Tag: David Forst

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Universities boycott SJSU’s Volleyball games with transgender on Spartans roster; Cal gets some love on Game Day from ESPN; plus more news

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San Jose State Spartans outside right side hitter Blaire Fleming (3) has been the focus of being a transgender playing on a women’s volleyball team. Three universities have boycotted against playing SJSU and did not disclose the reasons why. (SJSU photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 San Jose State Spartans volleyball has been in the spotlight over transgender outside right side hitter Blaire Fleming. Three universities have boycotted playing SJSU, Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming. The three universities did not disclose a reason for boycotting the games against SJSU. Fleming teammate Brooke Slusser has joined a lawsuit against the NCAA regarding safety issues after finding out that Fleming was transgender. How much of a conundrum is this going to cause the NCAA with teams boycotting and players filing lawsuits.

#2 Charlie, it was a special day for Cal football on Saturday as they hosted the Miami Hurricane. It was the first time in the school’s history that they host ESPN Game Day. The event went down as a big deal as Cal made the national scene. Cal had gone 3-1 previous to their game with Miami and got some love from the World Wide Sports Leader.

#3 Vice President Kamala Harris on her podcast “All is Smoke” expressed sadness about Oakland losing all it’s professional sports teams which included Golden State Warriors, Oakland Raiders and Oakland A’s. Harris was joined by former Warriors Harrison Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the podcast. Harris said “it breaks my heart.” The vice president said she feels sadness each time she passes the Oakland Coliseum when she flies in and out of Oakland Airport.

#4 It was mentioned on a local talk show that it’s 98% certain that the A’s will end up at Sutter Health Field but it’s the uncertain 2% that you have to look out for. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that A’s president David Forst said “I don’t think we have a 100% certainty.” even though renovations have been made in the dugouts the artificial turf has not been installed at all. The players of other teams behind the scenes have told their agents they do not want to play on artificial turf and using a minor league park would not be practical for big league players. According to A’s manager Mark Kotsay, “no decision (to go) from grass to turf has been made.” Charlie you were there on the last game in Oakland I know you said it’s a done deal in Sacramento but there is doubt about Sutter Health and the players really are leaning on finishing up at the Coliseum before moving to Vegas.

#5 The Arizona Cardinals (1-3) kick off against the San Francisco 49ers (2-2) at Levi Stadium. The Cardinals are a struggling bunch they had their heads handed to them by the Washington Commanders last week. Cardinal quarterback Kyler Murray was 16-22 for 142 yards, and one touchdown. The 49ers after losing two straight games defeated the New England Patriots last Sunday 30-13 and ran up the score on the Pats. Will the 49ers make easy work of the Cardinal today?

#6 The Las Vegas Raiders just got by the Cleveland Browns last week 20-16. After holding a 20-10 win the Raiders in the fourth quarter couldn’t get any offense going and the Browns returned a fumble for a touchdown but it wasn’t enough as Las Vegas came away with a four point win at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet –That’s Amaury News and Commentary– –(EXCLUSIVE)

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Oakland A’s pitcher Lucas Erceg and A’s Spanish announcer and author Amaury Pi Gonzalez both were recognized at the 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet on Tue Jan 9, 2024 in downtown Campbell (photo provided by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

CAMPBELL CA–The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet occurred on Tuesday, January 9, at the Spacious Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell. Since 1985, it has been a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. Their mission is a pure commitment to the baseball community of the Santa Clara Valley, the most populated area in the Bay Area.

To provide an opportunity for the baseball coaches and players to participate at the highest level and ensure recognition of their efforts. The awards recognized local Bay Area talent from many walks of life, including two champion Little League teams, but the common denominator for all is the great game of Baseball.

Their annual banquet (#38) is the event at which the committee recognizes and honors the accomplishments of deserving participants within our community. The funds from this banquet go directly to youth, high school, amateur, and collegiate baseball programs within the greater Santa Clara Valley. The approximately 500 attendees on Tuesday were significant league scouts, coaches, and professional baseball players at all levels.

Oakland A’s Baseball, Chris Townsend was master of ceremonies. The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants had tables for this event. I spoke briefly with David Forst, General Manager of the A’s. I asked him the question most Bay Area baseball fans ask me: “Are the A’s going to play in Oakland in 2025? Since after this 2024 season begins in March, their lease on the Oakland Coliseum will expire, he responded, “I don’t know.”

It was a great night at the Villa Ragusa, where the memory of such great Bay Area baseball people was remembered at the top of the program. Ed Bressoud, MLB alumni and De Anza College, Head Coach/ NY and SF Giants, Red Sox, Mets, and Cardinals. Art Santo Domingo has been a member of the SF Giants and Oakland A’s organization for 26 combined years and was an MLB official scorer during both games of the A’s and Giants.

Tony Morici is a lifelong resident of San José, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and a University of Santa Clara graduate. Member of Silicon Valley Sports Hall of Fame and life-long backer of youth sports. They all passed in 2023.

Among this non-profit’s many benefactors and top brass were Mr.Cory (Obie) Obenour and Alex “Sandy” Wihtolf, President of Hot Stove SCV and MLB Alumni. Awards were given to High School students, community service, Umpires, Head Coaches, and Coach of the Year, plus many others, including college and minor league baseball players.

Lucas Erceg, pitcher of the Oakland A’s, was selected as MLB Player of the Year; he joined us later in our table. Nico Horner of the Cubs was born in Oakland and was named MLB Player of the Year. The Mark Marquess Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Mr. Ritch Price, De Anza CC, Cal Poly SLO, and KU Jayhawks baseball.

