San Jose Barracuda forward Igor Cherynshov (24) is preparing with his San Jose teammates for their first pre season game against the Bakersfield Condors on Sat Oct 5, 2025 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)
San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:
#1 Which new or recently signed Barracuda players are expected to make a big impact in camp, and what are their roles likely to be?
#2 Which prospects are on the bubble between Sharks vs Barracuda, and what would decide whether they stick with the AHL or get NHL minutes?
#3 How much is the coaching staff likely to lean on recent standout performances (AHL stats, prior season) when evaluating players, compared to potential and development upside?
#4 What are the expectations for players returning from injury (or who missed games), and how will that affect their chances in camp?
#5 San Jose Barracuda open up pre season action against the Bakersfield Condors next Sat Oct 4th in Bakersfield talk about some of the things that head coach John McCarthy is looking for in this upcoming game?
Sacramento Kings Dennis Schroder can be a huge difference working with the rookies and young players in camp for the upcoming 2025-26 season (Sacramento Kings X photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:
#1 Which young players or rookies in camp have the best chance to outperform expectations and earn a rotational spot, and why?
#2 How will the coaching staff manage the minutes and development balance between veterans and less experienced players during scrimmages and preseason games?
#3 How will the Kings integrate their veteran acquisitions shooting guard Dennis Schröder with young core players during camp, and will that impact early rotations?
#4 Which players on non‑guaranteed or Exhibit 10 contracts like Terence Davis have the best shot to make the opening night roster, and what will they need to prove?
#5 Which guard — among Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, Devin Carter or others — might miss the rotation, and what factors defense, playmaking, shooting will decide that outcome?
Join Barbara Mason for the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday and throughout the 2025-26 NBA season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Former San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin signs a hat for a fan on Sat Sep 27, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Melvin was fired by the Giants on Mon Sep 29, 2025 one day after the regular season was completed. (AP News photo)
By Stephen Ruderman
The Giants announced Monday morning that they have dismissed Manager Bob Melvin after just two seasons.
Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey informed Melvin Monday morning.
“After meeting with ownership, I met with Bob today to inform him of my decision,” said Posey in a statement put out by the Giants this morning. “On behalf of the organization, I want to express my appreciation to Bob for his dedication, professionalism and class. I wish him all the best.”
Melvin was brought in following Gabe Kapler’s dismissal following the 2023 season. After several off-season acquisitions, expectations were high for the Giants last season.
However, a season-ending injury to Jung Hoo Lee, and complications surrounding then-President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi complicated things. The Giants were never able to put much together last season, and they finished their third-straight mediocre season at 80-82.
Posey was brought in to replace Zaidi at the end of last season, which gave Melvin more freedom to manage during games. The Giants also signed Willy Adames to bolster their offense, and following an 18-10 spring, expectations were high for the team.
The Giants started the season on fire, winning eight of their first nine games. They got their record to 24-14 after a win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 7. There was a true belief and determination by the team to make this a special season.
Unfortunately, the Giants lost their mojo and played .500 ball for the next month and a half. Following a sweep by the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in late June, cracks began to appear in the armor of the team.
Despite the Giants’ struggles, Posey exercised Melvin’s option for next season on July 1. The Giants regained their momentum to win seven of their next nine.
However, after a brutal loss to the Dodgers to end the first half on July 13, the Giants collapsed, losing 12 of their next 14 to fall the way to under .500. That led Posey to sell at the trade deadline, as reliever Tyler Rogers, closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski were all dealt for prospects.
Things continued to get worse for the Giants in August, and they fell to seven games under .500 at 61-68 after a walk-off home run by William Contreras in Milwaukee on Aug. 22. The summer was lowlighted by a 1-15 stretch at home.
After a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 15, which was the Giants’ 14th loss in their previous 15 home games, Melvin raised eyebrows saying, “We take the field every day, and gotta do it the next day, unfortunately.” It was a comment that rubbed Giants’ fans in a negative way, and showed signs of a manager losing his edge.
After Contreras’ walk-off home run on Aug. 22, the Giants suddenly got hot again. They won 11 of their next 12, and 14 out of 18 in total to get to just a half-game back of the New York Mets for the third wild card spot in the National League on Sept. 12.
