A’s Plus - podcast cover

A’s Plus

San Francisco Chroniclecms.megaphone.fm
Matt Kawahara hosts The San Francisco Chronicle's podcast on the Oakland A's, featuring interviews with past and present players, managers and executives of the trend-setting franchise. With contributions from national baseball writer John Shea.
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Episodes

Dustin Fowler's 2020 Challenge

Oakland outfielder Dustin Fowler talks to Susan about his rough 2018 and where he now stands in the A's plans after Ramon Laureano grabbed the center-field spot; and spring webcast play-by-play man Donny Baarns gives his impression of the team this spring and how battles might shake out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 202026 min

Sandy Alderson: Is Sign Stealing the New Steroids?

Former A's GM Sandy Alderson discusses his first year as a senior advisor back with the team, his unique take on the Astros cheating scandal. And: Are there are parallels with the steroid problem of the 90s? Alderson's perspective on how the A's handled those. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 24, 202025 min

ESPN's Howard Bryant on A's, Astros and Rickey

ESPN's Howard Bryant and Susan discuss the A's outlook, Mike Fiers' role as the whistleblower in the Astros cheating scandal, his new book, "Full Dissidence," and his upcoming book on Rickey Henderson. | Listen to Bryant on It’s All Political Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 202035 min

Sean Manaea Flames the Astros

The A's lefty talks to Susan Slusser discusses what he learned from his disappointing wild-card start and his desire to be in the Cy Young race this year, plus: More of Manaea's thoughts on the Astros. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 18, 202026 min

Introducing Catcher Austin Allen

The former Padre tells Susan Slusser about how his first camp with Oakland is going, his efforts to improve his defense and what it’s like to face — and now catch — Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 13, 202018 min

A's and Giants: Five Questions Heading into Spring Training

In their second annual joint podcast ahead of spring training, Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman ask the five key questions that each team must answer in the 2020 season, with the Giants and A’s starting off in very different places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 202030 min

Pitching Coach Scott Emerson

A’s pitching coach Scott Emerson stops by to talk with Susan about the team’s talented rotation and plans for AJ Puk and Jesus Luzardo, plus his thoughts on the Astros cheating scandal and how it affected pitchers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 03, 202023 min

A Chat With Chris Bassitt

The A’s pitcher talks with Susan Slusser about his thoughts on Oakland’s upcoming 2020 season and what his own role might be, plus how the A’s pitching staff was aware about allegations against the Astros for years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 202016 min

Feldy's Follies

Stats expert David Feldman talks with Chronicle A's beat writer Susan Slusser about the A’s slow offseason, Houston’s cheating scandal and other hot topics, plus Susan discusses her vote for Tuesday’s Hall of Fame election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 21, 202040 min

Best of A's Plus: Billy Beane

The A’s vice president of baseball operations discusses his 2019 team’s biggest surprises and looks ahead to the then-upcoming playoffs. First published Sept. 27, 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 201930 min

Winter Meetings Wrapup

Beat reporters Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman talk about what the Giants and A’s did in San Diego and still need to do; the unorthodox new Giants coaching staff; the A’s interest in an old mate; and changes coming to both stadiums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 201926 min

Winter Meetings, Day 2

In their second daily podcast from baseball’s winter meetings in San Diego, Chronicle beat reporters Henry Schulman and Susan Slusser have real news to discuss. The Giants made a significant signing for their rotation and a trade for two infielders, while Slusser learned that the A’s have a new backup catcher in their sights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 201922 min

Winter Meetings, Day 1

Are the Giants serious about bringing Madison Bumgarner back? Are the A’s about to trade for a lefty reliever? And wait till you hear about Billy Beane’s fantasy football stud. It’s all in the first daily report from San Diego by beat reporters Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 201919 min

Winter Meetings Preview

In a joint podcast, Giants beat reporter Henry Schulman and A’s beat reporter Susan Slusser delve into the teams’ needs as they head to baseball’s Winter Meetings, which begin Monday in San Diego. The trade and free-agent markets have been busier than usual, so there could be action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 06, 201921 min

Best of A’s Plus: How A's Access Will Look in 2020

COO Chris Giles stops by to explain exactly how successful the revolutionary A's Access ticketing plan has been, and he talks about the even more fan-friendly changes in store for 2020 — including expanded benefits and hassle-free changes. First published July 29, 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 27, 201917 min

The GM Meetings

Chronicle national baseball writer John Shea calls in from the baseball winter meetings in Arizona to discuss the A's potential plans, Marcus Semien's future and .... them cheatin' Astros? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 201920 min

Farm Director Ed Sprague: The Pitchers

Is there another Jesus Luzardo or A.J. Puk waiting in the wings? New A’s farm director Ed Sprague breaks down the team’s next wave of top pitching prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 01, 201915 min

Farm Director Ed Sprague: The Infielders

In the second of three installments on the A's minor-league system, new farm director Ed Sprague breaks down rising prospects in the infield, including three who will be vying for roster spots in Oakland next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 30, 201912 min

Farm Director Ed Sprague: The Outfielders

In the first of three installments on the A's minor-league system, new farm director Ed Sprague breaks down the rising prospects in the outfield, a position that the A's are deeper at all levels of the minors than they have been in recent years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 201914 min

World Series Preview

In a combined A’s Plus/Giants Splash, Susan, Henry and John Shea break down the World Series matchup and talk about the Nationals' history and the Astros' future. Plus: The Chronicle's baseball writers provide their picks to win it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 21, 201937 min

Offseason Questions

The A's roster might look pretty set going into 2019, but Chronicle A's beat writer Susan Slusser and stats guru David Feldman discuss major questions looming at second base, in the bullpen, potentially at backup catcher and maybe even in the outfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 15, 201932 min

Remembering the 1989 Earthquake

Chronicle Giants beat writer Henry Schulman and features writer Ron Kroichick share their memories of being at Candlestick Park during the 1989 World Series when the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit. Also contributing their personal memories are columnist Bruce Jenkins and national baseball writer John Shea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 11, 201938 min

Season Wrap

Chronicle A's beat writer Susan Slusser and Chronicle national baseball writer John Shea take a look at the A's wild-card loss to the Rays and the decision to start Sean Manaea over Mike Fiers, plus: what happened to Khris Davis this season? And the outlook for 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 04, 201941 min

Wild-Card Game Preview

Rays beat writer Marc Topkin from the Tampa Bay Times provides in-depth analysis of the A's wild-card opponent, including starter Charlie Morton, and David Feldman and Susan break down the A's issues and potential decisions going into Wednesday's big game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 30, 201944 min

Billy Beane on a Remarkable Year

The A’s VP of baseball operations discusses his team’s biggest surprises this season, the role “piggybacking” might play in a postseason scenario, and what a possible playoff roster might look like, including the likely wild-card starter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 201930 min

Jesus Luzardo, David Feldman

A's phenom Jesus Luzardo discusses his pitches -- including his quick pitch -- in depth, along with his thoughts on "piggybacking." Then David Feldman and Susan Slusser talk about potential playoff pitching plans. And: Marcus Semien, MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 201935 min

Sean Murphy, Jake Kaplan

Sean Murphy discusses his first two weeks in the major leagues, his power surge and catching Jesus Luzardo’s debut, then Jake Kaplan and Susan talk about the changing dynamics of the A’s-Astros rivalry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 201924 min

A.J. Puk

The rookie lefty tells us how he’s adjusting to major-league life — especially the transition to the bullpen — and his rehab after Tommy John surgery. Then, David Feldman and Susan talk about tie-break scenarios, Jesus Luzardo and blowouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 201930 min

Sheldon Neuse, Billy Owens

Recent callup Sheldon Neuse discusses his transition to second base and how he snapped out of a major funk at Triple-A with a swing change, then assistant GM Billy Owens breaks down all the September callups and a few potential additions still to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 04, 201923 min

Best of A's Plus: Jake Diekman

In this episode first published August 7, the left-handed reliever, acquired from Kansas City in July, talks about joining the A's and some of the strangest jobs he's had. Plus: His surgery for ulcerative colitis and his work with Gut It Out to help those with similar conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 02, 201918 min
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