Month: June 2021

Offensive Options Aplenty: Giants have what it takes offensively, can their pitching keep pace?

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By Morris Phillips

A look at the Giants’ roster moves on Monday ahead of their two-game visit to Anaheim to face the Angels show the team has the wherewithal to keep its offensive production at a division-winning level.

Now what can they do to bolster their starting rotation and bullpen?

The Giants announced that LaMonte Wade Jr. and Jason Vosler had been demoted to make room for Darin Ruf and Alex Dickerson, who are ready to return to action following recent injuries. Wade was a surprise given his versatility and production thus far in June, but with a minor league option remaining, he was moved where a struggling Mike Tauchman or Austin Slater might have been candidates.

Meanwhile, the club keeps humming. Six wins in a seven-game homestand with five of those games the team producing double-digit hits have the team batting average above the MLB average for the first time this season at .241 (.239). The team’s calling card–majestic home runs–have continued their record pace, the Giants now are tied for the lead in homers with 107 (Toronto Blue Jays). That combination of numbers, along with a very competitive 3.32 ERA (4th best in MLB) for the team’s staff show that winning close games with big hits is a proven formula. 72 games into the season, the Giants continue to lead the NL West and have the best record in baseball.

But with the Dodgers and Padres breathing down their necks, they can’t afford to stand still. Additions to the pitching staff appear to be the best way to improve the club. Don’t expect anything pricey with so many big ticket players available this offseason, and the Giants ready to pounce with many of their heavy contracts expiring, but an additional starter and a versatile bullpen arm appear to be at the top of the list.

Regarding the starting rotation, two things appear clear: the team won’t be patient with Aaron Sanchez, who has biceps issues, but also a reoccurrence of his blister issues that have slowed his production in recent years. And while the club is ecstatic with the 25-year old Sammy Long, he hasn’t won a rotation spot based on one start and three, encouraging appearances.

And don’t expect much movement roster-wise in the coming two weeks. The Giants have an advantage schedule with two days off surrounding their trip to Anaheim, then home games leading up to the All-Star break starting with a visit from the A’s. Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Padres are beating up on each other in a series that starts tonight in San Diego. If anything, a 70-game start like the Giants have had has increased their patience: they’re unlikely to fade even if they struggle head-to-head with their two division rivals.

The Giants open their two-game set on Tuesday with Anthony DeSclafani facing Andrew Heaney at 6:38pm.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB Time to Retire 21

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The late great Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente (21) doffs his cap after hitting a double for his 3,000 career hit at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh against the New York Mets pitcher Jon Matlack on the last day of the season September 30, 1972 which would be his last career hit he would die three months later in a plane crash. (pinterest file photo)

MLB: Time to Retire No.21

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In 1997 Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson No.42, it was the first uniform retired in history. Robinson recognized as a historical figure in American sports as the first African-American to play in the major leagues. There are “Retire #21” banners at PNC Park seen in Pittsburgh today, that is regarding the wishes of Pirates fans to have Roberto Clemente’s number retired by Major League Baseball

In 1973, the Pirates retired “El Cometa de Carolina” number 21. One year after Clemente disappeared with the DC-3 chartered plane he was taking to Nicaragua to help the victims of that country’s earthquake. In 1998 the Pirates sold the naming rights to locally based PNC Financial Services, PNC Park.

However, public sentiment in Pittsburgh remained to name the new baseball park after Roberto Clemente, but that was not possible. In 1998 the 6th street bridge, which crosses the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh was renamed the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

To my knowledge, Roberto Clemente is the only player in history to have a bridge dedicated to his name. Makes sense in Pittsburgh a city with three rivers, the Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio River. There is little doubt that in Pittsburgh Roberto Clemente was always respected and to date he is one of the city’s heroes.

Although the first Hispanic/Latino ballplayer to play in professional baseball in the US was Esteban Bellán (Cuba) in 1871 with the Troy Haymakers of the old National Association, today the National League. Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso (Cuba) was the first Black Latino player in 1949 with the Cleveland Indians.

But it was Roberto Clemente the very first impact player from Latin America, a Hall of Fame player, who played his whole career of 18 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1955-1972). Roberto Clemente was the first Hispanic/Latino baseball player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com) was founded in 1999 and Roberto Clemente was posthumously inducted in a ceremony where his widow Vera Clemente accepted the induction plaque.

