Category: Oakland Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame at Oakland A’s FanFest on January 27

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Photo credit: @70sBaseball

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame will be at the Oakland Athletics’ FanFest this January 27 at Jack London Square in Oakland. The HHBM HOF is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, since it was founded in San Francisco in 1998 by Mr. Gabriel “Tito” Avila Jr., who’s currently the president of this non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Beginning in 2018, the HHMB HOF have 67 inductees from 1999 to 2017. One of those inductees is Ted Williams, and many have asked me: “How come, is he a Latino player?” Williams’ mother was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Her name is Maria Hernandez-Benzor. Therefore, Teddy Ballgame classifies as a player with Hispanic heritage.

When the museum attends the A’s FanFest this next 27th, they will also celebrate the great history of the A’s list of Latino players, including Dagoberto Blanco “Campy” Campaneris, (shortstop), Diego Segui (pitcher) and second-baseman Rigoberto
“Tito” Fuentes, who played with the A’s as well as the Giants. All three HHBM HOF inductees were born in Cuba.

The museum doesn’t merely induct players because of their statistics, but also their historical relevance, good sportsmanship and community involvement. It doesn’t necessarily means that to be inducted into the HHBM HOF, you also have to be in Cooperstown. Best example is Campaneris, who is arguaby the best ever shortstop in A’s history. He’s a three-time World Champion who also played all nine positions in one game on September 8, 1965.

Mr. Avila is the president and founder of the museum. He founded the HHBM in the Mission District in San Francisco, California, on October 24, 1998, and Incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization on June 23, 1999 in Sacramento, California.

Gabriel “Tito” Avila, Jr. is a former semi-pro, Sandlot, high school, college player and a Vietnam Era Veteran from New York City. He’s a San Francisco resident who wanted to honor the greatest Hispanic Baseball position players of all-time.

The HHBMHOF is International and dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by Hispanic players. Since its inception, the HHBMHOF has inducted (65) players, coaches, broadcasters, Negro Leagues Hispanic players, MLB scorers, and Pioneer Executives. Founding members include Orlando Cepeda and Tito Fuentes.

Avila told me how he felt after 20 years of founding the museum and Hall of Fame: “The HHBM HOF to date has inducted into its HOF 67 inductees and 21 pioneers. We have also recognized Hispanics and non-Hispanics with numerous awards. As we are a National Traveling Museum Hall of Fame, and I am very proud of the work we have done, with our Board of Directors and the help of two local baseball stars, in Orlando Cepeda and Tito 23 Fuentes.”

Also, Mr. Avila Jr. said: “We are elated to be associated with the Athletics and I want to take this time on behalf of the HHBM to congratulate the A’s for their 50th Anniversary, which they are celebrating this year.”

This 2018, the A’s will celebrate their 50th Anniversary at Oakland, since they moved from Kansas City in 1968, winning four World Series in Oakland. The A’s will play a totally free game for their fans against the Chicago White Sox on April 17, a date that marks 50 years to the day after the team’s first game at the Coliseum in 1968. Fans can sign up for tickets to this 50th anniversary game beginning at 8 a.m. PT on Jan. 10 by visiting athletics.com/50.

NOTES: Daktronics of South Dakota is installing 14 LED displays at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The focal point will be a 9,500 square-foot video display inright field, the third largest in Major League Baseball behind Cleveland and Seattle. The 9,500 square-foot scoreboard will be equal to the size of 890 60 inch television and be ready for the 2018 season.

Big Papi’s new show: David Ortiz’s new television show is called “Big Papi Needs a Job”which will debut January 31 on Fusion.

Giants: At the beginning of the 2018 season, the San Francisco Giants have the oldest roster in the National League, with an average of 28 years old per player, which doesn’t seem that old, but in today’s game many teams have superstars in their mid 20’s. Yankees: With their winning 2017 season they have a 25 consecutive years ending with winning records.

Numbers: Giancarlo Stanton wore #27 with the Marlins, this year (his first with the Marlins) he will also wear #27 in pinstripes, and by the way the Yankees have won 27 World Series to date, most in history.

Puerto Rico: The Winter League is set to begin January 5, after Hurricane Maria, it will only be an abbreviated season four teams and total of 18 games.Puerto Rico was in very bad shape prior to the Hurricane, they had declared bankruptcy, after years of political corruption and mismanagement.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play announcer talent for the Oakland Athletics radio KIQI 1010AM/990AM San Francisco/Oakland,and the play by play talent for the Los Angeles Angels on Fox Sports West TV in Los Angeles and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Remembering Billy Martin–A flawed man, but a great Manager

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ultimateyankees.com photo: The late great Oakland A’s manager Billy Martin who managed the A’s from 1980-82 the documentary subject of MLB presents: Billy

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–This Christmas Day 2017 will mark 28 years since Billy Martin died in a car crash in Johnson City, New York, some 180 miles north and west of New York City. Billy was 61 and his longtime friend William Reedy, 53, was the driver, both had been drinking.

Billy Martin was an alcoholic, a fighter and womanizer, but on the baseball field he was a very good player with the Yankees in the 1950’s and an even better manager. He played second base on Yankee teams with Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, among others. In his private life Billy Martin was not what today they call a “politically correct person”, he will tell you what he thinks without any reservations on any given topic, and if you started an argument with Billy, you better be ready to finish it.

I remember Billy when he came to the Athletics to manage. He was a manager with Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Athletics and Yankees.

Billy Ball, a term created by late Oakland Tribune writer Ralph Wiley, (a very nice guy) and adopted by the best marketing team in Oakland A’s history, during the Walter Haas ownership, Sandy Alderson and marketing guru Andy Dolich. Image a team whose manager was the biggest star. And Billy was that during three years as skipper of the A’s, and players loved him, Rickey Henderson told me many times that Billy was his favorite manager. Rickey was a rookie in 1979 and in 1980 when Charlie Finley sold the team Rickey was a young star in the American League,. Billy Martin managed the Athletics for three years.1980-1982. In 1980 (83-79) earned second place in the AL West. 1981 was the first work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972, games were canceled, the A’s under Billy Martin. however, won the division with a record of 64-45.

As controversial as Billy was, I never had any problems talking to him, usually will be prior to a game, he used to tell me he loved Latino players because they show the same passion as he did. He told me once it was good that I could speak English, because in this country that was the language for everybody. He was as good as any manager I have seen as far as strategy, or motivating his players to play hard, and players respected that. Billy Ball was his style, the suicide squeeze (his favorite) steal, bunt all the stuff that is absent in today’s game of “home run or strike out”. 1981 in Spring Training my broadcast partner Julio Gonzalez, Tony Armas(who played right field for the A’s) and yours truly went after a game to the Pink Pony(Scottsdale) a popular restaurant for baseball people. As we walked in Tony noticed in one table: Billy Martin and some of his coaches, they were having a good time, Tony said in Spanish “No, aqui no…vamos a otro lado”” trans- “No, not here let’s go someplace else”. Some players (like Tony Armas) did not want to be in the same place as Billy Martin having a beer and dinner. That’s the way it was,you can come to your own conclusion.

As a kid I remember Bobby Bragan managing the Almendares team during winter baseball in Cuba. He was as fiery of a manager I ever saw. He was the first manager I remember kicking dirt on an umpire, screaming his lungs out or even making contact with an umpire. Some of the old timers in the baseball world will remember Bragan as well as Tommy LaSorda who also played in Cuba and he remembers Bobby Bragan who also played in the Major Leagues, coached and managed. I met Bragan in a press box later in life as a scout. He was quite an intense manager, and so was Billy Martin.

Billy Martin if he manage today, he would argue with the umpire even after the replay and final decision came back from New York, he will lead both league in times thrown out of a game, but he would show his baseball knowledge, his instinct, his passion for winning and for the game. Billy managed for the moment, not for what happened before. The “book” that we speak during broadcasts, with Billy you can throw it out the window. I know many disagree with me, but I believe Billy Martin could not manage today, the game would have become way too robotic to him. I could see Billy going after a fan that is sitting behind the plate not paying attention to the game, grab his cellular and throw it to the floor and shout at him “pay attention to the f____game”.

Love him or hate him, there was no in-between for the man born in Berkeley, (just a few exits from the Oakland Coliseum) and I have to confess today, I loved Billy!

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez covered Billy Martin and the Oakland A’s also does the Spanish radio play by play for the A’s, and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.comm

Headline Sports Podcast with London Marq: Bringing back Warriors will be a small part of what Mayor Lee did for S.F.; Big media push for A’s Coliseum stadium but team wants downtown park

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FILE – In this May 22, 2012 file photo from left, Golden State Warriors owner and CEO Joe Lacob, NBA Commissioner David Stern, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Warriors owner Peter Guber hold up 2017 jerseys following an announcement in San Francisco, that the NBA basketball team wants to build a new arena on the waterfront in San Francisco. Mayor Lee, who oversaw a technology-driven economic boom in San Francisco that brought with it sky-high housing prices despite his lifelong commitment to economic equality, died suddenly early Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, at age 65. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

On the Headline Sports Podcast with London:

Part of the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s legacy will be bringing he Golden State Warriors back to San Francisco. The Warriors left the City back in 1971 for Oakland to become Golden State. Lee worked with the Warriors, UCSF, in helping as a go between the Warriors and UCSF to get the land and the ability to have an arena built at that location after they were rejected at Piers 30-32.

After the Piers 30-32 neighbors said they would put an initiative on the ballot to block construction of a new arena at piers 30-32 Lee got involved in finding a new location for the new basketball arena and found the UCSF location right next to the hospital was land owned by Sales Force who sold the land to the Warriors and Lee worked with UCSF to get their blessing to make it so for a new arena next to the hospital.

London discusses the achievement of Lee and the Warriors new arena. London also discusses the Oakland A’s latest developments on their ongoing search for a new stadium location in downtown Oakland

 

Headline Sports with London Marq: Ohtani will provide power with his bat and great starting pitching for Angels; Stanford hoops; A’s working on new stadium plans

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Combined photo shows Nippon Ham Fighters’ Shohei Ohtani pitching and batting during a game at Sapporo Dome in Japan on Oct. 4, 2017. (Kyodo via AP Images) ==Kyodo

On the Headlines Sports with London Marq:

1 With the signing of Shohei Ohtani the Angels now have a flexible player that will enter his rookie season that can do what only one player in the game was ever able to do on a consistent everyday basis and that was the one and only Babe Ruth who a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox and then went to the Yankees and converted into the greatest hitter of all time. Ohtani will hit and could very well be a designated hitter and pitch every other day. With this oddity and if he does well the Angels will be selling lots and lots of tickets.

2 Stanford Cardinal basketball continues after the Cardinal took a long break last playing Dec 3rd and losing at home to Long Beach State 76-66. The Cardinal Reid Travis led the team with 26 points. The Cardinal were underachieving, Reid Travis is not the only person on the Cardinal with talent. He’s the player that’s been their the longest and by far he’s not the only player with talent on that team.

3 The Oakland A’s who were voted with thumbs down at the Laney College Board of Directors meeting last Tuesday night for a new stadium will be regrouping again to look for another spot that will work. The A’s team president David Kaval did not make a statement regarding Laney College’s decision to go in a different direction regarding the new location but Kaval did say previously going into the Lake Merritt project that the Oakland Coliseum is not a viable project for a do over and it is Kaval and the A’s who made it clear they want to move downtown and not stay at the Coliseum.

4 Giancarlo Stanton is looking over his options after speaking with numerous clubs, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and now he might end up staying with the Miami Marlins because some of the clubs may not want to match or take over the rest of Stanton’s contract thus forcing him to go back to the team started will.

London Marq does the Headline Sports Podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria: A’s still want out of Coliseum; Downtown Oakland only place for A’s

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File photo: Oakland A’s team president Dave Kaval who led the effort to build a new ball park at Lake Merritt will now have to do a study on one of two locations Howard Terminal at Jack London Square or the Oakland Coliseum

On Headline Sports Podcast with Tony Renteria:

1 Laney College shot down the Oakland A’s new stadium proposal as the college faculty not only picketed against the new ball park but forced the Peralta Board of Trustees who didn’t want  munity with their faculty on their hands to vote and drop any further discussion on a new stadium at Laney College

2 A’s team officials were shocked when they found out the board had voted to stop all discussions on the new stadium. Had the discussions still carried on the faculty were planning on marching on the Chancellor’s office Thursday afternoon.

3 The A’s have two choices left to build a new park the Oakland Coliseum where A’s team president David Kaval said at one time the location was undesirable for corporate sponsors, developers, retail, businesses, also it was a location that most fans won’t want to walk around after a ball game. Jack London Square would be a much better alternative out of the two choices right now. You know it’s bad if Sam’s Hoff Brau year’s back had to move out of the Coliseum area a few years.

4 Does Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf have a huge problem in saving the A’s? The A’s campaign motto last season was “Rooted In Oakland” and it feels like depending on who your talking to that the A’s failed campaign to move to Lake Merritt failed that motto and everyone involved is asking “what next?”

5 Turning to football Tony takes a look at the Oakland Raiders in a must win situation as they play in Kansas City this Sunday. The Raiders are coming off a win against the New York Giants from last Sunday the Chiefs are coming off a six game loss streak so they want to win and win on their own home field.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Setback for the A’s regarding Lake Merritt plans for new ballpark; Will A’s take a look at Jack London Square and a waterfront ball park?

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 oaklandmofo photo: Artists rendition of a waterfront ball park at the edge of Jack London Square. The A’s have two choices left to build a new ball park after Laney College voted to reject the A’s building a stadium in that location. The A’s have their existing location the Oakland Coliseum or Jack London Square Howard Terminal

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
OAKLAND–Official statement by the Oakland Athetics, this morning, December 6, 2017:

“We are shocked by Peralta’s decision to not move forward. All we wanted to do was enter into a conversation about how to make this work for all of Oakland, Laney, and the Peralta Community College District. We are disappointed that we will not have that opportunity.”

The governing board of the Peralta Community College District, which owns the land near Laney College where the A’s wanted to build, voted in a closed-session meeting Tuesday to stop talks with the Oakland Athletics.

This is a big setback for the A’s who made it publicly that was their #1 preferred location to build their new ballpark. A’s president Dave Kaval was expected to spend much of the next year negotiating with the Peralta Community College District to purchase the land.

Now, the A’s strategy must change and maybe turn their attention again on the other possible available locations like the Howard Terminal or maybe the current location at the Oakland Coliseum.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the Oakland A’s Spanish radio play by play and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giancarlo Stanton prefers the Dodgers but could be a Giant

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AP File Photo: Giancarlo Stanton just might sign on with the San Francisco Giants but as of late is leaning towards the Los Angeles Dodgers

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–The National League MVP Marlins Giancarlo Stanton is from Southern California, the Marlins want to unload his $295 million remaining in his contract and so far the San Francisco Giants and St Louis Cardinals have shown interest in the slugger. This week both teams representatives have met with Marlins reprsentatives trying to convince Stanton to come aboard. In the case of the Giants they have shown the most interest. It is very unusual for a team seeking a specific player to send their top brass to meet and try to convince a player why he should “come along” and that is what the Giants did, as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Brian Sabean, General Manager Bobby Evans and Manager Bruce Bochy traveled to Stanton’s land, Los Angeles trying to lure him to wear the Orange and Black.

2017 was a monster season for Giancarlo, 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in. AT&T Park is not a home run park, but with this guy, he could hit it out of SFO International airport. During  batting practice with the Marlins, prior to a game at AT&T, he hit the Coke botle in left center field, yes, it is batting practice, but not everybody could do that.

No secret why Giants are strongly pursuing the 2017 NL MVP who led baseball with 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in. In 2016 111 players in baseball hit 20 or more home runs, the Giants have none. This past season there were 108 players who hit 20 or more home runs, the Giants again, had none. This 2017 season a new home run record was established in Major League Baseball with 6,105 total. The Giants did not contribute much to that total,they were the last #30 among all teams in both leagues with 128 home runs. Before you said, home runs do not win games, which is true, the fact is baseball today is much more about home runs than ever before. In case we already all forgot the World Champion Houston Astros led all of baseball with 234 home runs.

It looks like the Giants might be dangling $250 million on Stanton’s remaining $295 million contract,plus offering second baseman Joe Panik and two of their top prospects. In return it is said the Giants would get Stanton and second baseman Dee Gordon. The Giants need more than Stanton to be a serious contender in 2018 after finishing last this past season. Third base is still an unknown (I love Pablo Sandoval but still have many doubts how much he has left) The Giants are still short of another major league established outfielder, even if they get Stanton.

The National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be the favorites again to win the NL West, but this division is now stronger with Arizona and Colorado, specially, looking to 2018 for at least a wild card berth. Actually it would be scary if Stanton signs with the Dodgers and you insert him in that lineup with Bellinger and company…wow.

Giancarlo Stanton was born in Panorama City, went to school in Sherman Oaks, he was a Dodger fan as a young kid and obviously his preference is to play with the Dodgers, who will be favorites again. The St Louis Cardinals are looking for that great slugger since the days of Albert Pujols, now with the Angels, and in my book St Louis is the best baseball town in America. The Giants do not have time to re-build, not with over 3 millions costumers paying each year to go to AT&T Park, and in the Bay Area the best promotion is keep winning, if you want the best example, take a look at the football SF 49ers today.

The Dodgers is where Giancarlo Stanton prefers to play, but do not be surprised if he is wearing Orange and Black in 2018.

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

Headline Sports Podcast with London Marq: Ohtani sweepstakes heating up; Teams vying for Japanese superstar; Cooper sits with injury and Crabtree out with suspension

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Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) remains on the ground after being hit against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

On the Headlines Sports Podcast with London:

1 The A’s made their bid for Shohei Ohtani who will become a free agent from Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters. If the A’s can sign someone on the level of Ohtani it would be a huge haul for the A’s can they get him? It’ll be a tough task when other teams will start the bidding in the low $30 millions.

2 It seems like all MLB teams are going after Ohtani this weekend the bidding is expected to pick up

3 If the A’s were to sign Ohtani his 23 year age would be in the age range with A’s third baseman Matt Chapman 24 and A’s pitcher AJ Puk 22

4 Turning to football the 49ers will start quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the first time this season. Garoppolo who will throw against the Chicago Bears defense  London goes into how Garoppolo will do and will he score his first win.

5 The Oakland Raiders Michael Crabtree will sit this Sunday amongst the New York Giants after being suspended for fighting and Amari Cooper will be out of the line up as well due to an injury. London takes a look how this will impact the Raiders.

London does Headlines Sports Podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2023 Is the projected year for A’s new ballpark six years from now

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 fieldofdreams.csnbayarea.com artist’s rendition of the outside of an Oakland A’s downtown Stadium situated near Lake Merritt BART

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–If all goes well, the Oakland Athletics will play at their projected new ballpark (preferable Lake Merritt location) by the year 2023. I know, it is not really “around the corner” but this is the Bay Area and we are famous here for not building sporting venues very quickly. Obstacles for such things are aplenty by the bay. Somebody always finds a way to thwart plans, there is always a group that will tell you that you will be endangering a three billion year-old bird species or that the traffic to the park is going to contaminate our ozone layer much more that currently, or whatever. We are not Atlanta, Texas or Cincinnati, so it should be no surprise that 2023 is the targeted year. Optimistic projections could be maybe as early as 2021, but for that to happen all would have to go very very well. The Lake Merritt, Oakland location is on 13 acres(for the record AT&T Park, San Francisco who will be 18 years old next season is on 14 acres of land), and this new ballpark close to downtown Oakland would have a capacity of 35,000.

Athletics will still be playing at the Oakland Coliseum years after the Raiders inaugurate their new $2 billion stadium on the Las Vegas strip. That is good news for the A’s. I remember when the Giants ownership of Peter McGowan received permission for the construction of their new park, Pac Bell, SBC, ATT Park (the Phone booth). The Giants tried to make Candlestick more fan friendly, which is actually like putting lipstick on a pig. The A’s will be the only team playing at the Coliseum so their leverage to do much more there, while they build their new facility should increase. The City of Oakland always gave the Raiders preference over the Athletics, I remember then President of the A’s Sandy Alderson telling me that many years ago, that is changing now for obvious reasons. The sporting scene in Oakland is changing big time. For once since I can remember, the A’s have the political leverage to become “the team”in Oakland.

One of the best news for the A’s is the Commissioner of Baseball who has said very strongly that the Athletics will be staying in Oakland. Nobody could have made that statement back in 2007, so things are looking up for the Athletics. It would be really nice, if they could vacate the cellar in 2018, and let some other AL West team take ownership of that dreaded fifth place which the Atheltics have leased for the past three consecutive seasons. As optimistic as I am, even in the Bay Area.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the TV Spanish talent for the Angels, the Radio Spanish talent for the A’s and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: New Poll shows Oakland Coliseum is favorite location

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photo from newballpark.org: Illustration of the new park of the Oakland A’s from behind home plate at Laney College at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–Four in five voters want the Athletics to stay at the Coliseum. That is what a recent poll revealed. This poll was taken by a group that opposes the Laney College preferred location by the A’s. Jessamyn Sabbag, Oakland Rising Executive Director said that the people we spoke with, believe the proposed site at Laney College could push out and destroy historic cultural neighborhoods.This Poll included registered voters, 82% said the A’s should stay at the Coliseum, 5% opposed and 15% had no opinion/undecided.

The greatest player in Oakland A’s history, Hall of Fame Rickey Henderson told me years ago, before all these locations today in play, Laney College, Howard Terminal and yes Jack London Square, Rickey told me that the A’s should build their new park right at the Coliseum. Irony that today the Coliseum field is named Rickey Henderson Field.

David Kaval the Athletics President told me last year prior to season start, that the Oakland Coliseum was one of the locations in play for the A’s to build their new park, although he obviously favors the Laney College location.

As a longtime Alameda County resident and tax payer, I have seen this process before. I remember attending a rally for the A’s to move to the City of Fremont, where I have lived since 1979. It took place at the Saddle Rack (a popular spot for Country music stars to perform) the land was available in Fremont, but there was opposition and…Adios Fremont! For the record, Fremont is today the fourth largest city in the Bay Area, located some 25 miles south of Oakland and 15 miles northeast of San Jose. Fremont with 214,000 residents is #4 in the bay, only: San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland have a larger population. This is not to say that all people that would attend A’s games would be from Fremont, because we know both Major League Baseball clubs in this area draw from all the nine Bay Area counties.

There are a lot of people like me, that favors the A’s build their new ballpark right at the Coliseum. However I (and many) will support any other location here in the East Bay, where the Athletics have been playing since 1968. We can all agree that the Oakland Coliseum offers the best access of any professional venue in the Bay Area; BART to the east and Hwy 880 to the west. The big negative is that there is not much to do around the Coliseum, but that could change, the land is there.

And although I do not oppose any of the available future site for the A’s, something keeps telling me that at the end, the best option would be to stay put and build at the Coliseum.

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