Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Grand Slam! Four Go Into the Hall of Fame

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Photo credit LA Angels: LA Angels announcer Jose Mota (left), Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero (center) and LA Angels announcer Amaury Pi-Gonzalez (right)

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Larry “Chipper” Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman are part of the one percent of all the MLB players in history that have been able to make it to the most prestigious sports Hall of Fame in America. Today, the votes were made public and on July 29, this quartet will be enshrined at Cooperstown, New York. Combined with the induction last December of Jack Morris and Allan Trammel (Modern Baseball Era Committee selection), that means a total of six players’ plaques will be unveiled this July 29 at Cooperstown. This ties the maximum inducted in this decade, with the 2014 class of Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre.

The official announcement was made Wednesday live on MLB Network around 3 pm PT. Chipper Jones made it on his first try, while Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman were very close in 2017 and were expected to make it this year.

Here was the final percentage of the vote: (at least 75% needed to get in)

Larry “Chipper” Jones: 97.2

Vladimir Guerrero: 92.7

Jim Thome: 89.8

Trevor Hoffman: 79.9

In their sixth year of eligibility, these three got a slight increase from 2017 totals, but still fell short:

Roger Clemens: 57.3

Barry Bonds: 56.4

Curt Schilling: 51.2

Many believed Edgar Martinez was going to make it this year, but he ended up with 70.4 percent. However, his numbers have been trending up and could easily be elected next season. In the history of designated hitters, he was one of the very best. It is always a disadvantage and I know baseball fans as well as professionals that have seen many decades of baseball who still believe that the DH should not be in the Hall of Fame. For the record, Martinez played 16 years in the majors, and 12 of those years he played third-base, also play some first base.

Jones will be inducted with the Atlanta Braves uniform, Jim Thome with the Cleveland Indians, Trevor Hoffman with the San Diego Padres; but to this day, we do not know if Vladimir Guerrero is going with the Montreal Expos or the Los Angeles Angels. He played for the Expos in his first eight years, the next six with the Angels, and the final two: one year with Rangers and one with the Ori.

Last year, Guerrero sat with yours truly and my broadcast partner Jose Mota at Angel Stadium’s FOX Sports (Spanish) telecast. I believe he was tilting towards going in as an Angel. As a matter of fact, he was there because the Angels retired his #27 jersey prior to the game.

The 2019 first time eligible are:

Mariano Rivera

Roy Halladay

Todd Helton

Andy Pettitte

Lance Berkman

I would say you can bet your house that Mariano Rivera will go in. The American League Reliever of the Year is called “The Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year. He ended his career with a record 652 saves. If he doesn’t get in next year, there should be an investigation in Washington D.C. Also, I do not even want to think what would happen in Panama.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Why are the LA Angels the second team in the Los Angeles area?

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Photo credit: @RyanDivish

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were established in 1961 as an American League franchise of Major League Baseball. Gene Autry, the singing cowboy and big time businessman, was their first owner. Since then, they were also owned by the Walt Disney Company.

On May 15, 2013, Mr. Arturo “Artie” Moreno bought the team and became the first Hispanic-American to own a Major League franchise, to date. Mr. Moreno is a very gracious man, and a huge baseball fan. Often, he comes up to our Fox Spanish broadcast booth at Angel Stadium and speaks in Spanish. He’s always optimistic and looking for his team to win. This season, the Angels will have the third largest and most modern screen in all of baseball.at Angel Stadium. Something that I know Mr.Moreno was looking forward as one of the improvements for fans at the Angels’ home park.

The previous year to Moreno buying the team in 2002, the Angels won the World Series. They are the last Major League franchise to win a World Series in the Los Angeles area. The Dodgers have not won one since 1988 (in 30 years), I was involved in the 1988 World Series, as I called it for the Oakland Athletics, who lost to the Dodgers. Later in life in 2002, I was doing the World Series for the San Francisco Giants, when they lost to the Angels. So I remember those two October Classics very well.

