Category: MLB

Harris comes home to be the GM of the SF Giants

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file photo the Athletic: San Francisco Giants general manager Scott Harris, who was hired this weekend, will be introduced by Giants team president Farhan Zaidi this week.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — There are many things on the plate of San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Farhan Zaidi during the 2019 off-season, and one of the plates is now filled.

Zaidi announced the hiring of Scott Harris as the Giants 10th General Manager in team history, replacing Bobby Evans, who was let go during the 2018 season.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring in an executive of Scott’s caliber to help lead our Baseball Operations group,” Zaidi said in a statement. “The combination of his breadth of experience, contributions toward building a championship-winning perennial contender in Chicago and his Bay Area roots made him an ideal fit for our General Manager position and I’m looking forward to executing our vision together.”

Harris, who grew up in Redwood City, went to Columbia Business School and worked for Major League Baseball as the League Coordinator of major league operations before going to work for the Chicago Cubs in 2012.

During his seven years in Chicago, he was part of the front office that saw the Cubs break their 108-year curse of not winning the World Series in 2016.

Harris was promoted to the position of assistant General Manager by the Cubs in January of 2019, but now he is coming home to the Bay Area and will get the wheels rolling for the Giants, who are still looking for a field manager after the retirement of Bruce Bochy at the end of the 2019 season.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Are Atlanta and Minneapolis the Best Cities for Bumgarner?

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Photo credit: talkingchop.com

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Madison Bumgarner has won three World Series and is arguably one (if not the best) postseason pitcher in history. The Giants made a $17.8 million qualifying offer to the free agent, which guaranteed a draft pick compensation for the Giants, a team seriously in need of younger players. It is very doubtful the Giants will win the World Series in 2020. There are two young teams looking for that extra puzzle piece to make it over the hump. Two teams that won their divisions but fell way-short of going deep into the postseason. Two teams that could use a guy like him.

Atlanta Braves
The Braves won the East in the National League with a 97-65 record, four games over the World Champion Washington Nationals, but lost the Divisional Series vs. St. Louis Cardinals in five games. They have a great young ball club with a terrific starting rotation of, Mike Soroka, whose just 22 years old and finished 13-4, 2.68 ERA. He is currently their best hurler. Max Fried, who finished 17-6, 4.02 ERA. Mike Foltynewicz and a very good bullpen. Not to mention one of the best lineups around in Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr.and Ozzie Albies. Bumgarner would be like gold for this young team, which he would bring experience. The location is excellent for Bumgarner, who lives nearby in his home state of North Carolina. Plus he would stay in the National League. I would say Atlanta is the best place for him.

Minnesota Twins
The Twins won the American League Central Division with 101-61 record but were swept by the Yankees 3-0 in the Divisional Series. Like Atlanta, they are another young team in need of an experienced starter like the Giants lefty, but unlike the Braves, they are not as deep in pitching. Therefore, the Twins could go hard after Bumgarner. But there is one disadvantage as Bumgarner has only pitched in the National League with the Giants. He is one of the best hitting pitchers in the game and was even used as a pinch-hitter by Bruce Bochy. He loves to hit. The youngest and most talented starter with the Twins is the 25-year-old José Berrios, who finished 14-8, 3.68 ERA this season. The Twins are probably in the conversation for the Giants pitcher.

There are other potential teams looking for pitching,the Los Angeles Angels are one of those. He would definitely fit very well in Joe Maddon’s new team. The Angels are going to go heavy on free agents, especially Gerrit Cole, who was born in Newport Beach, about 45 minutes from Angel Stadium. He seems a perfect fit for the Halos. The San Diego Padres is another young up-and-coming team who plays in the same division as the Giants. They should be looking at him, too, and do not forget the American League Champion Houston Astros. Their rotation — especially if Cole leaves — will be a solid one with this acquisition.

Either Atlanta or Minnesota could offer Bumgarner, who is 30 years old, a two-year deal worth in the $40 million range. I do not see a problem with that. More than two years is a risk because he is still a good pitcher but not as dominant as he once was. Let’s face it, nobody knows which Bumgarner they would get. Although there is a chance of scenery for him, leaving a team that is not close to returning to the Fall Classic, like Atlanta or Minnesota, who are much closer, is something that he likely is considering at this stage in his career. He is the type of competitor that with a winning team, he would perform much better and he would be motivated to take his team to the postseason, which is something he cannot do with today’s Giants.

Bumgarner is in a good situation. If he decided to stay put with the Giants, that would have been a surprise to many. Although 60 wins is tied in total wins at home when Matt Cain was with the Giants. Pitching at Oracle Park, which is not a hitting paradise, is an advantage if he decides to stay in San Francisco and fans will love it, and if he retired with the Orange and Black, that would be even better, but fans do not have much of a say on his future. In my opinion, the only San Francisco Giant that will never leave the team (of the original players that were part of the even year World Series era) is Buster Posey. He was the Rookie of the Year in the NL with the Giants in 2010 and he will retire as a Giant.

Where will Bumgarner be pitching next season? At the end of the day, it is about the money. What else is new?

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The A’s Stadium Saga (Episode 29)

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Photo credit: eastbaytimes.com

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–A’s fans have been on this rollercoaster ride of the new ballpark for long enough that it is now almost running as long as one of Telemundo novelas. This last episode was a good one. This week, over 80 Oakland and surrounding area business leaders announced the formation of “Town Business” — an initiative by company executives in support of keeping the A’s in Oakland for the long-term. They hand-delivered copies of the letter addressed to the Mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaaf, urging the City to drop its lawsuit against Alameda County.

There should be no doubt that the Schaaf should be happy with this support. Schaaf’s legacy could the first mayor of a big city in the country to lose three professional sports franchises. The NBA’s Warriors are already gone and playing in San Francisco and the NFL’s Raiders have one leg already in Las Vegas and are currently playing in their last season at the Oakland Coliseum. There are millions and millions of dollars behind these executives running companies here in the East Bay — large, small and new businesses. The famous author, Stephen King, known as “the master of horror stories” once said: “Money talks and bullshit walks”. By the way, King is a huge Boston Red Sox fan.

A new ballpark would usher a new era of prosperity for the franchise. Since the A’s been playing in Oakland in 1968, other major league teams have built multiple stadiums (i.e. the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves) and many others who have at least one. Only a handful of teams remain that have played at the same place such as the Red Sox (Fenway Park), Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field), Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium). For some of us who have made the Bay Area our long-term home, we witnessed what happened with the San Francisco Giants, who lost election after election in order to build a new park until they finally found private investors to build what is today Oracle Park, which debuted in 2000.

The A’s plan is to begin construction of this privately financed new facility at Howard Terminal, just north of Jack London Square by 2021 and hope for a first pitch in 2023. It would be a beautiful 35,000 seat park. It would be a fan and environmentally friendly park that addresses the rising sea level. Today, the sea levels is not a main concern. But, up north in Portland, they are talking about building a new major league park for what they hope will be their first MLB franchise…and I think Las Vegas is taking odds in all of this.

Can’t wait for the next episode!

Sportstalk podcast from Inca Aztec Restaurant in downtown San Jose: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019

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photo from yelp.com: Inca Aztec Restaurant downtown San Jose home of the Sportstalk podcast on Wed. Nov. 6, 2019.

Cast: Jerry Feitelberg (host and Golden State Warriors beat writer), Mary Lisa Walsh (San Jose Sharks reporter), Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Barracuda reporter), and Amaury Pi-Gonzalez (That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary) and producer Lee Leonard.

Podcasting from Inca Aztec Restaurant at 95 South Market Street downtown San Jose, call 408-715-7042 for information or reservations. The magic culinary can best be described as a mix of Peruvian and Mexican influences. Inca Azteca Restaurant Bar is the union of two cultures. The South American Andean region of Peru and the most important territory of Mexico. During years of tradition, spectacular recipes are created and now Inca Aztec has the magic gastronomic experience. Our thanks to our hosts owners Rey and Alma and general manager Rolando.

Tonight on Sportstalk: Will the Sharks shake off the taste of losing as they have completed three games of their current six game homestand? The Sharks have lost in tough games, including in Boston 5-1, and most recently on Sunday 5-2 to the Vancouver Canucks. Also, join our conversation on the NHL and some the top teams in the league: Bruins, Sabres, Capitals, Islanders, Blues, Avalanche, Oilers, and Canucks.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Can Raiders get by Chargers on Thursday Night?; 49ers distributing momentum going into Monday Night at Levi’s; plus more

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Photo credit: forbes.com

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 The Oakland Raiders just got by the Detroit Lions Sunday 31-24 at the Oakland Coliseum. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns. One of the big throws for Carr was his pass to Hunter Renfrow that gave the Raiders a go-ahead lead and eventual win.

#2 What a Thursday Night Football it was for the San Francisco 49ers in their win over the Arizona Cardinals 28-25, a narrow win, but it kept them undefeated at 8-0. Seeing that that was a close game, could their contest coming up in Santa Clara against the Seattle Seahawks be a close one, too, on Monday Night Football?

#3 The Sacramento Kings won their second straight game on Sunday night against the New York Knicks 113-92 at Madison Square Garden. It was a much-needed win for the Kings after suffering a five-game losing streak before their first two wins.

#4 The announcement came in October about the MLS coming to Sacramento in 2022 and the partners of the Sacramento Republic are excited to bring Major League Soccer to the state capital, which could bring a new rivalry between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Republic.

#5 The San Jose Sharks star player Evander Kane is being sued by the Cosmopolitan Casino in Las Vegas for $500,000, a gambling debt that goes back to the NHL playoffs when the Sharks were in Vegas back in April. Will the publicity of the debt create a disruption for the Sharks going forward?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Chapman and Olson win Gold Gloves; First dual winners for A’s since the ’80s

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Photo credit: sfexaminer.com

On Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman received the Gold Glove Award with first baseman Matt Olson. Chapman had a .981. fielding percentage and Olson had .993.

#2 Chapman saved 17 runs that led MLB third basemen in defense in runs saved.

#3 Olson saved 13 runs leading all first basemen in the show in defense.

#4 It’s the first time since 1980 and 1981 that the A’s had two players win the Gold Glove in back to back years. Who were they? Centerfielder Dwayne Murphy and pitcher Mike Norris.

#5 The A’s have developed some great defensive players who got nominated for Gold Gloves — infielder Marcus Semien and left fielder Robbie Grossman.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for Oakland A’s baseball on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and listen to Amaury’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Beltrán Returns to the Mets as a Manager

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Photo credit: mlb.nbcsports.com

By Amaury Pi-González

On November 1, 2019, the New York Mets named the 42-year-old Carlos Beltrán their new manager. He is currently the fourth Puerto Rico born manager in the MLB, joining Alex Cora (Boston), Charlie Montoyo (Toronto) and Dave Martínez (Washington). The past two seasons, Cora and Martínez won the World Series. Beltrán is the first Latino manager in Mets history. Prior to getting the job, he said he only wanted to be interviewed by the Mets.

The outfielder played seven seasons with the Mets (2005-2011) and is sixth all-time list on the team with 140 home runs, 559 runs batted in, 374 extra base hits, .369 on base percentage and .500 slugging. In a total of 20 seasons, he was selected to 9 All-Star Games, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers, and was the 1999 Rookie of the Year with the Kansas City Royals.

Beltrán’s last season was in 2017 with the Astros, where he won his first World Series ring. He owns formidable numbers for a possible election to the Hall of Fame and will be eligible in 2023.

During his 20 years as a player, Beltrán played with Kansas City, Houston, NYM, San Francisco, St. Louis, NYY, Texas, and Houston (second stint).

Beltrán’s career numbers consist of a .279 average; 2,586 games; 9,768 at-bats; 2,725 hits; 565 doubles; 78 triples; 435 home runs; 1,587 runs batted in; and 312 stolen bases.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: World Series Pulls FOX to the Top of the TV Ratings

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Photo credit: deadline.com

By Amaury Pi-González

According to figures from Nielsen, FOX’s national coverage of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals averaged 11.64 million viewers. This was the most watched week by any network since the Superbowl. In a big upset, the Nationals stunned the Astros 6-2 in the winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday to win their first World Series. This was the first World Series in which all seven games were won by the visiting team. This was also the first time this has happened in all major sports, where they play a series of games for their championship title.

Previously, the only other Major League team based in Washington to win a World Series were the Washington Senators in 1924 when they beat the New York Giants in seven games.

The Montreal Expos were purchased by MLB in 2002, and as a result, the team moved to Washington and named the Nationals prior to the 2005 season. The Victory Parade is this Saturday at 2 PM ET at Constitution Avenue NW and 15th Street and will end on Pennsylvania Avenue NW at 3rd Street.

MLB Network will televise the parade live nationwide.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: No matter who won, it was an incredible World Series; Murray vs. Garoppolo for Thursday Night Football; plus more

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Photo credit: @Nationals

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, the World Series is over. The Washington Nationals looked like they were really going to make this one look easy, but the Houston Astros got hot and won three straight before the Nats forced a Game 7 and Nationals took game 7. It was the most wins by a visiting team in series history. Both teams played an entertaining series.

#2 The San Francisco 49ers play in Arizona for Thursday Night Football. Taking a look at the quarterbacks — for the Cardinals, Kyler Murray, and for the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo. Tony explains how he sees this matchup.

#3 After the Warriors played the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Warriors were behind 70-37 at halftime and eventually lost the game, the Warriors’ Draymond Green said the team sucked and then the Warriors went to New Orleans and won. It didn’t last long as the Phoenix Suns took it to the Warriors at Chase Center and lost Stephen Curry to a broken hand?

