Author: Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s could be playing in San Francisco after 2024

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

NBC Bay Area TV’s Raj Mathai (left) and Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (right) do an exclusive interview in Fisher’s home on Wed Aug 23, 2023 (NBC Bay Area photo)

A’s could be playing in San Francisco after 2024

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval, who was in Oakland recently prior to a game for the A’s team photo, narrowed the Oakland A’s temporary home (while they build in Las Vegas) to three sites, including Oracle Park in San Francisco.

This was reported by the Independent of Las Vegas, The A’s could make an early leap to Las Vegas in 2025, right after 2024 which is already set for the A’s to be played at Oakland, However, if the A’s and Giants come to an agreement, the A’s could be playing 30 to 40 “home” games at Oracle Park in 2025.

The Oakland A’s have submitted their application for relocation to Major League Baseball, owner John Fisher told ESPN, putting the team one step closer to becoming the Las Vegas A’s. Now it is all up to the MLB owners to approve.

A’s owner John Fisher answering to the cry of A’s fans to “sell the team”says: “I have not considered selling the team” and added “I’ve now owned the team with my partner Lew Wolff, it’s shocking really how the time time flies, but since 2005”.

Meanwhile the group “Schools not Stadiums” from Las Vegas still lobbying for the city of Las Vegas not to build a parks for the Oakland Athletics.

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

Aces Survive Scare Against Sky 94-87; 30 wins by Aces most in a season in WNBA history

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Las Vegas Aces set a WNBA record for the most wins in a season with their win over the Chicago Sky on Thu Aug 24, 2023 in Chicago (@LVAces image)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Las Vegas Aces (30-4) traveled to Chicago taking on the Sky (13-21) and hung onto for a seven point win over Chicago 94-87. As this game got underway, the first half turned out to be more of a nightmare for the Aces.

The Sky had a great game plan holding Las Vegas to 37.8% from the field while the Sky were shooting a little over 54%. Chicago was aggressive coming away with 20 rebounds to the Aces 14. The Sky won the first quarter 24-17 as well as the second 26-20.

At the half, the Sky had a 50-37 lead. We have seen the Aces overcome deficits all season but the first half saw Las Vegas missing far too many shots. They definitely had a lackluster first half. Kelsey Plum had only made a number of free throws but nothing from the field.

A’Ja Wilson had 12 points at the half with both Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young with eight points. If Las Vegas was going to win this matchup, they had to pick up their offense. The Aces have shown over and over that they are a second half team and they need to pull out all the stops in this contest. The first half was all Chicago.

The Sky did not slow down one bit in the third quarter. Las Vegas had cut the Chicago lead to single digits in the early minutes but the Sky came roaring back to take a 56-42 lead. They were relentless. Las Vegas began to turn up their physicality once again cutting the Dream lead to single digits.

Kelsey Plum turned up the heat hitting 16 points with just under five minutes left in the quarter with the Aces eyeing the lead trailing 60-57. With 2:45 left in the quarter it was a tie game 62-62. The Aces rallied in this game to take the lead 67-65 after having trailed by 16 points.

Kelsey Plum had struggled in the first half but completely turned it around in the second half finishing with 18 points as the third quarter came to an end. The Aces had a slim lead going into the fourth quarter 70-68. They had won the third quarter 33-18.

With less than six minutes left in the game, the Aces had a 81-78 lead and it became evident that this game was going down to the wire. The Aces got a slight advantage in the fourth quarter taking a 86-80 lead with under four minutes left in the game.

With all the marbles on the table this was anybody’s game. The Aces played a brilliant final minute extending their lead 90-84 with 43 ticks on the clock. They had won 30 season games which was a WNBA record.

The Aces fought hard in the second half. They had no choice in the matter; the Dream came in with incredible energy and a great plan that had the Aces stymied in the first half. Jackie Young had the team high with 24 points with Kelsey Plum right behind her with 24. Both A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young had 10 rebounds apiece. It was an amazing comeback.

