Category: Oakland Athletics

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

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Former San Diego Padre reliever Trevor Rosenthal seen here throwing during Sep 13, 2020 game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park in San Diego. Rosenthal has signed on with the Oakland A’s for $11 million for the 2021 season (AP News file photo)

Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Closer: After losing Liam Hendricks to free agency as he landed with the Chicago White Sox, the Oakland A’s acquired veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal for $11 million and one year. Pending a physical he will be wearing the Green and Gold very soon in Spring Training. Rosenthal is 30 years old and during eight years as a closer showing 132 saves.

During the 2020 season he pitched for Kansas City and San Diego and recorded 11 saves. Between Kansas City and San Diego he made 23 appearances saved 11 games, with a 1.90 ERA.

He enjoyed his best years with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 when he saved 45 games and 2015 with 48 saves as an All Star. Designated Hitter: With the departure of Khris Davis, going to Texas a few weeks ago, the Athletics have picked-up veteran Mitch Moreland for one-year.

Moreland is a first baseman and designated hitter, and will probably be their DH most of the time and when Matt Olson needs a rest at first base, he will provide the back-up. Mitch Moreland is an 11 year career with Texas, Boston and San Diego, combined numbers are .252 average with 176 home runs and 588 runs-batted-in.

Spring Training: Frankie Montás, Oakland’s Opening Day starter last season is experiencing flu-like symptoms, Melvin said: “He’s several days into it,” Melvin said during a Zoom call before the A’s first workout of spring on Wednesday. “He does feel the effects of it.

He was having some symptoms, more flu-like than probably anything else at this point. He’s going to be a little bit behind.” Catcher Sean Murphy who enjoyed a very good rookie season in 2020 is out of action and not in Spring Training.

According to manager Bob Melvin, the catcher woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and noticed discomfort while breathing. He went to the hospital and later that day had surgery.

David Forst, the team’s general manager described the injury as a “freak thing” that could have been caused by something as simple as a hard cough during his sleep that led to a pulmonary bleb (a small air pocket or blister) that created a small hole in his lung, Doctors said that while the surgery was not necessary, it was recommended to avoid a recurrence.

Young lefty A.J.Puk threw and felt “free and easy” coming back after shoulder surgery. His would be a very important part of a young and talented rotation, if he can make the team this season, something the organization will like to see in 2021.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

Ex-A’s pinch runner Washington says lawsuit is about stopping McDonald’s from practicing systematic racism

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Former Oakland A’s pinch runner and owner of some 14 McDonalds franchises Herb Washington says that the McDonald’s Corporation has forced him to sell seven of his stores to white owners because he’s black (AP News photo)

By Charlie O

A lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court in Ohio by former Oakland A’s pinch runner Herb Washington. Washington’s law suit claims that McDonalds discriminated against him forcing him to sell as many as seven McDonald’s franchise restaurants in 2017.

Washington now 69 is the largest owner of black owned McDonald’s restaurants in the chain in the 40 years of owning McDonald’s restaurants Washington had as many as 27 restaurants he has 14 now. The lawsuit that Washington filed states the reason why for the suit “because of the opposition to the relentless discrimination he has endured in the McDonald’s system.”

The seven restaurants that he was forced to sell were in the past three years to white owners. The lawsuit also says “McDonald’s subjected Mr. Washington to targeted and unreasonable inspections and harsh grading to manufacture negative internal business reviews on account of his race, which McDonald’s then used as pretext to dismantle Mr. Washington’s business.”

McDonald’s responded in a statement saying “This situation is the result of years of mismanagement by Mr. Washington, whose organization has failed to meet many of our standards on people, operations, guest satisfaction and reinvestment. His restaurants have a public record of these issues including past health and sanitation concerns and some of the highest volumes of customer complaints in the country”

Washington in his complaint said that McDonald’s steered black owners into disadvantaged areas and he was also forced to open a restaurant “in a distressed predominantly black neighborhood” in Rochester NY and that McDonald’s stopped Washington’s attempts to buy a store in the white suburb of University Heights Ohio which Washington says was sold to a white owner.

