Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 192
March 13, 2025
The best handlebars for tackling tough mountain bike trails
The right mountain bike handlebars can help you steer and maneuver more precisely, maintain a proper riding position and even absorb some of the impact and vibration from a rough course or trail.
Whether you’re hitting the trail for the first time or participate in competitive enduro racing, having handlebars that match your riding style and preferences can help you make the most of your ride. In our buying guide, we examine the key factors that set different mountain bike handlebars apart, including materials, type, width and angle. We also share our top product recommendations, like the featherlight carbon composite Race Face SIXC DH Handlebar.
What to know before you buy handlebars for a mountain bikeFlat vs. riser Flat: This straight, classic design is a go-to for a reason. Flat handlebars are durable, strong and encourage a better forward-leaning posture for challenging climbs and trail riding.Riser: Riser bars angle up slightly in a U-shape that flattens at the ends for the grips and brakes. Riser handlebars allow you to ride upright, which offers extra comfort and control on extreme courses.MaterialsCarbon fiber: Carbon fiber is both extremely strong and lightweight, making it the gold standard in handlebar materials. It also helps minimize vibration for a smoother ride.Scandium: Scandium is lighter than aluminum but not quite as light as carbon fiber. It’s both strong and durable.Aluminum (or aluminum alloy): While not quite as strong as carbon fiber, aluminum is durable, long-lasting and great for bikers on a budget. Unfortunately, aluminum won’t do much about vibration and impact while riding.Titanium: Titanium is heavy and expensive. Some riders still prefer this material, however, because of its superior ability to reduce impact and vibration.Steel: While steel is strong, inexpensive and virtually indestructible, it is heavy. Many BMX riders prefer steel, but most mountain bikers steer clear.What to look for in quality handlebars for a mountain bikeHandlebar widthWider handlebars may offer more control and leverage on downhill slopes or rough terrain, while narrower bars help you maintain a balanced riding position for longer cross-country rides. Flat bars are usually narrower (around 23 inches), while riser bars are often wider (around 27 inches). If you aren’t sure which width you prefer, you can buy a wider set of handlebars and have them cut down later if you decide you’d prefer a narrower set.
AngleThe angle or bend in a given set of handlebars determines how dramatically the bars angle away from the center. You can find some flat bars with little to no bend or riser bars with between 4-degree and 9-degree of bend that allow you to ride in an upright position with your hands near your body. Most riders opt for a neutral 4- to 6-degree angle.
DiameterThe majority of mountain bike handlebars have a 22.2-millimeter grip diameter and can accommodate almost any kind of grip you prefer. Keep in mind that the diameter of the clamping surface may vary from 25.5 to 35 millimeters. Make sure the size of your stem clamp is compatible with your new handlebars before you buy.
How much you can expect to spend on handlebars for a mountain bikeBudget mountain bike handlebars run between $8 and $65, with the most expensive options priced between $95 and $175. Economy handlebars are usually heavier and made from less durable materials like titanium or aluminum alloy, while pricier options are typically made from carbon fiber and are both lightweight and extremely durable.
Handlebars for a mountain bike FAQHow wide should my handlebars be?A. To find your ideal handlebar width, get into a pushup stance with your hands on the floor and your arms at 45-degree angles from your chest. The distance between your hands in this stance is the width of the most comfortable handlebar for your bike.
Which type of handlebars are best for enduro racing?A. If speed is your primary concern, choose ultra-light carbon fiber handlebars that won’t weigh you down. Select wider handlebars that can help you maintain control on rough downhill sections.
What are the best handlebars for a mountain bike to buy?Top handlebars for a mountain bike 
What you need to know: This extremely light carbon composite option is as comfortable as it is durable.
What you’ll love: These long bars are excellent for precision steering. They’re made of virtually indestructible carbon composite. They’re lightweight, weighing only 220 grams.
What you should consider: They need a 31.8-millimeter stem; they’re incompatible with 35-millimeter stems.
Top handlebars for a mountain bike for the money 
What you need to know: These durable, affordable handlebars are comfortable and simple to install.
What you’ll love: They have lots of room to accommodate many grip styles. They’re quick and easy to install with a single bolt. They’ve got great durability for the price point.
What you should consider: They’re not as light as pricier options.
Worth checking out 
RXL SL Carbon Fiber Handlebars
What you need to know: These sleek, aerodynamic carbon fiber handlebars are available in a wide variety of attractive styles.
What you’ll love: They’re durable. The design and engineering reflect expert input. They’re also easy to install. There are many different colors, sizes and styles to choose from.
What you should consider: Some color/size options are chronically out of stock.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Horoscopes March 13, 2025: William H. Macy, leave nothing to chance this yea
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Adam Clayton, 65; Dana Delany, 69; William H. Macy, 75; Neil Sedaka, 86.
