That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: So what about Pete Rose?

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Pete Rose who most likely will never see the Hall of Fame once said “Im totally over the Hall of Fame” (image from Fox Business)

So What About Pete Rose?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The no-election this week of guys like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and others that played during the 80’s and 90’s and have very impressive records, during the “steroids era” has brought back all the arguments by fans from 9 to 90 about why they should have been elected or not and the injustice of it all.

Among fans, like everything is sports, it depends if the player is one of your favorites that played for your favorite team, then you will “forget” all those things. For example, if the Giants took a poll of their fans today, if Barry Bonds should be elected or not, I have little doubt that it will be a Yes vote by at least 90 percent. They’re fans.

For the sake of argument, let’s imagine Bonds was a Dodger, then 90% of the Giants fans would be happy he did not get elected. This is typical “fan-hood 101”.

Pete Rose is banned for life and only maybe in another life he could be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Late last year he said that betting on baseball (which he says he now does legally at casinos) “was the only mistake I’ve made”. His numbers are solid and without the gambling, he would have been inducted in the first ballot many years ago, and probably unanimously.

Nobody is close to 4,256 hits in a 24-year career in which ten times he hit 200 or more hits in a season and ended with a .303 batting average. Mr. Hustle was all about playing every day, every inning, every minute, with the passion that made him famous. But, gambling in baseball is the cardinal sin.

Hypocrisy? Of course, in 2018 MLB announced that MGM has become its official gambling partner. Commissioner Rob Manfred: “there’s been a huge change in public opinion in sports gambling”. Draft Kings is a daily fantasy game in baseball where you can score win points and win money, by drafting a lineup of MLB players while staying within the salary cap.

But, at the end it is a game, is far from the same as playing in the majors and betting while you are playing. Pete Rose has said in the past “I never bet against the Reds”. But it doesn’t matter, because we know gambling in baseball is a well established no-no, which might as well be written in stone.

There has always been cheating in sports (all sports) and probably there will always be. Specifically in baseball from fixing/throwing of the 1919 World Series by eight Chicago White Sox players, to the steroids era, to a few years ago when the Houston Astros were accused and punished for stealing signs electronically during games.

For baseball to induct Pete Rose in Cooperstown, it would have to be a major change of rules and that is not happening, and might never be when it comes to gambling (which by the way it is a serious addiction to many, not only in baseball but in every sporting event conceivable) I doubt there will be a change during most our us lifetimes.

As humans we are all flawed. I have never seen anybody walk on water yet and the only time I could find something similar is in The Holy Bible (Mathew 14:25) the most influential, most sold and read book on earth, the best seller list of the NY Times is just a ‘speck in the universe” compared to “the book”.

The Hall of Fame Today’s Game Committee is scheduled to meet later this year and players that were in the game from 1988 to 2016 will be considered. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have a good chance.

Although it might not be a dishonor to be elected that way, another great San Francisco Giant, Orlando Cepeda, as well as others were elected in what I like to call “the second election.” However, the second time around doesn’t have the same prestige and impact as it was originally meant to be on electing superstars.

In my heart, I feel for Pete Rose, I saw him play and I covered him, but such are the rules, and I honestly believe he knows he will never be in Cooperstown. For the record: the following infield-compadres of Mr. Hustle during the “Big Red Machine”dominance of the 1970’s are all in the Hall of Fame; Johnny Bench (C), Tony Pérez (1B) and Joe Morgan (2B).

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hopes to put an end to five game losing streak at UCLA tonight

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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) shoots a 3-pointer over California forward Grant Anticevich (15) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Cal Bears basketball podcast:

#1 Cal Bears (9-10) are on a five game skid and fell behind the eight ball in their last game against the Arizona Wildcats (16-2) last Sunday at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley in a 96-71 loss.

#2 Cal couldn’t get past Arizona all game long and they pulled it off without one of their top scorers Azuolas Tubelis who was out with a upper body injury. The Wildcats got top scoring from Christian Koloko with 19 points.

#3 The Bears Jordan Shepherd led Cal with 21 points the only Cal player to score in double figures.

