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Los Angeles Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Daily Pilot Softball Dream Team: Marina's Mia Valbuena had no match in playoffs
Mia Valbuena couldn't quite put her finger on it as far as when she began taking an interest in softball, but it came early, and it came with a desire to be like her mom. Between pictures, videos and news clippings their grandmother had saved, Mia and her twin sister, Avi, became familiarized with the playing career of their mother, Willa Parchen. That was all the motivation they needed, said Valbuena, who reckons they were 4 or 5 when they discovered their source of inspiration. They were told about Parchen's path to a scholarship at Creighton University. As far as they were concerned, they had the blueprint set before them. 'Oh, that's what I want to do when I'm older,'' Valbuena would respond. 'We obviously wanted to be just like her,' she added. 'We're like, 'Oh, we're going to go to Creighton, too.' She's like, 'Well, no, you don't have to,' because we just wanted to be just like her.' Valbuena, now a University of Michigan commit, appears to have quite a bright future ahead of her in the game. The past few months were rather fruitful, too. The junior right-hander led Marina to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship, shutting down the opposition throughout the playoff run. Valbuena is also the Daily Pilot Softball Dream Team Player of the Year. Marina (19-13) ended a 30-year CIF title drought for the program with an 8-1 win over Westlake at Deanna Manning Stadium on May 30. Upon the final out, Valbuena came together with catcher Gabby DiBenedetto, a battery that has been together since before their high school days. 'That was probably the best decision we've ever made was to convince her to go to Marina because she's now like my best friend,' said Valbuena, who met DiBenedetto through her pitching coach Chrissy Haines in the eighth grade. 'She knows me so well, and it really shows in the field, I think, because we don't even have to communicate through words,' Valbuena said. 'I think I can tell what she's thinking through her face and her body language now, and I think she probably feels the same way. We know what's going on with each other.' Valbuena, the Sunset League Most Valuable Pitcher, dominated from the circle with a devastating riseball and a drop curveball. She allowed just two runs across five postseason starts, recording 56 strikeouts in 33 innings. For the season, she posted a 19-10 record with a 1.88 earned run average across 175⅓ innings pitched. She threw 11 complete-game shutouts and tallied 293 strikeouts. Valbuena was also one of the Vikings' more productive hitters. She had a .337 batting average with 21 runs batted in, seven doubles and two home runs. 'It's only a couple months out of the year that I'm even practicing hitting, or hitting in games, so I do my best to try to keep up with everyone else that's hitting yearlong,' Valbuena said. 'It takes a lot more focus, I think, for me than pitching when it comes to that. Moving into the No. 4 spot at the end of the year, I didn't even expect that, but I guess a little goes a long way sometimes in the close games. I was just trying to do my part to help the team out and help myself out on the offensive side.' At different times in the year, the twins said they play for each other. Pitchers love run support, and Avi, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga commit, provided by driving in four runs in the CIF finals. At first, they played for their mom, who played and pitched at Marina before them. There's room for more in the circle of trust these days. 'Our chemistry as a team, we really bonded this year,' Valbuena said. 'Something clicked where we all became so united in our goals, and we all had the same idea of what we wanted for the entire year. I think that unity kind of made me able to know that my teammates had my back. They were playing for me, and I was playing for them.' Dan Hay / Shelly Luth A pair of faces that have been around the game for a long time, the duo helped guide the Fountain Valley Vikings to their sixth CIF title and first in three decades. Luth had previously been the head coach for back-to-back Division I titles for the program in 1994 and 1995. It was a new day for Hay, who raised a CIF championship plaque for the first time. Hay was part of the 2025 class of inductees into the Orange County Softball Hall of Fame. Courtney Kols P | Fountain Valley | Sr. A fixture in the pitching circle for all four years of her career at Fountain Valley (14-12), the right-hander will go on to play for Drexel University. Kols was a Sunset League first-team selection for the Barons, who narrowly missed out on a return to the postseason in a winner-take-all game against Edison to determine the league's fourth playoff berth. Gabby DiBenedetto C | Marina | Jr. DiBenedetto sported a .444 batting average, knocking in 20 runs and scoring another 15 runs in support of her battery mate. The Maryland-bound backstop supplied eight doubles, one triple and a home run among her team-leading 44 hits. Bree Carlson 1B | Huntington Beach | So. Huntington