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June 29 -- July 5, 2026
Issue No. 648
| | 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 | | |
Contents
Games
San Francisco Giants 2, Athletics 1
San Francisco Giants 5, Atlanta Braves 0
Features & Commentary
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Mario Andretti, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Moselle's Way Was The Right Way, Michael Knight
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heiter, Esq.
Out With Crackerjacks!, by Steve Chain
Warriors Draft Strategy! Pick the Best Player from the Best College Team!, by Robert Moselle
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San Francisco Giants 2
Athletics 1
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
| In a post game interview, the Giants’ Victor Bericoto was absorbed in describing the thrill of his game-winning home run, unaware of what would happen next. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | Sure enough, Willie Adames celebrated Bericoto's first walk-off home run with a serious dousing. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | |
Jung Hoo Lee narrowly avoided a wild pitch. Lee would go
2 for 4 on the evening. Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
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In the second inning, Jung Hoo Lee slid safely into second base with a double. Lee now sports a heady .323 batting average.
Photo and caption by Rich Yee.
| | At the top of the fifth inning the A's Jacob Wilson was out at home plate on the throw from left fielder Victor Bericoto to catcher Eric Haase. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | | |
San Francisco Giants 5
Atlanta Braves 0
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Saturday, June 27, 2026
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The entrance to Oracle Park shone with colors on
Saturday afternoon, June 27, in honor of Pride Month.
Photo by Rich Yee.
| The game's bobblehead giveaway was another smash hit, matching the two home runs Rafael Devers delivered on his own Bobblehead Day. Photo by Rich Yee. | |
The Giants Jung Hoo Lee was an early arrival to the
Giants dugout. Photo by Rich Yee.
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A resplendent Oracle Park preceding Saturday's game on
June 27, 2026. Photo by Rich Yee.
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A view of Oracle Park taken from China Basin Park and
overlooking McCovey Cove. Photo by Rich Yee.
| Talented staff photographer Rich Yee, in pursuing his craft, has been hit by numerous baseballs and even a football! On Saturday, "I was so close to getting hit again...Chapman hit a foul ball straight up and it landed hard behind me in the photo pit, missing my left ear by inches. Sadly, I didn't get to keep the ball." | | |
Web designer Medhavee Upadhyaya recently received an award for her design of the Ultimate Sports Guide's new website: www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Fresh off her newly-minted Masters Degree in Computer Science, Mehdavee now seeks full-time employment with a compatible, energetic company. She has been invaluable to the USG/Sports Today and is the ultimate team player and a joy to work with. If you may have an opportunity by which she can expand her horizons and share her experience, please contact her directly at upadhyayamedhavee@gmail.com. Mention USG/Sports Today to introduce yourself but before you do, visit www.medhaveeupadhyaya.com
You will be glad you did.
-- Christopher Weills, Publisher
Awards:
Awarded Best Use of Claude – Cal Hacks 12.0 (Anthropic Claude AI) for ELDA.AI mobile Voice Assistant
President's List Honors – San Francisco Bay University 2024 for achieving 4.0 GPA
Photo by Ann Cooke
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Basketball Hall of Fame coach Adolph Rupp once
amused fans attending an Induction Ceremony
with these words, “I grew up in a small town
in Kansas that was so tough, if a cat walking
down the street had a tail, it was a tourist.”
-- Submitted by Nick Curran
Director of Public Relations, National Basketball Association, New York City, 1969-76
Have a Memorable Sports Quote to submit? Send to: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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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.
| | Heliot Ramos' two hits on rehab assignment | | Ramos logs a pair of hits in latest rehab appearance in Triple-A | | |
View here!
By Brent Maguire
Heliot Ramos is inching closer to his return to the Majors.
Ramos, who has been on the injured list with a right quad strain since May 16, continued his rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Sacramento. Ramos went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a pair of walks and an RBI and recorded an outfield assist against Las Vegas. Ramos began his rehab assignment with the River Cats on June 17.
Ramos had a .731 OPS and four home runs in 44 games before he landed on the IL. The 26-year-old Ramos has been a steady presence for the Giants the last few years, hitting 20-plus home runs in both 2024 and ‘25.
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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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Entering Friday’s series opener against the Angels, Kurtz was slashing .278/.426/.533 with a .959 OPS that ranks
sixth in the Majors
Kurtz or Shea for Team MVP? Handing out first-half A's awards
By Martín Gallegos
SAN FRANCISCO – The Athletics officially reached the halfway point of the season on Thursday with a dramatic 9-6 comeback victory over the Giants in what was their 81st game of the 2026 campaign.
