Tag: Sports radio

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball and Veterans Day

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Amaury Pi Gonzalez author in uniform with the US Army is one of five staff writers at Sports Radio Service who have served in the US Military. As Amaury writes about Veterans Day celebrated Wed Nov 11, 2020 (photo provided by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commenty

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

No sport is more intertwined with the US military than baseball. Through the years many baseball players have served their nation, during times of war or peace. Some volunteered for war, some were drafted, other served in uniform in the reserves, regardless of their circumstances all showed their patriotism and selfishness to their country.

Among Hall of Fame players that served are:

Cleveland Indians Bob Feller. He left an over six-figure contract and joined the US Navy right after the Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor. He was the first American professional athlete (among all sports) to enlist and served in the US Navy from 1941 to 1945. In 1946 Bob Feller’s fastball was clocked at 98.6 miles-per hour, by a US Army device. It was the fastest at that time.

Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams. Teddy Ballgame is frequently mentioned as the last man in major league baseball to hit over .400 when he ended the 1941 season with a .406 batting average. His military career was also exemplary as a pilot during World War II and the Korean War, he and Larry McPhail,(high ranking baseball executive) are the only two to have served in two wars.

New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio enlisted in 1943, and never saw combat. The Yankee Clipper served as a physical education instructor in the US Army Special Services, mostly stationed in California and Hawaii.

New York Giants center-fielder Willie Mays was drafted by the US Army in 1952 during the Korean War. Although he did not see action during the war, he was much valuable to the military participating in media campaigns and public exhibitions to raise troop moral. He returned to the Giants in 1954 and led the National League with a .345 batting average, winning the Most Valuable Player.

New York Yankee legendary catcher Yogi Berra volunteered during the assault on Normandy, France, during the famous D-Day. Berra was told not to mention his secret mission to his family. He was on a rocket boat during the first waves of the allied invasion of Europe, landing at Normandy, France, which began the eventual undoing of Hitler and his occupation.

The most famous #42. Jackie Robinson joined the US Army in 1942 and was commissioned a second Lieutenant in 1943. Honorably Discharged in 1944. While serving Robinson was arrested and court-martialed protesting segregation, but was acquired later. Pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm (He threw the best Knuckleball ever) pitched for the NY Giants and eight other teams, served in the US Army during the Battle of the Bulge, was injured in and received a Purple Heart

These Hall of Famers also served in uniform: Roberto Clemente, Tom Seaver, Rod Carew, Nolan Ryan, Don Larsen, Pee Wee Reese, Johnny Mize, Joe Gordon and many others.

Sandy Alderson, once Executive for the Oakland Athletics, new York Mets and San Diego Padres, served during the Viet Nam war as a US Marine Lieutenant.

My apologies to those I did not mentioned and the many more that also served the country.

On behalf of all the staff here at Sports Radio Service and our veterans we salute you and thank you for your support. past and present collaborators; Ken Gimlin, US Army, Joe Cronin, US Army, Tony Rentería, US Marines, Jerry Feitelberg, US Army, Amaury Pi-González, US Army.

Stay tuned and stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio lead announcer on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Agholor’s 45 yard third quarter touchdown catch dealbreaker for Raiders

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One of the Las Vegas Raiders unsung heroes Nelson Agholor (15) in Aug 13, 2020 photo who has been doing an impressive job at wide receiver and scored the go ahead touchdown in the Raiders 31-26 win over the Los Angeles Chargers Sun Nov 8, 2020 (AP File Photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, do you agree that the Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) have nerves of steel they are the only team to have defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (8-1), they beat a struggling New England Patriots (2-5) and they get a chance to tee off on the Denver Broncos (3-5) this Sunday.

#2 The Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor’s 45 yard third quarter catch from quarterback Derek Carr at 13:18 was the deal breaker after the Raiders were trailing 17-14 to the Los Angeles Chargers (2-6) to pull ahead 21-17 and stay ahead for the rest of the game.

#3 The Chargers made a valiant effort down the stretch in the fourth quarter at 9:04 when quarterback Justin Herbert threw to Gabe Nabers four yard pass to cut the Raiders lead to just two points 28-26.

#4 The Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson hit a 31 yard field goal with just 4:37 left for some insurance points for the 31-26 victory.

#5 The Raiders host the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this Sun Nov 15th for a 1:00PM kick off. The Raiders come in having won three of their last four games while the Broncos have won three of their last five games. Barbara sets this game up for us.