#4 Michael, talk about Cal head coach Mark Fox he tries to set the offense as all but Shepherd were in single figures what can coach Fox do to spruce things up on the offense?

#5 Cal opens up a two game Southland series starting on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion against UCLA (14-2). The Bruins are going well as they beat the Wildcats on Tuesday 75-59 in a game that wasn’t even close. The Bruins beat the Bears the last time the two teams met on Jan 8th in an eight point win 60-52.

Join Michael for the Cal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Davis out with wrist injury for Kings; Kings head to Philadelphia against Sixers Saturday

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Detroit Pistons guard Cory Joseph (18) drives to the basket as Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis (3) on Wed Jan 19th at the Golden One Center in Sacramento. The Kings announced on Wed Jan 26, 2022 that Davis will be out indefinitely with right wrist injury (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 Big loss for the Sacramento Kings (18-32) as they announced after Wednesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks that Kings guard Terence Davis will be out indefinitely with a injured right wrist. Kings head coach Alvin Gentry says the Kings medical staff are exploring all kinds of treatments to get Davis back in the line up.

#2 It was in Boston when Davis took a hard fall test revealed that Davis had damaged tendons and they’ll miss Davis out of the line up whose been averaging 10 points for the Kings.

#3 Tony the Kings are on a five game losing streak after loses to such teams as the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Atlanta Hawks, tough teams with nothing else for the Kings to do but to play them and see what the outcome will be.

#4 Former King Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 points and came off a knee injury and  Onyeka Okongwu also came off the bench and scored 18 points after the Hawks had a slow start against the Kings on Wednesday night to surpass and get a substantial win.

#5 The Kings face the Philadelphia 76ers (28-19) on Sat Jan 29th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Sixers have won seven out of their last ten games and the Kings are trying to snap a five game losing streak. It’s a tall order for the Kings as they face the 76ers on Saturday.

Join Tony Renteria each Thursday for the Kings podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong: Olympic games just eight days away and NFL Championships just four days away

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2022 Beijing Olympics logo (image from pixellogo.com)

On Headlines podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica the excitement is building as the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing is just eight days away beginning Feb 4th through 22nd. All nations attending are looking forward to the games.

#2 Tough break for Olympic downhill skier Breezy Johnson who tore her right cartilage on a downhill slope during on a training run. Breezy will miss this Winter Olympic. Breezy skied the last two seasons with teammate Mikaela Shiffrin.

#3 Jessica some baseball writers are saying that not allowing former MLB players Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in the Hall of Fame is dangerous because that will also keep out other steroid era players but isn’t that the whole idea keeping out dishonest players?

#4 Jessica the Kansas City Chiefs are on the fringes of advancing to the next round to play in Super Bowl LVI. The Chiefs have won four of their last five games but one trick the loss in those five games came against their next opponent the Cincinnati Bengals back on Jan 2 in Cincinnati 34-31. Quite a climb for both teams to get here with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow both who are having a bang up season.

#5 The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will slug it out for the NFC Championship at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this Sunday. The 49ers have defeated the Rams six consecutive times over a three season period. The Rams have home field and will be fired up and try to knock off the 49ers. The 49ers are looking to keep it going with the Super Bowl on the line.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Drop Fifth In a Row To Atlanta 121-104

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Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) drives against Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Wed Jan 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Drop Fifth In a Row To Atlanta 121-104

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (18-32) took on the Hawks (22-25) in Atlanta at State Farm Arena. Lately the Hawks have making some noise winning four games in a row and are just a single game behind the Washington Wizards for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Kings come into this game after getting pummeled by the Boston Celtics Tuesday night by the score of 128-75. Losing by 53 points this was the second worst loss in any NBA season by any team.

Between the loss that the Kings just suffered and the high level that the Hawks are playing at especially on defense this could be a huge challenge for the Kings. They need to put the Celtic game behind them and look forward to Wednesday’s game, it was not to be for the Kings who lost again for their fifth straight game this time to the Hawks 121-104.

The Kings had a nice first quarter leading 33-21 but it all came crashing down on them in the second quarter. The twelve point lead they held in the first quarter was gobbled up by the ferocious shooting of the Hawks.

