MLB podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 17, 2025: Pirates Skenes will he have another Cy Young type season?; Braves Strider returns after missing last season; plus more news

Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes (30) pitches to the Washington Nationals in the first inning on Mon Apr 14, 2025 in Pittsburgh (AP News photo)

MLB podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 17, 2025

#1 There is a lot of talk about the Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes who is now considered an All Star. During the 2024 season Skenes had himself a season going 11-3 ERA 1.96 and so far this season is 2-1 ERA 2.96. Skenes says that he does focus when he gets some quite time and that brings him out on the field to make those starts. Can you talk about his skill as a pitcher and can he repeat the kind of season he had last year?

#2  Atlanta Braves right handed pitcher Spencer Strider faced the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday and threw five plus innings allowed two runs, struck out five, walked one and hit one batter in an 3-1 loss and it was Strider’s first appearance since he had surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

#3 Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt who was working first base took a line drive that hit him in the face. Wendelstedt the son of former umpire Harry Wendelstedt hit the ground after being hit off the bat by New York Mets center fieldr Tyrone Taylor in the seventh inning. Taylor and Minnesota Twins pitcher Louis Varland reacted in shock after seeing the ball hit Wendelstedt.

#4 The Chicago White Sox who got lit up by the Sacramento A’s 12-3 on Tuesday night at Rate Field designated right hand pitcher Mike Clevenger for assignment on Wednesday. Clevenger allowed three runs in the top of the ninth inning in Tuesday’s game. He had been struggling with an 0-2 record and an ERA of 7.94 in five appearances so far this year. He was 9-14 in 28 starts and eight relief appearances for the Sox.

#5 Miguel, finally talk about the job that San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has been doing he’s hitting .333, 21 hits, 3 home runs, and 12 RBIs. He’s played some outstanding defense and went two for three with two hits and two runs scored in his last game on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Join Michael Duca for the MLB podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants looking to sweep four game series against Phils at Citizens Bank

San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos (front) and Jung Hoo Lee (back) share congratulations with teammates following Wed Apr 16, 2025 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee hit for single, double, and had two RBIs as the San Francisco Giants clobbered the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Ballpark 11-4. Little doubt that Jung Hoo has been a big contributor.

#2 San Francisco continues to roll they are now 13-5 and picked up their third win in this current four game series.

#3 The Giants got RBI help from Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores, and Patrick Bailey each hit for two RBIs. They’re getting the hitting production.

#4 Phillies starter Aaron Nola got lit up and his record dropped to 0-4, he surrendered six earned runs and nine hits he was no mystery to the Giants.

#5 The Giants move onto game four of the series and will start Jordan Hicks (1-1 ERA 5.87) starting for the Phillies Christopher Sanchez (1-0, ERA 3.12) first pitch 1:05pm PDT. Morris how do you like the Giants chances at sweeping four games it’s one of the more difficult things to do in the Majors.

Morris Phillips does the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Eliminated by Mavericks 120-106 in Play-In; Monte McNair Fired Immediately After Game

Monte McNair ex GM (right) and owner Vivek Ranadive (left) of the Sacramento Kings (Photo: ESPN on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–In a whirlwind of a season for the Kings, it all came down to one game. The Kings and Mavericks played in the Western Conference 9/10 play-in game on Wednesday night inside Golden 1 Center.

The sold-out crowd inside G1C was raucous from the start as the Kings looked for a win and a date with the Memphis Grizzlies in a second play-in game for the eighth seed. The Kings and Mavs largely had similar seasons marred with turmoil and turnover.

The Mavs made what many consider to be the worst trade in NBA history, shipping Luka Doncic out for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. On the other hand, the Kings traded All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox and head coach Mike Brown during the season. Neither team could afford to lose the game, but one was destined to. The Sacramento Kings’ season ended on Wednesday as they lost to the Mavs 120-106.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a solid start. The pace and intensity matched the Mavericks’, and the Kings outscored them 29-27 in the opening quarter. It seemed the Kings came to play; however, the first quarter would be the only quarter in which the game was close.

In the second quarter, the Mavs exploded for 44 points compared to the Kings’ 19. The Kings appeared to lose all will to live in the game. I felt as if I was watching someone slowly die after the body had given up. The Kings went into halftime trailing the Mavs 71-48.

In the third quarter, the Mavs continued to pour it on. Dallas outscored the Kings 33-28 in the third as all hopes of a Kings comeback were snuffed out. The Kings continued to struggle to contain the Mavs, as their size and length proved too much for Sacramento.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings had all but mailed it in. The Kings couldn’t mount any comeback as they were blown off their home court by the final of 120-106. The Kings went out with a whimper in the 2024-2025 campaign. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in defeat with 30 points in 43 minutes of action.

