Tag: Sports radio

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: No Season? Who will miss it more A’s or Giants

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image from rollinghills.com: Which team will miss the 2020 season more the Oakland A’s or San Francisco Giants? Amaury has that answer below on That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary.

No Season?.Who will miss it more A’s or Giants

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

We have seen all the plans now for a start of the 2020 season. The latest; an abbreviated season in Arizona and Florida with no fans in the stands from Spring Training stadiums. A re-alignment of divisions with 15 teams playing in Florida and 15 in Arizona. But what if the season is cancelled?

Nobody really knows about this Covid-19virus,the medical experts first said we could have 100,000 to 200,000 dead in the country but then they said because we are practicing distancing,washing hands and other precautions,those figures will be much much lower. And that is good news.The medical experts on pandemics and epidemics talk about models like projections and predictions,like we like to do in baseball a lot of things are taken into consideration. But just like baseball is not a perfect science,these infectious viruses which are studied for years by scientist are also very unpredictable,you may say,they have a mind of their own.USA Today recently published a story that said, “no sports until there is a vaccine”.That is hard to image.

We can make a case that certain teams like Detroit and Baltimore might just be fine skipping this 2020 season. After all the Tigers finished 47-114 in last place 53 1/2 games from the Twins.The same case can be make about the Orioles 54-108 season and 49 games behind the Yankees. The word “re-structuring” doesn’t apply to those teams,they are like cars that have been totaled during an accident,you need a brand new car. We are privileged to have two teams in the Bay Area, so let’s take a look at who will miss the season more.

Athletics. They seem to be poised to win the division in 2020,after chasing the Astros the last few seasons,they are a very strong young ball-club,a solid all-around group of players with some experience very hungry for success and a potential run deep into the Postseason.

While the Astros were the biggest negative story in baseball after last year with the sign-stealing scandal still smoldering. Ironically for them (Astros) if this season is cancelled,it might be a plus for them. Many physiologists say there is much truth about that old saying “time heals all wounds”. So for the Astros if they have to wait until 2021 it might not be as bad, as for the Athletics who are ready loaded and eager to win this year. A’s will miss it.

Giants: The Giants are not picked by anybody to win in 2020. The gang is very similar,with veterans Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Johnny Cueto and even Hunter Pence making his return to the team he loves.

Their best pitcher Madison Bumgarner is now with the Arizona Diamonbacks, a team that acquired more talent and could be contending. They have a new Manager in Gabe Kapler, taking the job left by retiring future Hall of Fame manager Bruce Bochy.

Kapler seems to be very optimistic about his first year with the Giants.Oracle Park changes.The wall that runs from left-center field to Triples Alley was moved in four-to-six feet and the wall lowered by one foot. This to help the team who finished last season 28th in all of baseball, with an anemic team offense of .239 with 167 home runs. Conclusion: Giants will not miss it.

Who suffers the most? Obviously the physique of the country. Baseball is the most historic team sport, for six months in the summer there is a game every day.The fans who will have to wait until Spring Training 2021. Teams in the 30 MLB cities, revenues, employees at the stadiums and taxes for the cities. Overall the media, radio, television, print, advertising revenue.

Players also miss a whole season in a sport where practice and repetition plays a big part,also some players will become free agents and might never return to their teams. But,at the end nobody really wins.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” -Winston Churchill.

Amaury PI Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week and listen for Amaury’s podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal announces no spectators will attend athletic events; fans can exchange tickets for refund

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Cal vice chancellor of administration Marc Fisher announced that no spectators will be allowed to attend Cal athletic events. Only team personnel and the media would be allowed to attend. (UC Berkeley file photo)

On Headline Sports with Morris podcast:

#1 Cal vice chancellor of administration Marc Fisher announced that there will be no spectators attending intercollegiate events. Before the announcement it was understood that as opposed to on line studying and no in person classes athletics at Cal would go forward with spectators at events but the quickly scratched after Fisher taking in consideration that a carrier could set that spread of Covid 19.

#2 Somewhere between the mention that Cal athletics would allow fans and students to attend athletics it was brought to Fisher’s attention that people could get sick and that Fisher put out the statement games would not be played in front of fans until further notice.

#3 The statement from Fisher also said that only student athletes, coaches, sports medicine staff, game officials, credentialed media, operational and administrative staff would be allowed in the events

#4 Fans who are season ticket holders at Cal are advised that they could exchange tickets, they could request a refund or donate to a non profit charity of their choice.

