Month: July 2021
Giants bolstering pitching in draft; Crawford having his best season
San Francisco Giant shortstop Brandon Crawford has had the best season of his career as exemplified in the first half of this season here he is swinging for the fences (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)
By Jessica Kwong
The San Francisco Giants are continuing to enjoy the All-Star break after an eventful Tuesday that saw both the All-Star game and the wrap up of the 2021 MLB draft.
Shortstop Brandon Crawford represented the Giants in the All-Star game. The American League beat the National League 5-2 at Coors Field in Denver. Crawford came off the bench and onto the plate just once and went 0-1 in the NL’s only error.
However, it did not matter as it was only an exhibition game. Crawford is having the best season of his career. His 3.4 WAR is 65.4 percent to his career high of 5.2, even though he has had less than half as many appearances on the plate compared to 2016.
Meanwhile, San Francisco finished the draft on Tuesday selecting the last 10 of their 20 picks. The Giants chose all pitchers until the tenth round and ended up with 14 pitchers, three infielders and three outfielders.
San Francisco first selected right-handed pitcher Will Bednar of Mississippi State with the No. 14 overall pick. The run of nine straight pitcher picks was finally broken when the Giants chose outfielder Vaun Brown in the 10th round.
The players must sign the contracts to make their spots in the organization official. Michael Holmes, the Giants’ director of amateur scouting, believes the organization has a solid chances of inking all their picks.
“I think that we’ll be competitive. We feel pretty good in some areas. We’re just gonna let the process play out,” Holmes said. “I think both parties – the players and their families – know where they’re at and we know where we’re at, but we kind of entered a lot of these ventures knowing how it’s gonna play out.”
It is officially halfway through the season and the Giants sit at the top of the NL West with a 57-32 record.
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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball Rules Changes or Restoration
Baseball Rules: Changes or Restoration?
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
The Toronto Blue Jays and American League MVP of the 2021 All Star Game Vladimir Guerrero Jr holds up the MVP Trophy after being selected for the award at Coors Field in Denver after the 2021 All Star Game Tue Jul 13, 2021 (AP News photo)
During the All Star Break Commissioner Rob Manfred watched the American League beat the National League for the eight consecutive year, with 22-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays) becoming the youngest MVP during a mid-season classic to win the coveted award. The AL beat the NL 5-2.
LA Angels Shohei Othani, a serious candidate for AL MVP, became the first ever player to start an All Star Game as a hitter and as a pitcher. “Shotime” was credited with the win; he also joined his compatriot Hideo Nomo as the only two Japanese pitchers to open an ASG (Nomo in 1995) Mr. Manfred, made news as he spoke about possible rules coming down for the 2022 season.
Manfred spend a few days in Denver hosting the MLB players draft and ASG festivities. Here is what might be coming down the pike for the 2022 according to the Office of the Commissioner.
A) Designated Hitter: First of all (like it or not) and I know a lot of traditional people that do not like this, the Commissioner announced the universal DH (Designated Hitter ) rule could be adapted permanently for the first time in the National League on all 15 teams, starting 2022. “I think it would be a non-radical change, but I’m not going to speculate on whether we’re going to propose it or get it,” he said. He feels most teams in the National League will be happy to go along with the DH.
B) Seven-Inning Double Headers: Most likely will not be back for 2022 “I don’t think seven-inning doubleheaders are going to be part of our future going forward.’’ said the Commissioner. These rules were adopted based on medical advice,’’ Manfred said. “Those are less likely they will become part of our permanent landscape. It was a covid-19 related change.
C) Extra-Inning Rule: The one beginning the tenth inning with a runner at second base, (free-phantom-zombie runner), many terms have been used to describe this runner that is automatically inserted in the top of the tenth inning before the first hitter comes to the plate. This likely will not return in 2022.
D) The Shift: This defensive strategy could be banned next season. “Let’s just say you’ve regulated the shift by requiring two infielders each side and second base. What does that do?” Manfred said. “It makes the game look like what it looked like when I was 12 years old.
