Author: Sports Radio Service

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: LeBron will think it over about retirement; Rogers says Jets is like a dream job; plus much more

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LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers says he not sure if he will retire from basketball skipped the Lakers practice facility press conference on Tue May 23, 2023 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers were swept in four games by the Denver Nuggets and eliminated from the 2023 post season. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers future Hall of Famer and star LeBron James did not show up for the Lakers practice facility the day after the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. All players on the Lakers were present and accounted for except LeBron who said he’s taking time off to consider whether he will retire or not.

#2 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers is having a great time with his new team but sat out of practice on Tuesday due to a minor calf muscle strain. Rogers is no doubt enjoying being on the Jets saying it’s like a “dream” so far.

#3 Jessica it looks as if Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers are the top contenders for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job. Nurse has also been mentioned as a top candidate for the Milwaukee Bucks head coach vacancy. The Suns are looking to fill former head coach Monty Williams’ position after he was fired for losing to the Denver Nuggets who are in the NBA Finals.

#4 The Tampa Bay Rays entered Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays as the team that has given up the fewest runs in the American League that all changed when the Jays bombarded the Rays 20-1. The one laugher was when the Jays Vladimir Guerrero struck out against a position player outfielder Luke Raley who pitched in the eighth and Guerrero returned to the dugout laughing. The game was a laugher too for the Jays.

#5 The Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada have reached a loose agreement that reduces the State’s tax credit debt to less than $195 million and for Clark County to pay less than $200 million less than the $395 million needed toward building a ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip’s Tropicana property. Previously the State were going to kick in $100 to 195 million toward the tax credits. Once an agreement is in place.

Jessica does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Nevada Governor announces agreement to bring A’s to Vegas

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Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo waves to the crowd shorty after he was inaugurated governor in Jan 2023. Lombardo announced on Wed May 24, 2023 that the State of Nevada and the Oakland A’s have reached an agreement to finance a 30,000 seat ballpark at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Las Vegas Culinary Union has assured it’s working staff if the Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada will have union protected jobs at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The Culinary Union is the strongest union in Vegas and they are assured union paying jobs as the Tropicana plans to build another tower across the street from the ballpark. The old tower will be torn down and the newer tower will be part of the square block with the A’s who will have their ballpark on nine acres of land.

Nevada governor Joe Lombardo announced on Wednesday a tentative agreement between the A’s and the State of Nevada a bill that will go forward to the Nevada Legislature that would bring Major League Baseball to Las Vegas. “The agreement follows month of negotiations between the state, the county, and the A’s and I believe it gives us a tremendous opportunity to continue building on the professional sports infrastructure of Southern Nevada.” said Lombardo.

The agreement will be drafted into legislation and later will be introduced to the Nevada State Legislature that will allow the public and lawmakers to debate over the project. Las Vegas A’s team president David Kaval said “We’re very appreciative of the support from the State of Nevada and Clark County leadership. We want to thank Governor Lombardo the Legislative leadership, the treasurer, and Clark County Commissioners and staff on the collaborative process. We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way.”

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

San FranciscoTorched by Twins 7-1

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (26) throws during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Wed May 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Torched by Twins 7-1

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday afternoon, the San Francisco Giants (24-25) were looking to sweep the division leading Minnesota Twins (26-24). As this game went on it became very clear that the Twins had a far different mindset and prevented themselves from getting swept coming up with a six run 7-1 win at Target Field in Minneapolis.

San Francisco had to come from behind Tuesday to take game two winning it 4-3. Anthony Desclafani took the mound for the Giants in Wednesday’s game. DeScalfani took the loss dropping his record to a 3-4 and raised his ERA to 3.43. San Francisco wanted to continue building on the three game winning streak they but the Twins were taking their hacks on DeScalfani and the Giants. Joe Ryan who was on the hill for the Twins improved his record to 7-1 W-L and lowered his ERA to 2.21.

Wednesday game recap: The Twins got on top of the Giants from the first inning and they did not take their foot off the pedal for the rest of the game.

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Edouard Julien hit a home run. San Francisco was able to tie up the game 1-1 when Casey Schmitt singled Mike Yastrzemski home in the second inning but that was all that the Giants could muster through the rest of the game.

The Twins scored a couple more runs in the second inning to lead 3-1. Minnesota added two more runs in the third inning and the Twins were on a roll leading 5-1. Scoring another run in the fourth inning and the sixth as well gave the Twins a 7-1 lead.

