Tag: Sports radio

Headline Sports podcast with Matt Harrington: Bettman says NHL coming back for fans benefit; Draisaitl wins Art Ross Award; plus more

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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29),center, battles for the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi in a 2018 playoff game. Draisaitl won the Art Ross Trophy as NHL points leader in the shortened season. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

On Headline Sports podcast with Matt:

#1 When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says money is not what’s driving the return to hockey is that something that’s believable?

#2 Bettman said that monetization is not driving the return but the league has heard from fans who would like to see a conclusion to the 2019-20 season.

#3 A Buffalo Sabers fan actually posted a Craigslist ad putting the Sabers up for sale after the team failed to make the NHL Stanley Cup expanded playoffs.  The fan who goes by the name of Dahlin Forever also made complaints about owners Terry and Kim Pegula and their brining back general manager Jason Boterill .

#4 The Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl won the Art Ross Award and Alex Ovechkin 35, became the third player in NHL history to lead the league in goals at age 34 or older in goals.

#5 Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she’s excited about the possibility of hosting the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs saying,”I’m really enthusiastic about the possibility of getting hockey playoffs here in Chicago.” If that happens that will bring in badly needed income into Chicago after the Coronvirus shutdown that impacted the city’s economy.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: Twins Kepler mask offends many in Minneapolis; Texas gov to open up stadiums to 25% capacity crowds; plus more

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photo from TMZ.com: Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler posted a selfie wearing a Blue Lives Matter mask which supports police. Kepler received huge blowback in light of the killing of George Floyd and the Minneapolis protests about Floyd being killed by police.

On Headline Sports with Michael:

#1 Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins had posted a Blues Live Matter face mask with a solid blue line on the bottom of the face mask which was interpreted to support for police. Kepler says he wasn’t aware what the mask represented. Kepler received a barrage of backlash for the mask. The timing on the mask wearing couldn’t have been with worse with all the rioting in downtown Minneapolis over the police killing of George Floyd. Kepler apologized for wearing it saying he didn’t realize it had a underlying inference.

#2 Tough week for the Oakland A’s organization with the loses of scoreboard operator Chester Farrow who passed away at 77 last Sunday and former A’s PA announcer Roy Steele who passed away on Thursday could you tell us about your experiences in working with Chester and Roy?

#3 With the uptick in Coronavirus cases is Texas governor Greg Abbott making the right decision allowing 25 percent capacity crowds in arenas and outdoor stadiums. Which brings to the question is it safe yet to do such a thing?

#4 MLB agent Scott Boras has advised the players not to budge in the fight against the owners regarding another pay cut. The players took a reduction already because of the number of lost games and are upset that they face additional cuts in revenue sharing with the owners if they return.

#5 The wife of the late Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay speaks out about Halladay’s pain killer addiction and mental issues. Brandy Halladay said that Roy would agree that we are not perfect. Halladay died while flying his plane in a 2017 crash. There is a new one hour documentary coming out on Halladay titled “Imperfect”

Join Michael Duca every other Saturday for Headlines podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: So, Let’s Not Play Ball! Is this The New Normal?

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PNC Park in Pittsburgh will most likely remain unused for the 2020 season as the players and owners are far apart on revenue issues and a second pay cut for the players (WPXI 11 News file photo)

So,Let’s Not Play Ball! Is this The New Normal?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Another week has come and gone, and like an old friend used to say to me all the time “the more things change, the more they stay the same” that old friend is not around anymore, and baseball is also going the same way as my old friend. Nothing to report from the MLB/owners and the MLPA/Players Union regarding the baseball situation.

The stakes are high in this art of negotiating, each side wants to get what they want, many call it a negotiating game, but just like politicians can talk forever and never get anything done, this current “negotiations” between the owners and players have not produce one grain or results. Let’s be positive and safe…so far.

It surely looks like is coming down to money, and ‘what else is new’? This is the same old flick we have seen with these protagonists. It also looks like both sides were satisfied with the plan for the health and protection of players and staff, although the player’s representative presented some additional recommendations to the owners and that was well received.

Although no deadline was imposed, sources had said all along that a deal had to be in place by the first of June, for teams to have time to report for a few weeks of Spring Training, before playing for real by the Fourth of July. Since then, some have said, negotiations could go into mid-June, and then the season would begin in August. If that is the case, everybody would see that they are just playing for money, no good faith here will be seen. You mean a season of two months? Who in the right mind will like to have the playoffs, if not for pure money since the postseason generates a lot of revenue for both sides.

I heard a good buddy telling me, “Owners should just play with replacement players”. Others said “no Minor Leagues, no problem, bring them in to play, set some rosters and play, let the regular players stay at home, since “staying at home” is “the new normal” these days and since “we are all together” is a phrase in vogue, let all the players stay together at home and give a chance to the poor inexperience players.

The problem for baseball seems to be that what is happening today is “the old normal”. A lot of distrust between owners and players like cats and dogs, oil and water.

The ultimate alternative might be the one we are headed towards anyway “Let’s Do Not Play Ball!” Wait until 2021, by then there will be no equivocation between a scientist who told us early in this pandemic one thing about the mask and then later another thing, or one model that would kill so many and then changed it later. Come Spring 2021 if there is no vaccine yet, we will know much better about the treatment of this virus and we shall be in a much better position to live with it than today.

It is just my opinion. I am sure you have your own and I respect that.

Have a great weekend

Stay well and stay tuned.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: A look back on Roy Steele A’s PA announcer; Kaepernick says Minneapolis right to fight back; plus more

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Former Oakland A’s PA announcer Roy Steele who passed away on Thursday worked A’s games from 1968-2005 and returned to make appearances in the 2007-2008 seasons (mercurynews.com file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 He was known as the voice of God and the voice of summer Oakland A’s PA announcer Roy Steele passed away Thursday at his Auburn home and was the A’s PA announcer from day one when the A’s moved to the Oakland Coliseum in 1968 to 2005 and made appearances during the 2007-2008 seasons. Roy was also a kind gentleman and a Baptist minister when not working at the A’s. Roy now joins his long time friend scoreboard operator Chester Farrow who passed away at age 77 on Sunday. Chester also worked at the A’s since day one in 1968.

#2 On Thursday following the protests in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd who was choked out by Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin with his co officers  Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J Alexander Kueng assisting. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick weighed in saying the people of Minneapolis have a right to fight back.

#3 After Kaepernick’s statement CNN’s Don Lemon said that it should be very clear to everyone why Kaepernick led the way in taking a knee during the national anthem and why there is injustice. Lemon said Trump calling football players SOBs for taking a knee was a bad message to NFL players who wanted to demonstrate in their way injustices.

#4 NFL owners viewing that a fourth and 15 to replace an onside kick would be an advantage for certain teams declined to move forward with the rule change. The league said that they did not rule out revisiting the rule change at a another time.

#5 The Washington Nationals Max Scherzer says the owners need to show financial transparency as they owners claim they are taking a financial hit and can not pay the players their full salaries when they come back based on revenue sharing. Players have questioned why ownership are willing to pay top salaried players 70% of their salary and lower paid players 47% of their salary. Scherzer said there is no reason the players should have to take a second pay cut.

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

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Stanley Cup Playoffs on the NHL drawing board; Lillard won’t play last four regular games

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The Portland Trailblazers Damion Lillard says he wants to sit out the last four NBA regular season games because it would be like an exhibition game since the Blazers are already in the playoffs (USA Today file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 The NHL is back and their aiming to get the Stanley Cup Playoffs started either in June or July with 24 teams participating. There’s always nuances to every new format there will be 12 teams in the East and 12 in the West. Seven NHL teams didn’t make the cut.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that health and safety issues is up next after getting an agreement from the players on the playoff format and how the draft will work.

#3 In principal Bettman and the players have agreed that the regular season is done and they will go for the playoffs as soon as everyone is tuned up after some practice sessions. The games will be played in front of empty arenas.

#4 Jessica, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers said that the NBA wants to play four regular season games to make up the difference before starting with the playoffs. The reasoning for that is to fulfill the NBA contract obligation to television. Lillard says he wants no part of that because what is the purpose of playing in a game that’s really an exhibition game and taking the chance of getting hurt before the playoffs.

#5 There have been some voices out there saying the NBA should just scrap the season and playoffs and start all over again in October when pre season basketball followed by the regular season gets going. The owners are anxious to get the television revenue question is will they get the kind of ratings they want with empty arenas and playing at this stage in the season?

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

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Players and MLB far apart on salaries for return of the game; plus much more

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New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman said negotiations with players are not going well as cuts in salaries are not sitting too well for the higher paid players (newsday.com file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Sounds like MLB hit a snag in negotiations to get the game up and running with a July 4th target date. MLB proposed to the players to return taking a sliding scale with the highest paid players taking the biggest hit and the lowest paid players taking a less of a hit and remaining mostly whole. The players have let MLB know they need to go back and make another offer.

#2 Jerry time is of the essence to get a deal done how much time do you see is needed before it’s too late for baseball by July?

#3 The New York Mets third highest player right hand pitcher Marcus Stroman was brutally honest saying that the proposals by baseball doesn’t look very promising and Stroman plans to dive into some life after baseball projects if there is no agreement.

#4  Oakland A’s owner John Fisher had sent out notices to over 150 full time employees stating that the A’s will furloughing pro scouts by June 16th, business operations will downsize next week in furloughs and salary cuts. Fisher who hardly says anything publicly even to his employees said in the statement he realizes how much this impacts everyone on hand and apologized to everyone.

#5 Oakland A’s longtime scoreboard operator Chester Farrow who passed away last Sunday at age 77 kept track of runners, outs, balls, strikes and information since he joined the team in 1969. We got to know Chester when we started covering the Oakland A’s in 1983 and often sat with Chester and former A’s PA announcer Roy Steele for pre game dinners in the A’s media room for many years.

Jerry is an Oakland A’s beat writer and does Headline Sports podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Marko Ukalovic: How the brackets would look for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

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NHL Stanley Cup Playoff brackets featuring 24 teams (graphic from actionnetwork.net)

On Headline Sports with Marko:

#1 With the Stanley Cup Playoffs returning to action what is the date range for the first series?

#2 The playoffs will consist of 24 teams although it’s the first step towards an agreement between the players and the NHL where they said it’s very likely things will move forward.

#3 The Winnipeg Jets Patrik Laine said that he’s a little rusty and that his game might look terrible but that’s not a surprise as most players must feel the same.

#4 To start the first round there will be eight teams representing each of the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. Will these games be played in each of the team’s local rinks?

#5 What’s it like to look at the NHL’s 24 Stanley Cup team bracket and not see the San Jose Sharks?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball 2020 Season in Peril

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mlb logo from mlb.com

Baseball 2020: Season in Peril

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Both sides returned to the negotiating table this Tuesday, but the new proposal by the MLB team owners was rejected in just a few minutes by the Players Association. The Union will now move to inform there members where they stand. Although no deadline for a deal,the consensus is that by June 1st, both sides must be inked,  the agreement for Spring Training to begin in June and the season by July 4th. We felt “disappointment”after reviewing this new proposal, said the Players Union.

The players received a plan that would impose bigger salary cuts to the players making the most money while the players in the lower salary scale would receive a bigger portion of their pro-rated salaries. This plan will cost the players more than the current deal. It is known that the players have lost 40% to 50% of their salaries,with half the season having been lost, since the proposed date to go back to play is early July.

All the 30-teams have lost hundreds of millions of dollars and some owners have said (according to sources) that they are not in the mood to lose more money, therefore throwing the ball back to the players. Some teams have already reduced their front office staffs as well as scouts.

