Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: Blue Jays and Dodgers at top of Ohtani sweepstakes; A’s owe $48 million for Oakland Coliseum real estate; plus more news

The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after connecting for a two run home run against the New York Yankees at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jul 17, 2023 (AP News photo file)

On Headline Sports with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes continue to with the latest sources saying that the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers are top contenders for the two way player. Can you see either of these two teams in bidding war for Ohtani?

#2 Michael, some critics can’t see the San Francisco Giants signing Ohtani because of the above teams are pretty much at the top of the list for Ohtani. Where do you the Giants chances in signing Ohtani?

#3 Michael, it was reported in a the next day or two Alameda County Councilperson Donna Ziegler per vice president David Haubert of the five person Alameda County board will be reaching out to Oakland A’s owner John Fisher that he owes the county $45 million part of his $85 million purchase of the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum site. The deadline was for 2026 but a stipulation was made if the A’s made an announcement that they’re leaving Oakland the payment would be due 180 days after the team made that announcement which was made on April 19th. The A’s could say they did not make any announcement of leaving Oakland. How do you see this being worked out?

#4 Michael, longtime Boston Red Sox play by play announcer Joe Castiglione was voted into the Major League Baseball Ford C Frick wing of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Castiglione has called Sox games for the last 41 years beat out three Bay Area broadcasters San Francisco Giants TV announcers Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow and Oakland A’s radio play by play announcer Ken Korach.

#5 Michael, Giants manger Bob Melvin said that he’s happy that coach Alyssa Nakken will remain on the coaching staff in San Franicsco. Melvin said that her becoming the first woman in MLB history to coach first base was “really cool she broke ground like that.” You’ve had several conversations with Alyssa tell us your thoughts of her breaking ground and returning to coaching with Melvin at the helm.

Michael Duca is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Joe Castiglione Winner of the 2024 Ford C. Frick Broadcasters Award

Joe Castigilone photo from Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame

Joe Castiglione Winner of the 2024 Ford C. Frick Broadcasters Award

By Amaury Pi-González

Joe Castiglione, the Radio Voice of the Boston Red Sox, is the recipient of the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award for Broadcasters. Castiglione has been the voice of the Red Sox since 1983. “It was a really ‘can you believe it” moment, he said during a brief conference call made by the Hall of Fame.

Castiglione is a humble broadcaster and one of the most recognizable voices in baseball, especially in New England. For a Boston Red Sox franchise record of 41 years, Castiglione has called Red Sox games on the radio. He is the longest-tenured broadcaster in Red Sox history; he is 76 years of age and was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014.

Joe Castiglione has shared the microphone with partners including Bob Starr, Dave O”Brien, Jerry Trupiano, and Will Flemming while also teaching broadcast journalism at Northeastern University, Franklin Pierce University, and Emerson College.

Congratulations, Joe, well deserved.

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