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Dodgers find their quarterback on Day 3 of draft in DJ Uiagalelei

Angels pick Tennessee’s Zach Joyce – twin brother of Ben – on final day of draft

Home Run Derby: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. edges Randy Arozarena; Dodgers’ Mookie Betts struggles

Angels star Shohei Ohtani’s free agency the buzz of the All-Star Game

Angels’ 3rd-round pick Alberto Rios was Pac-12 Player of the Year after 2 years on Stanford bench

Orange County Register

Max Christie plans to play for duration of Lakers’ summer league schedule

July 12, 2023

LAS VEGAS — Lakers guard Max Christie is among the second-year players who are benefiting from a second go-round in summer league.

And if things go Christie’s way, he’ll be playing for the duration of the Lakers’ time in Las Vegas, continuing with Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I’m not going to say I’m gonna say I’ll play the rest of them and I’m not going to say [Wednesday’s] my last game,” Christie told the Southern California News Group after Tuesday afternoon’s practice. “It could always change. I want to play as many games as possible, but a lot of the time it’s not necessarily up to me. If management decides they want to shut me down then we can do that. If not, I always want to keep playing.

“As long as my body’s holding up well and we’re winning games, why not? At the end of the day, I want to play.”

Christie, the No. 35 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has made the most of his second summer league.

He’s averaged 18.8 points on 48.9% shooting from the field and 60% from 3-point range to go with 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Lakers’ four summer league games (two in Las Vegas and two in Sacramento).

“I’ve played pretty well,” Christie said. “I’ve been assertive. I’ve done a good job of doing what I’ve wanted to do, which is come out, assert myself, be aggressive and get my teammates’ position to win and score the ball.”

More players entering their second NBA season, especially those who were high draft picks, have competed in summer league action compared to previous years.

Eight of the top-10 picks in the 2022 draft have played at least one summer league game this year.

Lakers assistant and summer league coach JD DuBois sees a clear benefit for players who compete in summer league ahead of their second seasons.

“You can’t substitute live reps and just situations that they can develop that they may not have to focus in on with their main team,” DuBois said. “It’s huge for second-year guys to play, regardless of how high you were picked or how much you play with your main team.”

LEWIS’ CONTRACT

Maxwell Lewis, the No. 40 overall pick in last month’s draft, signed a four-year contract with the Lakers, sources told the Southern California News Group.

The first two years of Lewis’ contract are fully guaranteed, the sources added, with a starting salary of around $1.1 million for 2023-24.

Spotrac, an online resource for team and player contracts, reported that Lewis’ salary for 2024-25 will be $1.8 million.

The sources added that $100,000 of Lewis’ $2.2 million salary for 2025-26 will be guaranteed and he’ll have a team option for his $2.4 million salary for 2026-27.

The Lakers acquired the draft rights to Lewis in a four-team deal that became official the day after the draft. The team used the new second-round pick exception in the collective bargaining agreement to sign Lewis.

With the exception, players selected in the second round can sign a three- or four-year contract with the team who has their draft rights. Both contract options must include a team option for the final season of the deal.

The exception allows teams to sign their second-round picks without having to use their midlevel exception, which was common.

Lakers feeling ‘good’ about health of LeBron James, Anthony Davis

Lakers not done with roster moves, looking to add another big

Lakers beat Hornets for second straight summer league win

NBA reveals long-awaited plans for in-season tournament that will start in November

Lakers’ Jalen Hood-Schifino progressing as floor general, defender

Orange County Register

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

July 12, 2023

The SoCal Indie Bestseller List for the sales week ended July 9 is based on reporting from the independent booksellers of Southern California, the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and IndieBound. For an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.org.

