Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Welcome to A’s Baseball! Your Seats are Waiting

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Seats at Sutter Health Park at section 105 seat 20 (photo by rateyourseats.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Welcome to A’s Baseball! Your Seats are Waiting;

Welcome to A’s Baseball! Your Seats are Waiting

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For the first time in their history, the Sacramento A’s hosted the San Francisco Giants at Sacramento for a three-game series on July 4, 5, 6. The Giants won two of the three games, previously on May 16 and 18, and 19, while in San Francisco, the A’s were beaten again by the Giants who won two out of three at Sutter Health Park this past weekend.

That is it for the Northern California rivals (excluding the Bay Area) for the current 2025 season. Many Giants fans drove or took Amtrak to this recent series at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. Used to attend Oracle Park to see their adored Giants, by the beautiful San Francisco bay, a real Major League Park with all the amenities and great fan experience, they witnessed with their own eyes their team playing in a Triple A Park, ironically the same park where their Triple A team makes his some, the Sacramento Rivercats.

It’s like a wealthy family living in Pacific Heights, in San Francisco, and then visiting a Trailer Park outside Colma. However, for the A’s, such is life during this 2025 season. Many players enjoy playing on the road; some have publicly expressed this sentiment, while others have shared the same opinion with their families and fellow players.

However, in the end, they must adjust to everything. I hate to repeat this, which has been said a zillion times. Baseball is a game of adjustments. In this case, you need to adjust to the specific settings of where you play, including major or minor league parks and cities.

Sacramento is not a Major League City, nor is it home to a Major League Park; that is why the River Cats play at Sutter Health and not at Oracle Park. The two California rivals now go different ways. The Giants return home to San Francisco for a very interesting home-stand, which could define if they are contenders or pretenders, as they will play three against the Philadelphia Phillies and three against the hated Los Angeles Dodgers.

The A’s go on the road to visit two Major League cities; first a three-game series against the Braves in Atlanta, then they cross the border and go north to Canada to play the red-hot first-place Toronto Blue Jays. Good luck to both the A’s and Giants for the rest of the way. One team is trying to be relevant during the second half and advance to the postseason, while the other is “surviving” its first of (at least three) temporary seasons at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Attention A’s Fans…your seats are still waiting! Quote: Many players express a love for the history and tradition of older parks. For example, Ted Williams, while acknowledging the need for a new park in Boston, also stated, “I won’t shed a tear,” according to redsox.com. Rob Neyer wrote about the special feeling of a walk-off home run in Fenway, stating, “Say what you want, but that moment would not have been the same in a ballpark”.

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–Ex MLB Pitcher Chan Ho Park investing in the Athletics 

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Former MLB pitcher Chan Ho Park (left) hugs San Diego Padres Ha Seong Kim after throwing out the first pitch on opening day between the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul South Korea on Wed Mar 20, 2025. Park with K Pop star Suga (Min Yoon-gi) are investing in the Athletics move to Las Vegas (AP News file photo)

Ex MLB Pitcher Chan Ho Park investing in the Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Chan Ho Park and Suga (Min Yoon-gi), a member of the famous K-Pop group BTS, are investing in a private equity fund led by Park’s firm, Team61. The investors are joining a group of investors backing the Athletics at a $2 billion evaluation in their bid to relocate to Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.

The private fund, valued at approximately $70 million, plans to acquire 2-3 percent of newly issued Athletics shares to support the team’s effort for a new stadium in Las Vegas. Joining Suga and Park in the investment fund are other notable figures, including Lee Man-deuk of Samchully Co. and Mike Joo, COO of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s investment banking division.

Suga, who recently completed his mandatory military service and is known for his philanthropic efforts—including a ₩5 billion (approximately $3.6 million) donation to Severance Hospital in Seoul—is expected to bring cultural cachet and global branding power to the A’s as they prepare for their Las Vegas debut.

Suga has traveled the world with the popular Korean group K-Pop, including the last few years at the Oakland Coliseum for concerts. Chan Ho Park pitched for 17 seasons in the MLB, winning 124 games and accumulating 1,715 strikeouts.

