Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 21

Game day hangouts: 7 fan-tastic Bay Area sports bars

It’s shaping up to be quite a season. The Super Bowl is returning to the Bay Area in February and the 49ers figure to be right in the mix. And new eras are underway for the college football teams.

For fans looking to get a break from keeping tabs on their teams from home, here’s a sampling of sports bars where Niners, Raiders, Cardinal, Golden Bears or Spartans supporters can gather to root for the home team.

Clara’s Junction, Santa Clara

Outdoor seating at Clara's Junction, located in a new high-rise residential area near Levi's Stadium. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

You can’t get much closer to Levi’s Stadium without having a ticket to the game.

Just a five-minute walk from the action, this spacious indoor-outdoor sports bar (and family-friendly restaurant) sprouted last September in the city’s fast-growing Clara District.

Snag lawn chairs or a picnic table for the backyard barbecue vibe. (Your well-behaved dog in red and gold is welcome outside, too.) The Pit offers smokehouse specials, while Taz’s Tacos fills tortillas with Chicken Tinga, Beef Birria and Baja Fish. Inside, the chef-driven menu ranges from sandwiches like the Crispy Chicken with apple slaw and hot honey and the Tri-Tip Steak with Point Reyes blue cheese to entrees like Lemon-Roasted Petaluma Farms Chicken and Pan-Seared Salmon.

Sports decor is limited. “We want to be everybody’s favorite spot,” not just football fans, GM Henry Hiatt says. Still, take the time to appreciate the cool artwork custom-made from driftwood. Looks to us like a pile of players the ref will have to untangle to see if they got the first.

Football themed art is on display at Clara’s Junction in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

By the numbers: 14 TV screens (nine inside, five outside) and 12 beer taps.

Good to know: The VTA’s Lick Mill light-rail stop is right across the street, so there’s no need to search for $80 parking on game days.

Details: On game days, the Junction opens by 11 a.m. or three hours before a home-game kickoff.

2221 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara; www.clarasjunction.com.

VJ’s Sports Bar X Pizza, Alameda

Bartender Daniel Hennessey, left, waits on customers during happy hour at VJ’s Sports Bar X Pizza in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

If there’s a 10-year-old girl in the family who knows when to yell, “Epic pick!” then get her and the rest of the kids here to share their enthusiasm.

VJ’s is a family-friendly, light-filled spot in Alameda’s West End owned by restaurateur Varun “VJ” Limbachiya, who ran the Straw Hat at this site for a dozen years before deciding in 2021 to transform the place into his own space.

Young athletes know VJ’s well as a gathering spot for the Alameda Little League and other boys’ and girls’ sports teams.

Pizzas still rule here. They’re available in four sizes, including individual. Popular orders include The Works, with six meats plus mushrooms, olives and bells, and the California Veggie, a combination of fresh broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, red onions, with a dusting of Cajun spices. Sandwiches, pastas and garlic twists round out the menu.

Smaller portioned and priced children’s meals –– pizza, pasta, burger or wings with beverage – are available also.

A Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple is served at VJ’s Sports Bar X Pizza in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

By the numbers: 14 TV screens, 20 beer taps.

Good to know: If you’re an Ultimate Fighting Championship fan, VJ’s shows all the fights – with no cover charge.

Details: Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

901 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda; www.vjspizza.com

Double D’s Sports Grille, Los GatosFormer San Francisco 49er’s Joe Montana sports paraphernalia on display inside of Double D’s Sports Grille in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Dean and Darin Devincenzi’s eponymous restaurant and sports bar is still going strong after 29 years. You can’t miss it – Double D’s holds down one corner at the entrance to downtown Los Gatos, with a huge shaded patio out front.

When it comes to food, Double D’s stands apart from most other sports hangouts, with an executive chef, Robert Moreno, at the helm all these years. Filet mignon stars in his Steak Fettuccine, Southwest Steak Salad and Steak Sandwich. The Cajun Pasta Genovese with chicken is a hit, as are his soups. And what sports fan can pass up an appetizer called The GOAT? That’s focaccia crostini topped with goat cheese, ricotta and parmesan, tomatoes and basil and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Like most longtime sports hangouts, Double D’s doubles as a museum, with Joe Montana’s No. 16 jersey and tons of other cool Niners, Sharks, Giants and other sports memorabilia on display.

“CAJUN PENNE GENOVESE; blackened chicken, organic baby spinach, tomatoes, basil, garlic, white wine chicken broth, parmesan,” for $24 at Double D’s Sports Grille in Los Gatos, Calif., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

By the numbers: There are 35 TVs inside and out, including some whoppers — an 85-incher and several 75s. Ten beer taps.

Good to know: You can catch all of the San Jose State, Cal and Stanford games here.

Details: Breakfast menu available starting at 9:30 a.m. Sundays during football season. Otherwise, open for lunch and dinner daily, starting at 11:30 a.m.

354 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; www.doubleds.com

Rickey’s Sports Lounge, San LeandroThe exterior of Rickey’s Sports Lounge in San Leandro, Calif., on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Rickey’s was recently remodeled and is under new ownership after decades. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Formerly the home of Raider Nation, this legendary sports bar has settled nicely into its role as a welcoming home for fans of all sports, all teams – as evidenced by the turnout for this year’s NBA Finals.

But this will be the third season of football since entrepreneur Ramonn Smith turned what was called Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill into Rickey’s Sports Lounge. The bar has been in its current location on Hesperian Boulevard since 1960, though the father of the late, longtime owner, Ricky Ricardo, opened the business in 1946.

Look for a big tailgate party to kick off NFL play on Sept. 7. During the season, breakfast is served on Sunday mornings (think Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and Grits) followed in the afternoon and evening by such menu favorites as the fried, garlicky Whole Snapper, Wings and Catfish Sliders.

By the numbers: There are 38 screens, two TV walls, six beer taps.

Good to know: Surprise guests are always a possibility. Retired tackle Lincoln Kennedy came by in July to sign autographs and hang with members of the infamous Black Hole.

Details: Open at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, noon on Saturdays.

15028 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro; www.rickeysca.com

Dutch Goose, Menlo Park

If you’re a sucker for wooden booths carved with names from yesteryear and walls decorated with neon beer signs, get yourself over to the Goose for a game – and the old-school atmosphere.

This legendary watering hole and restaurant is marking its 59th anniversary this year, with a clientele that ranges from longtime Peninsula residents to young customers who may be living here just long enough to get a Stanford degree.

Order the wildly popular Spicy Deviled Eggs while you’re waiting for your French Dip with grilled onions and cheese (they roast the beef in-house) or the Alburger Pizza. Served here since the beginning in 1966, the deviled egg halves are overflowing with super creamy, paprika-dusted filling. (The recipe is top secret, so don’t even ask.)

By the way: According to Dutch Goose lore, the original owner named this place for the bar in Kansas where he had his first beer.

By the numbers: 11 TV screens, 12 beer taps.

Good to know: There’s a pool table surrounded by arcade games.

Details: Open daily from 11 a.m. til midnight Sunday-Wednesday, until 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.

3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park; www.dutchgoose.net

Stadium Pub, Walnut Creek

Established in 1992, Walnut Creek’s oldest sports bar turns 33 this season and is going strong as ever.

