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July 14 -- July 20, 2025
Issue No. 598
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+ 400 You Won't Read This
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This not an anti-gambling screed, although the book, Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling (2025, link below) describes an economic plague for vast numbers of Americans. The interview and book provide the data and the personal experiences involved for many who are hooked and why. There is also a Daily Show interview which adds a fresh and humorous perspective. The losses incurred by the average gambler benefit stock exchange companies and act like a tariff on people's families as they impair the ability to provide basic needs, like food.
Harness racing was my main indulgence, and I watch ESPN.BET: but I do not place bets in between foul shots or golf shots, or through any other similar temptation. The courts have ruled it's legal, but
it's also legal to warn people of the risks involved. The interview with author Jonathan Cohen and others is a worthwhile investment of time and is packed with information from many sources.
Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHgLdfWB-zs
Daily Show Take:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6PerutTLK8
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
NBA Finals graphic by Carl Macki
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Devers is a Bum
From what I can tell, Devers has LOSER written all over him. He should have arrived with a label: "Caution: may be hazardous to your team."
I've watched all the strikeouts, and now the attitude has begun to shine based on sources like Boston media and folks like, uh, WILL CLARK!
"We were in San Francisco right after that trade happened," Red Sox broadcaster Will Flemming shared Monday on WEEI Sports Radio's "WEEI Afternoons." "They don't yet know what is going to happen with the player. I was there the second day. Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base and Rafi didn't show up.
Make that three (3) days of no shows. I have no current information on how the promising pitchers San Francisco traded for this Major League problem, but my guess is they at least show up for practice.
Kristen LaRue
San Francisco
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Contents
Games
Athletics 6, Toronto Blue Jays 3
Oakland Ballers 6, Rocky Mountian Vibes 5
Oakland Roots SC 1, Phoenix Rising FC 2
San Francisco Giants 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (11 innings)
San Francisco Giants 0, Philadelphia Phillies 13
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United FC 4
San Jose Earthquakes 2 (2), Austin FC 2 (4)
Features & Commentary
American Century Championship, by Jeff Bayer
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Johnny Unitas, from the autograph collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Vanderbundt Remembers 1970 Success, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe
Wednesday-Sunday, July 9-13, 2025
| Joe Pavelski hugs his son celebrating his win at The American Century Championship. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Joe Pavelski holds his trophy after winning the American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Joe Montana was on the grounds during Friday’s round. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Steph Curry contemplates his putt on Saturday. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | L-R: Jerome Bettis, Joe Theisman, Larry Fitzgerald. Bettis' sons are enrolling at Notre Dame University this fall. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Former 49er great Jerry Rice is always a fan favorite at the tournament. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Larry The Cable Guy is a barrel of golf laughs. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce tosses his ball to the crowd. Photo by Jeff Bayer. www.jeffbayerphotography.com | |
San Francisco Giants 2
Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (11 innings)
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, July 13, 2025
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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani makes the first out of the game by flying out to left field against pitcher Robbie Ray. The Giants lost to the Dodgers in extra innings, 5-2.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
| Pinch hitter Luis Matos belts a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2 and taking the game to extra innings. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
Matt Chapman greets Matos at home plate after his home run gave the Giants some temporary hope. Photo and
caption by Ed Jay.
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Athletics 6
Toronto Blue Jays 3
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Sunday, July 13, 2025
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Athletics catcher Austin Wynns hits the first of a trio of two-run home runs by the home team as the A's completed the first half of the season with a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Sutter Health Park on Sunday, July 13th. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Starting pitcher Jeremy Springs tossed 6-2/3 innings, no-hitting the Jays into the fifth and striking out five. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
| Blue Jays manager John Schneider argues with home plate umpire Tripp Gibson (73) after being thrown out of the game during the fifth inning. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Closer Mason Miller earned his 19th save of the season after a scoreless ninth. The A's go into the All-Star break with a record of 41-57 after winning three of their last four games. To view
a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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San Francisco Giants 0
Philadelphia Phillies 13
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
| San Francisco pitcher Justin Verlander was hoping for his first win of the season, but with the Giants held scoreless, his record fell to 0-7. The visiting Philadelphia Phillies avoided a sweep by winning 13-0 on Wednesday afternoon, July 9. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Jung Hoo Lee had an off-day, only getting on base once with a walk. His BA is now .245. The Giants overall were only able to garner four hits for the entire game. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
Bryce Harper had a phenomenal game going 4-for-6 with three doubles and one home run in the Phillies 13-0 victory.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
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Realizing the game was a lost cause and not wanting to using more relievers from the bullpen, Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was called in to pitch the top of the ninth and gave up two runs.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
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A radar device is seen on the roof behind home plate at PeoplesBank Park in the third inning of the Atlantic League All Star Game on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 as a test for
robot umpires (AP News photo)
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MLB Robots Are Here For The All-Star Game!
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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This next Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Atlanta will feature, for the first time, the use of its robot technology for ball-strike challenges. This represents a significant step toward utilizing this technology for the 2026 season and will eventually replace all human umpires in the not-too-distant future.
In 2023, the overall umpire accuracy in calling balls and strikes was 92.8%, according to Statcast data. This marks a slight increase from 92.45% in 2022. In other words, Umpires on average miss a call roughly once every 3.6 plate appearances.
Robots are cheaper than humans: The average salary for a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire today is approximately $150,000 to $450,000 per year, depending on experience and seniority. It is the most challenging job in baseball; you usually get a lot of abuse from players (but you have the power to expel a player from the field) and, of course, the public, who are usually not kind to umpires. And if a fan gets ‘real nasty in vocabulary,’ umpires have the right to ask for that fan to be removed, also when a fan interferes with the play on the field.
Although robots are knocking on the door in baseball, a famous umpiring school still operates in Florida. The Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School, located in Osmond Beach, provides training for aspiring umpires, featuring both classroom and on-field instruction.
Many of the graduates have gone on to work in Major League Baseball. They will probably go out of business when baseball implements total robotic control on the field of play. I would think humans still would be needed to supervise some of this robotic world of umpires, or perhaps not? Time will tell.
Some of us remember when each league, the American and National Leagues, had their umpires, from their founding (1901 for the AL and earlier for the NL), until 2000, when MLB merged the two leagues into a single, unified roster. During the 2024 regular season, 10.9% of called pitches in the strike zone were ruled balls, and 6.3% of called pitches outside of the strike zone were ruled strikes, according to MLB Statcast.
Major League Baseball is currently testing a challenge system with automated ball-strike calls during spring training, with the potential for regular-season implementation as early as next season (2026) if testing is successful.
This system, known as Automated Ball-Strike (ABS), enables teams to challenge balls and strikes, with the call then reviewed by the automated system. MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019.
‘ My Take: I am not a fan of robots in baseball, or anyplace else, for that matter, but I also do not like automobiles that drive by themselves, and all this automation we have today, were people go on vacation take two cell phones and a laptop and do not have time to smell the roses. For me, baseball was the most excellent game ever invented, but, as previously mentioned, everything changes, and time goes on. I am not against progress, but just like the famous quote, “sometimes the best trades in baseball are the ones you do not make,” I think of the past and still believe baseball was more enjoyable in the past, with less technology and more humanity.
"I never questioned the integrity of an
umpire. Their eyesight, yes."
– Leo Durocher, Manager
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* * *
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010
inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame
Reprinted courtesy Sports Radio Service
| | December 16, 1972 -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie entered the game in the third quarter and threw two touchdown passes for a thrilling 20-17 victory over the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The victory sent the Niners into the playoffs for the third-straight season as NFC West champions. | | | | |
Vanderbundt
Remembers
1970 Success
by Dave Newhouse
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Fifty-five years ago, 1970 to be exact, the San Francisco 49ers finally made the NFL playoffs, ending an agonizing 20-year wait after joining the league in 1950.
There aren’t many 49ers left from that 1970 team, but linebacker Skip Vanderbundt is among the living alumni who converted the Niners from perennial losers into habitual winners.
“Winning the division was huge,” Vanderbundt thought back to ’70, “because it was the first time in team history.”
That 49ers team had a 10-3-1 record and the league’s Most Valuable Player in quarterback John Brodie. Those Niners would repeat as division champions in ’71 and ’72, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys all three years in the playoffs.
“No, I didn’t think we were special,” Vanderbundt added about that turnaround ’70 season. “I thought we had something good happening, but I was of the mindset that we had to win every game.”
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Outside linebacker Skip Vanderbundt, a 1968 third-round
draft pick, enjoyed a 10-year career with 49ers
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The 49ers had lost so often before ’70, there would be no over-confidence that season. They did, fortunately, have positive leaders in Brodie and defensive tackle Charlie Krueger, both joining the Niners in the mid-1950s and suffering mightily in the 1960s.
“John was a smart guy, one of the smartest I’ve met,” Vanderbundt said. “He never showed negative. He'd take the criticism and laugh about it. It was water off his back, and you picked up on it. He was so at peace, in control of everything.
“He still viewed football as a game, and you should have fun with it. He put out positivity, and I never saw him yell at a player. That wasn’t his nature. He was a veteran player who always knew what the score was.”
Vanderbundt was asked what stood out about the late Krueger, whose No. 70 was retired along with Brodie’s No. 12 by the 49ers.
“Toughness,” he replied. “Offensive linemen cringed when they went up against him. Charlie was like a wrestler. He’d get down low, and he’d get leverage. One game he got kicked in the eye, and it closed. He got the doctor to open it up, and he kept playing. He was tough.”
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Defensive tackle Charlie Krueger continued playing one
game after having an eye closed
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But Krueger was a mixture of might and mirth.
“(Quarterback) George Mira had this new $300 suit,” Vanderbundt said. “Charlie cut off the arms and legs and hung the suit back in George’s locker. Another player was late to practice because Charlie taped his uniform to the ceiling.”
William Gerard Vanderbundt, 78, a third-round draft pick from Oregon State in 1968, played linebacker so well that he’s a member of the 49ers’ 10-year club, finishing up with New Orleans in 1989. This meant he began playing and ending his NFL career for the same head coach, Dick Nolan, who converted the 49ers into a postseason team for the first time in the NFL (they made the playoffs in the All-America Football Conference, their home from 1946 through 1949, but no titles ensued).
“As a head coach, what you don’t know, you turn over to those who do know,” Vanderbundt said. “It’s like running a business, and so Dick never went to the offensive meetings. He was a defensive guy, but not a rah-rah guy. He had to do screaming and yelling, but he did it so seldom, it was effective.”
But Nolan kept losing to the Cowboys, the team he came from to San Francisco.
‘It’s hard,“ Vanderbundt reflected. “When the (playoff) window is open, you better take advantage of it.”
That window shut in ’72, and stayed shut until Bill Walsh re-opened it in the 1980s.
Because of Walsh’s success, those early-1970s teams seem almost unrecognizable for the 49ers' current Faithful fandom. But Vanderbundt and teammates even got short shrift from, of all people, team management.
“We win the division for the first time,” he said of '70, “and instead of a cash award, they gave us ash trays with our names engraved on the bottom. And they misspelled my last name.
"Ash trays. And I don’t even smoke, like a lot of the guys on that team. I think everyone threw them out."
A new 49ers training camp is just ahead, but let’s Skip that for a moment to salute the franchise’s first NFL playoff appearance.
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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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San Jose Earthquakes 2 (2)
Austin FC 2 (4)
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 2 (2), Austin FC 2 (4)
San Jose drops penalty shootout to Austin FC in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals; Black and Blue return to MLS play Saturday with road contest
vs. Minnesota United FC
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Austin FC via penalty kicks 2-2 (2-4) on Tuesday night in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals at PayPal Park in front of 10,754 fans.
San Jose got on the board first in the 12th minute when DeJuan Jones found Ousseni Bouda on the right wing, whose subsequent low cross was hammered home by Cristian “Chicho” Arango for an early 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Austin FC equalized when Brandon Vázquez was fouled in the box and drew a penalty kick that he converted in the 65th minute to make it 1-1. Controversy ensued in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Austin defender Mikkel Desler’s studs collided with Cristian Espinoza, resulting in a sizable bleeding gash above the Quakes captain’s right knee. Referee Brandon Stevis showed Desler a yellow card and a hobbled Espinoza would leave the match for Benji Kikanović. The score remained knotted through regulation and the game went into extra time.
The Earthquakes broke through in the 99th minute when Kikanović picked out a rebound from the air and blasted a shot past Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver that found the back of the net for a 2-1 lead, sending PayPal Park into a frenzy. The visitors appeared to tie the game a second time in the 105th minute with a header off a corner kick, but the flag was up and offside was ruled.
continued...
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You’re invited to a special fireside chat with sports business leader Andy Dolich and longtime Oakland Tribune sports columnist Dave Newhouse, co-authors of
Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust,
and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival.
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Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Alumni House
Together, Dolich and Newhouse will explore the compelling and often heartbreaking story of Oakland’s unique place in American sports history—once home to three major championship teams, and now the only U.S. city to lose franchises in the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
Through candid discussion and expert insight, they’ll examine the economic, cultural, and civic factors that led to this exodus—and what Oakland’s story reveals about the future of sports and community identity.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a curious local, or just interested in the intersection of sports, business, and urban life—this event promises to be both thought-provoking and timely.
Admission is free, but space is limited.
RSVP today!
Doors open at 5:00 PM for a meet & greet and book-signing opportunity with the authors ahead of the main program. Books may be purchased online.
Light refreshments will be served.
We hope to see you there!
UC Berkeley
The Cal Alumni Association
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Our Mission:
Weavery's mission is to provide data and ai strategy advice, training, and innovative solutions to high impact humanitarian organizations. Weavery leverages artificial intelligence to enhance operations and amplify impact to serve a world in need.
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Gavin Kilen, University of Tennessee
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Giants take Tennessee INF Kilen
with No. 13 pick in Draft
by Jared Greenspan
The Giants selected Gavin Kilen, an infielder out of Tennessee, with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday.
Kilen was previously selected by the Red Sox – his favorite team growing up – in the 13th round of the 2022 Draft, as a Top 100 prospect out of high school. But he opted not to sign with Boston, instead honoring his commitment to play college baseball at Louisville.
A lot has changed since for Kilen, MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 Draft prospect and second-ranked second baseman.
After two years at Louisville, Kilen transferred to Tennessee, where he slashed .357/.441/.671 with a 1.112 OPS and 15 home runs, earning first-team All-American honors from Perfect Game and Baseball America.
continued...
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Jamie Arnold, Florida State University
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A's choose talented FSU lefty Arnold 11th overall in 2025 Draft
Brian Murphy
The Athletics chose Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold with their first pick, 11th overall, in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Arnold is MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Draft prospect and considered the second-best left-handed pitcher in this year’s class behind LSU’s Kade Anderson. But he may have the highest floor of any of the top prospects because of his track record, control and stuff. It’s why he could make it to the Majors relatively quickly.
Following a breakout 2024 sophomore season with the Seminoles in which he tallied the third-most strikeouts in Division I (159), Arnold posted a 2.98 ERA for the second consecutive season this spring and struck out 119 batters over 84 2/3 innings. He recorded a 1.06 WHIP this year and posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of better than 5-to-1 over the past two seasons. That two-year run made Arnold a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist in 2024 and ‘25.
continued...
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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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Ballers Clinch Playoffs, Seal First-Half Title with Thrilling 6-5 Victory
The Ballers are PBL First Half Champions
By Nevada Cullen
OAKLAND, Calif. -- In just their second year in the Pioneer League, the Ballers are going back to the playoffs. Oakland didn't lead until the eighth in its comeback, 6-5 victory against the Rocky Mountain Vibes on Thursday.
The cherry on top? With the Ogden Raptors beating the Missoula Paddleheads Thursday, the Ballers are not only playoff-bound – they are the PBL First-Half Champions.
Lou Helmig provided the late-game heroics with two clutch hits, including the game-winning knock. And when Oakland needed him most, Carson Lambert shut down the Vibes and shut the door with five strikeouts and two perfect innings.
Early on, it felt like a home-run derby between the Ballers and the Vibes. Believe it or not, the first nine runs of the contest all came via the long ball.
Rocky Mountain tagged Dylan Matsuoka for three dingers through the first three frames. Sam Linscott, Stephen Wilmer and Gary Lora went yard in the first, second and third respectively to create an early 4-0 cushion for the Vibes.
continued...
| | Ginger Langford befriended a member of the Galactic Empire during the Oakland Ballers vs. Rocky Mountain Vibes game on Friday evening, July 11 on a special Star Wars night. | | Scrappy, the Ballers mascot, stopped by to assure Ballers’ fan Yolanda Marchante that all was well during the game. Final score: Oakland Ballers 9, Rocky Mountain Vibes 0. | | |
San Jose Earthquakes 1
Minnesota United FC 4
Allianz Field, St. Paul, MN
Saturday, July 12, 2025
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Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United FC 4
San Jose unable to recover from early first-half deficit; Bruno Wilson returns to record first goal of season; Quakes come home Wednesday night to face FC Dallas
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Minnesota United FC 4-1 on Saturday night at Allianz Field in front of 19,743 fans.
The hosts immediately struck first in the third minute off an outswinging corner kick that was flicked on by Robin Lod and eventually bumped into the net by Tani Oluwaseyi, who was directly in front of Quakes goalkeeper Daniel. Despite appeals for a review for offside, the goal was confirmed. MNUFC doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute when in transition, Oluwaseyi chipped a cross from the left wing and Kelvin Yeboah headed it home to make it 2-0. The Loons made it 3-0 off another corner kick when the Quakes cleared the initial inswinger, but the ball fell to Anthony Markanich, who netted in the fifth minute of stoppage time before the half.
After intermission, the Quakes got back into the game in the 70th minute when Chicho Arango lifted a ball into the box from the left wing that was flicked on by Preston Judd and a streaking Bruno Wilson—making his first appearance in exactly three months recovering from injury—beat the MNUFC back line and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to finish the play and make it 3-1. The Quakes put the pressure on the Minnesota net repeatedly in the closing minutes but could not eat into the remaining deficit. In the 95th minute, the hosts added an insurance goal in transition from Oluwaseyi to Joseph Rosales for the final margin.
The Black and Blue will now return home to host FC Dallas on Wednesday, July 16. Kickoff from PayPal Park will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and KZSF 1370 AM (Spanish).
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Oakland Roots SC 1
Phoenix Rising FC 2
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Saturday, July 12, 2025
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Oakland’s Win Streak Snapped at Three as Roots Fall 1-2 at Home to Phoenix Rising FC
Missed opportunities were the theme of the night for Oakland, as Roots watched a dominant first half and a 1-0 lead devolve into a gut wrenching 1-2 loss to visiting Phoenix Rising FC at the Coliseum on Saturday night.
Roots came out swinging with a wide open look on goal just four minutes into the match when Julian Bravo played a cross into the box from the left side, finding Peter Wilson all alone in front who somehow missed any contact with the ball.
Phoenix came right back with a chance of their own on a counterattack that ended with a hard shot ringing off the left post of Oakland’s goal in the 8th minute.
Following both teams’ early missed opportunities, Roots settled into the match and quickly began to look like the superior side, matching the shot total from their last match inside just the 14th minute.
Oakland continued to work the ball into extremely dangerous positions, but as has been a trend with the team lately, found trouble turning opportunities into shots on target.
Just like in their last match, Roots broke the deadlock with their very first shot on goal in the 27th minute when Bravo outhustled a Phoenix defender down the left side of the pitch and played a centering pass just before the ball rolled over the endline to find Morey Doner who finished his third of the year off the left post to make it 1-0 Oakland.
Roots continued to dominate the pitch for the remainder of the half, and entered the locker room at the break still leading by just one despite numerous missed opportunities that could have easily led to a lopsided score.
In the 53rd minute of the match, Roots missed on what was perhaps their most wide open look on goal all season. A gorgeous series of passes led to a cross into the box that found José Luis Sinisterra all alone in front of the net with plenty of time to shoot. Sinisterra opted not to take a set-up touch, instead taking a chance on a one-timer that sailed well above the crossbar.
This moment immediately preceded Oakland unraveling in the match, as Phoenix began to shift the tide of momentum in their favor.
Phoenix capitalized on this shift in the 60th minute when Ihsan Sacko worked a bit of space in the attacking third and unloaded one on his own from the top line of the box beating a diving Kendall McIntosh to the right to level the contest at 1-1.
The field continued to tilt in Rising’s favor following the goal, and Phoenix captured the lead in short order. In the 69th minute former Roots player Charlie Dennis sent a low strike on target, after receiving a centering pass from Jearl Margaritha, that bounced through traffic before finding twine just inside the right post and making it 1-2 Rising.
A second yellow card was issued to Phoenix’s Hope Avayevu in an extended added time period, giving Oakland a man advantage for a final push that came very near a leveling goal that never came as the final whistle ended things with Roots still down one.
It’s a tough loss for Roots following a match that could easily have seen them win in lopsided fashion and secure a crucial six point swing versus a conference foe in an extremely crowded Western table.
Oakland will now head on the road for a league fixture versus Loudon United FC on Saturday, July 19th before returning home to face Orange County SC in a Group Stage battle of the USL Jägermeister Cup on July 26th.
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | | |
Closing In On The All-Star Game...
As you remember, the first All-Star Game was
in 1933, making this the 92nd year for
All-Star Games!
What player holds the record for the most times
being on an All-Star Game roster?
Answer below...
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Johnny Unitas -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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Johnny “Golden Arm” Unitas made an appearance at a sports collectors' show back in the 1980s and I just had to meet him as he was one of my father’s favorite quarterbacks. After a brief chat and a handshake, I had him sign this photo for me.
Johnny Unitas had a remarkable NFL career mostly with the Baltimore Colts. He’s a Super Bowl V champ, 3x NFL champion,
3x NFL MVP, NFL Man of the Year 1970, 4x NFL passing
touchdown leader and the list goes on.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
| | Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 140: CSC's New Guidance On NIL Collectives Served Up A Recipe For Chaos And Courtrooms | | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
In the ever-evolving landscape of NIL rights, the College Sports Commission (CSC) has issued a memorandum that purports to clarify the boundaries of permissible deals under NCAA Rule 22.1.3. Dated July 10, this guidance emphasizes the requirement for a "valid business purpose" in NIL transactions involving college athletes. However, rather than providing stability, it appears poised to ignite further legal battles, disrupt established collective operations, and underscore the persistent resistance within college athletics to genuine athlete compensation.
I find this development not only predictable but profoundly shortsighted.
At its core, the CSC's guidance delineates what constitutes a valid business purpose under Rule 22.1.3, which was adopted on June 6, and became effective July 1, 2025. The rule prohibits associated entities or individuals from entering into agreements or providing payments to college athletes unless the arrangement is deemed to promote or endorse goods or services offered to the general public for profit, with compensation rates commensurate with those for similarly situated non-athletes. The memorandum explicitly states that entities whose primary purpose is to provide payments or benefits to college athletes or institutions—rather than delivering goods or services to the public for profit—fail to meet this threshold. This effectively targets traditional NIL collectives, which have historically funneled donor funds to athletes through arrangements like appearances at events or promotions of collective-branded merchandise.
The CSC provides illustrative examples to underscore its stance. Deals where collectives raise funds from the public to directly compensate athletes, even if framed as endorsements for collective-run events (such as golf tournaments open to the public with admission fees), are deemed invalid if the underlying purpose extends beyond a broader commercial objective. Conversely, arrangements with established businesses—like a golf course or apparel company—that leverage an athlete's NIL for genuine marketing purposes may pass muster, provided documentation substantiates the funds' origins and the deal's legitimacy. The guidance also highlights the need for prompt institutional responses to CSC inquiries about involved entities, warning that incomplete information could delay or derail deal clearances.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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QUESTION:
Which NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver has won at least once
in 21 consecutive seasons?
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ANSWER: Scott Dixon
Photos: Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski
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Auto racing is often thought of as being completely dominated by the young. After all, fast drivers like Kyle Kirkwood, Alex Palou and others are almost always in their twenties. However, Scott Dixon proves that you don’t have to be born in this century to be fast. On July 22, he will celebrate his 45th birthday, making him the oldest driver currently racing a full season in INDYCAR.
Beyond being the oldest, Dixon, a six-time INDYCAR champion, also has the most wins of any active driver, with 59 victories. A.J. Foyt, who was somehow doing laps around the Brickyard at 57, holds the record for most INDYCAR victories with 67.
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Dixon’s most recent win came last weekend at the Honda Indy200 at Mid-Ohio. Proving the phrase “old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance,” Dixon pounced when his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Alex Palou, made an uncharacteristic mistake. After the 28-year-old Palou went wide in Turn 9, Dixon made the pass for the lead. An epic battle between teammates ensued, but Dixon, using savvy and experience, held off a hard-charging Palou for the win. The victory pushed him closer to A.J. Foyt’s record and maintained Dixon’s impressive streak of at least one win every season for 21 straight years.
Photo: Penske Entertainment: James Black
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The win was extra special for Dixon, as it marked the first time he celebrated with his son, Kit, in victory lane. The youngest of his three children, Kit had never before witnessed his father win a race in-person.
Photo: Penske Entertainment: James Black
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Dixon will look to continue a four-year winning streak for his Chip Ganassi Racing team when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, July 25-27. The team is on the hunt for its fourth consecutive victory in Monterey, including a win for Dixon in 2023. Hoping to keep him from taking another step closer to A.J. Foyt’s record will be his teammate Palou, who has won two of the last three races in Monterey. With 25 other drivers looking to make their mark at the iconic road course, it is sure to make for some absolutely epic racing on July 27.
Photo: Penske Entertainment: James Black
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San Francisco 49ers Star Malik Mustapha to Take The Wheel as Toyota/Save Mart 350 Honorary
Pace Car Driver
SONOMA, Calif. (July 12, 2025) – San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race this Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, as announced today by track officials. Mustapha, a rising star in the NFL, will lead the 37-car field to the green flag at 12:30 p.m. PT, piloting the official Toyota Camry pace car around the iconic 2.52-mile Sonoma Raceway road course.
“We’re excited to welcome Malik as our Honorary Pace Car Driver,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “His passion and connection to Northern California will bring an incredible energy to the Toyota/Save Mart 350, making this a memorable weekend for all our fans.”
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mustapha grew up in the heart of NASCAR country and has quickly become a fan favorite among the “49ers Faithful.” Selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the 49ers, Mustapha grew up rooting for the franchise and was inspired by playing as former 49ers running back Frank Gore in the Madden NFL video game. His journey from a lifelong 49ers fan to a key defensive player is a full-circle moment that resonates deeply with fans throughout Northern California.
Mustapha’s rookie season in 2024 included 12 games started, recording 72 tackles, five passes defended and his first career interception against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite a challenging ACL injury sustained at the end of the season, Mustapha’s recovery progress has him poised for a strong return in 2025.
Tickets for the July 11-13 Sonoma Raceway NASCAR weekend are on sale now at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE [7223]. Three-day weekend packages for adults start at just $130, and kids 12 and under are only $10. Tickets for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 can also be purchased at the lowest available price at local Save Mart, Lucky California or FoodMaxx stores. For further details, please visit the Sonoma Raceway website.
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff
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Hank Aaron
Hammerin' Hank Aaron made the All-Star
team in 21 seasons!
Because of some MLB seasons having two All-Star games, Aaron played in a record high 25 games. Willie Mays and Stan Musial are a close second with 20 seasons and 24 games each. More stats than you'll ever need are at the bottom of the page listing players with five or more
All-Star seasons...
Most Unique Players with the Lowest Similarity Scores
is a link at the bottom of the page. Check it out and explain what they are talking about, please.
Go Red Sox!
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RELIVE THE ACTION OF THE 2024 ROLEX
BIG BOAT SERIES
And mark your calendars for September 10-14, 2025!
Sixty years, one excellent regatta! Take a moment to watch a recap video from the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series, and mark your calendars for next year. We look forward to seeing you on the water September 10-14, 2025, at St. Francis Yacht Club!