Washington was a pinch runner for the Oakland A’s during the 1974 and 1975 seasons and went onto the World Series where the A’s won it all in 1974. A’s broadcaster Monte Moore always introduced Washington as the A’s “pinch runner deluxe” during A’s broadcasts when he came out to run. Washington scored 33 runs in 105 games during his two years in Oakland.

Charlie O is a contributor reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Petit and Romo just what A’s relief needed; Golf with no fans and celebrities different at the AT&T; plus more

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Former Minnesota Twin pitcher Sergio Romo throws a pitch against the Cleveland line up in a game on Fri Sep 11, 2020. Romo joined the Oakland A’s pitching staff as of Sun Feb 14, 2021 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks won’t be in the A’s spring training camp no longer with the A’s but relievers Yusmeiro Petit and Sergio Romo will be. Talk about the impact they will have on closing games this season. 

#2 Petit signed a one year for $2.55 million deal plus incentives and and Romo is on board for one season for $2.25 million.

#3 Petit last season pitched in 26 games was 2-1 ERA 1.66 and Romo last season was 1-2 4.05 last season a 60 plus game season this year a full 162 games how preparation will Petit and Romo need?

#4 Amaury turning to pro golf, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am has been an event without fans and celebrities has this made a difference in this PGA Tour.

#5 Tennis pro Serena Williams whose currently participating in her 24th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Williams was talking about how excited she was to own a women’s professional soccer team called the Angel City FC in Los Angeles. This has to be a great new venture a new and exciting business for Serena.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Feb 16, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

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Aug 24, 2020 Oakland A’s reliever Yusmeiro Petit throws against the Texas Rangers in Arlington during last year’s regular season. Petit is signed with the A’s for the 2021 season. (AP News photo file)

Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The A’s solidifying their bullpen after they lost star closer Liam Hendricks, who was considered the best closer available among all the free-agents during the off-season, now with the Chicago White Sox and Joaquim Soria now with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The team is keeping Yusmeiro Petit, 36 years old and a solid veteran arm, one of manager’s Bob Melvin’s favorite and acquired “el veterano” Sergio Romo, who turns 39 in March. Petit and Romo won two World Series for the team across the bay.

On Friday the Athletics were involved in a four-player trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Athletics got more bullpen help with lefty Adam Kolarek plus outfielder prospect Cody Thomas. In return they send infielder Sheldon Neuse and minor league right handed pitcher Gus Varland.

Right now, looks like a very good deal for the Athletics, as Kolarek last season was 3-0 with a 0.95 earned run average in 20 games and 1 save. Kolarek is the ideal lefty to face a lefty hitter in a game situation late in a game.

Sheldon Neuse played some infield for the A’s and Gus Varland is a prospect and might be the key for the Dodgers who are basically loaded with talent and tweaking their club as they are favorite to repeat this year again.

The Western Division this season will be a three-team race, between the reigning division champion Athletics, the Houston Astros and possibly the Los Angeles Angels. I will have my analysis of this division before the season opener April 1.

The Oakland Athletics open the season at home with a 4-game series against the Houston Astros, followed by the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: First Good News for the A’s in 2021 -Now we wait–

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval stands by the Howard Terminal location at the Port of Oakland on Wed Feb 10, 2021 where the Oakland A’s hope to fulfill their dream of a new ballpark (photo by Bay Area News Group)

First Good News for the A’s in 2021 -Now we wait–

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s were looking for some good news, since they won the Western Division of the American League last year, they eliminated the Chicago White Sox during the Wild-Card Series, and then were eliminated by the Houston Astros.

Nevertheless, this week brought the best good news to the Athletics when a Judge of the Alameda County Superior Court ruled in favor of the A’s in a lawsuit that would have derailed the team’s plan of construction of the Howard Terminal waterfront stadium.

Things got delayed, but always an optimist Athletics President Dave Kaval said, after the ruling: “We were going to try to open by 2023. That obviously slipped. How far it slipped, I can’t answer that I don’t know yet. It depends on if the city can even get this to a vote this year. It depends on the other priorities the city council might have.”