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: Gabrielle Zevin

2. The Covenant of Water: Abraham Verghese

3. Fourth Wing: Rebecca Yarros

4. Yellowface: R.F. Kuang

5. The Guest: Emma Cline

6. Demon Copperhead: Barbara Kingsolver

7. Lessons in Chemistry: Bonnie Garmus

8. Happy Place: Emily Henry

9. The Librarianist: Patrick deWitt

10. Zero Days: Ruth Ware

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. The Creative Act: A Way of Being: Rick Rubin

2. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder: David Grann

3. The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession: Michael Finkel

4. On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good: Elise Loehnen

5. Pageboy: A Memoir: Elliot Page

6. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: James Clear

7. I’m Glad My Mom Died: Jennette McCurdy

8. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity: Peter Attia, M.D., Bill Gifford

9. 1964: Eyes of the Storm: Paul McCartney

10. Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood: Maureen Ryan

MASS MARKET

1. Dune: Frank Herbert

2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane: Neil Gaiman

3. Mistborn: The Final Empire: Brandon Sanderson

4. Lord of the Flies: William Golding

5. American Gods: Neil Gaiman

6. Animal Farm: George Orwell

7. Foundation: Isaac Asimov

8. Peg and Rose Solve a Murder: Laurien Berenson

9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Douglas Adams

10. Clause of Death: Lorna Barrett

TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION

1. Trust: Hernan Diaz

2. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: Satoshi Yagisawa

3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Taylor Jenkins Reid

4. Blood Meridian: Cormac McCarthy

5. The Cat Who Saved Books: Sosuke Natsukawa

6. The Midnight Library: Matt Haig

7. A Court of Thorns and Roses: Sarah J. Maas

8. People We Meet on Vacation: Emily Henry

9. The Last Thing He Told Me: Laura Dave

10. This Is How You Lose the Time War: Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone

She’s 22, a doctoral student and debut author. Meet Altadena’s Kemi Ashing-Giwa.

The Book Pages: The story of an audiobook narrator

USC pharmacy graduate Ruth Madievsky explores opioid epidemic in debut novel

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

How the ringing in John Cotter’s ear led to his ‘Losing Music’

Orange County Register

LAFC hosts St. Louis City FC in potential 6-point game

July 12, 2023

The Los Angeles Football Club has roughed up plenty of opponents since debuting in Major League Soccer.

But no one has had a tougher time against LAFC than those that joined MLS after the Black & Gold did in 2018.

In six meetings against most of the league’s subsequent expansion teams, LAFC has won each time, outscoring Cincinnati, Miami, Austin and Charlotte by a 14-1 margin. LAFC did not play Nashville in 2020.

Looking for lucky number seven, LAFC hosts the new kid on the block, Western Conference leader St. Louis City SC, on Wednesday at BMO Stadium.

Expansion teams have struggled against defending MLS Cup champions, winning four times since 2010, including twice last year when Charlotte beat New York City.

Five points behind St. Louis, LAFC (9-6-6, 33 points) can create momentum or make things harder on itself heading into the All-Star game and Leagues Cup.

“We’re excited to have an expansion team come to L.A.,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “St. Louis has been very good this year. Hats off to them and their work on and off the field. They have created an identity and a way of playing and they have stuck to it. I think that kind of sums up their success.”

Modeled on the Red Bulls system, reliant on high pressing, effusive energy and a direct attack, St. Louis (12-7-2, 38 points), managed by South African coach Bradley Carnell, has scored 40 goals – 10 more than LAFC.

“They don’t wait to attack you,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said. “They go through the middle. They go straight to goal. Call it whatever you want. They just have one goal in mind and that’s the opponent’s goal. And on top of that, they have quality players that can execute that style of play, that game model.

“They are ruthless and I think that’s what’s working for them to be on top of the table.”

Currently riding a third winning streak of at least three matches, St. Louis is the first MLS expansion team since 2000 to do so in its inaugural season.

The club is tied atop MLS with 13 different goal scorers, including a team-leading eight by Nicholas Gioacchini.

Eighteen of LAFC’s 30 league goals have come courtesy of Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela, with the rest spread among eight others.

LAFC’s scoring is less balanced than previous years because it has not been as good as it could be around the goal considering the chances it creates.

However, Cherundolo continues to express confidence that his players are close to finding their collective goal-scoring form.

LAFC could climb within two points of the conference lead, remain where it is with a draw, or fall eight points behind with a dozen regular-season games remaining.

Heading into the midweek matchday, which was postponed from May 31 to accommodate the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, eight points is the difference between LAFC sitting where it is, third in the West, or riding the playoff line.

According to LAFC, though, it’s too early to ponder a so-called six-point game, which entails an opportunity to grab three for yourself and, at the same time, deny the opposition.

