Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 427

SF Giants’ Logan Webb, Heliot Ramos earn first All-Star selections

Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos have earned the first All-Star selections of their careers, the latter becoming the Giants’ first homegrown outfielder to make the Midsummer Classic since Chili Davis in 1986.

And both could have a chance to start, too.

San Francisco hasn’t had multiple players start in an All-Star Game since Buster Posey and Johnny Cueto formed the Senior Circuit’s battery in 2016, but Ramos and Webb could potentially change that next week.

Webb, 27, has been one of the National League’s best pitchers, and with his final start of the first half likely being on July 10, he’d have plenty of rest with the star-studded exhibition being on July 16. That said, Webb will have to contend with the likes of the Braves’ Chris Sale; the Phillies’ Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler; the Dodgers’ Tyler Glasnow; and the Pirates’ Paul Skenes, among others.

As for the 24-year-old Ramos, the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. is currently dealing with an injury that will likely prevent him from participating, leaving National League manager Torey Lovullo with a spot to fill. Along with Ramos, the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, the Padres’ Jackson Merrill and the Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds will be among the outfielders who could fill Tatis’ spot.

For Webb, there’s a case to make that he should now have three All-Star selections to his name. In 2022, Webb had a 2.83 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 117 2/3 innings at the break. The following season, Webb had a 3.14 ERA with 127 strikeouts over 126 innings in the first half, but wasn’t named an All-Star because he started the Giants’ final game of the first half. This time around, there would be no snub.

Fresh off finishing second in last year’s National League Cy Young Award voting, Webb has cemented his status as one of baseball’s most valuable pitchers. Over 19 starts, Webb has logged 119 1/3 innings, the most in the National League and the second-most in the entire league behind the Royals’ Seth Lugo (122). He’s complimented that volume with a 3.09 ERA, 2.72 FIP and 103 strikeouts.

While Webb was the favorite to serve as the Giants’ representative at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Ramos’ candidacy was more murky.

Following Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Guardians, Ramos owns a .299 batting average and .882 OPS with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. Along with the bat, Ramos has totaled five defensive runs saved in the outfield entering Sunday.

The main knock on Ramos’ case for being an All-Star was his 54 games played. But despite appearing in only about 60 percent of San Francisco’s games, his 2.3 WAR (as calculated by FanGraphs) entering Sunday ranked in the top-25 among National League position players.

Few envisioned Ramos enjoying this type of breakout given how his first two seasons unfolded. Over 34 games in 2022 and 2023, Ramos had a .158 batting average and .470 OPS. But over the last two months, the former first-round pick is looking the part of a foundational piece.

If not for injury, LaMonte Wade Jr. could’ve joined Ramos and Webb in Arlington. Before missing about a month with a hamstring strain, Wade was one of the best hitters in the National League. At the time of his injury, Wade had a .333 batting average and led all of baseball with a .470 on-base percentage.

SF Giants drop series to Guardians as Hjelle allows crucial home run

The Giants took two of three from the Dodgers at home. They took two of three from the Braves in Atlanta. On Sunday, they had an opportunity to take two of three from the Guardians in Cleveland.

Given that San Francisco has teetered below the .500 mark for most of this season, three straight series victories against three playoff teams would’ve been invaluable as the team closes out the first half.

Instead, a potentially great road trip becomes merely a good one.

Despite taking an early lead, Sean Hjelle allowed a go-ahead, game-deciding three-run home run to Bo Naylor in the sixth inning as the Giants fell to the Guardians, 5-4, at Progressive Field, missing on an opportunity to win a series against one of the American League’s best teams.

“I thought we played well,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters in Cleveland. “We’re in every game. When you have a lead late, you expect to win this one. But with a .500 trip, would have liked to have done better.”

The Giants (44-47) snatched control early. Michael Conforto hit a 440-foot, two-run home run in the second inning, the longest long ball in his time with San Francisco. In the third, Heliot Ramos drove in Nick Ahmed with a single, providing rookie Hayden Birdsong with a 3-0 lead in his third career start.

The Guardians (56-32) subsequently proved why they’re one of the best teams in baseball.

Cleveland tagged Birdsong for two runs in the fourth — the first on an RBI single by Josh Naylor, the second on an RBI double by Daniel Schneemann. Birdsong finished the inning on his own terms despite throwing 23 pitches, but his afternoon ended with two outs in the fifth after allowing two runners to reach base. Hjelle escaped that jam by striking out José Ramírez to maintain San Francisco’s 3-2 lead, giving Birdsong a final line of two earned runs across 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.

The following inning, Hjelle would, once again, be one strike away from maintaining his team’s one-run lead.

After recording two quick outs, Andrés Giménez and Tyler Freeman recorded back-to-back singles. Bo Naylor entered off the bench to pinch-hit for Austin Hedges, but Hjelle was on the verge of sending him right back to the dugout, getting ahead in the count, 0-2. Naylor, indeed, returned to the dugout in short order, but not in the manner Hjelle hoped.

The younger Naylor brother, fouled off two pitches, then took two balls, bringing the count to 2-2. On the seventh pitch of the plate appearance, Naylor sent Hjelle’s middle-in sinker into the right-field bleachers, flipping San Francisco’s one-run lead into a two-run deficit. For the Guardians’ bullpen, a unit that entered play with a league-best 2.59 ERA, those two runs were plenty.

“I’ll take my chances with Hjelle,” Melvin said. “He’s been pitching a lot, but leading up to it, unfortunately a bloop hit, ground ball, whatever. It happens sometimes.”

San Francisco made things interesting in the ninth against closer Emmanuel Clase. Matt Chapman doubled with one out, took third base on defensive indifference and scored on Conforto’s groundout. Luis Matos hit a potential game-ending grounder with two outs, but reached base as third baseman Angel Martínez made a throwing error. But Clase got Brett Wisely to ground out, ending the ball game and the series.

Snell to return on TuesdayBlake Snell will start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays at Oracle Park, his first start since June 2 against the Yankees after missing time with a left groin strain.

Melvin has relied on bullpen games in recent weeks, but with Snell’s return following that Harrison, San Francisco is in position to utilize a more traditional rotation in the second half. Snell, Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks are slated to start against Toronto, which would mark the first time those three have pitched on consecutive days since the Giants hosted the Yankees from May 31 to June 2.

Snell made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Sacramento, allowing five earned runs across 9 2/3 innings. In his third and final rehab outing, Snell tossed five hitless innings with nine strikeouts.

Since signing a two-year, $62 million deal with San Francisco in March, Snell has struggled with a combination of injury and underperformance, dealing with a left adductor strain earlier in the season. In six starts, Snell has allowed 25 earned runs over 23 2/3 innings (9.51 ERA).

Warriors make historic six-team trade official as Klay Thompson joins Mavericks

Making trades is hard, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. insisted at the start of the offseason. It requires dealing with other similarly smart teams and navigating through the new collective bargaining agreement, which effectively bars the highest-spending teams from being involved in trades.

So much for all that.

Shortly after the NBA’s moratorium ended, which allows teams to conduct official business, the Warriors announced the finalized details of the trade that brought Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson to Golden State. It started with the sign-and-trade of franchise legend Klay Thompson and included six teams total, which helped smooth the process with the new CBA.

In return for Klay Thompson, cash considerations and the right to swap 2031 second-round picks with Minnesota, the Warriors received Anderson and Hield. The Warriors, Mavericks, 76ers and Timberwolves were the main participants in the deal, with the Nuggets and Hornets also involved.

If there were concerns about Dunleavy’s creativity, a six-team trade should quell them. It was the first six-team trade in NBA history.

The Warriors also signed De’Anthony Melton using their full $12.8 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception — a deal that hasn’t been made official yet but has been confirmed on Twitter/X by Melton himself.

In a roundabout way, the Warriors turned Chris Paul and Thompson into Melton, Hield and Anderson — three rotation-ready veterans.

Anderson and Melton are elite defensive players, and Hield is one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters. Each come with concerns — Anderson’s lack of 3-point shooting, Melton’s back injury, and Hield’s curious ineffectiveness last year with Philadelphia — but the best-case scenario of each could realistically represent an improvement over Paul and Thompson.

Golden State also made the draft day transaction for the rights to Quinten Post official. Post, who the Warriors selected with the 52nd overall pick, will play in Summer League when he’s cleared by the Warriors’ performance team. The 7-foot center is dealing with a minor leg injury and didn’t dress for the Warriors’ first California Classic game.

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They also officially acquired 3-point specialist Lindy Waters III from the Thunder on draft day and finalized a two-way contract with Reece Beekman, the two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year who impressed in the California Classic opener.

If the Warriors don’t make any more moves this summer, they’ll have a very crowded roster. With Melton, Hield and Anderson, they have at least 12 players who should reasonably expect to play meaningful minutes. That’s not necessarily a good thing, so some roster consolidations could be necessary eventually.

Q&A: Glydways founder says access to mobility changes lives for the better

Imagine zipping to work in your own private rolling pod while drinking coffee, working on your laptop or just relaxing. Mark Seeger, the founder of the San Francisco-based company Glydways, imagined it too and he and his team are well on their way to making such travel a reality.

Glydways is building a multimillion-dollar micro-transit network that would complement current bus and rail services in East Contra Costa County. It could be fully operational by as early as 2027. The company is working on other projects, as well.

Glydcar is a personal vehicle designed for public transportation. Glydcars autonomously move in dedicated lanes, carrying up to 4 passengers directly to their destination with no stops and with space for item such as bikes and luggage. (Glydways via Bay City News)

Customers would hail cars through a phone app or from kiosks along the 28-mile route and hop on board at one of the more than 50 boarding locations planned between the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station and downtown Brentwood.

The small driverless electric cars are expected to initially operate along paved pathways, with wait times lasting seconds, not minutes. We talked to Seeger about his on-demand mobility dream and where he got his inspiration. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Glydways?

A: I was born in Holland and I lived there until I was 13 years old and then moved back to the USA to New Hampshire, where I lived and went to school in upstate New York at Rensselaer Poly Tech Institute. Then I moved to Singapore, where I lived for 10 years, before I returned to the states.

Growing up in three different parts of the world allowed me to really see and experience what it’s like to live in parts of the world where you have great access to public transit and where you don’t. I could see the differences in front of my eyes. There are people who don’t have access to affordable housing or have affordable housing but don’t have access to employment because they can’t get there. I asked myself the question — why do some cities have mass transit and others don’t? I realized a couple shocking things. Roughly speaking, there are about 5,000 cities on Earth that need mass transit but only 178 cities have a mass transit system.

I care about equity of opportunity. I learned through living in different parts of the world that access to mobility is access to opportunity. Access to mobility gets you access to jobs, access to affordable housing and access to education. All those things add value to someone’s life.

Q: What has been the general reaction from the public about the Glydways project?

A: I would say there are two buckets. The first bucket is when we explain Glydways to the average person — not the transit agencies, just people on the street. We are presenting our vision of your daily commute. Our vision of your daily commute is you get your own vehicle, on demand, private, point-to-point, consistent, non-stop, 24/7 for the same price as sitting on BART or on a bus. Generally the response we get as a team is, “Boy, I can’t wait to get that in my city or my neighborhood.”

When you then talk to the transit agency people — the people who are in charge of building these things, running these things, implementing these things — the first question is, “You do the same thing that a train does but at one-tenth the cost with a better experience? That sounds really good. It almost sounds too good to be true. Prove it.”

The reason the proving is so important is it’s not just that big claims require big proof — that’s true for anything. But we are saying it’s not just one-tenth the cost to build, there is also no subsidy and our partners are willing to finance some or even all the cost so you might even get it for free. People will say, “I love it but I need to see it.” When we take them through that, the receptivity is great. We’ve never had a city come to us and say, “Now that I’ve seen it, I don’t want it.”

Q: What do you say to the skeptics?

A: The skeptics will say, “I don’t think you can do it.” I say three things. Number one: Whether we make it or not, what we are doing is trying to make the world a better place. Do we not agree that more public transit that serves more people is a better thing? Number two: The burden of proof is on me and on my company and my partnerships to prove it. We will either succeed or we will fail, but it’s not your problem, it’s ours. That’s how our economy works. Number three: If I do make it work, wouldn’t you want to try it? And people always say, “Of course.”

Q: You talk about mobility bringing access to opportunities. What does that mean, exactly?

A: Economics teaches you that moving labor and goods creates economic value. That’s at the macro level. At the micro level, think about the Bay Area, where we have a housing crisis. The jobs are all on the Peninsula, largely speaking, but the affordable housing isn’t. If I live in East Contra Costa County, where there is affordable housing, but I have to travel two to three hours to get to my job because of traffic congestion, I don’t really have access to those employment opportunities. So that’s another way of saying access to mobility gives me access to jobs, affordable housing, education, commerce, all of those things.

The more ways we give people more access to seamless, cheap, reliable and safe mobility, the more opportunities they have to better themselves economically or socially. Opportunity requires mobility.

Q: Tell us about growing up. Were you a kid with grand ideas who was always tinkering or thinking of ways to improve the world?

A: One of my favorite things as a kid, and my parents hated this, was to go to the town dump or the recycling center or containers that are outside people’s homes or office parks and just do Dumpster diving. I was looking for old machines to fix or to take apart to see how they work.

Also, I always like to ask two questions when something dissatisfies me. I want to understand why is the world the way it is? And how can it be made better? And is that something I can do? Or is that not something I can do? We should always be perpetually discontented with things and then take on the responsibility to see if you can make it better. That is kind of where I come from.

Why Bay Area athletes are chasing container ships, at great peril

Surfing the industrial-size waves of a giant ship in San Francisco Bay is a thrilling experience: smooth, silent and sublimely fast.

It can also be extraordinarily dangerous. And illegal.

“The ship can suck you in, drag you under and chop you up like a Cuisinart,” said David Wells of the San Francisco Boardsailing Association, which has started an educational campaign to prevent tragedy in those who venture too close.

Bay Area athletes have long loved extreme water sports, and for decades the cold, windy and wild waters of the Golden Gate have lured kiteboarders and windsurfers seeking to push their limits.

The new sport of “hydrofoiling” — using boards that skim across the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, floating two feet above the chop – has turbocharged enthusiasm. The hydrofoil enlists the same principles as an airplane, using a wing to create lift.

If a hydrofoiler catches the powerful wake of a commercial ship, they can experience a blissful ride that’s up to 3 miles long.

Most foilers are responsible, staying out of the way of large ships, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and San Francisco Bar Pilots, who guide large vessels through one of the nation’s busiest maritime channels.

But others are not. They’re nicknamed “splats,” like bugs on a windshield, by frustrated ship captains.

“It’s enticing to get up there, close to the ship’s swell. That’s human nature. But it creates a major safety issue,” said Capt. Anne McIntyre of the San Francisco Bar Pilots.

Foiling gained fame when Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison allowed foils on the America’s Cup boats in 2013. A wing-shaped device, a foil sits beneath the board and lifts it above the surface of the water. Sailors feel suspended between water and sky.

The innovation was quickly embraced by surfers, kiteboarders and windsurfers, challenged by the new and different way to ride. Kite manufacturers took note, designing increasingly agile and high-tech equipment.

A wing foiler in the bay off Crissy Field East Beach in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Some Bay Area boardsailers are riding the wakes of cargo ships coming in and out of the Golden Gate, thrilled by the adventure, but potentially risking their lives. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Interest in foiling exploded during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among tech types, as people looked for fun outdoors. Crissy Field, a beach at the foot of the Presidio of San Francisco, emerged as a world-renowned foil site, drawing professionals and gutsy amateurs.

Just as it did for the America’s Cup boats, a foil adds speed and grace to a board.

“It’s like a magic carpet ride. An amazing sensory experience,” Wells said. “It’s very fluid – a ballet-like sport, with incredible speed.”

Unlike kiteboarding or windsurfing, “you’re flying above the water, not slapping on the water,” he said. “There’s less wear on the body because you’re not absorbing the chop.”

A hydrofoil needs less wind than a kiteboard or windsurfer. While some riders use a kite, others move by simply pumping the board, bouncing up and down.  It’s simpler to launch and land. It doesn’t have a lot of tangled lines. It’s easier to turn.

Wing foilers and a windsurfer in the bay off Crissy Field East Beach in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Some Bay Area boardsailers are riding the wakes of cargo ships coming in and out of the Golden Gate, thrilled by the adventure, but potentially risking their lives. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

These attributes have expanded the number of days that people can sail — as well as the number of people sailing.

On the best days, carving turns under the Golden Gate Bridge feels like a maritime version of a fresh powder day on a steep ski slope. Cool ocean air and water rushes through the narrow portal, creating a “Venturi effect” that propels foilers to fierce speeds.

The worst days can be lethal. Last October, the crew of the vessel PV Drake saved the life of a foiler who had fallen and was carried 5 miles out to sea. In darkness, they tossed him two life rings with water lights, then helped him climb a ladder and over the vessel’s rail to safety. Exhausted and suffering from severe shock and hypothermia, he was rushed to a hospital by helicopter.

The Bay’s biggest risk-takers hunt for boats. A boat’s wake creates a silky smooth ride, because it pushes away the Bay chop. If the wake is long and strong enough, it can carry a rider all the way to Alcatraz.

