That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: José Mota and the LA Angels Making History

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Los Angeles Angels Spanish broadcaster Jose Mota (left) and author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) in the Angels TV booth at Angels Stadium (file photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

José Mota and the LA Angels Making History

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

José Mota longtime baseball sportscaster with the LA Angels is the first Latino and former major league player to broadcast for a major league team full-time English language. Starting this season José Mota and Marc Gubicza will alternate as Analyst with veteran Matt Vasgersian and Darren Sutton who will handle the play by play on the LA Angels television network.

With the departure of longtime Angels play by play man Victor Rojas, who took a new job as General Manager of the Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate starting 2021, the Angels hired Matt Vasgersian, well known baseball man from national television, born in Oakland and raised in Moraga, while Daron Sutton returns to the Angels organization in 2021 as a television play-by-play broadcaster.

He previously called Angels games on the radio during the 2000-01. In essence the Angels have revamped their television talent and now have a two-broadcast team. José Mota has worked for the Angels for two decades.

Until 2020 he was handling all the pre and post game shows on Angels television. José is one of three brothers, all sons of former great LA Dodgers Manny Mota. For seven seasons José handled analysis as I did the play by play for the LA Angels Fox Sports Network Spanish telecast.

In 2007 we both worked for the Angels radio station in Spanish KLAA 830AM(now their English flagship station), a 50,000 watts powerhouse, during all 162-regular season games, home and away traveling with the team.

During the 1990’s José played for the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals. Personally, José is as knowledgeable as anybody I have worked with. Straight forward, honest very intelligent and verse in the game of baseball, raised from the LA Dodgers dugout by his father Manuel (Manny) Mota.

A truly great move by the LA Angels, a classy organization, who treats their people with respect and much professionalism. Congratulations to all of them, but especially to my good friend José Mota. Felicidades José.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings take on struggling Rockets Thursday night in Sacramento

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The Portland Trailblazers Carmelo Anthony (00) takes a fade away shot over the Sacramento Kings center Buddy Hield (24) and Cory Joseph (right) on Thu Mar 4, 2021 in Portland (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Kings (14-22) enjoyed the All Star break off but it’s time to get back to work. The Kings lost their last game ending up in a loss 123-119 to the Portland Trailblazers (21-14) in Portland on Thu Mar 4th.

#2 In the loss the Kings did play seven players out of eight who wound up in double figures so they lost by four but ended up playing some good offense against the Blazers.

#3 Tony De’Aaron Fox continues to be consistent with 32 points scored leading the Kings in offense last Thursday he’s getting some help from his teammates where before there were certain games he was carrying the weight of the team.

#4 Also Tony talk about guard Buddy Hield he’s just behind Fox in scoring he was second last Thursday with 21 points and has been a big part of the scoring for Sacramento.

#5 The Houston Rockets (11-23) are next up the Rockets have lost 13 straight games as they visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night Mar 11th at Golden One Center. The Rockets really haven’t been the same since James Harden left.

Join Tony R every other Thursday for the Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria Thu Mar 11, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Stanford women No.1 ranked; Stanford men da Silva back but it just wasn’t enough as Cardinal fall way short

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Stanford women’s head coach Tara VanDerveer holds the netting after the Cardinal beat UCLA on Sun Mar 8, 2021 as the Cardinal continue in the Pac 12 Tournament (photo from @GoStanfordWBB)

On the Cardinal podcast with Jerry F:

#1 We’ll start off talking about women’s basketball Jerry, the Stanford women (25-2) got a big win over UCLA (16-5) on Sunday 75-55 a game that showed you what this team can do and why their ranked No. 1.

#2 Michaela Onyenwere last Sunday scored 30 points and has been a key part of the offense for the Stanford women.

#3 Turning to men’s basketball last night at the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas. The Cal Bears played wire to wire against the Stanford Cardinal. The Cardinal just couldn’t generate the kind of offense they’ve had in past games this season and it wasn’t even close in the loss 76-58.

#4 Oscar da Silva returned from the injured list and scored 12 points and Jaiden Delaire finished first in scoring with 14 but it was too little for Stanford to beat Cal.

#5 What’s has to be in store for Stanford head coach Jerod Haase he had a team that was good enough to compete, the da Silva injury hampered the team and now he’s going to have to look forward to getting some recruiting done in the off season.

Jerry Feitleberg did the Stanford Cardinal podcasts for the 2020-21 season and will return next Thursday on the Oakland A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg Thu Mar 11, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

Bear Trap: Cal upsets Stanford at the Pac-12 Tournament again, wins 76-58

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By Morris Phillips

At some point during Cal’s unprecedented 10-day break bridging the regular season and the Pac-12 Tournament, some teaching went on.

