Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will A’s leaving a large TV market for Vegas prove to be huge mistake?

Las Vegas Ballpark home of the Las Vegas Aviators the A’s minor league club beverages at the ready in the bleachers. If the A’s and the city of Las Vegas make it official to move the A’s could the A’s start playing their games at the minor league ballpark while the new stadium goes under construction? (photo from thelvballpark.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, just wanted to start the podcast discussing the elephant in the room it’s been weeks since we heard anything from the city of Oakland in their efforts to try and keep the Oakland A’s in Oakland those hopes are fading fast as A’s management in the last few months have been seeking a site for a new Las Vegas ballpark.

#2 Daniel, the average income in Vegas is $35,000 to $51,000 and a much smaller population than the Bay Area that said are the A’s looking at the successes of other sports teams who are in Vegas and they can sell games near capacity or is this just one big roll of the dice for the A’s going to a smaller 40th size TV market and hope to sell out most of their 81 home dates?

#3 The city of Oakland did not get federal financing of $182.9 million back in January from the US Department of Transportation. The City of Oakland’s Transportation manager Fred Kelly said that the city will seek other streams of income to finance the Howard Terminal Ballpark so far nothing.

#4 Daniel, back out on the field the talk of the town is Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami who will bet the start against the Shohei Othani and the Los Angeles Angels on Thu Mar 30th at the Oakland Coliseum. Fujinami was 4-4 with an ERA 4.26 in spring training and he’s expected to be a key starter for the A’s this season.

#5 The A’s will open up their season against the Angels on Thu Mar 30 and have a rare Friday off on the 31st before getting back to the Coliseum on Fri Arp 1st against the Angels. One of the top concerns at the start of this season is how will the hitters and pitchers adjust to the time clock.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

WNBA Report: Tom Brady becomes part owner of Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces introduced former NFL quarterback Tom Brady as part owner of the Aces Thu Mar 23, 2023 (image from @ LVAces)

By Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez

Thu Mar 23, 2023

LAS VEGAS–Former seven time Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady announced Thursday that he is joining the WNBA’s Champion Las Vegas Aces as part owner. Brady said he’s a huge fan of women’s sports and has had a love for women’s sports at a young age since his older sisters took him to their games. Brady added that they were the best athletes in the house.

Brady tweeted the announcement by video and was very happy and excited about his newest venture since retiring after the 2022-23 NFL season. Brady said he was excited to be part of the Aces organization and hopes to contribute “as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”

Brady’s ownership stake as a minority partner joining Aces majority owner Mark Davis who is also owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “Since I purchased the Aces our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces and the WNBA but women’s professional sports as a whole.”

Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez cover the Las Vegas Aces for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Canucks 3 goal scoring in first and third periods do in Sharks 7-2 at Rogers Arena

San Jose Sharks netminder James Reimer (47) was kept busy facing 21 shots and allowing seven goals against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thu Mar 23, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Torben Rolfsen

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA –The Shark tank continued at Rogers Arena in Vancouver as San Jose (19-38-15) lost 7-2 to the host Canucks (32-34-5) to inch ever closer to the best lottery odds in what promises to be one of the most talent-filled drafts in NHL history. The Sharks are now winless in their last eight games and have just one victory since February 20th.

The Canucks opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first on a horrible giveaway by Tomas Hertl as he passed it directly to J.T. Miller in his own zone, who buried it past Sharks goaltender James Reimer for his 29th of the season and fourth in three games. Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the Canucks two minutes later before Hertl replied with his 20th of the season shortly after.

The assists went to Erik Karlsson and Jacob Peterson, with his first point as a Shark. After an impressive long stretch of 5-on-5 pressure by San Jose in the Canucks zone late in the period, they reverted to being the Sharks before the buzzer as Dakota Joshua scored for Vancouver with just 4/10ths of a second left after some pretty passing on the fly by the Canucks got them through the Sharks D.

San Jose didn’t fare much better in the second, showing little power play life against Vancouver’s dead-last-in-the-NHL penalty kill. Reimer gave up a big rebound – one of many – a little past the halfway mark of the game, which a left-alone-on-the-doorstep Conor Garland easily tapped in to make it 4-1.

The teams woke up the crowd with a quick flurry of goals in the middle of the third frame: The Sharks Andrew Agozzino scored shorthanded (with his first of the year in just his second game) on a nice snapshot before the Canucks quickly answered back with goals by Vasily Podkolzin and Phillip Di Giuseppe.

Vancouver’s Sheldon Dries scored a late shorthanded goal with under ten seconds left. The low-shots game wound up 21-19 in Vancouver’s favor. The Sharks conclude their 3-game western Canadian road swing in Calgary Saturday night before returning home to face the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday and the Vegas Golden Knights next Thursday.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ovechkin reaches NHL record 13th season scoring 40 goals; Brian Boyle joins NHL Network; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored his 40th goal for the 13th time in his career setting an NHL record surpassing previous record holder Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets in overtime 7-6 on Tue Mar 21, 2023. (photo by the Athletic)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin set an all time NHL record surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40 goal NHL seasons doing it for the 13th time. The Caps were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets when Ovechkin’s shot defected off the stick of the CBJ’s Nick Blankenburg at 5:12 in the first period on Tuesday night.

#2 Brian Boyle former NHL player will join NHL Network as a studio analyst, Boyle joins fellow studio analysts Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp on NHL tonight seen Thursday and Friday. Boyle will work the intermission reports this Saturday with Tony Luftman. Boyle said while he didn’t want stop playing the game he will look forward to talking about the game.

#3 Jared Bednar signed a three year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday the contract goes into effect next season through 2023-24. Bednar took over for former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy on Aug 25, 2016 and is 281-190-52 in 523 regular-season games.

#4 In an NHL Players Association Poll the Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby was voted the most complete player for the forth year in a row picking up 30.1 percent of the vote. Other NHL players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Andrei Vasilevekskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews were also winners in the poll.

#5 The San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has announced that forward Jacob Peterson has been recalled from their AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Peterson came to the Sharks from the Dallas Stars on Mar 3. Peterson has a career 66 games, 12 goals and five assists.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host Suns in first of back to back games Friday

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Mar 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 After winning three straight games the Sacramento Kings (43-29) have lost two straight games do you view this just a lull and were the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics (50-23) just up to beat the Kings no matter what the cause in those two games?

#2 The Kings rank number three in the NBA Western Conference and once you make that climb to one of the top seeds everybody starts to come after you. In watching the Jazz and Celtics go after the Kings do you see those opponents doing some careful film study in trying to pick apart weaknesses on the Kings offense and defense?

#3 Kings head coach Mike Brown has a steady hand and also has watched these last two straight defeats carefully do you see him distributing the shots and also the defense differently or the talent will stay with their usual course of action?

#4 In the second half against the Celtics on Tuesday the Celts offense just came out and dominated scoring 40 in the third and 32 in the fourth quarter and held the Kings to just 31 in the third and 24 in the fourth quarter.

#5 The Kings hope to turn the tables tonight at Golden 1 Center as they host the Phoenix Suns (38-34). The Suns have struggled in their last two games as well losing the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday and on Wednesday to the Los Angeles Lakers. You best bet both teams will be battling tonight in Sacramento.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors host hot handed 76ers Friday night at Chase

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Draymond Green (23), along with staff, celebrate a basket late in the second half in Dallas against the Dallas Mavericks on Wed Mar 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Mark Cuban owner and the Dallas Mavericks have filed a protest over an official’s ruling to allow the Golden State Warriors an inbound a ball in the third quarter where the Mavericks originally were to inbound the ball but that decision was changed during a time out. As the Mavs set up to defend on the other side of the court the Warriors inbounded the ball for a slam dunk two points. While the Mavericks lost the game it was noted that Golden State out hustled and out played Dallas and won by two points which Cuban and the Mavericks have filed a protest with the NBA over the inbound ruling.

#2  Wednesday night the Warriors faced a real challenge playing Luca Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (36-37) at American Airlines Center to finish off this road trip. The Warriors took hold of that challenge to defeat the Mavericks for their second consecutive road win 127-126 in Dallas.

#3 The third quarter was a high-powered one with Golden State leading for most of it. The Warriors turnovers had become more infrequent and points in the paint were flowing. Golden State was shooting at 75% from the field in the third. They led after three quarters 96-93.

#4 Jonathan Kuminga was the high scorer with 22 points off the bench. Jordan Poole also had a nice game with 16 points, some of them critical points in the fourth quarter. Stephen Curry pushed this game over the top in the final quarter finishing with 20 points. 

