Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The passing of Al Attles 87; Basketball in his Veins-As I remember

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Former Golden State Warriors head coach Al Attles from 1970-1983 passed away Wed Aug 20, 2024 at age 87 (USA Today photo)

Al Attles -Basketball in his Veins -As I Remember

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

I had the privilege of knowing Al Attles during the Golden State Warriors years when he was a team advisor-executive and would travel most of the time with the W’s during the 1990s. Then, I was employed by the team as their Spanish play-by-play announcer.

For the record, the “only one they ever had in their history” to date. At their time, only four or five teams were broadcasting NBA in Spanish; I believe the Warriors were after the Spurs, Rockets, and Lakers, maybe we were the fourth in the country to do Spanish on KIQI 1010AM San Francisco.

But first, here is a little history about a great man and a great gentleman, Al Attles, who left us today after 87 years on this earth. He was born in Newark, New Jersey; the “Jersey Jet” was a player for the Philadelphia Warriors from 1960-1962 and then with the San Francisco Warriors until 1971.

The first professional sporting event I ever covered in the Bay Area was a Warriors game in the 1970s. The Warriors played temporarily at the Cow Palace, Daly City, while the Oakland Arena was under construction. I remember Mr. Hal Childs, the first Media Relations person I had to deal with for my credentials; he was then with the Warriors.

Al Attles played on that historic day when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points. Attles was humble and would not tell you that his 17 points during that same game resulted from making every throw he made: eight field goals and one free throw. He made them all but was always humble as a player or coach.

I once joked with him that when Wilt Chamberlain scored the record 100 points in that game, he must have had a bunch of assists. He joked about how he passed to Chamberlain, but in the end, he admitted he had six assists. By the way, in that game, the Warriors won 169-134 over the Knicks. It was on March 2, 1962.

Al would usually be first on the team bus after every game when traveling with the Warriors on the road. I would be a few minutes later since my post-game show, as I did a solo broadcast on all games home and road, would be handled in 5 minutes, and then I would send it back to our main studios in San Francisco. I would ‘pick his head’ after a game, specially if we lost that game, during those years the W’s had good teams but no titles.

One day, I remember the team losing by a large margin and blowing out 20 points. As I walked onto the bus, he said, “Did you put this team together?” On other occasions, he would tell me, “Can you push the ball?” And it continued, but I always listened to his wisdom and learned a lot from this humble and generous man.

After playing, Attles’s career was dedicated to coaching. He always liked to talk and teach basketball and coached the San Francisco Warriors and then the Golden State Warriors from 1968 to 1975. He won the NBA title in that great 1974-75 season as a coach.

Although I cannot remember the exact date, I did cover the Victory Rally at San Francisco Union Square after they beat the Washington team in the 1974-75 season NBA finals. I had my SONY small recorder in hand.

I remember as I walked to the Warriors celebratory rally, running into the “one and only Bill King” (best basketball play-by-play announcer I ever heard), who was sporting Jesus sandals and purple socks. He was there to speak at the rally, Al Attles, and then owner Franklin Meuli, wearing his inseparable Sherlock Holmes hat, also talked to a friendly crowd celebrating the moment.

The whole Bay Area is mourning today.

Rest in Peace Al Attles, I will forever remember you your wisdom and your profound voice.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez was a former play by play announcer on the Golden State Warriors Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Miguel Tejada Inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame

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left to right, Manolo Hernandez Douen, Amaury Pi Gonzalez, and Miguel Tejada celebrate Tejada’s induction into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame on Sat Aug 17, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum (photo by Jose Orellana KIQI radio)

Miguel Tejada Inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–On Sunday, the 18th of August, before the second game of the last ever Bay Bridge series against the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland A’s ceremony on the field officially inducted these players as the sixth Oakland A’s Hall of Fame class of 2024. Born in the Dominican Republic, Miguel Tejada, born in Cuba, José Canseco, who choked up at ther end of his acceptance speech on the field, saying he never dreamed of receiving this honor.

A sunny and joyful afternoon at the Coliseum in front of 32,727 A’s and Giants fans it resembled a big family during an Oakland historic and sad day. We will never again see the Oakland A’s play the San Francisco Giants at this Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum, the home of the four-time World Series champion Oakland A’s.

This was indeed a historic day here in the East Bay. The Giants arrived from New York in 1958, and the A’s from Kansas City in 1968. Numerous families in the Bay Area share fans for each team. They have been friendly geographical rivals ever since.

Miguel Tejada visited the A’s Spanish Radio booth, something the affable ex-player has done in the past, but this time sporting a very bright, nice green jacket, minutes after being inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame. A humble Miguel Tejada told us about his inspiration for baseball, his Dominican Republic compatriot Juan Marichal.

I asked Miguel about his family, who accompanied him in receiving this well-deserved honor. I asked him about his 10-year-old son, and he told me he was playing baseball and might be another shortstop.

Miguel Tejada played for the A’s from 1997 to 2003. A six-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, the 2002 American League MVP, and the 2005 All-Star game MVP. His career spanned 16 years, mainly with the A’s, and he made stops later in Baltimore, Houston, San Diego, and San Francisco.

In his better years, he was wearing Green and Gold. Inducted also; Hall of Fame Broadcaster Bill King (1927-2005), Manager Dick Williams (1921-2011), and Eddie Joost, who was born in San Francisco and played in the 1940s as an infielder for the Philadelphia Athletics. Carney Lansford, a 2023 inductee, was also there.

In 2019, A’s Cuban-born shortstop Dagoberto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris, the great lead-off hitter who Reggie Jackson once called a key piece of the A’s 1970s dynasty, was inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame.

Campy played the most number of games in Oakland Athletics franchise history, with 1,795 games in his career. Campaneris was the A’s shortstop during those three consecutive World Championships in 1972-73-74. Campy Campaneris is the A’s Franchise All-Time Hits Leader (1882), All-Time Plate Appearances Leader (7895), All-Time At Bats Leader (7180),

Tremendous shortstop defensively, a base stealer, a great bunter (a lost art today), and an excellent teammate. He is a humble man who represented his country of Cuba, Major League Baseball, and the Oakland Athletics, as well as anybody I know.

There are no more ceremonies scheduled for the A’s in 2024. The A’s missed retiring #19, the number Dagoberto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris wore during their dynasty of the 70s. Unfortunately, fans who wanted to see his number retired will never see it.

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: A’s keep rolling and playing solid ball; Opposing teams know A’s are the team to beat

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San Francisco Giant Mike Yastrzemski is tagged out by the Oakland A’s Max Schuemann at second base at the Oakland Coliseum Mon Aug 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The A’s are rolling they have won five of their last seven games and are now 16-10 since the All Star Game and is the sixth best record in MLB and are currently 53-71.

#2 The A’s have won more games than last season and are just seven games short of their 60 wins in 2022.

#3 The A’s are now tied for fourth place with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth place in the AL West and could move into third place if they could eclipse the Angels with a successful four game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.

#4 The A’s so far are 8-6 in the month of August. There is no doubt since going 15-9 in July that teams are gearing up for the A’s knowing they had one of the best records in baseball in July.

#5 Just had to ask the Las Vegas Stadium Authority held a meeting last Thursday and LVSA CEO Steven Hill who headed the meeting was confident that the A’s would have their financial house in order by the October 17th meeting and that the A’s share of the construction should all in place by that time. The A’s said their financing $350 million and getting private financing $850 million in private equity. Can the A’s pull off the financing for the Las Vegas ballpark before the December deadline?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

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Tommy John of the Los Angeles Dodgers getting looking over by the Dodgers physician Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974. This season marks the 50th anniversary of Tommy John’s surgery which took place in 1974. It was know as Tommy John surgery due it’s huge success for pitcher to return from shoulder or arm tears (photo by the Los Angeles Dodgers)

50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Tommy John pitched for 26 years from 1963 to 1985, including with the Oakland A’s in 1985. His name has been mentioned thousands of times since he had the first ever surgery with his name in 1974. This season marks the half-century anniversary of the once controversial surgery, now, like going to the dentist for a root canal type of surgery.

I was at the press conference at the Oakland Coliseum when the A’s introduced Tommy John, who was wearing an athletics jersey. 1985 was a damaging season for the A’s, winning only 77 games, but there was a rookie by the name of José Canseco making his debut, he was the only hope for the A’s at that time.

José won Rookie of the Year the following season, Monday, August 12. At Oracle Park, the first game of a series between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants, two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell pitched for the Giants, and this year’s #1 candidate for the Cy Young in the National League, Chris Sale, pitched for the Braves.

Blake went 6 1/3 and struck out 11, and Sale completed seven innings and struck out 12. Braves won 1-0 in ten innings. Even though it is rare to see this type of pitching, it is considered by many a “pitcher’s duel”. But pitcher duels belonged to pitchers that went the distance, which is (9) nine innings. In 1999, while broadcasting SF Giants radio en Español at Candlestick Park, the great Juan Marichal dropped into our booth as a visitor and sat to talk about pitching.

I remember asking him, Juan, “What would you have said to your manager or pitching coach if he told you, “Juan, give me six good innings.” Juan smiled and responded, “I would have laughed at his face.” What do you mean by six good innings?

Juan Marichal pitched for 16 years and completed 244 games, winning 243 of those and ‘for good measure’ the Dominican Dandy tjhrew 52 shutouts. Tommy John pitched a total of 4,710 1/3 innings won 288 games lost 231 with a 3.34 ERA.

Joe Roegele, who tracks Tommy John surgeries as an injury analyst for MLB, says the surgery has increased by 29 percent by pitchers who throw at the highest level since 2016. In 2023, 35% of all MLB pitchers have had the surgery.

Roegele added, “I don’t want to say it’s inevitable, but when you throw it overhand, it’s an unnatural motion. (About this surgery) Tommy John Surgery, more formally known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow.

A UCL is a ligament on the inner side of your elbow that helps secure your elbow joint. Some people, typically athletes who play throwing sports, may experience UCL tears. For the last time in history the San Francisco Giants will face the Oakland A’s this Saturday and Sunday at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum for two. afternoon games. KIQI 1010AM/990 covering the Bay Area and Sacramento will have all the live action.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the live play by play with Manolo Hernandez Douen 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: Bosox Duran suspended 2 games for anti gay slurs; Mookie joins Dodgers after 2 months on IL; plus more news

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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran center was suspended for using anti gay slurs on a fan was heckling him, plate umpire Jordan Baker (left) and Houston Astros catcher Yanier Diaz (right) heard Duran’s remarks. Duran ended up apologizing to both Baker and Diaz for what he said on Sun Aug 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran has been suspended two games for using an anti gay slur during the Sox loss to the Houston Astros. Duran started his suspension on Monday night and concludes it tonight in games against the Texas Rangers. Duran had enough of a fan’s heckling and said  “Shut up, you f—ing f—-t.” Realizing what he did he apologized to plate umpire Jordan Baker and Astros catcher Yanier Diaz.

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers rightfielder Mookie Betts has returned after suffering a broken hand injury and missed nearly two months. The Dodgers activated Betts who is an eight time All Star and 2018 AL MVP. The Dodgers designated Amed Rosario for assignment to make room for Betts.

#3 The Seattle Mariners and outfielder Victor Robles have agreed to a two year $9.75 million contract extension that runs through the 2027 season. Robles also gets $2 million in bonuses and escalators for the incredible turnaround he’s had this season. Robles is hitting .269, 36 hits, three runs, and 10 RBIs.

#4 For the Houston Astros Justin Verlander it’s been a long haul for his return. This will be Verlander’s second rehab start as he’ll pitch in the minor leagues before he rejoins the Astros. Verlander pitched at triple A Sugar Land on Saturday night. Verlander had suffered from neck stiffness for the last two months.

#5 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority will meet on Thursday and will have an updated draft for the Oakland A’s lease agreement for the $1.5 billion ballpark that will be built on Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana. The A’s still are seeking financing for their share of the construction costs at $300 million in debt and $850 in equity from owner John Fisher’s family. The A’s are still looking for minority investors. The hunt for investor help has been going on for months now.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcast 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: Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

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La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day celebrated in Havana each year. Havana was Vegas before Las Vegas became Vegas and what a Havana A’s team would look like (Getty file photo)

Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Cuba is the perfect country for the Oakland A’s because there will be no more complaints about ownership. In Cuba, the government owns everything, including baseball. No free enterprise or capitalism is allowed. Bad news for some fans.

1-If you are a fan and you show up at a game in Cuba with a sign that reads SELL, the government will arrest you and call you an “enemy of the State.” They will incarcerate you and use you years later as hostage-trade-bait with the US government, which will pay good money for your return.

2-Revenue sharing. Sure, “one-stop shopping.” All 29 teams will pay the Cuban government for the right to have an MLB team in La Habana. Cuban government officials will get many perks, like a free trip to Las Vegas and other tourist spots and twelve months a year to stay in luxurious hotels. In other words,since private ownership is not allowed, the money goes to the Cuban government.

3-No more negotiating. In Cuba, you do not need the MLPA; the Cuban government pays the players, and there is no Unionized work in Cuba on anything. One owner, one check, no “in-between”or, like some like to call it, no Outsourcing.

4-Promotions for the fans? According to government laws, all players with the Cuban A’s will sign autographs for all the fans on special days. Players cannot charge for autographs or go to a special show where they get paid for autograph signing; that doesn’t happen in Cuba.

5-Non Profits? No problem; in Cuba, the only profit is made by the Cuban Government. So you do not have to worry about that. The government gets the funds, they take care of themselves and their families first, and whatever is left, they “re-distribute” with the Cuban citizens.

6-No Habla Spanish? No hay problema. They will learn the official language, Spanish, according to the Cuban government, so that players will have no problems. The government will have tutors waiting for you to let you know about the Cuban communist revolution.

You will get a complimentary invitation to the Fidel Castro Museum to learn. Some might even memorize (Like Cuban kids are forced to do) some of Fidel’s great five hour speeches, not to mention when he was a pitcher for the Universidad de La Habana. Legend has it that in the 1950s, the NY Giants offered Fidel a $5,000 bonus, but being the excellent communist he was, he denied it and never came to play in the United States Major League Baseball.

Special Day? The only special day for the Cuban A’s while they make their home in La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day. This is the day that Fidel Castro’s revolution began, eventually taking over the country in 1959 and ruling Cuba since today.

Remember, Havana was Vegas, before Vegas!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead radio 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: 2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum- (Part X) ‘A’s 20-game winning streak

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Miguel Tejada former Oakland A’s shortstop was part of the 2002 A’s team and huge part of the A’s history (USA Today file photo)

2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum- (Part X) ‘A’s 20-game winning streak

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

According to Major League Baseball archives, the longest American League winning streak is 22, held by the 2017 Cleveland Indians. In 2022, the Cleveland Indians changed their name to Cleveland Guardians. The Oakland A’s are second with a 20-game winning streak. In 2022, A’s players Miguel Tejada, Mark Mulder, and Tim Hudson, among others, were in Oakland as the A’s honored that great 20-game winning streak team.

Dominican shortstop Miguel Tejada said the 2002 winning streak is among the most incredible memories of his 16-year career in the major leagues. Tejada, who was an All-Stat six times, a two-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award, and the prominent league leader in runs batted in 2004, played for the Athletics from 1997 to 2003, then went on to play for the Orioles, Astros, Padres, and Giants.

Miguel Tejada won the 18th consecutive games of that 20-game record-setting streak when he hit a walk-off home run at the Oakland Coliseum over the left field fence from a pitch thrown by Twins Eddie Guardado. “Nunca se me olvidará ese momento” trans-“I will never forget that moment”. Ironically, it will also be the Twins, not in Oakland but in Minnesota, on September 6 when they shut out the A’s to end that winning streak. Manager Art Howe was part of the ‘Moneyball’ A’s that broke an American League record by winning 20 contests in a row.

The most incredible winning streak in Athletics history, from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland, belongs to Oakland. The streak began in Oakland and ended in Minnesota. It began at Oakland on August 13 against the Blue Jays and lasted until September 6 when they beat the Twins in Minnesota, 20 consecutive in the win column.

From the electrifying clinching home run by Scott Hatteberg for the 20th consecutive win against Kansas City on September 4, 2002, to all the cast of players from Barry Zito, who won the American League Cy Young that season, to shortstop Miguel Tejada won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award to Manager Art Howe. 2002 Oakland A’s were among the most exciting teams in history, prompting Hollywood to make “Moneyball” released in 2011.

Moneyball – Film synopsis: Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the Oakland A’s general manager, one day has an epiphany: Baseball’s conventional wisdom is all wrong. With a tight budget, Beane must reinvent his team by outsmarting the richer ball clubs.

Joining forces with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), Beane prepares to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits bargain-bin players whom the scouts have labeled flawed but have game-winning potential. Based on the book by Michael Lewis.

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