Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Can the Giants catch the Dodgers in 2026?

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Former Tampa Bay Ray pitcher and now San Francisco Giant Adrian Houser is seen here pitching against the Chicago Cubs Sep 24, 2025 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Houser signed a 2 year $22 million contract with the Giants on Dec 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

Can the Giants catch the Dodgers in 2026?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It is not too early to talk about the 2026 season, especially because an owners’ lockout after this year’s World Series is inevitable. The Super Bowl is coming to the South Bay in February at Levi’s Stadium, and right after that game, Adiós winter and Bienvenido Baseball.

Pitchers and Catchers will report to Spring Training by early to mid February. The Giants report to Scottsdale Stadium and the Dodgers to Camelback Ranch. Both in the Valley of the Sun,Phoenix,  Last season, the Giants finished 81-81 (3rd in the NL West), which is the definition of mediocre/unremarkable/no bueno. 

The focus now is on what these teams are doing to improve for the 2026 season. While the Giants are like a car that needs lots of repair, the Dodgers have been adding more stars and spending big money; what else is new? They are already favorites to win their third consecutive World Series.  2025 Dodger Stadium attendance: 4,012,470.

Let’s look at what these two eternal rivals have been doing during the winter.

-The Giants: Signed Adrian Houser for 2 years and Tyler Mahle for 1 year to bolster their rotation. This was an interesting acquisition: they also secured a top international shortstop, Luis Hernández, a 17-year-old Venezuelan who left his troubled country and traveled to the Dominican Republic. The Giants signed the kid for a $5 million bonus. However, the Giants’ most interesting move was not a player but hiring Tony Vitello as manager.

Their 40th manager in their history on October 22, 2025, marking the first time an MLB team appointed a manager directly from college baseball without any prior professional baseball experience (playing or coaching). While other managers have had limited or no pro playing time. At the time of this article, veteran pitcher Justin Verlander is being sought by a few teams; it appears the Giants have no interest in keeping the future Hall of Famer, who might soon sign with another team.

-The Dodgers. As we all know, there are two things a Giants fan loves more than anything else: 1-When the Giants win, and  2-When the Dodgers lose. This rivalry dates back to the days when both teams were in New York, separated by the Bronx and Brooklyn. Now they are 400 miles apart, and the rivalry is as hot as ever. The Giants have so far been frugal, not opening the bank to sign any big free-agent player.

The Dodgers signed elite closer Edwin Díaz to a 3-year, $69 million contract (the largest ever for a reliever), also signed outfielder Kyle Tucker to a 4-year, $240 million contract, and signed veteran outfielder Andy Ibañez, bolstering their 2026 roster. The Kyle Tucker deal added to their existing high-salary roster. Is there inequity in the game? Does it rain in Seattle? Last season, the Dodgers’ payroll on Opening Day was $325.9 million, the Miami Marlins’ was $69 million, and the Homeless A’s about the same.

The Dodgers’ signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker, adding to their existing high-salary roster, gives Giants fans another reason to hate the Dodgers. MLB owners are reportedly raging and determined to push for a salary cap in the next CBA, following the Dodgers’ massive contract with Tucker. Sources calling a salary cap push “100 percent certainty” that will lead to a lockout and possibly no baseball in 2027.

Major League Baseball owners last locked out players in December 2021, halting off-season activities and transactions for 99 days until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was reached in March 2022, marking the first MLB work stoppage since the 1994-85 player strike.

Finally, If the Giants want to catch the Dodgers, they better do it now in the 2026 season because after that, there will be nobody warming up in the bullpen.

Quote: “There are only two seasons – winter and baseball.” – Bill Veeck

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Off season MLB strategies free agents; MLB prospects whose intrested; plus more news

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Former Chicago Cub slugger Kyle Tucker will be swinging for the fences for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 season Tucker who signed a four year $240 million deal with LA on Jan 15, 2026. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How are MLB teams adjusting their offseason strategies with free agents and trade candidates still on the market, and which players are most likely to land impactful deals before spring training?

#2 Which MLB prospects are gaining attention right now from organizations and scouts, and how might they influence their teams’ 2026–27 plans? (Justin Crawford, Zyhir Hope, Franklin Arias, and others highlighted in recent reports)

#3 What implications do the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent big-name signings (like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz) and subsequent draft pick forfeitures have for the team’s short- and long-term competitiveness?

#4 What are the key MLB broadcast and media rights developments for the upcoming seasons, including deals with networks and streaming services?

#5 How are Opening Day plans shaping up for the 2026 season—such as special national broadcasts and primetime games ( such as the Pirates–Mets doubleheader on NBC/Peacock)?

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Warriors owner could buy the Padres and move them out of San Diego?

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Could the San Diego Padres move out of San Diego and out of Petco Park as the team goes up for sale. The Padres most likely will try and sell to someone who will keep the Padres in San Diego. (photo by Tripadvisor)

Warriors owners could buy the Padres and move them out of San Diego?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

In November, the Padres’ ownership had hired an investment bank to explore the sale of the team. The majority owner of the Golden State Warriors, Joe Lacob, had been interested in buying a Major League team, particularly the Oakland A’s, but could not because the current owner, John  Fisher, would not sell. Looks like Lacob is interested in buying the San Diego Padres. Some are saying he will buy the Padres and then move the team from San Diego to another city. Some A’s fans (not the ones in Sacramento who are temporary fans, just like the team) are speculating that the city could be Oakland.

The five most important questions:

 1-Could Joe Lacob buy the Padres? A: Yes. Of course, he would make an attractive offer in the billions, so there is a very good possibility he could buy the Padres.

2. Would the purchase of the San Diego Padres be accepted?  A: Maybe. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams will need approval from the other owners. Usually, it requires a super majority, for example, 23 out of 30. As part of background checks, the owner-to-be will also be vetted to ensure they meet financial requirements and other criteria. Lacob, the majority owner of the Golden State Warriors, an NBA team, was recently valued by FORBES at $11 Billion, which is more than the 49ers’ $8 billion and the Giants’ $4 billion.

3. Could Mr.Lacob then move the Padres out of San Diego?   A-Not Likely  Lacob needs the other league’s teams’ approval (the Padres are in the National League; if he moves them to an American League city, what then).  You need a new stadium, or move to a city with an MLB-quality stadium ready for play with MLB  capacity, with a good media market and a good fan base.

4-Commissioner’s Office. A-Don’t know. It will play a big part in all of this. There will be significant relocation fees paid by Lacob to existing teams in the new territory, all while navigating territorial rules and the Commissioner’s office’s usual politics.

5-The San Francisco Giants. (Who knows?)In the case of Mr.Lacob, if he wants to relocate the Padres to Oakland. The Giants have territorial rights in San José, but not Oakland. It sounds easy, but it is not; these things tend to take on a “life of their own”. If you live in the Bay Area, I do not have to tell you about our third-largest city, most famous for losing three pro-franchises in the last decade.

Seems impossible for this to happen. But maybe, just maybe, Joe Lacob’s pipe dream is to do the impossible.

Quote: It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Trademark now Sacramento A’s, Vegas is next –An Identity problem?

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It’s safe to say the Sacramento A’s logo will be used officially by the 2026 A’s for the upcoming season (image from Baltimore Positive WNST)

Trademark now Sacramento A’s, Vegas is next. -An Identity problem?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Congratulations to the Athletics; they are now the Sacramento A’s. Thankfully, the US Supreme Court did not have to rule on this; they are very busy these days, and I am sure they agree that baseball team trademarks are not something they want to hold hearings on and then make a final decision on. They just listened to two days of hearings on the Trans Athletes challenge to Title IX of biological women in sports. On the Trademark, well, the A’s were late on this, no surprise, but it is official, this season, they will be known as the Sacramento A’s. Congratulations!

Considering that in 2027, there is a decent chance the entire season might not happen, there is over a 95% chance that baseball owners will lock out players over a dispute on the salary cap, Although it would be unfortunate for the sport and baseball fans, if that takes effect and there is no baseball in 2027, but wait!  there is good news for the A’s, they will have more time (during the lockout) to come up with another name to trademark, the name for the A’s in Las Vegas.

Here is my recommendation for the A’s to use when they eventually land in Vegas. Here it is. “The Team Formerly known as the Oakland A’s.” Sorry, too long, but it makes sense, although you cannot carry the name Oakland in Las Vegas. But if you use this long trademark, you will have to make some changes, not to mention what kind of uniform can fit all that!  However, I will bet you anything that people across the country will know which franchise it is, they will say from Maine to Tijuana, “Oh yeah, that is the team that won four World Series in Oakland.

You will need larger billboards along the highways leading to Las Vegas.  But you will have to “brainstorm” what to put in their Vegas uniforms, from Sin City to Las Vegas Gamblers, and in between. By the way, the fact remains that the A’s have used the “Las Vegas Gamblers” as an alternate to their Triple-A team, the Las Vegas Aviators. Why not? It will be “all in the family.”

You teach me baseball, and I’ll teach you relativity. … No, we must not; you will learn about relativity faster than I learn about baseball.”

-Albert Einstein.

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, Cuba one of the First indoor Stadiums

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Indoor Stadium Havana, Cuba 1958 built before the Astrodome in Houston (photo from the Author)

Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, Cuba one of the first indoor stadiums

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, Cuba, is a major sports complex (built before communism), which was inaugurated in February 1958. The construction of the Ciudad Deportiva, as well as the inauguration, was completed seven years before the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, the first indoor sports stadium in the US, in 1965.

Baseball, the National Sport of Cuba, was played at the Ciudad Deportiva, as were other sports such as volleyball, basketball, fencing, boxing, and weightlifting; it was also used for exhibitions, conventions, and major national events.

The Ciudad Deportiva, translated as “Sports City,” was a marvel of 1950s architecture. As a kid, I remember visiting with my father, and I remember the Cuban people felt very proud of this achievement. In 2026, this dilapidated complex continues to face the same problems affecting the largest island in the Caribbean, including frequent blackouts, food shortages, severe fuel-related economic challenges, inadequate healthcare, and frequent devastating hurricanes.

Sports in Cuba are suffering today more than ever. The Venezuelan situation is harming the island, as the oil-rich country was its principal ally. Cuba and Venezuela had a symbiotic relationship. Venezuela provided Cuba with cheap oil, and Cuba provided Venezuela with arms and military intelligence that they acquired during the years Cuba was a satellite of the Soviet Union(Russia).

However, as of today, Cuba is no longer a powerful military nation; it is weak, and its government’s collapse is predicted to be more likely today after the demise of Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro. Cuba’s participation in the World Baseball Classic this next March is in doubt, similar issued arose before the 2022 WBC, which was ultimately resolved allowing Cuba to participate, but today it doesn’t look this 2026 situation will be resolved before March.

Sad story for Cuba a country of 11 million people the size of Pennsylvania. Baseball is said to have been introduced in Cuba in 1864 by students returning from the U.S. The first official game on record on the island took place a decade later at Estado Palmar de Junco in Matanzas, considered the oldest active baseball stadium in the world.

Quote: “You don’t walk to get off the island. You hit to get off the island,” -Luis Tiant.

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: One-Year Contracts are Popular this Off-season

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One of the questions of one year contracts San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander has a second year left on his $22 million two year contract will the Giants exercise his second year or choose to opt out? (AP file photo)

One-Year Contracts are Popular this Off-season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The San Francisco Giants have been lukewarm in the market for free agents this winter. In an effort to strengthen their pitching staff(bullpen, they have signed four pitchers this offseason, three of whom are on one-year deals. Tyler Mahle (1year,$10M), Jason Foley (1 year, $2M), Sam Hentges (1 year, $1.4M). They “splurge” by signing Adrian Houser to a 2-year, $22 Million Contract. Last season, the Giants signed Justin Verlander to a one-year, $15 million deal; all they got from the future Hall of Famer was four wins, which cost the Giants almost $3.7 million per win.

I do not believe Verlander will be back. Obviously, the Giants cannot afford the “luxury” of carrying a future Hall of Fame pitcher at the end of his career. With these new pitcher signings, the Giants are prioritizing other arms, making his return less sure despite Verlander’s expressed desire to pitch in 2026.

If the Giants want to really get serious? They would go for Framber Valdez, but that would take a multi-year contract and around $200 Million. If you want to catch the Dodgers, you go all the way with pitching. Yoshi Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki are the Dodgers’ rotation, and it’s lucky for the Giants that Clayton Kershaw retired. In 62 appearances vs. Los Gigantes in his Hall of Fame career, Kershaw compiled a 2.08 earned run average.

There have been a few multi-year multi-million contracts recently this winter. It is a hot pitching market, and so far, most of the largest deals have been pitchers, Dylan Cease to Toronto for (7 years $210M). Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to Houston for 4 years, ($54M).

My prediction. We will continue this trend by teams of One-Year-deals, not only with the Giants but also with other teams. The looming 2026-2027 lockout is the reason for these short-term contracts and free agency. Players are seeking security ahead of the almost certain owners’ lockout expected around this time in 2026.

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook–Working with The Cruzer in Seattle 

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Seattle Mariners Spanish broadcasters Julio The Cruzer Cruz (left) and Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) as heard on KBRO 1490 in Seattle/Bremerton and KNTB AM 1480 in Tacoma, Cruzer would say “Wow” to that. (photo by the Seattle Mariners magazine)

From My Baseball Notebook: Working with The Cruzer in Seattle

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Up in Seattle, during the years of Ichiro Suzuki, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martínez, and Félix Hernández, among others, I was paired with Julio “The Cruzer” Cruz on the team’s Spanish radio broadcast. Julio was the Seattle Mariners’ dream-team second baseman and the M’s original second baseman in 1977, the team’s first year in Seattle. Julio was truly a fan favorite in Seattle. He excelled at defense and was fast on the bases; he held the Mariners’ stolen-base record for years, until Ichiro Suzuki tied it and later broke it.

An affable man, born in Brooklyn, New York, of Puerto Rican descent, wore a smile at all times. I called most Mariners home games at Safeco Field, and when they went on the road, I flew south to San Francisco to call the Giants games in Spanish. I could not wait to go to Seattle to see Julio and talk baseball stories with him. I truly enjoyed every minute with Julio; he was genuine, humble, and just fun to be around. When we first started working together, he knew who I was because he was then a player with the Mariners, and I would interview him and others during batting practice before the games.

In Seattle, when Julio came up to the booth to work the games with me, I was his first broadcast partner, and I was lucky!. He was funny and inquisitive, and he loved the word “wow,” which he used frequently during our broadcast. He was the Mariners’ original second baseman from 1977 to 1983. The community in the Puget Sound area loves him. Julio Cruz passed in 2022 at age 67. During the early 2000s, we would work together.  Together with our producer, Candace Oehler, we will forever remember the one and only Cruzer.

Inside the booth, Julio was funny and very curious about stats; he kept telling me he owned the team record for stolen bases. When Ichiro tied his record and later broke it, he was sad, but at the same time happy for Ichiro, whom he kept saying in the air, “wow, este hombre es increible”  trans-  “wow, this man is incredible”.Top Base Stealer in Mariners history-  Ichiro Suzuki with 438 stolen bases for the team, ahead of Julio Cruz (290) and Harold Reynolds (228)in third place.

Julio is one of the few players I ever met who had two nicknames, “Cruzer” and “Juice”.   According to Randy Adamack, former Seattle Mariners senior vice president, the nickname “Juice” came from Cruz’s constant “extra energy,” which was palpable to those around him. His former Chicago White Sox teammate Ron Kittle echoed this, saying, “You couldn’t find a more energetic guy… always full of energy.

Those were fun years working with Julio in Seattle, during his first years in the booth, in one of my favorite areas in the country, and in a place I was familiar with from my days serving in the US Army on active duty at Ft Lewis. Seattle is one of my favorite cities, and the Mariners are an excellent organization, top to bottom, with veterans of the game like the Mariners VP of Communications, Tim Hevly.

I know Julio Cruz is up in heaven, looking down, calling me and telling me, “Wow, Amaury, what are you doing!”

Note: During those years, we broadcast the games on KBRO 1490 in Seattle/Bremerton and KNTB AM 1480 in Tacoma, which at the time was part of the Christian Salem Communications group.

About nicknames: Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd on the origins of his name: “Someone caught us in a tin shed drinking Big Momma’s whiskey out of oil cans, so my friend Pap started calling me ‘Oil Can'”.

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Venezuela, Country and Baseball in Peril

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Venezuela oppostion leader Maria Corina Machado holds up a tally sheets during a protest against the reelection of President Nicolas Maduro. Machado says that she won by a landslide election in Caracus Venezeula in Aug 28, 2024. The politics is keeping the Carribbean Series on hold because other countries are nervous about sending their athletes to Venezuela because of possible war against Maduro and Venezuela. (AP News photo)

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Baseball is Venezuela’s national sport, but it is suffering because of the deep economic crisis, political instability, and security concerns. Their leagues are struggling financially. Players have left the country for asylum, and their attendance at games has also suffered.

Although the 2026 Caribbean Baseball Series was scheduled to be held in Caracas, Venezuela, at Estadio Monumental Simon Bolivar, logistical issues and rising tensions in the country led the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) to relocate the series to México, with games to take place at Guadalajara’s Estadio Charros de Jalisco.

Leagues from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and México boycotted Venezuela; these countries do not want to send their players to Venezuela for reasons already known. Cuba,a historical baseball pioneer, was excluded from this tournament, and its government called it “disrespectful.” Why was Cuba excluded? Cuba is politically aligned with Maduro.

Operating under Cuba’s government sports ministry (INDER), there are no baseball team owners in Cuba; the government owns them, plus you cannot question a government decision in Cuba; they rule. There is no First Amendment in Cuba.

Venezuela situation: Geopolitical tensions in Venezuela are nothing new. Over the past decade, since Nicolás Maduro became president, the United Nations estimates that close to 8 million Venezuelans have fled as the economy collapsed (the largest exodus ever from one country in Latin America), sneaking across porous borders and crowding into nearby countries (like Colombia) that increasingly fear they cannot accommodate another mass exodus. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for promoting democracy and opposing the Maduro regime.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in recognition of her courage in campaigning against Maduro and leading the opposition, despite being barred from running and forced to live in hiding. Also, pressure from the current US government administration against Venezuela, which is nothing new since the United States has been intervening in Latin American countries since President Wilson in 1914. Like it or not, it is history.

In the Caribbean Series, the situation is highly fluid. Venezuela’s participation remains uncertain; Panamá will participate as a guest nation.  This series is supposed to be played from February 1 to 7. But it is in danger.

The World Baseball Classic (WBC), with 20 countries scheduled to participate,(including the US and Japan) takes place from March 5-7, 2026. The situation with Venezuela and Cuba is still to be determined. What is the root cause of Venezuela that led to the current situation?

 (Read here) ]\\https://www.unhcr.org/us/emergencies/venezuela-situation

Personal story: I remember as a kid (13 years or so) in 1959 at Estadio de El Cerro in La Habana.  Just days after Fidel Castro was assembling his government, there was gunfire inside the stadium, and Havana Sugar Kings shortstop Leonardo (Leo) Cárdenas was injured, along with a coach. Cárdenas played for 16 years in the majors, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds. He is 87 years young.

Happy New Year!

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook– The Era of Big Contracts could be History

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A’s Spanish broadcaster Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) meets with New York Yankees pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter (right) before a 1975 game with the then Oakland A’s (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

MLB: The Era of Big Contracts could be History.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Starting pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter was the first modern baseball player to sign a multi-million dollar contract. The former Oakland A’s pitcher signed a landmark five-year, $3.05 million contract with the New York Yankees on December 31, 1974.

Hunter was the first actual free agent due to a contract dispute, making way for today’s huge salaries. A’s owner, Charlie O. Finley, breached the contract by failing to pay the required deferred compensation into an annuity, according to an arbitrator, which opened the door for George Steinbrenner of the Yankees to roll out which at the time was an incredible amount of money  $3 million plus.. In 1974, the median price of a home in the US was around $30,000.

Jim “Catfish” Hunter just came off the 1974 season with the Oakland A’s as the American League Cy Young Award winner. I remember when ex-catcher and later radio and television commentator Ray Fosse told me, “Catfish control was for the ages.” 

The Hall of Famer who pitched for 15 years was a dominant pitcher on the best team in baseball at the time, the three time World Champion Oakland A’s,1972-73-74. From 1971 to 1974, the right-hander won 20 or more games each season.

During Caffish Hunter’s first visit to Oakland in 1975 with his Yankee uniform, he seemed relaxed and told me, “I never thought I would be pitching for any other team but the A’s. These are great fans here in Oakland, but what happened was beyond my control. Now I’m a Yankee.”

In a previous article, I wrote that the 2026 season could be historic. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires in December 2026, and all roads lead to an owner-imposed lockout thereafter. I believe the baseball owners have the upper hand this time, as they are seeking a hard salary cap like the other sports (every other major professional sports league), thus, the years of hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for the best players will be officially over.

Why Catfish?  Jim “Catfish” Hunter got his famous nickname from Kansas City Athletics owner Charles O. Finley, who gave it to him in 1965 to create a flashier persona, inventing a story about young Hunter catching catfish to make it stick, though Hunter never really liked it.

Finley owned the Kansas City club and then the Oakland A’s for 20 years, from 1960 to 1980, when he sold the team to Walter A.Haas (Levi Strauss) for $12.7 million, I met Charlie O. Finley, yes, he was controversial, but he had a lot of good ideas, and in Oakland, he was a winner, and also,he was a shrewd businessman.

Thank you for reading My Baseball Notebook. I wish you a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Felíz Año Nuevo. See you in 2026!

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Does Garcia impact the Phils outfield plans and Castellanos?; Will D-Backs trade Marte?; plus more MLB news

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Texas Rangers’ Adolis García hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the W. Sacramento Athletics, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How will Adolis García’s reported one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies impact Philadelphia’s outfield plans and Nick Castellanos’ future with the team?

#2 With the Diamondbacks signing Merrill Kelly and Michael Soroka, are they still willing to trade outfielder Ketel Marte this offseason?

#3 What were the most notable selections and potential impacts from the 2025 Rule 5 Draft?

#4 Which prospects headline the Athletics’ top 10 2026 MLB prospect list, and how might they influence the franchise’s future?

#5 What standout moments from the 2025 season (like Freddie Freeman’s 18th-inning walk-off) are shaping narratives as the offseason continues?

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.