Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 89

SF Giants’ woes continue in desert as Diamondbacks win first of four-game set

PHOENIX — The Giants and Diamondbacks both stumbled into their four-game set at Chase Field. San Francisco had just lost two of three to the Chicago White Sox; Arizona had just been swept by the Miami Marlins — the same Miami Marlins who swept the Giants at Oracle Park.

By Monday’s end, one of these struggling teams had another win on their record. That team wore red, black and teal — not orange and black.

San Francisco has now lost six of its last seven — and 11 of its last 15 — with a 4-2 loss to Arizona. The frigid offense wasted another quality start from Logan Webb. Manager Bob Melvin was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. And after losing backup third baseman Casey Schmitt to the injured list, third-string third baseman Christian Koss sustained a left hamstring injury that will keep him out of tomorrow’s game — if not longer.

“It’s pretty tough,” said Webb, who allowed a homer and three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. “If we want to go to the places that we want to go to, we have to get through it. So, just got to dig deep and show up tomorrow.”

Webb, for his part, showed up this month. Over six starts, Webb allowed 10 runs over 40 1/3 innings (2.23 ERA) with 42 strikeouts, all but solidifying a spot on the National League All-Star team. For all of Webb’s excellence, the Giants lost four times when Webb took the mound. That included Monday in Phoenix.

Home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott didn’t aid in San Francisco’s pursuit of an offensive breakout. Wolcott made several questionable strike calls that hurt the Giants, most notably when he rung up Heliot Ramos in the eighth inning on an outside fastball with the tying runner in scoring position. Ramos’ third at-bat also began with an outside fastball that was called a strike.

“Heliot gets the bat taken out of his hands like that the second time in the game,” Melvin said. “(The catcher is) literally set up underneath his armpit and the ball’s off the plate, outside. That’s a tough one. But look, we’re in this position because we’re not scoring enough runs and doing as much offensively.”

One of the few hitters who was showing life offensively was Koss. The rookie entered play with four consecutive two-hit games while filling in for Schmitt — who was already filling in for Matt Chapman. Prior to leaving the game with a left hamstring injury, Koss recorded the strangest hit of his young career.

With one out in the eighth, Koss sent a deep drive to the left-center field fence. Left fielder Tim Tawa gave chase and leapt for the ball. As Tawa reached for the ball, a fan caught the ball by lunging over the fence and into the field of play.

Koss, justifiably confused, wasn’t sure whether to circle the bases, go to second base or otherwise. The umpires called fan interference and ruled Koss was out, but the Giants challenged that call. Following a lengthy review, the call was overturned and Koss was awarded a double.

“Where you place the runner is tough,” Melvin said. “There’s no idea where the ball’s going to go if it hits the fence like that. But yeah, he did reach over.”

Brett Wisely pinch-ran for the compromised Koss, but he wouldn’t advance a single base. Rafael Devers struck out swinging — one of four on the evening — then Ramos struck out on the aforementioned fastball out of the zone. Prior to the ninth, Melvin was ejected from the ballgame.

Come tomorrow, Wisely may again have to fill in for Koss.

Koss tweaked his hamstring in his third plate appearance as he tried to beat out an infield single. He wasn’t able to run as fast as he would’ve liked as he sprinted down the line in the sixth inning but remained in the game.

At the minimum, Koss will miss tomorrow’s game. Given the nature of hamstring injuries, he could very well miss several more. Wisely, who has played 22 career innings at third base, appears next up on the depth chart.

“Frustrating is a good word,” Koss said, “especially with the way that we’ve been playing and trying to get out of the rut. It seems like everything’s kind of piling on, but us as a group, we’re resilient. We’ll find a way to get through it. Whatever this is, we’ll find a way.”

Added Webb: “It sucks that it happens. But look around baseball, there’s a lot of guys going out, especially this part of the year. That’s why they call it the dog days of summer. It’s tough but it’s just next man up. Find a way.”

One of the night’s lone bright spots was second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, who tied the game with a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning.