Happy Birthday: Leave nothing to chance this year. Map out your journey and have a checklist in place. Knowing what you want to achieve and how to make it happen will ease stress and make your life easier. Distance yourself from disaster and those who like to play with your emotions. Stand tall, engage in what makes you feel good about yourself and your accomplishments, and press forward with a smile. Your numbers are 3, 11, 22, 28, 31, 36, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Explore the possibilities, travel and nurture your curiosity. What you experience will help shape what’s to come. Tweak your imagination and devise a plan that exhilarates and expands your awareness. Take the plunge and start a healthy regime, and you’ll connect with like-minded people. Self-love will change the way others perceive you. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When one door shuts, another opens. Accept change and make the most of it. Let your energy flow in directions that provide the excitement and desire you long for. Follow your heart, and it will help ward off those trying to push you in a direction better suited to them than you. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take a moment to breathe and rethink your options. Refuse to let your ego or emotions interfere with wise choices. Talk is cheap, and someone will be eager to give you a skewed view to get you to see things their way. Verify facts before buying into something lacking substance. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your energy into your work or money source. An innovative attitude and persistent drive to do your best will fetch good results if you don’t go overboard, jeopardizing your health or personal relationships. Balance will be the key to your success. Planning and precision will separate you from the competition. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do what suits you best. Refuse to participate in someone else’s drama or dreams. Concentrate on learning and living life in a manner suitable for reaching your destination of choice. Trust your judgment, and say no to anyone trying to push you in a direction you don’t relish. Don’t get angry; get moving. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set doable goals. Refrain from letting anyone talk you into taking on too much. Learn to adjust to changes you cannot control, and organize your time to encompass your to-do list. Aim for stability and financial security, and distance yourself from outlandish suggestions that can leave you in an indebted position. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stretch your mind until you mentally embed every aspect of your goals. Consider how you can use your intellectual and physical attributes to complete your mission without causing upset or hurting your reputation or position. Opportunity is apparent, but motives and an ironclad plan will be essential to acquire success. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Participate in activities that promote physical and mental stimulation. A change of scenery will set your mind flowing and encourage you to sign up for something you want to learn, explore or engage in physically. Meeting people heading in a similar direction is encouraged. Take nothing for granted; when in doubt, ask. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Leave yourself time to nurture meaningful relationships. Set boundaries with those who take advantage of you. Finding that sweet spot that encourages equality and goodwill between you and those you spend time with will make your life more enjoyable. Put in the work, set high standards and walk away from toxic situations. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put your energy where it counts. Focus more on your health and well-being and less on trying to please someone who drains your energy. Put more emphasis on what makes you happy, healthy and excited about life. Run the show instead of letting someone else dictate what’s next. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Overreacting will not solve problems. If there is something you don’t like, change it. Put together a budget you can live with and the time necessary to turn your frown into a smile. If you leave change up to someone else, you’ll likely be unhappy with the results. Pamper yourself for a change. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Line up your activities and lock them in to avoid confusion or disappointment. Precision and detail will help avoid unexpected expenses and double bookings. An energetic, well-managed lifestyle will help you get in shape, but disorganization will result in mishaps, minor injuries or health risks. Choose your battles wisely. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are enthusiastic, playful and responsive. You are outgoing and friendly.
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.
Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.
March 12, 2025
Source: 49ers hiring QB Mac Jones four years after nearly drafting him
SANTA CLARA – Mac Jones, four years after the 49ers bypassed him with the No. 3 overall draft pick, is finally heading to coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, a league source confirmed Wednesday night.
Jones is coming in as the No. 2 quarterback, that is, behind incumbent starter Brock Purdy, who is still awaiting what’s expected to be a team-record contract extension within the next two months.
After three years with the New England Patriots and last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones agreed to join the 49ers on a two-year, $7 million deal with $5 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $11.5 million, according to the NFL Network.
Jones was considered a favorite for the 49ers’ No. 3 overall pick in 2021 before they veered instead for Trey Lance, who spent two years with the team before they traded him before the 2023 season to the Dallas Cowboys; Lance is now a free agent.
Regardless of Purdy’s pending financials, the 49ers needed to restock their depth chart behind him. Last year’s backups, Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs, became free agents earlier Wednesday, and Dobbs had agreed Monday to a two-year deal with the Patriots, who moved on from Jones and drafted Drake Maye a year ago with the No. 3 overall pick.
Jones made it to the Pro Bowl his rookie season with New England, going 10-7 and posting what have been the best statistics of his career (67.6 completion percentage, 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns). That 2021 season ended with a wild-card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, and 17 more losses followed against just eight wins in Jones’ starts the next two seasons.
Jones, a Jacksonville native and University of Alabama product, went 2-5 as the Jaguars’ starter while finishing the season in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars recently reached a deal with former 49er Nick Mullens to serve as a backup this season.
Purdy is entering the final year of his rookie contract, at a salary of $5.35 million. However, he and the 49ers’ brass have expressed a mutual desire to hatch a long-term contract, and general manager John Lynch confirmed two weeks ago that negotiations are underway.
The only other quarterback on the 49ers’ roster is Tanner Mordecai, who spent most of last season on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie.
On the day the 49ers drafted Lance, Shanahan disputed months-long rumors that Jones was his preferred choice for the No. 3 pick, which cost them three first-round picks and a third-rounder to acquire from the Miami Dolphins.
“I was in Mexico the day we made the trade and within hours, there’s at least two people who are out there speculating that their opinions are they think we’re taking Mac Jones,” Shanahan said on April 29, 2021. “I’ve kind of just watched every single person assume that that was accurate and that those weren’t opinions, those were facts. We didn’t feel that way from the beginning.”
