The Orange County Tribune April 19, 2023

Weather Forecast

MIDWEEK EDITION

70/ 50

Wednesday: 70/50 mostly sunny Thursday: 81/56 mostly sunny Friday: 89/61 sunny

HHHH

Volume 3, Number 28 n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, April 19, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Wraps Come Off Plans For A New Center Hello, Bolsa Pacific at Westminster

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

Back in 1974 when Gerald Ford was president and the Rams still played in the Coliseum, the newest and hottest shopping attraction in Orange County was the Westminster Mall.

Anchored by four department stores it was – for a while – the biggest mall in the county and for miles around. It prospered for decades, but a half-century later, changing buying habits and lifestyles left it full of vacancies and old memories.

This week, plans for the renamed and mostly re-

done 26-acre Bolsa Pacific at Westminster were rolled out by developer Shopoff Realty Investments, based in Irvine.

The new project, located on the site of the existing mall, will be a mixed-use enterprise, featuring: • Over 1,000 apartments across three five-story buildings and 100 townhomes for purchase • 2.5-acres of green space, including an amphitheater, dog park, pickle-ball courts and food kiosks • A new 175-room hotel • Approximately 25,000 square feet of new retail stores and a food hall Continued on page 2

ARTIST’S RENDERING of the plan for the Bolsa Pacific at Westminster center (Shopoff photo).

A fire broke out in a vacant building in the 8700 block of Garden Grove Boulevard in Garden Grove on Monday afternoon. No one was injured and the cause is being investigated (OCFA photo).

Fire ravages vacant building Vacant buildings in Garden Grove continue to present a fire hazard.

On Monday at 2:36 p.m. the Orange County Fire Authority received a call about a blaze in the 8700 block of Garden Grove Boulevard (between Beach Boulevard and Magnolia Street).

It took firefighters 23 minutes to get the fully-involved fire under control and to

prevent extension into an adjacent structure.

There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.

So far this year there have been three other fires in vacant buildings in the Harbor Boulevard/Trask Avenue area. Transients living in such buildings may be connected to the blazes.

n WESTMINSTER SCHOOL BOARD

School resource police plan to be considered The establishment of a school resource officer program with a full-time police officer goes before the Westminster School District Board of Trustees when it meets on Thursday.

Under consideration is an agreement with the Westminster Police Department to serve WSD schools within the city of

Westminster. The agreement, if approved, would run for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and for the entire 20232024 school year.

The city will designate a special unit of officers within the WPD consisting of full-time police officers specially trained and selected to provide SRO Continued on page 2

Employees and artists honored

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

They were all winners, but the big hit was the jaguar.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education, the top winners of the 45th annual First Impressions student art show were recognized, along Continued on page 2

For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com

2 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Westminster Mall may turn into Bolsa Pacific/Westminster Continued from page 1

“We are envisioning a vibrant center where housing, hospitality, retail and nature come together,” said William A. Shopoff, president and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments.

The mall will be “bookended” with two parcels: the former and now empty Sears building and the current Macy’s. The Target store will remain.

The next step for Bolsa Pacific – located at Bolsa Avenue

and Goldenwest Street adjacent to the San Diego (405) Freeway will be to seek community feedback, develop plans and seek approval on agreements and conditions.

The project is expected to go before the Westminster City Council for approval in December 2024, with ground-breaking anticipated in 2025.

For more details, go to bolsapacific.com .

School resource officer plan for the Westminster schools Continued from page 1

service.

Typically, a school resource officer’s role consists of law enforcement, informal mentoring of students and in-person teaching.

Estimated costs of such a program are calculated at $136,618 plus overtime for a part-time

SRO and $231,583 plus overtime for a full-time officer. Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen recommends the full-time option.

The WSD is a K-8 system serving most of Westminster and parts of adjacent communities.

The board meets at 7 p.m. at the district office, 14121 Cedarwood St., Westminster.

GGUSD board honors art, employees Continued from page 1

with the classified and certificated employees of the month.

From Jordan Intermediate, Bradley Robinson, a technology specialist was honored for classified employee honors.

On hand to celebrate and be in the photos with him was the school’s jaguar mascot, or a person inside a jaguar costume at least.

