Author: Sports Radio Service

Oakland A’s podcast with Morris Phillips: Budget crunch–A’s could share park with triple-A Nashville

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Photo credit @athletics_fanly: Former Oakland A’s pitcher Bartolo Colon pitched for the A’s with a Oakland Oaks throw back jersey during an A’s promotional day tribute to the old PCL team

On the A’s podcast with Morris:

We asked Morris his thoughts of the possibilities on the idea to bring the Oakland A’s triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds, to Oakland. The money conscious-minded A’s could save a bundle from shipping players from Oakland to Nashville and vice versa by moving the team to Oakland and sharing the park with the Sounders and rename them the Oakland Oaks (named after the former PCL team in the ’40s and ’50s).

The A’s will probably own the Oakland Coliseum property soon enough and then they’ll have their say on running the facility once that’s in place. The Oaks could play at the Coliseum on days that the A’s are on the road. It would also be a good way to keep the Coliseum busy when the A’s are not using the park.

The A’s would save money on flying players back and forth from Nashville and if they would consider consolidating the the A’s and Oaks to one location. The NHL’s San Jose Sharks are doing that with their minor league club, which they moved from Worcester to San Jose, and they’ve saved a bundle on travel not to mention being able to being able to get players up to the big club by a short walk down the hallway.

If the A’s move to Jack London Square, they can continue to have the Oaks play at the Coliseum since the A’s would own the Coliseum property anyway. With the money the A’s save, they could finally have their Spanish radio broadcasters travel with the team and announce all 162 regular season games. They could afford to have them on the charter and stay at the team hotels and promote the A’s to their largest untapped audience, the Hispanic radio market.

Morris Phillips is filling in for Jerry Feitelberg for today’s podcast. Morris covers Oakland A’s baseball each Sunday home and away at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Carr entering his 5th season; Carr is expected to take Raiders to new heights

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Photo credit: @raiders_fanly

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is entering his fifth season for the Raiders and the Raiders hope to see Carr get off to a great start and great showing for 2018. Former head coach John Madden, who came out with “Madden 19,” and gave the overall quarterback ratings.

Of the quarterback rankings, Maddon gave Carr an 82, scoring better were just the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rogers with 99, only fared better than the Panthers’ Cam Newton 82, the Ravens’ Joe Flacco 77 and the Rams’ Jared Goff 81.

Head coach John Gruden said he was looking forward to seeing Carr throwing to wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper. They could be key all season.

Tony Renteria does the Oakland Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsrdioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips and Michael Duca: Giants with lowest save percentage in NL looking for relief

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris and Michael:

The San Francisco Giants have the lowest save percentage in the MLB. The Giants are not even in the ballpark when it comes to saves with the rest of the National League bullpens. The Giants’ save percentage is 14 saves in 30 opportunities.

Right around 52%–surprisingly, San Diego is No. 1 at 82%. Obviously, the Padres haven’t had that many save opportunities that allowed the percentages to jump up. If your closer is having a great season (statistically) and you got 14 blown saves, four of which are attributed to Giants’ relief pitcher Hunter Strickland, you have to ask how do you characterize that?

There’s much more as Michael and Morris do the Giants podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Yankees and Red Sox Rivalry Is Always an Epic Battle

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Photo credit: @MLB

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Forget the curse of the Bambino.

For over 100 years, the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry has arguably been the most fierce in baseball. This year is no exception as both clubs are on their way to more than 100 wins. The American League East is probably the only division in either league with such numbers. Both teams should be in the playoffs–one will win the division, the other one will finish second and advance as one of two wild card teams in the American League.

This is a very glamorous battle for top dog. As of today, the Yanks have the most home runs as a team in the MLB with 118, while the Red Sox are second with 106. Both teams are among the top five in pitching as they both sellout with frequency. There is a buzz in Yankee Stadium at the Bronx like in the 1960’s with Mantle and Maris. It’s just that this time, it’s Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and an impressive supporting cast of Gary Sánchez, Didi Gregorious, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres. They have the potential of beating the current MLB record for most home runs in a season by a team, which belongs to the 1997 Seattle Mariners, who had 264.

The Red Sox picked up J.D. Martínez in the offseason after the Yanks inked last year’s NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. It is all working out like both teams wanted and this epic battle could be neck-and-neck for the entire season. It’s a terrific summer spectacle for two of the great franchises in American sports.

This rivalry is so big that MLB scheduled the first regular season baseball games in Europe in 2019. The Red Sox and Yanks will face at London Stadium in England on June 29th and 30th next year.