Jones, by virtue of his position and even his Pro Bowl accolade, is the 49ers’ highest profile addition in what’s been a grueling opening days of free agency. The 49ers, 13 months removed from the Super Bowl, have seen 11 players leave and join other teams, including Wednesday’s official trade of wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
The 49ers have yet to announce Jones’ signing, nor have they confirmed the reported acquisitions of wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (Rams), tight end Luke Farrell (Jaguars), linebacker Luke Gifford (Titans), cornerback Tre Brown (Seahawks) and safeties Jason Pinnock (Giants) and Richie Grant (Falcons)
Prior to the 2021 draft, in which Lawrence went No. 1 to Jacksonville and Zach Wilson No. 2 to the New York Jets, Shanahan spoke confidently at the 49ers’ yet-to-be named selection.
“I’m happy we’re going to get one that we like, that we’ve done it right and I hope the fans are happy with it,” Shanahan said of his quarterback pursuit prior to the draft. “But the key is, ultimately, they’re going to be happy based off how we do in the future, not how they feel that night, whether they won the arguments with their friends or things like that.”
On the eve of that 2021 draft, the 49ers hit up the Green Bay Packers to see if they could pry loose Aaron Rodgers. Jones’ ability to handle pressure in the pocket and diagnose defenses helped Alabama to the national championship. He completed an NCAA-record 77.4-percent of his passes for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Wade Phillips, who faced Shanahan’s 49ers as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2017-19, saw Jones in 2021 as a healthier clone to Garoppolo. “Mac Jones is really Garoppolo, you know. He’s not a runner, so I’m sure they’d feel comfortable with that. It’d be similar to what they’ve been doing,” Phillips told the Bay Area News Group in April 2021. “A 77-percent completion (rate), it’s hard to pass on that. Everybody wants a Tom Brady, obviously. If they can’t really run, you want a Tom Brady. But Garoppolo did some good things for them; they won a lot of games with him.
“If they can get that type guy that’s consistent, doesn’t throw interceptions, run the ball well and play good defense, they can win games,” Phillips added. “They’ve proven that.”
Michael McCorkle Jones grew up in Jacksonville before spending four seasons at Alabama. The 6-foot-2 1/2, 217-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.82 seconds prior to the draft. He initially sat behind future NFL starters Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Jones was arrested his freshman year in 2017 for suspicion of driving under the influence, as well as having an “improper ID by a minor,” after being involved in a non-injury car accident.
Shanahan and 49ers GM John Lynch attended Jones’ pro day on March 30, 2021, to which Jones told NFL Network: “I’m really happy that they came. The trade is the trade. Hopefully, I impressed them. I would love to get a chance to play anywhere in the NFL, but obviously with a great franchise like that.”
Others to leave: Dobbs, linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Broncos), cornerback Charvarius Ward (Colts), left guard Aaron Banks (Packers), safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos), defensive end Leonard Floyd (Falcons), offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (Chiefs), running back Elijah Mitchell (Chiefs), and, on Wednesday, defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (Vikings) and Maliek Collins (Browns). Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was informed Monday of his release after eight seasons and having served last year as the 49ers’ longest-tenured player.Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: The 49ers need to come clean on their real 2025 plan San Francisco 49ers | Santa Clara Stadium Authority approves budget, rejects 49ers request to pay for office space San Francisco 49ers | 49ers free agency tracker: Deebo Samuel trade official, defensive tackles flee, safety Thornhill to visit San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Brock Purdy gets paid, but not as much as Dominick Puni San Francisco 49ers | 49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ storyline
Re-signed were guard Ben Bartch, running back Patrick Taylor Jr., defensive tackle Kevin Givens and linebacker Curtis Robinson.
A breakdown of major EPA deregulatory moves around water, air, climate
By MICHAEL PHILLIS, ALEXA ST. JOHN and JACK BROOK, Associated Press
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Wednesday announced nearly three dozen deregulatory moves that he said would spur the U.S. economy by rolling back rules that have unfairly burdened industry. Many of the moves would affect landmark regulations aimed at protecting clean air and water.
Here’s a look at some of the 31 regulatory changes Zeldin announced:
Reconsider power plant emissions standardsThe Biden administration set limits on planet-warming emissions from existing gas and coal-fired power plants – a major step in the administration’s effort to reduce greenhouse gases from the heavily polluting energy sector. Trump has long opposed such tough, climate-friendly limits and has instead promoted oil and gas development. Zeldin said the agency would reconsider the Biden administration standards to avoid constraining energy production.
Reconsider toxic emission limits on power plantsCoal plants emit toxic metals like mercury and the Biden administration issued a rule to severely limit those pollutants. Officials at the time said technology had progressed enough for these plants to do better. The EPA on Wednesday said nearly two dozen states had sued, arguing the rule was costly and a major burden, especially to coal plants. They also considering offering industry a two-year compliance extension while officials reconsider the rule.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | Trump administration resumes detention of immigrant families after Biden-era pause National Politics | Trump says Ireland cheats the US as its leader joins him to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day National Politics | Things to know about a potential Trump presidential library in Florida National Politics | Federal judge appears skeptical probationary firings were for performance National Politics | Judge hopes to rule next week on Trump order banning transgender people from military service Reconsider wastewater rules for coal and other power plantsHazardous metals like mercury and arsenic end up in the wastewater of steam-powered electric generating power plants like coal. These can have serious health effects including increasing cancer rates and lowering childhood IQ scores. The Biden administration tightened regulations of this wastewater. The EPA said it will revisit those “stringent” rules that are costly to industry and therefore may raise residential energy bills.
