Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Freedom of Religion is Older than Any sports League

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In 1965 LA Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in Game One of the World Series because it was Yom Kippur, a Jewish Holiday part of exercising his religious rights and beliefs. Koufax is seen here in this photo, the Hall of Famer smiles as the Los Angeles Dodgers unveil a Sandy Koufax statue in the Centerfield Plaza to honor the Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner prior to a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

In the United States of America, freedom of religion is older than any of the sports leagues in the country and is protected under the US Constitution.

Recently James Reimer of the San José Sharks refused to take part in wearing Pride-theme jerseys during LGBT night at SAP Center, Reimer cited conflicted Christian beliefs.

“…In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life.

I strongly believe that every person has value and worth, and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey.”

The  San José Sharks accepted his decision and added this statement “Our hope is that this content will serve as a reminder that there are issues more important than goals, highlights, and wins,” said the team on Twitter. The evening also included partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations, themed lighting and music at the arena, and pride-themed merchandise for sale.  I believe the San José Sharks handled it correctly.

In this quick social media world, when some people are just waiting to disagree as divided as the country is today, we sometimes forget how important this is to the fiber of this country and to its citizens. There are many cases, of athletes exercising their religious beliefs, here below are two superstars of their respective sports.

–In 1965 LA Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in Game One of the World Series because it was Yom Kippur, a Jewish Holiday.

–In 1960s Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the US Armed Forces. He refused to cite his religion (Islam) and was forbidden from serving. It cost him. Boxing stripped Ali of his heavyweight title, however, the US Military respected his decision. Ali was one of the most famous people around the world, not only in boxing circles. Twitter and all the other “instant” media outlets did not exist. There were some that disagreed (it is America after all) but by far it was accepted and people moved on with their lives.

US Constitution – First Amendment.

Personal religious beliefs are protected by the laws of the United States under the First Amendment of the Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent for the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio network heard on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and catch his podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Murakami whacks walk off double for 6-5 Japan win over Mexico in WBC; Reds Votto could be heading to Toronto; plus more

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Japan players celebrate after Masataka Yoshida hit a home run scoring Kensuke Kondoh and Shohei Ohtani during the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico, Monday, March 20, 2023, in Miami. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, I got to ask you team owners, general managers, managers, and coaches just to name a few have to be a little concerned when loaning some of their key star players to future World Baseball Classics after what happened to Team Venezuela and Houston Astro Jose Altuve getting hit on the hand and suffering a finger fracture.

#2 In the World Baseball Classic Japan’s Munetaka Murakami struggled in most of his at bats against Mexico but in the end Murakami after going 0-4 with three strikeouts. Murakami ripped a two run double off the centerfield fence that scored the game winning runs and won it for Team Japan 6-5 knocking in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for two RBIs.

#3 The Cincinnati Reds are considering trading Joey Votto to the Toronto Blue Jays if Votto would ask for the trade. The Reds would like to hold onto Votto but would seek a deal with the Blue Jays if Votto pushed for it if the Reds were out of the hunt later this season.

#4 Team USA teed off on Team Cuba on Sunday for a 14-2 win and they got home run help from Team USA’s Trea Turner. What went wrong with Cuba’s pitching they were in Team USA’s wheel house who pulled them over the fence.

#5 Amaury, San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo has just about one batter in him as he will go to the mound on Mon Mar 27th at Oracle Park to pitch to his last batter of his career as Romo will be retiring as a Giant when they face the Oakland A’s in the final exhibition game between the two clubs. Romo was on the 2012 and 2014 World Series Championship teams.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for the play by play action of 71 home games of the Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and read That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2023 WBC Great Ratings

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Team Venezuela’s Jose Altuve gets hit on the fingers on his right hand and had to leave the game during an at bat against Team USA at LoanDepot Park in Miami during the World Baseball Classic on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

2023: World Baseball Classic Great Ratings

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The World Baseball Classic tournament began in 2006. Major League Baseball wanted to manufacture a World Cup Soccer-like event after baseball was dropped from the Olympics. It is now played every four years.

