Tag: Juan Soto

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Jim”Catfish” Hunter led the Way

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) and New York Yankees pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter (right) in 1975 at the Oakland Coliseum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Jim”Catfish” Hunter led the Way

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Today, rumors that New York Yankee superstar Juan Soto is getting offers of a $600 million contract continue to swirl around the baseball world. Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, recently said in Los Angeles that they are in the process of selecting which team Soto will sign with.

The favorite teams for Juan Soto are the Dodgers, Mets, Blue Jays, and Red Sox. The first multi-million dollar contract in baseball was signed by pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter with the New York Yankees. It was for $3.25 million over five years, plus he received a $1 million bonus, a $150,000 per year salary, and deferred compensation.

This control specialist was one of the players responsible for opening the door to other free agents to follow and one of the first who helped usher the Free Agency as we know it today. Hunter began his career with the Kansas City Athletics in 1968 and pitched until 1975 with the New York Yankees.

He won five World Series championships, three with the Oakland A’s during their 70’s dynasty and two with the New York Yankees. He made Oakland history by hurling the first perfect game in A’s history in 1968, and, the first then since 1922.

Won the American League Cy Young Award with the A’s in 1974. Selected eight times to the All-Star Game.From 1971 to 1975, no pitcher in baseball had his type of control (almost a la Greg Maddux). A’s catcher Ray Fosse told me there was nobody even close to Catfish of all the pitchers he worked with.

His signature season was 1974, when he helped the Oakland A’s win the World Series in five games against the LA Dodgers. That season, he ended with a record of 25-12 with a league-leading 2.49 ERA, started 41 games, and completed 23.

If Juan Soto has already signed that monstrous contract, which would be only second to Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million with the Dodgers, by the time you are reading this, the baseball world could look to Jim “Catfish” Hunter as one of the key players who paved the way for Free Agency. Back then, it was a scandalous $3.25 million contract; today, it is an obscene $600 to $700 million.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s trade Allen to Braves; Marlins hire Dodgers first base coach McCullough; plus more news

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Former Athletics shortstop Nick Allen was traded to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Jared Johnson on Mon Nov 11, 2024 (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Athletics infielder Nick Allen was traded from the A’s to the Atlanta Braves minor league pitcher Jared Johnson. Allen in the 2024 season hit .175, with one home run, four RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 81 games with the A’s triple A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators.

#2 The Miami Marlins have hired Los Angles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager on Monday. McCullough was first base coach for the Marlins for the last four years and McCullough’s last year was this past World Series where the Dodgers won it in five games.

#3 Former Cincinnati Red Pete Rose who passed away at 83 years old on Sep 30th was honored last Sunday at Great American Ballpark by the Reds with a 14 hour visitation at the ballpark. It was a rainy day honoring Rose the all time hits leader. With the cooperation of Rose’s daughter’s Fawn and Kara who exchanged stories, hugs, and tears. “We wanted to do something like this” said Reds executive director Rick Wells, “You could see from the turnout, it means a lot to the people here. It’s a moving experience.”

#4 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone will be meeting with Juan Soto with owner Hal Steinbrenner as they will fly to California to try and convince Soto to join the Yankees for the 2025 season. Soto is scheduled to meet with New York Mets group that includes owner Steve Cohen.

#5 Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco allegedly was in a fight over a woman that involved guns drawn in San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic that police said was an altercation in a parking lot. The woman was being held for questioning by police it was not reported if there were any injuries. Franco has had previous legal problems which include him being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Eovaldi walks away from $20 million and Rangers declares free agency; Cole and Yanks settle on not changing the contract; plus more news

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Former Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will be seeking greener pastures as Eovaldi has declined the $20 million offer by the Rangers and will not return for the 2025 season and will declare free agency and seek a new club. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Texas Rangers Two time All Star starter RHP Nathan Eovaldi became a free agent on Monday. Eovaldi declined a vested $20 million player option with the Rangers for next season. Eovaldi will get a $2 million buyout. In 2023 Eovaldi pitched in the deciding game that landed the Rangers the World Series Championship. Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.85 ERA in the 2023 post season.

# 2 New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole was prepared to leave after asking for a $36 million extension that would raise his contract from $140 million to $180 million. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Cole sat down and hashed things out. It was agreed upon that both sides wanted to stay in New York so it was agreed that there would be no extension raise and Cole would finish out his current contract as a Yankee.

#3 Amaury, 13 players are getting qualifying offers which includes the Yankees Juan Soto as free agency began on Monday. Soto hit .288, 166 hits, 41 homers, and 109 RBIs. No doubt Soto will be well sought after if he ever hits the market but like Cole he might want to stay in New York too.

