Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 352

High School football: Aerial assault lifts Salinas past North Salinas

SALINAS — Attempts to renew an old cross-town rivalry that dates back nearly 70 years might have to be revisited.

It’s no longer a true rivalry when it’s played occasionally and is one-sided, as has been the case the last two times Salinas and North Salinas have tangled, or the last 17 meetings.

“It’s actually a hard game for me,” said Salinas coach Steve Zenk, who spent nine years at North Salinas as their coach. “Their head coach was my defensive coordinator. Five of their coaches played for me. They are adults now. But they’re still my kids.”

The reigning six-time Gabilan Divisions champions put on an aerial assault for their league rivals to take note off, erupting Friday for a 49-14 win over North Salinas at ‘The Pit’.

Owners of 17 straight wins in the series, which was scheduled as a crossover game in the Pacific Coast Athletic League, Salinas has outscored the Vikings 120-21 in the last two meetings between the two oldest public schools in Salinas.

Salinas, who once trailed in the series 24-22-1, now holds a 39-24-1 series led over North Salinas. The last time the Vikings beat Salinas was in 2008 when Zenk sported a different logo on his short, and the teams were league rivals.

“We went down to the end zone and danced with the band,” Zenk said. “We’ll start thinking about the next one on Saturday. I don’t know who we’re playing until Saturday. I like to enjoy the win too.”

If Zenk really needed a reminder, the Cowboys will begin defense of their Gabilan Division title next Friday, hosting defending State Division 4A champion Palma.

Salinas has not lost to Palma in its last six Gabilan Division meetings. The Chieftains did beat them during the pandemic shortened spring in 2021.

Zenk, who is now six wins shy of 100 for his coaching career — 36 of those coming while at North Salinas — has gone 38-2 as the head coach for Salinas in the Gabilan Division

“This team, this group, hasn’t won a game in the Gabilan,” Zenk said. “Last year was awesome. But it has nothing to do with this year.”

Coming off a humbling 41-14 loss to Central Section power Clovis for the second straight year, Zenk felt the players took it upon themselves to challenge each other in practice.

“I like to see who we are when it doesn’t go our way,” Zenk said. “We saw that last week. We saw it on Monday at practice. They were focused. We challenged ourselves to get better. I think we got a little better.”

The Cowboys put on an aerial assault that saw quarterback Rico Maturino throw a career high four touchdowns passes — three in the first half in opening up a 35-7 cushion.

The chemistry between Maturino and Emarrcis Turner is growing, as the pair hooked up for touchdown passes of 27 and 65 yards — the second time this fall the two have connected for two touchdowns in a game.

“Rico did a great job of running our offense, padding guys on the butt if they made a mistake,” Zenk said. “He’s grown so much as a leader. He led by example tonight. He played his tail off.”

Maturino may have found another viable receiving target with speed going into next week’s Gabilan Division opener, hitting Brady Ballesteros on touchdown passes of 52 and 68 yards to pad the Cowboys lead to 35 early in the third quarter.

The senior quarterback was nearly flawless, completing 14-of-16 passes for 293 yards, with Ballesteros having 135 receiving yards on just three catches.

Big plays were a theme throughout the night as Dayven Marquez added a 67-yard touchdown run, as Salinas piled up 497 yards of offense, showcasing a balanced attack with over 200 rushing yards.

“Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come,” Zenk said. “We take what opponents give us. They were in man. We felt we could win a lot of those battles on the outside, provided our quarterback was protected.”

The final product is far from finished as Zenk continues to chase perfection for a program that has put together the most wins over the last eight years in the county.

“We got better on things we worked on in practice,” Zenk said. “We will find new things to get better at. We just try and get a little better each practice. We have great kids that accept coaching and work hard.”

North Salinas, who opens Mission Division South play next Friday at Greenfield, will look to build off touchdown runs from Dylan Reynoso and Sean Nimuan.

“What I liked about our defense is when North Salinas put a drive together, we regrouped and got the ball back on the next series,” Zenk said. “We are making good adjustments. That’s a attribute to my coaches and kids.”

SF Giants beat Royals, 2-1, despite Camilo Doval nearly blowing Mason Black’s first career win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With the Giants officially eliminated from playoff contention, manager Bob Melvin said before their series opener Friday against the Royals that he could create some extra opportunities over the final week of the season for their young players.

His lineup still featured three veterans at the top, but no players with more than two years of service time occupied any of the bottom six spots.

Perhaps the best audition for 2025 came from their starting pitcher, Mason Black, who turned in his strongest outing yet as a big leaguer in a 2-1 victory. Black earned the first win of his career, while the Giants were an inning away from recording their 10th shutout of the season until Camilo Doval was called on to record the final three outs.

With Ryan Walker down, Doval was given his first save opportunity since being demoted from the closer’s role. He loaded the bases and allowed the tying run to reach third before getting Tommy Pham to swing through two sliders to end the game.

While Doval was credited with his first save since August 7 — his 23rd of the season — it only came after his first eight pitches missed the strike zone, Tristan Beck began to warm in the bullpen, Bryan Price and J.P. Martinez made a mound visit and Tyler Fitzgerald botched a potential game-ending double play.

It also involved a close call down the third-base line that, a few inches to the right, would have tied the game.

“A little high-stress,” Melvin said, “but he got out of it.”

In the end, it resulted in a meaningful milestone for their 24-year-old rookie starting pitcher, who was doused in a celebratory everything shower afterward.

“It’s definitely a big relief, just to get (the first win) out of the way and not have it looming over,” Black said. “I’m getting more comfortable with the guys in the clubhouse, working with the catchers and the (coaching) staff has been a huge help. It feels good to just be able to go out there free and easy and compete.”

In Black’s seven previous big-league outings, he had never thrown a pitch in the sixth inning or later. And in each one, opponents found a pitch to tee up for a home run. But the the young right-hander got both monkeys off his back while tossing 5⅔ innings of scoreless ball.

The loss was the Royals’ fifth in a row, but the American League wild card hopefuls had been one of the league’s most fearsome offenses in their home ballpark, leading the AL with 4.92 runs per game at Kaufmann Stadium with the AL’s third-best home record (45-34).

