Tag: Amaury Pi Gonzalez

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Washington Football team Replacing traditional Cheerleaders

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Quinton Peron and Napolean Jinnies became the first male cheerleaders in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams as the Washington Football Team will be using male cheerleaders as well (NBC4i.com photo)

Washington Football team Replacing traditional Cheerleaders

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Washington Football team (once the Redskins) continues making changes after their name change last year. This week they announced they would be doing away with the Cheerleading team, the traditional way and will instead make it a coed dance group. Expect some other teams in the future to follow the Washington team.

26 of the 32 NFL teams include cheerleader’s squad in their franchise. How important is this to the average football fan, viewer, and remains to be seen. I expect ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to have a statue erected on his likeness, because, like him or not, he basically started all these changes in the NFL and other sports with a simple knee he took in protest.

For the record: at the time it happened, I defended his right to free speech under the first amendment, and at the same time I exercise my equal right to free speech when I said I did not like what he did; but I respected it and understood his motivation.

The Washington Football team recently is making news where they do not wanted to make news. After all, they play in the weakest division in the NFL. The NFC East where last season they finished in first place, but with a 7-9 record a .438 winning percentage. They are re-branding this team in, but we all know the overwhelming majority of NFL fans could care less what you name your team, what cheerleaders you have or the color or logos of the uniform.

Even for some Raiders fans, they even travel from Oakland to Las Vegas when they play now, that is important for them, winning and losing is where the passion in football resides, not in these other issues.

In this instance of the Washington Football team and what changes they had made so far, I like to use the iconic quote by the legendary owner of the Oakland Raiders, now Las Vegas Raiders “Just win, baby” by Mr. Al Davis. Sports is part of the “very interesting”, era in history that we are living today.

Today there are arbitrary decisions made in many different places, not only in Sports. Some make sense, others are ridiculous. There was a time when sports were not intertwined with the world of entertainment as much as today.

Social media has facilitated these “changes” in our society. There is a “cancel culture” debate going on for a while now. Recently some of Dr. Seuss, children’s books have been cancelled or eliminated by some.

Like EBay which recently stop selling them, while they still sell Mein Kampf, or books on how to build a nuclear bomb as well as other highly offensive and dangerous books. I also heard in stadiums prior to games many rap songs that literally insult women and call them names. I would never use those names against anyone.

We should never be afraid of information and knowledge; after all, we all die still learning. I believe in more books not less, but as a free society it is very dangerous to be selective in what we “cancel.” I strongly believe in free speech and I can appreciate it passionately, because where I came from, that does not exist.

Some people take it for granted, not me. But I also see a lot of stuff that is silly and stupid. Sports are one of the biggest escapes we have, and still make us feel like kids. No country has a perfect history.

We learned from our mistakes of the past, if we “erase” all of our history, (bad or good) that is not smart for future generations. They are going to have machines making decisions for them, they will be ‘brain dead’ and that is not Kosher. But here is the good news. Most of the cancelling has been done by private companies, not the Government, Thank God.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954)

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All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Former ladies players stand in front of the National Baseball Museum Hall of Fame front entrance (photo by the Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY)

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

This month is Women’s History Month and to honor the women that played in this professional baseball league, we will go back in time to the 1940’s during World War II. Mr. Phillip Knight Wrigley, the chewing gum manufacturer and owner of the Chicago Cubs, always a promoter of baseball, founded the AAGPBBL, a baseball league where women will play.

Mr. Wrigley figured that since the military draft was calling young men to serve (including some baseball players) and while many minor leagues disbanded, it would be a great idea to have a league exclusively made of women players. This would keep the interest in the game of baseball while the men served in war around the world.

Mr. Wrigley asked the assistant General Manager of the Chicago Cubs to organize a committee to develop ideas on how to proceed. Originally the idea was to play at established Major League parks, but that did not materialized. After much discussion a Women Softball League (non profit) was founded in 1943.

However, the short distances from one base to another, pitching underhanded did not bode well and many thought it will not be the best representation of “baseball”. Softball and baseball differ in many ways, including different rules.

In 1950 independent team owners purchased the league. Cities chosen were Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, Rockford, Illinois and South Bend, Indiana. Each team consisted of 15 players, a manager/coach, a business manager and a woman chaperone.

To attract more interest by the public they selected some former Major League players and Minor League players, sports figures as managers and coaches. After the War and with the popularity of television and the Major Leagues they could not survive financially. They played until 1954, their last season. The Rockford Peaches were the most successful team and won a total of 4 titles.

Through the organization of the Players Association in 1986, and through their efforts to gain recognition by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988, the league has now come to be recognized as what it was in actuality; the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).

The story was featured in the film “A League of Their Own”(1992) starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, Lorie Petty and others. At the end of the movie a few of the original players that were still living (not the actors) appeared as visitors at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, where there is an exhibit dedicated to them.

The film made around $132 million. The most memorable line in the movie from Manager Jimmy Dugan -played by Tom Hanks when he tells one of the players “there’s no crying in baseball!”

Tom Hanks, an Oakland native and two-time Academy Award winner arguably best American film actor, was once a vendor during the glory years in the 1970’s at the Oakland Coliseum, when the Oakland Athletics won three consecutive World Series.

Last time I visited the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 2009 one of the most interesting exhibits was the one dedicated to women in baseball. “Diamond Dreams” documents the story of this league and these great women.

That exhibit was made permanent by the Hall of Fame in 2017. Every baseball fan or history aficionado should plan to visit this great American museum, where the National Pastime is always in full display. Many women during WWII worked like “Rosie the Riveter” building the weapons that won the war as well as other industries. This is the story of these women’s contribution that entertained the country during a very difficult time in history.

Information: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is currently open 7 days a week until 5PM. Toll-free number 1-877-290-1300. Address: 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York, 13326. customerservice@baseballhall.org

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Satchel Paige at 59 with the Athletics

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Kansas City Athletics pitchers long time veteran Satchel Paige (left) and rookie Jim “Catfish” Hunter sits for a photo op in this 1965 photo (file photo from MLB Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum)

Satchel Page at 59 with the Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

If age is a state of mind or like some say “age is just a number”, Satchel Paige proved it when at 59 years of age started a game for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965, becoming the oldest player to see action in a Major League game.

History has it that on September 29, 1965 Paige started a game against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched three complete inning allowed just one hit to lead off hitter and center fielder Jim Gosger and was relieved by Diego Segui.

That 1965 Kansas City Athletics team had such popular players as Dagoberto “Campy” Campaneris and Dick Green who were two of the players that would make the transition from Kansas City to Oakland when the franchise moved to the Bay Area in 1968.

Satchel Paige dominated the Negro Leagues in the 1920’s and 1930’s way before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the LA Dodgers in 1947. His real name was Leroy Paige, who got his nickname Satchel, from carrying suitcases at the Union Railroad Station in Mobile, Alabama as a teenager, where he was born in 1906.

Leroy “Satchel “Paige was truly one of the great characters of the game, here are some of his famous quotes: “I never threw and illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation”

“I don’t generally like running. I believe in training by rising gently up and down from the bench.” said Paige

“Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don’t move.”

“My pitching philosophy is simple – keep the ball way from the bat.”

“My feet ain’t got nothing to do with my nickname, but when folks get it in their heads that a Feller’s got big feet, soon the feet start looking big.” said Paige

“The only change is that baseball has turned Paige from a second class citizen to a second class immortal.”

“When a batter swings and I see his knees move, I can tell just what his weaknesses are then I just put the ball where I know he can’t hit it.”

“Money and women. They’re two of the strongest things in the world. The things you do for a woman you wouldn’t do for anything else. Same with money.”

“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a hundred times, I’m forty-four years old.”

“Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”

“Avoid running at all times.”

“If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.”

“Avoid fried foods, which angry up the blood.”

“Not to be cheered by praise, not to be grieved by blame, but to know thoroughly one’s own virtues or powers are the characteristics of an excellent man.”

Note: Cuban-born Diego Segui who came to relieve Paige during this historical game, was also the only Opening Day pitcher for two different teams in the same city. Segui was Opening Day pitcher in the history of the Seattle Pilots in 1969 (only year of their existence) and nine years later when baseball returned to Seattle in 1977 with the Seattle Mariners. Seguí a member the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame. He threw one of the most famous fork-balls.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Latino Power The Top Sluggers in Baseball

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The Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols poses for a portrait on Feb 18, 2020 at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe during last year’s spring training in Arizona (Orange County Register file photo)

Latino Power The Top Sluggers in Baseball

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2021 baseball season is scheduled to begin on April 1. Today, among all active players, the top four (4) active sluggers with the most home runs are all Latinos. Albert Pujols (Angels) 662, Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) 487, Edwin Encarnación (Free Agent) 424, Nelson Cruz (Twins) 417.

They all play with teams in the American League and are the only active Latino players with 400 plus home runs. 1-Albert Pujols (Dominican Republic) will begin the last year of a $240 million ten-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols played 2001-2011 with the St Louis Cardinals and since 2012 to date with the Angels.

This would be his 20th season. His most impressive statistic is his runs batted in, which shows his great and consistent hitting excellence. Pujols is #3 among the all-time RBI leaders in history with 2,100 runs-batted-in.

Only Henry Aaron (2,297) and Babe Ruth (2,213) is ahead of him. He doesn’t like to talk about his statistics while playing, he always told me; “hablaremos de eso cuando me retire, pero no ahora” -trans: “when I retire we can talk about it, but not now”.

Pujols is #5 on the All-Time home run list behind, Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Alex Rodríguez.  Pujols begins 2021 with 662 home runs; no other active player is remotely close. 2-Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) Detroit Tigers. He is also at the twilight of his career, one of the top clutch hitters of his generation.

I once asked Cabrera how he manages to hit so well – over .360 with runners in scoring position: “I don’t know, but I have the same approach every time I come to the plate.” Cabrera began with the Florida Marlins in 2003 and played there until 2007.

From 2008 until today with the Detroit Tigers Cabrera is the ninth player in history to win three (3) consecutive batting titles. In 2012 became first player since Carl Yastremski (1967) to win the Triple Crown. He has won most hitting awards. Hard working and an easy going player that is also a future Hall of Famer.

Cabrera is a lifetime .313 hitter in his 18 years of play. Cabrea begins 2021 with 487 round-trippers. 3-Edwin Encarnación (Dominican Republic) at the time of this article he is a Free Agent and looking to return for his 17th Major League Season.

The Chicago White Sox declined their $12 million club option for his services last November, after a disappointing 2020 season he played 44 of the 60 game-schedule with the White Sox hit .157 with ten home runs and 19 RBIs.

During his years in Toronto Encarnación produced the best power numbers at the plate and is considered the best Designated Hitter in the history of the Blue Jays. Played with the Reds, Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners, Yankees and White Sox. Colorful and happy-go-lucky player, after he hits a home run he sticks out his right arm and holds it parallel to the ground as he rounds the bases, the fans called it “Walking the Parrot” – he said, he is fine with it.

He stands today with 424 home runs. 4-Nelson Cruz (Dominican Republic) Cruz is back this season as the Designated Hitter for the Minnesota Twins, a heavy-laden home run line-up. The Twins own the current single season record for most home runs by a team with 307 in 2019.

From 2005-2020 a 16-year career for “Nelly “considered one of the most dangerous and impressive home run hitters in the game, many of his shots flirting with the 500 foot distance are real mammoth shots.

When younger players talk about ‘launch angle’ it is like they’re talking about this man swing, Cruz always swings for the fences. There is no joke to his nickname, “Boomstick”. One of his most memorable quotes: “I always have high expectations for me” At 40 years of age, Cruz is still a very dangerous hitter. He will begin 2021 with 417 home runs.

MLB is altering the baseball slightly this season. A memo was sent to all 30 clubs citing an independent lab that found the new balls will fly one to two feet shorter on balls hit over 375 feet.

However, this will not affect Pujols, Cabrera, Encarnación or Cruz, because for these types of power guys when they square a ball, it would not matter if the ball is heavier or not, it will fly. Latinos not active (all-time home run list) #4 Alex Rodríguez 696, #9 Sammy Sosa 609, #13 Rafael Palmeiro 569, #14 Reggie(Martínez) Jackson 563, #15 Manny Ramírez 555, #17 David Ortíz 541, #20 Ted Williams 521 #31 Adrián Beltré 477, #34 Carlos Delgado 473, #37 José Canseco 462, #40 Vladimir Guerrero 449, #46 Carlos Beltrán 435, #47 Juan González 434, #55 Alfonso Soriano 412.

