Author: Sports Radio Service

Timberwolves Randall and Edwards spoil Kings opener 117-115 at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a jump shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincezo (0) during first half action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Oct 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2024

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

Minnesota Timberwolves 117 (1-1)

Sacramento Kings 115 (0-1)

Attendance: 18,049

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Kings held the lead for most of the game on opening night, but each time they seemed poised to pull away, the Timberwolves came right back, and they ended up winning a 117-115 thriller to give the Kings a brutal loss to open the 2024-2025 season.

The Kings opened their 40th season in Sacramento in front of a sold-out crowd at Golden 1 Center. The Timberwolves were playing their second game of the season after they dropped their season opener Tuesday night in Los Angeles to the Lakers 110-103.

The crowd was into it from the getgo. The Kings felt that energy, and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Domantas Sabonis was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and DeMar DeRozan hit a layup. Sabonis was then fouled again, and this time, hit both from the line.

The Timberwolves then scored eight unanswered points, thanks to threes by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Minnesota’s eight unanswered points also set the theme of this game in motion

The Kings scored nine unanswered points of their own to take a 14-8 lead. After Keegan Murray’s fadeaway jumper gave the Kings the lead with 8:47 remaining in the first of the quarter, they would hold that lead the rest of the quarter. Minnesota made it close a couple of times, but the Kings led 32-29 at the end of one.

Malil Monk, and De’Aaron Fox, the Kings’ points leader in each of the last four seasons, each scored nine.

DeRozan hit a jumper in the first minute of the second quarter, and Murray was fouled and hit both from the line over a minute later to give Kings a 36-29 lead. After Sabonis hit the first of two from the line with 6:35 to go, the Kings’ lead was 48-40.

However, the Timberwolves went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 51-50 lead. The Kings outscored Minnesota 9-4 over the remainder of the quarter, and they went into the half with a 59-55 lead.

The Kings came out of the gate strong in the third quarter, as they extended their lead to 81-69 with 6:22 to go. However, just like their eight-point lead in the second quarter, their 12-point lead was completely erased, and the Timberwolves retook the lead. Minnesota went on a 20-7 run to go into the fourth quarter up 89-88.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings started off with a 9-2 run to take a 97-91 lead with 8:57 to go. The run was capped off by a three by Murray, who after only scoring two points in the first quarter, really came alive later in the game.

Unfortunately, the Kings could not escape the overall theme of this game, as the Timberwolves went on a 14-2 run in just under three minutes to take a 105-99 lead, their biggest of the night.

This time, the Kings were the ones looking to come back, and they certainly made a game of it late. DeRozan was fouled and hit both shots from the line, and Sabonis slammed one down to make it 105-103 with 5:34 to go.

Naz Reid hit a hook shot, and Donte DiVincenzo hit a three ball to extend Minnesota’s lead back to five at 110-105, but the Kings kept coming. Sabonis hit a three with 4:15 left to make it 110-108, and the crowd at Golden 1 Center erupted.

Monk was fouled and hit the second of two free throws to tie the game at 112-112 with 2:20 left. Edwards made a jumper to put Minnesota back ahead with 1:28 to go, but Monk tied it on a layup with 53 seconds left. Monk was fouled on the play, and he hit his shot from the line to put the Kings back ahead.

Rudy Gobert was fouled with 38 seconds left, and he hit one of two to tie it at 115-115. The Kings then caught a bad break with 26 seconds to go. The ball went out of play, and from the replays, the Sacramento faithful seemed to think that it would be the Kings’ ball, but after review, the referees determined that the ball would go to Minnesota.

Chants of “REFS YOU SUCK!!!!!” rang throughout Golden 1 Center, and it’s all the fans could really do at that point. The Timberwolves ran down the clock, and when Edwards went in for a layup with two seconds to go, he was fouled.

Edwards hit both from the line to put the Timberwolves back ahead 117-115, and the Kings called timeout, so they could inbound the ball closer to the bucket. Keegan Murray got the ball and took an off-balance shot from beyond the arc, but it fell short, and the Timberwolves won 117-115.

Really, three guys carried the Timberwolves to victory Thursday night. Julius Randle scored 33 points; Anthony Edwards scored 32; and Naz Reid scored 19.

Despite scoring nine points in the first quarter, Fox only scored six more the rest of the way for a total of 15. DeRozan led the Kings Thursday night with 26 points, and he was followed up by Sabonis and Murray, who scored 24 and 23 respectively. Monk didn’t start, but he ended up scoring 17.

The Kings start off 0-1, and they will head down to Los Angeles to play the Lakers Saturday night. Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena will be at 7:30 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford needs to step up their defense against Wake Forest in their efforts get in win column

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Stanford Cardinal safety Mitch Leigber (left) is congratulated by teammate cornerback Cam Richardson (right) after intercepting a SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings pass at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The SMU Mustangs bulldozed the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday 40-10. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three touchdown passes and the Cardinal defense simply couldn’t stop Jennings and the Mustangs.

#2 The win puts the Mustangs at 6-1 and the win over Stanford is their eight straight road win. SMU scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to get things started.

#3 The Cardinal have dropped to 2-5 and continue to have a winless conference record at home through Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor’s first two years at head coach.

#4 The Cardinal have now lost 11 straight home games and 16 games against ranked teams. The last time Stanford won a home game was against the No.3 Oregon Ducks 31-24 back on Oct 2, 2021.

#5 Stanford faces Wake Forest who are 3-4 and have lost three of their last five games and they just got by UConn in their last game Saturday by a field goal 23-20. Stanford comes in on a four game losing streak with the home field advantage this Saturday. Michael how do you see this match up between Wake Forest and Stanford and can the Cardinal stop the bleeding?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal hoping to end skid against Oregon State Saturday at Berkeley

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NC State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (15) fell short of scoring a touchdown after being tackled by Cal Bears defensive back Cam Sidney (20) in the first half at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris it was quite an afternoon last Saturday as the NC State Wolfpack edged the Cal Bears at Memorial Stadium 24-23 from your view how close of a game was it for Cal in trying to seal the deal on this one?

#2 The Wolfpack’s CJ Bailey was successful in scoring two touchdowns and getting 306 yards enough offensive yards to get the job done.

#3 First half a close game where Cal had NC State close 13-10. The Bears Jaivian Thomas with an impressive 49 yard run for Cal’s first score of the game making it 7-0 with 13:47 in the first quarter. Second quarter Cal kicker Derek Morris booted a 41 yard field goal at 1:12 and Morris added another three points with a 26 yard field goal seven seconds left to close out the first half Cal in front 13-10.

#4 Third quarter again Morris kicked a field goal at 9:10 and a seven yard carry for a touchdown by Thomas with 24 seconds left in the quarter making it 23-10. In the fourth quarter the Wolfpack got touchdowns from Dacari Collins and Hollywood Smothers that edged out the Bears in the for a 24-23 Wolfpack win.

#5 Next game at Cal this Sat Oct 26 at 1:00pm PT as former co Pac 12 team the Oregon State Beavers come calling. The Beavers lost to UNLV last Saturday 33-25. The Beavers are 4-3 and have lost three of their last five games. The Bears are on a four game losing streak and hope to snap it this Saturday how do you see Oregon State and Cal matching up this Saturday?

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

Barracuda stay red hot as they route Silver Knights 5-2

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San Jose Barracuda defenseman Luca Cagnoni (#42) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Henderson Silver Knights with fellow teammates Andrew Poturalski (#22) and Joey Keane (#94) at the Lee’s Family Forum on Wednesday OCT 23, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda never won three games in a row last season.

They can check that box off of the list this season. Luca Cagnoni scored two goals to help his team defeat the Henderson Silver Knights 5-2 on Wednesday evening at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Jose has won three games in a row and four of its first five to start the season. Henderson has lost three games and four of its first five to start the season.

San Jose (4-1-0) drew first blood late in the first period with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell sent a pass down low over to Colin Graf behind the net. Graf skated out from behind the net and found Cagnoni in the left slot and the rookie defenseman blasted a one-timer past Silver Knights goalie Akira Schmid for his third goal of the season at the 15:57 mark.

Cagnoni, who has acted as a catalyst for the Barracuda offense, has scored a goal in three straight games.

The Barracuda doubled its lead with 10 seconds remaining in the opening frame. A turnover inside the Silver Knights zone led to Graf centering a pass from behind the net out to Andrew Poturalski in between the face off circles. Poturalski’ fanned on his first attempt but buried his second chance to the far side for his first career goal in a ‘Cuda uniform.

Henderson (1-4-0) had two power play opportunities but could not cash them in thanks to San Jose’s penalty kill remaining perfect to start the season, led by Barracuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal with the man advantage near the halfway point of the second period. Joey Keane sent a wrist shot up high on net and Scott Sabourin deflected the puck past Schmid for his second goal at the 9:13 mark.

