Featured

Ishikawa’s Walk-off Homer, Giants Back In The World Series

Published

12 years ago

October 16, 2014

San Francisco, CA – Another story book ending for a team that will return to the World Series for the third time in five years. Their unconventional ways of winning is something that’s not available on DVD or by script. It’s good old fashion baseball, simply unpredictable. The Giants have continued their quest in the even years with a different cast of characters each time.

Every year has been completely different, this year injuries harbored the teams chances of maintaining a full roster so they went to the minors to fill some crucial positions and to no avail, San Francisco proved their naysayers wrong by beating the Cardinals 6-3. Once again they hold the title of the National League Champions.

“They have been battle-tested and they know how to handle themselves on this type of stage,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “And then add the kids we brought up, then [Travis] Ishikawa, I mean what a great story. He gets released and then we sign him, he goes to Fresno, comes up, he’s our everyday left fielder and ends up getting the home run to get us to the World Series.”

“It’s gratifying,” Ishikawa said. “If there’s an organization I’d want to do it for, it would be this one. You know obviously, drafting me and sticking with me for so many years and giving me the opportunity to be apart of the 2010 World Series, and obviously having left for a couple of years.”

Michael Morse tied the game 3-3 in the eighth with a solo home run off Pat Neshek. Morse belted the fifth postseason, pinch-hit home run in the history of the franchise and the first since J.T. Snow went deep as a pinch-hitter on October 5, 2000 in game 2 of the National League Division Series against the New York Mets. Heading into the ninth San Francisco rallied a comeback when Pablo Sandoval leadoff the inning with a single.

Pinch-runner Joaquin Arias replaced Sandoval. Closer Michael Wacha walked Brandon Belt putting two on with one out. Ishikawa went yard with a three-run homer to break the tie. The win gave San Francisco the 4-1 victory in the NLCS and a trip to face the Kansas City Royals in the best of seven series. St. Louis put up a good fight but it wasn’t enough as they feel victim to this team twice, back in 2012 and tonight.

“It doesn’t get any better,” Bochy said. “What a group. No one has any will stronger than us.”

The Giants provided great defense to back Madison Bumgarner’s rocky start in the first. He surrendered back-to-back singles to both Jon Jay and Matt Holiday. Jhonny Peralta hit a line drive to third baseman Pablo Sandoval who rallied a double play throwing to shortstop Brandon Crawford who picked off Jay at second to end the inning stranding two.

“I felt like I made some decent pitches,” said Bumgarner. “They got some good swings on them and hit them hard. They could’ve been some better pitches but I certainly had to try to lock it in a little better after that.”

Bumgarner found himself in another jam in the third when he walked both Tony Cruz and Matt Carpenter. Jay knocked a bloop double to left field driving in Cruz making it a 1-0 game. But Joe Panik took Adam Wainwright deep to right field for a two-run shot giving San Francisco a 2-1 lead bottom of the inning.

Panik hit his first career home run and was the first since Buster Posey did it during game 4 of the World Series in 2010. Unfortunately for the NLCS MVP, Bumgarner didn’t recover anytime soon. He yielded two solo home runs to both Adams and Cruz putting the Cardinals back on top 3-2. Bumgarner came into the series having allowed just four home runs in 10 postseason games and nine starts.

Sandoval leadoff the fourth with a double, Wainwright walked Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt hit a line drive to second baseman Kolten Wong who tagged Sandoval off second resulting in a double play. Sandoval tied Lance Berman for the 6th longest streak in MLB history for reaching base safely in 23 straight postseason games.

“This means a lot,” Sandoval said. “This crowd, they’ve meant a lot. We tried to do everything we could all the way back to the offseason and Spring Training.”

St. Louis battled until the end. They had an opportunity to take the game away but the brilliant mind of Bochy ended that. Closer Santiago Casilla walked Adams, gave up a single to Randal Grichuk and a fielder’s choice advanced pinch-runner Daniel Descalso to third. Grichuk stole second and Casilla walked Cruz to load the bases. Jeremy Affeldt came in to replace Casilla and forced pinch-hitter Oscar Taveras to line out to end the inning, stranding three.

“We have an awesome group,” said Bumgarner. “It’s fun to battle.”

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Asm. Corey Jackson Announces Launch of 24-Hour Childcare in His District

Assemblymember Corey Jackson has secured $2 million in state funding for a proposed childcare special district in Moreno Valley and Perris. This funding aims to establish a system providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week childcare, which would be California’s first special district focused solely on childcare. The initiative seeks to address the area’s designation as a “childcare desert” and high costs for working families. The funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs for the district. Read more about the specifics of this groundbreaking initiative.

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) has secured $2 million in state funding to launch a proposed childcare special district serving families in Moreno Valley and Perris, paving the way for a system designed to provide childcare 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Moreno Valley-Perris Childcare Special District would be the first special district in California focused specifically on childcare, according to Jackson’s office. The state funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs and help the district meet requirements set by the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO.

The proposed district would coordinate a mixed-delivery childcare system that could include home-based and center-based care. The goal is to provide universal childcare for families who work overnight, early morning, or other nontraditional shifts.

Jackson’s office says Moreno Valley is a certified “childcare desert,” with licensed childcare spaces available for only 15% of children with working parents. Infant care in Moreno Valley averages $2,776 a month, or about 35.7% of median household income. In Perris, licensed infant care can cost more than 60% of an individual worker’s gross median earnings, according to the assemblymember’s office.

“Securing this $2 million in startup funding is a monumental victory for the working-class families of Moreno Valley and Perris who have been trapped in a childcare desert for far too long,” Jackson said.

The proposal follows Jackson’s unsuccessful effort to establish the district through Assembly Bill 2083. The legislation would have created the district as a dependent special district covering Moreno Valley, Perris and their spheres of influence, with Riverside LAFCO responsible for reviewing its formation and boundaries.

The new funding allows the district’s formation to move forward without requiring mandatory contributions from local school districts and other stakeholders, according to Jackson’s office. His spokesperson, Daniel Peeden, said Jackson hopes the district can be operating by 2028.

The proposal has faced questions from some local officials. Moreno Valley City Councilmember Ed Delgado, who is running against Jackson for the 60th Assembly District seat, said he supports affordable childcare but questioned how the proposed district would operate and how much it would ultimately cost.

“Basically, he didn’t have a plan. We didn’t see a plan,” Delgado said, adding that officials had questions about operating costs, insurance and eligibility.

“It’s going to take a lot more than $2 million to create a special district to provide affordable childcare,” Delgado said.

Delgado has suggested working with existing childcare centers to subsidize costs for local families rather than creating a new agency.

Jackson’s office says the program will lower barriers to “workforce participation” and reduce “affordability anxiety” for young families. This landmark District is poised to trigger a virtuous cycle of economic upward mobility and long-term regional prosperity in the 60th Assembly District, his office added.

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

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Economy

Poll: Becerra Widens His Lead Over Hilton; Californians Split on Wealth Tax

A new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton by 22 points in California’s governor’s race, with 60% of likely voters supporting Becerra compared to 38% for Hilton. The September survey also reveals Californians are closely divided on a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, with 52% of likely voters in favor of Proposition 40. Affordability issues are a major factor for voters. Read more to learn about the poll’s additional findings on voter sentiment.

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Democrat Xavier Becerra holds a 22-point lead over Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor’s race, while voters remain closely divided over a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California poll.

The September PPIC survey found that 60% of likely voters support Becerra, compared with 38% for Hilton. His lead is actually narrower than it was in July, when he led Hilton 61% to 36%.

Becerra leads among independent voters, with 57% supporting him compared with 38% for Hilton. Party loyalty remains strong, with 93% of Democratic likely voters backing Becerra and 92% of Republicans supporting Hilton.

Hilton leads in the Central Valley, where 52% of likely voters support him compared with 46% for Becerra.

Affordability remains a major factor: 65% of likely voters say candidates’ plans to address cost-of-living issues are “very important” to their vote.

“Affordability continues to be top of mind for Californians when considering their choice for governor,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy.

The poll also found a narrow split over Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers with assets exceeding $1 billion. Fifty-two percent of likely voters said they would vote yes, while 46% said they would vote no.

Support for the wealth tax varies sharply by party. Seventy-two percent of Democrats favor Proposition 40, compared with 46% of independents and 21% of Republicans.

Two competing measures also drew majority support. Fifty-one percent back Proposition 41, while 54% support Proposition 42, both of which could affect the wealth-tax proposal.

The findings come as Californians express broader frustration with the state’s political direction. Seventy-one percent of likely voters expect bad economic times in California over the next year.

“Californians are clearly grumpy and aren’t enamored with any particular political party or movement,” Baldassare said.

The survey interviewed 1,745 California adults, including 1,103 likely voters, from Sept. 4-10. The margin of error for likely voters is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.