At the end, it was the same story. The following night, the Giants blew a 4-1 lead to the Dodgers with Logan Webb on the mound in a brutal 13-7 loss. Three nights later, the Giants scored four runs in the top of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, but blew the lead in a brutal 6-5 loss.
The Giants ended up eight out of ten, and were eliminated on Sept. 23. The Giants did win their final four to finish right at .500 at 81-81 for the second time in the last four years, but the damage was already done. At the end, the Giants finished just two games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the third wild card spot in the National League.
What started off as a magical season eventually turned into the Giants’ fourth-straight mediocre season. It was also the third time in the last four years in which the Giants were at double digits in games over .500, but failed to finish over .500.
“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” Posey said in the statement. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”
Melvin’s tenure is the shortest of any Giants’ manager in 40 years. Melvin became the first Giants’ skipper to last less than four seasons—or shall we say less than three games shy of four seasons—since Jim Davenport was brought in in 1985, only to last 144 games in a brutal 100-loss season, the worst in the Giants’ 68 seasons in San Francisco.
The Giants went 131-133 in Melvins’ two seasons at the helm.
Posey and the Giants will now look for a new skipper to help break the spell of mediocrity that has engulfed the Giants over the last four seasons.
Sacramento A’s outfielder Brent Rooker models the Sacramento uniform the A’s will use when on the road for the 2026 season. (photo by Sacramento A’s X)
MLB Notes 2025 -Giants get No Satisfaction
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
The San Francisco Giants got “No Satisfaction” like the great Rolling Stones song, as they ended the season with an 81-81 record, a tie, and. a .500 mark. Not going to the postseason. The Giants last qualified in 2021. They have a lot of work to do in the next few months to try to join the “big boys” of this division, LA and SD.
Mets learned that Money is not the Answer. The New York Mets, with the highest payroll in baseball, featuring Juan Soto at $765 million and Francisco Lindor at $341 million, among others, had a shot but failed to win game #162.
They are not going to the postseason. Manager Carlos Mendoza? His job is in danger. In New York, there is always danger for managers. The Cincinnati Reds had the 22nd-largest payroll among all 30 teams, approximately $90 million, and one of the best managers, Terry Francona.
They clinched a wild-card spot in the last game of the season. The last time the Reds were in a postseason was in 2020. Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians) completed a historic comeback, overcoming a 15 1/2 game deficit to take the lead this month and won the AL Central Division on the last day of the season by leaving the Detroit Tigers in the rear view mirror.
The feat that makes it the largest deficit ever erased to win a division in Major League Baseball history. Manager and ex-Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt, in his second season as manager, took the team to the top. Blue Jays, Oh Canada!
They won the LA East Title over the Yankees. Last time the Blue Jays were in the postseason? 2016. Again, Vlad Guerrero Jr. justifies his $500 million, multi-year contract. New York, New York, Start spreading the news.
The Yankees secured a wild-card spot and advanced to the postseason as they finished in second place behind the Toronto Blue Jays. While the Blue Jays have their eyes on their third World Series title, the Yanks are going after their 28th.
Could the #1 city in the country have another parade? As I was on vacation, I ran into their last parade in Lower Manhattan in 2009, the last World Series they won. The Seattle Mariners won the AL West division, clinching their first AL West title since 2001.
Catcher Cal Raleigh had 60 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .248 batting average. First catcher ever to hit 60 home runs in a single season, and the 12th catcher in history to have multiple 30-plus HR seasons. Cal Raleigh holds the MLB record for most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season, surpassing Mickey Mantle’s 1961 record of 54 home runs with his 55th of the 2025 season, and, like above-mentioned, he ended with 60 home runs.
He is one of two top candidates for the AL MVP, with Yankee Aaron Judge, who won the batting title. hitting .330 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs, plus an OPS of 1,149. The Brewers from Milwaukee ended with the best record in baseball, 97-65, winning the AL Central Division and marking their best year in franchise history.
They have never won a World Series. In 1982, they lost their only World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, in the battle of the “beer cities.” Four million Blue. The Los Angeles Dodgers surpassed 4 million in attendance.
The Dodgers hold the record for the longest active streak of consecutive playoff appearances in MLB, a streak that stands at 13 seasons. They were the favorites to win the World Series prior to the start. With the MLB postseason underway, the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are all involved.
“All World” Ohtani hit his 55th home run during their last game of the season at Chávez Ravine. My pick for the team that could go all the way, not mentioned here, is the San Diego Padres. They have all the talent necessary to make it all the way to the 2025 World Series Champions.
A’s Big News ! The A’s biggest news at year’s end. The Athletics will be introducing a new gold/yellow alternate jersey for the 2026 season, featuring “Sacramento” written on the front, in honor of their temporary home at Sutter Health Park. Why?
Lots of people, not only in California but all over the country, had NO IDEA where the A’s were playing. I know I missed other teams that are in the postseason, but I am exhausted.
Quote: Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon Adiós muchachos!
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
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) hits a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter with 6:45 left in the game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 28, 2025 (AP News photo)
Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez:
# 1 Which player(s) made the pivotal play(s) (interception, sack, forced fumble, etc.) that ultimately swung momentum in favor of the Chicago Bears?
#2 How did Bears quarterback Caleb Williams perform under pressure — e.g. his passer rating, completion rate, or turnovers when blitzed or late in the game?
#3 Did Las Vegas Raiders Ashton Jeanty (or the Raiders’ run game) break through the Bears’ run defense — and if so, when / how often?
#4 Which team had the advantage in third‑down conversions, and how did that affect ball control and scoring opportunities?
#5 In a tight game, how did special teams (kickoff returns, field goals, blocked kicks) factor into the final outcome?
#6 Raiders fall to 1-3 next up they face the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. The Colts are colts are coming off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams today 27-20. The Raiders have now loss three in a row can they overcome and get a win against the Colts who are 3-1?
Jacksonville Jaguars Parker Washington returns a punt against the San Francisco 49ers punter Thomas Morstead (7) and Isaac Guerendo (31) during second half at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Sep 28, 2205 (AP News photo)
San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor:
#1 The Jacksonville Jaguars defense held off the San Francisco 49ers offense for much of the game on Sunday to get their third win of the season defeating the 49ers in Santa Clara 26-21.
#2 It was the return of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who threw 22-38 for 309 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. In spite of his efforts the 49ers fall by a touchdown for their first loss of the season.
#3 Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 21-31 for 174 yards and a touchdown. It was the second quarter when Jacksonville scored 17 points that was really the difference.
#4 For the 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey he tallied 49 yards in 17 carries is there still speculation he’s playing with pain?
#5 Next up for the 49ers the Los Angeles Rams long time rival. The Rams won 27-20 defeating the Indianapolis Colts at Indianapolis today. The Rams improve their record to 3-1. 49ers head to Los Angeles for Thursday Night Football on Oct 2 for a 5:15pm kick off how do you see those two teams matching up?
The Boston Red Sox clubhouse was spraying the bubbly after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston on Fri Sep 26, 2025 to advance to the playoffs. (AP News photo)
MLB The Show podcast Bruce Magowan:
# 1 Did the Red Sox’s walk‑off clincher on Friday finally end their postseason drought?
#2 Can the Astros still salvage a wild‑card spot after their gut‑punch loss to the Angels?
#3 Will Shohei Ohtani’s jersey stay at No. 1 in MLB sales—for a 4th straight year?
#4 Is Aaron Judge being shortchanged in AL MVP debates?
#5 How many more teams will the Red Sox or Yankees displace in the AL wild‑card race today?”
Concession stands service employees at Oracle Park could be replaced by auto robots according to Local 2 Unite Here employees (photo by On Labor)
By Stephen Ruderman
SAN FRANCISCO–Aramark, the official food and concessions supplier for the San Francisco Giants, is reportedly set to add more kiosks and other self-serve technology at concession stands throughout Oracle Park next season, according to sources at UNITED HERE Local 2, the union that represents employees of Aramark at Oracle Park.
At the start of this season, Aramark introduced Mashgin AI self-checkout kiosks for fans to access at Oracle Park. They were established at a new Doggie Diner Express stand on the promenade level behind section 112, as well as at nine Bayside Brews beverage markets located throughout the ballpark.
It now appears that this technology will expand to other locations in the ballpark next season. If it goes through, it could put the jobs of many of Aramark’s employees in jeopardy.
Aramark replaced Bon Appetit as the official food supplier for the Giants in 2024. However, UNITED HERE Local 2 and its employees have been a consistent presence serving Giants’ fans at Oracle Park for many years. Many of the workers were serving food at the ballpark, even for Bon Appetit’s predecessor, Center Plate.
Self-technology has been a contentious issue for the union and its workers going back to the fall of 2021. In September 2021, then-Bon Appetit workers authorized a strike over the working conditions at Oracle Park, following the return of fans to the park during the Covid Pandemic. A strike was averted, and another collective bargaining agreement was reached in March 2024.
We had a chance to interview Rhonda Mitchell Unite Here Union Local 2 who talked about the auto robots who are planned to replace food service workers at Oracle Park. Mitchell says that if this comes to fruition there could be a work stoppage that could threaten the Giants home opener in 2026.
In an interview with Local 2 Unite Here Oracle Park Shop Steward Rhonda S Mitchell she discussed the possibility of using auto robots to replace food service workers at Oracle Park:
#1 How much of the food services is being earmarked for auto replacement of the food service people.
#2 Aramark says they refuse to agree on future limits on automation. If that’s going to be iron clad what recourse does the union have.
#3 Under Bon Appetit same union Local 2 that last time the union had to call for a work stoppage. An alleged offer of a 25-cent raise to San Francisco Giants’ concession workers is outdated information from September 2021. The offer was rejected by unionized workers, who authorized a strike against the food service contractor, Bon Appétit Management, and the Giants over wage and safety issues. The dispute was ultimately settled with a more substantial agreement. The food service workers actually blocked an aisle at Oracle Park to demonstrate the Bon Appetite 25 cent raise.
#4 How much influence or how much say does the Giants have in the idea of having robot auto food servers or what they expect from labor at the park?
#5 If Aramark were to get their way and install the auto robots talk about how much this impact workers and their families and benefits. I’m sure when the Oakland A’s moved from Oakland a lot of those workers were impacted by losing those jobs?
Utah Royals forward Alsha Solozano (30) is fired up after scoring in the 18th minute against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Utah Royals FC photo)
By William Espy
SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the Utah Royals on Saturday night at PayPal Park and lost their 11th game of the season getting shutout 2-0 by the Royals.
Karlie Lema got a great scoring chance in the early moments of the game, but the shot went just wide of the goal. It would be Utah that opened the scoring with a Janni Thomsen goal in the ninth minute. In the 13th minute, Utah’s Aisha Solorzano was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Caprice Dydasco.
The Royals added a second, Solorzano’s first career goal, in the 18th minute. With the goal, Solorzano became the first Guatemalan to score in the NWSL. Kiki Pickett was shown a yellow card in the 24th minute. Utah would hang onto that lead until the half, and Bay FC had a major deficit to overcome in the second half.
Bay FC was robbed by Utah goalkeeper Mia Justus in the 57th when she made back-to-back saves to deny the attack.
Penelope Hocking made her return for Bay FC around the 65th minute. Rachael Kundananji was shown a yellow card for an off-the-ball play on Kate Del Fava in the 78th minute. With it being her fifth yellow card of the season, Kundananji will be suspended for Bay FC’s next game in Portland.
At that point in the game, it was clear that frustration had set in for Bay FC and they’d be unable to get things back on track. Silkowitz was forced to make one final save in stoppage time, but ultimately it made no difference. Utah walked away with a 2-0 win and playoffs seem well out of the picture for Bay FC.
Stanford Cardinal Sedrick Irvin (26) running back celebrates in front of teammates and the Stanford Stadium crowd in the win over the San Jose State Spartans on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)
By Michael Roberson
STANFORD, Calif.– The Stanford Cardinal (2-3) won their second game at Stanford Stadium during Interim HC Frank Reich’s era, with an exciting 30-29 victory over the San Jose State Spartans (1-3), inside Sanford Stadium.
The Cardinal was on a mission immediately to win their half of the home & home against their Santa Clara neighbor/opponent Spartans. Their first drive took 11 plays, earning 81 yards and a score. Things were looking positive at the midway point of the first quarter.
Stanford redshirt-freshman running back Cole Tabb scampered for an eight-yard touchdown, to put the home team up 7-0, on the game’s first possession. Most of the 26,000+ in the stadium was excited for the Cardinal, while a large proportion was for nearby SJSU.
The Spartans scored on their initial drive too. At just under five minute left in the quarter, San Jose State kicker Denis Lynch converter a 46-yard field goal. That score put the Spartans within four, 7-3.
After a Stanford fumble, SJSU parlayed that miscue into a touchdown , less than a minute left in the quarter, Redshirt-Senior quarterback Walker Eget toss a ten-yard pass to redshirt-sophomore Danny Scudero. San Jose State tool the lead 10-7, after 15 minutes of play.
Midway through the second stanza, Lynch made another FG (36), putting his team up by six, 13-7. Approximately four minute later, Stanford responded with a touchdown. They took the lead by one, 14-13.
Stanford redshirt-senior QB Ben Gulbranson threw a 15-yard TD to senior tight end Sam Roush. That lead did not last long, because the Spartans responded nearly two minutes later. They reached the end zone again. WR Kyri Shoels. SJSU attempted to extend their lead by three more points. but Lynch missed a 28-yard attempt. The Spartans lead by six at recess, 20-14.
In the second half, Stanford’s senior LB Matt Rose was ejected from the game (Targeting) and his team penalized 15 yards for the infraction. halfway through the third quarter. The Cardinal did not suffer on the scoreboard after that crucial ejection. Lynch missed his second field goal attempt; therefore, helping provide a scoreless third quadrant.
After 45 minutes of regulation, the score remained 20-14, Spartans. However, the fourth quarter turned out to be a barnburner.
Within the first minute of the final quarter, SJSU doubled their lead to 12, 26-14. Eget threw another touchdown pass five to Scudero. Unfortunately for the special teams, they botched the extra point. Otherwise, they would have been up by 13. Those missed opportunities did come back to haunt the visiting team.
A couple of minutes later, Stanford responded with a 14-yard TD pass. Gulbranson hit redshirt-sophomore WR Myles Libman, to bring the Cardinal within five, 26-21. Lynch avoided the hattrick of missed field goals, when he split the uprights from 31 yards away. They went up by eight, 29-21. Stanford found themselves one scoring opportunity from a tie with less than eight minute in the fourth quarter.
Stanford marched down the field with thoughts of tying the game at 29, with a two-point conversion. Two minutes into the drive, Stanford settled for a 36-yard FG by senior Emmett Kenney. Instead of a tie, Stanford was down by five, 29-24.
That gamble on the defense by Coach Reich worked out for the Cardinal. They received the ball again, and converted on a crucial 4th down conversion.
With :19 left in the game, junior running back Sedrick Irvin reached paydirt on a one-yard run. The Cardinal led 30-29, then attempted a two-point conversion to potentially go up by three. However, the two extra points play failed, then the Cardinal had to hold on to the slim lead.
“I thought the defense was playing extremely well in the second half. You know, they were gaining some yards, but we made the stops we needed to make. It was just fourth and too many yards. Talked to our analytics guys. Had a quick conversation with them about, go for it, kick the field goal, and felt like down by 8 that was the right move.” Stated Stanford Interim HC Frank Reich
San Jose State was unable to score a touchdown, nor get into field goal range, which delighted the Cardinal faithful. After 60 minutes, Stanford was victorious 30-29.
Both quarterbacks threw for over 400 yards passing, in an aerial show on the Farm. Ben Gulbranson – 444 passing yards and two TD passes. Walker Eget – 473 passing yards three touchdown passes.
The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, October 11 in Dallas against SMU TBD, while the Spartans will host New Mexico Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM PT on FS1
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