Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Toughest Fans in Baseball

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Chicago Cubs Ian Happ (right) hits a walk off single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the tenth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 15, 2025. The Cubs are one of the toughest teams in baseball. But the New York Yankees and Mets have the toughest fans in baseball. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

Toughest Fans in Baseball

By Amaury Pi-González

Although it is very subjective, analyzing fans in all 30 cities and parks across baseball shows us that there is no doubt certain places are consistently more of a ‘pressure cooker ‘ for players, and yes, for fans, than others. Baseball was rooted on the East Coast.

The whole history of the game is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In 1908, the Mills Commission issued its final report, which stated that “the first scheme for playing baseball” was devised by Abner Doubleday at Cooperstown, NY, in 1839.

There are other influential pioneers, such as Abner Doubleday and Alexander Cartwright. There is no doubt that passion among baseball fans for their teams runs deeper on the East Coast. Tradition is a significant part of this passion for their respective teams, namely the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies, especially when they come to mind.

While in the Midwest, there is no doubt that Chicago Cubs fans are at the top of the passion meter, followed closely by the currently suffering Chicago White Sox fans, with their number one fan being Pope Leo. While here on the West Coast, the attitudes are quite different, and I might say a little less passionate.

There is one series among two teams that draws the most passion, the Dodgers vs. the Giants. This rivalry, which originated in New York, is particularly intense among fans. However, I have witnessed that this rivalry is much more passionate in San Francisco than in Los Angeles.

When the Dodgers visit San Francisco, the Giants fans bring the “beat the Dodgers” chants and all the heat. However, when the Giants visit Los Angeles, the passion is significantly lower; for most Dodger fans, it’s just a matter of bringing their suntan lotion, and the Giants are just another team.

In my opinion, it’s a “one-sided” rivalry, hotter when they play by the bay than when they play by Hollywood. Talking about fans’ passion? For Oakland A’s fans, (I say Oakland A’s fans) because there are no Sacramento or Las Vegas fans.

For these fans, it’s as if they had to survive a horrid divorce between the city, the owner, and the team, all of which are intertwined. This divorce has hurt everybody, beginning with the fans. Most of the hate directed by fans is aimed at Athletics owner John Fisher, as evidenced by scores of fans in the Bay Area, following the team’s move to Sacramento for three years with a final destination to Las Vegas by 2028.

That “ugly divorce” weighs very heavily on real A’s fans from Oakland and the Bay Area. The national and local media also have no love lost for Mr. Fisher. The national media has taken the A’s ownership to task, and the local media has cooled off.

I have a very good friend who was a season ticket holder for the Oakland A’s. He threw a party last year to burn his tickets in front of a group of his close friends. He is a good man, a good fan who enjoys the game, but as he told me, “This owner betrayed me: why should I sponsor him buying tickets for his team”?

Quote: Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it’s beginning to seem that way. We’re reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan, or you can have a life. Take your pick. –Thomas Boswell.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani returns to the mound pitches one inning; Devers expected to DH for Giants; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani is seen throwing live batting practice as pitching coach Mark Prior second from left watches before the game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat May 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, it was a huge night for Los Angeles Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound for the first time he faced the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani had not pitched in a game since September 2023.

#2 Former Red Sox Rafael Devers two hours before he learned he was being traded to the San Francisco Giants was asked what did it mean for the Sox to sweep the visiting New York and how it defined the earlier part of the 2025 season? Dever’s reply was nonchalant “That has passed” Also Devers was asked if he would play first base and he refused saying “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.”

#3 Amaury a shocker the Colorado Rockies have put together two wins in a row with a win over the Washington Nationals. The Rockies got a two run win over the Nats on Monday night 6-4. The previous wins for the Rockies on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves 10-1 at Truist Field in Cobb County. The Rockies have been the worst team in the majors all season talk about these last two wins was this a matter improved confidence just to get these two in a row.

#4 Recent polls amongst 78% MLB players are concerned about betting on the game. As you may recall Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr’s children got death threats over a lost bet someone overseas made. The person who made the threat apologized but players are concerned that betters could take their lost wagers a bit too far.

#5 More Ohtani news: On the night that Ohtani returned to the mound his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara reported to federal prison in Pennsylvania to start his 57 month sentence. Mizuhara, 40 was charged for bank fraud, tax fraud, and faced 33 years in prison. Prosecutors ask for a 57 month sentence and the defense asked for 18 months.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Saga of the A’s at Sutter Health Park — You don’t know what you have until you lose it

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Aerial look at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (CBS still photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The Saga of the A’s at Sutter Health Park — You don’t know what you have until you lose it

By Amaury Pi-González

After 70 games into the 2025 season, things continue to go poorly for the ATH playing at Sutter Health Park, while the team is buried in the cellar. Despite Mark Kotsay’s (a good manager) best efforts as skipper, the park itself has not helped the team, at least not psychologically.

Not one player yet on the A’s or any team that visited Sutter Health Park said publicly anything positive about that minor league facility. The comments have not been complimentary at all from players, A’s fans, or visiting fans, at least the ones I know who are honest fans.

Much honest than people I know there. For the Oakland A’s, who played at the Oakland Coliseum, it’s like living in an old spacious house that still features all the necessary conveniences, and realizing that while you thought you needed a new home, the current “new house” is not what you expected. This old saying applies: “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.”

Many people take things for granted, thinking they will always be there. This can lead to neglect and a lack of appreciation. That was the case with the Oakland Coliseum. Yes, it was dated and not particularly attractive to look at, but it worked; it was a major league park with impeccably kept field conditions.

Throughout the years, I spoke to numerous players who loved that field, and usually, A’s players and visiting players enjoyed playing there. This ‘old park new park’ situation for the team reminds me of an old Volvo 740 Turbo I used to own, some of the “luxuries” were gone, broken like the sun roof, the air conditioner, windows, it did not look pretty, but it ran, it took me where I needed to go, it was a strong car and highly efficient.

When Volvo was famous. Although I do not miss it today, on the other hand, I do not denigrate that Volvo, and yes, I, who spent thousands of hours broadcasting thousands of games at the Oakland Coliseum, do not denigrate that old historic Coliseum.

The best opportunity for a good owner who put his money on the field and in the community, to buy the A’s has gone away. Joe Lacob, the Warriors’ owner, had a deal in place to buy and keep the A’s in Oakland, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, just a couple of years ago.

One of the excuses for poor attendance at Sutter Health Park includes “wait until the school summer vacations” (thinking that kids will pack the park). However, it remains very challenging for this team to surpass the 10,000 attendance mark (done it only once) in a 14,000-capacity park, especially during the current school vacation period.

Enrique Oliu, my good friend and Spanish broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Rays in a recent telephone conversation told me that George M.Steinbrenner Park where the Rays are playing this year (while repairs are made at Tropicana Field because of the Hurricane) is a beautifully keep minor league park with capacity for 11,026 fans which also serves as the Spring Training Home of the New York Yankees.

According to Oliu, most comments by Rays players and visiting players have been on the positive side of things. So, at least we know that the other team, aside from the A’s, playing this year in a minor league park, the Tampa Bay Rays, are enjoying a better experience than the A’s in Sacramento.

Happy Father’s Day!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Chapman’s absence how it will impact Giants lineup; A’s get shot in arm from Clarke and Wilson; plus more news

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

San Francisco Giant Matt Chapman (26) comes up injured after diving into first base as he’s checked on by manager Bob Melvin (black hoodie), team trainer Anthony Reyes, first base coach Mark Hallberg (91), and Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) on Sun Jun 8, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

#1 Amaury, San Francisco Giant third baseman Matt Chapman has gone on the ten day IL due to a hand injury after diving hard into first base at Oracle Park against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Chapman said he was hopeful that he could return before the All Star break. Chapman was hitting .243, 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, in 65 games.

#2 San Francisco Giants have named Camilo Doval as their closer after Doval had been replaced by Ryan Walker as the closer. Doval has a respectable record of 3-1 ERA 1.50 with 30 strikeouts to his credit. Doval had struggled in closing some games but has shown his confidence has returned.

#3 The Sacramento A’s have developed some good young talent who are in their line up the A’s centerfielder Denzel Clarke who made a spectacular back handed catch landing on top of the fence and the landing feet first in front on the track and showing some excited emotion last Monday night in Anaheim.

#4 The A’s are getting great hitting out of young Jacob Wilson. Wilson has been key in two of the A’s wins against the Baltimore Orioles last weekend in Sacramento and is hitting .366, eight home runs and 38 RBIs. Wilson is currently out of the A’s line up missing games on Monday and Tuesday nights due to hamstring tightness.

#5 For the first time since 2013 the Detroit Tigers are 20 games over .500 thanks to Spencer Torkelson who hit a two run home run to put the Tigers over the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Tuesday night. The Tigers are now 44-24. The Tigers in former manager Jim Leyland’s final year as manager finished the 2013 season at 93-69.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball Why Retire if you are having Fun?

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Former Spanish announcers Miami Marlins Felo Ramirez (left) worked until he passed away at age 94 and Los Angeles Dodgers Jaime Jarrin retired at 87 both Ramirez and Jarrin are in the Baseball Hall of Fame and are in the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum (photo from the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame)

Baseball: Why Retire if you are having Fun?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Most studies that did not account for individuals’ prior health status and demographic factors found that on-time retirement was associated with a higher risk of mortality compared to those who continued working beyond the retirement age.

In our American culture, it seems that when a person reaches a certain age, they are supposed to retire. You get free calls from your health provider trying to lure you in for another vaccine, because if your age is XX, something must be wrong with your health.

Remember that it is a business also. And some people get the same question, “Why are you not retired”?, which in my opinion is in the category of ‘that is not your business’ type of question. But what happens if you are past your retirement age and you have a job that you enjoy that brings you the pleasure some people cannot buy, even when they retire with a nice financial nest?

A recent report published by Investment News reveals that the “magic number” for retirement savings today is around $1.5 million, which is certainly enough to turn heads. Still, some advisors argue that such numbers are misleading at best.

—Vin Scully. There are specific jobs that, regardless of finances, could extend your life. Baseball broadcasting is a good sample; some of the best baseball announcers in history did not wait until 65 to retire. After all, they are not Airline pilots, who are required to retire at 65. In broadcasting, as long as you can talk, read, and entertain an audience, you can work longer than most people. Some of the best examples are people like Vin Scully, who broadcast the Dodgers for 67 years from coast to coast, from Brooklyn, New York, to Los Angeles, California. The most extraordinary baseball announcer who ever lived passed at the age of 95.

Scully’s last season behind the mike at Dodger Stadium was 2016. I was privileged to meet and speak with Mr. Scully, including during his last season on the air, when I was working play-by-play for LA Fox Sports Spanish TV for the Los Angeles Angels. His booth at Angel Stadium was next to mine when he came in with the Dodgers, and he never disappointed. If he was the best ever baseball announcer, he was also one of the best human beings you could meet. He truly enjoyed his work, and his dedication and honesty were exemplary.

—Bob Uecker. He was the voice for the Milwaukee Brewers for 54 seasons and passed in 2024. Funny, this man who was an ex-player and, like he said about his playing career,”Sporting goods companies would pay me not to endorse their products” And “I always tried to stay around .190, with three or four RBIs” Plus also highlighting his experience catching knuckleballs and noted that his slumps sometimes lasted into the winter.

He was naturally funny, pleasant, and knowledgeable. He was the key character in the Mr.Belvedere television series. Mr. Uecker’s appearance on the most Johnny Carson shows in history. Bob Uecker appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson more than 100 times, the record.

Johnny Carson, for those of us who remember, was the best on television during that time slot and, in my humble opinion, the best. The Late-Night hosts today are not even close to Mr. Carson. The guys today often get into politics, which can be embarrassing, and also feature scripted and predictable participants as guests promoting their movies and series.

These individuals lack the spontaneity of Carson, who was genuinely clever and witty. Even the old-time great Groucho Marx said he liked Johnny Carson, and Groucho was famous for always speaking his mind.

–Rafael “Felo”Ramirez. Last but not least, Rafael “Felo” Ramírez, whom I proudly call my mentor. In 1998, I was selected to work with him during the NL Championship Series between the Braves and the Padres for the LBC Network, which broadcast to US and Latin American radio stations.

I used to listen to Felo when I was a little 12-year-old boy in Cuba; he called the Cuban Winter League games. Before the game, I asked him if it would be fine with him to mention what I have always told him in private, “I listened to you when I was a boy in Cuba”.

He said, of course, and during the broadcast, towards the end, I mentioned over the air. For me, that was one of the highlights of this business. The Legendary Spanish voice of the Marlins, while traveling with the team on April 26, 2017, fell off the team’s bus in Philadelphia, hit his head, and was hospitalized for two months before his passing in Miami, Florida, at the age of 94.

He was broadcasting until the very end, but that accident ended his historic career. Felo was like my second father. He loved his career broadcasting baseball; he called the landmark Roberto Clemente 3,000 hit in Pittsburgh. I have the 33 rpm record album with his call, and then President Richard Nixon calling Clemente to congratulate the great Puerto Rican player. About that recording, last time I visited Cooperstown it was there for every fan to listen to.

These three broadcasters are proof that specific jobs exist. If you enjoy what you do, you can outlive many people. Granted, these three were extraordinary people, but they were in their mid-90s and still working. How many other jobs aside from broadcasting can you do that? Maybe as a Senator in Washington?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury Pi Gonzalez News and Commentary: A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

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Monty Stratton shows his throwing pose (photo from the Society for American Baseball Research)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Dozens of baseball movies have been made in Hollywood. One of the most amazing but true stories is “The Stratton Story.”1949) This fact-based sports drama chronicles the life of famous pitcher Monty Stratton.

