Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani and Yamamoto key in Dodgers wins; Ex Dodger Taylor is getting some reps with Angels; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani throws batting practice before meeting the New York Mets Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani threw a 22 pitch bullpen session one of the pitches was a 97 mph fast ball how close does he look to returning to the mound.

#2 The Dodgers who had been struggling losing four of their last ten games are showing signs of improvement with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Ohtani and Dodger pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto were both key players in this game. Yamamoto pitched six innings giving up two hits. Ohtani hit a home run for his second straight game for a league leading 19 homers.

#3 Former Dodger Chris Taylor reached a one year agreement at the MLB minimum salary with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Taylor started in centerfield on Monday night against the New York Yankees and batted in the eighth hole.

#4 The Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal’s strike to balls ratio is 82 Ks to 3 Base on balls. Skubal is being compared to former Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander who was unstoppable during his Tigers days. Skubal on Sunday pitched a complete 5-0 shutout against the Cleveland Guardians in Detroit. Skubal has movement on his pitches and was dealing.

#5 Boston Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler has something to say about a pitch that he said was a strike. The reply did show the ball landed in the box. none the less Walker argued the ball was a strike against New York Mets hitter Juan Soto. Walker was ejected from the game and manager Alex Cora came out and had his say as well.

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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s manager shows discontent with Sutter Health Park

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A’s manager Mark Kotsay checks things out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning on June 29, 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix. Kotsay recently said that he can not see the ball when it’s going down the left field line from the A’s dugout at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. (AP file photo)

A’s Manager shows Discontent with Sutter Health Park

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Players complaining is one thing, and many times it goes ignored by…well, they’re players in a way spoiled, after all, they are playing in the Major Leagues, making more money than most of us can count. But when the Manager is also unhappy with where his home team is playing, that is another thing.

This was the case for A’s Manager Mark Kotsay during a game against the LA Angels recently at Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento. Imagine a manager sitting in the dugout watching the game, and during a controversial play and call by an umpire, he had to say this to the media: “I’m completely blind on anything that goes down the left field line.” Because Kotsay could not see they play as it was happening

It should not be a surprise since the ownership decided to play 81 home games in a Minor League Park, during that play A’s Manager said, “I was relying on the umpire crew to see the play and make the call, and then from his replay team to tell him to challenge it.”

According to today’s MLB regulations, MLb has 15 seconds to ask for replay reviews. What happens at Sutter Health Park should not surprise anybody, but when stuff like this happens, it is confirmation of the ineptness of their front office management.

The A’s most expensive signing this off-season, Luis Severino, their number one starter, has called Sutter Health Park “not a big league park.” He has also highlighted issues with the clubhouse location and the stadium’s size and noted how they affect his routine and rhythm as a pitcher. For the record, he is not having a good start.

With all the problems the Oakland A’s had at the Oakland Coliseum, as dated as it was, it was still a Major League facility—not the best, but still to Major League standards, the condition of the field was excellent all the time, I spoke to many players who played for the A’s and from visiting teams who told me the infield and outfield were always in excellent condition, some infielders told me: “it is soft and smooth infield and easy to field the ball”. Some fans who traveled from the Bay Area and many hardcore veteran A’s fans who were curious about the experience in Sacramento said they had concerns about the long lines for concessions, the lack of MLB-standard amenities, and the cost of parking and food.

I can imagine what many A’s players believe (but will not say) about playing in this facility. It would not be an exaggeration on my part (from personal experience through the years) of what players are thinking. They are probably the ONLY team in Major League Baseball that cannot wait to go on a long road trip.

This popular quote is in doubt for the A’s today in Sacramento

“There’s nothing like playing at home.” – This quote expresses the unique and positive feeling of playing in front of a home crowd.

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: Ready for Professional Cricket?

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San Francisco Unicorns Hassan Khan takes a swing in cricket action back on Jul 25, 2024 (photo by ESPN)

Ready for Professional Cricket?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Are we Saturated with professional Sports teams in the Bay Area?

Yes, No? Prepare for Professional Cricket, which is coming to the Oakland Coliseum. World-class cricket is coming to the Oakland Coliseum. The San Francisco Unicorns were announced as one of the six teams participating in the league’s inaugural season in 2025. Games will be held on June 12, 14, and 15 at the Oakland Coliseum, and tickets will start at $30.

–The Golden State Valkyries: A new WNBA team owned by Golden State Warriors Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. They are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco’s Chase Center. The Valkyries compete in the Women’s National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference. They recently began play in the 2025 season. Fact: The Valkyries already had more attendance in their inaugural game, 18,064, a sellout, than the Oakland A’s, playing in exile in Sacramento, who have yet to sell out one (1) game this season at Sutter Health Park.