Join Barbara each Tuesday morning for the Las Vegas Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: LaRussa busted a second time for DUI, Sox keeping him; Ex-Astro GM Luhnow suing MLB and Astros

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Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa was charged with his second DUI violation back on Feb 24, 2020 in Maricopa AZ. LaRussa had a first DUI charge back in 2007. The White Sox said their still keeping him as team manager no discipline forthcoming (mug shot photo from clumsycrooks.com)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

1. Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa back on Feb 24 in Maricopa Arizona ran into a curb and flattened his tire while walking around outside of his vehicle around 12 midnight a peace officer discovered that LaRussa had smelled of alcohol and gave him a sobriety test which he failed and was charge with DUI and driving with a alcohol level of 0.08. LaRussa was argumentative with police.

2.The White Sox are aware of the DUI charge but regardless are going forward with keeping LaRussa as their manager for the 2021 season. This is LaRussa’s second DUI arrest he was arrested in 2007.

3. Former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is suing MLB and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane for what Luhnow calls a “negotiated result” in terminating him in the Astros sign stealing scandal.

4. Luhnow has insisted that he had no knowledge that the players had a real time camera on the hitters in centerfield and were on line or on a cell call what the next pitch was which was fed to the hitter via banging on a garbage can.

5.Amaury with all the sporting events that have been canceled or delayed due to Covid-19 related issues Prizer has a vaccine that is 90% effective if so this could be a path back to a normal life again.

6. The Oakland A’s have their eye on draft pick Ha-Seaong Kim from the Korean Baseball Organization in the free market agency. Kim is a shortstop who hit .308, 30 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. Kim could be a replacement for Marcus Semien but the A’s do say they are determined to keep Semien.

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

Cal Bears Football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal and Pac 12 trying to stay a step ahead of Covid infections

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Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) and the Bears will have to wait another week before they get another shot at playing as Sat Nov 7th’s game was canceled due to a unnamed player coming up positive for Covid-19 (file photo from California Golden Blogs)

Morris on the Cal Football podcast:

#1 Morris their has to be very little doubt when the NCAA season starts each school looks forward to it’s opening game and the Cal Bears were no exception but it certainly had to be a major disappointment for the players, coaches, alumni and faculty that their game at Berkeley against Washington had been canceled.

#2  An unnamed player tested positive for Covid-19 leading up to Saturday’s game, there also one other Pac 12 game that was canceled Arizona at Utah due to an outbreak. How safe are the protocols in the Pac 12 for the players?

#3 There were three Pac 12 players who fought for stricter and safer Covid-19 protocols before the season was to even be considered, Cal players Jake Curhan, Valentino Daltoso and Josh Drayden were drivers in the Pac 12’s “We Are United” campaign.

#4 Also players have been in the fight for a share of the Pac 12 revenue and more safe and health issues. The issue has developed into a bill of rights by former Stanford football player and Sen Cory Booker D-NJ and backed by nine Democratic senators.

#5 The Bears will try it again as they travel to Arizona State for Saturday’s game. The Sun Devils lost a close game to the USC Trojans 28-27. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 134 yards and a touchdown. Set Saturday’s game up for us with the Bears at ASU.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NBA Season to Begin December 22 –Without Fans–

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media during a presser announcing the 2022 NBA All Star game would be held in Cleveland. Silver, the owners and the Players Association this week has agreed on playing a 72 game schedule starting Dec 22 (file photo from cleveland.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

NBA and the Players Association set their opening of the 2020-21 season for December 22. It will not be in January, as both sides discussed another starting date. This is the fastest season-to-season turnaround in history for the NBA.

The LA Lakers won the title over the Miami Heat on October 11 that was the last game of the season. By starting on December 22, it means they will be back in less than three months. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this is in fact the quickest turnaround in history from one season to the next among all major professional leagues in the United States.

–72 game season. Not the regular 82 games as usual.

–Training camp will open on December 1.

–Playoffs middle of May until July

–Where they play. Teams to play in their home markets

–Traveling. There will be travel, but it will be cut by 25%, limiting the coast-to-coast traveling

–Players and staff will be tested daily for Covid-19

— Fans. Doesn’t look like fans will be allowed. It is a good bet thatCovid-19 will still be around by this December.

Precautions for players: Usually the biggest danger of virus contamination doesn’t happen on the court, but when players are not on the court. It will take lots of discipline by everybody in the sport to abide by all protocols.

Where will the Toronto Raptors play? Just like in baseball, when the Toronto Blue Jays were not allowed to play because Canadian government rules trying to control Covid-19 and they played in Buffalo, New York, it looks the same might happen with the NBA Toronto Raptors. Buffalo is also interested in hosting the Raptors. At this time, also Newark, New Jersey and Kansas City, Missouri.

Since spring some of the United States giant pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson and others as well as around the world have been working on a vaccine for Covid-19. Some have trials going on right now, with the hopes of getting it approved and out into the public. However, with 330 million people we are not a country that can vaccinate everybody in a couple of months, so patience is paramount.