The Giants had an awful game with some ugly errors. Brandon Crawford had a fielding error in the third inning which advanced the runner. In the same inning Brett Wisely missed a line drive that flew between his legs and this game had an ominous tone from the start.

The Giants had a real opportunity in the sixth inning loading the bases with no outs. They could have at the very least cut the deficit by a few runs but came up completely empty. This was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. San Francisco had three innings to get something going in this game and it just didn’t happen. It was all Twins in this one even though the Giants had more hits than Minnesota 10-7. The Twins took the Giants by six runs.

The Giants scored on a single in the second inning but it was no match to the two homers, the double, a sacrifice, and a couple of steals from the Twins. Those awful errors were the icing on the cake although the Twins had a few errors of their own; it just didn’t hurt them to the extent that it did San Francisco.

Thursday the Giants will travel to Milwaukee for a four game series against a very good Brewers team (27-22). The Brewers are first in the NL Central division and so this will challenge the Giants who will be looking to get back on track in this series. Left hand starter Scott Alexander (4-0 ERA 4.42) will take the mound for San Francisco Thursday. Right now assignment on the hill for the Brewers is undecided. First pitch is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

NBA Playoffs podcast with David Zizmor: Celtics escape to stay alive with 116-99 win over Heat

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On the NBA Playoffs podcast with David:

#1 The Boston Celtics avoided getting swept by the Miami Heat 116-99 in Miami on Tuesday night. The Celtics led by Jayson Tatum led with 34 points and 11 rebounds.

#2 The Celtics also got scoring help from Derrick White and Jaylen Brown who each had 16 points and the Celtics had a strong second half to hold off the Heat.

#3 What had been absent for the Celtics in the first three games to put them behind the eight ball early and quickly.

#4 Dave game five comes back to the Boston on Thursday night and it might be the best chance for the Celtics to pick up one more win on their home floor but the Heat can put this away in a game six in Miami.

Join David for the NBA post season podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Comes From Behind To Beat Twins 4-3

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb winds up to deliver during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tue May 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After beating the Minnesota Twins (25-24) 4-1 in game one of their series on Monday night, the San Francisco Giants (24-24) picked up their second win Tuesday defeating the Twins 4-3 to reach the five hundred mark on their 2023 season.

San Francisco came from behind to beat the Twins. The Giants faced Twins pitcher Sonny Gray who had been throwing lights out, having the best ERA in the league. Gray pitched five innings, giving up six hits and two runs. The Giants had a good one on the mound as well in Alex Cobb who went seven innings, six hits and three runs.

Much as the Giants opened Tuesday’s game in the first inning; the Twins got an early lead to start the game. Byron Buxton hit a home run with Donovan Solano on base taking a 2-0 lead.

The Giants will have their work cut out for them. Gray has numerous options and what is even more concerning is that he had command of all of them. He has not allowed a home run so far this year.

For the second inning in a row, the Giants had two runners on base with two outs. Much as it played out in the third inning, the Giants left two runners stranded in the fourth inning. They had two golden opportunities in both innings but came up empty.

In the fifth inning, Cobb would get burned for a second time with a pitch similar to the one that hurt him in the first inning. He threw a splitter that sailed out of the park off the bat of Michael Taylor. The solo shot gave the Twins a 3-0 lead going into the sixth inning.

In the sixth inning the Giants loaded the bases and knocked Gray out of the game, Jovani Moran would relieve Gray followed by another relief pitcher Brock Stewart and the Twins were in all kinds of trouble. They walked two runners home before the inning was over the Giants had cut into their lead 3-2.

Michael Conforto would break the game wide open with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Thairo Estrada scored from second base and the Giants now held a 4-3 lead.

Scott Alexander would relieve Cobb in the eighth inning. Cobb had a terrific game going seven innings finishing with eight strikeouts. San Francisco had climbed back to the five hundred mark for the season.

Wednesday’s game three will feature an early first pitch at 10:10 AM. The Giants will send Anthony Desclafani to the mound while the Twins will assign Joe Ryan. Ryan has a 6-1 W-L record and a 2.25 ERA. Desclafani has some good stats as well with a 3-3 W-L record and a 3.09 ERA.

Oakland A’s commentary with Stephen Ruderman: Vegas residents express skepticism over $395 million tax credits for ballpark

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Oakland A’s fan at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Apr 28, 2023 thumbs down the idea of the A’s moving to Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

On the Oakland A’s Commentary with Steve:

On the Oakland A’s podcast:

#1 How practical is it for the Nevada tax payers to front the A’s some $200 million to 75 million to cover the existing gap to cover the $395 million to pay towards the $1.5 billion A’s new ballpark at the Tropicana site in Las Vegas. Some people interviewed in Las Vegas are against paying for a ball club that’s deliberately not trying to win and bringing them to Vegas.