“This is a growing problem. And it’s something that could be met with enforcement actions,” such as civil penalties costing thousands of dollars, warned Nathan Mendes, deputy chief of law enforcement for the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.

Last December, famed Hawaiian foil-surfer Kai Lenny recorded a video of his ride alongside a behemoth cargo ship. Lenny, the first person to foil surf Maui’s infamous big wave break Jaws, looked like an ant on the flank of an elephant.

“It’s going to be pretty insane, if I don’t get run over or eaten by a shark!” said Lenny, before jumping into the frigid Bay water.

“I feel like we’re pirates — stealing wake!” he said, ebulliently.

The problem, says the U.S. Coast Guard and Bay Pilots, is that the giant vessels can’t quickly stop. Traveling 20 knots, holding millions of dollars’ worth of cargo, it may take 1.5 miles to halt. The ships are deceptively fast and can create a wind shadow that stalls a small foiler. In an emergency, if tugboat crews need to quickly reach the side of the vessel, foilers could block access.

The Port of Oakland is one of the top four busiest gateways on the West Coast, handling 99% of all containerized goods that move through Northern California.  As global trade has grown, cargo ships have steadily increased in size. One recent vessel measured nearly 300 meters — about one-fifth of a mile, longer than the Salesforce Tower.

A wing foiler in the bay off Crissy Field East Beach as an oil tanker heads underneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Some Bay Area boardsailers are riding the wakes of cargo ships coming in and out of the Golden Gate, thrilled by the adventure, but potentially risking their lives. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

“It’s very difficult to see small objects from the bridge of the ship. They won’t come up on our radar,” McIntyre said. “And if you’re focusing on not running somebody over, you can be distracted from something else that’s important.”

There’s no room to maneuver. The channel under the Golden Gate Bridge is narrow and only 60 feet deep. There’s a treacherous sand bar.

“There’s very little water that is sufficiently deep for the ships to operate in,” McIntyre said.

If a vessel is forced to change course quickly to spare the life of a board rider, it could run aground or collide with another vessel, said Mendes. This could cause major damage and significant environmental damage if a collision causes an oil spill.

And riders may end up in court. That’s because Rule 9 of the International Navigational Rules of the Road requires that small vessels get out of the way of large vessels.  Specifically, small watercraft can’t “impede” large vessels, causing them to slow, alter course or take other action. The ship’s captain, not the recreational sailor, makes the determination. Fines can reach $14,000.

There’s even a worse fate: Injury or death.

If they fall, they could get run over. Another danger — a powerful eddy at the ship’s stern — is largely hidden. To the average observer, the wake of a ship seems to push water away. But an eddy can catch a board or sail, or a person, and pull them into the ship’s propellers.

A cargo ship passes under the Golden Gate Bridge as it enters San Francisco Bay. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

“If you were to fall, you could get sucked under” and drown, Wells said. “If you’re caught in the eddy, it could drag you into those props and literally dice you up.”

To save lives, the San Francisco Boardsailing Association has created an educational campaign, writing newsletters, posting on social media and holding seminars and “outreach sessions” on Zoom. Once a year, it holds a public Safety Day with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“It has escalated to the point we, as a community, need to begin to police ourselves, before it’s done to us. Or, even worse, before someone gets hurt,” according to the group’s blog post.

Outreach has improved safety, said Wells. “But there’s always a couple bad apples that ruin it for everybody. And there are out-of-town travelers, who don’t know the situation.”

The association urges foilers to stay at least 300 feet away, the length of a football field, from a vessel. They should be positioned behind the ship, not alongside. How far back is safe? You need to be able to read the name of the ship on the stern, said Wells.

The U.S. Coast Guard wants foilers to stay away from boats altogether. Foilers need to be “transiting” across the channel, not wake-surfing, said Mendes.

“That’s the curse and the blessing of having this amazing San Francisco Bay, right here,” said McIntyre. “It’s a a joy. But it can get really crowded, and dangerous.”

Looking back: An accreditation celebration for CSUMB

Local books: Local naturalist writes a tale about whales

Imagine. Tucked into a small boat, you’re floating within the San Ignacio Lagoon, a sanctuary in Baja California, when a 40-foot gray whale swims up to the side of your boat and looks you in the eye. You sense a shiver race down your spine, but you are not afraid. Neither is she.

In fact, you feel a connection, one mammal to another.

The whale, with her calf beside her, is hoping you will place your hand in the water, so she can lean into it and feel the gentle stroke of human touch. She will pause, patiently, while barnacles are snapped off her rostrum or snout and, perhaps, stick out her tongue to be scratched.

Every winter, Eastern Pacific gray whales reportedly migrate some 7,000 miles from waters northwest of Alaska, down to Mexico, known as “the nursery,” where their calves are born. There, mother whales train on “how to be whales,” so they are ready to endure the 7,000-mile return north.

(Courtesy image)

For 22 seasons, James Michael Dorsey worked as a resident naturalist on the water, in direct contact with gray whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. Ultimately, he wrote a book about it.

“If a mother whale dies, her calf will starve to death,” said Dorsey, “since whales do not adopt orphans. I have come to know individual whales from their color patterns, birthmarks, and scarring from propeller strikes. I have even seen whales with old harpoon wounds. And I have seen whales approach the boat, seeking affection.”

In the spring of 2023, Dorsey published, “The Lagoon, Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio,” the latest edition among four books, following “Tears, Fear, and Adventure” (2006), “Vanishing Tales from Ancient Trails” (2014), and “Baboons for Lunch” (2018).

“My first three books are personal narratives of my interactions with the people who work in the lagoon, members of a vanishing culture,” said Dorsey, “who live in absolute wilderness, 35 miles away from civilization. They live out there because they love whales and feel it’s their duty to protect them.”

Dorsey’s own story began on his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Irene, when the pair embarked on an eight-day, long-range sea kayaking trip. Within their first hour on the water, a pod of Orcas came up to their boat, close enough to touch, a life-altering experience that launched 15 years of sea kayaking to return to the magic they felt in the midst of whale pods.

“After encountering the Orcas,” said Dorsey, “we wanted to go find the gray whales. We went down from San Diego to the Lagoon, some 400 miles ‘south of the border’ on the Pacific side of  Baja. This is how I got started working there as a naturalist.”

Next year, Dorsey will lead a “travel with the author” trip to San Ignacio, giving lectures to educate, and presentations to inspire his passengers.

“My book, ‘The Lagoon,’ is the definitive work on that part of Baja and the phenomenon of the gray whales. It also looks at the natural history of the area,” he said, “including the indigenous people, with a great emphasis on the mystical connection between native people and whales.”

Dorsey writes of painted caves with heroic images on the walls, depicting religious ceremonies held there, which dealt with whales 25 miles away in the ocean. In the San Francisco Mountain range, one of several along the spine of Baja California, he says, there are some 400 sets of painted caves, but only certain ones bear the painted imagery of whales.

“The only way for these people to have seen a whale,” he said, “would have been to discover them deceased on the beach. They couldn’t have been seeking them out in their dugout canoes.”

Affinity and advocacy

Born and raised and living out his life in Los Angeles, James Michael Dorsey considered the gridlock traffic and static weather conditions, paired with escalating home prices in Culver City. He and his wife sold their home “for about 18 times what we paid for it” and, six years ago, bought a brand-new house in Marina, where the coastal climate changes constantly. They love it.

Yet they are often out of town, communing with whales.

“I’ve actually enjoyed two parallel careers,” Dorsey said. “A certified cetacean naturalist, with expertise in whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and seals, I have worked for 25 years as an onboard naturalist on whale boats from several Southern California harbors. And, I was a resident naturalist in the gray whale nursery in San Ignacio Lagoon. I currently work for a whale- watching company in Moss Landing.”

James Dorsey (Courtesy photo)

And, he writes books about his experiences.

Dorsey has given presentations about the sentient nature of gray whales and their affinity for human connection at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the Monterey Public Library, and the Monterey Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. Yet  his newest book, “The Lagoon,” is an alchemy of love story and memoir about his deep connection to the gray whale.

“I was ignorant about our connection to whales until I got involved,” he said. “Now I’m just trying to educate people that these are intelligent, sentient beings, and we have no reason to kill them or trap them in theme parks.”

“The Lagoon, Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio” is available on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.

Horoscopes July 7, 2024: Michelle Kwan, open your heart

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michelle Kwan, 44; Berenice Bejo, 48; Shelley Duvall, 75; Ringo Starr, 84.

