Month: June 2020

Headline Sports podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal Football dropping admission tests doesn’t mean entry is easy

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si.com file photo: Inside the Cal football press box during game action as admissions for the UC athletic programs and academics with ACT and SAT requirements eliminated for school admissions

Headline Sports podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris with the elimination of SATs and ACTs admissions at the UC colleges how much easier does that make it for football recruiting at schools like Cal and UCLA?

#2 Thursday was a big day for both schools when the announcement went down that students can apply for admission without taking an SAT or an ACT. The UC Board of Regents voted to eliminate the testing and it was said it could have ripple effects for higher education for high school students.

#3 Scott Carrell professor of economics at UC Davis said the impact for academics and the athletic programs at the Universities would be one less barrier. Carrell said that admission to Cal and UCLA is a lot tougher than most universities saying “At many places, you just need the NCAA minimum to be admitted.”

#4 Morris Cal is has a four star, top 200 status and are the third best class in the Pac 12 and are looking to recruit running back Byron Cardwell from Morse High in San Diego. Cardwell is rated the 11th best running back in the country and has rushed for 872 yards, 21 touchdowns, in ten games. Cal head coach Justin Wilcox is looking forward to get to work with Cardwell.

#5 Fatuvalu Iosefa defensive back for Cal is now the eighth member of the Golden Bears 2021 recruiting class which he announced on Thursday. Iosefa said he was glad to give his verbal commitment to Berkeley saying “All glory to God without him none of this would be possible.”

Morris Phillips does Headlines podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Stars GM Nill says “wheels are in motion”; Leafs Reilly hopes to get things going smoothly; plus more

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The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins will face off during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and talk show host Mary Lisa tells you all about it and more on today’s podcast (You Tube photo)

On Headline Sports with Mary Lisa:

#1 Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said now that training camp is open “the wheels are in motion” phase three of the NHL Return to Play Plan is about to start but first the safety conditions and how to approach play is in the next phase.

#2 Phase four is about the start date for starting the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Reilly said he was looking forward to getting started July 10th and hoping the terms between the players and NHL go smoothly to get things started.

#3 The first set of games will feature 16 teams and five games for the NHL qualifiers, the two hub city bubbles have not been determined yet. Speculation is the hubs will be in Las Vegas for the Western Conference and Toronto for the Eastern Conference.

#4 Mary Lisa tells us about a couple of the match up on tap for the Playoffs first the Pittsburgh Penguins (40-23-6) against the Montreal Canadiens (31-31-9) the Pens Jake Guentzel who had shoulder surgery on Dec 21st is expected back and for the Habs forward Jonathan Drouin who suffered an ankle injury and forward Jonathan Tatar are expected back in the line up.

#5 In the Western Conference the Edmonton Oilers (37-25-9) and the Chicago Blackhawks (32-30-8) for the Oilers defenceman Mike Green who had a knee injury and forward Joakim Nygard are back on ice. For the Hawks defenceman Calvin de Haan was out with a shoulder injury and forwards Andrew Shaw (concussion) and Zack Smith (hand) are all expected back.

Mary Lisa does Headline Sports every other Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Players Reject Proposal – It’s Manfred’s Time!

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners 72 game proposal was rejected by the players as the odds of a 50 game season is the most likely scenario (AP photo)

MLB: Players Reject Proposal – It’s Manfred’s Time!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Players Union rejected the latest proposal by the MLB owners from yesterday this afternoon which called for a 72-game season at 70 percent pay with a chance to get is as high as 83 percent of their pay if postseason is concluded.

Players told MLB/Commissioner Rob Manfred today to set-up the schedule. This more than likely would mean the 48 to 50 games “season”that I have written about recently on this site. When Manfred said recently he guaranteed 100 percent a season, he was talking about this last resort of around 50 games.

When people don’t talk to each other, things do not work out the way they should through these “negotiations” both sides owners and players have just shot down each others proposals. With such quick response from the players it is obvious that each side mistrusts each of other rules the day. As expected the MLPA rejected it.

There are reports they even have shut down their Zoom accounts. Zoom is a video-audio-conferee chat (not in person) platform where it allows people to communicate from different locations.

As mentioned before, Commissioner Rob Manfred, who recently guaranteed there will be a season, can set a schedule and by decree the power to start the season. Not only the economic, health and security of the players are at risk but the whole 2020 season.

The Commissioner is very close to doing a”Pontius Pilate” washing his hands from this mess and ordering a 48 to 50 games season, that’s very possible scenario (the last one left) then the MLPA can file grievance. Players might not even show up in that case, the cloud of health and security for them is paramount since after all we still are inside a Pandemic.

Remember the owners do not take the field and are not under the same danger of contracting Covid-19 as the players. So we have to be fair here, in this cold war called baseball.

If Manfred orders 48-50 games: There are at least six owners that prefer not to play at all this year. That has a lot to do with the Commissioner selecting the last option of 50 games,the smallest amount, so players get paid less.The players feel betrayed and see the owners trying to pay them less and therefore not abiding by the March 26 agreement.

The Commissioner is chosen by a vote of the owners of the teams. Rob Manfred assumed office on January 25, 2015. This by far has been the biggest challenge for Mr.Manfred who is the CEO of baseball and rules over all the important things in the game.

Like any Commissioner he would like to leave a good legacy someday and I am sure the year 2020 was not what he had envisioned. Not to mention there is a collective bargaining agreement expiring after the 2021 season. But to be fair to the Commissioner had anybody alive in this world could have predicted this 2020 so far?? I do not think so, unless Nostradamus just resuscitated and was back in business.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the play by play talent for Oakland A’s radio at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with Matt Harrington : CBJ’s coach Tortorella changes stance on taking a knee; Could Vancouver be a playoff hub?; plus more

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Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella says he has a different view of players taking a knee previously he had a rule that any player sitting during the anthem will sit for the entire game (NESN file photo)

Headlines Sports podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has had a change of heart towards players taking a knee during the national anthem originally taking a knee would be out of the question and he would bench any player who sat during the national anthem after the murder of George Floyd and the protests Tortorella said he’s had a change of heart.

#2 The NHL Hockey Diversity Alliance headed up by the San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and Former Calgary Flame Akim Aliu took to social media and announced the Alliance wants diversity and an end to discrimination in hockey. Aliu had stated that he suffered many years of racial discrimination in the game of hockey. NHL vice president Kim Davis said that the NHL wants to work with the Alliance and wants action right away.

#3 Matt one of our favorite NHL cities Vancouver would like to be the hub city for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. British Columbia officials are trying to get the quarantine laws loosened so that Vancouver could serve as a representative city for post season.

#4 EA Sports has come out about having more diversity and getting on board with the Hockey Diversity Alliance but some players in the EA Sports Hockey League mode where players created dark skinned avatars that they gave the players derogatory racial names and insulting racial slogans.

#5 The Boston Bruins reported on Friday that they did have a player who tested false positive for Covid 19 but later took two tests and was asymptomatic and negative. All Bruins players who have returned in phase two have tested negative for the virus. Training camp opens July 10th.

Matt does Headline Sports each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: A’s and Giants strengthen their catching positions in draft

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Former North Carolina catcher Patrick Bailey joins the Giants as their top pick in the draft on Wednesday (si.com file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael how surprised were that the Giants drafted a catcher in Patrick Bailey when they have catcher Joey Bart waiting in the wings to come up to the show soon. Is Bailey someone who is regarded to be a compliment for the future or what does his acquisition mean for Bart.

#2 Bailey can swing for the fences .302, 29 home runs, with a .411 on base percentage, slugging average .568 slugging average in 578 at bats he’s got a great resume.

#3 Taking a look at the Oakland A’s they drafted catcher Tyler Soderstrom on Wednesday, Soderstrom hit .357 hit a homer in five games just before his senior season that got shutdown by the Virus crisis. In Soderstrom’s junior year hit .450 with four home runs.

#4 Sodertstrom is the 26th pick in the draft, Kevin Mello the A’s scout from Northern California said Sodertstrom has a very good chance to be very, very good.

#5 Michael talk about Petaluma native Spencer Torkelson who was selected as the overall first round pick by Detroit Tigers hit .337 at Arizona State University last season. How important is this selection for the Tigers.

Michael Duca does Headline Sports podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Kareem says he’s proud of players from all sports speaking out against racism; Covid-19 spiking NBA players question if it’s safe? plus more

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Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar said he’s proud of professional athletes taking a stand against racism and hopes for a big change soon (New York Post file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with London Marq:

#1 London in an interview with Yahoo! News on Thursday former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar said he’s so proud of professional athletes speaking up about racial injustice, Jabbar said that when you have someone like LeBron James speaking up “that this is awesome this is going to make change.”

#2 London with the latest spike in Corona positive cases now reaching over 2 million in the US NBA players have expressed concerns about returning. Some of the players have questioned whether or not it’s safe to play in Orlando’s bubble facility at Disney World basically saying there is no guarantee of not getting the Coronavirus spread.

#3 The NBA said if some of the players who choose not to come back because of safety concerns that will not be a problem however those players not participating will lose a portion of their salary.

#4 At the funeral of George Floyd MSNBC contributor and Rev Al Sharpton said that if the NFL and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall was serious about racial equality and racial injustices he would not only allow the players to take a knee during the national anthem but also hire Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL working in some capacity in the game.

#5 Portland Trailblazers veteran Carmelo Anthony said that he also has reservations about returning saying as far as playing in Orlando there is just not enough answered questions about safety concerns and Melo said he could not commit 100%.

Join London every Friday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Commissioner “100 percent” There Will Be A Season

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Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer who sits on the Major League Players Association negotiating board said the owners proposal to cut players salaries a second time and order to play 50 or less games is unacceptable (msn.com file photo)

MLB Commissioner “100 percent”There Will Be A Season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

During an interview with the MLB Network and also with ESPN, Commissioner Rob Manfred said is “100 percent” that a 2020 season will take place.

1-What he said: He hopes a settlement between both sides, owners and players union is reached.

2-How: Under the current rules. He would mandate a structure of the season, if both sides cannot come to an agreement. The March 26 accord gives the Commissioner the power to implement a season as long as the negotiations are in “good faith * The “good faith”part is a matter of interpretation, both sides alleged they’re negotiating in good faith.

3-Bottom Line: If these negotiations cannot come to a conclusion with an amicable agreement Manfred would implement a regular season of 48 to 50 games.

On Tuesday: The players union responded to MLB/owners plan with an 89 game season of their own. But an executive from the owners was quoted as saying “We’re nowhere” -after the players proposal was submitted. This season-proposal would have run from July 10 to October 11 with postseason into November. But MLB wants to avoid this, because(potential second COVID-19 wave)as well as new broadcast deals. Included was a $5 million fund for minor leagues players and social justice organizations.

Conclusion: Commissioner Rob Manfred is fighting the clock, if both sides run the clock and do not come to an agreement, the only feasible solution for a “season”will be for him to implement the 48 to 50 games option. Considering we are close to the middle of June(this was the time for Spring Training part two) and for season to begin on July 4, but this is now out of the question.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Will owners take 89 game proposal from the players? Spencer Torkelson #1 overall draft pick to Tigers; plus more

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Arizona State University’s Spencer Torkelson is the center of attention as he’s MLB’s overall number one draft pick headed to Detroit (photo file from ASU Athletics)

On Headlines with Jerry F:

#1 The MLB Players Association has proposed an 89 game schedule with the players getting paid full prorated salaries. The season would begin on July 11th and the World Series would be completed on October 11th weather permitting.

