Author: Sports Radio Service

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks get first road win of season against New Jersey; SJ face Rangers at MSG Sunday

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The San Jose Sharks William Eklund (left) and the New Jersey Devils Jonas Siegenthaler (right) battle for the puck in first period action at the Prudential Center in Newark NJ on Fri Dec 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

Mary Lisa on the SJ Sharks podcast:

#1 The San Jose Sharks Jacob MacDonald and Anthony Duclair each had two goals apiece as the Sharks turned up their offense a notch against the New Jersey Devils in New Jersey on Friday night.

#2 San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 44 shots and allowed three goals in the 6-3 San Jose win.

#3 Mikael Granlund scored a goal and had two assists and William Eklund scored for San Jose to help San Jose pick up their first road win of the season now with a 1-10-0 road record.

#4 San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn said “I’m happy for our guys. It’s been a tough year, especially on the road,″ Quinn said. ”To find a way to win is a tribute to our team.”

#5 San Jose will face the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm PT. The Rangers are first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 16-4-1 record. The Rangers have won eight of their last ten games and are in Nashville tonight before returning to New York on Sunday against the Sharks.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will A’s dump Tropicana for a third ballpark site?; Will Fisher have financing troubles for stadium?

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The Foutainbleau location insiders say the A’s would consider the 27 acre site over the current ballpark site at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. The site is close to Circus Circus and Stratosphere on the Las Vegas strip (photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast:

#1 Daniel a lot of discussion this past week since the owner approved the Oakland A’s move to Las Vegas where will A’s owner John Fisher get funding for the stadium his share is $1.1 billion. He’s checking out possibilities for a loan from Goldman Sachs and his family as the State of Nevada has approved $380 million in public money for they’re share of the Tropicana ballpark.

#2 If Fisher can’t get the funding outright it more than likely will kill the deal. Bally’s could kick in but at $ 1.5 billion that’s a tall ask and will they end up being the ones being on the hook. Major League Baseball owners could shore up but still that’s a pretty steep bail out for Fisher.

#3 Schools over Stadiums is viewed as a long shot to get some 102,000 signatures on a petition that would put a referendum on the Nov 2024 ballot that would stop the $380 million public funding of the A’s Tropicana ballpark.

#4 The A’s are possibly looking into a third location near the Fountainbleau on the North East end of the strip, it would be near the Stratosphere, and Circus Circus. This third location is 27 acres as opposed to the nine acres the A’s are working with now. With the bigger site will the cost to John Fisher run more than the $1.1 billion he’s looking at with the nine acre Tropicana?

#5 Schools over Stadiums are planning to redo the petition at the advice of the judge who turned the petition language down in the last hearing on Mon Nov 6th. Once they get their consultation done with their legal staff Schools over Stadium will present the petition language to an Nevada appeals court and move forward with getting the 102,000 signatures split up amongst four Nevada districts.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks score three times in third period to defeat Devils 6-3; SJ earns first road victory of season

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The San Jose Sharks Mario Ferarro (left) and Jacob MacDonald (right) celebrate scoring a goal in the first period on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark on Fri Dec 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEWARK, N.J. — The San Jose Sharks finally earned their first road game win this season with a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Friday night.

It was a much welcomed win as the Sharks went into the game 0-10-0 on the road, scoring just six goals in ten games. Their goals on Friday tied their entire road goal total up to that point. Sharks head coach David Quinn said the team had “some nice plays on our goals”.

“It was a hard team play and we gave up 24 shots in the third period, you don’t want, but I thought our six-on-five was really good. I thought we weathered some storms,” said Quinn. “Just happy for our guys, it’s been tough (getting goals) year especially on the road. And to find a way to win like we did is a tribute to our team.”

Jacob MacDonald hit a wrist shot 2:10 into the first period to put the Sharks up 1-0. At 13:21, Dawson Mercer hit a snap shot that tied the game at 1-1.

