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Thanks, jazzgirl. I tried to verify and also saw 11 references in the clues.
Took the next step of looking at the grid, as some setters might be inclined to include setter names as solutions, or even Nina(s).
Didn't spend long, and the only thing I could see was a PAN ascending in column 7. But that's likely randomness, as I don't believe Paul goes in for Ninas.

Geeker @38, yes! First thing that came to my mind when I filled it in.

mprs, I was living in upstate NYS and still a sports fan in those days.
I believe I watched the "[1 down] Game" live on TV.

George Brett. I was a big baseball fan in my youth.

GB was a great player. The image of him going bats**t in the video posted is indelible.

On a humourous / off-color note, I remember when Brett had to miss some games of the 1980 World Series due to haemorrhoid issues. When he returned, at some point there was a play on which he executed a slide on the basepaths (Brett was not a headfirst slider), and the TV announcers said "... [I forget the exact words], he slid!"

Oh dear
Any reference to sport leaves me cold. I thought I had an answer for both 1d and 2 d, but if the latter is wrong, then I suspect the former is too. I haven't got 1ac and 4ac.

I've been working through slowly, but am stuck on a number of them. I do not understand 12ac. I only have the first letter. I have a strange collection of crossers for 21ac ?C?L?O?E and I'm a vegetarian, so not familiar with sea-food.

Can I have a hint for 18d. I thought the definition is a beast, but perhaps not.

Meanwhile, I'll puzzle over an acronym for housework.

Mmmm, roof
21a your E is wrong. 15,8 is a clever anagram.
18d is rather unfair. A singer from the 60s.

Hi Roof,

18d - 2 letter "if not" + 5 letter "plain beast" (as in beast you'd find on the plains) - definition is "old singer" (a specific one)

Thanks Chrise and Brendan

15,8 was my first one in, but I spelt the answer wrong, so I have now got 21 ac, but have no idea where the soaked bread comes in.

I've got 18d now which may help finiah the south east corner. I have an answer for 19d and 25ac, but I'm not sure I've got them right.

I'm assuming the definition in 12ac is "almost warmed up".

Back to the drawing board.

I disagree, chrise. The definition is old singer, so I don't see how it's unfair. The old singer is a legend at that. Perhaps not so well known over there I guess.