Beach (22-8) packed a punch offensively, especially from its twin towers manning the corners in the infield. Carlson, a Sunset League first-team selection, hit .500 with an area-leading 11 home runs to go with a dozen doubles. She drove in 53 runs and scored 38 runs. Kaila Arakaki 2B / SS | Edison | Jr. Arakaki was the prototypical leadoff hitter, reaching base at a high clip and failing to sit still once she accomplished step one. The middle infielder showcased her speed with 19 stolen bases, coming around to score 22 times. At the dish, she batted .360 with nine doubles, a triple and a home run for Edison (11-15). Tea Gutierrez 3B | Huntington Beach | Sr. Gutierrez handled the hot corner defensively while hammering the ball in the batter's box. The Jacksonville State commit boasted a .578 average with nine home runs, three triples and eight doubles. The Sunset League Most Valuable Player scored 45 runs and had 41 runs batted in. Morgan Drotter SS / OF | Huntington Beach | Sr. A natural outfielder, Drotter played at shortstop this season because it was an area of need for the Oilers. The Cornell commit posted a .405 batting average with 11 extra-base hits, including a game-winning three-run home run in the late innings of a key game against Marina in Huntington Beach's journey to a share of the Sunset League title with Los Alamitos, which was the CIF Division 2 champion. Cali Bennett OF | Huntington Beach | Sr. Huntington Beach saw the heart of its order put up some gaudy numbers, and it was often Bennett setting the table. The center fielder hit .431 and scored 36 runs from the top of the lineup. She compiled 10 doubles, three triples and one home run. The Louisiana Tech commit also drove in 19 runs and recorded 10 stolen bases. Kaya Collado OF | Ocean View | Sr. A four-year starter for Ocean View (2-22), Collado has committed to Pacific Lutheran University. Collado boasted team-high production with a .429 batting average, 25 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples and 17 stolen bases. Hannah Stolba 2B / OF | Edison | So. While Arakaki made things happen at the top of the order, it was up to Stolba to turn the lineup over. She excelled in that role with a team-best .435 batting average. The Chargers' left fielder produced eight doubles and three home runs, scoring 19 runs and driving in 15 runs. Avi Valbuena DP | Marina | Jr. The Viking were largely a station-to-station team that did not take many chances on the base paths. They had more sacrifice bunts than stolen bases, often looking for the clutch hit. Valbuena, who hit .397 this season, had a three-hit, four-RBI game in the Division 3 final. Position, Name, School, Year 2B / OF Zariah Billinger, Huntington Beach, Sr. OF Aubrey Catron, Edison, So. P Juliette Foutz, Huntington Beach, Fr. P Sophia Gutierrez, Los Amigos, So. SS / 3B Sophia Hannappel, Edison, Sr. C Ella Kim, Fountain Valley, Jr. OF Victoria Rios, Costa Mesa, So. OF Rachel Ruiz, Marina, Sr. C / 1B / 3B Ally Shaw, Newport Harbor, So. 1B Makenna Smith, Corona del Mar, So. 2B / OF Kileigh Villaloblos, Fountain Valley, Jr.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 things you need to know about Lakers' new majority owner Mark Walter
The post 10 things you need to know about Lakers' new majority owner Mark Walter appeared first on ClutchPoints. For the first time since 1979, the Buss family will no longer own the Los Angeles Lakers, with Mark Walter purchasing the team at a valuation $10 billion. Advertisement This move, understandably, took the sports world by storm, as it majorly shook up one of the most popular teams in one of the biggest cities in one of the biggest leagues in the world, with potential ramifications the likes of which won't be known for years to come. But who is Mark Walter, the first new owner of the Lakers in almost five decades? Where is he from, how did he get his money, and how does he now own multiple major franchises in Los Angeles? Needless to say, his journey to the Lakers is fascinating. © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images 1. Mark Walter isn't from LA Though he may own what feels like half of the biggest teams in Los Angeles, Mark Walter isn't actually from LA County. Advertisement Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Walter grew up in the Midwest, where his father worked at a concrete block manufacturing plant, and he grew up a Cubs fan. 2. Mark Walter went to Creighton for his undergrad Despite his Midwest roots, Walter went to college at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Walter studied accounting and ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in 1982. 3. Mark Walter has a law degree from Northwestern After completing his undergraduate studies, Walter traveled to Chicago to pursue a law degree at Northwestern University. While getting to watch his favorite baseball team on the regular, Walter also met his wife, Kimbra, in Chicago, with whom he remains married to this day. 4. Mark Watler earned his money from insurance How was Walter able to put down $10 billion to purchase the Lakers? Well, Walter earned much of his money from the insurance industry, where he has been working professionally since 2000. After founding his first major company in 1996, Liberty Hampshire Company, Walter shifted over to insurance in 2000 when he decided to found a new company with the Guggenheim family. 