Author: Sports Radio Service

Las Vegas Raiders Choose Leatherwood in Surprise Pick

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Offensive Tackle Alex Leatherwood who was selected as the 17th pick by the Las Vegas Raiders hoists the championship trophy while a playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide last season (@Raiders photo)

By Barbara Mason

After a long off-season, (longer for some than others) the 2021 draft has finally arrived. This was a highly anticipated day for the Las Vegas Raiders and a multitude of teams across the league. As we watch this year’s draft we realize that we are looking at the future of the NFL.

Last season, the Raiders started the season beating some heavy hitters and garnering a very nice record mid-way through 2020 only to self- destruct in latter games. They would finish 2020 8-8 when it looked like they could actually be playoff bound. It came to a crashing halt much like it did in 2019. Their needs are many, defensively and offensively.

Last year the Raiders picked Henry Ruggs lll number 12 overall. This year the team may address their need at right tackle which is dire. The Raiders have traded away Trent Brown and for right now they have no one to replace him. Teven Jenkins may be just the player to fill that spot. Picking at No. 17 the OT from Oklahoma State may fill the bill for Las Vegas.

Coach Jon Gruden had other ideas and his choice at No. 17 was Alex Leatherwood OT. He is versatile but it was a unexpected pick considering that they more than likely could have picked him in later rounds. Not surprising at all however. The Raiders have made some interesting picks in past years.

Leatherwood comes out of Alabama and has experience at both Guard and Offensive Tackle. He is aggressive in stopping the run, but he does have some problem with flexible and quick running backs. He does have a lot of experience at offensive tackle and he may well land in that position.

So once again the Las Vegas Raiders have not failed to surprise absolutely everyone. So we now look forward to Day Two tomorrow when the Raiders will pick at No. 48 in the second round and they will get back to back picks in round three at 79 and 80.

Day Two of the Draft will begin at 7:00 PM ET.

Sharks could be odd hockey team out; SJ Planning Commission on board with Google Development plan

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Rendering of the Google Village that is on the drawing board for development literally right at the doorstep at SAP Center in San Jose (image from sanjosespotlight.com and Sitelab Urban Studio)

By Marko Ukalovic and Daniel Dullum

SAN JOSE–San Jose Sharks and Sports Entertainment has two choices regarding the future of the NHL hockey team staying in San Jose grin and bear it lose over 4,000 parking spaces and crater to the direction of new and future neighbor Google and their development of a new Downtown West Village that will feature retail, condos, new housing and 7.3 million feet of office development. Not to mention the remodeling and development of the Caltrain and BART stations that Google will push for as a huge public transit hub right across the street from SAP Center.

The San Jose Planning Commission voted unanimously to move forward with the development on Wednesday night. Meaning Google is getting one step closer towards building their 80 acre campus in the Dirdon/SAP Center neighborhood.

Google’s plans are to be the big business developer in the neighborhood and the Sharks would be welcomed by Google to stay but the mega tech company plans to develop or have the run of their parking lot as they are a major purchaser of the surrounding area.

The Sharks are waiting for the next meeting that will take place with the San Jose City Council who will vote on the development on May 25th. Google needs two thirds of a yes vote from the City Council to move forward with the development.

A two thirds vote is critical to the project because the San Jose Airport Commission voted no to the development because the Downtown West Village does not meet the building height and noise standards. Although it’s hard to say who on the City Council will vote in favor or not Google has made the deal interesting for the City of San Jose by pouring billions into developing the Downtown West Village project and the city is looking at the project as huge revenue and tax money income in spite of the City’s only professional team the Sharks who say they will leave if this project goes forward.

The second option on a possible Sharks move in a worst case scenario is narrowed down to three locations if they look past the project development succeeding, the Oakland Coliseum Arena previously served as a site of the defunct NHL California Golden Seals who played in Oakland in the 1970s. That site most likely won’t work for the Sharks because the Oakland A’s and the City of Oakland are considering developing the Coliseum proper if the A’s can land a new ballpark in downtown Oakland. Also the Sharks like the A’s most likely do not want to play their games at the Coliseum location.

The Sharks could turn to the San Francisco 49ers and Levis Stadium and develop a new arena in Santa Clara near Great America. That is if the Sharks will accept being a tenant of the 49ers. The Sharks really want their own location and own building. Right now being in a downtown setting is what the Sharks want and moving to Santa Clara would not offer that downtown ambiance.

The third location is Quebec City Canada. Quebec City lost it’s hockey team the Nordiques when they moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 and the city has been hungry for an NHL team ever since and have a NHL regulation facility in the waiting for such a team who is looking for a new home.

It all boils down the the San Jose City Council vote on May 25th and the Sharks will either be happy with the vote if the City Council votes thumbs down to the Downtown West Village project or they will have to look at their options if the vote moves forward with the project.