Immediately following the game, while reporters were in the locker room, I got word from a league source that Kings head coach Monte McNair was fired.

Following the news, players were called into a meeting while some still showered—another cog in the wild turn of events that was the Kings’ season.

The Kings will hold exit interviews later this week, and the media will get one last chance to talk to this current group of players.

Edmonton Shuts Out Sharks in Final Game of the Season 3-0

Sharks vs. Oilers in the Final game of the season at SAP Center in San Jose on April 16, 2025 (Edmonton Oilers Media)

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, CA — The Saddest day for fans has come, at least for the San Jose Sharks. Wednesday night, the Sharks got shutout 3-0 at SAP Arena and played their 82nd game of the season against the Edmonton Oilers.

For the Oilers, a final rehearsal before going to real-time against the Los Angeles Kings for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs while the Sharks have tons of things to reflect on as they head on to off season.

A week full of mixed feelings and nostalgia for Sharks fans: Logan Couture decided to hang up the skates and retire. A standing ovation was well received by the Former Captain Couture who was at the game and where also Sharks royalty was in attendance such as Joe Thornton.

The Sharks once again finished last in the Western Conference and last in overall standings. There are some positives within the bad picture… there is a sense of hope for the upcoming season.

The 2024-25 Sharks season concluded with a 20-50-12 record slightly better than 19-54-9 record from the 2023-24 season.

Overall, the Sharks will get the First draft pick in the upcoming NHL Draft in June.

Edmonton came into this game with nothing to lose; it was up to the Sharks to close things out with a home win again at a nearly sold-out SAP Center.

Connor McDavid, one of the prodigies of this era of the NHL, recorded 100 points this season, marking his eighth season of scoring 100 goals in his ten years in the league.

Ty Emberson scored the Oilers’ first goal of the night just eight minutes into the first period.

Max Jones pushed the Oilers’ lead to 2-0 at 10:17 of the second period. Adam Henrique passed a puck from behind the net to the top of the crease, and Jones beat Georgiev by the blocker.

The veteran Corey Perry closed out the regular season with a goal assisted by Kasperi Kapanen.

The Sharks unfortunately couldn’t score, but the team’s fans showed their deepest gratitude at the end of the season filled with changes, joy, sadness, but with the faith that things will get better.

Now, it’s time to focus on what lies ahead in the offseason.

But for now, there’s still hockey to enjoy because the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this coming April 19th.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:A’s not selling out a 14,014-seat park?

Sutter Health Park on Apr 4, 2024 the day the Sacramento A’s announced they will play all their home games in Sacramento at a press conference. The A’s have hosted two homestands into the 2025 season and have won two out nine home games so far. (AP News file photo)

A’s not selling out a 14,000-seat park?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Although A’s players will not speak about it publicly, I am sure they will be pleased when they go on the road. It is not good business for any team not to sell out home games than when they play on the road, especially in a 14,014 capacity park, in Sacramento. MLB’s gate revenue (ticket sales) is typically split roughly 95-5 between the home and visiting teams.

The home team keeps approximately 95% of the gate, while the visiting team receives approximately 5%. So this could be terrible revenue news for the Athletics, win or lose, because when you go on the road to play, even if you win the game, you never win in money/ticket sales, that is ‘to be expected’, but at home?

Throughout decades in this business, I have learned that players usually like to win at home, where they get the most respect from fans and the best following, where generally more people come to see you play. It is only normal, this is your home park, you sleep on the same bed for 81 games, home cooking most of the time.

But not for the ATH playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, at least not this 2025 season. However, the A’s will not be embarrassed this year for having the lowest attendance in baseball. Why is that? Because the Tampa Bay Rays are playing this 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, their temporary home while Tropicana Field in St Petersburg is under repair from damage during Hurricane Milton, their capacity is only 11,026.

By the way, Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the New York Yankees. My good friend and Spanish broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Rays, tells me that although a small park is kept in “beautiful condition”, in his words.

Rare situation: While it is not the first time an MLB team has played in a minor league park, it’s unusual for two major league teams to do so simultaneously this season, for different circumstances. One is a temporary relocation, the other an act of God.

So, why are the A’s not selling at home regularly? There are many factors. It is a new city(never been a Major League town) with a smaller population and a much smaller park than Oakland. The A’s are not a team favorite to win anything this year. They share the field with the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats.

