February 2014 – Page 8 – Sports Radio Service

Michelle Richardson on the NCAA: Fan gets pushed around not such a Smart move

Published on February 9, 2014February 9, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Michelle Richardson

Oklahoma State 61 (16-7) vs.Texas Tech (12-11) 65: I have to be honest with you the whole Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State is a bad situation all together. The critics are now trying to compare this pushing incident with a fan from last Saturday’s game with the Malice in the Palace incident which is really unfair and it didn’t warrant that.

This is the thing this is an older gentleman sitting behind the basket with a bunch of other fans and I get that fans will trash talk the players sometimes, but we don’t really know what really transended down there. Smart is saying he was called the N word by the fan. For Snmart this is not the first time he’s been called the N word and just because somebody has been called the N word before and walked away doesn’t always mean your always going to walk away.

There is going to be that moment in time that somebody is going to say the N word and that fan who alledgedly said that when the game was very tight, was very heated and very physical, that fan used that term. So again there’s a time for people to walk away and there is going to be that 10th time it’s that one time when people are not going to want to hear it.

Iowa State 84 (18-4) vs. TCU (9-13) 69: Your going to have to look at it like this the Big Ten is just one of those conferences that you can’t go to sleep on it. You can’t go to sleep on those conferences. Michigan is struggling. They were the top five just two weeks ago and they’re steadily coming down when they get into the heart of their schedule.

Michigan is going to be doing their home and home and Michigan is having a tough go at it but this is the thing I would rather have them have a tough go at it now then when their in March Madness when their really going to be fighting for seeding in the tournament. It’s just very hard.

Was Iowa State winning a big surprise? No, the Big Ten has a lot of talent, you have Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana, just to name a few on any given day in college basketball one of those teams can beat the other. So if you go from top to bottom the Big Ten is not a horrible conference.

Wichita State (25-0) 82 vs.North Iowa (11-13)73: Wichita State has the confidence but really what it is for W State’s success is they have the anger. The anger is that their 25-0 and their only ranked number four in the country. Their angry and Wichita State is not getting the respect due to a team with that record.

I don’t understand how their 25-0 and Arizona is the number two team and Arizona is the number two team in the country. Arizona has lost and yet they play in the Pac 12 but Wichita State is still undefeated. So I don’t understand that and their playing angry and they want their respect.

They don’t feel like their getting the kind of respect that is due to them, they’re game against Northern Iowa and they haven’t gone to the tournament more than a few times by now. Don’t think that Nor Iowa is a chump team they came in and played hard too, they got some tremendous scoring production from their starting five.

Michelle Richardson does NCAA commentary each week for Sportstalk radio

Kings downtown arena: Old Sac biz leaders want Kings to switch game time to avoid messy traffic

Published on February 9, 2014February 9, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Ken Gimblin

SACRAMENTO-Business leaders in Old Sacramento have asked the Sacramento Kings to switch their tip offs to 7:30 PM instead of the usual 7:00 PM starting time. Business leaders say that dinner time is usually around 7pm and if the Kings tip is at 7pm too traffic would be a snarl going to Old Town, “Old Sacramento has very real existing transportation, parking, connectivitey issues, which the construction and operation of the arena will amplify” wrote Howard Skalet of Skalet Family Jewlers and Chris McSwain group executive director of 120 businesses that are involved with Old Sac.

McSwain and Skalet said a recent environmental report doesn’t include the issue of traffic tie ups at the 7PM hour and that the report being released without that information is misleading, “the (report) incorrectly and unfairly shifts the responsibility for negative impacts to Old Sacramento from nearly a half billion dollar construction project to small family owned businesses” concluded the report.

The Old Sac group is asking for 300 additional parking spaces to help allieviate the traffic near Old Town when the 7PM tip gets underway, the group also stated that they would be pleased when the Kings have their arena at the Mall location but Old Town is asking for some help in getting diners into Old Sac without fighting for parking and traffic access.

