Author: Sports Radio Service

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: A’s-Brewers exhibition a showcase for A’s future home in Vegas

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher spoke with the media on Sat Mar 9, 2024 at Las Vegas Ballpark regarding the new Tropicana ballpark renderings which has been compared to an Armadillo or the Sydney Opera House (renderings courtesy of the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, you’ve been all weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark talk about the sense the players get from being in Las Vegas away from their regular spring training facility in Mesa AZ?

#2 John Fisher the A’s owner addressed the media over the two game series in Las Vegas saying that in terms of the new ball park or the Sydney Opera House that Fisher wanted a park that would fit in with all the other innovations of the Las Vegas Strip.

#3 Bjarke Ingels Group is the A’s lead designer for the ball park and Fisher had walked with BIG Group around the Tropicana to get a idea and design of what would work on the nine acre space. Fisher said he’s thrilled with what they’ve come up with.

#4 The A’s once it’s done would have the largest scoreboard in Major League Baseball at 18,000 square feet which according to the rendering would be on the right hand side on the roof of home plate.

#5 Finally Rich talk about your experience over the last two days working with the A’s and Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark and having to sit next to the dugout during this exhibition game which drew a lot of media to cover a series where the A’s could call their home in 2028.

Rich Perez covered the Oakland A’s and Milwaukee Brewers two game series at Las Vegas Ballpark on Mar 8th and 9th for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks try to snap nine game skid tonight against Ottawa at SAP Center

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The New York Islanders center Matthew Barzal (13) skates away from the net after scoring on the San Jose Sharks goalie Magnus Chrona (30) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy, the New York Islanders just really took it to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday at SAP Center here in San Jose. Scoring four goals in the second period to bury the Sharks 7-2.

#2 In the Sharks last four out of six games they have given up six or more goals and had given up seven goals in three of those.

#3 The Sharks got scoring help from Thomas Bordeleau and Mike Hoffman in their ninth consecutive loss. The Sharks just couldn’t get any offense going in the five goal loss.

#4 The Sharks started Magnus Chrona who save 26 shots but allowed the whopping seven goals another tough outing for Chrona.

#5 The Sharks are trying to rebuild again with their recent trades getting draft picks for Anthony Duclair who was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tomas Hertl who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2025 number one draft pick and forward David Edstrom.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: Fans and players talk about Sydney Opera House model stadium at Las Vegas Ballpark at A’s exhibition game

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Las Vegas Ballpark the site of the two game series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s in Las Vegas for Fri Mar 8, 2024 and Sat Mar 9, 2024 (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

On the A’s podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, your podcasting and covering the Oakland A’s for us at Las Vegas Ballpark for tonight’s exhibition game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. You had a chance to get down on the field and also around the ball park and ask how Nevadans feel about spending $380 million in public money for a new ballpark.

#2 Are people in Las Vegas where your at right now convinced that they’ll get a return for their public money on a ballpark that the A’s and the State of Nevada expect to sell out every event there for some 30 years so it will be paid off?

#3 Oakland A’s owner John Fisher says he’s secured half of the $1.5 billion of his share towards the construction costs of the ballpark. That would mean he still needs to find the other $500 million the clock has ran out and something needs to be decided on soon.

#4 Rich how much do you see of this hold up getting the funding and waiting for a design in the form of blueprints putting baseball and the A’s behind schedule.

#5 Your there in Las Vegas the Aviators ballpark although the players some of them anyway marvel at the artist renderings of the proposed Sydney Opera House ballpark some say this is just an idea but not the real thing?

Rich Perez is covering the Oakland A’s in Las Vegas for Fri Mar 9 and Sat Mar 10 for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocaton podcast with Daniel Dullum: Kaval meets the media before A’s pre season game in Las Vegas

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Rendering of Las Vegas Tropicana ballpark part of the Armadillo series (renderings presented by the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel you had a chance to look at the future Las Vegas A’s Tropicana Ballpark which has been referenced as a Sydney Opera Place look a like or a Armadillo which Oakland A’s owner John Fisher seems to take as a compliment.

#2 It’s a multilayered roof which has area that look out from behind the home plate and the outfield window has a view of Las Vegas Blvd where you could see the New York New York casino and hotel.

