
continued...
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Paxton and DeMarse Helps Spartans To Split on Sunday
STOCKTON, Calif.—Olivia Paxton and Addison DeMarse went 2-0 on Sunday to help the San José State beach volleyball team to split on Sunday, defeating CSU Bakersfield, 3-2, before falling to Saint Mary’s, 3-2.
- Paxton and DeMarse won in straight sets, 21-16, 24-22, against the Roadrunners but needed three sets in the win over the Gaels, 21-17, 18-21, 15-10.
-
Anna Salmon and Sabrina Moore won 21-18, 21-12, for the team’s first point against CSU Bakersfield.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MGOLF | Gaels Post Best Score of the Week to Hang Onto 4th Place
at El Macero
DAVIS, Calif. - The Saint Mary's men's golf team posted its lowest score of the week on Sunday to hang onto a share of fourth place at the 2026 El Macero Classic.
Just one team finished the three-round event in red figures as the Gaels put together a 4-over-par final round for the third lowest round of the day out of the 19-team field. Saint Mary's was actually on the outside looking in with its fourth place finish, until the very last hole, where senior Aidan Lee birdied the par-5 18th to push the Gaels into a tie with Washington State for fourth place. Lee put together the team's low round of the day with a 71 (-1), and moved up 21 spots on the individual leaderboard to finish in a tie for 15th place.
continued...
Photo by Leroy Yau/UC Davis Athletics
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Harmon's Late Home Run Lifts
Dons Past Toreros
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Led by Trevor Harmon's eighth-inning home run and a Jackson Nystrom grand slam, the University of San Francisco baseball team (17-15, 8-3) earned a 7-5 come-from-behind victory over San Diego (13-19, 6-5) Saturday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Nystrom connected on a home run over the left-center field wall, his first-career grand slam, to give San Francisco a 4-3 lead.
continued...
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Softball Completes Sweep of San Diego with Comeback Win
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Taryn Clements drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and the pitching staff tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to complete Santa Clara softball's three game sweep of San Diego with a 5-3 win on Saturday under threatening skies at SCU Softball Stadium. Just as they did in the first two games, the Broncos fell behind early only to pullout a comeback victory to claim their first West Coast Conference sweep since they did it at San Diego last season. SCU has now won seven-straight games against the Toreros.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Bouchard, Tigers Capture
El Macero Classic Wins
DAVIS, Calf. – For the first time in program history, the Pacific men's golf program was crowned team champion of the El Macero Classic, hosted by UC Davis at El Macero Country Club this weekend.
Carried by the first-place individual finish of sophomore Felix Bouchard, the Tigers (-3) led all three rounds of the tournament, clinching their second team title of the 2025-26 campaign. Pacific was the only school in the 19-team field to finish under par.
continued...
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Aggies Complete Comeback With Eighth Inning Walk Off Win
Over CSUN
Score: UC Davis 4, CSUN 3 (8 inn.)
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Sawai (9-4)
Losing Pitcher: Kaitlyn Tso (4-12)
Location: Davis, Calif. (La Rue Field)
Records: UC Davis 21-18 (10-6), CSUN 9-25 (5-11)
The short story: UC Davis softball scored three runs over the final three frames to storm back against CSUN, taking down the Matadors with an eighth inning walk off victory on a wet and chilly day at La Rue Field.
continued...
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Early Deficit, Late Response Leads
to Split in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. — Cal State East Bay came away with a split in Saturday's doubleheader at Cal Poly Pomona, dropping the opener
7-4 before responding with a 6-4 victory in the nightcap at Scolinos Field.
The first game swung early.
continued...
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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."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 13, through
Sunday, April 19, 2026
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Monday, April 13
Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 6:40 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14
San Francisco Giants @ Cincinnati Reds, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Cincinnati Reds, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 6:40 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks, 5:30 p.m.
San Jose Eathquakes vs. Phoenix Rising, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 16
San Francisco Giants @ Cincinnati Reds, 9:40 a.m.
Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 12:05 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Winnipeg Jets, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 17
San Francisco Giants @ Washington Nationals, 3:45 p.m.
Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:40 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Ottawa Rapid FC, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18
San Francisco Giants @ Washington Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. FC Tulsa, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 19
San Francisco Giants @ Washington Nationals, 10:35 a.m.
Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ LAFC, 4 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
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Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
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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