Saturday evening Las Vegas will take on the Washington Mystics. The Aces have a huge bullseye on their backs. With so many teams vying for a spot in the playoffs they have all lifted their level of play to new heights. The Mystics will be no different. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

San Francisco Giants preview: Giants gear up for another series with Braves

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on Sun Jul 9, 2023. Webb starts Fri Aug 25, 2023 against the Atlanta Braves in San Francisco (AP file)

Giants Gear Up For Another Tough Series With Braves

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday the San Francisco Giants (66-61) held off the Philadelphia Phillies in a marathon ten inning slug fest. The Giants had lost the first two games of the series and very nearly opened the door for a Philly sweep.

Leading 5-2 going into the ninth inning, Philadelphia tied up the game when Bryce Harper does what he does best: knocks a three run home run and it was all even. San Francisco held on for a great tenth inning scoring three runs and capped off this win, a critical one with huge wild card implications.

It does not get any easier for the Giants this weekend. They are home Thursday with a well-deserved day off but Friday night they take on the Atlanta Braves in a three game series. The Braves are red-hot right now with a 82-44 record and they will present yet another major challenge for San Francisco.

Logan Webb will take the mound for the Giants. He is 9-9 in the win/loss column and in the last seven days has a 6.00 ERA. The Giants will face a solid pitcher in Atlanta’s Spencer Strider with a 3.57 ERA and a 14-4 win/loss record.

He will greatly challenge the San Francisco offense. The Braves to watch out for will be Matt Olson who has 43 home runs to his credit this season but also 108 RBIs. Ronald Acuna Jr. is also a good one with a .335 batting average.

The Giants began to flex their offensive muscle in the third game of their last series with 14 hits and Wilmer Flores continues to come up big at the plate. San Francisco will have to bring more of that in this upcoming series with so much at stake. The first appearance of Paul DeJong with the Giants was a dandy and the team will need more from him.

First pitch against the Braves Friday night is scheduled for 7:15 PM at Oracle Park.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: DeJong is plugged in on first day on the job with Giants

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Paul DeJong slugs a two run home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Wed Aug 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael talk about the San Francisco Giants Paul DeJong’s first day on the job with the Giants hitting a two run fourth inning home run and a two run single in the tenth inning to help lift SF to a 8-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

#2 DeJong said it was hard to put it into words that he was happy to be out there and that he was happy that the opportunity worked out for him. Michael talk about his excitement about getting a chance to perform.

#3 What is happening to Giants reliever Camilo Doval, he gave up a three run home run to the Phillies Bryce Harper that clanged off the right field foul pole this was before the Giants had a chance to comeback for the win. Is Doval losing confidence or teams are studying him well.

#4 DeJong is seven year veteran formerly with the St Louis Cardinals who joined Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline then was released by the Jays last Monday. He joined the Giants Tuesday and had his banner day Wednesday at the plate.

#5 The Giants host the Atlanta Braves who gave the Giants fits in Atlanta last weekend. Spencer Strider will start for the Braves on Friday. Giants manager Gabe Kapler has not announced a starter as of yet.

Join Michael Duca for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The San Francisco Giants are more Sizzle than Steak

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores (left) celebrates with Austin Slater (right) after hitting a home run that scored Bryce Johnson in the bottom of the ninth inning Sun Sep 4, 2022. Flores is underrated with the Giants last season say author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (AP News file)

The San Francisco Giants are more Sizzle than Steak

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Last off-season, the SF Giants announced to the world (with great bravado) that they were going heavy after Aaron Judge. I mentioned on the radio and wrote then that Judge would rather stay with the Yankees because that is “the legacy team” in baseball. Notwithstanding the terrible season, they are having this 2023.

But for me, one of the most important players and way underrated with the Giants last season and again this season is Wilmer Flores. In the Bay Area, the Giants are the #1 baseball team; they get more coverage than the Athletics, even when the A’s were winning the World Series.I have been a Bay Area resident since 1969 and I can attest to that.