Sundays belong to the NFL – you’ll find every NFL game available – but owner Patty Sherman says some of Stadium Pub’s busiest days are college football Saturdays. And there are plenty of screens to accommodate Cal, Stanford and San Jose State fans as well as transplanted Buckeyes, Longhorns, Cougars and others.

One of the numerous large screen televisions at the Stadium Pub in downtown Walnut Creek. (Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group)

The menu is filled with bar food favorites, including eight different variations of toppings for French fries. Longtime favorites are the signature Chicago-style hot dogs, served on Mary Ann buns brought in from the Windy City.

By the numbers: More than 40 TV screens and every package imaginable. There are more than 15 beers on tap.

Good to know: The Stadium Pub is also dog friendly, so Fido can enjoy the game – and a cool bowl of water – with the gang. Signature cocktails for two-legged visitors include the Hail Mary Bloody Mary and the Stadium Margarita.

Details: On weekend game days, the Stadium Pub opens at 9 a.m. and offers breakfast. Saturdays, that means breakfast burritos, and Sundays, the early menu typically includes 4-5 items. Otherwise, hours are: Monday – Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.

1420 Lincoln Ave, Walnut Creek; www.thestadiumpubwc.com

O’Sullivan’s Sports Pub, Newark

If you want to be able to enjoy watching the big game with a large group – but also have access to midgame diversions or find a place to slink away if your team goes south – this longtime neighborhood establishment has you covered.

O’Sullivan’s stretches across virtually the entire length of Newark Square – the 110-foot bar is one of the longest in Northern California – with more than two dozen screens visible from any vantage point.  If you need a break from the game, there are two dart boards, wooden tower blocks, line-em-up and ring toss games on the walls and a newly installed pool table.

The menu includes a wide variety of full meals, pub food, brunch options and sweets, including Guinness cake and churros that come on a plate, in a basket or in a bucket.

By the numbers: 55 TV screens and 27 beers on tap, including Pliny the Elder.

Good to know: Open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. every day, but you have to be over 21 to get into the establishment. Limited reservations are available on game days.

Details: The facility is so big that there are two sound zones (so patrons can enjoy the audio of separate games) and a front and back bar stocked with more than 300 bourbons, whiskeys and tequilas. Dogs and smokers are allowed in the patio area.

5660 Thornton Ave, Newark; www.osullivansnewark.com

‘Sports czar’ is helping San Jose take advantage of the Super Bowl, March Madness and World Cup coming to Silicon Valley in 2026

After Santa Clara County hosted the Super Bowl in 2016, San Jose elected officials couldn’t help but feel Silicon Valley had left points on the board.

For what was supposed to be a momentous occasion for the South Bay with media day and the big game bookending Super Bowl week, San Francisco saw the lion’s share of the economic activity.

Despite the missed opportunities in 2016, San Jose and Santa Clara County have an even greater opportunity to see an influx of cash in 2026 with three major sporting events — Super Bowl LX, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and FIFA World Cup — coming to the region and bringing potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in spending.

With Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium being the first venue to host both a Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup match in the same calendar year, San Jose public officials looked to fix the mistakes of the past and make a more concerted effort to plan for the marquee events by hiring a temporary “sports czar” to capitalize on the short-term economic boon and opportunity to showcase the city for future growth.

Tommy O’Hare, who skated on the U.S. short-track relay speed-skating team in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and most recently served as the general manager of ClipperVision, the direct-to-consumer streaming platform for the L.A. Clippers, joined the city earlier this year and sat down for an interview with Bay Area News Group to discuss his role.

Q: How would you describe your position?

A: “My position really came about from a feeling related to the Super Bowl in 2016 and just making sure that there’s significant activity in the South Bay for people of all ages and all backgrounds, so they could really have a Super Bowl experience, a March Madness experience and a World Cup experience, even in situations where they can’t pay for a ticket. That’s really what we’re focused on and how can we provide a great sports experience for all these people. That’s our guiding North Star for everything that we do, as well as using it as a platform to really elevate San Jose in the future beyond 2026.”

Q: What would you say are the most significant challenges with planning around these marquee events?

A: “There’s not a ton of time and these big sports events involve a lot of planning that goes into it. There are obviously funding issues that arise and so leveraging the corporate community and raising funds from the corporate community is another constraint that we have. There are also questions like how can we provide an experience without being a rights holder, so there’s not a feeling like we’ve ambushed the sports providers who are out there.”

Q: Many city officials and South Bay residents groan at the frequent cutaway shot of the Golden Gate Bridge when there is a televised event at Levi’s Stadium. What is San Jose doing to become more visible and emerge out of the shadow of San Francisco?

A: “Putting on the big events downtown, really feeling like we’re throwing the party in downtown San Jose and for the World Cup a bit more throughout San Jose. There are a lot of things that I think are going to come out soon about the spectacle-type things that we’re trying to do to feature San Jose. I think we’re really trying to find a good blend of combining sports, technology and the culture of San Jose and creating some features to get the national media to write about San Jose, get the national broadcasters to feature San Jose and also feature some beauty shots.”

Q: With San Jose competing with San Francisco for business around these events, how would you define success?

A: “We have big goals that we really want to reach in terms of the amount of foot traffic that comes into the city. We have goals around the number of hotel nights that are booked. We have goals around flight capacity and things like that and we think that those are a good measure of success for what we’ve done. We also really want to make sure there’s some stuff that is a little harder to quantify, like how do we make sure San Jose feels like it’s an easy place for these sports properties to do business with.  Then we have goals around like what have we done that we feel really propels San Jose forward. That could be things like new art installations, new soccer fields, new soccer programs, creating positive sentiment about the sports events, so that the community feels good about this and they want us to bring these back.”

Q: The NFL season has kicked off, meaning that the Super Bowl is less than six months away. Where do the planning efforts stand around the marquee events and how prepared do you feel?

A: “When I started in this position, which was just at the very end of January, we worked really hard quickly to put together what is our strategy that we want to have for Super Bowl, March Madness and the World Cup. There’s some objective criteria that goes across all those events because we don’t want to have to recreate the wheel for every single one. Between the mayor’s office and the city manager’s office and our external constituents, we all got on the same page with what the strategy was … we’ve really been in the execution phase of our strategy since March and that involves contracting with the vendors, making sure that we have spaces reserved, working on the permits, working on the fundraising that goes along with all this and really pushing ourselves early on to come up with some announcements that will come out soon about what we’re going to do around Super Bowl. Time and more money would always be helpful, but given you know how much time we’ve had since I started, I think we’re in a good position.”

Q: At the time of your hire, city officials mentioned that 2026 presented an opportunity to showcase the city for future tourism and growth. Can you speak to the city’s efforts in creating a favorable experience and from your time here thus far, what do you think are San Jose’s biggest assets in terms of selling itself as a destination for other future events?

A: “I’ve been really impressed with San Jose since I’ve been working for the city. I think we have great infrastructure. I think what really plays the best and to its advantage is the location: the city is close to the airport, it’s super easy to fly into San Jose and it’s super easy to get from the airport to the hotels. We have a great restaurant and food scene in San Jose, there’s the distance that we are to Levi’s, as well as the ease that you have in taking public transportation to San Francisco. … we are also the capital of Silicon Valley. We have access to all this great technology, and sports and technology really go hand-in-hand. Almost every technology company that gets started quickly wants to get into sports because it pushes the envelope for what their technology can do. So we have a lot of access to great companies and their knowledge for technology to help us put on a great show in the city of San Jose and a great corporate community to work with, both for fundraising and as well as the knowledge base to help us put on the events.”

Tommy O’Hare Profile

Position: Sports and Special Events Director

Age: 48

Birthplace: St. Louis

Residence: Sausalito

Education: B.S. in corporate finance, University of Colorado — Colorado Springs, Juris Doctorate, Saint Louis University

5 things to knowEnjoys all sports and would have loved to be a baseball player, but said he didn’t have the talentMoved away from home at 15 to pursue skatingMarried since 2001 and has three children: a 15-year-old daughter and two sons, 11 and 7. His youngest son has a genetic condition called CHARGE syndrome.Despite being an Olympian speed skater, he has not pushed his kids into it — he thinks it’s important for them to find an activity outside of school that they are passionate about and can focus onLived and worked in Spain for three years

Would a home Super Bowl benefit 49ers’ chances? History suggests yes

The Super Bowl’s return to the Bay Area next February is expected to be a huge financial windfall for the region.

The Bay Area Host Committee estimated between $370 million and $630 million in financial impact from the game set for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

They may not be the favorites after a 6-11 season, but would playing in their own backyard be a boon to the 49ers’ hopes of winning their sixth title in franchise history and first in three decades?

Three previous Super Bowls have involved a team playing in their home region – including the 1984 49ers, who played Super Bowl XIX down the road from Candlestick Park at Stanford Stadium.

So far, no “home” team has ever lost a Super Bowl. If the 49ers surprise to capture an NFC title this season, here’s the relevant history:

Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (13) puts his hands to his head after a first half pass went incomplete in Super Bowl XIX against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 20, 1985 in Stanford Stadium. Niners safety Jeff Fuller (49) brought Marino down. (AP Photo)

Super Bowl XIX – Jan. 20, 1985 – Stanford Stadium

The NFL’s owners approved the Bay Area’s first Super Bowl in December 1982, just 11 months after the 49ers won their first title. Stanford Stadium did not have lights or locker rooms at the time, but the school committed to building dressing facilities, and the NFL brought in temporary lights. Candlestick Park and the Oakland Coliseum were deemed too small to host.

“I told the NFL owners last June that San Francisco would roll out the red carpet better than any city in the United States,” San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein said after the announcement.

The 1984 Niners became the first in NFL history to win 15 games in a season, setting them on a course to be the first team to play a Super Bowl in its home market. Joe Montana and the offense gained most of the acclaim, finishing second in the league in scoring, but the defense was stellar. The defensive backfield quartet of Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and Dwight Hicks was all selected to the Pro Bowl.

The game was a battle of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks: Montana, the established star, and Miami’s Dan Marino, the ascendant hotshot after breaking NFL records for passing yards and touchdowns in the regular season.

Marino’s Dolphins scored first and led 10-7 after one quarter, but the Niners outscored them 31-6 the rest of the way, including three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter. Each was the result of a short field after three-and-outs forced by the 49ers defense.

The Niners set a Super Bowl record with 537 yards of offense. Montana had 331 through the air, 59 on the ground and four total touchdowns, while the San Francisco defense forced Marino into two interceptions and four sacks, holding the Dolphins to 25 passing yards.

Montana was named the game’s MVP, while Marino never made it back to the sport’s biggest stage.

“Dan Marino’s a great young quarterback, but my feeling, our feeling, is that Joe Montana is the greatest quarterback today, maybe the greatest of all time,” 49ers coach Bill Walsh said, according to the New York Times.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LV – Feb. 7, 2020 – Raymond James Stadium

It took 35 years for another Super Bowl team to play in its home market, and even then, the home-field effect was diminished.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the Kansas City Chiefs in front of a COVID-limited crowd of 24,835. Tampa hosted its fourth Super Bowl one year after the Chiefs beat the 49ers in Miami to win Super Bowl LIV. A slew of early-season injuries took the Niners out of the NFC race, and the Bucs capitalized.

In Tom Brady’s first season after defecting from New England, he and the Buccaneers went 11-5 to claim a wild-card spot. They then swept through three road playoff games to earn a home Super Bowl.

The focus was again on the quarterback matchup, as a 43-year-old Brady was facing the reigning Super Bowl MVP in Patrick Mahomes at age 25. It was the Bucs’ defense that made the difference, though.

Without both starting offensive tackles, Mahomes was under constant siege. He took only three sacks but was pressured a Super Bowl-record 29 times and threw two interceptions. The Bucs kept Kansas City out of the end zone in a 31-9 romp.

Ndamukong Suh had 1.5 sacks for Tampa Bay, and Shaquil Barrett recorded four quarterback hits, keeping Mahomes on the run.

Brady hit former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski for two touchdown passes in the first half, and Leonard Fournette contributed 135 total yards and a rushing touchdown.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Super Bowl LVI – Feb. 13, 2021 – SoFi Stadium

Just over a year later, history repeated, as the Rams made a run to the Super Bowl in their first season playing at the space-age SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Los Angeles had been in playoff contention since coach Sean McVay arrived in 2017 at the age of 30, but general manager Les Snead took a big swing in early 2021 when he traded former No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff and draft picks to Detroit for big-armed veteran Matthew Stafford.

The gamble paid off.

In Stafford’s first season, the Rams went 12-5 to win the NFC West as the No. 4 seed, then beat Arizona in the wild-card round and used a late-game heave from Stafford to Cooper Kupp to overcome blowing a 24-point lead in Tampa Bay, eliminating the Bucs on a last-second Matt Gay field goal. It was more drama in the NFC title game against the 49ers: Trailing by 10 entering the fourth quarter, the Rams engineered three scoring drives to win 20-17 in a game remembered by 49ers fans for Jaquiski Tartt’s dropped interception.

In the AFC, quarterback Joe Burrow and the upstart Bengals shocked the Chiefs in Kansas City in the conference title game to reach the Super Bowl.

The Rams scored first as Stafford hit Kupp from 17 yards out in the first quarter, but the Bengals stayed within a score through the first half.

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After an LA-centric halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre, the Bengals came out firing. Burrow and Tee Higgins connected for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half, then Stafford threw a pick to open the next possession. The teams exchanged field goals, then the offense went silent as they traded seven consecutive punts with only three first downs, all by Cincinnati.

Aided by an early fourth-down conversion by Kupp and two defensive penalties inside the 10-yard line, Stafford and the Rams drove 79 yards to take a 3-point lead on a 1-yard Kupp catch.

The Bengals drove to midfield and had second-and-1, but the Rams stopped them on three straight plays, sealing a home Super Bowl victory. Kupp was the MVP for his 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Stafford had 283 yards passing and overcame two interceptions with three touchdowns, while Burrow finished with 263 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-33 passing but was sacked seven times.

Aaron Donald and Von Miller each had two sacks for the Rams.

“As far as building this stadium, I think it turned out all right,” said Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who moved them back to L.A. in 2016 from St. Louis and funded the $5 billion stadium where his team and the Chargers now play.

