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April 7 -- April 13, 2025
Issue No. 584
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"Sunday Mornin' My Head Is Bad
But It's Worth It for the Times that I Had
But I've Got to Get My Rest
'Cause Monday Is a Mess"
The Auburn Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils will certainly get some rest -- the unwanted variety -- and Sunday will indeed have been a "Mess." Late Monday night another team will get some unwanted rest: either Houston or Florida, both of which were in my initial selections. I predict a Gators victory behind Walter Clayton, Jr. who will be the best player on the Court -- but so was Duke's Cooper Flagg, and after their incredible comeback against Duke, "Don't Sleep on Houston's Coach Sampson."
With both my picks in the Championship Game, I will need to lose in order to win. Ergo, my selection for the Championship game is the only logical choice: Fats Domino. Let's face it, Monday is always a "Mess."
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
The Dutch Master: Quinten Post
While many call him "QP" or “The Postman,” I prefer "The Dutch Master." Regardless of the moniker, most Warriors fans agree that his versatility and value have far exceeded expectations. Born in Amsterdam (hence the nickname), Post was the 52nd player selected in the June '24 draft. In January, the Warriors signed him to a standard NBA contract.
In addition to his clutch, long-range 3-pointers and grasp of basketball basics, the Dutch Master has also exhibited a certain nastiness: "You push Curry around, I'll be there to push you, punk." He's no "Gentle Giant," as opponents have learned, and has been a starter when Coach Kerr likes the matchup he poses as a 7-footer who can play both power forward or center. I applaud the front office which managed to wheel and deal the Warriors to the player who now wears #21, Quinten Post.
Kristen LaRue
San Francisco, CA
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Horse-drawn carriages served as the outfield wall at the 1905
World Series at the Polo Grounds where the New York Giants and Philadelphia Athletics (now The A’s) were playing
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Contents
Games
Athletics 3, Chicago Cubs 18
Bay Area Falcons 10, Seattle Tempest 12
Oakland Roots SC 0, Rhode Island FC 3
Saint Mary's Gaels 24, UCLA Bruins 17
San Francisco Giants 4, Seattle Mariners 1
San Francisco Giants 10, Seattle Mariners 9, 11 innings
San Jose Earthquakes 6, DC United 1
Features & Commentary
Giants Stay, A's Go Away: Glee, Dismay, by Dave Newhouse
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Sometimes Sports Are Crucial For Maintaining Sanity, by Howard Pearlstein
Spring Has Sprung In Oakland, But Dark Clouds Linger Over The Roots, by Lydia Chain
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francsco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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San Francisco Giants 10
Seattle Mariners 9
Opening Day / Extra Innings
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Friday, April 4, 2025
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Giants catcher Patrick Bailey scores in the second inning for a 3-1 lead. The Giants would defeat the Seattle Mariners, 10-9, in
11 innings in an Opening Day victory.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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Giants
Optimism
Surging
by Bruce Macgowan
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“They’re going to be in the playoffs!” Well, that’s the optimistic point of view. Actually, the San Francisco Giants have a great shot at making the postseason this year if a number of things happen to fall their way:
1.) The Giants need to stay healthy. Injuries killed their chances last season. Few injuries will mean more consistency in both hitting and defense. So SF needs to have some luck and stay away from the usual bumps and bruises that sometimes put players on the two week disabled list or worse. So keeping players such as Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Jung-Hoo Lee, Heliot Ramos and Patrick Bailey off the disabled list is critical.
2.) One, or perhaps two of the younger pitchers need to step forward. 26 year old Landon Roupp could be one of those guys. So could highly touted Hayden Birdsong, who like Roupp got a chance for plenty of action in last year’s second half. And then there’s Bay Area product Kyle Harrison who also had his moments a year ago but will probably not come up to the big club until probably mid-May at the earliest.
3.) The bullpen needs to be rock-solid in the middle and late innings. While Ryan Walker emerged as an effective closer in 2024, submarine specialist Tyler Rogers and hard throwing youngster Camilo Doval could turn into excellent “set-up” relievers in the 7th and 8th innings. But both have looked shaky in the first week of the season. Rogers was able to get out of his difficulties, Doval, still scratching to get his confidence back after being sent down to Triple A last year was not effective in the home opener. He made some mistakes but also didn’t get much help from their defense on Friday, and the result was a couple of runs for the visiting Mariners.
4.) The defense needs to be much stronger than it was a year ago. The Giants looked good in their first road trip in that department but the middle of the infield was disappointing in the home opener. Willy Adames, the Giants’ highly salaried newcomer couldn’t handle a couple of hard hit balls and Tyler Fitzgerald made a bad play at second. Those mistakes cost a few runs but luckily for San Francisco, they got some clutch hitting from LaMonte Wade Jr and Adames, who pulled the game out in dramatic fashion, in the 11th inning with a two-run, game winning single.
5.) Starting pitching needs to give the Giants at least five innings of quality work each game. Logan Webb is “The Horse,” much like Matt Cain used to be while former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray looked good in this first start. Justin Verlander pitched six solid innings in his first game, but was knocked out early in the home opener. We have to remember he’s 42, but the thing that he will provide is most positive is his winning attitude, his professionalism and smarts. The younger pitchers will love picking his brain.
All in all, it should be a much more fun season than the last three years have been. Bad and boring baseball gets old very quickly. The Giants wild opening day win was anything but bad and boring!
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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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San Francisco Giants 4
Seattle Mariners 1
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Saturday, April 5, 2025
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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman drove in two runs with two doubles as the Giants defeated the Seattle Mariners, 4-1, at Oracle Park on Saturday, April 5th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
| | San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (left) and catcher Patrick Bailey pose for a photo after receiving their Gold Glove Awards before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | | | | |
Giants Stay,
A's Go Away:
Glee, Dismay
by Dave Newhouse
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The Giants have a permanent home,
while the A’s are on the roam,
one team stable, the other adrift.
A beautiful park by the Bay,
another park basically Triple-A,
quite clearly a cosmic shift.
To understand this baseball saga,
you don’t need Lady Gaga
to sing about such confusion.
Just grasp team ownership,
one smart, one unequipped
to understand its own delusion.
For Las Vegas has summer heat
which will set afire fans’ feet
just getting to the ballpark.
Sacramento isn’t much cooler
for every A's car pooler,
the city boiling even when it's dark.
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A banner displaying Athletics world championships is hung behind the wall in left-center field as third baseman Gio Urshela (foreground) warms up before the game against the Chicago
Cubs at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita
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John Fisher created this boner,
the mind of a clueless owner
who ruined a great baseball town.
Oakland had teams with might,
solid attendance if treated right,
all of it butchered by a clown.
Meanwhile, look across the drink
and tell me what you think,
seeing baseball in a happier state.
A Giants team being improved,
committed fans in the groove,
“Play Ball” shouted behind home plate.
Yet a Giants-A’s symmetry exists
without looking for twists,
greatness shared without resistance.
World Series flags,
riches, not rags,
and a Hall of Fame persistence.
In orange and black,
Mister Mays and Willie Mac,
and Juan the Dominican Dandy.
The Baby Bull and Robb Nen
coming in from the pen,
throwing to Buster oh, so handy.
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San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) runs to first base after hitting a single against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. Caption and photo
by Darren Yamashita.
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In yellow and green,
a pitching machine,
Catfish, Vida and Rollie.
Rickey off to the races,
Mark and Jose clearing the bases,
with Stew and Eck making it all jolly.
The Bonds, Bobby and Barry,
Matthews and Maddox, both Gar(r)y,
Will the Thrill and Gaylord Perry.
Rudi, Campy and Carney,
Hendu’s Bleacher Army
and a Steinbach named Terry.
The Giants stayed, the A's left,
leaving Oaktown totally bare
with its three major teams departed.
Thus checking the Bay Area scene
to discern what this situation means,
well, it’s a region now half-hearted.
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Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Athletics 3
Chicago Cubs 18
Opening Day
Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, CA
Monday, March 31, 2025
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The Sacramento chapter of the Athletics franchise began on Monday, March 31st with an 18-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs during the first game at their new home, Sutter Health Park.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
| | A tribute for the late Rickey Henderson plays on the main video board before the game. All Athletics players and coaches wore #24 in honor of Henderson. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | | |
Saint Mary's Gaels 24
UCLA Bruins 17
Saint Mary's Stadium, Moraga, CA
Saturday, April 5, 2025
| | Saint Mary's Gaels left wing Siale Ofa scored two tries as the Gaels built a 24-0 lead against the UCLA Bruins then held on for a 24-17 victory in the first round of the D1A CRAA collegiate rugby championship tournament on Saturday, April 5th at Saint Mary's Stadium. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | | Stanford Continuing Studies | | |
Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:50 pm (PT)
• 6 weeks • April 8 – May 27
Join Us Online!
Baseball isn’t just a game, it’s a national heartbeat. The most traditional, numbers-oriented, and nostalgia-inducing of our major sports, it offers a fantasyland for statisticians, an instrument for social change, a reprieve from the digital rush, and a source of lifelong memories. This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the culture, history, and strategy that make America’s game so captivating.
Each week, you will join baseball insiders as they reveal the sport from unique perspectives: the journey of a player, the life of an umpire, the impact of analytics on team building, the evolving
media landscape, and more. We will also examine the business side of baseball, exploring everything from minor league operations to contract negotiations and stadium construction.
Luminary guest speakers, including major league players and executives, will show you how the game has evolved on and off the field.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or just curious, join us this spring for an in-depth, entertaining look at what makes baseball an enduring part of American culture.