There is a very good case to be made that Major League Baseball should retire No.21. Clemente’s exemplary life, which he gave in helping people from another country during a terrible natural disaster lives forever in the memory of baseball fans everywhere in the world, but especially in Puerto Rico and all of Latin America.

Hispanic/Latino player participation in the major leagues today is around 30 percent of all the players, in the United States. A country where Hispanics represent the largest minority between 18-20% of the population, approximately 60 million people. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States other than English.

Roberto Clemente as a player was often misquoted, many times made fun of his accent, when he said, quote: “Baseball has been very, very good to me” he said it because he was an honest and humble man, traits that politicians do not understand and rarely can relate to. During the years Clemente played, comedian Bill Dana had a routine that became famous and sort of a catchphrase, when he said in mangled English; “My name is….José….Jiménez”

The words equality, diversity are nice words but they ring hollow if there is no action, MLB retiring Roberto Clemente’s #21 is bound to happen, when? is the question. But there is little doubt that Roberto Clemente is a historic figure in baseball that represents the best of all of us. Time to retire No.21.

Note: The first number retired in history, by a major league team, was by the New York Yankees, No.4, Lou Gehrig on July 4, 1939, the day he made his famous; “Today I Consider Myself”….speech. Players numbers among all major league teams have been retired since then. There is a difference. Teams can retire the number of their players and they cannot be used by other players. But only Major League Baseball can retire a number for all 30 teams.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s and Rangers open four game series tonight in Arlington

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Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas gets the start against the Texas Rangers tonight to open a four game series at the BallPark in Arlington ( file photo from the Mercury News)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, in the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela took a part of the splintered bat in the eye which bounced off and he came out of it alright later hitting the go ahead game home run.

#2 The A’s opened the series in New York on Friday with a win when A’s pitcher James Kaprielian pitched 5.2 innings and picked up the victory 5-3 against his old teammates the Yankees. Kaprielian was the Yankees second round draft choice six years ago and he got to beat his old team to open the series it had to be pretty special for him.

#3 Barbara just checking the injured list the A’s pitcher right hand pitcher J.B. Wendelken who has a strained left Oblique is in Las Vegas for a minor league rehab assignment and Wendelken is looking forward to working his way back into the bullpen setting in Oakland.

#4 Oakland outfielder Stephen Piscotty is suffering from a left wrist injury and will see a specialist in Arizona and has been placed on the ten day injured list. Piscotty is a vital part of the A’s offense and is hitting .217, with 28 hits, four home runs and 11 RBIs so far this season.

#5 The A’s open up a four game series in Texas starting tonight against the Rangers, starting for the A’s Frankie Montas (7-6 ERA 4.21) and for the Rangers Kyle Gibson (4-0 ERA 2.09) how do you see this match up to open the series.

Join Barbara Mondays for the A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Giants open two game series in Anaheim vs. Ohtani and Angels Tuesday

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Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani seen here hitting an eighth inning home run off the Oakland A’s on Jun 15, 2021 will be entering the All Star game home run derby in Denver and will be facing the San Francisco Giants Tue Jun 22, 2021 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim (AP News file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah after having a five game win streak the San Francisco Giants ended the streak last Saturday getting clobbered at Oracle Park 13-6.

#2 Giants starter Alex Wood on Saturday just couldn’t too many past the Philadelphia Phillies line up he pitched three innings giving up four runs and six hits, Wood 6-3 ERA 4.00 was the early innings just a matter of Wood making some mistake pitches or the Phillies coming off a rough loss Friday ready to take some hacks?

#3 Jeremiah, talk about the month that Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has had he now leads the team in average .244, home runs 16, and RBIs 44 and hit one out on Sunday.

#4 Saturday was Juneteenth and the Giants wore honorary San Francisco Sea Lions jerseys on the 75th Anniversary of the Sea Lions who played in the West Coast Negro Baseball Association.

#5 Tuesday night baseball the Giants are in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels for a brief two game series before returning back to Oracle Park to host the Oakland A’s on Friday night. Jeremiah, the Angels have been going good lately they are 7.5 games behind Oakland and their relying on their star player Shohei Ohtani whose second in home runs in the American League with 21. How do you see this series starting Tuesday night.

