The NOR CAL Report: October 2008: Week 1 (with Nick Garcia, San Jose Earthquakes)

THE NOR CAL REPORT

October 2008: Week 1 (with Nick Garcia, San Jose Earthquakes)

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It's time for the hot new Nor Cal Report! This week, the lads are joined by stalwart Earthquakes defender and team captain Nick Garcia. Nick takes the boys through the world of MLS and beyond... plus, it's a unique time in Bay Area sports. To wit:

The Giants finish '08 a whole game better than last year. So why is that truly something to crow about — and can the Baby-Faced Assassin be re-christened Cy Young?

Meanwhile, the A's find themselves a little closer to the Giants' dynamic than their fans might have liked. Guess who's hot and not for next year — plus, who stole a ML record from another storied A's relief arm...

The Raiders manage to blow the unblowable game. Is three great quarters a legit reason to celebrate? What could go more right or — c'mon, Raider Nation — wrong?

While the 49ers come back to earth against a team with some real merit. Can J.T. survive the season? If not, what then?!

And what happened to the 'Quakes sudden playoff hopes? It's all a mess in the close-knit MLS. And as Vallejo native C.C. Sabathia might attest, it doesn't take a full season to get some award love. Right, Darren Huckerby?

There's no holds barred, no owner unspared, no fan unpained — or unattentive. All this week, on the all-new Nor Cal Pro Sports Report!

UP NEXT: The San Jose Sharks take center stage, in a season preview complete with exclusive player interviews. Plus, hardball fades, hoops looms, and the gridiron squads hunger for a comeback.

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The Nor Cal Pro Sports BLOG:

All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.

In the wake of the Lane Kiffin firing, young Jamarcus Russell was put in a tough spot, and displayed poise under pressure. He'd better get used to that...

The recent political sparring over the new Yankee Stadium financing brings up an old debate: why should public dollars go to deep, private pockets, especially in times of economic instability? A bad private investment is a bad public one...

The Warriors didn't just let B.D. go — it seems Thunder is history, as well. Yeah, he's fun — and one of their better athletes. But the whole thunderbolt uni's and logo were disaster from Day One. Meanwhile, there's word within this article that the Warriors may have found the perfect sequel to those The City jerseys...

There's a new, cutting edge Academy of Sciences building near my house (opening Sept. 27.) I love the living roof; I love the increased attention for architectural design; I love the all-star food and exhibits. But mostly, I love that the lead designer's name is Renzo Piano.

Nancy Gay insists the Raiders' Herrera-Kawakami tiff was "verbal assault... Just, wow." How long has she covered the NFL?! Saying a reporter's been smoking pot is hardly among the top meltdowns. (Or, rubberneck the vid for yourself.)

For those readers about sick of politics, the Giants-Dodgers rivalry has crept into a fun bid by S.F.'s Supervisors — whose Tommy Lasorda bill is absolutely right on.

Thanks for stayin' tuned, and see you next week on the Report.