#4 In a free agent deal, the Oakland Raiders signed linebacker Brandon Marshall, who formerly played for the Denver Broncos. Marshall signed a one-year deal. Tony tells us how the Marshall signing will help out especially considering the season suspension hole that was created by linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

#5 The Sacramento Kings, who played the Charlotte Hornets and lost remain winless, came off a tough loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. The Kings, who had home floor advantage on Wednesday night, are looking for that slight edge to get into the win column.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB: First Two Decades of the XXI Century — the Winners

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photo from: chron.com

By Amaury Pi-González

By the time Major League teams report to Spring Training in Arizona and Florida, the last two decades will be history. And of all the MLB teams during those past 20 years, nobody has won more hardware than the Boston Red Sox.

1. Boston Red Sox Four World Championship Titles. (2004-2007-2013-2018)

Boston, a city where baseball is more than a game or sport, is like a religion. They have been playing at the oldest park, Fenway Park, since it opened in 1912. Their passionate fans had to endure a wild roller coaster ride during the past two decades. Founded in 1901 as one the American League’s eight charter franchises. When the first pitch is thrown at Fenway Park in 2020, the Red Sox would be playing their 108th season at that same location.

2004: It took the Boston Red Sox 86 years to win their first World Series since 1918.The Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. The pitching of Curt Schilling and the hitting of Manny Ramírez and David “Big Papi” Ortíz guided them, but also a great comeback in the American League Championship Series down 3-0 to the New York Yankees. They became the first team in baseball history with such a comeback.

2007: Sensational Japanese pitcher and rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka as well as great performances by also pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon and great hitting, swept the Colorado Rockies in four games. Between 2007 and 2012, they made history when in 2011 they lost a nine-game lead in the Wild Card standing over the course of the final month of the regular season. That was the worst September collapse in the history of Major League Baseball.

2013: Boston Strong. On April 15, they played an early game that started at 11 AM, and beat the Tampa Bay Rays. It was Patriot Day, a traditional day when the Boston Marathon takes place, and not long after the Red Sox victory, the Boston Marathon was shocked by the bombing. The team was motivated to bring another title to that city. They rebuilt in the off-season and rebounded to win 97 games (best in the American League) under first year manager John Farrell, and found themselves back in the Fall Classic. They defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six games for their eight championship. Next season(2014), they fell like a rock again — from the top of the game to lose 91 games to last place in the AL East.

2018: It took them five years to get to the World Series again.It was coming since 2016 when they rebuilt again and won the division title,but they lost in the division series as well as in 2017. This year was special as they won a franchise-record 108 games during the regular season and had it on”automatic pilot”through the postseason. They only lost three games in three playoff series going to the World Series again as they took care of the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Boston will have a new look in 2020 as free agents All-Stars J.D. Martínez and Mookie Betts might sign with other teams.

2. San Francisco Giants. Three World Championships Titles (2010, 2012, 2014)

2010: It took the Giants 52 years to win their first championship in San Francisco since they moved from New York in 1958. Giants won the Western Division in a close race ending with a 92-70 record, just two games on top of the San Diego Padres. A lot of good stuff happened this year like signings of Free Agents Aubrey Hoff and Mark DeRosa, promoting Buster Posey in May from AAA Fresno (who was the Rookie of the Year), signing free agent Pat Burrell and claiming Cody Ross from the Marlins via waivers. It all culminated with a giver (5) games World Series defeating the Texas Rangers.

2012: They won it all by sweeping the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. After winning the West with 94-68 record defeated Atlanta in the Wild Card game the Cincinnati Reds in the Divisional Series and the St. Louis Cardinals in the Championship Series. An excellent pitching staff with Matt Cain,Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelson and a strong bullpen led the way.

2014: Giants won their third World Series in six years when they beat the Kansas City Royals in seven games. Giants fans talked about winning a World Series every two seasons, but the fantasy was just that. Unfortunately, they have been in decline with the attendance altogether since then. The last three seasons they have finished consistently under .500. The 2019 season, the Giants were under three million in attendance for the first time since 2010. The front office has a lot of work to do this off season in a division dominated by the Dodgers with the young and talented up and coming Padres.

3. Each of these teams won two World Championship titles: St. Louis Cardinals 2006 and 2011 and New York Yankees 2000 and 2009.

These teams won one World Series from 2000 to 2019: Arizona Diamondbacks, LA Angels, Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.

By the way, the Red Sox have company with another team that plays in their area. The New England Patriots, who play their games in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 30 miles south of Boston, have made 11 Super Bowl appearances the most of any NFL team, and during the current decade, have won six Super Bowls. Those six Super Bowl wins are the most in the NFL tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers.