Tag: Michael Wagaman

AP reporter, colleague, and friend Michael Wagaman passes at 59/ His recorded A’s/Giants podcast below

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Display at Oracle Park pressbox paying tribute to the life of Michael Wags Wagaman Asscoiated Press reporter (photo from Sean Cunningham KCRA TV 3 Sacramento)

In Loving Memory of Michael Wagaman


By Sports Radio Service staff

On Friday, August 7th, the Bay Area sports world lost a beloved sports reporter in Michael Wagaman. Also known as Wags, Wagaman had been a reporter for Associated Press since 1996, he also worked for NBC Sports Bay Area since 2023. Wags was found unconscious by his son on Friday night at his Vallejo home. Wags was pronounced deceased at age 59.

Wags had brain surgery four years ago in 2022 and rehabbed at home. It wasn’t very long after that Wags made a remarkable recovery and returned back to work as an AP reporter. Upon discovery of his death, the San Francisco Giants who were scheduled to play against the Detroit Tigers on Sat Aug 8, 2026 paid tribute to Wags with a beautiful photo display and loving memory card.

Wags once he returned from brain surgery he went through rehab and in typical Wags style didn’t waste anytime getting back to work and he jumped back in without hesitation he was his old outspoken self at his work assignments.

When it came to his work whether in print or podcasting he was all in and his energy and enthusiasm level was off the chain. No one could have seen something like this coming and his passing hit the journalism community like a shock wave. Anyone and everyone who knew Wags will miss him deeply.

During his career, Wags covered the Golden State Warriors, Oakland/Sacramento Athletics, Sacramento Kings, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, San Jose Sharks, Cal Bears and Stanford Cardinal. He appeared on this site as a guest and again was always giving no holds bar interviews. Wags who made his home in Vallejo which was conveniently centralized to San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento to get to the ball park or arenas.

We tip our hats to a well respected, very out spoken, high energy, lived life to the fullest journalist and friend Michael Wagaman.

Here is a sample of Wags’ podcast work from a Jul 2025 show he did on the Giants and A’s:

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San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Wagaman: Webb had a bad game but is still San Francisco’s ace; Loeder criticized team for it’s lack of leadership

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Logan Webb was quite upset after Wed Jul 8, 2026 game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oracle Park in San Francisco after receiving criticism on social media regarding his pitching performance and the team’s slide (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Wagaman:

#1 Logan Webb got shelled on Wednesday afternoon by the Toronto Blue Jays giving up five runs to the first five batters in a 10-0 loss that saw the Giants almost get no hit. Webb took a look at what the press were saying about him on social media when KNBR’s Jack Loeder said after Wednesday’s game “This team has a leadership void on its roster, a talent void on its roster, and it seems like many of them are checked out. Sad.” then Webb deleted his X account because he didn’t like what Loeder wrote.

#2 For Jack was this a matter of Webb not accepting Loeder’s critcism after a rugged start and the club has now lost six of their last ten games why isn’t shocking that anyone would be shocked by any critcism of the Giants right now.

#3 Webb said that Loeder shouldn’t be allowed in the clubhouse and complained he took 20 minutes to respond to his tweet. Webb also said a fan who criticized him on social media said that Webb’s on line responses are embarrassing where Webb responded saying that fan couldn’t even make a Little League team and he should get off his couch.

#4 How do you see this blowing over this rift between the media, fans and Logan Webb or has it reached a low at this point of the season?

Michael Wagaman is a beat reporter for Associated Press and podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Empress M Restaurant Napa/Sportstalk podcast Tue Jan 20, 2026

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Empress M Napa podcast cast: In SF Giants hat going right Vince Cestone (social media), Stephen Ruderman (Cal Bears podcaster and beat writer), Michael Wagaman (Associated Press), Michael Duca (ESPN/Host), Coquito Cao (Empress M general manager), Margaret Wong (Empress M owner), Lee Leonard Wong (producer), and Mary Lisa Walsh (San Jose Sharks beat writer). Photo by Daisy Amaya-Sports Radio Service advertising

Empress M Restuarant Napa/Sportstalk podcast Tue Jan 20, 2026

Welcome back to another podcast of Sportstalk on the Sports Radio Service Network with your host of hosts Michael Duca from ESPN, I’m joined by broadcasters NHL contributor Vince Cestone, San Jose Sharks beat writer Mary Lisa Walsh, Cal Bears beat writer Stephen Ruderman, from Associated Press Michael Wagaman, Coquito Cao (Empress M general manager), and Margaret Wong (Empress M owner)

Were podcasting from the beautiful Empress M Chinese Restaurant at 221 Silverado Trail, Napa. Our thanks to Empress M owner Margaret Wong, Chef Peter Huang, and manager Coco.

With over 30 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, our team of chefs are excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff will ensure you have a fantastic experience with us.

Our restaurant is available for private events: weddings, business lunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, and more. We would love to discuss how to be a part of your next event. 

Empress M Chinese Restaurant at 221 Silverado Trail, Napa call 929-366-5513 for spectacular dining only at Empress M.