“For us,” Sanchez said, “it’s three very important points at this time of the season.”

ST. LOUIS CITY FC at LAFC

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: BMO Stadium

TV/Radio: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, 980 AM

Denis Bouanga’s goal gives LAFC 1-1 draw with Earthquakes

Two LAFC prospects can rise to the opportunity Saturday

LAFC trades Kwadwo Opoku for $1.75 million in general allocation money

Riqui Puig, Galaxy edge LAFC in front of MLS record crowd at Rose Bowl

Swanson: Galaxy, LAFC grudge match delivers before an MLS record crowd

Orange County Register

TasteFood: Salad days of summer — the leftovers

July 12, 2023

This installment of Salad Days of Summer is a recipe for your dinner repertoire. Steak salads make for a fresh and substantial bowl that you can call a meal. I call it a leftovers salad — it was, in fact, composed of leftover steak and green beans when it was prepared — but “grilled steak salad” sounds more enticing.

If you don’t happen to have cold steak and cooked beans lurking in your refrigerator, you can easily make this recipe from scratch. However, I believe that if you go to the trouble of paying for and grilling a nice piece of steak, you should enjoy it hot off the grill. I suggest purchasing a little extra so that you can have your grilled steak dinner — and then the wonderful “problem” of leftovers to make this salad.

This recipe includes methods for both grilling the steak and cooking fresh beans, should you decide to concoct the salad from scratch. Note that French haricots verts may be used for the green beans. Haricots verts are thinner than the Blue Lake variety we simply call green beans. Their flavor is slightly sweeter and more delicate, and they will cook faster, since they are so fine. Avocado is another optional ingredient. A bright balsamic vinaigrette does double duty as a dressing that binds the salad and a quick marinade for the meat. And feel free to have fun with fresh herbs. Basil is added to this salad; tarragon, chervil and chives would also make nice additions.

Grilled Steak and Green Bean Salad

Serves 3 to 4

INGREDIENTS

Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced or pushed through a press

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad:

1 New York strip steak, about 12 ounces (purchase more if you want your steak dinner first)

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces green beans, ends trimmed

1 head butter lettuce, leaves washed, torn into large pieces

4 to 6 Early Girl tomatoes, cut into wedges

1 avocado, cut in bite-size pieces (optional)

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup small basil leaves, torn (or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking to emulsify.

Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat. Lightly brush the steak with oil and season on all sides with the salt and pepper. Grill the steak until medium-rare, about 8 minutes, depending on thickness, turning once or twice. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Cut the steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place the meat in a bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and turn to coat.

Recipe: This Peanut Butter Fudge has won blue ribbons at county fairs

Recipes: Fruit salsas add pizzazz to virtually anything from the grill

Recipe: Have a lot of summer squash? Try making this salad

Quick Fix: Tomato Mozzarella Flatbread is an easy-to-make vegetarian dinner

Recipe: Take advantage of apricot season by making this dessert

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beans and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. (Alternatively, steam the beans.) Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Blot dry with a kitchen towel.

Layer the lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, avocado (if using), onion and basil in a serving bowl. Remove the steak from the marinade and arrange over the salad. Drizzle with the dressing to your taste and gently toss.

Lynda Balslev is a San Francisco Bay Area cookbook author, food and travel writer and recipe developer.

Orange County Register

Nassar attack happened in his cell, away from cameras

July 12, 2023

By Michael R. Sisak and Michael Balsamo | Associated Press

Investigators probing disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar’s stabbing Sunday at a federal penitentiary in Florida are lacking a key piece of evidence: video of the assault.

Nassar was attacked inside his cell, a blind spot for prison surveillance cameras that only record common areas and corridors, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. In federal prison parlance, because of the lack of video, it is known as an “unwitnessed event.”

It’s the second time Nassar, the former U.S. women’s gymnastics team doctor, has been assaulted in federal custody while he’s serving decades in prison for sexually abusing athletes and possessing explicit images of children.

The attack, which left Nassar hospitalized in stable condition with injuries including a collapsed lung, underscored persistent problems at the federal Bureau of Prisons.

Despite the Biden administration’s vow to fix the broken prison system — with new leadership and an emphasis on turning prisoners into “good neighbors” — the agency has continued to struggle with violence, understaffing, abuse and misconduct.