Looks like the money part of the proposed deal is the one where both sides are further apart than last week. The safety and health of the players was countered last week with players giving the owners feedback on the frequency of testing, and how to proceed when players are tested positive, especially some players that are in the high-risk categories. There are players that are diabetic and this virus could complicate any given player with such condition if they tested positive with Covid-19.

The clock is ticking. This week is paramount for the future of the game, not only this season, but for years to come. If they cannot close a deal,this would present economic problems that have never been seen before in the history of baseball.

The negotiations continue.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play voice for the Oakland Athletics on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Will Cuomo’s idea of re-opening sports be huge risk?; Is Ryan Leaf really through this time?

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo meets with the media during his daily briefings regarding Coronavirus and said he will allow the opening of sports training camps for college and pro teams (AP photo)

Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 Barbara college and pro sports teams are working on ways to get their seasons started but in a recent news report just trying to sit down in a restaurant now will require curtains and gloves with goggles so how are contact sports teams going to function in those conditions?

#2 New York governor Andrew Cuomo has given the green light for all New York’s sports teams to open training camps. Considering the recent contracting of Coronavirus of Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing and two hairdressers passed Covid-19 to 140 customers in Missouri how is it possible to open up contact sports taking that into account?

#3 Former San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf looked as if his life had turned around, he was making speaking engagements about the dangers of alcohol and talked about his experiences of abuse which lead to his downfall. He was making such inroads until this week’s domestic battery charge. Is Ryan Leaf through, done, finished with this latest accusation?

#4 We just talked about the hairdressers who passed on Coronavirus onto over 140 of their customers who tested positive and Patrick Ewing a head coach who was exposed to the virus. Now the NFL said this past weekend that they want to open the season with fans in the stands like in capacity crowds how would this be possible? This is according to Troy Vincent EVP of NFL operations.

#5 Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has signed a one year deal with the New York Jets. Flacco 35 was dealt to the Denver Broncos in the off season last year from the Ravens and threw for 65.3 percent completions and six touchdowns. Does he have enough left in the tank to be a factor in New York?

Barbara Mason does Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Pro teams get ok to train in NY; Colon looking for next club to pitch for; plus more

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Former Texas Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colon is just 46 innings short of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal on the all time innings pitched list (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has given the okay for re-opening sports training facilities in pro sports. Meaning teams like the Mets and Yankees can start throwing around the old horse hide and get ready for the 2020 season.

#2 In terms of the MLB players getting back on the field the remaining sticking point is the money. The safety concerns covered in the Commissioner 67 page outline to return to action is pretty much agree upon by the players it’s the 50-50 revenue sharing the players have a problem with.

#3 Former Los Angeles Dodger Carl Crawford said his heart is heavy after the loss of two visitors in his home Bethany Lartigue 25 and a five year old boy. It was the first time since the May 16th drownings of the boy who was found by Lartigue who jumped in the pool to save the boy in Crawford’s pool that she spoke out about the incident. Crawford tried to save both victims to no avail. He spoke for the first time about it saying his heart is heavy and it’s the first and last thing he thinks about.

#4 Former Oakland A’s pitcher Bartolo Colon says he’s not retiring and is determined to find a team that will pick him up. At age 47 Bartolo who didn’t pitch in 2019 is looking for a club to join. Colon The Big Sexy is 46 innings behind former San Francisco Giant Hall of Famer Juan Marichal in innings pitched all time. Colon has 3,461 and Marichal has 3,507. Colon last pitched for Texas in 2018.

#5 New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard is being sued by his landlord for failure to pay rent during the Coronavirus epidemic for $250,000. Syndergaard says the landlord is trying to extort him for $250,00 the full value of the lease at $27,000 a month. Syndergaard said he paid two months ($50,000) on an apartment he never was going to use. Syndergaard’s attorney informed the landlord that Syndergaard was not moving in and had paid the two months. Syndergaard was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in Florida and after learning the season was suspended didn’t need the apartment anymore and wanted to rehab in Florida.

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