MacDonald was the star again in the second period, making a tip-in at 2:51 to bring the Sharks up 2-1. It also marked the first time that the Sharks scored more than one goal in a road game, and both were by McDonald. It was his first multi-goal game in his professional career.

Then Anthony Duclair made a slap shot at 9:47 to boost the Sharks to 3-1.

In the final period, Jack Hughes scored an unassisted goal at 2:56 to cut the Sharks’ lead to 3-2. But Duclair had another big moment with a wrist shot from Mikael Granlund at 5:07 to extend the Sharks’ lead to 4-2. Duclair said Granlund’s saucer pass was a top-three pass of his career.

“I just cut the puck and was ready to shoot it and I was like maybe not. Just saw him out there and I mean that was a really good shot by him,” said Granlund. “And just one of those things, that maybe my strength is to try to make good passes and that was a good shot by Anthony.”

At 12:58, Ondrej Palat hit a snap shot and the Devils trailed 4-3. But the Sharks refused to give up, and Granlund made an unassisted snap shot at 13:38 to put the Sharks up 5-3. San Jose put the final touch with 18 seconds left in the period when William Eklund hit a wrist shot from Ryan Carpenter.

MacDonald said the victory felt “really good”.

“Just helps build some confidence especially on the second half of a back-to-back, right, so our condition is in a good place and coming on back-to-back travel and six goals is a good sign for us and helps us build confidence,” he said.

The Sharks started their six-game road trip with a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday. They had won two in a row prior to that. They crushed the Devils’ hopes of gaining what would have been their season-best four-game winning streak.

San Jose (6-16-2) continues their road trip facing the New York Rangers (16-4-1) at Madison Square Garden on Sun Dec 3 afternoon. The puck drops at 3 p.m. PST.

Roadrunners first period onslaught bury Barracuda 5-1

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Tucson Roadunners Nathan Smith skates into the San Jose Barracuda zone during his team’s 5-1 win at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday DEC 1, 2023. (Tucson Roadrunners)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Tucson Roadrunners scored four goals in the first period as they blew out the San Jose Barracuda 5-1 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four games and had its two-game winning streak on the road snapped. Tucson has won three out its last four games.

Tucson (11-6-1-1) drew first blood on a penalty shot in the second minute of the game. Ehtan Frisch crosschecked Josh Doan into the back of the net while Doan was on a breakaway. Referee Jim Curtin rewarded Tucson with a penalty shot Doan into the net backhand 1:34 mark.

Doan skated in and beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona with a backhander shot top shelf for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Doan scored his second goal while the Roadrunners had the man advantage just past the midway point of the opening frame. Dylan Guenther found Doan along the left slot and the native of Scottsdale, Ariz. sniped home a one-timer past Chrona for his ninth goal of the season at the 11:02 mark.

Tucson scored its third unanswered goal of the period thanks to the ‘Cuda not being able to clear the puck out its own zone. Jan Jenik slipped a pass over to Zach Sanford who beat Chrona with a one-timer for his first goal in a Roadrunners sweater at the 17:29 mark.

Travis Baron made it 4-0 with 1:01 remaining in a nightmare first period for the ‘Cuda. Baron beat Chrona with a wrist shot on the short side for his second goal of the season after receiving a pass from Aku Raty.

San Jose (5-9-4-0) played on its heels during that opening 20 minutes as they only had a season low three shots on goal in a period as they were outshot 15-3.

The Roadrunners scored it second power play goal early in the second period. Victor Soderstrom blasted a slap-shot from the point that beat a screened Chrona for his third goal of the season at the 5:07 mark.

The ‘Cuda spoiled Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta’s shutout bid early in the third period with a power play goal. Nathan Todd sent a rink-wide pass down to Ethan Cardwell who skated past the Tucson defense to go in all alone on net before he deposited the puck past Villalta for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:04 mark.

Villalta (10-5-1) stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory. Chrona (1-5-2) made 30 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Tucson went 2-for-5.

