Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Fantastic Four

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The best four starters in Baltimore Orioles history from left to right Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, and Jim Palmer (photo file from reddit.com )

The Fantastic Four

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There are only two times in Major League history that a team was lucky to have four 20-game winners on the same staff during the same season. It first happened in 1920 with the Chicago White Sox. But the most recent (and the one some of us of age remember) were the Baltimore Orioles in 1971.

The 1971 season, the two best teams in the majors (by record) were the Orioles 101-57 and the Athletics 101-60. The Orioles swept the A’s in three games in the American League Championship Series. In the National League Championship Series the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants 3 games to 1.

The defending World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles took on the Pittsburgh Pirates and advanced to the World Series against the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates who won it in 6 games, as Roberto Clemente showed the world his talents and took home the MVP award.

But, perhaps the biggest story in baseball was the Orioles with their Fabulous Four starters: Miguel (Mike) Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, and Jim Palmer. Only one is alive today to talk about that memorable season, Jim Palmer.

The times I have spoken with Palmer, (a broadcaster for Orioles TV), he always mentioned how impressed he was with Roberto Clemente and even though his team lost the series he smiles just remembering that 1971. Back in 1971, we were 26 years away from the Inter-league “experiment.”

The Orioles and Pirates have only seen themselves during Spring Training. By the way, I was lucky and privileged to broadcast when the Giants visited the Rangers at Texas in 1997 and that was the very first Inter-league game in history. I always liked the idea of inter-league games, I liked it in 1997 and I like it today.

In 1971 Orioles Mike Cuellar 20-9 with a 3.08 earned run average. Pat Dobson 20-8 with 2.90, Dave McNally 21-5, 2.89, and Jim Palmer 20-9, 2.68, he is the only Hall of Famer of the four.

Mike Cuellar was a professional pitcher at 19 years of age in the old Cuban professional Winter League with the Alacranes (Scorpions) of Almendares. Cuellar had a killer screwball and previously in 1969 became the first and only Cuban-born pitcher to win the Cy Young with a record of 23-11 and 2.38 earned run average.

The best season ever by a Cuban-born pitcher in Major League Baseball was that of Adolfo Luque with the Cincinnati Reds in 1923 with a record 27-8 and 1.93 earned run average and completed 28 games. The Cy Young Award was first given in 1956, so Luque missed the Cy Young by 33 years.

The Fabulous Four arguably was one of the best rotations in history. Of the four starters, three; Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar and Jim Palmer won Cy Young Award during their careers. It has been 51 years since that great pennant-winning season for the Orioles.

How much has pitching changed? It is evident, as we look at last season (2021) where only one pitcher won 20 games, Julio Urias the Mexican-born young lefty of the Los Angeles Dodgers who ended with a 20-3 and 2.96 record in 32 games he started.

This will continue as the real importance of pitching is now relegated to the bullpen/relievers and less dependent on the starters, who basically are expected to go the first five innings. Dramatically the classic quote by pitching coaches a few years ago when they asked a starter “give me six good innings” has really become, “go at least five, please”.

However, we cannot underscore the 1971 accomplishment by the Orioles Fabulous Four starting rotation, since then nobody has been able to duplicate and in today’s with five-men rotations, forget it, winning 15 games is like “wow, what a season”.

In 2016 the San Francisco Giants signed pitcher Jeff Samardzija for 5-years for $90 million, his best season was his first with Giants in 2016 when he won a total of 12 games, and he is currently a free agent.

Note: Spring Training 2022 in Arizona and Florida is scheduled to open February 14; however, this could be delayed or even worse, canceled if there is not an agreement signed between MLB and the Players Union during the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. These sessions of negotiations are taking place in New York City, face to face between the two parties. The baseball season is scheduled to begin on March 31.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: So what about Pete Rose?

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Pete Rose who most likely will never see the Hall of Fame once said “Im totally over the Hall of Fame” (image from Fox Business)

So What About Pete Rose?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The no-election this week of guys like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and others that played during the 80’s and 90’s and have very impressive records, during the “steroids era” has brought back all the arguments by fans from 9 to 90 about why they should have been elected or not and the injustice of it all.

Among fans, like everything is sports, it depends if the player is one of your favorites that played for your favorite team, then you will “forget” all those things. For example, if the Giants took a poll of their fans today, if Barry Bonds should be elected or not, I have little doubt that it will be a Yes vote by at least 90 percent. They’re fans.

For the sake of argument, let’s imagine Bonds was a Dodger, then 90% of the Giants fans would be happy he did not get elected. This is typical “fan-hood 101”.

Pete Rose is banned for life and only maybe in another life he could be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Late last year he said that betting on baseball (which he says he now does legally at casinos) “was the only mistake I’ve made”. His numbers are solid and without the gambling, he would have been inducted in the first ballot many years ago, and probably unanimously.

Nobody is close to 4,256 hits in a 24-year career in which ten times he hit 200 or more hits in a season and ended with a .303 batting average. Mr. Hustle was all about playing every day, every inning, every minute, with the passion that made him famous. But, gambling in baseball is the cardinal sin.

Hypocrisy? Of course, in 2018 MLB announced that MGM has become its official gambling partner. Commissioner Rob Manfred: “there’s been a huge change in public opinion in sports gambling”. Draft Kings is a daily fantasy game in baseball where you can score win points and win money, by drafting a lineup of MLB players while staying within the salary cap.

But, at the end it is a game, is far from the same as playing in the majors and betting while you are playing. Pete Rose has said in the past “I never bet against the Reds”. But it doesn’t matter, because we know gambling in baseball is a well established no-no, which might as well be written in stone.

There has always been cheating in sports (all sports) and probably there will always be. Specifically in baseball from fixing/throwing of the 1919 World Series by eight Chicago White Sox players, to the steroids era, to a few years ago when the Houston Astros were accused and punished for stealing signs electronically during games.

For baseball to induct Pete Rose in Cooperstown, it would have to be a major change of rules and that is not happening, and might never be when it comes to gambling (which by the way it is a serious addiction to many, not only in baseball but in every sporting event conceivable) I doubt there will be a change during most our us lifetimes.

As humans we are all flawed. I have never seen anybody walk on water yet and the only time I could find something similar is in The Holy Bible (Mathew 14:25) the most influential, most sold and read book on earth, the best seller list of the NY Times is just a ‘speck in the universe” compared to “the book”.

The Hall of Fame Today’s Game Committee is scheduled to meet later this year and players that were in the game from 1988 to 2016 will be considered. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have a good chance.

Although it might not be a dishonor to be elected that way, another great San Francisco Giant, Orlando Cepeda, as well as others were elected in what I like to call “the second election.” However, the second time around doesn’t have the same prestige and impact as it was originally meant to be on electing superstars.

In my heart, I feel for Pete Rose, I saw him play and I covered him, but such are the rules, and I honestly believe he knows he will never be in Cooperstown. For the record: the following infield-compadres of Mr. Hustle during the “Big Red Machine”dominance of the 1970’s are all in the Hall of Fame; Johnny Bench (C), Tony Pérez (1B) and Joe Morgan (2B).

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: David Ortíz Elected to the MLB Hall of Fame

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Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer David Ortiz looks to the heavens on June 24, 2015 after hitting a two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Ortiz was voted into the Hall of Fame Tue Jan 25, 2022 by the BBWAA (AP News photo)

David Ortíz Elected to the MLB Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

David “Big Papi” Ortíz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, New York during his first year of eligibility today. He received 77.9 percent of the vote by the BBWAA. He becomes the fourth player born in the Dominican Republic to make it to Cooperstown, the others are Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, and Vladimir Guerrero.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, on their tenth and final year of eligibility simply ran out of time. David Ortíz (the only player to be elected) played for 20 years, mostly as a designed hitter, an iconic player for the Boston Red Sox, and one of their most popular players ever.

During his career “Big Papi” hit 541 home runs and was selected to 10 All-Star Games. Considered one of the best clutch hitters in postseason history.