Stay tuned and stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the former Spanish radio voice for Golden State Warriors basketball and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sounders four second half goals doom Earthquakes 4-1 on Decision Day

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The Seattle Sounders were an offense machine in the second half of their game against the San Jose Earthquakes scoring four times to defeat San Jose at Century Link Field in Seattle on the final day of the regular season Sun Nov 8, 2020 (photo from soundersfc.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

SEATTLE, Wash.-In a match that did not have playoff implications, the Seattle Sounders scored four goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon at Century Link Field.

The “Decision Day” match was more about playoff positioning as both teams had already punched their ticket to the Audi 2020 MLS Playoffs.

San Jose was without Jackson Yueill, Andy Rios and Carlos Fierro due to a combination of yellow card accumilation and injury. Shae Salinas , Luis Felipe and Cade Cowell started in place for head coach Matias Almeyda.

The first half featured both teams going through the motions with sloppy play as neither team played aggressive and waited for counter attacks to happen on a cold, windy day. Only three total shots were attempted in the first 45 minutes.

Seattle forward Jordan Morris had the best chance to score when his initial shot and rebound attempt were both saved by Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski in the 38th minute.

The Sounders (11-5-6 1.77) broke through in 52nd minute. Nicolás Lodeiro came rushing into the middle off of his own free kick where he collected the ball and fired a shot past Marcinkowski into lower left corner form eight yards out for his seventh goal of the season.

Seattle doubled its leads two minutes later. Cristian Roldan set up Raúl Ruidíaz, whose shot went off the leg of Marinkowski into the back of the net for his team leading 12th goal of the season.

“We always try to prepare to compete and win. I think discounting the goals, the game was good. If we had taken advantage of our chances in the first half as they did, this would have been a different match. The difference is that they capitalized on their chances and we did not. Nonetheless, it makes me happy to see Cade Cowell be able to play 90 minutes, as well as seeing the other youngsters come on. It was a good game and we still came here to compete,” Almeyda said.

San Jose (8-9-6 1.30) cut the lead in the half in the 57th minute. After Cristian Espinoza won a free kick on the outside of the box, Marcos López bent one in like Beckham with a left footed shot from the right wing that fooled Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei for his second goal of the season.

Seattle received an insurance goal in the 74th minute when Lodeiro, after a turnover by Florian Jungwirth, returned the favor and set up Morris whose chip shot over an incoming Marcinkowski gave him his 10th goal of the season.

The Sounders iced the game six minutes later when Morris’ centering attempt deflected off López into the back of the net for an own goal to close out the scoring.

Frei finished the match with two saves to earn the victory. Marcinkowski also made two saves in the losing effort.

The Quakes now await the date and time of its first round match with Sporting Kansas City, who finished atop of the Western Conference.

“I think this team has shown a lot of character,” said Tommy Thompson on the team’s ability to bounce back after a tough loss. “We’ve gone through great moments this year. We’ve gone through extremely difficult moments as well, but there’s a belief in this group that whoever is on the field can get the job done. We’re going to learn from our mistakes today. Seattle is a great team, and they made us pay. We’ve got to make sure that we’re going to be as sharp as we can against Kansas City, and this game is a good reminder that against the top teams in this league, you can’t take your foot off the gas pedal for one minute. It’s a tough way to end the season, but we’ve accomplished a lot. We’re definitely going to have a short memory going into Kansas City. We’ll be full of confidence and ready to go in a couple weeks.”

GAME NOTES: Both teams each had four corner kicks.

Reno 1868 FC, the USL Championship affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes, this past Friday announced it would cease operations following the 2020 season.

“We would like to thank everyone at Reno 1868 FC for their hard work and commitment to success over the past four seasons,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “Whether it be developing future First Team players or giving our current First Team players valuable minutes on loan, Reno has greatly impacted and proudly represented the Earthquakes organization. We are currently in the process of reevaluating our player development pathway.”

Reno was awarded a USL franchise in 2015 set to begin play in 2017. Through four seasons, Reno recorded a record of 62-26-28 and earned a playoff berth in all four campaigns under head coach Ian Russell, who was named the USL Championship Co-Coach of the Year.

The Earthquakes held a 6-3-1 record over their last 10 matches, tied for the best record in the Western Conference during that span, while keeping four shutouts.

Homegrown defender Nick Lima made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 90 minutes. He became the second Homegrown Player in Quakes history to reach 100 regular season appearances, following Tommy Thompson.

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Two Pac 12 games canceled for openers; NBA 72 game season opens Dec 22; plus more

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The Pac 12 cancelled two games Saturday Washington @ Cal and Arizona @ Utah due to Coronavirus outbreaks the Pac 12 will not reschedule these games. (photo from sports.yahoo.com)

On Headlines with Daniel:

1. More pandemic issues in college football: Wisconsin and Stanford; Pac-12 cancelled two games to start season Washington @ Cal and Arizona @ Utah.

