Tag: San Francisco

Former S.F. Mayor calls Warriors arena project a boondoggle

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos makes no bones about it that the motivation behind the Golden State Warriors move to piers 30-32 in the City is all about a real estate grab along the Embarcadero. Agnos said this is not about the Warriors or a sports arena but land development meant to be real estate profit.

Agnos who this month campaigned against the 8 Washington a waterfront condo project that would have been set for development near piers 30-32 and what would have led to the arena development. Agnos said that the city voters saw right through the project idea as a real estate grab and environmental groups were on board with Agnos in the defeat of city propositions B and C.

Former San Francisco supervisor Aaron Peskin stated that with the measures going to defeat any future proposal to build at the waterfront for condos or the new arena for that matter would be a uphill battle. City government played a big role behind the propositions on the ballot possible but Peskin said this last election will slow down the Warriors move to the piers quite considerably, “this is not the end and it feels like a movement” said Peskin.

Agnos pointed out that the propositions lost by wide margins for prop B it lost by 25 points and for prop C it lost by 33 points. Former San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne said the project was irresponsible and Renne spoke to the no on B and C supporters on election night telling them the fight is not over as the Warriors and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s office is gearing up to get the Warriors new arena on the San Francisco ballot calling the San Francisco planning commission who was behind props B and C, “utterly disgraceful” and “get your rest more to come San Francisco, San Francisco this is a victory for you, and to all those developers out there do not mess with our waterfront were not going to stand for it” said Renne.

Warriors Spokeman Nathan Ballard said the height of the new arena was addressed and the arena size adjustments should bring closure to questions with environmentalists and opponents being concerned about any views being blocked, “we’ve slimmed down the arena to make room for enough public open space to fit three Union Squares”. Design 0.3 as the Warriors have named the latest design has slimmed off the sides and the height of the arena.

Critics say despite the third design adjustment by the Warriors the neighborhood and voters won’t support development at the waterfront. Agnos says it’s just a gesture that really has no one fooled and that it still is a real estate grab and that the waterfront and Embarcadero neighborhoods stands together that no one will build and take away the view of the bridge and the bay from the neighborhood, “it sounds like window dressing, the bottom line is this is a mega real estate project.”

Adding to the arena project there is a $1 billion 105 room two hotel building project on the drawing board, a 175 foot condominium tower, 120,000 feet of retail to be built with the new arena at piers 30-32. The site is owned by the city and there is no changes in development other than some trimming of the Warriors new arena in height and circumference. The parking lot is called the Seawall Lot 330 at piers 30-32 nearby Red’s Java House Restaurant.

Ken Gimblin is covering the NBA for Sportstalk Radio

Lee scores late in the third to give Bulls the win 3-2

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Photo courtesy SF Bulls

By Kahlil Najar

STOCKTON – San Francisco Bull Forward Mark Lee scored on a nice feed from Chris Crane with 2:52 remaining in the third period to give the Bulls (4-5-1-0) their fourth win of the season and sink the Thunder (6-3-0-0) 3-2. Starting goalie Tyler Beskorowany had another great game in goal as he stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced. For the Thunder, Nathan Deck and Andrew Clark each contributed a goal and an assist and standout goalie Milner stopped 33 of 36 shots. The 36 shots for the Bulls tied their season high of shots on goal.

The Thunder got on the board first when after penalties to Belan and Bowman put them on a 5-on-3 power play and Andrew Clark was able to hit a one-timer past the stick side of Beskorowany. With a little over three minutes left in the first, the Bulls answered with their own power play goal from Chris Crane who deflected a shot from Defensemen Kyle Bigos past the Rookie Milner to make it 1-1 at the end of one.

The second period started off rough for the Thunder as Hayes and Deck both received penalties within the first two minutes and gave the Bulls a 5-on-3 power play. The Bulls were able to capitalize on the Thunder’s mistakes as center Dean Ouellet tapped in a rebound on a shot by defenseman Collin Bowman to give the Bulls a 2-1 lead.

In the third, Thunder Defenseman Nathan Deck tied the game at two a piece when on a power play he received a pass from Andrew Clark who was able to find him in the slot. Five minutes later Chris Crane stole the puck behind the net and fed Lee, who scored the game winner and make it a 3-2 final score.

The Bulls head home for a three game set against the Idaho Steelheads this weekend with the first game this Friday at 7:30 pm.