Jeremiah Salmonson filled in for Morris Phillips for the Giants podcasts heard every Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoff podcast with Joe Hawkes: Suns Booker nets 40 big effort defeats Clippers in game one, 120-114

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The Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lets everyone know who controlling this game as the Los Angeles Clippers guard Terrance Mann stands by (right) during game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at Phoenix on Sun Jun 20, 2021(AP News photo)

NBA Playoffs podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 The Phoenix Suns got some big scoring from Devin Booker (40 points) and Deandre Ayton (20) points good enough to beat the Los Angeles Clippers in game 1 on Sunday in Phoenix.

#2 The Clippers Chris Paul was out due to Covid 19 protocols how much did that handicap the Clippers.

#3 The Clippers got some scoring production out of Paul George who led with 34 points and Reggie Jackson with 24 but in the end the Clips came up short.

#4 Joe, Talk about the Suns general manager James Jones who just beat out the Utah Jazz vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey for the Executive of the Year Award. The Sun did do a number on the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets to get this far and that might have made the difference for Jones winning the award.

#5 Tuesday is game 2 of the series in Phoenix and the Clippers are hoping to get Paul back in the line up they found out what a nemesis the Sun can be and if there were to drop game 2 they would have their hands full going back to Los Angeles down 0-2.

Join J Hawkes for the NBA Playoffs podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants bash up on the Phillies 11-2 in the rubber match, take series

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San Francisco Giants slugger Wilmer Flores hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies it was one of two home runs for Flores in the contest on Sun Jun 20, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants belted four more homers and Sammy Long made the most of of his first career start as they crushed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.

The Giants won the three-game series, finishing 6-1 on their seven-game homestand and have won five of its last six games. The Phillies have lost four of their past six games.

Sammy Long (1-0) made his first start of his professional career after his first two appearances came in after an opener had started the game.

“I thought in the second inning he made a great adjustment and started throwing more strikes,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Long. “As the game went on he started to feature his curve ball more. His stuff continued to stay strong throughout the outing and I felt good about letting him go a little deeper in the game today.”

Long was brilliant over six innings, giving up only four hits while striking out six with just one walk to earn his first major league win. Long had a strong cheering section of family and friends sitting in the lower box area. His only mistake was a fastball up in the zone that JT Realmuto hit for a two run homer in the third inning.

“Having them there adds a little bit more of emotion,” said Long on his strong family support in the stands. “I try to keep that under wraps but I feel them there. I feel the energy that they bring. It’s a special deal being so close to home and do it in front of them.”

The Giants (46-26) busted out the lumber as they have been all season long. Their four home runs of the day improved their total to a Nation League leading 107. They are tied for the major league lead with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Willmar Flores went 4-4 with two solo home runs and has six on the season. His 22 RBI on the season has him tied for fifth on the Giants along with Alex Dickerson. He extended huis hitting steak to nine games.

“I think he’s (Flores) a great offensive player. His process has been excellent. He’s always prepared whether he’s starting a game of coming off the bench. We’ll expect that from him going forward as well,” Kapler said.

Mike Yastrzemski gave the Giants an early lead in the first inning with his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot into the arcade in right field off Phillies (34-35) starter Zach Eflin. He scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.

Brandon Crawford continues his hitting terror and being the best hitter in the Giants lineup. He hit his team leading 16th home run of the season in the third inning, a two-run shot to centerfield, that gave the Giants a 5-2 lead at the time. He barley missed his second home run of the game in the eighth inning when he long drive to centerfield bounced off the top of the wall back into the field of play. His 2-4 afternoon with four RBI, gave him 47 on the season, which also leads the Giants.

“I’m trying to put a good swing on the ball every at bat to help out team win, not necessarily get All-Star votes,” said Crawford regarding if his recent success is helping him get more votes by the fans for the mid-summer classic.

Steven Duggar added an RBI double in the sixth inning.

Elfin (2-6) went five innings giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out six and walking none in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Right handed pitcher John Brebbia was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to today’s game. Left handed pitcher Connor Menez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento following yesterday’s game and right handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez was transferred to the 60-day IL.

San Francisco have not lost consecutive days at Oracle Park since May 21-23 when they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants are now 20-6 this season following a loss.

The announced attendance was 18,265. This was the last home game that had a limit of 50% capacity. The ballpark will be at 100% capacity when the Giants host the Oakland A’s for a three-game series starting on June 25th.

UP NEXT: The Giants travel down south to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday at 6:35pm at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The pitching matchup with be Anthony DeSclafani vs Andrew Heaney.

Yankees force historic game ending triple play in 2-1 win over A’s

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Oakland A’s designated hitter Sean Murphy hits into a historic game ending triple play from a pitch thrown by New York Yankee reliever Aroldis Chapman in the top ninth inning. The Yankees took two of three from the A’s in the series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sun Jun 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK–The Oakland A’s wasted starting pitcher Sean Manea’s career-high 11 strikeouts in a 2-1 loss on Father’s Day to the New York Yankees who delivered a game-ending triple play.

Matt Olson hit a home run on a fly ball to center field in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon, putting the A’s up 1-0 and off to what appeared to be a good start.

But the sixth inning turned out to be devastating for the A’s. Gary Sanchez ruined Manea’s gem with a two-run double on a sharp line drive to center fielder Ramon Laureano, allowing Clint Frazier and Aaron Judge to score and putting the Yankees up 2-1. The A’s challenged the tag play but the call on the field was upheld.

In the ninth inning, the Yankees closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman allowed back-to-back walks and was not able to find the strike zone. The lefty seemed to be examining his pitching hand and a trainer looked at it, but he stayed in. New York bailed Chapman out and turned a triple play on Sean Murphy’s ground ball to finish Oakland off.

“There couldn’t have been a more – routine’s not the word, but triple play set-up,” Olson said of the triple play. “Shitty luck, tough way to lose.”

Manea threw only fastballs and changeups. He dominated the Yankees for most of his 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. His sinker averaged two miles per hour faster than average and generated 17 swings and misses.

Attendance at Yankee Stadium was 27,807, several thousand more than Saturday and Friday, when it accommodated fans in full capacity for the first time since the pandemic.

With losses on Sunday and Saturday, the A’s are 44-29 and still hold the top spot in the AL West.

The A’s continue their 10-game road trip with the first in a four-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday. First pitch is at 5:05 p.m.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Kluber no hitter was last one, MLB checking balls and often; Urshela avoids serious damage after bat splinters; plus more

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The New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber was the last pitcher to throw a no hitter back on May 19th since then no hitters have stopped. There has been a cloud of suspicion if baseballs have been doctored with the spider tack substance which MLB is on the lookout for (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Major League Baseball has been watching out for pitchers trying use the sticky substance Spider Tack on the baseball but have not noticed anything suspicious of late.

#2 For awhile baseball was seeing no hitters pitched at a faster rate than usual with six no hitters on a pace to set an all time record but there has not been a no hitter thrown since the New York Yankees Corey Kluber threw one back on May 19th.

#3 Gio Urshela the Yankees third baseman was very lucky after getting having a broken bat splinter hit him in the eye which bounced off his eye. Ursehla felt some pain but was able to go on and later hit a go ahead home run which turned out to be the winner.

#4 New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom threw for three innings of perfect baseball before he was lifted for shoulder trouble. deGrom improved his ERA 0.54, with 111 strikeouts in 67 innings. deGrom was disappointed he couldn’t stay in the game.

#5 Here’s something different the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani will be in the home run derby. Ohtani who also pitches will enter the derby he currently holds second in the American League leaders for home runs with 21 home runs. Ohtani is the most highly touted player in the game who can pitch and can hit.

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

Earthquakes draw to 0-0 tie in inaugural match with Austin FC

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San Jose Earthquake players before their match against Austin FC the first meeting with the expansion team at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Sat Jun 19, 2021(@Earthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

AUSTIN, Texas–The San Jose Earthquakes played to scoreless draw with Austin FC in their first ever meeting with the expansion team on Saturday evening at Q2 Stadium.

The match marked the first ever MLS game to be played at the brand new stadium that was at 100% capacity for the match. Actor Matthew McConaughey, who is part owner of the team, led the more than 20,000 in attendance in a pregame chant banging on bongo drums before the opening whistle.

San Jose snapped a four-game losing streak but are winless in its past five games. Austin FC had their third consecutive draw and are winless in their past six games.