Park was the first Korean pitcher in the major leagues, beginning his career with the Dodgers from 1994 to 2001, then pitching for the Padres, Mets, Phillies, Yankees, and Pirates. He aims to enhance the Athletics’ involvement in Asian baseball, an influence that could benefit the team as they prepare to enter their new era in Las Vegas.

The two most popular sports in Korea are baseball and football(soccer). Baseball is the most attended spectator sport. The KBO League is a major draw as the top league in baseball, boasting high attendance and a strong following.

An interesting move for the A’s as they attempt to gain influence and eventually recruit talent for their system within the Asian baseball market. Currently, the Dodgers have the top two Japanese stars in MLB, leading the way in Japan with the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

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: Big Victory for Women’s Sports

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FILE – University of Pennsylvania athlete Lia Thomas prepares for the 500 meter freestyle event at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas, a transgender athlete, is the reason biological-born women won the case against Thomas, a biologically born man who transitioned to a woman AP Photo/John Bazemore, File

Big Victory for Women’s Sports

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

The University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday modified a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. It announced that it would apologize to female athletes “disadvantaged” by her participation on the women’s swimming team, as part of a resolution to a federal civil rights case.

Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer, became the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. She won the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships with a time of 4:33.24. Her victory sparked debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

This is a massive win for all women’s sports, which have been protected under the law by Title IX. Title IX is a landmark U.S. federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal funding.

It ensures equal opportunities for all students and employers regardless of sex and protects against various forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and assault. There have always been two categories in sports competition, male vs. male and female vs female.

Thomas is one of the most famous transgender athletes in the United States. Thomas, as a transgender swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, achieved program records in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events during the 2021-22 season.

However, these records have been retroactively revoked as part of a deal between the University of Pennsylvania and the Education Department to comply with bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports. Additionally, while Thomas won the NCAA Division I national championship in the 500-yard freestyle in 2022, this title has also been impacted by the recent policy changes.

Based on the available information, it is generally accepted that biological males, on average, tend to be stronger than biological females of similar age and training status . This difference is primarily attributed to several biological factors.

Therefore, it is not a fair competition for a biological male to transition to female and compete against biological females. Official statistics: Approximately 0.5% of adults in the United States identify as transgender.

This translates to roughly 1.3 million adults. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18-24, are more likely to identify as transgender than older age groups. According to NBC News, A significant majority of Americans believe that transgender women should not be allowed to compete on female sports teams.

Recent polling data indicates that roughly 75% of U.S. adults hold this view. The answer might be straightforward, yet it’s also pure common sense. Please create a new category in Sports for Transgender people, where they (all Trans) could compete against each other. It might be just as simple as that—male vs Male, Female vs Female, and Trans vs Trans.

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: BoSox Abreu’s grand slam and inside the park home run first since 1958; Phils Harper returns off 10 day IL; plus more news

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Boston Red Sox Wilver Abreu was the first player to hit a grand slam and a inside the park home run in the same game since Roger Maris did it in 1958. Here is Abreu after hitting an inside the park home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Mon Jun 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Boston Red Sox Wilver Abreu’s grand slam and inside the park home run helped in a 13-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds Monday night at Fenway Park. Abreu is the first player since Roger Maris in 1958 to hit a grand slam and inside the park home run. Abreu was 2-5 with five RBIs. Jacoby Ellsbury was the last Boston player to hit an inside the park homer on Sep 19, 2011.

#2 Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper who came off the ten day IL after getting hit in the right wrist returned after a month off and started at first base on Monday night while hitting in the three hole against the San Diego Padres. Harper wound up getting hit on the left foot and later walked and hit into a unassisted double play and 0-2. Just the same the Phillies are glad to have Harper back in the line up.

#3 Seattle Mariners switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijintje was the first of nine draft pick from 2024 was selected to represent the Mariners at the All Star Futures game at Truist Park on Jul 12 in Cobb County. Cijintje is a 22 year old from the Netherlands and was the 15th overall pick. Cijintje was 4-4 ERA 4.88 with 12 starts and three relief appearances at High A Everett.

#4 San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt was placed on the ten day IL on Monday suffering from left hand inflammation after getting hit by a 95 mph sinker by Miami Marlins pitcher Calvin Faucher in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in 8-5 loss. The Giants ended up recalling Tyler Fitzgerald from Triple A Sacramento and started against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

#5 Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers hit a three run home run in his first at bat since returning from the IL and Lawrence Butler hit a two run triple to break a ninth inning deadlock as the A’s defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Monday night at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Fl. The A’s also came up with some defense making defensive plays in the bottom of the eighth to keep the game tied up at 4-4.

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: A’s Luis Severino not a happy Camper

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Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino delivers a pitch at Sutter Health Park. Severino pitched against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News file photo)

A’s Luis Severino not a happy Camper

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Luis Severino, in his first season with the A’s is the #1 starting pitcher on the team’s rotation. Severino received the largest contract in Oakland A’s history. A three-year deal worth $67 million, including a $10 million signing bonus. With this contract, the Dominican right-hander surpassed the previous record for an A’s player (any position), which was in Oakland, a six-year, $66 million contract extension for third baseman Eric Chávez in 2004.

The Severino deal was finalized in December 2024. The highest-paid A’s player is also the most outspoken. He explicitly stated that Sutter Park in West Sacramento feels like a Spring Training game, indicating the lack of intensity and atmosphere of a regular Major League Baseball Game.

That is very understandable. Remember, Severino came from pitching all his career (10 years) in New York. In the Big Apple, there is never a lack of intensity or atmosphere. He mentioned that the clubhouse in Sacramento, being in left field, is an inconvenience. And then during day games, pitchers are subjected to the sun, which adds to the discomfort, and added, “I was not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings by saying that.”

Leaving New York for Sacramento for Severino must feel like leaving a real metropolis to play in a ranch. For the record, he did not say that; I did. I lived in New York City for a few years. Luis Severino’s problems extend not only to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, but also on the road.

This Sunday at Yankee Stadium, he pitched 3.2/3 innings, gave up five hits, of which two were home runs, and lost. His record today, a week away from the All-Star Break, is 2-9 with a 5.18 earned run average in 19 games as a starter.

For their #1 starter, that is not what the A’s envisioned this season. He is having a bad season, and from his comments, it’s very clear that he’s not having fun. Severino’s best season was in 2018 with the New York Yankees, 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA. Quote: “Pitching is the art of instilling fear” -Sandy Koufax.

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: Candidate for Treasurer in Nevada not Optimistic about A’s ballpark

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Drew Johnson candidate for the State of Nevada Treasurer said that the A’s Las Vegas ballpark will not be ready by 2028 and that it is wrong to force the taxpayers to pay for a multi billion dollar stadium (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

Candidate for Treasurer in Nevada not Optimistic about the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Since we have listened to everybody, except Pope Leo XIV on the A’s, we should listen now to a future Treasurer. His name is Drew Johnson, and he is running for the office of Nevada State Treasurer. This is what he posted recently on X — “I’m excited to have the A’s in Vegas, but let’s get real: -It’s WRONG to force taxpayers to subsidize a stadium for a billionaire -It has NO CHANCE of being ready for opening day 2028 -I’ll be SHOCKED if it’s built at this location -The A’s will ask for MORE tax dollars.”

Johnson seems to side with the voting public. In this long story, so far, taxpayers have not been excited about the A’s moving to Sin City; in fact, polls taken in Nevada seem to favor those who prefer an expansion team over the now-maligned A’s franchise.

I believe by now in the world of baseball, the Athletics franchise does not have a good reputation, and I do not think you are going to see the A’s owner appear on one of those late-night television shows, smiling and having fun.

When Mr. Johnson stated, “It’s wrong to force taxpayers to subsidize a stadium for a billionaire.” It’s because he believes that is the consensus around the country, though there might be pockets that likely wouldn’t agree.

Drew Johnson makes sense, he is running for Treasurer of the State of Nevada, and in my mind, the people who have to deal with money are always more candid and realistic than, for example, entrepreneurs, politicians, and team owners and dreamers.

It is possible that if the A’s move to Sin City, Las Vegas will finally have one team from each of the main professional leagues. For the NBA, it would be more feasible to have a team, maybe even before the A’s play there.. NBA games are indoor, smaller capacity, and all at night, in a city that rocks at night, basketball is indeed perfecto for Las Vegas. Baseball? ay…ay…ay.

A’s ownership and representatives told the public that in Las Vegas, they were projecting sellout crowds of 33,000 per game for 81 games for the next 30 seasons. John Fisher wanted to leave Oakland, and the Commissioner Mr. Rob Manfred is a supporter, so basically we are just spectators.

We do not count here. But, we live in a free country and we all have opinions. Mine is below. Selling out a baseball park for 30 years in a town with little baseball tradition? Well, as a famous burlesque comedian once said in a punchline of a blue joke: “That I have to see.”

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: Ground breaking was more like a funeral for Oakland fans

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 Dignitaries from left: Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, Rep. Dina Titus, A’s President Marc Badain, Major League Baseball Commissioner Manfred, A’s owner John Fisher, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill and , Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson break ground during ceremony for the Athletics $1.75 billion Strip ballpark at the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas Monday, June 23, 2025. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, lots of fans in the Bay Area responded about Monday’s ground breaking story and according to Oakland’s last dive bar co-founder Carl Moren saying that their isn’t a wrong way to deal with watching that ground breaking for longtime A’s fans and even recent A’s fans Moren said it was like the loss of a loved one.

#2 Moren, the Last Dive Bar, and fans of the A’s in Oakland feel left behind and the dreams of those shovels in the ground were supposed to happen in Oakland rather than Vegas.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher and former team president David Kaval said that it was necessary for the A’s to move out of Oakland when it was announced June 2023 because of a lack of fan support as the A’s were drawing below 7,000 for home games. Moren and other Oakland fans would argued that Fisher didn’t put a product on the field that would draw 30,000 fans and it was time to go.

#4 Amaury, Moren said that he’s not a fan of the team and doesn’t care what the team does on the field do many Oakland fans share that same sentiment by no longer following the team anymore?

#5 Amaury, How frustrating is it that the city of Oakland didn’t get it together and make it happen as it looked like it was closing in a deal with the A’s in building a park at Howard Terminal. The money fell short and later MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would announce “there was no deal in Oakland” in what turned out to be one of the most bitter baseball relocations in recent memory?

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: Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

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The Sacramento A’s have not sold out a game yet in the 2025 season since their home opener on Mon Mar 31, 2025. Sutter Health Park’s capacity is 14,014 the A’s highest season attendance is 12,119 at the home opener. (tripvisor.com photo)

Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Let’s say you have your eyes on that brand new car you dream of, and you are “almost sure” you are going to buy it in 2028 because you just put your other car (Soccer Team)for sale, but in the meantime, you need another vehicle.

For the A’s owner, West Sacramento Sutter Health Park, it’s like leasing an Avis car for a couple of years, hoping to buy a brand-new car in a few years in Las Vegas. You do not care much for maintaining the Avis lease; you are only interested in being practical, since you are not going to buy it anyway.

Sacramento’s 15 minutes of Major League fame have been cut to 5 minutes, all the hype a month before the season was more “sizzle than steak:”, in the stadium, they call it “all foam no beer” and in the cattle areas of California, “All hat no cattle”.

The A’s announced in January that Opening Day tickets were sold out, despite offering $25 lawn seats the night of the game. The team announced a sold-out crowd of 12,119 fans at the home opener. However, team officials said Sutter Health Park’s total capacity is 13,416.

The Oakland A’s fans in Sacramento (the number is unknown) are disappointed by the team’s temporary move to Sutter Health Park, expressing feelings of betrayal and a sense of disconnection from the team in its new temporary home.

They miss the Oakland atmosphere and feel the team is not embracing Sacramento. Some Sacramento fans, however, are excited to have a Major League team in their city, even if it’s just for a temporary period, but the team also couldn’t care less about Sacramento.

To the best of my knowledge, the A’s are not even recognized by the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, or the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce. Neither did the A’s approach them.

However, if you’re interested, you can still follow the A’s games in Sacramento on sportsradioservice.com, which covers all the team’s day-to-day activities with reporters in the Sacramento area.

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: 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