The certificated winner was Jennifer Liu Hansen, a teacher at Peters K-3 Elementary School.

Among student artists, the superintendents’ award went to Danya Reyna of Evans Elementary. Other winners included: • Enrique Rosas of McGarvin Intermediate (President of the School Board Award) • Isabella Flores of Rancho Alamitos High (Mayor’s Award) • Seth Nguyen of Patton Elementary (PreK-6 Best in Show) • Franchesca Santa Maria of Irvine Intermediate (7-8 Best in

Show) • Jessica Dearing of Santiago High (9-12 Best in Show).

The GGUSD serves most of Garden Grove and portions of adjacent communities.

JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays with some exceptions. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

E-mail : orangecountytribune@gmail. com.

Website: www.orangecountytribune. com.

Phone: (714) 458-1860.

Established Aug. 6, 2016. All opinions expressed in The Tribune, unless otherwise stated, are those of the individual writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Tribune.

A member of The Associated Press, the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association and Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

The Orange County Tribune Every Wednesday & Saturday

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 3

News&Views The fears that haunted two generations The bell was loud, sharp and long.

It was the “duck and cover” alarm that was used in my elementary school in Garden Grove – and doubtless many other Orange County schools – to either have us practice or get ready for a real nuclear attack.

There was none of the same fooling around, or grateful grins that accompanied a routinebreaking fire drill.

This, in 1962 or 1963 could Jim Tortolano very well have been the real thing.

In our jeans and jumpers we scrambled under our desks, hands clasped over the back of our necks, hoping for that – for the Nth time – it was all just an abundance of caution and that the world was not about to end.

With all the school shootings, some people have compared those days to the current atmosphere with the repetitive news stories of lone wolf students (or former students) nursing grievances real or imagined, trying to seem big in a place where all they’ve earned is mediocrity.

Sixty years or so ago, the threat was very different and in some ways worse. During, for example, the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, the TV new programs and local newspapers were filled with stories about the very real possibility of a catastrophic attack from an evil enemy that could almost only end with the death of you and everyone you knew.

At the height of that inflection point, supermarkets were stripped of goods as the inevitable hoarding took hold.

Construction companies did a

‘THE LUCKY CAT’ IN CENTRAL PARK

Retorts

Continued on page 4

SUNNY SEKI, popular children’s book author, acted out the role of The Toymaker from his book, “The Tale of The Lucky Cat” on stage Saturday at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Central Park in Huntington Beach. The festival started on Friday and concluded on Sunday. The event, paid tribute to the friendship between the United States and Japan, featured food, music, Japanese clothing and goods, and more(Orange County Tribune photo).

Two men shot, one killed in Stanton clash Two men were shot – one of them fatally – in an incident in Stanton on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department – which provides police services for Stanton – deputies were dispatched to the 10000 block of Fern Avenue (southeast of Beach Boulevard and Ball Road) at 3:12 p.m. in response to a report of a shooting.

Arriving deputies found two men who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were performed on both men.

They were taken to a local hospital where one of the men died from his injuries. The second man was taken into surgery. His condition is unknown.

A search of the crime scene was made for potential suspects, but no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information that could be helpful in the investigation is asked to call sheriff’s dispatch at (714) 647-7000.

Woman shot in Anaheim; suspect held A suspect has been arrested in the shooting of a woman early on Sunday morning in Santa Ana. According to the SAPD, police received a report at 1:05 a.m. of a shooting inside the Proof Bar & Lounge, 215 N. Broadway Ave. Arriving officers found a woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to her upper torso. They rendered medical aid until Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived and transported her to a local hospital where she is listed in stable condition.

Witnesses to the incident provided police with a description of a suspect. Officers found a man matching that description in the area of 5th Street and Sycamore Avenue and detained him.

A firearm was recovered and detectives interviewed the man –

identified as Armando Alvarez, 22, of Santa Ana – and arrested him. He was booked into Orange County Jail for attempted murder.

The circumstances and motive in this incident are being investigated. SAPD detectives want

to speak to any witnesses who could shed additional light on the incident.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD homicide detectives at (714) 245-8390.

Fatal shooting at Anaheim eatery UPDATE: Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with the death of Carleatis Richards, 31, in Anaheim early Monday morning.

