Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 171

Buster Posey leapt to SF Giants’ president unlike any legend before. Can he make more memories?

SAN FRANCISCO — OK, Buster, go make some memories.

That was the job description from Buster Posey last October when he was named the Giants’ president of baseball operations. He invoked Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Gaylord Perry as well as Will Clark, Jeff Kent, Matt Cain, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford.

“We’re in the memory-making business,” Posey said.

The great experiment is at home for the first time Friday with Posey in charge of the organization he helped make a champion three times in five years when the Giants face the Seattle Mariners at 1:35 p.m. at Oracle Park.

“I’m beyond excited,” Posey said Thursday on KNBR. “I think I’ll be able to take in the pageantry and it looks like the weather is going to be beautiful. We’ll have a packed park, and I mean, it doesn’t get much better. Wife and kids are going to be there. It’s going to be a great day.”

It happened so fast that Posey got the job title before the statue outside the stadium. Before he was eligible for the Hall of Fame.

So far, so good. The Buster bandwagon is picking up steam. The Giants are 5-1, have won four in a row and are getting good pitching, timely hitting and legit defense.

Posey has operated from the safe distance of the Giants’ ownership board in 2022 and an advisory position before offering himself up to chairman of the board Greg Johnson when things reached the point of no return with his predecessor, analytics cruncher Farhan Zaidi.

No longer.

Posey will be given a lot of rope, befitting a franchise icon who received almost nothing but fawning praise from the media and fan base since exploding onto the scene. In short order, Posey was the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 2010 as the Giants won their first World Series in San Francisco, suffered a brutal ankle fracture in a home plate collision with Scott Cousins in 2011 and then won a batting title, an MVP and another World Series ring in 2012.

Another ring would follow in 2014, and voila, Posey was not only destined for Cooperstown but the historical face of the franchise.

Bigger than the late, great Mays, McCovey and Orlando Cepeda and even Barry Bonds. Bonds helped get a new ballpark built in 2000, but it was Posey who took the Giants to a level of success they may never know again.

Posey had few if any peers at running a baseball game from behind the plate, where every player was in his full view. We don’t know if he can run a baseball operation from behind a desk with unforeseen circumstances coming at him from all angles.

At 38, Posey went right to the top. He bypassed scouting, coaching, managing or the broadcast booth. There is scant evidence Posey is capable of this. There’s even less evidence that he’s incapable. How the Giants develop under Posey is the most intriguing storyline of the 2025 season.

Imagine Stephen Curry retiring after the season and coming back to run the Warriors in 2029. Or if Joe Montana had never been traded to the Chiefs, retired, and was the general manager when the 49ers won the Super Bowl in 1994 with Steve Young at quarterback.

John Elway retired from the Denver Broncos in 1998, became a club executive after successful forays into business and won a Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium, but that was years after he stopped playing.

Jerry West was a successful NBA executive but only after starting in coaching when his playing days were over with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Magic Johnson is a successful businessman and part-owner of the Dodgers, but didn’t stick either as Lakers head coach in 1994 or president of operations in 2017.

John Lynch went from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Denver Broncos to the broadcast booth before being hired as the general manager of the 49ers by Kyle Shanahan.

None of those examples parallels what Posey is attempting in terms of taking on the final say of a franchise so quickly.

Ray Chavez/Bay Area News GroupBuster Posey launches a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on Oct. 14, 2021.

The Giants won’t adhere to analytics and computer printouts to the extent that they did under Zaidi, using the data as additional information rather than a guide. Like every baseball executive that ever lived, Posey is big on fundamentals, defense and playing the game the right way.

Posey will have some sway when it comes to attracting talent. Matt Chapman was signed to a six-year contract extension worth $151 million under Zaidi with Posey pushing for it behind the scenes. Shortstop Willy Adames arrived in December on a seven-year deal worth $182 million.

The left side of the infeld is secure into the future.

Tellingly, Posey made little effort to bring back Blake Snell, a left-hander who got a late start in 2024, went from awful to brilliant, bypassed his last start, opted out of his contract and then signed a five-year contract with the Dodgers.

Speculating from the cheap seats, it’s not difficult to see Snell’s penchant for running up 100 pitches or so in five innings and then taking a spot on the bench wouldn’t be compatible with what Posey would want from a starting anchor.

The Giants also reportedly didn’t make much of an effort to sign starting pitcher Corbin Burnes to a megadeal.