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Course Instructors
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Andy Dolich
President, Dolich Consulting
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Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is the
executive vice president of Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment. Dolich is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival with Dave Newhouse and of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
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Dave Newhouse
Columnist and Author
| | Dave Newhouse has been a prominent figure in the Bay Area sports scene since the 1960s. He was an award-winning sports writer and columnist for the Oakland Tribune, a pioneer among sports talk show hosts on San Francisco radio, and is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival, co-authored with Andy Dolich, explores the story of Oakland losing its professional sports teams. | | |
Guest Speakers
Dave Stewart, Former Oakland A's All-Star Pitcher and Baseball Executive
Larry Bear, CEO, San Francisco Giants
Ken Korach, Oakland A's Radio Announcer
Brian Murphy, KNBR Sports Radio Host
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle Sports Columnist
Mike Pinto, Manager, Joliet Slammers, Minor League Baseball
Daniel Rascher, President, Sports Economics and Faculty, University of San Francisco
Ted Robinson, National Sports Broadcaster
Bill Schlough, CIO, San Francisco Giants
Russ Stanley, Senior Vice President, Ticket Sale's Service,
San Francisco Giants
Please note: Guest speakers may be subject to change.
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Jeremy Affeldt:
Pitching in the Big Leagues—Physical, Psychological and Strategic Aspects
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While opening day fever is still in the air, join us at noon to hear the inside story of pitching in the big leagues from Jeremy Affeldt, who pitched seven of his 14 major league seasons for the
San Francisco Giants (2009–2015).
How do major league pitchers prepare for their jobs? How do all the pieces (physical, mental, strategic, managerial, team chemistry, coaching and more) fit together? Affeldt will be in conversation with Leland Faust and will explore the realities and dispel the
myths of the sport.
George Hammond / Organizer
Leland Faust / In Conversation
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Jeremy Affeldt --
Former San Francisco Giants Pitcher; Three-time World Series Champion; Founder, Generation Alive nonprofit; Analyst, Major League Baseball Network
| | Leland Faust --Founder and Former Chief Investment Officer, CSI Capital Management; Investment Advisor to more than 100 NFL, NBA and MLB All-Stars | | |
George Hammond --
Author: Conversations With Socrates
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In-person: $22
Free for Leadership Circle members and students
Thu, Apr 10 / 12:00 PM PDT
Not yet a member? Now is the time to join. Members get ticket discounts, special programs, travel opportunities, early notice of big events and more; plus, your membership helps sustain our nonprofit organization's work. You can become a monthly sustaining member for just $13 a month.
The Commonwealth Club of California
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San Francisco, CA 94105
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a contribution to help defray costs
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| | Thanks to the following generous donors! | | |
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Andy Dolich
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Robert Flammia
Bill & Nona Hool
Sheila Jordan
Arif Khatib
Mitchell Kim
David Larson
Ann McNaughton
Timothy Maroney
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Dave Newhouse
Timothy Palacios
James Reynolds
Ross & Vicki Robinson
Chloe Satterlee
Selina Satterlee
Robert Scheer
Leonard Schwab
Narda Zacchino
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Mike Yastrzemski is the grandson of Hall of Famer and
Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski
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Giants break out oppo pop to sweep-capping walk-off
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado's Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Over their first nine games of the season, the Giants have shown that their offense can beat you in multiple ways.
They can hit the ball out of the ballpark. They can get timely hits.
They can play some small ball.
On Sunday, they showed that they’re also comfortable going the other way.
The Giants flashed their opposite-field approach while rallying for a 5-4 walk-off win
continued...
www.sfgiants.com
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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L to R: Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof, Lawrence Butler and
Brent Rooker. Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Slugging A's showing 'capability' to score in different ways
Rooker's blast gives A's homers in each of their first 9 games, a franchise record
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here and subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
DENVER -- Before Saturday night’s 7-4 win over the Rockies at Coors Field, A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that while his club is certainly proficient in hitting the long ball, there’s much to improve upon for a lineup that entered the day batting .225.
“There’s definitely slug in this lineup,” Kotsay said. “But we need to score runs differently, and to have a complete offense. That’s the goal.”
His team did just that on Saturday. Oh, there were home runs, to be sure -- in fact, when Brent Rooker launched a 425-foot solo shot over the center-field wall in the seventh inning, it made franchise history. It was the ninth straight game with a homer to open the season for the A’s, eclipsing the mark of eight set by the 2002 club.
Two batters after Rooker’s homer, Shea Langeliers smashed a two-run shot to center, giving the A’s 14 home runs in the first nine games of the 2025 campaign.
continued...
www.athletics.com
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Ballers Fam,
We report to Spring Training in a little over a month and our May 20th Opening Day is quickly approaching, but that didn’t stop us from rapidly assembling the team to take on the San Jose Giants in the history-making Battle of the Bay 2.0.
As Scott Ostler wrote in the SF Chronicle, “The Ballers and the Giants showed once again that baseball can have a spirit and a soul.”
Ballers players from across the country flew in to San Jose, many of whom met for the first time at the team hotel, had a team dinner, woke up, got their work in, then hit the team bus to head to the game.
