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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Dodgers reload and acquire Yamamoto

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto seen here dealing with Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic signed a 12 year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thu Dec 21, 2023 (AP file photo)

Dodgers reload and acquire Yamamoto

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Los Angeles Dodgers so far have had a sensational off-season, which began with signing the #1 Free Agent and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to an incredible 10-year-$700 million deal. A couple of weeks later, they signed free-agent pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

Today, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, considered the best pitcher in Japan, is also a Dodger with a $375 million contract; the Yankees, the Mets, and the Giants made offers for Yamamoto, but he chose the Dodgers. No surprise here; as soon as the Dodgers signed Ohtani, the two-way superstar was recruiting Yamamoto to come to Los Angeles.

Although it is not yet confirmed, it is believed that the Yamamoto contract is for 12 years and $325 million. Also, there is a posting fee of $50 million. The $325 million is the most given to a pitcher, more than Yankees’ current American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, beating Cole by $1 million. Yamamoto will be making a $27 million per year salary.

The Dodgers, one of three teams last season to win 100 games, the other two were also divisional winners, Atlanta (104) and Baltimore (101), look like the team to beat again in the National League West. Adding Glasnow and Yamamoto to the Dodger rotation is crucial to their hopes of repeating as divisional champions, combined with a great top-of-the-lineup headed by three of the best hitters of MVP caliber in the game: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.

The Giants also were interested in Yamamoto, but the Dodges outbid them. The Giants’ best free-agent signing is South Korean star outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee, who received a 6-year $113 million contract from San Francisco; he can opt-out after four seasons.

His agent is Scott Boras, and many in the business believe that although Lee is a star outfielder, Boras might have oversold the player to the Giants. Cody Bellinger, who had a great season with the Chicago Cubs, is still available and one of the best position players in this 2023 class of free agents.

Many teams have shown interest in the 2019 NL Most Valuable Player; if the Giants want Bellinger, they might have to overspend, some say around $200 million. With all respect to Bellinger, I do not think he is worth that much.

Still, it is all relative to how much the Giants would want Bellinger in Orange and Black. By not acquiring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Giants continue to ‘swing and miss’ at the most prominent free-agent names available during the last few years.

According to Alex Pavlovic, Yamamoto informed the Giants that he would not be signing with them; the Red Sox and Blue Jays were also after the Japanese hurler. The Giants’ offseason focus was on Ohtani and Yamamoto. Unfortunately, not only did neither choose to come to San Francisco, but they went to LA to the Dodgers, the one team the Giants despise the most. Like the French say: “c’est la vie. — that’s life.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks Lose 5-2 To The Arizona Coyotes In One Last Home Game Before Christmas

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The Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller (9) scores on San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks host the Arizona Coyotes in the SAP Center following the Sharks loss to the Kings on Tuesday. After a trying first 11 games to start the season in which SJ went 0-10-1 to open the campaign, the Sharks have rebounded with a nearly -.500 record over the team’s last 21 contests, but since the calendar flipped to December, the Sharks are 4-4-1 with three of those five losses coming by one goal. The Sharks lost on home ice on Thursday night to the Coyotes for their fourth straight loss 5-2 at SAP Center.

Smooth first period for the Sharks both defensively and offensively. Similar flow to the last game, San Jose getting great scoring chances as well as stopping the opposition for the duration of the period. SJ outshot Arizona 12-7 was a display that the Sharks had their foot on the necks of the Coyotes, but the goalies were on point keeping it scoreless. 

The second period was a more electric period, but not necessarily for the Sharks. The first goal for Arizona was from Michael Kesselring on a quick wrist shot past Mackenzie Blackwood to make it 1-0.

Immediately following the Coyotes goal, the Sharks responded with a breakaway goal off Anthony Duclair and the crowd was right back in it, 1-1. Two minutes later Arizona responded with a unassisted breakaway goal of their own courtesy of Clayton Keller on a backhand shot, 2-1 Arizona.

The Coyotes knew they couldn’t take their foot off the gas and got another goal when Alex Kerfoot snuck one past Blackwood on a deflected shot, 3-1 Desert Dogs. The ending of the period was rough and chaotic, but no goal for the Sharks and the period ended 3-1.

The feeling of last game was still in the air, but since it’s the holidays the San Jose crowd was clearly still enjoying themselves, but they wouldn’t mind a win before Christmas, especially if at this point a win meant them scoring four goals and this crowd would get free tacos. 