2. NBA players’ union agrees to 72-game season to start on December 22

3. Commissioner Manfred says negotiations between Minor League Baseball and MLB have ‘slowed down’

4. Mets new owner wastes little time in cleaning house

5. Sacramento Kings name ESPN veteran Mark Jones to replace Grant Napear on TV play-by-play

6. Jon Lester buys over $47,000 worth of beer as a parting gift to Cubs fans

Join Daniel Dullum for Headline Sports each Sunday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ducks roll past Cardinal in Pac-12 opener 35-14; Mills out due to positive Covid test

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The Oregon Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough throws against the Stanford Cardinal defense and earned 227 yards and one touchdown at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Sat Nov 7, 2020 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, November 7, 2020

Oregon scored 28 unanswered points over nearly two quarters Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., as the Ducks rolled over Stanford 35-14 in the Pac-12 football opener for both schools.

The Cardinal (0-1) were without starting quarterback Davis Mills, who was held out of the lineup after testing positive for COVID-19 and, according to the school, having to adhere to pandemic protocols.

Defensive end Trey LaBounty and wide receiver Connor Wedington were also missing from the Stanford lineup on Saturday due to COVID-19 protocols. Wedington tweeted that he tested negative, but was contact traced.

Jack West filled in for Mills and completed 13 of 19 passes for 154 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. Austin Jones led the Cardinal rushers with 100 yards on 20 attempts and both Stanford touchdowns. Nathaniel Peat added 93 rushing yards on six carries.

Michael Wilson caught four of West’s passes for 35 yards, while Brycen Tremayne and Simi Fehoko each caught three passes for Stanford.

Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough completed 17 of 26 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Shough also carried 11 times for 85 rushing yards and a TD.

CJ Verdell was the top rusher for Oregon, finishing with 105 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Travis Dye ran six times for 78 yards.

Shough’s top targets were Johnny Johnson III and DJ Johnson. Johnny Johnson caught four passes for 60 yards and DJ Johnson snared five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Stanford scored first on Jones’ 4-yard TD run at 4:13 of the first quarter. From there, it was all Oregon (1-0).

The Ducks tied the game at 7-7 with 1:36 left on Verdell’s 10-yard touchdown run. Oregon surged ahead to stay late in the second quarter, when DJ Johnson caught a 5-yard TD pass from Shough.

Rushing touchdowns in the third quarter by Dye (14 yards) and Shough (9 yards) put the Ducks up 28-7. Jones’ 2-yard scoring run cut Stanford’s deficit to 28-14 at 8:27 of the fourth quarter, but Oregon’s Cyrus Habibi-Liko scored on a 4-yard run, extending the Ducks’ lead to 21 points with 4:12 left.

Stanford returns home next Saturday to host Colorado (1-0). Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m.

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Things only get tougher for San Francisco as they head to New Orleans

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The Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Ervin (32) gets caught from behind in mid air by San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward (20) during the first half of Thursday Night Football at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News Photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 With so many injuries and as predicted the 49ers struggled throughout last Thursday Night Football in Santa Clara against the Green Bay Packers.

#2 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 291 yards and one touchdown and one interception and struggled to get the 49ers any scoring in the second and third quarters where they were shutout in those frames.

#3 Jeremiah, one season brings a whole different change as the 49ers beat the Packers twice with a combined total score of 74-28 but this year with the injuries the 49ers who trailed by most of the game with only a field goal until the fourth quarter looked to have a long season ahead of them.

#4 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he knew this game was going to be a challenge and losing three players to Covid on Wednesday only impacted things going into Thursday Night Football.

#5 The 49ers have even a tougher challenge with the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome this Sunday. The Saints are expected to be a tough customer this Sunday as they have won four straight and have home field.

Join Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders have big Covid protocol issues and fines to match too

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the sidelines during Sun Nov 1, 2020 game in Cleveland against the Browns in the second half (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders who were fined Thursday by the NFL for violations regarding the Raiders Trent Brown’s coronavirus protocol violations were billed $500,000 and head coach Jon Gruden was fined $150,000.

#2 The Raiders were also stripped of a top draft pick because of the mishandling of Brown’s positive test. The Raiders do take a lot of pride on their selection of draft picks having the draft taken away how do you see that impacting them for their future?

#3 The Raiders are the first team in the NFL that have been penalized by losing a draft pick also the league gave the Raiders the stiff penalty because they already were scrutinizing Damon Arnette who was already was a positive.

#4 On Oct 19th Brown didn’t wear a mask and was found to be positive the next day Oct 20th and that forced four other starting offense players to also go into quarantine as they were high risk factors.

#5 The Raiders (4-3) are in Los Angeles to play the Chargers who are (2-5) the Chargers have lost five of their last six games. The Raiders are coming off a big win in Cleveland  Rich set this game up for us.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com