McSwain said the underpass that connects Old Sac to the Westfield Mall is not safe and the Old Sac group may ask for a safer passage way between the arena and Old Sacramento. Fans, diners, and tourists alike are being encouraged to walk to Old Sacramento and the new arena once everything is set up.

City Councilman McCarty says Kings investment group owners wanted more than claimed for arena deal: Sacramento Councilman Kevin McCarty made claim that in early 2013 the Sacramento Kings investment group had approached asking if the city would put up more than the $258 million public funds subsidy that the city was offering.

At the time those of the group were identified by McCarty as, Sacramento develper David Taylor, lobbyist and businessman David Anderson and Frank Quintero, and Southern California Billionaire Ron Burkle who had to later step down from the group because of conflict of interest issues.

The trio of Anderson, Quintero, and Burkle wanted more the from public subsidies than the $258 million figure at that time. Recently testifying at a closed door deposition for a lawsuit filed against the use of subsidies for the new Kings arena McCarty testified as read in the 133 page deposition that there were subsidies on the term sheet that were not accounted for, “I view that the city provided a normal of subsidies that weren’t properly accounted for monetarily in the term sheet.”

McCarty testified that the group wanted to inflate the $258 million another $125 million additional which the current Kings owners under managing partner Vivek Ranadive are reportedly asking for more in public subsidies, “so called whales lobbied me and other council members asking the city if they would contribute more than last year’s $258 million subsidy and using the number $125 million more because they were overpaying.”

Ken Gimblin is covering the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors new arena developments for Sportstalk radio

Wet Rainy Day Couldn’t Keep 20,000 Fans Away For A’s Fanfest 2014

Published on February 9, 2014February 9, 2014 by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

by Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – Leaking ceilings, huge puddles and long lines couldn’t keep away 20,000 plus fans today from the Oakland Athletics annual Fanfest held at the Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland faithful stood outside the for as long as two hours before the gates opened until they were finally allowed in to welcome back their A-Team and kickoff the 2014 A’s season.

The FanFest contained all the usual things you would expect – autographs, photo opps and clubhouse tours. However the A’s front office and staff outdid themselves this year by adding the opportunity to take photos with all four of the A’s World Series trophies, a baseball 101 and kids batting clinic for the public and an exclusive opportunity for the fans to interview the bench coaches. Also the A’s brought home the champions by inviting A’s legends Vida Blue, Ray Fosse, Gene Tenace, Dave Henderson and Tony Phillips.

Prior to opening up the gates to the public, the players and coaches gathered in Oracle Arena’s courtside club and gave the media a quick media session where coaches and players addressed questions from the press.

Manager Bob Melvin was the first to be swarmed by reporters where he addressed the A’s improved bullpen, Coco Crisp’s leadership as well as the complicated decision of who should be designated hitter for each game.

“You pinch yourself with his bullpen depth,” said Melvin when asked about the additions to his bullpen. “I’m very happy with what we’ve been able to do.” This off-season the A’s added LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Jim Johnson, RHP Josh Lindbolm, RHP Luke Gregerson, LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP Drew Pomeranz and LHP Eric O’Flaherty to their bullpen to give what some have called the best bullpen in the league.

The A’s also agreed to terms with fan darling Coco Crisp a few days ago to a two-year, $22.75 million deal through 2016 and it includes a vesting option for 2017. “Coco has been a leader each year since I got here” said Melvin.

“I don’t really look at myself that way. If the guys have questions I would love to answer them. I consider myself a peer to these guys. They (the organization) do a good job of grooming the personalities and a lot of these guys came from the organization so it’s a fairly easy gig to have that veteran label but there are a few things that I try to chime in here and there,” said Crisp on his leadership role.

As for the designated hitter role Melvin said that the A’s are likely to rotate the DH spot with days off between Cespedes, Crisp and catcher John Jaso. General Manager Billy Beane said that the A’s will not add any big bats before spring training even though there are still some big names out there. He also said that the 25-man roster will likely come from the group of guys invited to spring training and that if there are any other additions to the team that they would be there purely for depth.