The Giants “propaganda” after they won three World Series in six years, recruited a lot of fans, had a great run, and they did get lucky; none of those three clubs that won the World Series will ever be considered “great” teams, like for example the Oakland A’s from 1988-89-90.

They only won one World Series against the 1989 Giants, but they had great players. Giants do not have that. After that run of three World Series titles for the Giants, I was asked to attend a “career day” at an East Bay public school.

The teacher was surprised when I told her that the Giants have won three World Series in San Francisco, but the A’s have won four in Oakland. I always enjoy talking to young kids at schools as they get interested in what I have done covering sports.

This teacher was young probably not a real baseball fan; she “bought” all the propaganda from the Giants just because they had won three in six years, and some even started predicting, “We are going to win a World Series every other year. Remember that?

A good friend is putting money on the Giants signing Shohei Ohtani this winter, as he will likely become a Free Agent. I bet $50 with my friend, who would be nameless here. I bet that the Dodgers would get Ohtani and not the Giants.

But do not be surprised if the Giants and their supporters begin right after the season talking about “getting” Ohtani’ because the Giants think they are the Yankees of the West Coast, but they are not; the Dodgers are the Yankees of the West!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Roots Score A Brace Against New Mexico United 2-1 To Regain The Third Place Spot

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Lots of congratulations to go around as the Oakland Roots defeated the New Mexico United at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque NM on Wed Aug 23, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Wednesday. August 23rd, 2023

By Troy Ewers

In Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, NM, it’s a weekday edition of the USL Championship and the Oakland Roots faced New Mexico United. Oakland entered this game fourth place in the West and hoped to control their destiny to make a run in the playoffs. Last time these two battled it out was April 1st and Roots leading scorer Johnny Rodriguez won Oakland the game, 1-0.

Defense was the name of the game in the first half and Oakland fought even a sliver of a chance during the half. One of Oakland’s biggest chances came from Neveal Hackshaw with a header that almost passed the New Mexico goalkeeper who was on the ground, but still gotta hand on the ball for the save.

The Oakland Roots silenced the crowd with their pacing throughout the first half, only time they made any noise was when they booed the ref for awarding a yellow card New Mexico which set up an Oakland set piece that Oakalnd couldn’t capitalize on.

The Roots would finally take advantage of the momentum they had built up all half as Anuar Palaez would score in the 42nd minute, after receiving a pass from Daniel Barbir and hitting a roller shot past the goalkeeper to take the lead, 1-0 Roots.

Before the halftime whistle blew, New Mexico witnessed why Paul Blanchette was the League leader in saves as Moreno attempted to even up the score with what looked like a clear goal, but Blanchette made the save and Oakland was able to clear it to end the half and the Roots maintained their goal lead.

The second half, Oakland had one goal, hold the lead, so they can take back third place in the West and in the beginning of the half the Roots used their slow pace strategy to generate offense and in the 51st minute, Trayvon Reid scored a goal from that style of offense and even though there was an appeal from New Mexico over a hand ball, but there was a no call from the ref and the score was upheld, 2-0 Oakland. This was the second assist from Barbir as he is used as the conductor of this offense this game.

The rest of the second half was Oakland keeping New Mexico at arm’s reach and not with many real scoring chances. With five minutes of stoppage time, New Mexico showed that they weren’t giving up even with the rain starting to pour.

A corner set piece for New Mexico was scored on when Sergio Rivas found the ball amongst the madness and shot it past Blanchette to make the score 2-1. New Mexico was quick to try to get the equalizer, but when Hackshaw was fouled the time was ticking down as he stayed on the ground with an injury, which led to the final whistle to blow and the game ended with Noah Delgado’s Oakland Roots securing the three points with a victory against New Mexico United and momentum towards this last stretch of the season.

Oakland’s next game will be in three days on Saturday, August 26th in Louisville, Kentucky against Louisville City FC.