What is already happening is embarrassing. More people attending the A’s game in Sacramento are rooting for the visiting team, which is not “normal” in baseball. It did happened in Oakland during the last few years, but ‘let’s face it’ when you play in a 14,014-seat stadium and 10,000 are rooting for the Cub and not the A’s, the Giants and not the A’s, the Yankees and not the A’s and so on during the whole season and that in any language is Embarrassing. The A’s are the most toxic franchise today in all sports, so this should not surprise anybody.

Such is the story for the 2025 A’s/ATH in Sacramento, originally one of eight franchises that founded the American League in 1901. The United States Steel Co. was created the same year, becoming the first billion-dollar corporation.

1901 Trivia: Nap Lajoie of the Philadelphia Athletics achieved the highest batting average in a single season, a record still standing today, a .426 batting average. He also became the first American League player to win the Triple Crown, leading in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.

FAMILY FUN THIS SUMMER – MAY TO SEPT  –   AQUA ADVENTURE WATER PARK @ 40500 PASEO PADRE BLVD, FREMONT  (880 S./ Stevenson Blvd E)

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 ending in 2024 (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.

Sacramento A’s game recap: Gio’s Triple the Difference as the Green and Gold Stay Hot in Chicago and upend Pale Hose 3-1

Sacramento A’s Gio Urshela swings for a two RBI triple in the top of the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Wed Apr 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

Gio’s Triple the Difference as the Green and Gold Stay Hot in Chicago

By Mauricio Segura

It took one jolt from the Sacramento A’s Gio Urshela to tilt the scales, and that was all the A’s needed.

On a chilly Wednesday night at Rate Field, the green and gold edged past the Chicago White Sox 3-1 in a tight and scrappy contest, fueled by timely hitting, gutsy pitching, and a bullpen that continues to lock things down late. Urshela’s two-run triple in the sixth was the game-winner, erasing an early 1-0 deficit and sealing the A’s second straight win to open the three-game series.

The early part of the night belonged to the pitchers. Osvaldo Bido, making his fourth start of the season, gave the A’s five innings of one-run ball. His only blemish came in the third inning, when Brooks Baldwin jumped on a pitch and sent it over the right field wall for a solo shot. But Bido, who entered the game with a 3.00 ERA and had yet to allow a home run in 2025, kept things from unraveling. He stranded two runners later that inning and finished with a solid line: five innings, six hits, one earned run, and no walks.

That composure on the mound bought the offense just enough time.

After going quiet through the first five frames against White Sox rookie Jonathan Cannon, the A’s came alive in the sixth. Tyler Soderstrom, who leads the majors in home runs, kicked things off with a single. JJ Bleday followed with a game-tying RBI single, then came Urshela’s moment, a sharp liner into the right field corner that brought home two and gave the A’s a 3-1 lead they would never relinquish.

Urshela, who had struggled early in the season, now has hits in five of his last six games and is showing signs of the veteran presence the A’s hoped for when they brought him aboard this offseason.

Lawrence Butler added to his steady stretch with two hits and two stolen bases, bringing his season total to four. He’s now reached base safely in 13 of the A’s 14 games he’s started, and his late-inning speed proved critical in applying pressure on the Sox bullpen.

And once again, the A’s bullpen did not blink.

T.J. McFarland, José Leclerc, and Tyler Ferguson tag-teamed to cover innings six through eight. Ferguson, in particular, impressed with a high-pressure groundout to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. That handed the ball to fireballer Mason Miller for the ninth, and Miller slammed the door with authority.

The hard-throwing righty struck out the side, flashing triple-digit heat that has become his signature. Miller now has four saves on the season and remains unscored upon through six appearances. He’s also struck out 12 of the 21 batters he’s faced. According to team stats, Miller owns nine of the 17 fastest pitches in the majors so far this year.

For the Athletics, this win marks their sixth on the road this season, and with a 6-3 away record, they now rank among the best traveling teams in the majors. This is no small feat for a club still working to find its footing in a new market while carrying the weight of relocation rumors and a turbulent fanbase transition.

It also doesn’t hurt that this team, despite being under .500 at 8-10, is hitting .290 with runners in scoring position, second best in all of baseball, and doing it with contributions up and down the lineup.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Giants Take Game Three in Philly Series With an 11-4 Win; Phils hoping to tie series on Thursday

San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee slugs a double in the top of the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Wed Apr 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After losing yesterday’s game to the Philadelphia Phillies (10-8) the San Francisco Giants (13-5) came into game three of the series on fire winning it by the score of 11-4. They took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and even though Philadelphia tied up the game at 4-4 in the fourth inning, the Giants took back the lead in the fifth inning and never looked back.

