Tag: Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants win sixth of last ten; Head to Detroit to open 3 game series Monday

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San Francisco Giants Willy Adames (left) and Mike Yastrzemski (right) are lighter than air after their win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray pitched six effective innings to pick up his seventh win against no loses for the season in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

#2 The Giants Sam Huff provided some offense with a home run and it was enough to get by the Washington Nationals. The Giants taking two out of three in Washington.

#3 The Nats CJ Abrams let the bottom of the ninth off with a double off closer Ryan Walker and James Wood picked up an RBI with a one out double scoring Abrams. Walker ended up retiring the next two hitters and picked up his tenth save of the season.

#4 Marko at the rate that Ray is pitching he could be a Cy Young candidate. Ray is the second Giant in the last 30 years to start a season at 7-0 the last to do it was Kevin Gausman in 2021.

#5 Next up for the Giants it’s off to the Motor City and the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The Giants will be starting RHP Hayden Birdsong 2-0 ERA 1.91 for the Tigers Keider Montrero (1-1 ERA 5.28) first pitch 10:10 AM PDT at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon May 26, 2025: At long last A’s end skid at 11 games beat Phils 5-4

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Sacramento A’s catcher Willie MacIver (left) and pitcher Mason Miller share congratulations after the win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the Sacramento A’s (23-31) can finally put to rest their long losing streak which stopped at 11 straight games on Sunday with a win over the Philadelphia Phillies (34-19) 5-4.

#2 First inning action the A’s get on the scoreboard first with Jacob Wilson hit a home run to left center. Logan Davidson doubled knocking Miguel Anduar and Brent Rooker A’s up 3-0.

#3 The Philadelphia Phillies JT Realmuto hit into a double play allowing Kyle Schwarber to score in the top of the second Phils get on the scoreboard making it 3-1, In the third inning Trea Turner’s single scored Brandon Marsh making it 3-2. In the fifth inning Turner hit sac fly to center that scored Alex Bohm tying it up 3-3, in the top of the eighth inning Turner hit a home run to left field to give the Phils a 4-3 lead. That would be the last time the Phils would score.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler hit a eighth inning triple that scored Davidson tying up the game4-4. The newest A’s acquisition Willie MacIver hit a single that scored Butler for the go ahead run and eventual game winner for a 5-4 score.

#5 The A’s have the day off on Monday and open a two game series in Houston on Tuesday night at Daikin Field in Houston. The A’s will be going with starter LHP JP Sears (4-4 ERA 4.00) Astros RHP Hunter Brown (6-3 ERA 2.04) will start to open the brief series first pitch is 5:10pm PDT.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ballers use six pitchers can’t hold Raptors in 8-2 loss at Raimondi

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The scores says it all a tough day for Oakland Baller pitchers six pitchers used in a six run loss to the Ogden Raptors at Raimondi Park in West Oakland on Sun May 25, 2025 in Pioneer League action (Oakland Ballers X photo)

Ogden Raptors (3-3) 300 301 001 8 11 1

Oakland Baller (3-3) 001 000 001 2 10 1

Time: 2:52

Attendance: 1,954

Sunday, May 25, 2025

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The high flying Oakland Ballers came tumbling down to earth in this Memorial Weekend’s Sunday afternoon encounter with the Ogden Raptors in a bright, chilly, and sparsely attended Ernie Raimondi Park.

The final score was 8-2 in favor of the visitors. For all the one-sidedness of all but the first of this six game series, the teams are fairly evenly matched. Like the statistician who drowned fording a river with an average depth of six inches, they illustrate that the devil really is in the details.

The first pitch was thrown at 1:05, and the Ballers quickly fell behind, 2-0, with one out in the top of the first. That was the closest they came to a tie before the final out was recorded at 3:57, two slowly passing hours and 52 minutes in which the Oaklanders had a chance to experience the same tortures they had inflicted on their opponents only a day earlier, in their 9-2 triumph over these same Raptors.

Oakland sent five pitchers to the mound. The starter, Dylan Porter, gave up six in his 3-1/3 inning stint, although half of them were unearned. Only James Colyer, who took over for him and allowed an inherited runner to score, and Conner Richardson, who set Ogden down in order in the eighth, escaped without having a run charged to their accounts. Alec Rodríguez and Conner Sullivan respectively allowed a run—earned—in his two and one inning appearance.

What Ballers lacked in pitching, they made up in hitting … and frustration. They made ten hits in 35 at bats, a respectable .286 team BA. They also stranded 11 runners. Tremayne Cobb once more had a multihit game, going two for four. He was the only Baller to break the one hit barrier. Marquez Titialii’s ninth inning lead off double was the team’s only extra base hit.

Every Raptor in the starting lineup except Kenny Oyama got at least one hit, and he managed to walk and score two times. Elliot Good and Cole Jordan had multihit afternoons, with three and two respectively. Miguel Hernández turned in a good performance in his 5-1/3 inning start for the visitors, yielding one run, which was earned, on seven hits and two walks and throwing 95 pitches in the process.

Shawn Tripplett and Cameron Edmonson blanked the B’s through the eighth frame, Tripplett on no hits and a walk in 1-1/3 innings; Edmonson, on a hit and a walk in one. Nik Cardinal mopped up in the ninth. Oakland got to him for a run—earned— on two hits and a base on balls, but it was too little, too late.

After a day off Monday to recuperate, the Ballers will start another six day series on Tuesday, the 30th. They’ll face the Grand Junction Jackalopes (1-5 and 11th in the Pioneer League’s overall standings). The Ballers now are 3-3, tied with the Raptors for sixth place). Game time will be 6:35p.

Willie MacIver almost single-handedly snaps A’s 11-game losing streak in major league debut, as A’s top Phillies 5-4 in finale

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Sacramento A’s catcher Willie MacIver throws the ball to the pitcher in the top of the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun May 25, 2025

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Sutter Health Park

West Sacramento, California

Philadelphia Phillies 4 (34-19)

Sacramento Athletics 5 (23-31)

Win: Tyler Ferguson (1-2)

Loss: Matt Strahm (1-3)

Save: Mason Miller (12)

Time: 2:19

Attendance: 10,068

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–New A’s catcher Willie MacIver was the hero in his major league debut, as the A’s snapped their 11-game losing streak in dramatic fashion in a wild seesaw game that saw comebacks and ejections, and at the end, the A’s beat the Phillies 5-4 Sunday.

It wasn’t just the 11-game losing streak. The A’s have been horrible at their rental home here in West Sacramento, as they came into Sunday’s game 8-19 at home.

Gunnar Hoglund took the ball for Oakland, ahem I meant Sacramento, Sunday. Hoglund got off to a nice start with a one, two, three top of the first inning, with all three outs being flyouts.

The A’s certainly looked like a team taking out their anger over an 11-game losing streak on Phillies’ starter Jesus Luzardo in the bottom of the first. It started when Jacob Wilson clubbed the first pitch of the day from Luzardo for a home run off the clubhouse buildings out in left field.

Brent Rooker followed Wilson’s home run with a base-hit to left, and Miguel Andujar lined a base-hit to center with one out. With two outs, Logan Davidson shot a two-run double off the wall out in left-center to make it 3-0.

The A’s came out swinging, and something definitely felt different in that bottom of the first. However, there was still a long way to go, and the A’s would have to fight with every fiber in their being to snap the skid.

The Phillies would get on the board and plate a run without a hit in the top of the second. Brandon Marsh led off the top of the third with a double over the glove of A’s center-fielder Denzel Clarke, and into the gap in right-center. Two batters later, Trae Turner grounded a base-hit up the middle to center, which scored Marsh to make it 3-2.

The A’s wasted an opportunity to further add on to their lead against Luzardo in the bottom of the second. From there, Luzardo settled down for the most part.

Hoglund settled back down to throw a one, two, three, inning in the top of the fourth. However, the Phillies manufactured a run in the top of the fifth to tie it. It would be the end of the line for Hoglund, who gave up three runs and four hits over five innings.

The A’s finally had a rally going against Luzardo in the bottom of the seventh, as they put runners at first and second with one out. Tyler Soderstrom was unable to get the job done, as he flew out to right for the second out, and both runners had to hold.