Instead, Posey went after a polished right-hander who is four years his senior in Justin Verlander to get whatever is left out of his 42-year-old arm as well as share his knowledge and philosophy with some promising young pitchers.

Like Posey, manager Bob Melvin’s background is as a catcher. So Posey and Melvin should be compatible.

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But to be in charge of the organization when it comes to talent acquisition, instituting a culture and having the final say to build for the future goes way beyond the machinations of preparing a team to play on a daily basis.

If you’re into legacies, Posey’s is secure as a player no matter how his front office stay turns out. He’ll have his ballpark statue and Hall of Fame induction ceremony someday, possibly as soon as 2027 when he’s eligible after having been retired for five years.

By then, we should have our answer on the Giants’ great experiment of making Posey the leader of the franchise as opposed to being just the face of one.

Federal judge says she will temporarily block billions in health funding cuts to states

By DEVNA BOSE

A federal judge will temporarily block President Donald Trump’s administration from cutting billions in federal dollars that support COVID-19 initiatives and public health projects throughout the country.

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U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy, appointed by Trump in 2019 but first nominated by former President Barack Obama, in Rhode Island said Thursday that she plans to grant the court order sought by 23 states and the District of Columbia.

“They make a case, a strong case, for the fact that they will succeed on the merits, so I’m going to grant the temporary restraining order,” said McElroy, who plans to issue a written ruling later.

New York Attorney General Letitia James tweeted about the judge’s decision immediately after the hearing, saying: “We’re going to continue our lawsuit and fight to ensure states can provide the medical services Americans need.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Kane objected to the temporary restraining order in court but she said she was limited in the argument she could make against it, adding that her office was unable to thoroughly review the thousands of documents under the time limitation.

The states’ lawsuit, filed Tuesday, sought to immediately stop the $11 billion in cuts. The money was allocated by Congress during the pandemic and mostly used for COVID-related initiatives, as well as for mental health and substance use efforts. The lawsuit said losing the money would devastate U.S. public health infrastructure, putting states “at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease and cutting off vital public health services.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has defended the decision, saying that the money was being wasted since the pandemic is over.

State and local public health departments already have laid off people, including nearly 200 employees at the Minnesota Department of Health. North Carolina says it stands to lose about $230 million, and California officials put their potential losses at $1 billion.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is also part of the lawsuit, said half a billion dollars in public health grants that support long-term care for the elderly and immunizations for children were at stake in his state.

“As a result of taking the Administration to court, these dollars will now start flowing again,” he wrote on X.

The temporary block on chopping health funding is the latest legal setback for the Trump administration, which is facing some 150 lawsuits on issues ranging from immigration to deep financial and job cuts at federal agencies to transgender rights. Federal judges have issued dozens of orders slowing — at least for now — the president’s ambitious conservative agenda.

AP reporter Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Horoscopes April 3, 2025: Eddie Murphy, finish what you start and stay fit

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Cobie Smulders, 43; Adam Scott, 52; Eddie Murphy, 64; Alec Baldwin, 67.

Happy Birthday: Strive for moderation, finish what you start and stay fit, functional and free from drama and temptation. Anger holds you back, but channeling all that energy into self-improvement, love and challenging yourself to look, feel and do your best will help you advance. Deal with government agencies and institutions without hesitation to avoid penalties. Take hold of situations and pay attention to deadlines and maintenance. Your numbers are 8, 13, 22, 24, 35, 43, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You have more options than you realize. Before agreeing to participate in something that offers no returns, consider your needs, long-term plans and how you can parlay what you do best into improving your life. Refuse to fall prey to emotional blackmail. Offer advice, and focus on helping yourself. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Pay attention to financial transactions. Overpaying for something or making unethical or unnecessary purchases will put you in a compromising position. A lifestyle change that helps you stay healthy, wealthy and wise will help ease stress and point you in a positive direction. Home improvements and romance are favored. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Educate yourself before getting into a conversation that requires insight, knowledge and experience to avoid being taken advantage of by whoever challenges you. Make your position clear, and be adamant regarding your motives and expectations. Honesty is the quickest route to victory. Refuse to let emotions lead to mistakes and loss. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make work, money management and running an efficient and effective lifestyle your goal. Explore ways to improve your skills and how you apply them to your everyday routine. Refuse to let outside influences or competitive challenges cause doubt or setbacks. Trust your ability to outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Search for innovative ways to apply your knowledge and skills in the workforce. Separating yourself from any competition will lead to recognition and consideration for potential proposals. Take charge, open doors and change whatever is outdated or standing between you and your chance to advance. Network and revive interest in your expertise. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Stop, observe and rethink your strategy. A partnership appears to be losing equality. Maintaining balance and respect is necessary, whether with an associate, roommate, friend or lover. Offer practical solutions, and be sure to divvy up responsibilities evenly. Take a greater interest in what others do, say and offer. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Discover, research and look for opportunities that promote your skills, attributes and hopes for a brighter future. Refuse to let emotions, drama, temptation and indulgence creep in and take over. Time is precious; putting each moment and your skills to optimum use will reap rewards. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Try something new and exciting, or adjust one of your skills to enhance a niche waiting for a makeover. How you present yourself and your attributes will flourish if you network and socialize. Don’t take no for an answer; appeal to those needing help or diversity. Love and romance are favored. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sit back and observe. The information you gather will help you negotiate when the time is right. Minimize your input until you can adapt your skills and budget to ensure you get the most out of whatever you pursue. Avoid temptation, excess and taking on more than you can handle. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Speak up; ask questions and rephrase any misconception you or someone else may have. The direct approach will help you avoid misunderstandings and encourage positive lifestyle changes that allow you and those you care about the chance to make the most out of each day. Romance is favored. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pick up the pace and finish what you start. What you accomplish will be noted, and the respect you gain from those who count will lead to new and exciting opportunities. Being grateful doesn’t mean you can go over budget. Maintaining as much revenue as possible is necessary for your success. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put your head down and get busy. Work toward your goal, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results. Refuse to let someone redirect your time and attention when finishing what you start will bring you the highest return. Say no to invitations that are costly emotionally and financially. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are demonstrative, energetic and social. You are resourceful and sympathetic.

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.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

San Jose Giants beat Oakland Ballers in Bay Area baseball exhibition, evoking memories of original Battle of the Bay

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Giants and Oakland Ballers were in the same ballpark – literally and figuratively – on Wednesday night in San Jose.

The Giants, the single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and the Ballers, an independent team from the Pioneer League, played a competitive exhibition game at Excite Ballpark, with the Giants coming out on top 5-2. 

The matchup was the first-ever contest between affiliated and independent baseball teams, a new rivalry dubbed the “Battle of the Bay 2.0.”

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While it can’t replace the now-extinct rivalry between the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants — the first iteration of a professional cross-Bay baseball battle —  the competition between the two minor-league clubs renewed the spirit of the original series. 

The two squads hope to make this an annual event moving forward.

Check back for updates to this story.

Streamlined Neapolitan meatballs are made with panko breadcrumbs

By Christopher Kimball | Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street

Naples may be famous for its pizza, but the meatballs are just as deserving of worldwide acclaim. Massive orbs of ground beef are set in a shallow pool of ragù, red and glistening, and are served as often alongside pasta as without. Despite their impressive size, they’re light and ultra-tender, thanks to a high ratio of bread to meat.

In this recipe from our latest cookbook, ” Milk Street Backroads Italy, ” we use Japanese panko breadcrumbs, which have a neutral flavor and a light and fluffy but coarse texture. It greatly streamlines the meatball-making process, eliminating the need to remove the crusts from fresh bread, soak it in water and squeeze out excess moisture. Panko only needs to be moistened with water and it’s ready to use.

Don’t be shy about mixing the panko-meat mixture with your hands. It takes a few minutes to work the mixture together until homogeneous. To help the meatballs keep their shape, chill them for 15 to 20 minutes before baking.

Neapolitans serve their meatballs with a basic tomato sauce they refer to as “ragù.” After baking, be sure to let the meatballs rest for about 10 minutes before adding them to the sauce. Pecorino is used two ways in this recipe. A chunk is simmered in the sauce, and a portion is grated both in and over the meatballs. Serve with warm, crusty bread or pasta alongside. Though the latter isn’t traditional, it makes a fine accompaniment.

Neapolitan Meatballs with Ragù

Start to finish: 50 minutes Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more to serve 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

6 medium garlic cloves, finely grated

1½ teaspoons red pepper flakes, divided

6½ ounces (2½ cups) panko breadcrumbs

3 ounces pecorino Romano cheese, 2 ounces finely grated (1 cup), 1 ounce as a chunk, plus more grated, to serve

1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk, beaten together

1½ pounds 90 percent lean ground beef

Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes

6 to 8 large basil leaves

Directions

Heat the oven to 475°F with a rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment and mist with cooking spray. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and 1 teaspoon of the pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, then transfer half of the onion mixture to a large bowl.

In a medium bowl, combine the panko and 1¼ cups water; press the panko into the water and let stand until fully softened, about 5 minutes. Mash with your hands to a smooth paste, then add to the bowl with the onion mixture. Using a fork, mix until well combined and smooth. Stir in the grated cheese, beaten eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, ¾ teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Add the meat and mix with your hands until completely homogeneous.

Using a ½-cup dry measuring cup, divide the mixture into 8 portions. Using your hands, shape each into a compact ball and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Refrigerate uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. Re-shape the meatballs if they have flattened slightly, then bake until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet set on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

While the meatballs cook, in a food processor or blender, puree the tomatoes with their juices one can at a time, until smooth, about 30 seconds, transferring the puree to a large bowl. Return the Dutch oven to medium and heat the remaining onion mixture, stirring, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, remaining ½ teaspoon pepper flakes, the basil and the chunk of cheese. Bring to a simmer over medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Using a large spoon, carefully transfer the meatballs to the sauce, then, using 2 spoons, turn each to coat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce to medium-low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let stand, covered, for about 5 minutes to allow the meatballs to firm up slightly. Remove and discard the pecorino chunk. Serve with additional grated cheese.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street at 177milkstreet.com/ap

How soon will prices rise as a result of President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs?

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks of anticipation and speculation, President Donald Trump followed through on his reciprocal tariff threats by declaring on Wednesday a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States.

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In announcing the reciprocal tariffs, Trump was fulfilling a key campaign promise by raising U.S. taxes on foreign goods to narrow the gap with the tariffs the White House says other countries unfairly impose on U.S. products.

“Reciprocal means ‘they do it to us and we do it to them,’” the president said from the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday.

Trump’s higher rates would hit foreign entities that sell more goods to the United States than they buy. But economists don’t share Trump’s enthusiasm for tariffs since they’re a tax on importers that usually get passed on to consumers. It’s possible, however, that the reciprocal tariffs could bring other countries to the table and get them to lower their own import taxes.

The Associated Press asked for your questions about reciprocal tariffs. Here are a few of them, along with our answers:

Do U.S.-collected tariffs go into the General Revenue Fund? Can Trump withdraw money from that fund without oversight?

Tariffs are taxes on imports, collected when foreign goods cross the U.S. border by the Customs and Border Protection agency. The money — about $80 billion last year — goes to the U.S. Treasury to help pay the federal government’s expenses. Congress has authority to say how the money will be spent.

Trump — largely supported by Republican lawmakers who control the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives — wants to use increased tariff revenue to finance tax cuts that analysts say would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Specifically, they want to extend tax cuts passed in Trump’s first term and largely set to expire at the end of 2025. The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, has found that extending Trump’s tax cuts would reduce federal revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 to 2034.

Trump wants higher tariffs to help offset the lower tax collections. Another think tank, the Tax Policy Center, has said that extending the 2017 tax cuts would deliver continued tax relief to Americans at all income levels, “but higher-income households would receive a larger benefit.’’

How soon will prices rise as a result of the tariff policy?

It depends on how businesses both in the United States and overseas respond, but consumers could see overall prices rising within a month or two of tariffs being imposed. For some products, such as produce from Mexico, prices could rise much more quickly after the tariffs take effect.

Some U.S. retailers and other importers may eat part of the cost of the tariff, and overseas exporters may reduce their prices to offset the extra duties. But for many businesses, the tariffs Trump announced Wednesday — such as 20% on imports from Europe — will be too large to swallow on their own.

Companies may also use the tariffs as an excuse to raise prices. When Trump slapped duties on washing machines in 2018, studies later showed that retailers raised prices on both washers and dryers, even though there were no new duties on dryers.

A key question in the coming months is whether something similar will happen again. Economists worry that consumers, having just lived through the biggest inflationary spike in four decades, are more accustomed to rising prices than they were before the pandemic.

Yet there are also signs that Americans, put off by the rise in the cost of living, are less willing to accept price increases and will simply cut back on their purchases. That could discourage businesses from raising prices by much.

