Author: Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: ESPN President says political commentary killed the network

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By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

James Pitaro, new President of ESPN, said: “My job is to provide clarity. I really believe that some of our talent was confused on what was expected of them.”

Pitaro admitted political commentary killed the network and vowed for change.

Pitaro added: “Our fans do not want politics mixed with sports.”

Alexandra J. Robert, a law professor specializing in trademark law, entertainment law and pop culture recently wrote in The Boston Globe how one business in particular feels. In this case, Dunkin Donuts said: “We are not Starbucks, we aren’t political, we aren’t gonna put stuff on our cups to start conversations. we don’t want to engage you in political conversation, we want to get you in and out of our store in seconds. It’s donuts and ice cream– just be happy.”

The majority of businesses have one agenda — to make money. I do not know of anybody that goes into business to lose money. Having said that we live in a free capitalistic free enterprise society, and people (even businesses) are allowed to promote certain causes. There is nothing wrong with that.

When it comes to sports, Pitaro has seen what has happened to his network and he is trying to change that. ESPN has always been a sports network. They do not tell you how to cook an omelet or how to elect somebody to Congress, while those watching the Food Channel could care less (well, at least when they are watching their favorite show) what was the score of the game. To each their own. I am old enough to remember when we had ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and vice versa way before cable. Now, we have 200-plus channels to chose from.

For years, I have maintained that sports is one of the biggest escapes to the boring everyday life. Let’s face it, most people’s lives consist of going to work in the morning and coming home in the afternoon. The overwhelming majority see sports that should always be neutral, something to enjoy, escape and relax from a hard day of work.

Pitaro gets it. He knew he has been hired to heal a network that during the past few years have been going downhill, not only from the competition, but also because some who get paid to cover sports dived into politics.

Pitaro knows very well he has not been hired to save the world, but to save a sports network.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s Canha 2-run homer proves difference in 6th straight win

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On the A’s podcast with Charlie:

#1 The Oakland A’s picked up their second straight win over the Cleveland Indians and sixth straight win in Cleveland on Tuesday at Progressive Field 5-3.

#2 A’s slugger Khris Davis was placed on the injured list and was replaced on Tuesday by Mark Canha, who hit a two-run homer in the third off Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer.

#3 The Davis injury, a sore hip that hasn’t recovered like they thought it would. Davis sat on Saturday and played on Sunday, but suffered with it on Tuesday and had to leave the game. Davis says he’s having a hard time swinging the bat.

#4 Bauer has struggled and Cleveland is waiting for Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger to return to the rotation. Bauer against Oakland walked four, struck out five, and hit three batters.

#5 On Wednesday’s contest, the A’s will start Frankie Montas (5-2, 2.67 ERA) and the Indians will start Jefry Rodriguez (1-3, 3.45 ERA).

Charlie O reviews the A’s on the podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: After a tough loss, Wondolowski breaks Donovan’s all-time MLS scoring record

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On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. After a tough loss in New England, San Jose defeated the Chicago Fire 4-1 and Chris Wondolowski broke Landon Donovan’s all-time MLS scoring record with his 146th career goal.

2. Aside from the Wondo Watch, what are your three takeaways from Quakes vs. Fire?

3. Richard Mulrooney and Dave Obenour were inducted into the Quakes Hall of Fame.

4. The San Jose Ultras were right about Wondo all along.

5. Chris Wondolowski and Jackson Yueill were named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 12.

Ana does the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week and has coverage of the Quakes in Toronto this Sunday http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Panik’s walk-off gives Giants huge 4-3 win

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Orovillemr.com photo: San Francisco Giants’ Joe Panik watches his two-run single in front of Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The Giants won 4-3.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Down to his last strike on multiple occasions, Joe Panik came up huge in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Panik slapped a single to right field off of Luke Jackson that scored Kevin Pillar and Mac Williamson, as the San Francisco Giants came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 before a crowd of just 28,030 at Oracle Park.

This was the second walk-off of the season for the Giants, and the second this month, as Buster Posey hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 1.

As for Panik, this was his second career walk-off hit and first since May 1, 2015 against the Los Angeles Angels.

Jackson came on in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he looked for his team-high seventh save of the season; however, in the end it did not happen.

The closer got Evan Longoria to ground out for the first out of the inning, but Brandon Crawford singled to left, then Jackson got Steven Duggar to strike out for the second out of the inning and then Crawford advanced an additional 90 feet on defensive indifference.