Tyler Fitzgerald had three hits and two runs. There were no home runs from the Giants in this game but there were a slew of singles and doubles, 14 in total. Once again Jung Hoo Lee was one of the stars of the show with a single, a double driving in two runs.

Game recap: The Giants got a great start in the first inning of this game scoring four runs for the early lead. The first run was scored by Willy Adames off a Jung Hoo Lee single. Matt Chapman singled advancing Lee to second followed by a Heliot Ramos walk and San Francisco had the bases loaded.

Wilmer Flores walked advancing the runners and San Francisco had their second run of the game. Patrick Bailey would finish up the inning with a single that drove Chapman and Ramos home for a 4-0 lead.

It was really looking good for the Giants going into the bottom of the first inning. Unfortunately pitcher Robbie Ray had a disastrous inning. He loaded the bases and walked in two runners, Trae Turner and Bryce Harper cutting the Giants lead in half. 4-2.

Ray went on to walk four batters in the inning but finally collected himself and got out of the inning. He had thrown almost 40 pitches in the opening inning.

Robbie Ray remained in the game going into the fourth inning keeping the Phillies off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the fourth, the Phillies Bryce Harper with his first swing of the night hit the first home run of the game, a two run homer to right and the score was even at 4-4. After such a great start for the Giants this ball game was all even and the Giants would be looking to take back the lead.

Lou Trevino would relieved Robbie Ray in the fifth inning. It was rough going for Ray in this game going four innings, allowing six hits, four earned runs, five walks with six strikeouts.

San Francisco took back the lead in the fifth inning. Matt Chapman singled and Lee was able to score from second on a throwing error from Johan Rojas for a 5-4 Giants lead. Despite a very long first inning, this game was moving right along going into the sixth inning. Trevino had a great inning dismissing the Phillies three up and three down

With two runners on base and one out in the sixth, the Giants were trying to add to their lead. San Francisco loaded the bases with the one out and that was it for pitcher Aaron Nola. Jose Ruiz relieved Nola trying to get out of the inning.

Ruiz went on to walk Willy Adames for another San Francisco run followed by a Lee sacrifice that drove in Fitzgerald and the Giants had built their lead back up to 7-4. The San Francisco lead was in jeopardy when Philadelphia threatened in the bottom of the sixth with two runners on base and only one out.

Trevino struck out Kyle Schwarber and with runners at the corners he was looking for the third out and he got just that; the Giants had protected their 7-4 lead going into the seventh inning.

The Giants threatened to extend their lead in the seventh inning with two runners on base and no outs. Ramos had singled and LaMonte Wade Jr. walked. Wilmer Flores came to the plate and singled Ramos home giving San Francisco an 8-4 lead.

Tyler Fitzgerald doubled driving in another run followed by a Yastrzemski double driving in Fitzgerald and Flores extending their lead to 11-4 in a scoring marathon. The inning finally came to an end with the Giants absolutely crushing it. Giant relief pitcher Camilo Doval had a great inning with a strike out, fly out, and line-out.

Matt Chapman and LaMonte Wade Jr. both drew walks in the top of the eighth inning as Philly relief pitcher Carlos Hernandez was really struggling with throwing strikes. Hernandez got out of the inning after a bit of a shaky start and the Phillies had a lot of work to do going into the final innings. San Francisco relief pitcher Spencer Bivens breezed through the bottom of the eighth inning.

Bevins made short work of the Phillies striking out J.T. Realmuto in the bottom of the ninth for the third out to close out the game with the Giants taking the series lead 2-1. San Francisco had come away with a dominant win 11-4.

Game notes: It was another chilly, blistery day at Citizens Bank Park as the Giants (13-5) defeated the Phillies rather handedly 11-4 in the third of this four game series. The Giants won game one on Monday 10-4, the Phillies tied up the series winning game two 6-4 Tuesday.

San Francisco rallied in game two but came up a few runs short. In today’s game, Robbie Ray took the mound for the Giants going four innings, six hits, four earned runs, five walks and eight strike outs. The Phils Aaron Nola went 5.1 innings, with nine hits, and six earned runs, walking four and struck out eight.

Thursday afternoon the Giants will finish up the series with Philadelphia in game four. San Francisco will be more than thrilled to finish up this road trip and enjoy some much warmer weather in a series with the Los Angeles Angels the Big A in Anaheim that gets underway Friday night.

In Thursday’s game Jordan Hicks (1-1 ERA 5.87) will get the nod on the mound while the Phillies will be looking to tie up this series with starting Christopher Sanchez (1-0 ERA 3.12). First pitch for the final game of the series is scheduled for 1:05 PM.