I am sure there will be lots of stories and commentaries on English radio and television when these two teams play in the U.K.. After all, cricket is very similar to baseball with 11 players on each team and also use a bat and a ball.

Most historians would agree that baseball was an American invention. But playing in London will probably revive all the speculations on the origins of the game. So, Big Ben will time the breaks between innings during the Red Sox vs. Yanks games. We all understand that baseball was invented in the U.S.A., but we have to give credit to soccer (or fútbol) to the British since it’s their invention. Though, the Chinese have claimed that they played a similar game many centuries ago. Can we all get along and just play ball?

Those two games in London should sell out. After all. London is the largest city in Europe with a population of 14 million. But we are still about a year away from those games.

Back here in this hemisphere, the Yanks and the Red Sox are two of just a handful of teams picked by Las Vegas odds masters to win the World Series, alongside the Astros, Nationals, Dodgers, and Indians.

Just for the fun of it, these were the odds to win the World Series before the season began: Houston 21-4, Cleveland 7-1, Dodgers 7-1, Cubs 8-1, Yanks 9-1, Nats 9-1 and Red Sox 13-1. And, for our local teams, in the Bay Area: Giants 200-1 and A’s 300-1. Moreover, the Marlins have the longest shot of 1,250-1.

Hunter Strickland is in good company right now

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By: Ana Kieu

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — It’s safe to say that San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland is in good company because he’s not going to leave the team anytime soon.

The Giants concluded the first three games of a 10-game homestand against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Park. This comes less than 24 hours after various sources reported that Strickland would be out for six to eight weeks following a pitching hand injury after punching a door. That being said, Strickland was the second Giant to suffer an injury this week as the most recent injury occurred to infielder Alen Hanson, who left Wednesday’s game with a left knee contusion.

I’m not saying that Strickland should be let go due to his recent injury, but for his seemingly anger-filled past of detrimental incidents like his brawl with Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper, which apparently ended former MLBer Mike Morse’s career, and his shouting match with Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, which cleared both benches at the 2014 World Series.

Of course, that’s not going to happen because Strickland does have potential and I can see why Giants head coach Bruce Bochy and company wants to keep him around. Well, at least for the time being. The Giants could win some games to make the playoffs, but they have to fix a couple of things.

Perhaps the Giants could get a head start by considering a release of Strickland because he seems to be a bit too emotional for reasons that seem to be unnecessary at least 50% of the time. Not only that, Strickland appears to be more of a liability for the Giants, a team that has been struggling this season.

In my opinion, there’s a chance that Strickland could find himself wearing another team’s uniform next season, especially if the Giants decide to go with a younger group of prospects in hopes of replenishing their farm system.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Latest news on the Black and Blue

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the SJ Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. A man with a red t-shirt, Quakes tank top, navy blue basketball shorts, and a red wig stood out as the “Best Dressed” viewer on Day 1 of Avaya Stadium’s FIFA World Cup viewing party.

2. There’s so much soccer going on in the West Coast this summer!

3. Danny Hoesen’s two goals from the Quakes vs. Revolution match brought the Wells Fargo Goals for Education total to $12,000.

4. Speaking of Hoesen, do you think he’ll keep up with his rapid pace in Salt Lake City this Saturday?

5. Eric Santiago is probably the Quakes’ most dedicated fan.

My 13 Favorite MLB Cities

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Photo credit: youtube.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Over the past eight summers, I have taken at one least road trip with the San Francisco Giants, and I thought that it was about time to reveal my favorite road cities.

When this annual road trip began in 2010, I thought that it would be a one-time thing; however, it was not like that at all.

Of the 15 National League Cities, I have not been to Atlanta, Cincinnati, or Milwaukee, but they are definitely on my list.

As for the 15 American League Cities, I have yet to go to games in Anaheim, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto.

Here is the list of my favorite major-league cities I have been to since the 2010 World Championship year.

1. New York City: There is not a bad thing that you can say about “The City That Never Sleeps.” The food is fantastic, especially the deli and pizza. The museums are amazing as well, especially the 9/11 Memorial and the New York Transit Museum.

2. Chicago: This is the hometown to my mother, my grandparents, and many other relatives. Try deep dish pizza, hot dogs with no ketchup (a crime in Chicago) and a hot beef Sandwich. Walk the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) run along Lake Shore Drive.

3. Philadelphia: The history in “The City of Brotherly Love,” goes back to when this country was founded, as the Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall. You also have to visit The Liberty Bell and check out City Hall. Have a cheesesteak at Dalesandro’s, my personal favorite. Also try Dinic’s in The Reading Terminal, where you have to a Roast Beef sandwich, double dipped with broccoli rabe. After the sandwich at Dinic’s, you must go to Bassett’s Ice Cream, a legendary in the Philadelphia area since 1861. A definite sight for me is the Rocky Statue at the base of the steps at The Philadelphia Art Museum, and you also must run the 72 steps and stand in the same spot that Sylvester Stallone stepped on in the classic Rocky back in 1976.

4. Los Angeles: This is my hometown, so I have no complaints about this city. My first stop when I go home is the corner of West Beverly and Rampart for a Chili Burger at Tommy’s. I still have a lot of friends in Los Angeles, so I try and get together with some of them each trip.

5. Boston: Another great historical American city. Definitely do The Freedom Trail, have some clam chowder and lobster while you are in Beantown. Being a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan, you know that there is no love lost with the Boston Celtics, but a trip to the Gahden is a must. I could not get into the building, but I saw it the outside and got to one of the doors that leads into the building.

6. Washington, D.C.: This is a city I have been going to since I was 11 years and it has changed over the years, but I love this great city. Go to the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial and the Washington Monument. I am a huge fan of museums, so you must see the Smithsonian, especially the U.S. History, Air and Space and the African American Museum. As for food, you must to the U Street Cardozo area for a Half-Smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a D.C. institution since 1958.

7. Detroit: Since Michigan is the home state of my father, I have traveled here many times in my life. Go to Greektown, where you can gamble, walk along the Detroit River and view Canada, which is South of Detroit. It is the only place that Canada is South of the United States. Check out the Fist of Joe Louis at the corner of Woodward and Jefferson, also go to The Spirit of Detroit, in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward. Even though I have yet to go there, but it is on my list is the Motown Museum. I also want to visit the Detroit Historical Museum. You must go for a Coney at both American (since 1917) and directly next door at Lafayette (Since 1923). The two restaurants were founded by the Keros Brothers.

8. Denver:Even though the airport is far away, this is a great city. I loved walking there, especially to the State Capitol, which when you are on one step is exactly 5,280 feet above Sea Level (A Mile High). Also walk along the river, which is a peaceful walk as well. Go to Sam’s #3 near the 16thStreet Mall for a big breakfast.

9. San Diego:A great city that you can definitely walk around. Check out Navy Ship Row down near the San Diego Harbor. Old Town San Diego is awesome as well. Take the Amtrak to Los Angeles, and it is an amazing view, as you are on the Pacific Ocean for a lot of the ride up the coast.

10. St. Louis: Great walking city, go to the Gateway Arch, as the view from the top is amazing. Walk along the Mississippi River. Go to the Budweiser Plant for a tour. You must try Pappy’s for BBQ.

11. Pittsburgh: When you get into Pittsburgh from the Airport, and you travel through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and come out in the City, that is one of the best views in the United States. Another great walking city, as you walk along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. Definitely go to Primanti’s for a sandwich.

12. Phoenix: Too hot to remember, as I did not spend a lot of time outside of my room and the ballpark. Did go to Alice Cooperstown for the Big Unit Hot Dog.

13. Miami: South Beach is a must to go to–either to eat, drink or walk along the Atlantic Ocean. Go to Calle Ocho to Versailles for Cuban Food.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Have Giants run out of patience after most recent Strickland meltdown?

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thenational.com file photo: Fist Bump — San Francisco pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) tangles with the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) during last season’s bench emptying brawl at AT&T Park

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland has had his fair share issues dealing with emotions going back to the 2014 World Series, where he got into a shouting match with the Royals’ Salvador Perez, which emptied the benches. In 2017, he beaned Washington Nationals’ star Bryce Harper, which sent Harper swinging at Strickland and emptying the benches, and a game he coughed up a right field single to allow the game-winning run to score in the top of the ninth. On Monday night against the Marlins going back to the clubhouse, he punched a door breaking his hand and forcing him to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

Strickland has had problems controlling his emotions. This is something manager Bruce Bochy admitted to during Monday’s press conference following the Giants’ loss. We asked Marko is that more a detriment or will the Giants look the other way and keep the relief pitcher? Strickland did save 13 of his last 17 games but has two consecutive blown saves in his last two games.

Today’s starters for the Miami Marlins: Jose Urena (2-8) goes up against the Giants’ Derek Holland (4-7) at a 12:45 pm start at AT&T Park.

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts each Wednesday and is a beat reporter covering the Giants at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Rodriguez goes 5 innings in Giants’ 6-3 win over Marlins

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — On a day where the San Francisco Giants learned their closer will be lost for anywhere from six to eight weeks, the team responded with a hard-fought victory.

Buster Posey got the Giants on the board in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, as the Giants defeated the Miami Marlins 6-3 before a crowd of 37,242 at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.

Dereck Rodriguez pitched a strong five innings, as he allowed three runs on seven hits, while not walking a batter and striking out six and won for the second time this season.

Rodriguez hit Lewis Brinson in the top of the second inning, Brinson was the batter that Hunter Strickland yelled at on Monday night prior to leaving and eventually breaking his right hand when put his right hand through a door and broke it.

Both the Giants and the Marlins were warned by home plate umpire Andy Fletcher after Rodriguez hit Brinson.

“He handled himself well, terrific job,” said head coach Bruce Bochy.

Gorkys Hernandez extended the Giants lead up to 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning, as he hit his eighth home run of the season.

Following a Rodriguez strikeout, Joe Panik walked and then things got very interesting at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

Dan Straily, whose pitch broke Evan Longoria’s left hand on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park then hit Posey after Panik, and was immediately ejected from the game by Fletcher. Marlins manager Don Mattingly was also ejected.

Straily went only 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out one, as his record fell to 2-3 on the season.

The Marlins finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, as JT Riddle tripled to right center field to score both Starlin Castro, who singled to lead off the inning and then Miguel Rojas, who also singled.

Rodriguez would then regroup, as he struck out Brinson and Elieser Hernandez, but then Rodriguez hit Derek Dietrich and then Brian Anderson doubled in Riddle to get the Marlins within one run. He ended up striking out the side, as he got J.T. Realmuto swinging to end the inning.

“Thought he threw the ball well,” said Posey.

The Giants extended their lead up to three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Alen Hanson picked up his third hit of the night, as he doubled to score Pablo Sandoval, who walked to lead-off the inning. After the Hanson double, Hernandez picked up his third hit, as he hit a bloop double that fell between Castro, Brinson and Riddle that scored Mac Wililamson.

After Rodriguez left after five innings, Bochy turned the ball over to his bullpen and they responded in a fantastic manner.

The quartet of Ty Blach, Mark Melancon, Will Smith, and Sam Dyson pitched four strong innings, not allowing a run on one hit, walking two and striking out five.

Dyson pitched the ninth inning, as he picked up his second save of the season, both coming in the last five days. Dyson also saved the Giants 16-inning win over the Marlins on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park.

“Sam will get most of the saves,” said Bochy.

NOTES: Derek Holland takes the mound in the series and season finale against the Marlins, as he looks to raise his record to 5-7 on the season, while the Marlins will Jose Urena to the mound, as he looks for his third win of the season.

Strickland will be lost to the team for six to eight weeks after he broke his right hand after punching a door after Monday’s heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the Marlins.

He underwent surgery on his broken hand this afternoon, as the surgery was performed by Giants team Hand Surgeon Dr. Scott Hansen.

Longoria, who broke his left hand on Thursday when he was hit by a Straily pitch, underwent surgery in Los Angeles to repair his left hand.

UP NEXT: The Giants will conclude their series with the Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm PDT.

Hunter Strickland out 6-8 weeks with a broken right hand

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Photo credit: @BR_MLB

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — You can add another player to the list of San Francisco Giants who have been injured during the 2018 season.

Hunter Strickland, who became the team’s closer during the season after replacing the injured Mark Melancon, will be out anywhere from six to eight weeks after breaking his right hand after Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins at AT&T Park.

Strickland, who blew just his fourth save of the season, broke his pitching hand after he was pulled from the game and punched a door.

Prior to breaking his hand, Strickland converted 13 out of 17 saves on the season and in Monday’s game, it was the second consecutive blown save for him.

It was just the fourth time in Strickland’s career that he allowed two or more runs in the same game.

Giants’ hand surgeon Dr. Scott Hansen is repairing the broken right hand of Strickland.

Either Sam Dyson or Tony Watson will fill the closer role until further notice, and Pierce Johnson will be recalled from the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats to take Strickland’s place on the roster.

Strickland is the second Giants player to have hand surgery today, as Evan Longoria underwent surgery on his right hand earlier today in Los Angeles.

Longoria, who broke his right hand after he was struck on the hand by a Dan Straily pitch in the series finale on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park, a game that the Giants would eventually win 6-3 in 16 innings.