Category: MLB

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Will new Nevada governor be open to using public money for new A’s stadium

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Oakland A’s president David Kaval said the deadline has been set for December for the City of Oakland to decide on a new Howard Terminal in downtown Oakland (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury in your latest column you talked about newly elected governor Joe Lombardo and whether he would approve public money to bring the Oakland A’s to Nevada he hasn’t talked about which way he’s leaning on public support for the A’s.

#2 Nevada governor Steve Sisolak did support funding for the Raiders to the tune of $750 million, Sisolak supported the Vegas Golden Knight, Las Vegas Aces, and Formula 1 Grand Prix. Sisolak was not in favor of using tax money to build an A’s stadium.

#3 MLB scheduled two pre season games on Mar 4 and 5 at the Triple A minor league Aviators Stadium between the Oakland A’s and Cincinnati Reds in what can be called a show case game in the possible future of an A’s move.

#4 In the meantime the Oakland’s mayors race is neck and neck between Loren Taylor who is leading Sheng Thao with thousands of votes yet to be counted. Probably (whomever wins) wants to keep the A’s in Oakland. 

#5 A’s team president David Kaval left little doubt that if there no decision on the A’s Howard Terminal Stadium by December the Oakland stadium proposal will be dead.

Join Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Nevada Election could Impact the A’s move

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Nevada Governor elect Joe Lombardo takes center stage at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Mon Nov 14, 2022 he was elected governor the next day and the question remains will he publicly finance an Oakland A’s move with public money to come to Las Vegas? (AP News photo)

Nevada Election could Impact the A’s move

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Joe Lombardo (R) beat Steve Sisolak (D) to become the new governor of the State of Nevada. Sisolak (who lost) was a strong proponent of Southern Nevada’s $750 million subsidy to help build the Raiders stadium just west of the Strip. Sisolak aired two TV commercials highlighting his support for the Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix set for November 2023.

Sisolak was not in favor of using tax money in order to help the A’s built their new stadium in Las Vegas. Even with the emphasis on sports growth in Las Vegas in his political spots, the sports theme was not enough to put Sisolak over the top. But, as much as Sisolak was a strong proponent for Southern Nevada’s advancement in the professional sports world, it was the former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (Republican) who triggered the Raiders stadium project as he created the Las Vegas tourism panel that basically build the new stadium where the Raiders now play. In Las Vegas it is believed Sandoval and not Sisolak was the driving force for the big sports scene in Las Vegas.

So now a new governor takes over in Nevada. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, he was previously a Sheriff. Lombardo has not made any comments on how he stands as far as the Oakland A’s moving to Las Vegas, but it is believed he is not opposed to the idea.

Governments using public dollars for sports venues that help private sports teams are non-partisan public policy debates and transcend traditional political party talking points. Some Republicans and some Democrats support using public subsidies for sports stadiums and arenas and others oppose it. In other words, this is a regional situation, which has little to do with national policies regarding the two main political parties and their philosophies. This is more business than politics.

We will know sooner than later, what Mr. Joe Lombardo’s opinion is regarding the possible move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas, Nevada. If Lombardo is in favor of using tax money to help the A’s new stadium in Las Vegas, that would be a “game changer” and could move the needle for the A’s packing their bags to Sin City.

Meanwhile here in Oakland, there still has not been a decision who is the new Mayor of Oakland. Loren Taylor is leading Sheng Thao with thousands of votes yet to be counted. Probably (whomever wins) wants to keep the A’s in Oakland. Libby Schaff who is leaving, supports both of them as she believes they both want to keep the A’s in Oakland.

One thing is for sure, like A’s President Kaval had said in the past, if by this December the Howard Terminal project is not green lit by the City of Oakland, the project is all but dead. Now new leadership in Nevada regarding this issue is unknown but could impact the A’s move. Elections in Nevada, elections in Oakland, like somebody once said “timing is everything”.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: At 81 years old Pete Rose asks for another chance to get into the Hall

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Former Cincinnati Red and Philadelphia Phillie Pete Rose doffs his cap to the Citizen’s Bank in Philadelphia crowd on Sun Aug 7, 2022 at an alumni event. Rose has asked MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred this week to forgive him and allow him the chance to get back into baseball in a letter to Manfred’s office. (AP News photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Former Cincinnati Red great and lifetime banned player Pete Rose has asked for forgiveness and one more chance for enshrinement in to baseball’s hollowed Hall of Fame. Rose who was banned for life for betting on baseball and betting on his team as a manager of the Reds in a letter sent to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred this week pleading to allow Rose one more chance to end the lifetime ban and allow him a shot at getting elected into the Hall of Fame.

Rose since being banned by the late baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti back in 1989. Giamatti at the time made clear that there was no way he would consider the MLB all time hits leader a chance at forgiveness and a way back into baseball and into the Hall of Fame.

It’s been nearly 33 years since the ban and Rose is 81 years old and wrote asking Manfred to consider reinstating him back into the National Pastime saying: “I am writing today for three reasons,” Rose wrote this week “First, because at my age I want to be 100% sure that you understand how much I mean it when I say that I’m sorry. Second, to ask for your forgiveness. And third, because I still think every day about what it would mean to be considered for the Hall of Fame.”

Rose since his confession of betting on baseball and the lifetime ban had said in the letter that he let his father down and his former manager Sparky Anderson down that he thinks about it everyday and that was one of the biggest disappointments in his life. Rose stated that besides spending time with his partner and his kids as his life’s greatest joy he would like to have the chance to get back to the ball park with the fans and spend time with his former teammates.

Rose said that he has spent the last 33 plus years soul searching and expressed his deepest regret for gambling on baseball and his team the Reds when he was the manager of the club. Rose basically is saying that he’s in his early 80s and would like to be forgiven, given another chance from Manfred and he could be a positive influence in baseball if the ban were lifted. In the sports hobby despite the lifetime baseball ban Pete Rose’s artifacts are hot commodities, baseball cards, signed pennants, gloves, bats, his rookie card from 1963 commands an asking price in mint condition at $40,000.

Rose has appeared at baseball card shows and has commanded some of the longest wait times for signatures of some of the top Major League players. Rose is serving a lifetime ban from baseball with eight other MLB players who were on the 1919 Chicago White Sox better know as the Black Sox who were accused of betting and throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The eight men out from that 1919 White Sox team, Had Felsch, Chuck Gandil, Ed Cicotte, Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver, Swede Risberg, Fred McMullin, and Claude Williams.

During the steroid era the players from that time who are not banned from baseball but seldom have been invited back to join their old teams for special festivities and honors. None of the steroid era players have been elected to the Hall of Fame but could be by a special committee namely Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are names as possible candidates through a special committee called the Today’s Game Committee.

As Rose might be watching Bonds, Schilling, Clemens and Sosa get elected into the Hall of Fame he might still be waiting on the sidelines for that one chance he was asking for to get inducted into the game’s hollowed halls.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Will the A’s do it again?

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Artist’s rendition of an Las Vegas A’s ballpark, the A’s are considering sites on the Vegas strip at the Tropicana or near the Stratosphere (from Stadium S1 file photo)

Will the A’s do It Again?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The most any MLB franchise has moved is two times. And history has three (3) teams that did so. The A’s have already played in three different cities; Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland.

The Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns. Later the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles in 1954. The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and then in 1966 moved to Atlanta. The Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955, and in 1968 they moved to Oakland – that’s 3 different cities, for you scoring at home.

The Oakland A’s were moving out of the Oakland Coliseum to other locations, inside the Oakland city limits, near Laney College, plus to other cities in California, like Sacramento and Fremont. Now, the latest statement by baseball Commissioner Fred Manfred late in October to Sirius XM that he’s no longer optimistic they will remain in Oakland, and a move to Las Vegas is likely bringing the possibility of the A’s playing in their fourth different city.

If the Oakland A’s do move to Las Vegas or Portland, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Montreal, Cucamonga, Timbuktu, or any other place, they will be the first team ever to have played in four different cities. As it is today, in 2023 they will play at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires in 2024.

After that only God knows.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Angels say Ohtani is a keeper not trading superstar; deGrom opts out of New York seeks another deal with another team; plus more news

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Shohei Ohtani met with reporters at Tokyo Airport on Tue Oct 18, 2022. Ohtani said he had a good season but not so good for his team the Los Angels Angels. The Angels reportedly are not trading Ohtani according to latest reports. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Big question in Anaheim Amaury about the Los Angeles Angels considering trading Shohei Ohtani. Angels general manager Perry Minasian said he is not trading Ohtani who is the biggest asset for the Angels right now considering all the on and off field issues they had last season.

#2 Amaury, how surprising is it that the New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom has optioned out of his contract to become a free agent? Mets owner Steve Cohen said he will be making a big offer to deGrom. deGrom opted out of his final year of his contract worth $32.5 million.

#3 The Mets have signed Edwin Diaz to a five year $102 million agreement the agreement includes a team option for 2028 that would make it six years. Diaz was 3-1 with an 1.31 ERA.

#4 San Francisco Giants starter Carlos Rodon opted out of his contract to enter free agency Rodon could have elected for the player option for the 2023 season that would pay him $22.5 million but opted for the free agency open market. Considering his performance in 2022 going 14-8 ERA 2.88.

#5 In the Houston Astros World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies a lot of the credit for the Astros success during the 2022 season goes to slugger Yordan Alvarez who scored 95 runs, hit 37 home runs, had 144 hits, and 97 RBIs and hit .306.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Dusty’s Dream Astros Win World Series

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Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker after managing his third World Series wins his first World Series as the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in game 6 at Minute Maid Field on Sat Nov 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dusty’s Dream: Astros Win World Series

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Manager Dusty Baker has done it! His Houston Astros have won the 2022 World Series beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in 6 games. This title, his first as a manager, should cinch his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, among managers, adding to the over 2,000 wins.

This was his ultimate dream since he became a manager, a very good player as we remember, for 19 years who also won a ring in 1981 as a member of the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

A career that began with the Atlanta Braves, where he was a teammate of the real home run holder Hank Aaron. Dusty had a front row at history, in Atlanta, Dusty was in the on-deck circle when Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, passing Babe Ruth.

Winning a World Series as a player is one thing, but as a manager is totally different. A manager carries the frustration of his team. As a manager, Dusty’s frustrations were as recently as 2020 when he was coaching for the Astros he lost to the Tampa Bay Rays and was eliminated in game 7 during the American League Championship Series.

In 2021 his second season with the Astros, right after taking the helm from manager A.J Hinch and the much-publicized cheating scandal. He took that Astros team to the World Series only to lose to the Atlanta Braves in six games. At 73 years old, Dusty is now the oldest manager ever to win a World Series.

Before Dusty, it was Jack McKeon who managed the Marlins of 2003 and won the World Series at the age of 72. The Houston players are grateful and happy for Dusty Baker. He took them into a new era of Houston Astros baseball. José Altuve who was basically booed by fans all over the country, every time he came to the plate, for the cheating scandal that began in 2017.

There is the one player that was with the Astros during their bad years and then MLB conducted an investigation in 2019 after two Astros players claimed they were stealing signs. The Astros players and organization feel today like Dusty Baker was exactly the type of man they need at the helm to bring them to the ‘promised land’ and he did.

José Altuve currently has the longest tenure wearing an Astros uniform, he was with the team in 2012 when the team was in the National League Central division and they ended with a 55-107 record and the next season 2013 (the first year the Astros moved from the NL to the American League) as they ended with a dreadful record of 51-111.

After Dusty Baker, nobody enjoys this World Series Championship more than the veteran José Altuve, who called this title “a dream come true”. Altuve is the only player that was with the Astros during those very bad seasons in two different leagues. He was celebrating and happy for Dusty Baker who said “Houston is my town”.

Like many managers, Dusty had to endure all the criticism for his decisions. Dusty who was an excellent player in the majors for 19 seasons, was facing a different type of criticism as a manager. Some were brutal commentaries by prominent baseball writers of national acclaim, especially during the 2002 World Series, where Dusty’s Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels. I remember reading one; “Dusty cannot manage a bullpen”.

Today Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker, who was born in 1949 and in 1967 was selected in the 26th round of the MLB Draft. He has been involved in baseball for the majority of his 73 years on this planet, as a player and as a manager, and is rejoicing with his players and having all the fun in the world.

Sometimes we sarcastically say “this could not have happened to a better person”, but in Dusty Baker’s case, it is true “this could not have happened to a better person”. I have been privileged to cover his career as a player and a manager. One word comes to mind that best describes the essence of this man….honesty. No wonder every player wants to play for Dusty.

Bravo Dusty!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Howard Terminal Affordable Housing still a Huge Issue

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It’s all up to Oakland City Hall now as the Oakland City Council and the Oakland A’s need to work out the specific on the Howard Terminal affordable housing issues (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Howard Terminal: Affordable Housing still a Huge Issue

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After what Commissioner of Baseball Fred Manfred said a few days ago about the future of the A’s in Oakland, which in Mr.Manfred’s words were not good. There still is a big issue that is part of the deal, if the A’s build their new Howard Terminal; it is affordable housing and the A’s are responsible for that. Some Oakland officials want to set up an “infrastructure financing district”—similar to the ballpark funding proposal—but to build more homes across Oakland. Interesting, because this plan has absolutely nothing to do with the A’s.

I wrote about the importance of affordable housing built as part of the Howard Terminal project, a $12 billion plan that would change Oakland, for the better. On November 1, 2022, officials from the city of Oakland are working on creating a new tax district to fund affordable housing.

Interestingly enough, this did not include the affordable housing that is part of the requirement from the city of Oakland with the A’s. Both sides have yet to negotiate. Oakland Council member Noel Gallo on the deal that the city is supposed to reach with the A’s before the end of this 2022 year said: “not going to happen”.

Gallo believes his fellow council members are increasingly concerned about protecting the city’s general fund from being eaten alive by cost and overruns or miscalculations. Gallo has continued to push hard for the A’s to ditch the Howard Terminal project. Gallo continues to say that he wants the A’s to stay in Oakland, but to build their new park at the Oakland Coliseum site. Something that Commissioner Manfred said it is not an option.

Next Tuesday. November 8, is Election Day and the City of Oakland would elect a new mayor plus other officials. Nobody really knows what are their intentions reading the Oakland A’s and the Howard Terminal project. But as of today the Oakland A’s have not made any comments on the recent statement by Commissioner Manfred during this current World Series.

The City of Oakland still has big problems to deal with, like the thousands that are homeless, the crime in the streets and they shortage of cops, the economy that is affecting everybody and it seems their plate will be more than full and the situation could call to put the A’s HT Project on the back burner.

I know many of you are sick and tired of the Oakland A’s situation, I have heard from people that told me about the A’s’ “who cares, leave already”, to others that are very sadden and still have some hope that they could stay and build their new park: “we need the A’s to stay in Oakland, that is where they belong”.

During the regular 2022 baseball season I have spoken to many loyal A’s fans (at the Coliseum during games and other places outside) and I do believe they still enjoy the game and the A’s but they also have “had it” with the whole enchilada and they have come to the conclusion of the famous saying and also famous song “Que Será, Será”. For those than flunked Spanish, “What Will be Will Be’.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary World Series podcast: Astros-Phillies get an extra day off due to rain out in game 3

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Halloween night Mon Oct 31, 2022 at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia before game 3 of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies rained out and rescheduled for Tue Nov 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 The Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies have started off to a 1-1 tie and won each by scores of 6-5 how even do you see these teams in this World Series?

#2 The World Series goes back to Philadelphia tied 1-1 game three was canceled due to rain and rescheduled for Tuesday night does this give both teams time to get an extra day of rest and get ready for tonight.

#3 We’ve talked about playing baseball in November are there people who schedule these games to keep advertising revenue going rather than thinking baseball in November in cold rainy months is really not such a good idea?

#4 Amaury, how about the fans after a certain point like the beginning of November do they seem to tune out the game looking at it as a long enough season already but could the series go until Nov 6th almost five days short of Veterans Day?

#5 Let’s take a look at tonight’s starting pitchers for the Astros Lance McCullers who has an ERA in the post season of 2.45 will be opposed by the Phillies Roger Saurez (1-0 ERA 1.86) at Citizens Bank Ball Park in Philadelphia for game 3.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s following Raiders to Las Vegas

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (left) is prepared to move his team to Las Vegas and build on the strip as an Oakland downtown stadium looks about dead (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

A’s following Raiders to Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Bob Nightengale’s Twitter: Commissioner Rob Manfred tells @MadDogUnleashed that he’s no longer optimistic the #A’s will remain in Oakland (‘It just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen’) and likely will move to Las Vegas….”

The Oakland Raiders announced they were relocating to Las Vegas on January 22, 2020. Less than two years since then, the Oakland Athletics are poised to follow the Raiders and settle their new home in the desert.

Today, during an interview on Sirius XM, Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball said he is no longer optimistic the A’s will remain in Oakland, and a move to Las Vegas is likely. On May 2, only 2,488 people came to see the A’s take on the Tampa Bay Rays, whom Manfred says thinks will remain in St. Petersburg.

The Oakland A’s and City of Oakland officials had been in discussions regarding a new stadium in Oakland, as part of the Howard Terminal project, but recently deadlines passed without any progress. Negotiations have been pushed for next year, but that will not work, since A’s President Dave Kaval already said (many times) that “all but doom our efforts to stay in Oakland”.

In just over a week there will be an election in Oakland. The biggest supporter for the new Howard Terminal project has been the Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf, however her term as Mayor is running out and soon will be done with that job. The uncertainty under a new Mayor of Oakland that will be elected in a few days and a new administration with newly elected officials is the nail in the coffin to Howard Terminal.

The new administration at Oakland City Hall will be taking over a bevy of problems like: affordable housing, homeless crisis, and spike in crime, shortage of police force and others that would override the importance of a new park for the A’s.

The Oakland A’s lost 102 games this season, finishing in last place and for the second time since 1968 playing in Oakland lost over 100 games and averaged under 10,000 people per game. The team average 9,973 per game which was last (No.30) all of teams in the major leagues.

The future of the A’s has been in limbo for a few years. There were plans to move the team from the Oakland Coliseum to other places in Oakland, as well as southern Alameda County, in Fremont, about 25 miles south of Oakland, with a population of 230,000, the fourth most populated city in the Bay Area. Even the City of Sacramento was a place years ago; there was talk they could relocate.

I have written and spoken in my Podcast how important was this off-season for the future of the Oakland organization. There were many disagreements about the new stadium situation, but one that everybody seemed to agree was that by this 2022 season’s end, the team was ready to make an official announcement.

While the team has not made an announcement, at the time of this article, prior to the second game of the World Series, the Commissioner of Baseball made news on Sirius XM. The commissioner has ran out of patience, since has previously said in more than one occasion, he was “not very confident” that Oakland and the A’s could come to an agreement.

Amaury PI Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2022 World Series: No US-born Black Players – First time in 72 Years

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Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker meets with the press before game 1 of the 2022 World Series has expressed deep concerns as to why there are no US born black players for the first time in 72 years (AP News photo)

2022 World Series: No US-born Black Players – First time in 72 Years

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In 1947 Jackie Robinson’s first year in Major League Baseball, his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the New York Yankees in the World Series. Since then, the 1950 match-up between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies has been the only World Series without US-born Black players.

Until this year when the Houston Astros face the Philadelphia Phillies. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker, a black man born in the US says he is “deeply disturbed” there will be no US-born Black players taking part in this year’s World Series.

In 2022 the majority of players in MLB are white, while Latino players make up around 30-33% of all talent in the Major Leagues, and black players born in the US 6.8%. Dusty Baker has a reason to be deeply disturbed. In the NFL 70% of all players are black-US-born, while in the NBA is 73% of all players.

The NHL is predominantly white, by 97%, the other 3% is made of different ethnicity. Of that 3%, twenty-six players are black. However, twenty of the twenty-six black players in the NHL are from Canada and only 6 are from the US. Mike Grier the general manager of the San José Sharks, is the first Black General Manager in National Hockey League history.

In the MLS 25.6% are black players, but not all from the US, they come from 36 other countries and four Continents. This is the most racially balanced professional sports league in the United States. But it makes sense because Fútbol (called Soccer in the English-speaking world) is played in more countries than other sports.

Major League Baseball continues to spend a lot of money as well as developed many programs in inner-cities all over the country for African-American communities, Major League Baseball through its affiliates is trying. But the black youth continues to gravitate towards basketball and football and one of the main reasons is pure convenience. In basketball, you do not require a lot of equipment for multiple players.

All you need is a ball and a basket/hoop. You can play by yourself, one-on-one, or just a few friends up to 5 vs. 5. There are basketball courts in most high-density neighborhoods in the US. You do not need a lot of money for basketball equipment, elementary and high schools have basketball floors to play and kids take it early and develop much faster than in other sports. While baseball and football are much more complicated, they require several pieces of equipment, several players, and large places to play.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com