That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Kapler!~ -Kai Correa named SF interim manager; Giants dismiss Kapler as manager with three games left in the season

The San Francisco Giants named Kai Correa as interim manager after firing Gabe Kapler on Thu Sep 29, 2023 (file photo USA Today)

Adiós Kapler!~ -Giants dismiss manager with three games left in the season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–Gabe Kapler was never that popular when the Giants first signed him in 2020 and today became the first Giants manager to be fired since in September of 1995 when Jim Davenport was fired and replaced by Roger Craig.

In 2021 the Giants overachieved and won 107 games, and Gabe Kapler won the NL Manager of the Year. After two years as skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies, 2023 was the fourth season for Kapler.

Soon after noon on September 29, the San Francisco Giants released this statement: “He has been dedicated and passionate in his efforts to improve the on-field performance of the San Francisco Giants and I have tremendous respect for him as a colleague and friend” said team president Farhan Zaidi. Kapler’s first season with San Francisco was the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign”

Names already rumored to be possible candidates for Giants manager in 2024, Menlo Park native and three-time Manager of the Year Bob Melvin, ending his first season as manager of the San Diego Padres, also Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay. But it is “too early” to tell.

Meanwhile, Giants veteran shortstop and three-time World Champion Brandon Crawford 36, said he likes to retire as a Giant, but he still contemplating his future and was not ready to commit to anything just yet. Crawford made the statement just a few days ago, on September 21. About the speculation if he is going to play his last game as a Giant and retire this next Sunday when the team closes the season against the LA Dodgers, he said: “I don’t have an answer, but there’s been plenty of thoughts”.

San Francisco closes the season at home this weekend with a three-game series against the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: BoSox Turner gets 16 stitches after beaning; Clevinger no discipline after domestic violence accusation; plus more

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner is assisted off the field after getting hit in the mouth from a Detroit Tigers Matt Manning pitch (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, how scary does it get as Boston Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner takes a pitch to the mouth from Detroit Tigers right hand pitcher Matt Manning. Turner walked off the field under his own power and had to get 16 stitches. The Sox reported Turner had swelling and was back home resting.

#2 Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger was not disciplined after being accused of domestic violence by the mother of his one year daughter. According to his 24 year old girlfriend Olivia Finestead said Clevinger allegedly strangled, slapped, Finestead and threw chewing tobacco at his daughter. Clevinger was accused of throwing an i pad at Finestead.

#3 The Chicago Cubs pitcher right hander Adam Sampson was ready to pitch to his teammates in a live simulated game and had a challenge with the pitch clock not being able to throw before the 15 seconds winded down. Sampson had a hard time pacing himself and ended up throwing the ball rather than pitching it because he didn’t want to be late for the clock.

#4 Los Angeles pitcher Shohei Ohtani made some at bats count in Monday’s World Baseball Classic hitting two three run home runs for Team Japan against the Hanshin Tigers in Japan’s 8-1 win. He’s swinging the bat in a way that would make Babe Ruth proud.

#5 Oakland A’s first baseman Jesus Aguilar says he hopes to help build something good for the A’s this season. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that he hopes to put last season behind and is looking to having a great year this year.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has all your play by play on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Fujinami might be the drawing card the A’s need for 2023

Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami tunes up at A’s spring training camp on Wed Feb 15, 2023 in Mesa AZ at Hohokam Park (photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, taking a look at Shintaro Fujinami in spring training and in his bullpen sessions he’s no joke Fujinami is throwing with a mean fastball and splitter and he’s in the upper 90s.

#2 Jesus Aguilar the A’s first baseman and designated hitter the A’s are expecting some punch in the line up out of Aguilar he did have a career worst wRC with the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles last season 86 in 129 games.

#3 Amaury, are the A’s on the fence about keeping Cristian Pache. Pache will have to showcase this month in spring training and that includes hitting and manager Mark Kotsay is looking for an everyday outfielder that can provide hits and RBIs. Pache has ability with the glove in centerfield but can he be that everyday player that Kotsay is looking for?

#4 Taking a look at former St Louis Cardinal and former San Francisco Giants broadcaster Tim McCarver. McCarver a former two time All Star and who called signals for former Cardinal pitchers Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton passed away this week.

#5 Amaury, It’s been six years since the World Baseball Classic has been played the games have expanded to 20 teams and have added three more teams, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Nicaragua.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts every Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Kaprielian and Piscotty standing shoulder to shoulder trying to get over shoulder pain

Oakland A’s right fielder Stephen Piscotty (left) gets congratulations from Jed Lowrie (right) after belting a two run home run in the 11th inning on Sat Jul 10, 2022 at the Ball Park in Arlington against the Texas Rangers. Piscotty is rehabbing his sore throwing shoulder and hopes to get in the line up soon in Cactus League action in Mesa with the A’s (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland A’s right fielder Stephen Piscotty says he’s feeling good after receiving a low dose cortisone shot and was in Los Angeles at the Kerlan-Jobe Institute. Piscotty said before the shoulder would have pain for two days following hitting but is hoping after the cortisone he can swing and put the pain behind him.

#2 Piscotty has not played a pre season game yet and worked out on Wednesday at Hohokam Stadium taking on field defensive drills and took batting practice and after putting it to the test Piscotty could be ready to get in one of the Cactus League games.

#3 A’s pitcher James Kaprielian a right hander is having issues with his throwing shoulder. The A’s trainer Nick Paparesta says that Kaprielian has irritation in the AC joint of his should and is scheduled to throw from the mound on Saturday.

#4 A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that Kaprielian will not be in the rotation until after April 5th and at that time Kotsay said he will see live hitting and will throw in various bullpen sessions.

#5 The A’s who added catcher Stephen Vogt on Wednesday and who played for the A’s between 2013-2017 was brought back to bring a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Vogt is expected to be a back up catcher to first stringer Sean Murphy.

Join Daniel for the A’s podcasts Fridays throughout the 2022 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kotsay named new A’s manager; Formerly coached at third base and bench coach

Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay in file photo was hired as the new manager of the club on Mon Dec 20, 2021 replacing former A’s manager Bob Melvin (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have decided on Mark Kotsay 46 to manage the A’s. Kotsay was the A’s third base coach and was the A’s bench coach. Kotsay replaces former A’s manager Bob Melvin who is now managing the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay who played on seven different big league clubs including the A’s was an outfielder hitting a career 127 home runs, 720 RBIs, and hit for .276. The A’s have been a money ball team getting close or getting to the post season but not close enough to get to the World Series in various seasons under Melvin on a small payroll budget.

Last season under Melvin the A’s were just short of making the post season. Melvin managed the 2021 A’s to a record of ten games over .500 at 86-76 behind the first place Houston Astros. There was talk about the A’s hiring former third base coach and former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington who is now third base coach of the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Washington wasn’t considered and Kotsay was mentioned as the heavy favorite for the job soon after Melvin left the club.

The A’s were mentioned as preparing to not sign a large number of their key players from last season which would change the face and success of the club. The A’s moved outfielder Mark Canha and Starling Marte to the New York Mets and some thought that would be the beginning of the unloading of the team but since the departure of Canha and Marte no significant moves have not been made.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com