#5 Friday night the Warriors will be back at Chase to take on the Philadelphia 76ers (49-23). The Sixers defeated the Chicago Bulls Wednesday 116-91. The 76ers have won nine of their last ten games. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Jerry Feitelberg does the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hudon’s heroics lift Eagle past Barrcuda 3-2, sweep series

Colorado Eagles forward Ryan Wagner (#13) fights for room between the San Jose Barracuda’s Artemi Kniazev (#25) and Darren Brady (#92) during the Eagles 3-2 win at the Budweiser Events Center on Wednesday MAR 22, 2023. (Colorado Eagles)

by Marko Ukalovic

Charles Hudon’s second goal of the game proved to be the game winner as the Colorado Eagles edged the San Jose Barracuda in 3-2 victory on Wednesday evening at Budweiser Events Center.

San Jose has lost two games in a row and sit three points out of the seventh place and the final spot in the Pacific Division, currently held by the Tucscon Roadrunners. Colorado swept the two-game series as it sits comfortably in fourth place.

San Jose (26-31-1-4-57 points) drew first blood near the halfway mark of the opening frame with a power play goal. Tristen Robbins scored his first goal of the game and 13th goal of the season at the 8:26 mark. Artemi Kniazev and Brandon Coe recorded the helpers.

Colordo (34-20-5-3-76 points) evened it up early in the second period a power play goal from Hudon. Hudon’s first goal of the game and 23rd of the season at the 2:16 mark were assisted by Ben Meyers and David Farrance.

Robbins regained the lead for the ‘Cuda just over two minutes later with his second power play goal of the contest. His 14th of the season came at the 4:45 mark of the middle frame as Cow and Shakir Mukhamadullin assisted on the goal.

It was Mukhamadullin’s first point in a Barracuda uniform in just his second game with the team.

The Eagles scored the equalizer early in the third period with an even strength goal. Cedric Pare scored his ninth goal of the season at the 5:58 mark from Nate Clurman and Meyers who picked up his second helper of the game.

Hudon’s and the Eagles second power play goal just past the halfway mark of the final frame proved to be the game winner as Hudon scored his team leading 24th goal at the 11:19 mark. Mikhail Meltsev and Farrance were credited with assists on the play.

Eagles goalie Justus Annunen stopped 32 of the 34 shots to earn the victory. Aaron Dell, who made his second straight start, made 29 saves on 32 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Bothe teams finished 2-for-6 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Hudon 2) Robins 3) Pare.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host a two-game weekend series with the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday 3/25 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Kuminga Spearheads Warrior Win Over Dallas 127-125

Mark Cuban owner and the Dallas Mavericks have filed a protest over an official’s ruling to allow the Golden State Warriors an inbound a ball in the third quarter where the Mavericks originally were to inbound the ball but that decision was changed during a time out. While the Mavericks lost the game it was noted that Golden State out hustled and out played Dallas and won by two points which Cuban and the Mavericks have filed a protest with the NBA over the inbound ruling. (photo by USA Today)

Kuminga Spearheads Warrior Win Over Dallas 127-125

By Barbara Mason

This current road trip has been a rough one although the Golden State Warriors (38-36) finally broke their losing streak beating the Houston Rockets Monday night 121-108. Wednesday night they faced a real challenge playing Luca Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (36-37) at American Airlines Center to finish off this road trip. They took hold of that challenge to defeat the Mavericks for their second consecutive road win 127-126 in Dallas.

The Warriors got a solid start in a very close first quarter. The Mavericks had a 33-30 after the first 12 minutes. The Warriors had committed five turnovers in the opening quarter which accounted in part for the Dallas lead.

The Warriors made up the difference at the end of the first quarter and led at the half 65-63. The first half was engineered by Jonathan Kuminga off the bench shooting for the high score with 14 points and keeping the Warriors in this game.

The third quarter was a high-powered one with Golden State leading for most of it. The Warriors turnovers had become more infrequent and points in the paint were flowing. Golden State was shooting at 75% from the field in the third. They led after three quarters 96-93.

As the fourth quarter got underway, the question was, can the Warriors finish this game? This has been a problem in the past and with the end of season so close, this is another must win game for Golden State. The quarter was a back and forth affair with the Warriors leading by as much as eight points.

With 4:22 left in the game the score was tied at 115. This nail biter went down to the wire. With 08.5 left on the clock the Warriors had a 125-122 lead. Golden State had finally won a back to back road game for the first time this season.

