Month: October 2020

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders coming off bye week all set for Tampa Bay; 49ers Garoppolo and Pats Belichick reunion

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The Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alex Ingold (left) trying to make the catch against cornerback Rashad Fenton (right) in the second half of Sun Oct 11th’s game during week 5 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (AP News photo)

On Headlines podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) are coming off a bye and a week before a huge win against the Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) 40-32 in Kansas City a game people are still talking about going into week 7 for the Raiders.

#2 For Raiders quarterback Derek Carr it was a career afternoon executing 347 yards and throwing for three touchdowns against one of the best defensive pass rushes in the NFL the Chiefs.

#3 Tony after the San Francisco 49ers (3-3) got clobbered by the Miami Dolphins (3-3) at Levis Stadium in week 5 by final a of 43-17 things were looking doubtful but in week 6 against the LA Rams (4-2) the Niners made a huge turn around with a commanding 24-16 win what was the difference in the two games?

#4 For 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a great afternoon keeping the 49ers in with 268 yards and three touchdowns and kept out of turnover trouble with no interceptions.

#5 Tony talk about the NFC East a lot of people say the division just simply shouldn’t be in the NFL. At one time one of the elite divisions in the league now it’s hard to believe the Cowboys who are 2-4 and have a dysfunctional locker room sit at the top of the NFC East with the Eagles (1-4-1), Giants (1-5) and Washington team (1-5) all struggling to win a second game.

Join Tony for Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

MLB The Show podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s asst gm Owens up for Angels gm job; Introducing the Curt Flood Award

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Oakland A’s assistant general manager Billy Owens is looking to join the Los Angeles Angels as their new general manager. Owens is waiting for an interview with the Angels and former A’s first baseman Scott Hatteburg said Owens is an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge (photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

#1 Oakland A’s executive Billy Owens who is being considered for the Los Angeles Angels general manager job. Owens is a known for his vast knowledge of talent in MLB.

#2 If Owens was to leave Oakland and so with A’s vice president Billy Beane who is considering joining the Boston Red Sox this would be the dismantling of some of the best baseball minds in the game for the A’s.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher said he has preserved 90% of the A’s personnel for next season but with no fans returning that would put into question the A’s budget to keep employees, it’s real wait and see until spring training.

#4 MLB will have a Curt Flood Award which will be presented to either a living or deceased player who exemplified selfless devotion to the MLB Players Association, and advancement for players rights.

#5 Jerry for this World Series your getting two of the best teams in the game with the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Join Jerry F each Thursday on the MLB podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Randy Arozarena – His Escape from Communist Cuba

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The Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena gives thanks to the almighty after he hits a first inning two run home run against the Houston Astros in game 7 at Globelife Park in Arlington during the ALCS on Oct 17, 2020 (AP News photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Randy Arozarena plays left field for the 2020 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays; he recently won the Most Valuable Player Award when his team eliminated the Houston Astros last week. Today, Arozarena is playing in the World Series. But his journey to this land of freedom was not easy, as you will find here.

He was born in Pinar del Río, the Westernmost province of Cuba, one of the six provinces of the largest island in the Caribbean. That region is famous for growing the best and most famous cigars in the world, across many decades since Cuba was a colony of Spain. Because of the current system of government, communism, with no free-trade or private ownership, the Cuban cigar enjoyed their best days in the past. Now the Dominican Republic can claim their cigars are just as good, if not better. So the Cuban cigar, barely survives by its reputation of days gone by.

Arozarena played fúbol (soccer) but he was a very good baseball player in Cuba. He played for the Vaqueros (Cowboys) team in Cuba. His journey to the United States began in 2015, as he was playing for the Vaqueros, but was cut from the team just before they left to Puerto Rico to represent his country in the Caribbean Series. Why? Because the Cuban authorities feared he was going to defect the island, like most Cuban players currently playing in MLB have done.

He was a very good player in Cuba with very good numbers; he was not cut because he wasn’t good. Note: To this day after 60 years of the Communist Revolution in Cuba, no Cuban citizen is allowed to leave the country freely, unless is a government official a diplomat or in many cases sports clubs representing the country in tournaments around the world. In the past entertainers/musicians were allowed to leave to other countries for concerts, but that has also changed. Cuba is basically a closed society.

It was then in 2015 after the team in Cuba cut him from going to Puerto Rico that Arozarena decided to defect. He left the island in a small raft and headed to the West, towards the Gulf of México, a very dangerous journey in shark infested waters, which took him 8 hours to arrive to Isla de Mujeres, a small island of the coast of the famous tourist beach resort of Cancún. There in México the Mexican government granted him political exile. His family lives now in Mérida, México, his brother plays fúbol/soccer for the Cafetaleros de Chiapa. He talks to them all the time on the phone, says he plans to join them there where he is planning to live.

In an interview he gave to the New York Times, the young Cuban Arozarena: “I will not represent Cuba until things there change” and “the only thing that ties me to Cuba is my family and friends and country” plus “The situation in Cuba is bad” and added he hopes the situation changes for the Cuban people and for the Cuban baseball players.

As dangerous journey as Randy Arozarena had to endure to arrive in the US, this is common to many Cuban-born players currently playing baseball in the Major Leagues and all over the world. However (like most baseball players anyplace) their dream is to play in MLB, the best professional baseball league in the world.

I never forgot what the great Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso once told me. “When I came to the Major Leagues from Cuba in the late 1940’s I could travel in and out of the island, I lived in Cuba, but played mostly for the White Sox in Chicago, but these Cuban kids arriving since after the revolution had to go through many difficult situations before they achieve their dream”.

Perhaps one of the most incredible stories of defection by a Cuban player is that of ex-major league player Kendrys Morales, after trying and failing to defect 12 times, three of which landed him on three-day stints in prison when he was caught, finally was able to take a small rowboat to a larger vessel which then took him to the United States. He told me that story while he was playing with the LA Angels and is well documented and reported by many news agencies.

Amnesty International a reputable non-profit organization that specializes in human rights violations reports that Cuba remained mostly closed to independent human rights monitors. The government of Cuba does not allow its citizens to freely express their views, especially if they are negative to the government. Finally: There have not been free elections in Cuba for over 60 years, since the current government took power. Cuba’s government condemns free-market capitalism, yet the founder of the revolution, Fidel Castro died with close to $1 billion dollar fortune according to Forbes Magazine, who specializes in money issues.

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 at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Belichick and Garoppolo reunion this Sunday

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Former New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will be reunited in New England this Sunday three years after Garoppolo left New England for San Francisco (file photo from boston.com)

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who started his career with the New England Patriots will be facing his old coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots. This is the third anniversary since Garoppolo left the Patriots and he will be reunited with his old teammates when the 49ers play in New England this Sunday.

#2 Garoppolo made a number of short quick throws against the Los Angeles Rams last week do you see him making those same kind of passes to work his way against the Patriots this week?

Join David for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: With Prescott out Cowboys moral is falling fast; Titans got Covid-19 from off site workout; plus more

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Things have gotten worse for the Dallas Cowboys since quarterback Dak Prescott has left for the season. For example here Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) loses the football on a carry as the Arizona Cardinals safety Bubba Baker grabs hold it was Elliott’s second fumble in last Sun Oct 18th’s game in Arlington (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 London even without the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the line up he still holds up in week 6 as the NFL’s leading passing yards quarterback at 1,856 just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at 1,843.

#2 Jane Slater from the NFL Network reported that moral is falling fast in the Cowboys locker room tweeting that discontent is leaking out, the coaching staff is unprepared, the can’t adjust on the fly, and their not good at their jobs. Since Prescott’s season ending injury are guys starting to mail it in in Dallas?

#3 A off site workout facility has been mentioned as the source for the Tennessee Titans outbreak and that the team faces fines but will not be penalized from getting draft picks forfeitures. No players reportedly will face punishments or fines.

#4 Turning to MLS Soccer: The San Jose Earthquakes who have won three of their last five games and have lost only one game in their last five played one of the best MLS teams the Seattle Sounders last Sunday to a 0-0 draw at Earthquakes Stadium. Sounds like the Earthquakes have their confidence back.

#5 The Quakes Carlos Fierro putting much summarized what the Quakes need to do to get to post season saying that the team is fighting day after day, game after game, that the Quakes know what they want and are getting closer to it.

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

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: How concerned should the Raiders be about Brady and the Bucs?

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be calling the counts against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football Oct 25th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (file photo from the Battle Creek Enquirer)

On the Raiders podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara the Raiders’ (2-3) biggest win of the season and biggest feather in their cap is their win in Kansas City against the Chiefs (4-1) Sun Oct 11th in what quarterback Derek Carr says was one of the Raiders greatest yet toughest achievements so far.

#2 You have to be asking yourself how the Raiders could keep a quarterback like the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes in check after all the things he’s done this season and last season.

#3 Carr’s line against the Chiefs 347 yards and three touchdowns was this a game where he had time to throw and had good protection or he was able to get rid of the ball faster than the Chiefs pass rush or both?

#4 The Raiders ground game was effective two touchdown carries from Josh Jacobs for 77 total yards

#5 The Raiders now host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs handled the Green Bay Packers on Sunday rather handedly 38-10. Bucs quarterback Tom Brady threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Taking that into account what worries and concerns will the Raiders take into Sunday night’s game regarding Brady?

Join Barbara for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Rays Charlie Morton 36 still overachieving; Dodgers trying to make fourth time the charm

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Charlie Morton seen here throwing against the Oakland A’s Wed Oct 2, 2020 in the ALWCS at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 If you look at the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Charlie Morton’s 2020 post season stats at age 36, 3-0 and 0.57 ERA he’s pitching lights out post season baseball and maybe one of the key pitchers that’s kept the Rays post season from ending.

#2 Morton’s achievements throughout the playoffs is incredible he’s won all the games he’s started three and has gone five plus innings just enough to get the bullpen to finish the job.

#3 It’s got to drive Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash crazy to win three in a row and to think it’s in the bag and the Houston Astros win the next three straight and force a game 7 and the Rays to get out of it by a two run win 4-2.

#4 Looking at the Los Angeles Dodgers the Atlanta Braves were no easy task either after losing game four 10-2 down 3-1 in the series backs to the wall the Dodgers came back to win the NLCS winning three straight games.

#5 How will the dislocated arm injury of Cody Bellinger impact the Dodgers going into the World Series against the Rays. Bellinger hit a key home run in game 7 celebrated a little too hard too early when Keke Hernandez forearm bashed Bellinger dislocating his right arm.

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

Cal-Stanford Football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal’s Garber and Stanford’s Mills looking forward to invite family to games

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The Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) looks for a receiver in this file photo as Garbers says he’s looking forward to the Pac 12 allowing family and fans in the stadium for Pac 12 games this season (file photo from sfgate.com)

On the Cal/Stanford podcasts with Morris:

#1 Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garbers was asked how much it means to him to quarterback against his younger brother Ethan quarterback for the Washington Huskies on Nov 7th at Berkeley.

#2 Garbers did say if it’s safe he would be excited to see players parent but his own parents there for the game against his brother Ethan and the Huskies. Just to have family there Garbers said would be extra special.

#3 Right now fans are banned from Pac 12 games but last September 24th the Pac 12 Conference board voted for student athlete familes to be able to attend Pac 12 games.

#4 Stanford Cardinal quarterback David Mills family who live in Georgia got to see Mills on the last day of last season in Central Florida. Mills says his family is ready to travel see Mills for home games at Stanford this season family and fans permitted.

#5 Morris WSU running back Max Borchi said that it’s important to the student athletes to have family at games it’s the backbone of having your family’s support at the games.

Morris joins the Cal/Stanford Pac 12 podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 2020 World Series Dodgers in Six

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2020 World Series logo from amazon.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

This might be the best Los Angeles Dodgers team in their history. They won the NL pennant beating the Atlanta Braves in seven hard fought games; this will be the third time during the last four years that the Dodgers are in the World Series.

After dominating the NL West with eight consecutive Divisional titles. The Blue Boys from Los Angeles have not won a World Series since their big upset over the much talented Oakland Athletics in 1988, that was is 32 years ago.

The Dodgers and Rays ended with the best two records in MLB this season. Dodgers 43-17 a .717 winning percentage while the Tampa Bay Rays lead the American league with 40-20 and .667. The last time the two best teams-with the two best records met in a World Series was 2013 Boston Red Sox vs. St Louis Cardinals, which the Red Sox won in six games.

Two solid teams without many weaknesses will go toe-to-toe starting Tuesday October 20 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. The Dodgers have made Arlington their home for the last week, while the Rays were at Petco Park in San Diego. The Dodgers have the second biggest payroll in MLB while the Rays are towards the bottom in the payroll department.

Andrew Friedman is the President of Baseball Operations for the Dodgers; he previously served as the Tampa Bay Rays General Manager in 2008, when the Sporting News named him the Executive of the Year.

In 2009 the Rays went to their first World Series and lost in 5 games to the Philadelphia Phillies. Friedman is credited with building that 2008 Rays club who won the AL Pennant with a 97-65 record, prior to losing to the Philadelphia Phillies who won the NL with 92-70. That was the Manager Joe Maddon Rays team vs. Phillies Charlie Manuel.

Dodgers Hitting: As powerful and balanced line-up as there is in baseball. A better team than last year, as they signed Mookie Betts to a 12 years $385 million contract. NLCS MVP shortstop Corey Seager. Hottest hitter on the planet.

This club grinds every at bat and they just make pitchers work, do not seem to go after bad pitches. Dodgers Defense: Excellent in every position. we saw how many runs they saved with spectacular catches specially in the outfield with Bellinger and Betts.

Pitching: The best in the National League with veteran future Hall of Fame lefty Clayton Kershaw, followed by an array of great arms like Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Julio Urías) who is ready to be their ace in the future) and a very strong bullpen, usually anchored in a conventional way, like veteran Kenley Jensen their all-time leader in saves with 312, probably a future Hall of Famer.

Jensen has been inconsistent at times, but recently looked like his old self. A supporting cast for the Hollywood guys coming out of the pen like: Pedro Báez, Blake Treinen and others

Rays Hitting: Their man so far this postseason is young and dynamic Cuban-born outfielder Randy Arozarena, they have a good offense, but have not been hitting to their potential so far. Rays Pitching: One of the best in baseball, with a system where 12 of their pitchers have worked in relief, one time or another and saved at least 1 game apiece.

Their rotation was the best in the American League, with their three-headed monster of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Charlie Morton. Their bullpen has as many good strong arms and anybody in baseball (including this Dodgers team) guys like Ryan Thompson, Ryan Yarborough, Pete Fairbanks, José Alvarado, Nick Anderson and Diego Castillo. The Rays do not depend on one closer, like I stated before, their system allows Manager Kevin Cash to use everybody and anybody that is there for the task.

In Conclusion: If the Rays want to win their first World Series, they are going to need more offense than Randy Arozarena, who was named the MVP of the ALCS, A great young Cuban player who cut his teeth in the Mexican League.

Arozarena only played in 23 of the 60 games for the Rays hitting .281 with 7 home runs and 11 runs batted in and even better numbers in the postseason. The Rays best hitter Brandon Lowe has not found his swing yet, he was their best hitter during the season.

Both the Dodgers and Rays needed a day-off and they got it today after starting play from Monday through Sunday without a rest. This World Series (unlike the previous Divisional and Championship Series) will feature two days off. That could be a blessing for these managers, whose biggest job is to manage their pitching staffs.

Manager: Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a big market team like Los Angeles with their great tradition since they arrived from Brooklyn in 1958 is an affable and well liked man. Roberts won the Manager of the Year with the Dodgers in 2016.

Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays, a young franchise born in 1998, could be winning the AL Manager of the Year in 2020. He could make history and guide his club to their first World Series title.

World Series records: Los Angeles Dodgers franchise won: 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, and 1988. and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955… Tampa Bay Rays never won a World Series.

Schedule: All games played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. From October 20 to (if necessary game seven)October 28, There will be two (2) days off the 22nd and 26th. FOX Television is the official World Series station. Check your local listings.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

World Series 2020 podcast with Michael Duca: Rays Arozarena has been key all post season long

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The Tampa Rays Randy Arozarena is part of the celebration after the game 7 victory against the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Oct 17, 2020 as the Rays move onto the 2020 World Series (photo from golf.com)

On the World Series podcast with Michael:

#1 The Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena played so well in post season that he was key in the Rays victory in game 7 of the ALCS victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

#2 Rays manager Kevin Cash said Arozarena with a bat in his hands and a home run opportunity he settles a lot of people in the dugout.

#3 Arozarena said after Saturday’s game he wasn’t trying to win the MVP but was doing anything to help the team win.

#4 Cash said the last three games were agonizing with a one run loss in games 4 and 5 and a three run loss in game 6 that tied the series it was a relief to win game 7 and a two run 4-2 win.

#5 Turning to some San Francisco Giants news the team announced on Friday they would layoff 10% of their 500 full time employees which amounts to 50 full time employees. You know some of those full time employees personally how will this furlough impact the lives of some of these Giant employees.

Michael Duca does analysis for MLB and San Francisco Giants for http://www.sportsradioservice.com