Author: Sports Radio Service

Double Loss For Sharks Against Utah; SJ loses game 3-1 and Celebrini to injury

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Macklin Celebrini seen here at the San Jose Sharks practice on Sep 19, 2024. Celebrini left during Tue Oct 1, 2024 pre season game against Utah with a lower body injury at SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

By Fernando Abarca

The Sharks added another preseason loss but they did not just lose in the final score.

We are just a week away from the NHL’s 2023 face-off opening week where all the games finally mean something. Tuesday night, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Utah Hockey Club. Utah, a team that has been having a good pre-season so far (4-1), demonstrated that the team could give surprises as the season begins. San Jose could not replicate the same success as last Friday on the road.

The first period began without much news, and in the same way as the game started, it also ended since no team managed to put the puck in the net. San Jose struck by scoring the first goal eight minutes past the start of the second period at 12:33, a play assisted by William Eklund and Andrew Poturalski helped defenseman Matt Denning, to add points to the teal.

The Sharks kept the lead for almost the whole period. However, a powerplay granted to the visitors, Utah’s Sean Durzi brought hope just seconds to finish the period as it concluded with a tie heading on to the second intermission. 

The highlight of the story is the plague of injuries in the league and a plague that various teams are dealing with in this case, Macklin Celebrini, the number one pick and star of the team, was affected by a lower-body injury when trying for a breakaway goal that just did not go right.

Macklin returned for one more shift, but the pain won the battle against his conviction to continue playing, and did not return for the third period.

In the third period, Maklin’s absence was felt, and the San Jose team was unable to maintain a tie or find ways to score goals.

The visiting team took advantage of every indirect advantage, and this is how it happened, demonstrating a change in the dynamics of the game. Utah’s Kailer Yamamoto was the author in giving Utah the two-goal lead at minute 17:38 and 6:23.

It is also worth highlighting the work of Utah’s goaltender, Connor Ingram, who recorded 19 saves, avoiding opportunities for the Sharks to widen the scoresheet.

The Sharks still have two opportunities to refine details, try new ideas, and reinforce the areas that remain to be improved in this game this Friday night against Anaheim.

The Sharks look to get another pre-season victory, and this time at home.

The Sharks are confident that this is the way and that despite the numbers and statistics do not support the result after the games. The Sharks want to be ready and in good shape for the home opener this October 10 against St. Louis.

More updates regarding Macklin Celebrini’s injury will be provided as news becomes available

Continuing coverage will be provided on Sports Radio Service this Friday night when the Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center in San Jose.

Liberty Dashes Hopes of an Aces Three-Peat Winning Game Two 88-84 Taking a 2-0 Series Lead

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New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart drives on the Las Vegas Aces Chelsea Gray (12) in the first half of game 2 in the WNBA Playoffs at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Tue Oct 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (0-2) fought hard in game two of their best of five series against the New York Liberty (2-0) and came so very close losing 88-84. The Liberty have an amazing defense that gave the Aces trouble all night long.

A’ja Wilson finished with 24 points but Kelsey Plum never really got on track hitting a couple of three’s for 6 points in this game. In game three the Aces will need all hands on deck if they are to make a comeback in the series. It’s a lot of pressure on the entire team but it is the only way they will have any chance at all.

The Aces took on the New York Liberty in an all-important game two. The Aces went down 0-2 and lost on New York’s home court which was not ideal heading home to Las Vegas for game three.

Game recap: The Aces got a good start leading for most of the opening ten minutes. The largest lead for Las Vegas was an eight point lead 27-19 in the final minute of the quarter. The Aces held a 27-22 lead going into the second quarter.

Two minutes into the second quarter Las Vegas was forced to take a time-out after their lead shrunk to a single point 27-26. The Liberty began to match the Aces shot for shot and three minutes into the quarter coach Becky Hammon took a second time-out very unhappy with her team’s offense.

The Aces continued missing layups and the Liberty’s defense was making things awfully difficult for Las Vegas clogging up the paint and forcing shots from outside. With under three minutes left in the half, the game was tied at 37.

The Aces were getting stops but not taking advantage of those stops. After leading briefly in the final two minutes of the half, the Aces let the Liberty take over the game. New York led after two quarters 46-40. They had outscored the Aces 24-13 in the second quarter.

Sabrina Ionescu really got into her stride in the second half of the second quarter. New York really kept the wraps on A’ja WIlson holding her to six points in the half and Kelsey Plum was also struggling with a single three point shot in the half.

The Liberty had scored 20 points on 11 Aces turnovers. In game one, the Aces missed 16 layups and you just cannot continue to do this against the best team in the league. The biggest challenge the Aces would have in the second half would be getting the ball to A’ja Wilson.

The third quarter was a close one with the Liberty outscoring the Aces by a single point 23-22. Las Vegas had one quarter left in this game to even up the series trailing 69-62. At 8:54 in the fourth quarter Las Vegas was trailing 66-69 but let it slip away a minute later as the Liberty extended their lead 74-66. With more than five minutes left in the game Las Vegas was within reach trailing by two points 72-74 forcing the Liberty to take a time-out.

With two minutes left in the game, Las Vegas continued to trail but remained within a point 78-79. With 90 seconds left on the clock this game was tied at 81. This game was going down to the wire and the Aces just couldn’t get over the top.

It came down to an Ace possession with ten seconds left on the clock trailing by two points 82-84. Chelsea Gray fouled Sabrina Ionescu, she made both free throws and that was the game 88-84. Breanna Stewart also made two free throws when fouled by Tiffany Hayes making both free throws to end the game.

The Las Vegas Aces are in deep trouble as they head back to Las Vegas trailing 0-2. While there is still that outside possibility that they can tie up the series it will be a huge mountain to climb. It will all start with game three Friday night which gets underway at 6:30 PM PT at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Posey Giants new President; Ex-catcher says changes on the way; Putila out as GM

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San Francisco Giants president Buster Posey (left) and Giants Chairman Greg Johnson (right) address the media at Posey introduction as new team president on Tue Oct 1, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Giants catcher Buster Posey said at his press conference when he was introduced as the team’s new president replacing Farhan Zaidi, that ultimately the team needs to hit and pitch better and that the margins were so small between winning and losing when your talking about the best players in the world.

#2 Posey who caught for San Francisco in all three World Series Championships was the leader of the team during those years knowing that how well does that fit in as a team president knowing what to look for on the field.

#3 Posey said that the decision making will be coming from a new general manager as far as delegating some of the on field strategy and decision that goes on on day to day operations.

#4 Posey said he wanted to be as useful as he can to the all people that he’s working with. Posey also said he didn’t want to feel like he’s the kind of leader where he’s constantly looking over somebody’s shoulder all the time.

#5 Giants general manager Pete Putila is out as GM and Posey said Putila will take a different role with the club and that the search for a new GM will start immediately.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Tigers get all the runs they need in 2nd inning in 3-1 win; Royals Witt with RBI helps defeat O’s 1-0 in game 1; plus more Wild Card news

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Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal (29) is stoked after striking out Houston Astros Yanier Diaz in the bottom of the sixth inning at the AL Wild Card Game in Minute Maid Field at Houston on Tue Oct 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, just wanted to ask you about the four MLB Wild Card games being played today and see if you can share your thoughts about today’s results. We’ll start with the Detroit Tigers who played the Houston Astros today at Minute Maid Field in the AL Wild Card game. Framber Valdez started for the Astros and Tigers did all the damage against Valdez in the top of the second inning scoring three runs coming away with a 3-1 win in game 1.

#2 The Royals and Orioles battled for the second AL Wild Card game at Camden Yards. The Royals came away with a 1-0 shutout to defeat the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Royals Bobby Witt has been doing it all season Tuesday he drove in the winning run and Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragan pitched six innings of shutout ball to close down the Orioles in game 1.

