Author: Sports Radio Service

2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic features San Jose State Spartan night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Wednesday wasn’t only day three of the 2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, but also San Jose State Spartan night. As a San Jose State alum, I couldn’t be more proud of my alma mater for hosting such an event for the former graduates since it has been a while since we’ve seen each other.

Wednesday’s order of play featured Japan’s Mayo Hibi and Greece’s Maria Sakkari at 11 am. It wasn’t that much of a surprise, but Sakkari defeated Hibi 4-6, 6-4 and 6-2. Sakkari is now the number seven seed. Hibi and Sakkari were followed by Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, who was a wild card. But it was Svitolina who downed Kasatkina 6-3 and 6-1. Svitolina is now the number one seed.

Somewhere in between, Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka celebrated her 30th birthday in the South Bay. Azarenka received a whopping four chocolate cakes, which were probably not finished by her, but also her son, family and friends who were in the area to watch the Belarusian tennis star.

The 2 pm match featured Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova and Australia’s Priscilla Hon versus Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichekock. Yes, Lyudmyla and Nadiia are twin sisters who were born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine on July 20, 1992. It was a nice sight to see twin sisters take on a multicultural duo.

The 3 pm match featured USA’s CoCo Vandeweghe and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka. Despite the practice Vandeweghe put in prior to the match versus Sabalenka, but it was Sabalenka who picked up her opening win 6-3 and 6-3 over Vandeweghe. Sabalenka is now a number two seed.

The 4 pm match featured USA’s Kirstie Ahn and Madison Brengle versus Australia’s Monique Adamczak and Storm Sanders. The monocultural duos battled it out on the court, but they displayed sportsmanship in the end, despite the final result.

Fast forward to the 7 pm match when Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro faced off against USA’s Bethanie Mattek-Sanders. During the match, play was suspended for unknown reasons, but it resumed after about five minutes. Suarez Navarro won the match 3-6, 6-1 and 6-2 over Mattek-Sanders. Suarez Navarro is now the number six seed.

The final match of the evening featured New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and USA’s Sabrina Santamaria versus Australia’s Ellen Perez and Great Britain’s Heather Watson.

Fans in attendance, including San Jose State alumni, went home happy knowing they watched the morning and/or evening matches and enjoyed fine dining as well as the company of their loved ones.

Thursday’s order of play can be seen below.

Start 11 am
S. Zheng (CHN) vs. [8] D. Collins (USA) [Q]
K. Ahn (USA) vs. [3] E. Mertens (BEL)

Not before 3 pm
#4 A. Anisimova (USA) vs. M. Brengle (USA)

Not before 7 pm
#5 D. Vekic (CRO) vs V. Azarenka (BLR)
Doubles TBC

Court 1 start
Doubles TBC

Matt Mendes named Spartan Sports Properties GM

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Matt Mendes, who has 11 years of sales and sponsorship experience in college and professional sports, recently accepted the position of general manager of Spartan Sports Properties. San Jose State University Athletics Director Marie Tuite made the announcement on Wednesday.

To date, Mendes has secured more than $40 million in premium, sponsorship and ticket sales for the teams he represented. Spartan Sports Properties is the locally based team for Learfield IMG College, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder.

“We are very fortunate to have a successful and experienced sales executive like Matt taking over the important position of Spartan Sports Properties general manager. He’s had success throughout his career in a variety of challenging sales environments, in several roles such as group and premium ticket sales, sponsorship sales and managing business relationships with high-end corporate clients. We are looking forward to his leadership in the areas of sponsorships and media rights for San Jose State University Athletics,” said Tuite.

Most recently, he was a senior manager of premium sales for the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA and the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL for the last two professional seasons. His NBA experience also includes the Sacramento Kings as a manager of premium sales and the New Orleans Hornets as a corporate business development executive.

Mendes’ professional sports experience also includes working for the Los Angeles Dodgers of the MLB as a premium sales executive (2013-15) and the San Jose Sharks of the NHL as a sales manager for corporate sponsorships (2012-13).

“I’m excited to return to the GM chair with Learfield IMG College and look forward to working alongside the entire San Jose State athletics administration representing the Spartans,” said Mendes.

The UNLV graduated majored in sports management. He began his sports sales career in 2009 as the director of corporate sales for the Joliet (Ill.) JackHammers, an independent minor league baseball franchise in the Northern League.

His first experience at the college level was as the general manager of Learfield IMG College’s Mustang Sports Properties for Cal Poly University Athletics (2016-17), a position similar to his new responsibilities at San Jose State.

“Matt is talented and professional, and we’re proud to have him serving as general manager,” said Learfield IMG College Vice President Multi-Media Rights Jeff Bolitho. “He brings a brings a wealth of experience to our local team as we continue to help grow the Spartan brand within the state and on a national level.”

Mendes is joined by John Elliott, manager of business development, as the Spartan Sports Properties team headquartered in the San Jose State University Athletics Department.

2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic can be described as a Super Tuesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The 2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at San Jose State University opened up with a bang, and things steadily improved Tuesday, which could’ve been described as a Super Tuesday. Yes, a Super Tuesday!

The Round of 32 began with a morning tennis match at 10 am. Croatia’s Donna Vekic took the first match with a 6-4, 3-6 and 6-4 victory over Japan’s Misaki Doi. Vekic is now ranked number five.

The afternoon match at 12 pm featured China’s Zheng Saisai, who downed UK’s Heather Watson by a final of 6-3 and 6-1. After that, another Chinese tennis player Shuai Zhang took the court, but lost to USA’s Danielle Rose Collins 4-6, 7-5 and 6-2. Collins is now ranked number eight.

More afternoon matches followed as Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara faced off against Greece’s Maria Sakkari and Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. As usual, Sakkari was a very fast Spartan (a member of one of the most feared military forces in the Greek world) and was technically unable to slow down unless if the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic’s social media team used video editing, which they did.

The Japan versus Greece and Australia match was followed by a match between France’s Harmony Tan and Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka, which ended in an Azarenka win 6-2 and 6-4.

The 3 pm match featured Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu and China’s Shuai Zhang, who took the court for a second time, against Taiwan’s En-Shuo Liang and China’s Saisai Zhang, who also took the court for a second time. The match was pretty darn awesome as all four players were talented in their own special ways.

Then, the sun slowly went down. Fans in attendance enjoyed al fresco dining as they waited to watch more tennis.

The night matches began at 7 pm. First, an all-American match between Venus Williams and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Mattek-Sands stunned Williams 6-7(4), 6-3 and 6-1. Second, a multicultural match between USA’s Madison Brengle and Germany’s Andrea Petkovic. Brengle downed Petkovic 6-0 and 6-3 to wrap up the evening.

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Big Papi is happy to see his family in the DR again; Rays need Sogard’s bat to get into the wild card race; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Complex

On Headline Sports with Barbara Mason:

#1 Former Boston Red Sox David Ortiz is back home in the Dominican Republic after suffering a near assassination attempt. He said he’s glad to see his family again and is looking forward to eating his favorite foods again.

#2 Former Oakland A’s infielder Eric Sogard was with the Toronto Blue Jays this season and now joins the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays were looking to boost their lineup. Sogard is hitting .300 this season.

#3 The Oakland A’s continue to battle in the AL Wild Card race they got a walkoff walk on Sunday when A’s hitter Khris Davis walked to force a runner in from third base with the base loaded for a 7-6 win over the visiting Texas Rangers.

#4 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start throwing against the scrimmage defense with pads on and head coach Kyle Shanahan will get an idea how everything should look as far as blocking is concerned.

#5 Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Antonio Brown are all set to throw and catch and make it happen in camp as they prepare for their first preseason game on Saturday Aug 10th at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Rams.

Barbara does the Headline podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Smyly shuts down Giants’ offense in 4-2 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @JClarkNBCS

By Jeremy Kahn

Rhys Hoskins put the icing on the cake for the Philadelphia Phillies in the series and season opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Hoskins hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning off of Tyler Beede, helping the Phillies defeat the Giants 4-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Not only did Hoskins come up the biggest hit of the night, but new Phillies pitcher Drew Smyly was outstanding in his second start for the Phillies.

Smyly gave up one run in six innings in that first start and was just as amazing tonight against the Giants.

The left-hander went seven innings, allowing zero runs, while scattering four hits and struck out five.

The Giants finally got on the board in the top of the eighth inning, as Stephen Vogt and Brandon Belt each pinch-hit home runs off of Phillies reliever Nick Pivetta; however, that was all the offense that the Giants could muster in the series opener.

Phillies closer Hector Neris did not allow a run in the top of the ninth inning, as he picked up his 19th save of the season.

Beede gave up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Phillies took a 2-0 lead and then was done for the night after Hoskins hit his 23rd home run of the season that also scored Bryce Harper, who walked in the inning.

Maikel Franco got the Phillies on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he drove in J.T. Realmuto and then Adam Haseley singled in Cesar Hernandez to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

Beede went five innings, allowing four runs, walking two and striking out four, as he fell to 2-4 on the season.

NOTES: This was the Giants seventh straight loss at Citizens Bank Park, who came into the game winners of 12 out of 15 and 19 out of 24 prior to the loss.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija will take the mound on Wednesday evening for the Giants, while the Phillies will send Vince Velasquez to the hill.

San Jose State football will be back soon

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

As the title implies, San Jose State football will be back soon.

The Spartans started the week off right with a #MondayMotivation quote by former football head coach Dick Vermeil. Vermeil is a San Jose State alum who graduated with a master’s degree and served as a backup quarterback for the Spartan football team. Vermeil attended Calistoga High School.

Vermeil, a Calistoga, Calif. native, once said: “Winning is not a reward, it’s a consequence.”

The Spartans continued the week by talking to the media inside Levi’s Stadium for Bay Area Football Media Day. The San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Stanford Cardinal and Cal Golden Bears also attended the annual event.

Bay Area Football Media Day was chock full of fun, but the Spartans were pumped up to start their Fall Camp at CEFCU Stadium. That, my friends, will mark the return of college football in the South Bay.

Senior offensive lineman Troy Kowalski told Richardson’s broadcast partner Justin Allegri: “To know it’s less than 24 hours away, you feel like a little kid on Christmas.”

https://twitter.com/NunnLeki/status/1156259572215996417

Junior safety Tre Webb shared with San Jose State football radio analyst Kevin Richardson his feelings on the upcoming Spartan football season, which is less than a month away.

Webb told Richardson: “Being able to play and get used to the speed of the game.. getting bigger, faster, stronger this offseason…I’m really confident going into this season.”

The Spartans always released their new helmets, which were so fresh, so clean — like the Outkast song “So Fresh, So Clean” that was dropped on March 13, 2001.

Last but not least, the Spartans will host a Fan Fest on Saturday, August 3. There will be a scrimmage at 5:30 pm, and after that, a barbecue and a movie (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse) in the world’s largest mobile kitchen at 7 pm. The cost of Fan Fest will be $25 to the general public and free to Shield 365 members.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Farm club hitters busting at the seams for A’s; Davis walks A’s to a victory; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo: Oakland Athletics’ Marcus Semien, right, is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (4) after hitting a home run off Texas Rangers pitcher Pedro Payano in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Oakland.

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Taking a look at the A’s triple-A affiliate farm club, the Las Vegas Aviators, they’re a team coming along with 11 home runs in a 20-11 win over El Paso last Friday night.

#2 Amongst some of the Aviators prospects are catcher Sean Murphy who hit three home runs, Jorge Mateo, Dustin Fowler, and Mark Payton with two home runs each.

#3 The Oakland A’s got a walk-off walk when Khris Davis walked with the bags loaded on Sunday. Davis’ home run totals have been down. How much confidence does this give him after forcing a run in on a walk for the game-winner on Sunday?

#4 Josh Phegley. the A’s catcher, is out with a thumb contusion and catcher Todd Hundley was released by the club, Beau Taylor is up with the club plus the A’s have Sean Murphy and in Las Vegas swinging a hot bat.

#5 The A’s host the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. The Brewers will go on Tuesday with Adrian Houser (4-4, 4.19 ERA), and the A’s will start Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.09 ERA).

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Tony Perez and why he won’t appear at Jeter’s Hall of Fame inducton; Raiders get set to say goodbye to Oakland; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

USA Today file photo: Tony Perez and Andrew Dawson former Miami Marlins executives at the 2016 MLB Draft are considering sitting out the Hall of Fame induction boycotting their former boss Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter, who is going into the Hall of Fame.

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez was a super star, a big part of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. Then he retired and later became the Reds manager, but was fired after about a month by the then late Reds owner Marge Schott. It was a firing that shocked not only Perez but also the team and many in the organization.

#2 After Perez’ firing at the Reds, he was later hired in Florida, joining the Miami Marlins as a front office executive. Then when Derek Jeter bought and fired former Marlin players Andre Dawson, Jeff Conine, former manager Jack McKeon and Perez. The four have said including Hall of Famers Dawson and Perez said their leaning towards boycotting Jeter’s induction at Cooperstown.

#3 With Perez considering not appearing at the Baseball Hall of Fame induction of Jeter and joined by three other big name ex-Marlins, how does this fly in the face of a Jeter induction and will this be more of a distraction at the Hall of Fame inductions as this most likely will be the topic of conversation at the Hall on the day in question?

#4 This being the Oakland Raiders’ final season in Oakland. The Raiders are in camp and play their first preseason game on August 10th against the Dallas Cowboys at the Coliseum. There will be a lot memories left as the Raiders will close out this season in Oakland.

#5 The Raiders have been the subject of the HBO special “Hard Knocks”. HBO had approached nearly all 30 teams about doing a “Hard Knocks” special, but didn’t get a yes. Fans and viewers have said the Oakland Raiders, who have bucked the NFL and the commissioner in decades past, would be the perfect team to do the special on. Raiders general manager Mike Mayock says does not approve of the special on his team, but nonetheless, the production crew is in camp and in production.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast is heard each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic opens with a bang

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: zimbio.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The 2019 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic opened with a bang on Monday at San Jose State University. Two lucky winners who were iPhone owners turned their AirDrop to “EVERYONE” and won a pair of tickets to tonight’s session, which was a win-win given the fact that general admission was free today and folks came on down to check out practice, Court 1 action and enjoyed the new and improved site offerings.

The Round of 32 began at 10 am at the stadium.

Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro defeated Poland’s Magda Linette 6-3 and 6-3. Japan’s Mayo Hibi defeated Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-2, 3-6 and 7(7)-6(3). USA’s Kristie Ahn defeated Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 4-6 and 6-4.

The women’s tennis action continued at 1 pm on Court 1.

USA’s Bethanie Mattek-Sands and China’s Shuai Peng faced off against Japan’s Eri Hozumi and Makoto Ninomiya. It was a very exciting match that delighted the fans in attendance.

After that, Greece’s Maria Sakkai defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1 and 6-4.

The first day of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic ended with two matches at 7 pm on the stadium.

Last but not least, USA’s CoCo Vandeweghe defeated Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-2 and 6-2 to close out the night on a high note.

Last but not least, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina defeated the reigning Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic single’s champion Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2 and 6-2.

Tuesday’s order of play can be viewed below.

Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Garoppolo says he’s made an 180 with the ACL; More of the same expected out of Kittle; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfexaminer.com photo: Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets tuned up at the San Francisco 49ers camp on July 29th photo. The 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 10th in the first pre season game at Levis Stadium.

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 If there is anyone in the 49ers camp whose glad to be back is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whose making his return since the season-ending injury against the Kansas City Chiefs from last season when he tore his ACL. Garoppolo says he’s made a 180 recovery.

#2 Talk about George Kittle and what a season he had at tight end last season for the 49ers and what’s expected of him this season?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com