49ers beat up by Panthers, suffer narrow loss, 10-9

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By Morris Phillips

The 49ers saw their grip on Sunday’s game with the Panthers loosen with one debilitating injury after another.

Midway through the second period the 49ers led 9-0, and the defense had Cam Newton—the top pick in the 2011 draft—bottled up.  But in a tough, physical ball game, the battle of attrition most adversely affected the home team, starting with the first quarter loss of defensive end Ray McDonald.

Then the 49ers lost tight ends Brent Celek and Vernon Davis, and safety Eric Reid was felled in a violent collision with Mike Tolbert that had him down on the field for several minutes.

The injuries that limited the 49ers also seemed to embolden the Panthers, who responded with a huge defensive effort that shut out the 49ers in the second half, and allowed them to hold off San Francisco, 10-9.  The Panthers saw their win streak grow to five games, while the 49ers failed to extend their win streak to six.

“We thought the guys could do some good things and they did,” Carolina Coach Ron Rivera said of his defense, “I was pretty excited about that.  It worked to what we wanted to do.  I understand Vernon Davis went out and that was one of the things that really helped us in those situations.  You lose a weapon, especially an Excalibur and that is tough.”

“We made mistakes and in a game like this with two good teams, especially teams with two good defenses, you’ve got to capitalize on mistakes and they were able to do that,” the 49ers’ Aldon Smith said after his return to the field after a five-game absence.

Smith returned to action after a six week retreat to address his substance abuse issues, and the 49ers also saw the season debut of Mario Manningham, who was felled in last season’s late season blowout in Seattle.  But Smith saw action on just 11 plays and Manningham caught three balls for 30 yards.  The additions figured to make the 49ers complete on both sides of the ball.  Instead, Davis’ departure robbed the 49ers of their only deep threat and a critical blocker against a vicious Carolina pass rush that sacked Colin Kaepernick six times.

“Vernon changes defenses.  He makes them adjust differently.  He makes them do things that they don’t normally do.  He’s a big loss,” Kaepernick said.

Davis was injured when former Raider Mike Mitchell stripped the tight end of a catch in the red zone and simultaneously slammed him to the turf where Davis bumped his head and sustained a concussion.  Two plays later, on 4th and 1 from the Carolina 2, the 49ers lined up as to go for it, but lacking their usual power formation minus Davis and Celek, they conceded a delay of game penalty, and settled for a short field goal and a 9-0 lead.

According to Coach Jim Harbaugh, the two injuries at one position left the team scrambling.  During halftime, they made the adjustment to add backup offensive guard Adam Snyder to the two tight end formations.  But the Carolina defense didn’t yield the 49ers a red zone opportunity in the second half.

Panthers’ linebacker Luke Kuechly played difference maker throughout, making 11 tackles, contributing a sack of Kaepernick as well as a critical pass breakup of a deep pass attempt to Vance McDonald.  Kuechly got plenty of help from Carolina’s front four and the 49ers were limited to 152 yards in offense, including just 46 yards passing once the yardage from the six sacks was subtracted from the total.

The 49ers return to action next Sunday in New Orleans where they will face Drew Brees and the Saints.  At 6-3, the 49ers will need to win there to stay above the stack in the NFC playoff race and within striking range of the Seahawks who improved to 8-1 on Sunday.

Warriors new arena in S.F. has good chance to get voted down

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–After the defeat of San Francisco propositions B and C it was a clear sign to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee that voters do not want to change to look of the waterfront at the Embarcadero at piers 30-32. Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos was an advocate of keeping the waterfront just the way it is with no changes.

Props B and C would open the changes for development building new condos and later a proposition at piers 30-32 and the Embarcadero waterfront that would have lead to a new Warriors arena. Voters on Tuesday resoundingly voted no on the props voting down prop B by 62 percent and voting down prop C by 66.5 percent. It was reported that the defeat of the condos called 8 Washington condos was not necessarily bad news for Lee but it could translate how unpopular the Mayor’s idea for development for the waterfront is.

Agnos had allied groups opposing the measure by the San Francisco Sierra Club, San Francisco Tomorrow and members of San Francisco Waterfront Alliance, they were on hand at the No on Props B and C campaign headquarters saying they were in it to win it opposing the condo development, “voters sent the overwhelming message that they don’t want to destroy 50 years of work on the waterfront, under no circumstances will we accept an arena on the bay” said Agnos.

The Warriors intend to develop for a new proposed arena at the cost of $170 million, the sell was that the condos were going to help for affordable housing with construction costs at the tune of $11 million but the point of voters was either mistrust of the Mayor’s proposals or as Agnos said voters want to keep the waterfront looking just the way it is.

Agnos suggested that development for a new arena may work near Candlestick Point or near the San Francisco Cal Train station at Fourth and Townsend Streets. Neither location would appeal to the Warriors who are dead set on building at piers 30-32, “Art Agnos just won a game of ping pong and now he thinks he’s a Wimbledon champion” said Warriors spokesman Nathan Ballard for the Warriors S.F. arena project in commenting on props B and C going down to defeat.

Lee who attended the San Francisco Bulls home opener at the Cow Palace on Friday night did not comment on the loss of the propositions but it was learned through sources at the Bulls that Lee wants Bulls team president and co-owner Pat Curcio to work with him in campaigning together with the Warriors in the construction of a new arena with the Warriors. If all goes to plan it would give the waterfront arena an NHL or minor league regulation size ice rink and a new basketball arena.

Ken Gimblin covers the NBA for Sportstalk Radio

Larry Levitt on Pro Hockey

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by Larry Levitt
DALY CITY–The off ice officials in the ECHL have a very difficult job and when your working behind the net as a goal judge it is tough because you get so immersed in the game you got to remember what your job is and that’s to watch that goal line and watch that puck. It is very exciting down there your right on top of the action I’ve done it a few times.
Any seat around the rink watching a San Francisco Bulls game your right on top of the action and at the Cow Palace your not too far away from the rink so come on down and enjoy the Bulls. Opening night on Friday night is always a good special time and Bulls owner, president, general manager, head coach Pat Curcio wears a lot of hats and I hope he’s ready for the home games after opening night.
Curcio has a lot of dignitaries here at the Cow Palace he’s got San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee here to drop the ceremonial puck and I’m sure some of the investors were at the game Friday as opening night was a big night. So Curcio has to be the general manager and head coach it’s tough just to coach a team but also to be involved in the planning with the parties and all of the events and all the dignitaries it’s going to be tough but Curcio can handle it.
The Bulls play the Stockton Thunder on Monday night and their an interesting team their coach got hired away from the team, the general manager got hired away from the team and half the front office staff got hired away from the Thunder. They did make it away from the ECHL finals against the west coast versus the east unfortunately they didn’t win the finals but they showed a lot of people how good they were.That showed caused a lot of people to turn their heads and look their way and to hire them away.
Tough run for San Jose: Starting with last Tuesday’s loss to the Buffalo Sabers, unfortunately with Buffalo they didn’t even start playing until the third period by then it was too late they did tie it up to get into overtime in the shootout but lost in the shootout and they had a weird goal taken away and not even credited to them.
The league made a huge mistake by not owning up to the mistake and saying “we missed that one lets move on” instead they used the intent of the whistle blow which is a way to cover your rear. Unfortunately it’s over, it’s done. They should have come out against Vancouver and played harder. They really had a flat game the puck was bouncing like crazy in that game.
It just wouldn’t settle down for the Sharks but if a Vancouver stick would touch it it could be as flat as could be and it could go right down the ice. Sometimes a puck would go misdirected but there were a lot of poor decisions. A lot of mistakes and bad passes in your defensive zone which turned it over right to the Vancouver Canucks.
He put it right in the net and Antti Niemi the Sharks goaltender and usually you can count on him to take over when you make those stupid mistakes he wasn’t there and he just didn’t show up. The two brightest things we could take out of that Vancouver game was the fourth line played exceptionally well. They controlled the pace of the play, they controlled the puck every time they were out there.
Larry Levitt does commentary each week on Pro Hockey

Dan Rusanowsky inducted to the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame

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That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary
Dan Rusanowsky, popular play by play announcer for San José Sharks since their first season in 1991, was inducted to the Class of 2013 of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame(BARHOF)at ceremony in Spenger’s Fish Grotto in Berkeley.
Rusanowsky who also serves as producer of all Sharks broadcasts, is a 33 year old veteran of hockey broadcasting. Native of Milford, Connecticut, has has served as a guest host on KNBR, as well as the nationally syndicated “Sports Byline USA”and “Sports Overnight America”programs.
 During his acceptance speech, Dan talked about,  “first letter I ever received as a Sharks announcer, was from an inmate at San Quentin, -who by the way also asked me for a Sharks media guide-” he was a listener, and he’s still there… The Sharks games are heard on KUFX(“K-Fox”) and the Sharks Radio Network.
Other inductees were Jane Morrisson, a ground-breaker as a teenage journalist in Oklahoma, later working for the Associated Press in Kansas City. Honored for her 30-year tenure as community affairs director at KNBR beginning in the early 1960’s. Roy Trumbull, in the category of engineering.
 Roy, a Marine County Native, worked at KDFC,KMPX,KBRG,KAFE,KPAT and KRE.later also worked at KNEW and KCBS, he began his career in 1962. In the category of specialty, Mike Pechner also known as “the weatherman’s weatherman”. He started at KCBS in 1968. Inducted as educator, the legendary Henry Leff.
 The Brooklyn-born Leff, developed the broadcasting department as San Francisco State College in 1948, nurturing numerous established radio journalist in the Bay Area and elsewhere.
For news, Barbara Taylor, KCBS longtime City Hall Bureau chief who joined the station in 1975, as well as Mike Sugarman well known for his weekly “About The Bay. In the category of owner/manager, the late Bill Weaver of KLOK-AM(San José and FM(San Francisco). And in the announcer/personality Dennis Erectus Netto a groundbreaking DJ on South Bay rock radio, most notable on KOME-FM, as well as Bobby Ocean a DJ on Top 40 powerhouse KFRC in the ’70’s.
Legendary Station: Went to KSFO, born as KTAB in Oakland in 1925  reached it’s apex in the 1950’s and 1960s as “the world’s greatest radio station with numerous Hall of Fame talent, among those Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons Jim Lange, Don Sherwood, Gene Nelson, Al “Jazzveaux”Collins, Terry McGovern, Carter B.Smith and Aaron Edwards, under the ownsership of the great “singing cowboy”and businessman Gene Autry’s Golden West Broadcasting.
For more info on the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame visit:  www.barhof.com
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is a member of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame and does News and Commentary each week on Sports Radio Service

Dodgers already favorites to win 2014 World Series

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary

 The World Series still fresh in our minds, yet the betting books in Las Vegas have made the Los Angeles Dodgers, the favorites to win the 2014 World Series. They are counting on a much “settled” young Yasiel Puig, and a healthy Matt Kemp, with still the best one-two pitching punch in the majors, with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

 The Dodgers are tops at 5 to 1 to win the 110th World Series. But the Dodgers might need to acquire some help for that mediocre bullpen, during this off season. We all know, nobody can win a World Series without a bullpen, or with a great closer. Mariano Rivera has retired, he is not available,so the cash happy Dodgers will have to make some moves.

The  Oakland Athletics are 8 to 1 favorites to win next year’s classic, and their across the bay rivals, San Francisco Giants are 22 to 1.

 I do not expect the A’s to go out and sign anymore high profile players, although they still have very good young pitching, which Billy Beane could chose to trade for some established talent. And what about Bartolo Colón he had one of his best seasons with 18 wins, they have to make a decision with him very soon.

As far as the San Francisco Giants are concerned, one of the reasons they are a long, 2201 shot to win it all is very simple, there are doubts about what once was a dominant starting rotation. Specially with Ryan Vogelsong. I am also not totally certain than Sergio Romo is a front row closer, he is now. He is the Giants closer by process of elimination.

Hey, Brian Wilson is a free agent, Could he comeback to Giantsland? Doubt it. Giants took it too seriously when he left and signed a brief deal with the Dodgers. But other great Giants have done that, anybody remembers Hall of Famer Juan Marichal?

The Giants need a left fielder with some power, in the 20-25 home run category and maybe 80 to 90 runs batted in. Only God knows how much weight Sandoval would be able to shed in the summer and how he will report to Spring Training.

 The only dependable bat in the Giants lineup, as far as power and runs batted in is concerned is catcher Buster Posey. Other odds to win the 2014 World Series. Detroit 9-1, Washignton 9-1, St Louis, 10-12, Boston 12-1.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary each week for Sportstalk Radio

Bulls lose game and series to Eagles 4-1

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By Kahlil Najar

LOVELAND, Colo. – The San Francisco Bulls (2-4-1-0) couldn’t a break on this road trip and lost to the Colorado Eagles (5-2-0-0) 4-1.

