Tag: Sports radio

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Players Reject Proposal – It’s Manfred’s Time!

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners 72 game proposal was rejected by the players as the odds of a 50 game season is the most likely scenario (AP photo)

MLB: Players Reject Proposal – It’s Manfred’s Time!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Players Union rejected the latest proposal by the MLB owners from yesterday this afternoon which called for a 72-game season at 70 percent pay with a chance to get is as high as 83 percent of their pay if postseason is concluded.

Players told MLB/Commissioner Rob Manfred today to set-up the schedule. This more than likely would mean the 48 to 50 games “season”that I have written about recently on this site. When Manfred said recently he guaranteed 100 percent a season, he was talking about this last resort of around 50 games.

When people don’t talk to each other, things do not work out the way they should through these “negotiations” both sides owners and players have just shot down each others proposals. With such quick response from the players it is obvious that each side mistrusts each of other rules the day. As expected the MLPA rejected it.

There are reports they even have shut down their Zoom accounts. Zoom is a video-audio-conferee chat (not in person) platform where it allows people to communicate from different locations.

As mentioned before, Commissioner Rob Manfred, who recently guaranteed there will be a season, can set a schedule and by decree the power to start the season. Not only the economic, health and security of the players are at risk but the whole 2020 season.

The Commissioner is very close to doing a”Pontius Pilate” washing his hands from this mess and ordering a 48 to 50 games season, that’s very possible scenario (the last one left) then the MLPA can file grievance. Players might not even show up in that case, the cloud of health and security for them is paramount since after all we still are inside a Pandemic.

Remember the owners do not take the field and are not under the same danger of contracting Covid-19 as the players. So we have to be fair here, in this cold war called baseball.

If Manfred orders 48-50 games: There are at least six owners that prefer not to play at all this year. That has a lot to do with the Commissioner selecting the last option of 50 games,the smallest amount, so players get paid less.The players feel betrayed and see the owners trying to pay them less and therefore not abiding by the March 26 agreement.

The Commissioner is chosen by a vote of the owners of the teams. Rob Manfred assumed office on January 25, 2015. This by far has been the biggest challenge for Mr.Manfred who is the CEO of baseball and rules over all the important things in the game.

Like any Commissioner he would like to leave a good legacy someday and I am sure the year 2020 was not what he had envisioned. Not to mention there is a collective bargaining agreement expiring after the 2021 season. But to be fair to the Commissioner had anybody alive in this world could have predicted this 2020 so far?? I do not think so, unless Nostradamus just resuscitated and was back in business.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with Matt Harrington : CBJ’s coach Tortorella changes stance on taking a knee; Could Vancouver be a playoff hub?; plus more

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Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella says he has a different view of players taking a knee previously he had a rule that any player sitting during the anthem will sit for the entire game (NESN file photo)

Headlines Sports podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has had a change of heart towards players taking a knee during the national anthem originally taking a knee would be out of the question and he would bench any player who sat during the national anthem after the murder of George Floyd and the protests Tortorella said he’s had a change of heart.

#2 The NHL Hockey Diversity Alliance headed up by the San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and Former Calgary Flame Akim Aliu took to social media and announced the Alliance wants diversity and an end to discrimination in hockey. Aliu had stated that he suffered many years of racial discrimination in the game of hockey. NHL vice president Kim Davis said that the NHL wants to work with the Alliance and wants action right away.

#3 Matt one of our favorite NHL cities Vancouver would like to be the hub city for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. British Columbia officials are trying to get the quarantine laws loosened so that Vancouver could serve as a representative city for post season.

#4 EA Sports has come out about having more diversity and getting on board with the Hockey Diversity Alliance but some players in the EA Sports Hockey League mode where players created dark skinned avatars that they gave the players derogatory racial names and insulting racial slogans.

#5 The Boston Bruins reported on Friday that they did have a player who tested false positive for Covid 19 but later took two tests and was asymptomatic and negative. All Bruins players who have returned in phase two have tested negative for the virus. Training camp opens July 10th.

