Tag: Sports Radio Service

Oakland A’s Commentary: Sad Farewell for Oakland A’s Sports Fans

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland A’s put out an Oakland Coliseum logo commemorating their years in Oakland from 1968-2024 (Oakland A’s X image)

Sad Farewell for Oakland Sports Fans

By Tony Renteria

OAKLAND–September 20th 2024 the Oakland Athletics host the visiting New York Yankees starting the last homestand for the this storied franchise. After years of trying to get a new stadium and new location the ownership group decided to follow the lead of former fellow Oakland Coliseum tenant the NFL’s Raiders by getting permission to relocate the beloved A’s to the desert in Nevada in a city called Las Vegas.

The 56 year-old man I am understands sometimes in business the deal just not get done, but the five year old boy who was given an A’s hat in 1973 is heartbroken. The Swinging A’s were the powerhouse of the American League in the early 70’s.

They had legends of the game a young Reggie Jackson was starting his hall of famer career right here in the Yellow and Gold. Rollie Fingers had the best handle bar mustache on the planet as he dominated batters from the mound.

As I grew up so did the A’s, after quick tumble after the glory years of the Swinging A’s Charlie Finley hired Billy Martin to manage the team filled with very young and talented players like Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson whose name is graced behind home plate today.

Ricky Henderson Field honors perhaps the most overall talented player the A’s had during the Oakland era. Billy was able manage a playoff appearance for young A’s, but new owner Walter Haas gave Martin too much power in the voice of baseball Operations and the A’s were ever able to create the magic of “Billy Ball” again under Martin’s Leadership.

Haas did make some great changes to A’s in the way of marketing, he brought back the Elephant mascot, the people of Northern California who were reluctant to attend homes due to a dislike for Finley returned in mass as the A’s hit record numbers in attendance in 1980s.

In 1986 Haas hired Tony LaRussa to skipper the A’s with a roster of talented younger players like Jose Cansaco and Mark McGuire. Starting in 1988 Larussa brought three straight American league Pennants to Oakland with a World Series title in 1989 over the bay bridge neighbors the San Francisco Giants that was marred by the earthquake that happened on National Television before Game 3 of the series.

Reality set in again for the A’s as television deals and the reality of small market teams trying to compete the clubs of cities like New York and Boston. Canseco was sent Texas, McGuire and LaRussa were in St. Louis where McGuire broke Roger Maris home run record.

Henderson made a run with Blue Jays for a world title while the A’s fell further away from the top of the standings. I and rest of the A’s faithful found hope again with the likes of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Jason Giambi.

Just like the A;s would lose out of revenue from a lack a huge TV contract like the Yankees our hearts were broken again by the one of the most usual cutoff throws in playoff history a 15 foot cutoff throw to home plate by Derek Jeter.

Once again out hearts would break as the heroes of Oakland sailed off to bigger teams and bigger contracts. As much as Money Ball worked it could not produce the sustained glory of the 70’s and the 80’s. Billy Beane was able to make a run for the pennant every now and then but the glory days were long gone.

Even now as the A’s host Yankees in the last Friday night game here in this place of history from the last team in Major League History to win three consecutive World Series to the Raiders Sea of Hands play. The five-year boy who has worn green and yellow since 1973 is sadden by the fact this place which holds so many memories will be gone soon and with it the magic and joy of Ricky Stealing second base, or seeing a diving Walter Wiess rob some one of a base hit, and above all the one place where small market teams could compete with the bigger ones. I guess in the end it is the size of the dog after all.

Tony Renteria is also podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s last homestand in Oakland open three game series with Yankees tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Zack Gelof connects for a eighth inning one run double against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The A’s are coming off a two out three game series win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field it’s another series where the A’s won showing they have lots of talent to compete with the talent they have for next season.

#2 On Wednesday the A’s Tyler Soberstrom homered and Zack Gelof double to break a tie in the eighth inning as the A’s beat the Cubs by two runs 5-3.

#3 Ironically for the Cubs the loss helped the Milwaukee Brewers clinch NL Central title for the third season in a row.

#4 A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson pitched a scoreless seventh inning and reliever Michel Ortanez struck out two in the eighth inning, and Brent Rooker went two for three and an RBI in the A’s win. Proving once again team work has been the success of the second half of this A’s season.

#5 Tonight (Friday) represents the first of the last six games in Oakland history that comes to an end next Thursday. The A’s open up a series with the New York Yankees and will never play at the Oakland Coliseum again leaving decades of history behind.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Finish Off Wings In Season Finale 98-84

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Las Vegas Aces forward Bell Kierstan (1) takes a shot on the Dallas Wings guard Lou Lopez Senechal (8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces played their last regular season game at Michelob ULTRA Arena taking on the Dallas Wings beating them 98-84. The Las Vegas starters got the night off and got to root their bench on and this bench did a terrific job. Every time Dallas made a move, the Aces pushed right back. Megan Gustafson was the high for the Aces with 24 points.

Game recap: After the first ten minutes of play, this final season game was tied at 30. The Aces starters did not take the floor in this final game. Alysha Clark, Megan Gustafson, Sydney Colson, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin started this game. Kiersten Bell did a great job off the bench, in fact, everyone on the floor tonight was doing a terrific job.

After two quarters, the Aces really turned it on. They outscored the Wings 30-15 in the second quarter and led at the half 60-45. There was some amazing play from players you don’t normally see on the floor. Getting the opportunity to play an entire game was invaluable experience for them going forward.

The third quarter was a close one for a minute but it sure did not finish that way. The Aces outscored the Wings 28-23 and after three quarters had built a 20 point lead 88-68. This was their largest lead of he game. They finished the quarter on a 7-0 run. Megan Gustafson had 23 points through three quarters and Tiffany Hayes had 21 points. The Aces were having an impressive second half of basketball.

The Aces called a timeout in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The Wings were showing some stirrings of a rally and Las Vegas wanted to put a stop to any comeback that Dallas was seeking.

Mid-way through the quarter, the Wings had almost cut the Aces lead in half trailing 90-79. Dallas went on a 11-0 run trailing by single digits 90-81. With two minutes left in the game the Aces pushed their lead back out to 98-84. That would be the final.

The high for the Aces was Megan Gustafson with 24 points. Tiffany Hayes chipped in 21 points. She has been amazing all season. Kierstan Bell had 12 points off the bench. For the Wings, Satou Sabally had the high with 25 points.

Game notes: Thursday evening the Aces played their last regular season game at home taking on the Wings. The Aces are headed for the playoffs and Dallas unfortunately will be headed home until next season, always a tough pill to swallow. The Aces finished the season in fourth place and will be starting their playoff run on Sunday taking on the Seattle Storm in game one of the series.

The 2024 WNBA playoffs get underway this Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena. A’Ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will matchup with the fifth place Jewel Lloyd and the Seattle Storm. TIp-off for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The One Man Club 50-50

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers two way mega star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting his 50th home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

The One Man Club 50-50

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is only one player in the One Man Club.

He did not pitch this season because he had Tommy John surgery in 2023. Thursday, September 19, 2024, Shohei Ohtani, while playing in Miami with the Los Angeles Dodgers, became the first man ever in the history of Major League Baseball with 50 homeruns and 50 stolen bases in one single season.

The 30-year-old Japanese international mega-star had elbow surgery last year. Now, Ohtani is headed to the playoffs in 2024 and could pitch again in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani, a once-in-a-lifetime player, will be on the Dodgers’ payroll for the next 20 years under the unique terms of the 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We are fortunate to live during the Ohtani years since not many who witnessed the great Babe Ruth are left.

I know Ohtani was born in Japan, but as we have seen, this talented man plays the most challenging sport to master, baseball, where most of the time you fail; he makes it look easy. His talents make him look like he comes from another world.

Congratulations Ohtani! おめでとう

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants lose to O’s on Santander walk off; Mason Black looks for first win Friday against Royals in KC

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Baltimore Orioles Andy Rutschman (35) slides in scoring in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) on Orioles Jackson Holiday’s hit in the bottom of the fourth inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles Anthony Santander hit a game winning walk off two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Orioles 5-3 win over the visiting San Francisco Giants.

#2 The Orioles had struggled in the series even losing the first of the three game set 10-0 to the Giants but this win Thursday helped them move closer to a shot at the wild card.

#3 The Giants in the top of the ninth inning tied the game 3-3 when Casey Schmitt hit a single off Orioles pitcher Seranthony Dominguez. So it was a game that the Giants nearly scratched out a sweep.

#4 Giants manager Bob Melvin said after the game, We come back in the ninth and have some good at-bats late in the game like we typically do,” said Melvin. “But just fell an at-bat short.”

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Kansas City on Friday night. The Giants will start RHP Mason Black whose looking for his first win (0-4, 7.07) starting for the Royals RHP Michael Wacha (13-7, 3.29) at Kaufman Stadium first pitch 5:10pm PT.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Anthony Santander eliminates Giants with walk-off home run, as Orioles take series finale 5-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Baltimore Orioles Jackson Holliday (7) heads to first base after hitting a two run RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Camden Yards on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Baltimore, Maryland

San Francisco Giants 3 (74-79)

Baltimore Orioles 5 (85-68)

Win: Gregory Soto (3-5)

Loss: Ryan Walker (9-4)

Time: 2:48

Attendance: 23,181

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants were officially eliminated Thursday after failing to secure the sweep in Baltimore, as Anthony Santander hit a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the Orioles to a much-needed 5-3 win.

The Giants’ offense clicked to win the first two games of this three-game series against the struggling Orioles. Thursday, the Giants had a chance to do two things that they have yet to do all season: sweep a series on the road, and sweep a team other than the Colorado Rockies.

After two wet and misty nights, the stage was set up perfectly for the Giants to complete the sweep on a beautiful partly cloudy early fall day in Baltimore. They had an offense playing situational baseball, and their ace, Logan Webb, making a rare start after a win.

Zach Eflin made the start for Baltimore, and he stymied the Giants’ offense with three scoreless innings out of the gate. Webb, meanwhile, pitched three no-hit innings to start his day.

Things then changed in the fourth inning. Jerar Encarnacion reached on an infield hit to lead off the inning, and then Michael Conforto hit a home run to right-center field, his second of the series, to give the Giants a 2-0 lead.

There seemed to be a balance early on in this game. Both pitchers pitched three scoreless innings to start the day, but both of them had a rough go of things in the fourth.

Webb, too, ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth after he walked Anthony Santander to start the inning. Two batters later, Adley Rutschman engaged Webb in an eight-pitch at-bat and worked the count full. On the eighth pitch, Rutschman golfed out a low changeup and lined a double down the right field line that scored Santander to put the Orioles on the board.

Webb was on the ropes. The Orioles had a run in, and runners at second and third with still nobody out. However, with the Orioles’ recent offensive struggles, that gave Webb some room, as he retired the next two hitters he faced.

Webb was now an out away from limiting the damage to just a run and keeping the Giants’ lead. Unfortunately, that would not come to be for Webb, as Jackson Holliday shot a base-hit up the middle into center field, and both runners scored to give Baltimore the lead.

The Orioles had a 3-2 lead going to the fifth, and that delicate balance continued, as neither team scored from the fifth to the eighth.

Webb ended up going five innings after the long bottom of the fourth ballooned his pitch count, which got up to 96. In total, Webb gave up three runs on four hits, and he walked just two and struck out eight. Other than the bottom of the fourth, Webb only allowed one base-runner in four no-hit innings.

The Giants had runners at first and second with two outs against Eflin in the top of the sixth. Patrick Bailey came up and hit a low-hanging fly ball deep to right, but Orioles’ right-fielder Heston Kjerstad went back and two his right to make a nice running catch at the wall to end the inning. That would end the day for Eflin, who went six innings for the O’s, and allowed two runs on six hits.

