Tag: Sports radio

Cal Bears Football podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Former ASU QB Rudy Carpenter leads Pac 12 in possible boycott if demands aren’t met

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter is leading the negotiations for player benefits for over 50 Pac 12 players who threatened to boycott if their demands are not met (espn.com file photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Morris:

#1 Former Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter is the designated representative for all 12 Pac 12 schools stating players from the various schools are making demands for revenue sharing, Covid-19 protocols, and improved insurance for post graduation.

#2 It was reported that over 50 players are involved in the negotiations in the Pac 12 and that the Cal Bears are leading the protest. Carpenter says another meeting is scheduled and will later report how far apart are the players and the Pac 12.

#3 Carpenter reported that he has contacted other Pac 12 players and the amount of players are growing in the fight for more insurance protections and Covid-19 protocols Carpenter says the players are considering boycotting if there demands are not met.

#4 The NCAA is considering instituting rules saying players must be tested for Covid-19 72 hours before each game in sports that are considered a high risk contact sport such as football, men’s and women’s basketball.

#5 Cal has the third most four star players in the Pac 12 the Bears don’t have the most total commits but they have enough to ranked fifth good enough to be competitive this coming season.

Jerry Fietelberg  is filling in for Morris Phillips Join Morris each Monday for the Cal Bears podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes second half surge buries Fire 2-0. Advance to round of 16 of MLS Is Back Tournament

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Earthquakes gets sprayed with a can of beer as they celebrate their second win shutting out the Chicago Fire on Sunday 2-0 at the ESPN Wide World Sports Complex in Orlando (theathletic.com photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

ORLANDO, Fla—The San Jose Earthquakes are making a habit of putting teams away in the second half of matches.

They scored two goals to take control in the second 45 en-route to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Fire FC in their final match of Group B play on Sunday evening at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

With the win, the Quakes clinched first place with seven points (2-0-1) in Group B of the MLS Is Back tournament and advance to the Round of 16 as they await their next opponent.

“These three games were important for this tournament, and it’s also important for the points in the regular season from the stoppage,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “Today, the players are responding in an excellent manner. That makes us and our families happy, especially the people from San Jose that watch and follow us.”

The first half featured an exhibition on passing and not much shooting the ball at the goal. San Jose controlled possession with a 70%-30% advantage, but neither team generated many quality chances.

Magnus Eriksson’s shot attempt in the 25th minute sailed high over the net. Luka Stojanovic had the best chance to score by either team in the 39th minute when Chicago finally applied pressure in the offensive zone. However his right-footed shot also sailed over the net.

San Jose (2-1-2) broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Andy Rios made a touch pass over to Jackson Yuiell. The Man of the Match then quickly found Cristian Espinoza ahead down the right wing. Espinoza beat Fire defender Francisco Calvo off the ball and lasered a shot into the back corner past goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm for his first goal of the season.

“We are just excited to be a team again, playing together. I think now these three games have given us a lot of confidence and a lot of momentum. We are just happy to be on the field. We didn’t want this to be our last game for a while, and we want to keep pushing and keep playing together. You can kind of see that everyone has a little bit of a chip on their shoulders to make it as far as we can and to enjoy ourselves. I think that’s why we are doing the best right now,” said Yueill.

It’s Espinoza third goal in 35 games since San Jose acquired him at the start of the 2019 season.

San Jose put the game away in the 83rd minute thanks to its super substitute Chris Wondolowski. Carlos Fierro sent in a perfect cross from the right sideline to an unmarked Wondolowski and the all-time MLS leading goal scorer headed in the ball past Kronholm for his second goal in as many games.

Wondo, who scored 30 seconds after coming in as a sub for Judson in the 82nd minute, increased his record to 161 goals.

“[The substitutions] depend on the game and on what we are experiencing on the bench. But I considered the game still open, and we could have ended it with the substitutions that we made. Fortunately, it ended up in a positive result,” Almeyda said.

Chicago (1-2-1) couldn’t find a way to get a ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega. He has recorded two shutouts in three games of group play.

San Jose’s back line, led by Florian Jungwirth, did a good job frustrating Fire forwards Robert Beric and C.J. Sapong and keeping them off the scoresheet.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had 5 corner kicks. Chicago had 3. It was considerably less than the MLS record 22 they had against Vancouver last Wednesday.

Stojanovic was replaced by Fabian Herbers in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half due to an lower body injury he suffered in the first half.

Chicago’s Boris Sekulic (29th minute), Alvaro Medran (53rd minute), Herbers (61st minute) Mauricio Pineda (62nd minute) Gaston Gimenez (58th minute) and San Jose’s Florian Jungwirth (37th minute), Judson (50th minute) and Eriksson (86th minute) received yellow cards.

San Jose is now 12-16-11 all-time against Chicago.

UP NEXT: San Jose awaits their next opponent at the conclusion of group play. Chicago takes on Vancouver as both teams conclude Group B play on Thursday 7/23 at 6:00am at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB 2020 will it be remembered as “Fake Season?”

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner who is noted for his pretty good use of the bat will not be able to hit as the National League for the first time will be using the universal designated hitter one of the firsts in baseball that Amaury talks about in today’s commentary (arizonarepublic.com file photo)

MLB 2020: Will it be remembered as the “Fake Season”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Will this 2020 season that begins this week be remembered as the season when these things happened? At least ten (10) of them.

1-The Canadian team was not allowed to play in Canada. 2-The first season when there was a new “Virus DL” list. 3- First season when National League used the Designated Hitter. 4- First season when no fan caught a foul ball at a game. 5- First season when many players and umpires opted-out prior to the inaugural game. 6-First season when a game went extra-innings and the team batting in the top of the 10 th automatically starts the frame with a runner at second-base. 7-First time all parking lots at each park are empty. 8-First season each team broadcaster radio and television works inside a whole booth alone. 9-First time all schedule promotions at each park, like the tickets, will be a collector’s item and 10- A 60-game season that is not completed, because of extenuating circumstances.

I am sure there will be other “firsts” like in some places the National Anthem might not be played. Many people that are invited by teams to sing, will not be there, and a plethora of other stuff.

No question we are embarking into this season just like when in early August of 1492 Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain financed the trip by Italian mariner Christopher Columbus who sailed from Spain with three small ships, and in late August sighted Cuba, which he thought it was mainland China. Later Columbus (who didn’t have a GPS) landed in Hispaniola (today Dominican Republic) and thought it might be Japan. Obviously and inadvertently, as history would have it, Columbus was involved with three baseball countries; Cuba, Dominican Republic and Japan. He struck-out on China.

Hopefully this 60-game season will be completed as planned and fans hungry for the game WILL get a taste of a season that will be marked with asterisks. A very realistic possibility exists that some baseball historians will regard the 2020 season as the “fake season”.

As much as I love the game of baseball, I still have my feet planted on the ground and this is how I see it. You might agree, or disagree. I will always respect your opinion as long as we can remain a free country.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Catch Amaury for Spanish A’s broadcasts on the A’s Spanish flagship station at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Daniel: After name change Washington now hit for sexual harassment charges; College football moving to spring; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Washington owner Dan Snyder not only had to change the name of his football team but his they are also being accused of sexual harassment (bleacherreport.com file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 Bad week for Washington owner Daniel Snyder: First his team is pressured into a name change, then allegations of sexual harassment within the organization

2 CAA latest conference to cancel fall football season; SEC will honor scholarships for players who opt out of 2020; NJCAA voted to move most fall sports to spring

3 Canadian government denies Blue Jays’ request to play home games in Toronto

4 Braves’ Freddie Freeman said he prayed for his life during Covid-19 fever

5 Australian Olympic figure skater dies at age 20

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Hawks Kane looking forward to March Madness type post season; Pens Crosby leaves early from game scrimmage; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane takes in a morning skate saying the new Stanley Cup Playoff format reminds him of the NCAAB March Madness format with playing games all day and night (nhl.com photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane says the qualifiers are like March Madness how much similarity do you see the two having side by side.

#2 One of the things that Kane said is that the “Hockey All Day”format had the March Madness feel to it playing hockey from morning till night. Adding that you can watch six games in one day.

#3 The Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby left after scoring a goal with 15 minutes left in a scrimmage game on Saturday for undisclosed reasons. The Penguins Conor Sheary said it was for maintenance reasons saying it wasn’t anything.

#4 The New York Rangers Kaapo Kakko says that his type 1 diabetic condition will not prevent him from returning to the ice and he’s not worried that there is a chance that he could contract severe Covid-19. He said his being so young (19) that is diabetic condition is alright right now.

#5 Caleb Jones of the Edmonton Oilers had to self quarantine two weeks before the Oilers camp before returning to practice. Jones said he considered himself lucky that he was healthy and ready to return to the ice.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Walton expects Fox to recover from ankle injury by Jul 31 restart date

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) says he’s ready and anxious to get back in the line up on July 31st at the Walt Disney World bubble. Fox has suffered two ankle injuries this season (sactownroyalty.com file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah the Sacramento Kings restart the season on Friday July 31st at the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando that’s almost two weeks of recovery for De’Aaron Fox who is suffering a mild to moderate ankle injury.

#2 It’s bad enough as the Kings now have four players sidelined with Coronavirus issues with Harrison Barnes being the latest King to contract the disease. None of the four Kings players are suffering symptoms and are waiting to test negative before returning back. The Kings Alex Len who had C-9 has been cleared to come back and should be in the line up for the game on the 31st.

#3 How creative does head coach Luke Walton have to be now with his line up with players out Corona and De’Aaron out with the ankle?

#4 Fox you may recall missed 17 games before the shutdown with a grade 3 sprain. The sprain caused a complete detachment of the ligament requiring 10-12 weeks on the injury list.

#5 After much time off Fox has to be anxious to get back in the line up after the two ankle injuries will he be up to the task to help the team out in this last eight game stretch?

Join Charlie O every other Saturday for the Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Oh No Canada!

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Rogers Centre in Toronto the usual home of the Toronto Blue Jays but not this season because of the huge pandemic issues in the US. The Canadian government is not allowing teams from the US in Toronto (ballparksofbaseball.com file photo)

Oh No Canada!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

The Federal Government of Canada has prohibited the Toronto Blue Jays of playing at their home field Rogers Centre this season, because of their necessary travel to the US and the dangers of Covid-19 to the Canadian citizens. 2020 keeps bringing us unprecedented situations.

According to sources, the Blue Jays are considering two places; Dunedin, Florida,their Spring Training Home or Buffalo New York, their Triple A affiliate. But those two places present challenges. Dunedin is in Florida, today one of the hottest spots for the virus in the US and Buffalo, that park in Buffalo doesn’t have lights to major league standards, not to mention that New York State has been hit hard by the virus.

Canada has not been hit as hard by Covid-19, but to be fair to the US. Canada by territory is larger than the United States, their total population is 37 million people while the US is around 325 million. The State of California alone has a larger population than Canada, with around 40 million.

Ironically the Blue Jays are scheduled to open the season next Friday the 24th against the Rays at Tampa Bay. Looks like Florida is in the cards for the Jays one way or another.

Less than a week remains for a decision, where the Toronto team will be playing their 30 home games this year. But one thing is for sure, it will not be at their home park and country of Canada.

Stay tuned and stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the radio play by play announcer for A’s baseball on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Bruins Pastrnak and Kase were not disciplined for extra practices on social media

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Boston Bruins David Pastrnak show here during the Winter Classic was not disciplined with teammate Ondrej Kase for practicing in a different rink that was videoed and posted on social media both were ruled unfit for practice on Thursday and Friday (pinterest.com file photo)

On Headlines with Matt:

#1 Matt you remember when being called a goat meant you were at the bottom of the food chain on a sports roster but now being a goat is a great thing . The Greatest Of All Time for hockey right now stands with the Great One Wayne Gretzky.

#2 The Boston Bruins David Pastrnak missed his second straight day of practice as the B’s reported Pastrnak was unfit to practice and forward Ondrej Kase who practiced on Wednesday missed practices on Thursday and Friday.

#3 Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy was asked if the missed practices were related to social media photos of Pastrnak and Kase working out at a different rinks. Cassidy said no that is not the case and no one has been disciplined.

#4 Pastrnak was in practice on Wednesday as he was held up due to quarantine issues when he returned from the Czech Republic but was not out due to discipline issues on Thursday and Friday practices.

#5 The Bruins take on the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Philadelphia Flyers for the round robin Stanley Cup qualifiers in Toronto and it all gets started on August 1st.

Join Matt each Saturday for NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s Mengden working on his new delivery; A’s PA announcer Callahan will sit season out

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s mascot Stomper and A’s PA announcer Dick Callahan stop for a photo behind home plate at the Oakland Coliseum in this file photo. Callahan will not work the PA this season due to a undisclosed health issue. (University of Waterloo file photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Oakland A’s right hander Daniel Mengden is noted for his delivery by throwing a double pump side step but altered his deliver during Covid-19 shut down by shortening up his arm stroke according A’s manager Bob Melvin.

#2 Melvin said Mengden’s delivery is also quicker and that he also has great rhythm. Will that be an improvement for Mengden to keep hitters off balance?

#3 Mengden said he tried to shorten up but said he was plagued by elbow discomfort but since he went elbow surgery for a bone spur last February he feels really good.

#4 The Oakland A’s have announced that they will be involved in refurbishing the field at McClymond’s High School in Oakland that will be used for softball and baseball and that the field will be named after former A’s pitcher Dave Stewart.

#5 The Oakland A’s announced on Wednesday that they PA Announcer Dick Callahan 79, will sit out the 2020 season due to a unnamed health issue unrelated to Covid-19. Callahan said he will stay on the side of caution and social distance away from the Oakland Coliseum for this season and says he’s recovering at home.

Join Charlie O for all the latest every other Saturday for the Oakland A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Youth Movement: A’s hope trio of top prospects make an immediate impact

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–The Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts, the Yankees signed free agent Gerrit Cole, who is anything but free, and the Twins struck late, adding Josh Donaldson to their collection of sluggers.

The A’s didn’t sign any big names, or little ones for that matter. But that doesn’t mean they stood put. A.J. Puk, Jesus Luzardo and Sean Murphy–each among the Top 60 prospects in all of baseball–are being counted on to be big league contributors starting on Opening Night July 24.

Luzardo, the A’s No. 1 prospect, has been cleared to resume workouts after testing positive for COVID-19, the timing of which threatened his availability for the opener. But while preparing to be cleared, Luzardo lobbied the coaching staff, and did whatever he could physically to gain preparedness.

“I figured out ways to get little lifts in my room while listening to my body,” Luzardo said. “If I was feeling good that day, I’d get after it. If I was a little tired, I took it lighter. I definitely tried to stay in shape.”

Originally tabbed as a starter, Luzardo could start the season in the bullpen, where he would remain ideally until he regains a starter’s stamina. Puk seems set as the fourth starter with Murphy assuming the starting catcher’s role after a successful, 20-game audition in 2019.

Puk, Luzardo and Murphy all saw time at the big league level last season, and given their performances, expectations are high that all three can excel and kiss the minor leagues farewell.

Murphy was a third round selection in the 2016 Draft and he’s moved quickly through the organization’s minor league structure,  compiling 90 extra-base hits in 235 games over four seasons. The 24-year old impressed manager Bob Melvin with his attention to detail in handling the pitching staff, so much so he was picked to start the AL Wild Card Game against the Rays. Murphy’s had issues with knee injuries so the shortened 60-game schedule may prove ideal for his adjustment to the majors.

Puk, the 6’7” flamethrower chosen sixth overall in the 2016 Draft, made ten appearances, all in relief, for Oakland in 2019. He was 2-0 with 3.18 ERA, striking out 13 batters in 11 plus innings of work. Despite missing all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery,  Puk compiled 262 strikeouts in 183 innings at the various minor league levels.

The 24-year old hasn’t experienced any setbacks in either spring or summer training, giving him jump on veterans Daniel Mengden and Chris Bassitt for a spot in the starting rotation. No official announcements have been made but Puk appears on track to get a start against the Angels opening weekend.

Luzardo was acquired in the 2017 trade that sent Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to Washington. His profile as a polished performer has the A’s brass excited to see more after the 22-year old made just six appearances at the big league level in 2019 while battling injuries. In 43 minor league starts, Luzardo won 14 times compiling a 2.53 ERA. He also appeared in the 2019 Wild Card Game, throwing three innings, allowing just one hit, all while the A’s failed to rally from a five-run deficit.