Colorado quarterback Steven Montez, front, runs past California defenders to score a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
On the Cal Bears Podcast with Morris:
1 Everytime the Colorado Buffaloes pushed the Cal Bears failed to push back last Saturday in their 44-28.
2 Cal allowed 40+ points for the first time in nine games under defensive minded head coach Justin Wilcox
3 Wilcox said Cal was missing the one on one battles, the passing game, and missing tackles
4 Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez got the Bufalloes up early on offense with two touchdown passes and a keeper
5 Cal goes back to the drawing board they try and get back in the win column against Oregon State University in their final home game this Saturday at Memorial Stadium
Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton hits a RBI single to score Tyler Moore during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
By Amaury Pi Gonzalez
SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants are a “power starving” team. Their big question this winter is to put one or multiple power bats in that lineup. All Star Giancarlo Stanton was healthy this past season, played in 159 games, hit 59 home runs and drove in 132 runs his best season in 8 years with the Marlins. Previous best season was in 2014 when he finished with 37 home runs and 105 RBI. The Giants have shown interest in the Marlins slugger now for a few months, actually there was talk about this in July. Other teams in the hunt for Stanton; Cardinals who need that bat in a difficult division with the Cubs, the Phillies who badly need some excitement dying in the cellar these days and the Texas Rangers, who had a disappointing season are also showing interest. Of course there could be other “mystery “teams involved.
The Marlins now have new ownership and It looks like Derek Jeter and company are looking to unload payroll and re-load with pitching.
Here are some facts: Giants finished 64-98 in last place and hit 128 home runs, last in the National League and #29 in the major leagues among the 30 teams. The Marlins finished #26 in pitching with a 4.82 earned run average.
Giancarlo Stanton is set to make $25 million or more, in each of the next 11 years,(he only made $14.5 this season) with a player option from 2021 to 2027 and a club option for 2028.
For Miami their priority here is more financial than anything else, we are talking about at least $300 million dollars. Stanton is 27 years old, drafted #2 by the Marlins in 2007, grew up in Pacoima, California. His father is Puerto Rican. His parents just like the name Giancarlo, and that is what they named him.
The Marlins need starting pitching, their lineup is formidable, they score a lot of runs, although if Stanton leaves that hole in that lineup his bat will be missed for sure. They have very good players like, Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna, J.T Realmuto, Christian Yellich
Would the Giants trade Madison Bumgarner on a package deal or maybe another starter to the Marlins? And yes, Stanton has been plagued by injuries during his career in Miami. On February 20, 2013 he was hit on the face during an intrasquad game in Spring Training by Jose Fernandez. He had problems with his vision (it was a scary injury) but since then he has been relatively healthy.
Giancarlo Stanton is expected to met with owner Derek Jeter after the World Series. By then something might happen and the Giants, who seem to be as of today his preferred destination might have a deal or maybe not. Of course there are other hitters available that would not required that much money. One of them is OF Julio Daniel Martinez (aka J.D. Martinez) who had a great half season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is an excellent pure hitter with power and although it will not be cheap, it will not be $300 million.
There are no dynasties these days. Giants had a great run, winning three World Series between 2010 and 2014. Are they just one bat away from contention? I am not convinced. The Western Division of the National League is getting much better by the day, even the San Diego Padres have some young talent there for the future. Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Rockies have gotten much better in recent years. Many questions remain for the Giants even if they would get Stanton, what kind of Matt Moore will show up next season? Is Pablo Sandoval their third-baseman Opening Day? Can they get more speed? Can Melancon stay healthy the whole season?
Derek Jeter is interested in the services of ex-Yankee manager Joe Girardi. Jeter is contacting people he knew inside the NY Yankees organization as he builds his Miami Marlins.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum in San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Bradley Beal drives on Buddy Hield Photo USA Today Sports
by Charlie O. Mallonee
The Washington Wizards opened the game with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon with a 13 – 0 run. By the time Sacramento head coach Dave Joerger mercifully called timeout with 7:16 to go in the first quarter, very few in the Golden 1 Center had any doubts about how the game would finish.
By the time the final buzzer sounded 48 – minutes later, the Wizards (4-2) had handed the Kings (1-5) their third consecutive defeat 110-83. Quite possibly more important than losing three-in-a-row is the fact the Kings are 0-3 at home this season. Even for a young team – there is supposed to be some semblance of a “home court advantage”. This young edition of the Kings has not established that home court presence as of yet.
Wizards were on a mission
John Wall scored a game-high 19 points Photo USA Today Sports
Washington had been on a very tough road trip. The Wizards won the opening game of the trip in Denver, then everything fell apart in Los Angeles. After John Wall was very outspoken about the way he was going to go at Lonzo Ball, the Lakers beat the Wizards 102 – 99 in overtime. That loss led to some major headlines across the nation.
On Friday night, Washington had to face the Golden State Warriors in Oakland. The Wizards were in control of that contest until late in the game when the Warriors came alive to outscore the Wizards 33-20 in the fourth period. Golden State won the game 120 – 117.
That Warriors game also featured the “scuffle” between Draymond Green and Bradley Beal. The Wizards literally did not know until 90-minutes before the game whether Beal would be able to play or be suspended. The league chose to fine him and Beal played against the Kings.
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks made it very clear in his pregame remarks that his team had one goal and that was to finish the road trip 2 – 2. They met that goal.
The 3-point shot was the Wizards weapon of choice
Washington used the 3-point shot to perfection against the Kings on Sunday. The Wizards hit 17-of-34 3-point attempts (50-percent) in the game. That was not a franchise record. Washington has the 11th best 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. Ironically, the team with the 12th best 3-point shooting percentage in “the Association” is the Sacramento Kings – except they shot only 27.3-percent (6-for-22) from beyond the arc on Sunday.
John Wall led the Wizards hitting 5-of-6 from downtown. Otto Potter Jr. sank three and Kelly Oubre Jr. connected on two from long range.
Every active player on the Washington roster played and scored in the game
The Wizards had 12 men on the active roster Sunday afternoon and all saw playing time against the Kings. Every Wizard scored points. John Wall scored a game-high 19-points and dished out nine assists.
Otto Porter Jr. put up 16-points and grabbed five rebounds. Bradley Beal – who in this reporter’s opinion should have been on suspension for his actions last Friday night – scored 15-points. Mike Scott added 13-points and Jodie Meeks recorded 11.
Every active player on the Kings roster played in the game
Dave Joerger planned on using a 10-man rotation on Sunday. When Garrett Temple sustained a cut over his eye, that changed the plan and all 13 Sacramento players saw time on the floor.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Kings in scoring with with 15-points going 7-for-9 from the field. Frank Mason III put up 11-points shooting 5-for-10 in his 21-minutes on the court. Skal Labissiere and Malachi Richardson each tallied 10 points against the Wizards.
Dave Joerger had some interesting takes on the loss to the Wizards
Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks thoughts on the game
Scott Brooks looks on as his Wizard destroys the Kings Photo USA Today Sports
“I thought we came out defensively and contested shots and made them miss shots. We were really moving the ball well, and knocking down 3’s. It was probably the best that we’ve played on both ends of the court. Our passing, leading to open 3’s were just terrific. Hopefully, we can continue that trend. Defensive mindset was really good tonight.”
Kings management must react to the “boos” and empty seats
Kings head coach Dave Joerger made some comments in his pregame news conference about the starting lineup and roster being about player development. Everyone understands that Kings are in a “rebuilding mode” but that does not mean they will be patient if they go into a “G-League” mode. Kings fans are paying top dollar for the opportunity to see their team play at the Golden 1 Center and they expect to see their team at least be competitive on the court.
Having George Hill and Zach Randolph on the inactive list against a team like the Wizards is not putting your best product on the floor. If you want to experiment with a young, inexperienced roster, do it in Indiana or Atlanta where their fans will love the “blow out” and not feel “ripped off”. At home, the Kings need to do everything they can to win games. They owe that to their fans.
It is not acceptable to hear boos at the end of the first-half and to have a half-full arena as the second-half tips-off. Kings fans have worked too hard to keep this team in Sacramento to suffer experimental lineup after experimental lineup. Experiment on the road and be competitive at home.
Up next on the schedule
The Kings head out on the road for a three-game road that begins on Halloween in Indiana with the Pacers. Then on Wednesday, they have the back end of a back-to-back set on the road in Boston. Sacramento wraps up the road trip on Saturday in Detroit with the Pistons.
The Wizards head back to Washington and will face the Suns on Wednesday and then must get ready for the Cavs on Friday.
Detroit Pistons’ Reggie Jackson, left, looks to pass away from Golden State Warriors’ Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
By Jerry Feitelberg
Oakland – The Warriors were not able to pull a rabbit out of the hat Sunday night as they fell to the visiting Detroit Pistons by a score of 115-107.
The Pistons are now 5-2 for the season, and the Warriors dropped to 4-3. It was the Warriors second home loss of the season. The Warriors know that every team is gunning for them as they are the champs but they are not playing like the champs so far this year. They are committing too many turnovers, and they made twenty-six of them Sunday night, and Detroit was able to score thirty-three points off the turnovers.
The Warriors led by five at the half, but they lost both the third and fourth quarter to the Pistons. The Dubs led by fourteen with 8:30 left in the third quarter but they played fast and loose with the ball and were outscored by six in the third and seven in the fourth.
Draymond Green scored just two points. He did have thirteen rebounds, but he committed a game-high six turnovers. Zaza Pachulia also scored two points, and he turned the ball over four times. The Big Three of Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry scored 29,28, and 27 respectively. Klay turned it over four times, KD three, and Steph five. Avery Bradley, the former Boston Celtic, paced the Pistons attack with 23. Reggie Jackson had 22, Tobias Harris 16, Stanley Johnson 15, big Andre Drummond, 8, and Ish Smith, coming off the bench added 16. The Detroit bench outscored the Warrior bench 31-19.
Game Notes – Many of the fans are worried that something is not clicking with the Warriors. The Dubs are still a team loaded with talent, but they do not seem to be in sync. Some nights they are outrebounded. Some nights the defense is not there. So far, they are committing too many turnovers. Coach Steve Kerr had these thoughts about Sunday’s performance: “”It just has to matter enough. Right now it just doesn’t seem to matter. Our guys are lacking in energy and focus and discipline,” Kerr said. “We finally started caring with six minutes left when we were threatened, and we immediately cut it to three because we cared. But the right team won, karma was in the right place tonight.”
The Warriors will not have too much time to correct the flaws as they travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers Monday night.
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball as Oakland Raiders middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53), safety Shalom Luani (26) and cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) try to bring him down during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
By Jeremy Kahn
OAKLAND — After a huge come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders headed out on the road for a two-game road trip and their first stop was not a good one.
Rookie linebacker Matt Milano returned a fumble 40 yards to the end zone, helping the Buffalo Bills defeat the Raiders 34-14 at New Era Field.
The Milano fumble was one of four Raiders turnovers on the afternoon, as the Raiders have now lost four out of their last five games since beginning the season with a 2-0 record.
Tyrod Taylor also threw a six-yard touchdown pass to former Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes. Taylor also scored on a one-yard run, as they improved their record to 5-2 on the season.
LeSean McCoy picked up a season-high 151 yards and also scored on a 48-yard touchdown run to help the Bills to the 20-point victory.
The Bills are now 4-0 at home, their best start at home since they started 5-0 during the 1995 season.
This is the best Bills start during their 17-year playoff drought, the longest drought by any team in the four major sports.
Derek Carr went 31-for-48 for 313 yards passing and a four-yard pass to DeAndre Washington. Carr also threw two interceptions on the afternoon. Following a Jamize Olawale touchdown run, the Raiders failed to get on the board on their next eight possessions.
Those next eight drives ended with four punts, three turnovers and they were unable to score at the end of the first half.
Without the suspended Marshawn Lynch, the Raiders gained just 54 yards on the ground.
NOTES: With their next game in Miami against the Dolphins, the Raiders will stay on the east coast for the next week and will be in Sarasota, FL. until they head to Miami before their Sunday Night matchup.
Rookie Shalom Luani started in place of Karl Joseph, who missed the game due to a groin injury and Dexter McDonald started for David Amerson, was out of the game with a foot injury.
Scottsdale, Arizona – A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell was arrested by the Scottsdale police yesterday for allegedly pointing a gun at a female food delivery worker. He was booked on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. The A’s are disappointed with the news and are investigating the situation but had no further comments about Maxwell at this time.
It was a rough week for Maxwell as he claimed that he was refused service by a waiter at a restaurant in his hometown of Harvest, Alabama. He said the waiter recognized him as the first major league player to kneel during the playing of the national anthem. The restaurant found another waiter to serve them. However, the restaurant claimed they refused to service to an individual with the Maxwell party as he did not have proper identification.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates after his three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning of Game 4 of baseball’s World Series Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
MLB Podcast with Daniel Dullum
1 World Series tied at 2-2, Dodgers bomb Houston bullpen in Game 4
2 Astros’ Yuli Gurriel gets 5-game suspension for racist taunt in Game 3, aimed at Yu Darvish
3 Houston has bullpen issues, closer Ken Giles falters again
4 Yankees axe Joe Girardi as manager
5 Report: A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell arrested for allegedly pointing gun at woman
USA Today photo: Florida head coach Randy Shannon has replaced former head coach Jim McElwain after he was fired on Sunday by the Gators
On the NCAA Podcast with Michelle
1 No.9 Notre Dame gets past No.13 NC State 35-14 running back Josh Adams ran for 77 yards for a touchdown carry that gave ND a 35-13 lead and Adams carried for 27 times for 202 yards
2 Ohio State just got by Penn State 39-38. The Buckeyes improved their record to 7-1 down 15 points the Buckeyes quarterback JT Barrett threw for three touchdowns to get Ohio State by with the close victory
3 Florida head coach Jim Elwain was fired a day after the Gators took a shalacking from Georgia 42-7. Florida droppd it record to 3-4. The Gators have announced that defensive coordinator Randy Shannon has taken over as head coach for the rest of the Gators season
San Francisco 49ers’ C.J. Beathard (3) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Graham (55) and Mychal Kendricks (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Philadelphia,. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
By: Joe Lami
For the first time in franchise history, the San Francisco 49ers are 0-8. Sunday’s loss that pushed them over the threshold was the worst loss to date, as they were thrashed by the Philadelphia Eagles 33-10.
Add injury to the insult, as five key 49ers went down in the contest. The mediocre offensive line lost its rock, Joe Staley in the second quarter and things just went downhill from there. Jimmy Ward and Soloman Thomas also were injured and didn’t return. Ward will most likely be out for an extended amount of time with a fractured forearm. Thomas, Garry Gilliam, and D.J Jones all went down with knee injuries.
The offensive line did a horrible job of protecting C.J. Beathard, who had his worst performance to date. Beathard finished the day throwing for 167 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, good enough for a 46.9 passer rating. He also led the 49ers in rushing yards with 40.
The NFL-leading Eagles had their way and toyed with the Niners all afternoon. Starting upfront, The Eagles got to Beathard early and often, hitting him 12 times and finishing with four sacks. The Philadelphia secondary also did a fabulous job against the passing attack, batting away 10 balls, intercepting two and bringing one back for a touchdown.
The 49ers defense wasn’t awful, but not getting any help from the offense paid its toll. Carson Wentz threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns. LeGarrette Blount also found the end zone on 16 carries and 48 yards.
The 49ers did a decent job of forcing the Eagles off the field, holding them to 29% third-down conversion.
The 49ers failed on all three sides of the ball, as special teams had a 27-yard field goal blocked in the early part of the fourth quarter.
The only bright note came from Matt Brieda, who scored his first career NFL touchdown off a short shovel pass. Brieda made cut his way through the Eagles defense for the 21-yard score.
San Francisco was beaten by the best team in the NFL on Sunday and didn’t look good doing it. They have a long week before their next matchup at home against the Cardinals and have many injuries to heal before their search for the first win of the season.
Handlers guide team mascot Ralphie on to the field as Colorado Buffaloes hosts California Golden Bears in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
By Morris Phillips
Everytime Colorado pushed, Cal failed to push back.
In falling to Colorado 44-28 on Saturday, the Golden Bears allowed 40+ points in regulation for the first time in nine games under new, defensive-minded coach Justin Wilcox. As Colorado broke numerous plays of at least 20 yards, the steel-jawed Wilcox could be seen seething along the California sideline.
“It’s very disappointing. We didn’t play well,” Wilcox conceded. “In the first half, they threw the ball over our heads. We weren’t winning one-on-one battles in the passing game, we were missing tackles. You can’t do that and win. You can’t beat anybody doing that.”
Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez came up with a huge bounce back performance after being benched last week in Colorado’s 28-0 loss at Washington State that was played in gusty winds. Montez took over early, throwing two touchdown passes and running for a third score to lead Colorado to an early, second quarter, 21-7 lead.
As they did in their previous game against Arizona, the Bears responded offensively, but couldn’t stop the Buffaloes. Colorado produced scores on their final five drives of the first half to lead 27-14, as Montez put up the majority of the yardage in his 20 for 26, 353-yard passing performance.
“We couldn’t hit the deep ball,” Montez said. “Then this week in practice, we really kind of focused on it and we knew we need to get serious if we want to be a legitimate force on offense. We need to be able to throw the deep ball consistently. We were hitting them in practice real well and it carried over to the game.”
Ross Bowers did his part to keep the Bears within range of the Buffaloes, throwing for 359 yards and two scores. But once Cal fell behind, Bowers was subjected to a heavy rush, leading to a 100-yard interception return by Colorado’s Nick Fisher that put the Buffaloes up 44-21 with 2:34 remaining.
The Bears had a pair of 100-yard receivers in Kanawai Noa and Jordan Veasy. The Cal running game never got untracked, but Patrick Laird led there with 52 yards on 13 carries.
Cal fell to 4-5 on the season and failed to win a conference road game for the 11th, consecutive game. In order to gain bowl eligibility, the Bears will have to beat Oregon State in their final home game next Saturday, and win at least one of their final two games at Stanford and at UCLA.
“We have to execute our game plan better and this falls on us players,” Cal linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk said. “No matter what coach calls, it is on us to execute the game plan. You can’t give up big plays and expect to win games. We just have to bounce back and continue working we will get there. We have a good opponent next week, so 24-hour rule. It stings and it hurts but we have to look past it and get ready for next week.”