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

 

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: A’s and Giants strengthen their catching positions in draft

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Former North Carolina catcher Patrick Bailey joins the Giants as their top pick in the draft on Wednesday (si.com file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael how surprised were that the Giants drafted a catcher in Patrick Bailey when they have catcher Joey Bart waiting in the wings to come up to the show soon. Is Bailey someone who is regarded to be a compliment for the future or what does his acquisition mean for Bart.

#2 Bailey can swing for the fences .302, 29 home runs, with a .411 on base percentage, slugging average .568 slugging average in 578 at bats he’s got a great resume.

#3 Taking a look at the Oakland A’s they drafted catcher Tyler Soderstrom on Wednesday, Soderstrom hit .357 hit a homer in five games just before his senior season that got shutdown by the Virus crisis. In Soderstrom’s junior year hit .450 with four home runs.

#4 Sodertstrom is the 26th pick in the draft, Kevin Mello the A’s scout from Northern California said Sodertstrom has a very good chance to be very, very good.

#5 Michael talk about Petaluma native Spencer Torkelson who was selected as the overall first round pick by Detroit Tigers hit .337 at Arizona State University last season. How important is this selection for the Tigers.

Michael Duca does Headline Sports podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Kareem says he’s proud of players from all sports speaking out against racism; Covid-19 spiking NBA players question if it’s safe? plus more

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Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar said he’s proud of professional athletes taking a stand against racism and hopes for a big change soon (New York Post file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with London Marq:

#1 London in an interview with Yahoo! News on Thursday former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar said he’s so proud of professional athletes speaking up about racial injustice, Jabbar said that when you have someone like LeBron James speaking up “that this is awesome this is going to make change.”

#2 London with the latest spike in Corona positive cases now reaching over 2 million in the US NBA players have expressed concerns about returning. Some of the players have questioned whether or not it’s safe to play in Orlando’s bubble facility at Disney World basically saying there is no guarantee of not getting the Coronavirus spread.

#3 The NBA said if some of the players who choose not to come back because of safety concerns that will not be a problem however those players not participating will lose a portion of their salary.

#4 At the funeral of George Floyd MSNBC contributor and Rev Al Sharpton said that if the NFL and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall was serious about racial equality and racial injustices he would not only allow the players to take a knee during the national anthem but also hire Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL working in some capacity in the game.

#5 Portland Trailblazers veteran Carmelo Anthony said that he also has reservations about returning saying as far as playing in Orlando there is just not enough answered questions about safety concerns and Melo said he could not commit 100%.

Join London every Friday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Commissioner “100 percent” There Will Be A Season

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Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer who sits on the Major League Players Association negotiating board said the owners proposal to cut players salaries a second time and order to play 50 or less games is unacceptable (msn.com file photo)

MLB Commissioner “100 percent”There Will Be A Season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

During an interview with the MLB Network and also with ESPN, Commissioner Rob Manfred said is “100 percent” that a 2020 season will take place.

1-What he said: He hopes a settlement between both sides, owners and players union is reached.

2-How: Under the current rules. He would mandate a structure of the season, if both sides cannot come to an agreement. The March 26 accord gives the Commissioner the power to implement a season as long as the negotiations are in “good faith * The “good faith”part is a matter of interpretation, both sides alleged they’re negotiating in good faith.

3-Bottom Line: If these negotiations cannot come to a conclusion with an amicable agreement Manfred would implement a regular season of 48 to 50 games.

On Tuesday: The players union responded to MLB/owners plan with an 89 game season of their own. But an executive from the owners was quoted as saying “We’re nowhere” -after the players proposal was submitted. This season-proposal would have run from July 10 to October 11 with postseason into November. But MLB wants to avoid this, because(potential second COVID-19 wave)as well as new broadcast deals. Included was a $5 million fund for minor leagues players and social justice organizations.