–The Town FC is an American professional soccer team in Moraga, California. It is the San Jose Earthquakes reserve team and participates in MLS Next Pro, a minor league.

The Oakland Roots Sports Club is an American professional soccer club based in Oakland, California. It is a member of the Western Conference and competes in the USL Championship.

–The Bay Football Club, an American professional soccer team based in the San Francisco Bay Area that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League. The team began play in the NWSL as an expansion team in the 2024 season.

Not satisfied with enough Soccer yet? …There is more!

Golden City Football Club (GCFC) co-founders have announced plans to bring professional soccer to the Bay Area—the Golden City Football Club. San Francisco’s iconic Kezar Stadium is getting a major facelift thanks to a new $10 million public-private investment partnership. Mayor Daniel Lurie and (Soccer in Spanish=Fútbol in Portuguese=Futebol) Bay Area franchises in other Sports. –The San Francisco Giants, the San José Giants, and the Oakland Ballers are professional baseball teams in the Major and Minor Leagues.

–The Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association were recently eliminated (minus Curry) during the playoffs.

–The NFL San Francisco 49ers, who play in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, just signed quarterback Brock Purdy to a five-year, $265 million extension. Purdy is looking for his first Super Bowl ring. Legendary Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana led the 49ers to four (4) Super Bowl titles. Joe Montana, as the 49ers Quarterback, earned an estimated $25 million during his professional football career.

–San José Earthquakes of the MLS (Major League Soccer)USA.

–The NHL San José Sharks just signed a lease to stay at SAP Center until 2050, and the mayor of San José promised many arena improvements.

Q: Are there enough fans and money to support all these sports teams in the Bay Area?

A: Think of this: Most of the wealthiest Californians reside in the Bay Area and amassed their fortunes thanks to the tech industry. With 342,400 millionaires and 756 people worth more than $100 million, the region ranked as the second wealthiest region in the world, just behind New York City. Apr 16, 2025 Adiós Atléticos. It’s too bad for the Oakland Athletics, who left this wonderful, rich area loaded with sports action for Sacramento and are still seeking additional funds for their Las Vegas stadium project. They aim to raise to $550 million from investors. The new stadium, valued at $1.75 billion, is financed through private investment, public funding, and bank loans.

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

 OPENS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amauery News and Commentary-A’s Spanish Radio did not Broadcast the Series in San Francisco

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Spanish radio flagship stations for the Sacramento A’s 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM Sacramento did not broadcast A’s baseball from Oracle Park in San Francisco between Fri May 16-18 (logos from La Ranchera 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM)

A’s Spanish Radio did not broadcast the Series in San Francisco

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–Now, they call it the First I-80 Series. The Sacramento A’s drove 175 round-trip miles and were swept in three games at Oracle Park by the San Francisco Gigantes.. For the first time in their short history since leaving Oakland and temporarily relocating to Sacramento, the A’s Spanish radio was not at Oracle Park to broadcast against the Giants.

You will think the ATH needs all the best publicity in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog, Dutch, and other languages.

Everybody knows that since the A’s announced their Oakland departure, the publicity has been overwhelmingly negative from fans and media alike, locally and nationwide, not to mention against their owner, which has been brutal across this country and some foreign countries also as I was speaking today to a colleague from Venezuela who told me the A’s are “persona non grata” in that oil rich country.

A’s has not sold out a game yet at 14,000-seat Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, even with a recent visit by the New York Yankees, who have a nationwide fan base. The Latino community is not that important for the A’s, even in a town with a rather large Hispanic population like Sacramento—much larger than their future planned home in Las Vegas.

But what the heck? “Only 11 million people in California speak Spanish, (some estimates are much more), and A’s management believes that is not enough. In past years, I lobbied the team management to broadcast the games against the Giants during the regular season, from San Francisco, when we visited, on the A’s Spanish radio station.

This is only natural; it makes sense. However, ‘common sense’ today is not common for some people. Of course, it all culminated in 1989 when the two Bay Area teams played the historic Loma Prieta Earthquake World Series, which I broadcast for the A’s.

During the Walter Haas ownership, the best for the Oakland A’s. Of course, that will never happen again, unless the A’s return to Oakland, and if you believe that, you also believe in Mickey Mouse, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Claus.

I went to Oracle Park this Sunday for the last regular-season game in San Francisco between the A’s and the Giants. These two teams have a special place in my heart since I broadcast for both. Yours truly is among only a handful of broadcasters who have called many games for both teams.