With a record of 39-42, the A’s are on pace to finish with 78 wins, which would be their best record since an 86-76 finish to the 2021 season. It’s going to take a better second half to finish above .500, but even as things stand right now, these playoff-aspiring A’s remain staunchly in the hunt. They entered Thursday trailing the Mariners by just 1 1/2 games for first place in the AL West and are well within reach of a Wild Card spot.
Being at the midway point of the schedule, let’s hand out some first-half team awards:
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BakeSale Betty's or Bust
Only in America can someone from Australia come to California and create a food sensation that started on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland and is so popular it expanded to
Chase Center in San Francisco.
Bakesale Betty is a popular Oakland sandwich shop famous
for its original buttermilk friend chicken sandwiches, served
with coleslaw with a hint of shredded jalapeno on an
Acme roll, along with a vegetarian fried tofu option.
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The small takeout-focused spot has a cult following for its homemade baked goods like cookies and pies, and Betty’s original rendition of strawberry shortcake with sweet strawberries, homemade whipped cream, and a special baked biscuit cake,
all in one plastic to-go container.
Located in the Temescal neighborhood in Oakland at 5098 Telegraph Avenue, the shop is open Thursday through
Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
| Buttermilk fried chicken and coleslaw sandwich and sweet strawberries with homemade whipped cream. | Bakesale Betty's at the Chase Center in San Francisco | NFL Announces 49ers 2026 Training Camp Dates, Joint Practices | |
The countdown to football is officially on.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, the league released official training camp reporting dates and locations for all 32 teams on Monday.
For the San Francisco 49ers, training camp will once again be held at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California.
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Rookies report: July 18
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Veterans report: July 25
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Joint practice vs. Tennessee Titans: August 11 (Santa Clara, CA)
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Joint practice vs. Los Angeles Chargers: August 18 (El Segundo, CA)
Training camp marks the first time the full roster will be back together since OTAs wrapped earlier this offseason. The team has yet to announce which practice dates will be open to fans and when tickets will be available, stay tuned for more updates as training camp approaches.
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| Lajae Jones and Yaxel Lendeborg |
Versatility and Competitiveness Foundational Principles of Warriors’ 2026 Draft Class
by Kalyb Champion
General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. raved about the talent pool in the 2026 Draft, presented by Carta, and was excited about the opportunity to draft a “really good player” with his first-ever lottery pick. That player turned out to be the reigning National Championship forward, Yaxel Lendeborg, who was selected 11th overall from the University of Michigan.
“This is a guy we feel fits into our system right away,” Dunleavy said of Lendeborg. “Being an older and more mature player, those types of guys you can expect to have more of an impact.”
In his post-draft media availability, Dunleavy fielded questions about Lendeborg’s age, as he is one of the oldest prospects in the draft. Dunleavy shared that Lendeborg was the top prospect on the board when the Warriors were on the clock and that he sees his production at this age as historic.
“There’s basically never been a player this good at his age,” Dunleavy said, comparing Lendeborg to other 23-year-old draft prospects. “To get him and add him to what we have checks a lot of boxes. Dribble, pass, shoot, defense — he does a little bit of everything while adding tremendous size.”
As for his role on the team, Dunleavy believes the beauty of Leneborg’s game is that he can play a little bit of everything, either of the forward spots and even serve as a small-ball center. Defensively, he views him as someone capable of potentially guarding all five positions.
“There are also some backcourt ball handling responsibilities he can take — this is the intrigue of this pick for us with his versatility,” Dunleavy said.
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| Lendeborg and Jones: Difference Makers! | |
Warriors Draft Strategy! Pick the Best Player from the Best College Team!
by Robert Moselle, Esq.
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In this case, that would be Yaxel Lendeborg, the 6-9 Michigan senior forward, the versatile Big Ten Player of the Year who led the Wolverines to the National Championship. He transferred from UAB after two seasons where he led the nation in double-doubles as a junior. By the time he arrived at Michigan, he was one of the most experienced players in college basketball. Although not a Michigan fan, after five minutes of Yaxel, I knew they would be the team to win the crown, and it wasn't even a fair fight.
Lajae Jones, a 6-7 guard, was the Dubs' second pick. He had three collegiate seasons with Florida State, St. Bonaventure and Tarleton State and in his final collegiate season at FSU, averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 29.5 minutes per contest to earn 2026 All-ACC Tournament Second Team honors. He's tough, can play shooting guard through power forward, and his height and speed should boost Golden State's defense.
As an aside, last week, pre-draft, while still on a "Knicks-in-5" high, I drove to the local Big 5 to buy a new basketball as the local court had just been renovated. While I usually plug in my YouTube playlist as soon as I head down my driveway, KNBR was on, so I figured I'd give it 10-minutes. I'm glad I did.
Just as I arrived at Big 5, the host, afternoon time slot, announced in his typical, bellicose manner, "The Warriors could trade Curry, nobody is interested in Draymond, Butler and Moody are out. This team is so horrible, all I know is that I won't watch!"
Objectivity is commendable, but disdain for your local team is not. Frankly, I was shocked that a KNBR "personality" would loathe this team in such a repugnant manner. But, what's fair is fair: I won't listen to KNBR, it is so horrible, (with the exception of professionals like Jon Miller on the call of a Giants game or our other teams' live announcers).
Lendeborg and Jones: Difference Makers!
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
Marketing Director, Ultimate Sports Guide
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
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Sharks sign forward Zack Ostapchuk to a four-year contract
San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Mike Grier announced today that the club has re-signed forward Zack Ostapchuk to a four-year contract worth $2.35 million AAV.
Ostapchuk, 22, set career bests with four goals and seven points while matching his personal best with three assists over 59 NHL games played in 2025-26. He also set a personal best at the face-off dot with a 51.6-percent face-off win percentage, ranking second on the Sharks last season (min. 20 FO), and posted his first career multi-point game April 2 vs. Toronto with one goal and one assist.
He ranked third on the Sharks in 2025-26 with 140 hits, and his 2.92 blocked-shots-per-60-minutes ranked fourth among Sharks forwards who played in multiple games on the year.
Prior to his 72-game run with the Sharks over the past two seasons, Ostapchuk appeared in 50 games with the Ottawa Senators between 2023-24 and 2024-25, scoring four points, for totals of 11 points (five goals, six assists) through 122 career games in the league.
He skated in 11 games to start the season with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL), tallying four points (three goals, one assist) with one short-handed score over 11 games. In parts of three seasons in the league, he has scored 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) over 95 games between the Barracuda and Belleville Senators.
Prior to his professional career, Ostapchuk played in four seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) primarily with the Vancouver Giants, registering 134 career points (69 goals, 65 points) in 187 league regular season contests and 38 points (16 goals, 22 points) in 32 postseason contests.
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June 27, 2026
Ballers use patience in Saturday comeback win over Freebirds
Oakland scores three late on four walks
and hit-by-pitch
By Gareth Kwok
OAKLAND, CA – A three-run eighth inning helped the Oakland Ballers come from behind to defeat the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds 5-4 on Saturday night at Raimondi Park, evening the series at one game apiece.
Trailing by two runs entering the bottom of the eighth, Oakland (15-20) plated three runs on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch to take the late lead. Jeter Ybarra led off the frame with a single off Brenton Thiels and Noah Blythe followed with a walk. After Corbin Barker (L, 1-1) replaced Theis and struck out Paul Winland, he walked Nick Leehey to load the bases and walked pinch hitter Jaden Collura to bring home a run, making it 4-3 Yuba-Sutter.
Barker then struck out Conner Smith for the second out of the inning but walked Tremayne Cobb to tie the score and hit Esai Santos on the foot with a pitch to give Oakland the 5-4 lead.
Matthew Maloney (S, 2) collected his second save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth and two strikeouts to seal the win for Oakland and snap a three-game losing streak.
After giving up 18 runs in each of the last three home games, Oakland's arms performed much better on Saturday. Right-hander Hunter Day made his first start of the season for the Ballers and threw five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts in a no decision. Day pounded the strike zone, throwing 43 strikes out of 61 total pitches.
Michael Riley (W, 2-1) delivered three solid innings of long relief, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks with one strikeout to earn the win.
Yuba-Sutter starting right-hander Chase Martinez fired six innings of two-run ball and struck out eight in a no decision. He is the third opposing starter this week to pitch a quality start against the Ballers.
The Ballers will go for the series victory as they conclude their three-game home series against the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds on Sunday, June 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m from Raimondi Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 12:50 p.m on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel and HomeTeam Network.
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San Jose Earthquakes to Host Bay Area’s Largest Summer Fireworks Show for 105th California Clasico vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium; Fireworks 4-Pack Now Available
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes are celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with the Bay Area’s largest summer fireworks show at the 105th California Clasico presented by El Camino Health on Saturday, July 25, against the archrival LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on Apple TV, as well as via local radio KSFO 810 AM (English) and 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
In light of the announcement, the Earthquakes are offering a special Fireworks 4-Pack — four Upper Midfield tickets for just $120 — now through Sunday, June 28, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Single-game tickets are also available for sale to the general public HERE.
The most iconic rivalry in Major League Soccer returns in compelling fashion, with each of the first 10,000 fans through the doors receiving a custom Quakes x Americana Shirsey presented by El Camino Health. In addition, the festivities include a pregame Fan Fest and commemorative halftime performance celebrating a pivotal milestone in our country's history—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Following the match, the fans will look up at a brilliantly illuminated sky for the Bay Area’s largest summer fireworks show.
The annual California Clasico will be played at Stanford Stadium for the 13th time since the game first came to The Farm in 2012, with last year’s 1-1 draw attracting 42,881 fans—the second-highest MLS regular-season attendance west of the Mississippi River in 2025. In all, the Quakes are 5-3-4 in 12 matches against the Galaxy at Stanford, including four come-from-behind victories.
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Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club Launches “Australia À La Carte” to Welcome Australia’s National Team to the Bay Area During World Cup
As the World Cup returns to the Bay Area for the first time in 32 years, Oakland Roots and Soul SC is proud to host the Australian Men’s National Team at the Club’s facility in Alameda during the tournament.
To celebrate their arrival, Oakland Roots and Soul SC has launched Australia À La Carte, a community-driven food, soccer, and storytelling initiative, bringing a taste of Australia to Oakland through partnerships with beloved East Bay restaurants and businesses creating Australian-inspired menu items throughout June and July.
Participating restaurants and businesses include Bakesale Betty, Boichik Bagels, World Famous Hotboys, Aburaya, Original Pattern Brewing, Reem’s California, Oaktown Spice Shop, and The Caffé by Mr. Espresso.
Australia À La Carte is a community-driven cultural initiative with restaurants, creators, chefs, athletes, media personalities and community voices joining forces to celebrate Oakland, support local businesses, and create opportunities for people to gather around food, storytelling, and the excitement of the World Cup.
“As Oakland welcomes Australia during the World Cup, we wanted to create something that felt like a celebration of community, culture, creativity, and the global spirit of the game,” said Kira Stackhouse, Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships at Oakland Roots and Soul SC.
“Australia À La Carte perfectly embodies our mission to harness the magic of Oakland through the power of sport, by fostering community and celebrating the World Cup.”
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Fans of all ages are encouraged to arrive early for a full matchday celebration of Bay Area hip hop and its enduring cultural
influence across the region
SAN FRANCISCO (Jun. 26, 2026) — Bay FC announced today the club’s first ever Hip Hop Night, a celebration of Bay Area culture and its global influence, headlined by a special halftime performance by Oakland icon Mistah F.A.B. The special night will take place on Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. PT when Bay FC hosts Gotham FC at PayPal Park.
Bay FC’s first Hip Hop Night will feature a full matchday experience for families, day one supporters, first time fans, and those who may want to learn more about the cultural impact of hip hop in the Bay Area. From the time gates open through the final whistle, the evening will feature interactive moments and entertainment throughout the stadium, bringing together soccer, music, and the creativity that defines the region and its communities.
Building on the fan experience, the night will highlight Bay Area hip hop and its defining and trend setting contributions to the region and culture—from the independent trailblazers to the Hyphy movement. Mistah F.A.B., an Oakland-based rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, and community activist, will headline the evening with a halftime performance. A key figure in the Hyphy movement, he is known for hits like “Ghost Ride It,” and his freestyle skills. Beyond music, he mentors artists, runs Dope Era apparel, and gives back through philanthropy, cementing his legacy as a Bay Area icon.
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Kiah Stokes and Gabby Williams speak to the media following Friday's win over the
Atlanta Dream,
78-75
Listen Here!
continued...
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Unicorn's captain Matt Short taking a catch. It was the
wicket of Ali Sheikh, bowled by Xavier Bartlett.
(Photo: San Francisco Unicorns.)