Happy Birthday: Transform your life with small, obscure changes. Personal changes you incorporate that help you perform at your best will boost your confidence and encourage you to add to your skills and experience. Use your imagination in every aspect of life, find unique ways to solve problems and handle responsibilities with finesse. Open your heart to those you love, and the comfort you offer will bring high returns. Your numbers are 2, 7, 15, 24, 34, 41, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Socialize, share ideas and expand your interests, friendships and purpose. You can make a difference if you donate time to a cause that interests or concerns you. If something isn’t running smoothly at home, adjust your lifestyle to make your life easier. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Let what you do speak for you. The changes you initiate will change how people treat and respect you. A high-energy approach and discipline will help you reach your destination and give you hope regarding future endeavors. Invest time and money in your home, family and yourself. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your mind will collect information like a sponge. Sign up for courses or talks that interest you and that fill your head with ideas and prospects that promote a healthier lifestyle emotionally, financially and physically. Get on board, take positive action and embrace life. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Justify what you want to pursue first. Don’t take a path that leads nowhere, and don’t try to please someone who is negative. The person you must make happy is yourself. Take the initiative and do what feels right and best for you. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A flashy display of what you can offer will appeal to someone watching. You can broaden your awareness by discussing your plans with an expert. Traveling to pursue knowledge will spark your imagination and encourage you to expand your plans. Follow your instincts and enjoy the ride. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change of scenery will awaken your imagination and set you on the path to freedom. Live in the moment, consider what makes you happy and head in that direction. Keep a low profile, an open mind and a budget you can handle. Lifestyle improvements are favored. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Think before you act. Refrain from letting someone try your patience or cost you time, money or reputation. Look at the big picture and discover how to avoid trouble and protect yourself, your rights and your money. Choose events offering insight, facts and common sense. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Listen, dissect what you hear and make decisions that won’t jeopardize your reputation. Pay attention to how you carry and portray yourself to others. Don’t share personal information or make promises you don’t want to keep. A calm approach will allow you time to make better decisions. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t settle for less than what you want. Get the most out of partnerships, and invest time and effort into efficiently running your life and household. Keep tabs on your money, and update your skills to maintain your status quo and to be marketable for upcoming trends. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Check out possibilities and adjust your plans, lifestyle or schedule to buy you time to broaden your outlook and discover opportunities that encourage stability and security. Reach out to those you love and trust to ensure you are on the same page. Make partnerships a priority. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Explore the possibilities. An attentive attitude will draw loved ones closer and encourage plans that offer a better lifestyle with less stress and more time spent with the ones you love. Shared emotions and thoughts will map out a positive path. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Curb indulgent tendencies, and enjoy spending time with people who want a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity will connect you with people who can offer insight into trends. Self-improvement projects will boost your energy and confidence and encourage socializing. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are generous, emotional and creative. You are intelligent and orderly.

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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Pro Soccer: Bouda’s goal lifts Monterey Bay F.C. past Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — At some point, the belief is its arsenal will be intact for the stretch run.

Until then, the offensive struggles for Monterey Bay F.C. — particularly on the road — continue.

However, a five-game road losing streak was left in Pittsburgh Saturday after newly acquired Ousseni Bouda scored late in the match in the Union’s 1-0 win over Riverhounds.

Bouda, who is on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, made his first start for the Union memorable as he delivered a shot through the bottom left corner to break up a scoreless battle at the 90-minute mark.

The win vaulted the Union into the fifth spot in the United Soccer League’s Western Conference at 7-8-4, moving them into a tie with Memphis 901 FC with 25 points.

Having been shutout in seven of its previous 11 matches on the pitch, Monterey Bay F.C. returns to Cardinale Stadium to host Tulsa FC next Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Union have won their last two home matches and are 4-2-3 at Cardinale Stadium, where their home attendance is among the best in the USL.

Eight of the Union’s final 15 matches are at home. Nine of their final 15 opponents would be in the postseason if the season ended today, including five teams from the Western Conference.

The Union are still missing seven players, including goalie Antony Siaha, who entered the second half of the season leading the USL in saves with 73.

Monterey Bay F.C. also played the match without its top scorer in Tristan Trager, who missed the game for personal reasons. The sniper is sixth in the Western Conference in goals with six.

The Union showed off their depth between the pipes, as Carlos Herrera filled in admirably for Siaha in goal in recording his first shutout of the season, collecting a career high eight saves.

While Monterey Bay F.C. has struggled offensively — outshot 8-1 by Pittsburgh, it has beaten Western Conference leader New Mexico and reigning USL runner-up Charleston this season.

Pittsburgh has dealt with its own struggles offensively, seeing its scoreless drought stretched to six straight games, with just one goal in its last eight to fall to 3-9-6 in the Eastern Conference.

This was just the second meeting between the two clubs, having played to a 2-2 draw last summer at Cardinale Stadium, when former Riverhounds forward Alex Dixon scored against his old teammates.

Guards, Bolden and Bronny: Takeaways from Day 1 of the California Classic

SAN FRANCISCO — Around a swirl of summer transactions and rumors, actual basketball returned.

At Chase Center, the three-day California Classic Summer League featuring the Warriors, Kings, Lakers and Heat tipped off.

All eyes were on Bronny James, who played his first game as a professional, in the Lakers-Kings matinee. In the late game between the Warriors and Heat, Anthony Vereen earned a victory in his first game as a head coach.

“I’m pretty sure I reached my step quota,” Vereen joked postgame.

Led by Daeqwon Plowden (26 points) and Ethan Thompson (27 points), the Warriors routed Miami, 105-66. The squad looked cohesive after just two or three practices together.

Any Summer League observations, especially from just one game, should be taken with a flaky grain of salt, but here are three takeaways from Saturday’s action.

Bronny’s introduction

There’s a mountain of pressure on the 19-year-old James. Over an hour before the game, when the only people in Chase Center were players, team staffers and coaches, he emerged from the visitor’s tunnel to the sound of camera clicks. Any missed layup during warmups could’ve been videoed and uploaded to social media, to inevitable clowning.

That’s life as LeBron’s son. He’s used to it at this point. But the NBA spotlight is different than anything even he has experienced.

James’ first play as a pro came on defense, and a Kings Summer Leaguer dropped him to the hardwood with a crossover. Moments later, he missed an ill-advised pull-up jumper. Then he got his ankles twisted again, surrendering a bucket.

James got a loud ovation when he checked back in the second quarter, but then he fouled a 3-point shooter. A steal, layup and nice pull-up jumper saved his stat line from a nightmare. The Lakers played him as a 6-foot-1 off guard who isn’t an outside shooting threat. That’s not going to play at the NBA level.

James finished with four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal on 2-for-9 shooting. This was all against Sacramento’s B-Team; they split their Summer League squad between games at Sacramento and Golden State.

A no-frills Warriors squad

Against the Summer League Heat, Vereen started Pat Spencer, Marques Bolden, Daeqwon Plowden, Reece Beekman and Jackson Rowe.

Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are in Las Vegas training with the US Select Team. Quinten Post is on the roster but was in street clothes Saturday.

You don’t need household names to ball out. Especially when it’s the Pat Spencer Show.

Spencer has been working on his speed and strength in his first full summer after his last offseason got derailed by hip and wrist surgery. He looked spry, beating on-ball defenders several times. His craftiness was never a question, and he dropped off a bunch of dimes in the pick-and-roll.

A tad overstretched as the primary lead guard, Spencer logged 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five turnovers. In the fourth quarter, he took a steal all the way for a coast-to-coast, and-1 jam with one hand. Seems like his offseason work is paying off.

He and Beekman — the undrafted guard on a two-way deal — formed a fairly formidable backcourt, with the two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year providing as-expected defense. The question with Beekman will be whether he can score, and the mileage varied on his slashing game. His shot doesn’t look broken, and he drilled an off-the-bounce 3 to beat the halftime buzzer.

“What I didn’t know is how well he can push the ball and play at this speed,” Vereen said. “In college, he played more of a set-up style. He was excited about having so much space, so many guys that can shoot around him. I learned that he can really push the pace. I thought he was a good passer, but I didn’t know how good of a passer he is.”

Neither Spencer nor Beekman is expected to contribute significantly at the NBA level this year. But as high-floor depth options in the organization, you could probably do worse.

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A slew of injuries have slowed Marques Bolden’s career, but he’s healthy now and looking to use a Summer League role with the Warriors to get another shot.

The 6-foot-11 center is going to have issues guarding quicker players on switches, but he’s a force inside. On one play, he ceded a drive on the perimeter, only to recover and swat a shot in the lane.

A former elite high school prospect who went to Duke, Bolden has the pedigree. He has the size — the kind you can’t teach. His hands aren’t terrible for a center of his stature and he found himself in the right places on the court against the Heat more often than not. When he catches inside, coaches just need to plead with him to go up strong and dunk.

Bolden finished with eight points, six blocks and 13 rebounds. Opposite Heat rookie Kel’el Ware (15th overall pick), he generally had his way.

The Warriors’ roster is crowded at the moment. But if not them, it’d make a lot of sense for a team to take a flier on Bolden.