Juan Martinez

Billy Beane: The math, money and mastermind behind the Oakland A’s “Moneyball” success

The 2014 season for the Oakland Athletics was full of ups and downs. The A’s got off to a great start, achieving a 59-36 record, which was the best in baseball by the All-Star break. Oakland also had the best run differential in all of baseball and had six players selected to the All-Star game, more than any other club. However, A’s general manager Billy Beane made a blockbuster trade on July 31, sending Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes to the…

Mayoral candidate: Joe Tuman

The issues for Tuman are public safety and economic development. In his view, the absence of economic development keeps part of the city in poverty and poverty is at the root of most crime. The absence of economic development also means that the city does not have the tax base and revenue growth that it needs to afford sufficient numbers of police officers to respond to a growing crime problem.

Q&A with Hip Hop Chess Federation founder on partnership with East Bay schools

Banjoko once lived in Oakland and was a part of the ‘90s Bay Area Hip Hop music scene. Currently, he is teaching chess and life strategies to students at Encinal High School in Alameda through a partnership with his friend John Fuentes, who oversees the after school high school program for Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). From now to the end of this school year, Fuentes’ goal is to have Banjoko teach chess at several Oakland high schools as well.

Young girls learn about health and fitness through Double-Dutch

Oakland, once a hub for Double-Dutch jump rope competitions, is now staging a revival of the sport as its mission is to help inner city children fight obesity. “We used to have competitions back in 1998, 1999,” said Andriana Mitchell, a girls’ Double-Dutch coach who has been teaching the sport since 2000. “We had a lot of support from parents and the community.” “I love working with kids. It’s my passion,” Mitchell added. “I’m trying to bring Double-Dutch back to…

Bay Oaks Botafogo team kicks their way into college

Over the last couple of years, the Bay Oaks Botafogo 96′ youth soccer team has racked up 129 wins, claimed the California Youth Soccer Association two years in a row, and finished in third place at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in July.

Fans have mixed feelings about Warriors’ plans for new arena in San Francisco

Passionate, loyal and fanatical – these three words best identify Golden State Warriors fans. Every year whether it is a pre-season, regular season or playoff game, you can expect thousands of spectators sporting a crisp all gold “We are Warriors” t-shirt to pack the ferocious and intimidating Oracle Arena in support of the “Dubs.” Despite many Warriors fans from the East Bay showing loyal support to the team, there is a strong possibility the Warriors could leave their current home…

Fans rally as A’s look to playoffs

Mayor Jean Quan and members of the Oakland city council joined local fans at Frank Ogawa Plaza on Oct. 1 for “A’s Oaktober Rally” – a free public celebration honoring the 2013 Oakland Athletics. The A’s clinched a playoff spot this season by winning the AL West Division and will host the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series on Friday and Saturday at O.co Coliseum.