An early morning shooting at a fast food restaurant in Anaheim on Monday took the life of a man.

According to the Anaheim Police Department, the incident took place around 2 a.m.

at a Jack-in-the Box restaurant at Brookhurst Street and Ball Road.

The man was found by officers in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Police detained two people seen leaving the area and their possible involvement in the incident is under investigation.

4 ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

NewsUpdate $787.5m settlement in Fox vs.

Dominion defamation case

A settlement of $787.5 million was reached on Tuesday in Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit against Fox News.

According to the Associated Press, the network agreed to the deal – half of what Dominion was asking – in order to avoid having to go to trial in which its falsehoods about the 2020 election being “rigged” in favor of Joe Biden would have been further revealed.

It also allowed Fox personalities to avoid being called to testify in court on the matter.

“The truth matters. Lies have consequences,” said Justin

from these issues.”

The New York Times reported that while other news outlets were giving wide coverage to the settlement, Fox News devoted six minutes to the story.

Four people killed in Maine shooting

Nelson, attorney for Dominion. In a statement, Fox News commented, “We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute … allows the country to move forward

A suspect has been arrested in connection with two incident near Portland, Maine in which four people were killed and three wounded.

According to USA Today, four bodies were found in Bowdoin on Interstate 295. Police say they have arrested Joseph Eaton, 34, a resident of that city.

Angels beat Yanks.

Clippers burned

Shohei Ohtani homered and drove in two runs as the Los Angeles Angels (9-8) beat the the New York Yankes 5-2 Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 5-0 to square their record at 9-9. They’re in second in the National League West.

The Los Angeles Clippers lost 123-109 to the Phoenix Suns in Game Two of the NBA Western Conference playoff series. Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points in a losing cause.

Weather: Get warmer

The thermometer will be slowly showing that summerlike weather is coming to the West Orange County area.

The forecast for Wednesday is calling for mostly sunny skies and a daytime high of 70 with an overnight low of 50.

Thursday will be warmer with mostly sunny skies and a high of 81(56).

Sun will dominate on Friday with a high of 89 (61).

Retorts: Fears of different years Continued from page 3

land office business digging underground bomb shelters, many of which remain in backyards across Orange County and the U.S. Being kids, some of us questioned the logic of these precautions. If a nuke went off, what’s the point in ducking and covering? Weren’t we going to be incinerated? Why stockpile white bread when there will be no one left to eat it? Our portly teacher, Mrs. Farkle, well, there was no way she was going to fit under that desk.

Patiently, although a little rattled, the folks answered. The blast wave of compressed air from the explosion would travel a lot further than the actual detonation. That would mean that class windows would be shattered and send thousands of sharp slivers flying across the room.

Food was being panic-bought only because your next-door neighbor was doing the same.

Even if the war never happened, there might be an artificial shortage of Wonder Bread for a while. Somewhat

like COVID-19.

As for Mrs. Farkle, well … they didn’t have an answer for that.

Our drills were about our world coming to an end, but it didn’t. Cooler heads prevailed.

But today, there’s no end in sight to the terror. Almost all heads can be cool, but if one or two people remain aggrieved at the wrong time and in possession of dad’s rifle, (it’s almost always a male) tragedy can result, and it does.

Determined disturbed kids and adults have found ways around the painfully permeable protections we grown-ups have put in place. Windows can be shot out.

Doors can be left open. Fences can be climbed.

So, I’ll take the days under the desks and the scary bell any time. A theoretical threat from thousands of miles away is easier to live with than the fear that that guy you offended two days ago was going to come back, that look in his eyes …

Jim Tortolano’s Retorts column appears on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/THURSDAY APRIL 19, 2023 5

Arts&Living

“The Neighborhood’ and race Dealing with white privilege, social justice, but lightly

By Gary Gerard Hamilton Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) –”The Neighborhood” might be a hit sitcom now, but needed some careful planning before laying down a solid foundation.

“We shot the pilot twice. We had to recast. And so, there was moments where you didn’t think the show was going to go,” said Cedric the Entertainer.

“But the elements of it, the idea that it was about gentrification, the idea that it was about a Black family kind of staying true to their neighborhood when they saw white families moving in ... I think it just caught legs and really resonated with people because we do it in, of course, a sitcom, lighthearted way.”