Tucson snapped a five-game losing streak against San Jose.

‘Cuda forward Bradon Coe celebrated his 22nd birthday.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Doan 2) John Leonard 3) Villalta.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-game series on Saturday 12/2 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will A’s dump Tropicana for a third ballpark site?; Will Fisher have financing troubles for stadium?

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The Foutainbleau location insiders say the A’s would consider the 27 acre site over the current ballpark site at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. The site is close to Circus Circus and Stratosphere on the Las Vegas strip (photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast:

#1 Daniel a lot of discussion this past week since the owner approved the Oakland A’s move to Las Vegas where will A’s owner John Fisher get funding for the stadium his share is $1.1 billion. He’s checking out possibilities for a loan from Goldman Sachs and his family as the State of Nevada has approved $380 million in public money for they’re share of the Tropicana ballpark.

#2 If Fisher can’t get the funding outright it more than likely will kill the deal. Bally’s could kick in but at $ 1.5 billion that’s a tall ask and will they end up being the ones being on the hook. Major League Baseball owners could shore up but still that’s a pretty steep bail out for Fisher.

#3 Schools over Stadiums is viewed as a long shot to get some 102,000 signatures on a petition that would put a referendum on the Nov 2024 ballot that would stop the $380 million public funding of the A’s Tropicana ballpark.

#4 The A’s are possibly looking into a third location near the Fountainbleau on the North East end of the strip, it would be near the Stratosphere, and Circus Circus. This third location is 27 acres as opposed to the nine acres the A’s are working with now. With the bigger site will the cost to John Fisher run more than the $1.1 billion he’s looking at with the nine acre Tropicana?

#5 Schools over Stadiums are planning to redo the petition at the advice of the judge who turned the petition language down in the last hearing on Mon Nov 6th. Once they get their consultation done with their legal staff Schools over Stadium will present the petition language to an Nevada appeals court and move forward with getting the 102,000 signatures split up amongst four Nevada districts.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings have huge task with Nuggets coming to Golden 1 Saturday

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) gets some ball control against the Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 On Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento the Los Angeles Clippers and took no prisoners with convincing 131-117 win.

#2 The Clippers got help from top scorer Kawhi Leonard who led with 34 points followed up by James Harden with 26 points. The Kings practically trailed most of the game.

#3 The Clippers Paul George contributed with 22 points all starting five Clippers finished in double figures and it was the first time the Clippers defeated the Kings since October 2022.

#4 The Clippers had some good defense going for them to hold back the Kings but it was De’Aaron Fox who opened up on the Clippers with team leading 40 points, with 22 assists, and forced 14 turnovers. It was not enough however for the Kings.

#5 The Kings have a huge task ahead of them when they host the Denver Nuggets on Sat Dec 2 at Golden 1 Center. The Nuggets who have won three of their last four games and in they’re last game they defeated the Houston Rockets by ten 134-124. The Nuggets are at an impressive 13-6.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: KNBR Big Budget Cuts -Can Sportstalk Radio Survive?

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Former KNBR talk show host FP Santangelo sent a social media message on X saying he was appreciative for the opportunity to work at KNBR. Santangelo was the 6-10pm talk show host and was replaced by John (JD) Dickinson in the 6-10pm slot. (photo from X.com)

KNBR Big Budget Cuts -Can Sportstalk Radio Survive?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In this fast-moving social media world, sports on the radio, mostly AM radio, are limited to live broadcasts of games, which figure to be the most profitable and popular. KNBR has been the sports leader in San Francisco for over half a century. This week, San Francisco’s KNBR management announced that it will no longer have a 6-10 PM show. F.P Santangelo was hosting, but not anymore.

In a post at X (formerly Twitter), the ex-major league player, sports talk host, and baseball commentator said it was due “to budget cuts”. Sportstalk radio is not as popular anymore. The proliferation of Podcasting has become one of the biggest enemies of the “old school” sports talk radio show formats. In 2021, over 82 million people listened to podcasts; by next year, it will reach over 100 million listeners.