Then when Miguel Andujar came up, things got a little spicy. The first pitch to Andujar was a called strike right on the outside corner that may have been a bit generous. When Mark Kotsay voiced his displeasure with Home Plate Umpire Roberto Ortiz from the A’s dugout, Ortiz gave Kotsay the boot. Kotsay came out and said his piece, and then he made the long trek to the A’s clubhouse beyond the left field fence.

Andujar ended up striking out on three pitches. On his way back to the dugout, Andujar had some choice words for Ortiz, and Andujar was tossed as well.

Luzardo would be done after seven for the Phillies. Despite giving up nine hits and the three-run bottom of the first, Luzardo walked just seven and struck out ten. Not a bad day on the mound.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Trea Turner hit a home run to left off Hogan Harris to give the Phillies their first lead of the day. The A’s were now six outs away from being swept and losing their 12th-straight.

Phillies Manager Rob Thomson brought in Matt Straham for the bottom of the eighth. Straham retired the first man he faced, as he got Luis Urias to fly out to center. However, Logan Davidson walked, and then Lawrence Butler lined a triple down the right field line to tie the game.

It was suddenly now a brand-new game. Up came A’s catcher Willie MacIver, who got the start behind the plate in his major league debut today. MacIver came up 0-for-3, but the fourth time would be a charm, as he flipped a base-hit to right-center to knock Butler in and put the A’s back ahead.

Mason Miller came in for the top of the ninth and set down the first guys he faced. Of course, the Phillies would not make it easy, as Alec Bohm reached on an infield hit with two outs to extend the game for Brandon Marsh.

Johan Rojas came in to pinch-run for Bohm at first. On the first pitch to Marsh—which missed up and away for ball one—Rojas broke for second, but he was called out by Second Base Umpire and Crew Chief Bill Miller after a perfect strike from MacIver behind the plate.

The Phillies challenged with nothing to lose, and the call was confirmed. In his major league debut, Willie MacIver almost single-handedly snapped the A’s 12-game losing streak. Welcome to the big leagues, kid!

Tyler Ferguson, who finished off the top of the eighth for Oakland, got the win; Matt Straham took the loss; and Mason Miller picked up his 12th save.

The A’s get their 23rd win and improve to 23-31.

The A’s will hit the road for a six-game road trip, which will feature two in Houston Tuesday and Wednesday, and then four north of the border in Toronto against the Blue Jays starting on Thursday.

The A’s will be off on Memorial Day Monday, but they will begin their two-gamer against the Astros in Houston on Tuesday with JP Sears (4-4, 4.00 ERA) on the hill. Hunter Brown (6-3, 2.04 ERA) will counter for Houston.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Houston, 5:10 p.m. back wherever the A’s call home in Northern California.

Giants Win Series Over the Nationals 3-2; SF’s Ray stays perfect at 7-0

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray pitches to the Washington Nationals line up in the bottom of the third inning at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite having a fairly quiet offensive game, the San Francisco Giants beat the Washington Nationals 3-2. San Francisco pitcher Robbie Ray went six innings and continued his brilliant play picking up his seventh win against no loses. A lot of credit to the San Francisco bullpen which is the best in baseball right now and has been a huge part of their success.

Game recap: San Francisco got their bats working early taking a 1-0 lead into the second inning. Willy Adames grounded out to the pitcher allowing Wilmer Flores to score for the first run of the game and the San Francisco 1-0 lead.

The Giants carried the offensive momentum into the third inning scoring two more runs and taking a 3-0 lead. Sam Huff hit a home run to left center for the first third inning run. San Francisco extended that lead off a Heliot Ramos ground out sending Michael Yastrzemski home for the 3-0 tally.

The Nationals scored their first run of the game on a Ray wild pitch in the third inning. Nasim Nunez got the Nationals up on the scoreboard with the Giants still leading 3-1.

San Francisco did not score for the rest of the game coming away with only five hits as they continue to struggle offensively. They stubbornly hung onto the 3-1 lead going into the ninth inning. The Nationals threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Giant’s Ryan Walker was the closer in the game giving up two hits and one run. The Nationals James Woods doubled in the ninth inning and CJ Abrams scored their second run threatening to at least tie up this game. After Walker gave up two doubles, he shut Washington down getting out of the inning closing out the game with a 3-2 San Francisco win and also a series win.

Despite the win in this game, the Giants continue to look for more success offensively. The home runs have quieted down and the bats have been sluggish. While a win is a win, San Francisco needs to start closing out games with a lot more hits.

As expected Ray was brilliant on the mound with his contagious energy and solid pitching.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants wrapped up their series with the Nationals. After being shut out in Saturday’s game 3-0 the Giants were looking for a whole lot more offense but just got enough to win it on Sunday.

In game two on Saturday San Francisco only had three hits while the National’s had eight. Giant starter Robbie Ray whose been excellent all season pitched six innings, gave up three hits, one earned run and struck seven with an ERA of 2.56 was the winner now 7-0. Nationals starter Michael Soroka pitched six innings allowing five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and two strike outs for the loss.

The Giants will now take the energy from this series win into Detroit on Monday where they will face the Tigers in a three game series in what will be three challenging matchups. The Tigers are second in all of baseball with a great pitching staff. San Francisco will have to get the bats going. They will start Hayden Birdsong (2-0 ERA 1.91) while the Tigers will send Keider Montero coming into this game with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 5.28 ERA. First pitch for this Memorial Day matchup is scheduled for an early start 10:10 AM.

Ballers get the offense with seven run win over Raptors 9-2

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Oakland Ballers pitcher Reed Butz delivers to the Ogden Raptors line up at Raimondi Park West Oakland on Sat May 24, 2025 (Oakland Ballers photo)

Ogden Raptors (2-3) 000 000 002 2 7 1

Oakland Ballers (3-2) 030 200 22x 9 13 1

Time: 2:08

Saturday, May 24, 2025

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Last Thursday’s self-inflicted 13-9 walloping of Oaktown’s B’s by the visiting Ogden Raptors turned out to be the kick in the pants the locals needed to get their individual and collective butts in gear. They reacted by humiliating their guests, 16-1 on Friday night, Saturday the 24th the Ballers disposed of the Raptors neatly in the late afternoon contest, 9-2.

It almost was the Ballers first shutout of the nascent season. Their starting pitcher, southpaw Reed Butz, needed only 67 pitches to hurl seven scoreless innings in which he allowed only three hits and a walk to 23 batters, just two over the minimum.

Carson Lambert relieved him to open the eighth and just managed to preserve the shutout. Adam Bogosian took over in the ninth and didn’t. There was action in the Oakland bullpen when he finally got the final out after yielding the Raptors their two runs.

Runner were on second and third when he did. Rookie Tremayne Cobb, Jr. extended his eye popping work at the plate. His three for four performance, including a run producing two bagger, upped his batting average to .462.

Michael O’Hara also went three for four, a satisfying afternoon’s work for the center fielder who had spent the previous season on the Raptors’ roster. Two other B’s had multi-hit games, both Daniel Harris and Marques Titialii got two hits in four at bats. One of the latter’s was a two run homer in the second frame.

Leadoff batter was the only Raptor to log more than one hit, going three for four. None of their three hurlers emerged unscathed. Samuel Bass suffered the loss, yielding five runs, four earned, requiring 84 pitches to get through five innings.

Nico Saltaformaggio (two innings pitched, two runs, both earned and coming on Dave Drewek’s seventh inning round tripper) and Kyler Stancato (four hits and two runs—both earned — in an inning) completed Ogden’s unimpressive mound record.

An Asian-Pacific Island Heritage Day celebration preceded the action, adding to the festivities.

Sunday, the series will conclude with the Ballers’ first true afternoon game, with a 1:05 start against the Raptors, following a pregame “Salute to Our Soldiers.” Right hander Dylan Porter is expected to start the game for the B’s.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun May 25, 2025: Red Sox Bregman out with right quad strain; Mets slumping Soto gets a breakthrough with RBI double; plus more MLB news

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Boston Red Sox Alex Bregman bends over in pain after straining his right quad against the Baltimore Orioles on Sat May 24, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston. Bregman has been placed on the 10 day IL. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun May 25, 2025:

#1 Between games of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Alex Bregman had a significant injury. The injury is similar to the one he had back in 2021 when h e was out for two months. The injury put Bregman on the ten day IL with a right quad strain.

#2 New York Mets Juan Soto said after hitting the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher’s Tony Gonsolin’s splitter that was right over the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with two down and the bags loaded “Don’t catch it” as Soto wound up getting a double and drove in runs that led to 5-2 win. Soto breaks out of his slump. Soto in five at bats had two hits and two RBIs on Saturday night.

 #3 Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees says he a work in progress and he’s saying that after he hit back to back home runs on two consecutive nights at Coors Field in Denver against the Colorado Rockies in a 13-1 win. Judge is hitting .395, with 18 home runs and 46 RBIs. If he’s a work in progress than you can only wonder what his finished work will look like?

#4 The Texas Rangers continue to have more troubles in losing players after it was learned that Joc Pederson broke his right hand when he was hit by a 87.5 mph cutter by White Sox right hand pitcher Bryse Wilson. Pederson hit the ground after he was hit. Ironically Pederson stayed in the game and scored on Marcus Seimien’s sac fly. Pederson is in a two year contract with the Rangers worth $37 million. The Rangers are on a six game losing streak

#5 The A’s continue with their losing streak as it reaches 11 games. In the bottom of the tenth inning the bases loaded sac fly to the Philadelphia Phillies centerfielder Brandon Marsh threw the ball to catcher Realmuto for the sweep tag on the A’s base runner Logan Davidson review ruled Davidson out. The Phillies wind up scoring three runs in the top of the 11th inning and put the A’s away 9-6.

Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Musters Little Offense Losing Game Two to the Nationals in a 3-0 Shutout

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James Wood puts good wood on the baseball for a two run home run for the Washington Nationals against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sat May 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (30-22) lost game two in their series with the Washington Nationals (24-28) 3-0. The Giants generated very little offense with only three hits. The National’s pitcher Jake Irvin blew through batter after batter going eight innings.

San Francisco’s lack of hitting has been obvious for the last seven or so games. The Giants will be looking to win this series in Sunday’s rubber game. They still have a chance for a series win but they have to get their bats going and play with a lot more intensity.

Game recap: After the lack of scoring in Friday’s game, the Nationals got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking an early 2-0 lead when James Wood hit a home run with Amed Rosario on base for the early lead.

The Giants were looking for their first run of the game and through eight innings they had come up empty. The Nationals added another run in the seventh inning when Robert Hassell III grounded out to the pitcher and Luis Garcia Jr. scored giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead. Through eight innings the Giants only had three hits while the Nationals had eight.

It had been a silent day for San Francisco at the plate going into the ninth inning. They were three outs away from losing game two. The Nationals pitcher Jake Irving had an amazing time on the mound lasting eight innings allowing the three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He was handling the Giant’s batters with ease. He was relieved by Jorge Lopez who came in to close out this game for Washington.

San Francisco had their final chance going into the ninth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was first up at the plate but grounded out to the pitcher. Wilmer Flores struck out with Matt Chapman the Giant’s last hope at the plate. Chapman hit a deep ball to right field but Daylen Lyle made an amazing play stretching for the final out and that was the ball game 3-0 in favor of the Nationals to even up the series.

The Nationals pitcher had a great game with Jake Irvin going for eight innings. He just blasted through the Giant’s lineup in record time, the game lasting only 1:52. He used his sinker very well pitching to the Giant’s weakness. He only gave up the three hits with seven strikeouts and now has a 4-1 win/loss record. In this game he had 96 total pitches and 64 of them were strikes.

Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison lasted four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. He did not walk any batters and had four strikeout. He was relieved by Tristan Beck who allowed two hits and the third run with two strikeouts and went for three innings.

This was the fifth time the Giants have been shutout this season. San Francisco got completely shut down and didn’t even have a hit after the fifth inning and didn’t have a runner in scoring position after the fourth. They had very few scoring opportunities. With the series all tied up, the rubber game will be played Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 10:35AM PDT.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Nationals Saturday afternoon in the second of their two game series at Nationals Park. San Francisco won game one day 4-0 after six scoreless innings by both teams. The Giants got on the board in the seventh scoring two runs extending their lead in the eighth inning with two more runs for the eventual final of 4-0.

The Giants starter Kyle Harrison struggled pitching four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. The Nats starter Jake Irvin had a strong outing going eight innings, allowing three hits and no runs.

Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Francisco who has been pitching very well with a 6-0 win/loss record and a 2.67 ERA so the Nationals will be challenged by him. Washington will start Michael Soroka who has a 1-2 win/loss record with a 5.95 ERA.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s manager shows discontent with Sutter Health Park

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A’s manager Mark Kotsay checks things out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning on June 29, 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix. Kotsay recently said that he can not see the ball when it’s going down the left field line from the A’s dugout at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. (AP file photo)

A’s Manager shows Discontent with Sutter Health Park

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Players complaining is one thing, and many times it goes ignored by…well, they’re players in a way spoiled, after all, they are playing in the Major Leagues, making more money than most of us can count. But when the Manager is also unhappy with where his home team is playing, that is another thing.

This was the case for A’s Manager Mark Kotsay during a game against the LA Angels recently at Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento. Imagine a manager sitting in the dugout watching the game, and during a controversial play and call by an umpire, he had to say this to the media: “I’m completely blind on anything that goes down the left field line.” Because Kotsay could not see they play as it was happening

It should not be a surprise since the ownership decided to play 81 home games in a Minor League Park, during that play A’s Manager said, “I was relying on the umpire crew to see the play and make the call, and then from his replay team to tell him to challenge it.”

According to today’s MLB regulations, MLb has 15 seconds to ask for replay reviews. What happens at Sutter Health Park should not surprise anybody, but when stuff like this happens, it is confirmation of the ineptness of their front office management.

The A’s most expensive signing this off-season, Luis Severino, their number one starter, has called Sutter Health Park “not a big league park.” He has also highlighted issues with the clubhouse location and the stadium’s size and noted how they affect his routine and rhythm as a pitcher. For the record, he is not having a good start.

With all the problems the Oakland A’s had at the Oakland Coliseum, as dated as it was, it was still a Major League facility—not the best, but still to Major League standards, the condition of the field was excellent all the time, I spoke to many players who played for the A’s and from visiting teams who told me the infield and outfield were always in excellent condition, some infielders told me: “it is soft and smooth infield and easy to field the ball”. Some fans who traveled from the Bay Area and many hardcore veteran A’s fans who were curious about the experience in Sacramento said they had concerns about the long lines for concessions, the lack of MLB-standard amenities, and the cost of parking and food.

I can imagine what many A’s players believe (but will not say) about playing in this facility. It would not be an exaggeration on my part (from personal experience through the years) of what players are thinking. They are probably the ONLY team in Major League Baseball that cannot wait to go on a long road trip.

This popular quote is in doubt for the A’s today in Sacramento

“There’s nothing like playing at home.” – This quote expresses the unique and positive feeling of playing in front of a home crowd.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Athletics Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sat May 24, 2025: A’s efforts to try and avoid tariffs on construction costs for Vegas ballpark

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Construction starts on the new Athletics ballpark as crews drill caissons for the foundation and grinding rock piles on the former Tropicana site on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Athletics Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sat May 24, 2025:

#1 The Athletics are trying to avoid tariff costs for imported materials that could add to the price tag of constructing the Las Vegas ballpark on the former Tropicana Hotel and Casino site.

#2 A’s President Marc Badain and CAA Icon vice president Todd Bishop have a plan that would offset costs that increase the price of constructing the park from imported good and materials from foreign parts and materials.

#3 Badain and Bishop addressed a breakfast gathering at NAIOP at The Orleans Hotel which was held by an commercial real estate industry provider. Badain said he wasn’t sure how the tariffs would impact stadium costs but did outline three ways to solve costs.

#4 Badain said the first move was to source materials and products domestically, where Badain and the A’s aren’t able to secure items needed to prevent tariff costs Badain said he’s trying to lock items into place before the costs climb further.

#5 While grading work started in April for the nine acre ballpark at Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd Bishop said he anticipates the foundation permit will give them the green light to begin construction towards deep foundations for the new park.

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts weekends at http://www.sportsradioservice.com