Stratton (James Stewart), a star athlete, loses his leg when his hunting rifle misfires during a wilderness outing. Initially, Stratton’s career is derailed, and he wallows in the depths of depression; however, with the encouragement of his loving spouse, Ethel (June Allyson), he decides to get back in the game.

Equipped with a prosthetic leg, Stratton eventually works his way back to pitching in the minor leagues. Sportswriter James Isaminger wrote about the affable 6-foot-6 pitcher. “He is the nearest thing to Grover Cleveland Alexander,” said Cubs manager Charlie Grimm, “The same control, the same ‘dip’ on every pitch, the same smooth, confident motion.”

But then came a dark November day in 1938 that would change the course of Stratton’s life. Stratton pitched in the Major Leagues for five years and spent eight years after the accident in the minor leagues. Some in the game told him, after the hunting accident required his right leg to be amputated, that even with one leg, but at a 6’6″ frame, he could still intimidate hitters.

During his final two seasons in the Major Leagues in 1937, he compiled a 15-5 record with a 2.40 ERA and was selected to play in the All-Star Game. He also had a 15-9 record in 1938. If you are a baseball aficionado or simply a lover of history, there is only one channel on your television nowadays where you can watch this type of historical movie, and that is TCM.

It is a paid channel; however, it may be included in your provider’s bundle with other channels. According to data available, these are consistently ranked among the most popular and beloved baseball movies. One is about a true story, and the other one is a great story, but a baseball fan’s “dream” (1991), A League of Their Own, and (1989), Field of Dreams.

Although these two have become classics, many others deserve recognition. The movie “The Perfect Game” tells the story of the 1957 Monterrey, Mexico Little League team that won the Little League World Series.

The film is a fictionalized account of the real-life team’s journey to victory. Cheech Marin plays a priest who is instrumental in the team’s success. In 2009, Cheech Marin, one of the stars of “The Perfect Game”, came to San Francisco as an invitee of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.

Before the movie was shown in a San Francisco theater, I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Marin as a special guest of the Museum, together with our President, Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr, and other museum and San Francisco city officials.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

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Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Looking for Partnership with Women Professional Softball

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Women’s softball league under the umbrella of Major League Baseball the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (logo from Athletes Unlimited)

MLB Looking for Partnership with Women’s Professional Softball

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

You could say that Caitlin Clark started the popularity and impact, especially economic impact, of women’s professional basketball. Super talented, she increased the interest, exposure, and support for women’s sports in the country.

After her college years at the University of Iowa, she moved to the WNBA, where she played for the Indiana Fever as the team’s first-round draft pick in 2024, helping to revive the WNBA.

It is not as though the WNBA was not popular before Caitlin Clark’s arrival, but there is no doubt that since her arrival, the WNBA has become much more popular. Currently, the Indiana Fever’s star is sidelined with an injury and expected to miss a couple of weeks, maybe more.

The newest WNBA team is the Golden State Valkyries, which debuted this 2025 season. The Valkyries are the first new WNBA franchise since the Atlanta Dream joined in 2008. They’re based in San Francisco and play at the Chase Center. The NBA owns 42% of the WNBA and provides a significant annual endowment to help cover operational costs. 

There is a sort of renaissance in professional women’s sports in the United States, and Major League Baseball (MLB) is investing in the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) to replicate the success of establishing a professional softball league.

MLB is making a long-term investment, which includes media coverage on the popular MLB Network and marketing on Major League Baseball’s digital platforms. This is the first time Major League Baseball has invested in a women’s professional league.

Aiming to emulate the WNBA’s success by establishing a stable and sustainable professional softball league, MLB’s investment is a multi-year financial commitment that includes media coverage on MLB Network and marketing on MLB’s digital platforms.

This investment for MLB is a first-of-its-kind collaboration with a women’s professional sports league. This is very significant, after all, MLB is the oldest professional sports league in the United States, founded in 1876, with the National League and the American League joining later in 1901.

In 2000, the two leagues merged to form a single organization; before that, they were known as the National League and the American League. Some of us with extensive experience in baseball media recall when the NL published the Green Media book and the AL published the Red Media Guide.

For the record, there are other two women’s professional league that pay their players, aside from the WNBA. They are the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), both of which play here in the United States.

I am a strong supporter of women’s sports, and I have five ladies in my family who share my passion for sports. Congratulations to Major League Baseball, and I wish them the best of luck in this new endeavor.

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” -Serena Williams.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Latino Narrative Dominating 

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Minnie Minoso painting by Graig Kreindler. This is a painting of Minoso getting ready for a game with the Chicago White Sox in 1951 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx (Graig Kreindler X photo)

MLB: Latino Narrative Dominating

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When I first began covering Major League Baseball in the mid-1970s, Latino players made up between 10 and 13% of all players; today, the number is at least 30% and growing. Although the most famous player today, Shohei Ohtani, was born in Japan, Latin culture is ever-present in the game of baseball. Demographics have changed dramatically since the 1970s, and today the total Hispanic population in the U.S. is estimated to be 65.2 million, according to Pew Research Center.

Of all the countries in the world with the most significant number of Spanish-speaking people, the United States of America ranks second, with Mexico having 132 million. One of my long-time friends is Octavio “Cookie” Rojas, who played 16 seasons in the major leagues. Octavio has done it all. Octavio “Cookie” Rojas Rivas (born March 6, 1939) is a Cuban-American former professional baseball player, coach, manager, scout, and radio and television commentator.

He went to La Luz School in Havana (although a few years before me).I also attended that same school. He became a professional player in the old Cuban Winter League with the Leones del Habana. I remember him playing second base, and I recall a television show about baseball on Cuban television that he hosted.

It was Octavio, when he was a scout, that sat with me during a broadcast back in the 80’s, that told me, “En 30 años seremos cerca de la mitad Latinos jugando aqui” trans- “In 30 years, half of all the players playing here, will be Latinos”. He wasn’t far from predicting the truth.

In 2011, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame inducted Octavio”Cookie” Rojas into their Hall of Fame. The museum has been a traveling museum for 26 years, founded as a non-profit in San Francisco, California.

Rojas also played in Venezuela, after Cuba, and of course made his name in the major leagues. We at the HHBM are very proud to have him among other Latino Legends who led the way for us today and made baseball one of the most popular Latino sports in the United States.

Note: I recall when Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso was playing in Cuba with the Mariano Tigers. He became the first Cuban-born player to earn a salary of $25,000 in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox. In the 1950s, that was a substantial amount of money in baseball.

Recently Dominican-born Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in December 2024. This contract makes it the largest in the history of professional sports. It also includes a $75 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $51 million. The most significant contract ever in baseball went to a Latino player.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

 https://goaquaadventure.com

 @Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary-Yankees announced $6.4 Billion Stadium renovation

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New York Yankees Stadium will be renovated at the tune of $6.4 billion by owner Hal Steinbrenner (photo by Ebay)

Yankees announced $6.4 Billion Stadium renovation

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

From a team like the A’s, where the owner is counting pennies every day, and seldom improves the team on the field to be at least competitive, and now playing in a foreign stadium not able to at least sellout one game yet during the first two months of the season, to the New York Yankees, arguably the most famous sports franchise in American professional sports.

Here, the Yanks are making news. New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced $6.4 billion stadium renovation project that will redefine arena standards to deliver a world-class experience for fans. In a groundbreaking announcement that has sent shock waves through the sports world, New York Yankees managing general partner “This ambitious project aims to completely redefine the standards in the arena and deliver a world-class experience for fans, players, and the entire baseball community.” -said the owner.

Here are some of the improvements. Cutting-edge seating with enhanced sightlines and comfort Immersive digital experiences and interactive fan zones Expanded dining and hospitality options featuring local and international cuisines sustainable design elements to reduce environmental impact Upgraded player facilities inspired by the recent Steinbrenner Field renovations Yankee fans are among the most opinionated in all of baseball.

Here are some of their responses on the internet: After hearing Hal Steinbrenner’s announcement, many Yankee fans reacted this way— “How about putting a roof?” —“We need that money instead to get the players to take us to another World Series title:” — ” Take a billion off and go get some A-list players instead”—. “We are fine the way the stadium is.” “Stadiums fine, sign a few starters and a 3B”— Can you please make it easier to find the parking garage?! I’m still lost in the Bronx.” —Yeah, and then make it that much harder to go to a game because it’ll be more expensive.”

Anecdote: In the 2000 World Series, the New York Yankees played the New York Mets, which was the first Subway Series in New York since 1956. I was contacted by LBC (Latino Broadcasting Corporation, based in Miami) to do the play-by-play with my friend and colleague, Eduardo Ortega, of the San Diego Padres.

We went onto the streets just outside the Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, armed with a recorder, and gathered opinions from Yankees and Mets fans alike. It was typical New York, with some very colorful language that our producer-engineer, Armando Talavera, had to edit later at the stadium before the game for our pregame. The Yankees won the series 4 games to 1. They were defending World Champions and won their third in a row.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com