That coupled with shutting down the Kings offense gave the Hawks the lead at half-time 67-50. The Hawks won the second quarter 46-17. The Kings had led by twelve after one quarter and then trailed the Hawks by 29 points in the second quarter. That was a huge point swing and the second half looked especially ominous for Sacramento.

The Kings were still without De”Aaron Fox but despite that, the Kings were being outplayed by Atlanta. Sacramento is going downhill at a rapid clip and there doesn’t really seem to be much they can do about it. They could be headed for their fifth loss in a row tonight.

The Kings got close in the third quarter but with such a steep deficit it was a tall order to try and catch the Hawks. Sacramento trailed 94-74 going into the fourth quarter.

The Kings had a very competitive second half but it is so tough to reside behind the eight ball that was the first half.

Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 28 points. The Hawks leading scorers were Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okongwu both with 18 points.

This fifth loss for the Kings continues their downward spiral that seems to have no end. They desperately need De”Aaron Fox back on the court and hopefully his return will be sooner rather than later.

Saturday night the Kings are back at it taking on the 76ers in Philadelphia. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Sharks Beat Capitals 4-1, Meloche Scores GWG

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Nicolas Meloche, center, celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals with teammates Matt Nieto, left, and Andrew Cogliano at the Capital One Arena in DC on Wed Jan 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks (22-19-2) defeated the Washington Capitals (23-12-9) 4-1 Wednesday in Washington DC. Noah Gregor, Nicolas Meloche, Jonathan Dahlen and Andrew Cogliano scored for the Sharks. James Reimer made 32 saves for the win. Daniel Sprong scored for Washington and Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves in the loss.

Odds were long that any team would beat the Capitals on Wednesday. It was their first back to back regulation loss of the season. The Sharks, on the other hand, had something to prove after a 7-1 loss against Tampa Bay last Saturday. Of Wednesday’s game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said:

“It was definitely a response game. You saw the things that we didn’t do against Tampa, the desperation, the urgency, some depth scoring, the blocking of the shots, sacrificing for each other. I think that was what we stressed the last couple of days, it was about showing up, responding and picking ourselves off the floor.”

The Sharks will be without defenseman Erik Karlsson until mid-March and it does not seem that reinforcements are on the way. Nikolai Knyzhov and Jacob Middleton are both still out with injuries.

One player who will get more responsibility in light of those absences is Nicolas Meloche. Of his performance Wednesday, Boughner said: “I really liked him down in the trenches, I thought he was big and heavy, I thought he was physical, he won a lot of battles, made some good plays on some exits. So, that’s what we need from Mel every night.”

Noah Gregor scored the first goal of the game at 7:41 of the first. Tomas Hertl carried the puck up to the point before passing it back to Burns, who was in the face-off circle. Burns spun and passed it across the slot to Gregor, who was lurking near the far corner of the net to put the puck over the line. It was Gregor’s second of the season.

The Sharks outshot the Capitals 14-8 in the first period, but won only 48% of the face-offs.

Nicolas Meloche made it 2-0 Sharks at 3:58 of the second. Matt Nieto gathered up a turnover at the Capitals blue line and raced into the zone with Andrew Cogliano. Nieto made a pass to a trailing Meloche, who took a quick shot from the slot to score his first NHL goal.

The Capitals led in shots 11-7 for the second period, and their power play got three shots on goal in two tries. The Sharks also had a power play but the Washington penalty kill prevented any shots against and got one short-handed shot to boot. In the face-off circle, the Sharks improved drastically to 79%.

Daniel Sprong scored for Washington 14 seconds into the third period. The puck went off of the linesman’s leg in a face-off in the Sharks’ zone. Nicklas Backstrom got to it first and sent it up to Sprong aboce the face-off circle. Sprong’s shot went through a line of traffic and in.

The Sharks took a delay of game penalty at 13:19. Logan Couture was trying to clear the puck out and he hit Brent Burns and the puck went out of play. Matt Nieto had a nice breakaway chance during the ensuing penalty kill but Samsonov stopped it. Apart from that, the Sharks could not clear the puck until the final 20 seconds of the kill, but they did kill it. Washington got four shots during the power play.