New uses for oil and gas wastewaterCurrently, treated wastewater generated from oil and gas drilling can be used in limited ways in certain western lands, such as for agriculture. Environmentalists say there can be a broad range of contaminants in the wastewater, some of which might not be known. The EPA said it will reconsider those rules and look at how the treated water could be used for other purposes like cooling data centers, fighting fires and other ecological needs. They say the current rules are costly, old and don’t reflect the capabilities of modern treatment technologies.
Reconsider petrochemical emergency planningThe Biden administration tightened safeguards against accidents for industrial and chemical plants that millions of people live near. The agency’s risk management program added planning and reporting requirements for facilities and forced some to implement new safeguards. Accidents at these plants can be severe – a 2019 explosion at a Texas facility, for example, forced tens of thousands to evacuate, for example. Industry associations have criticized parts of the rule, such as requirements to publicly report sensitive information.
Zeldin said Biden administration officials “ignored recommendations from national security experts on how their rule makes chemical and other sensitive facilities in America more vulnerable to attack.” The EPA is reconsidering the rule.
Reconsidering greenhouse gas reporting requirementsThe EPA said it was reconsidering its mandatory greenhouse gas reporting program, which requires thousands of major industrial polluters to tell the agency about its emissions. Zeldin said the “bureaucratic government program” costs hundreds of millions of dollars and doesn’t help air quality. Until now, the EPA said the data helped businesses compare their emissions to competitors and find opportunities to reduce them and lower costs.
Reconsider light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicle regulationsZeldin vowed to review his agency’s emissions standards for cars and trucks, calling the tightened emissions rules the “foundation for the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate.” Nothing the Biden administration implemented required automakers to make and sell EVs or for consumers to buy them. Loosening standards would allow vehicles to emit more planet-warming greenhouse gases, but many automakers have already been investing in making their vehicles more efficient.
Reconsider 2009 Endangerment Finding and regulations that rely on itThe scientific finding, under the 2009 Clean Air Act, determined that planet-warming greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. It has been at the core of the nation’s action against climate change. Trump had already directed the EPA to consider the finding’s “legality” in an executive order. Experts say the impacts of climate change on human health and the environment are already clear, and that upending the finding would be devastating.
Reconsideration of technology transition ruleThis program enforced strict rules to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent and planet-warming greenhouse gases used in refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps and more. HFCs, as they are known, are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide and leak through equipment that uses compressed refrigerants. Dozens of countries around the globe have pledged to slash their use and production of the chemicals.
Ending ‘Good Neighbor Plan’This rule was intended to limit air pollution by restricting power plant smokestack emissions, and those from other industrial sites, across 11 states. Eliminating it would especially impact downwind neighborhoods that are burdened by pollution from ground-level ozone, or smog, that is out of their control. However, the Supreme Court had already put a hold on the rule last summer, ruling that states challenging it were likely to prevail.
Reconstitute Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory CommitteeThese seats have long been politicized given how influential they can be in setting national environmental policy. The board reviews “the quality and relevance of the scientific and technical information being used by the EPA or proposed as the basis for Agency regulations” and agency research programs. Congress directed the agency to establish the board to provide the Administrator science advice in 1978. The committee can give “independent advice” to the agency’s Administrator specific to the nation’s Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Reconsider Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality StandardsPower plants and industrial facilities release particulate matter, or soot, that can easily pass through a person’s lungs and into their bloodstream. Last year, the Biden administration tightened standards regulating soot in response to scientific research indicating existing regulations were insufficient. At the time, the EPA estimated its stronger regulations would save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of thousands of cases of asthma and lost workdays annually. The Trump administration’s EPA says these regulations are “a major obstacle” for companies and that the U.S. has low levels of soot.
Reconsider national emission standards for air pollutants for American energy and manufacturingThese EPA standards apply to pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects or other serious health problems, such as asbestos and mercury. Industrial facilities are required to follow strict standards to monitor, control and limit the amount of these chemicals they release into the air.
Restructure the Regional Haze ProgramFor decades, this EPA program has required states to reduce pollution that threatens scenic views in more than 150 national parks and wilderness areas, including in the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Zeldin said that the U.S. has made strides in improving visibility in national parks and that the program is being used as justification for shutting down industrial facilities and threatening affordable energy.
Overhauling ‘Social Cost of Carbon’The social cost of carbon is an EPA tool to weigh the economic costs and benefits of regulating polluting industries by putting a price tag on climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions – set at $190 per ton under the Biden administration’s EPA. That calculation is used in cost-benefit analyses, and was intended to account for greenhouse gas emissions’ impacts including natural disasters, crop damage, health problems and sea-level rise. Under the first Trump administration, carbon was pegged at around $5 per ton. An executive order Trump signed on his first day in office directs the EPA to consider eliminating this calculation entirely to advance his “Unleashing American Energy” policy.
Prioritizing coal ash program to expedite state permit reviews and update regulationsAfter coal is burned, ash filled with heavy pollutants including arsenic, lead and mercury is left behind and typically stored in giant pits under federal regulation. The EPA says it is now seeking to rapidly put regulation “more fully into state hands,” which environmental groups fear could lead to weaker standards. Last year, the Biden administration closed a gap that had allowed companies to avoid responsibility for cleaning up inactive coal ash pits – a policy that environmental groups say could now be repealed.