It’s not change; it’s kind of restoration, right?” Mr. Manfred said he believes this will have a positive reaction from front offices. Personally, I applaud this decision. When you score a game; an out recorded by a third-baseman on a throw to first, many times is not the traditional 5 to 3 for an out, because that third-baseman (or shortstop or second base) could be fielding the ball from short to medium right field, we see this a lot during the season.
All the above will be on the agenda after the season when the MLPA (players union) and MLB and the Commissioner negotiate their Collective Bargaining Agreement, which Mr. Manfred feels very positive. There were rumors of a possible lockout or strike in 2022, if they cannot come to an agreement. I believe after what has happened the last year and a half, it would be basically suicide for the game if this happened.
Regarding the Oakland Athletics Howard Terminal new stadium and possible relocation out of Oakland: “Viewing Oakland A’s exploration of Las Vegas relocation as a bluff “is a mistake”. (quote) Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for Oakland A’s Spanish radio on 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Oakland A’s report: Build it and they will come
By Jerry Feitelberg
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred tries to laugh off being booed after being introduced at the MLB 2021 baseball draft on Sun Jul 11, 2021 in Denver (AP News photo)
OAKLAND–On Tuesday, MLB’s commissioner, Rob Manfred, announced that time has run out for the City of Oakland to make a final decision to support the A’s very ambitious project at the Howard Terminal.
The City Council meets on July 20th to announce their decision. Failure to join in with the A’s to build the stadium means the A’s probably will be looking elsewhere to build their new stadium. Possible sites include Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, Nevada, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Montreal, Canada.
The A’s, without question, need a new ballpark. The Oakland Coliseum was built to be the home of two sports: baseball and football. The current configuration for baseball has the fans sitting too far away from the infield.
The Coliseum does not have the intimacy of a ballpark, such as Oracle Park in San Francisco, Camden Yards in Baltimore or Boston’s Fenway Park. Before Mt. Davis was built in 1995, the fans sitting in the bleachers could talk to the A’s outfielders. The outfield fence is much higher, and the fans’ view from the seats is much different now.
When Lew Wolfe was running the team, he wanted to move the team to several sites in the Bay Area. He looked at sites in Fremont and San Jose. The San Francisco Giants, who own territorial rights to San Jose, objected.
The Giants gained those rights when they were on the verge of moving the franchise to Toronto or Tampa Bay. The Giants built their new stadium in San Francisco but were not willing to relinquish their rights.
The A’s new president, Dave Kaval, thought he had a deal to build a stadium on the grounds of Laney College in Oakland. He had egg on his face with that highly-touted deal fell through. Undaunted, the A’s came up with a new plan to build at Howard Terminal, a few blocks north of Jack London Square in Oakland.
The original plan, or so though Oakland’s city council, was to build a baseball-only ballpark to be privately financed. The park would seat about 35,000 people.
They were blindsided when the A’s came to them will a 12 billion dollar project that would include not only the stadium but 3000 units of housing, over a million square feet of office buildings, and 200,000 square feet of retail space.
They informed the city that Oakland would have to invest over 855 million dollars to build the project. The A’s tried to show the council that those costs would be recouped by the new tax revenues generated by the project. They felt the additional jobs, homes, and businesses would greatly benefit the city’s economy.
The A’s and Oakland have to resolve several issues. Who will be paying for infrastructure costs? Access to the park and parking issues will have to be settled. Oakland wants the A’s to stay in town for the next 45 years.
The A’s will commit to 20. If the plan is to be approved by Oakland, it has to be a win-win situation. Both sides have to realize there is more to gain than lose.
The fans will be crushed to lose their team. Life will go on if the A’s leave town, but it will leave a big hole in the hearts of the people that have supported this team since their arrival here in 1968.
San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: What’s it like for Taylor and Willis to have been inducted into 49ers Hall of Fame
Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver John Taylor (82) pictured and linebacker Patrick Willis not pictured to have made it into the 49ers Hall of Fame (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle)
On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:
#1 We never got a chance to ask you about former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver John Taylor and linebacker Patrick Willis who will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame.