Sortly after that, Timo Meier and Alexander Ovechkin went hard at the Washington net and Ovechkin fell into Samsonov. Samsonov was down for bit but stayed in the game.

With 3:09 left in the game, Jonathan Dahlen made it 3-1 for the Sharks. Dahlen carried the puck into the zone and then pulled up to wait while Nick Bonino got to the net for a fly-by screen. As Bonino passed in front of the goalie, Dahlen’s shot skipped over Samsonov’s pad. It was Dahlen’s first goal in fifteen games. Timo Meier got the assist.

Andrew Cogliano made it 4-1 with an empty net goal at 19:39. Logan Couture got the assist.

Garnet Hathaway and Jonah Gadjovich fought to a draw after the final horn.

The Sharks blocked 23 shots in Wednesday’s game. They were barely out-shot by the Capitals 33-30. The Sharks won 54% of the face-offs.

The Sharks next play on Saturday in Florida against the Panthers at 3:00 PM PT.

Reign’s early rise defeats Barracuda 4-1

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San Jose Barracuda suffer a tough home ice loss at SAP Center in San Jose to cross state rival the Ontario Reign on Wed Jan 26, 2022 (image from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The coffee was still percolating when the opening faceoff was dropped.

The Ontario Reign made the most out of a 10:00am start as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 4-1 on Wednesday morning at SAP Center.

The early start was due in part to the first ‘Cuda Classroom Day promotion of the season despite no kids being allowed to attend due to the ongoing Covid protocols in Santa Clara County.

San Jose have lost four of its past five games. Ontario is 7-0-1-1 in its past nine games.

Ontario (21-6-3-2) drew first blood early into the first period. Marcus Phillips picked a perfect time to send a wrist shot through a sea of traffic in front ‘Cuda goalie Sam Harvey. Phillips’ shot sneaked into the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the 2:12 mark.

It was Phillips first goal in 26 games and his first point in 22 games.

San Jose (14-20-1-0) answered back over two minutes later. Jayden Halbgewachs sent a pass back up to the point over to Patrick Holway. The rookie defenseman sent a wrist shot that hit off the top off the net and then off of the back of Reign goalie Lukas Parik for his second goal of the season at the 4:23 mark.

“I was actually pretty surprised that it went in,” said Holway. I think Hobbsy (Halbgewachs) yell at me to shoot it and I shot it. It’s not how you draw it up, but you take what you can get. I guess I had some luck with me today”

The Reign regained the lead scoring on its first power play opportunity. T.J. Tynan set up Gabriel Vilardi in the slot and Vilardi blasted a one-timer past Harvey for his eighth goal of the season at the 7:12 mark.

Tynan, who leads the Reign in points and is second in the AHL, has 19 assists on the power play in just 26 games.

San Jose outshot Ontario 14-12 in the opening 20 minutes.

The second period was scoreless despite the Barracuda peppering 19 shots on goal against Parik. The Reign killed off a late penalty in the middle frame when Brayden Burke was called for tripping at the 15:36 mark.

“Honestly I thought we played pretty good,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “We out chanced them I believe 24-20 for the (whole) game, which we haven’t had that many chances in a while. So, we generated some offense, we just didn’t have any finish.”

Ontario scored an insurance goal late in the third period. Christian Wolanin sent a home run pass up to center ice to Austin Wagner from his own zone. Wagner raced in from the left sideline and beat Harvey with a backhand shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 13:24 mark.

“They’re (Ontario) so explosive. You give them a little bit of space and they’re going to make you pay like on that last goal,” Sommer said.

Martin Frk scored an empty netter with 1:37 remaining in the game to seal the deal for Ontario.

Parik had a stellar game stopping 39 of the 40 shots he faced to earn the victory. Harvey made 28 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Vilardi 2) Phillps 3) Holway

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario conclude its two-game series on Thursday 1/27 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers T Williams a question mark for this Sunday against Rams

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis (94) gets a hand on the punt by Green Bay Packers punter Corey Bojorquez (7) that the 49ers later returned for a touchdown to tie the game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sun Jan 23, 2022. The 49ers prepare to meet the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 David, talk about San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams who most likely will sit out this Sunday with a badly sprained ankle. Williams was seen in the locker room after last Sunday’s game in Green Bay standing on crutches.

#2 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went 11 for 19 passing for 131 yards and was intercepted once against Green Bay. The game against Green Bay was said to be mostly won by the defense that said how do you see Garoppolo heading the offense against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday.

#3 Dave, talk a little bit about Rams quarterback Matt Stafford and the job he’s done with the Rams a whole lot different team than when he was with the Detroit Lions.

Join David for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Karlsson out how it impacts SJ; Sharks face Ovechkin and Capitals in DC tonight

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The body language on the San Jose Sharks players and on head coach Bob Boughner says it all as the Sharks go down against the Tampa Bay Lightning at SAP Center on Sat Jan 22, 2022. The Sharks hope to get that all turned around tonight against the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena in Washington (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is out until March after having surgery on his left forearm and will miss two months. How will his absence impact the Sharks.

#2 Sharks are going through some rough times losing four of their last five games and just absolutely getting whooped in their last game last Saturday at SAP Center 7-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

#3 The Lightning’s Ross Colton scored twice against the Sharks on Saturday night and Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist.

#4 The Sharks used both goaltenders in the Saturday night contest Adin Hill came in later in the game to relive with 15 saves and allowed three goals and James Reimer who started saved 9 and allowed four goals.

#5 The Washington Capitals (23-11-9) one of the best teams in the NHL lost their last game to the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0. The Caps have been playing .500 hockey of late winning four of their last eight games. How do you see the Sharks fairing in Washington tonight with a 4:00 pm puck drop?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Shamrock Shakedown: Kings fleeced from the opening tip, lose 128-75 to the Celtics

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By Morris Phillips

Down 60 to the Celtics, the Kings rallied to lose by 53.

It’s a story lead that NBA sportswriters get one opportunity in a career to utilize. Think about it. When’s the last time you saw one of the league’s 30 franchises completely disappear from the scoreboard?

December 2. Okay, that night, the emerging Memphis Grizzlies eviscerated the COVID-decimated Thunder, 152-79, which ranks as the biggest blowout in the 75-year history of the league.

But the Kings’ ragged outing at TD Garden in which coach Alvin Gentry said “we basically got our ass kicked,” now ranks as the 25th most lopsided margin of defeat in NBA history. That’s undeniably distinctive… in a negative sense.

“They made shots, we couldn’t make nothing,” Richaun Holmes conceded. “They didn’t have much resistance from us so it was just an old-fashioned whooping.” 

Jaylen Brown scored 15 of his 30 points for the Celtics in the first quarter, which topped the Kings, who trailed 38-13. The margin grew to 33 at halftime, 42 points after three, and briefly hit 60 in the fourth as the Boston reserves took on the appearance of the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Kings were without De’Aaron Fox and elected not to play center Alex Len, but that left them with their other 13 most significant producers who shot 30 percent from the floor and 18 percent from three. Effort, or lack thereof, played a huge role in the thrashing as the Celtics enjoyed a 67-45 advantage on the glass, and every concession was made to insure the Celtics had access to the best available scoring opportunities. The Kings allowed 56 points in the paint, and 17 offensive rebounds to contribute to that cause.

“We had very little ball movement, very low assists and they were able to force us into some tough shots because we were always on the shot clock,” Gentry said.

Josh Richardson needed far less analysis to explain the Celtics’ abundance of easy baskets, which officially produced just 12 fast break points.

“I mean, first the Kings had a tough shooting night,” Richardson said. “I think that’s part of it.”

Actually a big part.

The win is the Celtics second biggest by point margin in their long, winning history. The Kings have actually had three, worse losses in the Sacramento era. The worst was a 150-91 drubbing by the Run TMC Warriors in 1991. They also lost to the Bucks by 56 in 1985, and by 55 to the Suns in April 1989.

The Kings fell to 18-31 on the season, and they’re as many as three games out of the coveted 10th spot in the Western Conference for the first time this season. They’ve dropped 17 of 24, with a game at Atlanta up next on Wednesday night.