Category: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Tokyo Olympic Village infected will games continue?; A’s looking to add before trade deadline; plus more

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2021 Tokyo Olympics/NBC Sports logo (image from pinterest.com)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 2021 Tokyo Olympics has 14 athletes who have tested for Coronavirus and one South African TV analyst. The captain of the Japanese soccer team Maya Yoshida behind closed doors has said the Olympic Committee should reconsider this is too dangerous. The IOC and the Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga are status quo on the getting the Olympics games played as schedule as there is too much investment in the games to turn back now.

#2 In the last three weeks the A’s have hit a snag they have lost five of their last six series, have slipped from first place to second place now 3.5 games behind Houston. The trade deadline is approaching will A’s general manager David Forst add to the roster and who do you the A’s shopping?

#3 The A’s had a great start at the beginning of the season finishing the first half 12 games over .500, they had consistent starting pitching, a good bullpen now shaky, a line up that produced runs to beat and hold off the opposition in May and June. But now Forst is looking to fill the gaps since the team has slipped and wants to get some players to help out with a recovery.

#4 How relieved are the San Francisco Giants to be getting catcher Buster Posey back and available the team is in need for some hitting and hope that Posey can help out. Back up catcher Chadwick Tromp was handling some of the catching duties in Posey’s absence.

#5 Black female group African American Sports Entertainment Group is behind the big push to get a WNBA team in unoccupied Oracle Arena in Oakland. The group is behind many efforts and hope to be a part of the Coliseum proper and in the event the A’s move they want to see if they can buy and bring the NFL back to the Coliseum.

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: Ban a Fan for life?

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After getting hit in the back by a baseball Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo exchanges words with fans. Red Sox first base coach Tom Goodwin left talks things over with Verdugo during the sixth inning incident from Sat Jul 17, 2021 game at Yankee Stadium in New York (AP News photo)

Baseball: Ban a Fan for Life?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

This Saturday, at Yankee Stadium in New York, in the bottom of the sixth inning, a fan in the left field stands threw a baseball at Boston Red Sox left-fielder Alex Verdugo.

The ball hit the player, but he was not hurt. According to Verdugo he threw the ball to a young Red Sox fan (players do this regularly, the kid wants a ball…) but somebody, a Yankee fan, intercepted the ball and threw it back intentionally at Alex Verdugo. The fan was removed from the stadium, but not arrested. The game was called during that same inning due to heavy rain and the Yankees won 3 to 1.

The Yankees will not allow that fan to ever enter Yankee Stadium again in his lifetime, and that is the correct action by the team. But how can baseball enforced a ban for such a person for all parks in major league baseball? That is not easy to do. All parks have cameras installed in different places.

They would have to scan every face that comes into the gates and then compare it to a data computer, which will match that face with the person that was banned. Some parks might need more cameras to be installed, more money, and more security. Still many people in the past have found the way to sneak back into a park after they were thrown out.

This is done in gaming establishments, in Las Vegas and other places, for different reasons, well know cheaters who are regularly banned from these gambling places. But inside a stadium during an event where there might be 40,000 people or more?

More than likely this man attending the game at Yankee Stadium will be hiring an attorney, to protect his rights, as guilty as he looks to be (and they are plenty of people that were seated around him who witnessed his reckless act) still, everybody in this country has rights and you are ‘innocent until you are proven guilty’. The incident was caught on cameras televising the game, not to mention in probably many phone cameras that were held by fans in that area.

Overall, I agree a fan who intentionally tries to hurt a player during a game; by throwing an object (a ball in this case) should be removed banned from that park and other baseball parks, but a lifetime ban, that’s another story. That is not an easy task. Should MLB/teams fine the fan for thousands of dollars for an intentionally violent act? Let’s face it, what this man did was an unprovoked assault. Why wasn’t he arrested or a police report filed?

I am sure we will learn more about this particular incident. The passion between the biggest rivalry in baseball and one of the tops in all sports, Yankees vs. Red Sox, should still continue. The vast majority of fans behave at a park, but in the violent world we are living today, we cannot dismiss such action.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Cuban Players in Support of People of Cuba

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The Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia is one of many Major League players from Cuba supporting the protest for regime change in Cuba (file photo from the Dallas Morning News)

Cuban Players in Support of the People of Cuba

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Nobody knows better about the Cuban system of government that many of the Cuban-born players that have defected through the years. Many who escaped on home-made crafts across the treacherous Florida straits heading north looking for freedom and opportunity risking their lives and in many instances their relatives that escaped with them.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman as well as the young sensation of the Texas Rangers Adolis García wore hats with the message “SOS Cuba” and “Patria y Vida” (translated) “Homeland and Life” during recent game between the Yankees and the Rangers. “It’s the first time that I know of in my 33 years,” Chapman said to ‘Our Esquina’ during batting practice before the All-Star Game. “It’s good that this has happened for the people to rise up. The courage to go out to the streets that has never happened. That is good.”

Others that have spoken and showed their support for the people of Cuba during this uprising in the streets: The Gurriel brothers, Yuliesky of the Houston Astros and Lourdes Jr of the Toronto Blue Jays have taken to Twitter and Instagram to post their support for the suffering people of Cuba, a communist dictatorship for over 60 years.

All-Star Yasiel Puig who first played in the major leagues with the LA Dodgers and is now playing in the Mexican professional league shared a video in Spanish to more than his 800,000 followers “We are all one,” said Puig, who tried to defect from Cuba several times before successfully escaping the island in 2012.

Cincinnati Red pitcher Cionel Pérez posted on Instagram “I want to send a greeting and a hug to my Cuban brothers who are fighting for their freedom”. Many other Cuban players have spoken about their solidarity with the Cuban people. Amnesty International, a non-profit, non-bias organization who specializes in following human right violations, continues to list Cuba as one of the biggest human rights violators in the world.

Thousands in the island have taken to the streets to chant “Libertad” – “Freedom”. Also “We want Freedom” “We want vaccines”. Some 24 Cuban players are playing today in the major leagues, they understand the situation because they lived it when they were playing in Cuba.

Although there is a US embargo on Cuba, the largest Caribbean island trades with Canada, France, Spain, México and other countries. But the Cuban government is typical of communist systems, where they totally control the people; say one thing but do the opposite.

There is no doubt the communist leaders of Cuba live very well, have been vaccinated and protected, while the Cuban population continues to suffer from all kinds of shortages. But the biggest “shortage” in Cuba is Freedom. The President of the United States Joe Biden said on Thursday, when asked about his views on Cuba’s communism, “Communism is a failed system — a universally failed system. And I don’t see socialism as a very useful substitute. But that’s another story.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Ex-49er Sherman facing domestic violence charges; Oakland City Council to take vote on A’s ballpark plan Tuesday

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Former San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman seen in photo during Super Bowl 54 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb 2, 2020 at Miami Gardens Fl (AP file photo) 

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco 49er cornerback Richard Sherman said he was prepared to fight police after Sherman’s wife called them after he drank two bottles of hard liquor Wednesday morning. Sherman said he was going to kill himself. Sherman tried to leave the house but his wife tried to stop him from leaving.

#2 Sherman left his house and crashed his vehicle and attempted to break into his in laws house and fought police who later used a police dog to arrest Sherman. This is very unusual behavior by Sherman who has never been in any kind of trouble like this before.

#3 Talking about the Oakland A’s situation MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s are near the end of being rooted in Oakland as the Oakland City Council votes on Tues Jul 20th. A’s president David Kaval is prepared to fly to Las Vegas after the vote to look for a location for the A’s new stadium.

#4 Shouldn’t Manfred had done what past Commissioners have done and give a buyer a chance to purchase the A’s and keep the team in Oakland before allowing the to move. Owner John Fisher said the team is not for sale but there should be some constitution in the baseball by laws that says the team must be put up for sale before being allowed to move.

#5 If the A’s move out of Oakland they’ll be taking a very rich history with them. Two that come to mind the A’s three straight World Series wins from 1972-74 and the A’s three straight World Series appearances 1988-1990.

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 with Jeremiah Salmonson: Stephen A. Smith’s Ohtani can’t speak English comments weighing heavy; Olson and Bassitt representing A’s

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ESPN’s Stephen A Smith apologized for saying that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball that he’s a foreign player, can’t speak English and he’s contributing to harming the game (USA Today file photo)

Jeremiah filled in for That’s Amaury podcast this week:

#1 Jeremiah, please tell us your thoughts on New York Mets Pete Alfonso winning the home run derby two years in a row and the Oakland A’s Matt Olson participating in the derby as well.