We may not have won the game, and our co-founder Bryan Carmel may have tasted the sweet taste of defeat, but we still came out huge winners. We loved the experience of packing Excite Ballpark with our fans and creating a new Bay Area baseball tradition.
For an exclusive look at Battle of the Bay 2.0 day with fan-favorite Tyler Lozano, hit the play button. T-Lo took us inside the team hotel, on to the B’s bus, behind the scenes at the ballpark, onto the field, into the dugout, inside the clubhouse and still managed to crush a homer.
continued...
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San Jose Earthquakes 6
D.C. United 1
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Sunday, April 6, 2025
| | San Jose Earthquakes forward Josef Martinez (center top) scored a hat trick as the Quakes defeated D.C. United, 6-1, at PayPal Park on Sunday, April 6th. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | | |
Oakland Roots SC 0
FC Tulsa 3
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Saturday, April 5, 2025
| | Baboucarr Njie doing his best to stop Rhode Island FC's onslaught. All photos by Lydia Chain. | | | | |
Spring Has Sprung In Oakland, But Dark Clouds Linger Over The Roots
by Lydia Chain
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The sunshine was in full swing at the Coliseum on a beautiful day for the beautiful game. Flowers were blooming, butterflies fluttered around, a few cowboy hats could be seen sprinkled among the crowd for the Western Wear theme, and the Oakland Roots played host to Rhode Island FC, with another chance to pull down their first win of the season.
Well, folks, as is the case in a lot of journalism, I may have jinxed it! If only we could grow some wins out of a pitch fertile with goals… for the opposition.
It was a 3 nil slaughter, which puts the Roots season record at a 0-1-4. The only other teams in the USL Championship with similar stats are Eastern Conference teams, Miami FC and Hartford Athletic, who both have four straight losses but still each have a match to play in hand.
Things started out alright with a rousing bit of play that showed the Roots coming out aggressively, trying to strike early.
Unfortunately, Rhode Island’s Albert Dikwa managed to come out ahead, scoring in the 40th minute, after the Roots’ Abdi Mohamed practically gifted the ball to Jojea Kwizera for his assist. The Roots were rattled again less than three minutes later when Clay Holstead rocketed the ball into the net. OKAY.
| | Dee Dee Simon and her line dancers cheering up the crowd. | | |
With halftime coming up, I thought there could be time to regroup and recover—hope was not completely lost…it’s possible to rally for a couple goals?
That is until the addition of +8 minutes of stoppage time in which JJ Williams scored in the fifth minute due to a disastrous play in which keeper Kendall McIntosh left the net wide open for an easy goal. We were down 3 at halftime, and all the players looked deflated.
Dee Dee Simon, an Oakland native singer who’s been featured on America’s Got Talent and Showtime at the Apollo, came out to provide some halftime distraction. She rode in atop a horse and belted out a number with a backup dance squad of black cowboy hat-wearing women who performed a line-dance inspired dance.
Upon seeing the horse at halftime, being down three goals and having scored none, I silently wished in my head (and heart) that I could enact the most important rule from the 1997 seminal motion picture, Air Bud. I wanted to get up and send the horse onto the pitch as I shouted “Ain’t no rules says a horse can’t play soccer!”
Fanciful and juvenile? Perhaps, but when our team is down 3-0 after sluggish play and a rookie move, my brain starts to wander into imaginative territory. The alternative of hoping for the implausible matching of three goals was depressing. Besides, don’t we love to make plays for bold new ideas in The Bay—like a soccer playing stallion?
Now that I have recovered from my bout of sunstroke above, I can tell you that the Roots were, in fact, buried too deep to make a comeback.
| | Fans checking out the Section 105 pop-up gallery | | Ryan Kelder (right) discussing his art with Roots fans | | |
Young budding artists assisting in Ryan Kelder's
interactive artwork
| | Asaad Bruno chainstiching | | |
Gallery show at Section 105 was again interesting, fun, and interactive—a far cry from the match. It blended the worlds of Ryan Kelder (Instagram @commons_) and Asaad Bruno (Instagram @asaadbruno) together by having Bruno sewing on-demand patches on their old chainstitching (a type of embroidery) machine with a giant collaborative and interactive mural presented by Keldler.
Bruno also had some special edition painted jackets inspired by tree roots that complemented Kelder’s work. In addition to offering custom patches and vintage clothing that he curated and decorated, visitors were also offered chainstitching on items brough into the pop-up. Kelder also offered some special Roots graffiti influenced paintings.
Our season is not looking great, but maybe we can have some luck on the road?
* * *
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Bay FC’s Rookies Taylor Huff and Karlie Lema Form Strong Bond
Playing on a professional team can be nerve-wracking, especially when you don’t know anyone. What can make things easier? Friendships.
Bay Area native and University of California, Berkley standout, Karlie Lema signed a three-year contract with Bay Football Club December 30, 2024. Shortly after, three-time All-American Taylor Huff was signed January 9, 2025.
The rookies sat together after practice to reflect on their friendship and how it’s evolved in such a short time frame. When asked about their playing experience in college athletics, the rookies shared they didn’t cross paths as their schools didn’t face each other. It wasn’t until they joined Bay FC that they played together.
“It was nice, obviously having someone there to lean on, and when I signed, I was like, oh gosh, I’m in this alone,” said Lema. “Then Taylor signed, so that was nice, and we’ve been two peas in a pod ever since.”
Lema added how she instantly followed Huff after her signing announcement. Both began to follow each other, and the rest is history.
“It’s been cool like she was saying, it would be hard to come into this alone, and we kind of figured it out together,” added Huff. “We each added so much value to each other. It’s like she’s making me better, and I hope I’m making her better in that way, so it’s been good.”
continued...
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Bay Area Falcons 10
Seattle Tempest 12
Fremont High School, Oakland, CA
Saturday, April 5, 2025
| | Playing their first home game of the 2025 season, the Bay Area Falcons squared off against one of their most formidable rivals, the Seattle Tempest under ideal weather conditions. Fremont High School is notorious for having constant winds and at times, heavy gusts, which makes throwing a disc unpredictable. As the game started, each team scored on their first possession but the third point was a battle of control of the winds with great defenses. The point lasted more than six minutes of the opening period, which ended with the Falcons 2, the Tempest 1. Seattle would battle back to take the lead with less than six minutes to go in the game and hold on for a 12-10 win. Above, for the first of three home games this season over 300 fans enjoyed the beautiful weather, food, and festivities, all while watching a highly contested game which came down to the closing seconds to determine a winner. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | Defense was the name of the game -- above Vicki Chen (#9) went up to deflect the disc away from the Tempest player who called a foul on the play and had the disc returned to the previous throw so Seattle would retain possession midway through the first quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | | |
Opening Day!
It'll take me a little while to get into looking at really good baseball trivia but as a slow start for the season, let's start with Opening Day.
Over the years, some opening days have made for important events. You are a true baseball fan if you answer this question off the top of your head!
Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth’s total with his 714th career home run on Opening Day of what season?
answer below...
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Sometimes Sports Are Crucial For Maintaining Sanity
by Howard Pearlstein
This is not about politics. Ok, right now it’s all politics out there, but it could be anything -- wildfire, earthquake, tornadoes -- anything scary and scarier.
Like most of us, I know what I like and dislike in the political arena, but honestly, I have no idea what any person or program will actually do for the country in the long run. That’s why I was a registered Libertarian for 25 years, a formal way of saying “I don’t know and I don’t want to care.”
Instead of politics, this is about anthropology and ultimately, mythology.
Anthropology addresses the need for people to hang out with other people, gather together, something like tribes. And we tell ourselves stories trying to explain WTF is going on. The ones which ring truest last longest, becoming mythology.
Mythology is important. History moves, changes and evolves via mythology. The poet, Charles Olson explained the way it works, as “that which is said about that which is said.” Meaning that what a person of importance says is not important in and of itself. What makes history move is what people (us) say about what that person said.
What moves the story is what people think about what that person said. People may be right or wrong, whichever, but their say changes the game, and when the games change a lot in a short time, it makes people crazy.
Sports can change the subject, help us rise to the occasion.
Sports teams have fans, in this example, the Warriors. We identify with them because they’re more fun than a political speech and other fans are our quasi-tribe, people we identify with because they wear the same merch we do. And when society has all gone insane, our teams become more important.
Just to rise above current arguments, let’s go back to a time when a similar bell was ringing the echoes which resonate so jarringly today, 1968 and 69.
The USA was in a war with a country named Vietnam. The civilians and the enemy all wore the same clothes, black pajamas. War with your head on a swivel.
Who is what and where??
And young men were defying the draft. “Hell no, we won’t go.” Demonstrating against the war, against the president, leaving him sound like a baffled Zen Master when he stated the essential fact: “But I’m the only president we’ve got.” Didn’t work – JFK’s murder was still too unsettling.
Back home, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers had picked up and left for California, having been a forever part of everyone’s life. Gone, forever.
Their replacement, the Mets, combined Dodgers’ Blue with Giants’ Orange in their uniforms. Unfortunately, none of either team’s talent.
The world was falling apart. And then…It happened.
After historically execrable losing records, they got it together. They won the World Series 4 games to 1.
The %%##%@!!ng METS WON THE %^^%%#*!! WORLD SERIES!!??!!
And here, more than 50 years later, with our world seemingly bouncing ass over teakettle down the road to Hell, our Dubs are playing the synchronized game they knew they had to get to all year… tough, fast, accurate, everyone in the groove. If a man is off, others show up to cover, sometimes surprising everyone.
As of this writing (Saturday), they’ve beaten three of the four teams ahead of them.
Each win for the Dubs equals one loss for the others. They’re playing at a championship level. Of course, they’re not the only ones who are. Still, they’re giving us time away from our unrelieved obsessing about the dark and dirty down down down.
