San Francisco 49ers podcast with Daivd Zizmor: Armstead to Jaguars; DT Collins joins in trade; Kendricks backs out of deal; Juszczyk becomes highest paid back in NFL

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Former Houston Texan defensive tackle Maliek Collins was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a seventh round draft pick. The deal was completed Wed Mar 13, 2024. (AP News file photo)

On the SF 49ers podcast with David:

#1 Dave, talk about the San Francisco 49ers trading for defensive tackle Maliek Collins 26, while the 49ers are prepared to release defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

#2 Linebacker Eric Kendricks backs out of deal and signs with Dallas. Kendricks had 117 tackles last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. 49ers sign De’Vondre Campbell at linebacker for a one year deal.

#3 Fullback Kyle Juszczyk became the NFL’s highest paid fullback. Juszczyk 32 agreed to a reconstructed contract. The deal creates a $1.75 million salary cup for 2024. It will be Juszczyk’s eight season with the 49ers.

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s 2024 In One Word, “Prospectos”

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Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay seen running out of the dugout on Sep 10, 2024 in Arlington Texas against the Texas Rangers hopes the 2024 A’s can finish at least at .500 for the season. (AP file photo)

A’s 2024: In One Word, “Prospectos”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–It is time to talk baseball and leave executive negotiations and all trials and tribulations on the A’s future “housing,” but unless there is a deal with Oakland, the A’s could play their last game at the Coliseum this season.

I will leave those issues to the people who have that responsibility. But this is not a rumor, On March 28, 2024, the Oakland Athletics will begin their 56th season at the Oakland-Alameda-County Coliseum. The A’s open the season with a weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians and their new manager, ex-A’s Stephen Vogt. What we can expect this season is two-fold.

1-Manager Mark Kotsay said a “.500 season is the challenge for his team this year.” That is an expected position for a young manager in an organization that changes players like most of us change underwear.

2-Prospects. Although I see it as the main focus for the young A’s in 2024, after a 102-lost season in 2023, they are loaded with young but unproven talent. Although the P word (potential) always figures with prospects, that is the question for many young kids trying to make the majors. Not every player develops the same way; some are ready given the opportunity, and others are late bloomers.

Lazaro (Lazarito) Armenteros (outfield) is a five-tool player signed by the A’s out of Cuba as a 17-year-old for $3 million. The team hopes he blossoms into the Major League player they envisioned when he was signed.

He began the 2023 season in Lansing, then was promoted to Double-A Midland Rock Hounds, where he ended with a 2.49 average 14 homeruns, 72 runs batted in and ten stolen bases. On November 6, A’s added him to the 40-man roster. Jacob Wilson is the A’s No.1 prospect and No.68 in MLB. Two third-basemen are in the prospect mix: Brett Harris A’s No.11 and Myles Naylor A’s No.9.

Since baseball is not a perfect science, you could see some of these prospects, although unlikely, this season. As it is today, the A’s will have a young team when they open the season in a couple of weeks.

WSU ends Cardinal season 79-62 in Pac-12 tourney; Haase dismissed

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Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots over the Washington State Cougars center Ruben Chinyelu (20) in the first half of the Pac 12 Tournament quarter round at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Thu Mar 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Two things happened Thursday when Washington State defeated Stanford 79-62 in the quarterfinal round of the final Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament.

1) The loss ended the Cardinal’s season, and 2) almost simultaneously, Coach Jerod Haase was dismissed after leading Stanford to a 126-127 record in eight seasons at the Cardinal’s helm.

In a statement, the Stanford athletic department said a nationwide search for Haase’s replacement would begin immediately.

The No. 2-seed Cougars (24-8) will make their first appearance in the Pac-12 semifinals since 2008 on Friday. Stanford’s season ends with a record of 14-18. They were 8-12 in the conference.

Fifth-year forward Isaac Jones, an All-Pac-12 first team selection, led the Cougars with 16 points and six rebounds while making 7-of-12 shots. Myles Rice, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and all-conference first team, and Jaylen Wells each scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Rice and Wells combined for 11 assists.

Andrej Jakmovski scored 13 points for WSU, followed by Kymany Houinsou and Rueben Chinyelu with 11 and 10 points, respectively, off the Cougars bench.

The Cardinal took an early 9-7 lead before Washington State took a 15-9 advantage. Over the next five minutes, the Cougars extended their lead to 10 points, eventually leading 29-19.

Brandon Angel and Michael Jones combined for 21 first-half points, as no other Cardinal had more than three points at the break. WSU held a 45-29 halftime lead after holding Stanford to 1-for-10 on 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes.

Five minutes into the second half, Rice’s jumper pushed the Cougars’ lead to 58-34. Stanford responded with a 12-2 run, cutting its deficit to 60-46.

After Rice converted a steal into a dunk, Washington State pushed its lead back to 21 after a Wells 3-pointer. Isaac Jones made a short jumper and Rice’s layup put the Cougars up 69-48 with 7:22 left.

Michael Jones led Stanford with 22 points, followed by 15 points by Angel. The Cardinal never got closer than 17 points for the remainder of the game.

Sharks Lose 6-3 to Penguins; San Jose faces off with Columbus Saturday

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The San Jose Sharks Magnus Chrona (30) puts the stop on a shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Thu Mar 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were defeated 6-3 by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Noel Acciari, Jeff Carter, Evgeni Malkin, John Ludvig, Rickard Rackell and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry made 29 saves for the win. Fabian Zetterlund, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Klim Kostin scored for the Sharks. Magnus Chrona made 25 saves in the loss.

The Sharks had to play with only five defensemen when Jacob MacDonald could not play due to sudden illness. After the game, Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said that this may have been a factor in a disappointing third period:

“I thought we were a little slow reacting defensively tonight but I just loved their compete, I thought we really battled hard. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to defend a little bit better around our net in the those instances in the third period. But maybe it was fatigue, you’ve got five D and they’re playing a ton of minutes so it’s a tough ask.”

Noel Acciari gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 10:28 of the first period. Acciari tipped a shot from Erik Karlsson in the middle of the blue line. Assists went to Karlsson and Drew O’Connor.

Fabian Zetterlund scored to tie the game at 14:31. Zetterlund caught a rebound from Calen Addison’s shot to score his 17th of the season. Assists went to Addison and Henry Thrun.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead at 19:01. Vlasic took a shot from below the goal line that bounced off of Jarry and Marcus Petterson before going into the net. Assists went to Klim Kostin and Mikael Granlund.

A goal from Jeff Carter tied the game back up at 4:11 of the second period. Carter skated into an open space in front of the net as Emil Bemstrom made a pass from the other side.

Evgeni Malkin scored at 11:34 to give the Penguins their second lead of the game. He picked up a rebound at the corner of the net and poked it behind Chrona. Assists went to Drew O’Connor and Lars Eller.

At 16:10 of the second period, Alexander Barabanov deflected a Granlund shot into the net but he did so with a high stick so it was called back.

Klim Kostin scored for the Sharks to tie the game 3-3 at 18:42. Mikael Granlund gathered up a rebound from a Vlasic shot, then found Kostin through traffic with a pass. That was Kostin’s first goal as a Shark.

Midway through second period, Mikael Granlund got tangled up with Bryan Rust along the boards. He went down with his right leg and ankle folding in an unnatural position. He had to be helped from the ice but did return before the end of the period.

John Ludvig scored from the blue line to give the Penguins their third lead at 2:38 of the third period. Assists went to Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Reilly Smith.

Rickard Rackell made it 5-3 at 4:38, deflecting a shot by Joseph from the blue line. Assists went to Joseph and Ludvig.

Bryan Rust made it 6-3 with an empty net goal at 18:04. Assists went to Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins had just four shots on goal in the third period.

The Sharks next play on Saturday at 4:00 PM PT in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Sandoval struggling at the plate in attempt to make roster

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval attempts to make it back to the majors since 2021. Sandoval heading to the field at spring training home of the Giants Scottsdale AZ (photo by AP News)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 San Francisco Giant try out Pablo Sandoval has only one hit in 13 at bats striking out nine times. Giants manager Bob Melvin and Sadoval’s teammates are pushing for Sandoval 37 to make it to the roster but he just may end up being a coach advising younger players when spring training is over.