Austin (2-4-3) grabbed the momentum early in the game as they created the game’s first scoring chance in the 10th minute. Zan Kolmanic volleyed a ball into the center of the box where Diego Fagundez’s header was knocked away the net by Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

San Jose (3-5-1) had its best chance to break the seal in the 36th minute. Chofis played a ball to the right side where Cristian Espinoza dribbled in and fired a shot off the right post.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda implemented a new system and formation for the match after having the past two weeks off during the international break.

“We were asked what we have been working on during the break. During this time, we were practicing this style of play and method because we thought we should play this way in this match. I am very pleased. I thought the team made a huge effort. We created clear counterattacking opportunities through this system. We still need that last step. We will keep working on that aspect, but overall, the guys were great interpreters,” Almeyda said.

Austin FC came out quick to start the second half. In the 51st minute Tomás Pochettino centered a ball inside the six-yard box, but Cecilio Domínguez’s left foot attempt was punched away by Marinkowski.

Marcinkowski kept the Austin FC off the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Alexander Ring rifled a shot from 15 yards out on net and Marcinkowski sent it away to the right for a corner kick.

The Earthquakes best scoring chance in the second half came late in the 83rd minute. Cade Cowell set up Carlos Fierro with a back pass just inside the D box and Fierro’s right footed attempt heading for the top right corner was knocked away by Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

“In the second half, we made changes to our system again and we had more goal-scoring chances. I think the effort made in changing positions has a risk in tiring out the players. That is why I appreciate the effort they made. I repeat that this is how we thought this match should be played. Within the losses that we had, I looked inward and felt that I had to make effective changes. I think these changes were effective,” said Almeyda.

Marcinkowski earned his sixth career shutout and first of 2021 with six saves, equaling his career high. His 12 saves over the past two games are the most in consecutive matches in his career (previous high was 10).

“I think it’s a long time coming to be honest,” said Marcinkowski regarding his first shutout of the season. “We’ve been playing well in the back, just haven’t found a clean sheet yet. It was a really good night to have our first one and unfortunate not to get more. I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game, but we’ll take the point and all eyes on Orlando now.”

Stuver stopped all nine shot on target to earn his second shutout of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had seven corner kicks. Austin FC had nine.

Chris Wondolowski made his first start of the 2021 season. It marked his first regular season start since Nov. 8, 2020.

The Earthquakes faced former players Danny Hoesen, Nick Lima, and Andrew Tarbell. The match will mark Hoesen and Lima’s first ever match against the Quakes since their departures from San Jose prior to the 2021 MLS season.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on Orlando City SC in their second consecutive road match on Tuesday 6/22 at 4:30 p.m at Exploria Stadium.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt Harrington: Isles get the Point as Bolts up 2-1 in series; No Joshing Habs Anderson nets OT winner for 3-2 win

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The Montreal Canadiens Josh Anderson (17) puts away the game winner against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc Andre Fluery in overtime at the Belle Centre in Montreal on Fri Jun 18, 2021 in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (Canadian Press photo via AP)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt:

#1 Taking a look at the two playoffs series taking place in game three on Thursday night the Tampa Bay Lightning took a 2-1 series lead over the New York Islanders at Uniondale thanks to a the Bolts Brayden Point tie breaking goal in the second period.

#2 Point been a crucial part of the Lightning’s success this season and as great as the Islanders were playing some great defense Point is so skilled to find the back end of the net and make it stand up.

#3 Matt, talk about the job that Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy did he stopped 27 shots in game three and he’ll be crucial tonight as the Islanders will be out for blood to try and tie this series up.

#4 Game three was played in Montreal at the Belle Centre on Friday night and Canadiens head coach Dominque Ducharme was out with a positive Covid and was isolated from the rest of the team. How much of an impact does this have an a playoff contending team to have their coach out like this under these circumstances?

#5 Matt big goal for the Canadiens coming in overtime as Josh Anderson scored at 12:53 in the overtime stanza neither team was caving in with home ice the Canadiens didn’t want to fall one game behind the Vegas Golden Knights but now go up 2-1 in the 3-2 win.

#6 Canadiens goalie Carey Price stopped 43 out of 45 shots just enough to hold off the Knights and the Knights Marc Andre Fluery stopped 27 shots allowed three goals.

Join Matt for all of the NHL Stanley Cup post season action podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com