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Scott Ostler

Scott Ostler has been a sports columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle since 1991. He has covered five Olympics for The Chronicle, as well as one soccer World Cup and numerous World Series, Super Bowls and NBA Finals.

Though he started in sports and is there now, Scott took a couple of side trips into the real world for The Chronicle. For three years he wrote a daily around-town column, and for one year, while still in sports, he wrote a weekly humorous commentary column.

He has authored several books and written for many national publications. Scott has been voted California Sportswriter of the Year 13 times, including six times while at The Chronicle. He moved to the Bay Area from Southern California, where he worked for the Los Angeles Times, the National Sports Daily and the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Stories By Scott Ostler

Inside Warriors’ rotation: Managing minutes, airball benchings and hot hands

“Strength in Numbers” is a swell slogan for a basketball team, and the concept has served the Golden State Warriors well. However, the numbers are finite. Here’s how head coach Steve Kerr found the right man for charting who plays when. By Scott Ostler

Brock Purdy giving 49ers fans a treasure from their playoffs past: Unexpected joy

The San Francisco 49ers came into the season with Super Bowl expectations. How do you turn that into a playoff run that conjures up memories of the unexpected thrills of 1981? Thank Brock Purdy for that. By Scott Ostler

After 49ers’ defense wavered, a big halftime decision: Change nothing

The San Francisco 49ers’ defense gave up 17 second-quarter points to the Seahawks to produce a Seattle halftime lead. You might think DeMeco Ryans’ league-leading unit needed to shake things up, but they would not agree. By Scott Ostler

A’s and Oakland just got served a major reality check in ballpark pursuit

The A’s ballpark search has slogged on long enough. The city of Oakland’s failure to get a $182 million federal grant toward infrastructure at Howard Terminal should speed up the process, for better or worse. By Scott Ostler

How Colin Kaepernick’s Autopsy Initiative led to $100M lawsuit over a police shooting

After police shot Rob Adams to death in Southern California, his family connected with Colin Kaepernick’s Autopsy Initiative, which provided an independent autopsy. Its findings established the basis for a $100 million civil rights lawsuit. By Scott Ostler

Losing even with Steph Curry, Warriors head out for ‘No Excuses’ road trip

Stephen Curry in action is usually a springboard for Golden State Warriors success. Losing to a depleted Phoenix Suns team clearly indicates the Warriors have things to work on as they head on a five-game road trip. By Scott Ostler

49ers might be riding a wave, but Seahawks have knocked them off the board before

The San Francisco 49ers deserve to be heavily favored in their first-round playoff matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. But the thing is, Niners fans can’t help but remember Pete Carroll’s teams have delivered upsets. By Scott Ostler

Renaming the Warriors, an A’s sale and more improbable Bay Area 2023 sports predictions

The new year will see feats from the NBA team formerly known as the Golden State Warriors, the San Francisco Giants get Carlos Correa after all, the Oakland A’s become billionaires’ sports hot potato — and maybe none of those things. By Scott Ostler

Are this year’s 49ers the all-time kings of Bay Area sports badassdom?

The San Francisco 49ers haven’t just been winning games, they’ve beaten up opponents so badly not one of them has won the week after playing the Niners. This year’s team could earn a singular place in Bay Area sports history. By Scott Ostler

Klay Thompson’s zen journey back to being Klay for Warriors

A 54-point game from Klay Thompson in the Golden State Warriors’ win was just one moment in a long year back in action. What’s behind the Splash Brother’s rediscovery of his genius for lighting up a scoreboard? By Scott Ostler

Forget Carlos Correa, Major League Baseball is flunking its physical

Baseball is ill and getting iller. The Carlos Correa Caper is merely a symptom. The San Francisco Giants have a problem, sure, but MLB has a bigger affliction. By Scott Ostler

Could Brock Purdy mania fuel 49ers’ QB controversy? Joe Montana has thoughts

With the San Francisco 49ers riding high, everybody loves Brock Purdy. Everybody loved Jimmy Garoppolo too. Or, as Joe Montana observes, who plays quarterback doesn’t divide a locker room. Just look at George Kittle! By Scott Ostler

Emotional intensity is the key for struggling Warriors to rescue their season

When the Golden State Warriors are stirred up, when their emotions are aroused — as they were Christmas night against the Memphis Grizzlies — look out. The old Warriors become the Warriors of old. By Scott Ostler

A debacle, to be sure, but what if the Giants were right about Carlos Correa?

The implosion of the San Francisco Giants’ mega-deal with Carlos Correa is clearly a short-term disaster. But what if the team’s concerns prove prudent and the Giants are shown to have done the right thing? By Scott Ostler

In Brock Purdy, 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan may have his most appealing QB

Brock Purdy’s maturity, field command, poise and guts may make him the perfect quarterback to take control of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s super-fun offensive circus. By Scott Ostler

V for victory? Warriors should try V for Victor Wembanyama

Stephen Curry is hurt and the Golden State Warriors might get only a play-in spot this season. Their long-term interest might be to go with the younger players, take a hit in the standings — and earn a slim shot at drafting Victor Wembanyama. By Scott Ostler

Carlos Correa creates new opportunities for Giants, but also new drama

Carlos Correa joining the San Francisco Giants is good news! And it trolls the Dodgers! But Correa also is going to have to navigate some big challenges with the Giants, starting with who plays shortstop. By Scott Ostler

Want to keep riding the wave of 49ers’ Purdy mania? Don’t read this column

Brock Purdy’s brilliant two-week run under center for the San Francisco 49ers has been a treat, and long may it last. But if it doesn’t, he’d join a storied list of Bay Area players whose fame burned very brightly, very briefly. By Scott Ostler

Warriors must have patience as ingredients for NBA excellence soak in

The Golden State Warriors might become the team many thought they would be, but as with a pig at a luau, it might take some time for the tasty payoff. By Scott Ostler

Rob Manfred’s new threats to Oakland over A’s ballpark hit wrong notes

In not-so-veiled language on the future of the Athletics in Oakland, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred brought up a January 2024 deadline for the city to give the A’s what they want at Howard Terminal. By Scott Ostler