And to paraphrase the poet: “THAT’s what we’re talking about!”
AND Trinity Rodman is back on USWNT, playing against Brazil, scored in the first minute!
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
| | Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 126: Deloitte Wants Us To Trust Them To Regulate A Fair Market Fantasy | | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
In the ever-evolving world of NIL, the latest developments suggest that the much-anticipated NIL clearinghouse might be more of a paper tiger than a meaningful regulatory mechanism. The recent Yahoo Sports article revealing the intricacies of expected collegiate athletic revenue sharing offers a compelling narrative of potential regulatory circumvention.
As the landscape of college athletics shifts dramatically, with the House v. NCAA settlement potentially allowing direct payment to players (an important hearing before Judge Claudia Wilken is scheduled for April 7), we're witnessing a fascinating attempt to thread an almost impossible needle: professionalizing college sports while simultaneously trying to maintain some form of competitive balance.
The recent ESPN article by Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel highlights just how precarious this balancing act might be. The power conferences are handing over monitoring responsibilities to Deloitte and creating a new enforcement entity separate from the NCAA—essentially an admission that the old system failed spectacularly.
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, perhaps inadvertently, identified the core problem when he said:
"It's hard to imagine how someone can [define] fair market value because to me, the fair market value is what a company or an organization sees that individual's worth as."
This cuts to the heart of the matter: market value is inherently subjective and contextual. Is an Ohio State quarterback automatically more valuable than a Bowling Green quarterback? If so, by how much?
continued...
| | FRIENDS NAMES MOTORSPORTS VETERAN MEL HARDER GENERAL MANAGER | | Friends of Laguna Seca announced today that Mel Harder has been named President and General Manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Harder brings three decades of motorsports experience to his new role after most recently serving as team manager... | | George Edward Foreman (January 10, 1949 – March 21, 2025) was an American professional boxer, businessman, minister, and author. In boxing, he was nicknamed "Big George" | | |
I had the opportunity to know George Foreman quite well through my friendship with Dick Sadler. Dick and I were friends for many years. Dick introduced me to Big George when George was in the Job Corps in Pleasanton.
Dick was also instrumental in my becoming a boxing promoter and matchmaker in California. The Athletic Commission outlawed individuals from being both a promoter and matchmaker at the same time years ago. I also co-promoted George's comeback fight at the Oakland Coliseum in 1987 with my company, Worldwide Boxing Promotions.
Many people are not aware that George, Ali, and Frazier were all Olympic champions who went on to become professional champions and fought each other. Dick was the trainer or advisor for all three at one time. He was also a trainer for Archie Moore.
| | Tony Brown, Arif Khatib, Don King | | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Hank Aaron
On April 4, Opening Day of the 1974 Major League Baseball season, 39-year-old Hank Aaron sends the very first pitch he sees over the wall, tying the all-time home run record set by Babe Ruth. Four days later,
he would break that record..
Check the price of the paper in the
upper right hand corner.
Just to reduce the chances of my using this resource for questions again, this link will take you to a bunch of questions related to MLB Opening Day events
that have occurred.
I think it would be great if the A's somehow win the
AL Championship, making for a World Series in Sacramento at a minor league field. I feel confident
MLB would not allow that to happen,
but where would they play?
Go Red Sox!
Go Celtics!
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If you enjoy our free publication, a
contribution to help defray costs
would be appreciated.
| |
Bears Roll Past Rams, Advance
To Quarterfinals
No. 1 Cal To Host Next Round In Berkeley
BERKELEY – The west region No. 1 California rugby team scored 12 tries by seven different players and held No. 8 Colorado State to only one try to clinch the D1A National Collegiate Championship First Round victory and advance to the quarterfinals. The Golden Bears will host the west region quarterfinal contest in Berkeley next Saturday and will face No. 5 Arizona.
"Colorado State put together a fine season and advancing to the postseason is no small accomplishment, they should be congratulated," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "I am appreciative of our team's efforts today and in the buildup this past week."
Cal sent out a first-15 that featured nine underclassmen, including six freshmen, to face the Rams in the single-elimination postseason contest. Freshman Talan Jones punched in Cal's first try of the day and senior Kealan O'Connell added the extras to take an early lead at the fourth minute.
Colorado State intercepted a faulty Bear pass after the restart and carried the ball into the tryzone for its only score of the afternoon. The Rams converted and the score was level at the sixth minute.
continued...
Photo: RudyPics
| |
No. 15 Stanford Bounces Back
for Run-Rule Win
Cardinal smacks three homers, Houston strikes out
nine in 11-1 win
STANFORD, Calif. – No. 15 Stanford responded in force after last night’s first loss of the season at Stanford Stadium, beating Clemson 11-1 in five innings this afternoon. The Cardinal hit three home runs in the offensive outburst, moving to 26-7 on the season and 9-5 in ACC play.
Clemson opened the scoring in the top of the first, but Alyssa Houston stranded the bases loaded to limit the damage to one run.
