Month: February 2025

Athletics podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s claim they have their share of construction costs for Vegas ballpark

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Sandy Dean Athletics president has said all along the A’s would come up with the funding for their share of the Las Vegas ballpark on the Las Vegas strip which is expected to open baseball season 2028 (LV Sports Biz file photo)

On the Athletics podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Athletics are saying they have the $350 million coming from SB1 and the State of Nevada and $300 million from Goldman Sachs and US Bank.

#2 One of the requirements are that the A’s have to spend $100 million of their own money before they can touch any of the public funds from Nevada.

#3 The A’s have spent $40 million of the designer process so far the site selection and the A’s stadium will occupy nine acres of the 35 acre Tropicana casino and resort which should be ready by opening day 2028.

#4 The A’s will be sharing the space with Bally’s Mega Corp where the rolling of the dice and slot machines will be a baseballs throw away.

#5 The A’s have submitted their land use permit has been filed. The A’s have officially submitted their land use permit to Clark County. Which is important in getting construction underway.

A’s Relocation podcasts can be heard each Sunday with Daniel Dullum at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wilkinson’s 21 points not enough, as three-headed Wake Forest beast downs Bears 76-66

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Cal Bears Andrej Stojakovic takes warm ups before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 8, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 76 (18-6)

California Golden Bears 66 (12-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 21 points, but it wasn’t enough, as Cal fell back to .500 with a 76-66 loss at the hands of Camer Hildreth, Hunter Sallis, Reid Efton and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Cal got back over .500 with a 74-62 win over NC State on Wednesday night. Saturday, they would be in for a challenge against the 17-6 Wake Forest Demon Deacons.


The Bears amped and ready to go out of the gate. Jovan Blacksher Jr. hit a three 25 seconds in to start the day. Mady Sissoko then hit a hookshot 36 seconds later to put the Bears out to an early 5-0 lead.

Even though the Bears held onto a steady lead in the opening minutes, Wake Forest made their charge. They tied the game at 13-13 on a layup by Jake Harris, and then they took their first lead of the game, 16-15, a minute and 25 seconds later on a free throw from Cameron Hildreth.

Wake Forest opened up their lead to six points at 24-18 with 6:45 to go in the first half, and appeared ready to pull away with it. However, Cal quickly closed the deficit to 24-23 after Jeremiah Wilkinson hit a three and Andrej Stojakovic hit one in the paint. 

Efton Reid extended Wake Forest’s lead to 26-23 with a layup, but Rytis Petraitis tied the game with a three, and Blacksher put the Bears back ahead with a three of his own. Efton then hit a three to re-tie it, and Hunter Sallis took an alleyoop for a dunk to put Wake Forest back ahead 31-29.  

That would be the score as the game moved to the second half. Wake Forest held a small lead for the first two minutes and 46 seconds until Wilkinson tied it with a three. 

The game would remain neck and neck over the next few minutes, as Wake Forest would twice retake a miniscule lead, and Cal would tie it again both times. However, after Wilkinson hit two from the line to make it 42-42 with 14:51 left, everything would suddenly change.

Wake Forest scored eight unanswered points to take a 50-42 lead. Wilkinson hit a much-needed three to close it to 50-45, but Wake Forest did not let up. They ended up going on a 20-5 run to take a 62-47 lead and put the game away.

The only real excitement in the game’s final minutes was a near-fight that Head Coach Mark Madsen had to sprint to the middle court to break up. He had to restrain two young and tall basketball players, which is no small task for a coach. But hey, when you’re in a hurry to make sure two of your guys don’t get suspended, I guess it comes naturally. 

Really, three guys carried Wake Forest to victory Saturday. Camer Hildreth scored 23 points; Hunter Sallis scored 20; and Reid Efton scored 19. The three of them combined for 62 of Wake Forest’s 76 points. 

Wilkinson of course led the scoring for Cal with 21 points. After Wilkinson, Blacksher scored 12, and Stojakovic scored 10.

The Bears fall back to .500 at 12-12, and things won’t get any easier for them when they head to Durham, North Carolina to take on the Duke Blue Devils on Wednesday. Duke is only number two in the entire country, so no pressure.

Cal will also head to Georgia Tech next Saturday, and they will conclude their three-game road trip much closer to home, as they will go just down the road from Berkeley to Palo Alto to take on the Stanford Cardinal the following Thursday.

Gushchin’s two goals pave the way for Barracuda in 5-3 win over Roadrunners

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San Jose Barracuda forward Danil Gushchin celebrates along the ‘Cuda bench one of his two goals during the Barracuda’s 5-3 win over the Tucson Roadrunners at Tech CU Arena on Saturday FEB 8, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Danil Gushchin scored two goals and came within a crossbar of a hat trick as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Tucson Roadrunners 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose split the series with their Pacific Division rival and has won three out of its past five games. The ‘Cuda picked up points in six games of their seven game homestand. Tucson has lost nine of its past 10 games.

San Jose (24-14-2-3-53 points) drew first blood just past the halfway point of the first period. Danil Gushchin dropped a back pass over to Braden Hache at the Roadrunners blueline. Hache wrist shot from the point was redirected by Filip Bystedt past Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta for his eighth goal of the season at the 10:55 mark.

Bystedt snapped a season long 13-game goal-less draught. This was Hache’s first game with the ‘Cuda since being called up from the Wichita Thunder as he made his home debut.

Tucson (20-20-2-1-43 points) answered back late in the opening frame with an even strength goal. Egor Sokolov won a battle along the left boards. He centered the puck over to Hunter Drew who rang a shot off of the post. The rebound came right to the tape of Sokolov who buried the puck into an open net past ‘Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his 15th goal of the season at the 18:08 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead with 14.8 seconds remaining in the first 20 minutes. Thomas Bordeleau threaded a needle of a pass up to a wide-open Gushchin in between the faceoff circles. Gushchin made a move in before lifting the puck over the glove of Villalta for his 10th goal of the season.

The Roadrunners evened it up at two early in the second period. Max Szuber kept the puck inside the Barracuda zone and was able to push it up to Cameron Hebig along the left boards. Hebig skated in and pinpointed a wrist shot off the far side post and past Romanov for his team leading 17th goal of the season at the 4:31 mark.

Gushchin gave the ‘Cuda its third lead of the game with a power play goal. Luca Cagnoni found Gushchin along the left slot. Gushchin skated in before firing a wrist shot top shelf to the glove side for second goal of the game and 11th of the season at the 12:02 mark.

Gushchin thought he scored his third straight goal of the game with 1:11 remaining in the middle frame when he beat Villalta with a wrist shot after receiving a rink wide pass from Bordeleau after Colin White made a drop pass to Bordeleau. The call on the ice was called a goal by the officials. However, after a very lengthy video review it was determined the puck caromed off the crossbar.

White returned to the Barracuda after being placed on waivers yesterday by the San Jose Sharks.

In the third period the Barracuda held down the fort and shut out the Roadrunners the rest of the contest. White iced the game for San Jose when he scored an empty netter after Tucson pulled Villalta for an extra attacker. White’s sixth goal was scored at the 17:38 mark.

Cardwell completed the scoring for San Jose with an empty goal at the 18:47 mark, his sixth goal of the season. White picked up the only assist on the play to complete a three-point game.

Lleyton Moore scored his sixth goal of the season with 1.2 seconds left in the contest to close out the game’s scoring.

Romanov (10-6-3) finished the game stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced to earn his 10th victory of the season and snap a three-game winless streak. Villalta (10-15-3-3) made 35 saves on 38 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-2 on the power play. Tucson went 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Gushchin (2G, 1A) 2) White (1G, 2A) 3) Bordeleau (OG, 2A).

UP NEXT: San Jose starts a four-game road trip on Tuesday 2/11 against the Colorado Eagles at 6:05pm at Blue Fcu Arena.

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Cal frustrations come out in 76-66 loss to Wake Forest

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Cal Bears guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (0) takes the ball up the floor against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 8, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 One thing you can say about the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-6) is they’ve kept their shots falling and staying ten points ahead of the Cal Bears (12-11) all game long Saturday at Haas Pavilion.

#2 Wake Forest’s leading scorer Cameron Hildreth was hitting his shot and lead the Deacons in scoring in this on.

#3 Another thing that was working for Wake Forest was they were getting their share of shots that were falling.

#4 In the second half Cal was behind on an average of ten points and just couldn’t get enough offense against the Deacons to make up the difference. The game got physical and at one point frustrating for Cal as head coach Mark Madson had to come out on the court to restrain his players who were jawing with a Demon Deacon player.

#5 Cal tries it again this time at Duke University who are number two in the nation at 21-2. The Blue Devils are first are 12-0 at home and have won seven in row. Cal with the loss to Wake Forest on Saturday come into Duke with a 2-6 away record. Cal is playing .500 ball having won three of their last six games.

Stephen Ruderman covers Cal basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA G League Friday action: Des Moines finds a way past Stockton 121-116 to open two game set

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Stockton Ellis guard Boogie Ellis (5) takes the ball down court against the Iowa Wolves at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Fri Feb 7, 2025 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

The Stockton Kings continued their road trip, visiting Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa to take on the struggling Iowa Wolves. The Wolves entered the night in the middle of a seven-game losing streak that sunk them to last in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Kings were heavy favorites as they were on top of the West. The Wolves pulled off an upset with a some offense to beat the visiting Kings 121-116.

The Wolves got out to an early lead, out-scoring the visiting Kings 29-21 in the first quarter. From there, Iowa only continued to extend their lead in the second, as they outscored Stockton by a similar margin, 30-24. The Wolves entered halftime with a 59-45 lead, showing that they can compete with even the strongest teams in the G-League.

The Kings surged in the second half, as they outscored the home team 38-31 in the third quarter, the highest scoring frame of the night. The Wolves still led, 90-83 heading into the fourth but it was once again anyone’s game.

The Kings battled back, even leading late in the fourth but the Wolves kept fighting back. Ultimately, Stockton would outscore Iowa in the final quarter but not by wide enough of a margin to secure the victory. The Wolves found a way to win over a heavy favorite, with a final score of 121-116.

Skal Labissiere led the Kings in scoring, with 27 points in the losing effort. The Kings had a short bench, only using an eight-man rotation over the course of the night. As a result, Terry Taylor led Stockton in minutes, playing 44 of 48 possible minutes.

Meanwhile, Iowa had two players score 20 or more points. Leonard Miller led the team with 29 points, while Trevor Keels had 22 off the bench. Miller also played 44 minutes, recording a double-double as well with 16 rebounds.

For the Wolves, this type of victory will help get their season back on track and if they can keep the momentum rolling in the second half of the back-to-back against Stockton, it will allow them to start climbing up the standings. Meanwhile for Stockton, they need to bounce back in their next game with Iowa. As the top seed in the Western Conference, they can’t afford to be dropping games to a team at the bottom of the standings.

The two teams will be back at it tonight from Wells Fargo Arena, as the Kings try to get revenge on the Wolves.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks take on Stars tonight in effort to end three game skid

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) puts a stop on the Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (left) in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Feb 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Vancouver Canucks Drew O’Connor scored on a penalty shot 33 seconds into the overtime stanza as the Canucks got by the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Thursday night. O’Connor got to make the penalty shot after the Sharks Macklin Celebrini got called for a hooking penalty.

#2 The Canucks Dakota Joshua scored at 8:04 on a power play to get the Canucks on the scoreboard with the lead 1-0.

#3 The Sharks were behind 1-0 in the third period when Tyler Toffoli tied up the game at 1-1 with his 20th goal of the season at 18:32.

#4 Vancouver goaltender Thatcher Demko was looking for his second shutout in a row but will settle for the win and 33 saves. The Sharks Vitek Vanecek stopped 22 Vancouver shots.

#5 Dallas Stars are second in the central division this is a team that is on a roll with a 38-18-1 with 69 points only behind the mighty Winnipeg Jets. They’re in San Jose tonight how do you see the Sharks chances?

