That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Big Star Free Agents do not come to San Francisco

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto is being sought by the New York Mets brass who flew out to Japan to meet him. The San Francisco Giants are interested in obtaining Yamamoto’s services. Teams seeking Yamamoto will likely turn out to be a bidding war. (AP News file photo)

Big Star Free Agents do not come to San Francisco

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–Last year, the Giants tried to lure free agents Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, but they failed; other big stars like Bryce Harper (when he was a Free-Agent) have spurned the Giants. It has become much more common now that many big-name free-agent players dislike coming and playing in San Francisco.

It is not the money because the players I am talking about get the cash they want anywhere. It could be about the reputation that San Francisco has nationwide nowadays. Could it be the City by the Bay social-political situation has become not a favorite destination for some of the game’s biggest stars?

Most of these big-name free-agent players that get those multi-million dollar contracts tend to be conservative or non-political, and sometimes San Francisco doesn’t ‘rub them well”. They are all aware of this because, in today’s communication world, there is more than enough information out there, especially in social media.

This is what Farhan Zaidi, GM of the Giants, told Sussan Slusser of the SF Chronicle last year: “When we’re doing our research on free agents, and we find that players aren’t really that happy even coming into town for a three-game series, they’re probably not going to be that excited to play there for a long time.

So I think that’s part of what fueled our strategy of targeting guys with Bay Area ties. … Free agency is really, really competitive, especially at the top of the market. Even when you think you can sign a player, you’re probably not; that’s how it works. So when you don’t think you’ll sign a player, you’re definitely not going to sign him.”

No team needed Ohtani more than the Giants, but he is also not coming here. After Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, another Japanese player remains of high value; it is pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the best pitcher in Japan; estimates of this 25-year-old pitching star are that he could earn as much as a $300 million contract, and the Dodgers (of course) will go after him to paired him with Ohtani as they both won the 2023 World Baseball Classic together and have been playing together for years now.

Other free agents are Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Jung-Hoo Lee, Teoscar Hernández, JD Martínez, Dylan Cease, Blake Snell, Corbin Burns, and Tyler Glasnow. Giants could use some more power in that lineup; Bellinger might be a good choice.

This 2023 off-season, the Giants went after Shohei Ohtani (who, like Aaron Judge last year, was the biggest fish to catch). Still, Ohtani decided to stay in Southern California and signed the richest-ever contract in American sports with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a 10-year mega-deal for $700 million.

Another reason for Giants fans to hate the Dodgers, but at this time, the Giants fans cannot be pleased with their General Manager Pete Putila. Is he a victim of circumstances that are beyond his control? What can you do if you offer big money contracts but players do not consider your offers? The mega-stars are not coming to San Francisco.

Note: Tom Cruise made $100 million for “Top Gun: Maverick,” his most recent movie, a worldwide success. Ohtani is making $700 million in 10 years with the Dodgers, also in Hollywood.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Ohtani stays right at home in the Southland with Dodgers signing; Mets in hot pursuit of Yamamoto; plus more news

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Shohie Ohtani who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sat Dec 9, 2023 will not pitch in the 2024 season and will be a designated hitter (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, biggest contract in the history of professional sports the signing of two way player Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers ten years $700 million.

#2 Ohtani was sought by several teams namely the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants but it was the Dodgers that were the odds on favorites to win the bid on Ohtani.

#3 The New York Mets and New York Yankees have been named as two clubs that are in hot pursuit of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Met’s brass hopped on a plane to Japan to meet with Yamamoto and they are serious about acquiring his services.

#4 Turn to NFL football the Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro has been relegated to watch the Eagles anywhere but the sideline for tonight’s Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. DiSandro shoved San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw during last Sunday’s game in Philadelphia that had Greenlaw reciprocate in kind hitting DiSandro in the lip. Both got ejected from that game and later Greenlaw passed along his apologies for the mishap to DiSandro.

#5 After the Minnesota Vikings took a tough loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football the Vikings continue to struggle missing their first string quarterback Kirk Cousins. Joshua Dobbs struggled going 22-32 for 185 yards . Do you see the Vikings being easy pickings for the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at Allegiant considering the Vikings quarterback problems.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Barracuda unable to muster goal until third period against Henderson losing 5-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. Brett Kemp skates up the wing with the puck taken on 12/9/23.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Barracuda did battle with Silver Knights at home on Saturday after beating them yesterday by a final of 6-1.

