Former Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown who was fired by the Astros on Mon Aug 24, 2026 is the third AL West general manager to be fired this season. (AP file photo)
The Athletics and the Atrocious The American League West
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
My dad used to tell me (in Spanish): “En la tierra del ciego, el tuerto es rey.”In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
That is the situation in the American League West: as of today, the five teams are under .500, but somebody will eventually win it. Monday, the Houston Astros dismissed their General Manager, Dana Brown. On August 7, the Athletics dismissed David Forst, their longtime general manager; earlier, on June 27, the Los Angeles Angels axed their GM, Perry Minasian.
Of the five General Managers in the division, only two are still employed: Texas Rangers Ross Fernstermaker and Seattle Mariners Justin Hollander. Is the guillotine greased and ready in Texas and Seattle? That would be something.
Today: One of the top candidates for MVP in the American League is Cuban-born Jordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros. He would not be the first MVP to win the league playing for a bad team. In 1958, Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks won it, with a club record of 72-82, Ernie (Let’s play two) Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Trivia: See how good you are, and are you surprised?
Q: Who owns the record for the longest General Manager tenure in MLB history without being fired?
A: Brian Cashman is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the New York Yankees. He has held this role since 1998, making him the longest-serving general manager in franchise history until today. That is 28 years and counting,
General Managers’ Salaries? Major League Baseball General Managers earn between $1 million and $4 million per year, but some elite executives make up to $5 million to $ 10 million annually.
Quote: “It is the nature of being the general manager of a baseball team that you have to remain on familiar terms with people you are continually trying to screw”
Famous quote by author Michael Lewis in his bestselling book Moneyball.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