Jonathan Kuminga was the high score for the team with 22 points off the bench. Jordan Poole also had a nice game with 16 points, some of them critical points in the fourth quarter. Stephen Curry pushed this game over the top in the final quarter finishing with 20 points. He had 13 assists mixing up his play-making in a great overall team effort.

Friday night the Warriors will be back at Chase to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Giants pitching combines for 10-hit, 4-0 Cactus League shutout over Rangers

The San Francisco Giants Bryce Johnson slides ahead of the throw against the Texas Rangers for his 12th stolen base of spring training at Scottsdale Stadium on Wed Mar 22, 2023 (@NBCSGiants photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday, March 22, 2023

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With overcast skies and 57 degrees at game time, the crowd at Scottsdale Stadium was bundled up Wednesday like it was a night game at Candlestick Park, the kind of Turn Back The Clock promotion the local chamber of commerce didn’t have in mind.

The weather for exhibition baseball has been very unseasonable for the fourth week of March in the Valley of the Sun.

Light rain in the morning limited pregame activity, but the show went on, and San Francisco pitching combined for a 10-hit shutout over the Texas Rangers split-squad 4-0.

The Giants are 11-12-1 in Cactus League play.

San Francisco starter Ross Stripling (1-1) worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up six hits while striking out four without a walk. He thew 73 pitches, 44 strikes. He has a two-year, $25 million contract with a player opt-out clause after 2023.

After Stripling, Scott Alexander, Jakob Junis and Taylor Rogers threw the remaining 3 1/3 innings. Taylor Rogers struck out the side in the ninth, and Junis fanned four in 2 1/3 innings while being credited with a hold.

Blake Sabol, who is competing for one of the two Giants roster spots for catchers, was 2-for-3. Sabol, a Rule 5 selection, leads the Cactus League with a .477 on-base percentage, a .697 slugging percentage, and a 1.174 OPS. He’s also second in the CL in batting (.333), tied for second in runs (11), and tied for third in walks (nine).

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford was 1-for-1 with a walk in his first spring appearance since March 10. Crawford was sidelined with left knee inflammation.

Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim and Cory Seager each had two hits for Texas, which is 11-13-1.

Texas starter Jon Gray (2-1) went 4 2/3 innings, giving up three unearned runs four hits with two strikeouts and two walks. The Rangers’ bullpen crew of Brock Burke, Jacob Barnes, John King, Josh Sborz, and Joe Barlow allowed one unearned run on three hits and three walks.

San Francisco took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a pair of unearned runs. Texas pitcher Jon Gray’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt allowed Brett Wisely and Michael Conforto to score.

The Giants came up with another unearned run in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager’s throwing error on a single by Joey Bart allowed Bryce Johnson to score.

San Francisco extended its lead to 4-0 with one more unearned run in the bottom of the sixth when Johnson’s fourth double of the spring drove in Casey Schmitt.

GIANTS JOTTINGS: Because this was a split-squad game, the Giants didn’t get a chance to renew acquaintances with former manager Bruce Bochy, who now pilots the Rangers. Bochy ran the other Texas squad at their spring home in Surprise, while associate manager Will Venable was managing the Giants’ opponent in Scottsdale. The Rangers visit San Francisco for a three-game interleague series in August. … The Giants lead MLB with 38 stolen bases on 48 attempts in 24 exhibition games. … The Giants have two more Cactus League games in Scottsdale – Thursday vs. Cleveland (split-squad) and Saturday vs. Seattle. … Attendance on Wednesday was 8,119. Time of game was 2:30.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Can Warriors put together two wins in row on the road tonight?

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. defends during the second half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, the long road to the Golden State Warriors 11 game losing streak on the road mercifully ended on Monday night in Houston with a victory. What would you say was the Warriors top reasons for just not being able to win games on the road.

#2 The Warriors first three quarters against the Rockets saw plenty of turnovers and the Rockets took advantage of Warrior turnovers and taking them to the rim for slam dunks which they put on quite a display. The Warriors Stephen Curry in the third quarter came to the rescue scoring 15 of his 30 points but teammate Jordan Poole fell on Curry’s leg and Curry had to leave the game. The Warriors regrouped in the fourth quarter to put away the Rockets.

#3 The Warriors finish off this road trip tonight in Dallas against the Dallas Mavericks (36-36). The Mavericks always a tough place for the Warriors to play, can the Warriors get that second consecutive road win tonight against Mark Cuban and the Mavericks?

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com