Tag: Shohei Ohtani

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: White Sox new manager Sizemore says he’s a different voice; Ohtani interpreter’s bookie pleads guilty to running illegal gambling business; plus more news

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Chicago White Sox manager Grady Sizemore takes a walk on the field at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago in his first game at the helm replacing former manager Pedro Grifol. Sizemore lost in his managerial debut against the Chicago Cubs on Fri Aug 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Chicago White Sox are making headlines for all the wrong reasons and general manager Chris Getz changed managers because of it. After the Sox ended a 21 game losing streak short of tying the major league record on Tue 6th Getz fired manager Pedro Grifol and replaced him with Grady Sizemore who had been a coach.

#2 Sizemore said he was surprised and excited when he was offered the job. There was no doubt that Getz wanted to take the Sox in a different direction. Sizemore said he is a different voice and is a different person. In Sizemore’s first game at the helm on Friday he lost to crosstown rivals the Chicago Cubs 7-6.

#3 Matthew Bowyer who was the bookie for Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business. Bowyer also plead guilty to money laundering and filing a false tax return. Mizuhara who used Ohtani’s money to place bets is recorded as winning $142 million and losing $183 million a net loss of $41 million. There was no evidence that Mizuhara bet on baseball. It was found that Mizuhara was tied to Bowyer in placing 100s of bets.

#4 The long anticipated return of Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts has arrived. Betts has been out of the Dodgers line up since June 16th with a fractured left hand. Betts will start in rightfield rather than at shortstop next week. Betts making the return at the stretch drive of the campaign and manager Dave Roberts has to be relieved to get him back in the line up.

#5 This week the African American Sports and Entertainment Group sewed up a deal with the Oakland A’s buying their half of the Oakland Coliseum property making them sole owners. AASEG says they plan to develop the property as giant entertainment and sports complex. If AASEG were able to develop a stadium that would rival say a So Fi or Allegiant Stadium would that give them enough leverage to get the attention of luring back an NFL something that AASEG said they wanted to do going into the deal. On the face of it AASEG does not have the money to build an NFL stadium but they have been pretty ambitious in their ideas of developing the Coliseum.

Charlie O does Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Cepeda the second of Giants Heroes to pass in June; Gallen back in D-Backs rotation; plus more

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No Bull, Orlando Cepeda was one of the best he shined when playing for the St Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 seasons leading them to the World Series in each of those years. Here is Cepeda taking in a slide scoring on the New York Mets catcher JC Martin at Shea Stadium in 1968. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Orlando Cepeda the St Louis Cardinals first baseman who went to the World Series as their starting first baseman for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Cepeda won the National League MVP in 1967 passed away on Friday night at age 86. Cepeda was a longtime San Francisco Giant before going to the Cards after the 1966 season.

#2 San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin called Cepeda’s passing a gut punch as his passing is the second Giants Hall of Famer to go as the legendary Giants outfielder Willie Mays passed away on Tue June 18, 2024. It’s been a very rough month for the Giants Hall of Famers and fans.

#3 The Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen has returned to the pitching rotation he started Saturday’s game against the Oakland A’s at Chase Field. Gallen a right hander faced only one batter in his last outing on May 30th. Gallen had a left hamstring strain where he was placed on the IL.

#4 The A’s opened up their three game series on Friday with a win that snapped a long 11 game road losing streak and ended their six game skid. Defeating the Diamondbacks at Chase Field 9-4. It’s been a long tough road but the A’s figured it out on Friday night.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy Javier Herrera snared a line drive foul ball that was headed into the Dodger dugout and could have take out Shohei Ohtani but Herrera’s quick thinking and fast hands caught the drive barehanded avoiding hitting Ohtani who just so happened to be right behind Herrera. Ohtani said of the line drive catch and Herrera “my hero.”

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Acuna out for season with blown ACL; Umpire Angel Hernandez has retired; plus more news

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Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr grimaces while being assisted by the Braves George C Poulis while walking off the field after blowing out his ACL and will be out for the rest of the season on Sun May 26, 2024 (photo from ESPN)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How much of an impact for the Atlanta Braves losing Ronald Acuna Jr for the rest of the season after running between second and third base and blew out his ACL taking a bad turn on the base pathes.

#2 Umpire Angel Hernandez who was accused of blowing calls in the ALDS which resulted in his not being selected to umpire in the World Series and lost a racial bias suit has retired from ever umpiring an MLB game again. His retirement is effect today. Hernandez was the center of the ire from the players and fans on social media. Hernandez said this was all stemmed from racial bias. Hernandez umpired in the Majors since 1991.