Henderson answered to get on the scoreboard just under three minutes later. Dysin Mayo received the puck at the right slot from Gage Quinney. With Mitch McLain providing a screen on Askarov, Mayo lasered a wrist shot into the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the mark 12:10 mark

It was the first goal Askarov had given up in his three starts. He went 152:09 of shutout hockey before Mayo’s goal.

The Barracuda regained their three-goal lead late in the middle frame. A wraparound attempt by Brandon Coe was initially saved by Schmid. The rebound hit off Filip Bystedt and bounced out to the middle where Cagnoni lifted a backhander past the Silver Knight goalie for his second goal of the game and fourth of the season at the 15:07 mark.

San Jose earned its biggest lead near the halfway mark of the third period. Braden Hache led a rush up the ice. Hache’s pass intended for Kasper Halttunen took a favorable bounce into the Henderson’s zone. Coe skated in a on breakaway and slid the puck past Schmid from point-blank range for his first goal of the season at the 9:25 mark.

The Silver Knights scored their second goal after a bad rebound was given up by Askarov. Matyas Sapovaliv cleaned up the juicy rebound off of a Braeden Bowman shot that leaked out to the middle of the ice for his first goal of the season at the 11:57 mark.

Askarov (3-0) stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced to earn his third victory of the season and is 4-0 in his career against Henderson. Schmid (0-3) made 18 saves on 23 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Henderson went 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Cagnoni 2) Graf 3) Mayo.

Graf extended his point streak to five games.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-games series with Henderson on Friday 10/25 at 11:00am at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Major injuries in 49ers line up can they still handle Cowboys Sunday?

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) was injured on this played when he was hit by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (left) and and safety Chamarri Conner (right) tearing Aiyuk’s MCL and ACL on Sun Oct 20, 2024 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Aiyuk will miss the rest of the 2024 season. (AP News photo)

On the SF 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was released from the hospital after contracting pneumonia. Samuel was hospitalized at a local hospital. Samuel was in for four plays against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday before he left the game and went to the hospital. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is not sure if Samuel will be able to play against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday.

#2 David, talk about Brandon Aiyuk who looked like he was hit in the legs on a play where he tore his ACL and MCL which will require surgery and force Aiyuk out for the rest of the season. 48 seconds into the second quarter received the injury when 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got a pass between Kansas City defensive backs Chamarri Conner and Trent McDuffie which Aiyuk caught for a 15 yard gain. as Conner and McDuffie closed in on Aiyuk the hit hyperextended his knee.

#3 The 49ers now host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football for a 5:20pm PT kick off at Levi Stadium. The Cowboys got clobbered in their last game against the Detroit Lions 47-9 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Cowboys just couldn’t stop Detroit’s offense and couldn’t get any traction against their defense. Considering some of the 49ers key injuries could this one end up being a close game in Santa Clara.

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers analysis each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Remembering Fernando Valenzuela

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Fernando Valenzuela pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park on Oct 3, 1982 at the height of “Fernandomania” Valenzuela passed away on Tue Oct 22, 2024 at age 63. (AP file photo)

Remembering Fernando Valenzuela

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of 63. Fernando was ill. He pitched for 17 years in 1981 and won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award in the National League. He was most recently doing commentary for the LA Dodgers in Spanish.

Fernando and the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees during that 1981 season. This next Friday, the Dodgers will host the 2024 World Series against the Yankees for the 12th time in the history of both franchises, more than any other two teams.

Anecdote: In 1981, during a Dodgers visit to Candlestick Park to play the Giants, SF Examiner writer Wells Twombly asked me to interpret an interview he would conduct with Fernando Valenzuela. At the time, teams (unlike today) did not have designated interpreters in Spanish or Japanese.

Twombly was a veteran reporter during the years of other writers who covered the Giants, such as Bob Stevens, Harry Jupiter, and Art Spander. The interview with Fernando was featured the next day in the SF Examiner, the afternoon paper of San Francisco. It was a success, and Fernando told me later that it was one of the first interviews he had enjoyed outside of Los Angeles.

Anecdote: In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela became the best and most famous player in the major leagues ever to be born in Mexico. On the days he pitches, millions in Mexico will listen on the radio or watch on television, just like Japanese Dodger’s mega-star Shohei Ohtani when he plays, millions follow him in Japan, where baseball is king.

