Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Phils Marsh scores on 10th inning check swing in 3-2 win; D-Backs Suarez on roll with 5th home run in last three games; plus more MLB news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez glove catches Philadelphia Phillies Edmundo Sosa’s bat for catcher’s interference on a checked swing that allowed ghost runner Brandon Marsh to scored from third base for a walk off win at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Mon Jul 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amuary News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Philadelphia Phillies ghost runner Brandon Marsh scored the winning run on catcher’s interference in the bottom of the tenth inning with the bases loaded in a Phillies walk off win over the Boston Red Sox. In the tenth the Phils Edmundo Sosa checked his swing on Red Sox pitch from Jordan Hicks that was a ball but Sosa’s bat caught Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez. The Phillies asked for a review which showed the interference that allowed Marsh to score from third.

#2 The Arizona Diamondbacks Eugenio Suarez belted his fifth home run in his last three games, hitting a solo shot against the Houston Astros on Monday night. Suarez 34 years old hit his 35th home run and taking on the opposition when he gets the opportunity.

#3  Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman took an 88 MHP sinker off his left wrist Sunday. Freeman’s X-rays came back negative. The swelling on the wrist subsided. On Monday Freeman was back in the lineup and was back in the batting cage taking batting practice.

#4 Sacramento A’s centerfielder Denzel Clarke will be placed on the injured list after suffering from an adductor strain. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that a roster move will be made on Tuesday. Kotsay said the A’s weren’t able to get a replacement to Texas in time for the game on Monday night. Clarke left the game on Sunday night with hip discomfort. Clarke hit .230 through 47 games.

#5 The A’s are shopping pitcher Luis Severino, Jefferey Springs, and JP Sears. Springs will be owed $10.5 million in 2026 and has a $15 million option for 2027. Severino has expressed that he was not happy pitching at Sutter Health Field in Sacramento because the dirt on the mound was too hard and the dugout didn’t go the clubhouse but you had to go through the outfield to get to the clubhouse. Sears does give up the long ball but clubs could use him as he is durable.

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

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rays selling club to developer that will keep them in Tampa Bay

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Tropicana Field the day after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof on Oct 10, 2024. The cost to fix the Tropicana was in excess of Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternburg’s budget while trying to build a ballpark in St Petersburg forcing Sternburg to sell the team (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg has reached an agreement with Florida developer Patrick Zalupski in principle on a deal to sell the Rays for $1.7 billion. The deal keeps the Rays in Tampa Bay and is expected to close in September. Zalupski is a homebuilder in Jacksonville and was a buyer who strongly believes in keeping the team in Tampa Bay.

#2 Amaury, Sternberg bought the Rays in 2004 for $200 million. After last year’s Hurricane Milton tore the roof off of Tropicana Field the Rays were forced to play their home games at the New York Yankees spring training facility at George M Steinbrenner Field. Zalupski plans to build a new ballpark and keep the club in Tampa Bay.

#3 Sternburg basically could not go forward with owning the team. Before the Hurricane Sternburg planned to build a new stadium at the Historic Gas Plant District and was planning to design a recreational retail and residential area in St Petersburg replacing the old Tropicana. That was all shot down after Sternburg realized the excess costs in repairing the Trop and later tearing it down to build the new park.

#4 Meanwhile the Sacramento A’s development for their new ballpark is still in question as A’s owner John Fisher is looking for someone to buy the MLS San Jose Earthquakes for $600 million to cover part of the costs of his construction costs. K Pop star Suga and former MLB pitcher Chan Ho Park are putting together $70 million as an investment into the A’s. Yet in still that may not be enough to cover the balance of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark.

#5 If Fisher can not meet the costs of building the Las Vegas park and he stated that the park costs could go up from $1.75 billion to $2 billion if that proves too much could you see the other MLB owners putting the pressure on Fisher to sell much like they did with Sternburg?

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 could be traded

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Ever since Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Severino said that Major League Baseball shouldn’t be playing in a minor league stadium the A’s have exploring ways of unloading Severino. So far no one seems interested in picking up his $67 million contract. (AP News photo)

A’s Luis Severino could be traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As Luis Severino was signed to a three year deal worth $67 million, the largest in A’s history. Severino is the most outspoken player on the A’s roster this season, primarily complaining about pitching in a minor league park, among other things.

And that shows. His ERA at home is 7.04, while outside of Sacramento, it’s a much more acceptable 3.04. Severino’s contract indicates that it pays him $25 million in 2026 and $22 million in 2027, unless he opts out on that final 2027 season.

If he does, he could be Adiós. Pitching is always tricky to predict, but it is conceivable that Severno could be traded to a team that needs pitching. Since it seems he is not happy in Sacramento, a place like Dodger Stadium could be suitable for him, since Dodgers pitchers have resembled nothing short of a hospital ward.

Since early in the season, the defending World Champs have 14 pitchers on the injured list. Starters like Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and relievers Evan Phillips and ex-A’s Blake Treinen, just to mention a few of the 14 that visited the IL still with all those injuries, the Dodgers are still in first place.

Severino was supposed to give the Oakland A’s (now playing in Sacramento) a veteran presence on the mound for a young pitching staff, but it has not worked that way. The trade deadline is scheduled for July 31 at p.m. ET.

There are a lot of veteran pitchers available who could be moved before this deadline and Luis Severino, who has won with better teams than the A’s is one of them. Record the most traded?

Jesse Chávez is a 38-year-old pitcher (reliever) who has been traded ten times in less than 15 seasons and traded more than any other player in history, including twice traded, so far, this 2025 season. Chávez pitched for the Oakland A’s 2012-2015. By the way, he is a great guy to talk baseball.

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

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Robots are here for the All-Star Game!

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A radar device is seen on the roof behind home plate at PeoplesBank Park in third inning of the Atlantic League All Star Game Wed Jul 10, 2019 as a test for robot umpires (AP News photo)

MLB Robots are here for the All-Star Game!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

This next Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Atlanta will feature, for the first time, the use of its robot technology for ball-strike challenges. This represents a significant step toward utilizing this technology for the 2026 season and will eventually replace all human umpires in the not-too-distant future.

In 2023, the overall umpire accuracy in calling balls and strikes was 92.8%, according to Statcast data. This marks a slight increase from 92.45% in 2022. In other words, Umpires on average miss a call roughly once every 3.6 plate appearances.

Robots are cheaper than humans: The average salary for a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire today is approximately $150,000 to $450,000 per year, depending on experience and seniority. It is the most challenging job in baseball; you usually get a lot of abuse from players (but you have the power to expel a player from the field) and, of course, the public, who are usually not kind to umpires. And if a fan gets ‘real nasty in vocabulary,’ umpires have the right to ask for that fan to be removed, also when a fan interferes with the play on the field.

Although robots are knocking on the door in baseball, a famous umpiring school still operates in Florida. The Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School, located in Osmond Beach, provides training for aspiring umpires, featuring both classroom and on-field instruction.

Many of the graduates have gone on to work in Major League Baseball. They will probably go out of business when baseball implements total robotic control on the field of play. I would think humans still would be needed to supervise some of this robotic world of umpires, or perhaps not? Time will tell.

Some of us remember when each league, the American and National Leagues, had their umpires, from their founding (1901 for the AL and earlier for the NL), until 2000, when MLB merged the two leagues into a single, unified roster. During the 2024 regular season, 10.9% of called pitches in the strike zone were ruled balls, and 6.3% of called pitches outside of the strike zone were ruled strikes, according to MLB Statcast.

Major League Baseball is currently testing a challenge system with automated ball-strike calls during spring training, with the potential for regular-season implementation as early as next season (2026) if testing is successful.

This system, known as Automated Ball-Strike (ABS), enables teams to challenge balls and strikes, with the call then reviewed by the automated system. MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019.

Robots are as American as Baseball: Joseph Engelberger was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1925. Joseph Engelberger is widely regarded as the “Father of Robotics.” While he didn’t invent the concept of a robot, he is credited with developing the first industrial robot in the United States, the Unimate, and co-founding Unimation, Inc., the first robotics company.

He collaborated with inventor George Devol, who held the patent for the robotic arm used in the Unimate. ‘ My Take: I am not a fan of robots in baseball, or anyplace else, for that matter, but I also do not like automobiles that drive by themselves, and all this automation we have today, were people go on vacation take two cell phones and a laptop and do not have time to smell the roses. For me, baseball was the most excellent game ever invented, but, as previously mentioned, everything changes, and time goes on. I am not against progress, but just like the famous quote, “sometimes the best trades in baseball are the ones you do not make,” I think of the past and still believe baseball was more enjoyable in the past, with less technology and more humanity. Quote; I never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes. – Leo Durocher, Manager.

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

https://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Big names come up as teams pursue Bucs Skenes; Yanks Chisholm moves back to second; plus more MLB news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Teams like the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins might pursue Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes during the July trade deadlines (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Here’s a crazy potential trade that was brought up on ESPN today the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes or Skenes for the Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton as the baseball trade deadline heats up here in July.

#2 New York Yankees All Star Jazz Chisholm Jr after starting 28 games in a row at third base will be returning to his second base position. Yanks manager Aaron Boone said. Chisholm is hitting .245, 45 homers, 38 RBIs with ten steals in 59 games. Chisholm had been suffering right shoulder soreness which is one of the reasons for moving back to second base.

#3 San Diego Padres Manny Machado picked up his 2,000th career hit on Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting a bullet off the glove of the D-Backs shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. Machado got the hit off pitcher Zac Gallen in the fourth inning and got a standing ovation from the Petco Park fans.

#4 Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman whose been out since May 24th with a strained right quad believes he can skip the minor league rehab session and get right back into the show and in the line up joining the Sox just before the All Star break. His return could happen as soon as the end of this week.

#5 The last time an Sacramento Athletics shortstop started an All Star Game you’d have to go back to 1975 when Bert Campaneris started at that All Star Classic. Jacob Wilson was voted the starting shortstop for the 2025 All Star game representing the A’s in Atlanta on Wed Jul 15th. Wilson has had himself a season hitting .331, nine home runs, 111 hits, and 42 RBIs.

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: Welcome to A’s Baseball! Your Seats are Waiting

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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