Conclusion: Commissioner Rob Manfred is fighting the clock, if both sides run the clock and do not come to an agreement, the only feasible solution for a “season”will be for him to implement the 48 to 50 games option. Considering we are close to the middle of June(this was the time for Spring Training part two) and for season to begin on July 4, but this is now out of the question.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Will owners take 89 game proposal from the players? Spencer Torkelson #1 overall draft pick to Tigers; plus more

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Arizona State University’s Spencer Torkelson is the center of attention as he’s MLB’s overall number one draft pick headed to Detroit (photo file from ASU Athletics)

On Headlines with Jerry F:

#1 The MLB Players Association has proposed an 89 game schedule with the players getting paid full prorated salaries. The season would begin on July 11th and the World Series would be completed on October 11th weather permitting.

#2 The owners last proposal called for a 76 game schedule with the players taking another pay cut on top of their prorated salaries. How the owners will see the players latest proposal is yet to be seen but one thing for sure they don’t want to pay anymore than the have to.

#3 In the baseball draft the top ticket is Spencer Torkelson who played for the ASU Sun Devils is the number one overall pick and joins the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers wasted no time selecting Torkelson whose expected to add punch to the Tigers line up for the future.

#4 Torkelson says he studied Barry Bonds style of hitting, he hit .337 with a .463 on base percentage. His ASU career home run total of 54 home runs puts him two behind Bob Horner who played for the Atlanta Braves and Japanese baseball.

#5 Turning to the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers Richard Sherman has been very vocal about events surrounding the George Floyd killing and has said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall apologizing to the league’s players for taking a knee was acceptable but the next step is to get former 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick a job in the NFL protect players from being punished for taking a knee during the national anthem going forward.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: NHL playoff format set with four rounds of Stanley Cup action; NHL Hockey Diversity Alliance gives attention to discrimination in the game

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NHL image: The NHL announces the format of the qualifiers, conference finals and the Stanley Cup Finals

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Jessica with the return of the NHL and NBA these are contacts sports, these are open pore sports how can c0ncerned should the players be in avoiding contacting Covid-19 once the games start?

#2 The NHL and the players have agreed on the format a five game qualifier, round robins, conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final. The qualifier will be a five game format, the first, second and Finals will be seven game formats

#3 The team that wins 19 games will end up being the NHL Stanley Cup Finals Champion having to go through four rounds to get the coveted Stanley Cup.

#4 Currently there are only 28 minority players in the NHL the issue of race was brought into the forefront after the George Floyd killing by Minneapolis Police. The Hockey Diversity Alliance was formed with San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and former Calgary Flames Akim Aliu will be helping developing the Alliance. The Alliance designated purpose is to shine a light on discrimination in hockey which is overwhelming white and Aliu said he had to face racial discrimination for years during his NHL career.

#5 Jessica the next question is when organizations similar to the Diversity Alliance are set up when passions cool from the George Floyd killing will people just forget and the NHL could go back to business as usual?

Jessica does Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Marko Ukalovic: NHL Masterton Trophy Award candidates; Leafs excited about phase two morning skates; plus more

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The NHL Masterton Trophy is between three NHL candidates who will be the winner? Marko has that answer in today’s podcast (nhl.com photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Marko:

#1 The NHL Masterton Trophy candidates are from the Philadelphia Flyers Oskar Lindblom, St Louis Blues Jay Blouwmeester, and the Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan. The award is given to the player that demonstrates, qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs during morning skates this week wanted to make sure they have their phase 2 qualifier faces on. Center John Taveras makes no bones about it this is serious business saying they want to take advantage and get the cob webs out.

#3 The San Jose Sharks Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Aliu are heading up the NHL’s Hockey Diversity Alliance. There are six current and former NHL players involved including the Sharks former skater Joel Ward. The Alliance is independent of the NHL but Kim Davis who is the NHL’s Sr. Vice President said that she is hopeful the NHL and the Alliance can both work together.

#4 Bob Murray the general manager for the Anaheim Ducks said that he left Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins without any support last season. Murray said that when he hired Eakins to replace former head coach Randy Carlyle he wanted to give Murray some space and some distance to run the club. The Ducks finished the season at 29-33-9 and failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for their second straight season and finished 13th in the Western Conference.