Nassar’s stabbing, just weeks after “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski’s suicide at a North Carolina federal medical center and amid lingering fallout from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 jail suicide, also highlighted the agency’s inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe.

“This kind of violence in our federal prisons is inexcusable,” said Daniel Landsman, the deputy director of policy at the criminal justice advocacy group FAMM, or Families Against Mandatory Minimums. “The failures that led to this assault are not isolated — too often we see similar incidents impact incarcerated people across the country.”

“The assault of Larry Nassar raises a number of questions regarding safety in in federal prisons,” Landsman said.

The Bureau of Prisons did not respond Tuesday to AP’s questions about Nassar’s stabbing, and violence, low staffing levels and other problems plaguing its facilities. In a statement Monday, the agency confirmed an altercation involving an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Coleman, but declined to identify the person “for privacy, safety and security reasons.”

Nassar, 59, was attacked inside his cell Sunday by a prisoner armed with a makeshift weapon, according to the person familiar with the matter. Nassar was stabbed multiple times in the neck, chest and back. Two officers guarding the unit where Nassar was held were working mandated overtime shifts because of staffing shortages, the person said.

The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and did so on condition anonymity.

Nassar was previously assaulted in May 2018 at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, within hours of being placed in general population — an attack his lawyers blamed on the notoriety of his case and a seven-day televised sentencing where scores of victims made impassioned statements. Nassar’s lawyers did not specify the nature or severity of that attack.

Cell doors on most federal prison units are typically open during the day, letting prisoners move around freely within the facility. Surveillance cameras aren’t positioned to see inside cells, though other cameras may have captured Nassar’s assailant walking in and out of the cell.

At some federal prison facilities, including the Manhattan jail where Epstein died, surveillance cameras been found to malfunction or not record at all — an issue Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., sought to address last December with a law requiring the Bureau of Prisons to overhaul failing and outdated security systems. The agency, however, has been slow to make progress.

Facing increased scrutiny in the wake of Epstein’s suicide and an ongoing AP investigation that has uncovered myriad scandals, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters has pledged to overhaul recruiting and hiring practices and end systemic abuse and corruption.

But changing the culture of the massive agency — the Justice Department’s largest with more than 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates and an annual budget of about $8 billion — has proved exceedingly difficult. Correctional workers say they’ve seen no meaningful reforms to fix longtime staffing problems that put inmates’ and their own lives at risk.

Just two weeks before Nassar’s stabbing, workers at the Florida prison complex where he was attacked organized a protest outside a nearby supermarket to highlight what they said were dangerous staffing levels.

“They’re going to have somebody killed, either staff or an inmate, if they don’t fix the problem,” said Jose Rojas, the union president at the Coleman prison complex. “We sounded the alarm, we warned the public, and I hate to be prophetic, but we were right.”

At Nassar’s prison, known as USP Coleman II, nearly one-quarter of correctional officer positions are vacant, according to records obtained by AP. Staffing guidelines show the facility, with more than 1,200 prisoners, should have 222 correctional officers. Only 169 positions are filled.

The day Nassar was stabbed, 44 posts were left vacant and unassigned at the prison, records show. One of the officers assigned to Nassar’s unit was working a third straight 16-hour day, while the other officer was on a second straight day of mandated overtime.

The AP has revealed widespread criminal conduct by employees, sexual abuse by workers, inmate escapes, and staffing shortages that have hampered responses to emergencies.

Last August, the Justice Department appointed Peters — a reformer who previously ran Oregon’s state prison system — to replace former Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal, a Trump administration holdover who clashed with Congress, claimed staffing wasn’t problematic and had to be subpoenaed before attending one of his last oversight hearings.

Peters, in turn, has focused on shifting the Bureau of Prisons away from its strictly carceral roots, emphasizing that “our job is to make good neighbors, not good inmates.” Peters has rewritten the agency’s mission statement to emphasize employees’ job to “foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety” by preparing people behind bars for successful reentry into their communities.

Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

Orange County Register

Hotline 2-1-1 OC is now under OC United Way

July 12, 2023

The hotline that connects residents with social services, 2-1-1 OC, has been acquired by Orange County United Way, a nonprofit that provides a wide range of health and human care services.