“The Neighborhood,” now inits fifth season on CBS, follows the Butlers, a Black family led by Calvin (Cedric) and Tina ( Tichina Arnold ) as they coexist with their white neighbors, Dave (Max Greenfield) and Gemma Johnson (Beth Behrs), who moved from the Midwest to a predominately Black neighborhood in Pasadena, California. The show celebrated its 100th episode this week.

While not every episode deals with heavy topics, the show has unpacked topics like Black Lives Matter and social justice, pregnancy loss and white privilege. But as more issues emerge like attempts to ban books and critical race theory, Cedric believes his show is more than capable of exploring them.

“One of the great testaments to the show is that we try not to preach it, but we also aren’t afraid to kind of just dive in,” said the former Emmys host.

“We try to ... deal with all those

“THE NEIGHBORHOOD,” starring Cedric the Entertainer, was cancelled and revived and is now in its fifth season (CBS/Paramount) kind of subject matters on our show without just saying, ‘Hey, this is the line and this is what we believe in.’ We just raise a question.”

The milestone episode was

THE ISSUE of gentification is front and center in this TV series. At right is Max Greenfield.

directed by Cedric, who also serves as an executive producer.

He said sitting in the big chair has been the next progression of his show responsibilities.

“It was only natural for me to kind of really morph into directing because I can see the show; when I’m reading the scripts, I kind of know where people are going to be. And so, that was something that I’ve been wanting to grow into,” explained the funnyman, who also directed an episode last season.

The St. Louis-area native began his career in standup comedy, although later than most; after graduating from Southeast Missouri State University, he worked for State Farm before diving into professional comedy in his mid-20s. After making a name for himself locally, he eventually secured hosting stints for HBO’s legendary “Def Comedy Jam” as well BET’s popular “ComicView.”

While his sitcom star is brighter than ever, it’s a culmination of years of experience; he starred in “The Soul Man” which ran

from 2012 to 2016, but for many, his role as the loveable sidekick, Cedric Jackie Robinson on the ‘90s sitcom, “The Steve Harvey Show,” won the hearts of viewers.

“I really believe that that’s kind of led to my longevity: that idea of watching Steve, being right there close (to him),” Cedric said of his good friend and “Kings of Comedy” brother.

“The way he hired, the way he got Black people on the show, how he was able to negotiate his deals - all these things were things that I was exposed to just by being the No. 2 guy in the right situation.”

It was an especially huge payoff because at the time, Cedric had a deal in place to lead his own show. But after seeing Harvey’s early sitcom, “The Boys,” last only one season, he chose learn and observe, rather than jumping into leading a show head-first.

“It’s hard to knock that down when someone is kind of saying, ‘Hey, you’re the man!’ ... I Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Cedric’s gentrified ‘Neighborhood’ Continued from page 5

kind of saw him fail once. And I was like, I don’t want to run out there and get one season,” said the “Barbershop’’ star. “I kind of felt like that was the right thing for me to do, and it worked out great.”

Currently, the star comedian is on the 23-city “Straight Jokes No Chaser” tour with D.L. Hughley, Earthquake, and DC Young Fly, hosted by Mike Epps. Cedric notes the current politically correct climate hasn’t necessarily changed his brand of comedy, but believes some programs that provided platforms to create star Black comics might not be able to exist today.

“Def Jam was really one of those rare scenarios where we got to truly voice who we were.

You didn’t have to change anything about yourself,” said Ced-

ric. “I don’t think that that kind of rawness, that kind of honesty, visceral, right-off- the top whatever you’re thinking kind of joke-telling...I don’t think you could get away with that in today’s society.”

And while he coyly says today’s society is “soft as hell,” don’t expect “The Neighborhood” star to get any homeowners association violations.

“I want to come out and make

people laugh and have a good time ... I’m not that comic that’s there to challenge you or super offend you,” says Cedric.

“I got the CBS, Paramount shield with me, and we’re doing great. And I employ a lot of people with this show. ... I wouldn’t want to be the detriment of somebody else’s livelihood. So, I’m very careful of it without, at the same time, without being precious.”

GG Rec Guide now available The Summer 2023 Garden Grove Parks and Recreation Guide, offering a multitude of summer programs, classes, activities, and special events is now available at ggparksandrec. com. Programs run from May 1 through Aug. 31. Residents and

visitors are encouraged to register for classes in advance to ensure placement.

The Garden Grove Parks and Recreation Guide is an interactive, digital publication that features a listing of youth sports, creative arts, adult activities and fitness classes, special events, and more. Registration and payments can be made directly online.

Follow the Community Services Department on Facebook and Instagram at @gardengroveparksandrec to see announcements on programs, services, events and job opportunities.

Continued on page 7

For a free subscription via e-mail, send us a request to: orangecountytribune@ gmail.com.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 7

Oiler softball team grabs some glory of its own The baseball team at Huntington Beach has accumulated lots of fame this spring, winning the National High School Invitational and making it to finals of the Boras Classic South.

But the Oiler softball team is earning some glory, too. The orange and black won the Best of the West Classic in Santa Maria, posting five wins, including a 8-3 victory over previously un-

n PREP SPORTS WRAPUP beaten Oaks Christian.

The Oilers faced Los Alamitos on Tuesday, battling for the Sunset League lead against Los Alamitos and risking their winning streak of nine in a row.

Against the Griffins, the Oilera continued their ways, defeating them 3-2 and move into first place in the SDL with a 8-1 lead. Los Al is 7-1.

On Monday, Santiago High’s softball team defeated La Quinta 5-2 to grab a half-game lead in the Garden Grove League race. Four games remain in the

league schedule so nothing is decided yet.

In Garden Grove League baseball, Loara (9-8 overall, 8-4 in league) stayed in first place with a 4-0 win over Rancho Alamitos on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s action in the Sunset Wave League had Edison defeating Newport Harbor 8-6 and solidifying the Chargers’ grip on first. EHS is 12-9 overall, but 5-0 in league. NH is now 9-12 overall and 2-2 in league In other Wave action, Laguna Beach (8-10-1, 2-3) edged Marina 1-0.

The Empire League softball race remained tight. Pacifica (16-7 overall, 5-2 in league) thumped Crean Lutheran 12-0, while Cypress (17-2-1, 7-0) and Kennedy (13-6, 5-1) also posted wins.

Prep Sports Scores Tuesday, April 18 (baseball) Laguna Beach 1, Marina 1 Edison 8, Newport Harbor 6 Orange 4, Costa Mesa 2 La Quinta 2, Bolsa Grande 2 Loara 4, Rancho Al. 0 Katella 2, Garden Grove 1 Ocean View 16, Westminster 0 Tuesday, April 18 (softball) Pacifica 12, Crean Lutheran 0 Western 19, SA Valley 2 Savanna 21, Magnolia 7 Hunt. Beach 3, Los Alamitos 2 Monday, April 17 (baseball) Bolsa Grande 4, La Quinta 2 Loara 9, Rancho Alamitos 6 Monday, April 17 (softball) Marina 24, Corona del Mar 0 Western 13, Santa Ana V. 3 Santiago 5, La Quinta 2 Loara 14, Los Amigos 13

New direction for the Ducks?

Comtinued from page 8

heim was the NHL’s worst defensive team of the 21st century by several measures during the just-completed season.

“When I looked at it, it was three things,” Verbeek said. “I wanted a fresh start, I wanted a new voice speaking to the team, and I wanted a different direction.”

Verbeek was vague when asked what he meant by that.

“I think that just a style or an

identity is going to be important,” Verbeek said. “When you look at where we were (with) time spent in our zone ... my concern down that road was it could be difficult for more development if we had stayed on that kind of path.”

Anaheim has a promising young core headlined by playmaking center Trevor Zegras, two-time All-Star Troy Terry and promising forward Mason McTavish.

Look out! Robo-umps are coming!

Comtinued from page 8

The other tried and true method, of course, is arguing. The umpire won’t change his call, but maybe – if you’re angry and loud enough – you might intimidate the umpire into giving you the benefit of the doubt the next time. “Make-up calls,” in which an umpire admits (to himself) that he missed a call and then calls a ball a strike (or the reverse) to make up for the error are not unheard-of.

If the experiment – think Dr. Frankenstein and Igor – is deemed successful – it may be in place on opening day of 2024

in Major League Baseball. Who knows, then, what follows?