There are many more great Latino players who retired with less than 400 home runs’ Longest Home Run ever? George Herman “Babe” Ruth (NY) in 1921 hit a 575 foot blast at Navin Field in Detroit; there are stories of Ruth hitting some even longer.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Updated report on the condition of Tiger Woods

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Tiger Woods is resting at a UCLA Medical Center Hospital after being involved in a roll over accident in Rancho Palos Verdes on Tue Feb 23, 2021 (AP News file photo)

Tiger Wood seriously injured in car accident

By Amaury Pi-González

According to Alex Villanueva, Sheriff of LA County at 7:12 this morning in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Tiger Woods was injured as he was driving a 2021 Genesis SUV on loan from the Genesis Golf Invitational Tournament, on his way to Rollins Hills Country Club for a promotional shoot for the Discovery Channel on golf with New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, and Justin Herbert, Quarterback of the LA Chargers.

Woods was the only person involved in the accident. His injuries are to both of his legs and ankles and not life threatening, according to the first report. He is in serious condition and remains in the hospital this afternoon where he underwent surgery. The Sheriff said that Tiger Woods is lucky to be alive.

LA Times updated reports: “Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center,” Chief Medical Officer Anish Mahajan said in the statement. “Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia.”

Tiger Woods was late for this appearance and according to witnesses he left his hotel at a rate of high of speed and minutes later within quarter of a mile lost control of the SUV, went across traffic unto the opposite side of the road, crossed the median island and flipped at least once to end in a ravine, where the fire department and the police were able to get to rescue him and removed him from the car through the windshield, then put him in a gurney and rush him to the nearest hospital, Harbor UCLA a facility famous for their state of the art trauma center.

As he was being rescued, Tiger was speaking and asked them to call his manager and tell him of what happened. Tiger Woods is an Iconic sports figure in the US and the whole world; he is tied for first with 82 PGA tournaments and 15 Majors, just three behind Jack Nicklaus for the record.

At 45 years of age, Tiger was rehabbing from his fifth back surgery at the time of this accident. Tiger was introduced to the world in the Mike Douglas TV Show when he was 2 years old and already had a golf swing and delighted Douglas and the other guest Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart.

Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods revolutionized golf and made it popular to the masses, especially minorities around the world. We will know more in the next few days how serious are these injuries to his legs and if this could end his sensational golf career. Tiger Woods did for Golf what Babe Ruth did to Baseball, Michael Jordan did to Basketball and Muhammad Ali for Boxing.

Everybody here at sportsradioservice.com wishes Tiger a fast recovery. These injuries could be career threatening, but if anybody can make another comeback, it would be Tiger Woods.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Giants Casali to back up Posey as Bart opens season in Sacramento; A’s Murphy expected back by opening day

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Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Curt Casali joins the San Francisco Giants in the back up roll to start the 2021 season. Catcher Joey Bart who started most of 2021 will open the season in Triple A Sacramento (AP News file photo)

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

#1 Amaury, How smart is the move sending San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart to Triple A Sacramento for more instruction. Last season Bart hit .233 and struck out 41 times.

#2 When Giants catcher Buster Posey opted to sit out the 2020 season due to Coronavirus concerns Bart was made the starting catcher. With all the high expectations of Bart he lapsed at the plate and will not be with the big club to start the season.

#3 The Giants acquired catcher Curt Casali as the back up catcher for Posey. Casali has been in the big league since 2014 playing for Tampa Bay before moving onto the Cincinnati Reds 2018 and now joining the Giants this season. Casali hit .167, 12 hits, no homers and 3 RBIs. Casali joins the Giants mostly for his defensive skills and experience working with pitchers behind the plate.

#4 Amaury, the A’s moved on acquiring players like Trevor Rosenthal pitcher, DH Mitch Mooreland, infielder Elvis Andrus, pitcher Sergio Romo, and resigning Yusmerio Petit after former A’s players Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks had left are these big enough pieces to fill their shoes?

#5 A’s catcher Sean Murphy is recovery from lung surgery and is expected to be ready to start on opening day. The A’s will be looking at his back up Aramis Garcia who will be doing a lot of the catching in spring training. Garcia hit .143, six hits, five runs, five RBIs. Garcia spent the 2020 season in the minors.

#6 Amaury, the Oakland A’s Fanfest is normally at this time of the year but due to Coronavirus there have been no fanfests for the last two seasons normally held at Jack London Square.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Feb 23, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Warriors The Run TMC Years

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Run TMC consisting of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin (from left to right) all three players had their jerseys retired by the Golden State Warriors (photo from Sports Illustrated files)

Warriors: The Run TMC Years

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Even when they were not making the playoffs, the Run TMC years for the Golden State Warriors were very entertaining and always enjoyed great support from Bay Area fans at the Oakland Arena.

They usually sold out for every game. With point guard Tim Hardaway, guard Mitch Richmond and Hall of Famer Chris Mullin as forward, a dynamic trio, who adopted that name from the rap group TMC for their “run and gun” style. They had great chemistry with an up-tempo offense that fans loved, it was fun. Those were loyal fans that never saw a title, but supported the team 100X100.

It was the San Francisco Examiner who sponsored a “Name the Warriors Trio” contest, after the trio of talented players showed so much agility and coordination, that became what most of the Warriors fans were talking about at that time. The newspaper took the best suggestions to the players, who then selected “Run TMC” from the hip hop group Run DMC .

The high scoring trio was first broken-up in 1991 when Richmond was traded to Sacramento, a trade which Coach Don Nelson said that he would never make again. After their success with the Warriors all three had their jerseys retired; Chris Mullins with the Warriors, Tim Hardaway with Miami and Mitch Richmond with Sacramento, as he would be the only of the three to win an NBA championship, with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002.

Tim Hardaway over a decade career, (his first 6 years with the Warriors) is arguably deserving of the Hall of Fame. His son Tim Hardaway Jr. is also a point guard, now a veteran playing with the Dallas Mavericks

Mitch Richmond won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award with the Golden State Warriors in 1989, one of four (4) Warriors to take home the award. The others were Rick Barry (1966), Jamal Wilkes (1975) and Chris Webber (1994) last Warrior to win the award.

Chris Mullin 16-years NBA Hall of Fame career, has coached at his Alma Matter St John’s University, worked as executive and General Manager for the Warriors, executive advisor for the Sacramento Kings, basketball analyst at ESPN and is a Bay Area resident.

Since the Run TMC years, especially since 2015, the Warriors have become one of elite and most successful franchises in the NBA, but those memories of the lean years and the excitement that this trio of players brought to the Oakland Area and to Warrior fan will always be engraved in their memory.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury was the Spanish radio play by play announcer for all the games of the Golden State Warriors in the 1990’s. He was inducted to the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Tokyo’s Olympic President Steps Down after Sexist comments

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Yoshiro Mori former Prime Minister of Japan and Chief of the Tokyo Olympics who resigned for sexist remarks against women is the topic of That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary (New York Times file photo)

Tokyo’s Olympic President Steps Down after Sexist comments

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Yoshiro Mori former Prime Minister of Japan, who was the Chief of the Tokyo Olympics resigned after an uproar during an Olympic meeting when he said that women talk too much, which he found annoying. Mori, 83 years old announced his resignation.

Taking Mr. Mori’s place is Japan’s Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto who will become the new chief of the Tokyo Olympics. She is a bronze medalist and seven-time Olympian, with competition experience in both the summer and winter Olympics. “I will spare no effort in making the Tokyo games successful,” she told the Tokyo 2020 executive board after it voted on her becoming its new president. “It has to be a safe and secure games that we have to remain first and foremost and consider how we can control COVID-19”

Originally the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until the summer of 2021 because of the covid pandemic, and they’re on schedule to open the games this summer. Olympic Games were cancelled during World War I in 1916 and World War II in 1940 and 1944, however they were never postponed. This was the first time they were postponed.

Late December 2020, Associated Press reported that the official cost of the Japan Olympics was up 22 percent to a total of $15.4 Billion dollars.

NBC is the official station for the Olympics and schedule to televise from Open to Close, from July 23, until August 8.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead play by play talent on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

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Former San Diego Padre reliever Trevor Rosenthal seen here throwing during Sep 13, 2020 game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park in San Diego. Rosenthal has signed on with the Oakland A’s for $11 million for the 2021 season (AP News file photo)

Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Closer: After losing Liam Hendricks to free agency as he landed with the Chicago White Sox, the Oakland A’s acquired veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal for $11 million and one year. Pending a physical he will be wearing the Green and Gold very soon in Spring Training. Rosenthal is 30 years old and during eight years as a closer showing 132 saves.

During the 2020 season he pitched for Kansas City and San Diego and recorded 11 saves. Between Kansas City and San Diego he made 23 appearances saved 11 games, with a 1.90 ERA.

He enjoyed his best years with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 when he saved 45 games and 2015 with 48 saves as an All Star. Designated Hitter: With the departure of Khris Davis, going to Texas a few weeks ago, the Athletics have picked-up veteran Mitch Moreland for one-year.

Moreland is a first baseman and designated hitter, and will probably be their DH most of the time and when Matt Olson needs a rest at first base, he will provide the back-up. Mitch Moreland is an 11 year career with Texas, Boston and San Diego, combined numbers are .252 average with 176 home runs and 588 runs-batted-in.

Spring Training: Frankie Montás, Oakland’s Opening Day starter last season is experiencing flu-like symptoms, Melvin said: “He’s several days into it,” Melvin said during a Zoom call before the A’s first workout of spring on Wednesday. “He does feel the effects of it.

He was having some symptoms, more flu-like than probably anything else at this point. He’s going to be a little bit behind.” Catcher Sean Murphy who enjoyed a very good rookie season in 2020 is out of action and not in Spring Training.

According to manager Bob Melvin, the catcher woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and noticed discomfort while breathing. He went to the hospital and later that day had surgery.

David Forst, the team’s general manager described the injury as a “freak thing” that could have been caused by something as simple as a hard cough during his sleep that led to a pulmonary bleb (a small air pocket or blister) that created a small hole in his lung, Doctors said that while the surgery was not necessary, it was recommended to avoid a recurrence.

Young lefty A.J.Puk threw and felt “free and easy” coming back after shoulder surgery. His would be a very important part of a young and talented rotation, if he can make the team this season, something the organization will like to see in 2021.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Swinging A’s World Series Hero Passed at 73

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Former Oakland Athletic Angel (Cuqui) Mangual who passed away on Tue Feb 16, 2021 at 73 years old played for the Oakland A’s for seven season (1971-1976) and was on three of the World Championships teams during that time (photo from conlasbasesllenas.com)

Swinging A’s World Series Hero Passed at 73

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In 1972,1973 and 1974 the Oakland Athletics became the only other Major League franchise, other than the New York Yankees to win at least three straight World Series titles. Angel (Cuquí) Mangual was 73 years old, he played for the Oakland A’s during his seven year career (1971-1976) but impacted Charlie O Finley Swinging A’s in a big way.

During Game 4 of the 1972 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Puerto Rican outfielder became an instant hero as he delivered a game-winning hit for the victory. The A’s had a Major League record three pinch-hit singles in the ninth inning.

The Athletics went on to win the Series in seven games. That was the first of three-consecutive World Series titles, followed in 1973 with another seven game thrilling win against the New York Mets and then in 1974 the Swinging A’s took the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Angel Mangual set the pace for the Swinging A’s dynasty of the 1970’s.

Angel’s younger brother José (Pepe) Mangual announced the passing of his ill brother. José played for six years from 1972 to 1977 with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. Mark Oliveras, considered the best manager in the history of professional baseball in Puerto Rico said: (quote)”I remember that in Puerto Rico and the United States they compared his abilities to those of Roberto Clemente. Even his body language reminded me of Roberto, his smile and the way he comported himself. His health has not been good in the last few years. I will always remember him, may God have him next to him in eternal glory”.

Angel once said about Clemente: “Roberto me ayudó mucho cuando estaba con la organización de los Piratas de Pittsburgh y siempre me decía como jugar el béisbol, pero lo que más me impresionaba es que siempre estaba hablando conmigo” Trans: “Roberto helped me a lot when I was with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, and always told me how to play baseball, but what most impressed me about him, is that he was always talking to me”.

May Angel “Cuquí” Mangual Rest in Peace.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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