I share that distinction with other legendary Bay Area colleagues: Bill King, Lon Simmons, Hank Greenwald, Jon Miller, and Ted Robinson. Until 2024, the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants were two teams of an MLB group that were neighbors, but not anymore, separated by the Bay Bridge and 12 miles.

Others that remain in that category are the Mets and Yankees(12 miles apart), Cubs and White Sox(11 miles apart), Angels and Dodgers(26 miles apart), Orioles, and Nationals(44 miles apart).

Note: The 1989 San Francisco (Loma Prieta Earthquake) occurred on October 17, 1989. It was the only time in history that the World Series was interrupted for anything other than inclement weather.

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: Best Catcher of the Modern era talks about Pete Rose

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Johnny Bench the former Cincinnati Reds great catcher at the Hall of Fame induction that was held at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sat Jul 15, 2023 commented this week Wed May 14, 2025 on the passing of his former teammate Pete Rose (AP file photo)

Best Catcher of the Modern era talks about Pete Rose

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Johnny Bench was Pete Rose’s teammate during the last Cincinnati Reds glory years in the 1970s; he knew Rose as well as any other player. Arguably the best catcher in the modern era of baseball, Johnny Bench spoke recently about Pete Rose, who last week was reinstated from baseball and soon could be posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

Bench talked to Dan Patrick on Wednesday’s show episode and explained why Rob Manfred might have decided. He said they wanted to wait until Rose died before reinstating his name. Rose died in September of last year, leaving the league free to lift his ban without any potential repercussions.

“I think there was some concern that he wanted to get into the game of baseball as far as what has been talked about,” Bench said. “He still wanted to be a manager or something like that. I think that created some problems, whether somebody would hire at this point, or what position they would be in. I think there was still an okay, we still have to have a particular caution here, we’ve got to put up some yellow flags, and in most cases, many red flags. Johnny Bench is 77 years old and lives in Rancho Mirage, California.

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.

OPENS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND  

goaquaadventure.com

@centralparkfremont Fremont

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

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Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose goes for a head first dive for a triple in front of New York Mets third baseman Roy Staiger (2) waiting for the throw on Aug 13, 1976 at Shea Stadium in Flushing NY (AP file photo)

Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Pete Rose was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Two years prior, MLB’s decision in 1989 was to exclude Rose from the game permanently. Tuesday, things are looking up for Mr. Rose to be inducted into Cooperstown, where he belongs. Players such as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are eligible to be considered for future Baseball Hall of Fame ballots.

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. issued a policy decision regarding the status of individuals who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list. Major League Baseball has formally addressed this issue. Still, an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era, as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.

Commissioner Manfred further wrote, “While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner’s Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti’s expectations of that agreement.

To establish clarity for the administration of the Major League Rules, the decision in this matter shall apply to individuals in the past or future, posthumously, on the permanently ineligible list. There are 17 deceased individuals disciplined since the founding of the Commissioner’s Office impacted by Tueday’s announcement, including Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams; Joe Gedeon; Gene Paulette; Benny Kauff; Lee Magee; Phil Douglas; Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell, William Cox, and Pete Rose.

Reds owner Bob Castellini – “On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list.”Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have. “We are delighted for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans.”

Thanks to Major League Baseball and the Office of the Commissioner for this news on Pete Rose, which soon could be in Cooperstown. Which I believe is well-received by baseball fans all over the world.

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: Pete Rose-Shoeless Joe eligible for Hall of Fame induction; Former Giant Longoria to sign one day contract with Rays and then retire;

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Former Cincinnati Reds and MLB all time hits leader Pete Rose (pictured) along with former Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson were forgiven by baseball for their association with gambling and are eligible for Hall of Fame status as announced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 As were coming on the air breaking news Major League Baseball has opened the door for former Chicago White Sox Joe Shoeless Jackson and former Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose to be eligible for Hall of Fame induction status and baseball commissioner Rob Manfred had cleared the way for both players to be have their names restored in baseball. Rose admitted betting on baseball while managing the Reds and Joe Jackson was accused of being a participant in throwing the 1919 World Series loss to the Reds in a eight game series.

#2 Former San Francisco Giant third baseman and Tampa Bay Ray Evan Logoria will be signing a one day contract with the Rays and retire as a Tampa Bay Ray on June 7th at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. Longoria finished his big league career in Arizona in 2023 but never really officially retired. Longoria is considered the greatest player in Rays history. The Rays said that not only Longoria is recognized as the greatest Ray in history but he also defined Rays baseball history.

#3  Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively had to leave last Monday’s game versus the Milwaukee Brewers due to right forearm inflammation. Lively left in the fourth inning. Lively threw a few warm up pitches but had to leave because of discomfort. Lively talked it over with the trainers and manager Stephen Vogt.

#4 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will not be back anytime soon. According to Brewers manager Pat Murphy on Monday night he told the media that Woodruff is suffering from tendinitis in his right ankle. The ankle bothered him during a triple A appearance at Nashville. Woodruff was already rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

#5 The Colorado Rockies had won Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres 9-3 and then they fired manager Bud Black. The Rockies lost the day before on Saturday getting trounced by the Padres 21-0 at Coors Field. The Rockies set the record for the most losses by a team for the month of April and had a major league worst start at 7-33. The win on Sunday snapped the Rockies eight game loss streak. The Rockies also fired their bench coach Mike Redmond. Clint Hurdle went from hitting coach to bench coach and third base coach Warren Schaeffer will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.

#6 The Sacramento A’s are tied for second in the AL West and are just above .500 at 21-20 and who completed a six game homestand with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees winning only two games out of six in Sacramento. The A’s were just one game away from moving into a tie for first place with the Mariners back on Tue May 6th but lost and fell two back. The A’s open up a three game set tonight in LA against the Dodgers could the A’s have a shot in this series and gain some ground?

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.

Enjoy Aqua Adventure Waterpark at 40500 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont and While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Highest Paid Player talks about Sutter Health Park

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Severino pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers line up on Sat Apr 19, 2025 at American Family Park in Milwaukee. Severino pitched against the New York Yankees on Sun May 11, 2025 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento (AP News file photo)

A’s Highest Paid Player talks about Sutter Health Park.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Unless the Athletics, now playing in Sacramento, shock the baseball world and have one of their best seasons in history, the top story for the Athletics in Sacramento remains Sutter Health Park, in West Sacramento, their temporary home for three years.

Luis Severino was signed to the team’s history’s most expensive A’s contract this past winter. Three years for $67 million with a $10 million signing bonus. For some fans, it is hard to believe that a franchise that has Hall of Fame players like Reginaldo “Martínez Jackson (Reggie), Rickey Henderson, Jim “Catfish, “Hunter, Rollie Fingers, and Dennis Eckersley, all played during the Oakland A’s years at the Oakland Coliseum. (1968-2024)  We must remember that contracts like the one for Rickey Henderson of $3.5 million multi-years, today are like $60  million (at least) for just three seasons.

The New York Yankees won two out of three games this weekend at Sutter Health Park. Their #1 pitcher, Luis Severino (who pitched with the Yankees last year), told the YES Network how he felt about pitching at this park in Sacramento: “This is not a major league park,” which is true.

The Dominican pitcher is having a rough start to the season, with a record of 1-4 and a 4.70 ERA in nine starts. If the ATH wants to improve from their 69-93 last season’s record, Luis must pitch better; ultimately, the veteran should lead this pitching staff, as he is their ace #1 starter.

The ATH just embarked on a six-game road trip, three at Los Angeles against the World Champion Dodgers and three in San Francisco against the Giants. They returned home on the 19th for a seven-game homestand against the Angels and the Phillies. They leave Sacramento with a 21-20 record and in third place.

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: Latino Major League Players’ Diet

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Former New York Mets pitcher Livan Hernandez (61) seen here pitching in 2009 (San Diego Union file photo)

Latino Major League Players’ Diet

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Although things have changed in the major leagues regarding nutrition for the long baseball season, Latino Players also get used to that same special diet for the long season. It takes them time to adjust to life in the United States because moving from a Latin American country to the US is usually a significant cultural change.

Lifestyles are different, especially in the major leagues, the top professional baseball league in the world. And let’s face it, we all have to eat. Liván Hernandez comes to mind when he arrived from Miami after he pitched for his first three seasons.

He came and pitched for the San Francisco Giants. I first met him, he was always asking me about restaurants and especially Cuban food, which is easy to find today in some big cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other places like the San Francisco-San José-Oakland Bay Area.

Still, in some trips to Kansas City, Cincinnati, and many other places, you do not see much variety of ethic foods. Liván always laughs when I told him that Armando, my grandfather in Cuba, used to say to me, when I was a kid, “Uno come para vivir, no vive para comer” Translation: “We eat to live, not live to eat”.