The current 2023 WBC has been exciting reporting a substantial increase in ratings on television and sold-out baseball parks from Miami to Phoenix and also outside the US. The attendance had increased by 24 percent, in last Tuesday’s night semifinal 1.7 million on MLB Network was that network’s most-watched non-playoff game.

 The Japan-Korea game drew a 44.4 rating in Japan, a higher rating than any sport featured in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Korea, and the Dominican Republic all saw significant increases in viewership numbers for the 2023 WBC.

Some wonder about countries like; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Perú and other South-American countries. Those countries are heavily into Fútbol (Soccer, in the US) and they do not really follow the game of baseball as these other countries in the WBC, such as; Australia, Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela,  México, Colombia, Panamá, Nicaragua and of course the United States of America, where baseball was born.

Also, other countries participating in 2023 are Chinese Taipei, South Korea (where they have professional baseball leagues)  Great Britain, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. In the case of the Netherlands, some of their best players play in the major leagues and come from the small Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Saint Martin, all part of The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The popularity of baseball in Latin America continues to be as passionate as ever, especially since some of the great superstars in Major League Baseball are Latino players and should not go unnoticed by baseball teams here in the US, the strong Hispanic audience, the largest minority in the US.

According to the US Census data, there are 62.1 million Hispanics living in the US (many reports say it is close to 75 million) because lots of people do not register/take part in the Census. There are an estimated 11 to 15 million Hispanics who live in the US who do not have the documents necessary, however, those people are part of the economy of the US

The four remaining games of the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami have been sold out, The ratings and the popularity during this tournament is growing like never before.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernanez Douen for all the Oakland A’s play by play in Spanish on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Clock is Ticking toward New Baseball Season

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Oakland A’s infielder Jace Peterson (6) tosses bubble gum out of the A’s dugout in Hohokam Stadium in Mesa AZ during an A’s photo shoot at spring training (Oakland A’s Facebook photos)

The Clock is Ticking toward New Baseball Season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–2023 is The Year of the Clock, and the clock is ticking towards a new baseball season as the Oakland A’s will punch the clock and go to work on Thursday March 30 at 7:07 at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Angels. It will be the 55th season for the A’s at their historic Oakland Coliseum.

The same place where the A’s hoisted four World Championship flags. This place had survived many great and not-so-great moments, crazy games and one of the four World Series championships played in the middle of an earthquake in 1989, but for some of us who were there, it didn’t get any crazier than that.

This 2023 Oakland A’s team has players that you have seen like Tony Kemp, Nick Allen, Seth Brown, Christian Pache, and Ramón Laureano (among others), and many that you have seen but with another team, like Jesús Aguilar, Aledmys Díaz, Esteury Ruíz, or never seen at all, like the most interesting addition to this ball club, Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, who although he pitched for 10 years in Japan, will be a rookie in the majors.

An assortment of players will keep manager Mark Kotsay and his staff busy all summer long, looking for that ‘winning combination’ and will try to play as a unit and bring some positive results and fun moments to the A’s fans. One young A’s player that will become a star this year and take charge is catcher Shea Langeliers.

A’s No.1 prospect (# 39 MLB) Tyler Soderstrom, catcher, and first baseman survived the last cut and is still in Spring Training with two weeks until Opening Day. Will he make the roster? There is always a surprise or two in Spring Training.

To predict how the A’s will do this year is not that difficult, because nobody is expecting them to contend. Even the staunchest A’s fan will tell you that to play .500 all year will be the biggest goal for a team with these many moving pieces, but even that is unrealistic.

Any A’s fan should be happy to see the 2023 A’s version ending with 81 wins, which can also be said of many other teams that are not considered contenders. I know this 2023 year will be key for one A’s player; Ramón Laureano, trying to capture that 2019 season magic, his best for the A’s when he hit .288 with 24 home runs and 67 runs batted in.

His defense has always been there and owns one of the best arms from the outfield in the game. During the off-season rumors had Ramón leaving for the Yankees, the Phillies, and even the Marlins.

Ramón needs to stay healthy for the A’s. The team lost 102 games last season, positive minds believe 2023 should be a better year. Among my own survey, I ended with an average of a season for the A’s, this 2023 with a 76-86 record.

In 2022 (among all 30 teams) A’s last in combined average .216, #28 in home runs with 137, and #29 in RBI with 537. Their pitching had a 4.52 era which ranks #23 in all MLB. The Coliseum holds the distinction of containing the largest foul territory of any ballpark in the Major Leagues and this always helps their pitchers.

2023 is another rebuilding year for the A’s but could be also a year where this franchise announces a change of “geographic” direction to another State or maybe a change of address from the Oakland Ring Central to just six miles north on highway 1-80 by the Port of Oakland, a place called Howard Terminal.

I have friends on both sides, those that believe the A’s can’t leave Oakland but that they need a miracle for that to happen, and others who are gamblers and you know what they are thinking.

The disparity in baseball. Are you kidding? In 2022 there were four 100-win teams and four 100-lost teams, both tying the all-time record.

Famous winner and great baseball philosopher catcher Yogi Berra holds the MLB record for the most World Series rings, with ten, and was quoted as saying when it came to baseball knowledge; “In baseball, you don’t know nothing”.

Happy Weekend everybody!

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for all the play by play of Oakland A’s baseball on the A’s Spanish radio network 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ex-A’s manager LaRussa wants his memorabilia back from animal foundation

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Former Oakland A’s manager Tony LaRussa handles all he can at his non profit ARF in 2009. LaRussa in 2023 is demanding his property returned to him that included rings, trophies, and other sports memorabilia that he left in the ARF offices in Walnut Creek. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Former Oakland A’s manager Tony LaRussa’s attorney said that LaRussa wants his baseball memorabilia back that he left in the offices of his foundation ARF Animal Rescue Foundation which includes, trophies, rings, and other awards and memories that LaRussa left. LaRussa and his foundation will part company after a final dispute over the adoption of a dog named Lovebug.

#2 LaRussa founded ART in 1991 and was inspired to help animals after he picked up a stray cat at the Oakland Coliseum during his time with the A’s. LaRussa a Hall of Famer has won World Championships with the A’s in 1989 and the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011.

#3 LaRussa finished his managing career with the Chicago White Sox for two seasons 2021 and 2022. At his animal rescue foundation LaRussa has demanded through his attorney that his property is returned to him. The foundation has refused to return the property although ARF has not said the property belongs to the non profit they are holding onto the momentos non the less.

#4 A’s outfielder JJ Bleday was optioned to the A’s triple A farm system Las Vegas. Bleday, Cristian Pache and Esteury Ruiz all were competing for a the centerfield job. Who do you see being the everyday centerfielder?

#5 A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami says he focusing on fitting in and being one of the guys in the A’s clubhouse and adjusting to learning English as a second language and has said he’s very excited about the upcoming 2023 season. Fujihami’s interpreter it should be noted is also the Oakland A’s strength coach and wears the interpreter hat when Fujinami is speaking with the media before and after ball games.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Three points on why A’s are leaning towards moving to Las Vegas

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7 year old Indie Erardy shows off her newly signed baseball as Oakland Athletic players sign for the fans at Las Vegas Ballpark on Sun Mar 4, 2023 before their exhibition split squad game against the Cincinnati Reds (Las Vegas Register Review photo)

Three points on why A’s are leaning towards moving to Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Three big points for the Oakland A’s today and their possible move to Las Vegas are all related to money. Here they are: 1-Revenue sharing:

During the Winter Meetings in December, commissioner Rob Manfred pointed to January 15, 2024, as something of a deadline for the A’s to have a binding agreement with the City of Oakland. Under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, the A’s would lose their status as a recipient of revenue-sharing

(MLB teams will receive at least $100 million annually from TV rights contracts)

2-MLB relocation fee:

Commissioner Rob Manfred said that under current guidelines he has control of charging a franchise fee and has already gone to his executive council, which has endorsed the position. “That’s why I was prepared to say it publicly,” Manfred said: “If they can get it done in Vegas, there will not be a relocation fee for them.”

(How much does it cost to relocate an MLB team? An expansion fee would run at least $2.2 billion, Manfred said in April 2021, calculating the average value of major-league franchises at the time) 3-Las Vegas factor:

While the A’s played a couple of games this weekend at their Las Vegas Aviators Stadium (AAA affiliate) at Summerlin. Clark County Commission Chairman Jim Gibson told the San Francisco Chronicle that while “the governor has said no new taxes, that doesn’t mean there aren’t public revenues available” The Commissioner appeared ready to lobby state officials (in the Nevada legislation) for some “gift” close to the $750 million that Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis received for a new stadium.

The Oakland A’s, according to the state of Nevada records, has recently formed a lobbying group for Nevada’s 2023 legislative session. A’s President Dave Kaval is listed among the names that make up the “Athletics Investment Group”. These lobbyists for the A’s are trying to influence legislation in Nevada’s government decisions regarding facilitating their relocation from Oakland to Sin City.

Stephen Edwin King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels, some adapted to many famous films. Credited with saying this: “Money talks and BS walks”.

KIQI 1010/990AM San Francisco-Bay Area and Sacramento, returns as the A’s Official Spanish flagship station with 66 live broadcasts this 2023 season, beginning Opening Night from the Oakland Coliseum at 7 PM when they host the LA Angels.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the play by play of Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network and News and Commentary with Amaury at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: BoSox Turner gets 16 stitches after beaning; Clevinger no discipline after domestic violence accusation; plus more

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Boston Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner is assisted off the field after getting hit in the mouth from a Detroit Tigers Matt Manning pitch (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, how scary does it get as Boston Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner takes a pitch to the mouth from Detroit Tigers right hand pitcher Matt Manning. Turner walked off the field under his own power and had to get 16 stitches. The Sox reported Turner had swelling and was back home resting.

#2 Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger was not disciplined after being accused of domestic violence by the mother of his one year daughter. According to his 24 year old girlfriend Olivia Finestead said Clevinger allegedly strangled, slapped, Finestead and threw chewing tobacco at his daughter. Clevinger was accused of throwing an i pad at Finestead.

#3 The Chicago Cubs pitcher right hander Adam Sampson was ready to pitch to his teammates in a live simulated game and had a challenge with the pitch clock not being able to throw before the 15 seconds winded down. Sampson had a hard time pacing himself and ended up throwing the ball rather than pitching it because he didn’t want to be late for the clock.

#4 Los Angeles pitcher Shohei Ohtani made some at bats count in Monday’s World Baseball Classic hitting two three run home runs for Team Japan against the Hanshin Tigers in Japan’s 8-1 win. He’s swinging the bat in a way that would make Babe Ruth proud.

#5 Oakland A’s first baseman Jesus Aguilar says he hopes to help build something good for the A’s this season. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that he hopes to put last season behind and is looking to having a great year this year.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has all your play by play on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Roll the Dice Weekend in Vegas

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A’s played two game series in Las Vegas against the Cincinnati Reds at triple A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators park Cashman Park in Las Vegas on Sun Mar 5, 2023 (photo from mlb.com)

A’s Roll the Dice: Weekend in Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

One of the many Frank Sinatra hits over decades was “Luck be A Lady” which he also sang in the 1955 film “Guys and Dolls”, which also featured Marlon Brando. Sinatra and the famous Rat Pack was the King of Las Vegas, years before Elvis Presley arrived in Sin City. I had the pleasure of seeing both of them live in concert, there was nothing like it. If the Oakland A’s move to Las Vegas, there will also be nothing like it because it would be the first time in history that Las Vegas, Nevada would be home to a major league baseball franchise. And they will have 81 shows each summe

“Big League Weekend” A’s sent a split-squad of players to Las Vegas for two games against the Cincinnati Reds. The games were played at Las Vegas Ballpark, the home of the Oakland A’s Triple-a affiliate, the Aviators in Summerlin, a 20 minute drive from the strip.

Las Vegas has been home to a Triple-A team since 1983. This weekend the folks had the chance of watching the 2023 Oakland A’s in action. In 1996, the A’s played their first six games of their regular season at Cashman Field, Las Vegas, while the Oakland Coliseum was still under renovation with the return of the Raiders in 1995 from Los Angeles.

Remember? Yes, the Raiders who are now permanent residents of…Las Vegas. (Raiders’ owner Al Davis who moved to LA signed a letter of intent to bring the team back to Oakland in return the City of Oakland renovated the Coliseum (Mt.Davis) to the tune of millions of dollars which left Oakland taxpayers on the hook)

Quotes from this weekend series:

(Saturday)

–Jason Giambi was the 2000 American League MVP for the A’s and he is all for the A’s to make their permanent residence in Las Vegas, where he has lived since 1998. He mentioned either the A’s or an expansion team. Giambi was at Saturday’s game with his traveling youth baseball team, the Henderson Hawks, and spoke about the possibility of the A’s moving to Las Vegas. He said he felt for “some of the greatest fans in the world” with an A’s move, “But also,” he added, “to be relevant anymore in baseball, you have to be competitive.”

A new stadium, in a new market, might allow for that. Giambi also said “there is no competition for the summer sports dollar in Las Vegas “I came here as a Triple-A player, and it was the best five days of my life. Are you kidding me?” “There’s nothing like it. You can wake up in the middle of night, 2 o’clock in the morning, go get breakfast, go watch a show, anything you want to do. It’s a little bit of the Wild, Wild West. It’s not like that anywhere else.”

Saturday score: Reds beat the A’s 10-9, in front of 8,805 paid fans (capacity at Aviators Stadium is 10,000) the attendance was 88% of capacity.

–A’s Manager Mark Kotsay: “It’s no secret that we’ve been pursuing paths in Oakland and Vegas. So maybe there’s more buzz around it because we’re going right now and the process has seemed to be shifted a little bit,” Kotsay said, “For us as an organization, we continue to pursue both in Oakland and in Vegas and we call that the parallel path. For us, we’re always looking for the opportunity in front of us.”

–Don Logan, president and COO of the Triple-A Aviators, told ESPN.”It makes sense. My perspective, make the best deal you can in Vegas and start to turn this community on” “Las Vegas offers a dynamic that no other team has. We have 45 million visitors annually in this market, and that’s what we want — heads in beds. That’s what Las Vegas is about.”Logan also mentioned that a retractable-roof stadium would be needed for the summer when temperatures regularly hit 110 degrees who added that Las Vegas first look at the A’s in a ‘quiet examination’ for a potential relocation in the year 2004.

–David Forst, general manager of the Oakland A’s said “I’m hoping the A’s get a stadium. I don’t take sides. The only thing that affects the way we operate in baseball operations is actually having a facility. “We really can’t spend a lot of time thinking about the where right now.”

Sunday score: Reds beat the A’s 12-4, in front of 8,024 paid fans.

Next for the A’s: With three weeks of Spring Training left, they will face Colombia who is one of the teams in the World Baseball Classic that starts the competition this week. A’s will open regular season on March 30th when they host the LA Angels, first pitch at 7:07.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the play by play of Oakland A’s baseball on the A’s Spanish radio network and catch That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Machado and Padres come to an 11 yr $350 million extension agreement; plus more news

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The San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado became the game’s first player to get called for the auto strike during Cactus League action (photo from yahoo.com sports)

On That’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, how important is it for the San Diego Padres and team owner Peter Siedler to have stepped up and have signed superstar Manny Machado to an 11 year $350 million contract extension this coming after Machado saying he would have opted out after this season?

#2 Machado this week became the Majors first player to take a strike on a at bat violation he went 0-1 on the count against the Seattle Mariners last Saturday in the first exhibition game of the Cactus League as called by plate umpire Ryan Blakney. It goes as a first in the book, Machado said humbly that might the first of many.

#3 The Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves also saw the auto strike end a ball game, on Sunday Braves minor league hitter Cal Conley was at the plate in the ninth with the bases loaded with two outs and a 3-2 count. Conley didn’t get set to hit in time and was called for strike three which ended the game and a chance for the Braves to tie or win it.

#4 Regional Sports Network and AT&T SportsNet has informed some ten MLB teams that they are preparing to discontinue regional sports coverage streaming. The Networks also have informed the teams to take back their distribution rights before the end of March. What ever happened to simple local coverage and live play by play radio coverage now the business just to cover a game has turned bureaucratic.

#5 Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will be out for the World Baseball Classic. Suzuki has an oblique injury and will not play in the World Baseball Classic as the Cubs announced on Monday. Suzuki got injured earlier in camp and had not be participating in practices since.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for all Oakland A’s home games live Spanish radio play by play on the A’s Spanish radio Network with Manolo Hernandez Douen and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB–Oakland A’s the Fuji effect

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The Oakland A’s Shintaro Fujinami warms up at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa at Cactus League spring training (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

MLB: Oakland A’s –  The Fuji effect-

Tha’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2023 season is not far from the ‘first pitch’, and Spring Training is in full swing as all 30 clubs have hopes of a postseason berth. Seven months from today reality will be set for 28 teams, and only two will be playing in the World Series. Although is too early to talk about October baseball, this is the time to talk about what teams have in store.

For the Oakland A’s there is a new bunch of players.  Among the position players, only a handful of “veterans” like Ramón Laureano, Tony Kemp and Seth Brown are names that fans could identify together with some young pitchers. The team signed free agent Japanese right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami “Please call me ‘Fuji.’ Like Mount Fuji,” the Japanese right-hander said in English when he was introduced to the media in Oakland.

Fuji played for ten years in Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan) for the Hanshin Tigers. Fuji (as he said he likes to be called) will turn 29 this next April. The A’s signed Fuji to a one-year deal for $3.25 million. He was, by far, the most interesting signing by the team this off-season. 

The A’s going to Asia makes news. After all, the last time the A’s had a Japanese player was in 2011, slugger Hideki Matsui, who played only that year for the Green and Gold, with the difference that Matsui was already a major league player. Today in Spring Training, Fuji is the main attraction, although he had yet to throw one pitch in the majors and although many “experts” suggested (before he signed with the A’s) that he could help a team in the majors as a reliever.

The A’s are giving him a shot of winning a spot in the starting rotation. Why not? The A’s rotation is still young and does not have much experience. Fuji pitched for ten years in Japan (although a rookie in the majors) he still has more experience on the mound than any A’s pitcher on this roster, to date.

Here’s what Sports Info Solutions wrote about Fujinami. The splitter was his best strikeout pitch, and his most-used pitch with two strikes, narrowly edging out his fastball in both two-strike usage and strikeouts. In addition to having a solid 34% whiff rate, batters also struggled to do anything with the splitter when it was put in play. His splitters turned into grounders 66% of the time, and batters only managed a 9% hard-hit rate versus the pitch.

I do not know how much success Shintaro Fujinami will have with the A’s, and the truth is that nobody really knows. Not a surprise the A’s signed him for one year since he will have to prove himself at the major league level. I am surprised when the A’s signed veteran Cuban-born journeyman Aledmys Díaz to a 2-year $14.5 million deal.

Díaz can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for plate appearances. Díaz is a seven year veteran who played for St Louis, Toronto, and the most recent World Champion Houston Astros. Díaz can play many bases and it makes sense he will take the place of utility man extraordinaire Chad Pinder who left the A’s to sign a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Note: Fuji was very excited after he learned on Saturday he will be starting this next Tuesday the 28th against his good friend and countryman, the sensational two-way player, Shohei Ohtani when the A’s face the LA Angels.