Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 41

Following misinterpreted comments, Ramos’ homer sets tone for SF Giants win over Padres

SAN DIEGO — It will go down one of the most unique days of Heliot Ramos’ career.

His comments about Giants fans being misinterpreted and taken out of context. His leadoff home run kickstarting a three-homer first inning and the Giants’ 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres. His embracing of the villain role at Petco Park after being involved in a fan interference call.

All those components amounted to whirlwind of a day.

“I was just trying to stay in the game,” Ramos said. “I was just trying to stay positive, trying to win a game. We know what we have going on here. We know that we want to win a game. … At the end of the day, I just want to stay here in the present with the guys, play good baseball, try to win for the fans and for everybody and for ourselves. I don’t think anybody wants it more than us. That’s all I care about.”

On Monday morning, the San Francisco Chronicle released a story in which Ramos told the publication that the Giants’ recent stretch of poor play hasn’t lessened the team’s support of manager Bob Melvin. SFGate then picked up Ramos’ comments and took them out of context, publishing a story with the headline: “SF Giants player bashes fans for being ‘against us’ after historic losing skid.”

The comments quickly made their way around social media, causing many fans to become incensed with the 2024 All-Star. Prior to Monday’s game, Ramos spoke with reporters to clarify his comments.

“I love the fans and they always show me love in the field,” Ramos said. “I have nothing against them. Every time I’m walking on the streets with my family, they love me and I love them back. All I’m trying to say is in the inner circle — obviously not even you guys that are reporters know what’s going on in the clubhouse — all I want to say is that Bob is a great manager. … I’m just trying to have Bob’s back, I’m just trying to always support (him).

“The fans, like I said, I love them, I have nothing against them. But at the end of the day, what we have in the clubhouse, nobody knows about it. That’s all I was trying to say.”

Once he stepped on the field, Ramos gave Giants (61-64) fans reason to cheer.

Ramos led off the ballgame by sending an 88 mph fastball from the Padres’ Nestor Cortest into the left-field bleachers, giving the Giants an early 1-0 lead. Rafael Devers followed up with a solo homer of his own, making him and Ramos the first Gants to go back-to-back to begin a road game since Chuck Hiller and Duke Snider in 1964.

Three batters later, San Francisco landed its haymaker. Following Casey Schmitt’s one-out double, Wilmer Flores stunned Petco Park with a two-run homer, the Giants’ third homer of the inning.

Following his home run in the first, Ramos was partially responsible for taking one away in the second.

In the bottom of the second, the Padres’ Xander Bogaerts hit a towering fly ball to left field. Ramos slowly drifted towards the wall, extending out his right arm so he could feel for the padding.

As the ball came down, Ramos extended out his left arm to make the catch. At the same time, a fan wearing a black ABBA shirt also reached out for the projectile. Ramos made contact with the ball, but the ball deflected off his glove and into the seats for a solo homer.

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When Ramos realized the ball wasn’t in his glove, he raised his right arm to the crowd to suggest that fan interference was at play. Following a lengthy replay review, the call was overturned and Bogaerts was out. The official explanation determined that “the spectator reached out over the field of play and interfered with a live ball.”

“When I was about to catch it, I saw that his arms were over me,” Ramos said. “I was guessing it hit the arm or something. When I was trying to catch it, it hit my glove. Then I saw the replay. It only show the guy on the bottom. It doesn’t show the guy on the top. He was over me — literally over me. His whole body was across the wall. It clipped the finger a little bit.”

Once the call was announced, Petco Park’s packed house filled the Gaslamp Quarter with a symphony of boos. Ramos proceeded to troll the Padres fans sitting in the left-field bleachers, pointing and laughing at the Friar faithful.

“I’m just saying it’s not my fault,” Ramos laughed. “I’m not the one who overturned the call. ‘Why are you mad at me? I’m just here playing.’ Some of them were laughing, smiling. Some of them were talking trash.”

Melvin added: “He couldn’t help but hear it. He didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just trying to catch the ball out there.”

The jeers never stopped. To the surprise of Ramos, Padres fans greeted Ramos with boos every time he stepped to the plate or fielded a fly ball. In time, they’d have their own reason to cheer.

Robbie Ray cruised through the first six innings but allowed three unearned runs in the seventh, his final pitch resulting in a two-run homer from Ryan O’Hearn that sliced the Giants’ lead to 4-3. With no room for error, Ryan Walker and Randy Rodríguez shut the door.

Walker, who welcomed his second child this past weekend, recorded the final out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth. Rodríguez worked past a one-out single to shut the door in the ninth.

Appropriately enough, the final out of the game landed in Ramos’ glove.

“It’s releasing, for sure,” Ramos said of hitting a homer following a strange pregame. “It’s releasing that I get to contribute and play good baseball. It’s been tough for the whole team. It’s been tough for everybody. It’s a really good feeling that we’re getting going to a good stretch.

“I feel like we’re going in a good pace. I feel like we have the team to do what we want to do and make it to the playoffs.”