Giants Battle Their Way To Win In Ten Innings Over Phillies 8-6

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Paul Delong strokes a two run home run off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the top of the fourth inning at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Wed Aug 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Battle Their Way To Win In Ten Innings Over Phillies 8-6

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (65-61) took on the Philadelphia Phillies (69-57) in game three on Wednesday in a 8-6 ten inning win at Citizens Bank Ball Park in Philadelphia. This after losing the first two games of the series.

Wednesday game wrap: The Giants got this game going early with a run in the first inning, Wilmer Flores hit a home run to left center for the early one run lead 1-0. They got a second run in the third, another hit from Flores, a single. Wade Meckler scored on that Flores single.

In the fourth inning, another San Francisco home run off the bat off Paul DeJong; a two- run homer extending their lead to 4-0. Everything was going well for the Giants when the Phillies came around. They had back to back home runs, both of them solo shots. Kyle Schwarber hit the first followed by Trea Turner. The Phillies had crept back into this game but still trailing 4-2.

The Giants added another run in the 7th inning to lead 5-2. Austin Slater doubled Thairo Estrada home. It all came down to the ninth inning. The Giants appeared to be in good shape on the verge of the win.

The Philadelphia Phillies are never out of the game as we have seen this season. Bryce Harper came to the plate, always a threat, and tied up the game with a 3-run home run. This was a brand new ball game all tied up 5-5.

Undeterred, the Giants put three runs up on the board in the tenth inning. DeJong singled bringing Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt home. Meckler scored the third run and the Giants had taken back the lead 8-5. Once again the Giants were three outs away from the win.

Edmundo Sosa doubled Realmuto home and the score was now 8-6 with one out. Taylor Rogers got the second out and the Giants were one out away from the win. Ryan Walker took the mound looking for that final out. Walker got the job done, got the final out and San Francisco had fought through this one.

It wasn’t easy but San Francisco battled their way through this game. The Giants needed this win with huge wild card implications.

Giants post game notes: Philadelphia won handily in game one. Game two was a Philly walk off win 4-3. It was really disappointing series for the Giants especially in Tuesday’s game.

The Giants were leading 3-2 going into the ninth inning when the Phillies answered with two runs in the ninth. It was a crushing loss. Wednesday the Giants avoided the sweep with the win .

They will now head back home to Oracle Park and ready themselves for a three game series starting this Friday with the Atlanta Braves. Starting for the Braves Spencer Strider (14-4 ERA 3.57) the Giants have not determined a starter as of Wednesday night. First pitch 7:15pm.

MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Chicago owner Reinsdorf fires VP and GM, might move team; 7 MLB teams to possibly relocate; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

On his last day as Chicago White Sox, vice president Ken Williams (pictured) along with general manager Rick Hahn were both fired after the game at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Tue Aug 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen talk about the housecleaning that’s been going on over at the Chicago White Sox as owner Jerry Reinsdorf has fired his top brass starting with longtime vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn. Reinsdorf said that this season has been disappointing and that was the one of the big reasons the for firing. Also infielder Tim Anderson says he want Tony LaRussa to return as manager.

#2 Relocation has been the newest thing in MLB first the Oakland A’s now the White Sox are considering relocation they have their eye on moving to Nashville but not so fast the Baltimore Orioles are considering Nashville as well.

#3 There are seven big league teams considering relocation do you think that’s why Commissioner Manfred is not charging a relocation to the A’s or are the exception?

#4 Stephen, talk about Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora going onto the field and telling Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander to hurry up and pitch in the second inning when Verlander’s pitchcom earpiece malfunctioned. Verlander was later swore at Cora for telling him to hurry up.

#5 A’s owner John Fisher said that the team is not for sale, Fisher in an interview today with the Las Vegsas Independent Journal said the A’s have lost significant amounts of money this season. Fisher added that his goal is to build and find a new home for the team.

Join Stephen Ruderman for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Interview with Nancy Finley daughter of former A’s GM and niece of former A’s owner and author of the book Finley Ball

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The book Finley Ball a look at two outsiders Charlie O Finley and Carl Finley who guided the Oakland A’s to three consecutive championships from 1972-74 written by Nancy Finley (photo of book from Nancy Finley

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1Nancy Finley is the daughter of former Oakland A’s general manager Carl Finley and the niece of former A’s owner Charles O Finley. Nancy is the author of the book Finley Ball by Nancy Finley. Nancy was on the scene when the Oakland A’s won three straight Championships from 1972-74.

#2Nancy also was welcomed to Cooperstown for a Hall of Fame celebration and talked about her book Finley Ball on how two outsiders on her father Carl and Charlie O changed the franchise forever and made them baseball’s world champions.

#3 Talk about Charlie he started out as an insurance salesman and with his cousin Carl moved the team from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968 and later built the club up with the likes of Sal Bando, Jim Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, Bert Campaneris, Joe Rudi, Gene Tenace and many others.

#4 Talk about when MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn who stopped the deal that sold Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi to Boston and Vida Blue to the Yankees. It was a trade that had no players coming to Oakland so it was in essence a sale.

#5 Talk about the Nancy appearing at the Cooperstown Hall of Fame and promoting her book Finley Ball. With the relocation of the A’s it seems like it’s drumming up lots of interest in regards of Oakland baseball history which might be gone as soon as next season.

Join Jerry Feitelberg does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s hire same managing construction company as the Raiders

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

This rendering is a illustration sample that the Nevada Legislation had to work with before approving the $390 million in public money for the Las Vegas A’s new Tropicana ballpark but is not the real rendering. Which will later be presented by an architect company to be named later. The A’s named Mortensen-McCarthy as the managing contractor for the Tropicana ballpark project (rendering from the Oakland A’s)

A’s hire same construction company as the Raiders

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The same company that was hired by the Oakland Raiders to build Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will serve as construction manager for the new Oakland A’s ballpark in Las Vegas. Mortensen McCarthy completed the Las Vegas Raiders new home in the summer of 2020.

The Oakland A’s Press Release says the company will be responsible for overseeing the construction, like scheduling, coordination and the management of employees, as well as labor relations and community engagement. This construction outfit also was hired for the construction of the spectacular Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Mortenson McCarthy, additionally, is also the same construction outfit that built Target Field in Minnesota the home of the Twins, on a 8.5 acres or land, the smallest in Major League Baseball, only 8.5 acres but it covers a total of 10.5-acres because portions extend over surrounding roadways.

The A’s land at Tropicana is nine acres. The ballpark is scheduled to be built on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, where the Tropicana Las Vegas casino resort sits. Aside from the Raider’s Allegiant Stadium, Mortenson McCarthy was responsible for the Atlanta Braves Truist Park, the Seattle Kraken’s Climate Pledge Arena and the Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium.

“If I were awarding this contract, I would say I want someone with a track record, and a good track record, in an industry where there are constant cost overruns.” Jerald Podair, who wrote the 2017 book “City of Dreams: Dodger Stadium and the Birth of a Modern Los Angeles, (FOX5 Las Vegas)

Podair (many consider him a reputable expert) added he is impressed with Mortenson McCarthy’s portfolio, especially with Allegiant Stadium, which was completed on time without any cost overruns, and Target Field in Minneapolis, which (like mentioned above) is the only Major League Baseball stadium built on less acreage than the nine at Bally’s has given the A’s for their new ballpark project on the site of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

Construction for the Las Vegas A’s project will have to wait until at least part of the Tropicana is demolished. MLB owners are expected to vote on the approval of the ballpark next December. On this vote 75% of the baseball owners will have to vote Yes. If all goes well, the A’s hope to put ‘shovel in ground’ by early 2024 and Play Ball at their new facility Opening Day 2028.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for 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