Endless replays? Team owners complaining about massive “robo-ump” fraud? Android managers who pick lineups and rosters from spread-sheets?

(Frankly, we’re pretty close to that now.)

To the degree that we eliminate the human factor in baseball is the distance we are moving toward turning the sport into a cross between a pageant and a video game.

To paraphrase a chant heard in baseball stadiums for over 100 years, “Kill the (robo) ump!”

8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Don’t bump the ump out of the baseball world Some time shortly after fire was discovered (or invented) I tried my hand at umpiring some girls’ softball games.

I didn’t really have a talent for it, but neither – back then – did they, so it all worked out. The main thing that I learned was that it was one of the toughest jobs ever, requiring split-second judgment, marksman-standard eyesight and a leathertough ego.

Lots of my peers liked to hoot at the umpire (or referee, or linesman) for faults real and imagined, but I had been in Jim Tortolano the cauldron and came out slightly scorched and full of sympathy for the folks behind the plate.

But soon, there may not be a person behind the plate, metaphorically or otherwise.

The ABS (automatic ball-strike system) will be used in all AAA baseball games this year and woe is us!

Using precise laser and computer technology, this “roboump” will call balls and strikes with an inhuman consistency.

Some techie sets the strike zone – officially an area over home plate from the midpoint between a batter’s shoulders and the top of the uniform pants and a point just below the kneecap – and the machine does the rest.

Theoretically, this would eliminate a few ways that players and coaches can game the system. One is called “framing,” in which the catcher positions his glove so that when the ball is caught, it appears that the pitch is in the strike zone, even if it’s not, according to an article in the recent issue of Sports Illustrated.

Sports Retorts

Continued on page 7

Dodgers, Halos Defeat New York, New York

WHEN WAS the last time the Anaheim Ducks (and their fans) really had something to celebrate? (File photo).

A new direction for the Anaheim Ducks?

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

IRVINE (AP) – Dallas Eakins was the Anaheim Ducks’ coach during the worst fouryear stretch in franchise history.

Although Pat Verbeek knows Eakins is far from solely responsible, the general manager is ready to continue his rebuilding project with a new voice behind the bench.

Eakins will not return to the Ducks after four consecutive losing seasons, the team announced Friday. One day after Anaheim finished in last place in the overall NHL standings at 2347-12, Verbeek said the Ducks won’t renew Eakins’ contract, which expired at the end of this season.

“There’s a lot of good things about Dallas,” Verbeek said at the Ducks’ training complex.

“He’s a good person. He was in a difficult situation. I think he handled himself with the utmost professionalism, great dedication to the organization and work ethic. ... Today was not a fun day for anybody. It’s never fun to have to do this.”

Eakins went 100-147-44 with the Ducks, who promoted him in 2019 after four years as the head coach of their AHL affiliate in San Diego. The former Edmonton bench boss arrived near the start of Anaheim’s decline from a perennial NHL power in the 2010s to a rebuilding club that earned a franchise-worst 58 points this season.

The Ducks never finished higher than sixth in the Pacific Division during Eakins’ four years in charge. They’ve missed the playoffs in a franchise-record five straight seasons, and AnaContinued on page 7

Shohei Ohtani has often been compared to Babe Ruth for being a two-way star. On Tuesday night, he carved that similarity in rock at Yankee Stadium, hitting a huge two-run homer 100 years to the day that the Bambino christened the original Yankee Stadium with his own home run.

Ohtani’s hit helped the Los Angeles Angels defeat the Bronx Bombers 5-2 and improve their record to 9-8, good for second place in the American League West, two games back of the Texas Rangers (11-6).

“It was amazing,” said Mike Trout, “That’s what he does.

That ball was hit really, really well.” He also runs well, and stole a base.

The Halos used five pitchers.

The win went to Andrew Wantz (1-0). who pitched 1.2 innings, striking out two batters and walking one. The Halos will face the Yanks again on Wednesday.

Back in Southern California, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 5-0 to square their record at 9-9. Clayton Kershaw (3-1) hit a major milestone in winning his 200th game. He worked seven innings, yielding just three hits. He struck out nine and walked none.

J.D. Martinez provided most of the offense with two home runs and four RBIs.