Taylor Rogers pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth for the Giants. Spencer survived a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh, and then he threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Back to that delicate balance, the ninth inning would be full of action. The Orioles brought in Seranthony Dominguez for the ninth, and he couldn’t find the zone. Dominguez walked Bailey to start the inning, and then he walked Heliot Ramos on four pitches.

The Giants had runners at first and second with nobody out for Casey Schmitt. Schmitt hit a fly ball to right-center that kept carrying. Center-fielder Cedric Mullins and right-fielder Austin Slater—the latter just into the game—both came for it, but they collided, and the ball went to the wall. Bailey scored to tie the game, but after what transpired, Ramos only went to second, and that limited Schmitt to the longest and weirdest single of the year.

It’s understandable to be a bit confused after the craziness that transpired on that fly ball, but the ball laid on the ground next to the wall for a few seconds, and Ramos had all the time in the world to get to third. He even could have scored on that play.

Ramos has been a great story for the Giants this season, and he will be a big part of their future. However, he made the kind of fundamental blunder that we have seen far too much from players throughout Baseball in recent years, especially this season.

It was a costly base-running mistake by Ramos, and it came back to bite the Giants. Donovan Walton tried to lay down a bunt to move the runners over to second and third, but he bunted it in the air to catcher Adley Rutschman. Brandon Hyde then brought in the lefty, Gregory Soto, who induced a 4-3 double play off the bat of Mark Canha to end the inning.

Bob Melvin brought in his closer, the reliable Ryan Walker, for the bottom of the ninth. Walker caught Emmanuel Rivera looking at a sinker at the knees to start the inning, but Gunner Henderson singled to right. Walker then struck Cedric Mullins out swinging, and he quickly got Anthony Santander to an 0-2 count.

Walker was a strike away from sending the game to the tenth. However, Santander battled with two strikes. He took a sinker inside for ball one, and he fouled off four-straight pitches. Then on the eighth pitch, Walker hung a slider just above the knees, and Santander hit a fly ball deep to right-center that kept carrying and went out just over the wall. The Orioles won it 5-3.

Gregory Soto got the win, and Ryan Walker had to take the loss.

Going back to that delicate balance. Neither team scored in the first three innings, and from the fifth through the eighth. However, both teams scored in the fourth and the ninth, and that accounted for all of the runs scored Thursday.

The Giants fall to 74-79, and they have officially been eliminated from any possible postseason contention. With the Giants being eliminated in their 153rd game, this is the earliest they have been eliminated since 2018, when they were eliminated right before their 151st game.

With nine games left and their fate sealed, the Giants can still end the season on a high note. Despite not being able to complete the sweep Thursday, the Giants still played well, and they showed the resilience they’ve had all year when they tied the game in the ninth.

The Giants can now carry that momentum into Kansas City, where they will begin a three-game series and 2014 World Series rematch with the Royals starting Thursday night. The Giants will really have a chance to play spoiler against a Royals’ team that holds the second wild card spot in the American League, and is only two games up on a playoff spot.

Mason Black (0-4, 7.07 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and he will be opposed by the longtime veteran and old friend, Michael Wacha (13-7, 3.29 ERA). First pitch at Kauffman Stadium will be at 7:10 p.m., and 5:10 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Defense held, Minshew and Carlson were key on offense in Baltimore win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) puts the tackle on the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) in first half action at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sun Sep 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Las Vegas podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew led the Raiders with three scoring drives in fourth and critical last quarter of the game.

#2 Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson got off a 38 yarder with 27 seconds left in the game and the Raiders were able to get by a very tough Baltimore Ravens team 26-23.

#3 The Ravens looked like they had this one when running back Derrick Henry rushed for a touchdown to give the Ravens a ten point 23-13 lead with 12 minutes left in game.

#4 Minshew once again reached down and went for the gusto and led the Raiders with three scoring drives which was the huge difference coming back against one of the toughest teams in the NFL for the win.

#5 The Raiders host a struggling Carolina Panthers team that have lost their first two games of the season. The Panthers could be easy work for the Raiders having this game back at Allegiant Stadium and Minshew firing on all cylinders.

Rich Perez does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts after every home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s commentary: My Farewell to the Green and Gold

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former great Oakland A’s catcher the late Ray Fosse looking upwards smile on face with catcher’s glove is one of the people the author will remember and be thankful for in covering A’s baseball over the years (file photo Athletic Nation)

My Farewell to the Green & Gold

By Mauricio Segura

As a lifelong fan of the Oakland A’s, who used to dream (like many) of donning a green and gold jersey, #21, playing centerfield, and hitting home runs into the ivy behind the bleachers (before Mt. Davis ruined that), writing these words feels like carving out a piece of my soul.

The ever-approaching finality of the A’s leaving Oakland is not just the loss of a team—it’s the tearing apart of decades of memories, a community, and the beating heart of baseball in the East Bay. For those who’ve been there since the beginning, watching games in the windy chill of the Coliseum, there’s an indescribable ache that settles in knowing this chapter is closing.

It feels like losing a loved one, something irreplaceable, where nothing will ever refill the void. It is with tears streaming down my face that I write these words—my farewell and tribute to an old friend.

The A’s have always been a team of movement—born in Philadelphia in 1901, where they first made history as one of the original American League franchises. Winning five world championships under the legendary Connie Mack, the A’s became a powerhouse of early Major League Baseball.

After a rocky tenure in Kansas City (1955-1967), they landed in Oakland in 1968. We welcomed them with open arms, and what a ride it’s been. The 1970s became the Golden Age of the A’s, with owner Charlie Finley turning the team into champions—and not just any champions, but a team that captured the imaginations of baseball fans everywhere.

Finley was a showman. He brought in oddities that left people shaking their heads and laughing, like the introduction of “The Mechanical Rabbit” that delivered new baseballs to umpires, or his insistence that the team wear white cleats—a move that was mocked at first but ended up setting a fashion trend that teams followed for decades.

It wasn’t just gimmicks that made those A’s teams legendary, though. On the field, they were a force of nature. Between 1972 and 1974, they won three consecutive World Series titles, with Hall of Famers like Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers delivering one clutch performance after another.

Who could forget the cannon arm of Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October” himself, or the speed of Bert Campaneris flying around the bases? These players didn’t just play the game; they electrified it, turning it into something bigger than a sport—a cultural moment.

Side note, did you know that Debbi Fields of Mrs. Fields Cookie’s fame was one of the original Oakland A’s ball girls? She was! And Stanely Kirk Burrel, who you know better as MC Hammer was a ballboy.

By the 1980s, the A’s reinvented themselves again under the fiery and relentless Billy Martin. The term “Billy Ball” became synonymous with aggressive, no-holds-barred baseball. Billy Martin was a manager with a spark, and he brought that spark to Oakland in full force.

Players like Rickey Henderson, who would go on to become the all-time stolen base leader, were at the forefront of this era. Henderson wasn’t just fast; he was a magician on the base paths, stealing more bases in a single season (130) than any other team in the league, then years later finishing his career as the king of steals with 1,406—a Major League Baseball record that may never be broken. Alongside him, players like Dwayne Murphy, Tony Phillips, and pitcher Steve McCatty embodied the hustle, grit, and toughness that came to define this period.

Then came the LaRussa years and the rise of the Bash Brothers—Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. The late ’80s were a time of thunderous home runs, and the team was crowned champions again in 1989, winning the World Series in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

That series against our Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants, became known as the “Earthquake Series,” a poignant and surreal moment in sports history that transcended baseball. The image of Dave Stewart staring down batters with a look of a tiger eyeing its prey or Dennis Eckersley pumping his fist after each pivotal strikeout is etched in our memories. And who can forget the heartwarming, gap-toothed smile of Dave “Hendu” Henderson? Every time he smiled, you knew something good was afoot.

