Author: Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants looking forward to a healthier second half

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning on Sun Jul 11, 2021. Gausman will be the starting pitcher tonight against the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St Louis (AP file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 After the first half and some of the injuries the Giants have gone through how important is it for the Giants to have a healthier second half of the season?

#2 Giants manager Gabe Kapler says the Giants have been pretty good about figuring out how to keep the starting pitchers healthy.

#3 Michael what chances do you see the Giants picking up possible available pitchers like the Texas Rangers Kyle Gibson, the Washington Nationals Max Scherzer, or some of the brilliant pitching from staffs of the Minnesota Twins or Miami Marlins.

#4 Michael do you see catcher Joey Bart getting a shot at a promotion he’s been seeing the ball a lot better with triple A Sacramento Rivercats.

#5 Giants open up the second half in St Louis tonight the Giants will start Kevin Gausman (9-3 ERA 1.73) and for the St Louis Cards no pitcher has been announced as of yet a 5:15pm first pitch.

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

San Francisco Giants day off report: The passing of Dick Tidrow hits the club hard

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San Francisco Giants team CEO Larry Baer (left), Giants Player Personnel Dick Tidrow (center) and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (right) talk things over at Oracle Park in San Francisco (file photo from KNBR)

By Jessica Kwong

Thursday is the San Francisco Giants’ last day off during the All-Star break before getting back on the field for the second half of the season. They are coming out of the break with the best record in the league at 57-33 with a two-game lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants are facing the St. Louis Cardinals for the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. First pitch is at 5:15 p.m. The series comes just nine days after the Cardinals beat the Giants in two of three games at Oracle Park, so it will be a chance for revenge.

In other organization news, the Giants on Wednesday announced the passing of Dick Tidrow 74, a longtime member of the front office. Tidrow, a former major league pitcher, died unexpectedly on Saturday in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“Our entire organization is heartbroken by the news of Dick’s passing,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “So much of our success over these past three decades is directly linked to Dick’s contributions. He will be truly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with Mari Jo and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Tidrow served most recently as the president of baseball operations for the Giants. Over a span of 27 years, Tidrow was in a half-dozen different roles. He started in the 1994 season as a major league scout.

“Dick was a unique and special person whose influence and impact was legendary throughout the game and whose fingerprints are all over our three World Series trophies,” said the Giants’ Executive Vice President and Senior Adviser Brian Sabean. “On a personal level, we shared some incredible highs and lows together and I’m forever grateful for his 40 years of friendship and support.”

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Chris Bassitt takes mound for A’s tonight in search of 11th win

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt seen here throwing to the Texas Rangers in Sun Jul 11, 2021 game is looking for his 11th win tonight at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s start the second half of the 2021 season 3.5 games behind the first place Houston Astros it’s not much of a climb but the A’s certainly would like to recapture the position of first place that they once held earlier this season.

#2 The A’s who open a three game series on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland. Cleveland are in second place behind first place Chicago White Sox eight games behind. If the playoffs were to start tonight they would not be eligible.

#3 Three former A’s players that contributed huge when they were in Oakland and went to play for Cleveland and have moved on are Carlos Santana (Kansas City Royals), Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) and pitcher Carlos Carrasco who is also on the Mets.

#4 Jeremiah big vote by the Oakland City Council is on Tuesday a thumbs down by the council will pretty end the long tenure the A’s have had in Oakland when first came in 1968. It would for example take at least three years for Las Vegas to have a ball park ready for the A’s and the A’s during those three years would a be a lame duck franchise.

#5 Three game series to begin at the Oakland Coliseum tonight with Cleveland starting pitcher Eli Morgan (1-3 ERA 8.44) and for the A’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (10-2 ERA 3.28) tell us how you see this match up tonight.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast with Tony Renteria: Bucks even up series 2-2 with Suns; Game 5 goes back to Phoenix

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets a piece of the ball that was shot by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wed Jul 14, 2021 in Milwaukee (AP News photo)

On the NBA Finals podcast with Tony R:

#1 After the Phoenix Suns took the first two games of the Finals the bad news for them was they had to go to Milwaukee and the Bucks dominated on the home floor for games 3 and 4 with wins to tie up the series.

#2 The game Wednesday was a relatively close contest but in the third quarter it was the difference maker as the Bucks outscored the Suns by six 30-24 and won it by six 109-103.

#3 In game 3 the ball went to Giannis Antetokounmpo who scored 41 points, in game 4 a bit of a strategy this time the Bucks were feeding the ball to guard Khris Middleton who led with 40 points.

#4 It seemed like the Bucks really needed a big scorer to stay in it with the Suns and have really made a series out something that looked like the Suns were going to be in the drivers seat at the beginning.

#5 Tony, series is all knotted up at 2-2 going back to Phoenix where the Suns had the home floor to start games 1 and 2 this time with game 5 do you see the Suns having the home floor advantage or that all out the window seeing how the Bucks handled the Suns in games 3 and 4?

Join Tony R for sports analysis each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Ex-49er Sherman facing domestic violence charges; Oakland City Council to take vote on A’s ballpark plan Tuesday

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Former San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman seen in photo during Super Bowl 54 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb 2, 2020 at Miami Gardens Fl (AP file photo) 

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco 49er cornerback Richard Sherman said he was prepared to fight police after Sherman’s wife called them after he drank two bottles of hard liquor Wednesday morning. Sherman said he was going to kill himself. Sherman tried to leave the house but his wife tried to stop him from leaving.

#2 Sherman left his house and crashed his vehicle and attempted to break into his in laws house and fought police who later used a police dog to arrest Sherman. This is very unusual behavior by Sherman who has never been in any kind of trouble like this before.

#3 Talking about the Oakland A’s situation MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s are near the end of being rooted in Oakland as the Oakland City Council votes on Tues Jul 20th. A’s president David Kaval is prepared to fly to Las Vegas after the vote to look for a location for the A’s new stadium.

#4 Shouldn’t Manfred had done what past Commissioners have done and give a buyer a chance to purchase the A’s and keep the team in Oakland before allowing the to move. Owner John Fisher said the team is not for sale but there should be some constitution in the baseball by laws that says the team must be put up for sale before being allowed to move.

#5 If the A’s move out of Oakland they’ll be taking a very rich history with them. Two that come to mind the A’s three straight World Series wins from 1972-74 and the A’s three straight World Series appearances 1988-1990.

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

Giants bolstering pitching in draft; Crawford having his best season

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San Francisco Giant shortstop Brandon Crawford has had the best season of his career as exemplified in the first half of this season here he is swinging for the fences (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants are continuing to enjoy the All-Star break after an eventful Tuesday that saw both the All-Star game and the wrap up of the 2021 MLB draft.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford represented the Giants in the All-Star game. The American League beat the National League 5-2 at Coors Field in Denver. Crawford came off the bench and onto the plate just once and went 0-1 in the NL’s only error.

However, it did not matter as it was only an exhibition game. Crawford is having the best season of his career. His 3.4 WAR is 65.4 percent to his career high of 5.2, even though he has had less than half as many appearances on the plate compared to 2016.

Meanwhile, San Francisco finished the draft on Tuesday selecting the last 10 of their 20 picks. The Giants chose all pitchers until the tenth round and ended up with 14 pitchers, three infielders and three outfielders.

San Francisco first selected right-handed pitcher Will Bednar of Mississippi State with the No. 14 overall pick. The run of nine straight pitcher picks was finally broken when the Giants chose outfielder Vaun Brown in the 10th round.

The players must sign the contracts to make their spots in the organization official. Michael Holmes, the Giants’ director of amateur scouting, believes the organization has a solid chances of inking all their picks.

“I think that we’ll be competitive. We feel pretty good in some areas. We’re just gonna let the process play out,” Holmes said. “I think both parties – the players and their families – know where they’re at and we know where we’re at, but we kind of entered a lot of these ventures knowing how it’s gonna play out.”

It is officially halfway through the season and the Giants sit at the top of the NL West with a 57-32 record.

— _

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball Rules Changes or Restoration

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Baseball Rules: Changes or Restoration?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Toronto Blue Jays and American League MVP of the 2021 All Star Game Vladimir Guerrero Jr holds up the MVP Trophy after being selected for the award at Coors Field in Denver after the 2021 All Star Game Tue Jul 13, 2021 (AP News photo)

During the All Star Break Commissioner Rob Manfred watched the American League beat the National League for the eight consecutive year, with 22-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays) becoming the youngest MVP during a mid-season classic to win the coveted award. The AL beat the NL 5-2.

LA Angels Shohei Othani, a serious candidate for AL MVP, became the first ever player to start an All Star Game as a hitter and as a pitcher. “Shotime” was credited with the win; he also joined his compatriot Hideo Nomo as the only two Japanese pitchers to open an ASG (Nomo in 1995) Mr. Manfred, made news as he spoke about possible rules coming down for the 2022 season.

Manfred spend a few days in Denver hosting the MLB players draft and ASG festivities. Here is what might be coming down the pike for the 2022 according to the Office of the Commissioner.

A) Designated Hitter: First of all (like it or not) and I know a lot of traditional people that do not like this, the Commissioner announced the universal DH (Designated Hitter ) rule could be adapted permanently for the first time in the National League on all 15 teams, starting 2022. “I think it would be a non-radical change, but I’m not going to speculate on whether we’re going to propose it or get it,” he said. He feels most teams in the National League will be happy to go along with the DH.

B) Seven-Inning Double Headers: Most likely will not be back for 2022 “I don’t think seven-inning doubleheaders are going to be part of our future going forward.’’ said the Commissioner. These rules were adopted based on medical advice,’’ Manfred said. “Those are less likely they will become part of our permanent landscape. It was a covid-19 related change.

C) Extra-Inning Rule: The one beginning the tenth inning with a runner at second base, (free-phantom-zombie runner), many terms have been used to describe this runner that is automatically inserted in the top of the tenth inning before the first hitter comes to the plate. This likely will not return in 2022.

D) The Shift: This defensive strategy could be banned next season. “Let’s just say you’ve regulated the shift by requiring two infielders each side and second base. What does that do?” Manfred said. “It makes the game look like what it looked like when I was 12 years old.

It’s not change; it’s kind of restoration, right?” Mr. Manfred said he believes this will have a positive reaction from front offices. Personally, I applaud this decision. When you score a game; an out recorded by a third-baseman on a throw to first, many times is not the traditional 5 to 3 for an out, because that third-baseman (or shortstop or second base) could be fielding the ball from short to medium right field, we see this a lot during the season.

All the above will be on the agenda after the season when the MLPA (players union) and MLB and the Commissioner negotiate their Collective Bargaining Agreement, which Mr. Manfred feels very positive. There were rumors of a possible lockout or strike in 2022, if they cannot come to an agreement. I believe after what has happened the last year and a half, it would be basically suicide for the game if this happened.

Regarding the Oakland Athletics Howard Terminal new stadium and possible relocation out of Oakland: “Viewing Oakland A’s exploration of Las Vegas relocation as a bluff “is a mistake”. (quote) Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: What’s it like for Taylor and Willis to have been inducted into 49ers Hall of Fame

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Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver John Taylor (82) pictured and linebacker Patrick Willis not pictured to have made it into the 49ers Hall of Fame (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

#1 We never got a chance to ask you about former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver John Taylor and linebacker Patrick Willis who will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame.

#2 Taylor’s numbers were Hall of Fame-esk with 347 receptions (ninth in franchise history), 5598 yards (seventh) and 43 touchdowns (eighth). Taylor gave thanks to the DeBartolo Family and to Eddie Jr for giving him a chance out of Delaware State.

#3 Willis gave it his all at linebacker he was the AP 2007 rookie of the year and in eight seasons was one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Join David for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Bassitt and Olson make appearances during All Star game

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Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt seen here pitching in the first inning against the Texas Rangers on Sun Jul 11, 2021 in Arlington the day before the All Star break. Bassitt pitched for an inning on Tue Jul 13, 2021 against the National League All Stars in Denver (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Before we get started with the A’s podcast Jerry do you think that ESPN’s Stephen A Smith has lost credibility with his audience or will has apology regarding his remarks that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani can’t speak English and his needing an interpreter is ruining baseball.

#2 American League and Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt pitched an inning, one hit, and two walks, one strikeout talk about Bassitt’s outing against the National League.

#3 Matt Olson whose been hitting home runs was 0-1 striking out twice playing first base for the American League Olson was eliminated in the first round

#4 Oakland A’s president Dave Kaval acknowledged that the City of Oakland City Council needs to pass the vote for Howard Terminal or the A’s are leaving Oakland for good. The A’s and the City are half a billion dollars apart on infrastructure costs so much so that Kaval is prepared to take a flight to Las Vegas the day after the July 20th vote to explore relocating the A’s to Vegas.

#5 Jerry just to get your impressions on the kind of second half the A’s are expected to have.

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

All-Star Game post game wrap: Ohtani main event as AL defeats NL 5-2

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The American League’s lead off hitter Shohei Ohtani takes a cut for a ground out against the National League’s pitcher Max Scherzer in the first inning action at Coors Field in Denver at the 2021 All Star Game (AP News photo)

By Morris Phillips

DENVER–Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Shohei Ohtani were two of the top feature in Tuesday night’s All Star Game at Coors Field in Denver. Ohtani who was the lead off hitter for the American League also pitched two innings of shoutout ball to start off the game.

In the top of the third inning Guerrero hit a deep drive 468 feet for two RBIs at games end Ohtani had picked up the game victory with a 5-2 win over the National League All Stars. Guerrero was elected the MVP and was the youngest player to receive the All Star Game MVP Award in baseball history.

In the top of the second the Toronto Blue Jays Marcus Semien hit into a ground out for an RBI that gave the AL the lead. Guerrero hit a ground out that gave the AL two more runs. The Red Sox Xavier Bogaerts knocked in another run with an RBI single.

The Philadelphia Phillies TJ Realmuto hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth for the National League for the NL’s first run of the night. The AL struck back when the Tampa Bay Rays Mike Zunino hit a home run in the top of the sixth and in the bottom of the sixth the NL added one more run on a passed ball.

The win by the AL is their eighth straight All Star Game victory the win is the second longest winning streak in All Star history. The all time All Star winning streak is held by the National League at 11 straight from 1972-1982.

Morris is a San Francisco Giants beat writer and does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com