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
‘Part of the business’: Out of options, SF Giants’ Villar navigates uncertain future
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — David Villar’s time with the Giants could be nearing its end.
Villar, 28, is out of minor-league options. He’s not a frontrunner to make the Opening Day roster, sitting behind Brett Wisely and Casey Schmitt on the depth chart. The Giants must designate him for assignment if he doesn’t make the cut, and he’s unlikely to pass through waivers.
“Obviously, it’s part of the business,” Villar said. “You get optioned up and down for three years. I’ve done my time. I don’t view this spring any differently. I don’t want to place any external pressure on myself. At the end of the day, whatever’s going to happen is going to happen. The only thing I can control is my performance, my attitude and my effort.”
Villar enjoyed one of his better days of the spring in the Giants’ 11-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday afternoon at Goodyear Park, recording a single, a double and scoring twice. His double, one that slammed off the left-center field wall, clocked in at 109.5 mph, an exit velocity he’s never generated in the majors.
By the end of the month, he could be using that pop for another organization.
“It might not be the worst thing in the world for him to be out of options,” said manager Bob Melvin earlier this spring. “He’s been blocked here by multiple people in the past. He does have some talent. He’s got some power. He can really hit. He’s able to play the corner positions.”
Following Evan Longoria’s departure, Villar appeared positioned to take the reins as the Giants’ starting third baseman. In 2022, Villar hit nine home runs with a .787 OPS over 52 games as a rookie. With Sacramento, he totaled 27 homers and 82 RBIs. He earned a spot on the 2023 Opening Day roster and took over at the hot corner but lost his starting job by early May due to underperformance. He hasn’t consistently started for the Giants since then, relegated to cameo status with the big league team.
Villar finds himself in a similar spot this year to Joey Bart a year ago. Like Villar, Bart entered spring training out of options and without a path to playing, stuck behind Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy on the organizational depth chart. Bart joined the Pittsburgh Pirates upon being designated for assignment and finally found the big-league success that previously alluded him, hitting .265 with 13 homers and a .799 OPS for his new team.
“I don’t want to put extra pressure on myself and say, ‘I’ve got to get five, six hits a game in two at-bats.’ Some of these things are not feasible,” Villar said. “The best thing to do is to play the game the right way because there’s always people watching.
“There’s always people in the stands — not only fans but other teams. The Giants are watching, as well as your teammates and other guys on other teams. That’s part of the business. … Whatever the future holds is out of my hands. The only thing I can control is my effort.”
To that end, Villar simplified his offensive approach during the offseason after spending nearly all of last season with Triple-A Sacramento.
Villar, who had an .802 OPS over 106 games with the River Cats in ‘24, scrapped his leg kick, incorporated a shorter stride and moved his hands closer to his head. He also prioritized mobility and flexibility over lifting heavy.
“It’s pretty freeing,” Villar said. “I’ve gotten good results in camp, in live at-bats, good feedback in the cages. For myself, it’s a checkpoint that I like to hit where I’m comfortable and I’m confident in the changes that I’ve made.”
In several weeks time, Villar could be employing those changes for a different organization.
“We’re obviously going to have to make a decision on him,” Melvin said. “I think he knows if the opportunity doesn’t happen here then he might have a better opportunity somewhere else. When you look at guys that are out of options — I’ve been in that position before — it’s almost like, ‘This might be good for me. I either force the hand and I’m here or maybe I’m in the big leagues somewhere else.’ ”
Thursday’s start time moved up
The Giants’ game on Thursday against the Texas Rangers has been moved up from 1:05 p.m. PST to 12:05 p.m. PST due to inclement weather.
Worth noting
Tristan Beck allowed one earned run over 2 2/3 innings with three strikeouts, the lone run coming on a solo home run to the Guardians’ Bo Naylor.Left-handed reliever Joey Lucchesi tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts while right-handed reliever Lou Trivino tossed a scoreless frame of his own. Lucchesi and Trivino are both up to five scoreless innings this spring.Tyler Fitzgerald, the Giants’ starting second baseman, had his best game of spring, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.Luis Matos’ fifth-inning single clocked in at 110.1 mph. Matos has not hit a ball that hard during a major league game in his career.Trump administration resumes detention of immigrant families after Biden-era pause
By VALERIE GONZALEZ, Associated Press
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration resumed family detention of immigrants last week in a South Texas facility after a Biden-era pause, a legal nonprofit group providing services to migrant families said Wednesday.
Fourteen immigrant families with children as young as one year old were in the detention facility in Karnes County, Texas, about 50 miles southeast of San Antonio, according to RAICES, which provides services to families at the center. The families are originally from Colombia, Romania, Iran, Angola, Russia, Armenia, Turkey and Brazil.
Faisal Al-Juburi, the organization’s chief external affairs officer, said the families had been detained in the U.S. near the Mexican and Canadian borders. Some were in the U.S. for as little as 20 days and others for as long as about 10 years, Al-Juburi said. The nonprofit provided service to adult detainees at the center prior to last week’s shift in the center’s detention population when the adult detainees were moved out.
Both the Obama administration and Trump’s first administration detained families until their immigration cases played out. Trump severely curbed asylum and forcibly separated children from their parents at the border in a policy widely denounced as inhumane.