The Dodgers have been in LA longer, since 1958, when they moved from Brooklyn, New York, but the Angels were not born yesterday–actually just three years later than the Dodgers is when they first started play in Anaheim. In the Bay Area, the Giants get more recognition over the Athletics (who have won four World Series in Oakland)–one more than the Giants in San Francisco. Even when the A’s were winning, the media would cover the Giants much more. Yes, of course, San Francisco is known as the City by the Bay–a world destination and one of the world’s most visited cities, always glamorous. Since 2000, they’ve been playing at the beautiful AT&T Park.

While, across the bay to the east, Oakland has always been the forgotten team in Northern California. Giants moved into San Francisco in 1968 from New York, while the A’s moved to Oakland in 1968 from Kansas City.

Baseball always had these prejudices. For example in Chicago, the White Sox won a World Series in 2005, one million went to celebrate their victory parade. Then, in 2016, the Chicago Cubs–who at that time have not won in 100 years–won the World Series, and the estimate was between four to five million people turned to the streets around Grant Park in downtown Chicago, to celebrate their victory parade.

It is very interesting, how this developed in Southern California among the Dodgers and Angels. Sure, there are more people living in LA County than in Orange County, and that might be part of it. Like the SF Giants in Northern California, but in Southern California, the LA Dodgers are always on top of the LA Angels as far as media coverage and just about everything else.

The Angels also average over three million in attendance every season, but that doesn’t changes many minds when it comes to comparing these two Major League franchises.

Also, the Dodgers traditionally came from Brooklyn, a historical franchise who gave the first black man, Jackie Robinson, a chance in 1947. So there are many things that absolutely give the Dodgers advantage over the relatively young Angels franchise.

Who will win another World Series first? The Angels or the Dodgers?

That is a good question! The Dodgers own that Western Division of the National League, and they will be favorites again to win it, which will be the sixth straight. But as we can see, winning your division, or winning 100 or more games doesn’t guarantee much in today’s game.

The Angels are very well equipped this season. They kept slugger outfielder Justin Upton, signed Zack Cozart from the Reds to play third base and Ian Kinsler from the Tigers to play second base.

The Angels also acquired the youngest and newest sensation in baseball. Japanese two-way player, Shohei Othani, a young pitcher than can also hit home runs. A 6’4 right-handed pitcher with over 100 mph speed, who hits left and with power. He is the new phenom of the game.

I cannot predict a pennant. Who can in today’s game? But I can predict that the Angels right now this 2018 season starting in March, will have much more Japanese media outlets covering their games than the Dodgers. That is one thing where the Angels would be on top of the Dodgers. So at least now in Japan, the Angels will have top billing over the Dodgers, specially if they do not keep their Japanese free agent pitcher Yu Darvish.

さようなら= Sayonara.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Rafael Palmeiro at 53–Needs One More Game

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Photo credit: @NBCSports

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Rafael Palmeiro has the numbers to be in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Now, the 53-year-old said, “I am missing the game” and he wants to come back to the MLB. However, his chances are not very good as his prime days have passed.

Palmeiro was born in Havana, Cuba, and played in the MLB for 20 years (1986-2005) with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Rangers (again) and returned to the Orioles for his last two seasons in the league.

His very last season (2005) was on July 15, at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. In the fifth inning, he hit a double to the left field wall against Mariners pitcher Joel Pineiro. That was Palmeiro’s 3,000 career hit. I was broadcasting the Mariners games in Spanish that year and I just had the call that game. ESPN Deportes picked it up; I have the CD of that moment. Palmeiro also received a copy of that CD. After the game, I interviewed Palmeiro, who was very happy and gracious.

Palmeiro is the only Cuban-born player to reach the 3,000 hit plateau. In my opinion, he finished with excellent numbers that are Cooperstown-worthy: 20 career years combined for a .288 batting average, 3,020 hits, 585 home runs, 1,835 runs batted in–all in a total of 2,831 games played.

Unfortunately, Palmeiro’s career didn’t ended very well. Former Rangers teammate and fellow Cuban, Jose Canseco, identified Palmeiro as a fellow steroid user in his 2005 book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big, and claimed he injected Palmeiro with steroids.

On March 17, 2005, Palmeiro appeared at a Congressional hearing about steroids in baseball, and while under oath, denied ever using steroids. He stated, “Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids, period. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly than that.” Five months later on August 1, 2005, Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days after testing positive for steroids.

Palmeiro is part of that ugly phase in the game–the steroid era. After an excellent career, he wants to comeback and play in the major leagues. “There is no doubt in my mind that I can do it,” he recently said. This January 24, the inductees into the Hall of Fame will be announced, but his name will not be on the list.

For Palmeiro, the numbers above on his career can help him secure a spot in the Hall of Fame. However, the steroid scandal caused him to fall off the ballot.

Here is the deal: If Rafael Palmeiro plays in one more MLB game, he will become re-eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Buena suerte Rafael!

That’s Amaury’s News And Commentary: Baseball–Pitch Clock Likely This Season, Robots In The Horizon

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Photo credit: @sportingnews

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Since MLB commissioner Rob Manfred took over for Commissioner Bud Selig, his main mission has been the speed of the game and how to move the game at a faster pace. Manfred could implement a variety of pacing measures during this 2018 season.

The 20-second pitch clock is perhaps the most notable. They’ve already been experimenting with a 22-second clock in the minor leagues. If this rule goes into effect in the Major Leagues, a pitcher would be charged with a ball, and if he takes more than 20 seconds between pitches, there will be only one warning per game on this. Hitters will have a 30-second timer between batters, and if they take longer than that, they will be charge with a strike.

I could see down the line, some argument when a hitter keeps fouling pitches on a 3-2 count, it takes too long to come to a decision that maybe done by the all-popular today “algorithms.” Algorithms can perform calculation, data processing and automated reasoning tasks. An algorithm is an effective method that can be expressed within a finite amount of space and time and in a well-defined formal language for calculating a function.

There are other rules in the oven such as a second mound visit to a pitcher in the same inning that must result in the removal of that pitcher from the game, the control of the amount of time between innings, and the number and length of pitching warm-ups. However, the last one is not coming this season.

On Thursday, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reported that the MLB Players Association rejected the league’s most recent proposal of pace-of-play rules, which was a revised version of an initial proposal submitted last year, addressing the players concerns with the original.

However, after the union’s rejection of this revised proposal, MLB could still implement the original rules changes; even if the MLB Players Union do not agree with it. During the last off-season the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) gave the MLB the right to do so.

Before we get lost in the “legal matters” here, both sides: Manfred and the MLPA will continue negotiating all this stuff next week, and only God knows where it will end. Just remember the MLPA is one of the strongest unions in the country.

People should relax here. It is not basketball, it is baseball, the game was meant to be the way it is. Too bad this generation needs something to happen every 10 seconds because baseball is not like that. This is exactly what happens when non-baseball people are running the game. Maybe soon you will be able to play a game of baseball on Twitter and be done in a couple of minutes with 280 characters.

I can see in the future where they would like to find a way to “end” a hitter that has a 3-2 count on a pitcher, and keeps fouling pitch after pitch, after pitch…which would take too long. Maybe if he fouls 10-12 pitches he would be awarded first base automatically, since the pitcher obviously could not “put him away.” Those who like the OBP (On Base Percentage) will be delighted with this rule.

Umpires are bound to become extinct from the game of baseball as robots are already taking over our labor force, some fast food places already have robots handing food and you can easily order without a human in sight. Or you can always tell Alexa to do something for you, while your robot sweeps your house.

Man invented computer and computer could be its demise. I think I saw a movie with that script. Since baseball is traditionally slow to change, chances are that by the time baseball is ran by computers, the whole world is already slaved by technology. When that happens it will be a “One World Government.”

Hold on now…I can already hear the Home plate Robot saying: P-l-a-y B-a-l-l…the same voice that says PlayStation.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Ex-Athletics player elected to Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame

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Photo credit: @theScore

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND — Although Hideki Matsui played most of his Major League career with the New York Yankees, he also made a brief stop in the Bay Area for the Oakland Athletics. His name was on the ballot for this 2018 MLB Hall of Fame election. He will not make it to Cooperstown, New York, but at least he is in the Hall of Fame of his native Japan. He was recently inducted to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Also known as “Godzilla,” Matsui is a legend in Japan. He won the People’s Honor Award, three Central League MVPs, and was an All-Star in nine of his 10 seasons. His most memorable award in the major leagues was in 2009 as he won the MVP in the World Series. He became the first and only Japanese-born player to win this award, and he did it with sensational numbers. As a designated hitter during the 2009 World Series, he hit .610 with three home runs and eight runs batted in.
The most impact a DH had on a World Series game came in the Game 6 of the 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. Yankees’ DH, Hideki Matsui, contributed to six of the seven runs his team had in the game. Matsui batted .600, the highest average for a DH in a World Series, and was also the first DH to win the World Series MVP Award.
Hideki Matsui played for 10 years from 2003 to 2012 with the Yankees, Angels, Athletics and Rays. In 2011 with the A’s, he played in 141 games and hit  .251 with 12 home runs and 72 runs batted in. During his Major League career, he finished with a respectable .282 average 175 home runs and 760 RBI.
In Japan, Matsui was one of the most popular players ever. Extremely marketable, his face appeared in tea cups and even on the fuselage of a 747 plane. During his brilliant Hall of Fame career in Japan, he compiled a .309 batting average, 332 home runs and 889 RBI in a total of 1,268 games played.

There are some among the United States baseball media members that said while he was playing in the states, he was the first Japanese player to reach 500 home runs, which was correct.

However, there is one caveat, you have to add the 332 home runs in Japan to the 175 here in the big leagues, to reach that number. Many also had similar combined numbers when it came to hits for another great Japanese player, Ichiro Suzuki, who will be someday the first ever Japanese player inducted to Cooperstown.

One interesting note about these two players: While Matsui was popular in Japan and in the U.S., Suzuki is not as popular. It has to do with two totally different personalities. Not to take anything away from Suzuki, who is the best Japan-born player that I have seen here in the major leagues, but he was never as well-liked in Japan as Matsui. That is what my Japanese colleagues have told me for years.

In the 2011 season that Hideki Matsui played for the A’s, he was well-liked by his teammates, fans and media members in the Bay Area. He was a soft-spoken young man with a strong presence along with excellent professionalism and skills.
Congratulations to Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui!

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 2018 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees and Prediction

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Photo credit: @theScore

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND — All the votes are in, by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) for the players that will be inducted this 2018. The results will be announced in January 24 on MLB Network. The inductions are scheduled for July 28 -29 in Cooperstown, New York.

Any candidate must be named on 75 percent of the ballots. Last year, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez were elected and inducted in July.

For the first time Andrew “Chipper” Jones, great power-switch-hitter and third baseman for the Atlanta Braves for 19 seasons, .303 average 468 home runs and 1,623 runs batted-in. Hideki Matsui and Johan Santana (two-time Cy Young winner) have a record of 139-78 in 12 seasons with the Twins and Mets.

Jim Thome ranks eighth in history with 612 home runs. Venezuelan Omar Vizquel the great defensive shortstop who played for 24 years and won 11 Gold Gloves (nine with Cleveland and two with San Francisco) are among several players who are eligible this year as well as Chris Carpender, Johnny Damon, Livan Hernandez, Jamie Moyer, Scott Rolen, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano.

Returning to the BBWAA ballot, Trevor Hoffman (74% of the vote in 2017) leads the National League for saves in history with 601. Dominican outfielder Vladimir Guerrero (71.7% of the BBWAA vote in 2017) had a great 16-year career with the Expos, Angels, Rangers and Orioles, .318 lifetime average with 449 home runs, 1,496 runs batted in and 181 steals, they both missed last year’s election by five and 15 votes, respectively.

Below are the top 10 players with the percentage they received as of last season (not including votes pending casted by the BBWA this time). 75% is needed for election.

Player | Year(s) eligibility | Percentage of vote
Trevor Hoffman, 3rd, 74
Vladimir Guerrero, 2nd, 71.7
Edgar Martinez, 9th, 58.6
Roger Clemens, 6th, 54.1
Barry Bonds, 6th, 53.8
Mike Mussina, 5th, 51.8
Curt Schilling, 6th, 45
Manny Ramirez, 2nd, 23.8
Larry Walker, 8th, 21.9
Fred McGriff, 9th, 21.7

My prediction for the 2018 class: Trevor Hoffman, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel and Andrew “Chipper” Jones

The first three should go in, for sure, while Vizquel and Jones, which are on the ballot for the first time, might have to wait. But I would be content if they also make it this year.

Players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez are obviously tainted by the “steroids era.” Clemens was acquitted of all charges in 2012 that he obstructed and lied to Congress in denying he used PEDs. Bonds, in 2013, was convicted for obstruction of justice for giving an “incomplete” answer to a grand jury. In 2015, the court overturned conviction and federal prosecutors dropped the case. Ramirez was suspended more than once for his PED use.

I know, it all stinks, and people have different opinions about this, but the black cloud for those guys, and others like Sosa, Palmeiro, McGwire will always follow them for the rest of their lives. If it was left to me, I would not send them to Cooperstown, although they all have the statistics.

I agree with Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, the second-baseman who played for 22 years, towards the end of his career, two seasons with the Giants, and retired with the Athletics in 1984. I agree with Morgan on that very clear and stern letter he sent to the Hall of Fame. I believe cheating is cheating, be in 1919 or 2004. It is not fair for the guys that played by the rules and were clean of steroids.

Morgan wrote:

“The more we Hall of Famers talk about this—and we talk about it a lot—we realize we can no longer sit silent. Many of us have come to think that silence will be considered complicity. Or that fans might think we are ok if the standards of election to the Hall of Fame are relaxed, at least relaxed enough for steroid users to enter and become members of the most sacred place in Baseball. We don’t want fans ever to think that.

“We hope the day never comes when known steroid users are voted into the Hall of Fame. They cheated. Steroid users don’t belong here.”

“It’s gotten to the point where Hall of Famers are saying that if steroid users get in, they’ll no longer come to Cooperstown for Induction Ceremonies or other events. Some feel they can’t share the stage with players who did steroids.”

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Is Major League Baseball ready for expansion outside the United States?

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Photo credit: @NBCSAuthentic

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–It was 20 years ago that Major League Baseball expanded with two more teams. Last time that Major League Baseball expanded was in 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were born, one in each league. Also, in 1998 the Milwaukee Brewers moved to the National League, in order the keep the leagues with even numbers of teams. Today MLB is doing very well economically, some of the television contracts are the largest ever even in the billions of dollars.

More than ever baseball has become international. Regular season games have been played in Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and there is no doubt this is here to stay. There are still some cities in North America, like Montreal, Canada; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; and Nashville, Tennessee or Charlotte, North Carolina, that could (in the future) gather enough support for a Major League franchise. Montreal, already had a team until 2004. Then the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. and are now the Washington Nationals. Washington had a franchise, the old Washington Senators until 1971, so this “move” made sense. Washington is the capital, and there is enough population not only in the District of Columbia but in neighboring states. By the way, in 1972 the Senators franchise moved to Dallas,Texas and are today the Texas Rangers.

Which countries and cities outside the United States would make the most sense for an expansion team? The obvious choices are places like Mexico City, Mexico, with over 21 million population, one of the largest cities in the world. Montreal, Canada (again) because there was a franchise there. Tokyo, Japan is currently the most populous city on earth with over 22 million people. And then there are others, because of their connection to baseball historically and geography.

Although not as big or as populous, Cuba, is only 90 miles from Miami. Cuba was the only country in the world to ever have a professional US American franchise. Cuba once had a team in the International League (AAA), the Havana Sugar Kings, an American franchise which ended after 1961. Not because it was unpopular or because of economic problems, but because the Cuban government in 1961 officially eradicated all professional sports in the country, as they became a communist government ruling over all in the island. Today Cuba has a population of 11 million people.

Major League Baseball led by Commissioner Rob Manfred said this past July 2017 about possible expansion:

“Let me go back to a conversation we’ve had already. I think for us to expand we need to be resolved in Tampa and Oakland in terms of their stadium situations. As much as I hope that both Oakland and Tampa will get stadiums, I think it would be difficult to convince the owners to go forward with an expansion until those situations are resolved”.(quote). Mr.Manfred also mentioned that after the Oakland and Tampa Bay stadiums situations are resolved he has three places in mind: Montreal, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina and Mexico City, Mexico, for possible expansion.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez a former candidate for the broadcast wing of the MLB Hall of Fame, Spanish play by play talent for the Los Angeles Angels (TV) and Oakland A’s (Radio), and does That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: Sharks-Habs battling to get back in win column tonight; NFL Wild Cards; Manny Machado will he stay or will he go; Gruden waits for hiring process at Raiders

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Daniel Dullum is filling for Amaury’s Podcast today:

1 The Sharks are coming off a tough 6-0 in Dallas on Sunday and are looking to get back into the win column. The Montreal Canadiens are currently on a four-game loss streak and host the Sharks in a frosty cold Montreal, but there’s no outdoor game here as they’ll hook up tonight at the Bell Centre for this contest.