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SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS WIN LAST OVER THRILLER AGAINST
SEATTLE ORCAS
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA (JUNE 26, 2026) — The San Francisco Unicorns landed their second victory of Major League Cricket 2026, chasing down a challenging Seattle Orcas total with just two balls to spare in what was a thrilling contest at the Oakland Coliseum.
Having been put into field by Orca’s captain Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett took the new ball in his first appearance for the Unicorns this year, with Haris Rauf his pace partner from the other end. The fireworks started in an expensive third over of Brody Couch, with Shayan Jahangir smashing two sixes and a four.
Debutant Aaron Hardie went for a similar fate in his first over - going for 24 - with form batsman and former Unicorn Tim Seifert in the boundaries. The Kiwi was out next over though, prodding one straight back to Bartlett for 32, but new man in Matthew Breetzke helped the Orcas to an imposing total of 83/1 after the powerplay.
Jahangir passed fifty in the eighth over from just 20 balls before Ghulam Mudassar had him caught for 62 in his first set, bringing Shimron Hetmyer to the middle. Short halted the momentum in the eleventh over, with just three from it, while Breetzke kicked on to make his half century soon after.
Couch then had Hetmyer (3) and Breetzke (51) caught, with new man Stoinis (1) then going to the same fate against Ghulam, before Dasun Shanaka smashed one straight to Short at cover for Couch’s third wicket. The Unicorns’ captain brought himself back on next over and claimed two wickets in as many balls, sending Harmeet Singh (2) and Cameron Gannon back to the dugout.
Bartlett and Rauf finished the comeback, taking a wicket apiece to end the Orcas innings on 191 all out, leaving a sizable chase but one that was much more manageable than the early batting heroics suggested.
That task was made all the more difficult when Finn Allen tickled a pull shot behind for a duck off Stoinis’ first over. Short and Lhuan-dre Pretorius kicked on with regular boundaries, before the Unicorns’ captain miscued one to mid-off for 10. Sanjay Krishnamurthi was Stoinis’ second wicket, skying one up for a simple keeper take on three.
Pretorius led the Unicorns’ charge as they ended the powerplay on 51 for three, going on to bring up his third fifty in four matches in the eighth over. Hardie then joined the party, plundering a couple of sixes off Stoinis after a steady start to keep the home side with the required rate.
The settled partnership was broken when Hardie holed out to the boundary rope on 28, bringing in Hammad Azam with the game finely balanced. He was out two balls later, trapped in front by Shanaka without scoring. The key wicket of Pretorius then fell to Cameron Gannon, caught on 87 with 56 runs still required.
Bartlett started promisingly before being run out on 13 from a Harmeet Singh direct hit. Hassan Khan was then caught on the boundary on 16, leaving Rauf and Couch the chase responsibilities with just two wickets remaining.
With 23 needed from the final two overs, Couch continued where he left off in his previous innings, flicking Ottneil Baartman for six behind square, then hitting a maximum and a four to tie the scores with three balls to come. A single off the next took the Unicorns over the line and earning their second win of MLC 2026.
San Francisco Unicorns play their final league game at the Oakland Coliseum against Washington Freedom on Sunday, while Seattle Orcas play LA Knight Riders next.
San Francisco Unicorns, 192/8 (LD Pretorius, 87; M Stoinis, 19/2) beat to Seattle Orcas, 191 all out (S Jahangir, 62; B Couch, 41/3) by 2 wickets
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Did you know there have only been
24 perfect games pitched in MLB history?
It should be 25!
What pitcher, in 2010, lost a perfect game because of a bad call by the first base umpire for the 27th out?
(And then apologized!)
Many refer to the game as being the only
28-batter perfect game in MLB history!
answer below
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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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Mario Andretti -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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Here is another autograph of racing legend Mario Andretti. I’ve had the chance to meet Mario several times at various racing events. Mario would always make himself available to fans who wanted to meet him by setting up meet-and-greets before
races and just walking thru the tracks.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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In Remembrance -- Lee Moselle | |
Moselle's Way Was
The Right Way
by Michael Knight
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As motorsports has become more political, more corporate, more cut-throat, more impersonal, it has struck me hard how much the likes of Lee Moselle are missed.
Moselle was a classic example of what I'll call a Gentleman Promoter. Not "gentleman" as in a pay-as-you-go "gentleman" driver, but a solid, successful businessman who happened to stage major racing events. And did so with class and humanity.
