Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland is a Transitory stop for Sports teams

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The Oakland Coliseum Complex which hosted such teams as the Oakland Raiders, Golden State Warriors, California Golden Seals, and Oakland A’s since opening in 1966 (file photo ABC Sky 7)

Oakland is a Transitory stop for Sports teams

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–This professional baseball team played in Oakland for 52 years. The Oakland Oaks, played in Oakland from 1903 until 1955 and then relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. While playing in Oakland, the Oaks symbol was the oak tree (today the official logo of the City of Oakland) Oaks Park, formally known as the Oakland Baseball Park and at times nicknamed Emeryville Park, was a baseball stadium in Emeryville, California.

It was primarily used for baseball and was the home field of the Oakland Oaks baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, located within the city limits of Emeryville between Oakland and Berkeley. The address where that park was located today is 3229 Kempton Avenue, Oakland.

Baseball stars like Dominic and Joe DiMaggio, Lefty O’Doul, Casey Stengel, Billy Martin, and Eddie Lombardi played there with their respective teams. Also, Hall of Fame Negro Leagues players like Josh Gibson, Satchel Page, and Jackie Robinson took the field in this cozy ballpark.

During their history, the Oaks were in the Pacific Coast League 1903-1940 and 1942-1955 Previously, they were in the California League in 1901 and 1941. Other professional teams that played in Oakland and left Oakland NHL: California Golden Seals from 1967 to 1976.

They were an expansion team in 1967, one of the six teams added to the league. Their home was Oakland, and they played their games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena. They moved to Cleveland. NFL -The Oakland Raiders played at the Oakland Coliseum (1960-1981).

In 1982, they moved to Los Angeles (1982-1994) and then back to Oakland (1995-2019). finally, they settled in Las Vegas, where they have played since 2020. NBA -The Golden State Warriors moved from Philadelphia were they began play in 1946 to San Francisco in 1962 and until 1971 when the San Francisco Warriors (played at the Cow Palace in Daly City while the Oakland Arena was under construction) and became the San Francisco Warriors.

In 1971, they adopted the name Golden State Warriors and moved to Oakland, where they play their home games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena (1971-2019) The Warriors moved to San Francisco Chase Center for the 2019-20 season, where they play today.

MLB -The Oakland Athletics chartered members of the American League in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics, moved to Kansas City (1955-1967) and then landed in Oakland in 1968 and played at the Oakland Coliseum until September 26, 2024.

The Oakland A’s, have a “two-stop” trip-plan, for Sacramento and ultimately Las Vegas. Years at those two cities. Unknown. Conclusion: The legacy of the City of Oakland, California when it comes to sports is :”under review”.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The One Man Club 50-50

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way mega star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting his 50th home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

The One Man Club 50-50

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is only one player in the One Man Club.

He did not pitch this season because he had Tommy John surgery in 2023. Thursday, September 19, 2024, Shohei Ohtani, while playing in Miami with the Los Angeles Dodgers, became the first man ever in the history of Major League Baseball with 50 homeruns and 50 stolen bases in one single season.

The 30-year-old Japanese international mega-star had elbow surgery last year. Now, Ohtani is headed to the playoffs in 2024 and could pitch again in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani, a once-in-a-lifetime player, will be on the Dodgers’ payroll for the next 20 years under the unique terms of the 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We are fortunate to live during the Ohtani years since not many who witnessed the great Babe Ruth are left.

I know Ohtani was born in Japan, but as we have seen, this talented man plays the most challenging sport to master, baseball, where most of the time you fail; he makes it look easy. His talents make him look like he comes from another world.

Congratulations Ohtani! おめでとう

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: 49ers make easy work of Aaron Rogers and Jets; Raiders decision to punt backfires in loss; plus more news

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers sits on the Jets bench during Sep 9, 2024 Monday Night Football game at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers took care of business with a convincing win over Aaron Rogers and the New York Jets. It seems like every player at every position for the 49ers successfully did their job in getting the 32-19 win.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders lost on what critics say on a decision by Raider head coach Antonio Pierce deciding to punt rather than go for it on fourth and one with just over seven seconds left in the game. Pierce reasoned the defense would their job get the ball to the offense and score which didn’t happen Sunday afternoon.

#3 Turning to baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes had himself a Monday night striking out nine batters over six innings and has a strike out total of 151 which is a franchise record. Skenes 10-2 allowed six hits in the 3-2 win over the Marlins and lowered his ERA to 2.10.

#4 You gotta talk about the near catch that turned out to be a home run when Philadelphia Phillies centerfielder Johan Rojas had the ball in the glove but the ball was jarred loose when Rojas’ arm made contact with the top of the padded fence and went over the fence for a home run.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani just might swipe 50 bases for the season yet. Ohtani closed in on 50 stealing his 47th base against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Ohtani was the lead off hitter in the contest who also scored twice and got two hits.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Hispanic Month -65 Million

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Team Mexico is excited in their game against Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (photo by MARCA News)

MLB: Hispanic Month – 65 Million

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those of us who came here from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

By the way, Brazil, the largest country in South America, Portuguese is the predominant languor. The 2022 US Census lists (at least) 65 million Hispanics in the country, which is by far the most significant minority.

This is the most on the Continent, except for Mexico, which has a population of 130 million. In other words, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States of America and also in the Americas, north central and south.

Over 30 percent of all players on the 30 Major League teams are listed as Hispanics, Latinos. Although English is the official language in all 50 States, including in California, Spanish is the de facto second language, with some 40 million residents in the Golden State. The 2022 US Census, listed 16 million of us Latinos here in California.

At this 2024 MLB season’s end, California’s five teams: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, and A’s. The Dodgers, Padres, and Angels broadcast all 162 games home and away in the Spanish language, with the San Francisco Giants some 127 games home and away, with an increase in 2025. The Oakland A’s follow with 68 home games in Spanish, two “on the road” in San Francisco.

Highlights from the report: U.S. Latino gross domestic product is now valued at $3.2 trillion. U.S. Latino purchasing power is measured at $3.4 trillion. In 2021, Latino income in the U.S. amounted to $2.5 trillion and grew 4.7% compared with 1.9% for non-Latinos.

Any business that doesn’t invest in this huge Hispanic market is missing increasing their revenue.

Felíz Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Countdown 19 days to A’s move out of Oakland; Lots of memories at the Coliseum

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Former Milwaukee Brewer Hank Aaron (left) and Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) during a radio interview in 1975 at the Oakland Coliseum was definitely one of Amaury’s biggest highlights in working as a broadcaster over the decades with the Oakland A’s (photo courtesy of Topps Chewing Gum Company)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, 19 days from now is Thu Sep 26th which will be the very last home game for the A’s as an Oakland team. This particular homestand that were on really hit home with a lot of employees, front office people, the players and members of the media that this is it at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 In the Seattle series the Mariners had a lot of connections with Oakland whether it’s you who worked on the Seattle Mariners Spanish TV network for a time or Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo who lived nearby the Oakland Coliseum and who came to the Coliseum as a fan before becoming a pro baseball player.

#3 The Mariners and Detroit Tigers series on this homestand represent the first of the last two homestands . These two teams alone when you look at their alumnus in past decades have a rich history. For the M’s Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, Jamie Moyer, Lou Pinella and Ichiro Suzuki to name a few.

#4 The City of Oakland and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao were dead set on the rent price for the A’s if they were to finish their last three years 2025-27 at the Oakland Coliseum at $97 million the A’s offered to pay between $10-17 million for the interim agreement that both sides ended up walking away from. How much of a miss was this for the City and Mayor Thao?

#5 Amaury, you’ve worked here at the Coliseum since the mid 1970s you had a famous interview on the field in 1976 with former home run king the late Hank Aaron and you’ve worked with maybe 100s of different manager, players and members of the media over the decades here in this stadium what memory stands out for you the most?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Tatis returns for Padres; Adames home run streak at 5 ties team record; plus more news

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The San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis (23) puts the sombrero on teammate Ha Seong-Kim after Kim hit a three run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park in San Diego on Mon May 1, 2024. Tatis returned to the Padres line up Mon Sep 2, 2024 after a two months absence on the IL. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Its the moment that the San Diego Padres have been waiting for the return of Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis had been on the IL for the last two months right thighbone. Tatis returned Monday night against the Detroit Tigers. The Padres are happy to see Tatis back who batted second on Monday and with the Padres tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first in the NL Wild Card they want to take advantage of his bat.

#2 The Milwaukee Brewers Willy Adames stretched his home run streak to five games which ties a team record. Monday was no exception he Adames extended the streak with a three home run home run in the first inning victory over the St Louis Cardinals 9-3 at American Family Park in Milwaukee.

#3 The Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was sent to Triple A St Paul on Monday. The Twins are counting getting Buxton back into action. Buxton last played on Aug 12th and has been out with right hip inflammation. Twins look forward to getting him back in the line up. Buxton was hitting .275, 16 home runs, 49 RBIs in 90 games.

#4 The Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quantaro did not manage on Monday due to a personal matter. Bench coach Paul Hoover managed the game on Monday. The Royals did not say how long that Quantaro will be out. The Royals are in third place in the AL West and are in third place in the AL Wild Card 4.5 games in front of the Boston Red Sox.

#5 Amaury, as you know a number of Major League players are not happy about the idea of an Oakland A’s relocation. Over this past season they have expressed their disappointment about the A’s leaving Oakland it may not influence anything but let’s review, the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper who resides in Las Vegas said “It’s a tough thing to see the A’s go away from Oakland. They have so much tradition and history there: the green, the yellow, the white cleats,” and the Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Sewald said, “I think it’s a terrible idea,” the Arizona closer said. “The whole thing, I fear, is going to be an abject disaster.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants need change

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San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi how safe is his job? He most likely will be evaluated by season’s end based on how the Giants finish in September. (SF Chronicle file photo)

Giants need Change

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Although their home base is San Francisco, the Giants hopes for a postseason in 2024 are fading “faster than a New York minute.” They are the “forever”.500 team. The Giants traded Jorge Soler and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson in late July to the Atlanta Braves.

Soler was the only certified slugger the Giants had in their lineup. Their offense is as average as any team, but that is not enough to compete, as it ranks 16th among all 30 MLB teams. There is no tie in baseball; if you can’t score, you can’t win, even if you have the best pitching in the world, and if you want to win the tight games, you need a bullpen as good as the starting rotation, and they do not have that type of bullpen this year.

When they traded Jorge Soler and pitcher Alex Cobb in late July. This was your typical salary dump. Thursday, they put second-baseman Thairo Estrada and relievers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Mazek on waivers. They could not lure great profile players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Carlos Correa. The Giants were never in the class to compete in a division with three very good teams: the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks, and the Padres.

With 28 games left (including today in Milwaukee), the Giants are 6.5 behind the third Wild Card, the Atlanta Braves. On top of the Giants, on the way to catch the Braves also the Cubs and the Mets, and just 1/2 game behind the Giants, in that bunch, the St Louis Cardinals.

To navigate these numbers in their favor, the Giants need a sensational September charge, but that, for a .500 baseball team, 67-67 is very unlikely. They have not shown they have that team. Even with a strong starting rotation, they will have to deal with Robbie Ray out for 15 days IL. Bob Melvin is one of the best managers in the game, but he is not a magician. The best Jockey in the world cannot win the race if his horse is limping.

Giants need change. Changes should be on the way. One thing is certain, The president of Baseball Operations, Mr. Farhan Zaidi, will soon seek a new job.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: With 13 home games left before Sacramento move lots more A’s memories

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Vintage Bert Campaneris circa 1970. Campaneris is a three consecutive time World Series Champion shortstop during the years of 1972-74. (photo from ebay)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, you’ve been covering the Oakland A’s since the early 1970s. How fortunate is it for you having been able to see the 1972-74 World Championship teams which had so much talent.

#2 You got know many of the greats on those A’s championship teams, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter, Billy North, Jesus Alou, Angel Manguel and Bert Campaneris to name a few.

#3 The A’s have been celebrating past A’s players and had opened their Hall of Fame to honor some of the year’s past stars, Jose Canseco, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Rickey Henderson and the induction of A’s late manager Dick Williams and former shortstop Miguel Tejada was something special.

#4 One of the great memories some of the A’s teams from 1988-90 that went to three straight World Series under Tony LaRussa who also was there to present his old players at the Hall of Fame induction.

#5 Fast forward to 2024 this may not be a World Series team that’s being fielded by A’s manager Mark Kotsay but this is their last season in Oakland and in the second half of the season they’ve been with a lot of heart and it’s their way to send off this team after so many years at the Oakland Coliseum.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 1010 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland A’s – A September to Remember

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Mount Davis at the Oakland Coliseum will remain tarped off in spite of the final home game of the regular season being sold out on Thu Sep 26, 2024 (You Tube still file)

Oakland A’s – A September to Remember

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

We are a week away from September, and there is no doubt this month of September in Oakland will be one to remember, one for the ages, and one to weep for every true Oakland A’s fan. This is the last September at the Oakland Coliseum for the Green and Gold.

Come September the A’s will be hosting the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. The very last Oakland A’s baseball game at the Coliseum is scheduled for Thursday September 26 at 12:37. The A’s will then leave for their last road-trip as an Oakland team to close their season September 29 in Seattle.

The Mount Davis/Raiders football seats will not be occupied by fans on that last game at the Coliseum September 26, which has been a sellout for a while and will mark a day of mourning definitely for Oakland, as well as the Bay Area. The A’s relocation ordeal is closer to it’s destination as it seems the inevitable is going to happen, ‘like it or not’ they will play in Sacramento 2025 for three or four years and then move into their new park in Las Vegas, where things are finally looking very good for the A’s in Sin City.

A good friend recently told me, “If the Giants would have been as gracious as the Haas A’s ownership did in the early 1990s, giving San José back their territorial rights to the A’s, it would have been a good outcome, as the A’s would have stayed in the Bay Area. San José is the most populated city in the Bay Area and one of the most affluent areas in the country, with Silicon Valley leading the high-tech industry.

In my opinion the chances of MLB awarding San José an expansion team, are much better than awarding Oakland an expansion team anytime in the future, after the A’s go Adiós. Oakland is not a city that you would call a model of administration or management, their Mayor is about to be recalled, Oakland went through ten Police Chiefs in ten years.

They hired a new Police Chief less than a year ago and ‘The Town’ is not in a “good place” right now. The reputation of Oakland after the A’s leave has been established as a town that cannot keep their Major Leagues sports team. Raiders, Warriors, A’s. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, are by far the most popular professional sports league(s) in the country, and you can make an argument that they are also in the world in their respective sports.

We who lived in the Bay Area back in the 1970’s when at Oakland City Hall there was a sign that read “Oakland City of Champions”, referring to the 1970s when the A’s, Raiders and Warriors were all winning championships, have witnessed the demise of big league professional sports in Oakland.

Oakland, regarding sports, is a punch-line for comedians, and history will not be kind to The Town and what happened to sports there (whichever way you feel on who is to blame) and there is plenty of blame to go-around. But at the end it is not a pretty picture.

Amaury Pi Goznalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Schools over Stadiums makes its point as Nevada prepares to spend public money for Warner Bros studios

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Las Vegas Stadium Authority CEO Steve Hill (left) and Oakland A’s president David Kaval (right) are seen discussing the Las Vegas Ballpark in 2023 (LV Sports Biz file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 According to Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said that parents should see his open letter about free school meals. Lombardo is trying to show that the state is doing something with public money to help schools at the same time using public money for the A’s ballpark.

#2 On Tuesday Schools over Stadiums representative Alexander Marks said that while Lombardo claims he’s transparent then why does he refuse speak to the press about the free school meals budget when they’ve asked for public comment proves the point that the State of Nevada and the Lombardo are not being transparent.

#3 Also on Tuesday it was announced that a Nevada judge will rule if it’s legal to earmark $380 million in public funds to help fund the Las Vegas A’s ballpark on Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana.

#4 Marks writes on X Tuesday that if the State of Nevada were to a write movie about having a fully funded school system with 20 students per class it would be a like a rated F movie that requires billionaires to build their own studios without public money after news broke that Warner Bros wants to build studios in Vegas if the Nevada State Legislature approves a film tax for the studios. More public money being used for studios and stadiums instead of public schools.

#5 Marks also mentioned Las Vegas Stadium Authority CEO Steven Hill in last week’s meeting regarding the financial progress of the A’s paying for their share of the ballpark that “We’re rounding third and headed for home. There are not many open issues left.” Marks countered by writing on Schools over Stadiums X page, “Except for financing, final renderings, actual stadium location, the constitutional lawsuit, the 2026 referendum…yup very few open issues left”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com