Tag: Juan Soto

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Say Adiós to the multi-year Mega Deal in Baseball

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners will be taking on the MLB Players Assciation in bargaing talks over the next Collective Bargaining Agreement contract for the 2027 season. It could be a season that will see a lockout over a salary cap in MLB. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

Say Adiós to the multi-year Mega Deal in Baseball

That’s Amauiry News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

I do not know if Las Vegas oddsmakers take any wagering on this, but I believe that after the 2026 season, which is soon to begin, we will not see any more deals like the Mets’ signing of Juan Soto in December 2024 for 15 years and $765 million or the one prior to Soto for Shohei Ohtani, also over $700 million.

The chances of another such contract occurring are zero. The much-anticipated owners’ lockout is coming by early next December. It is all about the salary cap, which is what the owners want. But it is much more than a cap, because there will also be a floor.

It goes like this: the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and some others will have no problem, but some of the other franchises could be in for a financial awakening. A floor is the mandatory minimum amount of money a professional sports team must spend on a player’s payroll during the season.

Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball, works for the owners and is paid by the 30 teams. Manfred’s job is to make money for the owners and will always act as the owners’ representative in the labor negotiations. Nobody should be fooled; that is his job. The Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the MLB team owners.

Philosophically, he is the representative of Major League Baseball, but he is paid by the owners, so he will never take the players’ side, which is the job of the MLBPA, which is considered the strongest and most powerful in professional sports.

Among all the main professional sports leagues in the US, the NFL,NBA, NHL and MLB, Major League Baseball is the only one without a soft or hard salary cap(s);

While the Union is as powerful as any union in the United States, the owners always make money, as it should, since we are a capitalist system. It reminds me of the famous line from one of the greatest movies in history, The Godfather Part II, when Johnny Ola says, “Hyman Roth always makes money for his partners.” Some of you have told me you love the quotes I include in most of my articles. Below is one more, and if you are a real baseball fan, I know you will agree.

Quote: While the Commissioner holds great power over baseball, and some even call him the “face of the game”, the truth remains the fans pay to see Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and the stars that make the game the greatest; those are the faces of the game: -APG.

I believe the next baseball conflict will be won by the owners.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ex-Giant Murphy says injury was due to malpractice; Padres Adam out for season with left quad injury; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (19) shakes hands with a teammate after the final out of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park back on April 10, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco Giant catcher Tom Murphy says that the back injury he got in camp of 2024 was not treated properly and that he received epidurals for the wrong disc. Murphy said that it was 100% malpractice and that he couldn’t do anything for the first two months after the injury. Giants president Buster Posey said that the Giants were counting on him to handle hitting against left hand pitching and he was signed because of his defensive work behind the plate but Posey said that it’s unfortunate that he’s not able to and he wished Murphy all the best. Murphy has not decided whether or not to litigate against the Giants.

#2 San Diego Padres reliever Jason Adam ruptured a tendon in his left quadriceps and had to leave Monday’s game. The injury impacts San Diego’s bullpen as they head to the stretch drive in September. The injury occurred in the seventh inning in the 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in San Diego. Adam will recieve an MRI and Adam said that he will need to mend in the next six to nine months and said his season is probably done.

#3 The New York Mets Juan Soto hit for six RBIs, a grand slam and hit a triple that broke a tie against the Detroit Tigers for a 10-8 win on Monday. Soto had a break out game as the Mets are one of the favorites in post season play.

#4 Sacramento A’s right hand pitcher Luis Severino came back from a 15 day IL on Monday and is scheduled to start Tuesday night in St Louis. Severino had been out due to a oblique muscle injury. Severino is 6-11 with a ERA 4.82 and has made 24 starts for Sacramento.

#5 Amaury, the Kansas City Royals are looking to build a new stadium in downtown Kansas City, Royals owner John Sherman announced this week. The Royals want to build a stadium that has a surrounding district with retail, housing, hotels and entertainment. Royals president R. Brooks Sherman Jr (no relation to John Sherman) said that the Royals are looking for more than just a ball park.

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.

 http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

MLB The Show podcast Stephen Ruderman: Nats fire Martinez ex manager says it wasn’t the coaches fault; Betts and Soto not selected to All Star Game but Kershaw is; plus more news

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Former Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez was fired by Nats general manager Mike Rizzo on Sun Jul 6, 2025. Martinez heads back to the Washington dugout after making a pitching change against the Boston Red Sox. Martinez was fired after the game. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The Washington Nationals Sunday night fired manager Dave Martinez. Martinez was fired by general manager Mike Rizzo, Rizzo in turned was fired by the Nationals after firing Martinez. The firing came after the Nats got swept by the Boston Red Sox in a 6-4 loss. Martinez told the assembled reporters after the game that’s it’s not the coaching or the coaches fault. The Nats are in fifth place in the NL East as they prepare to face the St Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

#2 The roster for the 2025 All Star Game will have 19 players who will be at the Summer Classic for the first time. While the Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts and the New York Mets Juan Soto were not selected Dodgers left hand pitcher Clayton Kershaw was. Kershaw a three time Cy Young Award winner and made his first All Star appearance in 2011.

#3 What a way to come back Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler pitched a one hitter in his first complete game. The last time Wheeler had a complete game was in 2021. Wheeler and the Phillies got a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds Sunday. Wheeler who improved his record to 9-2 was the NL pitcher of the month in June. Wheeler struck out 12 hitters and didn’t walk anyone and threw 108 pitches.

#4 Another well pitched game as Milwaukee Brewers right pitcher Brandon Woodruf struck out eight hitters, gave up only two hits in six innings against the Miami Marlins Sunday. Woodruff picked his first win since September 23, 2023 after recovering from shoulder surgery in the 2023 season.

#5  Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz threw a 105.2 mph out to catcher Henry Davis as the Seattle Mariners JP Crawford tried to score at the plate. The ball was the second hardest thrown ball for assisted out from the outfield since statcast kept track since 2015. No doubt about it Cruz has a rifle for an arm.

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025: Ohtani and Judge both homer in Yanks-Dodgers WS rematch; LA’s Betts returns after fracturing toe; plus more MLB news

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Shohei Ohtani the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar watches the flight of the baseball in the sixth inning for his 22nd NL leading home run against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri May 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025:

#1 In the 2024 World Series rematch on Friday the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and the New York Yankees Aaron Judge both homered in the first inning. It’s like the perfect scenario between both teams on the big stage. The Yankees are the winningest team in the AL and the Dodgers tied for second best record with three other team in the NL.

#2 The Dodgers Mookie Betts stubbed his toe in a dark bathroom but the injury isn’t enough to keep him off the ballfield. Betts stubbed his toe against a wall while walking in a dark bathroom on Wednesday. Betts fractured the toe and missed only Thursday and Friday’s games and was back in the line up on Saturday.

#3 After being out with a left knee injury Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout returned to the line up on Friday night. Trout who normally plays in the outfield was the designated hitter against the Cleveland Guardians and hammered a fourth inning base hit for his only hit of the game in four at bat attempts. Trout said that despite striking out in two at bats he felt good on his return. Saturday Trout went 3-4 so he’s getting his groove back in the DH role.

#4 Things continue to get rougher for the last place Colorado Rockies who lost their ninth out of their last ten games this time to the New York Mets 4-2. The Mets Francisco Lindor had himself a game hitting a homer from the left and right sides. Juan Soto snapped his 0-17 slump with a RBI double.

#5 The Sacramento A’s have now lost 15 of their last 16 games. They have shuttled players from their Las Vegas affiliate to Sacramento to see if they can tweak what’s wrong but A’s manager Mark Kotsay is still looking for solutions. It’s been since the first week of May that the A’s at one time were just one game from moving into first place in the AL West but have fallen back into the cellar now some 8.5 game off the pace.

Join Charlie O for the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Latino Narrative Dominating 

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Minnie Minoso painting by Graig Kreindler. This is a painting of Minoso getting ready for a game with the Chicago White Sox in 1951 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx (Graig Kreindler X photo)

MLB: Latino Narrative Dominating

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When I first began covering Major League Baseball in the mid-1970s, Latino players made up between 10 and 13% of all players; today, the number is at least 30% and growing. Although the most famous player today, Shohei Ohtani, was born in Japan, Latin culture is ever-present in the game of baseball. Demographics have changed dramatically since the 1970s, and today the total Hispanic population in the U.S. is estimated to be 65.2 million, according to Pew Research Center.

Of all the countries in the world with the most significant number of Spanish-speaking people, the United States of America ranks second, with Mexico having 132 million. One of my long-time friends is Octavio “Cookie” Rojas, who played 16 seasons in the major leagues. Octavio has done it all. Octavio “Cookie” Rojas Rivas (born March 6, 1939) is a Cuban-American former professional baseball player, coach, manager, scout, and radio and television commentator.

He went to La Luz School in Havana (although a few years before me).I also attended that same school. He became a professional player in the old Cuban Winter League with the Leones del Habana. I remember him playing second base, and I recall a television show about baseball on Cuban television that he hosted.

It was Octavio, when he was a scout, that sat with me during a broadcast back in the 80’s, that told me, “En 30 años seremos cerca de la mitad Latinos jugando aqui” trans- “In 30 years, half of all the players playing here, will be Latinos”. He wasn’t far from predicting the truth.

In 2011, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame inducted Octavio”Cookie” Rojas into their Hall of Fame. The museum has been a traveling museum for 26 years, founded as a non-profit in San Francisco, California.

Rojas also played in Venezuela, after Cuba, and of course made his name in the major leagues. We at the HHBM are very proud to have him among other Latino Legends who led the way for us today and made baseball one of the most popular Latino sports in the United States.

Note: I recall when Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso was playing in Cuba with the Mariano Tigers. He became the first Cuban-born player to earn a salary of $25,000 in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox. In the 1950s, that was a substantial amount of money in baseball.

Recently Dominican-born Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in December 2024. This contract makes it the largest in the history of professional sports. It also includes a $75 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $51 million. The most significant contract ever in baseball went to a Latino player.

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.

 https://goaquaadventure.com

 @Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani and Yamamoto key in Dodgers wins; Ex Dodger Taylor is getting some reps with Angels; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani throws batting practice before meeting the New York Mets Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani threw a 22 pitch bullpen session one of the pitches was a 97 mph fast ball how close does he look to returning to the mound.

#2 The Dodgers who had been struggling losing four of their last ten games are showing signs of improvement with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Ohtani and Dodger pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto were both key players in this game. Yamamoto pitched six innings giving up two hits. Ohtani hit a home run for his second straight game for a league leading 19 homers.

#3 Former Dodger Chris Taylor reached a one year agreement at the MLB minimum salary with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Taylor started in centerfield on Monday night against the New York Yankees and batted in the eighth hole.

#4 The Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal’s strike to balls ratio is 82 Ks to 3 Base on balls. Skubal is being compared to former Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander who was unstoppable during his Tigers days. Skubal on Sunday pitched a complete 5-0 shutout against the Cleveland Guardians in Detroit. Skubal has movement on his pitches and was dealing.

#5 Boston Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler has something to say about a pitch that he said was a strike. The reply did show the ball landed in the box. none the less Walker argued the ball was a strike against New York Mets hitter Juan Soto. Walker was ejected from the game and manager Alex Cora came out and had his say as well.

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.

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025: Former Brewer Ruf’s career ending injury over metal at end of tarp; When will Mets Soto snap out of funk?; plus more news

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Former Milwaukee Brewer Darin Ruf hit his knee while chasing a foul pop towards the stands. The tarp had a metal ending that he hit his knee on. Ruf said the injury ended his career on June 2, 2023. (AP News file photo)

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025:

#1 Former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Darin Ruf got hurt by a metal ending from the tarp at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati which he said caused him career ending injuries two years ago. Ruf during the June 2, 2023 game gave chase of a pop up toward the first base stands in foul ground hit his knee on the metal ending of the tarp rolled up by the stands. Ruf had successes with the San Francisco Giants 2021 and 2022 before going to Milwaukee.

#2 Michael, what is wrong with the New York Mets Juan Soto. You remember the one game where he didn’t leave the batters box and watch a fly ball hit the fence and he only got a single out of it. He might eventually get out of this funk but is the pressure of being one of the highest paid players in the number one market something that’s been overwhelming for him?

#3 Since the 1962 New York Mets it took until 2024 for another team to become the worst team in MLB history in the Chicago White Sox. The Sox this season have some competition with the Colorado Rockies who are on a pace to catch and pass the Sox. After a 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday the Rockies now have dropped their record to 8-42 and have the worst start of a club in MLB history in the first 50 games. That record was previously held by the 2023 Oakland A’s who were 10-40.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward belted a grand slam and the Angels took it to the Sacramento A’s on Thursday afternoon with a 10-5 win. For the Angels a seven game win streak for the A’s their ninth consecutive loss. To think the A’s at the beginning of this month were just one game away to get a tie for first place in the AL West but have since sank to dead last place.

#5 After rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee Atlanta Brave Ronald Acuna will be returning to the Braves on Friday night. Acuna has been out for almost a year after injuring the knee May 26, 2024. He had surgery on June 6th. Acuna returns to the Braves after playing six games in the minors going 6-15 hitting two home runs. How ready is Acuna for his return?

Join Michael Duca Fridays for the MLB The Show podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers lose fourth straight; Mets Soto asked to hustle out of batters box; plus more MLB news

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani grounds out in the bottom of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodgers Stadium on Mon May 19, 2025. The Dodgers are struggling of late and are on a four game losing streak. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 What happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers after taking two out of three from the Sacramento A’s at Dodger Stadium. Then the Dodgers got swept by in three games by the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend and the Arizona Diamondbacks came to town on Monday night and jumped all over Dodger pitching losing 9-5.

#2  New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will speak to Juan Soto about getting out of the hitter’s box a little faster. Soto was watching his handy work of what he anticipated would a home run instead of running the bases. The ball ended up bouncing off the Green Monster in Boston for a long single on Monday night at Fenway Park. Soto said he thinks he been hustling out of the box pretty hard.

#3 Jose Alvarado might have disappointed his teammates at the Philadelphia Phillies after coming up positive for external testosterone. Major League Baseball suspended Alvarado for 80 games on Sunday. The Phillies were predicted to be a post season team but with Alvarado out that could set them back.

#4 Former St Louis Cardinal Kolten Wong has announced at 34 he will be retiring at 34. Wong finishes his career with a .256 average and finishes just 27 hit short of getting 1,000 hits in his illustrious 11 year career. He finishes with 86 homers, 511 runs scored, and stole 120 bases. Wong won the Gold Glove Awards in 2019 and 2020. Finishing his career in 2023 hitting .183 with four homers over 87 games.

#5 The Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic pitched a no hitter into the sixth inning only to get charged with a hit by the Giants Wilmer Flores who broke up the no hit bid on Monday night. The Royals got enough good pitching to win the ball game 3-1 in spite of Giants starter Robbie Ray’s great performance pitching seven innings, six hits, no walks, and struck out seven. Ray remains undefeated at 6-0 he didn’t get the loss.

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.

MLB podcast The Show Charlie O Sun May 18, 2025: It’s raining boos and cat calls for Mets Soto in return to Bronx; O’s fire manager Hyde after falling 15-28; plus more news

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New York Mets Juan Soto is greeted with boos and tips his hat to the New York Yankees fans upon his return to Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB podcast The Show Charlie O Sun May 18, 2025:

#1 New York Mets Juan Soto made his return to his old place of work Yankee Stadium this time as a member of the New York Mets. He was welcomed with loud boos, cat calls, and chants. Yankees fans have not got over his decision to leave and join the Mets. Soto said the fans still hurt a little over his departure.

#2 Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde after a 15-28 beginning to the 2025 season have fired Hyde. The O’s are in last place in the AL East and they have appointed third base coach Tony Mansolino as their interim manager. Mansolino has been on the coaching staff for the O’s since 2021.

#3 Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr allowed two unearned runs in four innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday. Last week on Sat May 11th McCullers gave up seven runs and was only able to get one out against the Houston Astros in the Astros loss 13-9 loss. McCullers received death threats that were directed at his children over the lost game. The Astros said the Houston Police and Major League Baseball security are aware of the threats.

 #4 Charlie have to ask you about the Friday night that the San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores had hitting three home runs which included a grand slam home run and eight RBIs which were both career high plateaus. Flores is the player that the Giants can rely on in the line up right now.

#5 The Sacramento A’s pitching have been getting lit up in their last few series. In their last homestand they host the New York Yankees and got ripped in a couple games 10-2 and 12-2 and then at Dodger Stadium they got piled on losing two tough games 11-1 and 12-2. The A’s lost in San Francisco 9-1 on Friday night.

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

MLB podcast Michael Duca Fri May 16, 2025: Rivalry baseball gets going with Mets-Yankees; Twins Buxton-Correa out for the count with concussion protocols; plus more MLB news

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New York Mets slugger Juan Soto after hitting an eighth inning solo shot against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thu May 1, 2025 at Citi Field in New York. Soto and the Mets gear up to face off with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB podcast Michael Duca Fri May 16, 2025:

#1 Their talking rivalries in baseball and the ones that are brought up are the New York Mets and New York Yankees and how former Yankee and current Met outfielder Juan Soto will hear will jeers from the Yankees fans in the right field bleachers. Also another rivalry that has some bad blood the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros as they are in the middle of a four game series in Arlington. Do you see some possibilities that there could be some animosities amongst these teams this weekend?

#2 It was a collision for the ages in a game at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa collided chasing down a pop fly in the shallow part of the outfield. Buxton got the ball but Buxton and Correa both banged heads. Correa had to leave the game and Buxton was able to stay until the end of the inning but left afterwards. Both players have been put on concussion protocols.

#3 Former Oakland A’s second baseman/outfielder Tony Kemp announced Thursday that he is retiring from Major League Baseball after playing in the show for nine years. Kemp 33 played for the Astros (2016-19), Cubs (2019), Athletics (2020-23) and Orioles (2024). Kemp had wrote on Instagram that he was thankful to God for allowing him to be a Major League player and that after 12 years in pro baseball and nine of them in the majors he’s decided to hang up his spikes.

#4 The Colorado Rockies have taken the spotlight away from the 2024 Chicago White Sox as baseball’s first team in the modern era to lose 36 of it’s first 43 games. The Rockies had Thursday off and Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said the plan was to take the day off and reset. The loss on Wednesday night to the Texas Rangers was the Rockies 11th out of their last 12 games.

#5 Michael, the baseball executive committee meets in December 2027 do you see that committee taking into consideration Pete Rose for a shot at getting elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot or will his betting on baseball while a manager overshadow his chances?

Michael Duca does the MLB podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com