#3 The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers might be a tight match at American Family Park in Milwaukee.

#4 The Atlanta Braves will be starting SJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0, 0.00) and the San Diego Padres will be starting Michael King (13-9, 2.95) Shawyer will be pitching against one of baseball’s best teams the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders aim to string back to back wins in Denver at Mile High

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (18) gets a break away from the Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, the Cleveland Browns opened up the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders Deshaun Watson for one yard pass to Blake Whiteheart. The Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins later hit a 56 yard field goal and it was 10-0.

#2 Raiders would answer back with when running back Tre Tucker would carry a three yarder for a touchdown and Daniel Carlson later would boot a 52 yarder to tie it up at half time 10-10.

#3 The Raiders would add on more scoring in the third quarter when Carlson kicked a 34 yarder for a field goal and DJ Turner carried for 18 yards putting the Raiders on top by ten 20-10.

#4 Fourth quarter the Raiders were able to hold off the Browns. The Browns recovered a Raiders fumble as the Browns Rodney McCleod ran it back 25 yards to cut the Raiders lead 20-16 as kicker Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point.

#5 Up next for the Raiders the Denver Broncos who just got by the New York Jets at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands Sunday 10-9 in a well played defensive game. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw 12 for 25 for 60 yards and one touchdown in the Denver win. This one will be in Denver next Sun Oct 6th. Your thoughts for these two teams.

Tony Renteria does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dikembe Mutombo podcast with David Zizmor: Hall of Famer and the ever popular Dikembe Mutombo passes away from brain cancer at 58

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Former Houston Rocket Dikembe Mutombo seen here facing the Denver Nuggets on Apr 13, 2008 passed away on Mon Sep 30, 2024 from brain cancer (AP file photo)

On the Dikembe Mutombo podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dikembe Mutombo a 2015 Hall of Famer who is remember for his finger wagging played center. Mutombo who passed away on Monday at age 58 of brain cancer and is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mutombo played in the NBA for 18 seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

#2 Mutombo had three All Star NBA selections and played in eight All Star games, Mutombo is 20th in rebounds with 12,359, and has 3289 blocks only second to former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon.

#3 Mutombo worked hard and extensively for charitable and humanitarian causes and he was well remembered for those efforts.

David Zizmor is an NBA analysist for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: How Derozan compliments Kings and coach Brown’s plans to raise the Kings position for the post season

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Former Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan leaping on the right with ball in hands during contest with the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Wed Mar 6, 2024 is expected to add power to the Sacramento Kings line up for the 2024-25 season (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara how important is it for the Sacramento Kings to get to 50 wins at a minimum for this season. The Kings last season they were 43-36.

#2 Barbara, how important is it for the Kings to get off to a fast start not by going 2-4 but winning 5-1 or 4-2.

#3 The Kings acquired DeMar Derozan from the Chicago Bulls in the off season and people questioned how he will fit in. Head coach Mike Brown said Derozan will be a huge compliment for the Kings offense this seaon.

#4 One of the advantages that the Kings have is they have so many guys returning from last season who compliment the team chemistry, this is coach Browns third year back, Domantas Sobonis, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk to name a few.

#5 One thing about the Western Conference is that with this group the Kings could go that 4-2 and win three of five games either at home and on the road. They were an over .500 team last season finished ninth in the Western Conference can they improve their position for a better seeded spot in the battle of making post season.

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Pete Rose podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: He was controversial, banned, all time hits leader, now belongs to the ages at 83

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Pete Rose in memorium 1941-2024 tribute dedication photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Reds

Pete Rose podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

Former Cincinnati Red Pete Rose a long time player and manager passed away on Monday at age 83. Rose had a fabulous career as a baseball player. Rose broke in in 1963 that’s 61 years ago. He holds the records for most hits ever.

He surpassed Ty Cobb for the most hits. He holds the record for a hitting streak at 44 games. He was know as Charlie Hustle. He’d give you 100%. He’s remembered for his collision with the late Cleveland Indians catcher Ray Fosse during the 1970 All Star Game.

I covered the Oakland A’s for many years and got to see Fosse who was an A’s broadcaster and never asked him about the collision with Rose and when I did get to ask him about it he would just simply say “that’s baseball” and “I was there to block the plate he had every right to crash into me.”

TMZ recently asked when they caught him on the street and asked him who was the best player not in the Hall of Fame right now. Rose said, “Joe Jackson” who was part of nine players who were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series. Although found not guilty of betting on the World Series by a jury MLB Commissioner at the time Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned Jackson and his teammates for life a ban that stands to this day. Rose is banned as well for life.

Jerry Feitelberg does baseball analysis at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Aaron Dell looking forward to helping younger goaltenders in camp

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San Jose Barracuda goaltender Aaron Dell will be in camp helping some of the younger goaltenders, Dell will be between the pipes for the Barracuda for this 2024-25 season (Mercury News file photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko, the SJ Barracuda have announced their bringing back goaltender Aaron Dell for the 2024-25 season. Dell has experience in both at the San Jose Sharks and with the Barracuda how important do you see him being between the pipes?

#2 Barracuda general manager Joe Will said that Dell bring leadership and depth and will be a big plus in helping the goaltending group.

#3 Dell played for the Ontario Reign last season in 12 games. Dell signed with Ontario in January and went 7-4-1 with 2.57 goals against and had a .914 save average.

#4 Marko, over Dell’s 12 year career he has played in 130 NHL games with the Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres with a 50-50-13 record. and a 2.92 goals against average with a record like that Dell has had a great long career in the NHL.

#5 All that said Marko, Dell is 35 and will be helping out the younger goaltenders and when he gets in the games that would give those younger players an idea how it’s done.

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants fire Zaidi replace him with Posey; Firing was a long anticipated event

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Buster Posey takes over as the San Francisco Giants new team president as on Mon Sep 30, 2024 replacing former Giants president Farhan Zaidi (photo from mlb.com)

By Lewis Rubman and Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–After six seasons the San Francisco Giants have moved on from team president Farhan Zaidi and have replaced him with former Giants catcher and part owner Buster Posey. Zaidi had one more year left on his guaranteed contract as the Giants missed going to the playoffs for the third straight year.

The Giants who completed their regular season finished two games below .500 at 80-82 and were 453-417 during Zaidi’s six year tenure. Under Zaidi the Giants had one winning year. Zaidi had hired former Giants manager Gabe Kapler who was later fired after the 2023 season. It was under Kapler the Giants had that one winning season in 2021 when San Francisco won 107 games.

The firing on Monday marks the second big firing the Giants have made after Kapler now Zaidi being the second. Zaidi was mentioned by critics as someone the Giants should have let go with Kapler after the 2023 season. The Giants hiring of Bob Melvin for the 2024 season was a positive and gave Zaidi one last chance to steer the club to a winning season which it failed to do.

Beginning and during the 2024 season under Zaidi the Giants spent over$320 million on signing free agents Jung Hoo Lee, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy. The Giants also added Robbie Ray to their pitching core signing a player that wouldn’t be available until July for another $74 million. The Giants were hoping the moves would pay off as they also gave up two draft picks, it didn’t they ended up going over the luxury tax for the first time since 2017.

Posey was instrumental in getting Chapman signed on Sep 5th to a six year $151 million contract that will keep Chapman in San Francisco through 2030. After the Chapman signing some in the media said that Posey would be a good fit for team president to replace Zaidi. Posey was also instrumental in helping those World Series teams win during his time as catcher and he might be able to get the Giants to the post season under his presidency.

Giants general manager Peter Putila someone no one ever really mentions in the press about what his role was in the Zaidi firing as of now still remains team general manager.

Lewis Rubman and Stephen Ruderman are both Giants beat writers at http://www.sportsradioservice.com