2 NFL Wild Card Playoffs start this Saturday. Daniel takes a look at Tennessee @ Kansas City and in game two Atlanta @ LA Rams.

3 For Sunday’s Wild Card games game one Buffalo @ Jacksonville and game two Carolina @ New Orleans.

4 The Cubs looked like the front runner in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, but the latest is Machado is up for grabs and the Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos is not very excited about letting Machado get away. A Machado contract would command around $325 million.

5. Former Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has said “let’s wait and see” in regards to his getting the job at the Raiders. Gruden can’t very well come out and say “the job is mine” because the Raiders are obligated by NFL policy to abide by the Art Rooney rule and have to interview at least one minority before announcing that Gruden is the new head coach. Sources say a minority assistant coach could be interviewed and if they hire Gruden that assistant coach could be hired on under Gruden as his assistant coach.

Daniel Dullum is filling in for Amaury for today’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Jimmy Garappolo Changed the 49ers’ Trajectory

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, hugs Los Angeles Rams quarterback Sean Mannion after their 34-13 win against the Rams during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

San Francisco 49ers ended the season with lots of hope for the future. The main reason is their everyday quarterback, Jimmy Garappolo, who is 26 years of age and has played football at Eastern Illinois University, was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

With the Patriots, he was the back-up for the great Tom Brady, San Mateo’s own, and future member of the NFL Hall of Fame. Garoppolo. experienced what it was to play on a team with one of the all-time greats. Garoppolo would finish the season for the 49ers with a 34-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams, who had won their division. On this last Sunday and last day of the year 2017, Garappolo completed 20 of 33 passes for total of 292 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The final record of the 49ers this season was 6-10. As a starting quarterback, Garappolo won the last 5 games of the season.

Considering that the 49ers have not enjoyed a winning season since 2013, when they finished 12-4, this season that ended Sunday was very positive and hopeful for the team. After the Colin Kaepernick years (2011-16) and after the controversy towards the end of his tenure, the 49ers were making more news because of political reasons than football reasons. 2016 was the last year for Kaepernick with the 49ers as he started 11 games that season, but became a huge distraction, not for what he could not do during the games, but what he did, before the games. Considering that a player in any sport, gets paid for what he does during the game, common sense tells you that the ownership of the 49ers was not thrilled about his antics. After those 11 games, he would join the unemployed.

In 2017, the 49ers had Brian Hoyer as a quarterback for six games, then C.J Beathard for five games, and then on December 3, at Chicago, Garoppolo got his first opportunity to start, and although he was far from perfect, he managed to bring home a winner, a 15-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Nobody can predict the future, who would have predicted the last month for the 49ers? Did you see it coming? Did you put back in your car that 49ers flag that you took away at the end of last season? C’mon, let’s be honest.

But seriously, and one thing for sure, the 49ers have found a quarterback than stands up for the National Anthem, and can also stand-up to win games. Regardless how you feel about Kaepernick (whom I respect and has the right to demonstrate for his cause, although I do not agree he should have done it on the field), the 49ers have totally changed their image from a loser to a winner in a span of a few weeks. In football, it has been proven again and again, that you cannot win without a good quarterback.

We all remember the 49ers during their glory years: the Bill Walsh offense, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, and all those great players and Super Bowls that made this franchise the top professional sports franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area, with five Super Bowl titles. It was a lot of fun covering those winning years at old and decrepit Candlestick Park. I covered those teams for Telemundo and it was always fun, from the tailgate parties to the post game interviews.

Rejoice 49ers fans, for your team, has found a leader on the field!

Happy New Year!

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