Tag: Jackie Robinson

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Giants wins of 3 straight on road from 4 run deficits a first since 1932 Cardinals; Jackie Robinson statue replacement almost ready; plus more news

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The San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey watches the flight of his grand slam against the New York Mets in the top of the eighth inning at Citi Park in New York on Fri May 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 It hasn’t been done since the 1932 St Louis Cardinals did it coming back from a four run deficit on the road in three consecutive games but the 2024 San Francisco Giants pulled it off with three straight come back wins on the road they did it against in Pittsburgh Wed 22 and Thu 23, then in New York Fri 24.

#2 A replacement for the sawed off Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita Kansas at McAdams Park. The statue of the first black Major League Player in the history of the game was sawed off from the ankles for it’s bronze value. Wichita Firefighters found the statue in a trash can about 7 miles from the park. One of the suspects has pleaded guilty to the vandalism and it as later found out the purpose was not for racist hate but for the bronze scrap metal. The good news is a replacement statue is nearly finished from the Art Castings Studio in Loveland Colorado.

#3 Charlie, in his first game back in San Diego former San Diego Padre Juan Soto returned as a New York Yankee after being traded in the off season. Soto belted his 14th home run of the season off Padres pitcher Yu Darvish a 423 blast over the center right field fence. The Yankees added two more home runs from Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the 8-0 victory for New York to open the series.

#4 Charlie simply put is the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani too good of a hitter to ever pitch again. So far this season Ohtani has 69 hits, 13 home runs, and hitting .340. Shohei is on the shelf for the rest of the season from pitching due to off season surgery. There is the discussion that the two way act might have seen better days and Ohtani will stick to just being the DH.

#5 Charlie, the Oakland Coliseum home of the Oakland A’s at least till the end of this season has been sold to the group African American Sports and Entertainment at 50% of the property whose goal is to build retail, housing, host pro soccer, and get an NFL expansion team. Meanwhile the A’s who own the other half of the Coliseum proper are reportedly willing to talk to AASEG about selling their half as the A’s will be leaving for Sacramento and later Las Vegas.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Pitch clock shaved from 20 to 18 seconds; Jackie Robinson statue was melted down for it’s metal; plus more news

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Former New York Met Tommy Pham stands in the on deck circle at the Grapefruit League against the Washington Nationals at Port St Lucie Fla on Sun Feb 26, 2023. The pitch clock this season 2024 has been reduced from 18 seconds to 20 seconds with runners on base. The Players Union protested but MLB implemented the decision regardless. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Major League Baseball has cut the pitch clock from 20 to 18 seconds and will remain at 15 seconds with no runners on base. MLB Players Association Chief Tony Clark said it was too soon to cut two seconds off with runners. Clark said that was a conversation that union leaders and the players had with MLB but MLB implemented the two second shave anyway.

#2 The cleats of Jackie Robinson baseball first African American player from his bronze statue that was cut at the ankles will be donated to the Negro League Museum in Kansas City. Robinson’s statue was cut and stolen. A vehicle that was involved in loading the statue was found at a complex in Wichita. The statue was found melted by the Fire Department. It was not believed to be racially motivated crime. It’s believed that three suspects were involved in the cutting of the statue and one suspect was named Ricky Alderete 45. The value of the statue is priced at 75,000 and anything over $25,000 is considered felony theft.

#3 The story of the bad uniforms continues. The jerseys have no stitched lettering like last years, the letters and numbering are embroidered, the batter man on the back of the jersey is lowered and the uniform pants are see through. Tony Clark once again speaking for the players saying it’s a disappointment that uniforms now have taken center stage and is hoping the uniforms can change before opening day.

#4 The New York Yankees Alex Verdugo says he has no hard feelings against Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Verdugo was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees saying that Cora was hard on him but there are no hard feelings. Verdugo said that he loves Cora outside of the game, his kids and his family. That there is nothing personal between him and Cora.

#5 On Saturday 1320 ESPN had a chance to attend the Fans Fest sponsored by the Last Dive Bar and the Oakland 68’s at Jack London Square at Alice and 2nd Streets in downtown Oakland. Former A’s players were there Grant Balfour, Coco Crisp, Billy North, Mike Norris, Trevor May and Ben Grieve. This was not a Fans Fest to bash the Oakland A’s but a Fans Fest to support the A’s to stay in Oakland.

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

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Yanks German pitching perfect umps on him with hand checks; Jackie Robinson day MLB only 7% African Americans in the game; plus more

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New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German, third from left, shows his hand to the umpires during the top of the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium in New York against Minnesota Twins on Sat Apr 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie talk about that weird pomp and circumstance with the New York Yankees Domingo German who was in the middle of pitching a perfect game and the umpires. Crew chief James Hoye did a routine hand check on German but later did a real once over and it brought out German interpreter, manager Aaron Boone, catcher Kyle Higashioka, while the umpiring crew stood by as Hoye was lecturing German about washing his hands. Ironically Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli ended up being the one who got tossed out of the game for pressing Hoye on what was going on. Too many questions.

#2 Charlie, Saturday was Jackie Robinson day where all players, managers, coaches, and umpires wear number 42 every Apr 15th to commemorate his arrival in baseball on Apr 15, 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. But yet and still MLB has a low percentage of blacks playing the game around 7%. What would Jackie Robinson say or think if he knew this today?

#3 The Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger got a nice ovation upon his return to Los Angeles against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday. The ovation went past the time allowed to get back in the batter’s box so Bellinger was called for a strike for clock violation while receiving the standing ovation.

#4 Charlie, Bad Bunny is the latest in a line of artists who are up to signing MLB talent the entertainer has the San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores, Toronto Blue Jays Santiago Espinal, and the Colorado Rockies Yonathan Daza under his company. Bunny is one of the few musical artists who are in the agency business Jay Z amongst them.

#5 What is going on with Detroit Tigers Javy Baez who got double off at third base not doubling up and taking off for third base with one out on a fly to center as the Toronto Blue Jays threw him out at second base. Baez’ numbers have a lot to be desired with just four hits in 40 games, eight strike outs in 11 games, no home run and one RBI and hitting .159. Baez is in a six year deal worth $140 million.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Five possibilities for the Nats Soto; D-Backs #2 draft pick hurt in batting practice; plus more

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Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals is standing by to see what deal he could get as he is on the bubble before the MLB trade deadline on Aug 2, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, the Washington Nationals Juan Soto sweepstakes are on there are five possibilities, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, St Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, where he can go after turning down a 15 year $440 million offer by the Nationals.

#2 Unfortunately injury for one of the big draft picks for the Arizona Diamondbacks #2 draft pick Druw Jones who hurt himself with shoulder injury swinging the bats during batting practice before Tuesday’s game before playing the San Francisco Giants.

#3 Jessica, It was an emotional return for Toronto Blue Jays Buck Martinez who had returned to the broadcast booth from cancer treatment. Martinez had been out since the middle of April and got a rousing ovation from the Blue Jays crowd, players and his grandkids in attendance. Martinez by the way looked great you would have never known what he had gone through.

#4 It was in the making since 2008 the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York Jackie’s wife Rachel 100, watched the ribbon cutting along with daughter Sharon 72 now in a wheelchair and son David 70, for the opening of the museum. In 80 degree heat outdoors in New York City Robinson’s children spoke about the life and career of Robinson.

#5 San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon apologized to Thairo Estrada who he kicked a bat leaning up against the bench into Estrada’s knee after giving up a three run home run to the Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker in the top of the third inning. Rodon apologized to Estrada, his teammates, and had a meeting with manager Gabe Kapler who said that things had been worked out with Rodon.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: What would Jackie Robinson say today? -About Baseball

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Jackie Robinson Day will acknowledge the Brooklyn Dodgers pioneer who broke the color line in Major League Baseball in 1947 (image by the Philadelphia Tribune)

What would Jackie Robinson say today? -About Baseball

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

April 15, 2021 will be the 74th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color-barrier and playing with the major league Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. But what would Robinson say today, about today’s game? His answers, I would leave to your imagination.

1-For starters, Jackie Robinson stole home 19 times. That is not taking into consideration that in the first game of the 1955 World Series, Sept. 27, 1955 against the Yankees, he stole home. Today a straight steal of home is not what you will see in any game. Maybe your chances of winning the Lotto are greater than witnessing the daring play, in person, listening to radio or watching television.

2-Jackie Robinson ended his 10-year major league career with a combined .311 average. We all know that the batting average is not the thing now in the game of baseball. It is all about Launch Angle, which is the vertical angle at which the ball leaves the bat, after it is hit. You will need to find a professor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), to explain that in more detail.

3-During his ten year career Robinson earned a total of $296,000 in salary. In today’s game that is around $3 million. At the start of this 2021 a rookie salary in the major leagues is $570,500. Let’s take it to the extreme. In March 2019, LA Angels Mike Trout signed a contract extension for $426.5 million dollars and for 30 years.

This year Trout makes $36 million, the equivalent of $222.222 per game, that means in one (1) game Trout makes almost as much as Jackie Robinson made in his 10-year career in salary. However, some perspective about entertaining, and baseball is part of that, also in television where Judy (Judge Judy) Sheindlin makes $47 million every year in just 52 days of taping her shows. In 2016 Daniel Craig aka James Bond was given $150 million to film two more Bond movies.

4-During World War II in 1942, Robinson was drafted into the US Army and assigned to a segregated cavalry unit. In 1973 the draft ended and since then it is an all-volunteer force. Players do not have to worry about that anymore. Among those who volunteered to fight in WW II was Yogi Berra who saw action on the assault on Normandy on D-Day and Bob Feller who left a six-figure contract to join the Navy after Pearl Harbor.

5-Jackie Robinson like Roberto Clemente is revered in Latin America. Robinson Canó born in the Dominican Republic got his name because of his father José, who played briefly in the majors in 1989 and named his son Robinson name which is known thorough the world as a historical figure as well as a baseball icon.

On this anniversary of Jackie Robinson playing in the major leagues, now more than ever, we should teach our youth the importance of this iconic figure in American and world sports history. Playing baseball and reaching the major leagues is never easy and even harder back in 1947 when there were a total of 16 teams (eight in each league). Number 42 was a great baseball player, but most important, a great man and a great American.

Join Amaury PI Gonzalez the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on the Spanish radio network and on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Jackie Robinson Legacy is International

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Jackie Robinson who broke the color line in Major League Baseball in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers takes a swing at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn (jackierobinson.com file photo)

Jackie Robinson Legacy is International

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

April 15,2020 marks the 73rd Anniversary of Jackie Robinson as the first African-American player in MLB,with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. His legacy and career was honored and his uniform number 42 retired by Major League Baseball by Commissioner Bud Selig 33 years ago on April 15,1997.

Robinson’s #42 was the first and only number retired by all MLB 30 teams. Generally people focus on African Americans who followed Robinson into baseball,but the great pioneer also opened the door for Black Latino players.

Jackie Robinson’s legacy goes beyond US borders.  Because of Robinson, Latino players of dark skin were also able to come and play in the big leagues with their American brothers.

Today almost 33 percent of all players in MLB are born in Latin America(higher percentage in the minor leagues)and after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier,some great Latino black players,like Cuban-born Orestes(Minnie) Miñoso who signed as a rookie in 1949 with the Cleveland Indians, before becoming the last player in baseball history to play for five (50 years) different decades.

Minnie played from 1949 until 1980. The Cuban-born Miñoso was the first unquestionable black Latin American in the major leagues, although some others with some black ancestry had played in MLB. By early 1950’s other Latino’s of black skin included, Luis Márquez(Puerto Rico)signed by the Boston Braves and Cuban catcher Rafael(Ray)Noble with the New York Giants as well as Ozzie Virgil Sr.from the Dominican Republic.

According to SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) in 1947; 98.3 perfect of players were white,0.9 percent African-American, 0.7 percent Latinos and 0.0 percent Asian. Decades later, especially in the mid 1950’s the great Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico) and 1960’s many more came from Latin America, like Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Manny Mota, Felipe, Jesús and Mateo Alou, Tony Oliva, Luis Tiant, Leonardo(Leo) Cárdenas, Tony González, Francisco(Panchón)Herrera, José Cardenal, Dagoberto(Campy)Campaneris and more not mentioned.

Some of these Latino players are remembered with statues in the cities where they played,the one and only Roberto Clemente not only with a Statue at PNC Park but with the Roberto Clemente Bridge in downtown Pittsburgh over the Allegheny River.

Today all baseball fans around the world honor the great #42 Jackie Robinson,because he is also a historic figure in countries like Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panamá, Puerto Rico, México,Nicaragua,Venezuela, Jamaica and all countries where baseball is a major sport, not to mention in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

“I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect” -Jackie Robinson.

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