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers two way player Shohei Ohtani is not giving up on the possibility of pitching again. Ohtani was put on the shelf from pitching and left with the hitting duties as designated hitter. Ohtani is recovery from his second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani threw from 60 feet on Monday at Citi Field tracking at 80 MPH. Ohtani was said to possibly to return to pitching in August.

#4 Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell was unceremoniously booed upon his return at American Family Field as manager of the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Counsell took the booing in stride saying, “The fans are here to enjoy the day, enjoy a baseball game,” Counsell said “They get to do what they want. Hopefully they had a good time.” The Cubs lost to the Brewers 5-1.

#5 The San Francisco Giants LaMonte Wade Jr who returned to the line up after being on the IL. Wade reinjured himself on a hard slide on a double and ended up straining his hamstring. The Giants said that Wade is on the way back to the IL.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Giants wins of 3 straight on road from 4 run deficits a first since 1932 Cardinals; Jackie Robinson statue replacement almost ready; plus more news

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The San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey watches the flight of his grand slam against the New York Mets in the top of the eighth inning at Citi Park in New York on Fri May 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 It hasn’t been done since the 1932 St Louis Cardinals did it coming back from a four run deficit on the road in three consecutive games but the 2024 San Francisco Giants pulled it off with three straight come back wins on the road they did it against in Pittsburgh Wed 22 and Thu 23, then in New York Fri 24.

#2 A replacement for the sawed off Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita Kansas at McAdams Park. The statue of the first black Major League Player in the history of the game was sawed off from the ankles for it’s bronze value. Wichita Firefighters found the statue in a trash can about 7 miles from the park. One of the suspects has pleaded guilty to the vandalism and it as later found out the purpose was not for racist hate but for the bronze scrap metal. The good news is a replacement statue is nearly finished from the Art Castings Studio in Loveland Colorado.

#3 Charlie, in his first game back in San Diego former San Diego Padre Juan Soto returned as a New York Yankee after being traded in the off season. Soto belted his 14th home run of the season off Padres pitcher Yu Darvish a 423 blast over the center right field fence. The Yankees added two more home runs from Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the 8-0 victory for New York to open the series.

#4 Charlie simply put is the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani too good of a hitter to ever pitch again. So far this season Ohtani has 69 hits, 13 home runs, and hitting .340. Shohei is on the shelf for the rest of the season from pitching due to off season surgery. There is the discussion that the two way act might have seen better days and Ohtani will stick to just being the DH.

#5 Charlie, the Oakland Coliseum home of the Oakland A’s at least till the end of this season has been sold to the group African American Sports and Entertainment at 50% of the property whose goal is to build retail, housing, host pro soccer, and get an NFL expansion team. Meanwhile the A’s who own the other half of the Coliseum proper are reportedly willing to talk to AASEG about selling their half as the A’s will be leaving for Sacramento and later Las Vegas.

Join Charlie O for Headlines Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary : Comparing Ohtani to Babe Ruth; Padres Bogarts day to day with shoulder injury; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani rounds third base on a Will Smith base hit on Fri May 17, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Babe Ruth once said that he didn’t want to pitch every other day while playing a position in the outfield. Ruth had said this before 1920 before he was traded and converted to being an outfielder. Much the same can be said about Los Angeles Dodgers two way player Shohei Ohtani who is taking the year off from pitching. Ohtani the designated hitter is not throwing from the outfield like Ruth did but he did want to play everyday and not wear his arm out by being a pitcher.

#2 Xander Bogarts second baseman of the San Diego Padres suffered a left shoulder injury during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Bogarts was going for a ground ball when he landed his left shoulder on a bases loaded grounder. Bogarts was not able to make the throw on Ronald Acuna’s infield hit that allowed a run to score. Bogarts signaled for the dugout and manager Mike Schildt and the trainer. Bogarts was given tests and they proved to be negative. Bogarts status is day to day.

#3 The Tampa Bay Rays placed starter Zach Eflin on the 15 day IL on Monday night in a game against the Boston Red Sox. Eflin is suffering from back inflammation. Eflin struggled this season at 3-4, ERA 4.12. Last season Eflin went 16-8. The Rays were counting on him signing him to a three year $68 million contract.

#4 It was mentioned it was a great time to be a Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins fan and a Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers fan. The Timberwolves and Mavericks of the NBA are headed for the third round of the NBA playoffs and the Twins are in third place only five games behind first place in the AL Central. The Rangers are just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West.

#5 Amaury, the A’s are coming off an eight game losing streak. They went 1-9 on the last road trip in games played in Seattle, Kansas City and Houston and lost all but one of those games. They had to deal with the thunderstorms in Houston and now return to host the Colorado Rockies tonight here at the Coliseum. Can the A’s turn it around with home field advantage to open this six game homestand?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Yanks Gil 14 K’s career high; Orioles Grayson back in rotation; plus more news

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New York Yankees starter Luis Gil pitches into the top of the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium in New York on the way to a career high 14 strikeouts on Sat May 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The New York Yankees have a lot of history and rookie pitcher Luis Gil just added to another page to the history books with the most strikeouts thrown by a rookie with 14 against the Chicago White Sox in a 6-1 win.

#2 The Baltimore Orioles activated RHP Grayson Rodriguez from the 15 day IL who started against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Rodriguez came back from a shoulder inflammation injury. Rodriguez one of the keys to the Orioles pitching staff is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA.

#3 Former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher and who is playing infield for the Atlanta Braves triple A affiliate has reportedly been placing bets with the same Los Angeles bookmaker Matthew Bowyer that Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara used. Fletcher’s close friend Colby Schultz who played in the Kansas City Royals farm system from 2018-2020 bet on baseball during his playing days. It was reported that Fletcher did not bet on baseball.

#4 On San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell, Snell returned to pitch at the Giants triple A affiliate you might have heard of them the Sacramento Rivercats. Snell was out with a shoulder injury threw five innings of no hit baseball and struck out ten batters.

#5 The Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga got into the history books by recording the lowest ERA 0.84 for any rookie in his first nine starts since it was last done back in 1913. Looking at Imanaga reaction after striking out his seventh batter he was even amazed at himself.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Angels Rendon back on IL with hamstring injury; Orioles top prospect sent down after hitting .059; plus more news

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Los Angeles Angeles Anthony Rendon (6) walks off the field with manager Ron Washington (left) and trainer Mike Frostad (right) after pulling up injured with a torn left hamstring against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on Sat Apr 20, 2024. Rendon was placed on the 10 day IL.

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon who has played only not more than 58 in his last four seasons of his current seven year $245 million contract has a left hamstring tear and the recovery is expected to be a long one. Rendon is frustrated by the injury saying he’s doing everything to stay out there but says nothing is working.

#2 The Baltimore Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday has been optioned to the Orioles minor triple A affiliate Nashville after managing just two singles, two walks in 36 at bats spread over ten games. Holliday struck out 18 times and was hitting .059 with just one RBI.

#3 The Orioles were just stunned when they were beat in the opening game of their three game series on Friday night by the Oakland A’s 3-2. The A’s had beat the New York Yankees Thursday. That showed shades of maybe Oakland might be up for challenging some of the tougher teams in the American League. Then on Saturday the Orioles got some clutch hitting and pitching shutting down Oakland 5-0.

#4 Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani who was greeted by a thunderous rain of boos at Rogers Centre in Toronto and did what he could only do hitting his seventh home run against the Toronto Blue Jays. Ohtani said he was not surprised and that he got booed in the dugout too. Dave Roberts Dodgers manager said that was funny too. Ohtani knew he was booed after deciding to sign with the Dodgers rather than the Blue Jays in the off season.

#5 Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge why the slump? Judge is hitting .186 with four home runs and the topper was the loss to the A’s on Thursday and Judge earned the golden sombrero with his fourth strike out. Judge said that he’s had worse starts than this one and that you just have to keep on working.

Join Charlie O does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Charlie O: Shohei says interpreter scandal has brought team together; Giants-Cards Negro League tribute in Birmingham: plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds third base after hitting his 175th career home run a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Fri Apr 12, 2024

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has said that when it comes to his teammates they speak the language of baseball. Ohtani mentioned after learning about his interpreter stealing some $16 million from to cover gambling debts it has brought Ohtani and his teammates closer together.

#2 Charlie, got to ask you about the Rickwood Field MLB tribute to the Negro Leagues it’s an upcoming on Jun 20, 2024. The Tribute game will feature the St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants and it will be played on Birmingham Alabama home of the Birmingham Alabama how important is this game as a tribute to so many black players during the Negro League years?

#3 On Saturday it was a long day for Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry and his teammates. McKinstry playing third base committed a three base error when Minnesota Twins Ryan Jeffers hit a ground ball that went through his legs that allowed three runners to score. Later Tigers manager AJ Hinch called on McKinstry to come into pitch as the Tigers had already used five pitchers. McKinstry walked Manuel Margot with one runners on. McKinstry then gave up a home run to Matt Wallner which then accounted for six of the Twins 11 runs that McKinstry was responsible for.

#4 More Twins news you might remember Carlos Correa who couldn’t sign on with either the New York Mets or San Francisco Giants at the beginning of the 2023 season and later got on with the Twins. The Twins shortstop Correa was placed on the ten day injured list on Saturday due to a right oblique strain. Correa was seen clutching his right side during an at bat. Correa teammate Byron Buxton said it was like a gut punch watching Correa having to leave the game.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani says interpreter stole money to pay off gambling debts; Interpreter never graduated or worked at Sox or Yanks; plus more news

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Will Ireton Los Angeles Dodgers manager of performance operations (left) interprets for Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (right) at a pre game press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Mon Mar 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 A look into Los Angeles Dodger’s designated hitter Shohei Ohtani’s personal trainer Ippei Mizuhara stole the money from Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts. It was learned that Ohtani did not pay for Mizuhara’s gambling debt Ohtani said the $4.5 million to pay the debt was stolen by Mizuhara. Ohtani made it clear he did not know about Mizurhara using the stolen money to pay an illegal bookie.

#2 Mizuhara’s background was found to be suspicious as well it was discovered he never attended UC Riverside and never graduated there in 2007, Mizuhara never was an interpreter for the Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima from 2007-2011. The Red Sox released a statement saying that Mizuhara never worked for the Red Sox. It was also reported that Mizuhara was an interpreter for the New York Yankees in 2022 but the Yankees said that Mizuhara never was an interpreter for them in 2022.

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it was good that Ohtani addressed the media before Monday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. It gave Ohtani a forum to clear the air and address some of the questions about his knowledge that money was going to an illegal bookie to pay Mizuhara’s debts.

#4 Although no one will admit it in the Dodgers clubhouse that this whole thing is a distraction but has to be the largest paid athlete of all time tied to a gambling scandal and it’s turned into a federal investigation and questions where is this going to end up?

#5 Turning to the Oakland A’s the A’s have announced that they have cut the time in half on Thursday opening night and will open the gates at the Oakland Coliseum parking lot from four hours to two hours early. The A’s have said they did that because there was no sense opening up the lot when they are expecting a low paid attendance to show up. Two large A’s fan groups the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar said that cutting the parking lot times from two to four hours will cut their boycott time down to just two hours and they also planned to have tailgates before the game now that time has been cut in half. The 68’s said the A’s are playing mind games.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Charlie O: Can Ohtani interpreter stay in Japan avoid extradition?; Ex-O’s owner Angelos dead at 94 great accomplishments; plus more news

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (left) and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani no longer will be working together after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers for allegedly massive theft of Ohtani’s money for gambling (photo from ESPN)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, how bad of a look is it for baseball to have Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter allegedly stealing some $4.5 million from Ohtani to use it to gamble with an illegal bookmaker with Ohtani’s name on it. The big question is from the face of the story and everything we know does it look like or appear that Ohtani could have had a hand in this scandal based on the money transfers being in Ohtani’s name? Ippei Mizuhara the interpreter reportedly has said that Ohtani didn’t have anything to do with gambling which is being investigated by the US Attorney’s office.

#2 Baltimore Orioles former owner Peter Angelos has passed away at age 94. He oversaw an Orioles organization that had it’s highs and lows but the one thing everyone will remember him by his when got the plans together in the early 90s to build Camden Yards which opened in 1992. It was the ballpark that started other major league franchises to want a new ballpark for themselves. Angelos commandeered the idea of having the Orioles play a exhibition series against the Cuban National team in Havana Cuba on March 28, 1999. It was the first time that any team from the US played in Cuba since 1959. Later that season the the same two teams met again on May 3 at Camden Yards.

#3 The Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper who hasn’t played in a exhibition game since Mar 14th was in the line up against the New York Yankees yesterday. Harper had been out with sore back. Harper played in a simulated game on Friday and got in the line up on Saturday. Harper had back spasms last season.

#4 The San Francisco Giants announced that they will begin looking for a new PA announcer to replace the popular Renel Brooks Moon who had been the Giants PA announcer for 24 seasons. The Giants plan to rotate PA announcers during the season until they settle on someone they will hire. The Giants said they couldn’t reach a deal with Renel and sources say she wasn’t rehired because she was outspoken on social injustice issues.

#5 The Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar two Oakland A’s fan groups have voice their displeasure regarding the Oakland A’s cutting the usual opening night parking lot time from four hours down to two hours. The A’s say that the expect a low attendance for Thu Mar 28th and that opening the lot for four hours before the game would not be necessary. The 68s and the Last Dive Bar call the A’s decision “mind games” and a deliberate way to cut into their parking lot boycott that they planned.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com