Anecdote: Before 1981, my good friend and Spanish broadcaster of the Dodgers Jaime Jarrin told me, “We need a Mexican-born star with the Dodgers”. A few years later, Jarrin’s wishes became a reality with the arrival of “El Yaqui de Sonora”

Anecdote: Fernando told me during an interview that in 1979, he learned his signature pitch, the screwball, from then Dodger’s pitcher Bobby Castillo, who at the time was injured. Fernando learned how to throw his famous pitch which he used in the minors and then when he was brought up to the big team in’81.

Fernando was a true legend of the game. His simplicity but tremendous magnetism was responsible for increasing attendance at Dodger Stadium. When he pitched, it was either a sellout or close to a sellout.

This next Friday, the Dodgers host the first game of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. Expect every Dodger player to wear a Number 34 on their sleeves. My most sincere sympathy to Fernando’s family as well as Pepe Iniguez and José Mota, who are going to miss Fernando’s smile and great attitude inside their Spanish radio booth.

Noter: Baseball has lost three great players during the past few weeks: Pete Rose, Luis Tiant, and now Fernando Valenzuela.

Descansa en Paz Fernando – Rest in Peace Fernando. Nunca se nos olvidará Fernandomania.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez podcasts That’s Amaury News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ducks keep Sharks winless with 3-1 victory; SJ drops to 0-7

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Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (19) and the San Jose Sharks William Eklund (72) battle for the puck in first period action at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Tue Oct 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

The San Jose Sharks remain the NHL’s only winless team after losing to the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 Tuesday in Anaheim.

Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson tallied the Ducks’ first power play goals of the season, and Alex Killorn tacked on an empty-net goal. Cutter Gauthier picked up a pair of assists, and goaltender Lukas Dostal made 27 saves.

Terry’s goal extended his point streak to five games. It was his fourth goal of the season.

Mikael Granlund scored the Sharks’ lone goal as San Jose dropped to 0-5-2, 2 points. Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 37 saves, while William Eklund and Jack Thompson each assisted on Granlund’s goal.

Anaheim started the season 0-for-20 on the power play before Terry’a goal at 6:56 of the second period. Granlund’s goal tied the game early in the third period, but with the Ducks on the power play, Carlsson scored 41 seconds later. San Jose center Will Smith was whistled for a tripping penalty 10 seconds after Granlund’s goal.

San Jose’s bad luck continues along with its seven-game winless streak. Danil Gushchin’s first-period shot hit the crossbar, hit near the goal line, and redirected off a post, avoiding the net. And Barclay Goodroow hit the post after redirecting a shot from the point in the second period.

The Sharks’ road trip continues at Los Angeles against the Kings on Thursday night.

Utah goes O 4 Canada, gets blanked by Ottawa 4-0, First Utah home loss and first Ottawa road win for season

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) winds up to shoot the puck against forward Alexander Kerfoot (15) and the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tue Oct 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

Coming into Tuesday night’s contest between the Ottawa Senators and Utah Hockey Club, fans of the NHL’s newest franchise had every reason for optimism with the team sporting a 4-1-1 record to start the season, just one point out of a tie for first place in the Central Division and undefeated on home ice.

Local recording artist Krispin Banks performed the first-ever rendition of O Canada for an NHL game at Delta Center, followed by a stirring rendition of the American national anthem, and everyone was ready for another great night of hockey. Unfortunately the Utah Hockey Club couldn’t seal the deal and not only that couldn’t score a goal on home ice getting shutout 4-0 at the Delta Center. Utah now with a 4-2-1 record.

The two teams traded chances to no avail throughout the first half of the first period until Noah Gregor and Jack McBain were each sent to the box for roughing penalties. That’s when it all went downhill for Utah HC. During the two-minutes of 4-on-4 play, Ottawa’s Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux each found the back of the Utah net to quickly put the Senators up 2-0.

Five minutes later, with Robert Bortuzzo serving a minor penalty for holding against Tim Stützle, Ridley Greig scored a power play goal to put the Senators up 3-0. Adding insult to injury, Brady Tkachuck made it 4-0 with eight seconds remaining in the opening frame.

Goaltender Karel Vejmelka replaced Connor Ingram to start the second period of play. Vejmelka had appeared in only one previous game so far this season, Utah’s only regulation loss to the New Jersey Devils. He turned away all 5 shots he faced in the second period, but Utah still faced a 4-0 deficit heading into the third period.