Pillar then cut the Braves lead down to one, as he singled in Crawford and then Pablo Sandoval came to the plate. Pillar then stole second to get into scoring position that setup Sandoval for the possible game-tying hit.

Sandoval hit a ball into the hole at third base that Josh Donaldson dove and kept the ball from going into left field that would have tied up the game, and Pillar stayed at third base. Williamson came on to pinch run for Sandoval, and stole second that setup Paniks heroics.

Panik fell behind 0-2 and then the count went to 3-2, and finally on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, Panik hit a 95 mile per hour into right field that scored both Pillar and Williamson to give the Giants an improbable victory.

The Braves got on the board in the first inning, as Dansby Swanson singled and eventually scored on a Nick Markakis double to left field.

Panik got the Giants rally started in the bottom of the first inning, as he singled off of Braves starter Julio Teheran, he went to second on a Buster Posey single and then over to third on a Brandon Belt fly ball to left field. Evan Longoria then tied up the game, as he doubled to left field to easily score Panik from third base; however, the rally ended, when Crawford struck out to end the inning.

Both Teheran and rookie Shawn Anderson matched each other inning for inning until the Braves finally got to Anderson in the top of the sixth inning and chased the rookie, who was making just his second major league start.

Donaldson and Markakis ended Andersons night, as they hit back-to-back singles in the top of the sixth inning and that brought on Reyes Moronta, who got Austin Riley to fly out to Duggar in centerfield; however, both Donaldson and Markakis advanced an additional 90 feet. Brian McCann broke up the tie, as he hit a sacrifice fly to Stephen Vogt in left field.

Freddie Freeman extended the Braves up to two runs in the top of the seventh inning, as he hit an opposite field single that scored Ronald Acuna, Jr., who walked with one out in the inning and went to second on a Swanson walk.

Acuna made a huge defensive play in the bottom of the third inning, as he robbed Brandon Belt of a solo home run.

If people that thought Acunas plat was huge, Crawford also came up with two huge defensive plays of his own.

The shortstop snared a Freeman line drive in the top of the third inning that looked like it was going into left field, but Crawford caught the ball to rob Freeman of a base hit.

Crawford came up huge on the defense again in the top of the ninth inning, as Acuna attempted to steal second base and was originally called safe; however, replays showed that Crawford applied the tag on the foot and the umpires went to replay and after a 44-second review, it was determined that Acuna was indeed out.

Paniks two-run walk-off base hit gave the win to Trevor Gott, who is 2-0 on the season, while Jackson falls to 2-1.

Anderson, who was making his second start of his career, went five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, not walking a batter and striking out three, as he did not fare in the decision.

The veteran Teheran went 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking three and striking out six.

Once again, the Giants helped out, as they went the final four innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking three and striking out two.

NOTES: Vogt started in left for just the second time in his major-league career, and it was his fifth appearance in left field and 17 in right field. Vogt last played in the outfield in 2017.

Sandoval picked up his 10th pinch-hit of the season, and is now 10-for-25 as a pinch-hitter this season.
In 16 career games against the Giants, Donaldson is 21-for-60, a .350 clip with seven extra base hits.

Acuna, who hit two home runs in the series opener on Monday night, has reached base in seven of his 10 plate appearances in the series, as he has walked twice and picked up five hits.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija looks for his third win of the season, as he takes the mound on Wednesday night for the Giants, while left-hander Max Fried looks to raise his record to 7-2 on the season, as he toes the rubber for the Braves.

NBA Finals podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors look like they could go all the way; Toronto or Milwaukee on deck

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On the NBA Finals podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 From all the looks of it, the Golden State Warriors look like they can go all the way at this point. Talk about their possible opponents for the next round in Toronto or Milwaukee.

#2 The Warriors did it without Kevin Durant. What does that show as either the Raptors or Bucks are going into the NBA Finals?

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Ted Williams & Hispanic heritage

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By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Ted Williams, also known as Teddy Ballgame, is the last man to hit .400 over a full season. In 1941, Williams, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, played 143 games (the season was a total of 154 games) with an average .406, drove-in 120 runs, received 147 bases on balls and struck out just 27 times. By any measure, that was one of the greatest seasons for anybody in the history of the game. The Hall of Famer played his entire 19-year career with Boston. Many agree he was the best pure hitter ever.

Williams was born in San Diego, California. His mother was Maria Hernandez-Benzor, born in Ciudad Juarez — near El Paso,Texas. The El Paso–Juárez region is the largest bilingual, bi-national work force in the Western Hemisphere.

The Hispanic Baseball Museum is the only museum of its kind in the country. It was established in San Francisco, California in June 1999, as a nonprofit institution 501(c)(3). This Museum is dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by its Hispanic players. Ted Williams is in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame — not only because he was a great player, but also because his mother was born in Mexico. When the museum first reported this, many ignored this fact, but when Williams played, this country was not really looking at people’s heritage. Williams was a very private man who dedicated himself to the game with a stellar career. In the 1940’s, US demographics were not what they are today — the amount of Hispanic-American players was just a handful unlike today’s 35%.

Some players still do not want to admit their heritage. For example, Reggie Jackson, whose full name is Reginaldo Martinez Jackson. He of Puerto Rican descent. He is also in Cooperstown and speaks a little Spanish. I have spoken to him on many occasions, like, say, when he played and after he retired. Some people do not feel comfortable admitting their heritage, but in today’s world, things have changed, and if you asked them directly, most players will not hesitate to tell you about how proud they feel of their lineage.

Decades ago, some players were shy, like the first Puerto Rican Ruben Gomez to pitch in a World Series. Gomez was with the New York Giants, who won Game 3 against the Cleveland Indians. Considering that, Jackie Robinson was the first to break the color barrier in 1947. Many Latin players, even those who are fair-skinned, were conscious that there was so much discrimination perpetuated on them. The media even made fun of how they spoke English. It was a tough environment for many of them. The great Roberto Clemente was often misquoted and he did not like it.  Orestes “Minnie” Minoso, who was born in Cuba and dark-skinned, told me that he never complained, but lived and played during those very difficult times. Also, Orlando Cepeda told me it was very difficult and said: “During those days,the white player was #1, the black player was #2 and the Latino player was #3 in baseball.”

But those years are now in the past. It is a part of history, and even though some people do not want to talk about it, it happened and no country can erase its history. For Ted Williams, it was a totally different situation. Although he was of Hispanic heritage, he was also white, and one of the best players of his generation — a mega star. As a matter of fact, many who played with or against Williams during those years did not know about his heritage. They would have been very surprised if they learned Ted Williams’ mother was Mexican.

In case you missed it: Cardinal DB Paulson Adebo named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list

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By: Ana Kieu

All-American defensive back Paulson Adebo was one of 42 student-athletes named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list last Friday.

As a sophomore, Adebo was named second-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Adebo’s the youngest Cardinal defensive player to earn FWAA All-America recognition and joins Christian McCaffrey as the only Cardinal sophomores to make the list.

In his first year of action, Adebo led the country with a school-record 20 pass breakups and 24 passes defended. A first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Adebo also led the team and was third in the Pac-12 with four interceptions in 2018.

Harrison Phillips was a finalist for the award in 2017 and Chase Thomas was a finalist in 2013. Owen Marecic was awarded an honorary Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2010.

The 42 (Ronnie Lott’s number) nominees represent the finest in college football — defensive players who have had the biggest IMPACT on their teams both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Candidates will be evaluated during the season with a Player of the Week chosen each week (and his school receiving $1,000 for its general scholarship fund). The four finalists will attend the 15th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy banquet on December 9 in Newport Beach.

Adebo and the Cardinal begin the 2019 season against the Northwestern Wildcats at Stanford Stadium on August 31.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Panda takes D-Backs deep in 10th inning for gamer 3-2

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On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval can do it all, play all positions on the diamond, including pitch, but on Sunday at Chase Field in Phoenix Sandoval was clutch and got a game-winning 10th inning homer for the Giants in their 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

#2  Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford contributed with a game saving defensive stop in the ninth inning. The D-Backs Adam Jones hit a ball to Crawford’s right who dove to stop and get up and fire the ball to first base to retire Jones and strand a runner at third.

#3 On Sandoval, he has had a great series against the D-Backs. He hit an eighth inning home run on Saturday to help the Giants in their 8-5 win. Sandoval hit one against the D-Backs pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano to left field for his 40th home run at Chase the most of any opposing hitter to visit that park.

#4 Giants reliever Will Smith is coming along. He picked up his 11th save in 11 outings certainly the go-to to close games for manager Bruce Bochy.

#5 Giants are back at Oracle Park on Monday night to face a very tough Atlanta Braves club. The Braves will start Mike Soroka (4-1, 0.98 ERA) the Giants will start Andrew Suarez (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: Curry’s wife on Jada Pinkett show to talk about lack of attention from men; Kerr says Green’s a wrecking ball; plus more

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

#1 On the Facebook Red Table Talk show with Jada Pinkett, NESN.com reported Golden State Warriors wife Ayesha Curry said that while she didn’t like groupies hanging around her husband, she had developed a bit of “an insecurity” and getting “zero male attention.” One writer Bari A Williams tweeted Ayesha might feel this way is because she’s 30, has three kids and might not feel and look the same way she did before she had kids.

#2 Golden State Warriors head coach Steven Kerr said that Draymond Green was a wrecking ball in Game 3 on Saturday with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists, four steals, and a blocked shot.

#3 St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington said about San Jose Sharks Timo Meier’s one hand pass assist that led to the Sharks’ game-winning goal in Game 4 for the overtime win on Eirk Karlsson’s goal: “It’s just madness. You hope for the best and try to close the door.” The Blues were pretty angry and took it out on Game 5 in San Jose on Sunday for the win 5-0 to take a 3-2 series lead.

#4 The red-hot New York Yankees have won 10 of their last 14 games and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said of the 17 starters or key players who are on the injured list the replacement by the younger players have come out and done a great job. ”Young guys are stepping up, they realize this is an opportunity that they might not otherwise have had and they’re making the most of it.” said Steinbrenner.

#5 The Oakland A’s, during this current road trip after losing two straight in Seattle, won three straight in Detroit. The A’s regrouped after the pair of losses to the Mariners and are really making a go of it in Detroit.

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez on the News and Commentary podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a freelance reporter for Area Grande Spanish Newspapers

Panda’s 10th inning blast lifts Giants over D-Backs 3-2

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By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, May 19, 2019

PHOENIX — The Panda strikes again.

For the second time in two games, Pablo Sandoval came off the San Francisco bench and delivered a pinch-hit home run. His homer on Sunday came in the top of the 10th inning, giving the Giants a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sandoval, pinch-hitting for reliever Sam Dyson, drove a Yoshihisa Hirano fastball into the left field seats just above the 388-foot marker, breaking a 2-2 deadlock.

“You’ve got to be prepared, and be ready to hit in any situation,” Sandoval said. “Then, take advantage of the situation. (Hirano) was doing a good job with his sequence of pitches. He threw a fastball away, and I was thinking fastball.”

Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said, “It’s amazing what he’s been doing, and with two strikes. It happened for him again!

“It’s incredible what Pablo’s done for us off the bench, and he sure delivered again in a big way.”

Will Smith came on with one out in the bottom of the 10th to record his 12th save, striking out Eduardo Escobar and David Peralta.

Before any of that could happen, the Diamondbacks had an opportunity to win the game in the ninth when Nick Ahmed led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second and moved to third when Blake Swihart was ruled out at first after a replay review of his grounder to short.

On Adam Jones’ sharp grounder just to the left of second base, shortstop Brandon Crawford’s throw to Brandon Belt just beat Jones at first, forcing extra innings.

“That was an unbelievable play,” Sandoval said. “If we don’t make that play, they win.”

The Giants took two out of the three weekend games at Chase Field, which had the roof open all three days.

San Francisco took a 2-0 lead in the third inning off Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray. Joe Panik and Donovan Solano hit back-to-back singles, followed by a walk to Tyler Austin to load the bases. Evan Longoria drew an RBI walk and Kevin Pillar followed with an RBI groundout to first.

The Diamondbacks tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth. Peralta reached on an infield single, followed by a walk to Christian Walker. Nick Ahmed’s ground rule double down the right field line drove in Peralta.

A wild pitch during John Ryan Murphy’s at-bat allowed Walker to score and Ahmed to advance to third.

Drew Pomerantz started for San Francisco, going 4 2/3 innings, giving up both Arizona runs, striking out two and issuing five walks. Dyson (2-0) threw a scoreless ninth to get the win; the Giants bullpen held the D-Backs scoreless over the final 5 1/3 innings.

Hirano (1-2) was the sixth Diamondback pitcher in the game.

The Giants improved to 19-25 and return home to start a four-game series against Atlanta. Monday’s starter has yet to be announced, but San Francisco’s probables for the other three games are Shaun Anderson (0-0) on Tuesday, Jeff Samardzija (2-2) on Wednesday and Madison Bumgarner (3-4) on Thursday.

GIANT JOTTINGS: Sandoval’s pinch-homer was the third of his career. The first one came last season in Philadelphia. … The replay review time in the ninth inning of Blake Swihart’s ground out was 1:21. … D-Backs OF Wilmer Flores left the game with a right foot contusion. … Attendance was 24,061.