The AL West is stacked this year. The Mariners signed the dangerous Robinson Cano , reliable first baseman Corey Hart and second baseman Willie Bloomquist. The Rangers signed outfielders Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Castellanos and the Angels signed Raul Ibanez and Angel Molina but also traded RF Mark Trumbo to the Diamondbacks for left handed pitchers Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs.

On the moves, Crisp said, “It’s going to make our division harder. Seattle has done a great job of enhancing their chances of winning this year. They already had a good team in place so it’s going to make it a little more fun for us to go out there. Competition is always good and I think our team enjoys that. We feed off that.”

Ryan Cook continued, “It’s nothing new for us. The Rangers made big moves. Anaheim made big moves in the past. We’ll see. We’re going to go out there and play the way that Bob wants us to play and the way that we know how.”

Eric Sogard echoed Cook’s sentiments, “We’re not going to change what we’re doing. We’re going to go out there everyday and focus on what we’re doing. Obviously the AL West is going to be the top division in baseball and I think that will be exciting for the fans. Playing them (Seattle) a majority of the year is going to allow us to play our best baseball and get ready for the post-season.”

During a question-and-answer session at the arena Sean Doolittle addressed the idea that the A’s are still considered underdogs and address the AL West situation as well.

“If we were really under the radar, would these other teams in our division be spending that kind of money or be making those blockbuster trades to try to shake things up? This time last year, we were answering these same questions about what other teams did. So we’ve been through this before.”

The A’s have a daunting task in front of them. They are trying to be the first back-to-back-to-back AL West Champions since the 1988-89-90 team did it over 20 years ago. Out of that team the A’s were able to grab two World Series appearances and a World title. With the team on hand today, the A’s appear to be destined to be back in the playoffs.

Sharks Need Will Power to Keep Moving

Published on February 8, 2014February 8, 2014 by M WalshLeave a comment

By Mary Walsh

The Sharks go in to the Olympic break in a good position. They are among only five teams with 80 or more points. They are just seven points behind the Division, Conference and League leaders, the Anaheim Ducks. They expect Logan Couture and Raffi Torres back after the break. They got bonus performances from their backup goaltender, Alex Stalock, and John McCarthy finally scored a goal in Friday’s game against Columbus. What more could you ask of the team?

More. The team will have to find more when the season resumes. Being in a good position is not all it is cracked up to be. The Sharks faced three very hungry teams last week. The Flyers, the Stars and the Blue Jackets all went into the break scrapping for playoff spots, and they were all close enough to smell the cookies. They all played better than their records would have you expect. The Sharks still beat two of them, one almost resoundingly. Before the Dallas game, Sharks head coach Todd McLellan explained that the Sharks needed to motivate themselves:

Well the first decision we have to make is whether or not we want to work, because we didn’t make that decision against Philly. And I know it’s a different day and a new opponent. But until that decision is made and we decide we all want to compete together for a full 60, it really doesn’t matter what else we have as far as game plan goes.

It is very easy to decide to work if you are hungry. There is no way to synthesize hunger, yet a team that is in a good position needs to find a substitute motivator. Is there such a thing?

That’s a loaded question because every team is hungry. You start the year at the starting gate, all thirty teams are there. Even the teams that fall to the bottom, they’re hungry teams. They want to win, they have a lot of pride. So hunger is one thing. Skill, talent, the ability to play together as a team, those all come into play as well. If it was just about hungry, we’d all be tied for first.

So the big dog stays fat while the little dog stays skinny, not because the big dog is hungry all the time but because he’s the big dog and he gets what he wants. Maybe he is meaner or stronger or smarter or maybe the little dog only has three legs. The end result is the same: the big dog stays big.

In the case of hockey teams, you don’t have that sort of disparity. They are all big, they all want to win, they all have skill. It will be those hungry teams that steal the Sharks’ meals now and then, which will impact the larger battle for Conference dominance. They will probably sneak in when the Sharks aren’t feeling especially grumpy or greedy and snatch away the points.

