Fire, Rickey Henderson, MLB Moves, NFL Coaching Rumors and More
A Jam-Packed First West Coast Sports Newsletter of 2025
It’s been a few weeks since I last wrote as I took some time away for the Holidays. This week I’m in Vegas for CES 2025. There’s some interesting sports tech here as always, ranging from health wearable to new games and simulators.
Nonetheless, a lot has popped off over the last few weeks. MLB free agency again picked up with several deals and trades going down.
I finally made it to Intuit, and Kawhi coincidentally returned for the Clippers. The new Clippers’ arena is next-level, as advertised. NBA action will keep picking up as we speed towards the All-Star break and trade deadline.
The NFL season closed, which means folks got fired and more players may get released over the next few months. The Seahawks missed the Playoffs with with 10 wins.
Of course, the Rams and Chargers still have their seasons going with Wild Card action going down this week. Six of the QBs in the playoffs are from California.
Speaking of Los Angeles, it’s hard to address what is going on across the area. Five fires are impacting every day life and travel in LA. Homes have been devastated and lives have been lost. An unprecedented amount of first responders have been deployed. FEMA sent me a press release yesterday.
You know things are serious given the impact it’s had across West Coast Sports:
The Lakers and Clippers both postponed their games for the upcoming weekend as well.
The Rams ended up moving their Monday Night game as far as Phoenix, depending on how the fires progress. Kelly Stafford, Matt’s wife, helped donate over a dozen charter buses to take Rams fams to the game in Glendale.
JJ Redick’s family evacuated their homes. He got emotional when talking about losing his new place.
Steve Kerr also lost his childhood home.
Russell Westbrook plays in Denver, but he opened up about losing sleep while his home area faces wild fires.
Now, firefighters have gotten the blazes to various levels of containment. Anything could happen given that winds will continue into the weekend.
Still, teams and companies have stepped up to support. Disney donated a ton of money for the relief effort. The Intuit Dome plans to host a benefit concert to help those affected. The Galaxy are hosting their own donation drive.
The Chargers donated $200k to relief efforts. Even the Vikings donated a million for relief efforts.
Either way, I’m blessed to be in the South Bay a decent ways away from the bulk of the smoke and fires. Prayers for every one else who evacuated this week or may evacuate again.
PS RIP RICKEY HENDERSON! I don’t think he could stand the A’s leaving Oakland.
West Coast Links
48+ sports stories from across the Pacific Time Zone
NBA
No one gets why the Kings fired Mike Brown
Doug Christie is the Kings’ 13th head coach in 19 years
Pistons honor Chauncey Billups with a bobble head
Nikola Vucevic is on the block
Lakers trade D-Lo for Dorian Finney-Smith
DeMar DeRozan wins award for advocacy
MLB
Giants claim former top catching prospect
San Francisco signs Justin Verlander
Don’t call them the Sacramento Athletics
Walker Buehler signs deal with Red Sox
Dodgers send Gavin Lux to the Reds
Rockies finalize deal with Thairo Estrada
Joc Pederson joins the Rangers
Paul Nevin joins the White Sox
Andrew McCutchen rejoins the Pirates
Walker Buehler joins the Red Sox
The Padres round out their staff
NFL
Jayden Daniels, Sam Darnold, and more headline the Pro Bowl
Marcellus Wiley may sue Fox too
Raiders open coaching search to coordinators of Playoffs teams, Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll + more
Ernest Jones wants to stay in Seattle
Robert Saleh may return to the 49ers as defensive coordinator
49ers to release Javon Hargrave
Rams looking to end their Monday Night woes
Geno Smith’s coach wants him in Seattle
JK Dobbins, John Simpson, Von Miller, and Geno Smith all ended their years with incentives
Seahawks looking to fill their OC job after firing Ryan Grubb
49ers committed to Brock Purdy
DeMarcus Robinson charged with DUI
Bears add a former Chargers offensive lineman
Brock Bowers broke Mike Ditka’s rookie tight end receiving record
Snoop will host the NFL Honors ceremony
Footy
Whitecaps could hire former Timbers boss
Earthquakes trade for Chicho Arango
San Diego FC announces new partners
San Diego FC acquire Emmanuel Boateng
Wave announce their head coach
Earthquakes let goalkeeper transfer and they acquire Earl Edwards Jr.
NHL
Why the Sharks should follow the Knights’ lead
Ducks looking to trade John Gibson
Hurricanes trade for Seattle prospect
Inside Will Ferrell’s Elf appearance
Why the Winter Classic won’t come to Los Angeles
Apologies if today’s newsletter feels a little light. It’s hard to pack three weeks of West Coast sports into one newsletter. There’s been a lot going on. Still, let’s all pray for Los Angeles.
Also, the new Gelo drop slaps!