26 seconds into the final period, Filip Zadina poked in the puck and it was a quick goal to make it 3-2 and the crowd had high hopes. Well those hopes were squashed and decisively. A beautiful setup on a power play created a great array of passing that led to a Nick Schmaltz goal, 4-2 Arizona.

There were still high hopes in the SAP Center, but that disappeared when Lawson Course hit a snappy wrist shot that killed the crowd and put a nail in the coffin of this game with a score of 5-2 for the Coyotes. The final seconds ticked away and a chorus of boos hit. 5-2 Coyotes and that’s the holiday send off the fans were left with.

This season for the Sharks hasn’t been easy, but for the Sharks fans it’s been something they’d like to forget or at least drown out with some eggnog. San Jose’s next game will be in Vancouver against the Canucks the day before Christmas Eve.

The Sharks hit the road on Saturday night in Vancouver a 7:00pm face off and head to Los Angeles to face the Kings on Wednesday night. The next home game for the Sharks won’t be until Thu Dec 28th and these fans hopefully can get a late Christmas gift from the boys in teal with a win back at home.

Yamamoto signs 12 year, $325 million deal with Dodgers

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Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto seen delivering in the World Baseball Classic on Mar 20, 2023 in Miami. Yamamoto has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thu Dec 21, 2023 on a 12 year contract. (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg and Lewis Rubman

Super star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is dealing at the bargaining table before he starts dealing on the mound. Yamamoto signed a 12 year $325 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers joining Japanese two way player pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

If Ohtani was pitching this season the two would have a lot of fireside chats in the Dodgers bullpen but as everyone well knows Ohtani will be the Dodgers designated hitter. Yamamoto a right hander becomes the second highest paid guaranteed pitcher.

Yamamoto won three straight Sawamura Awards which is Japan’s equal to MLB’s Cy Young Award. Yamamoto was one of the best pitchers to come through the Japan’s big leagues in it’s 74 year history. Yamamoto was a well sought after pitcher with the New York Mets who were the expected front runners for Yamamoto followed by the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.

Yamamoto had an amazing run in Japanese ball throwing 820 1/3 innings with a 1.65 ERA and allowed only one home run in every 28 innings pitched. Yamamoto has a mix of pitches split finger, a curve ball that loops and has hitters off balance and bend their knees to take a swipe at it and a devastating 99 MPH fast ball.

Yamamoto is noted as being as good as any pitcher that came from Japan. He’s 5’10 and 176 pounds. He most likely will be the number one pitcher in the Dodger starting rotation. He will have Ohtani with him to give him pointers on how to throw to certain hitters that he faced when he pitched.

With the acquisition of Yamamoto and Ohtani’s encouragement behind him this could catapult the Dodgers into the NL West stratosphere with Yamamoto’s pitching and Ohtani’s hitting. The Dodgers failed to make it to the NL Championship series last season so there are big expectations for them to make it to the World Series this season with Yamamoto and Ohtani on their roster.

Yamamoto’s sterling record in Japan doesn’t, however, guarantee him success in Los Angeles.  In a recent interview with Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Brian Cashman noted some of the differences between the Nippon Professional Association and MLB.

These include a difference in the size the baseball in the two organizations; multi-time zone travel in the States; the longer MLB season; Japan’s traditional Monday days off; the use of the six man rotation rotation in Japan; and the higher overall level of play in the MLB.

Cashman, who was wooing Yamamoto at the time, added that his scouts were confident that he could overcome these possible obstacles to stateside success. The Yankee scouts might very well be correct in their assessment, but that doesn’t mean that the Dodgers have a lock on the 2024 season and beyond.

Jerry Feitelberg and Lewis Rubman are both MLB beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford battles San Diego State Tonight; Cardinal set sights for third win in a row

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Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) won the Freshman of the week Award. Stojakovic led the Cardinal in scoring with 17 points against the Idaho Vandals Sun Dec 17, 2023 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic led the Cardinal with 17 points Sunday at Stanford and won the Freshman of the week Award quite an achievement for Stojakovic.

#2 Four other Cardinal ended up in double figures. Michael Jones had 14 points with seven rebounds and Maxime Raynaud got his second double double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

#3 Kanaan Carlyle had 11 points in his first game with the Cardinal and off the bench.

