Category: MLB

San Francisco Giants report: Giants closing in on Tony Vitello as new manager

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Tennessee Volunteers head baseball coach Tony Vitello watches the football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the UAB Blazers during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. (photo from Yahoo News)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants are closing in on hiring University of Tennessee Head Coach Tony Vitello to be the team’s next manager according to news sources.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has been searching for a new manager since he dismissed Bob Melvin from the post on Sept. 29. Several names have come up, such as Nick Hundley and Brandon Hyde. 

Tony Vitello’s name has also come up. However, hiring Vitello straight from the dugout of a college team, and bringing him right into the role of a big league manager would be an unprecedented move in Baseball History.

Vitello has his credentials. He has headed Tennessee’s baseball program since 2018, and led them to the college world championship in 2024. In his time at Tennessee, Vitello has built a reputation as one of the most respected college baseball coaches in the country.

There have been other college head coaches who have become big league managers, such as Brewers Manager Pat Murphy. However, Murphy managed in the Padres’ minor league system before becoming a big league manager.

Vitello was present at a team practice for Tennessee on Sunday, which caused speculation that perhaps he will not be coming to the Giants. However, no one can say for sure until the Giants confirm or deny Baggarly’s report.

This is a developing story.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Mariners taking playoffs by storm lead Jays 2-0

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Seattle Mariners Jorge Polanco (right) celebrates his three run home run with teammate Cal Raleigh (29) in the top of the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game 2 of the ALDS at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Mon Oct 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How did Seattle jump out to an early lead in Game 2 (which inning, which players, what kind of hits or home runs)?

#2 How did Toronto respond in the early innings — did they tie it or get back in the game, and via what plays?

#3 Which innings saw the biggest scoring bursts by the Mariners or the Blue Jays, and who drove in the runs?

#4 Which pitchers (starter or relievers) struggled or were effective, and at what point did the momentum shift?

#5 Wednesday night Game 3 this time in Seattle at T Mobile Park starting pitchers for the Jays RHP Shane Bieber (0-0 ERA 6.75) for the M’s RHP George Kirby (0-0 ERA 2.70)

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Can Brewers and Blue Jays run away with rest of Division Series?

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Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home in the bottom of the fourth inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee to go up in the series 2-0 on the Chicago Cubs in game 2 of the National League Division Series on Mon Oct 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Milwaukee Brewers moved two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs defeating the Cubs on Monday night at American Family Park in Milwaukee 7-3 in convincing fashion in game 2 in the NLDS.

#2 The Cubs are painted in a corner down 0-2 and have their backs to the wall as they send game 3 back to Chicago. The lovable losers need every inch of support from their friendly confines at Wrigley Field on Wed Oct 8.

#3 What’s happened to the New York Yankees they caved on Monday night to the Toronto Blue Jays 13-7 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

#4 It was all Blue Jays in the second inning with two runs, in the third inning with three runs, and the Jays fans turned their ball caps inside out in the bottom of the fourth as the Jays scored six runs and put away game two as the Jays go up in the series 2-0.

#5 Yankees pitchers got lit up in game two as well starter Max Fried who suffered pitching three innings allowing eight hits, seven runs, two walks and got only one strike out, reliever Will Warren went 4.2 innings seven hits and six runs and one walk and six strikeouts. What’s happened to the Yankees pitching?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Major League Baseball Leader in Hispanic Heritage

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Former San Francisco Giant first baseman Orlando Cepeda was one of the many Hispanic players in the National League in the 1960s. Cepeda is a member of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum. (New York Times file photo)

Major League Baseball Leader in Hispanic Heritage

That’s Amauiry News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The US government designated National Hispanic Heritage Month as a one-month celebration, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15, in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush. Some of the earliest documented celebrations among all US professional sports leagues, like MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS, originated from Major League Baseball organizations, given the league’s long history with Hispanic/Latino players.

The National League of professional baseball clubs is the oldest professional sports league in the United States, founded in 1876. Major League Baseball (MLB) has the highest percentage of Hispanic/Latino players among the major professional sports leagues in the U.S.

With over 30% of players identified as Latino, and a rich history of talent from countries such as, (in alphabetical order) Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, México, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Panamá, Venezuela and other smaller countries like Aruba, Bahamas, Honduras and Curacao.

Here in the Bay Area, the San Francisco Giants have been leaders in recognizing Hispanic/Latino communities as well as one of the leaders nationwide. These celebrations are conducted by the team(s) not only because of the Hispanic talent on their rosters, but also for the Hispanic/Latino communities in which they play and the many Hispanics who are fans and support their teams.