Worth noting

Third baseman Matt Chapman (left hand inflammation) took grounders today. He will begin hitting on the field on Wednesday in San Diego.Left-hander Erik Miller (left elbow sprain) was scheduled to undergo an MRI.Outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (right hamstring strain) will begin his throwing and hitting progression this week.Walker was activated off the paternity list prior to the game. Right-hander Keaton Winn was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

Appeals court overturns order that stripped some protections from pregnant Texas state workers

By ALEXANDRA OLSON

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a law strengthening the rights of pregnant workers, vacating a judge’s earlier order that had stripped those protections from Texas state employees.

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The ruling was a victory for advocates of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a law that passed with bipartisan support in 2022 but quickly became embroiled in controversy over whether it covers workers seeking abortions and fertility treatments.

A federal judge last year blocked enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for Texas state employees, ruling that its passage was unconstitutional because a majority of House members were not physically present to approve the law as part of spending package in December 2022.

In a 2-1 decision, the Fifth Circuit appeals court disagreed, finding that the law was properly passed under a COVID-19 pandemic-era Congressional rule allowing members to vote by proxy to meet the quorum requirement.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act strengthens the rights of women to receive workplace accommodation for needs related to pregnancy and childbirth, such as time off for medical appointments and exemptions from heavy lifting. Its passage came after a decades long campaign by women’s advocacy groups highlighting the struggles of pregnant workers, especially those in low-wage roles, who were routinely forced off the job after requesting accommodations.

The Texas case differed from other lawsuits that have narrowly focused on federal regulations stating that abortion, fertility treatments and birth control are medical issues requiring protection under the new law. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, instead took aim at the entirety of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, drawing opposition from Republican lawmakers including former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who defended the pandemic-era proxy voting rule.

Under the Trump administration, the Department of Justice has continued to fight Paxton’s lawsuit, which if successful, could help open the door to legal challenges of other pandemic-era laws passed by proxy.

Paxton’s office did not reply to emails seeking comment, and it was not clear whether he would appeal Friday’s ruling. The Justice Department declined to comment.

“This is a big win for women’s rights. We are really happy to see that the Fifth Circuit agreed with us that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was passed constitutionally and will continue to fight for the PWFA to stay legal,” said Inimai Chettiar, president of a Better Balance, an advocacy group that spearheaded the campaign for passage of the law.

Texas state employees are not immediately protected, however, because the appeals court ruling doesn’t become final for several weeks to give time for a possible appeal, Chettiar said.

Conservative officials and religious groups, meanwhile, have been largely successfully in challenging the regulations passed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which established that workers seeking abortions are entitled accommodations.

In May, a federal court struck down the abortion provisions of the EEOC regulations in response to lawsuits brought by states of Louisiana and Mississippi, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic University and two Catholic dioceses.

The Trump administration is almost certain to comply with that ruling. President Donald Trump in January fired two of the EEOC’s democratic commissioners, paving the way for him to quickly establish a Republican majority at the agency. EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas, a Republican, has signaled her support for revising the regulations, arguing the agency exceeded its authority by including not only abortion but fertility treatments and birth control as medical needs covered by the law.

Maine police officer arrested by ICE agrees to voluntarily leave the country

By PATRICK WHITTLE

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine (AP) — A Maine police officer arrested by immigration authorities has agreed to voluntarily leave the country, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday.

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ICE arrested Old Orchard Beach Police Department reserve Officer Jon Luke Evans, of Jamaica, on July 25, as part of the agency’s effort to step up immigration enforcement. Officials with the town and police department have said federal authorities previously told them Evans was legally authorized to work in the U.S.

An ICE representative reached by telephone told The Associated Press on Monday that a judge has granted voluntary departure for Evans and that he could leave as soon as that day. The representative did not provide other details about Evans’ case.

Evans’ arrest touched off a dispute between Old Orchard Beach officials and ICE. Police Chief Elise Chard has said the department was notified by federal officials that Evans was legally permitted to work in the country, and that the town submitted information via the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program prior to Evans’ employment. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin then accused the town of “reckless reliance” on the department’s E-Verify program.

FILE – This image provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Jon Luke Evans. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) via AP, File)

E-Verify is an online system that allows employers to check if potential employees can work legally in the U.S.

The town is aware of reports that Evans plans to leave the country voluntarily, Chard said Monday.

“The town reiterates its ongoing commitment to meeting all state and federal laws regarding employment,” Chard said in a statement. “We will continue to rely on the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and the E-Verify database to confirm employment eligibility.”

ICE’s detainee lookup website said Monday that Evans was being held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island. However, a representative for Wyatt said Evans had been transferred to an ICE facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. ICE officials did not respond to requests for comment on the discrepancy. It was unclear if Evans was represented by an attorney, and a message left for him at the detention facility was not returned.

ICE officials said in July that Evans overstayed his visa and unlawfully attempted to purchase a firearm. WMTW-TV reported Monday that Evans’ agreement to a voluntary departure means he will be allowed to leave the U.S. at his own expense to avoid being deported.

High School football tour: Rebooting the program at Rancho San Juan

EDITOR’S NOTE: Herald sports writer John Devine is spending most of this month visiting Monterey County schools to get a sneak peek of their football teams. This and other previews will be available at www.montereyherald.com.

SALINAS – A legitimate argument can be made that for the first time since the inception of the football program five years ago at Rancho San Juan High, it’s finally in the division it belongs in.

Sure, skeptics will recall the eight-win season in 2022 when the Trailblazers turned to a beast for a tailback in Peyton Hatten, who rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and 33 touchdowns.

The reality, though, is Rancho San Juan never got a chance to build its program. Discounting the disaster that was a shortened spring season, it was put into the Cypress Division in Year One.

A program with no varsity experience, other than three forgettable spring games in 2021, wasn’t allowed to grow in a lower division.

“The program really is still in its infant stages,” first-year coach Andrew Zarate said. “We’re dealing with a lot of different components. We’re still building a true foundation of what a football program should look like. We need to set a culture of positivity.”

Over the last two years, the Trailblazers have struggled for an identity on offense, currently owning the longest losing streak in the country at 16 games, scoring just five touchdowns in 10 games last fall.

“We just want to win a game,” said senior receiver Cecil Short, who tossed a touchdown pass in Rancho San Juan’s final game play last fall.

Axel Chicas lead's the Rancho San Juan defensive line, having collected 31 tackles last year. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

The equity gods have finally moved Rancho San Juan down to the Santa Lucia Division this fall, which should create a fairer playing field for a program in transition.

Equally important is it will give Zarate – the youngest head coach in the county at 29 – an opportunity that his predecessor never got, and that’s to build a program by facing teams of similar strength.

“Kids are eager to learn,” Zarate said. “Part of it is consistently getting better each day. Every rep is an opportunity to rise. The past is the past. I don’t care what happened the past two years.”

Make no mistake, the goal is to return to one of the Mission Divisions in the near future. Zarate realizes there is a lot of work in front of him in the rebuild.

“It’s a new scheme with 20 new coaches and different philosophies,” said Zarate, who was an assistant on the 2022 team that went 8-2. “We have a totally different vibe out here.”

While what took place in 2022 wasn’t a fluke, it was misleading. The groundwork had not been established. If anything, success came too easily because of Hatten’s emergence.

“When you get a superior athlete and 90 percent of your offense was Peyton left, Peyton right, it stalled our development,” Zarate said. “Kids didn’t get to learn. What we can strive for is having that belief again on campus.”

The Trailblazers girls’ flag football coach last year, Zarate’s desire to be a head coach brought him back to the boys program.

While this is a complete overhaul, he’s seen enough to believe that there is enough talent on a growing campus to put a competitive product out on the field.

Zarate, who played at North Salinas under current Salinas coach Steve Zenk, has not been shy in reaching out to colleagues who he’s either coached with or played under, bouncing ideas off them.

“I’ve been learning on the fly as well,” Zarate said. “I’m not afraid to take something from another program and apply it to ours. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal of giving a high-quality experience to the kids. There’s a lot of teaching right now. What works for our kids? What I see is kids smiling and having fun.”

Building a culture starts with sacrifices and commitment. Turning a program around begins with laying down a foundation for the future, getting players to buy in.

Rancho San Juan was handicapped somewhat last year by a lack of experience with only a handful of seniors on the roster.

“I feel like our practices are a lot crisper,” said Short, who was a multi-sport standout. “We’re not doing the same thing for three hours.”

Rancho San Juan's Cecil Short. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

The Trailblazers, whose preseason schedule includes North County, Alvarez and Stevenson, failed to score points offensively in seven games last year, while the defense allowed 35 points a contest.

“From watching film, the fundamental skills were missing,” Zarate said. “Skills will always beat schemes, no matter what. That’s what we continuously repeat. There are always kids moving in our practices. It’s about being efficient with our time.”

Short, who put together a solid baseball season last spring, is back with a season under his belt, but as a receiver rather than the team’s quarterback to take advantage of his 6-foot-2 frame.

“I feel less stressed as a receiver,” Short said.

Short gives Rancho San Juan a weapon on the outside, with the ability to go up and catch balls over smaller defenders, something the program has lacked since its inception.

“For us, it’s keeping our athletes out on the field,” Zarate said. “We’re limited with our roster size. We’re trying to plug and play – what mix of kids will give us the best opportunity.”

A more balanced attack  – led by sophomore quarterback Marcus Perez – will keep opponents from stacking the box and daring the Trailblazers to put the ball in the air.

“We’re going to put as much pressure on the defense as possible,” Zarate said. “When you have (run pass option), it gives the opponent fits. To build a true program, you have to be effective in multiple ways.”

Rancho San Juan has never had a quarterback throw for more than 800 yards in a single season. In fact, the program has more interceptions than touchdowns in four full seasons.

“That has to change,” Zarate said. “When you’re just running, defenses are going to love the box. You’re eliminating positions on the offensive side.”

Any hopes of the Trailblazers snapping a 16-game losing streak starts with offensive lineman Isaac Solorio, a player teammates can lean on and follow.

Rancho San Juan's Isaac Solorio. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

While Levi Torres returns to a revamped defense, his athleticism could ticket him to get a few touches on special teams as well. Last fall, he had 350 punt return yards, including 108 against Gonzales.

Torres is a physical player on defense, helping solidify the secondary, forcing and recovering a fumble last season. He will be joined by Short in the defensive backfield.

“I feel like everyone is more connected,” Short said. “Everyone wants to be out here. Everyone is having fun.”

Zarate has called Axel Chicas the face of the defensive line, as he will be the heartbeat in the trenches with his leadership, having collected 31 tackles last year.

“He’s a beast,” Zarate said. “He’s the first guy in the weight room. He gives our offense fits each day. His motor is always on. We understand teams will run away from him.”

Rancho San Juan's Axel Chicas. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

Defensively, Rancho San Juan wasn’t that bad last season. It just spent a lot of time on the field and eventually wore down against opponents in the Mission Division South.

The front seven will include inside linebacker Koa Ponce, a three-year starter, who had moments of brilliance in a somber season for the Trailblazers.

“Even around campus, there’s a different vibe,” Zarate said. “We hope to get the streak off our back. But our focus is on what we can control right now. Our slogan is ‘We’re building the Ranch. Jump on the train.’”

Clipboard: Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame to honor Class of 2025

Nine new inductees and one team will be enshrined on Saturday into the Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

Among those being honored is former North Salinas High power forward and current Salinas girls basketball coach Jens-Uwe Gordon.

Gordon played at Santa Clara University and spent a training camp with the San Antonio Spurs before having a decade-long career as a professional basketball player overseas.

Having guided Salinas to a Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division girls’ basketball title last winter, Gordon helped the Vikings to a Central Coast Section Division II boys basketball title in the mid-1980s.

One of his teammates at North Salinas and a member of that CCS title team is also entering the Hall of Fame in Mike Maker.

The former playmaker, who spent two years at Hartnell College, has been a college coach for over 30 years, and is currently an assistant head coach at St. Thomas College in Minnesota.

The Class of 2025 is dominated by North Salinas alums as recently retired Hartnell athletic director Danny Teresa is being enshrined.

Teresa excelled in football, basketball and baseball at North Salinas, quarterbacking Hartnell to a Coast Conference title, landing a baseball scholarship to Michigan.

Teresa also embarked on a college coaching career for nearly two decades in baseball and football, before spending the past 15 years as the Panthers’ athletic director.

Former Kansas City Royals farmhand and North Salinas product Steve Raine is being inducted, joining his sister Teresa Raine in the Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

Raine was dominant in football, wrestling and baseball at North Salinas. The former pitcher was drafted by the Giants out of high school in 1978 and again by the Royals in 1980.

Having the distinction of being drafted by four major league baseball teams, Alisal graduate and former major league pitcher Gordy Dillard is going into the Hall of Fame.

The left-handed hurler was drafted by the Pirates, Mets and Rangers between 1984-85, before the Orioles took him in the 1986 draft while at Oklahoma State.

Dillard appeared in seven major league games between the Orioles and Phillies, striking out four in seven innings.

Arguably one of the top softball players to ever wear the Salinas High uniform is being enshrined in former shortstop/pitcher Jackie Wayland, who was a part of the school’s first CCS softball title team in 1998.

Former Hartnell College soccer and tennis coach Alex Golomeic is being inducted, along with boxing coaches/trainers Max and Kathy Garcia.

In addition, the 1974 Gonzales High football team is entering the Hall of Fame for its title run.

The event will be held at the Salinas Storm House. Go to salinasvalleysportshalloffame.com

Gen Giammanco Foundation scholarships awarded

The Gen Giammanco Foundation has awarded $39,000 in scholarships to 10 student-athletes from Monterey County who plan to continue their athletic careers in college.

Those being awarded included Alvarez’s Angela Ayozie, Carmel’s Riley Imamura, Kayla Jo Vierra of Monterey and Valeria Cardosa Lopez and Vianey Mendoza-Garibay of Alvarez.

Ayozie, who will attend Santa Barbara, went to the state meet last spring in the shot put for the Eagles in track and field, while the Dartmouth-bound Imamura was the Herald’s Volleyball Player of the Year.

Also receiving scholarships were Palma’s Johnny Carnazzo, Carmel’s Jonathan Chen and Tallin Lobert, Rancho San Juan’s Brandon Quiambao and Monterey’s Evan Takehara.

Chen earned a spot in the state golf championships in 2024, while Lobert was a part of Carmel’s state title football team that went 15-0 last fall, while playing lacrosse as well.

In addition, the Gen Giammanco Foundation awarded $10,000 worth of equipment and uniforms to local schools in need.

Since the inception of the foundation, the nonprofit organization has raised over $604,000 for student-athletes and local schools.

The Gen Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 22 at Corral De Tierra Country Club. For more information on the foundation, go to gengiammancofoundation.org

PG’s Garry following in grandfather’s footsteps

Former Pacific Grove High and Monterey Peninsula College linebacker Noah Garry will battle for playing time this fall on the football field at the University of Sioux Falls.

Garry’s grandfather Bob is in the Sioux Falls Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements as a football and track and field standout on campus. He also has a school record 99-yard interception return.

The younger Garry didn’t take up football until his junior year at Pacific Grove, evolving into an all-league linebacker and running back.

During his two seasons at MPC, Garry played both linebacker and running back as a freshman in 2023, before becoming an all-conference linebacker for the 11-0 Lobos in 2024.

Garry finished with 60 tackles last fall for MPC, adding a sack and two interceptions to gather 3C2A All-State honors.

Coaches needed

Stevenson is looking for volleyball coaches at the lower levels for this coming fall. Go to jclymo@stevensonschool.org

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, flag football, water polo, field hockey and volleyball. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

Seaside’s Finest

Seaside’s Finest Fall Skills Basketball Development Program will run from Aug. 25 to Oct. 30, Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Monterey Peninsula College. Go to https://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com

Baseball Club

The Celtic Baseball Club is taking signups for grades 9-12. Go to brianneffski@yahoo.com

Kurtenbach: The five biggest questions facing the 49ers in the final week of preseason

As if your head wasn’t already spinning from this cursed 49ers preseason, I have some bad news to deliver: things are about to get even crazier.

Every NFL team needs to be down to a 53-man roster by next Tuesday at 1 p.m. And while the 49ers might seem to only have 53 active players on their training camp roster because of injuries, that cut-down deadline is not a welcome sight.

Who is in, who is out? John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have their work cut out for them, with only three more practices and one more preseason game to help guide their decisions.

Here are the five biggest questions remaining for the Niners heading into the final week of the preseason:

Does this team have any viable backup guards?

Things were tough enough for the Niners when starting left guard Ben Bartch went down with an elbow injury last week, but it provided rookie seventh-round pick Connor Colby with more practice reps and preseason game time.

But now that right guard Dom Puni is injured, with a PCL injury putting his Week 1 status in jeopardy, it seems that the Niners need two viable backup guards to play.

And, well, this team might not have one. It’s enough to make my colleague Cam Inman wonder if the team’s de facto swing tackle, Spencer Burford, should move back to guard.

Not ideal!

Colby has been better than expected, but he’s also, unsurprisingly, not ready to start an NFL game yet. He was supposed to be a project player, and they just started the project. Yet he stands as arguably the most viable option to start at one of two currently open guard spots.

The fact that Colby usurped fourth-year pro Nick Zakelj was a bit surprising. The Fordham Ram was ok at the end of last season, after all. But when you watch Zakelj’s preseason film, you can see why the Niners opted to go younger. It’s a tough watch.

Now with Zakelj in position to play, the question going into these final practices and final preseason game is if anyone else can take his snaps at guard. He hasn’t exactly set a high bar for undrafted rookie free agent Drew Moss or second-year practice-squad center Drake Nugent — so they both have an opportunity.

Against the Raiders on Saturday, both showed enough to entice, but not enough to change the depth chart order. (Nugent is holding up well at guard is a positive surprise, and Moss has put together impressive reps for the coaching staff.)

Add in the struggles of backup center Matt Hennessey, and the Niners are potentially looking down the barrel at a big problem on the interior of the offensive line.

But, to spin it another way, they have four options for two spots at guard. This week will likely determine the winners.

What do you do out wide?

Sometime in October or November, we might look at the 49ers’ wide receiver room and think “that’s a top-10 unit.”

Right now, as we look forward to Week 1, it’s a bottom-10 operation (and that’s a generous interpretation).

Ricky Pearsall has been money in camp and showed that in Saturday’s preseason game. He’s the Niners’ No. 1 as things currently stand.

But with Brandon Aiyuk out for another few months, DeMarcus Robinson looking down the barrel at a three-game suspension (presumably starting Week 1) and Jauan Jennings nursing a finicky calf injury and a grudge against the 49ers for not extending his contract in the spring, there are tough calls to make at the wide receiver position for the short and long term.

To start: Who is Pearsall’s No. 2 in Seattle? If it’s Jennings, he’s going to need to get back on the field soon.

But it’s more likely to be Russell Gage, who has impressed this August and looks primed to take on the Cris Conley role as the veteran receiver who knows how to run routes, blocks, and can play special teams. Isaiah Hodgins can play that role, too. Do the Niners need two such players? And are you in a good place if you have to start one and keep another?

Is Jacob Cowing, who returned from a hamstring injury last week but didn’t play against the Raiders, part of this team’s offensive plans? He’ll need to show it early and often this week. He was invisible upon his return to practice.

Can rookie Jordan Watkins return from a high ankle sprain in time for the season’s start? Unlikely, but the Niners were using him as an X receiver, a role that would facilitate him seeing early action.

Then there’s the question of Junior Bergen. Drafted in the seventh round to be a kick and punt returner, he is also a wide receiver who has done nothing of note in practice or preseason games from scrimmage.

If the Niners only keep five receivers on the active roster — including, perhaps, injured players they’re projecting to play in Seattle — can San Francisco afford to keep Bergen as one of those five? Or do they have to take a roster spot from somewhere else so Bergen can be the sixth, never-used receiver?

These things usually find a way of working themselves out, but the Niners’ wide receiver room is a mystery now, and because of the potential for the room a few weeks into the season, the solutions will have to come in-house. Who is going to step up and demand a spot on the plane to SeaTac?

Can you sneak ’em through?

The Niners might not have the top-end talent they boasted in recent years — the team gutted its veteran middle class in the offseason — but there is some nice depth (albeit theoretical in many places) on this team thanks to 19 draft picks made in the last two seasons.

And all that young talent on the depth chart, plus the team’s prodigious injury list, leaves San Francisco in the unenviable situation of having to figure out ways to either keep undrafted rookie free agents or get them through waivers and onto a practice squad at cut-down day (Aug. 26).

Two names at the top of the “What do we do with these guys?” list are defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez and defensive back Jakob Robinson.

Neither player has been impressive enough to claim a roster spot to date, but both are knocking at the door, having made the most of their opportunities to this point.

Can you keep playing them in the preseason and then hope no one around the league notices?

At the same time, can you afford to cut another player for the sake of bringing the kid into the fold?

The Niners have roughly a week to figure it out. And as we’ve seen with this team in the past, other teams are keen to pick up what San Francisco tosses out.

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Camp body to key backup?

The 49ers have two defensive ends they can trust going into Week 1: Nick Bosa and Bryce Huff (who looked good against the run against the Raiders).

After that? Chaos.

With all the injuries and question marks at the position, the Niners have been signing a new player seemingly every day just to get through practice.

One of those players is former Seahawk Trevis Gipson. And he might make this 53-man roster.

Gipson has looked good in practice and was outstanding in Saturday’s game against the Raiders. He provides some real juice at a position that desperately needs it right now.

Gipson might find himself out of a job if rookie Mykel Williams, Sam Okuayinonu, and/or Yetur Gross-Matos return to the mix in the coming days. But seeing as no one knows when that will happen (particularly for the latter), Gipson might find himself on the 53-man roster with another impressive week.

Is his time up? 

The 49ers should start rookie Marques Sigle at safety in Week 1. He’s been a revelation this camp. (Where was any of this at Kansas State?) The possible pairing with him and second-year safety Malik Mustapha should have Niners fans excited about the future of the back-end. If safeties are, indeed, destiny, San Francisco has bright days ahead.

In the meantime, they have some serious question marks at the position.

San Francisco typically keeps four safeties. I think Jason Pinnock is the other starter in Week 1.

Then what do you do?

Ji’Ayir Brown — who once had such a promising future himself — looks cuttable. He’s a step slow on everything in practice and in preseason games, and he’s not exactly bringing the thump as a tackler.

Then again, Richie Grant, after a strong start to his Niners’ career, has fallen out of favor in recent days as well. Then there’s Siran Neal, who was signed as a special teamer, but who can’t seem to find the field as either a safety or a cornerback, despite ample opportunities with injuries at both positions in recent weeks.

One has to go. Will the Niners have the conviction to cut a 2023 third-round pick? Did Grant’s strong start build up enough cache to make it through cuts? Is Neal simply too expensive ($1.45 million in dead-cap money) to cut in August?

This week will provide the answers.

 

CLASSIC CAR WEEK: Late night car crowd floods Seaside In-N-Out

Law enforcement agencies across the Peninsula reported mostly smooth operations during Classic Car Week, however large late-night crowds driven by social media created major problems in Seaside, Monterey and surrounding cities.

Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges said official events such as Exotics on Broadway and Concorso Italiano went well, with no major incidents reported. Issues escalated last Thursday through Saturday evenings, when influencers and YouTubers urged followers to meet at In-N-Out Burger on Del Monte Boulevard.

The space is tight on a typical weekend evening, but with hundreds of people packed into the parking lot, it made traffic almost immovable.

“They were totally disrupting the entire business of In-N-Out,” Borges said. “They were disrupting the parking lot customers, and it bled into the street, so they were completely blocking traffic.”

Thursday evening, officers dispersed the crowd and issued citations. However, the show was back on Friday night, with the crowd gathering again for another sideshow. Seaside Police worked with the Monterey Police Department and California Highway Patrol to issue dispersal orders and move the group away from businesses and residential areas.

On Saturday evening, In-and-Out took extra precautions to stop people from loitering in the parking lot. However, the crowd moved the sideshow across the street to the Home Depot parking lot where Borges said sideshows and cars were doing donuts took over the space. Officers deployed drones and license plate readers to identify people and called in regional law enforcement for assistance.

“It was really out of control and quite frankly, was so disrespectful to Seaside,” Borges said. “If they try this again next year, they’re going to learn the hard way.”

The Seaside police also arrested a man during Exotics on Broadway, who allegedly drove drunk into one of the side streets of the event area. Borges said the driver, identified as 38-year-old Joseph Mauro, hit a curb in a purple Lexus before exiting his vehicle and challenging others to fight. He was booked into county jail on suspicion of DUI.

Monterey Police Chief David Hober said the majority of visitors were there to attend shows, but problems stemmed from a small percentage of people racing, performing donuts or speeding through the city.

“We had several accidents where young people ended up crashing,” Hober said. “Those are our biggest concerns, when it comes to all of the traffic and pedestrians.”

Hober said Monterey neighborhoods near In-N-Out were heavily impacted by late-night gatherings. Vehicles filled residential streets, blocking driveways and limiting emergency access. “That started creating huge issues in that area,” he said.

Officers also reported incidents in the downtown tunnel, including a driver who tried to flee a traffic stop and then ran toward an officer before being detained. Another individual arrested for DUI was found carrying a Glock handgun.

Hober said Monterey police used a zero tolerance enforcement strategy during Classic Car Week, bringing back additional officers, towing vehicles, issuing citations and using state referees to inspect cars for illegal modifications. Traffic closures were also used to clear congested areas such as Cannery Row and Alvarado Street.

From Thursday through Saturday, Monterey police reported 212 traffic stops, 129 citations, 10 arrests and four vehicle tows.

Both chiefs noted that social media played a major role in escalating crowd behavior. Borges contrasted the trend with longtime participants such as Jay Leno, who he said has supported Classic Car Week for years without incident.

“Now we’re getting a lot of these younger social media influencers… asking for trouble,” Borges said.

Despite the challenges, Borges and Hober said law enforcement will be preparing for similar situations next year, with increased fencing, signage and coordination among local agencies.

Judge issues injunction preventing Trump’s FTC from investigating watchdog Media Matters

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has issued an injunction preventing the Trump administration’s Federal Trade Commission from investigating Media Matters for America, the liberal media watchdog group that had alleged the spread of hate speech on X since Elon Musk acquired the social media platform.

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U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan ruled Friday that the FTC’s probe of Media Matters, “purportedly to investigate an advertiser boycott concerning social media platforms,” represents a clear violation of the group’s freedom of speech.

“It should alarm all Americans when the government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate,” Sooknanan wrote.

Even before the FTC got involved, Media Matters has been defending itself against a lawsuit by Musk following the organization’s November 2023 story that, following Musk’s purchase of the social media site once known as Twitter, antisemitic posts and other offensive content were appearing next to advertisements there.

Sooknanan said the injunction halting any FTC probe was merited because Media Matters is likely to succeed on its claim that the FTC is being used to retaliate against it for a critical article on a Trump supporter.

“The court’s ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration,” said Angelo Carusone, chairman and president of Media Matters.

There was no immediate comment from an FTC spokesman.

Trump vows to change how elections are run. The US Constitution doesn’t give him that power

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and ALI SWENSON

President Donald Trump on Monday vowed more changes to the way elections are conducted in the U.S., but based on the Constitution there is little to nothing he can do on his own.

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Relying on false information and conspiracy theories that he’s regularly used to explain away his 2020 election loss, Trump pledged on his social media site that he would do away with both mail voting — which remains popular and is used by about one-third of all voters — and voting machines — some form of which are used in almost all of the country’s thousands of election jurisdictions. These are the same systems that enabled Trump to win the 2024 election and Republicans to gain control of Congress.

Trump’s post marks an escalation even in his normally overheated election rhetoric. He issued a wide-ranging executive order earlier this year that, among other changes, would have required documented proof-of-citizenship before registering to vote. His Monday post promised another election executive order to “help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm elections.”

The same post also pushed falsehoods about voting. He claimed the U.S. is the only country to use mail voting, when it’s actually used by dozens, including Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Similar complaints to Trump’s, when aired on conservative networks such as Newsmax and Fox News, have led to multimillion dollar defamation settlements, including one announced Monday, because they are full of false information and the outlets have not been able to present any evidence to support them.

Trump’s post came after the president told Fox News that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in their Friday meeting in Alaska, echoed his grievances about mail voting and the 2020 election. Trump continued his attack on mail voting and voting machines in the Oval Office on Monday, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The announcement signals yet another way that Trump intends to stack the cards in his favor in the 2026 midterm elections, after he already has directed his attorney general to investigate a Democratic fundraising platform and urged states to redraw their congressional districts to help the GOP maintain its majority in the House of Representatives.

Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s latest election post and why Congress is the one entity that can implement national election rules.

Trump’s post

Trump for years has promoted false information about voting, and Monday was no exception.

He claimed there is “MASSIVE FRAUD” due to mail voting, when in fact voting fraud in the U.S. is rare. As an example, an Associated Press review after the 2020 election found fewer than 475 cases of potential fraud in the six battleground states where he disputed his loss, far too few to tip that election to Trump.

Washington and Oregon, which conduct elections entirely by mail, have sued to challenge Trump’s earlier executive order — which sought to require that all ballots must be received by Election Day and not just postmarked by then. The states argue that the president has no such authority, and they are seeking a declaration from a federal judge in Seattle that their postmark deadlines do not conflict with federal law setting the date of U.S. elections.

Trump also alleged that voting machines are more expensive than “Watermark Paper.” That’s a little-used system that has gained favor and investments among some voting conspiracy theorists who believe it would help prevent fraudulent ballots from being introduced into the vote count. Watermarks would not provide a way to count ballots, so they would not on their own replace vote tabulating machines.

FILE – A person votes at a polling site for the presidential primary election March 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

While some jurisdictions still have voters use electronic ballot-marking devices to cast their votes, the vast majority of voters in the U.S. already vote on paper ballots, creating an auditable record of votes that provides an extra safeguard for election security.

In his post, Trump also claimed that states “are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes” and must do what the federal government “as represented by the President of the United States” tells them to do.

Election lawyers said that’s a misrepresentation of the U.S. Constitution. It also flies in the face of what had been a core Republican Party value of prioritizing states’ rights.

Thousands of elections, none under presidential control

Unlike in most countries, elections in the U.S. are run by the states. But it gets more complicated — each state then allows smaller jurisdictions, such as counties, cities or townships, to run their own elections. Election officials estimate there are as many as 10,000 different election jurisdictions across the country.