#3 Ironically when Fisher gave comments about the Armadillo renderings he was speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle from his Jack London Square offices where the A’s dream of having a ballpark is all but dead once the A’s start play in Las Vegas in 2028.

#4 Fisher also said the financing has been figured out $380 million from the State of Nevada, $200 million will be money owed, and the Fisher Family will pay $500 million this would include equity investors. The catch could be whose going to be on the hook for the final $500 million. Could that come from another investor group or will Fisher have that unsolved for the rest of the baseball season?

#5 When you look at all of it Daniel and we’ve talked to fans and analysts like yourself it seems that Schools over Stadiums is a long shot but the last chance to get an initiative on the November ballot that would stop the public money for financing the Tropicana. The other is the lawsuit filed by Strong Public Schools who say the Nevada Legislature’s vote was suppose to be a two thirds vote not a majority vote.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Georgi Romanov with 41 saves leads Barracuda to victory over Stars 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Kicking off a four game road trip the Barracuda took on the a central division opponent in the Texas Stars.

Tonights game would see the recently acquired Jack Thompson make his debut for the Barracuda as he was sporting number 26.

In goal for San Jose was Georgi Romanov who’s coming off a loss against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on the second when he made a career-high 47 saves. His stats on the season 7-8-6 with a 3.26 GAA and .898 SV%.

On the other side of the rink it was Remi Poirier in goal for the Stars who heading into this one had a 14-12-3 record with a 3.08 GAA and .906 SV%.

The opening frame in this one was dominated by Texas as they outshot the Barracuda 18-5. Thankfully for San Jose Romanov was having another dominant outing as he stopped all 18 shots.

The first period saw no goals so we’d have to wait until the second when Oskar Lindblom finally broke the ice 12:10 into the second. The goal would come on the power play and newcomer Thompson registered an assist on the goal as well.

Less than a minute later San Jose tacked another one on as Jordy Bellerive scored his fifth of the season. The assists on the goal this time went to Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tanner Kaspick.

The final frame in this one saw the teams getting into it as Bellerive dropped the gloves. MATEJ BLÜMEL for the Stars was also ejected from the game for boarding who is one of the Stars better players.

San Jose would continue to hold on to that shutout until with less than a minute left Mavrik Bourque spoiled it scoring his 20th of the season.

That goal didn’t end up mattering much as San Jose was able to hold on and walk away with the victory.

The real star in this game was Romanov who had another stellar night making 41 saves.

San Jose was outshout 42-31 in this one and Dallas went 0/3 on the power play while the Barracuda went 1/4.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Georgi Romanov 2nd: Oskar Lindblom 3rd: Remi Poirier

With this win San Jose improves to 19-27-8 while Texas falls to 26-24-3.

The Barracuda will look to keep the good times rolling as they’ll take on these same Stars tomorrow at 5 p.m.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Hertl dealt to Golden Knights; Sharks get Edstrom and a 2025 first round draft pick

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Long time San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Fri Mar 8, 2024 for a first round draft pick and David Edstrom a former 2023 first round draft pick. (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The criticism was strong on Friday about the San Jose Sharks dealing fan favorite Tomas Hertl plus trading him to the Sharks rival team the Vegas Golden Knights fans were taken by surprised when this deal was announced.

#2 Grier sent Hertl to Vegas with two third round picks in exchange for a 2025 for a first draft pick and David Edstrom who was the Knights first round draft pick in 2023.Critics say that Grier might have got a pretty good end of the bargain with the draft picks.

#3 Hertl had been with the Sharks since 2013 ten years a mainstay. Hertl scored four goals in his first NHL game against the New York Rangers on Oct 8, 2013. In that game Hertl made a between the legs shot for a goal. He had stopped the puck skated over it and shot the puck between his legs for a goal.

#4 In his time with the Sharks Hertl scored 218 goals, 266 assists in 712 games. Hertl’s post season total are 24 goals, 18 assists, in 62 playoff games.

#5 Hertl has surgery in February to remove loose cartilage from his left knee. Hertl was expected to return before the end of the regular season.

Mary Lisa does the San Jose Sharks podcasts for http://www.sportsradioservice.com on Saturdays

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Do you suffer from A’s fatigue?

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Trevor May has been open being against the A’s leaving Oakland and also saying that A’s owner John Fisher should sell the team (AP News file photo)

Do you suffer from A’s fatigue?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

I know some A’s fans because they have told me they suffer from fatigue about the team’s current situation. What is fatigue? Fatigue is common, and one of the main components of fatigue is “burnout.” The constant talk about “they are leaving,” “no, they are staying,” “it is not over yet,” “sell the team,” they are heard all over the A’s fan-hood.

There is also “anxiety” about the Oakland-Las Vegas-Sacramento-Salt Lake City Athletics. Ex-A’s closer Trevor May has spoken publicly about his anxiety as a pitcher months before he blasted the Oakland A’s ownership.

Anxiety is very real, and although sports is just a part of life, which is meant for people to enjoy, some fans have worked themselves up with something of an obsession about their team potentially leaving Oakland, which creates a constant state of anxiety for uncertain things.

All the cities involved are trying to have the A’s play their games at their respective home parks; their elected officials and the teams that own the parks are all trying to get a piece of the A’s.

There are people on their podcasts in the Bay Area dedicating most of their time to the Oakland A’s saga, from local journalists to some other people outside the Bay Area like David Samson, once President of the Miami Marlins, on his top-rated podcast as he said: “Whether they were close or not, my view has always been that there is a deal to be done to keep the A’s in Oakland.”

He also says that he doesn’t believe the owners would force John Fisher to sell the team, so he doesn’t see a forced sale as an option.

Whatever your situation about the A’s, most things are not under your control. For example, if you do not have a vote in the City of Oakland or are not an executive of the Oakland A’s with the decision-making power to make something happen, you should not worry since you can’t control it anyway.

So what is the point of torturing yourself unless you are a masochist (enjoy experiments that give you pain)

Negotiations: The A’s and the City of Oakland are at an impasse. They have yet to agree to a lease extension beyond this 2024 season, during which they will play at the Oakland Coliseum.

This means that, as of today, it is still possible that this 2024 season will be the last time the Oakland A’s play at the Oakland Coliseum, which make 2024 a very historical year. But I will not let it worry me because I, just like you, cannot control the situation.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host Rockets Sunday at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) celebrates with forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The San Antonio Spurs (13-51) are one of the worse teams in the NBA yet you never how things will turn out on any given night such as the Sacramento Kings (37-26) who battled to last 7.7 seconds against the Spurs when the Kings Domanta Sabonis threw down the game winning basket in the Kings narrow 131-129 win on Thursday night.

#2 Sabonis led the Kings with 31 points on Thursday, Sabonis said that it looked ugly with one minute left in the game so he stepped up and fixed it with a winning basket.

#3 The Kings De’Aaron Fox scored 17 of 33 points in the fourth quarter of the game and ended up getting fouled out.

#4 One thing that held the Spurs back was they were without their leading scorer Victor Wembanyama who has a strained right ankle and is also expected to sit out against Golden State on Saturday in San Francisco.

#5 The Houston Rockets are next for the Kings. The Rockets (27-35) 12th place in the Western Conference. The Rockets have lost six of their ten games. But you never know the Spurs were struggling and gave the Kings fits do you see the same for the Rockets at Golden 1 on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm PDT?

Join Jeremiah for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: With 7.7 secs left Sabonis throw down gets Kings 131-129 over Spurs at Golden 1

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Forward Domantas Sabonis (10) takes off down the floor after scoring against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday night. The Kings were coming off the first night of a back-to-back that saw them make a stop in Los Angeles. The Kings were in LA on Wednesday night to take on the Lakers.

The Kings went down early to the Lakers but ultimately came out with the win 130-120. On Thursday night, the Kings returned home for the second night of the back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were coming off a loss to the Rockets on Tuesday, 114-101.

On Thursday, the tip-off was set for 7 PM PST inside Golden One Center. The Kings beat the Spurs 131-129 on Thursday night.

Game recap: In the first quarter, the Kings came as expected on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings came out sluggish in the first quarter. The Spurs would outscore the Kings 31-30 in the first quarter to a slim early lead.

De’Aaron Fox was largely silent for the Kings in the quarter, scoring no points. Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings in the first quarter with six points each. Devin Vassell led the Spurs with eight points.

In the second quarter, the Kings took off. Similarly to the previous game against the Lakers, the Kings had a sub-par first quarter and took command in the second.

The Kings outscored the Spurs in the second quarter 41-28. In the first half, the Kings were led by Sabonis, who scored 17 points. He was well on his way to another triple-double if he kept it up. Vessell led the way for the Spurs in the first half with 14 points.

The Kings let the Spurs back into the game in the third quarter. In the tale of two quarters, the Kings melted down in the fourth. The Spurs outscored the Kings 36-29 in the third to come to within five points of the lead.

The Kings would lead 100-95 going into the final quarter of action. Could the Kings maintain the lead and hold off the young Spurs without Wemby?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings and Spurs found themselves in a dogfight! The Spurs were up late in the quarter as Fox fouled out. The Kings and Spurs would go back to back until Sabonis got a steal and a dunk to put the Kings up 131-129 with 7.7 seconds in the game. That bucket would seal the deal.

The Spurs missed two shots in the final possession to lose the game 131-129. The Kings were outscored by the Spurs in the final quarter 34-31, but it was to no avail. It was a big win for the Kings, even if it came in ugly fashion.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday at 3 PM PST inside Golden One Center

Cal Bears report: Bears destroyed by hated rivals in final Pac-12 Regular Season game 80-58

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Cal Bears head coach Mark Malone gives instructions to his players against the Stanford Cardinal at Maple Pavilion in the final Pac 12 regular season game on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Maples Pavilion, Stanford, California

California Golden Bears 58 (13-18 Overall; 8-12 Pac-12)

Stanford Cardinal 80 (13-17 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears were slaughtered by their hated rivals, the Stanford Cardinal, 80-58 to close out the regular season in what has been an improbable season for the Bears.

The Bears came in having lost their first two games on this season-closing roadtrip. First, to the Colorado Buffaloes on Feb. 29 in Boulder, and then to the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City Saturday. The Bears were unable to have a winning season just a year after going 3-29, but they still had a chance to finish not too far under .500.

The Bears would close out their season against their hated rivals, who beat them at Haas Pavilion on Jan. 26. Now, the Bears were in enemy territory at Stanford.

Cal won the opening tip, and even though Jalen Cone missed a three, Fardaws Aimaq laid one in to put the Bears on the board first. The teams traded leads in the early minutes, as Aimaq hit a jumper, and Jaylon Tyson hit a three to put the Bears up 7-5.

Brandon Angel hit a three to give Stanford the lead, and then he hit a jumper, as well as one from the line after he was fouled on the play. Spencer Jones then hit a three to extend the Cardinal’s lead to 14-7.

Aimaq was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and Cone hit a jumper to make it 14-12. However, after the teams traded jumpers to make it 16-14, Stanford took complete control.

The Cardinal had a 30-16 lead with 7:33 to go in the first half, but the Bears kept pace, and they cut the deficit to 38-32. Kanaan Carlyle hit a three for Stanford, and they went into the half up 41-32.

Throughout this painful season, a large deficit going into the second half a lot of times meant that the Bears were going to come back. That wasn’t the case on Saturday in Utah, and it wouldn’t be the case tonight either. Stanford took complete control, and won it by a final of 80-58.

Perhaps, after a spirited comeback season of so many epic come-from-behind wins, the Bears just ran out of energy. Fardaws Aimaq scored 18 points, and Jaylon Tyson scored 15, but the rest of the team struggled. Jalen Cone particularly struggled, as he was 2-for-13 in field goals, and scored just five points.

The Bears, who end up going 13-18 in this bounceback season, and 9-11 in their final season of Pac-12 play.

It would have been a remarkable story if the Bears had a winning season, and had a chance to get into March Madness just a year removed from going 3-29, but the fact that they were just three wins shy of having a winning season was something that truly made this a special season for the team.

The season is not over yet. The final Pac-12 Tournament will get underway on March 13, and last four days through March 16. Since their record was not enough to get into March Madness, the Bears would have to win four games in a row and win the tournament to be able to get in. The odds are stacked against them, but in a season of so many unbelievable comebacks, stories and surprises, perhaps the Bears could have one more in them.