What is the limit of the executive branch’s power to implement tariffs? Does Congress not play any role?

The U.S. Constitution grants the power to set tariffs to Congress. But over the years, Congress has delegated those powers to the president through several different laws. Those laws specify the circumstances under which the White House can impose tariffs, which are typically limited to cases where imports threaten national security or are severely harming a specific industry.

In the past, presidents generally imposed tariffs only after carrying out public hearings to determine if certain imports met those criteria. Trump followed those steps when imposing tariffs in his first term.

In his second term, however, Trump has sought to use emergency powers set out in a 1977 law to impose tariffs in a more ad hoc fashion. Trump has said, for example, that fentanyl flowing in from Canada and Mexico constitute a national emergency and has used that pretext to impose 25% duties on goods from both countries.

Congress can seek to cancel an emergency that a president declares, and Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, has proposed to do just that regarding Canada. That legislation could pass the Senate but would likely die in the House. Other bills in Congress that would also limit the president’s authority to set tariffs face tough odds for passage as well.

What tariffs are other countries charging on US goods?

U.S. tariffs are generally lower than those charged by other countries. The average U.S. tariff, weighted to reflect goods that are actually traded, is just 2.2% for the United States, versus the European Union’s 2.7%, China’s 3% and India’s 12%, according to the World Trade Organization.

Other countries also tend to do more than the United States to protect their farmers with high tariffs. The U.S. trade-weighted tariff on farm goods, for example, is 4%, compared to the EU’s 8.4%, Japan’s 12.6%, China’s 13.1% and India’s 65%. (The WTO numbers don’t count Trump’s recent flurry of import taxes or tariffs between countries that have entered into their own free trade agreements, such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that allows many goods to cross North American borders duty free.)

Previous U.S. administrations agreed to the tariffs that Trump now calls unjust. They were the result of a long negotiation between 1986 to 1994 — the so-called Uruguay Round — that ended in a trade pact signed by 123 countries and has formed the basis of the global trading system for nearly four decades.

SF Giants complete sweep of Astros, finish road trip with 5-1 record

HOUSTON — On Aug. 10, 2024, the Giants beat the Detroit Tigers and improved to 61-58. That was the best their record would look, never able to climb higher than three games over .500 the rest of the season.

They are already four games over .500 heading into Friday’s home opener.

Wilmer Flores continued his resurgence, Landen Roupp struck out a career-high eight, and Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. hit solo homers as San Francisco completed a sweep of the Houston Astros with a 6-3 win on Wednesday afternoon at Daikin Park.

The Giants are 5-1 record, their best start to a season since 2014 — the year they won their last World Series. Buster Posey’s group excelled in just about every department during spring training, and they’re continuing to do so in games that count.

“If you don’t know by now, we’re pretty good,” Roupp said, “and we’re going to be good.”

The Giants played good all-around baseball over their first six games, excelling in just about every area of the game on a trip that began in Cincinnati.

The pitching staff owns a 2.72 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 53 innings, and Ryan Walker and Camilo Doval converted both of their save opportunities. The starters have provided at least five innings in five of their first six games, and Jordan Hicks and Logan Webb have each turned in gems.

San Francisco’s offense, led by Flores, Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee, has been productive, averaging an even five runs per game. With runners in scoring position, they’re hitting .308 with a .941 OPS. They’ve been aggressive and successful on the bases, too, stealing six bases on six attempts. They’ve also yet to commit an error following a midgame scoring change on Wednesday, and third baseman Matt Chapman proved his glove is still glittered with gold.

For all this early success, this trip could’ve taken on a different tone if not for Flores’ late-game heroics in their first game against the Reds. Flores, who is coming off an injury-shorted and largely unproductive 2024, laid the foundation for this hot start with his go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning on their Opening Day win. With his fourth homer of the year on Wednesday, a two-run shot in the first inning, a healthy Flores has already matched last year’s total output over 71 games.

“It’s been amazing,” Melvin said. “You look up the numbers he’s put up already six games into the season after a really tough year last year where he wasn’t healthy and had to have surgery. Comes back, hits the ground running and is now doing his thing like he normally does. Not only is it big for Wilmer, it’s big for us.”

Keeping pace with Flores is Heliot Ramos, who continued his own torrid start with a two-run double and joined Felipe Alou (1963) as the only other Giant in franchise history to record an extra-base hit in six straight games to open a season. The right-handed slugger boasts an even 1.000 OPS with three homers — all against right-handed pitchers — and three doubles.

“He’s got a lot of power,” Melvin said. “He hits the ball the other way. He was an All-Star last year. To be able to start out like that with all the extra-base hits is kind of cool.”

Roupp, who won the fifth spot in the rotation over Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison, looked on his way to turning in the best start of his career, cruising through the first four innings. In the fifth, he hit a self-inflicted wall. He walked the first batter. He allowed a “single” on a pop up that he conceded he should’ve caught. He walked the next batter. Melvin pulled the plug on his outing with no outs and the bases loaded.

Melvin summoned Randy Rodríguez to face Yordan Alvarez, a dangerous proposition given the Giants were clinging to a 5-1 lead. But Rodríguez limited the damage to two runs. Casey Schmitt, making his first professional start at first base, was initially dinged for an error on an in-between hop off the bat of Alvarez that drove in two runs — the ruling was later changed to a hit — but Rodríguez retired the next three batters and kept San Francisco’s lead intact.

“That’s a tough situation to come in and power your way through and he did it beautifully,” Melvin said.

Hayden Birdsong followed Rodríguez and made his season debut — and first major-league relief appearance — pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Tyler Rogers recorded a hold in the eighth inning, and Doval recorded his second save of the season because Walker was unavailable after pitching back-to-back games.

Democrats demoralized by Trump get a boost from Wisconsin voters and Cory Booker’s speech

By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — For a day, at least, Democrats across the country have a sense that their comeback against President Donald Trump may have begun.

It wasn’t just about the election results in Wisconsin, where Democratic-backed Judge Susan Crawford won a 10-point victory against Trump and Elon Musk’s favored candidate for the state Supreme Court.

Some Democrats highlighted New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker’s marathon, record-setting 25-hour Senate speech as a rallying point for frustrated voters. Others pointed to congressional Democrats lining up with a handful of House Republican lawmakers to oppose a procedural rule that would have stopped a proposal for new parents in Congress to able to vote by proxy.

In this image provided by Senate Television, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. speaks on the Senate floor, Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025. (Senate Television via AP)

The series of victories gave Democratic leaders moments of relief and vindication of their strategy to focus on Trump’s alliances with Musk and other billionaires. That’s even as some party officials warned that it was far too early to draw sweeping conclusions from a series of lower-turnout off-year elections with polls still showing that the party’s brand is deeply unpopular among key groups of voters.

“Elon Musk and Donald Trump are on the ropes,” charged Ken Martin, the newly elected chair of the Democratic National Committee. “We’re just getting started.”

Wisconsin gave Democrats a much-needed win

Democrats have had little to cheer about in the five months since Trump won a decisive victory in November’s presidential election in which he peeled away a significant portion of working-class voters and people of color. And in more recent weeks, the party’s activist base has become increasingly frustrated that Democratic leaders have not done more to stop Trump’s unprecedented push to slash the federal government and the reshape the economy.

Democrats in Washington and in state capitals across the country privately conceded that a bad night, especially in Wisconsin, would have been devastating.

Supporters for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford cheer during her election night party Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, lost to liberal-backed Crawford in a relative blowout, five months after Trump carried Wisconsin by less than 1 point.

And in Florida, Republicans won special elections in two of the most pro-Trump House districts in the country, but both candidates significantly underperformed Trump’s November margins.

“I went to bed last night feeling uplifted and relieved,” Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass said Wednesday.

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Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., predicted further political consequences for Republicans if they don’t resist the sweeping cuts to government services enacted by Musk and Trump.

“In swing districts, if I was a Republican, I would either decide how to stand up for your constituents or find out how to get a discount on adult depends, because one or the other is what you’re going to be needing to do,” Pocan said.

Rebecca Cooke, a Democratic candidate in Wisconsin’s 3rd congressional district, said the election was a clear indication that voters are upset with how Trump and Musk “are messing with their lives.” But she stopped short of projecting confidence in future elections.

“We have work to do to build long term infrastructure in this party and to really build trust back with voters that I think have felt left behind by the Democratic Party,” said Cooke, a 37-year-old waitress who is running against GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden. “I think it takes time to build trust with voters, and it can’t happen overnight, and it can’t happen in just one election.”

Expect more Democratic talking points about Musk

In this week’s successes, Democratic officials believe they have confirmed the effectiveness of their core message heading into the 2026 midterms that Trump and his billionaire allies are working for the rich at the expense of the working class.

Indeed, talking points distributed by the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday reinforced that notion while pointing to what the committee described as “an undeniable trend” after recent lower-profile Democratic victories in Virginia, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Minnesota.

“In 2025, Democrats continue to overperform in special elections as voters send a resounding message: They want Democrats to fight for them, and they want the Trump-Musk agenda out of their communities,” the talking points read.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., told the AP Wednesday that the election results showed that the public is “outraged” by chaos and dysfunction coming from the Trump administration. The chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Trump and Republicans in Congress are failing to fix high prices and seeking Medicaid cuts, in addition to supporting tariffs that could worsen inflation for families.

“What we saw yesterday in Florida and Wisconsin was Republicans running scared because the American people are angry and scared about the direction the Trump-Musk agenda is taking us,” she said. “They’re seeing prices go up. They’re seeing more and more the focus is not on them, but on Trump and his wealthy donors.”

More protests are to come

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of voters are expected to attend more than 1,000 so-called “Hands Off!” related protests nationwide focused on Trump and Musk. More than 150 political groups worked together to organize what will almost certainly represent the single biggest day of protest of the second Trump administration.

The Washington event, which will feature Reps. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., already has more than 12,000 RSVPs, according to organizers.

Meanwhile, Booker is planning to attend a series of unrelated public events, including a town hall in New Jersey this weekend.

His office reports receiving 28,000 voicemails since he finished his speech shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. At its peak, the 25-hour address was being streamed by more than 300,000 people across Booker’s social media channels. It earned more than 350 million likes on his newly formed TikTok account.

A spokesperson said that the Democratic senator spent much of Wednesday sleeping.

Associated Press writers Josh Boak and Leah Askarinam in Washington and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin contributed reporting.

Monterey council tours public safety facilities

MONTEREY – Monterey council members got a first-hand look at the city’s public safety facilities, which are due for upgrades and infrastructural needs.

The council took a tour on Tuesday of the the Monterey Police Department, fire administration building and Fire Station 11 which are just across the street from City Hall. Police Chief Dave Hober and Fire Chief Andrew Miller gave tours of the buildings, taking council members through day-to-day activities and mentioning the challenges of working in the older building.

“There are major needs for the facility today,” said Monterey Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira.

Hober pointed out the police station’s cramped evidence room, lack of fencing around the police station and issues with the station’s sewage system as some of the highlights during his tour. The police station’s women’s restroom has flooded in recent years and pipes have backed up and leaked raw sewage into the restroom multiple times.

“The infrastructure below the building needs to be overhauled,” Hober said.

Council members and members of the public on the tour commented on the humidity in the station, likely due to the needed upgrades to the HVAC system.

The fire administration building was built as a temporary site two decades ago. The fire station was built in 1959 and is a smaller space for the up to nine firefighters that live there day-to-day.

Miller and Fire Division Chief Matt Harris also listed plumbing and sewage as issues and not enough office space for fire administrators who use moving desks to create space for trainings and conferences.

Council members were able to see the firefighters living quarters when they are on duty and some of their recent kitchen upgrades to make meals for the department.

Both Hober and Miller said these changes would take significant funding, but as the city grows and needs more services, that public safety upgrades should be prioritized as well.

Without the fire engine parked the firefighters' gear is easily seen. Firefighters say an additional room to store and clean gear would be beneficial to keep debris and oil away from the engine when it's not in use. (Photo by Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)The gun range at the Monterey Police Station. The police often use outdoor ranges, but say they need their own for training purposes and the smaller space is running out of storage. (Photo by Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)Show Caption1 of 2Without the fire engine parked the firefighters' gear is easily seen. Firefighters say an additional room to store and clean gear would be beneficial to keep debris and oil away from the engine when it's not in use. (Photo by Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)Expand

Marina Council decides on path to rehabilitating ‘Arts Village’ structure

MARINA – The Marina City Council voted for one of the five possible alternatives that will affect the future a “Marina Arts Village” building at its meeting on Tuesday, moving to reduce the size of the structure’s footprint while working to stabilize it.

The Council voted 4-1, with Councilwoman Kathy Biala dissenting, for an alternative to the previously proposed Public Improvement and Reimbursement Agreement that would have seen the city and Shea Homes (Marina Community Partners) agree to stabilize and secure the buildings that make up the property in a manner that would keep the original architectural integrity but would adaptively reuse and refurbish without a wholesale change to its former character.

“Shea agreed to contribute $1.35 million for this less expensive alternative to stabilizing the entire building under Alternative 1,” said Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado.

The city of Marina and Shea Homes have both been interested in stabilizing and securing the structure so that it can remain an asset for its envisioned uses.

The Council adopted a resolution for an agreement with Shea Homes selecting Alternative 4 for the rehabilitation of the Marina Arts Village building.

The alternatives included:

Alternative 1 – Stabilize the Arts Village with the removal of the Building 3 section with the existing foundation still in place. Total estimated cost $2,706,000, with the Shea splitting the cost equally with the city with each party contributing $1,353,000 to the cost.

Alternative 2 – Same as Alternative 1, except the foundation would be removed from the Building 3 section which will be an additional estimated cost of $93,650 to be paid by the city.

Alternative 3 – Stabilize the entire Arts Building structure including the Building 3 middle section. This would be an additional estimated cost of $505,000 to be paid by the city.

Alternative 4 – Stabilize the Arts Village with removal of the two southern sections, reducing the building’s footprint from 60,000 square feet to approximately 36,000 square feet. The estimated cost is $2.4 million with both Shea Homes and the city contributing $1.21 million.

Alternative 5 – Shea Homes has also offered to fund 100% of the cost to demolish the structure including the concrete foundation with an estimated cost of $752,000.

“I am concerned about the long term potential financial investment this project will require, not only for short term basic stabilization of the building, but also ongoing maintenance of an empty facility over 10 or more years including upkeep, security, installing electricity for cameras, policing, etc.,” said councilwoman Biala. “Most importantly, I question the possibly $70 million or more to finally make the building habitable for an arts village that would need to become a viable – at least break even proposition – for the city who must develop and manage a commercial enterprise. It seems a lot of risk and uncertainty in the face of Marina’s urgent need for new fire and police stations and rebuilding a new civic center to replace the current 50 year old portables in wretched and shameful conditions.”

The Council was split, the public was split, with good arguments to bulldoze or stabilize, said Delgado.

“Alternative 4 was a compromise between bulldozing the whole structure and stabilizing the whole structure,” he said.

“I appreciate we made the decision after two public tours inside the building and several public meetings with lots of public discussion before making the final decision,” said Delgado.

Biala said that in the end she was fine with the outcome of Alternative 4 as the best choice if the council was leaning towards sustaining the site for the future.

“However, I had to register my opinion. In general, after lengthy deliberations by our council, I do always have confidence that controversial decisions are always well considered and we manage to make the best collective decisions – even if not with my vote on any one issue,” said Biala. “We have one of the most respectful, hard-working and independent thinking councils around.”

At its meeting Feb. 4, the Council had considered adopting a resolution to execute the originally proposed agreement, but passed on approving, instead voting to get more information on what was needed and how much it would cost.

At its March 4 meeting, the City Council discussed the repair cost estimates and other new information to decide either to stabilize or bulldoze the 1,000-foot-by-60-foot building at the southwest corner of 1st Avenue and 8th Street in Marina.

The condition of the structure is dire, with significant issues including dry rot, cave-ins on the roof, graffiti, and overall structural deterioration, according to city documents. Moreover, the surrounding land is plagued by unkempt weeds, deteriorated pavement and issues with homeless encampments. Without intervention, the building poses risks for further vandalism and safety concerns within the community.

The building that would house part of the Marina Arts Village is a former U.S. Army warehouse that was likely built in the 1940s. It sits on six acres of land east of Highway 1, and is adjacent to the Rooftops at the Dunes component of the Dunes community development by Shea Homes which would benefit from seeing the area rehabilitated.

The warehouse area is a component of Marina’s University Villages Specific Plan, which now is part of the development of Shea Homes’ Dunes On Monterey Bay, and was designated as a proposed arts district initially envisioned as a combination of individual studio spaces, galleries or shops for artists, designers and high-profile interactive art/learning center types of facilities that capitalize on the unique resources of the Monterey area.

Funding of $1,350,000 for the rehabilitation of the arts village warehouse was approved in the Marina Capital Improvements Program budgets for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.