Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 436

June 27, 2024

Why Warriors traded out, then back into their late second-round pick

The Warriors didn’t expect to make a pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after they agreed to send their lone selection — No. 52 overall — to the Oklahoma City Thunder for reserve wing Lindy Waters III.

But serendipitously, the pick changed hands once more, and later became available again. And the way the draft played out, Golden State wanted back in. Some cash considerations later, the Warriors had their own pick back, using it to take Boston College stretch-five Quinten Post.

The transactions turned a busy couple days at the Warriors’ war room in Chase Center into wonky ones.

“We felt like (Waters) versus the 52nd pick, this is a player who we feel can do better than 52,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said in a post-draft press conference.

“At that point, we decided, ‘All right, now we’re out of the second round and thus out of the whole draft. Decided we wanted to get back in because there were some players available that we liked. Lo and behold, 52 was available, and we really liked it again. So we got back in. A bit odd, but there was no original plan to make it all work together, but it eventually did.”

Waters, 26, has been on Golden State’s radar as a “buy low” candidate for quite some time, Dunleavy said. Buried in a deep Oklahoma City roster, Waters is a 3-point specialist whom the Warriors think can expand his game.

Golden State plans to pick up Waters’ $2.2 million club option and expects him to compete for a rotation spot on the wing.

Along with Waters, Post was also a player Golden State identified on its wish list. When his name remained available as No. 52 approached, the Warriors agreed to get back into the 52nd slot.

The 24-year-old Post — the Warriors’ first 7-footer in years — shot over 40% in each of his past two seasons at BC.

“Can shoot the ball, stretch the floor,” Dunleavy said of Post. “He’s got really good size. But more importantly, you want players who can do more than one thing. We think he rebounds, we think he can defend at a level at the rim that’s NBA acceptable. Good passer. So, he fits a lot of things we look for.”

By making that trade, the Warriors are hard capped at the second apron, meaning they aren’t allowed to spend more than the estimated $189.7 million — which they were highly unlikely to broach anyways.

That restriction wouldn’t prevent the Warriors from swinging a trade for an All-Star caliber player like Paul George or Jimmy Butler.

“We’re aware of what (the trade) did,” Dunleavy said. “I think we’re okay with that. To stay under the second apron is plenty of money to spend to build a good team.”

The Warriors could sign Post to a guaranteed contract or a two-way deal, a decision that’s to be determined, per Dunleavy. There are cap benefits to signing second rounders to multi-year, guaranteed contracts but having roster flexibility can also come in handy.

Post and Reece Beekman — an undrafted defensive ace out of Virginia signed to a two-way deal — are expected to play in the Summer League, Dunleavy said. Beekman was the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.

Post’s availability could be delayed by a minor leg injury.

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Published on June 27, 2024 19:13

Trump and Biden mix it up over policy and each other in a debate that turns deeply personal

By JONATHAN J. COOPER

PHOENIX (AP) — They passed on a handshake at the start, and from there President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump went right to mixing it up on policy — and each other — in their first 2024 presidential debate on Thursday night.

Personal animosity between the two men was palpable as they argued, sometimes in deeply personal terms, over abortion, the economy, age, the criminal convictions of Trump and Biden’s son Hunter, and even their mettle on the golf course.

Biden arrived with a raspy voice and spoke softly, the result, his campaign said, of a cold. Biden sometimes mumbled, got tongue-tied or lost his train of thought, a performance unlikely to calm anxiety among Democrats and many Americans about the 81-year-old president.

The 78-year-old Trump, as he often does, spoke with force but with plenty of falsehoods.

Some key moments from their 90-minute debate.

Debate gets personal

Trump and Biden went after each other throughout the debate.

Trump twice cited Hunter Biden, who was convicted this month on three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018 while he allegedly was addicted to drugs. Trump, who last month became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes, labeled the president’s son a “convicted felon.”

Biden referenced Trump’s own criminal convictions, saying he had had “sex with a porn star” while his wife was pregnant, which Trump denied. Biden also said Trump had been found civilly liable for “molesting a woman in public.”

Biden was referring to actor Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had sex with Trump in 2006, a claim that precipitated a $130,000 hush money payment weeks before the 2016 election, and to writer E. Jean Carroll, who says Trump sexually abused her in a New York department store.

Biden’s claim that Melania Trump was pregnant during Trump’s alleged affair with Daniels was wrong. Barron Trump was born in March 2006. Daniels said she had sex with Trump in July 2006.

“You have the morals of an alley cat,” Biden charged.

The oldest presumptive nominees in history say they’re still sharp

More than 80 minutes into the debate, Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, were asked about their age and ability to serve well into their 80s.

Biden spotlighted a litany of policy achievements and said Trump is “three years younger and a lot less competent.” Biden also used the answer to slap at Trump for bad-mouthing the United States.

“The idea that we are some kind of failing country? I’ve never heard a president talk like that before,” Biden said.

In his retort, Trump said he was in as good a shape as he was 25 years ago and perhaps “even a little bit lighter.” He said he’s “aced” cognitive tests.

Though the men are not far apart in age, more voters worry that Biden is too old.

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “very concerned” that Biden is too old to be president, according to Gallup data collected in June. Only 18% had the same level of concern about Trump.

Biden mumbles and stumbles

With a hoarse voice, Biden was difficult to hear and understand from his first remarks, and his verbal miscues continued throughout.

Biden lost his train of thought while trying to make a point about tax rates and the number of billionaires in America. He trailed off and looked down before mumbling about COVID-19 and saying something to the effect that “we finally beat Medicare.”

When he tried to come back to finish his point, moderator Jake Tapper cut him off because his time was up.

Trump quickly interjected: “He’s right he did beat Medicare. He beat it to death.”

During a response to a question about abortion, Biden mentioned, seemingly out of nowhere, a young woman who was recently murdered by an immigrant — an apparent reference to a 12-year-old Houston girl who was strangled to death, allegedly by two Venezuelan men who entered the country illegally. The connection to abortion was unclear.

He also stumbled while delivering his prepared closing statement.

Trump pushes Jan. 6 falsehoods, minimizes conduct of those convicted of rioting

Trump lied about his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by his supporters on the U.S. Capitol, and tried to deflect by pivoting to other issues.

Pressed on his role, he said he encouraged people to act “peacefully and patriotically,” then changed the subject to launch an attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

He said Biden ought to “be ashamed” for the way the Jan. 6 defendants have been handled.

Trump, who has floated the idea of pardons for the rioters, suggested his supporters who stormed the Capitol were actually peaceful and are now being politically persecuted.

In fact, the rioters engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police and used makeshift weapons to attack officers. More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the riot, and more than 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.

“The only person who’s on this stage that’s a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now” Biden said of his rival.

Trump equivocates on accepting election results

Trump was asked three times, but he never directly affirmed that he would accept the election results, no matter who wins.

Several times Trump noted that he would accept the results “if it’s a fair and legal and good election” but he would not give a yes or no answer.

Biden was not buying it, saying, “I doubt whether you’ll accept it; you’re such a whiner.”

Trump did denounce political violence as “totally unacceptable” — even as he minimized the conduct of those who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Candidates tangle over who’s extreme on abortion

Biden blamed Trump for eroding abortion rights after the Republican’s three nominees to the Supreme Court voted to reverse Roe v. Wade, which had recognized a nationwide constitutional right to abortion. The reversal has energized many voters who support abortion rights and it helped power Democratic victories in the 2022 midterms and special elections.

“It’s been a terrible thing what you’ve done,” Biden said, turning to his rival. He pledged to restore the law under Roe if given a second term but didn’t say how he’d accomplish that. He said the idea of turning abortion laws back to states “is like saying we’re going to turn civil rights back to the states.”

Trump said his presidency returned the issue of abortion to the people through state laws. He said he supports abortion ban exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and he repeated his false claim that Biden supports abortion up to and after birth.

“We think the Democrats are the radicals, not the Republicans,” Trump said.

Not even golf was off the table

Between debating the nation’s biggest problems, Biden and Trump also argued about their golf game.

Trump bragged about winning two golf tournaments recently, “and not even senior, two regular club championships.” He said the feat requires a golfer to be “quite smart” and able to hit the ball a long way.

Biden said he’d happily take on Trump in a driving contest, bragging he got his handicap “down to a six” when he was vice president.

“I’m happy to play golf with you if you carry your own bag,” Biden said to Trump. “Think you can do it?”

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Published on June 27, 2024 18:41

Kurtenbach: Instant reaction to the Warriors’ second-round pick

Adam Silver needs to fix the NBA Draft.

Because when the Warriors selected Boston College center Quinten Post on Thursday afternoon, I had no idea that the Warriors did, in fact, acquire him.

No, I — like the rest of you and ESPN, too — thought that the Warriors were trading pick No. 52 to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Lindy Waters III, a depth wing.

Turns out, the Warriors did make that trade.

Then they bought that pick back… from Portland, who had traded for it after the Warriors and Thunder agreed to their trade.

It’s enough to make your head spin.

What’s not jarring, however, is the selection of Post.

There’s a simple argument for him as a selection: he is 7 feet tall and can shoot. Add in the ability to put the ball on the floor and some nice passing skills and you have a ready-for-the-NBA, plug-and-play stretch center — someone who can immediately take the Warriors’ second unit to another offensive level.

Or, in other words, the Warriors finally acquired Mike Muscala — the stretch five whom the Warriors have been linked to for the past 20 years, give or take.

(Post, huh? What’s the opposite of nominative determinism?)

Post — a native of the Netherlands — really does have a sweet stroke. And it’s not all show and no substance, either — he posted a 51/43/82 line last season and a 54/42/86 season the year before.

Can he play defense? Not really. He lacks NBA athleticism, posting the lowest vertical leap at the combine (27 inches). He’s going to struggle against the pick-and-roll — it’s not an issue of being off-balance or surprised, it’s simply an issue of physical ability. And at 25 years old, there’s little reason to think it’s going to get much better.

But who cares? He can shoot and that’s the name of the game in today’s NBA.

And while he should be a depth piece for the Warriors, part of me thinks he’d be a perfect fit next to Draymond Green.

Far too often last season the Warriors put out lineups that had fewer than four shooters. In fact, sometimes they only had two players who were willing and able to space the floor. This was a different kind of “ruining the league.”

With the additions of Post and Waters (acquired for this No. 52 pick from Oklahoma City), the Warriors have two players who will not have an issue shooting from distance. It’s a nice change.

Waters has some serious range and a smooth shot off the dribble — you can do a whole lot worse when adding an end-of-the-bench player. Post can spread the floor on offense and be covered up by Green on defense — if Steve Kerr decides to pair them.

Plus, because Post is Dutch, if he’s not going to get any minutes this season, they can stash him overseas and save some money against the luxury tax.

There’s still a lot of work for the Warriors to do this offseason. Friday is a big day, with Chris Paul’s salary guarantee set to activate if the Dubs don’t waive him. Then there’s free agency, where Golden State needs to add quality veterans with exception-level contracts and try to re-sign Klay Thompson.

But they added two interesting pieces in Post and Waters. That’s a nice start — even if it took a while to figure out that is, in fact, what they did.

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Published on June 27, 2024 16:29

Warriors re-acquire pick, draft stretch 5 from Boston College: reports

The Warriors started Day 2 of the NBA Draft with the 52nd overall pick, traded out of it before the second round started, then eventually paid to get it back.

Golden State’s end result: cash to Portland for Oklahoma City Thunder reserve Lindy Waters III and Boston College center Quinten Post.

The move to purchase their own pick back was reported by multiple journalists.

The Warriors are expected to keep Waters, a 3-point specialist, on the roster as a depth option on the wing. Late second-round picks rarely contribute right away at the NBA level, but Post could one day become a stretch center next to Draymond Green that has made sense for years.

Post, in a best-case scenario, would check multiple boxes for the Warriors. A 7-footer who shot over 40% from 3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference each of the past two years, Post could provide spacing and size from the center position.

A 24-year-old from Amsterdam, Post is regarded as a strong interior defender with good hands for his size. He averaged 17 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season.

Post began his five-year NCAA career with Mississippi State before transferring to Boston College as a junior. He won ACC Most Improved Player of the Year as a senior and was named to the conference’s second team and All-Defense team as a fifth-year.

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Published on June 27, 2024 15:53

SF Giants denied four-game sweep of Cubs before Dodgers’ final visit

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants sauntered onto their home field Thursday seeking their first four-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs here since 2012.

Instead, a 5-3, 10-inning loss spoiled their sunny, blue-sky afternoon and ushered the Giants into a scheduling gauntlet before the All-Star Break.

The first-place Dodgers arrive Friday night for, already, their final series at Oracle Park this season. Then come three-game sets at Atlanta and Cleveland before the Giants host Toronto and Minnesota. All those teams, except Toronto, are in playoff position and playing above .500.

“We’re just worried about L.A., not who’s after that,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “They’re a lot to handle. The Giants-Dodgers rivalry can inspire you, as well. It’s always pretty festive here when we play the Dodgers.

“It’s a tough assignment but our guys are feeling good. We won three in a row before this last game here.”

The Giants rallied from a 3-0 deficit with a three-run sixth, and as brilliant as their bullpen was this series, all it took was a Luke Jackson slider to end that mojo. Ian Happ belted it for a two-run homer off the top of the center-field wall in the 10th, breaking through against a bullpen that had not allowed a run its previous 21 1/3 innings this series.

The Giants’ 10th-inning counterattack came alive when pinch hitter Brett Wisely reached on a single into shallow left field. There would be no further rally. Austin Slater struck out (on nine pitches), Heliot Ramos flew out to cap his 0-for-4 day, and Wilmer Flores’ infield flyout finished his 0-for-5 day – and finished the series.

Limited to one hit through five innings, the Giants got to Cubs’ pitcher Shota Imanaga with a game-tying, three-run rally in the sixth. Jorge Soler’s two-out, ground-rule double off the left-field track pulled the Giants within 3-1, then Matt Chapman scored on a wild pitch, and, Soler came home on Luis Matos’ infield dribbler past Imanaga.

Then it was up to the Giants’ bullpen to repeatedly keep the Cubs from answering. Not all of the bullpen was available, however.

Melvin declined to send out closer Camilo Doval nor Tyler Rogers because both pitched the previous two days; Doval would have pitched if a save opportunity presented itself, Melvin added.

The bullpen did much of the heavy lifting all series, pitching scoreless ball for 15 1/3 consecutive innings before Thursday’s closing act by (in order) Spencer Bivens, Erik Miller, Ryan Walker, Sean Hjelle, and, finally, Jackson. They weren’t stress-free innings.

Hjelle’s turn came in the ninth. After one-out singles by Miles Mastrobuoni and Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch struck out looking, then Hjelle ended the threat by covering first on Cody Bellinger’s groundout.

Spencer Bivens worked a 1-2-3 sixth in relief of Jordan Hicks, then Erik Miller struck out Cody Bellinger with a 96.6-mph, full-count fastball to strand two runners in the seventh. A leadoff double by Seiya Suzuki in the eighth threatened to break through the Giants’ bullpen, but Walker struck out two of the next three batters he faced to strand Suzuki.

