A’s Plus
216 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 162 ratingsMatt 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
Season in Review
October 07, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutesJohn Shea, The Chronicle's national baseball writer, joins Matt to break down the A's season and highlight lingering questions heading into the offseason. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Bassitt’s Remarkable Return
October 02, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutesThe A’s starter explains to Matt Kawahara why it was important for him to return from a frightening injury to pitch again this season and gives his assessment of Oakland’s season. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Josh Harrison High-Steps Through
September 25, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutesJosh Harrison, one of the A's valuable midseason trade additions, talks with Matt playing with flair on the field and how he became a super-utility defender. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kemp and Clemente
September 16, 2021 08:00 - 24 minutesTony Kemp, the A's nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, talks with Matt about his off-field causes as well as his strongest major-league season to date. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Baysball Stretch Run
August 23, 2021 17:55 - 27 minutesWrapping up the Bay Bridge Series at the Coliseum, Susan Slusser and Matt Kawahara chat about the concerns for the Giants and A's over the final weeks of the season on this combined episode of Giants Splash and A's Plus. Plus: Updates on Chris Bassitt’s health and the A’s stadium situation. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Giants, A’s Buzz at Trade Deadline
July 28, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutesSusan Slusser, Matt Kawahara and John Shea discuss the upcoming trade deadline and who’d be good fits for the Giants and A’s. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bay Bridge Series Wrap-Up
June 28, 2021 12:11 - 29 minutesSusan and Matt talk about the just completed Bay Bridge Series, All Star possibilities and speculate on the trade deadline. And what about Sergio Romo and his unexpected moment during a spot check?! | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Baseball, Bitker and the Bay
June 25, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutesIn a special Giants Splash-A’s Plus combo podcast, Steve Bitker, the retired long-time sports anchor at KCBS, shares Giants and A’s memories on the field and in the broadcast booth with John Shea. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cole Irvin Talks Pitching
May 28, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutesA’s left-hander Cole Irvin talks with Matt about his early pitching influences, advice for young pitchers and working on the Angel Stadium grounds crew. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Vucinich: 54 Years of Memories
May 19, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutesThe A’s long-time clubhouse manager shares stories and memories with John Shea in advance of his retirement that’s coming after an amazing 54 years in the organization. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seth Brown’s Road to Oakland
May 14, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutesA’s outfielder Seth Brown walks Matt Kawahara through the steps on his journey to the majors that shaped him as a baseball player -- and the wait for his first home run. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Minor-League Baseball Is Back!
May 05, 2021 08:00 - 24 minutesFran Riordan, manager of the A’s Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate, talks with Matt Kawahara about the return of minor-league ball after its 2020 hiatus -- and a cool screening of "The Natural." | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Kotsay on Shifts and Sends
April 28, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutesThe longtime A's coach talks with Matt Kawahara about the A’s infield shifting tendencies and his first few weeks in his new role as third-base coach. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Giants and A's 2021 Season Preview
March 31, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutesSusan Slusser, Matt Kawahara and John Shea look ahead as MLB returns — hopefully — to a 162-game schedule in this 2021 season preview for the Giants and A's. In a combined episode of Giants Splash and A's Plus, they break down pitching staffs and lineups and pit players from both sides of the bay against each other. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ed Sprague on the State of the Farm
March 20, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutesThe A’s director of player development talks about the Oakland system, players who are trying to get back in the groove after a lost year, and which prospects have stood out in major-league camp. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bob Melvin, Gabe Kapler on When the Games Stopped
March 11, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutesOn March 12, 2020, MLB halted spring training and delayed the season, as sports pressed pause amid the growing pandemic. A year later, the Giants and A’s managers recall that uncertain time. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Meet outfielder Buddy Reed
March 06, 2021 17:05 - 27 minutesNon-roster invitee Buddy Reed, who shifted from hockey to baseball while at a boarding school, joins Matt to discuss his love for travel, finding himself as a hitter and his so-far successful spring. A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hot Topics for Bay Area Baseball
February 25, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutesGiants beat writer Susan Slusser and A's beat writer Matt Kawahara break down the first few days of spring camp, the flurry of recent moves by both teams, big expectations -- and the return of fans. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scott Emerson: ‘Armed’ and Ready
February 16, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutesWith pitchers and catchers reporting this week, Oakland’s pitching coach joins Matt Kawahara to discuss the storylines in camp, including bullpen issues, the A.J. Puk plan and intriguing prospects. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside The Chronicle’s New Baseball Coverage
February 03, 2021 09:00 - 35 minutesGiants beat writer Susan Slusser, A’s beat writer Matt Kawahara and national baseball writer John Shea discuss The Chronicle’s plans for covering the Giants and A’s and the teams’ outlooks in 2021. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bill Greason, Negro Leagues Veteran
December 23, 2020 19:32 - 18 minutesA teammate of Willie Mays on the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, 96-year-old Greason talks with John Shea on this episode of the Giants Splash podcast that we're sharing with A's Plus listeners. Greason, who fought in Iwo Jima and was the St. Louis Cardinals' first Black pitcher, talks about his life and about MLB reclassifying the Negro Leagues as "major league." | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choic...
