Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

Dodgers Latino Fan base Shaken up by Julio Urías

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

At any given time during a Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium, one of every two fans is a Latino, most of Mexican heritage. The Los Angeles Dodgers are averaging close to 48,000 in attendance per game and are closing in 4 million in attendance.

Those are the best attendance numbers in major league baseball. Since the 1980s, when Fernando Valenzuela was the team’s ‘número uno star’ the Dodgers have not had a more giant Mexican star than lefty starter Julio Urías, originally from Culiacán, México, whom the Mexican fans affectionately called “Culichi.

However, his recent arrest for domestic violence has shaken the Latino community of the greater Los Angeles Area. On September 3, Urías was taken into police custody in a parking lot near BMO stadium, where soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF played against Los Angeles FC in an MLS game. The pitcher was charged with felony corporal injury against a spouse.

The news is sad for all Dodger fans, including team Manager Dave Roberts, who said, “it is very sad; that is all I’ve got to say”. Urias is currently on administrative leave “until further notice”. This was not the first time for Urías.

In 2019, he was suspended for 20 games under MLB domestic violence policy. During the past few years, Julio Urías became the #1 starter for a team just a few magic numbers away from winning the National League Western Division again. The Dodgers are within days of winning their 21st NL West title.

Urías was a World Series champion in 2020, National League wins leader in 2021, and National League ERA leader in 2022. He could have taken the third position of the best three left-handers in Dodgers history behind the incomparable Sandy Koufax (Hall of Fame) and currently Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall of Fame member, but this for Urías was the second time and first player since the MLB policy on domestic violence to be punished twice.

Ironically, another big-time pitcher, 31-years Trevor Bauer, who won the Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, only pitched one year (2021) for the Dodgers and was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy. Bauer is out of baseball.

At this time, the final decision by MLB on Julio Urías has not been made; he was supposed to become a Free Agent after this 2023 season. Urías is facing the same fate as Trevor Bauer, as the Los Angeles Dodgers Latino fan base is waiting; many have shown their disappointment.

The Mexican star has become a fan favorite, especially for the Mexican fan base, with many comparing Urías as the best Dodgers Mexican pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela, who had an exemplary career and is still adored by fans all over Los Angeles.

Domestic violence is a serious charge, as it should, and the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball is investigating the Julio Urías situation.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com