The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jose Mota (right) are photographed in the Dodgers Spanish radio booth at Oracle Park on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary Friends in the Business
By Amaury Pi-González
SAN FRANCISCO–It was September 26, 2026, at Oracle Park, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the second of a 3-game series (the last 3 games of the season for each team: the Dodgers and the Giants). One of my best friends in broadcasting is José Mota, son of the legendary Manny Mota of the LA Dodgers. José is a Spanish-language broadcaster for the World Champion LA Dodgers.
José and I worked together on the radio and television for the LA Angels of Anaheim. Saturday I was welcomed into the Spanish broadcast booth for the visiting Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco. I was surprised that José called his father, Manny Mota. he did, and we spoke for a few minutes; he is fine and in good spirits following his beloved Dodgers.
Manny Mota is 88 years young, retired, and living in Los Angeles. In years past, I had the chance to interview Manny Mota on many occasions during his days as a player and later as a coach with the LA Dodgers, under skipper Tommy LaSorda. I also interviewed him when he joined his son José and yours truly in commentary in Anaheim.
Manny played 20 years in the Major Leagues with the Giants, Pirates, Expos, and Dodgers, finishing with1,149 hits, which was the MLB record when he retired. His pinch-hit average was .300; he drove in 115 runs (the current MLB record); he also hit four home runs as a pinch hitter. I always asked Manny if he wanted to manage; he always told me no, that he wanted to teach the game and coach.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Manuel (Manny) Mota is baseball royalty from an era when pinch hitters were essential to winning teams. His son José is one of the most talented MLB broadcasters in both English and Spanish and a good friend, currently working for a team going to the postseason with the goal of winning their third consecutive World Series, something no National League team has ever done. Manny is very proud of his son José and his work as a broadcaster, as he should; José is knowledgeable and well-liked in our business.
Quote: “There is only one legitimate trick to pinch hitting, and that’s knowing the pitcher’s best pitch when the count is 3-and-2. All the rest is a crapshoot.” Earl Weaver, manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
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