That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary – Page 41

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: To Call the A’s a “small market team” is a travesty

Published on August 3, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

From left, lobbyists Alfredo Alonso and John Griffin, Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher, President Dave Kaval and lobbyist Jessica Ferrato inside the Legislature in Carson City on May 31, 2023. (Nevada Independent file photo)

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–For years now I have heard executives and even baseball so called “experts” call the Oakland Athletics a “small market team”. According to the Official US Census in 2020, the Bay Area has a population of over 7 million people in nine counties and 101 cities.

If that is a small market, then I must have been born yesterday on planet Mongo. Major League Baseball generate great part of their overall revenues via Television, that’s where the money is, forget radio. For the past several years, Nielsen has ranked the Bay Area market, the sixth largest TV market in the country. Actually throughout the 1980s and 1990s it had been the fifth largest.

Not everybody that attends A’s games live in Oakland, just like Giants fans are not only those that live in San Francisco. There is a reason we are the “Bay Area”. Leaving Oakland for Las Vegas is indeed leaving a 7 million people market to a market with a population of 640,000.

The Las Vegas media market is #40 in the US; the Oakland-Bay Area is #6. These are the facts. Yes, Las Vegas (according to the Las Vegas Statistics Bureau) is one of the most popular places to travel not only in the US, but in the world. And according to their statistics, the city has approximately 32 million visitors every year.

The Oakland Raiders have been successful as well as the last and current Stanley Cup Champions Las Vegas Golden Knights. In the NFL you play a 17 game season with about half played at home, in the NHL is an 82 game season with 41 games at home.

In MLB is a 162 game season with 81 home games. To sell most games during an 81 game season at home inside a 30,000 seat stadium, you have to sell out most of the time, to make it around 2 million in attendance.

The ‘powers to be’ in Las Vegas are counting with tourism to buy tickets for baseball, but that is a stretch. Good luck with that. However, I can see Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and other fans of big teams that travel well to see their teams for a three day weekend in Las Vegas, where most people go to watch shows and participate in gambling.

It is also a favorite spot for honeymooners. You can still get married at the Elvis Chapel and if it doesn’t that work, drive north to Reno and get a divorce. Finally, and of course, I wanted the Oakland A’s to stay in Oakland where they had won four World Series and were their roots really are.

But if they leave, as it looks today, even with all the thousands of people and reverse boycotts at different parks, including the two games coming this weekend at Oakland against the Giants, that is all nice and entertaining, but in the end I do not think Mr. Fisher is shaking and sweating when and if he seen those demonstrations, because he still owns the team and at the end, with all respect to the people demonstrating, in this country, under our free enterprise system, you cannot force a private citizen to sell if he/she doesn’t want to sell. It is as simple as that.

I have heard all scenarios by now on this debacle, and all I can go by is what is happening, we all live day to day. Some people are speaking like 2028 is just “around the corner”. 2028 is the projected year for when the Oakland A’s become the Las Vegas A’s.

Construction companies, baseball owners, lawmakers in City Halls in different cities and others maybe in the Stock Market as investors usually can plan for five years ahead, but most people I know they cannot tell you where they are going to be five years from today. Can you?

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Memories of Oakland (No 9 in Series) Glory Years –1988,1989,1990 World Series

Published on August 2, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Oakland A’s outfielder Jose Canseco seen throwing out the first ball in previous years ago game at the Oakland Coliseum was one of the key stars of the A’s World Series teams in the 80s (AP News photo)

By Amaury Pi-González

The Oakland Athletics won three consecutive American League pennants from 1988 to 1990 and made it to the World Series annually.

These three years were the pinnacle of success for the Oakland A’s during the Walter Haas ownership and Tony LaRussa as field manager, the best time since the Charlie O Finley Athletics won three consecutive World Series in 1972-73 and 1974.

The A’s did not win three World Series in a row this time, but these were some of the greatest baseball teams the A’s ever put on the field. The teams had power, speed, pitching, and everything, including very exciting players, but as we know, the World Series is genuinely unpredictable.

1988 I considered the best of these three consecutive World Series teams. They won 104 games and finished 13 games over the Minnesota Twins in their division and then beat the Boston Red Sox in four games to win the American League Championship Series.
The World Series matched the A’s vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, only the second time that two California teams met in the October Classic. Previously was also the Oakland A’s in 1974 when they beat the Dodgers. This time the Dodgers took the Oakland A’s in five games, and pitching star Orel Hershiser won the series MVP. José Canseco won the MVP of the American League and the Silver Slugger Award. Dennis Eckersley won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, and in 1988 Tony LaRussa won the Manager of the Year. The first game of the World Series at Dodger Stadium culminated with a home run by pinch hitter Kirk Gibson (he could not take batting practice due to his physical condition), yet he surprised the world with that dramatic ninth-inning home run vs. Eckersley that landed in the right field seats. Eck threw “one slider too many.” Although it was just Game One, it had the feeling that this was a precursor of what was going to happen. Famous artist Leroy Neiman was present doing his paintings. The great Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, who sang the National Anthem at the inaugural game at Dodger Stadium, came into our booth prior to game three at the Oakland Coliseum. He was very much curious about baseball and specially asked questions about José Canseco, who that season became the first 40-40 player in history.
1989 Was not only Oakland A’s fourth World Championship title but the most historical as a powerful earthquake stopped it. As Evelio A.Mendoza and yours truly were doing the pre-game show Game 3, less than a half-hour before the game was to start, the quake hit, shaking Candlestick Park. I will never forget that October 17. The Loma Prieta earthquake was a strong 6.9 in magnitude. The series resumes ten days after the quake, which killed 67, injured more than 3,700, and caused billions of dollars in property damage. The Oakland A’s won games 1 and 2 at Oakland by scores of 5-0 and 5-1, then ten days after the earthquake, the series resumed in San Francisco, where they won game 3 by a 13-7 score and game four by a 9-6 score. Dave Stewart, who won games 1 and 3 was named the MVP. Nobody in Oakland history did what Stew accomplished from 1987 to 1990; he won 20 to 22 games in each season consecutively. The four World Series trophies for the Oakland A’s are the best for a Bay Area team. The 1989 World Series is historically unique and shows the leadership of the interim Commissioner Fay Vincent, who, after the earthquake, made the decision as he was sitting at his box at Candlestick Park and ordered the game to be postponed. According to Vincent, he had already made the decision to postpone Game 3 without telling anybody first. As a result, the umpires filed a formal protest of Vincent’s decision. However, the game had to be postponed due to trouble with gas lines and the power issue. Vincent made the right decision, and in the end, the World Series was played in its totality. Dave Stewart was more than the MVP for this World Series. Stewart was active working and helping first responders in the Cypress Freeway area of Oakland, which had collapsed during the quake, an area that caused many of the fatalities.
1. The A’s played the Cincinnati Reds. The first two games were scheduled to be played at Cincinnati. There was a large contingency of Oakland A’s employees, their families, that followed the team east. The Mayor of Oakland Lionel Wilson and his wife were present among other Oakland leaders. All the rooms in Cincinnati hotels were sold out. My wife and I stayed in Kentucky along with the other staff people, including broadcasters. The bus ride was about hour from the stadium. Later when I was traveling with other teams, I discovered a friendly bridge that I would walk a few times across the Ohio River from Riverfront Stadium to Covington, Kentucky. Everything went the Red’s way as they won the two games in Cincinnati and the last two in Oakland; A’s were swept. As if often happens in baseball, a player that was young and ineffective during his career with the Oakland A’s from 1985 to 1987, Dominican pitcher José Rijo who was traded from Oakland three years before, was 3-0 in the postseason and 2-0 in the World Series came back to haunt his ex-team and won the MVP.

Years later (when he was not managing the A’s), I spoke with Tony LaRussa, who used to have a pregame segment before each of our A’s games in Spanish, and told him I believe the A’s should have won the three World Series, he agreed with me. But such is baseball.

1990 was the last time the A’s were in a World Series. Thirty-three years ago and counting,

Famous Quotes: “May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow; for every tear, a smile; for every care, a promise; and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life seems, a faithful friend to share; for every sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer”. -Vin Scully.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland Athletics 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: Shohei Ohtani – We might Never see another One like Him

Published on July 29, 2023July 29, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Jul 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

Shohei Ohtani – We might Never see another One like Him

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is no bigger attraction in baseball. He sells more tickets than any other player today. Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is one of the best hitters and one of the best pitchers, all rolled into one single human being.

Baseball is the most difficult game to master, and to have a player like Ohtani playing every day and doing what he is doing; I am not sure we will see that again. Of course, the last one to do such a thing was George Herman (Babe) Ruth, and he last played in 1923, which is 100 years ago.

LA Angels owner Arturo (Arte) Moreno stopped all rumors recently when he said he will not trade Ohtani before the August 1 trade deadline. Which basically means he wants the Angels to make it to the playoffs with Ohtani.

The Los Angeles Angels last made the playoffs in 2014 and Ohtani was yet to made his anticipated debut in the major leagues. That was the year (2014) when Angels superstar Mike Trout won the first of his three MVP awards.

Trout has been out with a fracture of the hammate bone in his left hand. The plan for Moreno is to have Trout back hopefully by mid-August and go into the final stretch of the season with two of the best players in the world in the same lineup, Ohtani and Trout. That is the main reason he did not want to trade Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani will become a free agent after the season and then a handful of teams with the resources will offer him the largest ever multi year deal in baseball history. Years ago Moreno shelled close to $500 million for Mike Trout, but if he wants to retain Ohtani it will cost him more, something in the neighborhood of between $600 million to $700 million.

At the time of this article Ohtani has 39 home runs, which is #1 in the majors, 81 runs batted in, among the leaders and is also among the leaders in most pitching categories. There is nothing “normal;” about this. He is the favorite thing to win his second consecutive American League MVP. The Japanese star is an inspiration to all in the world of sports.

“Nothing is really going to change personally just for having one good year, I feel like the key is to continue having success for a lot of years to come…” -Shohei Ohtani.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: McGriff and Rolen Hall of Fame inductions; Angels want to hang onto Ohtani; plus more

Published on July 25, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Newly inducted Hall of Famers Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen receive their Hall of Fame plaques at the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY on Sun Jul 23,2023 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Former Atlanta Brave Fred McGriff and Former Philadelphia Phillie Steve Rolen were inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame on Sunday. Let’s talk McGriff first his career numbers average .284, 2490 hits, 493 home runs, 1550 RBIs.

#2 Scott Rolen who played 17 years for four different teams including the Phillies had a career batting average .281, 2077 hits, 316 home runs, and 1287 RBI and said in his Hall of Fame speech that he was just one part of the success of playing but he shared his induction with former teammates, managers, coaches, front office staff, fans and stadium employees.

#3 Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani are the hot commodity coming down to the trade deadline, the Angels said they won’t trade Ohtani but are listening to offers. Ohtani said he wouldn’t mind staying in Anaheim but there would have to be some offers made and he would listen. The consensus has been Ohtani should stay at the Angels. Do you see him staying in Anaheim ahead of the deadline?

#4 Talk about Toronto pitcher Alek Manoah’s return to the mound. There has been expectations that since returning from the minors he would be back to full form. Manoah has appeared in three starts but did not get the results the Jays expected. Manoah is now 2-8 with an ERA 6.10.

#5 The Baltimore Orioles (61-38) the hottest team in MLB continue their run in the American League first place in the East. Everything is going right for the O’s who had won their second series against Tampa Bay and moved up two games ahead of the Rays.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on the 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: Memories of Oakland (No.8 in Series) Charlie O and MC Hammer

Published on July 19, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Oakland A’s owner Charlie O Finley rides A’s mascot Charlie O the Mule a popular mascot with fans and kids of the A’s (Fountain City Frequency photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–During the 1970s, two special Oakland A’s stories developed under owner Charlie O Finley.

1-The famous team mascot Charlie O, is named after the stubborn owner. When the team moved to Oakland, Mr.Finley brought the mule from Kansas City; it was originally a gift he received in 1963. The mule was the state animal, and it was a gift from the Governor of the state of Missouri.

All kinds of animals were behind the old Kansas City Municipal Stadium outfield fence. At that time, the A’s shared the stadium with the NFL KC Chiefs, who also had an animal mascot, a horse called Warpaint, who would go on the field after every time the Chiefs scored.

Charlie O the Mule died in 1976 at the age of 20. Mr.Finley would travel the mule during the World Series years, especially to teams’ hotels on the road, getting a lot of publicity from the media. During the 1972-74 three A’s World Series dynasty years, Charlie O. would be present for parties after the World Series games at the former Hyatt House on Hegenberger Road, Oakland.

In 1976 The year the mule died, the A’s ended in second place in the West with a 87-74 record, two and a half games out of first place. Charlie O the Mule was so popular that a song was written and recorded about the mule. (Scroll down to listen to recording from You Tube)

2-MC Hammer, the famous rapper (his real name Stanley Kirk Burrell) was a young kid that owner Finley discovered playing music on his boom box at the Coliseum parking lot and as he met him, the colorful owner made him a bat-boy and later, his right hand.

As a young kid, I remember he would be in the Oakland A’s Press Box at the Coliseum bringing broadcasters coffee or anything we needed. My then broadcast partner Julio González, (no relation), we would get a kick out of Stanley, which is what we called him as a kid.

He would also pick up the phone with frequency during games at Oakland to let owner Finley in Chicago know how the A’s were doing during the game. Stanley would do the play-by-play of the game directly and exclusively on the telephone to Mr.Finley.

He did this for years as a young teen and then until he was 18. Years ago, when Stanley was mostly known as M.C. Hammer, and had recorded his big hit “You Can’t Touch This”, he made an appearance at the Coliseum. I remember he stepping out of a long white limousine; I called his name, and we spoke for a couple of minutes; he asked me if I was still doing Spanish for the A’s.

He was a full-grown man, very well sharply dressed and very personable, and still enjoying recognition from his fame as a pop music recording star. He had a great music career, unfortunately later filed for bankruptcy. He rebounded and now is an investor and consultant for various companies.

These memories of the Oakland As will forever be engraved in my memory. Nobody can take that away from me, even if they move to Las Vegas or anyplace else. There is little doubt these two stories, 1-Charlie O and 2-MC Hammer, are part of the story of the Athletics. The Athletics were Chartered members of the American League in the year 1901 as the Philadelphia As, later Kansas City As, and today the Oakland As.

Quote: “If a manager of mine ever said someone was indispensable, I’d fire him. Charlie Finley.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for 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: Owners not too excited on playing A’s in minor league parks

Published on July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas home of the Las Vegas Aviators triple A minor league team of the Oakland A’s is considered as one of the possible interim homes for the A’s after 2024 while their Tropicana ballpark is under construction (photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the players are concerned about having to play in the interim in minor league parks whether it be in Reno, Sacramento or Las Vegas.

#2 Another issue about using a minor league park is locker room size, the amenities, the size and atmosphere does not fit Major League standards.

#3 another issue some of the Major League owners don’t want to use a Minor League facility because the gate will be much smaller than a big league park.

#4 The idea has surfaced about using Oracle Park in San Francisco that could go two ways #1 the Giants would say absolutely not they want to the A’s to figure out their own park issues or #2 they could extend a kind gesture since the A’s are leaving are leaving the market anyway and the Giants could get a cut of that gate as well.

#5 What would be strange about a A’s using Oracle Park circumstance and allowed by the Giants. The Giants will not relinquish their territory rights in the South Bay, why would they allow the A’s to their share their park at Oracle.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: To Trade of Not to Trade Ohtani? That is the Question

Published on July 17, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is the subject of trade rumors as the MLB trade deadline is approaching (AP photo file)

By Amaury Pi-González

This is the toughest and most consequential decision LA Angels owner Arturo Moreno will have to make as the owner of his team, since he bought the club in 2003. His team was playing over .500 until Mike Trout got hurt and now Arturo will have to consider what are his chances to make it to the postseason, with a healthy Ohtani and hopeful that Trout who is rehabbing, quickly returns in time for the team to drive in runs and joins Ohtani.

Let’s say what do you get if you trade the most famous and productive player in the game today? It will never be enough. If you are a real baseball fan you are lucky and privileged to be living during a time when we are witnessing a one-of-a-kind-in-a-century-athlete.

What Shohei Ohtani is doing is like two great players all wrapped-up into one. Ohtani is one of the best hitters and one of the best pitchers in major league baseball through the first half of the 2023 season. Although is premature to say, with some 70 plus games remaining this season, last year’s MVP could be this year’s MVP again.

With 34 home runs the Angels Japanese two-way superstar is leading both leagues in raw power, (on a pace to beat the record established last season in the American League for 62 home runs by Yankee slugger Aaron Judge) Ohtani is third in runs batted in with 72, and also among the best pitchers with the best stuff and number four in strikeouts with 132.

There is no need to compare Ohtani with Babe Ruth, who last played in 1923, that is one hundred years ago. It is fair to say that Ohtani is putting up Babe Ruth numbers, and some even say he is a better player than Ruth. I cannot say that because I never saw Babe Ruth play, and who is alive today to say?

It is impossible to compare one player to the other. We also have to take into consideration that when Babe Ruth played advances in science and nutrition and players training and conditioning were not even remotely close to what they are today Baseball is one of the toughest if not “the toughest” to play among other team sports. In 1982 Ted Williams told the New York Times, “I’ve always said that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports.

The hardest thing – a round ball, round bat, curves, sliders, knuckle-balls, upside down and a ball coming in at 90 miles to 100 miles an hour, it’s a pretty lethal thing. What Ted Williams said is just about hitting (as a pure hitter he was the best ever), now add to that pitching.

This is what the scouts say about Ohtani’s pitching; Ohtani is a true five-pitch pitcher, throwing all with accuracy and velocity. A high-fastball that can reach 97, an 83 mph slider and 81 mph change-up, also an effective curve ball he uses to set up his other pitches in batter’s counts.

The question about Ohtani is how long he can keep doing what he is doing. Ohtani’s teammate and best friend with the Angels, Mike Trout recently fractured his left hamate, in other words, he broke his wrist, he will be out at least four weeks and if by then the Angels are not in contention, I believe they will not trade Ohtani, but will end the season with him.

Then, Ohtani will become a free agent and the favorite LA Dodgers will make an effort to sign him to the largest baseball contract in history. The irony here is that Mike Trout signed a 12-year $426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 which included a $20 million signing bonus.

At the time the richest deal in the history of North American sports. Ohtani as a free agent will sign a larger contract that his good friend Mike Trout. Odds-masters and people ‘in the know’ have made the Los Angeles Dodgers the heavy favorites to land Ohtani, they have the financial resources for that mega contract, plus Ohtani, likes Dodger Stadium and Southern California.

For Ohtani we are talking over $600 million multi-year deal. Also, do not count out the Padres, Mets and Yankees to get Othani as a free agent after the season. Finally: I do not think Arturo Moreno will trade the great Japanese star.

He will keep him and see if you can make the postseason, if you do not, and he is a free agent, he is gone. That is my opinion; if you disagree I still respect your opinion. Remember this is only baseball we are not deciding a war here. Wherever he plays, enjoy Ohtani, because we might never see another one like him again for another 100 years.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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 rookies break into show open Twins series; MLB owners to look at A’s documents before vote; plus more news

Published on July 15, 2023July 15, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s rookies designated hitter Tyler Soderstrom (left) and second baseman Zack Gelof (right) made their MLB debut against the Minnesota Twins at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Jul 14, 2023 (USA Today photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, talk about Oakland A’s Tyler Soderstrom and Zack Gelof who both were in the line up on Friday night making their Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins how did they look?

#2 The A’s also have pitcher Freddy Tarnok do you look to see him as a middle reliever or a closer?

#3 Both pitcher Richard Lovelady and catcher Manny Pina were place on the IL before Friday night’s game how long are they expected to be out?

#4 A’s starter Ken Waldichuk got the call Friday night he was looking for the win he had a good night out on the mound keeping run total down early.

#5 Amaury, I didn’t get to interview you about Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao do you see her visit last Sunday in Seattle a last ditch effort to keep the A’s in Oakland or a hope that she could show the owners that the A’s did have something on the drawing board and it was close to fruition prior to A’s president David Kaval saying the team had a binding deal in Las Vegas?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: José Canseco to participate in the Battle for Vegas

Published on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Jose Canseco trying a juice at a Las Vegas promotion will be participating in the Battle for Vegas. Canseco a Las Vegas resident will be involved in the community event. Canseco will joined by members of the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, at the local event. (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

By Amaury Pi-González

Ex-A’s star, first 40-40 man in baseball history, World Champion and MVP José Canseco will participate in the Battle for Vegas. In its fourth year, a popular community event that brings members of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Vegas Raiders, and this year the A’s are joining the local event. The event will take place on July 22 at Las Vegas Aviators Ballpark.

The A’s Community Foundation was added as a sponsor for the Battle for Vegas 2023 charity softball game, which will benefit the Public Education Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters this year. A’s President David Kaval said in a statement according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “As the A’s work toward finalizing relocation to Las Vegas, we are proud and honored to support Reilly Smith and members from Vegas Golden Knights, along with Maxx Crosby and his teammates as they engage in a friendly game of softball at our affiliate team’s ballpark while raising funds for deserving nonprofits.”

The Oakland A’s are getting its community efforts going in Las Vegas ahead of their potential relocation. Commissioner Rob Manfred in Seattle, for the All-Star Game, said that the A’s had begun their relocation efforts, later to be voted by MLB team owners.

Canseco is a resident of Las Vegas, where he owns and operates a popular Car Wash off the strip. Kaval added about the A’s participation in this community event: “We can’t think of a better way to start engaging with the Las Vegas community scene and the charity softball game.” While James Sullivan, co-founder of the Battle for Vegas, said: “We are thrilled to have the A’s Community Foundation as a Battle for Vegas partner.”

Team Reilly includes the NHL Champions Golden Knights Jack Eichel, Adin Hill, Keegan Kolestar, Nicolas Hague, Logan Thompson, and Zach Whitecloud, Shea Theodore, and fan favorite Ryan Reaves. Team Maxx includes Crosby and Raiders Nate Hobbs, AJ Cole, Daniel Carlson, Tre-von Moehrig, and Dylan Parham. The A’s will be represented by Canseco, who will be in both, the game and the home run derby.

This Las Vegas charity event has raised more than $550,000 since 2018 for local nonprofits. Gates open at 5 PM July 22, with the home run derby starting at 6:30 pm and opening pitch for the game at 7:30 PM, all at the A’s Triple-A Affiliate Las Vegas Aviators Stadium.

This year’s competition will benefit the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, distributing funds to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, and The Public Education Foundation of Las Vegas.

Note: The Teachers Union and vote in Las Vegas efforts won’t affect A’s ballpark, according to the LVCVA, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for Oakland A’s play by play action on the A’s Spanish radio network on 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: Opposing teams might have problem playing in minor league parks if A’s leave Coliseum; All Star Game in Seattle tonight

Published on July 11, 2023 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark said that the relocation of the Oakland A’s will impact players, front office personnel, stadium employees, fans, visiting teams. No one will be left out from the effects of the A’s moving to Vegas. (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury it’s been since early June when Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the MLB owners will take a vote on the Oakland A’s relocation move to Las Vegas here we are second week of July day of the 2023 All Star game no vote is planned. Is this an indication to you that the 30 owners are far apart on this relocation move to Las Vegas and more than eight teams are voting no on the relocation idea.

#2 Tony Clark of the MLB Players Union says that one of the issues of relocating to Reno or Las Vegas to play games in over 100 degree heat in temporary homes for the A’s during the 2025-27 seasons is a concern for visiting MLB teams who come to Nevada to play the A’s.

#3 Clark also said that there are a lot of people affected by the A’s move to Las Vegas, the players, manager, coaches, visiting ball clubs, fans, Oakland Coliseum employees and front office personnel. This move will have those groups having to move and accept a lower pay scale and possible pay cuts in because of lower wages offered in Nevada.

#4 Amaury do you think one of the factors that is stalling the owners from taking the vote is that Manfred has waved the relocation fee and that teams will take in less revenue since the A’s will now play in the 40th and smallest market in MLB and have the smallest ballpark in MLB.

#5 Bally’s who owns the Tropicana site has offered four more acres of land space making it 13 acres to build the new ballpark on it and giving it more room for the retractable roof. Does such an offering from Bally’s sweeten the deal for the A’s getting more space?