Marko Ukalovic is a San Jose Barracuda beat writer and Daniel Dullum does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

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Former Boston Red Sox and of Mexican heritage Ted Williams in 1941 hit for .406 a record that still stands today (photo from masslive.com)

Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1999, registered by the State of California as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Through the years at many of the exhibits, at different cities, baseball parks, libraries and community events, people ask why Ted Williams is inducted into the museum. Few people knew Teddy Ballgame had Mexican ancestry.

He just did not tell people about it. His father was Teddy Samuel Williams. Ted Williams was named after his father and Teddy Roosevelt. His mother May Venzor, was Mexican-American, born in El Paso, Texas, about 9 miles from Ciudad Juárez, México.

In that time in history (1940’s and 1950’s) Williams did not discussed his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. Williams wrote in his biography, ‘My Turn at Bat’, “If I had my mother’s name, there’s no doubt I would have run into problems in those days, with the prejudices people had in Southern California”.

But Williams also had credited his uncle, Saul Venzor, teaching him to hit and throw a baseball. It’s important to understand the era and circumstances when considering why Williams didn’t discuss his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. During an exhibit of the museum, at the San Francisco Main Library, in downtown San Francisco, a lot of people asked why Ted Williams is in this Hall of Fame.

Obviously many people still ignore his heritage and that is understandable, since the name Ted Williams is anything but Hispanic. Included in the purpose of the museum mission, is to inform the public in this regard about the great diversity that makes the large group of nations in Latin America as well as those born in the United States of Hispanic heritage.

There are 33 different countries in Latin America, with different cultures and traditions and even different languages. As a matter of fact in Brazil (the largest country in Latinamerica) Spanish is not the predominant language, but Portuguese. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by territory, larger than Russia, Canada, US and China. Brazil is one of the great fútbol (soccer) powers of the world with a leading five (5) World Cup titles. But they also play baseball in Brazil.

Yan Gomes today is a catcher for the Washington Nationals. Other Brazilian-born players that have played in the Major Leagues: Paulo Orlando, Luis Gohara, Thyago Vieira and Andre Rienzo. Brazil has also participated in the World Baseball Classic.

The HHBMHOF is dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by Hispanic players. Since its inception, the HHBMHOF has inducted (74) players, coaches, broadcasters, Negro leagues Hispanic players, MLB Scorers, and Pioneer Executives. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, respects the heritage of all players. The museum is proud to have the great Ted Williams in its Hall of Fame. The new museum website http://www.hhbmhof.com.com Stay well and stay tuned.

Mr.Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr. is the Founder and President of The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame and Amaury Pi-González is co-founder and Vice President. The traveling museum was founded in San Francisco and ex-Athletics and Giants players Orlando Cepeda and Tito #23 Fuentes were co-founders of the popular museum. Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings were no match for Utah

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The Sacramento Kings had one positive thing going for them on Wednesday when the signed Chemizie Metu to a multi year contract before they met the Utah Jazz on Wed Apr 28, 2021 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (@SacramentoKings photo)

#1 Tony it wasn’t even close as the Utah Jazz (45-17) came into Golden One Center and took care of business and the Sacramento Kings (25-37) 154-105 on Wednesday night.

#2 The Jazz dominated in each quarter it was all Utah from start to finish.

#3 For the Jazz a big first half of scoring against the Kings 30 points in the first quarter and 46 in the second quarter the Kings defense simply didn’t have an answer for them.

#4 The Jazz defense also kept the Kings top scorers in check with Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield with just 18 points they certainly missed De’Aaron Fox in the lineup who is out with an injury.

#5 Things don’t get easier as the Kings will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center although the Lakers have lost six of their last ten you can never underestimate them.

Join Tony for the Kings podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s drop second game in four game series

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Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares (27) passes off his congratulations to Mike Zunino who belted a solo shot against Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin at Tropicana Field on Wed Apr 29, 2021 (AP News photo)

#1 Jerry we’ve seen the Oakland A’s (15-10) do this during their 13 game win streak a starter and the bullpen throws a shutout against their opponent but the tables were turned on the A’s on Wednesday night as the Tampa Bay Rays (13-12) starter Tyler Glasnow went seven innings five hits and no runs. Glasnow had his pitches working for him.

#2 Jerry, I know we do these podcasts remotely you don’t have the privilege to be there a Tropicana Field in person but just watching Glasnow throw he simply looked like he kept the A’s big boppers off balance during his outing.

#3 Do the A’s look like they’ve come down from that high of going 13 straight games or are the Rays who give the A’s fits whether it’s regular season or post season just that much of a team that’s in control.

#4 After losing in Baltimore last Sunday and losing the last two games to the Rays the A’s have been struggling offensively at the plate and are in sure dire need to see Matt Chapman get his swing back he was hitting .152 but got two hits on Wednesday night.

#5 Jerry, the A’s will try and even up the series as they play game four of the series with the Rays at 10:10 AM PDT. The A’s will start Chris Bassitt (2-2 ERA 4.13) and he’ll match up against the Rays Shane McClanahan (0-0)

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

Giants day off report: New acquisition makes immediate contribution

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San Francisco Giants Mike Tauchman didn’t waste anytime showing off his hitting talents at Oracle Park against the Colorado Rockies on Wed Apr 28, 2021 proving to be a good acquisition (photo from nj.com)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, April 29, 2021

It didn’t take long for newly-acquired Mike Tauchman to make a contribution to the San Francisco Giants offense.

No sooner did Tauchman arrive on Wednesday after a deal with the New York Yankees, he delivered an infield RBI single to help the Giants defeat Colorado 7-3 at Oracle Park. The outfielder was dealt to San Francisco by the Bronx Bombers in exchange for left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta and a player to be named later.

Tauchman was hitting .214 in 11 games with the Yankees. In his five-year MLB career with the Yanks and Colorado, the 30-year-old Tauchman has a .250 average with 26 doubles, 13 home runs, 63 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

Peralta was 2-1 with two saves and a 5.40 earned run average in 10 appearances – all in relief – for the Giants this season. He is 9-9 with a 4.72 ERA and two saves in nine big league seasons with the Giants and Cincinnati. The 29-year-old lefthander joins lefties Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson in the Yankee bullpen.

Tauchman draws a $624,200 major league salary; $301,550 if he plays in the minors. He could eligible for arbitration after this season. Peralta makes $925,000, is eligible for arbitration following this season, and can become a free agent in two years.

The Giants currently have three players on the injured list – Jarlin Garcia (April 21, left groin strain), Donovan Solano (April 22, strained right calf) and Mike Yastrzemski (April 26, strained left oblique).

The Giants travel to San Diego for a weekend series against the NL West third-place Padres. Kevin Gausman (1-0, 2.14) starts for San Francisco on Friday against the Padres’ Yu Darvish (2-1, 2.27). The other Giants probables for the series are Logan Webb (1-1, 4.03) on Saturday and Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 1.50) on Sunday.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings just can’t keep up Jazz too much in 154-105 loss

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The score says it all as the Sacramento Kings get trounced by the Utah Jazz by 49 points at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Apr 28, 2021 (@JazzNationNews image)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night. The Kings last played on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks. On Wednesday, the Kings were scheduled to take on the best team in the NBA, the Utah Jazz. The Kings weren’t able to match the power of the Jazz and ultimately lost 154-105 on Wednesday night. However, before we talk about the Jazz matchup let’s revisit the Kings last game against the Mavericks.

Flashback Monday: On Monday, the Kings took on the Dallas Mavericks in Sacramento. The Kings played a well-rounded game against a formidable opponent from Texas. The Kings managed to beat the Mavericks 113-106 in a game where Richaun Holmes scored 24 points.

Wednesday night recap: The Kings were set to take on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.

In the first half, it was embarrassing for the Kings. The Kings didn’t seem to show any effort on the defensive end as the Jazz were getting pretty much all the shots they wanted. In the first quarter, the Kings were able to keep up with the Jazz but were still outscored in the quarter 30-27.

However, it was the second quarter that set the Kings in a tailspin. The Kings looked like a G League team against an NBA All-Star team in the second quarter. The Jazz outscored the Kings 46-17 in the second quarter to take a 76-44 lead into the second half. The Kings would need to right the ship against the best team in the NBA to make the game at the very least more respectable.

In the second half, the game was very ho-hum. In the third quarter, The Kings were in pure damage control mode. It was a triage situation unfolding in Sacramento. The third quarter saw the Kings with another massive deficit. The Jazz outscored the Kings 40-30 in the third quarter to run the lead up to 116-74 heading into the final quarter.

You can probably assume the ending. Yes, the Kings were again outscored in the fourth quarter 38-31 to take the loss by a final of 154-105. It was an embarrassing tale of two teams. The Jazz were the up-and-coming playoff-bound team looking to make noise in the playoffs, and the Kings the team with a lot of reflection to do. The Kings were led by Richaun Holmes who had 18 points in the loss. Utah was led by Bojan Bogdanovic who scored 24 points in the victory. The Kings will face a tough opponent in their next matchup looking to get back into the winner’s circle.

Up Next: The Kings will take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at 7 PM PST inside the Staples Center.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors still trying to make climb for last and final playoff spot

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The look on the Golden State Warriors bench tells it all as the Dallas Mavericks dominated throughout the contest at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Dallas Mavericks (34-27) left very little doubt about the how the direction of their game at Golden State (31-31) was going end up the Mavericks led from start to finish 133-103.

#2 The Mavericks Luka Doncic was unstoppable scoring 39 points the Warriors defense simply couldn’t put the stop on him.

#3 The Warriors are heading to Minnesota to tip off with the Timberwolves on Thu Apr 29 at the Target Center the last time the Warriors met the Timberwolves they swept them in a two game series back on Jan 25 and 27. How do you see this match up Thursday night?

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday mornings at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks go for second win against Coyotes; Korenar gets the call for tonight

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Josef Korenar (32) will start tonight against the Arizona Coyotes takes a Gatorade break on Mon Apr 26, 2021 the two teams face off at SAP Center (Bay Area News Group photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (19-24-5) win over the Arizona Coyotes (21-23-5) had to take some weight off after losing eight straight games.

#2 One of the things that went right for San Jose was they were able to get the offense working scoring two goals in each period.

#3 The Sharks got a two goal win over the Coyotes 6-4 which included goals from Sharks defencemen Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.

#4 The Sharks Josef Korenar stopped 25 shots and allowed four goals, Korenar who recently came up from the Sharks minor league AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda how has he been working out since the Sharks traded former backup goaltender Devon Dubnyk to Colorado.

#5 Game two between the Coyotes and Sharks tonight at SAP Center. The Coyotes are none too pleased about getting beat 6-4 and the Sharks scoring twice in each period how do you see this match up tonight?

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Wednesday mornings at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rockies go back-to-back in extra innings to get win 7-5

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Colorado Rockies Ryan McMahon belted a two run homer in the top of the tenth against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (@Rockies photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Ryan McMahon gave the Colorado Rockies a much-needed win with one swing of the bat after surrendering the lead just one-half inning earlier.

McMahon hammered a two-run home run into the Rockies bullpen in the top of the 10th inning off of Gregory Santos and then C.J. Cron made it to back-to-back home runs, when hit one to the opposite field landed onto the Arcade, as the Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-5 at Oracle Park.

Santos fell to 0-2 on the season, as he allowed three runs on three hits, walked one and struck out one and saw his earned run average balloon to 22.50.

This was the first win in five meetings that the Rockies defeated the Giants, and it was a huge bounce back after they were shellacked in the opener of the three-game series by the final of 12-0.

Buster Posey picked up his third hit of the night in the bottom of the 10th inning, as he hit a long single off the 24 high wall in right field that easily scored Brandon Belt, who was on second base to start the inning. Unfortunately, Darren Ruf struck out for the first out versus Carlos Estevez and then Austin Slater grounded into a game-ending double play to end the game.

Brandon Crawford tied up the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he launched a Josh Bard pitch into McCovey Cove.

Garrett Hampson gave the Rockies the lead in the top of the ninth inning, as he hit his third home run of the season off of Giants closer Jake McGee; however, the lead was short lived, as Crawford tied it up in the bottom of the inning.

Aaron Sanchez went just 4.2 innings for the Giants, allowing two runs on just one hit; however, he walked five and struck out six.

Chi Chi Gonzalez went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four.

Jose Alvarez came on to replace Sanchez, and gave up a run in the top of the sixth inning that tied up the game, when Dom Nunez grounded into a force out that scored Cron to tie up the game for the Rockies.

That would be the score until Hampson hit his third home run of the season to give the Rockies a short lead in the top of the ninth inning.

The Giants were able to get the winning run to second base in Evan Longoria after Wilmer Flores reached on a fielding error by Bard, but Belt grounded out to end the inning.

Charlie Blackmon gave the Rockies an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit an opposite field double to left field that scored McMahon and Cron.

Alex Dickerson cut the Rockies in half in the bottom of the first inning, as he grounded out to first base that scored Belt from third base.

Jason Vosler picked up his first major league RBI in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he doubled to right field that scored Crawford; however, Mauricio Dubon was easily thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Belt gave the Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning, when he hit his fourth home run of the season off of Gonzalez.

NOTES: Prior to the game, the Giants and the New York Yankees completed a trade with outfielder Michael Tauchman joining the Giants organization in exchange for LHP Wandy Peralta and a Player to be Named Later.

Also, the Giants recalled Skye Bolt from the alternate site, who made his major- league debut in the bottom of the sixth and struck out in a pinch-hitting role, while batting for Camilo Doval.

In Mondays 12-0 win, Posey picked up four hits and was on the receiving end of Anthony DeSclafanis three-hit shutout and it marked the eighth time in his career he’s caught a shutout (CG or not) while having more hits himself than the entire opposing team… it’s the most such games by any catcher in the modern era, this according to (Stats, LLC).

UP NEXT: Alex Wood will take the ball in the series and home stand finale on Wednesday night for the Giants, while the Rockies will send German Marquez to the mound.