“Our bullpen is nasty. They’re the best in the league,” Hicks said. “… Hopefully we get that out of them all year, and as the starters come back, we can kind of take that load off a little bit, give them extra rest in the second half and prepare for the playoffs.”

Melvin talked about how it’s “unsustainable” to keep taxing the bullpen, especially Rogers and Walker.

“Other than (Logan Webb), we’re getting some short starts right now, so it’s a mix-and-match to make sure you have enough guys to cover nine innings,” Melvin said.

The Cubs stranded a runner at second base in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. They struck out 14 times overall, the first seven against Hicks, who allowed five hits, two walks and three runs over six innings.

Ramos tried to ignite a winning rally with a leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth. He was stranded at third, however, once Soler struck out, following groundouts by Flores and Chapman.

The Cubs’ initial three runs also came in a collective bunch, in the third inning. Nico Hoerner’s two-run home run that just cleared the left-field wall, and Suzuki’s RBI triple over right fielder Matos’ reach. Hoerner’s shot was the eighth home run allowed by Hicks over his past nine outings, after yielding just one over his first eight starts.

The Cubs unsuccessfully tried to score first an inning earlier, only to continue baserunning woes from their previous game. Happ got thrown out at home trying to score from first, with Curt Casali easily applying the tag after Thairo Estrada’s relay throw from Ramos, who allowed Dansby Swanson’s two-out single to surprisingly fall into shallow center field for the Cubs’ first hit.

NOTES: First baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. (hamstring) is expected to be activated for Friday’s 7:15 p.m. game. Wade leads Giants’ hitters with a career-high .333 batting average and .470 on-base percentage. … Logan Webb (6-6, 3.16 ERA) is slated to oppose Landon Knack (1-1, 2.10). … Whereas this will be the Dodgers’ final visit here, the Giants make their last trip to Los Angeles July 22-25. As odd as it is for the rivals to bid adieu with two months left in the regular season, perhaps that is a positive for the Giants’ playoff hopes, as they won’t have to further face the Dodgers in a wild-card pursuit. … Alex Cobb (right shoulder) and Kyle Harrison (right ankle) are slated to throw bullpen sessions Friday as they near respective comebacks. Cobb’s next step would be to pitch a couple of days later at Single-A San Jose.

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Published on June 27, 2024 15:38

25th Employee Appreciation Day hosted by county Hospitality Association

More than 1300 employees and their families came to the Monterey Fairgrounds, many dressed in team shirts, hats and costumes on Wednesday for the Employee Appreciation Day. Many people brought colorful signs, streamers and horns to cheer on their teams during friendly competitions and an outdoor barbecue.

Gerson Hernandez carries a tray of dishes and a tray rack through cones during the food and beverage relay. (Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)

The highlight of the event are the contests the employees take part in against each other, representing their hotel or organization. These including bartending, bed-making, a chili cook off, a food and beverage relay, a bell staff relay, a soccer competition and a new event called the tallest tower — where engineers took turns stacking a five-gallon bucket of shop tools into a stable tower.

The two bartending competitions, which several judges claimed was their favorite of the day, drew bartenders of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. They each had just a couple of minutes to make their best martini in the first round, and specialty drink in the second. InterContinental The Clement Monterey won the martini competition, and Portola Hotel & Spa won the specialty drink round.

“I recently became a bartender at work, so I knew I was probably in over my head,” said Ricky Calautti from the Monterey Marriott. “But I took it as a learning opportunity, and it was a lot of fun. I’m pretty confident in my abilities, but when I got up there, my hands started shaking.”

There was a picnic area for guests to eat, several vendor stands available, a DJ and a stage where several of the competitions took place.

The participants for the chili cook-off stood at a long table where guests could walk through a line and try out each one.

Gerado Garcia from InterContinental The Clement (left) and Ricky Calautti from Monterey Marriott (right) compete in the martini round of the bartending competition. Each had just a couple of minutes to make the best drink they could. (Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)

The judges ranged from city staff, to community leaders and business owners from Monterey County. Several of the judges also took part in the festivities with guests, dancing to music and mingling with guests.

“This is a lot of fun,” said John Guertin, city manager of Del Rey Oaks. “(The Hospitality Association) do a lot of good for the community, and this day is just one of them.”

This is the 25th year the Monterey County Hospitality Association has hosted this free event. All of the invited hotels, restaurants and businesses are members of the Hospitality Association, and everyone partakes in putting the event together.

“We have a committee that meets a few months before this event, and we put out a request to all the participating organizations to see what they can donate,” said Kristin Horton, executive director for the Hospitality Association. “Someone will bring hamburgers, another organization will bring cokes and waters. Everything has been donated for the employees of hospitality.”

Overall, teams compete for the Spirit Award, which goes to the team with the best cooperation and teamwork throughout the day, which went to Portola Hotel & Spa.

Chefs hand out samples of chili to guests in a competition. Three judges selected Post Ranch Inn as the winner, but everyone was able to try all of the chili samples throughout the afternoon. (Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)

“It’s wonderful seeing all of the hospitality workers come together,” Horton said. “A lot of them have worked together for years and years. A lot of people know others from different properties too, so having the chance to compete against one another is always fun.”

Overall competition winners:

1st – Pebble Beach Company2nd (tie) – Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Bell Staff Team – 1st place

Inns of Monterey

Tallest Tower– 1st place

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Bartending, Martini– 1st place

InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Chili – 1st place

Post Ranch Inn

Food & Beverage– 1st place

Highlands Inn

Bartending, Specialty Drink– 1st place

Portola Hotel & Spa

Bed Making– 1st place

Pebble Beach Company

GM Competition, Food & Beverage – 1st place

Quail Lodge & Golf Club

Soccer Competition – 1st place

Carmel Valley Ranch

Gloria McPherson Team Spirit Award: 12th Annual

Portola Hotel & Spa

Saira Ortiz from Bernardus Lodge & Spa places bed sheets on a small bed in the bed-making contest with a partner. (Kyarra Harris/Monterey Herald)

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Published on June 27, 2024 15:09

Seaside Council moves Grand Hyatt resort hotel forward with approvals

SEASIDE – Two items pertaining to the construction of the Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel, the four-star Hyatt property being built at the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, were approved by the Seaside City Council at its last meeting.

SKDG, the owner of the hotel site, requested the date to close a hotel construction loan be extended from July 12 this year to Jan. 31, 2025. In a written request to the city, the owner asserted that the construction loan will not to be drawn upon until February next year and it has been using its own capital to meet other obligations set forth in the performance schedule in the disposition and development agreement. The city agreed to extend the time for acquiring the construction loan.

During the same meeting, the Seaside City Council authorized a professional services agreement with Wallace Group for construction management and inspection of the Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel in an amount not to exceed $193,734, to be reimbursed by the developer – SKDG’s subsidiary, Seaside Acquisition Group.

Work on McClure Way, the road linking General Jim Moore Boulevard to the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, continues as golfers enjoy a golf round. The site is getting ready for the construction of the Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel. Thursday, June 27, 2024. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

The Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel will consist of an eight-level, 307,200-square-foot single building that would include 330 guest rooms, a conference center with meeting rooms, restaurants, lobby bar, service kitchen, administrative offices, food and beverage, spa and fitness and service/circulation areas. An outdoor swimming pool is proposed adjacent to the south elevation of the hotel building.

Surface parking for the hotel property and golf course will be located largely between the hotel and the golf clubhouse to the west, according to city documents. Additional parking will be available within an overflow parking lot located along General Jim Moore Boulevard to the east as originally approved and valet parking on level one below the event center. McClure Way, a two-way road, will also be improved and will provide access to the surface parking lot and valet parking on the west side of the hotel and the overflow parking on Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard.

Some other associated improvements include water, sewer, and storm drain lines, and storm water treatment devices. Installation of water and sewer utilities, to be owned and maintained by Marina Coast Water District, in McClure Way has already started. Grading for the hotel portion of the project is expected to start next month.

The Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel will be designed in a contemporary architectural style, featuring a parapet roof, white plaster walls, with floor to ceiling glazing in guest rooms with balconies. The resort will incorporate a convention center of about 35,000 square feet on the two lower levels with several large event spaces and support spaces, and seven levels of hotel guest rooms totaling about 195,000 square feet, with amenities such as a spa and fitness space of about 13,000 square feet, restaurants totaling about 14,000 square feet and a large exterior courtyard.

When built, the Grand Hyatt Seaside Resort Hotel will be one of four Grand Hyatt hotels in California, joining two in San Francisco and one in San Diego. There are 62 Grand Hyatt hotels in 28 countries offering an upscale stay in big cities, beach destinations and a few airport locations including 13 Grand Hyatt hotels in the United States which often compete with InterContinental, Fairmont, JW Marriott and Conrad properties. Hyatt has about 20 brands under its name including Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place.

The Seaside Resort Project was approved by the Seaside City Council and Redevelopment Agency in July 2005. Approvals included a vesting tentative map, design review of the entire project, site plan review for the hotel, a use permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages, a use permit for timeshares, a use permit for residential uses and a conveyance agreement and disposition and development agreement between the city and the developer.

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Published on June 27, 2024 14:29

Horoscopes June 27, 2024: Tobey Maguire, use your ingenuity

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ed Westwick, 37; Drake Bell, 38; Tobey Maguire, 49; J.J. Abrams, 58.