Join Mary Lisa for Sharks podcasts each Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 67th Caribbean Series Dominican Dominance

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Players of Puerto Rico celebrate after a Caribbean Series baseball consolation game against Venezuela at Nido de los Aguilas stadium in Mexicali, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.Fernando Llano – AP

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The title game took place in Hermosillo, México. The Dominican Republic won its 23rd Caribbean Series championship as it beat the previously unbeaten Charros de Jalisco, representing the host country, México.

The Leones del Escogido, representing the Dominican Republic, managed by Albert Pujols, beat the Mexican squad by the final score of 1-0. Esmil Rogers and the Leones pitching staff blanked the Mexicans by throwing a one-hitter for the 1-0 victory.

With the victory, the Dominican Republic continues its dominance of this tournament, as they now have won 23 titles. This series has been won by 29 teams from seven different countries.

History and Championships of the Caribbean Series by countries Dominican Republic 23, Puerto Rico 16, México 9, Cuba 8, Venezuela 8, Panamá 2, and COLOMBIA 1

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977, a role he continues to this day (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

A fight at center ice between Tucson Roadrunners' Montana Onyebuchi and San Jose Barracuda's Scott Sabourin during the first period at Tech CU Arena on Friday FEB 7, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

Walker’s debut pivotal in Roadrunners 4-3 comeback win over Barracuda

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Tucson Roadrunner defenseman Montana Onyebuchi goes toe to toe with San Jose Barracuda forward Scott Sabourin during a fight at center ice at Tech CU Arena on Friday FEB 7, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Sammy Walker had an impressive debut for the Tucson Roadrunners.

Walker scored four points and was involved in every goal as his team overcame a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 comeback victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost two games in a row. Tucson snapped its season worst eight-game losing streak.

Walker, who was picked up off of waivers by the Utah Hockey Club after being released by the Minnesota Wild, was assigned to Tucson on Monday after the AHL All-Star break.

A scoreless first period featured a heavyweight bout of a fight between each team’s respective enforcers, San Jose’s Scott Sabourin and former Cuda defenseman Montana Onyebuchi at the 8:51 mark. Tucson (20-19-2-1-43 points) outshot San Jose 13-7 in the opening frame that featured the Barracuda killing a double minor for high sticking by Joey Keane.

‘Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who made his first start with San Jose since being sent back down by the parent team Sharks, was the ‘Cuda’s best penalty killer during the first 20 minutes of the game.

San Jose (23-14-2-3-51 points) drew first blood early in the second period. A shot attempt by Ethan Cardwell was blocked by Onyebuchi. The puck pinballed in a sea of traffic in front of the crease before leaking out to Thomas Bordeleau who snapped home a wrist shot past Roadrunners goalie Jackson Stauber for his eighth goal of the season at the 1:55 mark.

The Barracuda doubled their lead with a power play goal exactly six minutes later. Ethan Cardwell sent a pass back up to the point to Luca Cagnoni. The rookie defenseman weaved his way between two Roadrunners defenders before finding Pavol Regenda in front of the crease. Regenda walked around Stauber before depositing the puck into an open net for his first goal in a ‘Cuda uniform and fifth of the season at the 7:55 mark.

The Roadrunners cut the Barracuda lead in half with a power play goal on its fifth attempt. Ben McCarthy made a drop pass back up to the point to Robbie Russo. The veteran defenseman whipped a wrist shot past a screened Askarov for his first goal of the season at the 17:09 mark.

Tucson scored its second power play of the game just 30 seconds later as San Jose continued its undisciplined parade to the penalty box. Egor Sokolov found Sammy Walker down low in front of the crease. Walker cleaned up his own rebound for his first goal in a Roadrunners uniform and third of the season at the 17:39 mark.

Walker picked up the primary assist on the Roadrunners third unanswered goal to start the third period. Walker skated down the right wing before centering pass over to Austin Poganski who buried a one-timer top shelf past Askarov for his 10th goal of the season 16 seconds into the period to give Tucson their first lead of the game.

