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.

Sports
Baseball
26
Dan Straily's Season in Korea
Former A’s pitcher Dan Straily talks with Matt Kawahara about playing for South Korea’s Lotte Giants in 2020, how it restored his confidence -- and about that time he brought a gong to the dugout.
32 min
27
Feldy Follies, Offseason Edition
Stats 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.
37 min
28
Instructional League Report from Ed Sprague
Director 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?
29 min
29
The A's Future: Billy Beane, Free Agents and More
Susan Slusser and Matt Kawahara talk World Series 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?
35 min
30
It’s a Wrap: Changes Ahead
David Feldman joins Susan to break down the A’s season and the major offseason changes ahead: What happens with free agents Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks? Will Billy Beane and Bob Melvin be back?
39 min
31
Ray Fosse: What the A's Have to Do Now
The 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 Astros and much more!
28 min
32
A's-White Sox Playoff Preview
Co-A's beat writer Matt Kawahara joins Susan Slusser to break down Oakland's wild-card series with the White Sox, including pitching plans, start times and which players might be the key to help the A's advance.
28 min
33
Baseball's Final Week Drama
Will 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.
35 min
34
Dishing with Dallas Braden
The A’s TV analyst and former pitcher chats about the difficulties of broadcasting from home when the team is on the road and his new appreciation for sound engineers, plus a look at the first-place A’s with two weeks to go.
44 min
35
A Rare Chat with A's President Dave Kaval
A'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.
22 min
36
Mark Canha: Big League Foodie | Extra Spicy Pod...
Mark Canha, outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, talks about his unlikely turn as a Bay Area food influencer
36 min
37
Next Stop: Doubleheader City
Stats 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.
39 min
38
Dave Stewart on Protests and Postponements
The 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. He also talks about the trade deadline and tells us about his late mom, Nathalie.
32 min
39
Midseason Breakdown With Billy Beane
The 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.
39 min
40
Cooling Down in the Desert
Arizona Republic beat writer Nick Piecoro joins Susan to discuss the first two games of the Diamondbacks series, his impressions of the A's, plus lots of Stephen Vogt and Bob Melvin talk.
31 min
41
Four Ball Scribes Preview Bay Bridge Series
In a joint A’s Plus-Giants Splash podcast, The Chronicle’s Susan Slusser, Matt Kawahara, John Shea and Henry Schulman assess the vastly different local teams before this weekend’s Bay Bridge series.
30 min
42
Brawls and Streaks: A's Second Baseman Tony Kemp
A'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.
22 min
43
Previewing the Big Series: Astros-A's
Houston Chronicle writer Chandler Rome talks about the fallout from the Astros cheating scandal, and he and Susan break down the series between the division’s top teams starting Friday at the Coliseum.
27 min
44
Ken Korach Checks In
A's radio play-by-play man Ken Korach joins Susan to talk about the team's radio deal, walk-off homers, Jesus Luzardo's first big-league start and calling games in Oakland when the A’s are on the road.
38 min
45
Should Baseball Shut Down?
Chronicle 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.
31 min
46
Dipping Into the San Jose Pool
Director of Player Development Ed Sprague discusses Oakland's pool player camp in San Jose. Who might be ready to help the A's? How are prospects such as Tyler Soderstrom and Robert Puason doing?
30 min
47
Fifth & Mission: Will Coronavirus Baseball Work?
On 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
25 min
48
View from the Top: GM David Forst
How does the A's general manager approach putting together a 30-man roster? He also talks to Susan Slusser about re-starting training camp and his thoughts on kneeling during the national anthem.
19 min
49
How the A’s Hitting Is Shaping Up
Assistant 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.
24 min
50
Baseball's back!
The 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 top storylines.
24 min