Sports

The 49ers take on the Packers in Week 3 of the NFL season, before heading into a tough stretch of divisional opponents. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)

‘Good for Ball’ or ‘Bad for Ball’ — A Niners analysis

By Mychael Urban Special to The Examiner What’s the first thing that…

  • Sep 24, 2021
LaMonte Wade Jr., right, celebrated with Kevin Gausman at home plate after hitting a homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on Aug. 11.<ins> (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Why LaMonte Wade Jr. should play every day … next year

The Giants should see how much ability they can coax from this season’s surprise

  • Sep 24, 2021
Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski is pictured at bat on July 29 against the Dodgers at Oracle Park; the teams are in the top spots in their league as the season closes. Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner

With playoff positions on the line, old rivalries get new life

Giants cruised through season, Dodgers not far behind

  • Sep 23, 2021
The 49ers play the Packers this week. <ins>(Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)</ins>

NFL Week 3 predictions: Our picks against the spread

By Emmanuel Morgan New York Times Are you not entertained? Four of…

  • Sep 23, 2021
The 49ers play the Packers this week. <ins>(Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)</ins>
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed some games due to health issues, is back in action. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)

Is getting healthy enough to make the 49ers contenders?

Team has returned to as ‘close to normal’ as possible

  • Sep 22, 2021
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed some games due to health issues, is back in action. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)
The 49ers unloaded three first-rounders to draft Trey Lance from North Dakota State, who played one football game in 2020. (Courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)

Week 2 of the NFL Season: Highlights and lowlights from around the league

By Tyler Dunne New York Times There were no shirtless pictures of…

  • Sep 20, 2021
The 49ers unloaded three first-rounders to draft Trey Lance from North Dakota State, who played one football game in 2020. (Courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)
Niners defensive lineman Nick Bosa played a major role in stopping the Eagles in a Week 2 San Francisco victory. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)

What we learned from Niners beating the Eagles

By Mychael Urban Special to The Examiner Is your glass half-empty? Niners…

  • Sep 19, 2021
Niners defensive lineman Nick Bosa played a major role in stopping the Eagles in a Week 2 San Francisco victory. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10), pictured at a team practice, connected on 17 of 25 passes in a Week 1 victory over the Detroit Lions. (Courtesy Terrell Lloyd/San Francisco 49ers)

Jimmy vs. Trey: The NFL’s most ridiculous QB controversy

Let’s not forget who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl

  • Sep 17, 2021
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10), pictured at a team practice, connected on 17 of 25 passes in a Week 1 victory over the Detroit Lions. (Courtesy Terrell Lloyd/San Francisco 49ers)
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, pictured in July at Oracle Park, says team members simultaneously can be “measured and calm” and “looking to push the accelerator.” (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)

How Gabe Kapler sets the tone for Giants’ success with strategy, mindset

‘There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s the hands-down manager of the year’

  • Sep 17, 2021
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, pictured in July at Oracle Park, says team members simultaneously can be “measured and calm” and “looking to push the accelerator.” (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)
The 49ers, opening with a win against the Lions in week one, play the Eagles. (Courtesy 49ers)

NFL Week 2 predictions: Our picks against the spread

By Emmanuel Morgan New York Times Last-second field goals. Teams flooding the…

  • Sep 17, 2021
The 49ers, opening with a win against the Lions in week one, play the Eagles. (Courtesy 49ers)
Remembering former linebacker Paras Haralson, the 49ers said he lived life “with an extraordinary amount of passion and joy.”<ins> (Examiner photo archive)</ins>

49ers mourn former linebacker Parys Haralson. He was 37

Former San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker Parys Haralson died suddenly Monday, according to…

Remembering former linebacker Paras Haralson, the 49ers said he lived life “with an extraordinary amount of passion and joy.”<ins> (Examiner photo archive)</ins>
Chase Center will require proof of vaccination for events that attract more than 1,000 attendees. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)

Chase Center requiring vaccine proof for events over 1,000 people

Event attendees at San Francisco’s Chase Center will be required to show…

Chase Center will require proof of vaccination for events that attract more than 1,000 attendees. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)
Giants fans have had a lot to celebrate during a great season in which the team won a playoff spot on the earliest date in its history. <ins>(Christopher Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Giants clinch a playoff berth: It’s the earliest date ever

‘It’s an accomplishment to make the playoffs. It’s not our ultimate goal’

  • Sep 13, 2021
Giants fans have had a lot to celebrate during a great season in which the team won a playoff spot on the earliest date in its history. <ins>(Christopher Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had to turn to his third-string running back, Elijah Mitchell, to carry the day against the Lions in a 41-33, Week 1 victory. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)

NFL roundup: Season openers delivered plenty of surprises

Kyle Shanahan proved he can plug anyone in at running back

  • Sep 12, 2021
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had to turn to his third-string running back, Elijah Mitchell, to carry the day against the Lions in a 41-33, Week 1 victory. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 314 yards and one touchdown in a Week 1, 41-33 victory over the Detroit Lions. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)

Niners hold off Lions: What we learned in Week 1

So they almost blew a massive lead. So they were playing a…

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 314 yards and one touchdown in a Week 1, 41-33 victory over the Detroit Lions. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers)
Giants first baseman Darin Ruf will play a key role in keeping the team sharp as the playoffs approach.<ins> (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Nine Giants to watch in the late innings of the season

If they find a groove, the ballclub will thrive

  • Sep 10, 2021
Giants first baseman Darin Ruf will play a key role in keeping the team sharp as the playoffs approach.<ins> (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
Giants first baseman Brandon Belt played a big role in the Giants taking two of three from the Dodgers this weekend at Oracle Park. Can he keep it up for the stretch run? (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)

Giants beat LA to take huge series: But can they beat SD?

Pitching woes and upcoming schedule loom large during playoff push

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt played a big role in the Giants taking two of three from the Dodgers this weekend at Oracle Park. Can he keep it up for the stretch run? (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)
Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

Giants legends offer advice to newbies on handling September pressure

‘Listen to Buster. And Crawford. And Belt. And watch how they go about their business’

  • Aug 27, 2021
Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)

Giants bring winning ways, warm memories to New York City

For many, love of Willie Mays has become a family tradition

  • Aug 27, 2021
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)
The San Francisco Giants’ longtime equipment manager Mike Murphy, left, visits with Steve Vucinich, equipment manager of the Oakland Athletics, in Vucinich’s office at the Coliseum in Oakland. (Jed Jacobsohn/New York Times)

Steve Vucinich: ‘He knows it all because he’s seen it all’

A’s beloved equipment manager has been with the franchise for 54 years

  • Aug 26, 2021
The San Francisco Giants’ longtime equipment manager Mike Murphy, left, visits with Steve Vucinich, equipment manager of the Oakland Athletics, in Vucinich’s office at the Coliseum in Oakland. (Jed Jacobsohn/New York Times)