As I mentioned, after accepting the Media Award and thanking the SCV Hot Stove. “For me, it is always special to be in the same room with all these baseball people, from scouts and coaches to players and front office executives, because Baseball is a big family.”

I was incredibly humbled to be recognized by this incredible Bay Area organization.

For more information on SCV Hot Stove https://www.facebook.com/SCVHotStove/

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary A’s prospect: Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

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Oakland A’s future prospect Luis Danys Morales (left) shakes hands with A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein during the signing of Morales (photo by the Oakland A’s)

A’s top prospect Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Luis Danys Morales defected from the Cuban National Sub-23 team in México in 2021. According to MLB, in 2023, the Cuban right-handed pitcher was considered the best young international prospect—the Oakland A’s signed Morales for $3 million.

A few years earlier, when he was 18 years old, Morales was caught by Cuban authorities in Guantanamo in the process of escaping the island, but he finally defected two years ago. Libertad!

Suppose you wonder why all the talented baseball players from Cuba have been defecting for decades to come to the US. They are not treated well, as they make an equivalent of $40 to 200 dollars per month in salary in Cuban pesos.

It is important to remember that because Cuba’s communist government abolished all professional sports in the country in the 1960s, today’s players only play for the pleasure of the country, and the entity that reigns over baseball evaluates “patriotism” as crucial as their baseball skills.

They have to play under the harassment of the government. One Cuban player who defected and who is not in the major leagues told me years ago “if we do not stand for the Cuban National Anthem before the game, in Cuba or abroad, we are in dire trouble.”

Morales is 6’3″and 190 pounds, with a 99 mph fastball and good stuff in his other pitches. Scouts consider he could be a future starter in the major leagues. Born in Antilla, Cuba (in the eastern part of the country) on September 24, 2002.

In 2023, pitched for the Lansing Lug Nuts of the Midwest League High-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. He pitched 44 innings, struck out 55 in 14 games, 13 games as a starter, and ended with a 2.86 earned run average.

The A’s have a very young and inexperienced pitching staff; they recently signed Trevor Gott for one year and $1.5 million, plus other bonuses, including if he gets traded. Trevor Gott has become the most experienced pitcher on the A’s roster, although others might be signed in the future.

Gott has pitched in the AL West with the Mariners and the Angels and in the NL West with the Giants. “We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”“We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”

Happy New Year!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Will Billy Beane’s new role in ownership save A’s from moving from Oakland?

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Oakland A’s former executive vice president and new senior advisor to managing partner Billy Beane (left) and David Forst general manager (right) stand in front of the Oakland A’s dugout before the game against the New York Yankees on Aug 28, 2022. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s executive Billy Beane will no longer run the day to day operations for the A’s but moves up to the number two position in the organization as senior advisor.

#2 Will part of being a senior advisor include having a say in where the A’s go in the event that the new mayor and new city council in Oakland vote against a Howard Terminal project in downtown Oakland?

#3 Beane said he was appreciative of A’s owner John Fisher and the working relationship that the developed over the years since Fisher became team owner. Beane also said that he has confidence in team general manager David Forst leading the club to being competitive and being one of the best executives in baseball.

#4 Beane had said that he had great hopes for the future of the A’s but were those hopes in Las Vegas or in Oakland. There is also a possibility that the new governor of Nevada Joe Lombardo might not fund a new A’s ballpark with public money and the City of Oakland may not vote for a new Howard Terminal ballpark.

#5 Worst case scenario for the A’s if both Vegas and Oakland projects go down the only choice left for the A’s are to stay at the Coliseum something that A’s president David Kaval and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said is not even a consideration but never say never.

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

A’s Update: the clubhouse fight; Butler to DL; both players fined

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Butler Valencia

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The details are now coming out on the clubhouse fight between Billy Butler and Danny Valencia on Friday night in Chicago. Apparently, it was just as advertised. Butler told a shoe representative that Valencia was not wearing the brand named spikes in games that he is paid to wear, and Valencia took exception to Butler involving himself in his endorsement deals.

The situation deteriorated and yelling turned into a fight. Reports have Butler taking a punch off the side of his head that has now brought on concussion like symptoms. Butler was kept out of all three games in Chicago over the weekend. He would normally have been the Designated Hitter on Saturday and Sunday against left-handed starting pitchers.

The bottom line is that it appears Butler was stepping in on Valencia’s business and possibly affecting Valencia financially. Players get paid for wearing certain shoes, gloves, batting gloves, etc. As with most people, Valencia did not appreciate someone messing with his money. Does that make hitting a man on the side of his head and possibly giving him a concussion justified? No, of course not, but it does become more understandable.

A’s general manager David Forst told the media prior to the Cleveland game on Monday that both players have been fined undisclosed amounts. Forst said nothing about suspensions for the players which means none are probably forthcoming.

Butler has been placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list which means he will have to pass testing and be cleared by MLB before returning to play, so seven days off is a minimum. Infielder Arismendy Alcantara has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take Butler’s place on the roster.

Valencia is not in the lineup for the Monday night game with Cleveland but the Indians are are starting a right-hander on the mound for game one.

This situation is just another pothole on what has been a very rough road that has been the A’s 2016 season. Flare ups happen in every major league locker room and most go unreported because they end without injury. In this case, the flare up became a case of unacceptable workplace violence. Both players are very lucky they are highly paid athletes and not a couple of analyst working side-by-side in cubicles. If they were analyst, they would be unemployed tonight.