Elephant Rumblings: Vince Cotroneo to leave after season

MLB news roundup

Happy Thursday everyone!

The hits just keep coming. Longtime radio play-by-play announcer Vince Cotroneo announced on Twitter yesterday that he won’t be back next year calling Athletics games:

And so ends the Cotroneo era after 19 years. Many young A’s fans don’t know any other radio announcer than Cotroneo so they’ll need to get used to another new voice for the team. While he doesn’t give a reason for his departure, it’s not hard to speculate he didn’t want to go to Sacramento. Furthermore he made it clear that he is not retiring, so it might not be long before we hear his voice calling games for other teams. It’s been fun listening to him calling A’s games on the commute and we’ll all miss him calling games for our guys.

Cotroneo’s departure comes just over a year since TV play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper departed the organization. The club decided to break barriers then and replace him with a woman, current broadcaster Jenny Cavnar. Would the club dip into the female pool of radio candidates? The team will have plenty of time to search for a new voice to replace Cotroneo.

On the field though, the team got some good news in the injury department:

Not the hurricane part. Getting any or all of them back in action would be a boost to an Oakland team that’s been in need of a boost of energy. Ruiz would definitely bring that but getting Blackburn and Stripling back might be even more important.

Stripling hasn’t been what the A’s had hoped for when they signed him but the team will need to soak up innings somehow. And Blackburn should provide a bit more quality and stability, if he can remain healthy. Joey Estes looked amazing just one previous start ago but he’ll need to do more to keep his spot when these guys return.

We finish up this series with the Red Sox today before heading out to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies. Let’s head out on a positive note with a series win! Have a great Thursday folks!

A’s Coverage:

• Sears revival, Butler breakout continue against Boston
• Longtime announcer Vince Cotroneo announces departure
• Bip Robert’s considering mayoral run if Thao is recalled
• Athletics prospects: Denzel Clarke hits for the cycle

MLB News & Interest:

• Teoscar, Adolis round out Home Run Derby field
• Pirates, Angels discussing Taylor Ward
• Wander Franco placed on restricted list
• Phillies playing it safe with Harper, Wheeler
• Dodgers option Bobby Miller
• White Sox promote Jake Eder
• Odd of who will go #1 in MLB Draft
• Bragging rights! Lee homers off ex-roommate Thorpe
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

All foreseeable:

Butler went off for his birthday yesterday:

Interesting company to join:

Probably first to get squeezed out when Blackburn returns: