The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet –That’s Amaury News and Commentary– –(EXCLUSIVE)

Oakland A’s pitcher Lucas Erceg and A’s Spanish announcer and author Amaury Pi Gonzalez both were recognized at the 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet on Tue Jan 9, 2024 in downtown Campbell (photo provided by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

CAMPBELL CA–The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet occurred on Tuesday, January 9, at the Spacious Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell. Since 1985, it has been a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. Their mission is a pure commitment to the baseball community of the Santa Clara Valley, the most populated area in the Bay Area.

To provide an opportunity for the baseball coaches and players to participate at the highest level and ensure recognition of their efforts. The awards recognized local Bay Area talent from many walks of life, including two champion Little League teams, but the common denominator for all is the great game of Baseball.

Their annual banquet (#38) is the event at which the committee recognizes and honors the accomplishments of deserving participants within our community. The funds from this banquet go directly to youth, high school, amateur, and collegiate baseball programs within the greater Santa Clara Valley. The approximately 500 attendees on Tuesday were significant league scouts, coaches, and professional baseball players at all levels.

Oakland A’s Baseball, Chris Townsend was master of ceremonies. The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants had tables for this event. I spoke briefly with David Forst, General Manager of the A’s. I asked him the question most Bay Area baseball fans ask me: “Are the A’s going to play in Oakland in 2025? Since after this 2024 season begins in March, their lease on the Oakland Coliseum will expire, he responded, “I don’t know.”

It was a great night at the Villa Ragusa, where the memory of such great Bay Area baseball people was remembered at the top of the program. Ed Bressoud, MLB alumni and De Anza College, Head Coach/ NY and SF Giants, Red Sox, Mets, and Cardinals. Art Santo Domingo has been a member of the SF Giants and Oakland A’s organization for 26 combined years and was an MLB official scorer during both games of the A’s and Giants.

Tony Morici is a lifelong resident of San José, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and a University of Santa Clara graduate. Member of Silicon Valley Sports Hall of Fame and life-long backer of youth sports. They all passed in 2023.

Among this non-profit’s many benefactors and top brass were Mr.Cory (Obie) Obenour and Alex “Sandy” Wihtolf, President of Hot Stove SCV and MLB Alumni. Awards were given to High School students, community service, Umpires, Head Coaches, and Coach of the Year, plus many others, including college and minor league baseball players.

Lucas Erceg, pitcher of the Oakland A’s, was selected as MLB Player of the Year; he joined us later in our table. Nico Horner of the Cubs was born in Oakland and was named MLB Player of the Year. The Mark Marquess Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Mr. Ritch Price, De Anza CC, Cal Poly SLO, and KU Jayhawks baseball.

As I mentioned, after accepting the Media Award and thanking the SCV Hot Stove. “For me, it is always special to be in the same room with all these baseball people, from scouts and coaches to players and front office executives, because Baseball is a big family.”

I was incredibly humbled to be recognized by this incredible Bay Area organization.

For more information on SCV Hot Stove https://www.facebook.com/SCVHotStove/

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: A’s Bumpy Move – A Recall for Oakland’s Mayor

Rendering of the Oakland/Las Vegas A’s ballpark that is expected to be presented next week. The future park located at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino location in Las Vegas is expected to be completed by 2028 (photo from Schools over Stadiums and Las Vegas Locally)

A’s Bumpy Move – A Recall for Oakland’s Mayor

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–A’s are late submitting their renderings for the new Las Vegas stadium, which is nothing new since they have been late on just about everything in their relocation ordeal from the very beginning; they first selected land at the Rio, Las Vegas, then they changed their minds and moved to buy land at the Tropicana, which is where they have settled to build a 30,000 seat stadium, maybe 33,000 on nine acres.

Not all is well today in the City of Oakland, once called the “City of Champions, “when all three professional teams won league titles, A’s, Raiders, and Warriors. There is a recall of the Mayor of Oakland, Sheng Thao, who was elected last November, but her problems are much bigger than the A’s leaving The Town, as crime is as high as ever, and a group of organized citizens just started a recall.

They will need 25,000 signatures. A professional team leaving Oakland during Mayor Thao’s tenure is a huge loss, but the city’s rise in crime is a bigger issue. A Mayor, of any city, number one responsibility is safety, without safety, a city cannot operate. Some in Oakland are also calling for the city to declare a State of Emergency. That is how bad things are going in The Town.

The great Gertrude Stein was an American novelist, poet, playwright, and art collector, raised in Oakland, California.

The story is told that Gertrude Stein, once said that the problem with Oakland was, ”When you get there, there isn’t any THERE there.” She might be right!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for 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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Fisher may not have the money for stadium; Sources say he’s been talking to other casino owners to chip in for the $1.1 billion cost

Does Oakland A’s owner John Fisher have the $1.1 billion to pay for Vegas/Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas? (photo by Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Maybe it’s a good thing that Oakland A’s owner John Fisher doesn’t have to pay a relocation fee because he’s having a hard enough time trying to find $1.1 billion to pay for his share of the building construction for the Tropicana ballpark. So far word is he has not plopped down the $1.1 billion and that he just very well may not have the money.

#2 There was talk that he was going to ask Goldman Sachs for the loan to cover the cost of paying for the construction share but after learning what the interest rates for the loan that bit of news got really quite.

#3 The A’s and the Tropicana were supposed to present the renderings for the new ballpark but that was called off earlier in December after two Nevada Deputies were killed and a renderings announcement would be rescheduled. Then it was expected maybe mid December but here we are in the first week of January and the only thing we’ve heard is the renderings are supposed to take place next week.

#4 Sources say that the A’s and the Tropicana have been showing renderings to other Casino owners and from those sources no casino operator has been willing to put in his share towards the stadium financing. If this is the case Fisher clearly doesn’t have the money and is going with hat in hand up and down the strip.

#5 Schools over Stadiums who might be the last hope to stop public financing for a new ballpark on the strip has come out with their campaign push on their X page stating reasons why funding the Tropicana ballpark with public money over education is a bad idea. Schools over Stadiums is looking for voter support in the event they can get an initiative on the ballot that would stop public funding of an A’s Las Vegas Park. Whatever the outcome for Schools over Stadiums the fight is on.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: 49ers hoping to come back from embarrassing loss to Ravens; Raiders hope to keep it up in Indianapolis today; plus more news

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (left) and quarterback Brock Purdy (13) stand on the sidelines trying to make sense of it all as the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback LaMar Jackson were in full control at Levi Stadium on Mon Dec 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie when you look at the Baltimore Ravens (12-3) quarterback LaMar Jackson last week he had all the time in the world to throw against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) pass rush. It almost seemed like he was in command of that game on Monday Night Football and was able to find a receiver when needed.

#2 For 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy no doubt one of his toughest outings since he got injured against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship last season. Purdy got into all sorts of trouble having to run out of the pocket, not time to pass and threw into traffic and got picked off four times.

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) simply put it all together all afternoon last week in Kansas City against the Chiefs (9-6). They scored twice in just seven seconds in the second quarter and that pretty much took the wind out of the sails of head coach Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, quarterback Pat Mahomes and Taylor Swift.

#4 On tap today the Raiders need a big win in Indianapolis against the Colts (8-7). The Colts are no slouch winners of five of their last seven games. The Colts did take a tough loss from the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday 29-10. Seeing how these teams match up do you see this being a close game for the Raiders today or will the Colts have home field advantage at Lucas Oil Stadium.

#5 Schools over Stadiums and Oakland A’s fans have announced that they will host a FanFest at Jack London Square on Sat Feb 24th. More details are coming. Last Dive Bar who X’d the message said they will be joined by the following groups at the FanFest, the Oakland 68s, Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oaklandish, Breast Oakland, and the Last Dive Bar. Schools over Stadiums are hoping to attend. The A’s will not host a FanFest and are expected to play their last season at the Oakland Coliseum this season and leave Oakland and play at a alternate location. This FanFest could measure in helping raise funds for Schools over Stadium’s legal fees in their campaign to get an initiative on the Nevada ballot to stop the use of public funds for the A’s Las Vegas Ballpark.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary A’s prospect: Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

Oakland A’s future prospect Luis Danys Morales (left) shakes hands with A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein during the signing of Morales (photo by the Oakland A’s)

A’s top prospect Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Luis Danys Morales defected from the Cuban National Sub-23 team in México in 2021. According to MLB, in 2023, the Cuban right-handed pitcher was considered the best young international prospect—the Oakland A’s signed Morales for $3 million.

A few years earlier, when he was 18 years old, Morales was caught by Cuban authorities in Guantanamo in the process of escaping the island, but he finally defected two years ago. Libertad!

Suppose you wonder why all the talented baseball players from Cuba have been defecting for decades to come to the US. They are not treated well, as they make an equivalent of $40 to 200 dollars per month in salary in Cuban pesos.

It is important to remember that because Cuba’s communist government abolished all professional sports in the country in the 1960s, today’s players only play for the pleasure of the country, and the entity that reigns over baseball evaluates “patriotism” as crucial as their baseball skills.

They have to play under the harassment of the government. One Cuban player who defected and who is not in the major leagues told me years ago “if we do not stand for the Cuban National Anthem before the game, in Cuba or abroad, we are in dire trouble.”

Morales is 6’3″and 190 pounds, with a 99 mph fastball and good stuff in his other pitches. Scouts consider he could be a future starter in the major leagues. Born in Antilla, Cuba (in the eastern part of the country) on September 24, 2002.

In 2023, pitched for the Lansing Lug Nuts of the Midwest League High-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. He pitched 44 innings, struck out 55 in 14 games, 13 games as a starter, and ended with a 2.86 earned run average.

The A’s have a very young and inexperienced pitching staff; they recently signed Trevor Gott for one year and $1.5 million, plus other bonuses, including if he gets traded. Trevor Gott has become the most experienced pitcher on the A’s roster, although others might be signed in the future.

Gott has pitched in the AL West with the Mariners and the Angels and in the NL West with the Giants. “We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”“We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”

Happy New Year!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: No renderings ready yet; Construction details still being worked out ; Vegas residents face taxes going up with A’s stadium

The implosion of the two towers are in the making at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to make room for an Las Vegas A’s ballpark at the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd. Construction is set for Apr 2025. The A’s, Bally’s, and the Tropicana will be working with the City and State on getting the construction details worked out. (AP News photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Tropicana Hotel and Casino the future site of the Las Vegas A’s have reached a five year deal with the Culinary Union 226 which covers 300 employees. The deal may not reach the full five years. The Culinary union is one of the strongest unions in Las Vegas if not the strongest. It was one of the unions who stood behind the State Legislative drive to publicly fund the A’s new ball park.

#2 The A’s are scheduled to break ground April 2025, the construction plans are still being drawn up and insiders say renderings are either partially ready but not completed to present to the public yet. Vegas residents have expressed concerns about more taxes as a result of the A’s new park. Some are not excited about the A’s coming to Sin City.

#3 As of Dec 28 the A’s nor the Tropicana have provided renderings of the ballpark and how A’s owner John Fisher is suppose to pay his share of the $1.1 billion for the ballpark in Vegas and Fisher and the A’s have been pretty hush hush on both issues.

#4 The new contract with the Culinary union allows the union to organize hiring employees to work at the new Tropicana ball park. The workers will be food service, cashiers, cooks, restaurant service, just to name a few positions.

#5 The A’s were going to unveil their renderings at the beginning of this month but that was postponed because of two Nevada State Highway Patrol officers were killed and out of respect for the families the unveiling was postponed.

#6 The A’s, MLB, the Tropicana are also waiting for approval from Federal Aviation Administration, development plans, finalization of bonding, a lease agreement, construction timelines, which should take most of the 2024 calendar to finalize these issues.

#7 Schools over Stadiums and Oakland A’s fans have announced they will host a Fan Fest. Joining the Fan Fest are the Oakland 68s, Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oaklandish, and the Last Dive Bar. Most likely this will be a FanFest to push raising monies for legal funds and a campaign money for the Schools over Stadiums drive to put an initiative on the ballot to stop the use of public funds for the Las Vegas ballpark and put the funds for use for schools for the Nov 2024 election in Nevada. The FanFest is scheduled for Sat Feb 24th at Jack London Square in Oakland.