Horoscopes Sept. 9, 2025: Michelle Williams, take control and make things happen this year

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michelle Williams, 45; Eric Stonestreet, 54; Adam Sandler, 59; Hugh Grant, 65.

Happy Birthday: Take control and make things happen this year. If you crave change or greater security, it’s up to you to put a plan on the table and promote what you want to pursue. Waiting for things to come to you will lead to disappointment, but hustling, networking and marketing your ideas, skills and perspective on how things unfold will connect you with people who can help you bring your dreams to life. Your numbers are 8, 13, 17, 24, 31, 38, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Use your imagination, but keep your cash in a safe place. You’re more likely to buy into something overpriced or unnecessary. Your time, money and effort will flourish if directed toward your health, fitness and emotional well-being. A positive state of mind will encourage you to feel good about yourself without overspending or engaging in indulgent behavior. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Home is your refuge, so don’t allow anyone to annoy or distract you from what makes you happy. Establish who you want to spend time with and what you want to achieve, and you’ll gain insight into how to make it happen. Your perspective on the balance between work and play can bring about positive change. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Fix your surroundings to suit your needs. Reach out to those you can trust for input, expertise and hands-on assistance. The emotional impact of home improvements on you will bring you peace of mind regarding what’s truly meaningful to you. Implement a schedule adjustment that fits your budget, eases stress and makes your life manageable. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t sign up for something that will exceed your budget or tax your energy or time. A reasonable attitude will help you keep things in perspective and stop anyone who is asking for too much from you. Protect yourself from scammers and those making false claims or offers that sound too good to be true. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep the information flowing and your finger on the pulse of what’s hot and what’s not. Knowing how to play fair and smart will help you navigate your way to positive change and connections. An energetic approach to whatever you do will attract interest and potential partnerships that can have a beneficial impact on the outcome. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Expand your reach by communicating with experts and broadening your scope and long-term plans. When one door closes, don’t hesitate to open another and move forward with confidence boldly. Know your worth, and don’t hesitate to take control and initiate what you want, even if it means moving forward alone. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Focus on what’s meaningful, and use your energy innovatively. Getting along with those you live or work alongside is essential if you want to bring about change and understand what motivates others. Your attention to detail will be the difference between success and failure. Know your audience and tailor your message to them. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Discipline will be your saving grace. Consider what’s vital to achieving your goals and act accordingly. Learn as you go, expand your circle and objectives, and utilize your ability to articulate what you require from contributors to achieve your objectives. Knowing what you can do and confidently displaying your skills will attract positive feedback and support. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A lifestyle change will give you a chance to rediscover what you want out of life. Design your future by intertwining your dreams and reality to create a plan that meets your needs. Let your emotions guide you and your physical ability carry you to your destination. Turn your aspirations into something tangible. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Think before making a move. Refuse to let outside influences push you in the wrong direction. Stick to your plans and budget, and show discipline when you face temptation or pressure from those trying to take you for granted. Opportunity is within reach, but it’s up to you to discover and take advantage of what’s available. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Review your financial situation and implement a plan that will help your money grow. Investing in home improvements that lower your overhead or making a physical move to a place that is more affordable or convenient are in your best interest. Put more time and effort into personal or professional contracts and improving your relationships. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep your eye on the changes happening around you, and prepare to counter anything that may dismantle your well-being physically, emotionally or financially. Overspending or paying for someone else’s mistake to make an impression will lead to a loss. Look for opportunities that expand your mind, interests and chances to advance. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are imaginative, outgoing and generous. You are inventive and possessive.

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.

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49ers road trip playbook: Fans’ guide for what to eat, drink, see and do if you follow the team across the country this season

All roads this NFL season lead to Levi’s Stadium for the Super Bowl. For the 49ers to become the third-ever team to play for a Lombardi Trophy on its home field, they’ll have to conquer a regular-season schedule that includes nine road trips.

Here is my personal away-game guide for the 49ers Faithful:

Seattle Seahawks

The game: 1:05 p.m. Sept. 7 at Lumen Field. One of the loudest, rowdiest outdoor venues in the NFL will be rocking for the season opener.

Transit: Light rail is definitely doable from the airport and around town. Walking is also recommended if you can handle Seattle’s hills.

Grub + brew: From Fremont Brewing atop Lake Union over to Ballard’s brewery district (Reuben’s, Stoup, Bale Breaker, Lucky Envelope) toward downtown (Holy Mountain, Cloudburst, Pike breweries) and south (Georgetown Brewery), get out your compass and enjoy. Wine lovers should hit Purple Café.

Signature spots: Pike Place Market (flying fish, a bubble-gum alley and the original Starbucks) and the Space Needle (great view of it and downtown from Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood).

Sports detour: Head to Husky Stadium on Saturday night, as the University of Washington hosts U.C. Davis.

New Orleans Saints

The game: Noon (CT)  Sept. 14 at the Superdome. The 49ers haven’t been to the epic venue since 2020, when only 5,979 fans were allowed in amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is where the Niners won a Super Bowl (1990) and lost one (2013).

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: Fans of the New Orleans Saints look on during the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Transit: If you don’t rent a car – there is plenty of parking in the city – use Uber/Lyft. Depending on where you stay, you can take an iconic New Orleans streetcar to the Poydras Avenue stop, the nearest station to the Dome.

Grub + brew: This season’s ultimate tour stop for culinary delights. Favorites: Cochon Butcher (lunch/deli), Pascal’s Manale (barbecue shrimp/oysters), Café de Monde (beignets), Jacques-Imo’s Café (Big Easy vibe), Commander’s Palace (legendary), Clancy’s (No. 1 recommendation by New Orleans colleague Jeff Duncan). It’s almost a rite of passage for French Quarter first-timers to take down a Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane.

Signature spots: The French Quarter’s spectacle of architecture, balconies, alleys and people watching is unmatched. But go trek down Magazine Street in the Garden District and explore Audubon Park uptown.

Sports detour: The Tulane Green Wave, who in 2014 moved out of the Superdome to open Yulman Stadium a couple miles down the road, take on Duke University on Sept. 13.

Los Angeles Rams

The game: 5:15 p.m. Oct. 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It’s a Thursday night game, but that won’t prevent the annual Sea of Red takeover at what many call Levi’s South. 49ers fans have packed the 70,000-seat stadium since it opened.

San Francisco 49ers fans gather before an NFC championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Transit: As vast as the parking lot is, brace for traffic jams. If you are flying into LAX, consider staying in one of the surrounding beach towns and make it a long weekend. There is a free shuttle from the LAX Metro station to SoFi.

Grub + brew: Don’t settle for the stadium’s closest fare (a $1.50 Costco hot dog). There’s enough excellent cuisine for whatever you desire in and around this metropolitan mecca.

Signature spots: The nation’s best jogging path for out-of-shape NFL beat writers exists along The Strand, flanking beachfront property from Hermosa through Manhattan to El Segundo.

Sports detour: If the Dodgers don’t win the NL West they might host a wild card game Wednesday night (Oct.1.)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The game: 1 p.m. (ET) Oct. 12 at Raymond James Stadium. Before kickoff, don’t miss Bucs beach and the iconic pirate ship in the south end zone.

Transit: Tampa International Airport’s runways are just across the street on the Dale Mabry Highway.

Grub + brew: All within a mile or two of the stadium are hotels, restaurants and bars. Cuban spot La Teresita is recommended by locals and within walking distance on Columbus Drive.

Signature spots: If you do leave the stadium’s entertainment zone, Tampa has a downtown riverwalk among hotels, museums and the University of Tampa (not to be confused with the University of South Florida, which is 10 miles north.)

Sports detour: The closest Florida college football game this weekend is four hours away at Florida Atlantic, but the Tampa Bay Rays might be hosting an American League playoff game down the street in their temporary digs at George Steinbrenner Field.

Houston Texans

The game: Noon (CT) Oct. 26 at NRG Stadium. The massive, multipurpose facility built in 2002 bills itself as the only rodeo and NFL indoor/outdoor retractable roof stadium in the world.

A general overall interior view of NRG Stadium before the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans, in an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

Transit: You can get to the downtown stadium from Hobby Airport via light rail (50 minutes) or car (15 minutes, no traffic).

Grub + brew: Houston is known for its BBQ, of course. It’s also the home to one of the nation’s oldest bars: La Carafe. It’s dark, dingy, and there are no TVs, so just talk, have a beer and listen to music.

Signature spots: Houston has an aquarium, a theater and a symphony. NASA’s Johnson Space Center offers a cool museum and tour to explore, about 30 minutes southeast of downtown.

Sports detour: On Saturday, about 2 miles up the road, you can catch college football as Rice hosts Connecticut, the latter which is coached by former 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora.

New York Giants

The game: 10 a.m. (ET) Nov. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 15-year-old, 82,500-seat stadium is a rather bland island among asphalt parking lots and swampland.

Transit: The New York Marathon is being run on game day, so find safe harbor across the Hackensack and Hudson rivers. Staying in New Jersey may not be the sexy getaway for a “New York” game, but it will make life easier on game day.

Grub + brew: Finnerty’s, a refuge for Bay Area sports fans, has reopened after a five-year break and is next to the Empire State Building. A few blocks northwest of Central Park is Tom’s Restaurant, the true exterior of “Monk’s Cafe” in Seinfeld.

Signature spots: If you’re strolling the blocks near Times Square’s spectacle, swing through Bryant Park for a break. Central Park is definitely worth a visit or a run or a carriage ride.

Sports detour: Game 7 of the World Series could fall on Nov. 1. The Yankees and Mets offer a double chance that New York makes it that far.

Arizona Cardinals

The game: 2:05 p.m. (MT) Nov. 16 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

Transit: Unless you’re staying right by this spaceship-looking desert facility, you’re likely facing a 30-minute drive from Scottsdale, Phoenix or Tempe.

Grub + brew: They’ve improved the grassy, west-side tailgate area to set up a canopy or makeshift bars. Westgate Entertainment District, just north of Glendale’s former NHL arena, features plenty of bars and restaurants.

Arizona Cardinals fans walk to their seats during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Signature spots: Old Town Scottsdale is a tourist mecca; Tempe works for those reliving college life, and downtown Phoenix seems to be on the come. Go take a hike or get in a round of golf.

Sports detour: Brandon Aiyuk’s alma mater, Arizona State, is hosting West Virginia, Colton McKivitz’s alma mater, on Saturday (Nov. 15) across the Valley at Sun Devil Stadium.

Cleveland Browns

The game: 1 p.m. (ET) Nov. 30 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns’ new home opened in 1999 but still hasn’t quite replicated the Dawg Pound of its former home in the East End Zone.

Transit: An easy walk from downtown will get you to the stadium.

Grub + brew: Aliens, from Masthead Brewing, is an award-winning West Coast IPA. Also check out BrewDog, just over the Cuyahoga River, and try out Noble Beast. The Clevelander, Whistle and City Tap are closer to Cleveland’s basketball and baseball venues but still downtown and a few blocks from the Dawg Pound.

Signature spots: Next door to the stadium is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Better yet, take an hour drive south to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

FILE – Signage marks the exterior of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aug. 30, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Sports detour: On Saturday, Ohio State plays at Michigan about three hours up the road in Ann Arbor.

Indianapolis Colts

The game: 8:15 p.m. (ET) Dec. 22 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The home of the annual NFL Combine. It will be cold, but the game is indoors, and Indianapolis will insulate you with its enclosed walkways between buildings.

Related Articles Would a home Super Bowl benefit 49ers’ chances? History suggests yes 49ers’ report: Kittle could be headed for I.R., Purdy has toe, shoulder issues; Moody being evaluated Photos: Former Gilroy home of 49er selling for $3.9 million Kurtenbach: An act of mercy — it’s time (again) for the 49ers to cut kicker Jake Moody 49ers bring back Kendrick Bourne with Jauan Jennings injured

Transit: If you don’t have a car or want to use Uber/Lyft, public transportation is available using the IndyGo bus system or Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). An Amtrak/Greyhound station is within walking distance of the stadium.

Grub + brew: Bluebeard is a homey, farm-to-table spot a few miles from downtown that is a definite must (and the top choice of any restaurant this season on the 49ers beat). Be sure to clear your sinuses with a shrimp cocktail (and a steak and martini) at St. Elmo downtown.

Signature spots: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is enormous and offers a race-car museum to behold. If you have the time, Newfields is a 152-acre cultural campus that is home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art galleries, gardens, two historic homes and a lot more.

Sports detour: This time of year in Indiana calls for a college basketball game, so on Saturday (Dec. 20), you can catch Indiana (playing Chicago State an hour south in Bloomington) or Butler, which hosts Northwestern at Indy’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers.

Webb reaches 200 strikeouts, SF Giants slug 5 home runs in rout of D-backs

SAN FRANCISCO — With a smack of his glove and a swift stride back to the dugout, Logan Webb celebrated a new career milestone.

“I told (catcher Patrick Bailey) before the game,” Webb said, “I’m only six away. But I’m not counting.”

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The Giants ace wasn’t his most efficient, nor his most effective, against the Diamondbacks on Monday night. But, like he has all season, Webb reached into his back pocket and found a weapon when he needed it most.

Four runs were already on his pitching line and a potential fifth was standing on third with two outs in the fifth, as Arizona’s No. 5 hitter, Adrian Del Castillo, stepped into the box. The count ran full, and Webb fired a changeup on the outside corner that darted away from the left-handed batter.

Castillo offered and came up empty. Strike three, the 200th of the season for the ground-ball savant turned strikeout artist. A congratulatory message flashed across the jumbotron, the 26,699 on hand rose to their feet and Webb made his way off the mound, offering little acknowledgment of the feat.

But he knew. Webb added one more punchout to finish with seven, requiring 110 pitches to complete six innings, and earned the win in an 11-5 trouncing to open their series against Arizona.

“Obviously I knew about it,” Webb said. “But the goal is to win everyday and try to win every game we can. I’m just happy we were able to do that.”

Webb walked off the mound as the National League leader in strikeouts — 201 total — and the first Giants pitcher to reach the round number since Carlos Rodón did it in 2022. By the end of the month, he will all but certainly become the first in the franchise since Madison Bumgarner to do so while also pitching 200 innings.

“I’m super fired up for him, super proud,” Bailey said. “He works his butt off. He goes out there every fifth day, no matter how he feels, and gives us all he’s got. To be able to accomplish that goal for him, it’s really special.”

San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) tries to throw out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas (6) at first base in the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Vargas was safe. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll (7) steals second base against San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss (50) in the fifth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Carroll would advance to third base. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos (17) hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos (17) celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) makes it safely to first base against Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas (6) in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) makes a catch for an out in centerfield on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas (6) in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss (50) celebrates his two-run double against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos (17) celebrates his two-run home run with San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss (50) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Dominic Smith (7) celebrates hist two-run home run with San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos (17) celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) hits a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos (17) makes a catch in left field for an out on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll (7) in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey (14) heads to the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Show Caption1 of 15San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) tries to throw out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas (6) at first base in the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Vargas was safe. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Expand

When he walked off the mound, Webb wasn’t in line for the win. But that changed in a hurry, as the Giants loaded the bases to begin the bottom of the sixth and hung a five-spot on the scoreboard by the time it was over, handing a commanding lead over to the bullpen.

Paired with the Mets’ 1-0 loss to the Phillies, the win pulled the Giants (73-71) within three games of the final wild card spot. They had been 7½ games back as recently as August 22 before going on to win 12 of their past 15 games.

“I think we’re trying to stay away from actually focusing too much on that and just trying to continue to play well,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It’s a little different strategy than before. We were in a really good position and all of a sudden we’re completely out of it. It didn’t look like there was much on the horizon for us, and then all of a sudden you go on a run like this and you put yourself back in position.”

Christian Koss doubled in a pair to begin the scoring in the fifth, and Heliot Ramos put an exclamation point on the rally with a 435-foot tank that landed midway up the bleachers in left-center field. Ramos’ homer, his 17th of the season, was the Giants’ third of the game, adding on to a pair of souvenirs Jung Hoo Lee and Dominic Smith provided to fans atop the arcade in right field.

Lee, in the second, and Smith, in the third, answered for Arizona’s runs in the top half of each inning, before the Giants broke it open in the sixth. Matt Chapman added on with a solo shot in the seventh, and Bailey joined the power party in the eighth.

The Giants’ five home runs set a season-high, their most in a game at Oracle Park since 2021. It was also the third time this season they have slugged four in one game — all occurring in the past two weeks.

Asked to sum up their sudden power surge, all Bailey could say was, “They say hitting’s contagious, and you’re kind of seeing it right now.”

“It’s really fun to watch,” added Webb, for whom the run support is a welcome change of pace. “The guys are feeding off each other. … We had a rough stretch for a while in every facet of what we were doing — pitching, hitting, defense — it wasn’t the way we wanted to play baseball. Now we’re playing it the right way.”

Webb breezed through the first inning on nine pitches but needed 31 to complete the second, issuing a pair of walks that both came around to score after Koss flubbed a hard chopper up the middle that would have been the third out. Arizona added another two-out run after Webb allowed a leadoff single to Ketel Marte to start the third and couldn’t put away Blaze Alexander, who snuck a nubber past a diving Smith at first base with two down.

The occasional piece of soft contact sneaking through the infield is a built-in part of Webb’s game as a sinkerballer who coaxes ground balls at one of the highest rates in the league. The ability to turn to the strikeout to recover from those is a new wrinkle Webb added this season.

“I think it’s just the execution,” Bailey said of the reason behind Webb’s uptick in whiffs. “I feel like this year he’s been really dialed in about locating the pitches. The four-seam has been really big with two strikes. It takes some pressure off the changeup. The sweeper’s been really good, too, to both sides.”

The biggest key, Bailey said, was count leverage. Webb’s 69.5% first-pitch strike rate trails only the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal.

“You strike more guys out when you give them some strikes,” Bailey said. “He does a really good job of that.”

Previously, the most batters Webb had fanned in a season was 194 in 2023, but those came in a major-league-leading 216 innings. He was sitting on that number entering his start Monday night, at only 178⅔ innings. He has shouldered the majors’ largest workload each of the past two seasons and is doing so again this year, at a league-leading 184⅔ frames, but now finds himself atop a new leaderboard.

“(He’s) getting better, pitch-mix wise,” Melvin marveled before the game. “Look at how his pitches work now, all the different ones, that’s why you’re seeing all these strikeouts now. … That really wasn’t him before. Now, he can get strikeouts when he needs to, ground balls when he needs to. He’s just a better pitcher now and continues to get better.”

Restore dull blades fast with the best knife sharpener

Which knife sharpeners are best?

The sharper your knife is, the safer it is to use, and the easier it will cut. Rather than efficiently dicing and slicing your produce, a dull knife actually requires more force, which can cause you or someone else in your household to get hurt. That’s why it’s so important to have a top-quality knife sharpener on hand.

Having an excellent knife sharpener will help you make sure that all of your knives are in proper working condition. A top option is the Chef’sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect.

What to know before you buy a knife sharpenerConsider your budget

Think about your budget before purchasing a knife sharpener. Higher-end knife sharpeners can cost up to $150, but you don’t need to spend that much to buy a knife sharpener that will fit your needs.

Learn about the different types of knife sharpeners

There are a few different kinds of knife sharpeners out there, including serrated knife sharpeners, handheld or manual knife sharpeners and electric knife sharpeners. Serrated knife sharpeners allow you to sharpen serrated knives, while handheld knife sharpeners are compatible with most knives and work well for traveling cooks or those with limited storage space. Electric knife sharpeners are easier to use than others, but they are typically more expensive.

Figure out how often you should sharpen your knives

You will know when you need to sharpen your knives if you run into resistance while you are trying to cut something. It’s probably time to sharpen your knife if you notice that the blade doesn’t slice through meat and produce the same way it did before.

The frequency at which you need to sharpen your knives also depends on how often you use your knives, what you cut with them and how well you take care of them. The more inexpensive knives may need more frequent sharpening.

What to look for in a quality knife sharpenerEase of use

Having a knife sharpener that takes the guesswork out of knife sharpening can be useful for beginners who aren’t very experienced with knives. Many knife sharpeners feature blade guides that help beginners learn how to sharpen the knives properly. The blade guides help you angle the blade properly as you sharpen the knife.

Material

The harder the material of the knife sharpener, the better the sharpener will perform. Sharpeners made of materials like tungsten and diamond cost more, but they’re also more effective at sharpening.

Safety

It’s important to choose a knife sharpener that provides a barrier for your fingers, especially if you are new to knife sharpening. This can help decrease the risk of injury. Keep in mind that most manual knife sharpeners lack any barriers or guides, so they are better suited for people who are more experienced at knife sharpening.

How much you can expect to spend on a knife sharpener

Knife sharpeners vary in price, depending on the type of sharpener and the quality. High-end knife sharpeners made of harder materials can cost up to $150.

Knife sharpener FAQDo you really need to sharpen your knives?

A. Yes, a well-sharpened knife is simpler to use and less likely to slip and hurt you as you slice through an item. A well-sharpened knife will also cut through all of your produce and meat more efficiently and effectively and make all of your meal prep easier.

What is honing? Is it the same as sharpening?