“It is an honor to build on the important work of 211OC and establish a path forward that will enhance and grow this essential service to the community, ” said Susan Parks, CEO of Orange County United Way, which took control of the hotline on July 1.

“At Orange County United Way, our mission is to improve lives in our community, and we are committed to strengthening 211OC well into the future.”

Steve Churm, former chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said the integration is “a major step forward in providing critical housing, food, employment and crisis assistance and resources to those in need.”

When dialing “211,” community members are connected to an information and referral specialist who assesses their needs and connects them with the correct resources in their communities such as housing, food and employment assistance.

Between Jan. 2023 – June 2023, 211OC reported 58,015 calls. The hotline’s reach is expected to expand as a result of the acquisition.

“The Board of Directors of 211OC is very excited about the possibilities offered by Orange County United Way,” said Janice Genevro, chair of the 211OC board. “211OC has helped thousands of our Orange County neighbors connect with needed services over the past four decades. Stronger together, Orange County United Way with 211OC will continue to lead efforts to use technology to provide better care, coordinate service delivery, and support the work of community-based agencies.”

Hotline staff who are eligible will become employees of Orange County United Way and Karen Williams, president and CEO at 211OC, will have an advisory role in the new organization. According to their 2021 Form 990, 211OC staffed 49 employees and 164 volunteers.

“All 211OC employees were offered the opportunity to apply. And everyone who has interviewed has accepted a position,” Parks said.

“We will be planning listening sessions to hear from partner organizations and the community on how we can grow and evolve 211OC. We look forward to gaining community input on expanding the scale and impact of the service into the future.”

Orange County Register

Dodgers find their quarterback on Day 3 of draft in DJ Uiagalelei

July 12, 2023

The Dodgers concluded the MLB amateur draft on Tuesday with 10 picks. The final selection, DJ Uiagalelei, was the most intriguing. Drafted out of Oregon State, he has never played for the Beavers – or played baseball since high school.

Uiagalelei was born in Riverside and played both baseball and football at St. John Bosco High in Bellflower. He boasted a mid-90s fastball as a high school pitcher and was considered a five-star recruit as a quarterback. He continued his college career at Clemson but only competed in football.

In 2019, Uiagalelei told Yahoo! Sports “it would be a dream to be a relief pitcher. You only have to come in and throw an inning. You get paid to throw one inning a night. You don’t have to save energy. You can go all out.”

Uiagalelei completed his undergraduate degree at Clemson, then transferred to Oregon State with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining. His brother, Matayo, starred in football at St. John Bosco before committing to the University of Oregon.

Uiagalelei, 22, was the 610th overall pick in the draft, which lasted 20 rounds.

The Dodgers drafted two other Southern California products on Day 3 of the draft.

South Hills High left-handed pitcher Sterling Patrick (18th round, 550th pick) went 10-1 with a 0.37 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 76⅔ innings as a senior. He held opponents to a .158 batting average and threw two complete game shutouts.

LSU’s Jordan Thompson (15th round, 460th pick) batted .246 with 11 home runs as a junior and is considered a polished defensive player at shortstop. He was born in Chula Vista and prepped at Helix High School in La Mesa.

The Dodgers’ other selections on Day 3 of the draft included:

• Samford University right-handed pitcher Carson Hobbs (11th round, 340th pick)

• Tyler JC right-handed pitcher Noah Ruen (12th round, 370th pick)

• Northwestern State University right-handed pitcher Alex Makarewich (13th round, 400th pick)

• South Mountain Community College right-handed pitcher Jaxon Jelkin (14th round, 430th pick)

• LSU left-handed pitcher Javen Coleman (16th round, 490th pick)

• Duke left-handed pitcher Luke Fox (17th round, 520th pick)

• Richland High School right-handed pitcher Spencer Green (19th round, 580th pick)

Home Run Derby: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. edges Randy Arozarena; Dodgers’ Mookie Betts struggles

Dodgers take 3 high schoolers on Day 2 of draft, beginning with Brady Smith

MLB All-Star Game: Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen to start on mound

Dodgers draft Kendall George, Jake Gelof on Day 1 of MLB draft