#2 Taylor’s numbers were Hall of Fame-esk with 347 receptions (ninth in franchise history), 5598 yards (seventh) and 43 touchdowns (eighth). Taylor gave thanks to the DeBartolo Family and to Eddie Jr for giving him a chance out of Delaware State.
#3 Willis gave it his all at linebacker he was the AP 2007 rookie of the year and in eight seasons was one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Join David for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportradioservice.com
Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Bassitt and Olson make appearances during All Star game
Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt seen here pitching in the first inning against the Texas Rangers on Sun Jul 11, 2021 in Arlington the day before the All Star break. Bassitt pitched for an inning on Tue Jul 13, 2021 against the National League All Stars in Denver (AP file photo)
On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:
#1 Before we get started with the A’s podcast Jerry do you think that ESPN’s Stephen A Smith has lost credibility with his audience or will has apology regarding his remarks that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani can’t speak English and his needing an interpreter is ruining baseball.
#2 American League and Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt pitched an inning, one hit, and two walks, one strikeout talk about Bassitt’s outing against the National League.
#3 Matt Olson whose been hitting home runs was 0-1 striking out twice playing first base for the American League Olson was eliminated in the first round
#4 Oakland A’s president Dave Kaval acknowledged that the City of Oakland City Council needs to pass the vote for Howard Terminal or the A’s are leaving Oakland for good. The A’s and the City are half a billion dollars apart on infrastructure costs so much so that Kaval is prepared to take a flight to Las Vegas the day after the July 20th vote to explore relocating the A’s to Vegas.
#5 Jerry just to get your impressions on the kind of second half the A’s are expected to have.
Join Jerry for the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
American League brings the pitch and the pop to Denver in All-Star Game win
By Morris Phillips
DENVER–Vladimir Guerrero didn’t get the start in his first All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 1999. And he didn’t do much: Guerrero–facing Texas’ Jeff Zimmerman–saw three pitches and grounded out to end the seventh inning. The Hall of Famer was 24 years old in 1999, and he would make eight more All-Star appearances, turning the game into his own personal showcase on more than one occasion.
Guerrero’s son, Vladimir Jr. might not be that impressed.
The 22-year old Vlad Jr. shocked the sold out Coors Field crowd on Tuesday by hitting the third All-Star pitch he saw 468 feet to get the American League headed in the right direction in their 5-2 win. Guerrero Jr. was named the starter at first base, and in the fifth inning struck again, driving in a run on a ground out to put the AL up 3-0.
Oh, and did we mention the reaction of Fernando Tatis Jr. to Guerrero’s blast, his jaw dropped and unable to turn and look as the blast headed into the left field bleachers. These days, television replays tell the whole story: Guerrero’s homer was the 200th of All-Star Game history and it left the diamond traveling well over 100 mph. Thus Tatis’ reaction.
The victory was the American League’s eighth consecutive in the series, and 15th of the last 18 meetings. How is that dominance demonstrated? Future NL rosters with the numbers expanded for the All-Star occasion will have no players that have beaten the AL on the All-Star stage. Quite staggering.
Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox added an RBI single in the fifth, and Tampa Bay catcher Mike Zunino homered in the sixth to cap the American League scoring. The National League got a home run from J.T. Realmuto in the fifth, and Manny Machado scored on a past ball in the sixth.
Shohei Ohtani was the AL starting pitcher in an unmatched feat of pitching and batting leadoff at the All-Star level. He pitched just one inning, not allowing a hit, and eight AL relievers each handled an inning of work after Ohtani’s exit.
Bogaerts was the only batter to get a pair of hits, and Corbin Burnes of the Brewers was the only pitcher to throw two innings. Burnes allowed the home run to Guererro.
Locally, Brandon Crawford and Matt Olson saw action, but didn’t factor in the game’s outcome. Crawford had one at-bat, and Olson two, but neither slugger got a hit.