That is the way it usually goes, the way it went for many teams leading up to the break. It does not have to be so. Occasionally, a team will take off for no obvious reason and go on a massive winning streak, like last season’s Blackhawks. What kept them going? What possible motivator was there that kept them going full steam so early in the race? Was the will to win enough to trump hunger? Was pride enough? Were they even facing very hungry teams so early in the season? Which teams had played enough games to even know they were starving for points?

No one can know what the other team is going to do. Every player and coach says they can only control their own game. So it does come down to that: deciding. Deciding to work, deciding to be prepared and deciding you want to win, not because you are hungry or desperate but because you want to.

It sounds so easy. Easy as pie for someone on a diet.

Dragic, Suns topple Curry and Warriors in the desert

Published on February 8, 2014 by jhawkes51Leave a comment

By Joe Hawkes

PHOENIX — With the Suns clinging to a 104-102 lead with seven minutes in the fourth quarter, Goran Dragic was relentless Saturday night, scoring 13 of his career-high 34 points in the final frame, steering Phoenix to a 122-109 victory over the short-handed Golden State Warriors Saturday night.

Phoenix (30-21) moves a half-game ahead of the Warriors (30-21) for the sixth-best record in the Western Conference, and dropping Golden State to third in the Pacific Division.

Dragic who many people believed should’ve been voted an All-Star this season, played like one, shooting 10-for-13 from the field, including 5-for-6 from 3-point range. Dragic was outstanding from the free throw line, finishing 8-for-10 and dished out 10 assists.

Gerald Green scored 25 points and five rebounds, while P.J. Tucker finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Marcus Morris had 14 points and six rebounds off the bench, Channing Frye finished with 13 points, and Miles Plumlee 12 points and seven rebounds.

Playing without center Andrew Bogut (shoulder) and power forward David Lee (shoulder/hip), Stephen Curry led Golden State with 28 points and nine assists in 41 minutes of action. Curry shot 10-for-30 from the field, and 3-for-10 from deep.

Harrison Barnes had his best game to date, scoring 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting. It was Barnes’s first 20-point game since Dec. 13.

Klay Thompson had 17 points, Andre Iguodala scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Jermaine O’Neal finished with 11 points.

With both Bogut and Lee sitting out the game, Phoenix out-rebounded Golden State 45-34.

Golden State will look to rebound at home Monday, when they will host the Philadelphia 76ers (15-36).

Dynamo win by two in Tucson

Published on February 8, 2014 by smallforceLeave a comment

By Pearl Allison Lo

Houston came back with three in the second half in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday, to close San Jose’s friendly play in Arizona, 3-1.

The Earthquakes’ Chris Wondolowski, Clarence Goodson and the Dynamo’s Brad Davis returned from National Team duty.

In the 13th minute, San Jose’s Jordan Stewart and Shea Salinas led a counterattack across the field.

After teammate Steven Lenhart headed off Houston’s second corner kick and Wondo got the ball, in a similar matter to the 13th, Stewart and Salinas combined to lead to a kick. Tyler Deric saved the ball, but then Wondolowski saw an opportunity after Deric fell and lost the ball, as he quickly raced to finish the play with a goal in the 21st minute.

In the second half, the Earthquakes replacedall of their first half starters.

San Jose’s Mike Fucito nearly had another goal for the second game, in the 57th minute. A long ball by A.J. Corrado led to AJ Cochran being Fucito’s sole field defender and Fucito had to switch from his oft used foot to avoid the quickly approaching Deric.

Bryan Meredith came in as the Earthquakes’ goalkeeper for David Bingham in the 60th minute.

In the 65th minute, Corrado passed to Shaun Francis who passed to Fucito in front of the net again. Before Fucito could pull off a shot, however, Servando Carrasco came up from behind with a challenge.

On the same play going the other way, Omar Cummings leveled the score at one apiece. He was able to score from his left foot with the help of a deflected shot off San Jose.

Cummings nearly had another chance two minutes later, but the ball was offsides and wide.

An offsides call gave the Dynamo the ball back. Draft pick Mark Sherrod passed to trialist Sito Seoane who scored as his defender and Meredith collided in the 74th minute to give Houston the 2-1 lead.

Tony Cascio, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, scored the Dynamo’s third goal and put the game further out of reach in the 84th minute. As Meredith approached him, Cascio punched the ball the opposite way.

Game notes: The Earthquakes will travel to Fresno for their next preseason friendly, Saturday February 15 at 7p versus the LA Galaxy.

Stanford Tops Washington State

Published on February 8, 2014 by joelamiLeave a comment

By Joe Lami

Friday night marked yet another win for the Cardinal (22-1,11-0) as they got past the Washington State Cougars (12-11,6-5) 77-69. Stanford was held to just 28 first half points, but came out of the half strong putting up 49, and that would be just enough for them to gain their 21^st consecutive win. Stanford has never lost to Washington State, and that trend continues as well with an overall record of 56-0.

Chiney Ogwumike had a career game, leading all scorers with 36 points, tying her previous career high. She also brought down 17 rebounds. Two other Cardinal scorers also found double digits as, Juniors Taylor Greenfield and Amber Orrange added 11 respectively. Greenfield also just landed one rebound shy of recording a double double. Freshman, Karlie Samuelson continues to impress, as she added nine.

Washington State saw strong performances from their stars as well, Lia Galderia led the Cougars with 21 points. Other starters, Tia Presley finished with 20 points and Sage Romberg had 12. The Cardinal held the Cougars just seven bench points, making a huge difference.

Stanford also dominated the boards once again, as they out-rebounded the Cougars 46-30. Not a single Washington State player got into, double digit rebounds. The only downside in the Cardinal’s performance was that once again is that they turned the ball over way too much, finishing with 14 turnovers.

Stanford hopes to continue their dominance over the Pac-12, as they travel across the state of Washington to take on the Huskies on Sunday.

Sharks earn win before Olympic Break

Published on February 8, 2014 by philliptorres2013Leave a comment

By: Phillip Torres

SAN JOSE-The San Jose Sharks (37-16-6) defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets (29-24-5) 3-2 at the SAP Center in San Jose on Friday night. The victory was just was the Sharks were looking for before heading into the Olympic break. Not only was it the last game before the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but it was also Sharks head coach Todd McLellan’s franchise-record 435 game with San Jose.

The Sharks jumped out to the early advantage as they took the 1-0 lead at the 3:23 mark in the opening period. John McCarthy scored his first goal the year after he deflected the puck into the net after James Sheppard’s shot did not find the net.

San Jose’s fast start continued as they found themselves up 2-0 after another goal less than five minutes later. This time it was Patrick Marleau finding the net with a slapshot. Scott Hannan earned the assist on the play. The Sharks dominated early and finished the first period with a 2-0 advantage.

The lone goal of the second period came at 18 seconds as the Blue Jackets cut the deficit in half. Ryan Johansen scored the unassisted goal for his 24^th goal on the season and pulled his team to within one. The rest of the period was played with very stout defenses and both respective teams could not find the net. The score remained 2-1 San Jose heading into the third and final period.

Tommy Wingels gave the Sharks their two goal lead right back early into the frame. At 5:11 Wingels knocked a back hand shot into the net. Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Jason Demers picked up the assists on the shot. The goal proved to be the eventual game winner as Columbus would tack on one more goal, but ultimately fall short 3-2 on Friday.

With the victory the Sharks finish at the break with 80 points, just five behind the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.

“We would have been probably pleased with that at the beginning of the season. Considering some of the players we lost over and throughout the year, we go into the break satisfied. Coming out of it we have work to do,” said McLellan.

With the Sochi Olympics set take off, the Sharks will not be back on the ice until Thursday February 27^th. San Jose will be Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia. The puck will drop at 4:00 P.M Pacific Standard Time.