#2 ESPN’s Stephen A Smith sure hit a nerve when he said that the Los Angeles Angeles Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball, that he’s foreign player, can’t speak English, and he’s contributing to harming the game. Smith issued an apology for his comments on Tuesday.

#3 All Star game tonight in Denver A’s representatives first pitcher Chris Bassitt (9-3 ERA 3.28) is looking forward to participating in the mid summer classic particularly after having a fine first half.

#4 Matt Olson .282, 88 hits, 23 homers and 59 RBIs he’s seeing the ball well needless to say and participated in the home run derby on Monday night.

#5 The A’s first round draft pick Max Muncy 18 is hoping to be their future shortstop. Muncy no relation to the LA Dodger Max Muncy who was drafted fifth by the A’s in 2012 and shares the same birth date with the Dodger Muncy on Aug 25th.

#5 Jeremiah, the All Star game is tonight in Denver many a player who is there worked hard to get this far in the first half of the season who are the All Stars that we’ll see tonight that impressed you most?

Jeremiah Salmonson filled in for Amaury who is on La Mejor Musica on the Oakland A’s flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and look for his News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s New Ballpark July 20 might Not be the Day you Expect

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An artist rendering of the Oakland A’s gondola that is expected to take fans from the 12th Street BART station in downtown Oakland to Howard Terminal (photo from Athletics Nation)

A’s New Ballpark July 20 might Not be the Day you Expect

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics last champions of the American League Western Division go into the All Star Break with a winning record for the third consecutive season and in second place 3 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros. July 20 will mark an important vote by the Oakland City Council to open the way for the construction of the Howard Terminal park.

Here are some key points:

1-The A’s committed to $450 million construction for the ballpark. However, the overall project on the table is in the billions.

2- The A’s will commit to a 20-year non-relocation agreement, but the City of Oakland wants a deal that will keep the team in Oakland for 45 years.

s3-City of Oakland, under the law, requires developers include affordable housing in projects, the A’s want an exemption. The team want future taxes to take care of that, Oakland City Council has a big problem with that.

4-Oakland taxpayers are still ‘not over’ on past leases/deals with the Raiders and Warriors and they are on the hook for millions of dollars after both teams left. This has nothing to do with the City or the A’s, but figures greatly in the minds of residents and voters.

5-Chinatown is less than one mile from the proposed site of the Howard Terminal Park. Traffic and parking will present a challenge. The amount of parking spaces (the team proposed 2,000 parking spaces) at the ballpark for the 35,000 seat ballpark and would affect the Chinatown neighborhood and their financial future.

It is more than just the building of the new baseball park. There are many moving pieces here that the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s still will have to agree on. The Jack London Square/Port of Oakland area where the Howard Terminal is to be built is a busy place. Amtrak trains go-by right there in the streets of Oakland and that could be problematic during game-day crowds, walking from BART station at 12th street, as fans will have to cross train tracks.

Other modes of transportation for the one-mile walk, like Gondolas have been proposed, but more than likely bridges for people crossing would have to be build, infrastructure is key for safety of the people attending a baseball game.

In conclusion: This July 20 the Oakland City Council vote might not be the last one or decisive that many believe it will be; they already have said they might need more time to analyze the financial impact and we might have to wait at least until September. In the meantime Las Vegas looms as A’s officials have already made a few “scouting” trips to Sin City.

The Oakland City Council has a full plate these days and some issues that believe it or not, are more important than keeping the A’s in Oakland. Amid a recent spike in homicides and crime in general, the Oakland City Council voted to defund the police as they diverted $18 million from the police department into community prevention programs, prompting Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to strongly voice his displeasure with such policy as he said “This will make it tougher having less officers on the field, particularly for marginalized communities like deep East Oakland” and added “We see clearly that crime is out of control in the City of Oakland, and our response was for less police resources”. According to all official stats, homicides, shootings, robberies and carjackings are up at alarming pace in Oakland.

I want the Athletics to stay in Oakland, where they belong. but Las Vegas doesn’t present any of the hurdles the team encounters at the proposed site in the City of Oakland. The construction of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Raiders took less than three years to be built. The Athletics and the City of Oakland cannot stop time, the clock keeps ticking.

The best option still remains. If there was a plan to keep the A’s and build in the current location, that would be an asset. I challenge anybody to tell me another pro-sports facility in the Bay Area with better access than the Oakland Coliseum.

Highway 880 to the west and BART station a 10-15 minute walk from the Coliseum, to the east. Plus an Amtrak, Capitol Corridor train, with scheduled stop at the Coliseum, those trains travel between San José and Sacranmento. where fans also come to watch A’s baseball.

There is plenty of land to re-develop that area, around the Coliseum. Mr. Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball doesn’t support that idea and that is why he told the A’s to look for another location, or say Adiós to the Bay Area.

And so it goes. The Athletics return home for their first home-stand post-All Star Break on Friday July 16 for the first of 3 games against the Cleveland Indians then a quick 2-game set vs. the divisional rivals Los Angeles Angels.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s 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: Oakland A’s Mid-Season Report-What do they need

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Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha who is out with a hip injury will take a much needed rest during the All Star Break next to prepare for the second half of the season (file photo from Athletics Nation)

Oakland Athletics Mid-Season Report – What do they need

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There used to be a saying that the teams who are in first place by the 4th of July are the ones that are going to win the World Series. That might have been proven as the norm years ago, but today with 30 teams on six divisions, the playoffs and the Wild Card, is not that simple and more difficult than ever to reach the World Series.

You do not have to win your Division to make it deep in October. As a matter of fact these wild card teams all have won the World Series: the Florida Marlins in 1997 and 2003, the Los Angeles Angels, in 2002, the Boston Red Sox, in 2004, the St Louis Cardinals, in 2011; the San Francisco Giants, in 2014 and the Washington Nationals, in 2019

However, to be on first place come Independence Day is not an impediment, but an advantage with some 80 games; those teams have over a 60% probability of making the postseason.

The Oakland A’s ended their home schedule of the first half Sunday July 4, and lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox. They lost the three game series against the Red Sox, who left Oakland with 53 wins in first place and are one of the surprises of this 2021 season, under general manager Alex Cora is the first and only Puerto Rican manager to win a World Series, in 2018 for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox looked like a better team that the A’s. However, prior to that series, the Texas Rangers came to Oakland and they took two out of three from the Athletics. The Rangers are not a better team than the A’s.

The Athletics are missing their leadoff hitter Mark Canha; he was their offensive catalyst during the first half of the season as their steady hitter at the top of the lineup, hopefully he will be back soon. A’s first baseman Matt Olson having his best season to date was selected as a reserve to the All-Star Game this July 13 at Coors Field, in Denver.

The announcement was made in the press box during the game Sunday as we were broadcasting. This was not a surprise. Olson leads the A’s in most offensive categories, with a .283 average, 20 home runs and 53 runs batted-in; no other Athletic player is remotely closely to the Gold Glove first-baseman. Another player for the A’s that has All Star numbers is right handed starter Chris Bassitt with 9-2 and a 3.04 earned run average.

The Athletics are headed for Houston against the Astros and then Arlington, against the Rangers. The ‘Texas two-step. The A’S will then recess for the All Star Break. After Sunday’s game at the Coliseum the A’S were in second place 3 1/2 games behind the hot Houston Astros.

This road trip for the Oakland team is a key one as they head to the break and get ready for the second half. A’S pitching has not been the problem, even though they started the year without Mike Fiers and then lost Jesús Luzardo to a hand injury (healed now) he sustained while playing a video game and on a violent reaction when he hit the table with his hand.

Their good pitching and good defense have kept the A’S with a record of 49-37 which a chance to re-capture first place this week while in Texas. They have to come home for the first game of the second half the 16 June vs. Cleveland with a better road trip than the last one which they won 4 and lost 6 games.

What do they need? First and foremost they have to improve their offense. Matt Chapman is the best all-around player on the team, but the Gold Glove third-baseman is having an under-achieving season, he is hitting .229 with 11 homers and 42 runs batted in, he should have much better numbers, like closer to 20 home runs and 50 RBI.

Ramón Laureano, one of the best defensive center-fielders in baseball is also having a subpar season at the plate. Elvis Andrus was acquired to play shortstop when Marcus Semien was not signed with the team and left for Toronto, Semien will be the starting second-baseman for the American League in the All Star Game. Andrus is a great defender with the glove but no comparison offensively to ex-A’S Semien in the infield.

The A’s were the only team in the American League that did not have a homerun from the shortstop position until Elvis hit one on July 2. Olson is the man, having a season where he could hit 40 to 50 homeruns and drive in 100 or more runs. Houston is one of the best (many believe the best) offensive team in the league. The trade deadline is at the end of the month.

The Twins are out of it this season and DH extraordinaire Nelson Cruz could make a nice addition into this line-up at the Coliseum. The 41 year old Dominican player still packs a punch, is healthy and he could help the A’S. Cruz is one of the true sluggers of the game with 435 home runs, and the A’s do not have to break the bank to bring him to the bay.

Nelson Cruz could hit the ball out of any park in baseball. Cruz is hitting .306 with 18 home-runs and 45 RBI; his bat will help the A’s. Mitch Moreland, whom the A’s acquired to be their DH (and currently on the injured list) is hitting .238 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.

The A’s always trade to improve their team if they are in the race and they are in the race. The best two teams in the AL West are the Astros and the Athletics. This six-game road trip is a test for the A’s and its results could hinge in what adjustments they make in player personal. Regardless of results. they might have to shake-up the roster and make some moves as they try to repeat as Western Division champion.

Talking about trades: In June 1989, the Oakland A’s brought back Rickey Henderson from the Yankees, as they went on to win their fourth World Series in Oakland. Remember that?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Cuba’s Baseball in Disarray, Ranked 11th

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The Cuban National Baseball team during a pre game ceremony failed to qualify for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (File photo from the New York Times)

Cuba’s Baseball in Disarray, Ranked 11th

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

After Cuba failed to qualify for the Olympics (first time ever that Cuba baseball will not be in baseball Olympic competition) the baseball program in that country is in disarray. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is the world governing body for the sports of baseball and softball, at the amateur level, therefore covering Olympic competition.

They have 208 National Federation Members in 141 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania. Some people in Cuba consider this fall a disgrace for the morale of the country, since Cubans have been playing baseball for the longest time in this hemisphere after the US. The WBSC dropped Cuba to 11th in their rankings.

For the first time in history Cuba is not listed as one of the power-countries in baseball. Baseball has been Cuba’s national sport since the game was introduced to Cubans in 1864 when Cuban students returned home from the United States. In 1878 a baseball league was established in Cuba and it evolved into many levels and leagues.

One was the Cuban Winter League, a professional league, at that time regarded the best baseball league in the world after the US Major League Baseball, by most experts, scouts and players. Major League players in the US that went to Cuba in the winter to play, told me that was the best league after MLB and the one that paid the best.

Those players knew, because most American players back then, had to supplement their incomes in the winter, since they did not have the benefit of today with a very strong Players Union. The very popular Cuban Winter League ended when Fidel Castro took power in Cuba and abolished all professional sports, including baseball. Cuba’s economy is dominated by their communist government.

That government sponsors their baseball program with great national pride and is one of the few things that the majority of Cubans can truly celebrate in the island. The fall of Cuban baseball in the world stage is among the list of many failures for that government, with one of the poorest economies in Latin America as well as dismal record of human rights violations, year-after-year per Amnesty International, a non-profit human rights watchdog.

Today at least 25 Cuban-born players are playing in the US Major Leagues and many others around the world where baseball is played professionally. According to the WSBC recent ranking some of the countries above Cuba in baseball are: USA, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Australia, Dominican Republic, Holland, and Venezuela.

For Cuba not to dominate in baseball it would be comparable to the US not dominating in basketball, at any level. Cuba was the only country to have made it in baseball five times to the finals of the Olympic games, winning three Gold Medals and two Silver Medals.

What will happen with the Cuban baseball program is anybody’s guess. The US has maintained a blockade of the island of Cuba since 1960 when then President John F. Kennedy and the Soviet Union (who made Cuba one of its political satellite supporting the country with billions of dollars) were involved in the cold war.

Although Cuba continues to trade with countries like Canada, Brazil, Mexico, China and the Netherlands, among others, they still suffer a tremendous shortage of goods. The fact remains, that considering how much baseball represents to the island of Cuba this downgrading of Cuban baseball at the international level is a huge blow to the Cuban government who is the sole sponsor of sports.

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 News and Commentary: Tokyo Olympics Protest at the Games will Have Consequences

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The plan for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics is for toned down celebrations, strict Covid-19 protocols, and there will be no protesting of any kind allowed by the athletes under strict consequences as policies established by the International Olympic Committee (photo from swimmingworld.com)

Tokyo Olympics: Protest at the Games will Have Consequences

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

With less than a month until the Tokyo Olympics get under way, the International Olympic Committee reiterated that they will not allow any form of protest or demonstrations, from kneeling to other actions taken on the field of play or during official ceremonies at the podium and those who do will be punished, including the possible stripping of the medals, which they have the rights to enact.

The IOC spent 11 months consulting with experts and athletes. They polled over 3,500 elite athletes and Olympians age 16 to 55 and over. The results showed the majority is clearly against demonstrations, and although the punishment has yet to be determined, the IOC said that those who choose to disrespect the country they represent will suffer consequences.

Kristy Coventry, 37 years old, ex-Olympic swimmer and the most decorated Olympian from Africa who is the current Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation in the government/cabinet of Zimbabwe, Africa, said: “A very clear majority of athletes said that they think it’s not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, at the official ceremonies or at the podium. “

So, our recommendation is to preserve the podium, field of play and official ceremonies from any kind of protest or demonstrations or acts perceived as such,” continued Coventry. Olympian Athletes represent their respective countries. In the United States (unlike other Olympic nations) the government doesn’t have a funded sports ministry.

The US Olympic Committee pays for itself, mainly through corporate sponsorships and some of the proceeds from broadcast rights. The IOC encourages and supports the promotion of ethics in sport along with education of youth through sport.

To promote fair play in sport and rid sport of violence. Punishment for athletes who demonstrate, pre, during, or after an event, include: -Disqualification -Pulled from competition -Striped of medal -Banning from competition in four years Games are scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital between 23 July and 8 August.

They were postponed last year because of Covid. It will feature 33 sports at 339 events across 42 venues. NBC is the official network. A Japanese doctor in Japan has pledged to hold a “safe and secure” 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after a year-long postponement but is struggling to contain a fourth wave of infections and preparing to extend a state of emergency in much of the country.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Young questionable for tonight’s game in Atlanta; NHL Commissioner doubts players for Japan Olympics; plus more

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The Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (seated upper left) twisted his right ankle on this play after stepping on official Sean Wright’s foot (right) during game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sun Jun 27, 2021 in Atlanta (AP News photo)

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

#1 Amaury, The Atlanta Hawks play host for game 4 tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks lead the series 2-1 and the Hawks star player Trae Young is questionable tonight with a twisted right foot he injured in game 3 on Sunday after stepping on an official’s foot Sean Wright.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman say he doubts it will be safe for NHL players to participate in the Olympics in Japan. Bettman says he is concerned about safety measures and the spike in Covid cases in Japan. 826 million Japanese have been vaccinated that’s 10% of the population even the Japanese citizens say it’s not safe. Do you see NHL players sitting the Olympics out because of safety concerns.

# 3 Amaury, We didn’t get a chance to talk to you about the suspension of Seattle Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago. As you know Santiago had his hat, hair, jersey and belt check and his glove was found to have a foreign substance on it and was confiscated. Santiago was unceremoniously suspended. Santiago told the umpires it was sweat and rosin.

#4 Amaury could you go over some of the participants for this year’s home run derby in Denver a run down of the names who will be at the contest: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Pete Alonso (Mets), Trey Mancini (Orioles), and Trevor Story (Rockies).

#5 Amaury the San Francisco Giants (50-27) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (47-31) match up again at Dodgers Stadium for game 2 of this brief two game series. Tonight for the Giants it’s Kevin Guasman (8-1 ERA 1.49) and for the Dodgers Walker Buehler (7-1 ERA 2.51) two of the best pitchers in the National League matching up.

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