#5 Cal basketball had just ended when shelter in place was introduced as state policy so the football and basketball programs just got their seasons in before March Madness was suspended.

Morris Phillips is a Cal Bears beat writer and podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: NHL & MLB looking to play neutral site games; Player deaths rough weekend; plus more

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The Edmonton Oilers Colby Cave was one of three NHL players who passed away over this weekend. Cave was 25 years old. (photo from turn23.com)

On Headline Sports with Daniel:

1 NHL reportedly indentifying neutral site rinks for possible return, NBA might look for neutral site courts

2 MLB: Proposal for shortened season to played in Florida and Arizona

3 NBA: Teams are urging the league to postopone draft until August 1 or later

4 RIP hockey’s Pat Stapleton, Colby Cave, Tom Webster

5 NFL: Tom Brady busy with trademarks, RIP Eagles great Pete Retzlaff

Daniel hosts Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL says neutral site hockey is not a first choice but on the table

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nhl.com file photo: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said while neutral site games are a consideration it’s not the league’s first choice

On Headline Sports podcast with Matt:

#1 NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly was discussing neutral site games when the NHL season resumes Daly did add that it would not be the preferred choice.

#2 Daly said that the NHL should and would be prepared as much as they possibly can but said that it’s premature to set that course at this juncture.

#3 The NHL has directed the players to self quarantine through April 15th and Daly said he would not be surprised if that date is extended

#4 While the window to finish the regular season and Stanley Cup post season remains open neutral site hockey might be a strong option considering local laws for shelter in place and social distancing still being in effect.

#5 Daly also had to take into consideration the new season isn’t that far behind a neutral site scenario. September is the supposed start of the exhibition season followed by the regular season in October.

Matt Harrington does Headline Sports each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Two leagues, six divisions, two different states in MLB idea for regular seaon

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photo file from City of Scottsdale: Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona will remain empty one way or the other as fans will not be allowed to watch exhibition and regular season games from inside the park if baseball season is ever to resume

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 MLB is considering realigning MLB teams and canceling out the National League and American League traditional schedule where teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees could be rivals.

#2 The alignment would be changing six divisions. The two different leagues would be called the Cactus League in Arizona and the other league the Grapefruit League in Florida with three divisions in each league.

#3 The idea is to play regular games in two different states with no fans in attendance in an abbreviated season how will that work for TV revenue and most importantly for radio.

#4 How will an idea like this be received by the fans? They’ll miss baseball but some might just tune out if they can’t get to the ball park or if they feel like their team is away and it doesn’t have the local feeling to it.

#5 The other benefit to it is they will all be one hour drive from each other and if they going to compact so many games in in a short amount of time this might be the best way to do it.

Charlie O does Headline Sports every other Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Brady shared some revelations on the Howard Stern Show

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Tom Brady at home with his wife Gesele Bundchen with children talked about his marriage and family life among many other topics with Sirius talk show host Howard Stern (Instagram)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM interviewed Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Tom Brady who said it was time for a change for his reason for leaving New England.

#2 Brady addressed that there were misconceptions about his working relationship with former head coach Bill Belichick saying there was never ever any rift between them.

#3 Brady who appeared in nine Super Bowls a six time Super Bowl champion, 13 AFC Championships said he didn’t care for the legacy label and that label was not what he was seeking in football.

#4 Brady talked with Stern about his marriage with super model Gisele Bundchen who told Brady he needed to spend more time at home. Brady admitted he was working too much on football and was away way too much.

#5 London we know you followed the Pats very closely and what are some of the things the Patriots will miss not having Brady under center for them anymore.

London Marq does Headline podcasting each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Bettman says nothing’s been ruled out but NHL season in doubt

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the season has not been ruled in or out but it’s in doubt (photo from yahoo.com)

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry F:

#1 On the topic of the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said “nothing been ruled out in and nothing has been ruled out” regarding canceling the rest of the season.

#2 How much will such a decision impact the players, coaches, fans, front office those who work the games every night if the season were to be canceled.

#3 Bettman added it will take two or three weeks to see how this epidemic goes and if there is any chance to return.

#4 What about the possibility of a Stanley Cup Playoff starting late in June finishing with the finals September.