Kings, minus Gay, lose to Celtics, 99-89

Published on February 7, 2014 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By George Devine, Sr.

With Rudy Gay on the inactive list again, the Kings went to Boston and put up a good fight, but could not last against the Celtics, and lost 99-89. It is particularly disappointing given the relatively even records of the two teams, with the Kings at 17-32 and the Celtics at 17-33 coming into the game.

The ability of Gay to score an average of just over 20 points a game has been a key factor since his joining the Kings this year, and he was certainly missed although his teammates mounted a heroic effort to make up for his absence.

Sacramento actually led at the end of the first period, 29-21, and had a lead early in the third after a 6-0 run in the first two minutes of that quarter, but the home team dominated throughout. Boston was 45.5% from the field, with 40.9% on treys. Sacramento was only 38.6% on field goals, considered a poor percentage on the collegiate level, and 33.3% on the long shots. However, the Kings more than exceeded NBA expectations from the line, shooting 91.7% to Boston’s 66.7%. The inconsistency between field goals and free throws is indicative of a poor shooting effort even with superlative performance on the charity stripe.

DeMarcus Cousins led the visitors’ scoring with 31 points and contributed 16 rebounds, 13 of them on defense. Isaiah Thomas scored 24 points and had 6 assists. Derrick Williams played almost the whole game, 42 minutes and 19 seconds. He had 11 points and his main value was 12 boards, 8 of them on defense.

For the Celtics, Jared Sullinger led with 31 points and 16 rebounds, a dozen of them on defense. Jeff Green poured in 17 points and Jerryd Bayless had 19.

The Kings next play Washington at Verizon Center in the nation’s capital, at 3:00 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 9.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 1989 Oakland A’s World Series players reunion (at the Oakland Coliseum)

Published on February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 by lleonardbwLeave a comment

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics will have a 1989 World Series players reunion this 2014 season at the Oakland Coliseum.

Not many on the air today, called the 1989 World Series(The Loma Prieta Earthquake Series). Athletics vs Giants. I was lucky enough to have survived that event. As a matter of fact, as we get ready to go to Spring Training and to begin the 2014 A’S baseball season, only two A’s broadcasters today were there behind the microphone, Ray Fosse and yours truly.

Yes, I remembered too well, when they installed my then broadcast partner Evelio Areas Mendoza(retired living in Nicaragua) and yours truly inside a very small box next to the roof of Candlestick Park, that faithful 17th of October 1989 around 5:05pm when the earth shook. I was the Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland Athletics and the games aired on KNTA radio 1430AM, San José.

Minutes after the earthquake I became a hard news reporter, as the Latin American media present from other countries, and the United States, interviewed me about the event. Just minutes after the quake, Manolo Alvarez, from WQBA AM in Miami(later he became a color analyst for the Florida Marlins, when they first played in 1993)Alvarez asked me in Spanish, “are there more earthquakes coming?” He was from non-earthquake places, from Florida, born in Cuba, but had never experienced such a tremor under his feet, Alvarez was terrified.

It took me almost four hours to get back to my home in Fremont, (a normal drive on 880 between Fremont and the Oakland Coliseum is 25 minutes)bridges were closed, part of the Bay Bridge collapsed, and that with the fire in the Marina district of San Francisco, plus the Oakland Cypress freeway that also collapsed, made news worldwide. It was really hell. Originally was announced as a 7.1 in the Ritcher Scale, then later downgraded to a 6.9, still it was a very good jolt for a few seconds that for many seems like many minutes.

The A’s won two more games to register the sweep against the San Francisco Giants, in the only World Series, that featured and earthquake in the middle.

Fay Vincent, MLB Commissioner interrupted the ’89 World Series for eleven days, he was a good steward for the game and showed real leadership.

To this date, and during my close to 40 years career in broadcasting Major League Baseball, this was one of my most memorable memories, one that I brought to life during my induction speech in 2010 into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame(BARHOF).

Memories!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for Oakland A’s baseball and does New and Commentary each week for Sportstalk Radio