[May 19, 2013] The Modesto Bee Ron Agostini column Tweet May 19, 2013 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Reading time, two minutes: --Track and field coverage this week unearthed a sad truth: It's been five years since the last Modesto Relays at Modesto Junior College. --How do you replace an event that produced 33 world records and brought joy and sports entertainment to Modesto for 67 years --Simple answer: You don't. --The Amgen Tour of California wheeled from Livermore to Mt. Diablo on Saturday. When it was here, it was fun. --There was racing on city streets with the 18th Family Cycling Festival and Harvest Moon Criterium. No one seemed to miss Lance Armstrong. --The Kings' Chuck Hayes (Modesto Christian), who spoke at this week's Outstanding Athlete Awards Banquet, on the four reasons he defied the odds and carved out a career in the NBA: "1. I was prepared. 2. I was hungry. 3. My work ethic. 4. A little luck." --That's how you parlay a 10-day contract into an eight-year ongoing career. --Why Sacramento prevailed over Seattle: Sac had Mayor Kevin Johnson. --What national talking heads apparently forgot: Three months ago, this result was viewed as impossible. --Envision the best-case scenario for Sacramento: The Kings stay and the Maloofs sell. Perfect. --Finally after nearly three years, attention no longer will turn toward Anaheim, Virginia Beach or Seattle. --If I'm coach Keith Smart and GM Geoff Petrie, I'm not planning long-term in Sacramento. --Judging by his appearance, he can't wait to walk out the door: NBA Commissioner David Stern. --The Golden State Warrior fans, always the franchise's best asset, never were better than after the clinching loss to the Spurs. --A red flag for the Warriors: Stephen Curry's ankles. Can they hold up over an entire playoff run --One local Warrior fan who likes the team's direction: Save Mart boss Bob Piccinini, one of the team owners. --If present trends continue in LA, a possibility: Mike Scioscia fired by the Angels, Don Mattingly fired by the Dodgers, and Scioscia hired by the Dodgers. --The Raiders' front office will miss the realistic and level-headed leadership of Amy Trask. --Even to the overachieving Hayes, lessons can be learned from the late Ken Venturi. Hard to imagine anyone who overcame more. --Why San Jose State softball is back: Modesto High graduate Amanda Pridmore, the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. --Memorial services for Brad Leslie will be held June 9, at 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. --About the late Cal and NFL star Chuck Muncie: In 1975, he rushed for three touchdowns, caught a fourth and passed for a fifth, the best Big Game performance I've ever seen. --If more people missed the Relays, they wouldn't have ended. And caring about yesterday is just not fashionable. --This just in: Some of those yesterdays weren't bad. ___ (c)2013 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]