Month: October 2020

World Series 2020 podcast with Larry Crino: Dodgers back in World Series Defeat Braves 4-3 in game 7

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Cody Bellinger (35) suffers the agony of victory after dislocating his right arm on this forearm bash with teammate Keke Hernandez (14) after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sun Oct 18, 2020 in game 7 of the NLCS at Arlington Stadium in Arlington (yahoo.sports.com photo)

World Series podcast with Larry Crino:

#1 Larry what it got to mean for the Dodgers who are returning to the World Series for the third time in four years and getting a precious opportunity at the brass ring again?

#2 The Braves won three of the first four games in the NLCS how concerned was Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers being down 3-1 going into game 5?

#3 How much credit does Cody Bellinger get for getting that big home run for the Dodgers in game 7. Bellinger has been they key player all season long for LA.

#4 Coming back from being down 3-1 and winning three straight was that confidence or was that a matter of sheer focus and concentration of taking each inning, each pitch and each game at a time?

#5 Game 1 of the 2020 World Series Larry first game of the World Series is this Tue Oct 20th at Globelife Park in Arlington where all the World Series games will be played. There will only be one day off and that’s on Thu 22nd. Knowing the Dodgers have been there all post season how much of an advantage will that be for LA against the Rays?

Join Larry for the 2020 World Series podcasts right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes battle Sounders to 0-0 draw, earn point in playoff hunt

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The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski (8) goes for the header against the Seattle Sounders Alex Roldan (16) in the first half of Sun Oct 18, 2020 at Earthquakes Stadium San Jose (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif.- The confidence is continuing to grow for the San Jose Earthquakes pursuit of a playoff berth in the Western Conference. They battled to a hard fought scoreless draw with the Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening at Earthquakes Stadium.

The tie gives San Jose 24 points on the season as they hold on to the seventh spot in the Western Confernce and have earned a point in five of its last six matches (4-1-1). The tie also allowed Seattle to remain even with the Portland Timbers atop the conference with 31 points.

“I think that the players have regained their confidence and we have worked hard to be able to compete again. It wasn’t easy to get back up after so many losses and conceding so many goals. We insisted, based on our path, to recognize that when the team is doing bad, they suffer, but when they are united and play as a team, they compete. I think we now see a team that works hard, where everyone runs and everyone plays. The players now play with a confidence that they didn’t have a month ago. I hope they can keep this momentum, stay calm, and strive for more,” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said.

Seattle (9-4-4) were without superstar forward Raul Ruidiaz, who remained in quarantine in Peru following his positive COVID-19 test while on international duty with the Peruvian national team. 

The first half featured a wide open, up-style tempo as both teams exchanged scoring chances back and forth during the opening 45 minutes.

Nicolás Lodeiro tried giving Seattle an early lead in the sixth minute when he fired in a shot on net, only to have Quakes goalkeeper J.T, Marcinkowski make a two-handed save.

San Jose (6-7-6) had their best look of the first half in the 42nd minute, as Chris Wondolowski got on the end of a free kick from Cristian Espinoza and headed a shot that looked bound for goal, only to see it cleared off the line by Seattle’s Will Bruin to keep the contest scoreless.

The Quakes just missed a go-ahead goal in the 64th minute, when a shot from Carlos Fierro looked headed for the bottom corner of the goal. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was up to the task, however, laying out to make the save.

“The team is here to fight. We have to carry this team as high as we can. We are obviously aiming for playoffs; we are either in or out. The team, day after day, game after game, we know what we want and are getting closer to that. We are aiming for a trophy, but first our focus is playoffs. Tonight, we competed against a first-place team; a team that once defeated us by a lot of goals, but I believe they played against a different team tonight. We are a team that will fight, and it won’t be easy to knock us out,” said Fierro.

Both teams had a late chance, with the Quakes nearly striking again off an 80th-minute shot from Judson that was also saved by Frei. Seattle nearly struck back on the other end just a minute later, but Jordan Morris saw his dangerous cross intended for Bruin go out for a goal kick after springing free on the left side.

“It was a positive performance for us,” said left back Tommy Thompson after the game with four match remaining for the Quakes. “Any time we’re at home, we want to win. We fought hard, we could’ve won it there at the end. But I think it’s a good step forward for us against a great team and we got to keep this momentum going.”

The Quakes’ defense recorded its third shutout in the last four matches and held the league’s second highest scoring offense to just four shots, a season low.

Marcinkowski finished the evening with only one save for his second consecutive shutout and third on the season. Frie also made one save in his shutout performance.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had six corner kicks. Seatle had two.

Judson was named Man of the Match.

Wondo started in his 300th match for San Jose becoming the third player in MLS history to reach the milestone for a single club (Nick Rimando – RSL, Kyle Beckerman – RSL). He is the only player to accomplish the feat with his original MLS club.

The Quakes held Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris without a single shot for just the second time in his 14 starts this season.

Seattle leads the overall series 12-10-8.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes travel to Portland, Oregon where they will play the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday 10/24 at 7:00pm at Providence Park.

49ers hold off Rams, 24-16, behind Jimmy Garoppolo’s 3 TDs; strong defense

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets the football away as he’s being rushed by the Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) and nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) in the first half of Sun Oct 18, 2020 at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — In a game that many viewed was a must-win to salvage their season, the San Francisco 49ers was able to outlast the visiting Los Angeles Rams, 24-16, on NBC’s Sunday Night Football behind three TDs from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first half and a strong effort from the defense.

It’s the first win for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium this season, after dropping their first three home games to the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins.

The 49ers (3-3) jumped on the Rams early, scoring touchdowns on three of their first four possessions. On San Francisco’s first possession, Garoppolo engineered a 6-play, 76-yard drive that was capped off by a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Deebo Samuel for the TD to put the 49ers up 7-0 in the first quarter.

Garoppolo was 4-for-4 for 69 yards on the opening drive.

After the 49ers’ defense forced the Rams to punt on their opening possession of the game, San Francisco took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter on Garopplo’s second TD of the game. Garoppolo would find tight end George Kittle for a a 44-yard score after the 49ers faced a 4th and 2 from the Rams 44-yard line.

Kittle’s score punctuated a 10-play, 87-yard drive in 6:08 for the 49ers, who emphasized getting the football out of Garoppolo’s hands quickly and relied heavily on the running game which took a hit when running back Raheem Mostert left the game early in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Mostert was off to a good start, carrying the ball 17 times for 65 yards before his exit.

Kittle led all receivers with seven catches for 109 yards and the TD, while Samuel finished six catches for 66 yards and a score.

After quarterback Jared Goff found wide receiver Robert Woods in the middle of the end zone on a 10-yard TD to get the Rams on the scoreboard and cut San Francisco’s lead to 14-6, following a missed extra point, the 49ers would put together another scoring drive shortly before halftime.

Garoppolo engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up 7:16 and found rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for a 2-yard score that gave the 49ers a commanding 21-6 lead.

Garoppolo was 17 of 21 for 215 yards and 3 TDs in the first half. Offensively, the 49ers had their way with the Rams, racking up 18 first downs and 291 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes of the game.

Garoppolo, who was benched after the first half in last week’s 43-17 embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins at home in which he completed just 7 of 17 passing for 77 yards, two interceptions and a career-low 15.7 passer rating; bounced back this week with a better showing by completing 23 of 33 passes for 268 yards, 3 TDs and a 124.3 passer rating.

Oh yeah, he improves to 4-0 against the Rams all-time.

Coming into the game, the talk leading up to the showdown against the Rams was if Garoppolo could show that he’s still the right quarterback for the 49ers long term and could San Francisco’s much maligned offensive line withstand the dominating force that is perennial Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

San Francisco’s offensive line, which has been a target of criticism the last two weeks as they surrendered 23 quarterback hits and 10 sacks in the last two games, kept Donald off Garoppolo the entire night.

For the game, Donald registered just one solo tackle and one quarterback pressure after recording four of the Rams’ eight sacks against the Washington Football Team last week in Los Angeles’ 30-10 win on the road.

In the second half, the Rams (4-2) converted their first possession into a 42-yard field goal by kicker Samuel Sloman to cut the 49ers’ lead to 21-9.

Following back-to-back 3-and-outs by the 49ers, Goff drove the Rams down to the 49ers’ 2-yard line and looked like Los Angeles would finish off the drive with a TD but Goff’s pass intended for wide receiver Josh Reynolds was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Jason Verrett.

Verrett thwarted a golden scoring opportunity for Goff and the Rams that could’ve changed the tenor of the game.

Goff finished 19 of 38 for 198 yards, 2 TDs and one interception as 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh mixed up coverages that didn’t allow Goff and the Rams’ offense to get comfortable on Sunday night.

The 49ers added a 49-yard field goal by Robbie Gould to push their lead up to 24-9 in the fourth quarter, but the Rams wouldn’t go down quietly.

On the Rams’ next drive, Goff hooked up with Reynolds for a 40-yard TD over cornerback Emmaunel Moseley. Moseley was called for a defensive pass interference call, but the Rams declined the penalty making the score 24-16.

San Francisco’s defense held the Rams to 4 of 12 on third downs and 311 yards of total offense. Much of those yards came on the Rams’ final drive of the game. Moseley, along with linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw paced the defense with seven tackles each.

The schedule gets more daunting for San Francisco with games against the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Rams again in the next five weeks.

For at least one night, the 49ers have quieted the skeptics with an impressive win over their divisional rivals from Southern California.

 

NCAA Football podcast with Michelle Richardson: Saban got the green light to coach Saturday night; So Carolina shocks Auburn; plus more

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Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban was negative for the third consecutive day from Coronavirus and allowed to coach on Sat Oct 17, 2020. Here is Saban leading the Crimson Tide in a Black Lives Matter march on Aug 31st, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Football podcast with Michelle Richardson:

#1 Alabama head coach Nick Saban was cleared to coach Saturday’s game against the Georgia Bulldog after testing positive for Coronavirus. Saban tested negative for the third consecutive day. Crimson Tide Doctor Jimmy Robinson said Saban was asymptomatic. Alabama got a big win 41-24 over the Bulldogs.

#2 Michelle, Auburn (1-2) got shocked with a 30-22 loss to South Carolina (1-2). South Carolina scored big in the second and third quarters which helped carry them to victory. Gamecocks quarterback Colin Hill was 15-24 for 144 yards and one touchdown and one interception.

#3 The Clemson Tide (4-0) clobbered Georgia Tech (2-2) 73-7 on Saturday. Clemson compiled 35 points in the second quarter. Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns.

Michelle Final Thoughts

Join Michelle every Sunday night for a look at NCAA Football at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Saban coaches for Alabama after being cleared for Covid-19; Dodgers force game 7; plus more

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Nick Saban head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide returned on Saturday after he was deemed negative in three Coronavirus tests this week. (photo from USA Today)

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 Alabama Coach Nick Saban tests positive for Covid-19; cleared to coach against Georgia Bulldogs

2 Rays-Astros Game 7 of ALCS; Braves and Dodgers also playing a Game 7 in NLCS

3 Joe Thornton signs with Toronto; NHL free agency off to an interesting start

4 Vegas owner: ‘Without fans, many NHL teams can’t make it’

5 Billy Beane to leave A’s for new venture with Bosox owner John Henry

Join Daniel Sundays for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: McClinchey says watch the whole game before making a judgement of the O-line; plus more

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San Francisco 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) waits on the sideline during their against the Miami Dolphins last Sun Oct 11, 2020 at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey said that he’s pretty confident that’s he put together a pretty good season. The line that McGlinchey has played on had the fourth most sacks (18) in the NFL.

#2 McGlinchey said that he heard his share of criticisms and said that he doesn’t like the armchair quarterbacks who watch 30 seconds of a clip and makes a determination of how the offensive line should play but rather says you must watch the entire game to learn from the whole picture.

#3 In practice this week it looks as if 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get the green light to start this coming Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Garoppolo who had suffered from a high ankle injury is feeling good again and has participated in practice this week.

#4 Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that you never know with a high ankle sprain how Garoppolo will do but said that Garoppolo had a pretty good week in practice.

#5 The 49ers will be taking on a very tough Rams team from both ends of the football. They will face Rams quarterback Jarod Goff this Sunday night talk about how you see the 49ers defense going after Goff and how they match up?

Join Jeremiah each Saturday night for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders 3 sacks of Mahomes key to third quarter shutout last Sunday

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The Las Vegas Raiders Derek Carr looks for a target to throw to against the Kansas City Chiefs pass rush. Carr threw for three touchdowns on Sun Oct 11, 2020 at Arrowhead Stadium (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich: 

#1 How inspiring was Raider quarterback Derek Carr’s statement saying “I’m so sick of losing” after week 4’s game against the Buffalo Bills that he came out threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.

#2 For the Raiders it was their first victory at Arrowhead Stadium since 2012 and for Carr and the Raiders it was sweet victory and lots of relief.

#3 Two of the Raiders touchdowns came from the ground game and running back Josh Jacobs who also rushed for 23 yards for a total 77 yards he had quite an afternoon last Sunday carry the ball against the Chiefs.

#4 For Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes it would have been just another day at the office with his 340 yards, two touchdowns but it was his three passes that were intercepted and the Raiders defense shutting the Chiefs out in the third quarter that changed Mahomes plans last Sunday. 

#5 How important is it for the Chiefs coming off this loss to the Raiders to have signed running back Le’Veon Bell is it a message from head caoch Andy Reid and company that they don’t want a repeat of this kind of a loss again?

#6 The Raiders (2-3) will have a bye here in week six how important is it to get some of important rest before the Raiders prepare for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sun Oct 25th at Allegiant Stadium for Sunday Night Football.

Join Rich Perez each Saturday night for the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Billy Beane brought winning teams but no World Series

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Oakland A’s vice president Billy Beane is waiting for the final touches on a deal that would send him to be a owner/partner with owner John Henry and the Boston Red Sox (file photo from windsorstar.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Hollywood made a movie titled “Moneyball”. The reign of Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics. Since Mr.Beane became the A’s General Manager in 1998, the team captured seven Western Division titles, including this season, always making money. Doing it with a small budget.

Billy Beane reminds me of the famous line in the movie “Godfather Two”, when Johnny Ola said: “Mr. Hyman Roth always makes money for his partners”. Mr.Beane is leaving the A’s (or so it has been reported) to join Red Sox owner John Henry business endeavors. Many are in the soccer arena, as Mr. Henry owns the famous Liverpool club among other businesses. Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club in Liverpool, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. The club has won 19 League titles.

Nothing wrong with making money, at least not in a free enterprise capitalistic system as ours. Nobody goes into business to lose money. However he will be remembered by his philosophy for over 20 years with the A’s as he brought a lot of wins to the delight of Oakland Athletics fans, but like a good and fervent fan of the A’s who has followed the club since the late 60’s, recently told me (quote) “Yes, he has been good for the A’s, but he never won a World Series for us”. Those fans, which will remain nameless, also spend a lot of money through the years buying season tickets. He told me that he is not resentful, he will always be an A’s fan.

That reflects the feelings of a lot of A’s fans if Mr.Beane exits Oakland on his way to Boston. In the past Mr. Billy Bean has said “My job is to get us to the playoffs”. He is quoted on Michael Lewis book (Moneyball) quote: “My s**t doesn’t work in the playoffs”. So, Mr.Beane has been transparent on his style of management.

The Tampa Bay Rays, one win away from moving to the World Series as of today, are in very similar to the current Oakland A’s. A small budget team with relatively very good success on the field, a team that won the AL East over the New York Yankees with their typical huge payroll, and ironically, the Rays are a team with very similar problems to the Athletics, i.e. both franchises want to build a new ballpark

Stay well and stay tuned.

SJ Sharks report: Joe Thornton Signs with Toronto Maple Leafs

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Former San Jose Shark Joe Thornton joins the Toronto Maple Leafs after more than 15 seasons with the Sharks. Thornton who makes his home in San Jose in the off season left for Toronto Friday to sign with the Leafs (file photo from mercurynews.com)

By Mary Walsh

Joe Thornton signed a one year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday. The contract is worth $700,000. Currently, Thornton is in Switzerland, playing with HC Davos of the Swiss National League. He expects to be ready to go when the NHL starts the new season.

Thornton’s absence will be noticeable in San Jose. Whether he wore the Captain’s C or not, Thornton was a leader in the Sharks dressing room. His play and his experience helped guide many younger players over many seasons. Fans came to consider him very much the face of the franchise, even if he was not drafted by San Jose. The Sharks team Twitter account said simply: “Going to log off for a bit. Brb. Maybe.”

Evander Kane tweeted : “Man I’m going to miss ya, but feel very fortunate to play with you and become great friends. So many fun memories in a short period of time. I’ll make sure to keep your seat next to me at the back of the plane vacant until you come back.”

Brent Burns tweeted: “Daaaamn…. going to miss a lot more then just laughing with this guy… ultimate teammate, friend and guy to learn from..@MapleLeafs got a great one coming!”

Joining the Maple Leafs is more than leaving San Jose for Thornton. A Toronto Sun headline today reads: “Greybeard Joe Thornton comes home to join Maple Leafs.” The Maple Leafs are iconic to the hockey world, but Thornton was born in London, Ontario, so Toronto means family and a return to his roots.

Thornton is the leader among active players in points with 1,509. He scored 1,055 of those with San Jose over 15 seasons. He won the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 2006, for his performance during season that saw him traded from Boston to San Jose.

Patrick Marleau tweeted (by way of his wife’s account):

For more than two decades, Jumbo and I have been friends, with the vast majority of those years being teammates, too. I now consider him a brother. Toronto has gained a tremendous influence, and we will miss his presence here in San Jose. Good luck in TO! -PM

Marleau has just signed a one year contract with San Jose. Three seasons ago, he signed with Toronto and played two seasons there. According to NHL.com, Marleau said at that time that it was possible Thornton would sign with Toronto as well. Marleau had a three-year contract with Toronto, a deal that San Jose was unprepared to match.

One would think that the Sharks would have been willing to offer $700,000 for one more year of Thornton. Whether they did make that offer or not, Thornton’s absence signals significant changes to come in San Jose. After recent disappointments, that is probably a good thing in the long run. Whatever the future holds, the Sharks family will miss Jumbo Joe Thornton.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Earthquakes look for their fourth win in five games Sunday against Seattle

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The San Jose Earthquakes converge during their game against the Los Angeles Galaxy Wed Oct 14th, 2020. The Quakes say after going winless in nine straight games things are getting better after winning three of their last four games (photo from USA Today)

On the Earthquakes podcast with Marko:

#1 How big was it for the Quakes after coming off a 3-0 shutout against the Portland Timbers to throw a shutout themselves with a huge 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday?

#2 Nick Lima played a key role in the Wednesday contest scoring the first goal and the last goal of the evening.

#3 The Quakes have defeated any team named LA in their last three contest with LAFC and twice with the Galaxy.

#4 The Quakes have 23 points putting them tied with the Minnesota United for sixth place in the Western Conference.

#5 The Quakes next task is the Seattle Sounders this Sunday at 7:30pm at Earthquakes Stadium talk about the Quakes chances to pick up a fourth win in five games?

Marko does the Earthquakes podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com