There are a lot of moving parts here. We still have not reached first base, with the mission to score a new ballpark. The attention focused on the Pandemic and vaccination and all that, the attention for the project has cooled-off, understandably.

The Environmental Impact Report has to be approved by the City of Oakland. A few weeks ago A’s pitching great Dave Stewart submitted a $115 million bid to buy the city’s share, which was a bigger hit than the cost to buy the Athletics at $85 million, and that could complicate the whole enchilada. There are still a lot of moving parts regarding the construction of the Howard Terminal ballpark for the Athletics.

Like the great CBS Walter Cronkite used to say: “And that’s the way it is”

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s get leg up on Howard Terminal Stadium; Superior Court Judge and AB734 ruling gets A’s on first base

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Oakland A’s president David Kaval says he’s glad the A’s won this first step to move forward towards a new Howard Terminal Ballpark at Jack London Square (file photo from the Mercury News)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Joe Hawkes

Sports Radio Service staff writers

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s caught what A’s team president David Kaval would call a huge break just when the future of the A’s new ballpark development had no new developments since March.  Wednesday an Alameda Superior Court judge ruled for the A’s that the A’s need to prepare an environmental impact report and meet the qualifications of the impact report .

Once the report is ready the A’s are still subject to complaints and legal challenges for example traffic and parking , and air quality issues. The A’s would have 270 days from any complaints or challenges filed. The coalition filed an appeal with the court on Wednesday right after the judges ruling.

AB734 a state bill passed by then Governor Jerry Brown in 2018 helped expedite arenas, stadiums and ballparks built in California. It helped the Sacramento Kings expedite their arena Golden One Center after the Kings met challenges in their developments. The courts moved the challenges through working or basically overruling those who had complaints and challenges such as parking, transit and air quality issues.

The A’s could very well enjoy that same cut through the red tape challenge and get to the next step and see groundbreaking of their new stadium located at Howard Terminal at Jack London Square finally get started.

The A’s have face many challenges to get the stadium project off the ground. In March the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Schnitzer Steel, the Harbor Trucking Association all filed a court lawsuit challenging the A’s on building at the port. The complaint said that in doing so would eliminate port jobs and put businesses there out of business.

Mike Jacob vice president of the general counsel of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association said he is hopeful that the court will agree “that the Howard Terminal project should not be certified for fast tracking and the A’s follow the standard environmental impact review process.”

Kaval said that the city of Oakland is responsible for releasing the environmental impact report and it’s completion. The most recent delays regarding the A’s Howard Terminal development was due to the pandemic and the opposing groups lawsuits.

Joe Hawkes is a staff writer and Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Krush for Elvis-A Trade of Convenience-

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Former Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus throws the ball in this Mar 11, 2020 photo as Andrus heads to the Oakland A’s as the A’s were looking for a shortstop (AP News photo)

Krush for Elvis-A Trade of Convenience-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics do not have to look anymore for an everyday shortstop, after Marcus Semien left for Toronto. Today, the A’s and the Rangers made an interesting trade. The A’s traded Khris Davis DH/outfielder to the Texas Rangers for shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Aramis García, who played for the Giants last year. In the deal the A’s also send young catcher Jonah Heim as well as minor league right-handed pitcher Dave Acker to the Rangers.

Elvis Andrus began his 12 year career with the Rangers in 2009 and he showed how good he was going to be when he visited the Oakland Coliseum during his very first trip. Last season he hit .197 with three home runs and seven runs batted in a total of 27 games. However, he is a career .274 hitter with 1,628 games played at shortstop, most by a shortstop in Major League Baseball since that debut during a night game at Oakland.

Khris “Krush” Davis hit only .200 with 2 home runs and ten runs batted in 30 games last season. He was a very productive slugger specially during a three-year period with the A’s from 2016 to 2018 when he hit over 40 home runs and 100 runs batted-in or more each season.

The proverbial trade of convenience, because both players needed a change of scenery, both had down years in 2020 but if they can regain some of their productivity at the plate, it could benefit both ball-clubs as well as prolong their careers. Elvis Andrus has been a solid defensive shortstop and a very productive hitter, with excellent speed running the bases.

When I first saw Elvis Andrus during the first game he ever played at the Coliseum he showed tremendous defensive skills and as a hitter not an easy out, top-of-the-order hitter with good speed.

I remember at that time (first time we saw him play) we spoke highly of him during our Spanish broadcast of the Atléticos Radio Network. In 2019 and 2020 Khris Davis lost his confidence after the A’s signed him for a two year deal.

Krush gave A’s fans a lot of thrills, the young man of an African-American father and Mexican mother is a good guy, decent man but his swing was just not there. A’s players got along well with Krush and we wish him nothing but the best in Texas, a ballpark much more friendlier for his home-run swing than the Oakland Coliseum.

Andrus was tutored back in his early years by Omar Vizquel, one of the greatest defensive shortstops in history. Andrus as well as Vizquel both from Venezuela, the land of shortstops and Elvis Andrus always will be grateful to his compatriot.

Some of the other shortstops from Venezuela: Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio (Hall of Fame), David Concepción, Omar Vizquel, Ozzie Guillén, Carlos Guillén, Alcides Escobar, Alex González, César Izturis, Eugenio Sánchez, Gleyber Torres. It is my opinion that Dave Concepción as well as Omar Vizquel should join Luis Aparicio someday in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent for the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s PA announcer Dick Callahan will be missed we were lucky to work with him

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Dick Callahan who was the Oakland A’s and formerly the Golden State Warriors PA announcer passed away on Fri Jan 29, 2021. Dick also owned his own Insurance company. (file photo from sfgate.com)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s announced via Twitter the news that beloved Public Address announcer, Dick Callahan, had passed away. Dick was 80 years old.

Dick was a special guy. He was a kind, pleasant man. He was always enjoyable to everyone around him. I usually saw him every when I was at the Coliseum to report on the A’s games. On occasion, I was fortunate, along with the A’s Spanish language broadcaster, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, to have dinner with Dick in the Media Lounge. He always was cheerful, and he had the famous Irish twinkle in his eye.

Dick went to Scranton Prep High in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He came to California and made his home in the East Bay. Dick had a successful insurance business, too. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s University and started his public address career with the Gaels in 1975.

He later became the public address announcer for the Golden State Warriors. People remember Dick for his signature “shooting-two” when a Warrior player had to take two free throws. Dick called games for the University of California, too. He also worked at the University of the Pacific, Santa Clara University, and the University of San Francisco.

Dick had the unenviable task of succeeding Roy Steele as the announcer for the Oakland A’s. Steele, affectionately known as the “Voice of God,” held the job from 1968 to 2005. Not only did Dick not fail, but he was also known as the “Voice of God.” One evening, I told Dick that he had a great speaking voice. Dick replied the microphone aided his voice. I told him that was not true and we had a nice laugh together.

Dick now joins people like Roy Steele, John Ramsey of the LA Dodgers, Bob Sheppard of the New York Yankees, and Sherm Feller of the Boston Red Sox in the Pantheon of great Public address announcers.

Dick called over 1000 games for the A’s and over 2700 games in his career. His three favorite games were Dallas Braden’s perfect game on Mother’s day in 2010. Sean Manaea’s no-hitter against Boston in 2018, and Mike Fiers no-no on May 7th, 2019. Fiers’ gem was the 1000th game called by Dick.

My favorite story with Dick happened several years ago. One night, after finishing my report, as I was leaving the park, a fan came up to me and asked me for an autograph. I was taken aback. I had no idea why anyone would want my autograph. I asked the fan why. He answered: why you’re Dick Callahan.” I smiled and told him that I wasn’t. The next night I told Dick the story. Dick smiled and said: “you should have signed it:” We both laughed.

Dick took the 2020 Oakland A’s season off as a precaution due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Amelia Schimmel took Dick’s place as PA announcer for 2020 and said in a San Francisco Chronicle interview at the time “Nothing replaces him, obviously, Dick did give me pointers, and he’s such a good person. He called and said, ‘You did a fantastic job.’ I know how hard it is for him not to come in this season and he was so sweet about it. He said, ‘Your voice sounded great on the broadcast.’ I think he’s trying to let me know he approves and that support is really, really appreciated.” said Schimmel. 

The A’s organization has lost several longtime employees over the past three years. Dick joins people like Harold Miller, Chester Yarrow, Roy Steele, Gary Hughes( baseball scout) in our memories. We will miss you immensely, Dick. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com 

Marcus Semien says adios to the A’s; Signs one yr $18M deal with Jays

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Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien signed a one year deal worth $18 million with the Toronto Blue Jays leaving the A’s after six years on Tue Jan 26, 2021. Ironically Semien will not play in the city of Toronto proper as all Blue Jays home games will be played in Florida (USA Today file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s brain trust now has the unenviable task of replacing star shortstop Marcus Semien. Semien, who had been with the A’s for six years, signed a one-year deal worth $18 million with the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday.

Semien was the third player the A’s have lost to free agency this season. The A’s lost one of the best closers in all of baseball, Liam Hendriks, to the Chicago White Sox. Robby Grossman, who was in left field, headed to Detroit.

Semien’s departure continues a pattern that has haunted the A’s for many, many years. Because of financial considerations, the A’s cannot afford to pay players that have become stars. A’s president, Billy Beane, and General Manager David Forst have become adept at finding value in players discarded by other teams or finding and developing prospects from their farm system.

The A’s traded for Semien after the 2014 season. They sent pitcher Jeff Samardzija to the White Sox for Semien. Semien was a second baseman there. The A’s wanted him to move to shortstop. His first season at that position did not go well.

He made both fielding and throwing errors. The following season the A’s hired Ron Washington as a consultant to work with him. Washington had been a coach with the A’s and was credited with helping Eric Chavez win six Gold Gloves.

Washington and Semien worked for hours pre-game on his fielding and throwing. Fans could see Semien improve daily. Semien had other skills that helped the A’s win. He could hit and hit with power.

Semien was fleet of foot. The A’s missed the playoffs in 2016 and 2017. They made them in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The A’s were hoping to make it to the World Series this year. Their last appearance in the Fall Classic was in 1990.

Since then, the A’s failed to advance out of the first round with two exceptions. They advanced to the AL Championship round in 2006. The Detroit Tigers sent them home. They made it past the Wildcard round beating the Chicago White Sox. The Houston Astros beat them to advance to the AL Championship round in 2020.

Semien’s best year with the A’s was in 2019. He hit .285 with 33 homers and 93 RBIs. He finished third in the voting for Most Valuable Player.

A’s fans will be sorry to see him leave. They will wish Semien well in Toronto. Hopefully, the A’s will find capable replacements. The fans are hungry for a Championship team. It’s been a long drought.

MLB The Show podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s asst gm Owens up for Angels gm job; Introducing the Curt Flood Award

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Oakland A’s assistant general manager Billy Owens is looking to join the Los Angeles Angels as their new general manager. Owens is waiting for an interview with the Angels and former A’s first baseman Scott Hatteburg said Owens is an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge (photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

#1 Oakland A’s executive Billy Owens who is being considered for the Los Angeles Angels general manager job. Owens is a known for his vast knowledge of talent in MLB.

#2 If Owens was to leave Oakland and so with A’s vice president Billy Beane who is considering joining the Boston Red Sox this would be the dismantling of some of the best baseball minds in the game for the A’s.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher said he has preserved 90% of the A’s personnel for next season but with no fans returning that would put into question the A’s budget to keep employees, it’s real wait and see until spring training.

#4 MLB will have a Curt Flood Award which will be presented to either a living or deceased player who exemplified selfless devotion to the MLB Players Association, and advancement for players rights.

#5 Jerry for this World Series your getting two of the best teams in the game with the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Join Jerry F each Thursday on the MLB podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com