A frequent complaint of Trump and other election conspiracy theorists is that the U.S. doesn’t run its election like France, which hand counts presidential ballots and usually has a national result on election night. But that’s because France is only running that single election, and every jurisdiction has the same ballot with no other races.

A ballot in the U.S. might contain dozens of races, from president on down to city council and including state and local ballot measures.

The Constitution makes the states the entities that determine the “time, place and manner” of elections, but does allow Congress to “make” or “alter” rules for federal elections.

Congress can change the way states run congressional and presidential elections but has no say in the way a state runs its own elections. The president is not mentioned at all in the Constitution’s list of entities with powers over elections.

“The president has very limited to zero authority over things related to the conduct of elections,” said Rick Hasen, an election law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Courts have agreed — no presidential involvement

Parts of Trump’s earlier executive order on elections were swiftly blocked by the courts, on the grounds that Congress, and not the president, sets federal election rules.

It’s unclear what Trump plans to do now, but the only path to change federal election rules is through Congress.

Although Republicans control Congress, it’s unclear that even his party would want to eliminate voting machines nationwide, possibly delaying vote tallies in their own races by weeks or months. Even if they did, legislation would likely be unable to pass because Democrats could filibuster it in the U.S. Senate.

Mail voting had bipartisan support before Trump turned against it during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election, but it’s still widely used in Republican-leaning states, including several he won last November — Arizona, Florida and Utah. It’s also how members of the military stationed overseas cast their ballots, and fully eliminating it would disenfranchise those GOP-leaning voters.

The main significance of Trump’s Monday statement is that it signals his continuing obsession with trying to change how elections are run.

“These kinds of claims could provide a kind of excuse for him to try to meddle,” Hasen said. “Very concerned about that.”

Associated Press writer Eugene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report.

Horoscopes Aug. 18, 2025: Andy Samberg, your actions and words matter

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Madelaine Petsch, 31; Andy Samberg, 47; Edward Norton, 56; Robert Redford, 89.

Happy Birthday: Align yourself with individuals working toward a similar endgame. Keep your plans to yourself until you have everything in place and are ready to launch. Your actions and words matter and will make a difference when trying to teach or convince others to agree with and use the knowledge you offer. Lead the way and track progress as it unfolds. Your numbers are 7, 14, 21, 23, 25, 36, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you stretch beyond your physical or financial means, domestic issues will develop. Enforce discipline, control whatever situation you face and offer innovative alternatives that better suit your needs. Change begins with you, so don’t let anyone alter your plans. Anger serves no purpose; remain calm and in control, and do what’s best for you. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself for now. Observation is your best friend and will show you the way forward if you are patient. Explore your options, and resist the urge to buy something that isn’t within your budget. Spare yourself the grief of paying for an unnecessary mistake. Trust your judgment. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Participate in something that interests you, and it will change your perspective on life, love and how you feel about your lifestyle, living space and community. Take time to research the possibilities, and you’ll discover that you have more options than you initially thought. It’s time to live life your way. Happiness is your responsibility. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Listen carefully and analyze the information you receive and the cost, time and effort before you give the go-ahead for any proposal offered to you. Too much of anything will cause a problem. Rethink your strategy, eliminate what you do not need and carry on with confidence. Establish guidelines to ensure your plans unfold smoothly. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Choose how you use your assets to get ahead. Reach out to people who share your concerns. A change will lead to new connections. Let your experience be your guide in situations that reveal both promise and obstacles. Put yourself in a position where both giving and receiving are necessary, and you’ll find success. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Temptation will set in if someone around you implements a new plan that affects your lifestyle or living space. Be aware of a change in your expenses. It’s best not to ignore what’s happening around you. Be generous with your time, and opportunities will come your way. Update your appearance. Personal growth is favored. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’re overdue for a change. Attend a seminar or research a hobby that interests you. Discovery plays a crucial role in shaping your future. Gravitate toward groups that offer insight into how to implement what you discover into your daily routine. Don’t let temptation take hold or indulgence get the better of you. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Say less and do more. It’s what you accomplish that counts. Be open and objective when dealing with outside influences. Don’t limit what you can do to please others when it’s you who needs to be happy with what transpires. Emotions, money and agreements will clash if honesty and discipline aren’t prevalent. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Spend more time honing your skills, improving your surroundings and ironing out any relationship problems that are festering. Take control, state facts and offer solutions, and you will become the person everyone else looks to for help. Live up to your promises, do the best job possible and enjoy the rewards. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Those who embrace opposite theories will draw your attention, which can be eye-opening as well as disappointing. Keep an open mind, but don’t hesitate to state the facts when you don’t agree with someone. Don’t expect everyone to be direct or honest with you. Be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain your reputation and protect yourself from scammers. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Say what’s on your mind. Negotiate until you get what you want, and don’t take anything or anyone for granted. Put your time and effort into protecting and preserving what you have built, and you’ll have no regrets or unwanted surprises. A change at home appears promising and is likely to lead to improved relationships. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotional matters will require discipline and restraint. Be a friendly observer while calculating the best way to maintain your current situation, allowing you to build a lifestyle that best suits your long-term needs. Patience and timing are crucial if you want to emerge victorious. Love and romance, along with personal gains, are prevalent. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are talkative, innovative and disciplined. You are intelligent and motivated.

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

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