#2 Melvin said that Sandoval is very affable and that his teammates realized how important Sandoval is to the organization. Giants third base coach Matt Williams says that Sandoval is working out with the younger players so he can pass on his knowledge to them.

#3 Michael talk about how you see this season’s outfield with Mike Yastrzemski in right, Jung Hoo Lee in center, and Michael Conforto in left field all left handed outfielders is that a defensive strategy. Only right hander is Austin Slater.

#4 Jorge Soler could play some outfield and could do it once a week and could hit against left handed pitching. How do you see that possibility getting Soler sometime in the outfield to give either Slater or Yastrzemski some rest.

#5 Wilmer Flores can gets some work in as the DH and away from being the platoon hitter. Melvin said that you want to get Flores some at bats he can help with the run production.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Oakland Mayor’s office talks continue on A’s Coliseum extension; A’s officials look forward to more talks on April 2

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval meets with the media before the A’s and Milwaukee Brewers pre season game at Las Vegas Ballpark on Fri Mar 8, 2024 (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s office said that will not discuss anything further regarding talks between the Mayor’s office and the Oakland A’s officials but did say that they will continue talking regarding the lease extension.

#2 The A’s said the talks were positive and an extension is something they will continue to discuss with the City and plan to meet with the City and Coliseum on April 2. The Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots soccer teams will meet with the Coliseum Authority on Friday to discuss playing at the Coliseum in 2025-26.

#2 According to sports commentator Damon Amendolara saying the A’s moving to Vegas doesn’t fix the A’s problem. It only spoils another good market. DA was saying that he was in town last month for the Super Bowl and said that Vegas is a great sports town but in talking with Vegas fans about the A’s they didn’t want this team to come but they wanted an expansion team.

#3 Last week March 8th and 9th VIPs in a roped off area in front of the first base dugout at Las Vegas Ballpark during batting practice before the exhibition game before the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s in Las Vegas. Those invited in the roped off area were state and local lawmakers, labor leaders, and anyone responsible for helping make the A’s legislation or otherwise making it possible in getting the public money for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark. Those VIPs were given the opportunity to speak with A’s president David Kaval and team owner John Fisher.

#4 The A’s weekend in Las Vegas gave Fisher the opportunity meet with not only Las Vegas residents and VIPs but also to answer questions from the media which is very rare since Fisher is noted for not giving too many interviews. Fisher was thrilled to be in Vegas the future home of the A’s and wanted to express how pleased he was about the A’s future ballpark for 2028.

#5 Schools over Stadiums is appealing the public funding for the A’s ballpark. They will be in Nevada Appeals Court in April to get approval for the language to go on a petition that will stop the public funding of the A’s Tropicana ballpark. Once they win appeal they will circulate the petition in four Nevada districts and need over 102,000 signatures before June 1st. If that is accomplished they can get the initiative on the Nov 2024 ballot. If the voters vote to stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark in Vegas that should stop the A’s move to Vegas. That unless the A’s can get private money $380 million worth for the missing public funding share.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Canucks Demko out with lower body injury; Sharks eliminated from playoffs for 5th straight year; plus more news

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Vancouver Canucks Goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) is out with a lower body injury and is listed as day to day. (Canadian Press via AP file photo)

On the NHL podcasst with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko the number one goaltender for the Canucks is listed week to week with lower body injury. Demko left with the injury on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets in a 5-0 win. Demko had 12 saves when he had to leave in the second period at 6:40. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says he’s not worried.

#2 NHL analyst and NHL six time Stanley Cup Champion legend Mark Messier said the Vancouver Canucks are in a great position to win the Stanley Cup this season. Vancouver is 42-17-7 and are first in the Western Conference.

#3 The San Jose Sharks loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night 3-2 eliminated the Sharks from post season play. Causes for the elimination were the injuries to Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. The Sharks have the worst record in the NHL at 16-41-7 this the fifth straight season that the Sharks have not made post season.

#4 NHL analyst and NHL six time Stanley Cup Champion legend Mark Messier said the Vancouver Canucks are in a great position to win the Stanley Cup this season. Vancouver is 42-17-7 and are first in the Western Conference.

#5 If the NHL Playoffs were to start today there are four teams from Canada that would qualify, the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The last time a team from Canada won the Stanley Cup Finals was 31 years ago.

#5 Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard demonstrated why he’s all the hype against the Anaheim Ducks getting a career high of five points as the Blackhawks lit up the Ducks with seven goals in their 7-2 win in Chicago.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s officials meeting with Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority today

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Oakland Alameda County Coliseum will the Oakland A’s play their interim years from 2025-27 there before moving to Las Vegas in 2028? ( photo by Flickr Shawn Clover)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland A’s officials are meeting today with the Oakland Coliseum Join Authority in trying to get the A’s an extension for the 2025-2027.

#2 The City of Oakland is asking for the team colors and an expansion team how practical do you see that happening.

#3 The Tropicana is closing April 2024 and Bally’s wants to demo the Tropicana in April 2025 to start construction for the ball park and the new Tropicana Plaza.

#4 John Fisher A’s owner has is working on getting $500 million for his family to help pay for his share of the construction costs.

#5 The A’s team president David Kaval compared the move to the Brooklyn Dodgers moving to Los Angeles. Fans said that the move does not compare with the fans in LA where they were thrilled to get the Dodgers. The Vegas fans have been mediocre about the A’s coming judging from interviews from the local and Bay Area media.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings top Lakers 129-94; Sabonis get triple double; Sac sweeps four game season from LA

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The Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) drives on the Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Kings were back in action on Wednesday night in Sacramento. They were set to take on the LA Lakers on Wednesday, the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings were coming off a win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night by the final score of 129-94.

The Lakers last played on Sunday when they defeated the Timberwolves 120-109. The Kings and Lakers were set for tip-off at 7 PM PST on Wednesday. The Kings defeated the Lakers 120-107 on Wednesday night.

In the first quarter, both teams came out playing well. The Kings and Lakers got off to quick starts as they traded baskets. Both teams scored 29 points in the first quarter. Austin Reaves was red-hot in the first quarter, scoring 13 points. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with six points, and every player who stepped on the court for the Kings scored.

In the second quarter, the battle continued. Neither team went on a dominating run in the first half, as the game stayed close. The Kings offense scored 31 points in the first quarter on 19 shots. The Lakers scored 27 points in the second quarter on 24 shots to fall behind the Kings. The game would go into halftime with the Kings leading 60-56. The Kings were led by Keon Ellis, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray, all in double figures in the first half. The Lakers Austin Reaves led them with 19 first-half points.

In the third quarter, the Kings dominated and took a big lead. The Kings outscored the Lakers 28-17 and played great defense against them. Granted, the shots weren’t falling for the purple and gold. The Kings took an 88-73 lead going into the fourth quarter. De’Aaron Fox scored six points in the third as Keegan Murray added five.

In the final quarter of action, the Kings took it to the Lakers. The Lakers couldn’t really get any momentum going in the final quarter as they were defeated by the Kings. The Kings beat the Lakers 120-107 in regulation. The Kings were led by Harrison Barnes, who scored 23 points in the game. Domas Sabonis added another triple-double. The Lakers best performance came from Austin Reaves with 28 points.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears’ season ends in tragedy with blown lead to hated rivals 87-76 in overtime

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The Cal Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) gets snuffed by the Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) in overtime in round one of the Pac 12 Tournament at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Stanford Cardinal 87

California Golden Bears 76

By Stephen Ruderman

Tragedy struck on the opening day of the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament, as the Bears’ bounce back season came to a sudden end after they blew an 18-point lead to their hated rivals, the Stanford Cardinal losing at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas 87-76.

After losing both games to Stanford in the Regular Season, which included getting trounced by the Cardinal in the regular season finale last Thursday, the two bitter rivals were set to face off in the opening round of the final Pac-12 Tournament.

Every team in the Pac-12 got a spot in the tournament, regardless of how their season went. The Bears went 13-18, which was not the greatest season on paper, but miles better than their 3-29 season a year ago.

It was a season that has seen so many epic comebacks and memorable moments for the Bears. Tonight was one more chance to continue their improbable longshot fight towards March Madness.

Stanford won the opening tip, but it was Cal who struck first when Jalen Celestine hit a three. The Bears assumed control of the game early, as they jumped out to a 15-4 lead just over five minutes into the game. In that opening run, Jalen Cone hit a pair of threes; Fardaws Aimaq hit a layup and a jumper; and Jaylon Tyson contributed with a layup.

Stanford went on a 12-5 run to cut Cal’s lead to 20-16, but the Bears quickly regained control, and went on a 7-1 run to jump back out to a 10-point lead at 27-17 with 6:55 to go in the first half. The Cardinal then scored five unanswered points to make it 27-22, but the Bears regained control again, and went into the half up 45-34.

The Bears carried their momentum into the second half, and a three by Celestine opened their lead to 18 points at 63-45 with 14:36 to go.

Throughout the season, when the Bears were down by double digits in the second half, that often meant that they were going to come back. However, forgotten through all of the Bears’ comebacks was the fact that the Bears being up double digits in the second half often meant they were going to blow a big lead, as has happened too many times this season.

Right on queue, Stanford immediately scored eight unanswered points to cut Cal’s lead to 63-53. The Bears got a quick reprieve when Jaylon Tyson hit a jumper to make it 65-53, but Stanford kept coming. Spencer Jones led the way for the Cardinal, and suddenly it was 65-63 with 3:45 to go.

There would be no scoring for nearly two minutes until there was a sudden change in fortunes. Stanford was just about to tie it, as a jumper went in, but after review, it was determined that the shot went in after the shot clock had expired. The Bears got the ball back, and Jalen Cone hit a three-ball to make it 68-63.

The Bears were up five with less than two minutes to go, and after catching a massive break, they seemed to have the momentum back on their side. Brandon Angel laid one in for Stanford to make it 68-65 with 1:01 to go. Cone was fouled, and made one of two from the line, and the Bears were up 69-65, and 32 seconds away from another late epic win.

Spencer Jones was fouled and made of two from the line to make it 69-66. Keonte Kennedy then had the ball stolen from by Benny Gealer, and Gealer passed it to Michael Jones who tied the game with a three with 18 seconds to go. Both teams missed shots on their next drives, and the game was going to overtime at 69-69.

The Bears won the tip in overtime, but neither retake the lead for nearly a minute. Brandon Angel and Spencer Jones made threes to put Stanford up 75-69.

After Spencer Jones made one of two from the line to make it 79-71 with 1:46 to go, the Bears were all but dead. However, Jalen Cone was fouled going for three, and made all three at the lint to make it 79-74.

Perhaps, the Bears had one last fight in them, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Cardinal proved to be too much for the Bears, and went on to win it by a final of 87-76 to crush the Bears’ faint March Madness hopes and brutally end their painful bounceback season.

Despite how grueling the end to the Bears’ season was, they did have an incredible year. Going from 3-29 to 13-18 with a slim chance to get into March Madness just a year later was no small feat.

It was an all-around team effort. Jaylon Tyson and Jalen Cone led the way for the most part, but Fardaws Aimaq, Jalen Celestine and Keonte Kennedy also had their moments, as did Rodney Brown Jr. and Grant Newell.

The Bears’ season was also thanks in large part to Head Coach Mark Madsen, who was extended another two years through the 2029-30 season prior to tonight’s game.

However, a lot of the players from this year’s team may not be back next year. Cone, Aimaq and Kennedy are all graduates, and if they do indeed leave, the Bears will have lost three solid players. Tyson, who was arguably the Bears’ most valuable player this season, will return next season as a senior, as will Celestine. Brown and Newell will also be returning.

The Bears will also begin a new era, as they and Stanford will move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Despite some big names leaving, the Bears appear to be headed in the right direction under Madsen going forward, and it is safe to say that the excitement at Haas Pavilion is back.