Teegan Moore got the Eagles on the board first at 3:34 of the first period to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. The Bulls Brett Findlay scored his first pro goal of his career at 6:45 to tie the game up at one. Unfortunately the Eagles were able to take the lead again before the end of the period when Daniel Johnston scored on a power play to make it a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, Colorado forward Ray Sawada continued his great series against the Bulls and on a power play opportunity scored for the Eagles and made it a 3-1 lead.  lead to 3-1.Kevin Ulanski scored on an empty net to bring the score to a final of 4-1.

Even though both teams were horrendous on the power play as they went a combined 3 for 13 you could tell that both teams were trying to establish dominance in the third as they both played hard and rough against the boards. San Francisco outshot Colorado 22-21 but that still couldn’t secure a victory.

For 49ers reinforcements coming soon

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By Gabe Schapiro

Despite having a couple of shaky weeks, the San Francisco 49ers (6-2) are having another strong season. They sit in second place in the NFC West, just one game behind the Seattle Seahawks. They have some tough matchups left on their schedule, but the good news is that they have some reinforcements coming.

Before the season even started they were dealing with several major injuries to some key players on their roster, and during the season have dealt with some other odd circumstances that have kept a couple players from being active. While others have stepped up and compensated well, several of those players are on their way back and could be contributing to the stretch drive sooner rather than later.

In Week 16 last season wide receiver Mario Manningham tore his ACL and PCL. It’s been a long road back, but he has now resumed practicing with the team and is tentatively expected to make his return in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. While he isn’t a huge difference maker, he could bring a much-needed boost to a passing attack sorely lacking in weaponry outside of Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. San Francisco should remain a run-first time, but adding another weapon or two for Colin Kaepernick to utilize should help keep defenses honest.

Cornerback Eric Wright was signed in early August, but has spent the last six weeks on the non-football illness list. He was recently cleared to resume practicing, however, and could be activated shortly. The 49ers secondary has been very good so far this season, and represent the third best defense against the pass in the NFL this year. With that said, however, having more depth is never a bad thing. Wright has had his fair share of off the field problems, but there is little doubt that he is still a talented player.

In terms of making a larger impact, the return of star linebacker Aldon Smith appears to be imminent. Smith last played in Week 3, but has been in rehab since. The hope is that he has dealt with some of his internal demons, and has been activated from the reserve/NFI list. The return of Smith, one of the best pass rushers in all of football, could be a huge boon for the an already strong 49ers defensive unit. Despite having only played in three games this season, he still leads the team in sacks with 4.5. It is still uncertain whether he will make his return in Week 10 or 11.

Looking a little farther down the road, Michael Crabtree remains on track to return in a few weeks. Last season he was easily the best receiver the 49ers had, and his return could be huge for the offense. He is truly a game changer, and the plan for now seems to be to ease him back into action with the hopes that he can be as close to 100% as possible come playoff time. In the span of a few short weeks a sluggish passing attack could take on an entirely new look with the additions of Crabtree and the aforementioned Manningham.

It’s impressive how the 49ers have managed to adjust to having several of their key players out for extended periods of time this season. If they can get all of these players back to full strength soon, they will once again pose a scary foe for any opponents as they make another playoff run.

Bulls fall 4-1 in Colorado

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By: Phillip Torres

October 30, 2013

LOVELAND, COLORADO-The San Francisco Bull (2-2-1-0) were defeated by the Colorado Eagles (3-2-0-0) on Wednesday night at the Budweiser Events Center.

Colorado came out on fire in the period. The Eagles got on the bored first with a goal by Luke Fulghum. the score came at 2:10 in the first period and put the Bulls in an early hole. The score remained 1-0 Colorado heading into the first intermission.

San Francisco tied that game at one goal apiece in the second period. Dean Ouellet and Mark Lee earned the assists on a goal made by Dale Mitchell at the 4:35 mark in the period. The score remained tied until less than two minutes left in the period. At 1:55 Colorado regained the lead with another goal from Fulghum, it was his second of the game. The Eagles went into the second intermission and third and final period with a 2-1 advantage.

The Eagles scored two more goals in the final period to end the game with a 4-1 victory. The goals were scored by Kevin Ulanski and Kyle Ostrow.

The Bulls will be back on the ice on Friday against Colorado once again. The puck will drop at 6:05 pm.

Philip Torres covers the Bulls for Sportsradioservice.com