Category: MLB

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Brady starts to look for a new team; Severino the first Yankee out with injury; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

lasvegasjournalreview.com photo: Simulated photo of Tom Brady as he would like as quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 This will be the first time in quarterback Tom Brady’s career that he will be a free agent to choose what team he will go to.

#2 The New York Yankees continue to have those beginning of the season injuries as Yankees pitcher Luis Serverino will have Tommy John surgery on his elbow and will be out for the rest of the season

#3 The Olympic games in Tokyo are under threat from the Coronavirus epidemic. The IOC is close to canceling the games scheduled for July 24th

#4 The Sacramento Kings have won three straight game as they face Oklahoma City and Memphis. Although the Kings are unlikely to make post season they’re playing some consistent ball right now.

# 5 Spring training is here as the Giants will be looking at prospects that have shown their ability to hit many say they Giants will not be competitive this season.

London Marq does Headline Sports podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Now first baseman Belt says he would like to give the rodeo a try

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

mercurynews.com file photo: Brandon Belt (9) the San Francisco Giants first baseman and who grew up in Texas says he can rodeo too just like former Giant pitcher Madison Bumgarner

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 How special was it for the Giants to see the Arizona Diamondbacks Madison Bumgarner again as they faced off with Arizona on Monday at Scottsdale?

#2 Talk about Giant starter Drew Smyly who comes on board with the Giants after signing a $4 million deal after pitching for the Rangers and Phillies last season.

#3 Talk about the Giants Jaylin Davis who hit a two run home run and Jacob Heyward who doubled and homered on Monday.

#4 Branden Belt the Giants first baseman says he could rodeo. Belt says he’s watched it and he grew up in Texas would like to give it a try.

#5 Giants catcher Joey Bart is just a matter of time before he comes to the big leagues do you see him coming up in June before the All-Star break.

Join Michael for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Will Bumgarner continue to ride horses in the rodeo?; Kings roll to their third straight win; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Arizona Diamondback pitcher Madison Bumgarner tunes up during spring training as he gets set to face his former team the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale AZ on Monday (photo from sfgate.com)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony:

#1 How sensible is it for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner to ride horses and bulls in the rodeo and the team allows him to do that he’s a huge investment to a team?

#2 The Sacramento Kings picked up their third straight win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at Chase Center in San Francisco 112-94

#3 The Warriors most recently host the New Orleans Pelicans where all the rage was Zion Williamson, Williamson in his first two games in the NBA scored 30 points

#4 It was reported by the Sacramento Bee that Northern California got it’s first case of Coronavirus the CDC told the Bee. With baseball season on the horizon and the City of San Francisco declaring a state of emergency ahead of the coming pandemic how do you see this effecting baseball?

#5 Everybody is wearing masks now with the oncoming pandemic and South Korea is no exception suffering from Coronavirus that they have postponed Table Tennis Federation matches for now and rescheduled the event for March 22.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria can be heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Fiers gets through first game unscathed; Dusty says Springer is his lead off hitter in Houston; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez at the Major League Baseball Society for American Baseball Research Sacramento Chapter

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Big News out of the A’s camp in Mesa on Sunday A’s pitcher Mike Fiers whose been under physical threat from fans and opposing players threw two innings of shutout ball on Sunday looks like he’s not disturbed at all.

#2 The Houston Astros George Springer will be the lead off hitter for the Astros says manager Dusty Baker. Baker said “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” Springer has been the Astros lead off hitter since 2016

#3 Los Angeles Dodger lead off hitter Mookie Betts loves being in the lead off role and went 0-2 in Sunday’s pre season action, Betts received a nice ovation when he came to the plate from the Camelback Ranch crowd welcoming him to the Dodgers.

#4 The question that has been talked about amongst the media and fans is “are the A’s out of their minds for not having a radio network and going streaming” how does the ball club respond to the criticism of not having a station presence on their English broadcasts and only broadcasting just three home games only a week on their Spanish side for radio?

#5 And in conclusion Amaury please tell us what was discussed at the recent Major League Baseball Society for American Baseball Research Sacramento Chapter

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish play by play announcer at KIQI 1010 San Francisco join Amaury and Manolo for exclusive A’s home games only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Radio-Not the First Time

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez working in the Oakland Coliseum pressbox 19 during the 1979 season

Athletics Radio – Not the First Time.

Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In 1979 during the last season of Charlie O Finley ownership of the Oakland Athletics, the team did not sign a local commercial flagship station to broadcast their games locally.

Finley sold the broadcast rights for $1 dollar to the University of California Berkeley, their campus radio station.. Their play by play announcer was Larry Baer, now a SF Giants top executive, Baer broadcast weekend games and just across the glass next both, Box 19, Amaury Pi-González was broadcasting weekends in Spanish for KBRG 105.3FM “Hot Hits” San Francisco.

KBRG (popularly known as KBRIDGE) one of the pioneer Spanish radio format stations in California. The A’s made a big change this 2020 season ending their relationship with KTRB radio 860AM who was their flagship station.All the games this season will be air for free on TuneIn.

A’s Cast, the Oakland A’s 24/7 audio streaming station on TuneIn, is now the official home of A’s audio content, including all 2020 game broadcasts, podcasts, and daily sports shows. Every Spring Training and regular season game in 2020 can be heard exclusively on A’s/ Although the A’s do not have a Bay Area station their retain and will air them on their radio network.

Ken Korach will return for his 25th season with the A’s and his 15th as the team’s lead radio announcer, pairing with Vince Cotroneo, who will begin his 15th season with the Club. Ray Fosse will also make special appearances in the booth throughout the season.

The A’s are also expanding their Spanish-language broadcasts on TuneIn to include coverage of every regular season home game in TuneIn and Spanish radio. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home game Spanish-language broadcast will also air on KIQI (1010 AM, San Francisco Bay Area) and KATD (990 AM Pittsburg) covering Sacramento/Stockton and surrounding areas.

So, that’s it, “That’s the way the ball bounces”

Amaury Pi-González will return for his 27th season with the A’s and 43rd season overall in MLB. Pi-González will be joined by Manolo Hernández-Douen, who will begin his 12th season as an A’s analyst.

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB 2020 A stolen season?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

file photo from yahoo.com: Oakland A’s pitcher Mike Fiers is the target of some retaliation from other teams during the 2020 season. A’s manager Bob Melvin says nobody is happy about the situation and its time to move forward.

MLB 2020: A Stolen Season?
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-González

Mike Trout who makes enough money to start his own league, or at least a division, arrived at the Angels Spring Training in Tempe, Arizona and was not shy to talk about the scandal that has consumed the game: “It’s sad for baseball,” Trout said. “It’s thought they cheated.”’ referring to the Houston Astros players on the stealing-sign scandal ” I lost some respect for some guys” Trout considered the best player in the game, is trying to lead his Angels to their first postseason since 2014, continued: “You don’t know what helped them or what not,” he said. “But if you know what’s coming, it’s going to definitely help them.”

I don’t know if you take the trophy away or take the rings away, but they should definitely do something.” and continued on an obvious criticism of the Commissioner. About the punishment to players in the scandal, he added: “The players getting nothing, that’s definitely not right, for sure.”

On the other side of the country at Ft Myers Florida, Red Sox great David (Big Papi) Ortíz now retired an advisor for the team was defending Commissioner Manfred, at least giving Mr.Manfred the benefit of the doubt: “He’s going to do what’s best for the game.

He’s not the type of guy that’s going to accept you screwing things up in the game,” Ortiz said. “No, he’s good at making decisions. But people need to chillax and let him do his job. Players need to let him do what he thinks is better for the game and stop putting him on the spot and telling him what to do. That’s what I think should happen.”

These are two of the biggest stars in the game, Trout a future member of the Hall of Fame and Ortíz a sure thing in just a few years, they have totally different opinions. This divide is happening as we speak in baseball, baseball fans can’t stop talking about it, the players, the media eats-it up. At the end, you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. In my opinion, this whole thing was botched from the beginning.

I have great respect the Office of the Commissioner, and Mr.Manfred, but I believe he has shown little leadership since the story broke and continues to develop as more and more players are coming to the microphone to basically state their peace.

Will this 2020 season be overshadowed by this scandal? Can the beginning of the season make fans forgive all of this? How will the fans react? Are Astros hitters ready to be hit by pitches? It is a big baseball universe out there, we have 30 MLB clubs and many questions remains to be answered, plus players are furious and ready to strike over economic system and they seem to be united. MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association) has a lot of obstacles to clear in the next collective bargaining agreement.

More questions than answers,but for sure this 2020 season promises to be fascinating.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the radio voice for A’s baseball Spanish on 1010 KIQI for home games Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and does News and Commentary each week http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Bickerstaff take over coaching reigns in Cleveland; NFL to add more playoff teams; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

cavsnation.com photo: New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff will take over the coaching duties after former head coach John Beilein resigned

On Headline Sports with Tony R:

#1 The Cleveland Cavaliers John Beilein resigned as head coach and replaced him with JB Bickerstaff who is the son of former NBA head coach Bernie Bickerstaff who coached around the league for many years.

#2 The NFL are adding more playoff teams will this be a matter of making the post season more competitive or is the NFL just milking that much more

#3 The Kings have won four of their last seven games and host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night at Golden One Center their coming off two tough loses to Milwaukee and Dallas

#4 The players in baseball are ready to riot as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is under pressure by the players to take the World Series Trophy back from Houston and officially cross the Astros off as the 2017 World Champions

#5 The sign stealing scandal has dominated baseball so much its all anyone talks about will fights with the Astros turn the average fan off and they’ll go somewhere else?

Tony Renteria talks Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Another Cespedes on his way

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from wabctv.com: Yoenis Cespedes the former New York Mets outfielder

Another Céspedes on His Way

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

His name is Yoelkis Céspedes,he is 22 years old,half brother of ex-A’S,Red Sox,Tigers,Mets outfielder Yoenis Céspedes. Just like his older brother. Yoelkis plays the outfield. He is working out in the Bahamas 4 to 6 hours a day and hope to have a showcase coming in Arizona and Florida this March.

The younger Céspedes defected in June last year from the Cuban National Team that was in Canton,Ohio participating in the Cam-Am showcase. His debut was in 2015 when he hit .283 with 14 home-runs and stole 16 bases in 26 attempts. Participated in the WBC(World Baseball Classic)for Cuba,with Victor Victor Mesa and hit .250. Mesa was signed in 2019 by the Marlins.

Yoelkis Céspedes from the Gramna province of Cuba has been scouted for years,considered a five-tool player,faster and more athletic than his brother Yoenis,but with lower potential for home run power,remains a big international prospect.

“Es un orgullo que me comparen con mi hermano” -trans: “It’s a pride to be compared to my brother” said the young Yoelkis. It is unknown if he(like his brother)will release a video of his talents. Yoenis Céspedes began his career with the Oakland Athletics in 2012 and played for the Green and Gold until 2014 when the very popular left fielder was traded to the Boston Red Sox, since then he has played for two more teams, however he missed all of the 2019 season and could miss the entire 2020 season,his status(officially by the Mets) is unknown.

Suffered multiple ankle fractures in May 2019 at his ranch in Boca Ratón,Florida, during a non-baseball activity. During his seven year career Yoenis is a .274 hitter with 163 home-runs and 524 runs batted-in. One of the best and most accurate arms from left field in the game.

As far as Yoelkis Céspedes. Teams are lining-up and their scouts are anxious to see the youngest Céspedes. It could be very soon. The waiting game is on.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Players say they will take action in their own hands against Astros; Will MLB act if beanball war starts with teams throwing at Stros?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from newsday.com: Houston Astros Dusty Baker says he is asking MLB Commissioner to take action against any teams who will start on field trouble against the Astros during the 2020 season which could lead to beanball wars

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 After a number of players have voiced their anger about the Houston Astros and sign stealing they have said their only choice left is to retaliate against the Astros which could amount a lot of bean balls this season.

#2 One of the players that teams might go head hunting for is the Astros Jose Altuve whose possible wired under the jersey incident in the World Series has got the Dodgers and Yankees in particular pretty hot

#3 Astros manager Dusty Baker says that out of concern he’s asked MLB to make it clear that anyone retaliating against any of the Astros players should face discipline by baseball.

#4 If the Astros wind up winning a bunch a games again will there be doubts about how legit those victories will be?

#5 Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manea made it clear in an interview this week that he’s very angry with the Astros and that their cheating took a lot away from Manea and other players who could have won those games against Houston.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB: Rules changes for 2020 (English and Español) MLB: Rules changes for 2020 (English and Español)

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

nypost.com photo: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has changed baseball’s rules and with so many changes Amaury lists and explains them below

MLB: Rules changes for 2020 (English and Español) MLB: Rules changes for 2020 (English and Español)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

We might as well go to “baseball school”so we can learn more of the new rules.slowly but surely the National Pastime continue to go through a series of changes. These are the categories that will go into effect this 2020 season. For all fans pleasure and entertainment,here they are.

1-The Three-batter minimum. For all intent and purposes,this is “the one”.
All pitchers, starters and relievers now have to face at least three batters (or pitch until the inning is over) before they come out of a game. The only exception is an injury or illness that prevents the pitcher from being able to finish his three batters. Main effect of this rule will be on the specialist relievers (the ones used to face one batter for a favorable match-up) the perennial lefty coming out of the bullpen just to get a lefty out.

That is gone,there will be none of this beginning this season. Also could impact teams that use the “openers”, who are usually starters that are used just to pitch the first inning of a game.These “openers” are pitchers that start the game to match up specifically against the top of the opposing order. Starting this season an opener will have to face at least three batters even if he had a bad match-up in that start, –This three-batter rule is already on effect this current Spring Training Roster Limits.

2-Roster Limits: 26 man rosters.Teams active rosters are being increased from 25 to 26 players for the regular season (through August 31) and during postseason. Teams are limited to carrying a maximum of 13 pitchers.

3-Smaller Rosters in September:MLB is adjusting the size of September rosters to 28 players,including a maximum of 14 pitchers.

4-Two-way Player Designation: Totally new. A “two way player” somebody who can both hit and pitch, like Angels Shohei Otani or Reds Michael Lorenzen,who appears as a reliever and also plays the outfield.. The “two way player” has not been seen in MLB since the days of the legendary Babe Ruth*,the most famous of all “two way players”. This rule will let these players stay on the roster as a position player and pitch in games without counting their team 13 pitchers limit. If you designate someone as a “two way player” they have to stay that way through the end of the year.
*When Babe Ruth played in the 1910’s and 1920’s it took 1 hour and 51 minute on an average to complete a game.

5-Position Players Pitching:Position players are allowed to pitch only if a game goes to extra innings,or If their team is winning or loosing by more than six runs.During normal circumstances in a nine-inning game only the teams 13 designated pitchers (or two way players) are allowed to pitch.

6-The 27th man: What used to be the 26th man is now the 27th man, thanks to the new 26 man roster size.

7-Injured List and Option Periods: Pitchers and two-way players are returning to a 15-day injured list.That is once they are placed on the IL, they cannot be reinstated for 15 days. The IL (injured list) used to be 15 days for all players until the 2017 season,when it was reduced to 10 days. Position players will still have a 10 day IL under the new rules. Also,pitchers who are optioned to the Minor Leagues now have to remain there for 15 days rather than 10. The option period for position players remains at 10 days.

8-Challenge time: Managers now have 20 seconds to decide to challenge a play instead of 30.

__________________________________________________________________________________

MLB: Nuevas reglas para temporada 2020

Amaury Noticias y Comentarios

Por Amaury Pi-González

Hay que regresar a la “escuela de béisbol” para aprender más de las nuevas reglas. Lentamente pero seguro el Pasatiempo Nacional continua con una serie de cambios. Estas son las categorías que se pondrá en práctica apartir de esta temporada 2020. Para deleite y entretenimiento de los aficionados,aqui están.

1-Enfrentar un Mínimo de Tres Bateadores(en efecto desde el Spring Training 2020) Este es el cambio más importante.
Todos los lanzadores, asi sean abridores ó relevistas, deben de lanzarle mínimo a tres bateadores ó acabar la entrada para poder ser relevados por otro lanzador. La única excepción a la regla será cuando un lanzador se lesione ó tenga una enfermedad que le impida lanzarle al mínimo de rivales ó terminar el inning,los tres bateadores. El máximo efecto sería en los relevistas especialistas, por ejemplo un pitcher zurdo que sale a enfrentarse a solo bateadores zurdos. Esto no existe para el 2020. La regla también puede afectar aquellos equipos que usan un “opener” -típicos relevistas que los usan para iniciar el juego. Ahora el “opener” tiene que enfrentarse a por lo menos tres bateadores,aún si las cosas no le salieron bien contra los bateadores a los cuales se enfrentó.

2-Cambios en los Rosters: La lista se expande a 26 jugadores, De lo que eran 25 el año pasado a 26 jugadores para el 2020 con un máximo de 13 que pueden ser lanzadores.

3-Rosters más Pequeños en Septiembre:. Ahora los equipos podrán tener solo un máximo de 28 peloteros,incluyendo un máximo de 14 lanzadores.

4-Designación de Jugadores Multifuncionales: Un jugador multifuncional es uno que lanza y batea, por ejemplo Shohei Othtani de LA Angels y Michael Lorenzen de los Rojos de Cincinnati.Babe Ruth*fue l primer famoso jugador multicuncional. Esto les permite mantenerse en la lista como “jugador de posición” por ser parte de la nómina de 13 lanzadores máximo que estan permitidos en el roster. Un jugador que es designado como multifuncional tiene que mantenerse así toda la temporada.
*Cuando Babe Ruth jugó en los 1910’s y 1920’s un encuentro tenía promedio de 1 hora 51 minutos.

5-Jugadores de Posición Lanzando: Para que un pelotero de cuadro ó jardinero pueda lanzar,el partido deberá estar en extra-innings ó con una diferencia de seis carreras, a favor ó en contra. Durante un juego normal de nueve entradas,solo los 13 jugadores inscritos como lanzadores ó jugadores multifuncionales podrán lanzar.

6-El Jugador 27: Cada equipo podrá agregar un jugador más a su roster regular, de 26 a 27 jugadores.

7-Lista de Lesionados y periodo de Opcionados: Lanzadores y jugadores “multifuncionales” tendrán un periodo mínimo de estancia en la lista de lesionados de 15 días, en vez de los 10 días en el pasado. Los jugadores de posición seguirán pasando a la lista de incapacitados durante 10 días. Al igual que con la lista
de lesionados los jugadores de posición deberán permanecer 10 días.

8-Tiempo de Manager para pedir un Reto: El tiempo de los managers(en el reloj)para retar una jugada através de la repetición será recortado de 30 a 20 segundos.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio talent for the Oakland A’s on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com