A player must get to 75% to be elected. Here is the final voting. David Ortiz: 77.9 percent (Elected) Barry Bonds: 66 percent Roger Clemens: 65.2 percent Scott Rolen: 63.2 percent Curt Schilling: 58.6 percent Todd Helton: 52 percent Alex Rodriguez: 34.3 percent Others: Jeff Kent 32.7, Manny Ramírez 28.9, Omar Vizquel 23.9, Sammy Sosa 18.5, Andy Pettitte 10.7, Scott Rollins 9.4, Bobby Abreu 8.6, Mark Buehrle 5.8, Tori Hunter 5.3, Joe Nathan 4.3.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: MLB and players meet again for second day in row; 49ers-Rams predictions

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (left) and the Players Union Rep Tony Clark (right) both sides will meet again to discuss how to settle the lockout on Tue Jan 25, 2022 (file photo from talkingchop.com)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Amaury both MLB and the players union met on Monday and the players have agreed to drop the five year waiting period for free agency and wanted to discuss revenue sharing with the owners. MLB and the union although not concluding to a deal agreed to meet again today.

#2 It’s been 43 days since the owners declared a lock out on the players and having their first sit down bargaining session. It is thought to have negotiations two days in a row to be a good sign that there might be some kind of talks and a ray of light to getting things moving again.

#3 The players union dropped the proposal that would allow a player nearing 30 years of age to declare free agency after five years of service. The players said they would alter their proposal for revenue sharing.

#4 Amaury you’ve seen how close these post season NFL games have been. This Sunday’s game in Los Angeles with the San Francisco 49ers against the Rams for the NFC Championship should be a classic match between evenly matched teams.

#5 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a strain shoulder injury from their game in Dallas on Sun Jan 16th. The defense pretty much won the game for the 49ers on a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown and special teams kicker Robbie Gould who booted a game winning field goal to get the 49ers in the NFC Championship.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB–2022 Hall of Fame Ballot PED Guys will fall Short

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Barry Bonds (left) and Roger Clemens (right) are holding out hope that the MLB Baseball Writers of America Association will vote them into the Hall of Fame but reports say it’s very unlikely (ESPN file photo)

MLB–2022 Hall of Fame Ballot PED Guys will fall Short

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

These “steroids era” players will probably fall short. Barry Bonds with an MLB record 762 home runs and seven MVP Awards, Roger Clemens, with a record seven-Cy Young Awards, are the two first and then possibly Alex Rodríguez, who some time ago admitted to using PED’s and said it might cost him the Hall of Fame.

David Ortíz is an interesting case, he also admitted to using PED’s years ago. Other interesting characters are Samuel “Sammy” Sosa, who said he “never tested positive for steroids” during his career and in 2005 he appeared in front of the US Congress House Committee on Government Reform together with Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro as well as some baseball executives.

But if you want to talk about it interesting, how about Curt Schilling, who a year ago asked to be removed from the 2022 HOF list, but was rejected and will remain on the BBWAA ballot for the tenth and final time.

About a year ago Schilling called the Baseball Writers Association of America a bunch of “spineless cowards”. Schilling was never connected to steroids use or any PED’s during his career, but his controversial twitters became a litmus test for most of those that opposed his point of view.

If you are eligible you are eligible, it should only be about your baseball career. It is the Hall of Fame not the Hall of Saints and baseball should not bring statues down, but build it for their heroes.

I do give a lot of credit to the BBWAA for rejecting Curt Schilling’s wishes to be removed from the ballot. If we go down that rabbit hole, we must also, never elect or maybe remove some that are already in Cooperstown.

I am sure if research is done there will be found to be some very unsavory characters in the Hall. Such Hall of Fame luminaries like Roger Hornsby, a .358 lifetime hitter who batted over .400 three times, there were persistent rumors he was a member of the KKK.

The great Ty Cobb, who by all accounts was a terrible human being who won a history-leading 12-batting titles, was an admitted racist. He is in Cooperstown. Cap Anson was widely reported by the media he was totally opposed to black players in baseball.

Back to the present. Some of the greatest sluggers in recent history who are tied to the use of PED’s, steroids and their home run totals: Barry Bonds 762, Alex Rodríguez 696, Sammy Sosa 609, Mark McGwire 583, Rafael Palmeiro 569, Manny Ramírez 555.

Among the luminaries of the mound; Roger Clemens, a tremendous 24-year career ended with 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, and 4,672 strikeouts, a 6-time 20+ game-winner. Clemens won a MLB record of seven Cy Young Awards.

I have a feeling a lot of ballots will be blank this year. However, if a BBWAA writer does not send a ballot that means he/she is abdicating his/her responsibility. Each of the writers who vote can choose from 0 to 10 candidates. Last year no player reached the 75% minimum

Inductees from the era committee, elected last year: Six, Buck O’Neil, Bud Fowler, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso, and Gil Hodges are in already. Remote possibility they will add any others on this list

There is a guy that played more games than anybody else, 3,562 and also lead everybody in history in hits with 4,256, was selected to 17 All Star Games, yet he is the first to be banned from baseball (1989), for life since 1943 as an investigation determined he bet on games with the Cincinnati Reds while he was the manager.

Peter Edward Rose “Mr.Hustle”, is still waiting for a Commissioner who will Pardon him. Note: His violation was while he was managing, not as a player. But gambling has always been the “capital sin” in the game.

Each voting cycle, qualified members of the BBWAA name no more than ten eligible players whom they consider worthy of Hall of Fame honors. To be enshrined, a player must be named on at least 75% of the voters’ ballots. Currently, players are removed from the ballot if they are named on fewer than 5% of ballots or have been on the ballot ten times without election.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB Lockout, Matt Olson, Oakland voters and Warriors

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Baseball remains locked out between MLB and the Players Association (file photo CBS TV)

MLB Lockout, Matt Olson, Oakland voters and Warriors

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Lockout: MLB and the MLPA have held their first important negotiations round via Zoom this Thursday. Both sides are in the top of the first inning in this 2022 very important Collective Bargaining Agreement. MLPA: Looking to shorten the years for free agent eligibility, also revenue sharing at the top of their list. MLB offered a 14-team postseason and a Competitive Balance Tax. There are many other issues that are yet to come to the forefront.

Many in the industry believe for them to start the season as scheduled on March 31, they will have to come to an agreement before the early part of February. Otherwise, Spring Training (to begin mid-February) is in jeopardy, and by then, even the possibility of regular-season games being canceled.

Matt Olson: The New York Yankees and Oakland A’s have a deal on the table for A’s first baseman slugger Matt Olson, who would be traded to the Yankees for some of the Yankee’s top prospects. That is likely to happen after the lockout ends. For the Yankees is what they are looking for, since Mike Rizzo is a free agent and not expected to return to the Yankees.

For the A’s is nothing new. Their system is to develop stars and then trade them for younger future stars and although it has not produced a World Series title, they continue to be competitive most of the time. Would this trade benefit either team? only time will tell.

The Yankee’s last World Series was 2009, which is a long time for the most successful team in American professional sports and their fans to wait; Yankees are a top baseball franchise, they always have the urgency to win. As far as the A’s, (if the trade is made) they get more young future stars and they keep their plan to be a competitive team every year. So, let’s say the Yankees win this year’s World Series and the A’s win their division, which would be a good trade for both teams.

Oakland A’s poll: A recent poll of 500 registered voters shows that 46% of Oakland citizens oppose spending their tax money to build the Howard Terminal park for the Oakland A’s. The poll also revealed A’s fan support of 44 percent to 42 percent. Originally there was no plan anyway to spend any taxpayer money for the project. The A’s are fishing in two markets, Oakland and Las Vegas and both are still alive for the hopes of a new ballpark.

2022 will be the year we know if the A’s stay or they go. Anybody that knows Oakland politics can’t question Oakland citizens, they were left on the hook paying for the construction of Mount Davis (20,000 seat section) at the Oakland Coliseum in 1995 after Raiders owner Al Davis left for Los Angeles and then came back to play in Oakland.

Warriors: One of the minority owners for the Golden State Warriors was recently embarrassed and had to apologize nationally, after he made a remark on Twitter that “nobody cares about the Uyghurs in China”. For years the United Nations have written and spoken about the crimes against humanity committed in communist China.

The last 3 years about the Uyghurs (Muslims) include torture, mass arbitrary detentions, mass surveillance, cultural persecution, and forced labor camps. Last October Boston Celtic’s player Enes Kanter Freedom strongly criticized China for its human rights abuses. China censored the Celtics games after those remarks. There are 500 million fans that watch the NBA games in China, a business worth over $5 billion.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts every Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: How tough will it be for 49ers in Green Bay Saturday?; Raiders get to post season then fire GM; plus more

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After making the post season for the first time since 2016 and after working as Las Vegas Raiders general manager for three years Mike Mayock (right) was fired by owner Mark Davis (left) on Mon Jan 17, 2022 (file photo USA Today)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, how tough will it be for the San Francisco 49ers (11-7) to beat the Green Bay Packers (13-4) this Saturday night in the NFC Divisional Round at the Frozen Tundra Lambeau Field in Green Bay?

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders after being defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals in a close loss by a touchdown last Saturday let go of their general manager Mike Mayock does the Mayock firing make any sense even after the Raiders got to the post season?

#3 Amaury, how concerned should 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan be after the 49ers suffered injuries last Sunday in Dallas with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo shoulder sprain, pass rusher Nick Bosa in concussion protocol, and linebacker Fred Warner suffered a high ankle sprain but tweeted he was confident he would be in the line up on Saturday night. Three big names not to be 100% healthy against Green Bay.

#4 After winning three World Series titles former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cub Jon Lester is retiring from baseball after 16 years in the big leagues. Lester looked like he was at the end of his career in 2021 pitching for the St Louis Cardinals going 4-1 with a 4.36 ERA.

#5 Tampa Bay Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez who passed away at age 28, Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Ramirez brought energy and passion each day to the clubhouse. The Rays did not release information of what was the cause of death.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Winter Olympics US Team warned of Phone Surveillance

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Photo of burner phones recommended by US Olympic Team for use for athletes and staff as Androids and digital phones can be invaded or spied on while at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing (digitalcameraworld.com file photo)

Winter Olympics: US Team warned of Phone Surveillance

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The US is getting ready to send its athletes to the Winter Olympics beginning February 2 in Beijing, China. The US government has warned all US Olympic team members to leave their phones at home and use burner phones during the games, because of potential digital surveillance from the Chinese government.

Computers, data applications on cell phones are subject to malicious intrusion, infection and data compromise, Team USA advisory reportedly stated, as they encouraged the use of “burner phones”.

Like it was not enough the current tensions between the USA and China, with the case of professional Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, (the WTA has suspended tournaments in China because of concerns about Peng’s safety) it is sad for American athletes that have spend some of the best years of their youth training for this Olympic event, now they have to be fearful of their own private information on their phones, because they are traveling to a country that doesn’t respect individualism and where the government rules foremost with little to no opposition.

In other words they are traveling to the biggest and most powerful communist country in the world. China is not a country where an athlete can “take a knee” and becomes famous, that only happens here in the United States, where Thank God we enjoy those freedoms.

China is the subject of an Olympic boycott movement. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan, have joined together with the US for a diplomatic boycott as no government officials from these countries will attend this 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

In June 2021, a letter signed by 200 rights groups was delivered to NBC urging the broadcaster not to show the games in Beijing on human rights grounds specifically on the treatment of Uighur Muslims by the Chinese communist government.

It would be interesting to see what are the ratings for this upcoming Winter Olympics on NBC, the official rights holder. The last Tokyo 2020 Olympics viewing figures for the Opening Ceremony were reported to be the lowest for more than 30 years for an Olympics at 16.9 million.

Ultimately the Chinese government controls every sporting event including the Olympic games and censorship is a “normal”practice for the communist. The government has banned for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and since 2019, Wikipedia.

Their government could care less if it’s NBC or Al Jazeera. China internet censorship is regarded as the most sophisticated in the world, as a matter of fact their system is commonly referred as “The Great Firewall of China”.

Good luck to all athletes, especially the United States team.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Las Vegas the New Gold Rush for Sports

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A view of the front doors of the Tropicana Casino Hotel Resort in Las Vegas which could wind up being the home to either the Oakland A’s or a new MLS franchise (photo by troplv.com)

Las Vegas the New Gold Rush for Sports

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Soccer Commissioner, Don Garber is looking to Las Vegas for expansion: “Las Vegas is a frontrunner for MLS 30th team” said Mr. Garber, who added, “We are looking to build a stadium right off the strip”.

Sin City has gained national attention in recent years with the birth of the NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Oakland Raiders, now Las Vegas Raiders, both playing in the most famous desert in the country.

Now they are also in the mix for MLS 30th team according to Garber who added “our 30th team is really going to round out expansion in Major League Soccer, so stay tuned, because in the first quarter of 2022 we should be announcing a 30th team”.

It makes sense for the MLS build a new stadium for their expansion team in Las Vegas, since that is an outdoor sport with the regular seasons beginning in late February and ending early October, they play lots of games in the summer and in Las Vegas you need an indoor-air conditioned stadium.

Obviously, Oakland A’s aficionados are still in a unique situation where the team is moving forward with two parallel plans one for the Howard Terminal new ballpark at Jack London Square in Oakland, and one someplace in Las Vegas.

That is sort of good news for each plan. In Oakland the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) a 3,500 page document which the city of Oakland planning commission could vote next month and approve. This is just one step in a very long process as the A’s and the city of Oakland are still in on-going negotiations about how to pay for the project and the infrastructure around it.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, the A’s are also involved in looking for land to build a new stadium. After earlier in 2021 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred gave the team permission to look for alternate sites in other cities, in case they cannot build the Howard Terminal new park.

The Tropicana Hotel site on Las Vegas famous strip a primary target, also Dave Kaval President of the A’s and John Fisher owner have made repeated visits to the desert and are evaluating other options like a plot owned by Wyndham Hotel and Resorts Las Vegas and another by betting on casino company Caesars Entertainment.

It has been reported also (although not confirmed) that the Hughes Corporation (originally owned by Howard Hughes) has offered “free” land to the Oakland team if they wish to build their new park in Summerlin, an affluent suburb, minutes from the strip. Las Vegas media also has reported the A’s have looked at Henderson, Nevada, just a few minutes from the Strip for their new park

A’s fans by now have heard just about everything they need to know, stuff they like, and stuff they do not, like the team announcing last year a substantial increase in their season tickets, which was not very well received.

The one positive is the Howard Terminal plans are moving along, although (we must keep in mind) still a non-binding agreement. Many scenarios are floating around here in the Bay Area among fans and media.

One is that the A’s will play in 2022 at the Oakland Coliseum but sometime during the season they will announce their plans for the Howard Terminal although it’s still in development however, they do not believe that is going to materialize and announce that they will be moving out of Oakland. By 2023 they will be playing at their AAA facility Las Vegas Aviators Park, while they build their new permanent home in Sin City.

Your guess is as good as anybody. But two things that you can bet on, in the near future Las Vegas will have an MLS team and the other one: sometime this year we will finally know where the A’s are going to play. The Commissioner has made it abundantly clear that his patience with Oakland is about to expire. The ‘fish or cut bait’ scenario is coming soon.

During the 2021 season the Oakland A’s played 80 games at the Oakland Coliseum and averaged 8,767 fans per game, that ranked #29 among the 30 teams in baseball, the Miami Marlins finished last averaging 7,933.

We have to consider that most teams attendance have gone down during the past two seasons because all the Covid-19 restrictions. And this upcoming 2022, which has been in a lockout by owners since last December 2, could figure to be a wild card.

Is another variant on the way after Omicron? How will States handle all this, we are a big and complex country we have 50 States and they all have different laws and regulations.

Like we say on radio as well as television “stay tune for more news to come”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: 49ers head to Dallas Sunday; Raiders in Cincinnati Saturday; MLB lockout update; plus more

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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (4) picks off a pass for an interception intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek (18) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 9, 2022. The 49ers advanced to the NFC playoffs Sun Jan 16, 2022 against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers on the last day of the season needed to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in a game that could not have been scripted any better. Winning on a field goal in the fourth quarter 27-24 and now advance to the NFC Playoffs for this Sun Jan 16th in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders were another team that just got into post season battling it out with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. With the game all tied 32-32 in overtime and no time left the Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 47 yard field goal that got the Raiders into post season 35-32 in a game that was almost scripted for a Hollywood movie. The Raiders had their share of tragedies this season but bounced back winning their last four games to get into post season.

#3 Amaury, why aren’t the owners and players talking in MLB from the sound of it spring training in February and March could be put on hold until something is agreed upon. Feb 26th is the first spring training game and it looks in question.

#4 The St Louis Cardinals announced they have canceled their annual winter warmup Bill Dewitt III the Cardinals team president said unfortunately due to the current circumstances of the lockout the planning of the winter warm up has been canceled. This was an opportunity to allow fans to interface with Cards players. Baseball is huge in St Louis so you can imagine many Cardinal fans will be disappointed.

#5 In the MLB Baseball Hall of Fame voting Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens it was reported on ESPN will not get enough votes to make the Hall of Fame and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling who was 16 votes short last year will be much shorter last year due to that dark cloud of steroid use.

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