#4 The Cardinal shot 56.4 their highest percentage of the season and 43.5 for three pointers. It was the third time the Cardinal past the 40 percent mark this season.

#5 It’s off to San Diego State and the Aztecs Thu Dec 21st. The Aztecs won their last game edging UC Irvine 63-62 at San Diego State. Aztecs are good and ready with a 9-2 record. Stanford is 6-4 and are looking for a road win.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Vilardi’s goal and 2 assists stand up in Jets win over Wings 5-2; Strome gets power play goal in Caps OT win; plus more NHL news

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The Winnipeg Jets Gabriel Vilardi (13) gets the puck in the back of the net in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings goaltender James Reimer (47) at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Wed Dec 20, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len, Gabriel Vilardi led the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday scoring in his fourth straight game. Vilardi picked up two assists to help defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. Jets goal tender Connor Hellebeck did a job in net.

#2 The Washington Capitals Dylan Strome scored on a power play goal at 1:41 into the overtime as the Caps edged the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena in DC. Strome has become the go to guy.

#3 Len, right after the Los Angeles Kings defeated the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night 4-1 the Kings got handed a one goal loss by the Seattle Kraken whose goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 42 shots and allowed just one goal in the 2-1 win for Seattle on Wednesday night. Kings are not playing well at home but got a key win on home ice.

#4 Jaromir Jagr may no longer be in the NHL but he hasn’t hung up his skate at 51 years old as he starts his 36th season in professional hockey playing in the Czech Republic with Klando in a 4-3 loss to Pardubice. Played 26 games last year at 50 years old. Jagr picked up an assist it’s just incredible that Jagr is still going strong still playing professional hockey.

#5 Len, they’re talking about big and the NHL, media and the fans are looking forward to the next 2024 Discover Winter Classic outdoors as the Seattle Kraken prepare to host the Vegas Golden Knights at T Mobile Park the baseball home of the Seattle Mariners. The outdoor game is scheduled for New Years day at 12 noon PT.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Will Morant’s return improve things for Grizzlies?; Jets Rogers says he won’t be back this season; plus more news

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Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant is sworn in to testify during a court hearing at Shelby County Circuit Court in Memphis TN on Mon Dec 11, 2023. Regarding punching a 17 year basketball player at his home. Morant is suspended for displaying a gun on social media (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast:

#1 The Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant is returning to action after serving 25 game suspension. Morant was suspended due to his social media antics with handguns. The Grizzlies have been struggling, they have tension on the club, Morant returned last night will his return improve the team or will the Grizzlies continue to go the path of dysfunction?

#2 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers will not return this season from his Achilles injury. Rogers who got injured in the first regular season game said afterwards that he would return during the season however Rogers during a recent interview on the Pat McAfee show on ESPN, “If I was 100% today, I’d be definitely pushing to play,” Rogers added “But the fact is, I’m not.”

#3 The Indianapolis Colts suspended wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown for conduct detrimental to the team. The details of the conduct were not forthcoming but both McKenzie and Brown were suspended for the rest of the regular season. McKenzie and Brown were healthy scratches for last Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers which the Colts won. McKenzie and Brown are backup players but are crucial to the Colts.

#4 The Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew McCutchen have reached a one year deal worth $5 million. McCutchen needs one more home run to reach 300 career home runs. McCutchen 37, is playing in his 16th big league season he broke into the majors in 2009. McCutchen suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon in his left foot back on Sep 4th.

#5 The New York Mets are reported to be the frontrunner for Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto is the most sought after pitcher in years and there are a number of MLB clubs seeking his services. The Mets have met with Yamamoto twice already and it’s reported that Yamamoto will be making a decision soon.

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

Celtics Come to Town and Dethrone the Kings 144-119

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) goes for the the thrown down against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

By Tony Renteria 12/20/2023 

SACRAMENTO–The hometown Sacramento Kings (16-9) hosted the Visiting first place Boston Celtics (20-6) on a cold December night in Capital City. The Kings started out strong with a high scoring first quarter but that seemed to be the only high scoring quarter for the Kings as the Celtics left Sacramento with a decisive victory with a score of  144-119.

The First Quarter started out with a three pointer by Keegan Murray and the Kings seemed to all follow suit as the Team was 11/21 from beyond the arch. The Celtics kept up with the Kings as they also hit three points shots going eight for 12 to pace as they were only down by three points as the Kings led 41 to 38. De’Aaron Fox was a superlative five for six from three-point land as he led the Kings with 17 first quarter points. 

The Second Quarter seemed to be all the Celtics as they roared back behind the shooting and play of guard Derrick White. White led all Celtics with 19 first half points. Fox seemed to cool off and in doing so let the Celtics go into the half with 74-to-66-point lead. Fox did score nine points in the quarter to add to his total of 26 points. 

The Third Quarter seemed to a continuation of the second as the Celtics came out firing and shooting lights out. At a little more than the seven-minute mark the Celtics had increased their lead to a near commanding 96-72 margin. 

As the Celtics continued to expand their lead in the quarter the sound of cowbells seemed to be drowned out by the cheers of Celtics who seem occupy almost half of the northern lower deck. The Celtics outscored the Kings 39 -24 in the quarter to take a 113- 90 lead into the final period. 

The Fourth Quarter just seemed to get worse for the Kings as the Celtics had a 25-point lead with nine minutes to go. The Celtics keep pace with scoring from Forward Jaylen Brown and Center Kristaps Porzingas. Around the six-minute mark it appeared as Head Coach Mike Brown had thrown in the towel for the games not a single starter was in the game. 

Celtics all-star Jayson Tatum (26.8 points and 8.7 Rebounds) was inactive due to a left ankle sprain. Starting Center Al Horford, the 17-year veteran and his (7.7 points and 7.1 rebounds) were inactive as well due to load management.  

Kings have been led by De’Aaron Fox (30.1 points and 6.4 assists) 

San Jose State Ends 2023 With A 81-78 Victory Against Santa Clara; Face Wyoming Jan 2nd

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Alvaro Cardenas (13) San Jose Spartans guard finished second in scoring with 14 against the Wyoming Cowboys at Provident Credit Union Event Arena in San Jose Wed Dec 20, 2023 (San Jose Spartans photo)

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose State Spartans host the Santa Clara Broncos in a matchup between Silicon Valley schools. The Spartans are coming off their first home loss of the season, an 86-75 defeat to Montana Sunday afternoon. 

The first half for San Jose State was them clicking on all cylinders, 55% from the field. Tibet Gorener and Latrell Davis led the Sparatans with 10 points each with MJ Amey Jr. with nine. Meanwhile Santa Clara was led by Carlos Marshall Jr. who had 23 points, but that wasn’t enough to put them up at the half as the Brocos were trailing by three as the half ended with 42-39 SJSU. 

The second half started and the Spartans went right on the offensive. Santa Clara was on their heels all first half, so San Jose State needed to separate themselves from this hungry Broncos team if the Spartans were gonna walk out of the event center with a W.

The whole game it felt like Santa Clara was right there with SJSU, but that’s because they were. Four different players in double digits (Amey Jr, Davis, Gorener, and Cardenas) contributed to SJSU maintaining a lead, but the Broncos were always within a fighting distance.

The last minute they were tied at 76 a piece and after a Santa Clara three. Amey Jr. hit two free throws to take the lead and after a missed three from the Broncos, the Spartans had Adrame Diongue at the free throw line, not being that great from the line, he missed one and made one, putting SJSU up three with  12 seconds left.

Adama Bal scored a layup to put the Broncos within one and had to foul the Spartans again to regain possession, this time Alvaro Cardenas who hit both free throws to make their lead a three point lead. The final chance buzzer beater three for Santa Clara hit rim, but no success and the Spartans won 81-78.

Amey Jr. with 19 points and Cardenas with a double double are just one of the many reasons the Spartans left with the win, but they won this by playing their game both halves. 

Spartans got a feel-good win before the holiday break and got a well deserved break. Their next game will be in 2024, specifically January 2nd 2024 in Wyoming against Wyoming. The San Jose State Spartans look to start their next year with more success than they did, ending 2023 7-6.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Cal eeks it out against the Trying Tritons 71-67 at Haas Pavilion

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The Cal Bears guard Devin Askew (55) gets the offense plan going against the UC San Diego Tritons guard Tyler McGhie (13) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 20, 2023 (Cal Bears photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 First half Cal at one point had a 34-8 lead and you had to wonder how much will Cal crush the UCSD Tritons but it all started to collapse in the second half.

#2 In the second half the Tritons gained confidence and had a 14-0 run on the Bears and the Tritons looked as if they had broken through.

#3 The Tritons took advantage of Cal’s turnovers and couldn’t string any scoring when UCSD took a brief lead.

#4 In the last ten minutes of the game a nail biter Cal was hoping to slow down the UCSD. Cal was looking to try and slow the Tritons offense down and get back in the ball game. It was a game that went down to the last 20 seconds. Cal just got by the Tritons 71-67.

#5 Cal has the tough task to face #4 Arizona in they’re next game on Fri Dec 29th at Haas Pavilion. The Wildcats have won eight of their last nine games. Cal could have they’re hands full.

Stephen Ruderman is a Cal Bears basketball beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears dodge massive bullet after blowing 26-point lead Tryin’ Tritons and barely hold on 71-67

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The Cal Bears guard Keonte Kennedy (3) runs down the court against the UCSD Tritons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Dec 20, 2023 (Cal Bears basketball podcast)

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

UC San Diego Tritons 67 (6-6)

California Golden Bears 71 (4-7)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The California Golden Bears returned home, and nearly had their worst loss of the season, as they blew a 34-8 lead, but they barely held on after a long and laborious second period to bead the UC San Diego Tritons, 71-67.

The Bears won the opening tip, and they just dominated. Fardaws Aimaq dunked one in to get the scoring started for Cal. Jalen Cone made back-to-back threes, and Jalen Celestine laid one in to make it 10-0 Bears just a minute and 43 seconds into the game.

Cone, Keonte Kennedy and Celestine all hit threes to make it 19-2 just four minutes and 35 seconds in. Aimaq laid one in to make it 21-2. With 8:25 remaining in the first period, Cal led it 34-8.

Cal’s lead remained steady, as they led it 42-19 with 2:30 left, but the Tritons then began to chip away at Cal’s lead, and they closed out the first period with an 8-2 run to go into the half down 44-27.

Come the second period, everything changed. The Tritons scored four unanswered points to start the second period, and make it 44-31. Cal then responded, and made it 50-34, but the Tritons then went on a 14-0 run to cut the Bears’ lead to just two at 50-48.

Just as Cal was making every shot in the first half of the first period, the momentum and tone of the game had completely changed. Now it was the Tritons making every shot, and Cal missing every shot.

The Bears had a brief reprieve, as Rodney Brown Jr. laid one in, and Cone hit a three to open Cal’s lead back to 55-48. However, the Tritons just as quickly bounced right back, as Bryce Pope hit a jumper, and Tyler Mcghie hit a three to make it 55-53.

Pope then hit a three ball, and the Tritons had come all the way back from down 34-8 to take a 56-55 lead with 8:55 remaining. Pope then made a pair of free throws to extend the Tritons’ lead to 58-55.

Aimaq laid one in for Cal to cut it to 58-57, and then after several missed shots by both teams, Keonte Kennedy hit a pair of free throws to put the Bears back ahead at 59-58. Jaylon Tyson then laid one in, was fouled and then made a free throw to make it 62-58. Tyson then made another free throw roughly a minute later to make it 63-58.

The Bears were on an 8-0 run, and appeared to have the momentum back, as the game entered its final minutes. However, Mcghie hit a free throw for the Tritons, and then Francis Nwaokorie hit two more to make it 63-61 with 2:11 remaining.

Aimaq made a jumper to make it 65-61, and Emmanuel Tshimanga made a pair of free throws for San Diego to make it 65-63. Jalen Celestine then hit a three with 1:05 remaining to make it 68-63, followed by a pair of free throws by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones to make it 68-65.

The Bears had the ball, and then Tshimanga stole the ball from Aimaq, and passed it to Tait-Jones, who laid one in to make it a one-point game at 68-67 with just 22.9 seconds remaining. Hayden Gray fouled Kennedy with 20.9 seconds left, and Kennedy hit both free throws to make it 70-67.

After Mcghie missed a three for the Tritons, Celestine was fouled, and made the final of his two free throws, and the Bears were able to barely hold on to win it, 71-67.

With this win, the Bears have officially surpassed last season’s win total just 11 games into this season, as they improve to 4-7. They will have another eight days off, and then they will welcome the Arizona Wildcats to Haas Pavilion to begin Pac-12 play on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7:30.