#5  Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo said that he will be making a decision on where the Coyotes will be playing hockey in the next two seasons from now. Meruelo has had his eye on the East Valley the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The City of Glendale where the Coyotes play now wants to talk to Meruelo about keeping the club in Glendale at the current building at Gila River Arena.

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

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB The Clock Is Now the Umpire

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shown here at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit in New York stands with the owners proposal to start a 76 game season which the players are opposed to   (sports.yahoo.com)

MLB: The Clock Is Now the Umpire

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

With all the back and forth during these negotiations, there is no doubt the Clock is now THE factor. After the players union proposed an 89-game season with full prorated pay at the end of Tuesday, which was quickly brushed aside by the owners.

Get ready for either: 1) A 50 games season or 2) No season at all. Both sides do not want to play a regular season past the September 27th date; one of the few things that have been mutually agreed during this negotiating exercise. Anything after that would land the playoffs into November and both sides are afraid that going into the winter the Covid-19 “wild card” could show-up.

Commissioner Rob Manfred can implement a schedule and the players are required to show up. We are dangerously closing-in on that final decision, a 50 game season, which will guarantee the players with prorated salaries, which is exactly what the players last proposed and agreed among themselves they would accept, but the players want more than 50 games, because they will get paid more.

At the end a 50-game schedule might be the best they are going to get. However, if this is adapted and the season comes down to 50 games, this could have serious repercussions for the future negotiations after the 2021 season, the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) labor agreement that is on the agenda.

A 50-game season could risk the perception by the public that they are just playing for the money (with playoffs which is the big revenue producer) during a time where a lot of people are unemployed and struggling, because of the Covid-19 closures all over the country, although most States are re-opening and getting their economies back on track. Regardless what happens this year, MLB is headed for a bumpy ride in 2021.

The 2020 Baseball season is running out of options. The Clock, which is non-negotiable, is now dictating what might, might be a last effort decision to save the season. If you call a season 50 games.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Umpire Hernandez eavesdropped on MLB confidential call; Sox GM Epstein says “were part of the problem” on hardly any blacks in MLB; plus more

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The Tampa Rays manager Kevin Cash (left) and umpire Angel Hernandez (right) had some confusion regarding moving Rays pitcher Adam Kolerak to first base in a July 2019 game and the umpire crew had to remind Hernandez that using a pitcher in a defensive position the Rays would lose the use of the DH (theathletic.com photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 MLB Former Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre said that crew chief umpire Angel Hernandez eavesdropped on a phone call when Torre was questioning umpire Ed Hickox. After questioning Hernandez about why a 20 minute delay took place in a game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Rays. The Rays elected to have pitcher Adam Kolerak moved to first base in the July 2019 game. That the Rays moving a pitcher constitutes they can no longer use the designated hitter. Hernandez had to reminded by the crew that the Rays have to drop the DH and that Hernandez failed to follow up on Rays manager Kevin Cash on two hitters in that weren’t in the line up after the change.

#2 Major League Baseball currently has the least amount of African Americans playing in the game at anytime since the 1950s. The Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein had to question himself and MLB. He also asked why did he hire a people who looked like him and and had the same backgrounds as him and admitted a change has to be made.

#3 Epstein also questioned why there were not many managers, general managers or players of color in MLB that’s something that he will push and that needs to be answered.

#4 Former alums from the University of Cincinnati would like the name of former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott’s name removed from the University’s field. This includes former big league player Kevin Youkillis and University of Cincinnati player Jordan Ramey, Ramey is starting a petition to get the name removed. Schott had said that Hitler “had a good beginning but he just went too far” that remark got Schott forced to sell her controlling interests in 1999.

#5 MLB players have said the offer to play 76 games with 75 percent of their salary is a worse deal than some of the previous proposals from the owners. The latest offer was said to be just a few percentage points in pay above the last offer from the owners.

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