Coach Mark Fox, mindful of his team’s glaring defensive deficiencies, got demanding. Fox taught, the players learned, physicality was introduced, and at some point knowledge turned to belief for the conference’s lowest-seeded team.

“A teacher is only a good teacher if the students learn,” Fox said. “And obviously I did a terrible job of teaching our defense this year because it’s been awful. Tonight is what it should look like all the time.”

On Wednesday night in Las Vegas, Stanford found out first hand what had been learned in Berkeley. In a stunning reversal, Cal shut down the Cardinal on the interior, and answered two, lopsided losses to their rival with a wire-to-wire 76-58 upset win.

The 11th-seeded Bears (their lowest seeding ever in the Pac-12 Tournament) controlled the glass, didn’t get burned in the paint, then coupled that with a patient, and efficient offensive showing that was easily their best in a disjointed season that saw them lose 19 games. After Stanford ate Cal alive in the paint to the tune of 84 points combined in the two regular season meetings, the Bears muscled up and pushed back.

“We didn’t rebound it very well the early part of February, and slowly our rebound numbers have been improving,” Fox said of Cal’s 31-22 edge on the glass. “They bought into it, and I thought it carried over to the game today. We played very physical on the backboards today.”

Cal scored the game’s first six points and never looked back. They lead by as many as nine in the first half, and by six at the break. With Stanford showing some resolve, the Cardinal creeped to within one at 52-51 with 6:08 remaining. After Cal’s Joel Brown inexplicably missed a layup, Stanford gained possession looking for their first lead. But Matt Bradley blocked Lukas Kisunas’ shot and Ryan Betley freed himself for a 3-pointer at the other end. That started Cal’s 24-7 finishing run that saw them win going away.

“He’s known for doing that,” Andre Kelly said of Bradley’s rejection at the rim. “He’s an ultra competitor. He does that in practice all the time so it’s nothing special to me, but for you guys to see it is something cool.”

Bradley didn’t start in a move Fox declined to discuss. But the team’s leading scorer entered early and went on to lead Cal with 19 points, six assists and six rebounds. Kelly contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and Betley hit some timely daggers in a 13-point performance he squeezed into 16 minutes of floor time.

Jaden Delaire led the sixth-seeded Cardinal with 14 points, and Michael O’Connell and Oscar da Silva each had 12. Da Silva, the two-time, first team All Pac-12 performer suffered a leg injury previously and missed eight of his 12 shots. Ziaire Williams was unavailable due to a family matter in Los Angeles which means the Stanford freshman who is a presumed NBA lottery pick this summer may never face Cal as a collegian. Williams missed all three games this season between the schools.

This was only the fifth time the two Bay Area rivals have met in 23 conference tournaments, and the odds of them meeting in consecutive tournaments are less than 3 percent. Couple that with Cal’s win and last year’s 63-51 upset of Stanford, and the Bears truly grabbed a piece of rivalry history with the double play.

The Bears advance to a quarterfinal meeting with third-seeded Colorado on Thursday at 8pm.

Deja vu – Cal upends Cardinal in opening round of Pac-12 tournament

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The Cal Bears Matt Bradley guard (20) brings the ball down against Stanford forward James Keefe (22) during the Pac 12 Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 10, 2021 (photo from Cal MBB twitter)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Stanford’s chances of extending its men’s basketball season took a serious blow on Wednesday, when the Cardinal fell to Bay Area rival California 76-58 in the opening round of the Pac-12 Conference postseason tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.

Cal (9-19 overall) led 35-29 at halftime while defeating the Cardinal in the opening round for the second year in a row. The Golden Bears held Stanford scoreless in the opening 4 minutes and 27 seconds, but the Cardinal got as close as 52-51 before a Ryan Betley 3-pointer at 5:56 of the second half sparked a 24-7 run to end the contest.

Stanford (!4-13), which suffered its fifth straight defeat, won the two regular season meetings between the schools in early February.

Matt Bradley led the Golden Bears with 19 points on 7 of 11 field goals, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists.

Betley was next for Cal with 13 points, and Andre Kelly added 12 points along with a team-leading nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

Jaiden Delaire led the Cardinal with 14 points. Oscar da Silva returned to the Stanford lineup and scored 12 points. Michael O’Connell also scored 12 points and had three assists. Lukas Kisunas grabbed seven rebounds, and da Silva and Spencer Jones each had five boards.

The Golden Bears led from start to finish and held Stanford to 37.7 percent field goal shooting (20 of 53) and 7 second-chance points. Cal shot 53.8 percent from the field (28 of 52), including 9 of 17 behind the arc, and held a 52-12 edge in scoring off the bench.

Prior to the game, da Silva was named as the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year – the fifth player in Stanford history to receive the award.

Cal advances to the quarterfinals to face Colorado on Thursday. Stanford could possibly receive a berth in the National Invitation Tournament, which begins March 17 in Frisco and Denton, Texas.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Rangers announce capacity for opening day; What are the risks?

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Opening day in Texas as the Texas Rangers line up on the foul lines at Globe Life Field in Arlington TX on July 24, 2020. The Rangers expect a full house for Opening Day Apr 5, 2021 but mask wearing enforced. (AP News file photo)

Texas Rangers Announce Capacity for Opening Day

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Texas Rangers are the first team to announce that Globe Life Field will be open for the full capacity when they play their first game of the 2021 season at home against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5.

Although every seat will be available for 40,518 fans, fans will be required to wear masks. Also, they will be required to maintain social distancing while they enter and exit the stadium as well as standing in line at concession stands.

This includes their two final exhibition games as well. For this Opening Day in Texas the team announced that they are going to sell tickets in “pods”.

Therefore, the Texas Rangers are the first professional team to open to a full capacity since the beginning of the Covid-10 pandemic. The front office also announced they are working with Major League Baseball on other protocols regarding player health and their safety.

With populations of approximately 30 million, Texas is the second most populous State in the country behind California.

The Oakland Athletics announce they are planning for a limited capacity at 20 percent to start of their season opener April 1 at the Oakland Coliseum vs. the Houston Astros, while the San Francisco Giants will soon announce their plans for fans allowed. The San Francisco Giants open season on the road and their home opener will take place on April 9 vs. the Colorado Rockies.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for his weekly podcast of That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Jose State’s difficult season comes to an end with 111-80 blowout loss to Wyoming in Mountain West Tournament

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

After suspending its regular season due to COVID-19, the #9 San Jose State Spartans took on the #8 Wyoming Cowboys in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Unfortunately, SJSU suffered a triple-digit loss, 111-80. 

But the Spartans’ journey wasn’t without its fair share of trials and tribulations. From tough losses to delayed flights, SJSU was burdened by a laundry list of issues. SJSU, however, rose up from those challenges. 

“Our team has transformed and evolved over the course of this season,” head coach Jean Prioleau told media members. “Toughness comes in many forms and this group has shown toughness on many different levels.”

The Spartans’ starting five featured Omari Moore, Trey Smith, Sebastian Mendoza, Richard Washington, and Ralph Agee. Agee made a jumper to get the Spartans on the board first 2-0 just 30 seconds into the first half. Just eight seconds later, Ike Graham responded with a layup to tie the game at 2. 

The Spartans and Cowboys exchanged leads and ties for several minutes in the first half. But it was the Cowboys who took the lead and never looked back. Marcus Williams made a layup in the paint to make it a 10-point game, 21-11, at 14:21. Graham Ike helped Wyoming open a 16-point lead with 2:51 left.

Wyoming closed out the first half scoring with a pair of free throws from Kenny Foster with 28 seconds left. SJSU trailed 59-45 at halftime. Omari Moore led the Spartans with 13 points and five assists at the half.

The Spartans had their work cut out for them. SJSU opened the second half scoring as Ralph Agee capitalized on a Cowboys turnover, made a second-chance layup, and brought the Spartans within 12 points, 59-47, just 34 seconds into the second half.

After a glimpse of hope, the Spartans’ problems reappeared. Ralph Agee appeared to have put a foot to Graham Ike’s groin. The officials handed Agee a Flagrant 2 foul. Subsequently, Agee was ejected from the game. Nate Lacewell entered the game for Agee. 

Marcus Williams made a jumper to help the Cowboys take a 20-point lead, 79-59, at 11:27. While the Spartans tried to inch closer, their efforts were ineffective as the Cowboys used a 11-3 run to take a 90-64 lead with 7:36 left. 

The Cowboys reached the 100-point mark when Marcus Williams made a layup with 4:15 left. Wyoming proceeded to pour in the points with back-to-back three-pointers by Drake Jeffries and Hunter Thompson, respectively. 

The Spartans went on a late 5-0 run, but continued to trail 109-80. The Cowboys had the last laugh as Drake Jeffries capitalized on a Spartans turnover and made a two-point dunk to make it a 111-80 game with three seconds left. The Spartans lost 111-80.

SJSU finished with a 5-16, 3-14 MW record, while Wyoming called it a wrap with a 14-10, 8-9 MW record. Wyoming moved on to the quarterfinals. 

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: How serious is Golden State about trading Wiseman?

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Golden State Warriors rookie center James Wiseman the center of trade rumors has the Minnesota Timberwolves shopping. The Warriors are asking for some of a “generational superstar” status (image from USA Today)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 With the trade talks about Warriors rookie center James Wiseman would it be safe to say the Warriors have given up on Wiseman and why?

#2 Were the Warriors opened to trading Wiseman to the Minnesota Timberwolves but want someone of the caliber of a Joel Embiid or Giannis Antekounmpo. Warriors sources have said they would have to acquire a “generational superstar.”

#3 The Warriors are back against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night as we just mentioned they’re open to making a deal for Wiseman does this reflect some of the concern they many have being on a three game losing streak and having struggled this season and Stephen Curry carrying a lot of the weight?

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor Wed Mar 10, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Will electric win put Sharks back on track?

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Devan Dubnyk center gets congratulated by Marc-Edouard Vlasic (left) and center Ryan Danato (16) after the Sharks win on Mon Mar 8, 2021 at SAP Center San Jose (@SanJoseSharks photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, after losing three straight games the San Jose Sharks (9-11-3) looked like they tightened down the defense despite getting behind early 2-0 on Monday night against the St Louis Blues (14-8-2).

#2 The defense played a big enough role for San Jose that allowed them to tie the score at 2-2 in the second and third periods with a goal a piece from Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

#3 The Sharks in their last few games have been getting goal scoring help from their defencemen and Vlasic’s goal on Monday night no exception.

#4 Evander Kane can come out and get one in the back of the net and he didn’t waste anytime on Monday night 41 seconds in the overtime and scored the game winner.

#5 The Sharks open up back to back games in Anaheim this Friday and Saturday. The Anaheim Ducks (7-12-6) have lost five of their last six games this is a team that has been struggling will this give the Sharks an opportunity to take advantage of the Ducks?

Join Len for Sharks podcasts every Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro Wed Mar 10, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Barracuda up end Gulls 4-2

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San Jose Barracuda forward Sasha Chmelevski (55), Alexi Meinchuk goalie (1), Lean Bergmann (45) share congratulations following the Barracuda win over the San Diego Gulls on Tue Mar 9, 2021 in San Diego (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif—The San Jose Barracuda scored three unanswered goals and then held on to defeat the San Diego Gulls 4-2 on Tuesday evening at Solar4America Ice At San Jose.

San Jose has won three out of their last five games, including two out of three from San Diego. The Gulls have lost four of their past six games.

The ‘Cuda (5-3-2-0) drew first blood in the first 11 seconds of the game.

Christian Jaros fed a pass over to Noah Gregor at the blueline. Gregor made a deke past a Gulls’ defender into the middle of the ice and snapped home a hard wrist shot past Gulls’ goalie Lukas Dostal for his first goal of the season.

San Jose out shot San Diego 10-7 after the opening 20 minutes.

The Barracuda extended its lead with two goals in a two-minute span to begin the second period. Gregor skated in from the right wing before centering a pass back up to Fredrik Handemark and buried a wrist shot far side past Dostal for his third goal of the season at the 2:28 mark. It was also Gregor’s first assist of the season.

San Jose made it 3-0 when a San Diego turnover in the neutral zone proved costly to the visiting team. Handemark brought the puck into the Gulls zone and gave it up to Evan Weinger with a rink wide pass. Weinger found Jayden Halbgewachs down low where he slid a backhander past Dostal for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:41 mark.

San Diego (9-6-0-0) got on the scoreboard with under a minute left in the middle frame on the power play. Sam Carrick sent a cross ice pass over to Kodie Curran who blasted a one-timer top-shelf past Cuda

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, after losing three straight games the San Jose Sharks (9-11-3) looked like they tightened down the defense despite getting behind early 2-0 on Monday night against the St Louis Blues (14-8-2).

#2 The defense played a big enough role for San Jose that allowed them to tie the score at 2-2 in the second and third periods with a goal a piece from Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

#3 The Sharks in their last few games have been getting goal scoring help from their defencemen and Vlasic’s goal on Monday night no exception.

#4 Evander Kane can come out and get one in the back of the net and he didn’t waste anytime on Monday night 41 seconds in the overtime and scored the game winner.

#5 The Sharks open up back to back games in Anaheim this Friday and Saturday. The Anaheim Ducks (7-12-6) have lost five of their last six games this is a team that has been struggling will this give the Sharks an opportunity to take advantage of the Ducks?

Join Len for Sharks podcasts every Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

for his third goal of the season at the 19:16 mark.

The Gulls made the ‘Cuda pay once again for it’s fifth trip to the sinbin. Andrew Poturalski sent a shot-pass to a wide open Sam Carrick who tapped home the puck right in front of the crease for his fifth goal of the season at the 16:36 mark.

Jaycob Megna scored an empty netter from his own defensive zone with 30 seconds left to ice the game.

Melnichuk stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced to earn his second victory of the season. Dostal made 21 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0-for-4 on the power play. San Diego went 2-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gregor 2) Handemark 3) Alex Dostie

UP NEXT: The Barracuda travel back down to Bakersfield to take on the Condors on Friday 3/12 at 6:00pm at Mechanics Bank Arena.