Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy (12) follows through on a solo home run swing as Texas Rangers catcher Meibrys Viloria looks on in the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Wed Aug 17, 2022 (AP News photo file)

Sean Murphy, Last of The Mohicans

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Since they began play in Oakland in 1968, the As’ had some terrific catchers, one of them was Gene Tenace who hit 4 home runs in the 1972 World Series and won the MVP, he was part of the A’s dynasty (1972-73-74). During the glory years of the 1980’s Terry Steinbach, a three-time All Star and the MVP of the 1988 All Star Game, a clutch hitter who drove in seven runs during the A’s 1989 World Series sweep against the San Francisco Giants, was very productive and in my opinion underrated.

Ramón Hernández who was one of six All Star catchers in Oakland A’s history also played the backstop for the A’s. Most recently, and although he only played in Oakland for a brief time, one of the most popular receivers, Stephen Vogt, who started his career with a home run and ended it with a home run in his final at bat this past season., Vogt became the third player in MLB history to have that type of home-run-book-end of a career. Of course, we cannot forget Ray Fosse for the A’s behind the plate, as well as very popular radio and television commentator for the team.

Currently still an Oakland A’s, Sean Murphy, named one of the Top-10 best catchers in MLB. He is the last one of the most recent star players that have left the A’s the last couple of seasons, mostly notably; Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montás, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, just to mention a few.

While the A’s traded their first baseman (Olson) and third baseman (Chapman) and their shortstop Elvis Andrus was signed by the White Sox, right after he was released by the A’s.Murphy is the only regular A’s on the infield that remains. At least a half-dozen teams are interested in Murphy’s services.

One of the best candidates involving a trade for Murphy are the San Diego Padres, under the direction of ex-A’s manager Bob Melvin (who was also a catcher) is probably the #1 contender for Murphy. Also in the mix are the Chicago White Sox, St Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox.

Murphy was a nominee for the AL 2022 Gold Glove Award, won by Yankee’s José Trevino. He will be missed if he changed jerseys this off-season, but we can say that of most of the players that have left Oakland recently.

Because the A’s are strong and young in the catching position, now with Shea Langeliers, 25 years old, who became a strong #2 catcher behind Murphy this past season, and will probably be their #1 catcher next season, plus 21 year olds in the minors like Daniel Susac and Tyler Soderstrom, it is likely they will depart with Murphy this winter and acquire more prospects and maybe one established veteran.

Why do I say this? Because there is a precedent, this is what the A’s have been famous for, especially when rebuilding. So why are we going to expect anything but… plus like Casey said.

“You have to have a catcher because if you don’t you’re likely to have a lot of passed balls”. – Casey Stengel.

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

Nevada Governor elect Joe Lombardo takes center stage at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Mon Nov 14, 2022 he was elected governor the next day and the question remains will he publicly finance an Oakland A’s move with public money to come to Las Vegas? (AP News photo)

Nevada Election could Impact the A’s move

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Joe Lombardo (R) beat Steve Sisolak (D) to become the new governor of the State of Nevada. Sisolak (who lost) was a strong proponent of Southern Nevada’s $750 million subsidy to help build the Raiders stadium just west of the Strip. Sisolak aired two TV commercials highlighting his support for the Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix set for November 2023.

Sisolak was not in favor of using tax money in order to help the A’s built their new stadium in Las Vegas. Even with the emphasis on sports growth in Las Vegas in his political spots, the sports theme was not enough to put Sisolak over the top. But, as much as Sisolak was a strong proponent for Southern Nevada’s advancement in the professional sports world, it was the former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (Republican) who triggered the Raiders stadium project as he created the Las Vegas tourism panel that basically build the new stadium where the Raiders now play. In Las Vegas it is believed Sandoval and not Sisolak was the driving force for the big sports scene in Las Vegas.

So now a new governor takes over in Nevada. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, he was previously a Sheriff. Lombardo has not made any comments on how he stands as far as the Oakland A’s moving to Las Vegas, but it is believed he is not opposed to the idea.

Governments using public dollars for sports venues that help private sports teams are non-partisan public policy debates and transcend traditional political party talking points. Some Republicans and some Democrats support using public subsidies for sports stadiums and arenas and others oppose it. In other words, this is a regional situation, which has little to do with national policies regarding the two main political parties and their philosophies. This is more business than politics.

We will know sooner than later, what Mr. Joe Lombardo’s opinion is regarding the possible move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas, Nevada. If Lombardo is in favor of using tax money to help the A’s new stadium in Las Vegas, that would be a “game changer” and could move the needle for the A’s packing their bags to Sin City.

Meanwhile here in Oakland, there still has not been a decision who is the new Mayor of Oakland. Loren Taylor is leading Sheng Thao with thousands of votes yet to be counted. Probably (whomever wins) wants to keep the A’s in Oakland. Libby Schaff who is leaving, supports both of them as she believes they both want to keep the A’s in Oakland.

One thing is for sure, like A’s President Kaval had said in the past, if by this December the Howard Terminal project is not green lit by the City of Oakland, the project is all but dead. Now new leadership in Nevada regarding this issue is unknown but could impact the A’s move. Elections in Nevada, elections in Oakland, like somebody once said “timing is everything”.

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Artist’s rendition of an Las Vegas A’s ballpark, the A’s are considering sites on the Vegas strip at the Tropicana or near the Stratosphere (from Stadium S1 file photo)

Will the A’s do It Again?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The most any MLB franchise has moved is two times. And history has three (3) teams that did so. The A’s have already played in three different cities; Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland.

The Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns. Later the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles in 1954. The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and then in 1966 moved to Atlanta. The Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955, and in 1968 they moved to Oakland – that’s 3 different cities, for you scoring at home.

The Oakland A’s were moving out of the Oakland Coliseum to other locations, inside the Oakland city limits, near Laney College, plus to other cities in California, like Sacramento and Fremont. Now, the latest statement by baseball Commissioner Fred Manfred late in October to Sirius XM that he’s no longer optimistic they will remain in Oakland, and a move to Las Vegas is likely bringing the possibility of the A’s playing in their fourth different city.

If the Oakland A’s do move to Las Vegas or Portland, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Montreal, Cucamonga, Timbuktu, or any other place, they will be the first team ever to have played in four different cities. As it is today, in 2023 they will play at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires in 2024.

After that only God knows.

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It’s all up to Oakland City Hall now as the Oakland City Council and the Oakland A’s need to work out the specific on the Howard Terminal affordable housing issues (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Howard Terminal: Affordable Housing still a Huge Issue

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After what Commissioner of Baseball Fred Manfred said a few days ago about the future of the A’s in Oakland, which in Mr.Manfred’s words were not good. There still is a big issue that is part of the deal, if the A’s build their new Howard Terminal; it is affordable housing and the A’s are responsible for that. Some Oakland officials want to set up an “infrastructure financing district”—similar to the ballpark funding proposal—but to build more homes across Oakland. Interesting, because this plan has absolutely nothing to do with the A’s.

I wrote about the importance of affordable housing built as part of the Howard Terminal project, a $12 billion plan that would change Oakland, for the better. On November 1, 2022, officials from the city of Oakland are working on creating a new tax district to fund affordable housing.

Interestingly enough, this did not include the affordable housing that is part of the requirement from the city of Oakland with the A’s. Both sides have yet to negotiate. Oakland Council member Noel Gallo on the deal that the city is supposed to reach with the A’s before the end of this 2022 year said: “not going to happen”.

Gallo believes his fellow council members are increasingly concerned about protecting the city’s general fund from being eaten alive by cost and overruns or miscalculations. Gallo has continued to push hard for the A’s to ditch the Howard Terminal project. Gallo continues to say that he wants the A’s to stay in Oakland, but to build their new park at the Oakland Coliseum site. Something that Commissioner Manfred said it is not an option.

Next Tuesday. November 8, is Election Day and the City of Oakland would elect a new mayor plus other officials. Nobody really knows what are their intentions reading the Oakland A’s and the Howard Terminal project. But as of today the Oakland A’s have not made any comments on the recent statement by Commissioner Manfred during this current World Series.

The City of Oakland still has big problems to deal with, like the thousands that are homeless, the crime in the streets and they shortage of cops, the economy that is affecting everybody and it seems their plate will be more than full and the situation could call to put the A’s HT Project on the back burner.

I know many of you are sick and tired of the Oakland A’s situation, I have heard from people that told me about the A’s’ “who cares, leave already”, to others that are very sadden and still have some hope that they could stay and build their new park: “we need the A’s to stay in Oakland, that is where they belong”.

During the regular 2022 baseball season I have spoken to many loyal A’s fans (at the Coliseum during games and other places outside) and I do believe they still enjoy the game and the A’s but they also have “had it” with the whole enchilada and they have come to the conclusion of the famous saying and also famous song “Que Será, Será”. For those than flunked Spanish, “What Will be Will Be’.

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