5. Mark Walter is a founder of Guggenheim Partners Outside of his sports portfolio, Mark Walter is best known for being the founder of Guggenheim Partners, one of the world's biggest insurance companies. Advertisement Founding the company with Peter Lawson-Johnson II, the firm has assets under management of $330 billion. With Walter as the CEO, Guggenheim has become one of the biggest companies in the world and has ventured out into sports ownership with the launch of Guggenheimer Baseball Management. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 6. Guggenheim Management purchased the Dodgers in 2012 In 2012, the Dodgers were put up for sale after then-owner Frank McCourt was investigated by MLB, and the team filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. After failing to purchase the Astros years prior, Walter and the Guggenheim Group put together a package worth north of $2 billion to buy the team outright, purchasing the team, their affiliates, their stadium, and the land around it, but, curiously enough, not the parking lot, which LA rents for $14 million a year. 7. Mark Walter personally owns 27 percent of the Dodgers Though the Guggenheim Baseball Management group is the primary owner of the Dodgers, Walter does have a stake in the team personally at 27 percent after personally putting up $100 million to help purchase the team. 8. Magic Johnson is a minority owner of the Dodgers, too As many fans around LA know, Lakers legend Magic Johnson is also a minority owner of the Dodgers, helping the Guggenheim group with their purchase back in 2012. Though his name was in many headlines at the time regarding the purchase, Johnson remains a single-digit owner of the team. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images 9. Mark Walter already owns the Los Angeles Sparks Before he purchased the Lakers, Walter and Johnson came together to buy the Los Angeles Sparks, with the Guggenheim CEO owning a sixth of the franchise. Under Walker's leadership, the Sparks have won two conference titles and a WNBA Championship in 2016. 10. Mark Walter has been the Lakers' owner-in-waiting While the news of Walter buying the Lakers caught the sporting world by surprise, it's technically been an option for some time now, as when he purchased 20 percent of the team in 2021 from Philip Anschutz, he was given the ability to become majority owner should the opportunity arise in the future. Advertisement Were the Lakers going to be put up for sale publicly? It's hard to say, but after holding a fifth of the team for multiple seasons, Walter was able to buy the franchise outright at a valuation $10 billion. Related: Lakers rumors: Nick Wright predicts Austin Reaves' trade value after Desmond Bane deal Related: Sources: Why Lakers rivals hoped Jeanie Buss would never sell franchise
Boston Globe
20-06-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Billionaire Mark Walter, set to own controlling stake in Lakers, built fortune in investing
Walter received an undergraduate degree in business administration from Creighton University and a law degree from Northwestern University, but ultimately chose business over a career in law. In the mid-1990s, he co-founded Liberty Hampshire, an investment management firm in Chicago. That business became part of Guggenheim Partners, which Walter co-founded in the late 1990s. Advertisement In addition to Guggenheim, Walter co-founded TWG Global with film producer Thomas Tull. The company holds a portfolio of finance and insurance sector companies, including Guggenheim Investments, Guggenheim Securities, Group 1001 Insurance and Delaware Life. It also includes aerospace and defense technology company Shield AI. Last month, TWG Global announced a partnership with Palantir Technologies and Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, maker of Grok, aimed at developing artificial intelligence for use in the financial services industry. TWG Global also includes investments in sports, media and entertainment franchises, such as the controlling interest in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Premier League club Chelsea, the Professional Women's Hockey League and — through TWG Motorsports — ownership of several auto racing teams including Cadillac Formula 1. Advertisement Beyond business, Walter and his wife, Kimbra, have founded or contributed to various philanthropic organizations, including the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the Academy Group, Chicago Beyond and OneGoal.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scared of a Market Crash? Warren Buffett Says That's Your Cue To Get Greedy