NBA Playoffs podcast with Michael Roberson: Golden St’s Butler and Curry do damage in play in win over Memphis; Magic’s Anthony leads with 26 pts in win over Hawks; plus more news

Golden State Warriors Jimmy Butler (left) and Stephen Curry (right) embrace the Warriors victory over the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA play in win at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 15, 205 (AP News photo)

NBA Playoffs podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1  Golden State Warriors Jimmy Butler scored 38 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, guard Stephen Curry scored 37 as the Warriors are the seventh seeded team in the NBA Western Conference with a 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Tuesday night’s play in tournament at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors have advanced to the best of seven games to face the Houston Rockets in Houston on Sunday.

#2  The Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony came off the bench on Tuesday night with 26 points with six assists to help lead the Magic to a 120-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA play in tournament. Paolo Banchero scored 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists and Wendell Carter Jr scored 19 points with seven rebounds. Next up for the Magic the Boston Celtics in Boston Sun Apr 20th for the best of seven series?

#3 On the other hand the Hawks Trae Young was none to thrilled with the direction of the play in game and was so frustrated that at 4:47 left in the game he got hit with two technical fouls one for throwing a chest pass at official James Williams and deflecting the ball with his foot and would not give the ball to official Pat Fraher. Was this a matter of how the Hawks just couldn’t get anything going against the Magic and Young had just had enough and this would be his season’s swan song?

#4 Michael, talk about Isiah Thomas’ comments regarding the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James taking warm ups before last Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers without a shirt on. Thomas said if it had been one of his players doing that he wouldn’t have allowed it. Thomas went onto to say “What are we doing here” and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver needs to fine that. Michael your thoughts on LeBron taking warm ups before games without a shirt on?

#5  Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said that “defense wins championships” and he used that to explain why he made the decison to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers in deal that shocked the NBA and quite frankly upset the Mavericks fanbase that had fans chanting in the stands for firing Harrison.

Michael Roberson does the NBA podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Fernando Abarca Wed Apr 16, 2025: Oilers-Sharks meet up for final game of the season for San Jose at SAP Arena

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) celebrates with William Eklund (right) and Will Smith (left) after scoring a third period goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Mon Nov 25, 2024 at SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks play their last game of the season against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center on Wed Apr 16, 2025 (AP News file photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Fernando:

#1 Fernando, this is the last game of the season for the San Jose Sharks this was a season that had lots of positives and lots of negatives.

#2 Will Smith, William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini are the future of this franchise try as hard as they did there was only so much they could do.

#3 The Sharks once again finished last in the NHL Pacific Division and had the worst record at 20-49-12 and had only 52 points in the Western Conference.

#4 One of the big things for an NHL franchise is goaltending, the Sharks future relies on good defense and who protecting the net between the pipes talk about the job that goaltenders Alex Georgiev and Georgi Ramanov did this season?

#5 The Sharks conclude this 2024-25 season tonight at SAP Center against the Edmonton Oilers this is the third meeting between the two teams since April 3rd. The Oilers have taken the first two games of the three with this last game and having seeing the Oilers twice already does that somewhat give the Sharks a prospective on the Oilers that they could take this game tonight?

Fernando Abarca is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Charanbir Mahal (INDTVUSA) Wed Apr 16, 2025: Couture just couldn’t recover from 2024 injury; Sharks captain forced into retirement

San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture (39) seen walking down the runway to the ice at SAP Center in San Jose had announced that he was retiring from hockey on Tue Apr 14, 2025 (photo by San Jose Sharks)

San Jose Sharks podcast Charanbir Mahal:

#1 San Jose Sharks team captain Logan Couture is hanging up the skates after playing in the NHL and all 15 seasons with the San Jose Sharks from 2009-10 to 2023-24. Couture had been suffering from a debilitating injury where he played six games in Jan 2024 before having to go out with the injury.

#2 Charanbir, talk about the impact that it had on the team when Couture was out with the injury and it just kept being prolonged that he wasn’t coming back and people realized it was more serious than it first looked?

#3 Couture’s injury came when he couldn’t skate anymore in January 2024. The Sharks medical team decided the decision had to be made that Couture had to stop playing until he was physically able to improve.

#4 The debilitating injury that Couture was suffering from was called ostetis pubis it’s an inflammation of the joint between the left and right pubic bones. The injury was so bad that he couldn’t skate or even practice and the expectations were Couture would make it back but Couture couldn’t recover enough to get back to playing again.

#5 Couture 36, was a presence in the Sharks dressing room and he lifted the spirits of San Jose. He was the glue and the players responded around him and even during the Sharks post season years.

Charanbir Mahal is a reporter for INDTVUSA, does Sharks Snap Shot, and San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com