MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong Wed Jul 15, 2025: Rays playoffs possible in Minor League park; Manfred and Players Union considering Olympic Games during All Star Break; plus more news

If the Tampa Bay Rays make post season they will host their home games at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. The park seats 10,000 and it’s possible it could host the World Series if the Rays make it that far. (photo by DRaysBay)

MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong Wed Jul 15, 2015

#1 MLB ok’d the possibility for the Tampa Bay Rays to play at their temporary home park George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay if the Rays were to get into the post season. The park seats 10,000 fans and is sure to be sold out if the Rays make the post season. The other alternate was to have the Rays play at LoanDepot Park in Miami at big league park but the Rays and MLB will have the Rays play at the Minor League park.

#2 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Players Association union head Tony Clark are exploring the idea of having MLB players in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If agreed upon by both side and the Olympic Committee the game would be an extension of the All Star break. Manfred said it would be a great opportunity for baseball to be on the global stage.

#3 Jessica all the talk in baseball is surrounding the 2025 All Star Game in Atlanta where the National League’s Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies hit three home runs in the newly formatted Swing Off instead of playing extra innings it’s a home run derby to decide the winner of the All Star game.

#4 MLB and the All Star Game paid tribute to the late home run king Henry Aaron show a play by play video on the Truist Field baseball diamond of Aaron at the plate needing one more home to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. Aaron on a 1-0 count facing the Los Angles Dodgers Al Downing slugged a pitch that went into the Atlanta Braves bullpen at Fulton County Stadium April 8, 1974. It was a celebration that included pyrotechnics effects it lasted one minute and left you wanting more.

#5 Jessica, all the controversy surrounding Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski (4-1) with complaints that he pitched only five games and he gets an All Star selection and there were Philadelphia Phillies pitchers who pitched much more and had more wins. It was pointed out that by Phillies players that pitchers Ranger Suarez and Chris Sanchez were left out in favor of Misiorowski. Phillies Trea Turner said the idea was “terrible”, Nick Castellanos said the All Star Game is turning into the “Savannah Bananas”, and catcher JT Realmuto said “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But [Suarez and Sanchez] are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”

Jessica Kwong is a podcast contributor and podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:BoSox Dobbins out with right ACL tear; Braves Acuna to skip HR Derby will play in All Star Game; plus more news

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins (73) was relieved by manager Alex Cora (13) in the second inning after tearing his right knee covering first base against the Tampa Bay Rays on Fri Jul 11, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:

#1 Boston Red Sox right hander Hunter Dobbins announced on Saturday that his season was over due to a torn ACL in his right knee that tore on Friday. Dobbin was covering first base in the second inning when Dobbin took a bad step and ended up limping after making the catch for the out on a throw from first baseman Abraham Toro. After making one warm up toss Sox manager Alex Cora decided Dobbins was to be relieved.

#2 Atlanta Braves lead off star Ronald Acuna will not participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday and will replaced by Braves teammate and All Star Matt Olson. Acuna will play in the All Star Game at Truist Field in Cobb County. Olson will be a reserve infielder.

#3 Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit his 37th and 38th home runs against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in the 12-3 victory. Raleigh needs one more home run to catch former Giant Barry Bonds for the MLB record for home runs at the All Star Break.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer picked up his first victory since July 25th, 2025 and became the first Jays pitcher 40 years or older to win since former Jays pitcher RA Dickey did it on May 4, 2015. Scherzer also is the fifth Jays pitcher 40 years or older to win. The Jays beat the Sacramento A’s on Friday night 7-6 at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento.

#5 The Philadelphia Phillies say they feel snubbed after a number of coaches and players were not selected for the All Star Game namely Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Trea Turner who were not names. The Phils Kyle Schwarber will be the only player representing Philadelphia in Atlanta. “It’s unfortunate,” Schwarber said, “but I wish my teammates were there. We know what we have, and I think that we’re grateful for what we have.”

Join Charlie O for MLB the Show podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

   

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: $100,000 Sponsorship for WNBA Aces does it impact the salary cap?; Celtics Porzingis hopes to return for game 4 on Monday; plus more news

Aces players react as LVCVA CEO and President Steve Hill announces a $100,000 per player sponsorship Friday, May 17, 2022, in Las Vegas. (LVCVA via X)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority are not commenting regarding the $100,000 sponsorships that the Las Vegas Aces players received. They were presented the sponsorship from Steven Hill president from the LVCVA when he spoke to the players in the dressing room on a video that took the players by surprise. There had been questions of the validity of the sponsorship if this puts the Aces over the salary cap space but the Aces head coach Becky Hammonds said that the Aces had nothing to do with the sponsorships and that the $100,000 shouldn’t go against the salary cap. The Aces are two time WNBA Champions and have brought good business in for the city of Las Vegas.

#2 The Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is trying to return for game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night Porzingis is suffering from a soleus strain of his right calf. Porzingis has been doing exercises to improve the calf and some on court workouts.

#3 From a top notch college player from Iowa to signing with the Indiana Fever to getting some great endorsement deals Caitlin Clark signed with Wilson. Clark’s signature appears on three different Wilson basketballs  titled Threes Up, Record Breaker and Crowd Maestro.

#4 The Philadelphia Phillies Ranger Saurez continues to baffle opposing hitter striking out ten hitters over seven innings pitched and improved to 9-0 with a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers. The win gives the Phils their 35th win of the season a big league best so far.

#5 The Celtics Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and scored ten points in overtime. Jaylen Brown tied up the game in regulation with 6.1 seconds left as the Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers in game 1 of the third round of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals 133-128 at TD Garden in Boston. Game 2 is tonight at 5:00pm at the Boston Garden.

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