The practice of family detention was largely halted, but not abolished, during the Biden administration, which briefly considered restarting it in 2023.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | A breakdown of major EPA deregulatory moves around water, air, climate National Politics | Trump says Ireland cheats the US as its leader joins him to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day National Politics | Things to know about a potential Trump presidential library in Florida National Politics | Federal judge appears skeptical probationary firings were for performance National Politics | Judge hopes to rule next week on Trump order banning transgender people from military serviceU.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Wednesday.
Geo Group, the private corporation that operates the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center, said the facility can hold up to 1,328 people in a statement issued Monday. It said its contract with the federal government runs through August 2029 and will generate about $79 million in revenue in its first year.
It’s the second facility planned for family detention. Last week, CoreCivic, a company that operates detention centers, announced it entered into a contract with ICE to hold immigrant families at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, with a capacity of 2,400 people.
Immigration advocates expressed concern for the welfare of children held in detention.
Dr. Alan Shapiro is a cofounder and chief strategy officer for Terra Firma National, which works to provide immigrant children and families access to healthcare and legal representation. Shapiro visited family detention centers under the first Trump administration and said detained children experienced behavioral regression, anger and thoughts of self-harm.
“We also heard about suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts from children in the facility themselves and other significant mental health concerns, including self-harm and eating disorders that were not present prior to detention,” Shapiro said.
Kurtenbach: The 49ers need to come clean on their real 2025 plan
Honesty is the best policy.
So the 49ers should just come out and say it: they’re going for a dive in ’25.
Actions might speak louder than words, but setting expectations requires both.
It’s clear, though, from the Niners’ actions as the new league year begins that the team’s roster is not the only thing being reset.
Perhaps I’m the fool, but at least I wasn’t alone in being under the impression that the Niners would, yes, make some tough decisions in free agency, but otherwise would approach the 2025 season with the intent to win not only in the regular season but also in the playoffs.
That is not the case.
I had no problem with the 49ers letting Aaron Banks, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Jaylon Moore, and so many others walk out the door in recent days. Trading Deebo Samuel and cutting Leonard Floyd are moves that made sense in the short and long-term. The 49ers can argue that they have been justified in every move they have made so far in this free agency period.
But when you add them all up, it puts the Niners in an unjustifiable place.
You see, the 49ers are letting established players walk out the door, but they’re not bringing in any commensurate replacements.
While I am certain the idea is to rebuild through the draft (as if you’re never not building through the draft), the fact remains that as of Wednesday afternoon, the 49ers let nine starters leave this offseason and have — at the time of publishing — practically replaced one, maybe two, with slim pickins to replace the rest via free agency.
I can appreciate that the free agent market was absurd, with teams around the league taking the salary-cap bump windfall and spending lavishly on mid-tier players. It was justifiable for the Niners to sit out the first wave.
But to sit idly by during the second and third, what wave are we on now, anyway? That’s just being cheap and using the term “fiscally prudent” as a shield.
Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | Source: 49ers hiring QB Mac Jones four years after nearly drafting him San Francisco 49ers | Santa Clara Stadium Authority approves budget, rejects 49ers request to pay for office space San Francisco 49ers | 49ers free agency tracker: Deebo Samuel trade official, defensive tackles flee, safety Thornhill to visit San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Brock Purdy gets paid, but not as much as Dominick Puni San Francisco 49ers | 49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ storylineA perfect case study of the 49ers’ hapless project 2025 to date:
The team cut defensive end Leonard Floyd on Tuesday. Again, this in and of itself is a sane and rational thing to do.
But they’re yet to replace him, and the team’s top target to replace him, Joey Bosa, signed a one-year deal with the Bills Tuesday night.
The Niners reportedly made an eight-figure offer to Bosa — the lowest possible eight-figure offer you can make. And under the mandate from ownership to reign in spending and not overpay for players, that was as high as the Niners were willing to go.
Of course, there were several other bidders for Bosa, with Miami being one of them. But the Bills, who also desperately need a pass rusher, made Bosa the best offer — $12.6 million a year.
The 49ers refused to budge off a difference that represents less than one percent of the NFL’s salary cap.
I can understand being principled, but drawing hard lines in seller’s markets is a surefire way to end up empty-handed. Yesterday’s price is not today’s price, and the 49ers clearly underestimated how sticky inflation would be.
The truth is that there is no such thing as an overpay — there are just poorly informed cost expectations.
That leaves the Niners with the responsibility of resetting public expectations for 2025.
To be fair, the Niners have signed a few players. A few signings have been pretty deft, in fact. (That’s code for cheap and worthwhile.) They’ll undoubtedly sign some more.
But the team’s issue for the last few seasons has been a lack of middle-class players on their roster. They had a stars-and-scrubs team, and this offseason, they have actively made the decision not to pay some stars market value (again, justifiable in almost all cases) but to replace them—if they replaced them at all—not with middle-class players but rather low-cost, bottom-of-the-roster players.
The Niners are doubling down for a second straight offseason. Last year, they ignored the red flags and doubled down on their aging roster, hoping for another crack at the Super Bowl.
This year, they’re doubling down on six wins.
John Lynch and perhaps even Kyle Shanahan will hold a press conference—or two—before the NFL Draft, either to introduce the players they have signed or to discuss strategy before the college players are picked.
They should be joined at the dais — or in the video conference — by team CEO Jed York, whose policy of austerity has been a serious driver in an offseason fans are calling The Purge.
In that press conference, York, Lynch, Shanahan, or all three at the same time, should declare for the fan base that, yes, the team is punting the 2025 season with the goal of contending again in 2026 and beyond.
And then York should declare that no matter what happens in 2025 — whether the Niners earn the first pick in the 2026 draft or 26th — that Shanahan and Lynch’s jobs are safe.
Because, again, in a vacuum, it’s the smart move for the Niners to bottom out for 2025. They need to take their medicine for “running it back” in 2024, and it is a bitter pill to swallow.
But it sure doesn’t seem as if everyone is on board with that plan in Santa Clara. And that means external expectations will remain high for a team that went to three-straight NFC Championship Games before last season — a team with elite players on both sides of the ball.
If the Niners fail to reset expectations publicly and this team — starting who knows how many rookies and second-year players next year — isn’t contending for the playoffs, much less the Super Bowl, next winter who do you think they’re going to blame?
I’ll give you a hint, straight from York, circa 2017:
“You don’t dismiss owners.”
And that’s hardly fair to a head coach and general manager who are responsible for making expectations for this team so high.
We can all see where this is going, and it’s not worthwhile. It’s time for the Niners to get out in front of this. Otherwise, Lynch and Shanahan will be under it this time next year.
Santa Clara Stadium Authority approves budget, rejects 49ers request to pay for office space
The Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board has just approved its $60.9 million operating and $18.6 million capital budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, with projections that more than $6 million in revenues and rent from Levi’s Stadium will move into the city’s general fund.
The Board, which is made up of members of the Santa Clara City Council, unanimously approved the budget on Tuesday night and denied a request from the San Francisco 49ers to fund a portion of its new office. Councilmember Raj Chahal was absent.
The $18.6 million capital budget includes improvement projects at the stadium like LED retrofitting, bird proofing the escalator canopies and installing a new Levi’s Stadium sign. As part of the budget approval, the board signed off on a $20.6 million debt payment on the stadium — a move that would drop the outstanding debt to $210 million.
Over the last few weeks, Mayor Lisa Gillmor and several other councilmembers have raised concerns about the inclusion of a $620,000 line item to cover partial rent for a new office for the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL team manages the stadium.
The team’s business staff recently moved from the stadium to an office on Great America Parkway in an effort to consolidate all of their employees into one space. Alex Acton, the 49ers’ director of finance, previously told the council that some of those employees are “focused on driving revenue” to the Stadium Authority — the public governing body that oversees Levi’s Stadium.
But city officials recommended that the Stadium Authority decline to cover the cost — and the board agreed.
“They had made the decision, without consultation with Stadium Authority staff, that they are no longer going to use that space for ManCo’s offices and will use other lease space,” City Manager Jovan Grogan said about the 49ers’ management employees who previously worked at the stadium.
A 49ers spokesperson said in a statement that they “believe our new office in Santa Clara will enhance collaboration, efficiency and productivity to the benefit of both the SCSA and the 49ers. We look forward to continuing to work with staff to bring this back to the board for approval.”
The Stadium Authority’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget implements the terms of a recent settlement agreement between the 49ers and the city. The settlement resolved the last two remaining pieces of litigation between the parties over public safety costs and reimbursements for food buffets.
The city is projecting $6.4 million will move into their coffers in the upcoming fiscal year. Santa Clara’s general fund has received on average $3.2 million annually from Levi’s Stadium, according to the budget. The highest amount was in the previous fiscal year at $18.6 million — largely because of the settlement — and the lowest was $390,000 in the 2020-21 fiscal year that saw major impacts due to the pandemic.
The amount paid to the city is calculated through ground rent paid by the 49ers, performance rent based on revenues from non-NFL events and other fees.
Non-NFL event revenue for the upcoming fiscal year is projected to be $5.3 million based on four scheduled concerts and two soccer matches.
“This is the preliminary estimate for non-NFL events and our goal and our hope is that as events continue to be booked, that number will continue to grow,” Kenn Lee, the city’s finance director, told the board.
Revenues from ticket surcharges alone are expected to increase by $2.3 million as the settlement agreement raised the per-ticket fee for non-NFL events from $4 to $8.
Western Flyer sets sail 85 years after historic Gulf of California trip
MONTEREY >> Eighty-five years ago to the week, the Western Flyer set sail for the Gulf of California. Amongst the crew were renowned author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts, taking on the journey that would inspire the book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez.”
On Sunday, the newly restored Western Flyer fishing boat will retrace its historic route, for the first time since 1940, on a three-month expedition slated to include science research, education and community outreach. Local scientists, educators, and conservationists will team up to study the Gulf of California’s ecosystems, and brainstorm new ideas to protect the marine world.
Several special events are planned for Saturday and Sunday as send off celebrations before the crew starts it voyages.
The Western Flyer, the fishing boat taken by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts took on an expedition from Monterey to the Gulf of California that resulted in the book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez” returned to Monterey Saturday after a 70-year absence. (Kyarra Harris — Monterey Herald)Tickets are on sale for “Tales from the Western Flyer: Stories, Legends & the Voyage Ahead” where the public can hear stories, view images from the first voyage and meet the crew. A limited number of tickets are available for $30 each and include drinks, appetizers, and access to the Stanton Center’s “Steinbeck in Monterey” and “Bounty of the Sea” exhibits.
On Sunday there are several events scheduled as follows:
11 a.m.-2 p.m. >> Open house tours of the Western Flyer will be available until 2 p.m. No reservations required—first come, first served.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. >>
*Science & Art Activities – Hands-on experiences for all ages, including Gyotaku fish printing and other activities by the Western Flyer Foundation, National Steinbeck Center and Monterey Public Library.
*Vintage Car Display – Classic automobiles celebrating 1940s’ style, presented by Empire Vintage Autos & Del Monte Auto Club.
11 a.m.– noon >> Ballet Folklórico Efrayim – Traditional Mexican dance performance led by Ángel Efraín Álvarez-Nolasco.
12:30–1:30 p.m. >> Swing into the 1940s! – The Cannery Row Jump Dancers and The Moonglow Jazz Band will perform. Free swing dance lessons will be given.
2 p.m. >> 1940s Costume Contest winners announced. The best 1940s’ look has a chance to win VIP access aboard the Flyer during an exclusive send-off gathering on deck before departure.
2-3 p.m. >> The Fishwives Sea Shanty Band performs.
3 p.m. >> Grand Send-Off! The Western Flyer departs for Mexico with a fireboat salute and ship horn blast.
The Western Flyer Foundation will also be partnering with local organizations to host public events throughout California and Mexico.
For three months, the Western Flyer will follow the original 1940 route while making stops along the California coast and throughout the Gulf of California.
The crew onboard will host public events, hands-on education and scentific research while engaging with people interested in the ocean and stories of researchers.
“This will be a truly special and one-of-a-kind event for Monterey,” said Sherry Flumerfelt, executive director of the Western Flyer Foundation in a press statement. “Back in 1940, the Western Flyer set sail with music, dancing, and a lively dockside send-off. We’re working with the Monterey Public Library and other local partners to bring that same energy back with a farewell party worthy of this legendary vessel.”
The expedition starts at 3 p.m. Sunday departing from Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
John Steinbeck, shown here in 1960. (Monterey Herald archive)
Trump says Ireland cheats the US as its leader joins him to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press
President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Wednesday for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the White House, where he added Ireland to the list of countries he says are taking advantage of the United States.
Martin countered by noting Ireland’s contributions to the U.S.
It was Trump’s first Oval Office meeting with a foreign leader since his recent sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which morphed into a shouting match as they jousted over ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The session ended with Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House.
Martin, who offered only gentle pushback to some of Trump’s comments, is set to return to the White House in the evening to present Trump with a bowl of shamrocks at an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The duo also attended an annual luncheon at the Capitol.
The president’s banter during the Oval Office meeting also touched on Vice President JD Vance’s shamrock-themed socks and Trump nemesis Rosie O’Donnell’s recent move to Ireland.
The Republican president has been sparring with U.S. allies and adversaries alike over trade, slapping double-digit tariffs on imports from countries from Canada to China and in between. During the appearance with Martin, Trump repeated his claim that the European Union was created just to stick it to the U.S.
Asked if Ireland, a member of the EU, was taking advantage, too, Trump said, “of course they are. I have great respect for Ireland and what they did and they should have done just what they did, but the United States shouldn’t have let it happen.” He was referring to the concentration of U.S. pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, due to the country’s tax policies.
“We had stupid leaders. We had leaders that didn’t have a clue or let’s say they weren’t businesspeople, but they didn’t have a clue what was happening and all of a sudden Ireland has our pharmaceutical companies,” Trump said.
Martin countered that the trade relationship is “a two-way street,” adding that Ireland’s two largest airlines buy more aircrafts from Boeing Co. than anyone else outside of America.
More than 700 Irish companies are also based in America, creating thousands of jobs, Martin said. “That’s a little known fact that doesn’t turn up in the statistics,” he added.
“I understand where you’re coming from, fully,” Martin told Trump, “but I think it’s a relationship that we can develop and that will endure into the future.”
At one point, Trump became distracted as he talked about inflation in the U.S.
“By the way, I love these socks. What’s with these socks? I’m trying to stay focused, but I’m very impressed with the VP’s socks,” Trump said, drawing chuckles from others in the room.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | A breakdown of major EPA deregulatory moves around water, air, climate National Politics | Trump administration resumes detention of immigrant families after Biden-era pause National Politics | Things to know about a potential Trump presidential library in Florida National Politics | Federal judge appears skeptical probationary firings were for performance National Politics | Judge hopes to rule next week on Trump order banning transgender people from military serviceVance had worn socks patterned with small green shamrocks as a nod to Martin’s visit.
When a reporter asked Martin why his country would let O’Donnell move there, Trump jumped at the opening.
“I like that question,” the president said, adding that Martin was ”better off not knowing” about O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, a comedian and former talk-show host, and Trump have feuded for years. O’Donnell, who is gay, recently announced that she moved to Ireland in January, citing a lack of equal rights in America.
Trump found a way to sneak his penchant for professional fighting into the discourse.
As the meeting wrapped, Trump was asked to name his favorite person in Ireland. Trump referred to Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, partly because “he’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen.”
Trump is well known for his support of Ultimate Fighting Championship and attended bouts during the 2024 presidential campaign.
He noted that Martin’s father was an acclaimed boxer, but motioned to Martin saying, “You’re so smooth,” suggesting he did not look like a boxer.
“I’m a pretty good defensive boxer,” Martin joked in reply.
Associated Press writer Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.