Moselle, a lawyer by trade, became executive director of SCRAMP -- Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula. That's the group that organizes and promotes events at Laguna Seca Raceway, which used to be part of Fort Ord, and now is officially titled Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Moselle was the kind of man who would offer to pick you up at the airport, show you around the beautiful Monterey-Carmel area, take you to lunch/dinner, and get you back to your hotel or the airport. He would not have thought otherwise. I first met Lee in 1982 when I was CART's communications director and the series signed to make its Laguna debut in 1983. I made my first visit for a site inspection in the fall of 1982. Lee was such a nice guy I almost hated to tell him his small media work facility wasn't up to series' standard. I think he already knew that and built a new media center for our race.
| "The definition of class." Lee Moselle about Mario Andretti | |
Moselle was one of those old-school people who grasped the value of one-on-one relationships. When the CART race was scheduled, he immediately reached out to series sponsor PPG's Jim Chapman. When the time came for Chapman to make hotel reservations for the large PPG group, he couldn't get what he needed. Chapman telephoned Moselle, who promised to take care of it. Lee drove over to the downtown Hyatt, sat down with the GM and explained, "This is our series sponsor." Chapman got all the rooms he required. It was no surprise Chapman and Moselle quickly bonded on both a personal and professional level. Chapman supported Laguna in every way he could and Moselle returned all the favors.
Moselle spent race weekends and test days not in his office, but down in the pits and paddock, visible and easily accessible. He made it a point to go see drivers, owners and sponsors and ask if all was well. Because he was so connected and respected within his community, many was the time Lee was able to obtain hard-to-get golf tee-times and dinner reservations for racers. Lee used to host a cocktail party on Friday night of race weekends, in part because he believed such hospitality was correct and proper, but it also gave him a chance to allow the SCRAMP Board as well as local government and business leaders to mingle with the drivers. Lee would mail out formal invitations a few weeks ahead of time but he never had to go around and ask the Big Names to attend -- they gladly did so, because of the courtesy he showed them.
Lee was honored as CART's Race Organizer of the Year and always would make it a point to stand up at sometimes-stormy CART promoter/sponsor meetings and say something nice and point out the positives. On one such occasion, he hand-wrote a simple note complimenting presentations Kirk Russell and I made to the big group, and passed it around from person-to-person. I sure did appreciate it! A few years later I had changed jobs, and Lee asked for my help in starting the big publicity push for his event. I happily assigned budget and a Mario Andretti appearance day I controlled to this purpose and Mario spent a day in San Francisco singing the praises of Laguna Seca to media and fans.
Lee died a number of years ago. No disrespect to anyone else, but Laguna Seca has never seemed the same to me. He's one of those people I'll always feel blessed I got to know and call "friend." Especially in this modern era of the Business of Racing, where the trackside atmosphere all-too-often is impersonal and uncaring, Moselle's way would be a good one to follow.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Michael Knight
Scottsdale, Arizona
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 190: The NCAA Finally Fixed EligibiIity ... Then It Drew The Line At The Wrong Place.
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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 Division I Cabinet voted unanimously on June 23 to adopt an age-based eligibility model for NCAA Division I athletics. Under the new framework, athletes are entitled to 5 full years of competition within a 5-year window beginning from the date of initial full-time enrollment, provided they enroll no later than the academic year following their 19th birthday. Season-of-competition limits, sport-specific redshirt rules, and the sprawling ecosystem of eligibility extension waivers that have consumed compliance departments and produced years of litigation are seemingly gone.
I have been writing about and litigating the dysfunction of the old eligibility architecture for years. The rules were arbitrary in application, inconsistent across sports, and increasingly indefensible in court. Courts said as much repeatedly, and the NCAA's waiver process generated more inequity than it resolved. The age-based model is, admittedly, cleaner, more transparent, and far easier for athletes, compliance officers, and courts to understand.
But the vote that should have been a clean win for athletes revealed a big flaw immediately, and it is a flaw I am now in the middle of litigating.
The age-based model applies to all prospects initially enrolling in fall 2027 or later. For students enrolling in fall 2026 and current college athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year, schools apply whichever framework, old or new, produces the more favorable outcome. Athletes who exhausted their final season of competition under the old rules during the 2025-26 academic year receive no additional eligibility.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Car meets corner. Driver meets drop.
All the races during the season lead to this: Championship Week at the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Monterey. The world’s greatest drivers will tackle the world’s trickiest turn, the legendary Corkscrew. It’s where speed combines with technique to determine the final standings for 2026. Don’t miss this epic finale to an outstanding season.
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Sam Corry Wins General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series West Race at Sonoma Raceway
- Sam Corry, driver of the No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota, won the General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race after leading all 47 laps.
- Corry’s Nitro Motorsports teammate, Mia Lovell, driver of the No. 15 Toyota, earned her career-best finish, coming in second behind Corry.
- Shane van Gisbergen earned the pole position for Saturday’s Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, which will be broadcast live on The CW at 2:30 p.m. PT.
SONOMA, Calif. (June 26, 2026) – Sam Corry, driver of the No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota, led all 47 laps in Friday’s General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series West (AMSW) race at Sonoma Raceway (SR) to earn his first career AMSW win in his Sonoma Raceway series debut.
“I’m super proud of these Nitro Motorsports guys, and to be able to come to Sonoma and win is so special to me,” said Corry after earning the win. “This is a really huge win for us. It’s our first in the ARCA Series, so super excited to keep the momentum going.”
Corry’s Nitro Motorsports teammate, Mia Lovell, driver of the No. 15 Toyota, finished second, just 0.84 seconds behind Corry after briefly taking the lead in turn 11 with eight laps to go. Corry quickly stole it back and led the way to the checkered flag. Lovell battled hard, knocking on Corry’s door all day long with the second-fastest lap time in practice (1:18.670 | 91.064 mph) and qualifying (1:17.5 | 92.48 mph) behind Corry who was P1 in practice (1:17.990 | 91.858 mph), qualifying (1:17.2 | 92.806 mph) and ultimately, the race.
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Send It from One San Francisco Bridge to the Other
Registration Opens for Ronstan Bridge to Bridge
at St. Francis Yacht Club
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—How fast can you get from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge, racing across San Francisco Bay in your watercraft of choice in full-send downwind conditions?
This is the premise of Ronstan Bridge to Bridge, an annual race hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club and scheduled for August 22, 2026. First run in 1998, the event was conceived to settle a friendly bet between windsurfers and skiff sailors over which watercraft could get from one bridge to the other the fastest. The inaugural race was won by Olympic sailors Jonathan and Charlie McKee on a 49er skiff with a time of 27 minutes and 18 seconds.
Since then, it’s been contested in everything from a Formula 40 catamaran to a Mod 70 trimaran, early generation kiteboards and foiling windsurfers, and even a hydropter.
“It’s ‘bring what you got’," says Mike Martin, StFYC’s chair of the event and a frequent competitor who won it in 2008 racing an 18ft skiff with Howard Hamlin and Paul Allen. Over the years, the feat has been tackled by sailors using the latest in board sports technology, with several wins clocked by world champion Johnny Heineken on kiteboards and hydrofoil kites as the sport evolved. The current race record is nine minutes, set by Markus Edegran in 2024, who was fresh off his Olympic campaign in the Formula Foil Kite.
This year's race will be held on Saturday, August 22, allowing for weekend travel and with an earlier start than in the past, during peak wind and during a flood tide.
“Conditions are prime for the record to be broken,” adds Martin.
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| | Hardly Trival by T. Buff Answer | | |
Armando Galarraga
Detroit's Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game on June 2, 2010 was never officially overturned or changed to a perfect game.
Umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly ruled batter Jason Donald safe at first base on the 27th out.
Despite the call being reversed on video, MLB denied appeals to officially overturn it.
You be the judge. This link will take you to the safe call of the 27th batter that could have spoiled the perfect game effort. Could have?
It did.
For more information:
28 Batter Prefect Game
Go Red Sox
Go Knicks (NBA Eastern Conference loyalty)
Go Celtics NEXT Year
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Stacy Savides’ Impactful Gift Endows Coaching Position
Head Coaching Role Now Called The Stacy Savides
Director Of Women’s Tennis
For Cal women's tennis alum Stacy Savides '85, the lessons that shaped her career and leadership style began long before Google. They were built on the courts at Cal — through demanding practices, honest conversations, deep team camaraderie, and a coach who challenged her players to grow both mentally and physically.
Now, nearly four decades after graduating, Savides is investing in the future of the program that helped shape her life. Through a transformative $3 million gift, she is endowing the women's tennis head coach position, which will now be known as The Stacy Savides Director of Women's Tennis - ensuring future generations of student-athletes benefit from exceptional leadership and enduring support.