#4 Two San Francisco Giants were awarded the Golden Glove Awards third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey both had a superb season at their respective positions.

#5 The former Oakland Athletics released brand new guidelines and saying they will be referred to as the Athletics or A’s not the Sacramento A’s where they will be playing for the next three years at Sutter Health Park. The A’s are foregoing any mention of Sacramento and do not want fans to be confused with any city name because they have already vacated Oakland and eventually will vacate Sacramento in 2028.

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

Headline Sports with Michael Roberson: Cora-Red Sox working on contract extension; Brew Crew’s Yelich on 10 day IL plus more news

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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox are looking to work out a contract extension for the next three seasons. (AP News file)

On Headline Sports with Michael Roberson:

#1 Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox are in negotiations for a contract extension that would give him an extra three years at $21.75 million. The Sox as of Tuesday are 54-46 and are one game back of the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot.

#2 Michael you cover the Milwaukee Brewers pretty closely and the Brewers have place Christian Yelich on the ten day IL due back inflammation. Yelich is schedule to see a specialist Thursday to figure out what to do next. Yelich’s back had been bothering him in recent weeks. You saw him at the All Star game but after the break is now on the IL.

#3 It’s been said that the New York Yankees Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are the best one two punch since Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. That said the Yankees have struggled and are 10-21 since the start of the season when the Yanks were 50-22.

#4 Turning to the NCAA you probably aren’t surprised that after realignment some schools would not be all too please. In the ACC, Commissioner Jim Phillips said he would fight lawsuits filed by Clemson and Florida State University. The lawsuits are over the schools withdrawal penalty and grant of rights and gets uglier as the NCAA has filed a countersuit. Phillips said the NCAA is fighting for the protection of league and it’s members and that both Clemson and FSU both signed off for the grant of rights.

#5 Tuesday the Cal Bears and Stanford Cardinal made their ACC Media Day appearances. Stanford football head coach Troy Taylor said that the Cardinal need to adapt quickly or they will not be relevant this upcoming season. Taylor as well as the ACC schools are trying to make the adjustment to the realignment and division switches that Taylor said was at first shocking to see such a traditional conference like the Pac 10 just suddenly go away.

Michael Roberson is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: A’s barnstorming idea might not sit well with State of Nevada; Dodgers Yamamoto dealing against Yankees; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches to the New York Yankees in the bottom of the first inning at Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri Jun 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Oakland A’s plans to play at least eight games away from the Tropicana ballpark starting in 2028 for the sake of branding the game in neutral site games. The move could impact the team’s financial projections plus the A’s need to sell out every home game to keep up with costs of the construction and payments of the park. Their departure for eight to ten games will impact their ability to meet their budget schedule.

#2 Anytime the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers face each other something will leap out of the headlines and Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is no exception he pitched seven innings, two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts to get by the Yankees 2-1 at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

#3 The Yankees are relieved about learning that Juan Soto had forearm inflammation as opposed to structural damage damage that could have put him out for the season.

#4 Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager who suffered a hamstring injury and was not in Friday’s line up against the San Francisco Giants. Seager could miss multiple games and because of tightness in his left hamstring. Seager came out of Wednesday’s game reaching for his hamstring after hitting an RBI single. He did appear on the field before Friday’s game but had to leave and sit out the game.

#5 It’s been a huge month for the Negro Leagues Museum and Museum president Bob Kendrick saying the Negro Leagues is trending and he looks forward to hosting the Rickwood Field game on June 20th in Birmingham a game that is a tribute to the Negro Leagues that will feature the St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.

Join Charlie O for the Headlines podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#1

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Cubs biggest move in off season was signing manager Counsell; Angels Rendon says baseball is not a priority; plus more news

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Chicago Cubs president of operations Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell speak to the media from the Cubs spring training camp facilities in Mesa AZ on Wed Feb 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Chicago Cubs seem pretty comfortable with the players that they have and didn’t have any big signings over the winter. The one big move they did make is signing manager Craig Counsell from their division rival the Milwaukee Brewers for $40 million. Not a bad pay day for a manager.

#2 How surprised are you that Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon said that baseball is not a priority for him and that he only plays the game for a living. Rendon was injured for most of the 2023 season and is back at the Angels spring training camp.

#3 The New York Yankees Juan Soto said that he won’t talk about his future past the 2024 season as makes his debut at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Florida for spring training. It been theorized that Soto wants to be a Yankee for life and would like an extension before the end of this season.