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contribution to help defray costs
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Cal Sends Four To U23 Women’s World Rowing Championships
Regatta Takes Place in Poland
BERKELEY – A quartet of Golden Bears will represent the California women's rowing team at the 2025 U23 World Rowing Championships, which take place July 23-27 in Poznan, Poland. Minou Bouman (the Netherlands), Izzy Campbell (Canada), Julia Irmler (Germany) and Ella Wheeler (United States) will race for their respective home countries at the regatta. All four will race in the women's eight.
A 2025 CRCA Second-Team All-American, Bouman competed in the previous two U23 World Championships, having raced in the women's four in 2024 and the women's eight in 2023.
This mark's Campbell's first race on the international stage. She spent a majority of last season on the Bears' 2V8+ before moving up to the V8+ for the ACC and NCAA Championships.
Irmler's previous international experience came in 2023 when she raced in the women's double sculls at the U19 World Championships. She spent this past season on the Bears' 2V8+.
Wheeler comes to the regatta having won gold in the women's coxed four at both the 2023 and 2022 U19 World Championships.
All results for this year's U23 championships will be posted at www.worldrowing.com.
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Willis Named ACC Scholar-Athlete
of Year
Stanford NCAA 800 champion Roisin Willis earns conference academic honor
STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford’s Roisin Willis was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The honor adds to the growing list of achievements for the rising senior from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
On June 14, Willis won the 800 meters at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in a meet record time of 1:58.13 – the third-fastest in collegiate history. The time also was an ACC record and a personal best.
The victory gave Willis, the 2022 world under-20 800 and 4x400 relay champion, her third NCAA title and first outdoors. Her previous NCAA titles came at the 2023 indoor championships – in the 800 and distance medley relay.
Willis, a history major, is a nine-time All-American with six first-team All-America honors. After her NCAA victory last month, she was named West Region Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and was a semifinalist for The Bowerman, collegiate track and field's Heisman Trophy.
Willis is the fifth from Stanford to be named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the Cardinal’s first academic year in the conference. The other Stanford winners are Julietta Camahort (women’s rowing), Maxime Raynaud (men’s basketball), Elia Rubin (women’s volleyball), and Jack Ryan (men’s swimming and diving).
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SJSU Women's Soccer Alum Iliana Jasso Signs Professional Contract with Atlas F.C. Femenil
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Former San José State women’s soccer standout Iliana Jasso has officially signed a professional contract with Atlas F.C. Femenil of Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil, the club announced Wednesday.
Jasso, who competed for the Spartans from 2022 to 2025, brings her defensive prowess to the professional ranks after a successful collegiate career. She was a part of the Spartans' 2022 Mountain West Championship team.
During her time at San José State, Jasso totaled 1,493 minutes on the pitch, starting in 11 matches. Known for her composure and tactical awareness on the back line, she also contributed offensively with one goal and one assist and registered 13 shots over her career.
Jasso’s signing marks another milestone in the program’s growing legacy of developing professional-level talent and highlights the global reach of San José State women's soccer.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
BVB | Barett Nolan Transfers to Saint Mary’s from DII Powerhouse Colorado Mesa
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball is adding a somewhat familiar face to their 2026 roster, with the signing of transfer Barett Nolan. Nolan spent the last two seasons at NCAA Division II Beach Volleyball powerhouse Colorado Mesa, helping her team to 39 wins over the last two years, including back-to-back trips to the AVCA Small College Beach Championships. A season ago, Saint Mary's and Colorado Mesa matched up three times, with Nolan appearing in all three matches, so the Gaels coaching staff has seen the incoming grad student's abilities up close and personal.
"We're thrilled to welcome Barett Nolan to the Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball family! Barett brings a competitive spirit, strong work ethic, and a love for the game that aligns perfectly with our team culture." exclaimed Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball Head Coach Janice Harrer, "At Colorado Mesa, Barett spent time both as a blocker and defender, and looks forward to strengthening her skills under the SMC Coaching staff. As a Grad student, she will provide maturity and leadership within our program."
continued...
Photo: SMC Athletics: Piper Westrom
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Men's Basketball Set To Battle Minnesota At Sanford Pentagon
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Minnesota Golden Gophers will play the University of San Francisco Dons in men's basketball at the Sanford Pentagon in a nonconference matchup on Nov. 22. The on-sale date for tickets will be announced later.
"This matchup provides both teams the opportunity for a quality non-conference win at a true neutral site, which will be a valuable addition to their resume," said Jesse Smith, vice president of operations for Sanford Sports. "We are excited for fans in the region to not only watch Minnesota play on Heritage Court but to also see such a storied program in San Francisco."