Scott Emerson: Mounds of Information
December 14, 2020 09:00 - 33 minutesOakland's pitching coach breaks down the team’s rotation and bullpen. He talks about how they fared in 2020 and what the A's have to look forward to in 2021, including their recent Rule 5 additions. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Closer to Leaving
December 07, 2020 09:00 - 29 minutesAll-Star Liam closer Hendriks talks with Susan about his first foray into free agency, an uncertain market, and the A's season and the series with the Astros. He also muses about next year's bullpen. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Agent Rachel Luba's Amazing Journey
December 02, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutesAgent Rachel Luba, who is from Monterey, is making waves this off-season by representing two high profile clients, Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer and outfielder Yasiel Puig. She joins Susan to talk about being one of the few women in the industry, the obstacles she faced in becoming an agent, and trying to rein Bauer in on twitter. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jesús Luzardo Gives Thanks After Rookie Season
November 25, 2020 09:00 - 26 minutesLeft-hander Jesús Luzardo checks in with Matt Kawahara about his rookie season, his playoff experience and his offseason roommate. Plus, he shares a few family Thanksgiving traditions. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dan Straily's Season in Korea
November 19, 2020 09:00 - 34 minutesFormer A’s pitcher Dan Straily talks with beat writer Matt Kawahara about playing the 2020 season for the Lotte Giants of the KBO, how it restored his confidence on the mound, the experience of being overseas during a global pandemic -- what about that time he brought a gong to the Lotte dugout? | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feldy Follies, Offseason Edition
November 11, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutesStats expert David Feldman talks World Series, the free agent market and what it might take for the A's to get Marcus Semien back, plus: Susan and David chat about their favorite baseball movies, including the one Feldy believes originally was his idea. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Instructional League Report from Ed Sprague
November 04, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutesDirector of player development Ed Sprague joins Matt Kawahara to discuss the A’s instructional league camp in Arizona. Who stood out? How will a year without minor-league games impact prospects? | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The A's Future: Billy Beane, Free Agents and More
October 29, 2020 08:00 - 37 minutesSusan Slusser and fellow beat writer Matt Kawahara talk World Series — the Snell decision, Justin Turner's positive test — and what Billy Beane's likely departure might mean for Oakland. And: What will the A's do with free agents such as Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks? | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s a Wrap: Changes Ahead
October 13, 2020 20:40 - 41 minutesStats expert David Feldman joins Susan to break down the A’s Division Series loss to the Astros and the many major offseason changes ahead: What happens with free agents Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks? And will Billy Beane and Bob Melvin be back next year? | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ray Fosse: What the A's Have to Do Now
October 06, 2020 19:05 - 29 minutesThe A's broadcaster breaks down Game 1 and discusses ways Oakland's pitchers could counterattack the favorable home-run conditions at Dodger Stadium. Plus: Fosse's thoughts on the ALDS, the Houston Astros and much more! A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A's-White Sox Playoff Preview
September 28, 2020 21:17 - 30 minutesCo-A's beat writer Matt Kawahara joins Susan Slusser to break down Oakland's wild-card series with the White Sox, including the team's pitching plans, the less than ideal start times and which players might be the key to help the A's advance. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Baseball's Final Week Drama
September 22, 2020 21:02 - 37 minutesWill the Giants make the playoffs? How far will the A’s go in the postseason? Susan Slusser and John Shea weigh the possibilities. Plus, each has a great Rollie Fingers story to tell. Also, a tribute to late baseball scout Gary Hughes. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dishing with Dallas Braden
September 14, 2020 20:20 - 46 minutesThe A’s TV analyst and former pitcher chats about the difficulties of broadcasting from home when the team is on the road and his appreciation for sound engineers — "this nation's backbone during this time." Plus: A look at the first-place A’s with two weeks to go. And: Braden reminisces with Susan Slusser about the 10-year anniversary of his perfect game. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
A Rare Chat with A's President Dave Kaval
September 09, 2020 08:00 - 23 minutesA's president Dave Kaval joins Susan to talk about the progress on a new stadium, the difficulties of planning for next season and the team's success on the field. Plus: getting ready for playoffs at the Coliseum. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Canha: Big League Foodie | Extra Spicy Podcast
September 07, 2020 17:46 - 37 minutesBaseball players are mostly steakhouse guys, but Mark Canha of the Oakland A's is a self-proclaimed food influencer. Canha talks on The Chronicle's Extra Spicy podcast about his unlikely turn as a Bay Area food influencer and how he connects with his fans via his food-centric Instagram account, @BigLeaugeFoodie. Canha is rethinking the types of restaurants he eats from amid the coronavirus pandemic and talks about how food has kept him connected with his loved ones while living in isolation ...
Next Stop: Doubleheader City
September 01, 2020 18:16 - 41 minutesStats guru David Feldman joins Susan Slusser to talk about all the makeup games Oakland will have to play after multiple postponements. They also discuss the A’s positive COVID test and analyze the team’s trade deadline pickups. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dave Stewart on Protests and Postponements
August 28, 2020 17:59 - 34 minutesThe former A's ace, an East Oakland native, discusses the team's decision not to play at Texas in order to make a statement about racial injustice. Now an analyst for NBC Sports California, Stew also breaks down the first-place club, talks about the trade deadline and tells us about his mom, Nathalie, who died last month.. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Midseason Breakdown With Billy Beane
August 24, 2020 21:26 - 41 minutesThe A’s head honcho discusses the team’s strengths and weaknesses heading down the stretch and looks at what the free agent market might look like. As always, the Josh Donaldson deal gets a mention. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cooling Down in the Desert
August 19, 2020 20:42 - 33 minutesArizona Republic beat writer Nick Piecoro joins Susan to discuss the first two games of the Diamondbacks series, his impressions of the suddenly struggling A's, plus lots of Stephen Vogt and Bob Melvin talk. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Four Ball Scribes Preview Bay Bridge Series
August 13, 2020 19:30 - 32 minutesIn a joint A’s Plus-Giants Splash podcast, Chronicle baseball writers Susan Slusser, Matt Kawahara, John Shea and Henry Schulman delve into the vastly different states of the local teams before this weekend’s Bay Bridge series in San Francisco. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brawls and Streaks: A's Second Baseman Tony Kemp
August 11, 2020 21:33 - 24 minutesA's second baseman Tony Kemp, a former Astro, talks with Susan about the rivalry brewing between Houston and Oakland after Sunday's melee; and he weighs in on the A's recent 9-game winning streak. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previewing the Big Series: Astros-A's
August 06, 2020 21:36 - 28 minutesHouston Chronicle beat writer Chandler Rome talks about the fallout from the Astros cheating scandal, and he and Susan break down the big series between the division’s top two teams starting Friday at the Coliseum. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ken Korach Checks In
August 05, 2020 18:34 - 40 minutesA's radio play-by-play man Ken Korach joins Susan to talk about the team's new radio deal, walk-off homers, Jesus Luzardo's first big-league start and the difficulties of calling games from Oakland when the team is on the road. | Coronavirus updates: sfchronicle.com/coronavirus | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Should Baseball Shut Down?
July 31, 2020 21:03 - 33 minutesChronicle sports columnist Ann Killion joins Susan Slusser to provide her impressions of the atmosphere at the fan-less Coliseum this week, and whether baseball should even be scheduled during this coronavirus wave. Do the multiple game postponements signal the pending end of this experiment? And have any sports, anywhere, done this in a safe way? | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
Dipping Into the San Jose Pool
July 28, 2020 19:56 - 32 minutesDirector of Player Development Ed Sprague talks to Susan about Oakland's pool player camp up in San Jose. Who might be ready to help the A's? How are high-profile young prospects such as Tyler Soderstrom and Robert Puason doing? In the midst of a pandemic, what's the future of player development? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fifth & Mission: Will Coronavirus Baseball Work?
July 23, 2020 08:00 - 27 minutesOn the Chronicle’s flagship news podcast, A’s Plus host Susan Slusser and Giants Splash host Henry Schulman join Demian Bulwa to talk about the season opening under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss what fans can expect in the 60-game sprint, Giants manager Gabe Kapler and two players kneeling for the national anthem, and whether the A's can avoid their usual slow start. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn...
View from the Top: GM David Forst
July 21, 2020 20:06 - 21 minutesHow does the A's general manager approach putting together a 30-man roster? He also talks to Susan Slusser about the difficulties of getting training camp up and running and his thoughts on kneeling during the national anthem. | Coronavirus updates: sfchronicle.com/coronavirus | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the A’s Hitting Is Shaping Up
July 14, 2020 18:12 - 26 minutesAssistant hitting coach Eric Martins breaks down how many of Oakland's key hitters — especially slugger Khris Davis, coming off a down year — are looking a week into the team's training camp. Plus: Which young players might help the A's soon. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Baseball's back!
July 10, 2020 08:00 - 26 minutesThe Chronicle's Susan Slusser and Matt Kawahara talk about the first week of A's training camp at the Coliseum, what safety procedures are in place, what it’s like covering the team, and all the top storylines so far, including Jesus Luzardo's positive coronavirus test. | A’s Plus Newsletter: sfchronicle.com/asnewsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices