Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 129

Giants, Athletics start new version of ‘Bay Bridge Series’ minus Oakland touch

SAN FRANCISCO – Familiar aspects of the Bay Bridge Series filtered around Oracle Park as the Athletics came Friday night to renew their rivalry with the Giants.

But any good baseball tale can be tainted by an asterisk, which in this case is the fact “Oakland” is no longer associated with the A’s, who are summering in West Sacramento until their Las Vegas ballpark is supposed to open in three years.

“In terms of it not being the Bay Bridge Series, there’s still obviously — if you want to use the word ‘rivarly’ — a lot of excitement that surrounds this series, for sure,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said in the visitors’ dugout before first pitch of the three-game series.

A smattering of A’s fans showed in green-and-gold jerseys and old championship jackets. For those loyalists from the East Bay, this still is a closer commute than hauling up I-80 to Sutter Health Park, where the average attendance has been 10,166 in the 14,014-seat park that’s doubling as home of the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, the River Cats.

One visible addition to the “rivalry” was a banner that hung from the right-center stands, with the area codes of 415 (in orange, for San Francisco) and 510 (in yellow, for Oakland) connected by a heart. Unmentioned: Sacramento’s 916 area code.

Before Friday’s gates opened, a few cross-bay reunions occurred between A’s and Giants, such as in batting practice when Seth Brown greeted Matt Chapman while, in the announcers’ gaggle, Dennis Eckersley chatted up Mike Krukow.

Earlier, Kotsay paid a visit to Giants counterpart and long-time friend Bob Melvin. “He was in my office today. Look, it is what it is. They built good facilities for them. It’s been well attended. It’s a little different where they’re playing. He’s more concerned about how his team’s played and their personnel. But he has embraced it. He’s got no choice.”

Added Kotsay: “The rivalry, I mean, it’s been fun to be a part of. Having Bob on the other side is not necessarily a rivalry. I look at him as a mentor, as a friend. Do I want to win? Yes. Does he want to win? Absolutely.”

The A’s are bunking at a San Francisco hotel, though they flew into Oakland after getting smashed 19-2 in Thursday night’s series-ending loss against the host Los Angeles Dodgers.

Entering Friday’s opener, the A’s (22-22) and Giants (25-19) were looking like potential playoff teams, and although they’re not conjuring comparisons to their 1989 World Series matchup that the A’s won, general manager David Forst acknowledged it’s “absolutely a goal” for the A’s to compete in the wild-card race.

“Not to say that wasn’t there desire the last few years, but let’s be realistic, we weren’t in a position to do that every night,” Forst said. “This is a better team, a more talented team.”

The A’s have lost 2-of-3 in their past three series, against the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees and at the Dodgers. By the way, the A’s lead the Giants 72-76 in the all-time series.

Forst said it’s too early to talk playoffs, to “check back in June.” From July 4-6, by the way, they’ll host the Giants.

Could Oracle Park have to pinch-hit as the A’s home if their former Bay Area neighbors make the playoffs and need a neutral site? Is Sutter Health Park out of the question for postseason play?

“That has not been declared,” Forst said. “I know there have been conversation about that. You’d have to talk to Mr. Manfred (commissioner Rob Manfred) about that. We’re like layers of hypotheticals here. That’s not something I can answer.”

Instead, in the A’s pregame notes, they did note this was far from the first time they did not have “Oakland” on their jerseys facing San Francisco teams. The Philadelphia A’s played exhibitions against the Seals and Oaks in 1942, including a game at San Quentin before officially debuting in Oakland.Related Articles Flores hits three homers as SF Giants rout A’s in return to Bay Area SF Giants’ Fitzgerald returns to lineup from left rib fracture Bay Area Sports HoF: Montgomery reflects on success, calls on Stanford, Cal to ‘figure out what it takes’ in NIL Oakland fan groups aren’t flocking to see Athletics play SF Giants this weekend New SF Giants-A’s rivalry will have familiar feel, but it’ll never be the same as the Bay Bridge Series

Shortstop Jacob Wilson may have played only 13 games in Oakland when he broke into the majors last season, but returning to the Bay Area still resonated with him before his Oracle Park debut Friday night.

“That’s where I debuted. That’s where I got to play the last month of the season. So it is definitely a different feeling for me, for sure,” Wilson said. “There are veteran guys here that had a lot more time (in Oakland) than me, but it definitely feels special for them to be back here.

“Hopefully we get a lot of the old fans that come back and drive over the bridge to come see us play,” Wilson added. “I’ll just come out and enjoy it.”

SF Giants’ Fitzgerald returns to lineup from left rib fracture

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants announced ahead of their first game against the team formerly known as the Oakland A’s that they’ve reinstated second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald from the 10-day injured list.

In a corresponding move, the team has optioned infielder Brett Wisely to Triple-A Sacramento. Fitzgerald is slated to hit ninth and start at second base on Friday.

“Very lucky to have this in the past and hopefully just move on from this and get going again,” said Fitzgerald, who has a .284 batting average with two homers and five steals this season. “It wasn’t too long. Could’ve been worse.”

Fitzgerald suffered a left rib fracture on April 25 against the Texas Rangers after he dove for a ball, describing the play as “really awkward” and saying he felt like he landed on the ball. He took the rest of the series off against the Rangers and played through the injury during the Giants’ two-game set against the Padres — losing his two torpedo bats in the process.

Following the sweep, the Giants placed him on the injured list. Shortly after being placed on the injured list, Fitzgerald described the injury as it “kind of feels like you’re getting stabbed on every little movement.”

“When I played through it, I could barely swing,” Fitzgerald said on Friday. “I don’t feel it right now. 100 percent different. San Diego was tough to even play through it. Not feeling it since Monday is really encouraging. Didn’t feel it at all in (Sacramento).”

In three games with Sacramento, Fitzgerald went 3-for-10 with three RBIs. Fitzgerald said he usually takes a while to get his swing back, but Fitzgerald said he felt “pretty on time” during his little time with the River Cats.

Fitzgerald had a .546 OPS in his first 10 games to begin the season, but beginning with a two-hit game against the New York Yankees, he posted a .920 OPS in the 15 games before heading to the injured list. In Philadelphia, Fitzgerald recorded a pair of three-hit games, finishing a single shy of the cycle in one.

“It’s nice to get him back,” said manager Bob Melvin. “(Christian) Koss did a great job in the interim. Hopefully we have a couple more coming (off the injured list) this month too, but it’s good to get Fitzy back.”

With Fitzgerald back from the injured list, infielder Casey Schmitt (left oblique strain) and infielder/outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (left hand fracture) are next in line to return from the injured list. Encarnacion and Schmitt began their rehab assignments with Triple-A Sacramento on May 10 and May 13, respectively.

Neither Encarnacion or Schmitt has played much since beginning their rehab assignments. Encarnacion, who was in the Giants’ clubhouse on Friday, has only played two games while Schmitt has only played one. Encarnacion, who will primarily play first base upon returning, is currently on the 60-day injured list and eligible to return on May 26.

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“He felt a little soreness swinging, which I’m not sure it’s completely out of the norm,” Melvin said of Encarnacion. “He tells me he’s fine. Doctors wanted to see him here. Hopefully he’s playing in the next day or so. We still have some time.”

Said Fitzgerald of Schmitt: “He’s been looking good. The oblique is a little more serious than my rib injury. He’ll have to take it a little bit slower than me, but hopefully after this weekend — I don’t know, I’m not a doctor but hopefully he’ll be back here pretty soon.”

Matos scratched

Luis Matos was scratched less than an hour prior to first pitch due to right shoulder discomfort. Matos was slated to bat sixth and start as the team’s designated hitter.

Over 20 games this season, Matos has a slash line of .167/.219/.350 with three homers and four RBIs.

College State track: Black, Blanco earn All-American status for Hartnell

SAN MATEO — Basketball season consumed the first eight weeks of Dominayah Black’s spring in track and field.

Having not set foot on a track since graduating from North Salinas in 2023, the triple jump was not on the Hartnell College jumper’s agenda upon her return to the sport.

“My coach introduced me to it five weeks ago,” Black said. “I remember I wasn’t comfortable with rhythm and phases. But I love the sport.”

Looking back on that conversation, Black can only smile as the freshman is an All-American in the triple jump after placing fourth at the 3A2A State track and field championships at College of San Mateo.

“It might be something I need to focus on more than just five weeks,” the 5-foot-9 Black said.

Black, who played in 22 games this past season for the playoff-bound Panthers basketball team, sailed a career best 35-feet-8 on her fourth attempt to vault her into a podium finish for the Panthers.

“My adrenaline was racing through my body,” Black said. “I was nowhere near the board on my first three attempts. I was trying to stay focused and keep my nerves down. I wish I had one more jump. I was so hyped.”

The only running event on Friday witnessed Panthers distance ace Jesse Blanco earn All-American honors, finishing fourth in the 10,000-meter run with a career best 31:53.82.

“Today was just to race to win,” Blanco said. “I knew it would be very fast and tactical. One of my goals was to be an All-American, which I’m really proud off.”

Blanco, who was last at the state meet two years ago as a freshman in the event, came back after a one-year absence from the sport as a different runner.

“One of the things I learned was that the work you put in during the summer and fall matters to this point,” Blanco said. “And peaking at the right time. Two years ago, I wasn’t in the right shape.”

Blanco, a Salinas High graduate and an All-American in cross country this past fall after finishing sixth in the state for Hartnell, went out with the leaders for the first half of the race.

“We were a pack,” Blanco said. “I was just waiting for the wheels to spin faster. People started to break away around the four-mile mark — 6,500 meters. I was in no man’s land, running by myself. It’s not where I wanted to be.”

Nerves were oozing through the veins of Ariel Ferrell, who cleared 11-1 1/4 in the pole vault to place fifth for Monterey Peninsula College.

“I was super nervous,” Ferrell said. “Once I made my first attempt, it helped with my nerves. I said “I made a bar’. Now I can focus on the next bar.”

Having rewritten the MPC school record in the pole vault four times this past spring, Ferrell cleared 11-1 1/4 on her first attempt to vault her into medal contention.

“I really wanted a personal record today,” said Ferrell, whose school record mark at MPC is 11-5 3/4.

That will be on hold until next spring as Ferrell went out at 11-7 3/4 — ultimately the winning height.

“On my last attempt, I kind of blew through and came off the pole,” Ferrell said. “I had too much speed and power. The pole didn’t release. I didn’t get to spring up.”

Ferrell, who prepped at Santa Cruz High, believes 12-feet is within reach once she fine-tunes her mechanics and puts her approach and lift towards the sky together at once.

“I want to do some clinics over the summer and pick other coaches’ brains, get whatever help I can,” Ferrell said. “I will look at my nutrition, get a little stronger — just get better.”

Teammate Katie Buller, who doubles as a volleyball player for the Lobos, finished 10th overall at 9-2.

Taylan Flower just missed producing a point for Hartnell in the triple jump, as the Salinas graduate finished ninth with a jump of 34-4, while Armando Amaro failed to get a mark in the hammer throw.

The remainder of the running and field events will be held on Saturday at San Mateo at 11 a.m.

Trades, free agency and Kuminga: Nothing is off the table for Warriors GM Dunleavy

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy did not rule out any possibilities Friday afternoon at Chase Center when assessing how his team will approach the offseason. 

With the star-studded but aging core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler locked in for next season but all age 35 or older, the executive acknowledged that time is not on the Warriors’ side after the team was bounced in the second round of the playoffs. 

He said he would not hesitate to maneuver for another big name, if the price is right, in pursuit of a fifth title under coach Steve Kerr since 2015. That may not be simple, though, considering the team has limited cap space to work with.

We’re good giving up whatever it takes,”  Dunleavy, who completed his second year as GM, said. “It just depends how good we think that will make our team.”

Though Dunleavy did not mention any particular players by name, Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has signaled he may be open to a trade. 

Dunleavey noted that the NBA’s financial rules impose stiff penalties for spending over the expected $154 million salary cap limit and that management will need to take those rules into account, but also made a point to emphasize that owner Joe Lacob is far from a penny pincher. 

“I think we’ve seen with Joe and this ownership group, there’s an unbelievable willingness to win at all cost,” Dunleavy said.

He later added that the Warriors are not OK with “mortgaging the future” in a way that will leave the team vulnerable down the road. 

“I don’t want to get caught in a situation where we give up a ton, put all our chips in, and then 10 games into the season we have a catastrophic injury, there’s nowhere to go, and then we’re stuck for four or five years,” Dunleavy said. 

One of the most crucial decisions the team will make involves the polarizing Jonathan Kuminga, who is set to enter restricted free agency. 

The 22-year-old forward flashed rare scoring ability and athleticism the team desperately needed during swaths of the regular season and against Minnesota in the postseason, but also struggled to find his way into the rotation after the Jimmy Butler trade and a severe ankle injury. 

Do the Warriors want him back?

“I think it’s something we’re very interested in doing because, when I look at the things JK does well, in terms of getting to the rim, finishing, getting fouled, these are things we greatly need,” Dunleavy said. “We know he can bring those to the table. It’s not hypothetical.”

Aside from Kuminga, both Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II are set to be unrestricted free agents. Looney just completed his 10th season with the team, and Payton II has been an integral contributor for years. 

“I told them yesterday we’d love to have them back, and we’ve got to figure that out,” Dunleavy said. 

Both Dunleavy and Kerr, who also spoke Friday, stressed the importance of finding a way to move Green back to playing power forward and out of the full-time starting center spot. 

Being able to score is a top priority for whoever takes on that role. 

“We need, with the way Draymond and Jimmy can create and generally play near the rim, having somebody that they can finish near the rim or make a shot,” Dunleavy said. 

He expressed confidence in Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, who solidified themselves as solid starters after the trade, but both struggled with consistency in the postseason.

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It’s unusual for a young player to come into the playoffs and just run through seamlessly,” Dunleavy said. “I love the experience that both those guys had overall. I think they learned some things, and next time around they’ll be better.”

While he praised the young players, Dunleavy was unambiguous about where priorities lay for the team. 

After years of a two-timeline philosophy to develop a young core while competing with an older group, Dunleavy said that winning next year is all the team cares about. He would like to have players who can help the team after the Curry era, but that is secondary to the immediate future. 

“With the guys that we have, our focus is mostly 90 percent on next season,” Dunleavy said. “How do we make this group better?”

“If we have to get a bunch of 33-year-olds or 35-year-olds that we think can really help us win a championship … we will do that, cost permitting.”

NCAA DII Baseball West Regionals: Otters fall to top seed Westmont

SANTA BARBARA — It’s not an unfamiliar position for Cal State Monterey Bay. Just one, it would prefer not to be in.

The Otters will need to win two games on Saturday to keep their season alive after falling 8-1 Friday to top seed and host Westmont in the NCAA Division II West Regionals in Santa Barbara.

“My confidence hasn’t wavered,” CSUMB baseball coach Walt White said. “We talked about self-esteem after the game. Let’s just go out and play one good game and go from there.”

White only needs to reflect back to last spring when CSUMB fell in the second game of the West Regionals to San Francisco State, only to bounce back and post a pair of wins, erupting for 27 runs in the two games.

The outburst last spring came after being held to two runs in the loss. For just the second time this season, the Otters were held to a single run or less — the last time coming on Feb. 27 in a 6-0 loss to Cal Poly, Pomona.

“We’ve been in this position before,” White said. “Last year we needed to win two games to get out of this round. This past spring we had to win our conference just to make sure we put ourselves in a position to even be here. We’re battle tested.”

Westmont, which won the Pac West championship and is 43-12 overall, came into the game ranked No. 12 in the nation in Division II — just its second year at this level, having won the NAIA College World Series in 2023.

Owners of four consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association conference titles — the first time that has been achieved in 52 years, the Otters were 8-1 in their last nine games — averaging 8.6 runs a game.

“After the first inning, I actually thought we were going to get to the pitcher,” White said. “But he showed his experience. He’s pitched a lot of innings for Westmont. He had his sinker working when he needed it.”

White was referring to right-hander Bryan Peck, who tossed five shutout innings before surrendering a run in the sixth, improving to 8-1 on the season for the Warriors.

Peck was working on a shutout before CCAA conference Most Valuable Player KW Quilici sent a ball to the opposite field for a solo homer in the sixth inning to get CSUMB to within three at the time.

“We just couldn’t get that one big hit when we had runners on,” White said. “We hit into three double plays. The buzz kill came when Dom (Felice) hit a shot that went off the glove of an infielder and right to the shortstop for an inning-ending double play.”

At the time, Westmont was up 4-1 in the fifth inning.

“If that gets through, it’s possibly a different game,” said White, whose squad is 37-17 and ranked No. 19 in the nation in Division II.

Hitting in the No. 3 slot, the left-handed hitting Quilici shares the team lead in homers with Max Farfan with 12, raising his average to .393 after a three-hit effort, extending his hitting streak to six games.

Reliever Dylan Gardner and his 96 mph fastball kept the Otters in the game with 3.2 innings of shutout relief, striking out the side in the sixth inning before being touched for three runs in the eighth inning.

“What Dylan did for us is save our bullpen,” White said. “We’ll have everyone available for us on Saturday.”

The last time the two teams played each other was in 2012 during White’s second season, when CSUMB took two of three in non-conference play.

49ers set to add veteran kicker to compete with Moody

The 49ers are expected to sign kicker Greg Joseph to compete with Jake Moody in training camp, according to Joseph’s agent, Brett Tessler.

The team has not announced any deal.

Joseph, 30, kicked for the Giants, Commanders and Jets last season, making 16 of 20 field-goal attempts and all 11 extra points. He was previously the Vikings’ starter from 2021-23 after stops in Cleveland and Tennessee.

For his career, the former Florida Atlantic kicker has made 82.3% of his field goal attempts and 90.8% of his extra points.

Moody has been the target of fan ire over his two seasons with the 49ers after being picked in the third round of the 2023 draft as a former Lou Groza Award winner as the best kicker in college football.

His first big miss was a 41-yarder as time expired in Cleveland during October of his rookie year, sending the 49ers to a loss.

He made game-winning kicks in two playoff games after the 2023 season, but only after he missed kicks earlier in the game. He missed an extra point in Super Bowl LVIII that ultimately helped send the game to overtime, but he also nailed a 53-yarder to give the 49ers a late lead before Kansas City tied it at the end of regulation.

Moody was also on the receiving end of Deebo Samuel’s frustration during a November game against Tampa Bay last season. He had missed three field goals, but after Samuel took a swipe at him on the sideline, he made a walk-off winner.

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He finished last season on a cold streak, missing four of six field-goal attempts over the final three games, though all four misses were from 40-plus yards.

Moody has made 45-of-59 field goals in his career (76.3 percent) and 92 of 94 extra points.

Kurtenbach: Brock Purdy’s new contract should make everyone — the 49ers, fans, and especially the QB — happy

The 49ers have spent the last few months trying to put their house in order.

There was the roster purge, a fundamental restructuring of the coaching staff and power structure, and a draft that attempted to straddle the line between the present and the future.

But the most important order of a business-filled Spring was finished Friday.

According to multiple reputable reports, Brock Purdy and the Niners agreed to a new five-year contract worth a team-record $265 million. Reportedly, $181 million will be guaranteed.

The process of signing Purdy might have been prolonged by outsiders’ standards, but by all accounts, public and private, it was an amicable and straightforward negotiation that never threatened to encroach on training camp.

Turns out the negotiation didn’t even come close to the Niners’ off-season training programs, which start after Memorial Day.

What a nice guy Purdy is.

Then again, who amongst us wouldn’t be happy to sign on the dotted line for that much money? Purdy will go from making less than $1 million for the team’s 2023 season to receiving nearly $3 million per game on his new deal.

Contrary to the chorus of attention-starved national media folks yelling “overpaid” and a litany of other “experts” who can break down egg prices and NFL quarterback contracts, Purdy left money on the table in this deal.

Purdy could have driven a hard bargain like Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins did in their contract negotiations by using the franchise tag not as something to be avoided but to be embraced. Both players came in above market rate for their services because they stayed in the negotiation game for years, and the NFL never has enough quality (notice how I didn’t say “elite”) quarterbacks to go around. A basic understanding of markets would tell you that demand outpaces supply, prices go up. Desperation makes it go up even more.

And the 49ers were desperate. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch do not get another starting quarterback — not after they tried replacing Jimmy Garoppolo for Trey Lance. (It only cost them three first-round picks.)

If not for Purdy, both men would be out of a job right now.

And yet here was Purdy, who only made the Niners wait a matter of weeks to sign a contract that, on the surface, puts him firmly in the middle of the pack of paid quarterbacks.

On a per-year average, Purdy will make less than Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence on this new deal. He’ll make roughly as much as Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff.

All of those quarterbacks — and probably Purdy, too — are in the “are they actually that good?” camp.

As such, their annual cost is that high because the teams that signed those quarterbacks put trap doors in their contracts. The Packers, Dolphins, and Lions have no guaranteed money on their quarterbacks’ deals after the 2026 season. Lawrence’s guaranteed Jacksonville money ends after 2027. The Jags won’t have to worry about converting that deal to pounds, as they won’t move to London by then.

Of course, none of Purdy’s peers in this class of quarterback have played in a Super Bowl, much less put their team in a position to win it. If this was strictly about the dollars, he really could have pushed it. Instead, he took the fair deal.

I’m guessing that the 49ers will have three years of guaranteed money on this Purdy deal, giving them the flexibility to drop him after the 2027 or 2028 deal.

As a point of reference, players like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts make “less” per year because their contracts are effectively career-long deals built to be restructured and extended, not cut, after three or four years.

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And while we’re on the subject of guaranteed money: a deal like this is a big reason you sell six percent of an NFL team like Niners owner Jed York did this week. That deal puts more than $500 million in cash, now in hand, at no interest (which, if you’ve seen recent rates, is a favorable proposition). A nice, nine-figure chunk of it will immediately go into an escrow account for Purdy’s contract, of which 80 percent of the guaranteed money must be put away upon signing.

Exactly how much needs to be put away for Purdy’s new deal isn’t yet public knowledge. And ultimately, the devil is in the details with contracts like these (particularly when we’re talking about the Niners and their contractual booby trap setter, Paraag Marathe). Fully guaranteed money, option years are, void years — this is all stuff for us (and the accountants) to dive into soon.

Alas, without those details (I’m working it!), we’re forced to stick to the headlines.

But this is the real headline:

The 49ers have their quarterback signed. It was a no-fuss, no-muss negotiation that, frankly, resulted in a team-friendly deal.

The Niners’ house is now in order. The No. 1 order of business has been handled.

Now they can get back to the truly difficult thing: working to win football games.

 

Oakland fan groups aren’t flocking to see Athletics play SF Giants this weekend

SAN FRANCISCO — The tears that flooded the Coliseum last Sept. 26 have given way to grim resignation as the Athletics return to the Bay Area without a city officially attached to their nickname.

The A’s begin a three-game series against the Giants Friday night at Oracle Park but it will lack the fervor of the final game in Oakland before 46,889 fans against the Texas Rangers.

That’s what some of the main protagonists from the 2024 A’s drama believe. There will be a smattering of green “Sell” T-shirts and “Oakland” gear. Maybe a “Sell the team” chant will spring up.

But it won’t be like it was on Sept. 26, when the late Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart threw out the first pitch, Barry Zito sang the national anthem and manager Mark Kotsay addressed a nostalgic and emotional crowd after a 3-2 win over the Rangers. It concluded 57 years of baseball at the Coliseum.

Will MacNeil, otherwise known as “Right Field Will” to the fan base and even players and coaches, will be there even if his heart is not in it. The 45th game of the A’s season will be his first in attendance.

“I got a free ticket,” MacNeil said this week. “It’s the deepest I’ve gone into a season without going to see them play since elementary school.”

The protest efforts organized largely by independent support groups such as Last Dive Bar and the Oakland 68’s won’t be replicated.

“I’m not planning on going to any A’s games anytime soon,” said Anson Casanares of the 68s. “I honestly didn’t know they were playing the Giants this weekend. I haven’t heard (about) any of my friends attending. Everyone is detached from the team since they left Oakland.”

Jorge Leon of the 68s compared it to a breakup with a girlfriend at an Oakland Fans Fest in early March.

“You don’t want me? I’ll move on,” Leon said.

And now, with the A’s actually returning to the Bay Area against the Giants?

“We will not be going to any of those games as the 68’s or personally,” Leon said. “No protests from our side. We support Oakland teams and the A’s are no longer here.”

Like the 68’s, Last Dive Bar is giving its support to the Pioneer League’s Oakland Ballers, who open their season next Tuesday, May 20, at Raimondi Park, as well as the Oakland Roots (men) and Soul (women) pro soccer teams, which play at the Coliseum.

Bryan Johansen, right, founder of A’s fan group Last Dive Bar, sells merchandise during a boycott opening day block party in the parking lot before their MLB opening day game against the Cleveland Guardians at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Bryan Johansen, owner of Last Dive Bar, still dutifully posts whatever snark he can find regarding reviled owner John Fisher about the A’s minor league setup on the LDB website. He’s going Friday, but like MacNeil, it will be with a free ticket. He believes the A’s departure impacted the fans of the team and is a black eye for the sport as a whole.

“After what Major League Baseball allowed the move to happen, and with what the A’s themselves did and how they treated fans, employees and players on their way out, a lot of people are just detached from MLB as a whole,” Johansen said. “If something organically were to happen — I could see a ‘Let’s Go Oakland’ chant — I’d like to see that. That’d be pretty cool. I think Giants fans are angry too. They were stripped of a nostalgic matchup for the Bay Area. They’re deprived as well.”

Last Dive Bar is associated with the Stockton Ports, an Athletics Single-A team. MacNeil is a part-time stadium P.A. announcer for the Ports and other independent league teams in the area. He can’t give up the sport he loves even though the team he loves has left town, although he fears his feelings for the A’s will recede over time.

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay, center, and his team aknowledges fans after the A’s played the last home game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The Oakland Athletics won 3-2 against the Texas Rangers. The A’s will move to Sacramento next season. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

He’s been to Sutter Health Park, the A’s temporary home in West Sacramento, but to see the Giants’ Triple-A team, the River Cats, to get his baseball fix without giving Fisher any of his personal income. He’ll go on occasional road trips to see the A’s, with Kansas City up next.

As much as he detests Fisher, MacNeil can’t totally break away because he has formed personal relationships not only with fans, but players and coaches. The A’s are 22-21 entering their game Thursday night at Dodger Stadium and more competitive than the recent Oakland teams, which lost 307 games from 2022 through 2024.

MacNeil has a whole catalogue of selfies taken with players who have bonded with him in Oakland and at road games.

“Trust me, it’s weird,” MacNeil said. “I hate it because I’m proud of the players. I love watching what Jacob Wilson is doing and seeing Nick Kurtz in the big leagues. It’s just so unfortunate they’re doing it in a different city and in a minor league park. A part of me thinks I should stay home Friday, but I want to hopefully see some of the guys like Lawrence Butler before the game.”

It has been duly noted that the Athletics, for all their improvement, are 7-14 at the new “home”, where they plan to play three seasons before relocating to Las Vegas. Rumors of a string of sellouts have given way to an average attendance of 10,166 with a capacity of 14,014. That’s ahead of only the Tampa Bay Rays, who are also playing in a minor league park while their home is undergoing repairs from hurricane damage. It’s also behind the 11,528 they averaged last season at the Coliseum, the league’s lowest in 2024.

“It’s just crazy, look at the A’s home and road numbers and it speaks to the situation they were placed in by John Fisher,” Johansen said.

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But at least Fisher achieved his goal of seeing Aaron Judge hit home runs in an “intimate” setting.

“We’re excited to be here for the next three years playing in this beautiful ballpark,” Fisher said at Sutter Health Park last April when the A’s officially announced their intentions. “But also being able to watch some of the greatest players in baseball, whether they be Athletics players or Aaron Judge and others launch home runs out of this very intimate, the most intimate ballpark in all of Major League Baseball for the next three years.”

Judge hit two home runs, two doubles and drove in five runs in a three-game series in West Sacramento last weekend.

“John Fisher is probably elated,” MacNeil said. “He got made fun of on SportsCenter for that quote.”

A’s fans will take their small victories any way they can.

FileAthletics owner John Fisher speaks at a press conference on April 4 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Horoscopes May 16, 2025: Janet Jackson, preparation is a lifeline to success

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Megan Fox, 39; Tori Spelling, 52; Janet Jackson, 59; Pierce Brosnan, 72.

Happy Birthday: Follow through. Stop talking and start turning your ideas into a reality. Educate yourself in areas that can help you speed up plans and put you in charge of whatever unfolds this year. Preparation is your lifeline to success. Leave no stone unturned or question unanswered. When in doubt, poke around, and you’ll gain insight into what’s possible and unique ways to reach your destination of choice. Your numbers are 3, 17, 24, 31, 38, 42, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take time out to pamper yourself. A mounting emotional situation will result from false information. Don’t let anger set in when honest communication and understanding will encourage a peaceful outcome. Taking the road less traveled will prove beneficial when it comes to earning a living, helping a cause or managing money. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Communicate, get together with old friends or learn something new and exciting. Distance yourself from those trying to manipulate or guilt you into something you don’t need or want. Turn a negative into a positive by channeling your energy into physical accomplishments instead of wasting time arguing. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep an open mind, gather information and discuss matters that can clear up misunderstandings. A clear vision of what’s possible and how your energy and hard work can help you reach your goal is essential if you want to get ahead. A change at home or visiting a place or person who inspires you will encourage new beginnings. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take care of your health, wealth and emotional well-being. Get together with people with insight into something you want to pursue. Volunteer your skills, time or cash to a cause that concerns you, but do so for the right reasons. Shared expenses or joint ventures will lead to disagreements. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a moment to revamp your plans. Set aside what you need to reach your goal without depending on others for help. The less intervention, the better. Concentrate on lowering stress through fitness and setting self-improvement goals that encourage a healthier, wiser and happier you. Be a leader, not a follower. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Spend more time learning, adjusting and pursuing what matters to you and less time trying to convince others to pitch in and help. It’s up to you to implement change if you aren’t happy with your current situation. Short trips, reunions and steering clear of arguments and no-win situations are in your favor. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll be pulled in different directions when dealing with affairs of the heart. Go where you feel most comfortable, and you’ll be able to clear your mind and focus on the people, places and things that bring you joy. Opportunity knocks; don’t waffle, but dive in and take advantage of whatever comes your way. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Dig in, participate, finish what you start and dodge anyone trying to take advantage of you or start an argument. Look at the facts and put your emotions aside. Offer clear-cut intentions, including what you have to offer and what you expect in return. Honesty is the best policy. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Spruce up your surroundings. Comfort and convenience will ease stress and encourage you to put yourself first. An opportunity to act on behalf of someone or something you believe in will lead to partnerships that help you enhance your lifestyle and prospects. Love and romance are on the rise. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be honest with yourself and verify the information you receive from others. Truth matters and will help you maintain your reputation and push you in a direction that impacts your domestic situation favorably. Be bold and participate in events and activities that make you happy. Don’t waste energy on anger; improve your living space. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be kind to yourself and those you deal with today. Lend a helping hand and accept the same in return. A positive attitude will help keep the peace and ward off those trying to interfere. Choose to declutter your life and rebuild with quality, not quantity, in mind. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Handle work and money carefully. Refuse to let anyone put you in a vulnerable position. Do your best, and finish what you start. There is no room for error or letting someone bait you into a discussion that can cost you your job or cause financial loss. Choose security over ego and stubbornness. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are insightful, thorough and defensive. You are possessive and unpredictable.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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CCS DII volleyball playoffs: Monterey falls to Harbor in semifinals

SANTA CRUZ — Rebuilding the foundation at Monterey started with players walking into the gym having never touched a volleyball before.

“We had some lean years,” Monterey coach Dave Swartz said. “Guys that walk in the door are athletes that have never tried it, but want to play volleyball. We have athletes on campus. We encourage them to bring friends.”

Yet, as rewarding as a third straight trip to the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals was for the Toreadores, it also left them feeling numb Thursday.

The Gabilan Division champions attempt at playing for a section title for the first time since 1999 fell a match short as Monterey was beaten 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 25-12 to No. 2 seed Harbor.

“Harbor is athletic and big and brought it,” Swartz said. “Give them some credit. We got some bad matchups and they adjusted well to us.”

The Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League runner-up Pirates (28-4) will be playing for their first section title when they face top seed Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco on Saturday at Harker High in Sunnyvale.

Harbor only setbacks all season were two matches to SCCAL champion Santa Cruz and to two teams outside the CCS. It went 6-0 this spring against teams from the Pacific Coast Athletic League.

The Toreadores, whose 24 wins were the third most in school history, played the match without their leading hitter, who suffered a shoulder injury in Monday’s playoff win over Pioneer.

“We felt having Dustin (LeMaster) would have evened the playing field,” Swartz said. “That team is pretty smart and exposed our weaknesses. We played with a lot of heart through injury and illness. It wasn’t for a lack of will.”

Over the last three years, the Toreadores have won 20 or more matches, improving in the win column each season, capturing their second straight Gabilan Division title.

The Toreadores opened the playoffs with a pair of four-set wins over Pioneer and Carmel in a span of 48 hours, earning a rematch with Harbor, whom they fell to in five sets in a preseason match on March 6.

“Harbor has improved a lot,” Swartz said. “But so have we. Sometimes at this time of the year, it boils down to nutrition.”

Rather than dwell on the season-ending defeat, Swartz preferred to talk about the third set, where Monterey was staring at a 19-12 deficit.

“We just said one point at a time,” Swartz said. “We’ve been here before.”

Behind the defense of PW Swartz and Andres Espinoza and the hitting of Ryan Gallagher, Monterey battled back, outscoring Harbor 13-4 to keep its season alive.

“I’m super proud of them for believing in themselves and each other,” Swartz said. “We felt we had some momentum.”

With their season in the balance and staring at a 24-18 deficit in the fourth set, the Toreadores ran off three straight points before the Pirates got the final point.

Gallagher, who is just a sophomore, finished with 11 kills for Monterey, while Noah Bigelow and Nathan Uchida each contributed nine. Espinzoa and Jon Companion combined for 33 digs and 36 assists, with PK Swartz finishing with 17 digs.

“I think we have got something going here again,” Swartz said. “There will be a little rebuilding next year. But the cupboard isn’t bare.”