Minnesota basketball ushers in a new era this coming season as Nico Medved takes over as head coach of the Gophers. Medved, who earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from Minnesota, returns to his alma mater after a seven-year head coaching stint at Colorado State. It marks the second time Medved has been a coach at Minnesota, as he was an assistant coach during the 2006-07 season.
"We're really excited to play in Sioux Falls and at the Sanford Pentagon this season," Minnesota head coach Niko Medved said. "The venue and location give fans a great regional opportunity to watch the Gophers play, and we look forward to growing this partnership for future events there."
continued...
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Alexis Pineda Qualifies for 2025
U.S. Women's Amateur
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's golfer Alexa Pineda punched her ticket to the 125th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship after an outstanding outing at the La Rinconada Country Club qualifier.
A native of San Carlos, Calif., Pineda will be making her second consecutive appearance at the U.S. Women's Amateur, which will be played Aug. 4-10, at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. Entering her sophomore season, she is the first Bronco to qualify for the prestigious event since Sarah Busey in 2019.
Pineda turned in an outstanding 1-under 69 to tie for second at La Riconanda. She finished just one shot back from event champion Sneha Sharan, a two-time Big Sky Player of the Year from Sacramento State. Pineda was one of four golfers from the field of 73 that qualified for the U.S. Amateur joining Sharan, Olivia Duan (Princeton) and Lauren Sung (University of Michigan).
"I'm incredibly grateful and excited to have qualified for the U.S. Amateur," Pineda said. "It's something I've been working towards all summer and it feels really good to see that all my practice has paid off. I'm looking forward to competing in such a prestigious event at such an iconic course against the best amateur golfers in the country."
Pineda played in four events during her freshman season with the Broncos. Her best finish was a tie for 22nd at the Wolverine Invitational.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Grad Sem Verbeek Wins Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship
WIMBLEDON, England – Pacific men's tennis legend Sem Verbeek and his partner Katerina Siniakova won the 2025 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship on Thursday on Centre Court of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
It was the first major championship for Verbeek, who graduated from Pacific in 2016 with a degree in pre-med. Verbeek, from the Netherlands, and Siniakova, from the Czech Republic, won the championship in straight sets 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) over Joe Salisbury from England and Luisa Stefani from Brazil.
After the match, Verbeek announced it was his father, Frank Verbeek's birthday and the crowd sang 'Happy Birthday' to him.
Verbeek and Siniakova dropped just one set during the tournament. They won the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in straight sets.
continued...
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272 Aggies Named To 2024-25 Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll
DAVIS, Calif. - 272 UC Davis student-athletes were named to the Big West 2024-25 Commissioner's Honor Roll on Thursday, encompassing 18 of the conference's 19 sponsored sports.
To be named to the honor roll, student-athletes must be on a team roster in a Big West-sponsored sport and be eligible for competition. There are three categories on the list based on GPA: Honor Roll (3.00-3.20), With Honors (3.21-3.50), and Highest Honors (3.51-4.00). The Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) of each of the 11 Big West institutions submitted their lists to the conference office.
Of the 272 UC Davis student-athletes nominated to the Honor Roll, 133 Aggies earned Highest Honors.
continued...
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Alan Sue Named Golf Pride Grips Division II West Region Coach
of the Year
NORMAN, Okla. - For the second time in 2025, a postseason coaching honor has been bestowed upon Cal State East Bay head golf coach Alan Sue. The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced its 2025 coaching honors for men's golf on Tuesday, and Sue was named Golf Pride Grips Division II West Region Coach of the Year.
Sue's GCAA honor adds to his 2025 collection as he was already named CCAA Men's Golf Coach of the Year.
Under Sue's leadership, the Pioneers had an outstanding season in 2024-25. To start the season, the Pioneers win their first three tournaments in the fall. The success of the fall season carried into the next calendar year, as the spring season began with a win at the NNU Invitational. The lowest team leaderboard throughout the entire regular season for Cal State East Bay men's golf was sixth place.
continued...
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San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
2025/26 Schedules
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, July 14, through
Sunday, July 20, 2025
| | |
Monday, July 14
MLB Home Run Derby, 5 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15
All Star Game -- AL All-Stars @ NL All-Stars, Atlanta, GA, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16
San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries @ Seattle Storm, 12 noon
Thursday, July 17
Friday, July 18
San Francisco Giants @ Toronto Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m.
Athletics @ Cleveland Guardians, 4:10 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
San Francisco Giants @ Toronto Blue Jays, 12:07 p.m.
Athletics @ Cleveland Guardians, 4:10 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ Loudoun United DC, 4 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ Seattle Sounders, 5:30 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Angel City FC, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 20
San Francisco Giants @ Toronto Blue Jays, 9:05 a.m.
Athletics @ Cleveland Guardians, 10:40 a.m.
Golden State Valkyries @ Connecticut Sun, 10 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, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Artist: Carl Macki
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: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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