#2 The A’s currently have a $59 million payroll while most of the other MLB clubs have a $100 million which keeps most of them somewhat competitive. If the A’s are in Vegas and fans are only showing up to see Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge will the A’s be able to sustain business as usual?

#3 The A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that losing is 100% his responsibility. That Kotsay beats himself up everyday about it and he doesn’t know how to hide it. It’s a constant struggle. It’s not going to change much at this point because A’s Money Ball genius Billy Beane and general manager David Forst are not going on the free agency market anytime soon.

#4 The A’s as it turned out could have pushed during their times of trying to move to San Jose that the San Francisco Giants no longer had territorial rights because those territorial rights that the A’s gave them so they could have moved to San Jose were used so they could try and build a stadium in the South Bay and once they had built their own stadium in the City they should no longer have those territorial rights anymore and the A’s should have had a chance at trying to get a ballpark in San Jose which they are being blocked by the Giants.

#5 Taxpayers in Las Vegas are skeptical about spending the $395 million of public money for the stadium tax credits towards the Tropicana Ballpark when they see how A’s owner John Fisher is not putting any money into trying to be competitive. Most likely Fisher and the A’s will be competitive after they get the new ballpark at Tropicana but on the face of it the taxpayers in Vegas are wondering if the A’s come will they continue compete with a low payroll.

#6 Do you see any outside chance that the A’s Tropicana deal could fail and Fisher would go back to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and try to iron out a deal at Howard Terminal?

#7 The NBC Bay Area Sports fired TV broadcaster Glen Kuiper for using the N word on a pre game broadcast during a series in Kansas City. Kuiper joined the A’s broadcast team in the early 90s. Some critics say you don’t use that word unless you use that word.

Stephen Ruderman covers the Sacramento Rivercats and MLB for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Any outside chance that Las Vegas deal would fail for A’s?

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Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay looks out of the A’s dugout at the Oakland Coliseum the A’s who are in Seattle dropped the first game of a four game series on Mon May 22, 2023. Kotsay he beats himself up everyday about the struggles of the A’s. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast:

#1 How practical is it for the Nevada tax payers to front the A’s some $200 million to 75 million to cover the existing gap to cover the $395 million to pay towards the $1.5 billion A’s new ballpark at the Tropicana site in Las Vegas. Some people interviewed in Las Vegas are against paying for a ball club that’s deliberately not trying to win and bringing them to Vegas.

#2 The A’s currently have a $59 million payroll while most of the other MLB clubs have a $100 million which keeps most of them somewhat competitive. If the A’s are in Vegas and fans are only showing up to see Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge will the A’s be able to sustain business as usual?

#3 The A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that losing is 100% his responsibility. That Kotsay beats himself up everyday about it and he doesn’t know how to hide it. It’s a constant struggle. It’s not going to change much at this point because A’s Money Ball genius Billy Beane and general manager David Forst are not going on the free agency market anytime soon.

#4 The A’s as it turned out could have pushed during their times of trying to move to San Jose that the San Francisco Giants no longer had territorial rights because those territorial rights that the A’s gave them so they could have moved to San Jose were used so they could try and build a stadium in the South Bay and once they had built their own stadium in the City they should no longer have those territorial rights anymore and the A’s should have had a chance at trying to get a ballpark in San Jose which they are being blocked by the Giants.

#5 Taxpayers in Las Vegas are skeptical about spending the $395 million of public money for the stadium tax credits towards the Tropicana Ballpark when they see how A’s owner John Fisher is not putting any money into trying to be competitive. Most likely Fisher and the A’s will be competitive after they get the new ballpark at Tropicana but on the face of it the taxpayers in Vegas are wondering if the A’s come will they continue compete with a low payroll.

#6 Do you see any outside chance that the A’s Tropicana deal could fail and Fisher would go back to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and try to iron out a deal at Howard Terminal?

#7 The NBC Bay Area Sports fired TV broadcaster Glen Kuiper for using the N word on a pre game broadcast during a series in Kansas City. Kuiper joined the A’s broadcast team in the early 90s. Some critics say you don’t use that word unless you use that word.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is taking this week off and Jerry Feitelberg is filling in for That’s Amaury News and Commentary heard Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Start Minnesota Series with 4-1 win

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San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr. rounds third base and scores against the Minnesota Twins on a J.D. Davis double in the first inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Mon May 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Start Minnesota Series With a Win 4-1

By Barbara Mason

After falling beneath the five hundred mark in early May, the San Francisco Giants (23-24) have been turning things around lately. While they struggled against Arizona losing three of four games they did go on to sweep the Phillies. They most recently won a series against the Marlins and Monday they traveled to Minnesota (25-23) to open a three game series against the Twins at Target Field and came away with a three run 4-1 win.

John Brebbia took the mound for San Francisco and Bailey Ober was on the hill for Minnesota.

San Francisco jumped all over the Twins in the first inning. J.D. Davis got the inning going with a double and Lamonte Wade Jr. scored for the early 1-0 lead. Michael Conforto finished off the inning in Giants style hitting a home run driving in Mike Yastrzemski and J.D. Davis giving San Francisco a 4-0 lead.

Sean Manaea took over on the mound in the second inning. Manaea did allow a couple of walks and a couple of singles but generally kept it quiet for Minnesota as the Giants continued to hang onto the 4-0 lead going into the fifth inning. Going into the bottom of the fifth inning Manaea was already working on 73 pitches.

He had struck out eight through four innings. The Twins made some noise in the 5th inning with runners on second and third with two outs. Tristan Beck came in to relieve Manaea and get the Giants out of the inning unscathed. Beck did get the dangerous Byron Buxton out and it was on to the sixth inning.

The Twins would walk the first two at bats in the sixth. Emilio Pagan relieved Bailey Ober who went five innings. Minnesota followed those two walks with two strikeouts and a fly out to keep the Giants from advancing the score which still remained at 4-0.

The Twins would finally get up on the scoreboard in the eighth inning. Kyle Garlick hit a solo home run to left center and the score was 4-1.

The Giants left a runner stranded on second in the top of the ninth inning and San Francisco was three outs away from their first win of this series.

This was a well-pitched ball game for both teams. Sean Manaea had his best outing yet this season. The Giants got on the board early and were able to hold on for the win. San Francisco is now within one game of .500.

The Giants Alex Cobb will take the mound tomorrow in game two. Cobb has a 3-1 W-L record and a 1.94 ERA. For the Twins, a familiar name Sonny Gray who is having a nice season so far with a 4-0 W-L record and a 1.64 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Is it late early for Stars and Hurricanes as games 3 &4 loom this week

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Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) scored against the Dallas Stars during overtime of Game 2 at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sun May 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Marko:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights Chandler Stephenson scored at 1:12 in the overtime stanza on Sunday against the Dallas Stars in a 3-2 win. The Knights picked up their second win for a 2-0 series lead over Dallas.

#2 Stephenson said it was his first overtime goal in post season and said that being the game winner was something special.

#3 Marko, talk about the advantage of having home ice at the T Mobile Center for the Knights and quickly jumping to a two game lead going back to Dallas.

#4 Taking a look at game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers were neither intimidated or feeling under pressure opening up their series in Carolina in taking the first two games.

#5 Both wins for the Hurricanes were one goal wins and on the road now they open the next two games, games three and four on Sunrise Florida ice can the Panthers wrap this series up or can the Hurricanes turn things around and take one or maybe two games or is that a stretch and would you assume based on what’s in front of you the next two games it’s gonna take a miracle for the Hurricanes to get back into this?

Marko does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs post season podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up series with Mariners tonight after getting swept in Houston

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Oakland Athletics’ Esteury Ruiz (1) reacts after initially being called out by second base umpire Brennan Miller, left, during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid in Houston on Sun May 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Sunday afternoon the Oakland Athletics (10-38) played game three of their series with the Houston Astros (27-19) and couldn’t avoid getting swept by the Astros at Minute Maid Park 2-0.

#2 Saturday’s game was not decided until the eighth inning. Oakland played a very competitive game but just didn’t have enough to get past Houston in the Saturday contest and couldn’t get a run on Sunday getting shutout.

#3 There were some really encouraging moments in the Saturday game that started with pitcher JP Sears who was outstanding after digging out of a deep hole in the first inning. Another highlight were the two stolen bases from Esteury Ruiz who has been a standout this season. 

#4 Sam Moll had relieved James Kaprielian in the sixth inning. Jordan Alvarez did score on a wild pitch from Moll and Houston had taken a 2-0 lead.

#5 The A’s open a four game series with the Seattle Mariners on Monday night at T Mobile Park in Seattle starting pitchers Kyle Muller will take the mound for Oakland with an 1-3 record 7.71 ERA. Luis Castillo will be on the hill for Seattle with a 2-2 record and a 3.31 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

Join Barbara for the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com