Relying heavily on his two fastballs, Black limited Kansas City to four hits and a walk while striking out four on 84 pitches (54 strikes). His velocity was up across the board, maxing out at a career-high 95.3 mph twice, and used his heaters to put away all four of the batters he struck out.

“He pitched great,” Melvin said. “It seems like the last few times, he’s been a little more comfortable in what he’s doing out there, a little more confident in what he’s doing. Originally, we probably though five innings would be good today. But he went out for the sixth, got us two outs and continues to improve.”

The uptick in velocity — and effectiveness — has been a theme since Black returned from Triple-A Sacramento at the end of August.

In four starts since being called up August 31, Black has turned in the three longest outings of his young career while posting a 3.72 ERA, compared to the 8.79 figure he owned when he was demoted over Memorial Day weekend. He has racked up 18 strikeouts with only three walks in 19⅓ innings versus a 14:10 ratio in his first stint.

“He’s starting to believe in himself some, and he should — he’s got pretty good stuff,” Melvin said. “It’s a unique look from the arm angle that he has, and he’s getting some swings and misses now.”

With Melvin deeming Robbie Ray a “long shot” to return this season, Black should get one more chance to prove himself. He was originally called up to fill Ray’s rotation spot when he landed on the IL with a strained hamstring and would be lined up to start the final game of their road trip in Arizona.

Doval has allowed at least one run each of the past five times he’s taken the mound and owns a 7.36 ERA in 11 appearances since rejoining the club August 24. That includes nine walks, 11 hits and 17 strikeouts in 11 innings. Overall, he has a 5.24 ERA in 58 appearances after posting a 2.73 mark while saving 66 games the previous two seasons, while his walk rate has nearly doubled, from 3.7 per nine innings to 6.0 this season.

“We’re still trying to get this guy to finish up the season and feel good about himself,” Melvin said. “He’s got good stuff. He’s had a bad year, obviously, but with no (Ryan Walker) today, it was good that he got through it. … Sometimes you just go through a bad stretch and it’s tough to get out of.”

Garrett Hampson lined a slider down the left-field line that looked like it would force extra innings, but instead it turned out to be a turning point in the other direction. After play was paused to assess the foul ball, Doval locked in and recorded a quick fly ball out that pushed across the Royals’ lone run, then struck out Pham on four pitches.

“My fastball was moving a lot. I was trying to throw it middle-middle, and it seemed like the ball was doing whatever it wanted,” Doval said in Spanish through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Through that break, I was able to make the adjustments.”

In a sign Melvin wasn’t only managing for the future but also to win, he gave Marco Luciano his first start in four games but subbed in Donovan Walton on defense to start the seventh inning to protect their 2-0 lead.

The Giants got on the board first for the fourth game in a row, again with the help of Mike Yastrzemski out of the leadoff spot, while Heliot Ramos finished a homer shy of the cycle. Ramos legged out an infield single to allow Yastrzemski to score from third after leading off the game with a single, then smashed a two-out double that was quickly cashed in by Patrick Bailey with a sharp single through the right side of the infield.

Ramos added a triple to the track in center field to give him the chance at the cycle when he came up for his last at-bat in the eighth inning, but he was erased by a diving catch from right fielder Adam Frazier — which could have been an inside-the-park number had it gotten past him.

“That was a great play,” Ramos said. “If he dropped it, I was going home. I told (third base coach Matt Williams), ‘You’d better send me.’”

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3B Matt Chapman is expected to be activated from the paternity list and rejoin the team Saturday. His wife, Taylor, gave birth Thursday to their first child, Gia Alexendra Chapman, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces.

Up next

RHP Landen Roupp (0-1, 3.02) gets the ball against RHP Brady Singer (9-11, 3.53) in the second game of the series. Take note, first pitch was moved up to 2:10 p.m. PT from the originally scheduled 4:10 p.m. PT because of inclement weather forecasted to be in the area.

Authors and Ideas Festival spends a day with local students

MONTEREY >> More than 1,400 students from local school districts were invited to the 18th annual Pebble Beach Authors and Ideas Student Festival Friday morning.

Students heard from sports journalist Michelle Kaufman, Debra Fine, an author and communication expert; Dr. Casey Grover, an addiction and emergency medicine specialist; Elizabeth Cobbs, an author and historian; and Rick Stevenson, an author and filmmaker. The five speakers gave students lots to think about, from future career possibilities to advice on how to start and keep a conversation going.

“It’s so special for students because this is an opportunity that most students across the nation never get,” said Monterey County Superintendent Deneen Guss. “For some of our students it’s an experience of a lifetime.”

Students from Anthem Christian School, Stevenson School, Carmel Unified, Chualar Union, Greenfield Union, Mission Union, Salinas City Elementary, Soledad Unified, Spreckels Union and Washington Union School Districts attended the event in the Monterey Conference Center.

“I like to hear the presentations because it opens your mind to a lot of different topics that we might not be informed about,” said Regina Garcia, a senior at Rancho San Juan High in Salinas and a second-time attendee.

Dr. Casey Grover presented various myths about drugs and alcohol and asked students to raise their hands if they thought a statement was true or false. (Andrea Valadez – Monterey Herald)

Garcia was one of the local students who got to meet, spend time with and introduce the speakers to the crowd Friday. She was able to connect with Grover and learn more about his time working in addiction and emergency medicine.

Grover spent his time with the students playing a true or false style game, presenting myths about drugs, alcohol, addiction and overdoses.

“(Grover) was talking to me about our own community and how Monterey is not big enough to the point where we can’t make an impact, but it’s also not super small so we’re able to see how our community is functioning and all the different components that work together,” said Garcia.

“With these opportunities, it opens your mind to a broader range of topics and most of the kids that were here wouldn’t have had that opportunity in their lives. It’s an eye-opening experience,” said Garcia.

Kaufman spoke to the crowd about her experience in sports journalism and the benefits of her career, including being able to interact with some of her favorite athletes. The conference room erupted in oohs and awes as Kaufman showed photos of some of the athletes she has interviewed, including Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan and the Williams sisters.

Kaufman also made a point to encourage the Spanish-speaking students in the audience to foster that skill. She encouraged bilingual students to “be proud of it and use it … it will open doors for you.”

Speaker Michelle Kaufman showed students a video of her interviewing soccer star Lionel Messi. (Andrea Valadez – Monterey Herald)

Fine interacted with students in the audience, showing real-world examples of good and bad conversations. She encouraged students to be friendly and outgoing, which she acknowledged can be difficult for this particular group of students, since they all raised their hands when she asked how many people attended school online due to COVID-19.

Fine’s biggest tip for a good conversation is “the more interest you show in them, the more interesting you become.”

“I really liked how well they conducted themselves and the message behind the speeches,” said Jocelyn Duran, senior at Alisal High School. “I really liked (Cobbs’) book and how it represented the history of feminism.”

Cobbs educated the group of middle and high schoolers on how the idea of feminism began, where it is now and the women who were responsible for many of the freedoms young people enjoy today.

Stevenson was the final speaker of the day, sharing his experience as an independent filmmaker. Much of his allotted time was spent presenting a film he worked on for 23 years, following the ups-and-downs of 11-year-old Cristian’s life until he was 34 and getting married.

“(The speeches) all stuck out to me because I learned something new in every single one,” said Jasmine Ramirez, a sophomore at Soledad High. “Especially (Stevenson’s) … it showed how everybody has their own story and how you can make it your own and find yourself.”

Stevenson asked the audience to consider that they are in charge of what kind of life they lead and remember “every decision you make, you’re writing your story in real time.”

Being in the audience “just proves that you can be basically anything,” said Duran. “It gets (students) to feel ‘this could be me one day … I can do whatever I want and achieve great things.’”

Monterey-Salinas Transit poised to build new bus road

MARINA – Now that the California Coastal Commission has cleared the path for the construction of the SURF! Busway by approving permits that reversed an earlier staff recommendation, Monterey-Salinas Transit is poised to build the new bus road.

When the decision came down at a Coastal Commission hearing in Monterey last week, MST General Manager and CEO Carl Sedoryk said the “win was years in the making” and thanked the “Commission for working with (MST) to make this visionary project a reality.”

“We were happy that we were able to reengage with staff to find a way for the conflict resolution process to work as it’s intended,” said Sedoryk.

This was by far the largest and most important permit, said Sedoryk, but only one of 38 permits from five different jurisdictions which will have to be in hand before the federal government releases the up to $35 million in funding for this project.

The Coastal Commission approval comes with 70 conditions that have to be met, including moving the busway directly over the existing rail tracks.

“We will have to go back and redo our plans,” said Sedoryk.

The Federal Transit Administration wants this to be wrapped up before the end of this administration, said Sedoryk, so there are time constraints to make it happen. Sedoryk added that once they have a grant agreement by the end of December, they’re looking at early 2025 to start construction.

Sedoryk said to expect a groundbreaking ceremony to include those elected officials who have supported the SURF! Busway throughout, including Reps. Jimmy Panetta, and Zoe Lofgren, State Senator John Laird, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, among many others.

Sedoryk acknowledged the path to Coastal Commission approval was long and arduous.

At its meeting in August, the Coastal Commission was to hear two items pertaining to the Monterey-Salinas Transit’s proposed SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit Project, a 5-mile, two-lane busway proposed along the abandoned rail corridor parallel to Highway 1 that will integrate with existing Line 20 Salinas-Monterey service, between the cities of Marina and Sand City, but MST requested a postponement after a staff report was published where it recommended denial of both Coastal Development Permits.

In a combined staff report on two related items of the SURF! Busway issued in late July, the California Coastal Commission’s staff recommendation was “substantial issue and denial of both CDPs (Coastal Development Permits).”

During the postponement period, Sedoryk and MST Board Chair Mary Anne Carbone on behalf of the Board of Directors, sent a response letter in late August to the July staff recommendation report where the local agency set out to correct the record “over flawed Coastal Commission review of SURF! Busway Project.” MST said it had “identified 42 omissions, errors and misunderstandings of facts in the Commission staff report of the SURF! Busway Project released last month.”

MST’s letter said it noted most flaws in the staff report fell into three general categories, conflict resolution issues, purpose and need for the SURF! Project and alternatives evaluation.

The SURF! Busway will run between Marina and Sand City with the northern terminus located at MST’s Marina Transit Exchange at Reservation and De Forest roads and the southern terminus located at Contra Costa Street in Sand City. (MST/TAMC/City of Sand City)

In the summary of the new Coastal Commission staff recommendation, it said in part, “Applicant subsequently exercised their right to postpone that hearing, and since then MST and Commission staffs have met regularly to discuss whether an approval was possible via conflict resolution, and if so, whether there were available project modifications that could reduce coastal resource inconsistencies.”

A path forward was agreed upon where it was determined the project “can help promote both rail and bus road development in a consolidated manner mostly atop an already developed/disturbed area as opposed to mostly atop natural dune features.”

49ers-Rams injury report: Kittle doubtful, Bosa questionable

SANTA CLARA – George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey have all scored multiple touchdowns in the 49ers’ recent visits to SoFi Stadium.

None are expected in uniform for Sunday’s return.

Kittle is doubtful, Samuel is out, and McCaffrey will miss a third straight game with potentially more to come, thus robbing the 49ers (1-1) of three offensive mainstays against the Rams (0-2).

Kittle missed his second straight practice Friday because of lingering “soreness” that he initially reported Thursday morning, coach Kyle Shanahan said. Bosa (rib) and Ward (hamstring, knee) were limited Friday.

Shanahan said Bosa’s rib injury occurred in one-on-one drills Thursday. Bosa, who looked unbothered in Friday’s warmups, has started all but one game since returning in 2021 from knee reconstruction; his lone absence came in a 2022 loss at Atlanta in which six defensive starters did not play.

Samuel has not practiced since Sunday’s late calf strain and is expected to miss two weeks. McCaffrey must miss at least three more games while on Injured Reserve, with the potential to sit out more until his Achilles tendinitis fades. Ward has yet to miss a start since joining the 49ers in 2022.

Sunday’s game starts at 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium and will serve as the Rams’ home opener. Over the prior three seasons, McCaffrey and Samuel each scored three touchdowns and Kittle two in their SoFi Stadium visits; the 49ers’ only other touchdowns have come from Jauan Jennings (two), Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy, who comprise a trio that must lead Sunday’s aerial attack.

Kittle, an eighth-year veteran, has been sidelined for 17 games in his illustrious career, but never by a hamstring injury. Instead, ankle, knee, foot and calf issues hindered him before a groin issue kept him out the first two games of 2022. He missed the 2023 regular-season finale with other starters resting up for the playoffs, but a month later, he required core-muscle surgery on an issue that dated back to midseason.

Through Kittle’s four all-time appearances at SoFi Stadium, he has yet to produce more than 39 yards, which he did in 2022 on three catches with one for a touchdown. Eric Saubert likely would start in place of Kittle and Jake Tonges should see more action after just two offensive snaps through two games. Tight ends Brayden Willis and Mason Pline are candidates to get elevated Saturday from the practice squad.

Saubert said of the 49ers being his sixth team in eight years: “There’s a high standard of performance. It’s really cool though, because it elevates your game and you’ve got to be on your stuff. Every day, it doesn’t change. You’ve got to come to work with the expectation that standard is what it is, and if you’re not going to match that you’re not going to play here. It’s why the 49ers have been so successful.”

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MASON AMONG NFL ELITE

Jordan Mason said he is still “getting there” in terms of a starting rusher’s rhythm, following his 147-yard starting debut in the season opener and a 100-yard outing in Minnesota. That’s totaled 247 yards to rank second in the NFL behind only the Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins (266 yards), to which Mason said: “I’m not looking into it. I’m just ready for the next game.”

His 48 carries already surpassed his totals from each of the past two seasons, and they tied for the NFL’s most through two weeks with Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs. “I feel great. Just getting in tubs and trying to stay healthy,” said Mason, a third-year veteran.

General manager John Lynch insisted the 49ers’ rash of injuries cannot be an excuse, saying on KNBR 680-AM: “We have plenty of weapons. We have a very deep football team. We expect guys to step up when their number is called. J.P. Mason has been a tremendous illustration of that.”

Asked if he feels pressure to cover the 49ers’ injured stars, Mason said his mentality is simply: “Next man up. Just ready to go.”

Lynch added that Mason has always been trusted but simply was buried on the depth chart behind McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell his previous two seasons, when Mason still managed 5.6 yards over 83 carries as an undrafted player out of Georgia Tech. His only fumble in 138 career touches came in Sunday’s second-quarter, and he recovered it himself..

Mason said he’s “just running to an open hole” and that his vision is not anything different than previous seasons. He ran for 258 yards as a rookie, powered by 51, 56 and 64-yard totals as Purdy took over at quarterback. Of Mason’s 207 yards last season, 69 came in a Week 5 rout of Dallas.

JIMMY G REUNION

Jimmy Garoppolo will suit up for yet another 49ers-Rams contest, only this will be his debut in a Rams’ jersey after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Garoppolo went 8-0 against the Rams as the 49ers’ starter in his 2017-22 tenure, including five road wins and excluding the 2021 season’s NFC Championship Game loss at SoFi Stadium, where 49ers fans annually fill most of the seats in this rivalry.

“It’s weird. Being on this side of it, we’ve got to deal with the noise a little bit, just being honest,” Garoppolo told the Los Angeles Times. “But we’ll see what happens Sunday. Rams nation came out pretty good in the preseason, so hopefully for the home opener it will be a good crowd.”

Garoppolo was 38-17 in 49ers’ regular-season starts (4-2 in the playoffs) before moving on last season to the Raiders, where he went 3-3 before getting benched. As for potential relief duty Sunday, Garoppolo added: “It would be cool, but (Matthew Stafford’s) got it right now. So I think we’re in good hands. Staff’s been ballin’, man.”

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EXTRA POINTS

Safety Talanoa Hufanga is fully expected to play for the first time since a knee injury 10 months ago, though Shanahan would not state if Hufanga will start. …. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) and tight end Davis Allen (back) were ruled out by the Rams, who listed as questionable defensive tackle Bobby Brown (ankle), cornerback Cobie Durant (toe) and kicker Joshua Karty (groin). … Earning 49ers scout-team player-of-the-week honors were running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, linebacker DeShaun White and offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon.

The Prince of Pebble bids farewell to competitive golf

PEBBLE BEACH — Beyond an acute ability to accurately hit a small ball with a long stick, professional golfers often have the aptitude to remember the nuances of every shot. Mark O’Meara’s skill defines total recall.

O’Meara, 67, is retiring from competitive golf this week at the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links and has spent time discussing his 44-year pro career.

Included in the week of reminiscence was the first of his combined five titles at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The tournament could have been held last week, but it occurred approaching 40 years ago. O’Meara won the 1985 Crosby, the last year the tournament’s title featured its founder’s name.

Mark O’Meara

“In ’85, the reason why I know that I remember it distinctly is because in ’84 I stood on that 18th green with about a 14-footer for birdie to tie Jim Nelford, who was in the clubhouse,” O’Meara said after a practice round this week at Pebble Beach. “Hale Irwin was in the group behind me. He had hit it in the ocean, bounced back up on the fairway. Hale made birdie to go into the playoff with Nelford.

“But I actually had about a 14-footer, a lot of people will remember that, and I needed to make it for birdie to tie Jim. I ran it by about 3 feet and I missed the next one.”

O’Meara and pro-am partner Jack Diesel still won the pro-am team event and O’Meara returned the next year additionally motivated. He made three late fourth-round birdies and won by one shot over Larry Rinker, Curtis Strange and Kikuo Arai of Japan.

After announcing his intent to retire last week, O’Meara is among 80 pros in the PURE Insurance Championship’s  21st edition at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill Golf Course and continuing through Sunday.

The 1998 Masters and British Open winner is scheduled to play Pebble Beach on Saturday and return Sunday if he makes the 50-player (and ties) cut.

“You know, I’m going to take it all in,” said O’Meara, age 67. “I’m also going to have a tear in my eye. I realize that for the last 44 years, I’ve been chasing this little white ball around these golf courses.

“But certainly because of the experiences and the memories that are etched in my mind that have transpired here, Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula, yeah, I mean, I’ll be happy but I’ll be sad.”

O’Meara’s first pro title at Pebble Beach (he won California State Amateur at Pebble Beach in 1979) was his second PGA Tour win. But it was the catalyst to his enduring success on the Monterey Peninsula, notably at Pebble Beach. It’s also where he capitalized for decades making putts on greens sculpted with the bluegrass called Poa annua. It’s disdained by many golfers, embraced by few.

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, O’Meara starting playing golf at age 13 in Mission Viejo, sneaking onto the nearby country club where he eventually worked. He played high school golf in Southern California and was an All-America at Long Beach State, winning the U.S. Amateur in 1979.

“I just grew up on Poa annua greens so I feel at home on Poa annua greens,” said O’Meara. “(On) Poa annua greens, the ball doesn’t always roll smoothly. I think you have to have an understanding of that.

Mark O’Meara celebrates during the 1992 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. (Gary Newkirk /Allsport)

“Sometimes because Poa annua’s a little difficult, the fact that your ball can bounce around a little bit, that might drive people a little bit crazy. But for me, I’m used to it because that’s what I learned to play on and I think that was a big advantage.”

O’Meara’s competitors praise his longevity and knack for success on greens sometimes known as “putting on broccoli.”

Cameron Percy, the veteran Australian competing in his first season on the Tour Champions circuit, also played in the AT&T for many years. He’s never played with O’Meara but knows well of his game and his specialty talent.

“Normally we leave here, get a new putter and go to Florida,” said Percy. “Your nerves are shot.”

Tim Petrovic, the one-time PGA Tour winner and an eight-year Tour Champions competitor, sought advice from O’Meara a few years ago.

“What hasn’t he won here?” Petrovic said. “He likes putting on the Poa annua. He gave me a tip about hitting the top half of the ball. Just little things, like getting the ball rolling. I played fine on the Poa until I realized what I was putting on.”

Often competing globally and winning in Japan, Australia, Great Britain, France and Dubai, O’Meara’s consistency at Pebble Beach propelled him to AT&T titles in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1997. He won the pro-am division with his father Bob in 1990.

It was after his 1992 AT&T win in which O’Meara won in a playoff over Jeff Sluman, the 16-time PGA Tour winner received his nickname “Prince of Pebble.”
Detailing the final round and the winner’s 13-under 275 total, Mark Soltau, then a staffer for the San Francisco Examiner, wrote: “Samuel Morse, the founder of Pebble Beach, used to be known as the Duke of Del Monte. Now, meet the Prince of Pebble, Mark O’Meara.” The golfer’s moniker remains, a compliment to his genial persona.

O’Meara’s participation this week is his 958th career start, combining the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. His two major wins earned him PGA Tour Player of the Year honors in 1998. O’Meara played on Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. He claimed 34 pro titles, including the last of three victories on the Tour Champions circuit at the 2019 Cologuard Classic in Arizona. He was selected in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015. He shares the AT&T career win record with Phil Mickelson.

O’Meara was ranked as high as No. 2 in the world and has played with celebrities, presidents and politicians. He last played a full season in 2020, competing in 24 events. But he’s only played in 23 events total in the past three seasons. He’s realized in recent years his desire to fish in the summer, snowmobile in the winter and participate in other hobbies are all more important than competitive golf.

Twenty-seven years ago, O’Meara claimed his fifth AT&T, defeating his longtime friend Tiger Wood and David Duval by one shot. O’Meara has all the details from 1997, available with a refreshing recap as if the tournament occurred last week.

Jordan Hicks’ season ends as SF Giants place right-hander on injured list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Giants expect to pencil Jordan Hicks into their starting rotation again in 2025, but his first season as a full-time starter came to an end Friday.

Hicks, 28, was placed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder, ruling him out for nine remaining games on the Giants’ schedule and effectively ending his season. The club sent him back to San Francisco, where he will undergo an MRI.

It’s the second time shoulder inflammation has forced Hicks to the IL in the past month, but he vowed to return and “finish strong.” However, after being activated last weekend, Hicks made only one appearance, allowing three runs on four hits over 1⅓ innings in an 8-0 loss to the Padres, before landing back on the IL.

“Same thing. Just inflammation,” manager Bob Melvin said before the Giants began their three-game series against the Royals. “There were good days and there were bad days. We gave him a couple days off. He went out to play catch yesterday and it just wasn’t responding. We’ll get an MRI and hope there’s nothing in there. There wasn’t, I don’t think, in the last one. It’s just probably wear and tear and you’re probably not going to see him again this year.”

Right-hander Austin Warren was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill Hicks’ spot in the bullpen, where he transitioned at the end of July as the workload of a starting pitcher started to pile up.

After earning a reputation as a flame-throwing late-inning reliever in five seasons between St. Louis and Toronto, Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million contract this past offseason after the Giants promised to fulfill his wish to be a starting pitcher, with mixed results.

“It was up and down for him,” Melvin said. “He got off to a great start. Really consistent in what he was doing. He had the whole mentality of a starter. Everything was going really well. Then he just got a little worn down, which you might expect after the innings. He went to the bullpen and it was never really a consistent feel for him.”

In 29 total appearances, Hicks posted a 4.10 ERA over 109⅔ innings, a substantial increase from his workload last season (65⅔ innings) and his previous career-high (77⅔). He collected one performance bonus for reaching 100 innings but was one out shy from collecting another $83,333.

Part of the bargain of becoming a starter meant learning to pace himself and pitch deeper into games. His average fastball velocity dropped from 100.3 mph in 2023 to 95.9 this season while striking out batters at the lowest rate of his career, 7.9 per nine innings.

Hicks’ first month in the rotation was a rousing success, opening the season with five shutout innings in San Diego and going on to post a 1.59 ERA through his first six starts. As injuries piled up in San Francisco’s rotation, Hicks also played an important role at times as the only healthy starting pitcher besides Logan Webb.

However, as the innings added up, so too did the runs on Hicks’ pitching line. He failed to complete five innings for the first time on May 3 and would only pitch into the sixth inning once more time over his final 14 starts, with a 5.29 ERA, before making his first appearance in relief July 28.

Melvin recently confirmed the Giants’ plans to role with Hicks in their rotation next season, and the hope is that with a higher baseline, he can log something closer to a starting pitcher’s regular workload of 150-plus innings.

“You always look at (an increase of) 30 innings, maybe a little bit more, we’ll see,” Melvin said. “But obviously with the way this season went, we’ll monitor it as we go along.”

Only Hicks, Webb and Kyle Harrison can be slotted in with certainty, as Blake Snell is expected to opt out of his contract, and Robbie Ray also has the option but is considered less likely to test free agency.

Behind them, it will be a battle of the young arms who have received brief auditions this season, featuring Keaton Winn and Tristan Beck at full health, plus Landen Roupp, Mason Black and Hayden Birdsong with a season of big-league experience under them. Carson Whisenhunt has had a tough season at Triple-A but also could also compete for a spot.

Ray a ‘long shot’ to return this season

The hope when Hicks and Ray both landed on the injured list on August 27 was that each pitcher would be able to recover quickly and make it back to the mound before the season ended. It is looking increasingly likely, though that Hicks’ lone appearance last home stand will be the last the Giants see from either this season.

Ray, 32, is scheduled to throw a bullpen Saturday. But with the schedule winding down, Melvin didn’t sound optimistic that he would make another start.

“I doubt it,” Melvin said. “We’ll see. He’s a starter. You want somebody to go out there and throw multiple innings for you. I’m not sure at this point. But I’m not ruling anything out. I think it’s probably a long shot.”

Ray was trending in the right direction in his recovery from a hamstring strain, and Melvin said he hoped that his simulated game last home stand would serve as a final tuneup before returning to the rotation. However, that session was cut short after 42 pitches and Ray has not ramped up to that degree since.

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A more likely candidate to bolster the Giants’ bullpen is right-hander Randy Rodríguez, who has been out since mid-August with inflammation in his throwing elbow. Initial MRIs showed no structural damage, and the 25-year-old right-hander will share a bullpen mound with Ray on Saturday.

“So there’s always the potential that we see him the last weekend of the season,” Melvin said.

Chapman set to return

3B Matt Chapman is expected to be activated from the paternity list and rejoin the team Saturday. His wife, Taylor, gave birth to their first child, a daughter, named Gia, on Thursday.

Schedule change

The Giants planned to use their first trip to Kansas City since 2017 to pay a visit to the Negro Leagues Museum, which is located in town.

They had to scrap those plans, though, when Saturday’s game was moved up because of inclement weather in the area.

First pitch was originally scheduled for 4:10 p.m. PT but was moved up two hours, to 2:10 p.m.

Horoscopes Sept. 20, 2024: Gary Cole, enrich your life

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Phillip Phillips, 34; Kristen Johnston, 57; Gary Cole, 68; Sophia Loren, 90.

Happy Birthday: Pay attention to your body and surroundings, and you’ll gain insight into how you can improve your health and lifestyle. Eliminate what’s not working for you, replace outdated techniques with a pumped-up version of what you need to enrich your life, and raise your awareness of how to get the most out of what you have going for you. Intelligent thoughts and actions will equal positive reactions. Your numbers are 6, 10, 23, 27, 31, 40, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Consider how best to utilize your skills without jeopardizing your relationships, lifestyle or health. A realignment that helps balance work and playtime will do wonders for your state of mind and help you pursue pastimes that bring you joy. Create opportunities and take responsibility for your happiness. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Change your speed and focus, and forge into the future intent on finishing what you start. Focus on important matters and pass along insignificant jobs to others. Stop spinning your wheels and concentrate on the here and now and what matters most. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Consider the big picture, but tunnel vision will be in your best interest when it comes time to act. Refuse to let anyone lead you astray or push you out of your comfort zone. Recognize what you do best and apply your specialty where it will bring the highest return. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Incorporate the old with the new. It’s good to rely on what’s foolproof, but if you want to make a statement and draw support, implementing current and newfangled ideas will seal the deal. Don’t take a risk with your health or cash. Use wisdom to advance. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Consider the possibilities before you start something new. Change can be exciting, but a wrong move can be costly. Don’t accept secondhand information; see for yourself, weigh the pros and cons, and make an educated decision that appeases your comfort and lowers your stress. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Present your intentions to the universe and make your dreams come true. If you can find an intelligent way to manifest your desires, you will attract what and who you need to complete your mission. Don’t second-guess yourself; trust and believe in your abilities. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When one door closes and another opens, ask why and what you may have done differently. Learn from your experience; it will help you rewrite mistakes and build confidence and ensure you move forward with a positive attitude and the ability to achieve the success you desire. 3 stars.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Good things are within reach. All you need is to embrace opportunity, challenge yourself and pursue your dreams with momentum and clarity. Share your dialogue with people heading in a similar direction, and you’ll form a solid bond with people who will strengthen your plans. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Clear up any lingering problems quickly before you start something new. Refrain from letting anyone stand in your way or play emotional mind games that slow you down or cost you financially or emotionally. Use your charm and intelligence to outsmart anyone who is challenging you. Choose peace over discord. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Shout out to those you can rely on to pick up the slack and help you achieve your objective. Work in unison with others, and you’ll find your way into a leadership position. Trust your judgment and ability to coordinate meticulously. Be the bright light and affirmative influence. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Redesign your plans and surroundings to suit your needs. Address financial and medical issues, adjust your routine to reduce stress and gain insight into what you want by bringing comfort and happiness. Make choices that evoke stronger bonds with the ones you love. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Say no to excessive behavior, overspending and those trying to lead you in a direction that isn’t in your best interest. Be true to yourself and do what brings you peace of mind. An activity that challenges you mentally or physically will take your mind away from your worries. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are dedicated, insightful and generous. You are responsive and dominant.

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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High School football: Painful preseason has left Seaside thin in numbers

APTOS – The teaching continues. Practices are spirited, even if just 16 players were cleared to take part earlier this week, forcing football coaches at Seaside to participate on a scout team.

The hardships, growing pains and injuries that have piled up through Seaside’s first three games have left head coach Al Avila with a lot of regrets.

“I put our kids in a bad situation with our numbers,” Avila said. “We just do not have the bodies to play these type of teams. Do I regret it now? Absolutely.”

The Spartans will go into Mission Division North play next week winless after suffering a 67-6 loss Thursday to Aptos in both team’s final non-league tune-up.

Through Seaside’s first three games, it has been outscored 163-32, absorbing losses to Carmel and Sacred Heart Prep, two teams that reached the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs last season.

The Spartans, who have been to the postseason the last two years, had Rancho San Juan and Marina on its original preseason schedule.

“They were supposed to be two-year deals,” Avila said. “I had to find games. We didn’t have many options. It’s put us in a bad spot. We’re not at this level anymore.”

The Spartans had no choice facing Aptos, as it’s considered a crossover game among teams in the Pacific Coast Athletic League, where names are drawn out of a hat.

“I probably panicked when I put this schedule together,” said Avila, who has been a part of the Spartans program for 40 years. “I just couldn’t find anyone that late. I was scrambling for opponents. Maybe 10 years ago, it’s a different story.”

Seaside suited up 19 players — finished with 17 — against Aptos. It had 22 in its 58-20 loss two weeks ago to Carmel and 26 for its opener against Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton.

The physicality of facing two ‘A’ league teams and arguably one of the top ‘B’ league teams in the section has taken its toll, as the Spartans have already lost two players for the year to injuries.

“We got so thin against Carmel that we moved a defensive tackle to safety,” Avila said. “We’re not going to make excuses. I told the kids we’re blessed to suit up and hit someone.”

Surviving the preseason was the objective. It’s open for debate whether that has happened with all the injuries. Plus, Seaside has already had its bye week.

“We’re still working hard,” Avila said. “You have to feed the spirit. We’re prepared no matter what our record is. We’ll never run from coaching.”

Instead of wins, the season has been measured in progress. As some players are healing up for the start of league play, Avila doesn’t believe the confidence has been shaken.

“We know when we get into league, we won’t face anyone better,” Avila said. “Does that mean we will win? No. But we have the kids that we believe we’ll be able to compete with them.”

The Spartans, who will open league play next Saturday at St. Francis, are the only team in the Mission Division North to have gone winless in the preseason.

“In our situation, we’re looking for little things to build off of,” Avila said. “We see glimpses of getting better on film. It’s detail with technique. It’s tedious.”

Seaside has had moments on the field where memories of its past briefly come into play, such as Julius Escort having three touchdowns of 60 yards or longer.

A growing concern for Avila has been the Spartans’ starts, having been outscored 78-8 in the first 12 minutes of each game this season.

“Some of that is finding our identity,” Avila said. “We’re still moving guys around. We lost our center for the season. We’re trying to find the right sets on our offensive line.”

While the scores may not indicate it, the improvement has been evident on film, as players grow into new positions – some of which were forced upon because of early season injuries.

“We’ve improved so much already,” Avila said. “That’s what we’re building off of. I will never be outcoached. We’re getting beat because teams are just better than us with better players.”

While Escort has provided a handful of highlight reels, it’s Avila’s hope that Keon Ealey will get untracked, having caught a touchdown pass in the opener from Hezekiah Turner, who produced Seaside’s only touchdown against Aptos.

Ealey is arguably the most talented player in the Mission Division North, often drawing double teams from opposing defenses in the preseason.

“Our skills are good,” Avila said. “Julius and Keon are legit. If we can get healthy and find the right combinations on the offensive line, we have a chance to play with everyone in our league.”

Ealey is also among the top defensive backs in the area, while all-county pass rusher Jeremiah Laui has moved to inside linebacker.

“Jeremiah has lit some people up as an inside backer,” Avila said. “We’ll move him to the outside in obvious passing situations. We just have to get some kids healthy.”

Of the six league opponents on their schedule, just two were playoff teams last year. Seaside beat four of them last fall, albeit with only a handful of returning players.

“I’ll tell you today all those teams have more talent than we do,” Avila said. “But no one gets more out of their kids than we do. Our kids work hard. That’s all I can ask for.”

High School cross country: PCAL Center Meet results

Pacific Coast Athletic League Cross Country Center Meet

At Palo Corona Regional Park (3.01 miles)

Gabilan Division 

Boys results

1. Marina 35; 2. Alisal 55; 3. Monte Vista 59: 4. Hollister 82; 5. King City 94.

Individual results

1. Gustavo Perez (Alisal) 16:43; 2. Kevin Azpeitia (Marina) 17:22; 3. Fernando Herrera (Alisal) 17:26; 4. Gavin Beckman (Monte Vista) 17:31; 5. Miguel Flores (Marina) 17:35; 6. Tarin Riner (Marina) 17:38; 7. Luis Perez (Hollister) 17:47; 8. Eduardo Bernal-Samaro (Marina) 17:55; 9. Conor Gilliam (Monte Vista) 17:57; 10. Axel Perez (Alisal) 17:59; 11. Justin McCullick (Monte Vista) 18:04; 12. Bradley Orlando (Monte Vista) 18:04; 13. Alvaro Garcia (King City) 18:11; 14. Juan Carlos Perz (Marina) 18:14; 15. Michael Briano (Hollister) 18:28.

Girls results

1. Hollister 60; 2. Alisal 65; 3. North County 69; 4. Carmel 82; 5. Rancho San Juan 95; 6. King City 115.

Individual results

1. Yaretzi Cornelio (Alisal) 20:16; 2. Prienna Chavez (Hollister) 20;22; 3. Yahaira Torres (King City) 20:43; 4. Nadia Anastacio (North County) 20:57; 5. Ava Ghio (Carmel) 21:08; 6. Gabriela Cardenas (Rancho San Juan) 21:12; 7. Valeria Pio-Pahua (North County) 21:42; 8. Ana Kaplansky (Hollister) 21:44; 9. Jasmine Jin (Carmel) 21:52; 10. Valeria Esqueda (Hollister) 21:59; 11. Lila Glazier (Carmel) 22:07; 12. Eldi Covarrubias (Rancho San Juan) 22:16; 13. Angelica Murillo (Alisal) 22:21; 14. Kelly Vaca (Alisal) 22:56; 15. Emma Covarrubias (Rancho San Juan) 22:58.

Mission Division

Boys results

1. Carmel 48; 2. Salinas 79; 3. North County 104; 4. Alvarez 106; 5. Greenfield 118; 6. Watsonville 128; 7. Stevenson 128; 8. Monterey 152.

Individual results

1. Mack Aldi (Carmel) 16:42; 2. Jasper Bolante (Carmel 17:09; 3. Fabian Serrano (Greenfield) 17:16; 4. Tomas Rey-Avila (Salinas) 17:26; 5. Nain Garcia-Ferria (Watsonville) 17:30; 6. Leandro Montoya (North County) 17:31; 7. Giovanni Ochoa (Gonzales) 17:34; 8. Chris Wing (Salinas) 18:22; 9. Zachary Lander (Carmel) 18:22; 10. Christian Martinez (Alvarez) 18:30; 11. Ezekiel Sanchez (Salinas) 18:31; 12. Yael Hernandez (Greenfield) 18:34; 13. Prisciliano Garcia (Greenfield) 18:46; 14. Arthur Abila (North County) 18:47; 15. Mario Memetla-Ramos (Alvarez) 18:53.

Girls results

1. Watsonville 45; 2. Salinas 58; 3. Monterey 62; 4. Alvarez 73; 5. Stevenson 119; 6. Greenfield 149; 7. Gonzales 202.

Individual results

1. Kylie Brunelli (Monte Vista) 19:57; 2. Katelynn Ruiz (Watsonville) 20:05; 3. Anna Conca (Monte Vista) 20:54; 4. Finley Castro (Monte Vista) 21:09; 5. Lucy Crawford (Monterey) 21:20; 6. Lizbeth Gomez Abrica (Watsonville) 21:31; 7. Crystal Madrigal (Salinas) 22:06 8. Arely Rubio (Alvarez) 22:09; 9. Azucena Sandoval (Watsonville) 22:28; 10. Landyn Martis (Stevenson) 22:31; 11. Jenna Partida (Salinas) 22:40; 12. Jennifer Molina (Salinas) 22:50; 13. Jacqueline Sullivan (Monterey) 22:53; 14. Roy Wilson (Monterey) 22:57; 15. Aileen Reyes (Watsonville) 22:59.

Cypress Division

Boys results

1. Pacific Grove 28; 2. Kirby 76; 3. Soledad 79; 4. Pacific Collegiate 89; 5. Anzar 11.

Individual results

1. Antony Gabrik (Pacific Grove) 18:57; 2. Betinho Zunguze (Pacific Grove) 19:05; 3. Mason Vergho (Kirby) 19:08; 4. Tadeo Ortiz (Pacific Grove) 19:25; 5. Manuel Florean (Kirby) 19:38; 6. Jude Holmlund (Pacific Collegiate) 19:39; 7. Roark Anderson (Pacific Collegiate) 19:42; 8. Michael Castro (Soledad) 19:45; 9. Milo Nothnagle (Pacific Grove) 20:04; 10. Jacob Valladarez (Soledad) 20:32; 11. Henry Murphy (Anzar) 20:53; 12. Aidan McFarland-Walton (Pacific Grove) 20:56; 13. Alexander Profumo (Pacific Collegiate) 21:06; 14. Shayan Bahrainy (Oakwood) 21:11; 15. Jonah De Leon (Pacific Grove) 21:18.

Girls results

1. Anzar 39; 2. Soledad 51; 3. Monterey Bay Academy 67; 4. Seaside 85; 5. North Salinas 85; 6. Santa Catalina 157.

Individual results

1. Isabella Briceno-Nicholson (Anzar) 23:13; 2. Nika Berezina (Pacific Grove) 23:19; 3. Angelina Tran (Anzar) 23:21; 4. Kathryn Dill (Palma) 24:08; 5. Lesly Perez (North Salinas) 24:14; 6. Evelyn Lopez (Soledad) 24:44; 7. Ellie Gryte (Monterey Bay Academy) 24:51; 8. Alice Gilbert-King (Pacific Collegiate) 26:38; 9. Abigail Lopez (Seaside) 27:30; 10. Natalie Perez (Soledad) 27:40; 11. Mariana Leon (Soledad) 27:44; 12. Ava Kapadia (Anzar) 27:47; 13. Lea Bautista (Anzar) 27:49; 14. Elizabeth Pina (Soledad) 28:01; 15. Yasmin Casas (Seaside) 28:03.

Santa Lucia Division

Boys results

1. York 43; 2. Palma 44; 3. Pajaro Valley 62; 4. Seaside 69

Individual results

1. Wells Lilly (Palma) 17:10; 2. Kevin Monroy (Palma) 18:22; 3. Javier Luna (North Salinas) 18:25; 4. Angel Ramirez (Seaside) 18:43; 5. Ivan Bischoff (York) 19:18; 6. Erik Michi (Pajaro Valley) 19:26; 7. Jonathan Rodriguez (Monterey Bay Academy) 19:57; 8. Peter Stratton (York) 19:59; 9. Diego Sanchez (Ceiba) 20:19; 10. Hector Sanchez Figueroa (North Salinas) 20:20; 11. Luis Martinez (Pajaro Valley) 20:22; 12. Diego Silva-Audelo (York) 20:29; 13. Patrick Lopez (Pajaro Valley) 20:43; 14. Jayden Ruano (North Salinas) 21:01; 15. Antony Toriz (Ceiba) 21:17.

Girls results

Santa Lucia Division does not have girls competition