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August 4 -- August 10, 2025
Issue No. 601
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Kruk and Kuip
call Mike Yastrzemski's
Catch of the Year!
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That kind of defense gets you traded! The G-Men prefer botched infield-fly-rule plays or throws to the wrong base by a pitcher to allow a run in the 10th inning.
But Yaz, an actual professional ball player, clutch hitter and soul of the team? With that catch, he hit his maximum trade value.
Regardless, thanks for all your contributions to the San Francisco Giants, Yaz! You're a Pro!
San Francisco now welcomes 21-year-old minor league RHP Yunior Marte of the Kansas City Royals, ranked as their No. 20 overall
prospect and who has a 2.74 ERA in 82 innings of work this season for Kansas City's Single-A affiliate, Columbia Fireflies.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=yastrzemski+catch
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
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Contents
Games
Bay FC 2, Houston Dash 2
Oakland Ballers 10, Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers 6
Features & Commentary
G-Men Trades, by Robert Moselle
Goodbye Mason, by Pete Elman
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Heidi Klum, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
"It ain't over 'til it's over," by Bruce Macgowan
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Pro Wrestling, Other Sports Seem Similar, by Dave Newhouse
This Isn't About Kuminga, by Howard Pearlstein
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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"It ain't over
'til it's
over"
by Bruce Macgowan
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What a zany 2025 season it's been for the schizoid San Francisco Giants.
They displayed so much promise in spring training and kept it going for the first 11 weeks of the season. In mid-June the Giants had a 40-28 record and the memories of three straight previous years of mediocre, boring baseball seemed to have dissipated.
On June 12th they were in Denver, trying to finish off a three-game sweep of the worst team in baseball, the Colorado Rockies. But then?
Like a sudden, virulent case of COVID, the dreaded "June Swoon" hit. Murphy's Law went into to effect.
On that fateful afternoon in Mile High City, the Giants went into the ninth inning with a two-run lead. In a rare appearance as a closer, young All-Star reliever Randy Rodriguez came out of the bullpen to close the door. But the youngster, who had one of the lowest ERAs in baseball, gave up a two out, two run single to an obscure Rockies' infielder named Orlando Arcia and the Rockies pranced off the field in a rare celebration after winning, 8-7.
That stunning heartbreaker might have been the catalyst to the dreadful fiasco that followed; a disastrous plunge that saw San Francisco lose 27 of its next 41 games.
They stunningly fell off the cliff, unable to recover. And this was after Buster Posey surprised everyone by swinging a deal to bring aboard heralded Boston slugger Rafael Devers.
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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray reacts after an inning-ending double play against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Oracle Park on Saturday, July 26.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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After that eye-opening trade, virtually everyone started talking about the Giants strong playoff chances, and some baseball "experts" even quietly suggested that San Francisco might have a shot of overtaking the struggling defending World Series champion Dodgers.
But it was not to be. The bats went into the deep freeze. Normally reliable pitchers coughed up late leads. Shocked fans watched a disheartening three straight losses to the lowly Marlins at home. And finally a couple of weeks later, a winless six game homestand left virtually everyone shaking their heads in dismay. Worse yet, five of those six losses could have been easily been wins over the Mets and Pirates.
Giants chief front office boss Larry Baer and some of the Giants players still expressed optimism for a turnaround, but their words seemed hollow.
Yet after Posey shipped out three veteran players to the Mets, Yanks and Royals, bringing in a collective package of eight young players, almost all of them prospects, some of the smoke from the fire sale began to clear.
Now seemingly playing loose and easy, San Francisco took two of three from the NL East-leading Mets who had the best home record in the National League.
Devers temporarily snapped out of his slump with a three run HR and 4 RBIs in this past Sunday's win. Rookie lefty Carson Whisenhunt pitched effectively into the sixth inning to pick up his first big league win. The Giants headed into Pittsburgh to try and exact some revenge from the Pirates, who like the Giants were sellers just before last week's trading deadline hit.
My friend, longtime sportscaster Ted Robinson said to me in a recent conversation that clubs such as the Giants, who are seemingly out of the playoff chase, usually play more relaxed because now there's not much pressure to win.
"These can be dangerous teams" he said.
At the moment, the Giants still have the core of their club intact, even after trading veteran relievers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers, as well as fan favorite Mike Yastrzemski. They still have All Star pitchers Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, and their promising new closer Rodriguez. This past Friday the young righty pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning to nail down a thrilling win. The victory also snapped a six-game losing skid.
Posey shook up the team but some of the "kids" he brought in will get a chance to audition for next season.
While the Giants' chances of gaining a wild card berth are pretty thin, don't discount what vet Dom Smith said in a recent postgame interview: “We're not finished, so watch out!"
Hope springs eternal!
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Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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G-MEN TRADES:
So Many Trades, So Little Time.
First Impressions
By Robert Moselle, Esq.
Buster Posey made the first big news of the trade-deadline season when he lured Rafael Devers away from Boston on June 15.
Though hailed by some as a triumphant moment, unfortunately the Giants own the majors’ worst record since Devers’ arrival, 13-24, and have scored the fewest runs, 134! As was previously opined by a Sports Today regular letter writer, Kristen LaRue, "Devers is a Bum." Was she right? To quote our second President, John Adams, "Facts are stubborn things." Devers declined Will Clark's advice about how to play first base and might have helped his on-field performance but pride got in the way.
In the just concluded trade of veteran Mike Yastrzemski, after his spectacular catch, the G-Men received 21-year-old minor league RHP Yunior Marte of the Kansas City Royals. The G-Men also traded a closer who promised greatness: Camilo Doval. The Giants received four prospects in the exchange: catcher/infielder Jesús Rodríguez, infielder Parks Harber, right-handed pitcher Trystan Vrieling, and left-handed pitcher Carlos De La Rosa. Doval was an All-Star in 2023, posted a 3.09 ERA in 47 appearances this season and won’t be a free agent until 2028. Doval's ability to throw 100 mph and often be unhittable makes this another questionable move, although it's likely Doval's not upset. He's on his way to Yankee stadium!
These deals came one day after the Giants traded away a reliable and unique fan favorite, relief ace Tyler Rogers. This makes the National League West a two-team race between the Dodgers and Padres, with the Diamondbacks and Giants having thrown in the proverbial towel. Never say never, but it will be a tough climb back to contention.
To Buster Posey, the president of baseball operations, "We thought we knew you." And since we do, fans will give you every benefit even remotely possible to turn the G-Men's fortunes around. Here's a helpful hint: Call Will Clark! "The Thrill" is a true San Francisco Giant and will help if asked. Maybe even with some bonus tips on how to hit.
Devers struck out four (4) times in the Giants' first game vs. the Mets on Friday. World Bowling Champion Jason Belmonte, (Belmo), wishes he could strike as often as Devers.
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
Marketing Director, Ultimate Sports Guide
| | Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, 71, died July 24 in Florida of a heart attack, according to a medical examiner’s report | | | | |
Pro Wrestling,
Other Sports
Seem Similar
by Dave Newhouse
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Hulkamania is in mourning. The Hulkster just lost his biggest match. Hulk Hogan, may he rest in peace.
Hogan, once the face of professional wrestling, died July 24 of a heart attack, according to a medical examiner’s report released last week.
Hogan was 71, a giant of a man at 6-foot-7, 302 pounds. But even though physically imposing, he previously had leukemia and an irregular heart rhythm. Thus his final body slam, but this time his own body.
He was born Terry Gene Bollea, a drifter in the world of identity until steered into a wrestling ring, where his immense stature soon created success along with controversy.
For in 1994, he admitted using anabolic steroids since 1976, perhaps a precursor to the heart issues that pinned him for good. He died 90 minutes after medics came to his Clearwater, Florida home to answer a morning call about cardiac arrest.
Controversy dogged Hogan, who ushered in the 1980s pro wrestling boom and would be a World Wrestling Foundation (WWF) champion a record-tying seven times, which is fact grappling with fiction in the minds of skeptics. In 2012, a media company, Gawker, published portions of a sex tape in which Hogan was heard using racial slurs.
| | Hogan’s bulging biceps, he admitted in 1994, were the result of taking anabolic steroids since 1976 | | |
But with his blond, balding menace, including a mustache that wrapped around his loud mouth, he grew even larger as a personality despite his bad press. He appeared in “Rocky III”, and later on stage at the last Republican National Convention to support Donald Trump’s bid for a second presidency. The Hulkster had clout. Got that, brother?
But for those who question the legitimacy of pro wrestling, you might want to take a look at the rest of the sports world to see what’s on the level and what is concocted, and then decide if there is a similarity.
For instance, if a Major League Baseball game is tied after nine innings, the 10th inning begins with a runner placed on second base without having earned that right. This utterly ridiculous move continues every half-inning until the game is decided.
This isn’t Slo-Pitch Softball where you might expect such foolishness, but MLB uniforms also suggest a softball-like identity, with different colored top and bottom uniform matchings.
On the college scene, sports conferences are breaking up and re-arranging at an alarming rate, resulting in a carnival atmosphere.
The amateur phrase "student-athlete” no longer is applicable, because college athletes now are being paid as “student-professionals,” placing reality in a headlock.
And try getting a game on television, where obscure pay-to-watch sports channels make being a fan even more expensive.
Sports boundaries are being re-defined non-stop, and seem as unpredictable as Hulk Hogan getting Andre The Giant in a head lock.
A head lock, yes, but no choke hold as yet in the sports universe, although breathing for survival has been gravely affected.
Correct, Hulkster? Right, brother.
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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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Mason Miller versus the Toronto Blue Jays on July 13, 2025.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
Mason Miller strikes out the side in 9th
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Goodbye Mason
by Pete Elman
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Goodbye Mason, it's been nice
Hope you find your paradise
Couldn’t see their point of view
Hope your dreams all come true
Goodbye Oakland, goodbye team
Will we ever be redeemed
Filled with sorrow, filled with pain
Come tomorrow, all over again.
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With apologies--and thanks--to the great 80’s British band Supertramp and their beautiful song Goodbye Stranger, I woke up Friday morning with that catchy chorus in my head—and a broken heart.
I heard the news about Mason Miller’s departure Thursday morning from my buddy Albert at the gym. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I let out a four-letter expletive that would have made Lenny Bruce proud. I felt like I did when I was 15, and my favorite player, Washington Senator outfielder Jim King, got traded.
This one hurt, more than Olsen and Chapman, more than Cespedes and Giambi. I’d have to go back to 1984 when the A‘s traded Rickey to the Yankees for a comparison. Just when the team is getting good and the future looks bright, history repeats itself. The inevitable sell off happens; and it’s back to square one—rebuild.
I guess it was inevitable, given the history. Even though Miller had four more years left on his contract, GM David Forst, under a standing order from owner John Fisher, decided that he had to go. We can’t wait until he gets too expensive.
This one especially hurts. I love everything about Mason Miller; his blistering fastball, his dancing slider, his steely demeanor on the mound, his gentle humility and quiet confidence, and his number, 19; I was born on the 19th and wore number 19. I think he is the best closer in the game. But not good enough for the A’s, who
dealt him to the Padres for four prospects. Sound familiar?
This year he has had 38 appearances, converting 20 of 23 save chances. The only reason his ERA is 3.76 and not 1.16 is three bad outings back in May and June, when he gave up a walk-off grand slam, a three-run homer and a few walks. He has struck out 59 batters in 38 innings, has had the most pitches over 100 mph, and
lately has been touching 104 regularly.
Miller grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, was homeschooled, and played college ball at Waynesburg for four years until he graduated. He then played for Gardner-Webb as a fifth year grad student. When he was 20 he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
But through a strict regimen of nutrition and exercise, young Mason licked this serious disease and was able to pursue his true love, pitching.
“That was the goal (making the big leagues),” Miller said. “I love this game. I got a second chance and I wanted to make the most of this opportunity.” And he did.
He was drafted by the A’s in 2021, and in 2023, after just one start in Double A, the A’s promoted him to Triple A, where, again, after just one start, he was called up to the show. An elbow injury that May derailed his rookie season, and, in an effort to protect his health, the A's made him a reliever the next season.
Last year Miller was virtually unhittable; his strikeouts were for the highlight reel. He was named an all-star, and on September 26, 2024, he became the last A’s pitcher to throw a pitch at the Coliseum in a major league game. I was there. And now Mason Miller is gone.
Fisher will never change. He, Rob Manfred and Bud Selig before him have demonstrated their abject disdain for the city of Oakland, the team, the players, and the fans. But baseball is a resilient and emotional game, one that conjures up
generational feelings that cannot be quantified--or destroyed by those bums.
I am an A’s lifer who has loved the team since their inception in 1968, and for me Mason Miller is up there with Dennis Eckersley. They are both guys who had to overcome serious hardships to become outstanding closers. Eck is in the Hall of Fame. Time will tell about Mason.
He will turn 27 this month. This is a young man who when on the road goes out of his way to meet with diabetic children, kids who are thrilled to meet a ballplayer who has gone through what they are dealing with.
I will continue to root for Mason Miller, whomever he plays for. And I will continue to root for the A’s, wherever they play. And when I cheer for the green and gold, I will proudly say, once more with feeling, "Let’s Go Oakland."
Pete Elman
Rockridge
August 4, 2025
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Pete Elman is the author of an outstanding new book, Insights and Outakes, a collection of sports essays covering Bay Area teams and sports personalities. For more information, see below.
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Thank you for reading!
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San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers sits in the dugout before the game against the New York Mets at
Oracle Park. Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Devers' moonshot sparks Giants' decisive series victory over Mets
by Maria Guardado
NEW YORK -- The Giants hoped their blockbuster trade for Rafael Devers would make a statement and put them in a prime position to make a serious playoff push in the second half.
But Devers’ arrival didn’t provide the immediate spark San Francisco was looking for. The Giants entered Sunday only 14-25 since the three-time All-Star debuted with the club on June 17, a stunning tailspin that ultimately prompted the club to pivot to selling at the Trade Deadline.
The Giants now face an uphill battle to climb back into the National League Wild Card race, but they aren’t writing themselves off yet, especially if they continue to get the type of production from Devers that they saw on Sunday afternoon.
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Athletics Shea Langeliers versus the New York Yankees on
May 11, 2025. Photo by Darren Yamashita
| Langeliers one HR away from joining Raleigh in elite Company | |
Martín Gallegos
WEST SACRAMENTO -- You may not have noticed it due to the historic nature of Nick Kurtz’s recent stretch, but Shea Langeliers is swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball over the past couple of weeks.
Langeliers has been on a tear since returning from the All-Star break on July 18, slashing .407/.438/.864 in 15 games. His 1.302 OPS in that time ranks second behind Kurtz, whose remarkable 1.603 mark was boosted on the strength of his six-hit, four-homer game last week in Houston.
Together, Langeliers and Kurtz have formed quite the dynamic duo in the middle of the Athletics lineup. Both collected a pair of hits on Saturday night and keyed a rally in the third inning, when Kurtz’s single was followed up by a double from Langeliers two batters later to set up a two-run double by Tyler Soderstrom that put the A’s ahead by a run in an eventual 7-2 loss to the D-backs at Sutter Health Park.
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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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Leehey Launches Pair of Homers, Ballers Win Fourth Straight
Oakland Wins Series with Final Game Tomorrow
By Nevada Cullen
MARYSVILLE, Calif. -- Nick Leehey left the yard twice in Oakland's 10-6 win against the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers on Saturday. With their fourth consecutive victory, the Ballers clinched a road series win over their rivals.
Christian Almanza broke the franchise single-season record for runs batted in, picking up his 72nd RBI with a check-swing single in the third. He broke a tie with Noah Martinez and Dondrei Hubbard, who each collected 71 RBI last year.
In Leehey's third plate appearance of the evening, he popped out to right field (or so I thought). Instead, the ball carried over the right-field wall for a two-out, two-run big fly to extend Oakland's advantage to 6-1 in the fourth.
Then in the seventh, Leehey led off the inning with his second opposite-field dinger of the contest. Leehey has a pair of multi-homer games this season, his first being a three-homer game on the road against the Rocky Mountain Vibes.
Gabe Tanner got the start on the mound for the Ballers and improved to 5-0 this season. He navigated traffic throughout his five innings of work, stranding 10 High Wheelers in that span.
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If you enjoy our free publication,
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would be appreciated.
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Bay FC 2
Houston Dash 2
PayPal Field, San Jose, CA
Saturday, August 2, 2025
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Bay FC 2, Houston Dash 2
SAN JOSE, Calif. (August 2, 2025) — Bay FC and Houston Dash played to an eventful 2-2 draw Saturday night at PayPal Park as the NWSL returned from its summer break. After Bay FC took a 1-0 advantage into halftime, an action-packed second half saw the two squads trade goals. Houston equalized with 20 minutes to go before midfielder Taylor Huff netted her first career goal in the 74th minute, putting Bay FC back ahead. Houston tied things up in the 88th minute, and the scoreline held to send both clubs home with a point.
“A lot of positives to take from this game because I thought our attack was fluid, the movement off the ball, the balance was outstanding,” said Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “I think we could have scored four or five goals in this game, so it’s a tough one. We’re at home in front of our fans so we would have loved to take all three points, but overall, a lot of positives to take from this game.”
Bay FC took control of the match early on, nearly finding the net before two minutes passed. In the 12th minute, Bay forward Racheal Kundananji got out on the break then slowed by the recovering Houston backline chipped a cross toward the back post. Forward Penelope Hocking met the ball and sent a left-footed effort towards goal, but missed the target by inches as it rolled just wide.
Hocking made no mistake on her next opportunity, putting Bay FC ahead in the 16th minute. Another breakaway attempt by Kundananji resulted in service to Hocking, who calmly slotted it through with a one touch finish. The score marked her fifth on the season, her second in consecutive regular season matches and her fourth in all competitions, including two Summer Series friendlies, since June 21
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This Isn’t About Kuminga....
by Howard Pearlstein
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It’s about a young athlete caught in a system that has no respect for him.
Let me start with the obvious. His initial contract is ending and he is being offered an extension, even though it seems that would only be for trade, meaning if he leaves we have to get someone really good in return. The offer for the new contract is two years for $45 million dollars.).
If he/they can’t agree on an extension, he defaults to “Restricted Free Agency” for 2025 (82 games, $7.9 Million). And then, if he’s still able to walk and play, he can sign up with any team that will have him.
The Problem: “Free” isn’t free if it’s “Restricted.”
If Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation with the provision: “All slaves are free… except…”
This isn’t about Kuminga. It’s about greed and power, team-owners maintaining the Plantation System. That has nothing to do with race. Plantation Systems have been everywhere around the world and through history all of them with the workers’ situation something between slave and indentured servant.
They’ve been called serfs in Europe, fellaheen in Egypt, campesinos in Latin America, kisan in India, krestyane in Russia, zhongguo nongmin in China.
And we know what they’ve been called in America.
Call them whatever. A slave by any other name is still someone’s property. It all comes down to the same thing. “We own everything, including you.”
And having been a loyal Warriors fan since 1956, the fact that they’re doing it too bothers me.
Which is why I was so pleased last year to see that the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association made a radical change to their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
They brought the rules in line with international FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
This was critical since we’ve seen so many NWSL players from other countries, and continuing to play for them intermittently in major competitions. They eliminated the Draft (and Future Expansion Drafts), as well as the Odious Discovery Rule which allowed teams to claim negotiation rights to players who had not registered for the draft, going after them without going through the formal process.
Also, all NWSL contracts are guaranteed, and especially relevant to Kuminga’s dilemma, when the contract ends, every player becomes an unrestricted free agent.
One more thing is also relevant to the current situation: all trades require the approval of the player involved.
When I bring this up some people say: “Oh, yeah well, that’s women,” or say: “Yeah that’s soccer but our game is different and…”
And yes, it is different, but not about soccer or basketball or American football. It’s about respect. The Owner having the decency to give the player the respect one human owes to another human being. (And if that’s a concept too difficult for an owner to understands, it’s a person who’s earned a lot of money for that Owner.)
And now, something about Kuminga.
I was watching a game a while back, shortly after he returned from injury. And it was a dance – he was obviously driving toward the basket, and everyone on defense knew it, but instead, the ball went through three assists, quick passes involving Steph and Podziemski and back to Kuminga who jumpshot for a basket.
And when he came down and…
Kuminga had a smile on his face that lit up Chase Center. Totally delighted by the dance. And every one of the Dubs saw the smile and matched it. And I thought:
Win more games with this campaign: “Make Kuminga smile some more!”
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Someone once told me that my peripatetic life-path reads like the dust jacket of an experimental novel. He didn't realize that it is that novel, still being written.
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
Baseball is truly a stat fest for those
who love stats...
Some stats are truly unbelievable. There are some things that have only been done once. I was going to ask which player hit 5 home runs in a game but decided against it knowing, it would upset some folk.
Something I did find out is NOBODY has ever gone
8-for-8 in a MLB game, but two have gone 7-for 7.
Name one of the two or be a genius and name both.
(Hint: The first was in 1892 and then duplicated in 1975. I was paying attention to baseball in '75 watching the Boston Red Sox in their 1975 pennant drive and don't remember reading about the event.)
Answer below...
| Heidi Klum -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | | |
Super model Heidi Klum may not be an athlete but she did appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition in 1999.
The year this photo was published, the models went on tour to promote the magazine. I was in San Francisco when she visited. She was very nice and signed several pages
of the magazine for me.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
| | Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 143: Cash Now or Hold Out? Navigating Offers to Buy House v. NCAA Settlement Claims | | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
Over the past month, a growing number of former athletes and advisors have reached out to me with documents proposing to buy athletes' potential claims under the House v. NCAA settlement. These agreements, often from third-party entities such as investment firms, offer upfront cash in exchange for the assignment of rights to future settlement distributions. On the surface, it may seem like a quick win, especially given the ongoing appeals that could delay payments for years or, in a worst-case scenario, derail them altogether. But these deals could mean selling short on what might ultimately be a much larger payout, and there are several red flags worth considering before signing on the dotted line.
There are positives to these transactions.
The House settlement, approved earlier this year, promises significant backpay for athletes who competed in Division I sports from 2016 onward—potentially totaling billions across the class. However, with multiple appeals filed, including challenges to the settlement's structure and fairness, there's real uncertainty. Payments might not materialize until 2026 or later, and if appeals succeed, some athletes could end up with nothing. In that light, these claim-purchase offers provide immediate liquidity, which could be a lifeline for athletes facing financial pressures post-college or needing funds now for investments, family obligations, or even launching their own ventures. Some buyers are willing to assume the risk of non-payment, offering a lump sum that's calculated based on factors like an athlete's sport, conference, and eligibility years—often in the range of a few thousand dollars, depending on the individual.
That said, these agreements raise several concerns that athletes and their representatives should weigh carefully. First, the valuation: these buyers are typically offering a fraction—sometimes as low as 10-20%—of what an athlete's share might be if the settlement fully distributes. Athletes might be locking in a lowball figure without realizing the upside potential if appeals are resolved favorably and distributions ramp up over time.
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NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson Honored on Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame
SONOMA, Calif. (July 13, 2025) – Sonoma Raceway proud announces the induction of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson into its Wall of Fame today, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the sport and his achievements at the historic 1.99-mile road course.
Johnson, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, recorded one victory (2010) and nine top-10 finishes in 18 career starts at Sonoma Raceway. His 2010 victory in wine country was the one and only road course victory of his illustrious career.
“We are honored to celebrate Jimmie Johnson’s incredible legacy by inducting him into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Sonoma Raceway. “Jimmie’s accomplishments, both at our track and across his storied career, embody the spirit of excellence that defines this sport. As a California native, his impact resonates deeply with our fans and community.”
The El Cajon native was honored with a permanent placement on the Wall of Fame at Sonoma Raceway.
“What an honor,” said Jimmie Johnson, Legacy Motor Club Team Co-owner. “I have this forever up in Sonoma Raceway history. Thank you so much for this amazing surprise.”
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REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2025 ROLEX
BIG BOAT SERIES
Event to Host 2025 ORC Pacific Coast Championship &
2026 ORC North American Championship
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Registration fees for the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club from September 10–14, 2025, will increase by $275 after July 31, 2025. The can’t-miss regatta on the West Coast sailing calendar, Rolex Big Boat Series draws skippers and sailors from across the country eager to compete on the legendary waters of San Francisco Bay.
Registration for the 2025 RBBS is open now and dozens of boats have already committed. The following are invited to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series:
- One-design boats of the J/88, J/105, Cape 31 and Express 37 classes. Other classes with a minimum of six boats can be considered with application to the Organizing Authority.
- ORC Monohulls with a LOA ≥ 30 feet. Boats with an APH of 500 or lower are required to have an ORC International certificate. Boats with an APH higher than 500 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
- Classic boats built prior to 1955 with a LOA ≥ 48 feet and a current ORRez rating certificate.
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Twice there have been games where players went
7-for-7. The first was Wilbert Robinson of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1892. The other was
Pittsburgh Pirate Rennie Stennett in 1975.
"Stennett is one of two players to collect seven hits in a nine inning game, which he did in a 22–0 victory over
the Chicago Cubs in 1975." ~Wikipedia
This link will take you to a bunch of stuff that
HAS NOT happened in MLB to date, one of which is
5 home runs in a game...
Go Redsox
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Bears Send Contingent To U20
World Championships
Cal Women’s Water Polo Program Well-Represented At Tournament
Five California women's water polo student-athletes and head coach Coralie Simmons have been selected to participate at the 2025 U20 World Championships next month in Salvador, Brazil.
Junior Julia Bonaguidi (United States) and sophomores Eszter Varro (Hungary) and Holly Dunn (New Zealand) will represent their respective countries after also doing so at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships earlier this month in Singapore. Sophomore Rosalie Hassett (USA) and freshman Despoina Drakotou (Greece) are also scheduled to play while Simmons will serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. team.
continued...
Photo: Catharyn Hayne / KLC fotos
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Three Tabbed Preseason All-ACC
Card picked third by conference coaches
STANFORD, Calif. – In its second ACC season, Stanford was picked to finish third in the conference standings by the league’s coaches and placed three on the Preseason All-ACC Team.
Opposite Jordyn Harvey and outside hitters Ipar Kurt and Elia Rubin were named to the 18-player Preseason All-ACC Team. It is the second preseason all-conference selection for Rubin, while Harvey and Kurt are being recognized for the first time.
As a team, Stanford picked up two first-place votes and totaled 264 points to finish second behind Pitt, which was picked to win the ACC with 10 first-place votes (279 points) and Louisville (271), which collected the remaining six first-place votes.
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SJSU's Pollard Named to 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
DALLAS - San José State linebacker Jordan Pollard has been named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on Tuesday. The honor recognizes the nation's top defensive player and marks a significant milestone for Pollard and the Spartan football program.
Pollard becomes the first Spartan to appear on the prestigious watch list since Viliami “Junior” Fehoko in 2022, continuing a tradition of defensive excellence at SJSU.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Lamorinda Weekly Chronicles Randy Bennett’s Coaching Career Now Heading Into 25th Season
MORAGA, Calif. — Going into his 25th season as the head coach of the Saint Mary's Men's Basketball team, it's easy to see how the plaudits keep coming Randy Bennett's way. Since taking over a team that had gone 2-29 in 2000, Saint Mary's has appeared in 11 NCAA tournaments and seven NIT tournaments. After going 9-20 and 15-15 in his first two seasons, Saint Mary's has had a winning record each of the next 22 seasons for a combined record of 562 and 222 with a winning percentage of 71.78 which ranks 48th among all Division 1 coaches in history.
Bennett's story began in Mesa, Arizona, where his father Tom, an Indiana native, became a legend in the area coaching high school basketball and then becoming the head coach at Mesa C.C. where he finished with nineteen consecutive winning seasons and 442 victories. Combined with the wins from the high school teams he coached, he finished with 771 victories, and has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame in Indiana and Arizona.
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Women's Golf Releases 2025-26 Schedule
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's golf team and Head Coach Sara Doell have announced the schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
"We have set a solid schedule for the fall, travelling to four different states," Doell said. "With five underclassmen and only three upperclassmen on our roster, I think we have a chance to focus on the process this year. Our vision is to keep things simple, focus on the fundamentals, to have fun, and represent the program with pride."
Following a successful 2024 season, San Francisco claimed five top-five team finishes, highlighted by a first-place finish at The Clash at Boulder Creek. Five members from last season's roster return for the upcoming campaign, including Eva Pett, who posted her first-ever individual title at The Clash of Boulder Creek while leading the green and gold to a near wire-to-wire first-place team finish.
continued...
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Men's Golf Trio Named Cobalt All-America Scholars
NORMAN, Okla. - Santa Clara men's golfers Alvaro Muller, J.P. Odland and Calder Overfelt are three of the 556 NCAA D1 golfers honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America as 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars. The award is handed out annually for student-athlete's work both on the pitch and in the classroom.
To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their associate's degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50 percent of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Men’s Basketball Releases Non-Conference Schedule
STOCKTON, Calif. – Featuring five home games at the Alex G. Spanos Center, the Pacific men's basketball program announced its 2025-26 non-conference schedule.
The Tigers open the season Wednesday, Nov. 5 at home against Life Pacific. The two teams met last year on a neutral court in Hawaii with Pacific walking away with a 94-41 win.
The Tigers will also host games against Long Beach State, Sacramento State, Simpson University and Nicholls State.
Single game tickets will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 2. Season tickets can be renewed prior to the July 31 deadline or a deposit can be placed to have a member of the Pacific Athletics staff reach out to secure a new package. Visit www.pacifictigers.com/tickets for all of the latest information.
The road slate includes games at Nevada, Cal State Fullerton, Florida Atlantic, Air Force, Cal and BYU. The Florida Atlantic trip is part of the Sunshine Slam where the Tigers will also play two neutral site games in Daytona Beach against Stony Brook and either Bethune-Cookman or Jacksonville.
continued...
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Rex Connors Lands On Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List For Second Straight Season
DAVIS, Calif. – For the second-straight year Rex Connors has been named among the best preseason defenders in the nation after being named to the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List.
The UC Davis football senior defensive back was named to the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List and is again among the 30-best defenders as named by STATS Perform's preseason award watch lists. Connors becomes one of three from the Big Sky Conference to be named to the list.
The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. The honor was first given in 1995 after the Walter Payton Award was designated solely for offensive players.
continued...
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Women’s Soccer Standout Mika Sayfurahman Named USL W NorCal Division Player of the Year
Sayfurahman also named to USL W All-League First Team
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL W announced several awards for its 2025 season this week. Mika Sayfurahman, from Cal State East Bay women's soccer, has added to her collection as a Pioneer with a pair of honors as a member of Stockton Cargo SC, a member club in the USL W NorCal Division. For her outstanding 2025 season with Stockton, Sayfurahman was named USL W NorCal Division Player of the Year and All-League First Team.
Sayfurahman was a top goal scorer for Stockton with six goals in her 14 matches played for the Cargo, as the club clinched the NorCal Division title after an unbeaten regular season record of 10-0-2. Sayfurahman added five assists in her 1,180 minutes on the pitch with Stockton Cargo SC.
continued...
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
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San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
2025/26 Schedules
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, August 4, through
Sunday, August 10, 2025
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Monday, August 4
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Tuesday, August 5
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Washington Nationals, 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, August 6
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 9:35 a.m.
Athletics @ Washington Nationals, 3:45 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces, 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 7
Athletics @ Washington Nationals, 9:05 a.m.
Friday, August 8
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 7:15 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 4:05 p.m.
Saturday, August 9
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 4:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 7 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 10
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 10:35 a.m.
Bay FC @ Chicago Stars FC, 11 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)
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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