In the 2000s, the A’s were ahead of their time with the Moneyball era. Billy Beane, the architect behind it all, revolutionized baseball with a strategy that turned conventional wisdom on its head. While teams like the Yankees spent hundreds of millions, the A’s thrived by analyzing data and exploiting inefficiencies. Players like Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Eric Chavez, and Scott Hatteberg became household names, not for their superstar status, but for their incredible contributions to a team that embraced innovation and defied the odds.

And even now, with a team expected by everyone in the league to be thrown out with the morning trash, a special shoutout goes to players like Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Zack Gelof, who, despite the chaos swirling around them, continue to play their hearts out and win games for us. Their perseverance, despite resistance, has shown the utmost dedication and loyalty to their craft.

Through it all, something else stands out—the unwavering loyalty of the fans. The Oakland Coliseum, often called a “dump” by outsiders, was home for us. Sure, the plumbing was bad, and the seats were outdated, but it was our dump—where we witnessed moonshots and forearm bashes.

Our dump where, in May of 1991, Rickey Henderson proudly declared, “Today, I am the greatest of all time.” Our dump where Catfish Hunter and Dallas Braden achieved perfection on the mound almost 42 years apart. It will always be our dump, and we’re damn proud of it!

The stadium has reverberated with the chants of the fans who packed the bleachers, beating drums, blowing horns, and throwing themselves behind this team. Even as attendance waned in later years due to poor ownership decisions and the looming threat of relocation, Oakland fans refused to go quietly.

Who could forget the reverse boycott of 2023, when fans donned “Sell” shirts in protest of ownership—a movement so significant that one such shirt ended up in the Hall of Fame! That was more than a protest—it was a love letter to the team, a declaration that we wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Yet here we are, at the end of that fight. The A’s are leaving, and it’s hard to fathom a future without them in Oakland. But they leave behind a legacy, one that can never be erased. This city, with its rich and complicated history, has been the backdrop for some of the most incredible moments in the history of this beautiful game.

Even as the team moves to Sacramento, Las Vegas—or wherever the winds of ownership take them—those of us who lived and breathed Oakland baseball will carry these memories forever.

As the final out is recorded next Thursday afternoon, and the team leaves the Coliseum for the last time, our hearts will remain torn. But the memories we made—of championships, rivalries, legends, and wild innovations—will never die. We can only hope that somewhere, in the heart of Las Vegas or wherever the A’s land, they carry a piece of Oakland with them. Because no matter where they go, the spirit of the Oakland A’s will always belong to us.

In my ten years covering this final chapter of A’s baseball from the Coliseum press box, I want to give a thankful shoutout to three people who have made it so much more memorable: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, the Spanish Voice of the Oakland A’s since 1977 and my mentor; Lee Leonard for countless hours of stories and laughs between innings… and during; and the late great Ray Fosse, who was always available for questions and advice. Thank you!

Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times Die-hard Green and Gold since 1983

Marie saves the night as Quakes draw with Sounders at Lumen Field 2-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders battled to a draw at Lumen Field in Seattle on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (SI photos/Getty Images)

The San Jose Earthquakes are back on the road, this time they visited their Pacific Northwest counterparts, the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field.

San Jose Starting XI: Daniel, Verhoeven, Rodrigues, Munie, Akapo, Gruezo, Tsakiris, Pellegrino, Lopez, Espinoza, Bouda

Seattle Starting XI: Frei, Roldan, Yelmar, Ragen, Nouhou, Roldan, Vargas, Rothrock, Rusnak, de la Vega, Morris

The Quakes got out to an early lead in the 16th minute when a pass by Cristian Espinoza landed loose inside of the box for Amahl Pellegrino who was able to put it away and make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors. It didn’t take long for Seattle to tie it up though.

After Hernan Lopez was shown a yellow card, the Sounders got a dangerous free kick from roughly 35 yards out. The ball was crossed into the box, and after quite a bit of a scramble with the ball inside of the area it eventually found its way to Jordan Morris who was able to put it past Daniel. In the 39th minute, Morris got his second of the night on a volley inside of the box giving the Sounders a 2-1 lead that they’d carry into half time.

Heading into the second half, the Earthquakes found themselves in a very similar situation. They were trailing with 45 minutes to figure out a way to get a point or potentially all three. Although they controlled possession quite a bit in the second half, the Earthquakes were unable to find an equalizer for quite a while in the second half. The Quakes brought quite a bit of pressure, bringing their shot total closer to that of Seattle’s but the Sounders still led in that category.

It was ultimately a pretty uneventful second half, as although chances were being created many of them weren’t high-danger opportunities that truly seemed like they could change the complexion of the match. Seattle was the better team overall, even though San Jose was able to maintain possession on a more regular basis.

Considering Seattle currently find themselves fourth in the Western Conference while the Earthquakes are dead last in 14th, it would’ve been hard to be upset if San Jose left Seattle without a point. Overall though, San Jose did do a fantastic job keeping it close against a team that clearly has much more talent on it.

Picking up three points would’ve desperately helped the Sounders as they’re currently in the midst of a massive playoff battle. While a single point is definitely better than nothing, a tight race makes every point crucial. Everyone from second to eighth in the conference are only separated by a few games’ worth of points, so every game is crucial for teams hoping to get a higher seeding.

The Quakes on the other hand continue to struggle mightily in a season that has left their fans very little hope about the immediate future. Outside of Hernan Lopez and Espinoza, there’s no true offensive weapons on the team who can help them squeak out some wins in crucial games like this one.

The Quakes had a strong outing against Seattle earlier this season when they defeated the Sounders 3-2 at PayPal Park, so it seemed like they should be able to earn another point on the road and a late goal by Paul Marie made that a reality.

In the 89th minute, he was able to find the back of the net to even it up when it seemed like the Sounders were going to walk away with three points. Instead, both teams got a single point which will undoubtedly have drastic playoff implications later on down the road.

With only five games remaining in the season, the Earthquakes have already been eliminated from playoff contention. The results of coming games aren’t meaningless though, as now is the perfect time to turn things around and carry some momentum into the 2025 season while also potentially playing spoiler for other organizations. Considering it seemed at one point that San Jose would be leaving Seattle with a loss, their late goal truly changed everything.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Giants continue to struggle lose by 4 pts to Commanders; Jets and Rogers pull off a win over Titans 24-17; plus more NFL news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws and incomplete pass past Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) in a two point conversion attempt at Northwest Stadium in Landover MD on Sun Sep 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, the New York Giants (0-2) continue to struggle they lost last Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders (1-1) in Washington. the Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw 23-29 for 226 yards. The game had to be frustrating for the Giants losing by a field goal 21-18.

#2 Jessica, the New York Jets (1-1) got into the win column pulling off a win against the Tennessee Titans (0-2). What helped the Jets in the second half was their defense stopping the Titans allowing just one touchdown while the Jets scored ten points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth quarter for the 24-17 win. Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers threw for 18-30, 176 yards, and two touchdowns.

#3 The Miami Dolphins (1-1) on Thursday Night Football Sep 12th got blown out by the Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami 31-10. The Bills came out blazing on offense doing most of the damage scoring 17 points in the second quarter. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was 13-19 for 139 yards, and one touchdown.

#4 The Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) picked up their second straight win last Sunday over the Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Chargers came out scoring 20 points in the first half and that pretty much put it our of reach for the Panthers. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 130 yards and was 14-20 with two touchdowns.

#5 In a low scoring game in Denver the Broncos (0-2) couldn’t get any traction against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) in a low scoring game 13-6. While both defenses did their job the Broncos quarterback Bo Nix couldn’t convert any touchdowns and the Broncos only scoring were two field goals in the fourth quarter. Nix was 20-35 for 117 yards with no touchdowns. The Steelers quarterback Justin Fields went 13-20 for 117 yards and one touchdown.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com