Liván is retired, and he loved, I mean loved to eat. Liván played in the major leagues for 17 seasons; his last season was 2012. He pitched for 10 different teams, and he once confessed to me that he had a weight problem, which is not unusual for Latino players.

Fernando Valenzuela was another player who had a long fight with his weight; however, because it is a long season, he needs to be there for the whole enchilada. Born in México, Fernando told me he did not mind his weight. However, I usually converse well with Liván, who comes from Cuba.

He always told me that the first thing that impressed him (aside from the salaries and nice and big stadiums) in the major leagues and in the United States was that he could eat anything he wanted at any given time.

Luis Tiant, also Cuban, told me he didn’t mind to be a little overweight because it is a long season, and he needed the strength to go the distance. Major League Baseball players nowadays require a diet of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to fuel their very long, demanding season.

Drink lots of liquid during hot summer days. They also need to prioritize hydration and electrolyte balance. A typical baseball player’s diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish., however, rice and beans and other Latin food is also popular during the season for Latino players.

The three players were pitchers in the major leagues, but I have also spoken with other Latino players throughout the years, not pitchers, and they always love to talk about food. Some even like to cook at home or at least be their wives ‘sous chef “.

Luis Tiant and Ferrnando Valenzuela passed in 2024. Liván Hernández is retired from pitching, but runs a Baseball Academy in Miami(Hialeah), Florida.

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: Days of Hope, Fremont was in the A’s plans

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Yusmeiro Petit signs autographs for fans at the A’s 2018 Fan Fest at Jack London Square in Oakland (photo by the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Days of Hope, Fremont was in A’s Plans

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

2018 at Jack London Square, where the Oakland Athletics still hoped to build a brand new ballpark, was another year where hope was in the air, hoping the team would remain in The Town.. The A’s Fanfest was popular, with fans gearing up for the season. Little did these fans know that in just a few years, the team would not be playing at Oakland, where they won six American League pennants and four World Series.

The A’s Fanfest at Oakland was always well attended by fans and visitors from all over the Bay Area and the country, baseball people, collectors, tourists, dreamers, and most of all, baseball aficionados seeking autographs from their favorite Oakland A’s players.

The Oakland Athletics had high hopes for staying in Oakland within a new stadium during the years the Oakland Coliseum was deemed outdated and needed replacement. This desire extended across several ownership groups and multiple Bay Area cities, including Oakland, as they struggled to secure funding and land for a new ballpark.

Specifically, the A’s explored options in Fremont, San José, and ultimately, a waterfront site in Oakland. However, the decision to relocate to Las Vegas in 2023 marked the end of these attempts to find a new home in the Bay Area. Currently temporarily playing in Sacramento.

During the A’s Fanfest, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame were busy, as many A’s players would sign autographs and meet with the fans. Next to our location was another non-profit founded by ex-A ‘s Manager and Hall of Famer, Tony LaRussa.

Tony has long advocated for animal welfare and is passionate about helping animals find a home. Tony was not happy about the possibility of the A’s relocating out of the city, which made him a winning manager and a Hall of Fame manager. “I think we should have figured a way; If it wasn’t going to be Oakland, it should have been somewhere in the Bay Area.” -his quote.

Fremont, the city, my home for a longtime was talked about to be the next home of the A’s, not a bad idea, only 20 minutes south of Oakland and even closer to San José, a perfecrt location for the team to stay in the Bay Area.

A meeting to discuss bringing the A’s to Fremont was held at the Saddle Rack in Fremont on February 25, 2009. This meeting was part of a larger effort by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and local fans to support the team’s relocation to Fremont.

I was there, with the group that supported the idea to have Fremont as the new home of the A’s. But there was also opposition, and they won. Lew Wolff was the team owner at that time and told the citty in a letter that the team stopped all plans to build a state-of-the art stadium in Fremont Wolff, who owned the team told city officials in a letter that the team has stopped all plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb, of Fremont south of its current home at the Oakland Coliseum.

He cited expected delays to the project as a reason for his decision. “Delays that are both real and threatened have made it impossible for me to assure my organization of an implementation date consistent with our needs and the requirements of Major League Baseball,” Wolff wrote in the letter.

He noted that the team had already committed more than $80 million to the project, $24 million of which is not recoverable. Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman was disappointed by the decision. Wasserman was the Mayor who developed Fremont into one of the Bay Area’s most prosperous and populated cities.

Fremont is the fourth-largest city in the Bay Area, after #1 San José, #2 San Francisco, and #3 Oakland. Fremont is also the home of the #1 Tesla manufacturing plant in the United States, “Silicon Valley East.” Fremont, CA with 230,000 population.

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.

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