Fitzgerald, the Giants’ Opening Day second baseman, was optioned last Monday and slated to spend several weeks with Triple-A Sacramento to reset. Due to Schmitt’s injury, that stint only lasted four games before he was back up with the Giants. Fitzgerald instantly delivered in his first game back, driving in multiple runs in a single game for the first time since April 14.

“It helped me mentally take a step back,” Fitzgerald said of being optioned. “I still watch these guys every day on TV in the clubhouse. I wish I would’ve been here, but just a mental week off from a lot of struggle there. Days were just grinding and results weren’t coming. It was good to get a little bit of a refresher there.”

SF Giants place Schmitt on injured list with left hand inflammation

PHOENIX — The Giants are already missing their starting third baseman. For roughly the next week, they’ll be without their backup.

The team announced on Monday afternoon that they placed infielder Casey Schmitt on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 27) with left hand inflammation. In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled infielder Tyler Fitzgerald from Triple-A Sacramento a week after optioning him.

“It’s unfortunate, but you go through these type of things,” said manager Bob Melvin. “We lost our other third baseman earlier, too. It’s just part of the process over the course of a long season. You give somebody else an opportunity, and a guy like Christian Koss has been doing a good job over there.”

Melvin said it’s possible that Schmitt spends the minimum amount of time on the injured list before returning.

Schmitt, 26, sustained the injury when he was plunked in the left hand/wrist area by a 95.2 mph sinker from the Miami Marlins’ Calvin Faucher. The third baseman was placed in the starting lineups on Saturday and Sunday against the Chicago White Sox but was scratched both days. His MRI on Monday came back clean but there was still bruising in the area.

“He wanted to be in there. We felt like he was making enough progress to be in there,” Melvin said of Schmitt being scratched. “That’s probably my fault for putting him in there a little prematurely. The last couple of days, it’s basically been the same for him.”

The timing of Schmitt’s injury is especially unfortunate for the infielder given how well he was playing.

In 14 games as Chapman’s replacement, Schmitt had a slash line of .375/.444/.646 with four home runs and 12 RBIs while playing above-average defense at third base. Given his performance, Schmitt positioned himself to take over as San Francisco’s starting second baseman once Chapman returned from injury.

Koss will continue starting at third base for the time being with Chapman and Schmitt both out. In four games as San Francisco’s temporary starting third baseman, Koss is 8-for-15 with three runs scored.

With Schmitt hitting the injured list, Fitzgerald returns to San Francisco from Sacramento earlier than expected.

The Giants optioned Fitzgerald, their Opening Day second baseman, to Triple-A last Monday, the goal being for him to mentally reset. Upon returning from the injured list in mid-May, Fitzgerald hit .186/.245/.227 with no home runs and three RBIs over 32 games.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Fitzgerald said of being optioned. “I felt that maybe it might come eventually. I wasn’t playing how I should be playing. I can’t blame anyone for it. But it was a good little reset for the few games I did get in and we’ll try to go from there.”

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Fitzgerald only ended up playing four games with the River Cats, going 4-for-15 before he was also hit in the left hand by an errant pitch on Friday. The plunking kept Fitzgerald out of Sacramento’s lineup on Saturday and Sunday but he is slated to start for San Francisco on Monday, batting seventh and starting at second base.

“Watching Schmitty get hit in the hand, I kind of prepared myself to get the call at any day,” Fitzgerald said. “Only getting (four) games down there is a little unfortunate, but I think mentally, I’m a little bit more refreshed and ready to go.”

Chapman continues making progress

Chapman took another important step towards returning from his right hand injury by taking batting practice at Chase Field prior to Monday’s game.

Melvin said the Giants are hopeful that Chapman will be able to return during the team’s six-game home stand prior to the All-Star Break against the Philadelphia Phillies (July 7-9) and Los Angeles Dodgers (July 11-13).

“We’ll see how it goes,” Melvin said. “Took BP in the cage, has to take BP on the field. We got to give him some kind of live at-bats and so forth, but it’s headed in the direction that we think it’s going to.”

Chapman, 32, has not played since June 8 after injuring his right hand when sliding back to first base. Over 65 games, Chapman is hitting .243 with 12 home runs, 30 RBIs and an .812 OPS.

Encarnacion starts throwing program

Along with Chapman, infielder/outfielder Jerar Encarnacion started his throwing program today and will initiate his hitting progression on Tuesday.

Encarnacion missed the first two months of the season after suffering a left hand fracture towards the end of spring training, then sustained a left oblique strain in mid-June. In his little time with the team this year, Encarnacion has gone 3-for-22 with six strikeouts over eight games.

Reports: Longtime Warrior Kevon Looney to sign with New Orleans

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors big man Kevon Looney is set to leave the only NBA team he has known.

After a decade in the Bay Area, the 29-year-old center often called “Loon” has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with New Orleans, according to ESPN.

Looney joins a center rotation that includes second-year big Yves Missi, veteran stretch five Kelly Olynyk and the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s draft in Derik Queen.

The Warriors’ current center rotation consists of Draymond Green and sophomore shooting center Quinten Post. Trayce Jackson-Davis was in and out of the rotation throughout the season.

Looney was drafted No. 30 overall in 2015, joining the squad after Golden State had won its first title of the Steph Curry era. He then proceeded to become a member of three more championship-winning teams in Golden State, and averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his 10th season in the Bay Area.

Just three other players in the NBA had enjoyed longer tenures with one organization, and two were teammates with Looney through his tenure — Curry (17 years) and Green (13). Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic and Miles Turner are the only others with 10 years on one team.

Looney made $8 million last season, but the Warriors likely did not have the ability to bring him back for anywhere near that yearly salary.

The team has $139 million tied up in wages for Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Green. Veteran guard Gary Payton II is also an unrestricted free agent, and Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent who could command a $30 million-per-year contract.

The team recently brought back Post and Gui Santos for a combined $4.1 million as it searches for ways to stay under the salary cap’s second apron, which is when a team spends over $207.8 million in salary and is thus hit with severe restrictions when it comes to adding other players or salary.

Looney previously acknowledged that a return to the Bay Area was no guarantee.

“I think I always want to be here,” Looney said during his exit interview in May. “This is where I was drafted at. Been here a long time. I hope the feeling is mutual. But it’s the NBA; things always change, especially when you don’t win it all. I’m just ready for whatever.”

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Looney left his mark with Golden State.

His rebounding was especially vital to the Warriors in their 2022 championship run, when he had an eye-popping 22 rebounds in Game 6 of the second round as Golden State clinched the series over the Grizzlies. He had double-digit rebounds in three of the Warriors’ four wins over Dallas in the next series and won his minutes by 20-plus points twice in the NBA Finals as the Warriors beat Boston.

The UCLA product led all reserves in rebounds last season with 426, and grabbed double-digit rebounds in 13 of 76 games played.

During his 10 seasons in the Bay Area, Looney played in 599 games, starting 262 of those, and played 289 straight games from March 2021 until March 2024.

Clipboard: Martorella heating up for Marlins Double A affiliate

Having reached base in his last eight games, Nathan Martorella is hitting .333 during that stretch for the Miami Marlins Double-A team in Pensacola, Florida.

The left-handed hitting Salinas graduate has 10 hits, while driving in 10 runs over his past eight games, with nine walks, giving him a .485 on-base percentage.

In 244 at-bats for Pensacola, Martorella has hit six homers and driven in 32 runs. He’s walked 36 times, while scoring 28, compiling a .328 on-base percentage.

Drafted in the fifth round in 2022 by the San Diego Padres, the 6-foot-2 first baseman was traded to the Marlins organization in midseason last year.

In four minor league seasons at three different levels, the 2019 Herald Male Athlete of the Year has hit 47 homers with 196 RBI and 183 walks.

Martorella, who spent spring training with the Marlins’ parent club, was a four-time member of The Herald’s All-County baseball team and an All-Pac 12 selection at Cal.

Trosky transfers to San Diego State

Having missed most of last season because of an injury at nationally-ranked Oregon State, Jabin Trosky has transferred to San Diego State.

The former Carmel infielder, who also missed the 2023 season with an injury, had appeared in just two games this past season for the Beavers.

Trosky hit .288 during his freshman season at Oregon State, bouncing back from the 2023 injury to collect 40 hits and drive in 21 runs as a role player in 2024.

A four-year starter at Carmel, Trosky will get a fresh start at San Diego State, which recently hired former Arizona assistant coach Kevin Vance as its new baseball coach.

In 66 career games at Oregon State, Trosky started 48 games, hitting .287 with a homer and 31 runs batted in. He walked 19 times, compiling a .370 on-base percentage.

Trosky committed just four errors in 153 chances playing shortstop and second base at Oregon State.

Synchronized sensations

The Cypress Swim Club brought home top-five finishes in every event it competed in at the Santa Clara Artistic Swimming Championships.

Among the gold medals that were collected included the age group team routine of Reagan and Scarlet Dotterer, Elena DeCarlo, Elyse DeSalvo and Kathrin Reichstadt.

The fab five earned another gold in the free combination along with Jannah Noonari, while the Dotterer sisters won the technical duet and free duet.

DeCarlo and Reichstadt finished second in the technical duet, with DeSalvo capturing gold in the technical duet and placing third in the free solo. DeCarlo and Noonari also placed in the top five.

Abe and Zach Hedin won the 11-12-year-old duet, with Eva Reichstadt and Areej Salah placing third. Ameer Salah added a gold in the novice solo routine, while Corinne Harris took second in the AWD solo routine.

Katie Doolittle and Charlotte Garvey were silver medalists in the 13-15 duet competition, while Daniel DeSalvo was second in the 10-under solo and Reichstadt third in the 11-12 solo.

Bouyea expected to play for Bucks Summer League

It’s anticipated that Palma product Jamaree Bouyea will play for the Milwaukee Bucks Summer League team July 10-20 in Las Vegas.

Pried away from San Antonio after signing a two-way contract last winter with the Bucks, the 6-foot-2 Bouyea played in five games for Milwaukee last year, averaging 3.4 points and 2.0 assists.

Bouyea made his first NBA start in the Bucks’ final regular season game, playing 47 minutes, scoring 15 points, while collecting seven assists, two steals and two blocks.

A 2016 Palma graduate, the 26-year-old Bouyea helped USF to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years in 2022. Having spent most of his pro career in the G-League, the point guard has appeared 19 NBA games over four years.

Having had stints with Portland, San Antonio, Washington, Miami and Milwaukee, Bouyea is averaging 2.8 points and 1.2 assists in his NBA career.

Coaches needed

Carmel is looking for a varsity girls volleyball coach, a varsity boys and girls cross-country coach, a JV flag football coach and a JV boys water polo coach. Go to http://carmelunfied.org

Marina is looking for varsity, JV and freshman head coaches this coming fall for girls’ volleyball. Go to edjoin.org

Officials needed

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

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

Judges consider whether Trump can use wartime act against Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI

Immigration and administration lawyers on Monday battled over whether President Donald Trump can use an 18th century wartime act against a Venezuelan gang in a case that is likely to ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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The attorneys sparred before a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the latest step in a tangled legal battle over Trump’s March invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against the Tren de Aragua gang.

The law has only previously been used during World Wars I and II and the War of 1812. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt told the three-judge panel that Trump’s use of it is inappropriate. “This has only been invoked three times in major, major wars, and now it’s being invoked in connection with a gang,” Gelernt said.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, arguing for the administration, said that courts cannot second-guess a president’s determination that the U.S. faces a threat from abroad and requires extraordinary measures to protect itself. He noted that the only time the high court weighed in on the act was in a case that dates from after fighting in Europe ended in World War II, when the court said it could not second-guess then-President Harry Truman’s assertion that suspected Nazis should still be held under the act because the war was still continuing.

“The president is due the utmost deference” in matters of foreign affairs and security, Ensign said.

Trump’s invocation has already been twice before the nation’s highest court on more technical issues. First, the court found that those accused of being TdA members deserved a “reasonable” amount of time to challenge that designation in court, but that their deportations could only be challenged in the locations they were held. That eliminated a national bar against deportations under the act issued by a federal judge in Washington, who later found the administration possibly committed contempt when it disregarded his orders and continued to fly some held under the AEA to a prison in El Salvador.

Then, after the ACLU and its allies began filing suits all around the country and winning rulings barring deportations under the measure, the high court stepped in a second time. In April it issued an unusual post-midnight ruling stopping the administration from deporting people from a slice of north Texas where there was yet no active ruling against removal.

As multiple lower court judges found the AEA couldn’t be used against a gang, the high court directed the 5th Circuit to consider the issue and how much time those held should have to challenge their designation.

The government, which initially provided minimal notice, now says the standard should be seven days to file an appeal. The ACLU argued for 30 days, the amount of time given to suspected Nazis held during World War II.

The panel that heard Monday’s arguments was comprised of one judge appointed by Trump, one by former President George W. Bush and one by Biden. Whatever it rules can be appealed to either the entire 5th circuit — one of the most conservative federal appeals courts in the country — or directly to the high court.

Trump has argued that TdA is acting at the behest of Venezuela’s government. The Act allows its use to combat either an “invasion” or a “predatory incursion.”

But the ACLU argues that the connection between the gang and the Venezuelan government is tangential at best, and that an assessment by 17 different intelligence agencies found little coordination between TdA and the government in Caracas. Gelernt contended that, by the standards laid out by the administration, the AEA could have been used against the mafia or any other criminal organization with tangential ties to other countries that has operated in the United States over the past 200 years.

Federal judge seeks clarity on whether birthright citizenship order means babies could be deported

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday questioned when the Trump administration will try to enforce its birthright citizenship executive order and asked if the government would attempt to deport U.S.-born children of people who are in the country illegally or temporarily before restrictions on birthright citizenship might take effect in late July.

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Justice Department attorney Brad Rosenberg told U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman that the administration doesn’t intend to deport any children covered by President Donald Trump’s executive while the Supreme Court has suspended its enforcement for 30 days. He called it a “hypothetical” question.

The judge gave Rosenberg until Tuesday to submit a written summary of what the administration believes it “can and can’t do” after last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling. She asked if the government would be “seeking to deport babies” before July 26. The judge said her question referred to children who were born after Feb. 19 and are covered by Trump’s executive order but aren’t plaintiffs in litigation challenging the order.

“No,” Rosenberg said. “I just want to be clear. I am responding to the court’s characterization of what it believes the United States might do after 30 days from the date of the Supreme Court’s decision. But, again, I would note that (federal agencies) have all been tasked with developing guidelines for implementation of the executive order. So I view that as a hypothetical.”

“I take the government at its word that the United States does not intend to do that and it is not doing that,” Boardman said.

Plaintiffs’ attorney William Powell said their clients are experiencing “incredible stress, anxiety and fear” after the Supreme Court’s decision.

“They’re not lawyers. It is confusing to them exactly what these things mean,” Powell told the judge. “We can’t really assure them, ‘Oh, no, the order is fully blocked,’ because it’s not.”

Powell said deportation isn’t the only “irreparable harm” that plaintiffs’ attorneys are concerned about.

“We’re obviously also concerned about other potential ways in which the (executive) order could be enforced to deprive newborns of potential rights,” he said.

Boardman, who sits in Greenbelt, Maryland, isn’t the only district court judge grappling with how to tailor their orders to comply with the Supreme Court decision written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Judges in Massachusetts and Washington state have issued a a separate orders on birthright citizenship, as has a judge in New Hampshire, though that order applied more narrowly and wasn’t nationwide.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who along with other states and cities brought a case in Massachusetts federal court, said in a letter Monday he was seeking a hearing on whether a nationwide order blocking the president is warranted. Platkin said the nationwide injunction in New Jersey’s case doesn’t run afoul of the Supreme Court’s recent opinion but added the high court offered “alternative forms of relief” while leaving debate over what those could be to lower courts.

The high court’s majority ruled that federal judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear whether Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship could soon take effect in parts of the country.

Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The U.S. is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship is applied.

Trump and his supporters have argued that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen.

Associated Press writers Mark Sherman and Mike Catalini contributed to this report.

Rep. Panetta secures $5M more for Monterey Regional Airport terminal

MONTEREY – A new federal grant, for more than $5 million, has been secured for the construction of the new passenger terminal at the Monterey Regional Airport by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley.

The funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in 2021, will support phase five of the terminal replacement project, including the relocation of utilities and the construction of a new public parking lot.

“Despite this Administration slashing federal funding for local infrastructure programs, I was able to work and obtain this federal investment for our community,” said Panetta in a press release. “This new federal funding for Monterey Regional Airport will help it modernize with safer, more efficient and more sustainable facilities.”

The announcement of this latest grant, in the amount of $5,353,204, follows Panetta’s previous efforts to secure over $64 million in federal funding for the l Airport’s modernization, supporting terminal design, tarmac improvements and other safety upgrades.

“This funding is a critical component for the circulation in and out of the replacement terminal to ensure the passenger journey remains easy and convenient for both residents and visitors,” said Monterey Regional Airport Interim Executive Director Chris Morello in the release. “We’d like to thank Rep. Panetta for his assistance, it means a great deal to the airport to have such strong support in the District and in Washington.”

Earlier this month, the airport broke ground on the currently estimated $100 million, new airline passenger terminal, marking a milestone in the project’s progression.

When completed, the new replacement terminal will boast nearly 63,000 square feet of public space to serve the more than 600,000 passengers annually who currently move through. The new facility will likely be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified, have five passenger boarding bridges, eight commercial aircraft parking spaces and offer 440 public parking spaces. The new terminal is expected to deliver a modern, accessible and efficient travel experience once the terminal is open, estimated to happen in spring 2027.

The replacement passenger terminal is one project of many in the more than $200 million Monterey Regional Airport Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program, which is a Federal Aviation Administration requirement to enhance safety at the airport. The program is made possible through multiple and significant federal grants.

Other projects in the program include, a state-of-the-art Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station which opened in 2023, new general aviation hangars on the airport’s north side, completed in 2023 and the future relocation of Taxiway A, the final phase of the MRY Metamorphosis SEP.

Earlier this year, the Monterey Regional Airport reported that for the third year in a row it has tallied double-digit passenger growth and can now boast serving more than 600,000 passengers annually.

The airport now provides nine nonstop markets with an average of 17 daily departures, including second daily nonstop flights added to three destinations — San Diego on Alaska Airlines, Dallas-Fort Worth on American Airlines and Denver on United Airlines. The Monterey airport also offers seasonal nonstop service to Burbank and Orange County on JSX.

Western Flyer returns to Monterey Bay after 100-day voyage

MOSS LANDING — The Western Flyer has returned to Moss Landing after a 100-day journey replicating the same voyage taken by author John Steinbeck and scientist Ed Ricketts in 1940.

After nearly nine years of refurbishing the ship, a new crew set sail from Monterey in March planning to follow the same route Steinbeck and Ricketts took, while stopping at multiple ports down the coast to host public events and conduct hands-on science education.

“Our mission is continuing this legacy that Steinbeck and Ricketts started back in 1940 of discovery and science and just being curious about the world and the ocean,” said Sherry Flumerfelt, executive director of the Western Flyer Foundation. “And doing that in a way that integrates both science and humanities … but our primary focus is really on getting students and the public excited again about oceans and science.”

The voyage covered 4,700 miles and made 22 stops throughout the Gulf of California, doing outreach in 16 coastal communities. The foundation partnered with 65 universities, government agencies, conservation organizations and other institutions to reach 700 students and thousands of other visitors.

The crew also focused on its own research, ranging from piloting a remotely operated vehicle to conduct intertidal surveys to examining plankton.

“The science was hands-on, collaborative and locally grounded, revealing not only the Gulf’s hidden stories but also new possibilities for the next generation,” the foundation said in a news release.

The crew aboard the Western Flyer deployed remote operated vehicles to conduct research in the Gulf of California. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Webster)The ship stopped at ports in Long Beach, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Puerto Escando and more. The crew had a big welcome and ribbon-cutting at La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur. When the crew stopped in Santa Rosalía, they were greeted by children of the Yaqui tribe, who did a traditional tribal dance for the crew.

“We were sort of this symbol that brought people together … we were quite excited that it worked out that way,” said Flumerfelt, who boarded the Western Flyer at over a dozen different stops.

The goal of this first trip, said Flumerfelt, was to reintroduce the ship’s story to the communities along the Gulf of California and meet the scientific and conservation communities in the region.

The crew engaged students in bilingual marine science education and taught them the story of Steinbeck and Ricketts’ journey, which inspired Steinbeck’s book, “The Log from the Sea of Cortez.” The students were excited every step of the way, especially when looking at plankton through microscopes, according to Flumerfelt.

“I’ve captained a lot of boats, but nothing like this,” said Captain Paul Tate in the news release. “The history, the science, the students, the community –  this voyage had a different kind of weight. You could feel it in your bones.”

The crew was critically aware throughout the journey of the historical significance of the ship they were sleeping, eating and working on. This history became especially clear in Puerto Escondido when the crew met the family of Leopoldo Perpuli, the guide who led Steinbeck and Ricketts on a bighorn sheep hunt that was detailed in chapter 16 of “The Log from the Sea of Cortez.”

Perpuli’s children and granddaughter told the crew stories of their father, saying he was always impressed by Ricketts and the 1940 journey. When the crew found a barnacle-covered shot glass dated to the 1930s, they took a shot with the Perpulis. Flumerfelt described this moment as “very magical.”

Looking forward and depending on funding, the foundation hopes that the Western Flyer will be able to take the journey every two years. For now, with the Western Flyer back at Moss Landing (off of Woodward Marine Market 10928 Clam Way), the public can visit Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and student programs will continue running. For more information, visit https://www.westernflyer.org/

“You could feel it,” Tate said. “That sense of something larger than us – echoing back from the past and reaching somewhere new. The communities we connected with, from major cities to remote fishing villages, brought a depth of collaboration and generosity that added a new dimension – one Steinbeck and Ricketts could never have imagined. And now we get to explore that ‘somewhere new’ together.”

Warriors rookies Toohey, Richard influenced by members of Golden State dynasty

SAN FRANCISCO – The newest members of the Golden State Warriors flashed wide smiles and held up their crisp blue, gold and white jerseys at Chase Center a few hours before the start of free agency on Monday.

Alex Toohey lifted a No. 22 uniform, while Will Richard raised fabric adorned with No. 3. Both 2025 second-round picks, who will play for the Warriors at Summer League, sang the praises of the organization that has won four of the last 11 NBA Finals.

Those title-winning teams made an impression on the rookies.

Richard, the No. 56 selection out of Florida and a deadeye shooter who averaged 13.3 points per game, said he has been a fan of Steph Curry since childhood. 

“Steph Curry, it’s crazy,” Richard said. “I’m definitely going to be watching him a lot, asking a lot of questions and try to learn as much as possible.”

While Richard cannot wait to pick Curry’s brain, Toohey has already had a chance to learn from a beloved member of the dynasty.

The Australian forward who averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in the National Basketball League has been in contact with onetime Golden State center Andrew Bogut, a fellow Australian who also counts the Sydney Kings as a former team. 

Bogut told the 21-year-old that the kid from Canberra will feel right at home in the Warriors’ system, which Bogut described as “very Australian.” 

“I think that a lot of the Australians like myself and Dyson (Daniels), it’s a very pass-first kind of play style, and sometimes that can go the other way and you have to be more aggressive,” Toohey said. “But I think looking for finding teammates more, and enjoying your teammates’ success, is a big part of Australian basketball.”

Toohey has already had a chance to hang out with teammates, sitting courtside with Valkyries superfan Brandin Podziemski and fellow Summer League teammate Coleman Hawkins during Sunday’s game against Seattle.

Compatriot Taran Armstrong is also on the team, and Armstrong told media that he has already texted with his soon-to-be Summer League teammate. 

Richard was not courtside with that group, but he is plenty familiar with Chase Center. His Gators defeated Maryland and Texas Tech there in March to reach the Final Four, where they won the national title.

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“It’s definitely great to be back,” the rookie said with a smile. “I mean, I was 2-0 when I came here, so I definitely have got a history of winning, and I’m excited to be back.”

Richard predicted that he, too, would “fit in perfectly” with the Warriors’ passing-oriented style, even if that emphasizes something he wishes to improve upon. 

“What probably needs to improve is definitely playmaking, but I think that’ll come along as long as I keep growing through experience,” Richard said. 

The rookies will play their first game at Chase Center on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against the Lakers’ Summer League team. 

Horoscopes June 30, 2025: Michael Phelps, cultivate an exciting vision

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michael Phelps, 40; Monica Potter, 54; Mike Tyson, 59; David Alan Grier, 69.

Happy Birthday: Focus on what matters most this year, and you’ll find your happy place. It’s essential to ensure that you maintain peace of mind and a positive attitude. Maintaining balance and equality will make life and what you want to achieve easier. Embrace any uncertainty or confusion you meet this year with an innovative spirit and a vision that excites you and encourages you to use your skills, experience and knowledge creatively. Your numbers are 4, 11, 19, 24, 34, 37, 40.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll achieve more if you attend functions that allow you to share your plans and bring about change. Participating in events dealing with the community, groups or concerns you feel strongly about will encourage you to do your best to impact your neighborhood positively. Thoughts and actions go hand in hand. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Choose peace and love over discord. Know what you can get away with before you enter the ring. If you want to go up against someone, do some prep work first. Having the right information will give you the edge to attract those in a position to help you. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Refuse to get angry when the alternative will help you get your way. Make positive personal changes, and address issues that make your life easier and more fulfilling. Live, learn and forgive. Letting go of the past will lead to opportunities and lifestyle adjustments that promote happiness. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Explore your options, but avoid letting anyone confuse you or lure you down a path that doesn’t fulfill your needs. Think about what you enjoy doing most, and entertain the different ways you can promote heading in that direction. Consider partnerships and shared expenses if they help you reach your target. Romance is favored. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Draw conclusions from what you see, not what you hear. Getting it right the first time will give you confidence and help you gain the support you require to make a difference. Document your findings so that you have proof for those less willing to trust, and you’ll make inroads that lead to success. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Let your passion lead the way, and your strength and courage help you reach your goal. A union with someone who sparks your interest can improve your status, living arrangements or financial situation. Invest time and money into expanding your interests and encouraging a healthy lifestyle and better prospects. Romance is favored. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Run a tight ship. You’ll fall behind if you spend too much time analyzing or reconfiguring every detail. You must act on your feet, be decisive and focus on your endgame. It’s time to enforce a power play that will help build momentum and grab the attention of those in charge. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up additional skills, do some research and prepare to go after your desired position. A positive response will raise your profile and encourage you to network more. Study how others navigate a room of people, and discover what works best for you. Don’t fear the competition; embrace and outmaneuver them. A special connection looks promising. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Anger will slow you down; investing in yourself will push you forward. Focus on home improvements that encourage growth, independence and potential income. Joint ventures will disappoint you. Rely on yourself and your attributes to reach your goal. A change of heart will prompt you to make a move. 2 starsCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Protect your money, possessions and home from anyone wanting to take advantage of you or lead you astray. Avoid lavish temptations and people promising the impossible. Take the initiative to build an environment that helps you achieve your dreams. Discussions, actions and positive change will come at a cost. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pay attention to what you are trying to enforce, and refuse to let what others do sidetrack you. Change will require your undivided attention if you want to be successful. Your strength and determination will raise your appeal and encourage others to offer more support. A partnership or investment will lead to financial growth. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Open-mindedness will lead to positive change. Be ready, willing and able to work alongside those who share your dreams, and together, you will gain momentum and the power to get what you want. Love, romance and home improvements are in the stars and will contribute to acquiring the lifestyle you long for. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are ardent, hardworking and poised. You are revolutionary and admired.

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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