Category: Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Did Vegas Mayor have some weight behind her “A’s belong in Oakland” comment?

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Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman just recently won the hearts and minds of Oakland fans saying “the A’s belong in Oakland” this week in an interview with Front Office Sports (photo by the City of Las Vegas)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s remark’s that the “A’s belong in Oakland” after seeing that the Oakland A’s missed the deadline on presenting renderings and that owner John Fisher is asking the Las Vegas business community to help invest in the team.

#2 Later Goodman partially walked back what she originally said saying that she wanted what was best for Las Vegas, Paradise, and Clark County and that she wanted to welcome the A’s to Las Vegas and that the A’s only belonged in Oakland if they can’t get the financing their looking for.

#3 The interview with Mayor Goodman was conducted with Front Office Sports and it was audio recorded as well. Goodman said that the A’s “need to listen to the people that are up there (in Oakland). It’s there team.”

#4 Fisher has said that he is seeking financial assistance and that had put doubt in Goodman’s mind that Fisher doesn’t have the money. Goodman is not mayor of the A’s future home at the Tropicana location which is located in the Paradise city limits and ran by Clark County. Goodman and her husband former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman have been trying to bring MLB to Vegas for 20 years.

#5 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao upon hearing what Goodman had to say that the A’s are Oakland ‘s team said with excitement in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea, “100%! Keeping the A’s in Oakland is what’s best for everyone including Las Vegas. My door is open to John Fisher and to anyone else that has the means and desire to purchase the A’s and keep them in the town. We have the plan, the sites, and the money. Let’s keep the A’s rooted in Oakland.”

#6 John Fisher is a vilified figure as many fans in Oakland want Fisher to sell the team and find a buyer who will keep the team in Oakland. Fisher repeatedly has said the team is not for sale. Daniel, in the hypothetical circumstance that Fisher can’t pay for the costs of the stadium in Vegas or if the whole Las Vegas ballpark plan fails can you see him going back to Oakland as Mayor Thao who says she has a existing offer on the table.

#7 Augie, a political action committee group Strong Public Schools has filed a lawsuit on Monday which also named the State of Nevada, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and state Treasurer Zach Conine as defendants saying that the state is “financing a world class Stadium for a California billionaire while ignoring Nevada’s second class education system.” The A’s nor anyone from Major League Baseball would not make a comment on the lawsuit that argues the SB1 bill violated the Nevada constitution because it was passed on a majority vote and not a two thirds vote. The A’s nor anyone from Major League Baseball are named as defendants.

#8 Schools over Stadiums according to sources has raised funding for their legal fees to get the proper petition language to put an initiative on the November ballot that would stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark on the Las Vegas strip with legal counseling. Schools over Stadiums can thank Oakland A’s fans namely the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar who helped raise funds to help pay for the legal fees.

Augie Mesenburg filled in for Daniel Dullum who hosts the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Born in Oakland planning for Nashville

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Dave Stewart being honored in August 2009 photo at the Oakland Coliseum is now a part time owner and seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville (photo from wikipedia)

Born in Oakland, planning for Nashville

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

During a time when it seems people are talking about Oakland, Oakland, Oakland, for better or for worse, perhaps no other man currently represents Oakland better than Oakland A’s Hall of Fame pitcher Dave Stewart,

The Oakland A’s are not considered contenders. Still, the eyes of the baseball world are expressively focused on Oakland and this franchise’s trials and tribulations, especially during the 2024 baseball season, which is expected to be their last in Oakland. Dave Stewart is one man with a plan. His plan has been working for years to take an expansion team, minority-owned, to the city of Nashville.

He has been traveling in baseball circles, including the Winter Meetings, where baseball executives gather yearly to discuss trades and other organizational decisions. If you have not heard much about “Mister Smoke” talking about the A’s situation (unless he has to, as a baseball on-the-air commentator), he is not focused on such a thing. He is a proud Oaklander; everybody knows Stewart and his integrity for the game.

We will never forget during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Dave Stewart by the old Cypress freeway where most of the damage was done in Oakland by the quake, including fatalities. I asked Stew after the Loma Prieta earthquake, “You should run for Mayor.” he laughed at the idea. Nashville is the first of two MLB candidates for expansion and is assumed to be a foregone conclusion.

Nashville will have to pay a $2 Billion expansion fee plus the price of a new stadium. The Capital of Tennessee, Nashville, has a population of 700,000, 300,000 plus more than Oakland, and 2 million in their metropolitan area, the Capital of Country Music.

Yes, Dave Stewart, born in Oakland, has been working on a real plan for Nashville.

Quote: Baseball is a public trust. Players turn over, owners turn over, and certain commissioners turn over. But baseball goes on.” Peter Ueberroth (Commissioner of Baseball from 1984-1988.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Vegas Mayor says A’s belong in Oakland; Schools over Stadiums ready to move language for petition drive to stop A’s ballpark funding

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The Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas the future home with the Las Vegas A’s hoping to break ground in April 2025. The issue of private financing has been so off schedule and unorganized that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has said the “plans don’t make sense” (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, because of all the lawsuits the Oakland A’s might lose the public money because of all the lawsuits and the Schools over Stadiums initiative ballot that stops using public money that could make the public ballot. This money is only earmarked for the Tropicana location and no where else. The A’s might be having problems figuring how to get a ballpark on nine acres at the Trop.

#2 MLB had no comment after Las Vegas Mayor Goodman said that the A’s ought to stay in Oakland.

#3 Mayor Goodman can read between the lines as the reaction at the Chamber of Commerce meeting was cold and talk has been the business community now has it’s doubts about the A’s since owner John Fisher has been going hat in hand looking for financial support.

#4 It’s Super Bowl week Amaury, and you would think the biggest news in Vegas would be about the Big Game but now the Oakland A’s are a headline with the Mayor saying the A’s shouldn’t come to Vegas but stay in Oakland.

#5 Amaury, the Last Dive Bar and Oakland 68s who are strong A’s fan groups are holding a Fan Fest at Jack London Square in downtown Oakland proceeds will help with legal fees toward Schools over Stadiums in Las Vegas to stop the use of public money to finance the ballpark. The first step of success is Schools over Stadium had Oakland A’s fans raise enough money to cover Schools over Stadium’s legal fees to get language to stop the public funding and get a petition drive to get initiative on the ballot for the Nov 2024 election not to mention that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has been named as a defendant by Schools over Stadiums.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on the Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s could shutdown operations between 2025-27; Portland will pay for A’s to come if Vegas falls apart

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The Portland Diamond Project is pushing for a new ball park which include retail, housing, offices, and a new ballpark. Portland is willing to pay for the project which would be located at the Red Tail Golf Course on 163 acres in Redmond Oregon if things don’t work out in Las Vegas (renderings Portland Diamond Project)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Oakland A’s and John Fisher are considering shutting down their operations between 2025-27 and resuming operations in 2028.

#2 Part of the thinking is that shutting down the operations will save the team money and that they can also pay the $1.5 billion to finance the ballpark in Vegas for their share without having to pay for operations of the team and to the players for three years.

#3 The problem with the A’s shutting down for three years there will be 29 teams playing and the Players Union most likely will not go along with the idea of one less team which would hurt the players who are involved.

#4 The A’s have no plans where to play after the 2024 season, so far they’ve toured Salt Lake City, Summerlin, and Sacramento. they have not decided on a place yet.

#5 They went and paid a visit to Portland this week and the City of Portland wants a MLB team badly. Portland wants to purchase the Red Tail Golf Course and it would include a massive amount of land for retail, housing, a retail village, offices and a ballpark. On 150 acres. The A’s are obligated to Las Vegas but if they simply don’t have the money for their share of the construction costs or don’t want to come out of pocket Portland is willing to foot the entire bill for a MLB team like the A’s.

Join Daniel for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s trading with Giants for pitching

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Former San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood seen here pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sun Jul 16, 2023 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Wood was dealt to the Oakland A’s from the Giants on Fri Feb 2, 2024 for a one year deal worth $8.5 million plus $1 million in incentives. (AP News file photo)

A’s trading with Giants for pitching

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Oakland A’s traded with their Bay Area National League neighbor, acquiring two veteran pitchers, hoping they could help a promising but inexperienced pitching staff.

Left-handed Alex Wood was a free agent from the Giants until he recently agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with Oakland with $1 million in available incentives. The veteran of 11 years in the major league ended with a 5-5 record, 4.33 in 12 starts with the Giants, and pitched a total of 97 2/3 innings.

Wood’s best season was in 2017 with the LA Dodgers when he ended with a 16-3 record, a 2.72 earned run average, started 25 games, and pitched 152 1/3 innings.

Ross Stripling was acquired from the Giants. In return, the A’s sent young minor league outfielder Jonah Cox an unspecified amount of cash. To clear room on the 40-man roster, infielder Jonah Bride was designated for assignment. 

Stripling (an 8-year MLB veteran) had a 0-5 record with a 5.36 earned run average in 22 games (11 starts)and a total of 89 innings pitched.

Big trade between A’s and the Giants? March 1978, the Athletics traded Vida Blue to the San Francisco Giants for Gary Thomasson, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, John Henry Johnson, Phil Huffman, Alan Wirth, and $300,000. Mario Guerrero was sent to the Athletics as a player to be named later to complete the transaction.

Spring Training 2024:  Oakland A’s pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 14 at Hohokam Stadium, Mesa. San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 15 at Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale.

“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again”–Ernie Banks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tropicana to offer Severance Pay

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Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Ted Pappageorge addresses the media at the Culinary Union Hall in Las Vegas Feb 2020. Pappageorge says union workers at the Tropicana will receive a severance pay for their service when the Tropicana is torn down to make room for the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark in April 2025. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file photo)

Tropicana to offer Severance Pay

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Severance pay is granted to employees terminated by employment in cases where employees are victims of business decisions where they have no say. In the case of the Tropicana in Las Vegas is about to happen.

That is when the Tropicana Casino-Hotel closes its doors on April 2 to free the way for the A’s to build their new ballpark. According to the Union, the Tropicana employees will receive $2,000 per year they worked at the iconic Las Vegas location, and many of the senior employees could receive up to $60,000 of severance pay.

This is excellent news, especially for the seniors who will get the notice and the severance money because there is a good chance most of these people will decide to retire. “It’s a significant part of that workforce that has been working there for decades,” Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Ted Pappageorge said during a Zoom news conference earlier this week.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows leisure and hospitality employment was over 302,000. Las Vegas is a destination vacation entertainment city primarily dependent on the hospitality industry for its economy.

As of October, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows leisure and hospitality employment was over 302,000, approximately 10,000 more employees than in February 2020, and nearly 5,000 above the previous peak in 2019. It is a huge union, almost half of the total population of Las Vegas, 602,000 people.

The A’s in Las Vegas will probably have a marketing plan in association with all the Hotel Casinos. Earlier in the process of their relocation, these were strong supporters: The Nevada AAPI Chamber of Commerce and Henderson Chamber of Commerce will attract most of their attendance, coming from out-of-towners.

Also supporting the A’s move earlier in the process were the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Note: Las Vegas, Nevada, known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” takes the top spot on the list of cities worldwide with the most hotel rooms. With over 150,000 hotel rooms, Las Vegas offers visitors a wide variety of accommodations. From an average of $29 per night to $100,000 suits for high rollers.

What does the saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” mean? This was created in 2003 by the Las Vegas tourism department and an ad agency.

Do not forget that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and what mostly stays in Vegas is your money.

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

Tropicana in Las Vegas set to close, despite no real plan for site

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Tropicana Hotel and Resort are closing down business on Apr 2, 2024 after seven decades of doing business. The Hotel will clear the property for the construction for the Las Vegas A’s ballpark and plaza on the same footprint starting Apr 2025 (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Tropicana in Las Vegas is set to close on April 2, and be demolished soon afterwards to pave the way for a new $1.5 billion ballpark for the Oakland Athletics, despite the fact that there is no realistic plan for a ballpark to be built.

A’s Owner John Fisher has still yet to provide any real renderings, and any actual logistical plan for said ballpark that Fisher plans to open for the 2028 Major League Baseball Season. Fisher may not even have the money to cover the costs for this project, and is even offering to sell shares of the team to help him pay for it.

The lack of realistic plans for a ballpark didn’t deter the Nevada State Assembly and Senate from passing SB1, which will provide $380 million of state money to Fisher’s project, nor did it deter Governor Joe Lombardo from signing it into law.

The lack of a realistic plan didn’t deter anyone in Major League Baseball either. Despite how maddening this entire process has been, the 29 other MLB owners unanimously approved the A’s move to Vegas on Nov. 16, and Commissioner Rob Manfred has continued to go scorched earth to get this done.

As if the lack of any real plans wasn’t enough of a hindrance, ‘Schools over Stadiums,’ a referendum that if passed would overturn SB1 and stop any public funding for the stadium, could appear on the ballot in Nevada this fall.

Las Vegas isn’t exactly buying this either. In his visit to Las Vegas last week, John Fisher was not met with much enthusiasm. That was made quite clear when Fisher and others from his entourage were introduced at a live event on the Vegas Strip.

“The Las Vegas A’s! We like the sound of that, right, Vegas?” hollered the emcee. “Yeah? Yes? Are we alive back there? Las Vegas, how we feeling?” she nervously said, as she realized the hype and excitement weren’t there.

“The master plan for the site will accelerate once the Athletics’ ballpark concept design is finalized. The overall development will create energy and vibrancy that previously hasn’t existed on this side of the Strip, adding additional excitement for the sports destination,” said a statement put out by Bally’s Corp., which owns and operates the Tropicana.

Despite there not being a plan, the plan will still go on. The Tropicana will close and be demolished, and the future of not just the site, but of the jobs of the people who work at the Tropicana, will be up in the air.

Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which represents many of the employees at the Tropicana, and which reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Tropicana in November, will likely weigh in on today’s news.

This is an ongoing story……..

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tropicana to close April 2, 2024 to make way for the A’s

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Statement issued by Tropicana Hotel and Casino general manager Arik Knowles regarding the closing of the Tropicana to make way for the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark on the Vegas strip (below)

Photo: Outside of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino which will close on Apr 2, 2024. The construction on the site to clear the way for the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark will start on Apr 2025. (photo by the Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Tropicana to close April 2, 2024, to make way for the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The second oldest hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, Tropicana, will close on April 2, 2024, and later in 2024, imploded to make way for a stadium for the A’s. Below is today’s official statement by the Tropicana Las Vegas.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: A look at the NFL Playoffs; Salt Lake City offering A’s permanent home if Fisher can’t afford Vegas construction share

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid seen here before their game back Sun Sep 19, 2024 face each Sun Jan 28, 2024 for the AFC Championship at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie we open with the NFL and we’ll start with the AFC Championship The Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL are going at it with Pat Mahomes for the Chiefs and LaMar Jackson for the Ravens.

#2 The Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers match up for the NFC Championship. The Lions Jerod Goff the former Cal Bear and Novato resident has led the Lions to this long awaited moment after many years of losing the Lions have been the surprise of the NFC to get here. The 49ers who have a Pro Bowl team and who are the favorites to win it with Brock Purdy under center.

#3 During Wednesday’s Las Vegas A’s Coming out party at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino grand ballroom. The Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Mary Beth Sewald opened with welcoming the A’s to Las Vegas only to a murmuring from the crowd present. There were many business leaders, business people and some local baseball fans who paid $100 a ticket and up to hear what Sewald and A’s owner John Fisher had to say. It would seem they didn’t come away impressed.

#4 The City of Salt Lake City is offering up their hospitality for the A’s to not only play all of their remaining home games until the Las Vegas ballpark is built but in the event that Fisher cannot pay his share of the construction costs in Las Vegas he could move the team to Salt Lake City and the City will work on paying for the entire ballpark with City tax dollars.

#5 We’ve ask a number of staff reporters if Fisher can’t get enough money for the ballpark construct will he have no other choice but to come back to Oakland and work something out with City Hall and he does own half of the Oakland Coliseum property?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports on Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury Newsand Commentary: Jesús Luzardo only Major Leaguer born in Perú – Could be traded again

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) poses with former Oakland A’s pitcher Jesus Luzardo (left) at the A’s Fanfest 2019. Luzardo who now pitches with the Miami Marlins (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Jesús Luzardo only Major Leaguer born in Perú – Could be traded again-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The South American country of Perú’s population is over 34 million people. Fútbol (Soccer in the US) is their number one sport. However, pitcher Jesús Luzardo, currently with the Miami Marlins starting rotation and previously with the Oakland A’s,(his first team in the major leagues), was born in Lima, Perú. His parents are Venezuelans, a country where baseball is undoubtedly the #1 sport.

Luzardo debuted with the Oakland A’s in 2019, as the A’s No. 6 prospect. Just a year before, On February 13, 2018, in his Alma Mater in Parkland, Florida, a former student killed 17 people when he opened fire inside the high school.

Luzardo intended to work out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on that same afternoon of the shooting, he was warned not to come by his former coach, and that might have saved his life. During the shooting, Luzardo stayed in contact with people inside the school via text messages.

In 2019, before the team reported to Spring Training, Luzardo was at the A’s Fanfest in Jack London Square; he sat with yours truly and Mauricio Segura at the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame and signed autographs for dozens of A’s fans who stood in line. He was gracious and pleased and, as he told me, “lucky to be in the major leagues”.

But a couple of years later, he wasn’t happy to be traded to the Miami Marlins, he felt good pitching here at Oakland and enjoyed the Bay Area. But the life of a major leaguer always included the possibility of being traded. He started with the A’s, went to the Marlins and he might changed uniforms soon again.

Luzardo could be traded again before this 2024 season gets underway. In his first years with the A’s, he did not pitch much and struggled, but it was a learning process like it is many times with young pitchers.

Last season, the lefty with the Miami Marlins ended with a record of 10-10 and a 3.58 ERA in 32 games he started. He owns an outstanding fastball, especially among left-handed starters who, in 2023, threw at least 200 fastballs; he ranked second out of 57. The southpaw was one of 12 pitchers to reach 205 strikeouts in 2023, when he fanned 208. Was that good?

Well, only Blake Snell,two-time Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole, won Cy Young in 2023, Kevin Gausman, finalist this past seasons to win the Cy Young, Zac Gallen, who finished second in the NY for the Cy Young in 2023 and and Luis Castillo, still one of the best pitchers who will soon win a Cy Young.

Jesús Luzardo is maturing as a pitcher, and if the Orioles, Pirates, or anyother teams currently pursuing him could land a pitcher ready to be a winner at the young age of 26.