Of the three most populous cities in the Bay Area, San José, Oakland, and San Francisco, San José is the largest, with at least 33% of its population being Hispanic, followed by Oakland at 29% and San Francisco at 16%. According to the latest 2020 US Census.

The Bay Area is one of the most diverse areas in the US and the world, and teams draw a great number of fans of Hispanic Heritage. Since the Oakland Athletics left the Bay Area after the 2024 season, the Giants have become the “only Major League” baseball team that plays within the nine-county Bay Area, with a total population of approximately 8 million people.

Overall, at the time of the 2020 Census, there were 65.3 million Americans who were Hispanic or Latino. Only México, with 130 million, has more Spanish speakers than the United States of America. The importance of Sports teams’ marketing to the largest minority in the country is just good business Down in LA.

There is no precise figure for the number of Hispanic/Latino fans of the LA Dodgers who attended Dodger Stadium. this season. However, considering the Dodgers’ attendance was over four million fans, and Los Angeles is 50% Hispanic(some say more), you do not need to be Isaac Newton or Archimedes to figure out that 1 million Spanish-speaking fans is a very possible figure for the Dodgers, the team leading the Hispanic market in all US professional leagues.

However, this is nothing new for the Dodgers; they have long recognized the importance of their Hispanic community. The relationship between a team and its fans is frequently viewed as symbiotic. Success is seen as something achieved together, lifted by those around you.

Recognition plays a role in this relationship, reinforcing positive connections. Teams that fail to recognize their own market are bound to fail. Hispanics are the largest consumer group in the US, representing a significant and fast-growing segment of the market with trillions of dollars in buying power that is projected to continue increasing.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

SF Giants press conference: Buster Posey mum on managerial search and changes

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San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian (left) and president Buster Posey (right) address the media at a press conference at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Oct 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey kept things close to his chest at the Giants’ end-of-the-year press conference, following the firing of Manager Bob Melvin.

Posey, who just completed his first season in charge of the Giants’ Baseball Operations Department, was accompanied by General Manager Zack Minasian. Posey took questions relating to all matters, from the search for a new manager, to Giants’ players hitting the free agent market, as well as prospects.

Posey confirmed that he plans to talk to potential managerial candidates this week, but did not go into details on the backgrounds of the candidates. Posey seemed to rule out former manager Bruce Bochy returning to the helm in San Francisco after the latter left his post managing the Texas Rangers, where he led them to a world championship in 2023.

Ryan Christenson and Matt Williams, Bob Melvin’s bench coach and third base coach respectively, will also not return next season. Posey did not give an update on the statuses of Bench Coach Pat Burrell and Pitching Coach J.P. Martinez.

Posey did say that the next manager will have agency over their coaching staff. However, Posey did say that he will want to have some input on the matter.

Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect who was up with the big club for the final two weeks of the season, will have surgery on his left wrist. His recovery timeline is expected to be roughly eight weeks. Minasian said the Giants will remain open minded to Eldridge and his place on the team next season.

Other prospects, such as catcher Jesus Rodriguez and starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, both acquired at the Trade Deadline this season, will also get a look in Spring Training next year. Posey mentioned that Rodriguez “[did] not have a ton of experience behind the plate, but [was] a hard worker.”

Posey did not give a timetable on when a new manager will be announced. As for player moves, free agency does not start until after the conclusion of the World Series.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Who really was at fault for Giants 2025 fall?

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The Giants fired Bob Melvin after the 2025 season. / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 What were the key factors that led to Bob Melvin’s dismissal as manager of the San Francisco Giants?

#2 How did the Giants’ performance in the 2025 season influence the front office’s decision to part ways with Melvin?

#3 Were there reported tensions between Bob Melvin and the Giants’ front office or players that may have contributed to his firing?

#4 What qualities or experience is the organization looking for in Melvin’s replacement?

#5 How does Bob Melvin’s tenure with the Giants compare to his previous managerial stints, particularly in terms of team development and clubhouse culture?

#6 Where does the buck really stop in the Giants front office? The Giants have not been in the World Series since 2014 that’s going on 12 years now. Does it stop with team president Buster Posey, general manager Zack Minasian or Giants CEO Larry Baer who is the one really responsible for the Giants not making it to the fall classic the last 12 years?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants fire Bob Melvin after two seasons

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Former San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin signs a hat for a fan on Sat Sep 27, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Melvin was fired by the Giants on Mon Sep 29, 2025 one day after the regular season was completed. (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants announced Monday morning that they have dismissed Manager Bob Melvin after just two seasons.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey informed Melvin Monday morning.

“After meeting with ownership, I met with Bob today to inform him of my decision,” said Posey in a statement put out by the Giants this morning. “On behalf of the organization, I want to express my appreciation to Bob for his dedication, professionalism and class. I wish him all the best.”

Melvin was brought in following Gabe Kapler’s dismissal following the 2023 season. After several off-season acquisitions, expectations were high for the Giants last season. 

However, a season-ending injury to Jung Hoo Lee, and complications surrounding then-President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi complicated things. The Giants were never able to put much together last season, and they finished their third-straight mediocre season at 80-82.

Posey was brought in to replace Zaidi at the end of last season, which gave Melvin more freedom to manage during games. The Giants also signed Willy Adames to bolster their offense, and following an 18-10 spring, expectations were high for the team.

The Giants started the season on fire, winning eight of their first nine games. They got their record to 24-14 after a win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 7. There was a true belief and determination by the team to make this a special season.

Unfortunately, the Giants lost their mojo and played .500 ball for the next month and a half. Following a sweep by the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in late June, cracks began to appear in the armor of the team.

Despite the Giants’ struggles, Posey exercised Melvin’s option for next season on July 1. The Giants regained their momentum to win seven of their next nine.

However, after a brutal loss to the Dodgers to end the first half on July 13, the Giants collapsed, losing 12 of their next 14 to fall the way to under .500. That led Posey to sell at the trade deadline, as reliever Tyler Rogers, closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski were all dealt for prospects.

Things continued to get worse for the Giants in August, and they fell to seven games under .500 at 61-68 after a walk-off home run by William Contreras in Milwaukee on Aug. 22. The summer was lowlighted by a 1-15 stretch at home.

After a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 15, which was the Giants’ 14th loss in their previous 15 home games, Melvin raised eyebrows saying, “We take the field every day, and gotta do it the next day, unfortunately.” It was a comment that rubbed Giants’ fans in a negative way, and showed signs of a manager losing his edge.

After Contreras’ walk-off home run on Aug. 22, the Giants suddenly got hot again. They won 11 of their next 12, and 14 out of 18 in total to get to just a half-game back of the New York Mets for the third wild card spot in the National League on Sept. 12.

At the end, it was the same story. The following night, the Giants blew a 4-1 lead to the Dodgers with Logan Webb on the mound in a brutal 13-7 loss. Three nights later, the Giants scored four runs in the top of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, but blew the lead in a brutal 6-5 loss.

The Giants ended up eight out of ten, and were eliminated on Sept. 23. The Giants did win their final four to finish right at .500 at 81-81 for the second time in the last four years, but the damage was already done. At the end, the Giants finished just two games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the third wild card spot in the National League.

What started off as a magical season eventually turned into the Giants’ fourth-straight mediocre season. It was also the third time in the last four years in which the Giants were at double digits in games over .500, but failed to finish over .500.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” Posey said in the statement. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”

Melvin’s tenure is the shortest of any Giants’ manager in 40 years. Melvin became the first Giants’ skipper to last less than four seasons—or shall we say less than three games shy of four seasons—since Jim Davenport was brought in in 1985, only to last 144 games in a brutal 100-loss season, the worst in the Giants’ 68 seasons in San Francisco.

The Giants went 131-133 in Melvins’ two seasons at the helm.

Posey and the Giants will now look for a new skipper to help break the spell of mediocrity that has engulfed the Giants over the last four seasons.

A’s Close 2025 Season With 9-2 Loss to Royals, Finish 76-86

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Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a two run home run during the bottom of the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Athletics welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Sutter Health Park for the final game of the 2025 season on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the famously not Sacramento Athletics unveiled a new Sacramento gold jersey they will wear in 2026. The Athletics President, Marc Badain, released a statement about the decision for the new jersey.

“It’s been an unforgettable first season in West Sacramento, and this uniform is another way to celebrate the passion we’ve already felt throughout the community.”

On Sunday, the A’s fell in 9-2 fashion to finish off the regular season 76-86.

The A’s elected to go with a bullpen game on Sunday, starting things off with opener Brady Basso. Basso struggled in his one and a third innings of work as he allowed one run on three hits while walking two.

Next out of the bullpen was Tyler Ferguson, who got the last two outs of the second inning without issue.

Elvis Alvarado pitched a scoreless third inning for the A’s as he walked one and struck out two.

Mitch Spence, who proved to be the longman for the A’s on Sunday, pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Spence labored and didn’t have his best stuff as he allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out one Royal hitter.

Michael Kelly came on for the seventh inning and also struggled as he only managed to get one out while allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.

Osvaldo Bido finished off the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth, giving up two runs on two hits in his one and two thirds innings of work. He also struck out two batters and walked one.

Scott McGough pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the A’s to finish off the season on the defensive side of the field.

The A’s bats struggled all game against the Royals pitching staff. The A’s tallied seven hits and three walks in the game while scoring only two runs.

The A’s two runs came courtesy of Nick Kurtz, who hit his 36th home run of the season to get the A’s on the board in the eighth inning.

Mark Kotsay spoke about the season after the game—specifically, how he felt the team played after their nearly 20 straight loss stretch.

“…the character of the group showed up, mindset changed, and I think you saw a team that fought throughout the rest of the year to try to get back to the .500 mark and we fell short, unfortunately, but I thought we played our best baseball and the show each in the last three months with winning records.”

Kotsay was alluding to the winning records the A’s posted in July, August, and September to close out the season. The A’s were not an easy opponent in the second half and gave plenty of good teams a tough time.

Brent Rooker spoke with the media after the game, saying he was proud of how the team played even after a rough stretch during the middle of the season.

“I think when you look around the room, there’s a ton of guys that kind of established themselves this year as real pieces on a roster that can compete with those teams that made the playoffs and that’s what we’re going to do. I think we performed well, specifically three months of the season, and is pretty indicative of who we are as a team and we’re excited to go back to work this off season and come into spring training with higher expectations than we have.”

Nick Kurtz, who many regard as the next star of MLB, spoke to us on how he reflects on his first season with the A’s.

“I mean, it was awesome. It was fun, it was exciting, kind saw it all. I had personal tough at bats and tough times and we had the really highs also. As a team you also have a little bit of both as well. So I think moving on, we all learned a lot about ourselves and as a unit, what we need to do to come back here next year and get a potential playoff spot and play some October baseball.”

The A’s will open their 2026 season on the road in Toronto as they take on the Blue Jays on March 26th, 2026.

Webb shines as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-0 win, finish season .500

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in San Francisco (AP photo: Thien-An Truong)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants ended the 2025 season strong behind Logan Webb’s 5 1/3 shutout innings, as they beat the Colorado Rockies 4-0 at Oracle Park on Sunday afternoon.

Webb, in his final start of the season, struck out 8 in his five-plus innings, while walking none. The Giants’ ace righty struck out the side in the first inning.

Webb finished 2025 leading the National League in innings (207) and strikeouts (224). He’s the first to do so since 1944.

The sold-out Oracle Park crowd showed their appreciation for Webb’s dominant season with a standing ovation.

The Giants offense started the game strong, as shortstop Willy Adames smacked his 30th homer of the year on the first pitch of the game. Adames became the first Giant since 2004 to hit at least 30 home runs in a season. Barry Bonds hit 45 home runs in 2004.

The Giants scored again in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Rafael Devers. Devers finished the season with 35 home runs, combined between Boston and San Francisco.

The Giants’ bullpen held the Rockies scoreless after Webb departed in the sixth.

The Giants tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning on a 2-RBI single by Jung Hoo Lee. Lee ended the day 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Giants ended the year going 11-2 against the Rockies, but it wasn’t enough wins for the Giants to get into the postseason. It turns out that 84 wins would’ve been enough for the Giants to get into the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

San Francisco ended 2025 at 81-81.

The Giants will now go into the offseason trying to figure out why they finished the year at or around .500 yet again. After the game, Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman addressed the sold-out crowd promising that next year will be better.

But Giants fans have heard the same thing after season finales since 2022. Will 2026 be different?

Stay with Sports Radio Service all offseason for the latest San Francisco Giants hot stove news.

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Macgowan: BoSox finally get in playoff in walk off clincher; Can Astros get the Wild Card wrapped up Sunday?

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The Boston Red Sox clubhouse was spraying the bubbly after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston on Fri Sep 26, 2025 to advance to the playoffs. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Magowan:

# 1 Did the Red Sox’s walk‑off clincher on Friday finally end their postseason drought?

#2 Can the Astros still salvage a wild‑card spot after their gut‑punch loss to the Angels?

#3 Will Shohei Ohtani’s jersey stay at No. 1 in MLB sales—for a 4th straight year?

#4 Is Aaron Judge being shortchanged in AL MVP debates?

#5 How many more teams will the Red Sox or Yankees displace in the AL wild‑card race today?”

Bruce Magowan filled in for Charlie O on MLB The Show podcasts heard each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com