A’s Plus
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.
1
Season in Review
John Shea, The Chronicle's national baseball writer, joins Matt to break down the A's season and lingering questions heading into the offseason.
39 min
2
Chris Bassitt’s Remarkable Return
The 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.
18 min
3
Josh Harrison High-Steps Through
Josh 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.
18 min
4
Kemp and Clemente
Tony 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.
22 min
5
Baysball Stretch Run
Wrapping 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.
25 min
6
Giants, A’s Buzz at Trade Deadline
Susan Slusser, Matt Kawahara and John Shea discuss the upcoming trade deadline and who’d be good fits for the Giants and A’s.
25 min
7
Bay Bridge Series Wrap-Up
Susan 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?!
28 min
8
Baseball, Bitker and the Bay
In 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.
28 min
9
Cole Irvin Talks Pitching
A’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.
41 min
10
Steve Vucinich: 54 Years of Memories
The 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.
27 min
11
Seth Brown’s Road to Oakland
A’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.
35 min
12
Minor-League Baseball Is Back!
Fran 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."
23 min
13
Mark Kotsay on Shifts and Sends
The 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.
27 min
14
Giants and A's 2021 Season Preview
Susan 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. A combined episode of Giants Splash and A's Plus.
31 min
15
Ed Sprague on the State of the Farm
The 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.
25 min
16
Bob Melvin, Gabe Kapler on When the Games Stopped
On 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.
25 min
17
Meet outfielder Buddy Reed
Non-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.
25 min
18
Hot Topics for Bay Area Baseball
Giants 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.
36 min
19
Scott Emerson: ‘Armed’ and Ready
With 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.
34 min
20
Inside The Chronicle’s New Baseball Coverage
Giants 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.
33 min
21
Bill Greason, Negro Leagues Veteran
A 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.
17 min
22
Scott Emerson: Mounds of Information
Oakland'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.
31 min
23
Closer to Leaving
All-Star Liam 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.
28 min
24
Agent Rachel Luba's Amazing Journey
Agent Rachel Luba, who is from Monterey and represents Trevor Bauer and Yasiel Puig, joins Susan Slusser to talk about being one of the few women in the industry.
39 min
25
Jesús Luzardo Gives Thanks After Rookie Season
Left-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.
24 min