Utah HC has scored 5 or more goals in a game three times already this season, but they needed to pull it off all in one period if they were to mount a comeback against Ottawa, but this was not to be their night. Vejmelka stopped all 14 shots he faced in the third period, but the offense was unable to push the puck past Anton Forsberg of the Senators who was perfect against 31 shot attempts to record his first shutout of the season.

Following the game, Utah Hockey Club Head Coach André Tourigny spoke of a drop-off in his team’s focus. “I think we obviously came out strong, playing well, but we didn’t stay in the moment. We got carried away, a little bit soft, defensively, forced a play turnover, you know, and just we had them where we wanted. We played well. We just need to stay patient, stay humble, go one shift at a time, and we got ahead of ourselves and we paid for it.”

With regard to pulling goalie Connor Ingram after the first period, Tourigny added, “Everybody in life has bad days at the office sometimes. And I think when you’re a goaltender, you’re exposed more than anybody else. So I think you need to make the right decision for the team. It’s nothing personal.”

Karel Vejmelka addressed his mindset entering the game in a relief role. “Obviously it’s not easy, but I try to be prepared to play. Like any other game, just be ready anytime. So just try to focus for the first shot and get into it.”

Team captain Clayton Keller commented on the inevitability of games such as this one. “You know it’s going to happen. It’s a long season. You can’t get frustrated, you got to stay patient. Get better every day and good things happen.”

In the other locker room, winning netminder Anton Forsberg commented on his first visit to Salt Lake City as an NHL city. “It was a nice arena. We had a good day yesterday and went to some nice coffee shops. So I didn’t see a lot but it seems like a good city. I’m happy to be able to come out here. It’s been one of the cities I haven’t visited yet, so that’s great.”

Moving forward, Utah HC hopes that visiting teams enjoy the city while finding Delta Center itself far less hospitable on the ice.

Having lost for the first time at home, Utah now gears up to face division rival Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at the Delta Center.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: What to expect as Chiefs come calling this Sunday at Allegiant

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) is caught from behind by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht (bottom) at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Oct 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 In the past three weeks the Raiders have turned the ball over ten times, had 25 penalties that costed them 201 yards.

#2 Two of the penalties were two digit penalties and they called on infractions that officials ended up spotting the ball a good ten or more yards against them.

#3 The Raiders are now averaging three turnovers a game. Is this a matter of pressing, not being focused, or just plain getting hit hard by the opposition whose forcing fumbles?

#4 Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce said “We’ve got to stop beating ourselves with turnovers, with penalties,” Pierce said Monday. “When opportunities are there, we have to make them. We’re not doing that right now.”

#5 The Raiders face a 6-0 Kansas City Chiefs team who are on a hot roll. Will this be a game where the Chiefs will simply be unstoppable and have their way with the Raiders or will it be a game of the Raiders will regroup and just might be able to keep in step with the Chiefs?

Join Tony Renteria for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Will World Series ticket prices beat the A’s regular season prices?

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Logo for the 2024 World Series (image by Capital One “What’s in your wallet”)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury the lowest priced ticket for a for game 1 ticket of the 2024 World Series is $1122 at Dodger Stadium. That’s a little over $500 over what the Sacramento A’s want for a ticket at Sutter Health Park for a regular season game. It’s got to the point where you can’t afford to go to a ball game anymore.

#2 The A’s are offering season ticket plans that run $15,000 to $20,000 a seat which works out to $300 a game. Is this a matter of the A’s getting over on the Sacramento fan or the fans getting a great deal to see Major League Baseball for the first time in the Capital City?

#3 The A’s will have three year stint at Sutter Health as an interim place to play until 2028. The A’s and MLB are rethinking installing artificial turf and go with natural turf. The artificial turf idea was a sticking point with the players but it looks as if the A’s and MLB are going to relent and keep it as natural turf.

#4 This past week A’s owner John Fisher was in Las Vegas for the implosion of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino and he actually spoke to the press saying he was upwards and onwards towards the construction of the new A’s ballpark problem is as of today Fisher has not paid his share of the construction costs for the park. Can he beat the December deadline?

#5 Moving onto another baseball player in the past and he’s still around today a former Atlanta Brave 85 year old Dominican Rico Carty. Carty played from 1963 breaking in with the Milwaukee Braves and retiring with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979. Carty had a career batting average of .299 and did so well he earned a starting role in the 1970 All Star as a write in candidate. Is Rico a member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and there has to be a little doubt he would be a well deserved member.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the That’s Amaury podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sports