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
151
Mike Fiers No-Hitter
It’s a no-no edition of the Feldy Follies as Susan Slusser and David Feldman break down Mike Fiers’ no-hitter against the Reds and discuss what it might mean for him and for a team that's been struggling.
23 min
152
Skye Bolt, Ray Fosse
Outfielder Skye Bolt on the emotions of his his callup, his confusing first big-league hit and, of course, his name. Then broadcaster Ray Fosse talks about Oakland’s rotten road trip and the recent big night by fellow catcher Josh Phegley.
29 min
153
Stephen Vogt on His Wild Giants Debut
In a special joint episode of Giants Splash and A's Plus, John Shea talks to the former Oakland fan favorite about his spectacular return to the big leagues with his childhood team, as well as a memorable encounter with Willie Mays.
14 min
154
Al Pedrique and David Feldman
Al Pedrique breaks down the defensive issues that Jurickson Profar has dealt with lately and tells us how lonely life can be for a first-base coach when the offense is quiet, and Susan and David Feldman look at the A's disastrous road trip, potential moves and how the start to this season compares to last.
28 min
155
Marcus Semien and Glen Kuiper
Shortstop Marcus Semien comes by to talk about the strong start to his season, how the team is playing lately and the possibility of signing a contract extension; then A's TV announcer Glen Kuiper gives us his thoughts on Jurickson Profar's start, expectations for Oakland the rest of the way - and just how fun it is to call Ramon Laureano's astonishing defensive feats.
25 min
156
Team President Dave Kaval on the Stadium
The A's president discusses big recent developments, including a stadium vote and the Khris Davis contract. Plus: Assistant director of minor league development Ed Sprague provides updates on some high-profile prospects.
25 min
157
Mark Kotsay on Turning It Around
The A’s coach talks about Oakland’s excellent crop of all-around outfielders and the difficulties of turning around an early slump with a new team. He did that himself with Oakland in 2004. Plus: Kotsay’s thoughts on Triple-A Las Vegas.
17 min
158
The A’s Horrible Weekend
Susan Slusser and official scorer David Feldman discuss the weekend sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays. What’s wrong with the rotation? With the offense? And why Kendrys Morales’ slump is showing more positive signs than Jurickson Profar’s.
41 min
159
Sandy Alderson; David Feldman
Former A's GM Sandy Alderson is back with the team as a special assistant - does he have deja vu? what do his duties entail? plus his thoughts on Moneyball, pace of play and more. And David Feldman and Susan talk about the A's recent road trip, bullpen issues and the struggles Mike Fiers and Marco Estrada have had away from the Coliseum.
33 min
160
Chad Pinder; Ann Killion
Utility man extraordinaire Chad Pinder discusses his hot start to the season and wows at longtime teammate Matt Chapman's play; columnist Ann Killion tells Susan why the A's should be picking up the Bay Area's casual baseball fans and also gives her thoughts on Khris Davis, John Fisher and the stadium situation.
37 min
161
Red-hot reliever J.B. Wendelken
The Oakland right-hander discusses his breakout September, talks about what went wrong with his curveball this spring, and provides a look at the personalities in the A's bullpen. Plus: In the first domestic edition of Feldy's Follies this season, David Feldman and Susan Slusser break down the bad start to Oakland's road trip and Jurickson Profar's struggles.
34 min
162
Aaron Brooks on Rejoining the A's; Pete Abraham...
A’s fifth starter Aaron Brooks discusses his strong first outing of the season and his reaction to rejoining the A’s last September, and Boston Globe Red Sox beat writer Pete Abraham discusses the World Series, and why the A’s seem to have the Red Sox’s number.
23 min
163
Ramon Laureano on Last Season; Dallas Braden on...
Center fielder Ramon Laureano drops in to talk about his sensational late-season run as a rookie, his slow start to 2019, and his personal chef - his mom. Then, Dallas Braden and Susan chat about the A's first week back in the U.S., what to make of the pitching staff, and the Bradens welcome a new family member.
32 min
164
Matt Olson on His Injury
Matt Olson talks about his broken hamate bone - diagnosed by Dee Gordon on the field in Japan - and the team's acquisition of Kendrys Morales. On the Shea Hey segment, Susan and John Shea discuss Franklin Barreto's demotion, the challenges the A's face early in the season and much more.
27 min
165
Catcher Beau Taylor; the Feldy Follies
From Tokyo: Nonroster catcher Beau Taylor on the A’s trip to Japan, his insights into the team's top minor-league pitchers and a recounting of his hilarious first big-league hit. Then, David Feldman stops by for the first Feldy Follies of the year to talk about new issues for official scorers to consider, plus a look at Oakland’s roster to open the season.
49 min
166
Billy Beane, Ken Korach
Vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane joins Susan Slusser in Tokyo to talk about the A’s love for international travel, his love for Japanese baseball, and the A’s roster going into Opening Day. Plus: A’s broadcaster Ken Korach joins Susan to talk about their new book, “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories From the Oakland A’s Dugout, Locker Room, and Press Box.”
30 min
167
Marco Estrada on Being a Veteran and Ken Rosent...
Marco Estrada talks about his struggles last season and his thoughts on his new team, plus how great it feels to make a hitter’s knees buckle with a great changeup. Fox Sports/The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal then drops in to give his thoughts on the AL West and on the potential rule changes MLB might embrace next year.
33 min
168
Assistant G.M. Billy Owens and Coco Crisp
Billy Owens, the A’s assistant G.M. and director of player personnel, talks to Susan Slusser about some of Oakland’s most pressing roster decisions, as well as his thoughts on Kyler Murray’s decision to enter the NFL draft. Plus: Longtime A’s favorite Coco Crisp, who’s back with the club as a broadcaster.
18 min
169
Closer Blake Treinen, team secretary Mickey Mor...
A's closer Blake Treinen tells Susan Slusser how tough it was to deal with his poor results in last year's wild-card game and how that will drive him this season. And team travel secretary Mickey Morabito goes through the ins-and-outs of getting more than 160 people to Japan for the season-opening series against the Seattle Mariners.
23 min
170
A's broadcaster Chris Townsend, Tyler Kepner of...
Chris Townsend, the A's pre/postgame radio guy, has a fascinating new gig with the team. He talks with Susan Slusser about the new broadcast deal plus a lot of baseball. Also: Tyler Kepner of the New York Times and Susan discuss Oakland's outlook this year and why the A’s are always such an interesting team to write about. Plus: Tyler's amazing catch in the Houston press box last year.
44 min
171
Bob Melvin on the Game's Evolution
Bob Melvin is a three-time Manager of the Year who piloted the A’s to the playoffs last year. He discusses the game’s analytic evolution, Bruce Bochy’s decision to retire after the season and proposed rule changes.
16 min
172
Player Development with Keith Lieppman and Labo...
Keith Lieppman and Jared Diamond. Lieppman, the A's director of player development, discusses up-and-coming players such as Jesus Luzardo and Lazarito Armenteros and talks about his own disastrous first day as an A's player. Diamond, the Wall Street Journal's baseball writer, talks about the A's influence on baseball business, plus the uncertainty over the sport's current labor issues.
40 min
173
Pitcher Chris Bassitt, Yahoo's Tim Brown
Rotation hopeful Chris Bassitt details his challenging 2018 season, his high hopes for the team in 2019 and why he thinks the A's starters are underrated. Then, Yahoo.com's Tim Brown joins Susan Slusser to talk about how blindsided he was by last year's A's, Khris Davis' status as the most overlooked slugger in baseball, and what's going on in baseball's labor market.
29 min
174
Dave Stewart on Kyler Murray
A’s great Dave Stewart analyzes the pitching staff and gives his opinion on using an opener and on the Kyler Murray decision; ex Giants catcher Nick Hundley discusses moving across the bay and the diet that has him feeling like he’s in his mid 20s again.
27 min
175
First Spring Training Episode
A's pitching coach Scott Emerson talks to San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser about how the staff is shaping up, his thoughts on using an "opener" and the recent loss of both of his parents. Plus: ESPN's Howard Bryant on the A's hottest topics — including Kyler Murray — race in baseball, and Bryant's upcoming book project, which will interest A's fans a lot. (Hint: It's about Rickey Henderson.)
30 min