San Francisco Giants Struck Out on Superstars, But Still Intriguing in 2023

The San Francisco Giants fascinate me going into the 2023 Major League Baseball season. (And I’ve previously written about my admiration for their manager, Gabe Kapler.)

I don’t know how often I’ll watch them playing on Pacific time (especially as I try to prize sleep and stay on a consistent routine), but a team that tried to take that big step and fell short — or should I say took a big swing and missed — is very intriguing.

Aaron Judge or Carlos Correa signing with the Giants could’ve had a significant effect on the balance of power in Major League Baseball. What would the New York Yankees be without their star, 62-home run slugger? Would the Minnesota Twins begin a downward spiral without Carlos Correa? And what if Correa signed with the New York Mets, as he clearly wanted?

In Sunday’s New York Times, James Wagner visits the Giants and looks at a roster bolstered by $175 million worth of free-agent additions including outfielders Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger, and pitchers Sean Manaea, Taylor Rogers, and Ross Stripling. All of them are good players, but not stars. And certainly not the marquee names that bring fans to the ballpark and attract media attention during Spring Training.

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Baseball WISE Sports Radio: Astros Win the World Series, Everybody Loves Dusty Baker

After a week off while Pat Ryan was on vacation, during which we missed the 2022 World Series, our weekly WISE Sports Radio chat covers the Houston Astros winning the World Series!

How did the Astros take over the series after the Phillies took a two-games-to-one lead? Could Philadelphia make another run next season? Houston almost certainly will. And maybe they’ll be managed again by Dusty Baker, the oldest manager to win a World Series at 73 years old.

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Baseball WISE Sports Radio: Phillies vs. Astros in World Series

The Philadelphia Phillies have taken their improbable postseason run all the way to the World Series. On WISE Sports Radio, we chat about Bryce Harper’s star turn and how the Phillies are on the verge of a championship.

We also discuss the downfall of the New York Yankees and whether or not that will cost manager Aaron Boone his job. Elsewhere, the Texas Rangers surprised Major League Baseball by hiring veteran manager Bruce Bochy, who’s been retired for the past three years but boasts three World Series titles on his résumé.

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Baseball WISE Sports Radio: Phillies Shock Braves, Dodgers Stun Padres in Postseason Chaos

We’re back talking baseball on WISE Sports Radio after last week’s spot had to be canceled. And just as we know three of the four teams that will play for an appearance in the World Series.

In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres — both of whom finished way out of first place in their respective divisions — face each other for the pennant. In the American League, the Houston Astros await the winner of the Guardians-Yankees division series. How did the Phillies beat the Braves? How did the Padres defeat the Dodgers?

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Baseball WISE Sports Radio: Braves Sweep, Judge’s Chase, Ohtani’s Payday, Raleigh’s Moment

It’s the final week of the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season and the Atlanta Braves all but clinched the National League East division, overtaking the New York Mets with a three-game sweep at Truist Park over the weekend.

On WISE Sports Radio, we discuss the Braves’ chances at repeating as World Series champions, Aaron Judge’s continuing pursuit of 62 home runs with four games remaining, Shohei Ohtani’s big payday, and local (Sylva, North Carolina) product Cal Raleigh clinching a playoff spot for the Seattle Mariners with a home run Friday night.

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Baseball Radio: Albert Pujols Reaches 700, Aaron Judge Still Pursuing 61

As Major League Baseball nears the end of the regular season, one slugger reached a milestone while another is still in pursuit. For this week’s WISE Sports Radio baseball segment, we covered Albert Pujols hitting his 700th career home run and Aaron Judge chasing his 61st of the season.

Among our other topics: Will Tony La Russa return to manage the Chicago White Sox next season? Don Mattingly will not return to the Miami Marlins. And what can MLB do to boost offense in the sport?

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Baseball Radio: Aaron Judge’s Chill, Ozzie Albies’ Pinkie, David Price’s Decision

Two of the most thrilling stories as the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season nears its end are the National League East race between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets and Aaron Judge’s pursuit of 61 home runs, a cherished piece of New York Yankees history.

On our WISE Sports Radio baseball segment, we discuss a key injury for the Braves and Judge’s likelihood of surpassing what many see as the “real” (unaided by PEDs) single-season home run record. Other topics include the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason chances, pitcher David Price likely retiring, and a quick football note about the Detroit Lions.

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Baseball Radio: Pitch Clock, No Shifts, Braves Peak, Yankees Slump, Giants Turn

After a week off for Labor Day and schedule switcheroos, we’re back for a baseball segment on Asheville’s WISE Sports Radio. And we’re just in time to discuss new rules changes in baseball, including a (much-needed) pitch clock, getting rid of the defensive shift, and larger bases on the field.

Our conversation also includes asking whether the Atlanta Braves peaked too early in their surge up the National League East standings, the New York Yankees’ recent struggles, the downward turn of the San Francisco Giants, and the future of Tony La Russa as Chicago White Sox manager.

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Baseball Radio: Minor League Union, Mantle Card, Ichiro and Willie Mays Honored

Topics on this week’s WISE Sports Radio baseball segment include a 1952 Mickey Mantle card going for $12.6 million, Justin Verlander’s calf injury, Ichiro being honored by the Seattle Mariners, a surprise number retirement for Willie Mays, and Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP-caliber season for the St. Louis Cardinals.

We also discuss the Major League Baseball Players Association giving minor-league players the opportunity to join their union, a benefit that is long overdue for a labor force that is woefully underpaid.

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Baseball Radio: Marcell Ozuna, Josh Hader, Noah Syndergaard, Paul O’Neill

After getting arrested for the second time in approximately 15 months, the Atlanta Braves have a Marcell Ozuna problem. With DUI charges following a domestic violence arrest, would the Braves prefer to move on from Ozuna? Probably, but Atlanta might also need him, as much as that might pain the team.

On our WISE Sports Radio baseball segment, we also chat about reliever Josh Hader’s struggles with the San Diego Padres, Noah Syndergaard apparently avoiding his former New York Mets teammates, and whether or not Paul O’Neill truly deserved to have his No. 21 retired by the New York Yankees.

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