Some other names that were laid off with Santangelo, Paul McCaffrey morning co-host, Danny Emerman sports reporter, Lee Hammer former program director, and the digital team. It was reported that McCaffrey’s co-host Brian Murphy upon learning the news took Friday’s morning show off “to collect his thoughts of what just happened.”

John Dickinson who formerly worked at 95.7 the Game will now do the Golden State Warriors post game shows at KNBR. JD worked at the Game for 12 years and seven months and seven days. He started at KNBR this week.

The 100 million would be approximately one-third of the country. WFAN radio in New York City is still the king of sports talk, working in the number-one media market in the country, and there are some others in Boston, Atlanta, and other large to medium to small media markets, but they are not as dominant as they were in the 1980s or even the 1990s.

This should not surprise anybody; the world of communications is ever-changing. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is already here. Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines or software, as opposed to the intelligence of humans or animals.

It may also refer to the corresponding field of study, which develops and studies intelligent machines, or to the smart machines themselves. It is already a controversial topic, and yes, it will eliminate many jobs, but it will also open new horizons.

Can Sportstalk radio survive? The answer is Yes, but it is in Intensive Care..

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Niners second chance at Eagles in NFL’s best showcase game of 2023

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to throw a pass against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink in Seattle on Thursday Night Football on Nov 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe over the last year since 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was injured in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia had surgery and recovered and you look at his body of work since that time how serious is he now considered a potential Super Bowl quarterback?

#2 You’ve watched film of Purdy trying to throw under pressure. The Eagles opposing lineman finds a hole which could lead to a sack but yet and still Purdy is able to get his pass down field and in crucial times complete the passes.

#3 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has such great support from his offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and quarterbacks coach Shane Steichen. Shanahan said they have quality play calling from dropbacks, play actions, RPOs, the quarterback run game and the regular run game.

#4 The Eagles are a 10-1 team. They showed they’re a big physical team all season long and the 49ers got a look at them last season in the NFC Championship game. Do you see the Eagles as that same intimidating team or even better than last season’s team?

#5 Joe do you find this Sunday’s game in Philadelphia no doubt to be the 49ers toughest game of the season and how much is this game is a must win for San Francisco?

Join Joe Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball: Elefantes de CIenfuegos- -Cuba’s last professional League Champion

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Baseball: Elefantes de CIenfuegos- -Cuba’s last professional League Champion

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Elefantes de Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos Elephants) was a Cuban baseball team that played in the old Cuban League from 1878 to 1961. In 1961, the last year of existence for the most popular winter league in the world, where many American-born stars also played with Cuban players after the primary league season.

In 1961, the Cuban communist government eradicated all professional sports, including professional baseball, which is the #1 sport on the largest island in the Caribbean. The Cienfuegos team won five Cuban League championships, including the last one in 1960-61; they also won two Caribbean Series, in 1956 and 1960.

Cienfuegos was one of the four teams that played in the Cuban Winter League, also Leones del Habana, (Havana Lions), Alacrames del Almendares (Almendares Scorpions) and Tigres de Marianao, (Marianao Tigers).

Although back then, Cuban baseball was very much like US baseball, and the green logo of the Elephants of Cienfuegos was not an affiliate of the Philadelphia, Kansas City, or Oakland A’s, who also had an Elephant as their logo. Below is the list of some players who proudly played for the Cienfuegos team; if you are a real baseball fan, you will recognize over 90 percent of these names.

Adolfo Luque, George Altman, José Azcue, Octavio “Cookie”Rojas, Martín Dihigo, Sandy Consuergra, Cool Papa Bell, Leo Cárdenas, Don Zimmer, Alejandro Olms, Sam Maglie, Camilo Pascual,Curt Roberts, Pedro Ramos, Willie Wells, Napoleón Reyes, Humberto “Chico”Fernández, Tomy González. Every team in the Cuban Professional Winter League had a distinctive narrative about their logo; in the case of the Elefantes de Cienfuegos it was: “El paso del Elefante es lento pero aplastante”. Translation- “The pace of the Elephant is slow but crushing.”

The Alacranes del Almendares, who had a Scorpion as their logo, read: “El que le gane al Almendares se muere” Translation- “Whoever beat Almendares will die”. The passion of the Cuban people ran high among fans of these four teams. Some people never sat down during a game; people would take bets on their team against the other team they were playing, and some fans were real characters.

Fans attending these games did it with pleasure and great passion and a celebration of the game. One of the best Cuban-born players in recent history made his debut with the Oakland A’s in 2012, Yoenis Céspedes, The Cuban baseball star had fled Cuba with other Cubans in search of a prosperous life with the opportunity and the freedom that is not available for the citizens of Cuba, it was not easy to escape as well as for Céspedes family who escaped later.

Céspedes, born in 1985 (25 years after Cienfuegos won the last Cuban title), only heard about this league from his parents and older folks. Quote: “My life has changed in many ways, both economically and personally. All major league players are accorded the respect they deserve.

In Cuba, it was not that way. National team players were not respected. The treatment was not adequate. -Yoenis Céspedes.

Amaury Pi-González is a member of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research). He has spoken about the Elefantes de Cienfuegos and other historic teams during SABR conventions. He is a co-founder and vice president of The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.https://hhbmhof.com/

Power play clicks for Barracuda in 5-3 win over Firebirds

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San Jose Barracuda’s Thomas Bordeleau (#17) celebrates with his teammates one of the five goals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday NOV 29, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda finally broke the desert curse.

The ‘Cuda scored three power play goals in route to a 5-3 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday evening at Acrisure Arena. It was the first win for the ‘Cuda against the Firebirds in their history as Coachella Valley won all 10 games last season against them in its inaugural season.

San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak. Coachella Valley has lost two of its past three games.

Coachella Valley (9-7-0-0) drew first blood at the halfway mark of the first period on the man advantage. Devin Shore roofed a wrist shot 22 seconds into the power play past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his second goal of the season at the 13:39 mark.

San Jose (5-8-4-0) even the game with its first power play goal at the midway point of the second period. Leon Gawanke found Danil Gushchin near the left faceoff circle and Gushchin deposited a wrist shot to the far side past Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger for his team leading sixth goal of the season at the 10:15 mark.

The Barracuda gained the lead with 40 seconds left in the middle frame with a 5-on-3 power play goal. Thomas Bordeleau’s shot from the point was redirected by Nathan Todd through the five-hole of Driedger for his second goal of the season.

San Jose cashed in the second penalty, that had 53 seconds left on it, to begin the third period for its third straight power play goal. Cole Cassels found Gawanke at the point and the German defenseman blasted a one-timer past Driedger for his third goal of the season.

Gawanke finished the game with a three-point night, his first in a ‘Cuda uniform.

Scott Sabourin scored the ‘Cuda’s fourth unanswered goal just over five minutes later. Jacob Peterson fed Sabourin, and his shot pinballed off a Firebirds defender past Driedger for his second goal of the season at the 5:59 mark.

Logan Morrison scored an even strength goal for Coachella Valley at the 13:32 mark. Morrison’s fifth goal of the season cut the lead to 4-2.

The Firebirds made it a one-goal game late in the game with a power play goal. Cameron Hughes scored his third goal of the season at the 17:31 mark.

Peterson squashed any comeback attempt by Coachella Valley with an empty net goal with 39 seconds, his fourth goal of the season, remaining to seal the deal for San Jose.

Makiniemi (1-2-0) finished the game stopping 31 of the 34 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Driedger (6-5-0) made 30 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort. It was Driedger’s first loss against San Jose.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 3-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley went 2-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Todd 2) Gawanke 3) Peterson.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its three-game road trip with a two-game series with the Tucson Roadrunners on Friday 12/1 at 6:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.