#2 The owners last proposal called for a 76 game schedule with the players taking another pay cut on top of their prorated salaries. How the owners will see the players latest proposal is yet to be seen but one thing for sure they don’t want to pay anymore than the have to.

#3 In the baseball draft the top ticket is Spencer Torkelson who played for the ASU Sun Devils is the number one overall pick and joins the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers wasted no time selecting Torkelson whose expected to add punch to the Tigers line up for the future.

#4 Torkelson says he studied Barry Bonds style of hitting, he hit .337 with a .463 on base percentage. His ASU career home run total of 54 home runs puts him two behind Bob Horner who played for the Atlanta Braves and Japanese baseball.

#5 Turning to the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers Richard Sherman has been very vocal about events surrounding the George Floyd killing and has said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall apologizing to the league’s players for taking a knee was acceptable but the next step is to get former 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick a job in the NFL protect players from being punished for taking a knee during the national anthem going forward.

Join Jerry each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com for Headline Sports podcasts

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: NHL playoff format set with four rounds of Stanley Cup action; NHL Hockey Diversity Alliance gives attention to discrimination in the game

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NHL image: The NHL announces the format of the qualifiers, conference finals and the Stanley Cup Finals

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Jessica with the return of the NHL and NBA these are contacts sports, these are open pore sports how can c0ncerned should the players be in avoiding contacting Covid-19 once the games start?

#2 The NHL and the players have agreed on the format a five game qualifier, round robins, conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final. The qualifier will be a five game format, the first, second and Finals will be seven game formats

#3 The team that wins 19 games will end up being the NHL Stanley Cup Finals Champion having to go through four rounds to get the coveted Stanley Cup.

#4 Currently there are only 28 minority players in the NHL the issue of race was brought into the forefront after the George Floyd killing by Minneapolis Police. The Hockey Diversity Alliance was formed with San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and former Calgary Flames Akim Aliu will be helping developing the Alliance. The Alliance designated purpose is to shine a light on discrimination in hockey which is overwhelming white and Aliu said he had to face racial discrimination for years during his NHL career.

#5 Jessica the next question is when organizations similar to the Diversity Alliance are set up when passions cool from the George Floyd killing will people just forget and the NHL could go back to business as usual?

Jessica does Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Marko Ukalovic: NHL Masterton Trophy Award candidates; Leafs excited about phase two morning skates; plus more

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The NHL Masterton Trophy is between three NHL candidates who will be the winner? Marko has that answer in today’s podcast (nhl.com photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Marko:

#1 The NHL Masterton Trophy candidates are from the Philadelphia Flyers Oskar Lindblom, St Louis Blues Jay Blouwmeester, and the Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan. The award is given to the player that demonstrates, qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs during morning skates this week wanted to make sure they have their phase 2 qualifier faces on. Center John Taveras makes no bones about it this is serious business saying they want to take advantage and get the cob webs out.

#3 The San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Aliu are heading up the NHL’s Hockey Diversity Alliance. There are six current and former NHL players involved including the Sharks former skater Joel Ward. The Alliance is independent of the NHL but Kim Davis who is the NHL’s Sr. Vice President said that she is hopeful the NHL and the Alliance can both work together.

#4 Bob Murray the general manager for the Anaheim Ducks said that he left Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins without any support last season. Murray said that when he hired Eakins to replace former head coach Randy Carlyle he wanted to give Murray some space and some distance to run the club. The Ducks finished the season at 29-33-9 and failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for their second straight season and finished 13th in the Western Conference.

#5  Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo said that he will be making a decision on where the Coyotes will be playing hockey in the next two seasons from now. Meruelo has had his eye on the East Valley the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The City of Glendale where the Coyotes play now wants to talk to Meruelo about keeping the club in Glendale at the current building at Gila River Arena.

Join Marko each Wednesday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com