A. No, a butcher’s steel works to hone knives rather than sharpen them. Honing helps even out the edge of the knife blade so that you can get the straightest knife edge possible. Nothing is actually shaved off your knife when you hone it.

Is there a way to keep your knives sharp longer?

A. The more you use your knives, the more frequently you will need to sharpen them. Obviously, you don’t want to limit your knife use, but there are a few things you can do to keep your knives sharp longer.

For example, you can use wood cutting boards to keep your blades from dulling quickly. You can also store your knives carefully so that the blades are well protected. Dry your knives immediately after washing them, and keep the knives away from the dishwasher.

What’s the best knife sharpener to buy?Top knife sharpener

Chef’sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect

What you need to know: This superior knife sharpener from Chef’sChoice has a patented and powerful design that sharpens blades effectively.

What you’ll love: This durable electric Chef’sChoice knife sharpener combines a 15-degree angled edge and diamond abrasives for top-quality results. The knife sharpener is also backed by a three-year limited warranty.

What you should consider: This knife sharpener comes with a learning curve.

Top knife sharpener for the money

Presto 08800 EverSharp

What you need to know: This affordable knife sharpener from Presto is easy to use and will give you plenty of bang for your buck.

What you’ll love: This budget-friendly Presto knife sharpener features a two-stage sharpening system for grinding knife blades and honing them to a polished and sharp finish. The device is suitable for sharpening most straight-edge knives.

What you should consider: The grinding wheels on this knife sharpener can sometimes become unbalanced.

Worth checking out

Mercer Culinary Ceramic Rod Knife Honing Steel

What you need to know: This solid and simple knife sharpener from Mercer Culinary is ideal for regular use in professional kitchens.

What you’ll love: This affordable Mercer Culinary knife sharpener is similar to a honing rod, but it removes metal. There is also a very low learning curve with this knife sharpening device, and it’s not prone to damaging a good bevel.

What you should consider: This knife sharpener can’t be used to fix bad geometry or dings.

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.

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SF Giants attempt to stay hot on crucial homestand vs. Diamondbacks, Dodgers

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants’ winning streak was snapped in St. Louis, but they still believe they’re the hottest team in baseball.

“I think we are,” manager Bob Melvin said. “I mean, shoot, we lost a game in the ninth and (on Sunday) we had some opportunities and just didn’t come through. So, I think these guys feel good.”

That will be put to the test over the next three weeks, beginning Monday night, as Melvin’s squad attempts to put a pair of one-run losses to close their road trip behind them, and continue a push for the playoffs that looked improbable, if not impossible, a couple weeks ago.

Opening their penultimate homestand of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Giants sat four games back of the Mets for the wild card spot. They will face off against Arizona, a half-game back of them in the standings, six times over their final 19 games.

Even after losing two in a row for the first time since August 21-22, San Francisco has gone 11-3 over its past 14 games, using the hot bats of Rafael Devers and Willy Adames to ensure they will play meaningful baseball down the stretch.

“We’re not thinking about it today,” infielder Wilmer Flores said of the sour ending to the road trip, which also brought an end to their 18-game home run streak. “We’re thinking about winning today. It doesn’t matter what the losses could impact or do, just worry about today.”

As August came to a close, the Giants seemed content to play out the string of the season and get young players such as Luis Matos and Drew Gilbert more playing time. All of a sudden back in the playoff hunt, Melvin said it hasn’t changed his managerial maneuvering.

“We just try to win every game no matter what — it’s the big leagues,” he said. “It’s been pretty much the same all year because we’ve been back-and-forth. Even when we’ve been on the verge of being out of it, you know you’re not. You know that all it takes is a run to get back into it.”

The Giants did just that, but there’s more work to be done — thanks to the position they put themselves in by losing seven of their first 10 series after the All-Star break.

In addition to the Diamondbacks, the Giants will see the Dodgers seven times over their final 19 games. There’s also another three games against the Cardinals, who just took two of three in St. Louis and also sat a half-game back entering Monday night.

The schedule doesn’t offer a respite from playoff hopefuls until the final series of the season, a three-game set against the Rockies. It starts against the Diamondbacks, who own the majors’ third-best record since the start of August (21-14) and haven’t dropped a set at Oracle Park since 2023.

“First of all, we’ve got to win,” Flores said. “I don’t think it matters where we are in the standings. If we control how we play, honestly, we could be a game out, we could be in the playoffs, we could be out, all you can do today is play well to win the game.”

Related Articles Webb reaches 200 strikeouts, SF Giants slug 5 home runs in rout of D-backs Sharks’ Celebrini, Smith visit SF Giants, take batting practice at Oracle Park Joey Chestnut aiming for new eating record at Giants-Dodgers game SF Giants drop two of three to Cardinals, prepare for crucial six-game homestand SF Giants’ winning streak snapped as Walker blows save against Cardinals Notable

— Flores, a pending free agent, said he hasn’t heard one way or another from the Giants about a reunion in 2026.

— RHP Randy Rodriguez has scheduled his elbow surgery and decided on the doctor who will perform the operation. Dr. Keith Meister will reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligaments in Rodriguez’s right elbow — Tommy John surgery — during the last week of September, likely ruling the Giants’ closer out for all of 2026.

— LHP Carson Whisenhunt (back strain) threw a bullpen, the first time he has thrown off a mound since landing on the IL at the end of August. That is more than can be said for RHP Landen Roupp (left knee inflammation), who played catch up to 90 feet but will remain on flat ground for the rest of the week.

Sharks’ Celebrini, Smith visit SF Giants, take batting practice at Oracle Park

SAN FRANCISCO — Batting practice was optional for the Giants’ position players Monday, following a late-night arrival back home from St. Louis.

Still, a smattering of players gathered around the cage inside Oracle Park to watch a couple other athletes take some hacks.

and Will Smith, the San Jose Sharks’ top picks in the 2024 and 2023 drafts, respectively, and their two biggest young stars, traded in their skates for spikes and took BP before the Giants began their homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Celebrini’s lineage is well known in these parts, the son of Warriors head trainer Rick Celebrini, but did you know Smith’s family tree runs deep in baseball? He is the great, great grandson of the former White Sox owner Charles Comiskey and also played shortstop growing up before settling on hockey.

The San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini, left, and Will Smith talk to Giants hitting coach behind the batting cage at Oracle Park on Monday, September 8, 2025. (Evan Webeck / Bay Area News Group)

It showed, as Smith could almost pass as the Dodgers catcher by the same name, lining a few pitches into the outfield with a smooth right-handed swing. Celebrini stopped playing baseball when he was 7 years old and didn’t look quite as natural from the left side.

“These guys, their hand-eye (coordination) is probably as good as it gets,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Both players sent a couple balls to the warning track, but neither will challenge Brandin Podziemski as the best cross-sport performance. (The Warriors guard put one over the right-field wall when he paid a visit last season.)

The Sharks open their season Oct. 9 and training camp is already underway, giving the players a convenient excuse for their lack of home-run swings.

“We had a good day of practice and a workout, so we were a little gassed coming in,” Smith said. “No excuses, though.”

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Melvin joked, “I’m guessing these guys are low-ball hitters,” but the slap-shooters’ form on the ice didn’t translate, according to Smith. He spent his offseason taking plenty of swings on the golf course, too, and that was no help, either.

“It’s a lot different,” Smith said. “A lot different.”

The players got a tour of the Giants’ facilities, changed into team-issued workout gear and donned custom-made jerseys, then took some cuts in the indoor batting cage to prepare for their public spectacle. Hitting coach Pat Burrell, outfielder Drew Gilbert and infielder Christian Koss provided some pointers.

“They were just trying to help us hit,” Smith said. “We were listening the best we could.”

“I was just trying to make contact,” Celebrini added. “It’s a deep fence.”

49ers’ report: Kittle could be headed for I.R., Purdy has toe, shoulder issues; Moody being evaluated

The 49ers got the news they expected Monday on tight end George Kittle, who has a hamstring strain and will miss a “few weeks” with the possibility of going on injured reserve, which would make it at least a four-game absence.

The unexpected news was that quarterback Brock Purdy, whose 4-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Jake Tonges delivered a 17-13 road win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, has toe and left shoulder issues from the game that may or may not cause him to miss the 49ers’ Week 2 road assignment against the New Orleans Saints.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings, coach Kyle Shanahan said, is still being evaluated with a shoulder injury but it’s conceivable he could face the Saints. Shanahan said Jennings’ MRI was “good” and they were awaiting results of a CT scan.

It was also clear from Shanahan’s tone off a conference call with local writers that kicker Jake Moody’s status is being evaluated, and it could result in a change this week. In the immediate aftermath of the Seattle win, Shanahan said there was “no question” Moody would retain his job although he later softened that stance.

Moody missed a 27-yard field goal attempt off the upright and had another blocked.

“We’re looking into all that stuff now,” Shanahan said. “There’s options. Whether to stay the status quo, to bring guys in for a workout, signing someone to practice squad. But we’re going through all that stuff right now.”

Shanahan said he has yet to speak to Moody about the coming week.

“I haven’t had (a conversation) with him yet,” Shanahan said. “I’m not sure which direction we’re going to go, but whenever we decide on something we’ll address it with him.”

Here’s how Shanahan assessed some 49ers issues in the wake of the Week 1 victory:

Kittle: “They tell me a few weeks. In order to (put him on I.R.) it’s got to be four-week injury so I don’t think we’ve decided on that yet.”

Luke Farrell and Tonges picked up the slack in Kittle’s absence, along with fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Brayden Willis will be available to be promoted from the practice squad for the foreseeable future.

Purdy: “I’d say the toe is probably worse than the shoulder. We’re not sure (on his availability) and we’ll see how it heals as the week goes on . . . it has to do with how Brock is over these next 24 hours and throughout the week. That’s stuff we’ll look into.”

Shanahan said the injury occurred when Purdy was driven to the turf in the first half on an incomplete pass to Ricky Pearsall Jr.

Shanahan expressed confidence that backup Mac Jones will be up to the challenge, if called upon to play against New Orleans.

“I think Mac had a really good camp going all the way back to OTAs and training camp,” Shanahan said. “He’s really used to what we do. He had a little setback the last couple weeks of camp with the injury but he had a good week of practice last week. He’ll lead the guys. Guys believe in him and he’ll do his job at a high level.”

Shanahan was non-committal about getting a more experienced quarterback on the practice squad. As it stands, Adrian Martinez would be Jones’ backup if Purdy can’t go.

That being the case, the addition of a another quarterback in conjunction with missed practices by Purdy would indicate there’s a chance he may not play.

Left guard Ben Bartch is dealing with a knee sprain, Shanahan said, and there were no reports on left tackle Trent Williams or running back Christian McCaffrey, so both came through unscathed. Williams left briefly with an undisclosed injury in the first half, and McCaffrey had 31 touches and 142 total yards after going into the game as “questionable” with a calf injury.

ROOKIE WATCH

Shanahan was generally pleased with the performance of 49ers rookies, although there is much room for improvement.

Safety Marques Sigle “flew around, made a lot of plays, had one missed tackle. He didn’t break down at all, shot his guns, and had that fumble recovery,” Shanahan said.

First-round pick Mykel Williams was absent on the stat sheet in terms of tackles, sacks and pressures, but Shanahan was encouraged with his versatility and believes he had an impact in slowing Seattle’s running game.

“We mixed in a bunch of five-man lines and four-man lines, moved around a number of times,” Shanahan said. “But I thought he did a good job in what we asked him to do.”

A.P. PhotoJake Tonges (89) celebrates with Luke Farrell after scoring the game-=winning touchdown Sunday in Seattle.

THE TONGES CATCH

After not getting a good look at the Purdy-to-Tonges play that won the game when it actually happened, here’s how Shanahan described the connection after watching the tape.

“No one was open, and I didn’t think Jake was, but for some reason, Brock did and when he threw it at the end, he proved to us that Jake was open because he made a hell of a play,” Shanahan said.

The Tonges play was well received at Los Gatos High, where he played for coach Mark Krail.

BOURNE AGAIN

Shanahan confirmed the 49ers were bringing back wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, which had yet to be announced by the club.

“We love K.B. from his time here and he did a hell of a job when he was in New England,” Shanahan said. “When he got let go, we tried to bring him back here a couple of weeks ago and weren’t able to quite get it done. It ended up working out for us in the long run. We got him here today, was a team meeting a little bit ago, and we’re pumped to have him back here.”

From 2017-20, Bourne caught 137 passes for 1,769 yards, averaging 12.9 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns for the 49ers.

MCKIVITZ REWARDED

In contrast to some other 49ers contract situations, right tackle Colton McKivitz simply practiced, said little and bided his time until he received a three-year extension worth as much as $45 million.

“Colton has been one of the most reliable guys on our team, really, since (Mike) McGlinchey left in free agency,” Shanahan said. “Colton, to me, is such a good story. He was a fifth-round pick, we cut him once, put him on the practice squad and he ended up coming back and playing for us . . . just the consistency he’s played with and that he gets better each year, I think Colton is one of the true leaders on our team.”

SNAP JUDGMENTS

76: Bartch, McKivitz, center Jake Brendel and Purdy played every offensive snap. Williams and right guard Dominick Puni each missed one snap.

58: McCaffrey touched the ball 31 times when on the field — more than half of his snaps. He played 27 snaps where he wasn’t the receiver/ball carrier.

52: Sigle played every snap in his NFL debut at safety. Also playing every snap were safety Jason Pinnock and linebacker Dee Winters.

39: Rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams played the second-most snaps on the defensive line to the 46 by Nick Bosa. Fellow rookies Alfred Collins and C.J. West had nine and seven snaps, respectively.

30: Tonges played just four fewer snaps than the 34 he had in 20 games with the Chicago Bears (in 2022) and 49ers (2024).

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19: Brian Robinson Jr. had nine carries for 33 yards and caught one pass for four yards in his first game spelling McCaffrey.

3: Skyy Moore, acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs, was in for three plays on offense and nine on special teams. He had four punt returns for 39 yards, with one muff out of bounds, and one kickoff return for 24 yards.

2: Safety Ji’Ayir Brown got in for only two plays on defense with Sigle and Pinnock getting all the work. He played 13 snaps on special teams.