Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025: Yanks skipper Boone demotes Williams as closer; Bucs Skenes demonstrates the mental part of his game; plus more MLB news

New York Yankees starter Devin Williams has been demoted as the closer after a blown save against the Toronto Blue Jays on Fri Apr 26, 2025 at Yankee Stadium. Williams was booed off the field after the loss and will be a middle reliever. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025:

#1 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is considering removing Devin Williams as the closer his return the closer role would be based on improved pitching. On Friday Williams blew a save and the Yankee fans were unmerciful booing him off the field as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 4-2. Boone said he’ll do everything he can to get him back on track.

#2  Pittsburgh Pirates pitching ace Paul Skenes was facing Los Angeles Dodger mega star Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning and had a 3-1 count on the Dodgers two way player. Skenes knew his back was to the wall and grew some extra confidence and threw two pitches that was on the outer edge of the strike zone. Then Skenes delivered a wicked curve ball that was going down Broadway but dropped at Ohtani’s shoe tops and Ohtani taking a big cut for strike three. That was some test of skill right there.

#3 Minnesota Twins obtained the services of infield Kody Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies received cash for the exchange. Clemens was struggling for the Phils going 0-6, a walk, in seven games he was designated for assignment on Wednesday. The Twins added him to the 26 man roster and he made it in time for the Twins game on Saturday versus the Los Angeles Angels in Minneapolis. The move was made to fill infielder Luke Keachall who on the 10 day IL with a right forearm fracture.

#4 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was suspended by Major League Baseball for one game for “inappropriate actions toward fans” at Angels Stadium this week. Pham was supposed to be suspended for Friday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers but that suspension is in abeyance after Pham appealed. Pham 37 was caught on camera using a lewd hand gesture towards fans over the left field wall. Later a ball that was hit down the left field line that Pham made a play on a fan stuck out his glove on Pham. That fan was later moved to a different part of the park.

#4 Charlie, the Sacramento A’s who started the season in dead last in the AL West and at one time had a 2-7 home record have turned things around after sweeping the Chicago White Sox on the road and coming back to Sacramento this week taking two out three games from the Texas Rangers and and the first game of the three game set from the White Sox the A’s have added three more wins to their home record at Sutter Health Park to 5-9 as of Saturday. Was the rough beginning just a matter of getting used to the park for the A’s or was it a matter for the A’s to get their chemistry going?

#5 The San Francisco Giants paid tribute for former All Star and two time World Series Champion shortstop Brandon Crawford at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Saturday with former players on hand celebrating his retirement from baseball. Crawford career had 1404 hits, 147 home runs, 674 runs, and 748 RBIs and a career average of .249. Crawford played in San Francisco from 2011 to 2023 and finished his career in St Louis his last season was in 2024.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headlines podcast with Charlie O: Royals pick up Pham and Grossman off waivers; Dodgers Kershaw headed to IL with bone spurs; plus more news

Former St Louis Cardinal Tommy Pham seen here hitting a sacrifice fly against the Milwaukee Brewers Wed Aug 21, 2024 at Busch Stadium in St Louis was picked up on waivers by the Kansas City Royals. (AP News photo file)

On Headline podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Kansas City Royals picked up Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman. Both players were in the World Series last season with Pham playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Grossman with the Texas Rangers. What triggered the signing was Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino broke his thumb earlier this week and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw could be back on the IL having suffered bone spurs. Kershaw has had on going problems with the big left toe according to Manager Dave Roberts who said that it has effected his pitching. On Friday night against the Diamondbacks, Kershaw struggled in the first inning giving up two runs. Then in the second inning he gave up a home run to Corbin Carroll and that’s when Roberts and the head training came out and took Kershaw out of the game. Kershaw had already missed four months of the season before returning.

#3 Once again the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is making history hitting his 43rd home run and stealing his 43rd base on Friday. Ohtani is on the way to winning his third straight MVP after the Dodgers defeated the Diamonbacks 10-9 at Chase Field. Ohtani is the first member of the 43-43 club.

#4 Que up the Rocky theme for pitcher Samuel Aldegheri from Italy who made his MLB debut on Friday against the Seattle Mariners. Aldegheri after a nice introduction at the Big A in Anaheim was rocked the M’s for five earned runs and seven in total. The Angels lost to the Mariners 9-5. Despite the loss Aldegheri said he was happy and admitted being nervous the first time out.

#5 One of the people that will be missed after this Oakland A’s season is over and the team leaves Oakland to start playing at Sutter Health in Sacramento will be A’s play by play announcer Vince Cotroneo. Controneo has been with the A’s since 2006 and did say after making the announcement that he was leaving last July and said at the time that he is capable of announcing beyond the 2024 season. Controneo was not renewed for a new contract and it was speculated in the industry that the move not to renew Controneo was a cost cutting measure.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Derrick Hill joins Marlins after short stint with Giants; After no hitter is Giants Snell back on track? plus more news

Former San Francisco Giant Derrick Hill was designated for assignment and picked up by the Miami Marlins. Hill who grew up in Northern California as a Giants fan was traded to the Miami Marlins. Hill had played on 21 games this season with the Giants and Texas Rangers. (Getty photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Former San Francisco Giant outfielder Derrick Hill has found a new home with the Miami Marlins. Hill joined the Marlins on Saturday. Hill was placed on waivers by the Giants on Friday. Hill didn’t stay in San Francisco very long he joined the Giants on July 23rd going 3 for 12 until his release on Friday. Hill played for the Texas Rangers and Giants in 21 games. Hill batted .255, with three home runs and seven RBIs.

#2 Giants starter Blake Snell three Major League Baseball’s third no hitter of this season Friday night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The closest the Cincinnati Reds got to a hit was in the ninth inning when the Red Elly Del La Cruz hit a ball to right center in the gap that was chased down by right fielder Mike Yastrzemski that helped preserve the no hitter. Snell had a difficult start of the season does the no hitter pretty much mean he’s back on track.

#3 The St Louis Cardinals who were looking for a shot in the arm got one when they acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Chicago White Sox. In Pham’s first at bat since joining the Cards he got a standing ovation in his first at bat since returning to the team that first signed him in 2006. Pham said the ovation gave him goose bumps and that he’ll remember it the rest of his life. The Cards have won four of their last ten games are in second place in the NL Central and are five and half games out of first place.

#4 Charlie, your right about the New York Yankees Aaron Judge clubbed a 477 foot home run in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Judge collected his 41st home run of the season off Jays pitcher Jose Berrios. On Saturday in the second inning when Judge came up to the plate Jay’s manager John Schneider didn’t take any chances and walked Judge with the bases empty in his first at bat of the game. Yankees rained boos down on the Jays for walking

#5 According JMP Securities analyst Mitch Germain said that the Oakland A’s financing their share of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark is in a holding pattern. Germain said the A’s have hit a roadblock. This has been going on for sometime that A’s owner John Fisher needs to come up with his share of the construction costs. Bally’s who just bought out Standard General’s share at $4.6 billion is going forward with their plans for a Casino and Hotel ballpark or no ballpark. But one thing for sure the A’s obligation for financing the park is in a holding pattern.

Join Charlie O’s for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Trade deadline fever-A’s deal Erceg to Royals; Blackburn to Mets; Giants Soler & Jackson to Braves; Cobb to Guardians

The Oakland A’s traded right handed pitcher Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals for two right handers and an outfielder. One of many trades made on Tue Jul 30, 2024 (Mercury News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Talk about today’s deals starting with the Oakland A’s before the trade deadline sending RHP Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals for RHPs Mason Barret, Will Klein and outfielder Jared Dickey. Erceg was 2-3, ERA 3.68. Pitcher Paul Blackburn had been hurt parts of this season and was 4-2, ERA 4.41 and is headed to the New York Mets.

#2 Former A’s infielder and outfielder Mark Canha has joined the Giants. Canha coming to the Giants from the Detroit Tigers for right hand pitcher Eric Silva.

#3 Earlier we didn’t get a chance to ask you about RHP Luke Jackson and designated hitter Jorge Soler who were traded to the Atlanta Braves. Jackson was 4-2, ERA 5.40. Soler hit .240, 57 runs, 82 hits, and 12 home runs.

#4 The Giants sent pitcher Alex Cobb to the Cleveland Guardians. Cobb was 77-75, ERA 3.85 in 230 games for the Giants.

#5 Baltimore Orioles back up catcher Brian McCann took a pitch to the face thrown by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez. Blood gushed out of the mouth of McCann and he had to be assisted by Orioles team head trainer Brian Ebel. McCann was taken out of the game but wanted the blood to stop so he could stay in the game. McCann’s Orioles teammates were impressed with his determination to stay in the ball game even though he couldn’t.

#6 The San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray who made his 2024 debut after battling a long injury last week went five innings of no hit ball gave up an earned run after walking two hitters and striking out eight hitters against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was an impressive debut for Ray who had been out with an injury all season long and the Giants waiting his anticipated July return. Ray is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Oakland A’s here at Oracle Park tonight. The A’s have improved their hitting and Ray could prove to be a challenge for the A’s.

#7 The A’s are coming off a successful four game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium over the weekend. The A’s won two games against the Halos by just a run and a third game by two runs. The A’s nearly had the sweep but the Angels Taylor Ward had other ideas belting a fourth inning grand slam and the A’s went down 8-6 as the Angels avoided the sweep.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: How Ohtani’s injury plays a role in his off season pay day; White Sox are a hot mess as an organization; plus more news

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks off the field after being taken out of the game during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP News photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie what does the injury to the Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani mean for his $500 million free agency?

#2 Ohtani was on the way to an MVP season his season now cut short from being a two way player can he still contribute as a designated hitter.

#3 The dissention is growing in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse and organization. The team wants out of the South Side because of growing crime and are looking to the suburbs for a new park, two women fan were shot at the park, Tim Anderson’s fight with the Guardians Jose Ramirez ending in a suspension, Anderson said that the Sox should bring back Tony LaRussa as manager, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf fired team vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.

#4 Charlie, how much are the Cincinnati Reds going to miss left hand pitcher Alex Young who is on the 15 day IL with tightness in his left hamstring and have activated right hander Ben Lively from the IL. Young gave up a lead off home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday.

#5 Charlie talk about the kid who stole the ball from the glove of Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer on a ball that look like a home run ball hit by the Arizona Diamondback Tommy Pham. The kid who caught the ball was called for interference and was ejected from the ballpark. Pham said he felt sorry for the kid because kids don’t know about the interference rules. Pham also lost the home run as it was ruled an out because interference.

Join Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Will Reds Pham be red hot over T Shirts poking fun over Fantasy Football IR players?

One of the T shirts that San Francisco Giants Joc Pederson wanted pulled and thrown away saying “Stashing players on the IR isn’t cheating” that has set off Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham who said he was ready to pimp slap Pederson (image from bucktee.com)

On the Giants podcast with Miguel:

#1 Michael, the San Francisco Giants players thought the better of having the “Stashing players on the IR isn’t cheating” T shirts and had them thrown out after a pretty sensitive Cincinnati Reds Tommy Pham took exception to them. With the Reds coming to San Francisco on Fri Jun 24th was that the wise choice made on the Giants part?

#2 Get ready for the pimp slap: Pham was angry about Giants Joc Pederson’s setting injured players on the Injured List and saying it wasn’t cheating. Pham slapped Pederson in the face during batting practice on May 27th do you believe this is over or there’s plenty more of that coming next weekend?

#3 Pederson said that it was wise not to escalate the situation with the T shirts and Pham said all he had to do was release the IR rules and “text how I told Joc I was going to pimp slap him for cheating” which Pham did.

#4 Pederson was also not happy that his autograph was facsimiled on the T shirts as he did not approve the signature on the shirt and wants to prevent another brouhaha with Pham again. Giants pitcher Alex Cobb saw humor in them and was blown away about how Pederson could be so calm about the whole situation.

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Pittsburgh on Friday night at PNC Park. Starting Friday for the Giants Carlos Rodon (5-4, 3.18) and for the Pirates Zach Thompson (3-4, 3.50) a 4:05 pm PDT first pitch.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Matt Harrington: It’s Rays and A’s for the Wednesday wild card, but where?

photo from sfgate.com: Oakland Athletics’ Marcus Semien rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Seattle.

On the MLB The Show podcast with Matt:

#1 The Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays both qualify for at least one game of wild card baseball the site is yet to be determined as it’s too close to call but either way there’s no doubt it should be a nail biter.

#2  The Rays Tommy Pham led the way with a two run homer and they got quality pitching from Tyler Glasnow who pitched 4 1/3 innings of no hit ball against the Toronto Blue Jays as the Rays beat the Jays 6-2 to clinch for a wild card birth.

#3 In the National League the Los Angeles Dodgers are in a four game win streak they took the first game game of their series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night 9-2 and ran away with the NL West this season by over 20 games on top.

#4 The Oakland A’s announced they will start Sean Manaea who came in the season after recovery from Tommy John surgery and in his first two games he threw shutout ball. Manaea has won his last four starts with 1.21 ERA.

#5 The timing is good for the return of A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty who just came off the IL manager Bob Melvin said it will be an adjustment period over the weekend in Seattle in preparation for Wednesday’s wild card game vs. the Rays.

Matt Harrington does the MLB podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com