Getting the start for the Barracuda was Georgi Romanov, while Isaiah Saville was in between the pipes for the Silver Knights.

Just five minutes into this one Henderson struck on the power play as Adam Cracknell lit the lamp with assists from Jake Bischoff and Brendan Brisson.

It only took 33 seconds for the Silver Knights to find goal number two as Sheldon Rempal got his 10th of the season.

Once again in the second Henderson’s powerplay connected as Cracknell found the back of the net getting his second of the night.

Looking for the hat trick Cracknell got it at 14:36 making it 4-0 and his 11th of the season though not many hats rained down.

It was a penalty-filled second period with five combined penalties between the two teams.

The Barracuda looked for a comeback and were able to start it at the beginning of the third as Brandon Coe scored to cut Henderson’s lead to 4-1.

Later in the period San Jose pulled their goalie but Bredand Brisson scored to put the curtains on this one.

At the end of the game, the two teams got into it as roughing penalties were given out to three players on each team.

San Jose’s power play had a rough night as they went 0/6 while Henderson was able to go 50% as they went 2/4.

The shots favored Henderson at 36-32.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Adam Cracknell 2nd: Jake Bischoff 3rd: Brandon Coe

San Jose will have some time off before they have to do battle with the Wranglers at home at 7 p.m. on the 15th.

San Jose State Undefeated At Home After 87-82 Victory Over New Orleans

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The San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas takes the ball up the floor as the Spartans defeated the New Orleans Privateers at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Sat Dec 9, 2023 (photo by San Jose State Spartans Athletic Dept)

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose State Spartans (4-5) host the New Orleans Privateers (6-5) this Saturday afternoon in the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans have had tremendous success on their home floor early this season, playing to an undefeated record 3-0 in San Jose.

SJSU came off a difficult road trip in which they went 0-3 losses to Cal Poly, Montana, and North Dakota State. Two of the three games on that road trip went to overtime. 

A very competitive back and forth in the first half between both squads. Balanced on defense and scoring, both teams were playing like it was two heavyweight boxers. Jordan Johnson led New Orleans all the way through the half, but SJSU had a more even distribution of the ball.

New Orleans gained some distance on the scoreboard, until MJ Amey Jr. took over and closed the gap with three straight 3-pointers and ended up with 18 points in the first half. New Orleans was up four, 44-40 at halftime. Neither team had a good game from the free throw line, but from the field it was a battle. 

The second half was a way more physical half, but no lack of scoring. Johnson and Jah Short were leading New Orleans while Amey Jr. was the guy for the Spartans (29 points for the game).

DJ Seixas was the difference maker for the Spartans leading the team to gain their first lead since early in the first half. Alvaro Cardenas had a double double that took the Spartans to a late game lead and at the end Spartans won 87-82. 

Next game for the Spartans will be back at home against Montana, December 17th. Spartans continue their undefeated home record, 4-0.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks rolling, winners of five of last seven; SJ closes out road trip tonight in Vegas

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Nico Sturm center (7) of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his second period goal in front of the San Jose bench at Little Caesar’s Pizza Arena in Detroit on Thu Dec 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary, talk about San Jose Sharks Mikael Granlud’s overtime goal with just 37 seconds left for the game winner to edge the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 on Thursday night.

#2 The Sharks have been getting some scoring help to win some of these games on this road trip, namely Nico Strum and Tomas Hertl. Hertl has been going well with five goals in his last two games.

#3 To show you how much the Sharks are starting to put things together Fabian Zetterlund has scored the first of two short handed goals.

#4 In 3:01 span of time the Sharks and Red Wings scored three goals in the second period. That comes in second to six goals scored between the Washington Capitals and the Quebec Nordiques in three minutes even on Feb 22, 1981.

#5 The Sharks face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas. The Knights are a tough customer first in the Pacific Division standings at 17-5-5 at 39 points. The Knights have won four of their last nine games. The way the Sharks have been going on this road trip they could very well make this one an interesting contest.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Battles Through Two Overtimes Losing to the Butler Bulldogs 97-90

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Cal Bears guard Jalen Cone (15) takes a jump shot over the Butler Bulldogs guard Jahmyl Telfort (11) at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sat Dec 9, 2023 (photo by Cal Bears MBB)

By Barbara Mason

The California Bears battled through two overtimes eventually losing to the Butler Bulldogs 97-90. The Bears fought through the first overtime but came up short only managing another tie. Going into the second overtime Cal couldn’t keep up with Butler. The Bulldogs won the second overtime 14-7 and the game 97-90.

The California Bears (3-6) took on the Butler Bulldogs (8-2) Saturday afternoon. The Bears are coming off a nice win over the Santa Clara Broncos last Saturday 84-69.

The first half of this game was a close one. California won the opening half 37-34 taking the lead into the locker room at halftime. Butler would respond in the second half winning it by the score of 39-36. As regulation expired this game was tied at 73. The game had been a battle from tipoff and would continue into the first overtime.

The first overtime of this game was a thriller with neither team able to capture much of a lead and this resulted in a second tie between the two teams. At 4:14 in the second overtime the two teams remained tied at 85. At 3:23 the Bulldogs began to make a move and they did not let down.

Butler took the lead and built on it for the remainder of the overtime eventually winning 97-90. This was a horrible disappointment for the Bears who had played so well throughout the entire game and the first overtime. The Bulldogs just wore them down in the second overtime.

Fardaws Aimaq had 24 points for California along with 16 rebounds followed by Jalen Cone who had a great game hitting 7 of his 17 3-point attempts. He finished with 23 points. Keonte Kennedy made a nice contribution with 20 points and Jaylon Tyson added 16 points. Cal had led by as much as 12 points in the first half but could not maintain the lead.

Posh Alexander had the high for the Bulldogs with 21 points followed closely by Jahmyl Tekfort with 20. The starting lineup for the Bulldogs had a great game but their bench pushed them over the top with 21 points to the Bears 5 points off the bench.

This was Butler’s fifth win in a row. They had shot at 52% to Cal’s 46%. The two teams were a percentage point apart on three’s; Butler with 42% and Cal with 41% in a game well-played by both teams.

Next Saturday the Cal Bears will play Mississippi in San Antonio. This will be a challenge for California taking on the 8-0 Ole Miss. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers looking for fifth straight win face Seahawks Sunday at Levis

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The San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey charges up field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sun Dec 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers scored touchdowns on six straight possessions in a 42-19 blowout victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.

#2 It didn’t look like it was going to be a cakewalk by San Francisco (9-3) after the opening 15 minutes. The Eagles defense held the 49ers potent offense to -6 yards in total offense.

#3 Once the second quarter got underway, so did the 49ers offense. Quarterback Brock Purdy led an 11 play 85-yard drive that accumulated with a Brandon Aiuyk two-yard touchdown reception with 7:10 left in the second quarter.

#4 Dre Greenlaw ejected from the game with 9:19 remaining in the third quarter after body slamming Davonta Smith to the ground after a 13-yard reception. Greenlaw made contact with the Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro, who was also ejected from the game. DiSandro is banned from the sidelines during this Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.

#5 San Francisco returns home for an NFC West battle with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday 12/10 at 1:05pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Joe Hawkes does the 49ers podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Turnovers Beat Golden State; OKC Thunder Prevail 138-136

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) holds the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

By Barbara Mason

In a horrendous display of ineptitude the Golden State Warriors (10-12) came away with 29 turnovers in their matchup with the Oklahoma City (14-7) Thunder Friday night losing 138-136. The team has struggled with ball protection for awhile but Friday night they outdid themselves. Even the 34 points scored by Stephen Curry couldn’t get the job done, although, they did come close.

Friday night the Warriors took on the Thunder . The Warriors had won their last game beating the Portland Trailblazers 110-106 and were looking to establish a winning streak. The Thunder dropped their last game to the Houston Rockets Wednesday by the score of 110-101. Prior to beating the Trailblazers the Warriors lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Clippers 113-112.

The first quarter was all Warriors and the team had a great start to this game leading 28-19 after the opening 12 minutes. The Thunder did win the second quarter 37-34 but Golden State maintained a 62-56 lead going into half time. In the first half, Klay Thompson had shot for 13 points followed by Andrew Wiggins with 12.

In the third quarter, the Thunder turned the game around winning the quarter 33-22 taking an 89-84 lead. OKC was spurred on by the number of turnovers coming from the Warriors. On 29 turnovers, the Thunder scored 35 points.

The Warriors won the final quarter 34-29, but this was only good enough to tie the game. This game would go into overtime with the Thunder prevailing 20-18 in OT and winning the game 138-136.

Despite the 29 turnovers, the Warriors came very close to pulling this game out. Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored 10 of his 34 points in the overtime. When the dust had settled, this game was lost due to poor ball protection.

This was the third loss in a row that the Warriors dropped in their past four matchups with the Thunder this season. Curry did everything he could to will his team to victory scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Golden State just could not overcome the turnovers. They actually had four turnovers in overtime.

The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points and Jalen Williams had 28 points in this game. OKC is a very young team yet they now reside in second place in the Western Conference standings.

The Warriors will try to turn things around when they travel to Phoenix taking on the Suns Tuesday night. They will need to clean up the turnovers and the fouls which were also problematic in Fridays game. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be aired on TNT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Ohtani is going to Hollywood 10years for $700 Million

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Former Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani has signed a contract worth $700 million for ten years on Sat Dec 9, 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers the largest contract in professional sports (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Today, Saturday, December 9, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year $700 million contract. Largest ever in American sports.

During a wild and furious December 8, Friday afternoon, rumors swirled about the Toronto Blue Jays signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Some believed Ohtani had boarded a plane from Santa Ana, California, to Toronto, Canada.

Others refute such information, saying that Ohtani remained in Southern California. The Los Angeles Dodgers had their eyes on Shohei Ohtani since he was in high school in Japan. They made him the centerpiece of this off-season and will have him in the lineup in 2024. They hope to have him back after surgery to pitch in 2025.

The Dodgers will open the checkbook and invest over a half billion dollars on Shohei, and now they are after a pitcher or two who could help that rotation, which is short for the Dodgers; they are after Dylan Cease, and if they even want to spend more money, the Japanese free agent right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which would be close to a $300 million investment. Yamamoto is just 25 years of age and the best pitcher in Japan. In seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, he is 70-29 with a sensational 1.82 ERA and 922 strikeouts.

The 2024 Major League Baseball season (MLB) is scheduled to begin on March 20–21 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held in Seoul, South Korea, before the regular season proper runs from March 28 to September 29. You can bet, Ohtani will be the DH for the Dodgers in Korea.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: $48 million due on Coliseum digs won’t stop A’s from moving to Vegas

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher seen here addressing the news media on Thu Nov 16, 2023 at the MLB Owners vote in Arlington TX. Fisher will have to come up with $48 million payment for his half of owning the Oakland Coliseum Complex property in May 2024. (AP News photo)

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, Alameda County who owns the other half of the Oakland Coliseum property are prepared to ask for part of the $85 million that is owed by Oakland A’s owner John Fisher who owns the other half. A contractual agreement saying if they A’s announce that they would leave Oakland which was last April. Within those 180 days after that announcement the $48 million of their half would come due. Alameda County Councilperson Donna Ziegler will make that call in May 2024 as Council vice president David Haubert said the clock started ticking on Nov 16th the day the MLB owners voted to move the A’s from Oakland.

#2 The ask by Alameda County won’t stop Fisher from moving to Las Vegas but it will free up the county from Fisher owning the other half so they could develop at the valuable property.

#3 At the time of he purchase of half the Coliseum A’s president David Kavel sent a letter the Alameda County Council in 2019 stating that they wanted to purchase half the property at the Coliseum in the event the deal at Howard Terminal failed but instead the team vied to relocate. The A’s have not said what they will do with the property now that they are leaving Oakland, but Alameda County will most likely will ask for the $45 million in May.

#4 It’s also been speculated that Fisher will hold onto his half of the Coliseum until the new Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas is in fact under construction and shovels are indeed in the ground. Also does Fisher have an extra $45 million that will be due in May 2024?

#5 In early September the African American Sports and Entertainment Group asked the Oakland A’s if they could buy their half of the Coliseum the A’s declined. In hindsight Haubert said there should have been clear conditions in the contract saying to the A’s “you either stay in Oakland, at Howard Terminal or the Coliseum, or else the deal’s off.”

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com