#4 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will not play in the spring training opener Thursday against the San Diego Padres. Roberts said that Ohtani is coming off elbow surgery and Roberts added he’s not sure when Ohtani will be in the line up this spring. Roberts did report that Ohtani is making progress coming off surgery.

#5 Amaury, we didn’t get a chance to talk to you about the recent signing of Jorge Soler with the San Francisco Giants for a three year $42 million deal. Soler told the media at the Giants training facility in Scottsdale AZ that he expects to have big numbers this season.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for 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

Giants avoid shutout with ninth-inning double in 6-1 loss to Padres

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, right, waits to face the next batter as San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants continued their series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The Giants lost to the Padres 6-1 at Petco Park. San Francisco fell to 70-66, while San Diego improved to 64-73.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, J.D. Davis, Paul DeJong, Casey Schmitt, Wade Meckler, and Kyle Harrison. Harrison (1-1, 4.70 ERA) took the loss after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up six hits, six earned runs, two walks, five strikeouts, and four home runs.

The Padres got on the board first. Juan Soto homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The Padres tripled their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Xander Bogaerts homered on a fly ball to center field for a 2-0 lead. Gary Sanchez homered on a fly ball to center field for a 3-0 lead.

The Padres doubled their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garrett Cooper homered on a fly ball to left center field. Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts scored for a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Giants wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth inning. Austin Slater doubled on a sharp line drive to Fernando Tatis Jr. Casey Schmitt scored to cut the Padres’ lead to 6-1. Wade Meckler went to third base.

Notes
Wilmer Flores achieved a career-high 20 home runs in the Giants-Padres game Friday.

Up Next
The Giants and Padres will finish their series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Pacific. Alex Cobb (7-5, 3.57 ERA) will start for the Giants, while Seth Lugo (5-6, 3.67 ERA) will start for the Padres.

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Angels most likely won’t deal Ohtani to Dodgers; Padres and Giants could be in the running; more MLB news

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Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani might not be dealt to a California team but the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants might be in the running during free agency (photo from yahoo.com sports)

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, the Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani according to Angels owner Arturo Moreno will not be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before this month’s trade deadline. The Angels do not want to deal Ohtani to a California team.

#2 Ohtani could wind up as a rental in Baltimore. The Orioles are second in the AL East and could either get Ohtani as a rental or get him as a free agent. Either way an acquisition of Ohtani could spell big things for the Orioles who knocking at the East’s door.

#3 Stephen, the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are strong candidates in the Ohtani free agency sweepstakes but the Padres have a pretty big payroll with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Juan Soto will they add another $700 million to their payroll and the Giants may not spend that type of money for Ohtani.

#4 Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench made an antisemetic joke on Sunday at a Reds press conference about former Cincinnati Reds general manager Gabe Paul who Pete Rose said paid him $400 per month when someone said “that’s cheap” and Bench interjected saying “He was Jewish” later Bench asked Paul’s daughter Jennie Paul if she was offended where Jennie replied she didn’t hear what Bench said. Bench apologized to Jennie and said that his remark took away from Paul’s achievement.

#5 The San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado joined the 300 home run club in the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Saturday with the score tied 3-3 and a 2-2 count and facing the Phils pitcher Matt Strahm, Machado hit a 94 MPH fastball 425 feet into the second deck at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. The Padres didn’t win 6-4 but Machado got the milestone.

Join Stephen for the MLB podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB All-Star Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeats Randy Arozarena 25-23 in MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

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The Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr waves to the T Mobile Field crowd in Seattle during the 2023 All Star Game Home Run Derby during introductions. Guerrero Jr was the winner for this year’s home run derby on Mon Jul 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, better known as the most anticipated baseball event of the summer, got underway at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez, also known as J-Rod, was especially popular with the crowd in Seattle. Julio Rodríguez lost in the finals against then-Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto last summer but he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby.

Other sluggers included Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García.

Bracket
#1 Luis Robert Jr. vs. #8 Adley Rutschman
#4 Adolis García vs. #5 Randy Arozarena
#6 Mookie Betts vs. #3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#7 Pete Alonso vs. #2 Julio Rodríguez

Round 1
Arozarena defeated García 24-17.

Robert Jr. defeated Rutschman 28-27.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Betts 26-11.

Rodríguez defeated Alonso 41-21.

Round 2
Arozarena defeated Robert Jr. 35-22.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Rodríguez 21-20.

Final
Guerrero Jr. defeated Arozarena 25-23.

Up Next
The American League and the National League will battle each other in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific.