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October 20 -- October 26, 2025
Issue No. 612
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"The website is wonderful. Highly recommend anyone needing a website or an update to reach out to Medhavee."
-- Ron Sellers, Sports Today Photographer
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Dear Ms. Medhavee Upadhyaya,
please step up and take a bow!
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San Francisco
49ers 20,
Atlanta Falcons 10
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The Falcons won the toss and elected to receive. Despite the absence of Bosa and Warner, the 49ers Defense held Atlanta's QB Michael Penix Jr., (maybe the best of the new crop of QBs) in check, and the teams would exchange punts until an Atlanta FG in the second Quarter capped a 19-play, 60-yard drive (3-0, Atlanta). SF had only one possession in the first quarter. An interception off Jauan Jenning's hands was negated by solid defense, and the Falcons punted. Christian McCaffery (CMC) was on a roll and had a quick 76 yards on the ground and after a nifty catch, would next run it in for a 49ers TD. A lucky bank shot on the extra point made it (7-3, S.F.). Penix's next possession was rudely interrupted by a thunderous Bryce Huff sack. What appeared to be a Mac Jones fumble was, on review, ruled an incomplete pass, and allowed Eddy Pineiro to kick a 55-yard FG: (10-3, SF) halftime.
The 49ers started the third Q with passes to Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore and ended with a 43-yard Pineiro FG (13-3, SF). Penix and Bijan Robinson led the Falcons to a TD (13-10, SF, end of third Q.). The teams traded punts, with some excellent Niner Defense by Darrell Luter, Jr. and Chase Lucas. After Mac Jones' sneaky first-down runs, Christian McCaffery and the O-Line carried the entire Falcons team into the end zone, (with pull by the O-Line, not called by the refs) and San Francisco took the lead, and the victory (20-10, SF). With contributions by many new Niners, and Mac and CMC's topflight play, (129 yards on the ground for CMC), the 49ers beat a very competitive Atlanta team which will do some damage behind Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson. This win is even more commendable in view of the absences of Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. Kudos to the O-Line as well. I'm sure CMC appreciated their grit.
Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers Game Highlights | 2025 NFL Season Week 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y4Ud54FZ4s (14:55)
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Jeopardy Category:
For $1,000 --
"Current
Unused 49ers Quarterbacks"
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Correct Question:
For The Winner --"Who is Adrian Martinez?"
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Adrian Martinez, born January 7, 2000, (exactly 200 years to the day after President Millard Fillmore), is the third-in-line quarterback for
the San Francisco 49ers behind starter Brock Purdy and his backup, Mac Jones. Jones has been solid in his backup role, but got hammered in his last appearance and is, literally, a little wobbly.
Brock? The usual disinformation from the 49ers makes any statements about his role unreliable. Plus, injuries to Jones and Purdy could force them to the sidelines at any time. A fresh 49er Saturday press release stated: "The Niners will start Mac Jones at QB against the Falcons, as Brock Purdy is out for injury recovery, playing the long game." Do the Math: Three minus Two equals One!
Enter "The Question" -- Adrian Martinez
The local angle? Martinez is from Hanford, CA. As a junior, he was the Fresno Bee football player of the year after he passed for 2,562 yards with 25 TDs and rushed for 1,462 yards and 14 touchdowns. His college career included Nebraska and Kansas State. In the UFL, he led the Birmingham Stallions in 2024, throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns in one game. He also had a history of high-volume passing and rushing yards in his five-year college career, which included setting several Nebraska records. He was signed by the Detroit Lions but waived. He signed with the 49ers practice squad this August and was elevated to the team's active roster on October 2 to solidify the QB backup situation. The Kansas State alum wears #4, is twenty-five years old, 6'2" and 220 lbs. Perhaps "The Question" will be "The Answer" if Niner QB injury woes continue.
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Contents
Games
Bay FC 1, North Carolina Courage 4
Cal Bears 21, North Carolina Tar Heels 18
Oakland Roots SC 3, New Mexico United 3
San Jose Earthquakes 2, Austin FC 1
Stanford Cardinal 20, Florida State Seminoles 13
Features & Commentary
Billy Mills, from the autograph collection of Rich Yee
California International Airshow, Rich Yee
Move Over, Babe Ruth, by Pete Elman
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
TV Sports Ads Need A Time Out, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Shohei Ohtani with one of his three home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on October 17 in Dodgers Stadium. Ohtani also pitched six innings, allowing two hits and striking out 10
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Move Over, Babe Ruth
by Pete Elman
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We live in a world that’s changing faster than a 100-mph fastball, where the old rules no longer apply. We live in a once great country where it feels like we’re in the bottom of the ninth for our democracy. But sometimes a hero can emerge, a person who can grab our attention and our hearts, at least for a little while.
This hero can take many forms, and work in disparate fields. Sometimes those are the fields of dreams. The lush, green grass of Dodger Stadium is home to one of the oldest and proudest franchises in all of sports, where many boys of summer have toiled. And this is where beautiful baseball magic happened Friday night.
Enter Shohei Ohtani, 31, a modest young man from the small city of Mizusawa on the island of Honshu, Japan, best known for its temples. He has a gift--and now he is entering the temple of the baseball gods.
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025,
in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/AP
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Friday night, against a desperate Milwaukee team facing elimination, Ohtani accomplished something unique in the long and rich history of baseball. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out ten batters. He also hit three home runs, two of them majestic tape-measure shots, and for good measure led his team to the National league pennant.
How can a fan not love this man? He is the veteran at the center of a trio of brilliant Japanese pitchers, a group that has put its imprint on the post-season. He is also the quiet leader of a Dodger team that has seven potential Hall of Famers on their team, including Dave Roberts, the oft-criticized skipper who seems to be pulling all the right strings going into the World Series.
Shohei’s stats are off the charts, but it is his calm, zen-like personality and friendly demeanor that impresses nearly as much as his wizardry on the field. Whenever he fouls a pitch off of the catcher or umpire, he immediately puts his hand out to them to make sure they’re okay.
Don’t be fooled by his gentle nature. Going into last night’s game he appeared lost at the plate. But, like all great stars, he made an adjustment. For the first time as a Dodger, he took extra batting practice before Game four. It paid off.
On the mound, after walking the leadoff batter, he struck out the side. One could sense that this might be a memorable night. Without even going into the dugout, Ohtani hurriedly adjusted his gear to bat leadoff in the bottom half of the first.
Two minutes later he sent a 79-mph slurve from Brewer lefty Jose Quintana into the night to the top of the bleachers in right, a 446-foot blast. It only registered one run, but it felt like an 8.0 earthquake. Two more runs would score in the first.
| Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball's National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 | |
In the fourth Chad Patrick, who, in an otherwise perfect four inning, left an 89-mph cutter over the plate, and Ohtani crushed it over the right field pavilion, 469 feet, causing his teammates to hold their hands over their heads in abject disbelief.
Meanwhile, for six innings, one Brewer batter after another strode hopefully to the plate, only to go back to the dugout frustrated. Ohtani was in complete control.
In the eighth inning, facing 6’8” Trevor Megill, the player they call “Showtime” delivered the coup de grace, a 427-foot homer off of a 98-mph fastball to the left centerfield bleachers, giving his team an insurmountable 5-0 lead. It was his third bomb of the evening; a curtain call for the ages.
He has been called “the greatest ballplayer of all time” by some writers. I’m inclined to agree. Last night may have sealed the deal.
“Ohtani, the Greatest Show on Earth, just had the greatest game in baseball history,” Jayson Stark, New York Times.
Some years ago, my wife and I visited Cooperstown. I spent two glorious afternoons at the Hall of Fame. And to my surprise the player who had the largest exhibit dedicated to his career was Henry Aaron, deservedly so, I thought. 15 or so years from now, five years after he retires, Shohei Ohtani may have his own wing at the Hall.
The Temple of the Gods has a new member. Make room for him.
Move over, Babe Ruth.
Pete Elman
Rockridge
Monday, October 20th
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For more Shohei Otani coverage, visit Pete Elman's collection of articles on www.ultimatesportsguide.net and click The Slider that Saved Baseball (2023). Pete is the author of Insights and Outakes,
a collection of sports essays covering Bay Area teams and sports personalities. See ordering information below.
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Cal Bears 21
North Carolina Tar Heels 18
Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Friday, October 17, 2025
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The Golden Bears hung on to win an ACC Conference game against a struggling Bill Belichick-led North Carolina Tar Heels in front of 33,000 fans. Above, making a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds, Marshawn Lynch was honored as he cruised around the stadium just before the teams took to the field. The University of California Golden Bears played host to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in an ACC Conference game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Friday evening, October 17.
Photo and text by Ron Sellers.
| Redshirt junior defensive back Cam Sidney (#20) came up with the fumbled ball after delivering a hit which caused a fumble on the first play of the game, giving the Golden Bears a short field to work with in the opening seconds. Photo and text by Ron Sellers. | |
Breaking outside and using a block set by his tight end, Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3) scampered in for a two-yard touchdown in the opening minutes of the game.
Photo and text by Ron Sellers.
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Cal wide receiver Jacob De Jesus (#21) lunged for the pylon to score on a seven-yard pass late in the first quarter.
Photo and text by Ron Sellers.
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Diving in from two yards out, Cal running back Kendrick Raphael (#1) scored in the third quarter to extend the lead.
Photo and text by Ron Sellers.
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Leaving the field with another loss, Cal held on to beat the Bill Belichick-led Tar Heels. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and text by Ron Sellers.
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Stanford Cardinal 21
Florida State Seminoles 13
Stanford Stadium, Sanford, CA
Saturday, October 18, 2025
| The Stanford football team storms onto the field for their homecoming game against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday evening, October 18. Stanford would defeat the heavily favored Seminoles, 20-13. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
Stanford redshirt freshman running back Cole Tabb (#33) rushed for 107 yards, including 18 yards to the Florida State 32-yard-line.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
| The Cardinals' tough defense allowed the Seminoles to score only 13 points and Stanford upset the heavily favored Florida State team. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Stanford senior receiver CJ Williams (#3) hauled in four receptions, including a seven-yard pass from QB Gulbranson in the second quarter for a touchdown. With the extra point, Stanford would take a 10-3 lead. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Legendary Stanford quarterback Jim Plunkett and his 1970 Stanford team were honored. Plunkett played for a number of NFL teams, including the Raiders with whom he won two Super Bowls. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | There were various recognitions during the homecoming game which included the 2025 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Team receiving their championship rings. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | | | | |
TV Sports
Ads Need
A Time Out
by Dave Newhouse
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I don’t go to games anymore. After 2,000 games, a guesstimate, I’ve seen enough kickoffs, tipoffs, pickoffs and face-offs for one lifetime. Too many club houses and locker rooms as well.
But I still watch sports on television, happily, knowing that I don’t have a deadline afterword to write about what I just saw. But I do have some encountered unhappiness: TV commercials.
First of all, too many commercials are coming at us in bunches. We could run to the market and get a six pack of beer during a time out, then return home before a commercial is finished. No, I don’t fast forward. I’m a klutz, OK?
Nonetheless, it’s frustrating forcing viewers to wade through so many television advertisements before play is resumed,
especially since most of the ads are dreadful, and repetitious too.
Is it just me, or are TV ads worse than they’ve ever been, having lost all cleverness? I’d like to onside kick them off the screen and out of my life.
That insurance guy in the three-piece suit who’s either bruising someone or getting bruised is both an eye sore and an ear sore. Why would any advertiser think this clown is entertaining? He’s just the opposite, but he’s still around.
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Then you have that guy running around with an emu, two strange birds causing mayhem, and neither of them likable. Sorry, animal lovers, but emus need a makeover after their TV debut.
And we have to watch this offensive loudmouth buffalo in somebody's face at some ribs joint, making you think, temporarily, that buffaloes indeed should be extinct.
Lately, we’ve had to endure this ghastly ad where someone is talking through the lips in his throat. This TV low point is literally sickening to watch.
Sometimes, it’s difficult in returning to watch games after sitting through advertising onslaughts that we’re actually supposed to enjoy without cringing?
Or even worrying about our personal health? Numerous drug companies advertise their products on TV sports, even though they’re projecting a huge fear in most cases.
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When I hear that taking a certain drug can cause kidney disease, bowel disorder, vomiting, serious infection, and even cancer — I’m lumping them from memory, from actual ads — I can’t imagine why anyone would buy the drug. But these same ads keep repeating, so they must be selling.
I just can’t remember so much adverse advertising submerged in sports television. Whatever happened to positive ads on the tube?
Where have the Clydesdale horses gone? Why isn’t there a new John Madden — if one can be found — busting through a large bedroom sheet to advertise a beer product? And can’t anything decent be found to emulate a limping Mean Joe Greene being given a soda by a little boy in a stadium hallway, then tossing the boy his jersey? Ah, touchdown.
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The two team mascots having a beer together in the locker room was a TV ad keeper that, unfortunately, had a short shelf life.
Coors Light TV Spot Mascot
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And, my favorite, a team mascot taking off his ram’s head in a locker room after a game, and about to open a beer. Just then, the opposing mascot, a (bird) cardinal, walks in. The ram offers a libation to the cardinal, who also removes his head piece, and they sit down together in harmony. All that in about 15 seconds, the shortest, and most effective, TV ad in memory.
Confession: I do like some current ads. I still enjoy watching that perturbed business guy go “Schwab!” And the Vince Vaughn-Owen Wilson multi-TV screen ad is well-done. They take my mind off that creepy green Gekko ad.
But there aren’t many keepers in TV sports advertising these days. I’m looking for Clydesdales, not emus. Can I change channels and find change? Or are we doomed for more mediocrity?
Save us, Mean Joe.
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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
Austin FC 1
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Saturday, October 18, 2025
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Feature your advertisement in our weekly publication -- starting at $100.
Increase the visibility for your business among thousands of Bay Area readers who trust and enjoy our content each week.
Interested? Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Our Mission:
Weavery's mission is to provide data and ai strategy advice, training, and innovative solutions to high impact humanitarian organizations. Weavery leverages artificial intelligence to enhance operations and amplify impact to serve a world in need.
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Davidson has emerged as one of the Giants top outfield prospects...
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Taking stock of the Giants’ rising farm system
by Maria 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.
The Giants got a glimpse at the future when they called up Bryce Eldrige, ranked by MLB Pipeline as their No. 1 prospect, for the final two weeks of the 2025 campaign.
Eldridge was one of six players to make their Major League debuts with San Francisco this year. The club will need its improving farm system to continue to produce impact talent in 2026 and beyond.
Here’s a look at several other Giants prospects who could be poised to make big leaps in the years to come:
Three players who put themselves on the radar this year
RHP Blade Tidwell (No. 13)
Acquired from the Mets as part of the Tyler Rogers trade, Tidwell recorded a 1.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 18 innings in four appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sacramento. The 24-year-old was on the verge of a big league callup before landing on the injured list with a shoulder issue, but he managed to return to the mound before the end of the regular season and is expected to be full go this winter.
continued...
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...A’s general manager David Forst revealed that Butler had been playing through a patellar tendon strain in his right knee...
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Updated outlooks on injured A's: Lawrence, Gelof and more
Martin Gallegos
21, 2025 · 0:1s in the 3rd inning
Among the group of players representing the Athletics in the Arizona Fall League, Max Muncy is not like the others.
While the offseason is now underway for the Athletics, a few players will be hard at work recovering from surgeries throughout the winter.
Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof and Brett Harris each underwent surgery at the end of or shortly after the season. Luis Medina, meanwhile, ended the year in the final stages of his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Here’s a look at each player’s injury outlook and expectations for next season:
RF Lawrence Butler
A few days after the season came to a close, A’s general manager David Forst revealed that Butler had been playing through a patellar tendon strain in his right knee over the final two weeks of September. After consulting with a couple of knee specialists, Butler underwent a procedure on Oct. 3 in Los Angeles to repair a partial tendon tear and debridement of chronic scar tissue. He also received a PRP injection into his left patellar tendon to address chronic tendonitis.
continued...
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Ballers,
The Sunday Championship Celebration was amazing. The day featured three major celebratory events and you showed up in a major way! It was the community-centered celebration you can only pull off in The Town and a perfect illustration of what we can do when we come together.
Further below are some pictures from the Championship Celebration. See if you can spot yourself! But first we want to tell you about two things.
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Season Tickets for 2026 are now available. Our current early pricing starts as low as $15/game for General Admission and goes up to nearly $33/game for Premium Reserved Section A. And because we’re all champs now, the perks include a replica Championship Ring.
Get your Season Tickets Now!
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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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Oakland Roots SC 3
New Mexico United 3
Isotope Park, Albuquerque, NM
Sunday, October 19, 2025
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Roots Claw Back in 3-3 Road Thriller at New Mexico United
Oakland delivered one of their gutsiest offensive performances of the season to close out their 2025 road schedule, as Roots fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw at New Mexico United on Sunday afternoon in Albuquerque.
Roots might have been eliminated from playoff contention prior to the opening kickoff, but from the way the players fired out of the gate, it looked more like a team protecting home-field advantage.
Within the first five minutes of the match, Oakland had rung the left post twice, and the offensive pressure kept coming from Roots through much of the first phase of play.
Against the run of play, however, Mukwelle Akale delivered New Mexico the first lead of the contest when a sloppy turnover from Roots near their own penalty area gave United space to work in the box, eventually leading to a gut punch goal that made it 0-1 in the 13th minute.
This lead was not to last though, as Oakland were awarded a penalty kick when Gagi Margvelashvili, who had committed the turnover leading to the New Mexico goal, worked into the box and was tripped from behind.
It was club scoring leader Peter Wilson who took his place at the spot, scoring his 16th of the season in the 16th minute to tie it up at 1-1 and draw level atop the race for the 2025 Golden Boot.
continued...
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Bay FC 1
North Carolina Courage 4
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Friday, October 17, 2025
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Hocking Scores in Return, but Bay FC Drops 4-1 Decision to Courage
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 17, 2025) – Bay FC fell 4-1 to the North Carolina Courage Friday night in its final home match of the 2025 season. North Carolina pulled ahead early with a pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes before Bay FC answered just before the halftime break, giving the club momentum into the second half. After challenging the visitors out of the break, the Courage added two more before the final whistle closed Bay’s 2025 home slate.
North Carolina jumped out to an early advantage, scoring twice in the opening moments off the boot of forward Manaka Matsukubo. A third-minute effort on an in-swinging cross was nearly stopped by goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz but slipped beneath her lunging effort to parry the ball away and crossed the line. North Carolina’s Japanese international found a brace five minutes later with a one touch finish after getting in behind.
Forward Penelope Hocking brought Bay FC within one just before the halftime break. Service by defender Alyssa Malonson on a set piece from the training ground was met by Hocking rising above the visitors backline inside the six yard box and headed through for her first goal since returning from injury.
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| California International Airshow | |
Was quite surprised to see some photos in last week’s Ultimate Sports Guide issue of planes I’ve flown and flown in as a backseat passenger during my long association with aviation. The purple
P-51D Mustang is well known among air racing fans as having won the National Unlimited Class championship at the (late, lamented) Reno Air Races in the early 1970s. Race 64, with a rendition of Snoopy Dog painted on its tail, is owned and was flown by Clay Lacy, one of the greats of civil aviation in the U.S. (Google him. I doubt if that’s him flying it in Rich Yee’s photo from the Salinas Air Show, as Clay is now 90 years old! He is believed to have logged more pilot time -- in excess of 50,000 hours -- in more aircraft types than anyone else in the world.) Clay and I became good friends over the years, and some of my aviation photos decorate the walls of his FBO at Van Nuys Airport.
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As you probably know, the P-51, built by now-defunct North American Aviation, was the U.S.’s top fighter plane during World War II. Yee’s photo following Clay’s airplane depicts what the
P-51D looked like in USAAF colors during the war. The type was flown in Korea and remained in service with Air Guard units into the early ‘50s. I flew as a photographer/passenger in Clay’s Race 64 in the late ‘70s and in another P-51 operated as an unlimited pace plane at Reno and Mojave by the famous air show pilot Bob Hoover. (With the wartime armor plate and other gear removed, there is room for a small seat behind the pilot.) Clay once said I could fly his P-51 if I logged 50 hours in the World War II-era T-6 trainer (also manufactured by NAA), but alas, I couldn’t afford the rental fees for one of the handful of T-6s still in operation.
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In Yee’s excellent collection of war bird photos is one of a Douglas C-47, the military version of the famous DC-3 airliner which made the airline industry profitable in the 1930s and 40s. When I was flying in my short commercial aviation career, I logged some right-seat time in a C-47 that had been converted to a civilian freighter. (It had been built in 1943, the same year I was born.) She was a great old girl -- and there are still a number of them working all over the world, some in northern Canada servicing Native Peoples’ communities way up in the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Yee’s photos brought a lot back to me. Thanks for that.
-- Old Pelican in Berkeley
| Veronica Burton has been named to the 2025 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team after an exceptional season on both ends of the floor. The Valkyries guard started all 44 games and anchored a defense that led the league in opponent points per game and shooting percentage. Her consistency and defensive IQ set the tone for Golden State all season long. | |
Billy Mills -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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While I was stationed at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Japan, I had a chance to meet with several former Olympic athletes who were touring overseas military bases. One of the athletes was Billy Mills, who won the gold medal in the 10K race in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He signed this photo for all those who showed up at the meet-and-greet which shows him running in the race he won.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 154: The NCAA's Unenforceable NIL Disclosure Rule Is A Paper Tiger That Threatens College Sports
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
The NCAA's newly implemented rule requiring prospective student-athletes to disclose all noninstitutional NIL contracts valued at $600 or more represents a fundamentally flawed attempt to regulate the "Wild West" of college athlete recruitment. While the rule aims to curb the purchasing of high school talent through NIL arrangements, its practical enforcement would create a cascade of legal challenges and competitive chaos that renders it effectively toothless. This is a reality that both schools and governing bodies are beginning to acknowledge behind closed doors.
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Under NCAA Bylaw 22.2.2.5, prospective student-athletes must report all noninstitutional NIL deals worth $600 or more, with the reporting period beginning as early as a high school prospect's junior year. Failure to comply carries the severe consequence of ineligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics.
On paper, this creates transparency and accountability. In practice, according to sources familiar with recent discussions between SEC officials and College Sports Commission (CSC) leaders, the rule has created an existential dilemma. One SEC school reportedly posed a stark question to CSC officials: Does the organization actually intend to enforce this rule? The school's concern was hardly academic. Enforcement would likely render its entire incoming freshman football class ineligible due to anticipated non-reporting.
This isn't mere speculation or exaggeration. Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek recently voiced what many administrators privately acknowledge, which is that the current NIL landscape has created compliance nightmares that existing rules cannot adequately address. When a Power Five school fears losing its entire recruiting class to a disclosure technicality, we've moved beyond regulatory oversight into absurdist territory.
The fundamental problem with this rule is what we might call the "nuclear option paradox." The penalty for non-compliance is so severe that widespread enforcement would be catastrophic, not just for individual programs but for entire conferences and the NCAA itself. Imagine the fallout if the NCAA declared dozens of blue-chip recruits ineligible weeks before the season. Television contracts, sponsorship agreements, bowl game selections, and competitive balance would all hang in the balance.
continued...
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Shortlisted for
2025 International Historic Motoring Awards
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is proud to announce that the 2025 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion has been named as a finalist for the Motorsport Event of the Year at the 2025 International Historic Motoring Awards!
The International Historic Motoring Awards, the most prestigious accolades in the world of classic and historic motoring, celebrate excellence, innovation, and dedication across the historic motoring community. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion was recognized as one of the most prestigious historic motorsport gatherings in the world for its unparalleled scope, significance and unforgettable experience.
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on November 14, 2025 at The Peninsula, London.
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Cal Completes Comeback, Draws
At No. 7 FSU
Bears Score 2 Late Goals To Earn Result
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the second time in as many weeks, the California women's soccer team came back from down a pair of goals to tie a top-10 program. The Golden Bears scored two goals in the final 16 minutes to draw with Florida State on Sunday at the Seminoles Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, Florida.
"To come back from two goals down against a team of this quality shows the resiliency of our group," Cal head coach Neil McGuire said. "They are fearless in their approach to the game and its just really cool to watch."
continued...
Photo: Anhtuan Hong
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Ganne Claims Intercollegiate Championship
Stanford is on pace to set a new course record this weekend
STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Intercollegiate, hosted by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, is one of the most special tournaments of the NCAA season. Golfing for a cause and raising over $160,000 (and counting) is, of course, the highlight of the weekend, but so too is the quality of golf. That was on full display Sunday as Stanford rolled to a 2025 Stanford Intercollegiate win and Megha Ganne won the individual championship.
Stanford cruised ahead of the field and never looked back, finishing with an 817 (-35), 19 strokes better than second-place No. 4 Oregon. Stanford’s 817 is the new women’s team record at Stanford Golf Course, shattering the previous mark that the Cardinal did twice in 2022 (824). It is the third-best team score in program history, trailing only the 50-under scores Stanford recorded at the 2022 Gunrock Invitational and 2023 NCAA Pullman Regional.
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Photo: John Lozano / ISI Photos
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Spartans Earn Result Against #RV Grand Canyon on the Road
PHOENIX - Center back Javier Lopez scored his first career goal to lead the San José State men’s soccer team (8-3-3, 1-2-1 WAC) in a 1-1 draw against #RV Grand Canyon (8-3-2, 2-1-1 WAC) Saturday night from GCU Stadium.
The Lopes took a 1–0 lead in the 33rd minute. However San José State controlled much of the match, finishing with 61% possession, a 13–10 edge in total shots, and a 5–1 advantage in corner kicks.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Gaels Open Preseason Slate with Gritty Showdown in the Desert
TUCSON, Ariz. — Saint Mary's Hoops fans were treated to their first look at the 2025-26 Gaels in their first of two exhibitions this Saturday, in Tucson, Arizona. This exhibition certainly was not against a slouch of an opponent either, as the Gaels got a glimpse at an Arizona Wildcat team that is coming off of their third Sweet 16 in the last four years, and brought in the 2nd rated recruiting class in the country. The Gaels left Tucson with exactly what they were looking for, a benchmark of where the Gaels will start in 2025-26, and where they need to improve to compete and be a second weekend NCAA Tournament Team.
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Photo: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
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USF Mourns Loss of Athletic Director Larry Williams
Dear USF Community,
I am saddened to inform you that USF Athletic Director Larry Williams passed away this morning while working out at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center on campus. He was 62.
Our prayers go out to Larry's wife, Laura, their children, Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis, their families, and his grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers also go to the university's 250 student-athletes and all of the coaches and staff under Larry's skillful watch.
Larry was named USF athletic director on Aug. 31, 2022. At the time, he said, "USF represents to me the almost perfect combination of things I cherish. No. 1, it's the Catholic identity. No. 2, it's the deep educational mission. And No. 3, it's athletic participation in an environment that very specifically includes 1 and 2. At this point in my career, there's almost a vocational element to what I do here at USF." This is precisely how Larry approached his role throughout his tenure.
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Photo:University of San Francisco
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Broncos Sweep Pacific to Move Over .500 in WCC Play
STOCKTON, Calif. - Santa Clara women's volleyball swept the Pacific Tigers Saturday for their fourth conference victory of the season at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The Broncos almost lost a late lead in the first set, but were able to hold on and never looked back, comfortably winning sets two and three. Cate Shanahan led the Broncos with 13 kills, her 12th game of the season in double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
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A kill by Cate Shanahan gave the Broncos a commanding 13-8 lead to open set one, and later 21-14 after a kill from Morgan Hayes. Another kill from Shanahan made it 24-18, but Pacific scored six straight points to tie the game at 24. A Tigers service error and a kill by Layla Truitt gave the Broncos set one, 27-25.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | | |
Tigers Eye Team Title Defense at Saint Mary’s Invitational
SEASIDE, Calif. – The Pacific men's golf program seeks back-to-back team titles at a Saint Mary's-hosted tournament, taking part in the 2025 Saint Mary's Invitational at Bayonet Golf Course from Monday to Wednesday.
The Tigers enter the competition following a historic sweep of the top three individual finishers in the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational during Homecoming Weekend, marking the first time that has happened in program history. This week, Pacific looks to defend its team title from the Leadership and Golf Collegiate Championship last season.
In the latest SCOREBOARD rankings from last Wednesday, the Tigers stands among the top 50 at No. 46, which is second among the participating West Coast Conference schools behind only No. 14 Pepperdine.
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Aggies Continue Conference Play at Home; Head to Stanford
DAVIS, Calif. — After going 2-0 in Southern California last weekend, UC Davis men's water polo returns home for its second conference game against UC Irvine on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m. PT. The team will then head to the Bay for a rematch against #4 Stanford on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m. PT.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW
Oct. 17 — vs. Cal State Fullerton | Watch Live | Live Stats | @ucdavismwp (X/Instagram)
Oct. 19 — at #4 Stanford | Watch Live | Live Stats | @ucdavismwp (X/Instagram)
GAME NOTES
- Last Time Out: The Aggies are 8-9 on the season. In the teams Big West opener in Irvine on Friday, they beat the Anteaters 15-12. Against Biola the next day, they scored a season-high 21 goals to secure back-to-back wins.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Zarate’s Brace Helps Pioneers Knock Off No. 15 Cal State LA
ALAMEDA, Calif. —Alejandro Zarate scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner as the Cal State East Bay men's soccer team earned a statement 3–2 victory over No. 15 Cal State LA. The victory was the first in program history over the Golden Eagles and improved the Pioneers to 4-4-3 overall and 2-1-2 in CCAA play.
East Bay wasted no time setting the tone. In the 4th minute, Zarate opened the scoring by connecting on a strike from outside of the box that curved inside the far post.
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, October 20, through
Sunday, October 26, 2025
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Monday, October 20
Tuesday, October 21
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ New York Islanders, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22
Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 23
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ New York Rangers, 4 p.m.
Friday, October 24
Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz, 7 @ p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ New Jersey Devils, 4 p.m.
Cal Bears @ Virginia Tech Hokies, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 25
Oakland Roots SC vs. Lexington SC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 26
San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans, 10 a.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 6 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Minnesota Wild, 3 p.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)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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