Wall Street has seen some serious highs and lows in recent months. These stock market moves have raised some concerns about a recession or a market crash. Read Next: For You: Fear can be a great motivator or a powerful roadblock for many investors. In fact, you may be familiar with the famous quote linked to Warren Buffett: 'Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.' The advice may sound simple, but it can bring with it unexpected complexities and more decisions to make as an investor. But it may not be that clear cut. GOBankingRates talked to some financial experts for their advice about being fearful as an investor. 'A down market might be the best time to buy assets for the lowest price possible,' said Annie Cole, Ed.D., money coach and founder of Money Essentials for Women. 'While a down market can mean that your personal assets, such as home value or stock value, take a hit for a period of time, it also means that assets you don't already own are lowering in price — the perfect time for you to buy for a bargain.' Discover Next: 'Fear is the worst enemy of investors,' said Robert Johnson, Ph.D., professor at the Heider College of Business at Creighton University. 'The average investor underperforms the market because they panic.' Johnson added that perhaps the biggest weakness in any stock investor is the person who believes they can predict market rises and falls. Johnson said attempting to time the market is 'fools gold.' 'The best way to counteract this tendency to time the market is to practice dollar cost averaging in a broad based stock market mutual fund or ETF — like one that tracks the S&P 500,' Johnson said. 'That means you are consistently buying into the market whether it has headed up, down or sideways.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on Scared of a Market Crash? Warren Buffett Says That's Your Cue To Get Greedy
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban Says Bitcoin Is a ‘Better Buy' Amid Stock Market Uncertainty — Is It Time To Invest?
Bitcoin has been getting more popular. Financial firms that previously rejected cryptocurrency have now embraced bitcoin with open arms. Discover More: Find Out: More money experts are voicing their support for the cryptocurrency, too — including Mark Cuban. The business mogul has been bullish on cryptocurrencies for a while and, in an April post on X, referred to bitcoin as a better buying opportunity than stocks in the current market. Here's what investors should consider before investing in bitcoin. Robert R. Johnson is a professor of finance at Creighton University's Heider College of Business. He doesn't agree with Cuban's take on bitcoin and invites investors to understand their core motivation for buying any asset. 'The question you should ask yourself in committing funds to stocks or bitcoin is: What is your goal — your motivation? Are you investing, or are you speculating? My belief is that one cannot truly invest in cryptocurrencies; one can only speculate,' he explained. If you believe bitcoin has long-term potential, then it may be worth an investment. However, if you are only buying bitcoin because it's been going up lately and has delivered exceptional gains for long-term investors, you need a better reason to buy. If you can't come up with a good motivation to buy bitcoin, it's best to stay on the sidelines. Read Next: Johnson also mentioned another benefit of stocks: You can look at their financials and assess a company's performance against peers. 'Stocks are more enticing, because they produce something. In other words, if you buy a share of stock, you are entitled to a share of the earnings of a company. Bitcoin doesn't produce anything,' he explained. Johnson isn't the only one with this take. David Materazzi, CEO of Galileo FX, is also skeptical of bitcoin. He views it as a collectible that produces nothing and has no earnings, dividends or output. He recommended looking at stocks instead of crypto, while explaining the benefits of stock buybacks: 'Buybacks increase your stake in a real business. Same earnings, fewer shares. You own more. That's value,' he said. 'Bitcoin has no earnings. No board. No cash. Nothing gets returned to holders. Nothing compounds. It just sits there. Price moves only if someone else wants in.' Bitcoin could receive a nice boost if the Federal Reserve decides to cut rates. Inflation has remained relatively low for a few months despite tariffs, and if this trend continues, the Fed may soon reduce rates. However, lower interest rates aren't exclusively bullish for bitcoin. They effect the entire stock market. 'Bitcoin reacts to money printing, regulation and hype,' Materazzi said. 'Stocks respond to performance. Earnings growth, capital investment, buybacks, execution. That's the gap.' In Johnson's book 'Invest With the Fed,' he and his co-authors, Gerald Jensen and Luis Garcia-Feikoo, reviewed data from 1966 to 2023 and determined the most promising sectors when the Fed lowers rates. 'The best-performing sectors in a falling interest rate environment were automobiles (30.9%), apparel (27.3%) and retail (25.8%),' he explained. 'In addition, small stocks outperformed large stocks during falling interest rate environments. The smallest quintile of stocks returned 30.1% during falling rate environments, while the largest quintile returned 15.6%.' More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 This article originally appeared on Mark Cuban Says Bitcoin Is a 'Better Buy' Amid Stock Market Uncertainty — Is It Time To Invest? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