San Jose responded with the equalizer just over three minutes later. A shot from the point by Lucas Vanroboys caromed off the back boards and off the pad of Stauber. Brandon Coe, who crashed the net, tapped the puck into an empty net for his third goal of the season at the 3:42 mark.

Tucson regained the lead near the halfway mark of the period. On a counterattack, Curtis Douglas from the right-wing boards slung a pass in front of the crease that caromed off the skate of Walker for what proved to be the game winning goal, his second goal of the game and fourth of the season, at the 9:07 mark.

Stauber (7-5-0) finished the game stopping 26 of the 29 shots he faced to earn his seventh win of the season in just his 12th start. Askarov (9-5-1-3) didn’t deserve the hard luck loss as he made 30 saves on 34 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Tucson went 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Walker (2G, 2A) 2) Coe (1G, 1A) 3) Cardwell (0G, 2A).

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game weekend series on Saturday 2/8 at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: NCAA to follow President’s order ban on Transgender women

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Former San Jose State University Spartans Volleyball player Blaire Fleming (3) a trans player from the 2024 team. According to the California International Scholastic Federation trans students are allowed to participate in school programs in California. The NCAA says trans players going forward in other states will be banned (facebook photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Last year, San José State University was at the center of the transgender athlete controversy after a team member sued the school and the conference over the inclusion of a transgender teammate. Other schools also were involved in similar situations.

Today, the NCAA announced it would follow President Trump’s signing of an executive order to bar Transgender women from competing in women’s college sports. The sports organization announced on Thursday that transgender women will be barred from competing in N.C.A.A. women’s college sports, a day after President Trump effectively forced the decision by reversing federal policy. “We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions,” Charlie Baker, the president of the N.C.A.A., said in a statement. “To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.” The rules varied by sport, especially as to how much testosterone could remain in a transgender woman’s blood following hormone therapy.

USA Volleyball, for instance, allowed an athlete to compete as a woman, even with testosterone levels typical of many men. U.S. Rowing’s limit for college athletes was just one-fourth of volleyball’s. This is common sense, so this controversy is history for collegiate sports.

Polls around the country on this issue showed that 69% of the American people agree that biologically born men who are later trans to female should not be allowed to play in women’s sports. I am not an attorney, and I know you can sue a ham sandwich, so there could be lawsuits all over the place, but in my opinion, since the majority of popular opinion in this country agrees, more than likely, this will stay, especially when the NCAA agrees with this decision.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977, a role he continues to this day (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Knights stay perfect in New Jersey with 3-1 win; Lightning open up some offense on Ottawa in 5-1 win; plus more NHL news

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Vegas Golden Knights Tomas Hertl (right) brings the puck up ice against the New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes (left) in the first period at the Prudential Center in Newark on Thu Feb 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights had goals scored from three different players in their 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Thursday night. Jack Eichel, Nicolas Roy, and Shea Theordore scored a goal each. Adin Hill will be representing Canada in goal during the 4 Nations Face off on Feb 12-20. Hill stopped 14 shots for the Knights. The Knights have not lost a game in New Jersey in their seven games there since coming into the NHL.

#2 Brayden Point scored a goal and had two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1 at Amalie Arena on Thursday night. The Bolts Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel scored a goal apiece. Nikita Kucherov had two assists and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 27 shots. It was Tampa Bay’s second win over three days against Ottawa.

#3 Alexander Ovechkin scored his 879th goal on a on timer just inside of the right face off circle at 19:07 in the first period and is now 16 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky for the NHL record of 894 goals. Ovechkin has a hot hand right now he has scored in four straight games with 26 goals on the season. The Washington Capitals get a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

#4 Dylan Guenther scored an overtime goal for the second straight game and the Utah Hockey Club edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Guenther scored at 4:27 getting a pass from goaltender Connor Ingram and got a breakaway scoring on his own rebound for the win.

#5 Filip Gustavsson saved 38 shots for the Minnesota Wild as they win in a one goal difference over the Carolina Hurricanes at the Xcel Energy Center in St.Paul on Thursday night 2-1. Gustavsson made quite a recovery in net after allowing six Ottawa Senators goals in his last start.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com