Happy Birthday: Don’t stop short of your goal. Muster up the energy that will catapult you to the top. Use your ingenuity to mastermind how you want to proceed. Be creative and offer incentives to those you want to tag along on your journey. You will enjoy the company and the process of putting a dent in your bucket list. Love and romance, along with self-improvement, are favored. Your numbers are 6, 13, 20, 27, 33, 38, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep your thoughts to yourself and go about your business. Spending less time explaining will make it easier to get things done. Focus on what you can accomplish, and continue until you are satisfied with the results. Put your energy where it counts. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Devise a plan and follow through. Call on experts and contributors to coordinate your day accordingly. Communication and action will encourage others to pitch in and help. A positive change will lead to personal gratitude and pave the way to a better future. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Listen carefully, and you’ll recognize the mixed messages you receive. Ask questions, mainly when money, directions or instructions apply. Communication can change how you proceed and how others perceive you. Leave nothing to chance and stick to facts. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t stop when building momentum will determine how far you travel. Embrace every opportunity to explore new territory, and harness and use your skills uniquely. Share your vision and enforce change to ensure you stand out and complete whatever you pursue. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a wait-and-see approach, and you’ll avoid a mistake that is difficult to reverse. Put your power where it counts, and reach out to those who share your sentiments and have something to offer. Observe, assess and reflect. Choose peace over chaos. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can have fun, get things done, and improve your lifestyle and routine without going overboard. Common sense, paying attention to detail and engaging in discussions with people who make you think and bring out the best in you will transform how you proceed. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can think it, but don’t say it if you want to sidestep a controversial topic. Put your energy into research, discovery and broadening your sense of awareness and possibilities. Personal growth, along with self-improvement, will bring the highest returns. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Step into the spotlight and take over. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose if you are direct, follow through and refuse to let anyone override your plans or set a destination. Follow your heart and head in a direction that excites you. Romance is favored. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t get caught in someone’s drama or get involved in a joint venture that parts you from your cash. Work alone, and you’ll get things done. Explore financial possibilities that add to your security, not to your stress. Be true to yourself and your beliefs. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Give your long-term financial and professional plan more thought. Revisit your dreams and discuss your options with someone you can count on for sound advice. A romantic adventure will bring you closer to someone you love and lead to a lifestyle change that saves money. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick close to home and nurture yourself and your surroundings. Modifications will ease stress and sprout ideas that give you something to look forward to with enthusiasm. Don’t let the decisions or changes others make stand in your way. Do your own thing. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Plan to do something to take your mind off your worries. A social event or activity that offers self-improvement or a change of scenery will be uplifting and point you in a direction that is mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. Love and romance are in the stars. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are responsible, unique and respected. You are inspiring and passionate.

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

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Published on June 27, 2024 03:01

June 26, 2024

Birdsong debuts without a hitch as SF Giants pick up 3rd straight win vs. Cubs

SAN FRANCISCO — They don’t manufacture many major leaguers in Mattoon, Illinois, and only a handful of future professional ballplayers have passed through the Ohio Valley Conference which Eastern Illinois University calls home.

It stands to reason, then, that Hayden Birdsong never backed himself into a corner like the one in which he found himself two batters into the third inning Wednesday evening. Making his major-league debut less than two years after his name was called in the sixth round of the amateur draft, the bushy-haired, baby-faced right-hander was staring down the heart of the Cubs’ lineup after putting the first two batters of the inning on base.

Hours before the Giants’ eventual 4-3 win, manager Bob Melvin was asked how Birdsong, 22, was “handling the moment,” with less professional experience under his belt than any Giants pitching prospect in their first major-league start since Tim Lincecum almost two decades earlier.

“We’ll see when he gets out there,” the manager responded, earnestly.

In the span of three batters, the Giants got their answer.

“You’re in a situation where you’ve got to bear down a little bit, really no room for error,” Melvin said afterward, “and he gets out of it with nobody moving up, so that was an impressive inning.”

Falling behind 2-0 to Cody Bellinger, the Cubs’ No. 3 batter, Birdsong evened the count with a pair of high fastballs, which only served to set up his next pitch, a looping curveball over the inside corner that felt the air of the left-hander’s swing before finding the back of Patrick Bailey’s glove.

The next batter, Seiya Suzuki, skied a letter-high fastball to right field for the second out, and Birdsong reversed his approach to send Ian Happ back to the dugout for the third and final out of the inning. Using his changeup and curveball to get ahead of the Cubs’ No. 5 hitter, Birdsong powered a 96.5 mph fastball past an empty swing for his second strikeout of the inning, stranding the Cubs’ runners where they were two batters into the inning.

“It was very impressive what he was doing out there. He’s got legit stuff; he’s just got to keep it over the plate,” said Bailey, who paid Birdsong a mound visit after the rookie right-hander walked the first two batters of the inning, telling him, “Just trust your stuff. Throw it over the plate and get count leverage.’

“I think that’s going to be the ticket for him, getting ahead and keeping guys on their toes.”

Beaten by Suzuki in their next battle, Birdsong ultimately didn’t factor into the decision but over 4⅔ innings proved he was plenty capable of taking down many more to come, an answer Melvin and his depleted pitching staff was desperately seeking when the day began.

“I thought he used all his pitches really well, too,” Melvin said. “Especially in that third inning when you’ve got two on and nobody out.”

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) and San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) head to the dugout after warmups in the bullpen before Birdsong debuts in the MLB against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) heads to the mound on his MLB debut as San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (6) looks on before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Jong Beom, left, father of San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee greets San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (6) in the dugout before he throws the ceremonial first pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee and his father Jong Beom have their picture taken in the dugout before his father throws the ceremonial first pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) gestures with San Francisco Giants’ third baseman Matt Chapman (26) after he threw to first base for the first out on his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) looks on as San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (6) walks to the mound to pull him out after allowing a solo home run by Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki (27) in the fifth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (6) pulls out San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) after allowing a solo home run by Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki (27) in the fifth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Luis Matos (29) looks skywards as he celebrates his solo homer against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ David Villar (32) points skywards as he celebrates his solo homer off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (19) in the second inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto (8) celebrates his two-run homer with San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey (14) against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ David Villar (32) gets low-fives with third base coach Matt Williams (9) after hitting a solo homer off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (19) in the second inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

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Delivering their third straight win over the Cubs — rebounding from a five-game skid that sent them a season-worst six games under .500 — the 4⅔ innings the Giants got from the rookie right-hander matched the largest workload they’ve received from one pitcher since they returned home Monday.

Tagged for three runs on six hits, Birdsong struck out five and generated nine swings and misses while issuing three walks. His fastball topped out at 98.4 and registered readings of 97 mph or harder 13 times, the most in an outing by any Giants starter not named Jordan Hicks.

The biggest surprise might have been his changeup, a pitch he threw only seven times in two Triple-A starts but broke out 21 times to strong effect Wednesday. He used one to freeze Michael Busch in the first inning for his first career strikeout, getting the ball, the “K” card and the lineup sheet as keepsakes from his debut.

“(Bailey) told me at the very beginning of the game, ‘Your changeup’s good; let’s throw it,’” said Birdsong, who credited a tweak to his grip he made in spring training for fine-tuning the pitch. “I’m like, ‘I’m in; let’s do it.’ We threw it a lot, and it was working. We’ll keep doing that.”

“I think it grades out as his best pitch,” Bailey added. “I think it’s going to be one of the better pitches in the game. … He’s getting negative (vertical movement). It’s probably 10 (mph) off his fastball. And from his release height, it’s going to have more perceived depth.”

The 97 pitches Birdsong exhausted were the third-most by a pitcher making his major-league debut this season, but he’d like to have the last one back.

Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo homer off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) in the fifth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Chicago Cubs’ Christopher Morel (5) is tagged out at second by San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada (39) in the fourth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Chicago Cubs’ Christopher Morel (5) reacts in pain after he was tagged at second by San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada (39) in the fourth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong (52) scores past San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) in the fourth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto (8) celebrates his two-run homer as he rounds the bases against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (75) heads to the mound for the start of the ninth inning of a MLB game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto (8) makes a catch for an out on ball hit by Chicago Cubs’ Miles Mastrobuoni (20) in the ninth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) throws out Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner (2) at first in the seventh inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) fields a gounder from Chicago Cubs’ Miguel Amaya (9) in the seventh inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) and San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (75) celebrate their 5-4 win against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

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While the 30,893 on hand gave him a warm reception as he walked off the field, Birdsong shook his head as he descended the dugout steps. One out shy of completing five innings and putting himself in position to earn the win, Birdsong didn’t factor into the decision after Suzuki sent the eighth pitch of his at-bat over the center field wall.

“We needed him to go five today,” Melvin said. “You could see he was getting a little wobbly. We were just trying to get five innings out of him. But to get 4⅔, and when he leaves the game we’re tied? Pretty good.”

Still, it should have amounted to a “pinch-me” moment for the young right-hander, considered the Giants’ No. 6 prospect by MLB.com, who grew up rooting on the Cubs. While Birdsong wowed coaches during his first big-league spring training, he began the season at Double-A Richmond and had thrown 169⅔ professional innings — the fewest by a Giants pitching prospect since Lincecum in 2007 — when he was informed to pack his bags and get to Oracle Park in time to start Wednesday’s game.

This whole season, but especially the past 24 hours, have felt “fast,” Birdsong said. He didn’t even get to savor the moment of informing his family of the news when he was called up. He had a flight to catch in an hour and a half.

“My brain doesn’t really know if it’s excitement or nervousness,” Birdsong said of his emotions. “I mean, I feel nerves. But at the same time, it’s another baseball game. It’s fun. I’m playing a kid’s sport that I grew up playing since I was 4 years old. I love every second of it.”

His dad, Stacey, and mom, Paula, were in stands with scores of other family members who temporarily traded allegiances.

“A lot of Cubs fans,” Birdsong said with a smirk. “But they were wearing Giants stuff. That’s all that matters.”

With a pair of swings in the second inning, Michael Conforto and David Villar provided the majority of the Giants’ offense. Scoring Bailey after a leadoff walk, Conforto sent a two-run homer into the seats above the out-of-town scoreboard in right field, and Villar followed with a line-drive solo shot to center.

Building a 3-1 advantage, it was the second time the Giants have hit back-to-back home runs this season.

Luis Matos put them ahead, 4-3, with his own solo shot with two outs in the fifth.

They improved to 13-4 when hitting multiple home runs in a game.

Up next

RHP Jordan Hicks (4-4, 3.24) gets the nod in the series finale against LHP Shōta Imanaga (7-2, 2.96). First pitch is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

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Published on June 26, 2024 21:10

Who is Hayden Birdsong? Get to know SF Giants’ pitching prospect

SAN FRANCISCO — Not two years ago Hayden Birdsong was just one of eight Giants prospects in a dorm room in the Dominican Republic. Just as bushy-haired and even more baby-faced back then, the five-day cultural immersion camp was where Kyle Harrison met the freshly drafted right-hander out of Eastern Illinois.

“Living with someone, I got to know him a decent bit,” Harrison said.

With a group that included fellow pitching prospects Trevor McDonald and Eric Silva, they were exposed to the local cuisine. Swam in the tropical waters offshore of some nearby islands. Made use of the workout facilities at the Giants’ Felipe Alou training complex. And stayed in its dorms, which also house the organization’s youngest minor-leaguers, newly signed teenagers from Latin America.

“There were eight of us in the room, so it was like bunk beds,” Harrison said, calling the trip “eye-opening. … We were immersed in the full experience they get down there.”

Hayden Birdsong. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Harrison has taken an active interest in Birdsong’s career ever since, so he was thrilled when he saw the new locker inside the home clubhouse Tuesday evening.

Birdsong, 22, was called up to start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, making his major-league debut less than two years since the Giants made him the last of six pitchers they selected with their first six draft picks in 2022. In corresponding moves, Mason Black was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento, and left-hander Raymond Burgos was designated for assignment.

The sixth-ranked prospect in the organization, according to MLB.com, Birdsong was the Giants’ most highly touted arm to debut since Harrison last August.

“Sometimes there’s a need; sometimes it’s performance-based,” manager Bob Melvin said of Birdsong’s promotion. “In this case, I think it’s both.”

With more starters on the injured list than in their rotation, the Giants tapped the hard-throwing Birdsong after only two starts for Triple-A Sacramento. Opposing Hayden Wesneski, not only was it the first matchup of Haydens in major-league history (featuring two of the only three Haydens to crack the majors), it was the first time in three games this homestand Melvin didn’t have to think about the route he planned to take to the mound after the first inning.

“You look at his overall numbers this year, they’re really good,” Melvin said. “Both Double- and Triple-A.”

In 13 starts between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong has limited opponents to a .196 batting average and a 2.51 ERA over 57⅓ innings while striking out 75 batters and walking 26. With a fastball that touches the upper 90s, a sharp slider and a bigger-breaking curveball, Birdsong has averaged 13.10 strikeouts per nine innings since his professional debut.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) debuts in the MLB against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Hayden Birdsong. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) debuts in the MLB against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

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Birdsong’s 247 minor-league strikeouts have come in 169⅔ total innings, making him the greenest pitching prospect to debut for the Giants since Tim Lincecum, who stepped on to Oracle Park’s mound for the first time with only 62⅔ professional innings under hit belt.

Drafted 196th overall, Birdsong made one of the most rapid ascents of anyone in the 2022 class, despite staying off many teams’ radars in the pre-draft process. Of the assortment of arms the Giants set their sights on, he was the first to reach the majors, and only two players drafted after him in the entire class earned quicker call-ups.

Growing up in Mattoon, Illinois — a small town of about 17,000 situated between St. Louis, Indianapolis and Springfield — Birdsong was such a late bloomer that his own dad, Stacey, left him off the American Legion team he coached, telling his 5-foot-9, 14-year-old son, “You’re not ready,” according to The Athletic.

It took the watchful eye of Bert Bradley, a former Giants minor-league pitching coordinator and fellow resident of Mattoon, to put Birdsong on the team’s radar. Bradley gave Birdsong his first pitching lesson at 10 years old, according to The Athletic, and filled in the Giants’ front office of his development at Eastern Illinois.

Even upon being drafted, Birdsong had been only used as a reliever, and his fastball was still sitting in the low-90s.

Now, he has grown into a muscular 6-foot-4 frame with a fastball to match.

“It’s an electric fastball, and he’s only throwing it harder,” Harrison said.”He’s figuring out his offspeed work and he’s been doing good this year. … I’ve always followed him and I’m really happy, really excited for him.”

Next steps for Snell, Ray, other pitchersRelated ArticlesSan Francisco Giants | Birdsong debuts without a hitch as SF Giants pick up 3rd straight win vs. Cubs San Francisco Giants | Bullpen game leads SF Giants to second consecutive win over Cubs San Francisco Giants | SF Giants will call up fast-rising prospect Birdsong to depleted pitching staff San Francisco Giants | SF Giants beat Cubs on walk-off walk after Ramos evokes Mays’ famous catch San Francisco Giants | Barry Bonds among SF Giants who pay tribute to late Willie Mays at Oracle Park

Blake Snell and Robbie Ray made their way from the Giants’ bullpen, across the outfield grass and to the pitcher’s mound, where they were joined by Tristan Beck, who participated in pitcher’s fielding practice Wednesday for the first time since he suffered an aneurysm in his right arm in spring training.

Beck is expected to join Snell and Ray in throwing off a mound “in the next couple days,” Melvin said.

The Giants’ pair of injured starters will each make their second rehab starts for different affiliates Friday night.

After tossing 2⅓ shutout innings for Sacramento on Sunday, Ray will take his rehab to Single-A San Jose, which is back home at Excite Ballpark, and Snell will follow up a more difficult outing (1⅔ innings, 2 runs, 3 walks) by hitting the road with the River Cats, who play in Las Vegas.

“Robbie’s a little bit more on a schedule,” Melvin said, adding that the veteran left-hander remains on track for sometime around the All-Star break. “Blake obviously because it’s not his arm we’re dealing with – it’s a groin – we’re trying to see how he feels after each one.”

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Published on June 26, 2024 17:55

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