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Griffin Named IRCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Three-year member of the varsity eight graduated from Stanford with his bachelor’s in history with honors
STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford senior Caspar Griffin was named the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year on Friday.
The award is given to the athlete with the strongest combination of academic and athletic accomplishments as determined through a combination of GPA, major field of study, academic achievements and athletic performance.
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Mountain West Conference Unveils New Brand Identity, Introducing "Built Bold" Era
LAS VEGAS — The Mountain West Conference today announced the launch of a refreshed brand identity, including a modernized wordmark, an updated color palette, and a new defining tagline: Built Bold.
The rebrand marks a pivotal step forward as the Conference enters a new era—one defined by growth, innovation, and transformation.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Four-Year
Gael Harry Wessels Signs
with San Antonio Spurs
Summer League Team
SAN ANTONIO — The Saint Mary's men's basketball program will once again be represented in the NBA Summer League, as 2026 graduate Harry Wessels has signed to play for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Summer League. 2026 will mark the ninth consecutive season in which the Gaels will be represented in Summer League, with former Gael greats Augustas Marciulionis, Jordan Ford and Jock Landale amongst those appearing on Summer League rosters in recent years.
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Jamie Craighead Turner Returns to Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's basketball program and Head Coach Molly Goodenbour have announced that Jamie Craighead Turner has returned to the coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
"I am so excited to have Jamie back on staff," Goodenbour said. "She rejoins us in an expanded role to include associate head coach and general manager responsibilities. Jamie's basketball expertise and exceptional organizational and leadership skills immediately elevate our ability to positively coach and serve our student-athletes."
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Athletics Closes 2025-26 Academic Year With Good Work in the Classroom
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara Athletics closed out the academic year with a strong quarter in the classroom. A total of 376 student-athletes posted a 3.461 GPA for the term.
Beach Volleyball led all teams with a 3.707 GPA, followed on the women's side by rowing with a 3.646 and cross country/track & field with a mark of 3.628.
Men's water polo led the men's teams with a 3.497 GPA and was followed by men's tennis at 3.447 and baseball at 3.388 to round out the top three.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Adam Tschuor Tabs Toby DeMello to Lead Pacific Baseball Program
STOCKTON, Calif. – On Thursday morning, Pacific Athletic Director Adam Tschuor introduced Toby DeMello as the 21st Head Coach in Pacific baseball history, bringing a familiarity with the WCC, the NorCal landscape and five years of power four experience to Stockton.
"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead Pacific Baseball," DeMello said. "I want to thank President Callahan, [Athletic Director Adam] Tschuor, and Deputy Athletic Director Wes Yourth for their confidence in me and for entrusting me with this program. My family and I are excited to join the Pacific community. We're ready to get to work building a program that develops great players, great people, and competes at the highest level."
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From Championships to Brotherhood: Brett Stone’s Aggie Tennis Story
DAVIS, Calif. — "Tennis is usually not considered a team sport, but that was not the case with us," notes former UC Davis tennis superstar Brett Stone.
Stone was a four-year starter and letter-winner who earned a spot in the starting rotation from the first day he stepped on the court as an Aggie freshman after a standout career at San Ramon High School in Danville.
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Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
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Quintero Earns NFCA/CCA
All-America Honors
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Marissa Quintero's historic junior season added another major chapter this week as the Cal State East Bay ace was named an NFCA Division II First Team All-American.
One of the premier pitchers in NCAA Division II this season, Quintero earned national recognition after anchoring the Pioneer pitching staff throughout East Bay's standout 2026 campaign. The junior was selected among the nation's top pitchers and became one of the few student-athletes from the West Region to earn First Team distinction.
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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, June 29, through
Sunday, July 5, 2026
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Monday, June 29
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.
Tuesday, June 30
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Long Beach Coast, 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Athletics vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Long Beach Coast, 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, July 2
Oakland Ballers @ Long Beach Coast, 6:35 p.m.
Friday, July 3
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Modesto Roadsters, 7:11 p.m.
Saturday, July 4
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Modesto Roadsters, 7:11 p.m.
Sunday, July 5
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 1 p.m.
Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 1:30 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Modesto Roadsters, 11:10 a.m.
Bay FC @ Boston Legacy FC, 9 a.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, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young. Dave Newhouse (dec.)
Software Engineer / Sports Today! Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Technology Advisor: Silas Everett
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. | | |
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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