#5 The number of NHL players with Covid-19. The Colorado Avalanche have three players and the Ottawa Senators with five players infected. Before doing anything the NHL wants to confirm they have a clean bill of health before starting anything.

Jerry does Headline Sports podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Looking back on the career of Kaline; Covid 19 could force baseball season to be played in Arizona; plus more

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Former Detroit Tiger the late Al Kaline, Marko talks about the loss of a great A.L. player and his legacy (nytimes.com photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The Detroit Tigers great Al Kaline who passed away on Monday at 85 years old who had a storied career. Kaline after retiring from baseball worked as a TV analyst and in the Tigers front office.

#2 How big will the idea of playing in Arizona for this season will go over. Using 32 MLB teams to play all their regular season games in empty ball parks for the whole season.

#3 This year will mark the first time their will be no British Open since WWII. PGA officials are trying to reschedule the Masters for Nov 12-15 and the British Open.

#4 What are the possibilities for NBA draftees Tyrese Maxley from Kentucky and Louisville forward Jordan Nwora to be drafted on time this year.

#5 Marko how do you see it, the NHL and NBA are canceling their seasons does it seem even practical for them to even come back.

Join Marko each Wednesday night for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 2020 Baseball Optimism vs. Realism

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photo of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will he move to allow all 32 teams to play the 2020 regular season in front of empty spring parks?

2020 Baseball Optimism vs. Realism

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

As an optimist I have always look at he glass hall full and not empty. However, even the greatest hitters in baseball could not hit the curve balls of Sandy Koufax, Camilo Pascual or Bert Blyleven (the three best curve ball pitchers I have ever seen)so we must also be realistic.

Life, throws many curve balls which we are just not prepared and sometimes can’t hit. You can physique yourself to say “today will be a wonderful beautiful day with the sun shinning the birds chirping and everything in harmony,” then you open the door and you see a dreary windy day, raining and lightning.

Major League Baseball is considering playing this season in Arizona with all the teams and with no fans in the parks. This,in my book, is a perfect show made for television. May I say a Reality Show. The ultimate Reality Show. Reality is the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.

Regardless of what happens,this 2020 season will be remembered as the Coronavirus Season and in baseball, the first time in our history that a worldwide medical event stop not only MLB but most of the world.

The plan calls that all 30 teams play their games at a stadium with no fans in attendance in the Phoenix area. This includes the regular season home for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix,Chase Field. Plus the other ten Spring Training facilities where a total of 15 teams hold their Spring Training.

This plan seems to have the approval of the Federal officials at the CDC, because will continue with the narrative by the Federal and State governments to have “separation”of people and the travel would be only from the hotels in the Phoenix area -where all 30 teams will be staying- by bus to the park.

No charter flights at all. All with be localized to the Phoenix area, Some call it a “pipe dream”, others call it “the best option to play this season” and you might have another opinion. Opinions (just like in the game of baseball) are not like toilet paper today, opinions are abundant. So, if you have a better one, send it to the Commissioner.

Above seems to have the approval of MLB,the Players Union and most of the Federal and State governments involved in this unprecedented situation this country is in today.

Let’s hope the best is yet to come,but remember that just like baseball, we live “day to day” anyway.

Stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News Commentary podcasts each Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradsioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Will PGA Championship in San Francisco

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photo from pga.com: PGA Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco logo

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The PGA will announce next Monday that the PGA Championship will be held on Aug 6-9 in Harding Park in San Francisco. The Championship was canceled for May 14-17 due to Coronavirus outbreak.

#2 California Gov Gavin Newsom said he is not anticipating lifting the social distancing ban or shelter in place policy by Aug 6th. Newsom said a second wave had hit China after lifting their quarantine the first time. So the PGA Championship could very likely be rescheduled in 2021.

#3 Does holding the 2020 World Series in a neutral site seem practical will fans come to see teams from other cities for a neutral site World Series it would be first. Not to mention all the regular season games in Arizona.

#4 The San Francisco certainly would like to host the World Series as one those neutral site locations. they have 50 degree weather in October or November in the City at that time, one question would this idea be well received and if it works well will baseball adapt this as the new normal?

#5 The current plague is not expected to wear off as early as June or July or maybe by Christmas at the latest if that’s so the NBA or NHL could start their seasons in December. Cancelling baseball and football. Barbara how do you see those scenarios?

Join Barbara for Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com