Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s Bassitt under careful watch after taking come backer to the head; Wagner card Holy Grail of all baseball cards valued at $6.6 million;

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Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) took a line drive around the area of his eye by the Chicago White Sox hitter Brian Goodwin. Bassitt was taken to the hospital and is getting x-rayed on Tue Aug 17, 2021 in Chicago (photo from @BrodieNBCS)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt who was hit on the area of his eye by a line drive hit by the Chicago White Sox Brian Goodwin. Bassitt was taken into the A’s clubhouse for observation and then to the hospital for x-rays. Players are praying for a good outcome. Bassitt is the winningest pitcher on the A’s pitching staff.

#2 Amaury, the price now for a Honus Wagner T-206 baseball card from 1909 is now worth more than some masterpiece paintings, the Wagner is valued at $6.6 million. In 1991 former NHL star Wayne Gretzky at one time owned the rare card with Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce Knoll for $451,000.

#3 Fernando being Fernando as the San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr ripped home runs 32 and 33 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Tatis in his first at bat hit a double and later the two home runs. It looked like Tatis never missed a step upon his return on Sunday.

#4 Amaury, how important is it for the New York Yankees to get pitcher Gerrit Cole back in the rotation after coming off the Injured List from Covid-19. Cole had been gone since August 3rd and is 10-6 ERA 3.11 and started on Monday night against the LA Angels.

#5 Amaury, just to get your comment on the comment former MLB pitcher Brandon McCarthy had said about Fox broadcaster Alex Rodriguez saying, “A-Rod doesn’t speak like a person who’s ever had a normal conversation. Tonally, inflection, the points he’s making, and how he makes them…all of it pushes you away as opposed to drawing you in,” McCarthy tweeted.

#6 Frustrations are boiling over at the New York first the Mets lost on Sunday night as Met’s pitcher Carlos Carrasco melted down in his outing and Mets starter Noah Syndergaard was besides himself because ESPN and MLB rescheduled Sunday’s game to a night game for prime time purposes against the LA Dodgers. Syndergaard said “whose dumb f–king idea was it to change Sunday’s game to a night game?” The Mets would get in the wee hours of Monday morning and have to play a 9:45 pm EDT first pitch Monday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco after flying all night cross country from New York to San Francisco.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish play by play lead announcer for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Field of Dreams Game; Most Watched game in 16 years

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The Field of Dreams in Dyersville Iowa on Thu Aug 12, 2021 hosted by Major League Baseball featuring the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. The most watch game in 16 years. (photo from Fox Sports TV)

Field of Dreams game. Most Watched game in 16 years.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary.

By Amaury Pi-González

Fox’s Field of Dreams game that aired last night (Aug 12th) on the FOX network was the most watched regular season baseball game in the US in 16 years.

Years past Major League Baseball games were played in different countries. MLB has played regular season games in: England, Japan, México, Puerto Rico, Australia. The game has become more international than ever, and there is nothing wrong with that. We live in a smaller world with social media and instant communications; everybody is more “tuned-in” than ever before. In some of these games outside the US, the game was the season opener.

It is worthwhile to remember that this great game of baseball that we love was originally invented here in the United States of America. There was nothing wrong, but a touch of genius by The Commissioner of Baseball and the powers-to-be, to come up with the idea of a Field of Dreams game, at the same location where the popular 1989 movie of the same name took place.

In the small country town of Dyersville, Iowa, in the middle of the country. The #1 corn producer in the country, Iowa was the scene for the game this Thursday, a total Home Run by all involved.

Baseball is the ultimate team sport, but at the same time, it emphasizes individualism, like no other sport. When a hitter stands alone at the plate, he stands there, trying to hit the ball and help his team into victory, which is exactly what Tim Anderson did in the ninth inning.

The Field of Dreams game was a total success and shows how great baseball can be. The romanticism and escapism of the location (a field build next to the original field and house, where the movie was filmed) was an awesome thing to see. FOX TV carried the game and spectacular shots, specially doing the sunset with a sky that could have been painted by sports painter-artist LeRoy Neiman.

“It was a small movie” said star of the film Kevin Costner, who is the first to say, it has become a film that forever will be a reminder of what baseball can do. He said: “A movie where there was no car chase, no love scene, but the final scene was a man playing catch with his father.”

Any of us who had played baseball from little league to high school or beyond, understand the love involved of playing catch with your father. That connection that is forever connects us all. One of the most poignant scenes was prior to the game, when Kevin Costner came out of the corn field followed 30 seconds later by players from both teams, New York and Chicago, walking slowly and shaking hands with Mr. Costner.

The television production was supreme, in a surreal setting in the middle of a corn field, where an 8,000 seat baseball park and diamond was build. Two Major League teams, contending to go deep in October, the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox, played an exciting game, a “traditional” nine innings game like it would had taken place in the 1920’s with uniforms of that time. Then a Hollywood ending when the lead changed twice in the ninth, culminating with the dramatic home run to right field by Tim Anderson, the leader of this White Sox team, their shortstop and leadoff hitter.

The main reason this was a total success? The players loved it, and let’s face it; the players are the key part of the game, which is what people come to see. The players were truly enjoying this game, they were smiling, they were talking, they seemed to be part of ‘taking it all in’ the whole experience. Most of these players where little boys, some not even born, when Field of Dreams first came to the screen 32 years ago.

Commissioner of Baseball Fred Manfred told everybody, “This will not be the only time”. This was a great idea by MLB, to marry the nostalgia and romanticism of a great baseball film-story to a real baseball game, not an exhibition, but a game between two contending teams in a typical American setting, a small town in the Midwest. Norman Rockwell would have loved this. Burt Lancaster was there in spirit.

This Field of Dreams game sends us all back to the days when baseball was the National Pastime.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Marte seeing the ball well since joining A’s; Sweet revenge for Pujols homered against old team Halos

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He can do it all hit, field, and run the bases the Oakland A’s outfielder Starling Marte steals second base under the Texas Rangers glove of second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the first inning of Sun Aug 8, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Starling Marte went 4 for 5 on Sunday in the Oakland A’s efforts to complete a four game sweep over the visiting Texas Rangers 6-3 at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 In Marte’s nine games since joining the A’s on July 28th from Florida Marte has gone 17 for 40 (.425) and have won seven of those nine games.

#3 Teammate and A’s pitcher James Kaprielan said of Marte that he wouldn’t want to pitch to him and that Marte is an underrated player.

#4 How big was it for Los Angeles Dodger pinch hitter Albert Pujols to hit a two run homer against his old teammates the Los Angeles Angels last Sunday at Dodgers Stadium. Pujols threw away the bat and admired the shot before circling the bases.

#5 For Pujols who left the Angels under not the best of circumstances. The Angels said they were going to use Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter and Jered Walsh as their first baseman and Pujols would have an opportunity to play when the Angels needed to rest Ohtani or Walsh. That didn’t sit with Pujols too well who was rumored to have had a loud argument with Angels team president John Carpino and general manager Perry Manasian just before the trade. The home run for Pujols had to have some sweet revenge to it.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Race to .400

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The Race to .400

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In today’s game, batting averages are in the back of the bus, when it comes to hitting. It is all about the launch angle and hitting as many home runs as possible. Boston’s Ted Williams was the last player to end a season hitting .400, when he ended the 1941 season with a .406 average.

That would be inconceivable today. Ironically “the shift” that is a regular part of defensive alignments today, was specially designed for Teddy Ballgame by Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau. Then it was called “the Boudreau Shift”, however historians noted that the first to use a shift against Ted Williams was Jimmy Dykes, manager of the Chicago White Sox on July 23, 1941.

Two hall of fame players, which I had the privilege to cover and interview were involved in a race to 400. Rod Carew and George Brett, two great players who were among the best in baseball during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Kansas City Royals George Brett ended the 1980 season with a .390 batting average; he won a total of three batting titles. Rod Carew ended the 1977 season with a .388 average and won seven batting championships. During that great 1977 season the Panamanian-born Rod Carew of the Minnesota Twins, was the day-to-day story for his country of Panamá.

So much that I remember meeting Iván Molino-Mola who was following Carew across the country, a sports radio reporter for a leading station in Panamá. When the Twins visited the Oakland Coliseum Molino-Mola who had a regular telephone and every time Carew came to bat he would pick it up and send a play by play description LIVE of each at bat.

He told me he was doing that from every city where Carew and the Twins were playing on the road. Carew had captivated his country, just like Japanese superstars Ichiro Suzuki did with Seattle and currently Shohei Ohtani of the Angels are doing with the people in Japan.

Rod Carew was a very quiet player, who usually didn’t give many interviews. I remember when he told me: “yo vengo aqui a jugar no a hablar” trans- “I come here to play not to talk”. I joked with him that I was there to talk, just like hitting was his job, talking into a microphone was mine.

I did get to speak with him a few times. He was pleasant and mild-manner and never wanted to talk about his accomplishments. Over two decades later (years after his retirement) he visited the LA Angels FSN Spanish television booth at Angel Stadium and sat for a few innings as José Mota and yours truly asked him questions about his ordeal.

Carew was there for a press conference prior to the game, which many attended, including yours truly. During that press conference he introduced his surgeons and talked about the massive heart attack he had suffered in 2015 and talked in detail talk about his successful heart transplant.

Rod Carew is one of the biggest sports heroes that were born in the small (about 4 million) Central American country of Panamá, as well as Hall of Fame great closer Mariano Rivera and great boxer and champion of the world Roberto Durán.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez the Spanish play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Is there any proof that Kane bet on hockey?

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Evander Kane (left) against his legal council’s advice released a statement on Monday saying the accusations by his wife Anna (right) that he gambled on hockey is false and no doubt will be looking for the proof he bet on hockey (photo from heavy.com)

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

#1 Amaury the recent allegation of San Jose Shark Evander Kane 30 of betting on hockey has already drawn comparisons to former Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose who later confessed to betting on baseball. How concerning is this for the game of hockey and Kane’s career.

#2 Kane in November 2019 was sued by the Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas for $500,000 in gambling debts which he paid back during a trip with the Sharks while playing against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

#3 Oakland A’s are battling for a wild card spot with the Boston Red Sox also they are behind the first place Houston Astros by 4.5 games they could battle to the end of the season to try and get a playoff spot.

#4 The New York Mets say they regret they have to pass on signing Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker 21, Rocker didn’t pass the physical and the issue of concern was Rocker’s arm. Rocker’s agent Scott Boras said that numerous Orthopedic surgeons, Rocker had MRIs on his shoulder and elbow. Boras said that Rocker is in better shape this year than he was in 2018.

#5 Olympic baseball had four out of seven relievers on the US team gave up five runs to help give Team Japan a ten inning victory 7-6. The US had a three run lead and couldn’t hold the lead as the bullpen melted down and Japan came back and edged the US.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Ohtani-A man for a Century

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The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani takes the Colorado Rockies deep for a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Tue Jul 27, 2021 for his 36th home run (AP News photo)

Othtani – A Man for a Century

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Shohei Ohtani will probably win the Most Valuable Player of the American League. And if there was an MVP for all of baseball he will also win it. Even if his team, the LA Angels do not make it to the playoffs. What he is doing has mesmerized baseball fans and the media all over the country and baseball world.

Recently while playing at Target Field, he hit his 35th home run and during his next turn at bat he was walked intentionally, the people at Minneapolis Target Field who root for their home team, the Twins, were booing their Manager’s decision Rocco Baldelli on the intentional walk.” Joe Maddon the Angels manager said after the game “I was booing, too”.

Everyplace the Angels play, Shohei aka Shotime is what the fans want to see. A two-way player, something that nobody has seen since Babe Ruth. Joe Maddon, his manager with the LA Angels “He should be the Most Valuable Player, it’s not even close”. Tuesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim he hit his No. 36 a majestic blast to the right center-field seats, as a pitcher Shotime has struck out over 100 hitters this year.

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having his best season of his young career, and MVP-type season, but unlike Shohei Ohtani he doesn’t pitch and that is the main difference why Ohtani will win the MVP this season and not Guerrero Jr. Many scouts believe Ohtani has the stuff to be a No.1 starter, others say “at least a No.2 at this time”. What makes him such a good pitcher?

He throws a four-seam fastball that clocks sometimes over 100 miles per hours, also a very effective splitter plus a slider as his best three pitches, but he also shows a cutter once in a while to keep hitters honest. His splitter in 2018 was his killer pitch when hitters went two for 55 against it, while striking out 35, is back this season. Ohtani splitter is the most unhittable pitch in the game.

As a hitter the Japanese phenom is leading all of baseball in home runs with 36. He is the fastest American League hitter to hit 35 or more home runs in a season during his team first 98 games, since Chris Davis in 2013. Leads the league in extra-base hits also in slugging, and home runs per at bats, he hits a home run every 9.5 at bats.

Plus he is among the top hitters is most other categories. Oh yes, he is good stealing bases. Ohtani got a paycheck of $150,000 for taking part of the Home Run Derby during the All Star Game. He distributed all the money to around 30 staffers, including trainers, clubhouse workers and media relations employees with the LA Angels, a source told the OC Register.

If you are wondering if any player has won an MVP on a losing team? You do not have to go too far, Ohtani’s teammate Mike Trout, considered the best player in the game, and who should be back soon in the lineup, has won three AL MVP Awards and in two of those, 2016 and 2019 the Angels had losing records. We are in the middle of the Olympics and the word Athlete is the main word when it comes to the Olympic Games.

Shohei Ohtani is an Athlete that can do just about anything on a baseball field. He is a six-tool player. Some quotes about Ohtani: Shohei Ohtani’s manager, Joe Maddon: “I would really refrain from advising him on a whole lot of stuff. He knows what he wants to do and he knows how he wants to do it. He’s got that kind of a baseball mind, so you really want to stay out of there.”

Mike Scioscia was Ohtani’s first manager in the major leagues. In 2018 Scioscia said towards the end of the season about Ohtani “He should be the Rookie of the Year”. Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager said on Twitter: About Ohtani for MVP, ‘We should make a new award for him.

This is something MLB hasn’t seen since Babe Ruth. … He’s not the best hitter. He’s not the best pitcher. But he’s the best player”. Washington National’s Max Scherzer started for the National League the 2021 All Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, opposite Shohei Ohtani who started for the American League.

Future Hall of Famer Scherzer said: “It would be awesome if I could hit. Right now, I’m 0-for-the-first-half.” Vladimir Guerrero Jr: “Ohtani deserves the American League MVP Award, nothing that I am doing right now, tops his pitching and hitting ability.”

Finally: Could it possibly be a tie for MVP between Guerrero Jr. and Ohtani? Not likely and for obvious reasons, the novelty and the success of something we have not seen for a century. Shohei Ohtani is the Most Valuable Player. Only tie for MVP: 1979 in the National League, Keith Hernández (Cardinals) and Willie Stargell (Pirates) received an equal number of points.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Is crime in Oakland another factor A’s want to leave so anxiously? Sen Boxer robbed at Jack London Sq

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On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

#1 In the latest in a series of robberies, shootings, and mugging in Oakland former California Senator Barbara Boxer 80, was robbed of her cell phone and she was pushed and the phone was taken. The suspect ran off and Sen Boxer was not seriously injured there is a $2,000 reward for the suspect. The crime took place near the location where the Oakland A’s want to build their new ballpark Jack London Square.

#2 After last week’s City Council vote in Oakland that voted 6-1 to support the A’s for a new ballpark but didn’t meet the A’s request for more infrastructure A’s president David Kaval who was in the greater Las Vegas and South Nevada area looking for a location for a new A’s stadium is well aware of the crime in downtown and Chinatown Oakland could that be also a added factor to leave town?

#3 Tonight the Oakland A’s are in San Diego to battle the San Diego Padres in a two game series. A’s starter James Kaprielian gets the call for tonight’s game. This will be Kaprielian’s 12th start and has 68 innings under his belt. Kaprielian is 5-3 with a 2.65 ERA he’s had some good outings.

#4 The A’s added pitcher Andrew Chafin to the bullpen strengthening the bullpen Chafin comes from the Chicago Cubs with two minor league prospects. Chafin is (0-2 ERA 2.06).

#5 Amaury, A’s reliever JB Wendelken relieved for the second time since the All Star break. Wendelken pitched 1 2/3 innings against Seattle on Sunday. A’s manager Bob Melvin says that Wendelken is coming off an injury and their trying to find spots for him to come in and releive.

#6 Amaury after the A’s lost three out of four games in Seattle how important was it for the club to have Monday off in getting prepared for their two game series in San Diego.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play voice for the Oakland A’s flagship station at 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: From Indians to Guardians

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Illustrations of the Cleveland Guardians new home and away caps, uniforms and socks (image from spectrumnews1.com)

From Indians to Guardians

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2021 Cleveland Indians might not make it to the postseason this year. With 68 games remaining the Indians are in second place in the Central Division, today nine games back from the Chicago White Sox. Starting 2022 they will be officially the Cleveland Guardians.

Maybe as Cleveland Guardians they will be able to do what they have not been able to do in 70 years in the American League win a World Series (currently the longest span among all teams in major league baseball without a World Series title). For many years (some of us) we remember when Cleveland was the city for jokes.

The old park next to Lake Erie was “The Mistake on the Lake”. Comedians used Cleveland all the time as the city they would relate their jokes to. Ironically one of the most famous and successful comedians, Bob Hope was the owner of the Cleveland Indians in the 1950’s.

As a founding member of the American League in 1901, the Cleveland Indians franchise has a rich history in baseball and the American sporting landscape. The Cleveland Indians have won six AL Pennant and two World Series, 1920 and most “recently” 1948.

Just a few months after Jackie Robinson made his major league debut, the Cleveland Indians under owner Bill Veeck signed Larry Doby, the first African-American player in the American League. Already the first AL team to sign an African-American player, Cleveland made history again when it named Frank Robinson as the majors’ first black manager in 1975.

A player-manager, Robinson wore this jersey on that historic Opening Day when he smashed a homer to help defeat the Yankees, 5-3. Like the late NY Yankees great announcer Mel Allen used to say “How About That!” These Cleveland Indians have been inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Cy Young, Jessie Burkett, Bob Feller, Elmer Flick, Stan Covaleski, Lou Boudreau, Early Wynn, Earl Averill, Bob Lemon, Joe Sewell, Addie Jones, Larry Doby, and Jim Thome.

In 1954 the Cleveland Indians won 111 games and the American League pennant, and were swept by the New York Giants (4-0) in that year’s World Series. More wins during a regular season: Chicago Cubs in 1906, 116 wins and the Seattle Mariners in 2001 also 116 wins.

Cleveland Indians current owner Paul Dolan: “We are excited to usher in the next era of the deep history of baseball in Cleveland,” Dolan said in a statement. “Cleveland has and always will be the most important part of our identity. Therefore, we wanted a name that strongly represents the pride, resiliency and loyalty of Clevelanders.”

The name of Guardians is a Cleveland favorite. The Guardians of Traffic are large art-deco statues that adorn the Hope Memorial Bridge which connects Cleveland west side with the east side. The name Guardians has nothing to do with the very popular movie of 2017 Guardians of the Universe from the popular fictional DC Comic books and characters like: Nebula, Groot, Rocket and others.

Other superheroes of notable fame: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Iron-Man, Captain America, Thor, The Flash, The Hulk, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. If you are wondering about the Atlanta Braves, the Braves logo has remained the same since 1990.

Their imagery of Native American stereotypes was removed. They added a tomahawk, originally a Native American tool, which symbolizes throwing accuracy and force. Often these name changes in our professional sports teams are not originated by the people that are allegedly “offended.”

A good example was a poll conducted a few years ago about the Redskins name for the Washington football team. A poll reveled that nine in ten Native Americans were not offended by the Washington Redskins name. Nevertheless, today that team Washington Football Team will keep the name through 2021 and will unveil new identity in 2022.

With new names, comes new logos, new uniform styles and of course, more sales. As fans love all that stuff, perhaps the ownership of the Cleveland Guardians could donate all the money they are going to generate with these new marketing campaigns, to Native American organizations that are more concerned about their communities and improving their lives, than with the simple politically correct name change of a team.

Starting 2022 the Cleveland Indians will be the Cleveland Guardians. But, who knows, maybe 20 years from today when, billionaires, Branson, Bezos and Musk had colonized a few planets the trend will be space names and then the only team that would be “in vogue” will be the Houston Astros and they will probably “offend” somebody.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Why the Athletics should trade for Nelson Cruz

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The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano (center without cap) hugs and congratulates teammate Nelson Cruz (with batting helmet on) after Cruz hit a two run home run against New York Yankee pitcher Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth inning on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis can the Oakland A’s swing a deal before the trade deadline to bring Cruz to Oakland? (AP file photo)

Why the Athletics should trade for Nelson Cruz

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The Minnesota Twins are one of the biggest underachievers this season, on their way to one of their worse seasons in recent memory. They will be sellers for sure and DH Nelson Cruz could be a very good strategic pick-up for the A’s. The Minnesota Twins last season had an identical record to the Oakland A’S 36-24. The Twins won the Central Division and the Athletics won the West.

After beating the Angels 6-0 Monday, the Athletics are enjoying a couple of days off before they re-start their engines Thursday at T Mobile Field in Seattle for the first of four-games in Rain City and the beginning of a long 10-game road-trip. Their next game at home is a couple of weeks away, on August 3 against the San Diego Padres.

Their offense has not been clicking in all cylinders and they could use Cruz’s potent bat, for the last two months and weeks. The DH spot this season for the A’s has a combined .226 average and not the power the A’s envisioned this season. Only Texas and Detroit among all American League teams have less productivity from the designated hitter slot in the lineup.

There might still be a chance that Nelson Cruz ends the season with the Twins, but that seems to be a very slim possibility. Cruz and the glove have not been acquainted much in the last few years. He is the quintessential veteran DH with that power that if inserted in the middle of this Athletics lineup could be a serious power injection to their offense.

Nelson Cruz is hitting .295 with 19 home runs and 49 runs batted-in during his first 84 games with the Minnesota Twins. Those numbers (if he came to Oakland) will make him second in home runs and runs batted only to Matt Olson. Cruz can still hit, is healthy and towards the end of his great career and seems to have something left in the tank.

During a 17 year career in the major leagues, Dominican slugger Nelson Cruz is hitting a combined .279 with 436 home runs and 1,201 runs-batted-in. The A’s are in a good position to either win the division again or advance as a wild card, the trade deadline is 10 days away. The A’s always can pull the trigger at this time in the season when they have a chance and they do. Do not be surprised Nelson Cruz wears the Green and Gold very soon.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Oakland City Council Approves Own Term Sheet- Kaval travels to Las Vegas Wednesday

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Artist’s rendering of the proposed Howard Terminal ballpark at Jack London Square in Oakland. Oakland City Council submitted a term sheet on Tue Jul 20, 2020 which the Oakland A’s and team president David Kaval rejected (image from lvsportsbiz.com)

Oakland City Council Approves Own Term Sheet -Kaval Travels to Las Vegas Wednesday

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–In the saga of the Oakland Athletics and the City of Oakland, regarding the construction of a new ballpark at the Howard Terminal, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Like I wrote last week on this so called “decisive” vote by the Oakland City Council, it was to be expected.

The City of Oakland voted “Yes” on their term sheet to keep the A’s in Oakland. Two days ago, Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s said that the vote was “the bottom of the nine innings with two outs.” Within the hour after today’s vote, the Oakland A’s said they are not OK with today’s City Council final vote on what could be the conclusion of the game for the staying or leaving of the legendary franchise.

The Mercury News reported “City officials and the Oakland A’s did some last-minute negotiating Monday to keep the team’s waterfront ballpark plan on track, but neither side appeared ready to budge on the financial blueprint to set it into play.”

Some $500 million seems to be the issue. The City of Oakland would like the A’s to commit to infrastructure and affordable housing and other community endeavors, but A’s management doesn’t seem very enthusiastic about the idea as they already have said they (the team) will build the Howard Terminal ballpark.

Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland Athletics who said prior to today’s vote that both sides remained far apart, also announced that regarding of the vote, he will be traveling again to Las Vegas tomorrow (Wednesday) to continue the process on the possible relocation of the team to that city.

The Oakland A’s lease with the Oakland Coliseum runs out in 2024. The City of Oakland lost the Warriors to San Francisco and the Raiders to Las Vegas, now the Athletics are “on the clock”. Will they leave? Your guess is as good as mine. But if we hold both sides accountable to their words, this vote was not satisfactory to the Athletics, a lay person will say, that’s it, end of story, next case.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent for Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com