All-Star Game post game wrap: Ohtani main event as AL defeats NL 5-2
The American League’s lead off hitter Shohei Ohtani takes a cut for a ground out against the National League’s pitcher Max Scherzer in the first inning action at Coors Field in Denver at the 2021 All Star Game (AP News photo)
By Morris Phillips
DENVER–Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Shohei Ohtani were two of the top feature in Tuesday night’s All Star Game at Coors Field in Denver. Ohtani who was the lead off hitter for the American League also pitched two innings of shoutout ball to start off the game.
In the top of the third inning Guerrero hit a deep drive 468 feet for two RBIs at games end Ohtani had picked up the game victory with a 5-2 win over the National League All Stars. Guerrero was elected the MVP and was the youngest player to receive the All Star Game MVP Award in baseball history.
In the top of the second the Toronto Blue Jays Marcus Semien hit into a ground out for an RBI that gave the AL the lead. Guerrero hit a ground out that gave the AL two more runs. The Red Sox Xavier Bogaerts knocked in another run with an RBI single.
The Philadelphia Phillies TJ Realmuto hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth for the National League for the NL’s first run of the night. The AL struck back when the Tampa Bay Rays Mike Zunino hit a home run in the top of the sixth and in the bottom of the sixth the NL added one more run on a passed ball.
The win by the AL is their eighth straight All Star Game victory the win is the second longest winning streak in All Star history. The all time All Star winning streak is held by the National League at 11 straight from 1972-1982.
Morris is a San Francisco Giants beat writer and does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Headline Sports with Daniel Dullum: Suns take 2-1 lead into game four Wed night; Ohtani lead off hitter and pitcher
The Phoenix Suns absolutely had no answer for the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounompo (34) who throws down against the Phoenix Suns in game 3 on Sun Jul 11, 2021 in Phoenix (AP News photo)
1 NBA Finals – Phoenix leads Milwaukee 2-games-to-1
2 Shohei Ohtani named as American League’s starting pitcher and leadoff hitter for All-Star Game
3 Trevor Bauer’s status with Dodgers still on hold
4 Angels fire play-by-play announcer Daron Sutton after 89 games
5 Pierre McGuire lands front office gig with Ottawa Senators
Join Daniel Dullum for Headline Sports podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary with Jeremiah Salmonson: Stephen A. Smith’s Ohtani can’t speak English comments weighing heavy; Olson and Bassitt representing A’s
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith apologized for saying that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball that he’s a foreign player, can’t speak English and he’s contributing to harming the game (USA Today file photo)
Jeremiah filled in for That’s Amaury podcast this week:
#1 Jeremiah, please tell us your thoughts on New York Mets Pete Alfonso winning the home run derby two years in a row and the Oakland A’s Matt Olson participating in the derby as well.
#2 ESPN’s Stephen A Smith sure hit a nerve when he said that the Los Angeles Angeles Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball, that he’s foreign player, can’t speak English, and he’s contributing to harming the game. Smith issued an apology for his comments on Tuesday.
#3 All Star game tonight in Denver A’s representatives first pitcher Chris Bassitt (9-3 ERA 3.28) is looking forward to participating in the mid summer classic particularly after having a fine first half.
#4 Matt Olson .282, 88 hits, 23 homers and 59 RBIs he’s seeing the ball well needless to say and participated in the home run derby on Monday night.
#5 The A’s first round draft pick Max Muncy 18 is hoping to be their future shortstop. Muncy no relation to the LA Dodger Max Muncy who was drafted fifth by the A’s in 2012 and shares the same birth date with the Dodger Muncy on Aug 25th.
#5 Jeremiah, the All Star game is tonight in Denver many a player who is there worked hard to get this far in the first half of the season who are the All Stars that we’ll see tonight that impressed you most?
Jeremiah Salmonson filled in for Amaury who is on La Mejor Musica on the Oakland A’s flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and look for his News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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