The Cardinal bats were able to answer right back and take the lead in the home half of the first. Jade Berry brought home a run on a
Clemson error to tie the game, then with two outs Kyra Chan took the lead.
The junior hit her fifth home run of the season to plate three and make it a 4-1 Stanford lead.
The homers kept coming in the second, with Taryn Kern and Emily Jones going back-to-back to make it a 7-1 game. The three home runs brought the Card’s season total to 54, the third-most in a season in program history.
Stanford pounced for four more in the fourth inning, thanks to hits from Kern, Emily Jones, River Mahler and Joie Economides. Chan picked up her fourth RBI of the day with an RBI groundout, and Berry drove in her second of the day on a sacrifice fly.
continued...
Photo: Supriya Limaye/isiphotos.com
| |
Spartans Fall in Extra Innings to Washington State
PULLMAN, Wash. – Zach Chamizo hit a solo home run to lead the San José State baseball team (17-14, 5-6 MW) in a 6-5 loss in extra innings to Washington State (12-18, 6-5 MW) at Bailey-Brayton Field on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the three game series.
In what was a back-and-forth game, the Spartans jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the third, but WSU tied it with two runs of their own in the forth. Trailing 4-3 in the eighth, Drew Giannini hit an RBI double to tie the game. San Jose State briefly retook the lead in the top of the 11th with an RBI from Chamizo, but WSU responded with two runs in the home half to seal the victory.
On the mound, starter David Thomas threw 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out three. EJ McGrew and Tyler Albanese combined for the remaining 5.1 innings, with Albanese (2–2) taking the loss after surrendering the final two runs in the 11th.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
BVB | Gaels Enjoy Sac Town Sweep, Finish Weekend 3-1
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball (14-13) moved their record back above 0.500 for the season, defeating both conference foe Santa Clara (12-13) and host Sacramento State (6-16) as part of the Sac Beach Invite. The Gaels made quick work of the Broncos by a 4-1 tally, dropping only the final point, and took a 3-1 lead to lock up the victory over the Hornets before dropping the final point in that one. The Gaels are now on their third three game winning streak of the season.
The Broncos of Santa Clara mustered up little fight against the Gaels. At the twos, Clarissa Klein and Chloe Swanson opened the day of play with a 22-20, 21-12 victory for their first win paired together this season, followed shortly thereafter by 21-17, 21-13 victory by Hannah Glick and Sedona Sherman in the four spot. The hottest Gael duo as of late, Angelina Bour and Nya Crump polished off the victory with a 21-19, 21-18 win at the threes, and Allie Cataldo and Hannah Couch picked up the two set win despite a strong fight from the Broncos at the ones, 21-19, 22-20. Grace Travis and Renee Nachtigall battled hard in the fives, looking to pick up the 5-0 win, but dropped a narrow 15-13 third set, bringing the match score to a final tally of 4-1. The Gaels have now won six consecutive matches against the Broncos dating back to last season, and are 6-2 against WCC foes.
continued...
| |
Dons Fall to Bulldogs in
Seven Innings
SPOKANE, Wash. – The University of San Francisco baseball team (14-17, 4-4 WCC) dropped a 14-1 seven-inning West Coast Conference decision to Gonzaga (), Saturday evening at Patterson Baseball Complex.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Gonzaga opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, scoring five runs to take a commanding 5-0 advantage. The Bulldogs added two more tallies in the following frame, extending the lead to 7-0.
-
San Francisco put a run on the board in the top of the fourth, trimming the deficit to 7-1. TJ Rogers kicked off the frame with a hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Trevor Harmon flew out to center field, Jordan Lewis ripped an RBI double down the left-field line, plating Rogers for the Dons' first run.
continued...
Photo: Christina Leung
| |
Ferguson & Edwards Toss Shutouts in Softball's WCC Opening Sweep
of San Diego
SAN DIEGO – In the West Coast Conference doubleheader opener on Saturday, Santa Clara softball got shutout efforts from Cari Ferguson and Hannah Edwards to sweep San Diego at the newly opened Reggie Smith Softball Complex. It is the first time the Broncos opened WCC play with two wins since the league established softball play in 2014.
Game 1: Santa Clara 5 - San Diego 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:
-
Freshman Cari Ferguson threw a six-hit shutout and Hazyl Gray drove in four runs in Santa Clara's 5-0 victory over San Diego in the West Coast Conference opening game in the frontend of the doubleheader.
- It was the first career shutout for Ferguson as she scattered six hits, walked one and struck out one to improve to 4-8 on the season. She lowered her season ERA to 2.60.
-
Gray went 3-for-4 including a three-run home run and an RBI single to lead a balanced hitting attack for SCU with eight of the nine starters producing a hit. The Broncos (21-14, 1-0 WCC) had 12 hits as Hope Alley and Taryn Clements each had two.
-
In the third inning, Gray, the reigning WCC Player of the Year, blasted one deep to dead center over the 220 feet fence to put the Broncos up 4-0. An inning earlier Abigail Charpentier singled with the bases loaded to score Clement who led off the inning with a double for the first run ever at the new softball facility.
- Joecellia Roberts had two of the six hits for San Diego (16-19, 0-1 WCC). Kelsey Tadlock suffered the loss. In her start, she gave up four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Emma Giaime pitched well in relief allowing just one run the rest of the way.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Waldon Wallops Home Run in Defeat Saturday
LOS ANGELES – Redshirt senior JT Waldon crushed his team-leading fourth home run of the season as the Pacific baseball program's efforts fell to LMU by a 13-3 margin in seven innings on Saturday afternoon at Page Stadium.
Waldon's two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning gave the Tigers (12-20, 1-7 WCC) some life offensively, but the Lions (16-14, 4-4 WCC) held on and added on to even up the series.
Senior DJ Scott collected an extra-base knock and scored a run for the Tigers on a sacrifice fly by graduate student Kordell Brown.
Senior Adan Perez made the start for Pacific on the mound, pitching 5.0 innings and striking out two LMU batters. Perez worked out of a based loaded jam in the bottom of the first, limiting the damage to one of his four earned runs on the day.
continued...
| |
Barrett Breaks Record in the 10K; Aggies Compete at Mike Fanelli and Brutus Hamilton
SAN FRANCISCO AND BERKELEY, Calif. – The Aggies stormed the bay area for competition at both the Mike Fanelli Classic and Brutus Hamilton Invite, returning triumphant with a new record and multiple big finishes and personal bests in tow.
Dani Barrett and Ethan Brooks swept the first day of the Mike Fanelli, both earning the first-place titles in the 10k, Barrett breaking the Aggie event record with her final time.
In all, the Ags totaled up 13 top-five wins on the weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED (MEN):
Junior Ethan Brooks kicked off the Mike Fanelli for the men's group with a gold finish in the 10,000 meter run. His time of 29:29.89 not only gave him the victory with the second-place finisher ten seconds behind him, but it also wrote him in as fifth in the Aggie records in the event.
Junior Muhammed Ahmed kicked off day two at the Mike Fanelli with a second place result in the 5,000 meter run, clocking third in the Davis school records with his speedy 14:00.37 finish.
continued...
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Softball Sweeps CSUMB on Friday
HAYWARD, Calif. — No. 14 Cal State East Bay softball extended its win streak with a pair of CCAA home victories over Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday at Pioneer Softball Field. Behind a masterclass two-hit shutout from Marissa Quintero in game one and a powerful first-inning offensive surge in game two, the Pioneers took both ends of the doubleheader to improve their position atop the CCAA standings.
Game Summaries:
Game One: Cal State East Bay 1, Cal State Monterey Bay 0
Pitching took center stage in the opener as Marissa Quintero fired her third complete-game shutout of the season, blanking the Otters on just two hits and striking out three in a crisp 84-pitch effort.
The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth. Marissa Farias led off the inning with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Izzy Reyes. Alexa Zumstein followed with a single to left, and Ashley Reyes came on to pinch run. Cynthia Carrillo was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a strikeout, Ysabella Cortez grounded out to second base but had an RBI, allowing Izzy Reyes to score the game's only run.
Quintero, who now owns an 11-2 record and a 1.48 ERA, stranded a runner in scoring position in the fifth and again faced minimal trouble in the sixth and seventh to preserve the win.
continued...
Photo: James Molgaard / KLC fotos
| | REGISTRATION OPENS FOR THE 2025 ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES | | |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 61st edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club.
Scheduled for September 10-14, 2025, when conditions on San Francisco Bay are ideal for fast and thrilling competition, this legendary regatta rewards the best in West Coast racing with perpetual trophies and Rolex timepieces for select fleets.
The following are invited to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series:
-
One-design boats of the J/88, J/105, Cape 31and Express 37 classes. Other classes with a minimum number of boats can be considered with application to the Organizing Authority.
-
ORC Monohulls with a LOA ≥ 30 feet. Boats with an APH of 500 or lower are required to have an ORC International certificate. Boats with an APH higher than 500 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
-
Classic boats built prior to 1955 with a LOA ≥ 48 feet and a current ORRez rating certificate.
| | | | |
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/
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, April 7, through
Sunday, April 13, 2025
| | |
Monday, April 7
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6:45 p.m.
A's vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6:45 p.m.
A's vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m
Wednesday, April 9
Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds, 12:45 p.m.
A's vs. San Diego Padres, 12:35 p.m
Thursday, April 10
Friday, April 11
Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ New York Yankees, 4:05 p.m.
A's vs. New York Mets, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 12
San Francisco Giants @ New York Yankees, 12:05 p.m.
A's vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ FC Tulsa, 5 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 13
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 12:30 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs, 12:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ New York Yankees, 10:35 a.m.
A's vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Chicago Storm, 4 p.m.
| | |
Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired).
Artist: Carl Macki
Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim
Webmaster/Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
| | |
FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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