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OTHER PODCASTS

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We also have OTHER PODCASTS 

on TheSportsVirus.com!

AT&T PARKFrom time to time we have a variety of podcasts for your listening enjoyment. This season we will continue to host “The Fix” podcasts with pitching mechanics expert Angel Borrelli. Find it right here!

 

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Check out our Podcasts all year long. Also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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POST GAME BONUS

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Welcome to POST GAME BONUS COVERAGE

on TheSportsVirus.com!

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From time to time during the season we venture into the clubhouses and locker rooms to have a brief chat with players.

RYAN WITH TORRES

 

Jor Castellano interview Gregor Blanco The Sports Virus

Check out our Podcasts all year long. Also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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Giants Pitcher Matt Cain and Catcher Andrew Susac

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Welcome to the INSIDE CHINA BASIN Giants Podcast

Updated 3 times a  week on TheSportsVirus.com!

We continue our coverage in Scottsdale, Arizona chatting with two players who battled injuries last season, pitcher Matt Cain and catcher Andrew Susac.

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Photos courtesy of Shutterstock and Andy Lopusnak Photography

Cain tells The Sports Virus his injuries: “…are going to benefit me in the long run. It’s not something you want to go through, but it’s a part of the game. It’s a hurdle you have to go through. It shows who you are as person.”

Listen To Matt Cain and Andrew Susac

Come back FRIDAY for former Giants SS Rich Aurilia of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area

Check out our other Podcasts all year long. INSIDE CHINA BASIN is also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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This podcast is sponsored by (Click each image to visit the sponsor’s website):

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Sponsor: Toscalito Tire and Automotive

 

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Toscalito Tire and Automotive


PROUD SPONSOR  OF INSIDE CHINA BASIN 

Collecting World Series titles is a new trend for the Giants, but at Toscalito Tire and Automotive, they’ve been winning since 1971 with quality tires and reliable auto and light truck repair at 6 Bay Area locations near you. They take care of you like family because, after all, this is a family business started by two nice Italian boys, Ken Toscanini and Vince Ippolito, who combined their skills, knowledge, passion for cars and their names to create Toscalito Tire and Automotive.

GOODYEAR

Toscalito Tire and Automotive offers a nationwide warranty backed by the strength of the Goodyear tire and service network and unlike watching close Giants games, going to Toscalito equals a stress free life. No torture there.

TIREToscalito is more that just a tire store! Stop in to one of their four Marin locations or the Marina in San Francisco or Vallejo.

Here’s what folks are saying about Toscalito Tire and Automotive (courtesy of Yelp)
“I appreciate the fast and friendly service I have received in the past two years with Toscalito tire. The technicians and sales people have always made me feel comfortable. The maintenance I have received has keep me coming back. Thank you, Kevin.”

From Mark P.:”I’ve been going to this shop for a few years now … and they’ve been justyelp great. I brought my car in today for something that related back to an earlier repair … from maybe three months ago. They made the repair and didn’t charge me at all … Loren said “We stand behind our work”

From Franz T.:”I went here to get my tires changed and aligned and Alonzo hooked it up! The service was really fast and Alonzo told me what else needs to be done with my car without me feeling pressured.”

From Meghan M.:”I have been consistently pleased with the level of service I receive at Toscalito. Friendly, timely, affordable and honestly a million times better than going to the dealer. Every time I visit Toscalito I leave with a smile on my face!”

From Kristal M.:”Toscalito Tires is the BEST! I have had some big car repairs here and they have done a great job. I’ve brought my car in for little things too, like a headlight needing to be replaced. I brought the bulb and Loren kindly installed it for me for free. So sweet. Everyone here is nice and helpful. I highly recommend them.”

Contact Toscalito Tire and Automotive today: www.toscalito.com.TOSCALITOPHOTO

Follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com.

San Francisco Chronicle Columnist John Shea

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Welcome to the INSIDE CHINA BASIN Giants Podcast

Updated 3 times a  week on TheSportsVirus.com!

We go back to late September and hear our last podcast with San Francisco Chronicle columnist John Shea in 2015. Get ready because John will be joining us every other week on The Sports Virus.

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Shea called the late Hall of Famer Yogi Berra: “…a wonderful character…In middle of everything in NY.” Compared to ‪Buster Posey‬ “…3 MVPs not 1, 10 championships not 3. There was only one Yogi.”

Listen To September Interview With John Shea

John will join us in April as the regular season gets underway 

Check out our other Podcasts all year long. INSIDE CHINA BASIN is also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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This podcast is sponsored by (Click each image to visit the sponsor’s website):

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Giants Pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Tyler Beede

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Welcome to the INSIDE CHINA BASIN Giants Podcast

Updated 3 times a  week on TheSportsVirus.com!

We continue our coverage in Scottsdale, Arizona chatting with a pair of right handed pitchers: Jeff Samardzija, who signed with San Francisco as a free agent this off season,

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and Tyler Beede, who was a 2014 first round draft choice out of Vanderbilt.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Samardzija tells The Sports Virus about working on mechanics: “…the only way to get back to normal is to clean the slate.”

Listen To Jeff Samardzija and Tyler Beede

Come back WEDNESDAY for Matt Cain and Andrew Susac 

Check out our other Podcasts all year long. INSIDE CHINA BASIN is also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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(Click on Facebook and Twitter images to interact with TheSportsVirus)

This podcast is sponsored by (Click each image to visit the sponsor’s website):

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Sponsor: Access Uniforms

 

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Access Uniforms
1-877-755-5646
Access Uniforms is a family owned company that was founded in Access FactoryOctober of 1988 by Bill and Sandy Lindsell. The company’s first sales office was in the garage of our family home in Burlingame, California.

ACCESS PHOTO1Initially we specialized in just industrial uniforms with emblems sewn on to identify the company and individuals wearing them. After we established ourselves as one of the highest quality suppliers of uniforms in the area, we expanded into silk screen printing and promotional products and added a complete graphics arts and digitizing department.

Access Uniforms is now a member of the Promotional Product ACCESS PHOTO2Association and can imprint your message or company logo on over 800,000 products.

Our motto is simply “Your Logo on Anything” and we look forward to handling your every need for uniforms, embroidery, silk screening and promotional products.

Sincerely,
Bill Lindsell
Owner

Sponsor: TPC Harding Park

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TPC Harding Park
A San Francisco Municipal Golf Course



 

PROUD SPONSOR  OF INSIDE CHINA BASIN 

It’s the premier golf facility in San Francisco, offering golfers the opportunity to play “Play Where the Pros Play.” And the pros are coming to TPC Harding Park for the PGA Championship in 2020!  For more information click here: www.tpc.com/hardingpark

Since 1925, TPC Harding Park’s majestic layout and beautiful amenities have made it a favorite of PGA TOUR players, local residents (like Giants relief pitcher George Kontos and Inside China Basin host Joe Castellano who calls it his favorite course) and visitors alike. Golf Digest recognizes it as one of the “Best Places You Can Play” in America. From hometown favorites Ken Venturi and Johnny Miller to iconic PGA TOUR players Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, virtually every great name in golf has played at TPC Harding Park.

They have a Championship 18-hole course and a challenging 9-hole course. Other amenities include:

• A Practice Facility open to the public – full swing practice tee, chipping and putting greens along with instruction programs taught by a talented team of PGA professionals.

• The Cypress Grill, open to the public seven days a week – breakfast, lunch and light evening snacks.

• Meeting and Event Space – From intimate rehearsal dinners, holiday parties and charity functions to golf tournaments, business meetings and corporate seminars, TPC Harding Park specializes in creating memorable events for every taste, style and budget.

• Home to the First Tee of San Francisco.

TPC Harding Park is the only public golf course in San Francisco offering golfers the opportunity to “Play Where the Pros Play.” In addition to the upcoming Match Play tournament, it’s also been the home to other PGA TOUR events such as the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the 2009 Presidents Cup , the 2005 American Express Championship and coming in 2020 the PGA Championship! Additionally, they are home to the San Francisco City Championship, which is the oldest consecutively played amateur competition in the world.

TPC Harding Park Logo (300x300)If you are a San Francisco resident, you are in for a great deal! TPC Harking Park offers the Resident Rate – a discounted rate for golfers whom reside in San Francisco (Must have valid Resident Card issued by the City of San Francisco). They also frequently offer dining and golf specials. So, if you want consistent course conditions, great customer service and quality food at an affordable price, TPC Harding Park is the place for you! What are you waiting for? Book a reservation:www.golfnow.com or call the Pro Shop at 415.664.4690 ext.0.

 

Giants GM Bobby Evans and CF Denard Span

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Welcome to the INSIDE CHINA BASIN Giants Podcast

Updated 3 times a  week on TheSportsVirus.com!

Denard_Span_on_May_29,_2013

We continue our coverage in Scottsdale, Arizona chatting Giants Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans, and new CF Denard Span, who hit over .300 three times in his eight-year career.

Span photo courtesy of Wiki Media

Span tells The Sports Virus about playing in the spacious AT&T outfield with his new teammates: “…It’s going to be big that we’re all on the same page.”

Listen To Bobby Evans and Denard Span

Come back MONDAY for Jeff Samardzija and Tyler Beede 

Check out our other Podcasts all year long. INSIDE CHINA BASIN is also available on ITUNES. PLUS YOU CAN NOW FIND US ON SOUNDCLOUD, PLAYER.FMSTITCHER and our STITCHER WIDGET.

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This podcast is sponsored by (Click each image to visit the sponsor’s website):

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Catch It: Back in SF After Spring Training

BALL, GLOVEWelcome to CATCH IT! — Joe Castellano’s personal observations about what’s going on in the world of sports.

Spring Training 2016 for me was brief and hot, but special nonetheless.

The Giants players were relaxed and confident and why wouldn’t they be? High priced acquisitions Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija (Listen Here to Podcast with Samardzija) should pump life into a rotation that outside of Madison Bumgarner was subpar in 2015. Denard Span is the perfect lead-off man. Can he stay healthy IMG_HUNTER PENCE 2 FROM NOR CAL PHOTOthough? Can Hunter Pence have a healthy season? It didn’t start out well for Pence with achilles tendinitis right off the bat. It also was a bummer for Matt Cain to have minor surgery to remove a cyst before he could even throw in a spring game. How is Joe Panik’s back? Andrew Susac’s wrist? I saw Susac hit a bullet to left field for a homer. (Listen Here to Podcast with Cain and Susac). That’s a good sign.

As I was leaving Scottsdale Stadium on a 90-degree day last week I got to the centerfield bleacher area on my way to the parking lot. Suddenly I heard the PA announcer, “…now batting for the Giants, WILLIAMSONMac Williamson!” Ok, I’ve seen the kid in San Jose and briefly with San Francisco. Gotta watch this AB before I head to the airport. Well, Mac, I was getting nervous about making that flight. You had quite an AB. I couldn’t just watch one or two pitches. Had to see the whole drama play out. Nasty slider, he lays off, ball one. Blazing fastball, fouled straight back, one and one. Curve, taken outside ball two. Fastball in, and Mac lines a bullet to left field driving in a run. Nice job.

I made the flight fine despite the car rental being in a different zip code than the Phoenix Airport and long lines at security.

This time of year fans and media are making predictions and wondering who THE key player or players are on a team. “If Cain can bounce back that will be the difference,” I heard someone say. “The lineup is solid, this team is going to the World Series,” said another fan.

The talk of the spring were the great arms in the Giants pen. No more Jeremy Affeldt. Can the young fireballers like Josh Osich and Hunter Strickland handle the late game stress if Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla fade? What about this kid Ray Black who throws over 100 mph? Jake Smith anyone? He throws in the high 90’s. I saw them pitch in San Jose and it is highly entertaining. Even Javier Lopez told me he is fascinated by hearing the pop of the mitt when these guys warm up (Hear entire interview with Lopez on March 30).

I was walking out of the dentist office today in San Francisco and chatted briefly on an elevator with an elderly woman who was wearing a spring training 2012 shirt. Her kid used to go every year and got her a shirt every year. I told her I just got back from Scottsdale and it was great. As we opened our umbrellas to walk out into the rainy weather she said, “I knew in 2012 we were going to win every even year. This is the year again!” I said, “Yeah, no pressure.”

Crawford jerseyThis city has been awash in Warriors fever all winter and with good reason, but now it’s time for baseball too. After my encounter with the even year prognosticator I walked into Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco and there were Warriors and Giants shirts everywhere. They have a Giants Dugout store in the mall filled with Posey, Bumgarner and Crawford jerseys. Even a single Joe Panik jersey hung in the middle of the store. What, no Matt Duffy? (Listen Here to Podcast with Duffy and Posey) Don’t these people know that he’s going to be a regular guest on my Inside China Basin podcast? Soon enough they will be clicking on the new Duffman’s corner tab and hear him all season.

Later in the day, I stopped at a Starbucks in Union Square. Grande, black, iced tea. Unsweetened. I am such a creature of habit. Can’t wait to read my SF Chronicle to see what John Shea and Henry Shulman are writing today. I look around and everyone is on their phone. They must also be reading John and Henry online. This city isjohn shea hey podcasts obsessed with the Giants. Soon enough, the Shea Hey podcasts as part of Inside China Basin will begin again (Listen Here to 2015 Podcast with John Shea). In the meantime, if you aren’t enjoying the Sporting Green newspaper, I encourage you check out John’s columns: John Shea on SF Gate

One topic I’m looking forward to chatting with Shea about is the new rule regarding slides into second base. You already heard Posey talk about it being a good move to eliminate the unnecessary rolling block slides like we saw from Chase Utley of the Dodgers in the NL Division Series last season against the Mets.

I like the rule, but the additional elimination of the neighborhood play actually worries me. That was another way to protect these middle infielders and I think it was ok as long as they didn’t miss the bag by more than a couple of inches. Former Giants SS Rich Aurilia will give his views on the subject on Inside China Basin on Friday so don’t miss that podcast.

There goes a person on Sutter Street wearing a Giants cap. Opening Day can’t come soon enough for a lot of people.

But, as I’m about to leave Starbucks, another San Francisco native puts it all in perspective in a city that has so much going on. “I don’t follow the Giants,” she said. “How are they doing?”

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Artwork courtesy of: Suzie Armagost.