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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s still need FAA approval regarding Las Vegas Airport; Vegas fans are not excited about A’s coming

The air traffic tower under construction at the Las Vegas Airport in this Aug 6, 2014 photo. The runways for take off and landings front where home plate will face at the Las Vegas ballpark and there are concerns if the stadium lights would be a distraction for pilots. The A’s and the Tropicana are waiting for FAA approval in that part of the venture. (AP News file photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, our talk show host Jimmy Price went on location at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel and did a close visual of the property and intersection. He confirmed that this will be a tight space for a retractable and the two towers at the Tropicana will need to be demoed and as of the end of December no renderings as of yet.

#2 Also Jimmy mentioned that some of the retail, businesses and people who work and live by the strip do not want the A’s to come to the Tropicana because it will create horrible congestion and a ballpark at Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana will be more of hinderance. Don’t forget the FAA has to approve the stadium as well as home plate faces the landing and take off runway at Las Vegas Airport.

#3 The other point that was brought up was this thinking by the A’s that they’ll bring in attendance by depending on tourism and visiting teams fans will travel with the team like they do for the Raiders. In baseball it’s been brought up whose going to come on a Monday or Tuesday to see the Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates at Tropicana Field very few was the answer.

#4 The A’s ballpark in Las Vegas may not be a destination spot for visitors in Vegas because the product of the A’s just won’t attract visitors from coming. If the A’s were to rebrand themselves as say the Las Vegas Blackjacks or another name then promote themselves as such much in the same way the Washington Nationals did when they left Montreal that marketing strategy might work but using the A’s and their colors it’s not going to fool or excite too many fans.

#5 Once again the non existence of renderings have fans and Vegas residents wondering what is going to work at the park. The Texas Rangers it was said did a great job of their design at Globe Life Field with their luxury boxes and and stadium layout to attract fans in Arlington. The A’s trying to shoehorn a park in the Tropicana that will be tight fit it might not only be the smallest park in the Majors but it could turn into the biggest disaster development mistake in MLB.

Join Daniel for the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Work of Art

Photo of art gallery containing Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher’s art collection who are the parents of Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (photo from Artsy)

A’s Work of Art

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Las Vegas most famous museums are The Mob Museum, The Neon Museum, the Atomic Museum, and the Discovery Children’s Museum. Now, the Oakland Athletics, planning to be the Las Vegas A’s in 2028, have a museum in mind for their new 30,000-seat stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, Athletics owner John Fisher plans to display a selection from his family’s acclaimed collection at the A’s stadium on the strip. For months, multiple sources familiar with Fisher’s design plan have included talks about developing an art program in Las Vegas.

The museum will display the art at the team’s new home at the Tropicana Hotel-Casino site. The A’s owner plans to exhibit these pieces of art in the team’s new house at the Tropicana Hotel-Casino site.

The Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, parents of John Fisher, is among the world’s most significant collections of contemporary art. This is according to SFMOMA website. The founders of the Gap apparel company began buying art pieces in 1969 in San Francisco after they opened their first big store.

Later, it was located in Burlingame, 20 miles south of San Francisco. Allan Schwartzman, a veteran Manhattan curator, told the New York Times the Fishers Collection is one of the great collections assembled in our time.

This A’s Art has nothing to do with Art Howe who managed the Oakland A’s from 1996 to 2002.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Athletics Settle Coliseum Payment, Paving the Way for Vegas Move

View of the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Complex which half the property is owned by John Fisher and the Oakland A’s and the other 50% is owned by Alameda County (KGO ABC 7/ Sky7 file photo)

By Mauricio Segura

In a dramatic turn of events of the continuing soap opera that has become Oakland Athletics baseball, the team has confirmed their commitment to pay the remaining $45 million owed to Alameda County for their 50% stake in the Coliseum site.

The decision comes after a recent notice from the county, demanding payment by May 14, 2024, triggered by the MLB owners’ unanimous vote on November 16, 2023, approving the A’s relocation to Las Vegas.

The A’s, represented by Coliseum Way Partners LLC, acknowledged the accelerated timeline, with chief legal officer D’Lonra C. Ellis stating in a letter to Nate Miley, president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, that they would adhere to the terms of the 2019 purchase agreement.

The initial deal, valued at $85 million, allowed for payments in installments until 2026. However, a clause was activated, requiring the A’s to settle the remaining balance within 180 days of announcing their departure from Oakland.

This resolution brings a temporary conclusion to a messy saga surrounding the prominent Bay Area property. The other half of the 155-acre Coliseum site is owned by the City of Oakland, currently engaged in negotiations with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group for a proposed $115 million sale. The group aims to transform the area into a bustling commercial hub with live sports, hotels, and nightlife, though early hurdles have been encountered.

The A’s, secretive about their plans for the Coliseum property, acquired their stake in 2019, initially positioning it as a backup option for a new stadium. However, the narrative quickly shifted, with the team deeming the Coliseum unsuitable for Major League Baseball shortly after the purchase.

As the A’s prepare for their move to Las Vegas in 2028, questions linger about their temporary home for the seasons between 2025 and 2027. Various options, including playing in Reno, extending the Coliseum lease, using the A’s Triple-A home in Las Vegas, or sharing Oracle Park with the San Francisco Giants, have been discussed. Notably, MLB owners unanimously approved the relocation without the A’s disclosing their interim plans.

Intriguingly, the A’s owner, John Fisher, recently made a substantial stock sale, raising $32 million, which aligns with the timing of the Coliseum payment. Speculation suggests this may be a strategic move to demonstrate good faith and potentially secure a lease extension, allowing the city to redevelop the Coliseum without Fisher’s direct involvement. This theory gains traction as tensions between the A’s, Oakland, and MLB remain palpable, and Fisher seeks to secure RSN payments ranging from $180-210 million.

While the Coliseum property dispute is settling, broader uncertainties persist, including ongoing litigation challenging the property sale and the unresolved matter of the A’s interim playing location. As the baseball landscape undergoes significant changes, the A’s journey from the Coliseum to Las Vegas is marked by financial intricacies, legal battles, and a strategic dance with the future of the franchise.

Mauricio Segura has been a Bay Area sportswriter & photographer for the past 20 years, covering baseball, soccer, football, and basketball. He’s contributed articles for Area Chica Magazine, The Baseball Analyst Quarterly, and various newspapers. He currently publishes an online sports and entertainment website called Golden Bay Times and is the graphics and art Director for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: 49ers and Thunder get Public money to facilitate stadiums; Can Schools over Stadiums beat those odds in Vegas?

Jed York Chief Executive of the San Francisco 49ers and the 49ers will get a tax cut worth $180 million from Santa Clara County. The tax cut will run for 30 years. Another example of public money supporting professional sports stadiums (photo by Sports Illustrated)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, this week the San Francisco 49ers got a tax cut worth $180 million in a ruling from a Santa Clara County Judge. The 49ers have over 30 years remaining on their lease at Levis Stadium. The ruling by Superior Court Judge Helen Williams reject a lawsuit brought on by Santa Clara Assessor Lawrence Stone. The lawsuit challenged the taxable value of Levi Stadium that was set by an appeals board back in 2019.

#2 Like what Schools over Stadiums are saying about the public money that is going to fund the Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas to the tune of $380 million. Santa Clara Unified School District will be hit with a $2.4 million in revenue because of the 49ers tax relief. Santa Clara will lose out on $32 million and this will be over the life of the Levi 30 year lease. The city of Santa Clara takes a $24 million loss in tax revenue during the 30 year lease. So Schools and education again gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

#3 Oklahoma City voter approved public funding for the Oklahoma City Thunder for a new $900 million downtown arena. The approval keeps the Thunder in Oklahoma City through 2050. 71% of all precincts reported that the funding has been approved. There will be a one cent sales tax for the next additional years. The tax won’t start until 2028. Universities in the state of Oklahoma were against the use of public money to fund the arena with some Oklahoma professors all with PhD’s who were against the public funding, but could not beat back the public support for the new downtown arena.

#4 Daniel taking a look at some these passages for public monies for the 49ers and the Thunder it would look like it will be an uphill battle for the Schools over Stadiums to beat back public funding from the state of Nevada if they could get the signatures to get it on the ballot it’s getting the voters to vote down the public money for the Tropicana ballpark. Not that easy.

#5 The A’s so far have not come up with rendering, they still have to get approval from the FAA to build at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana because of the lights of the ballpark could interfere with landing and take offs as home plate fronts the airport strip, also A’s owner John Fisher needs to come up with his share of the $1.1 billion for the construction of the Tropicana, Fisher owes $48 million for the Oakland Coliseum property for his half that comes due to Alameda County in Jun 2024.

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