Tag: Mason Miller

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Miller is closing in on the World Series

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Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Petco Park on August 01, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) (Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Mason Miller is closing in the World Series

By Amaury Pi-González

Former Sacramento A’s and current San Diego Padre reliever Mason Miller, one of the top flamethrower closers in the game, lasted three seasons with the Oakland A’s from 2023-25. He pitched a total of 137 2/3 innings and saved 48 games.

Now he is closing for one of the best teams in baseball, the San Diego Padres, a serious contender for the postseason, with the possibility of making it to the World Series. This was not a surprise; the A’s develop their talent, but in the end, they do not pay them, because they are cheap.

A’s fans understood this. Some were very cynical, and yes, the A’s received a top Padres prospect. One A’s fan told me, “Yes, and when that prospect plays for a couple of years with the A’s and shows everybody he is a stud, the A’s will trade him to the Yankees, where he will get paid.

“The interest [in Miller and J.P. Sears] was very high,” A’s general manager David Forst said. “Ultimately, it took a player of the caliber of De Vries to get our attention and get us to the negotiating table. … In Mason’s case, we knew it would take something special. When the Padres suggested they were open to including Leo, that’s kind of when this got serious.” If the ATH Front Office were a reality show on television, it would be cancelled in its first season. They are boring and predictable.

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

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. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson: Was trading Miller a mistake on A’s part?

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Former Sacramento A’s pitcher Mason Miller was dealt to the San Diego Padres on Thu Jul 31, 2025. Many question if this is a mistake on the A’s part and that their kissing off the season. (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Before Thursday’s 3pm deadline the Sacramento A’s dealt closer Mason Miller LHP JP Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop Leo De Vries and right hand pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Baez, and Eduarniel Nunez. The Padres shore up their pitching getting a starter with Sears and one of the best closer in the game with Miller.

#2 Major League Baseball and NBC Sports Regional Networks announced a partnership to stream games direct-to-consumers for the Athletics (NBC Sports California) through MLB.TV during the 2025 season. Fans in the A’s home territory can now watch the network’s game coverage live and on demand with live pre- and post-game shows through the league’s streaming service, which is now entering its 23rd season.

#3 The A’s have placed shortstop Jacob Wilson on the ten day IL on Tuesday and this is retroactive through Saturday. Wilson fractured his forearm and A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the A’s are optimistic that Wilson will return some time this season but it’s doubtful he’ll be back before the ten days are up.

#4 A’s Nick Kurtz became the youngest player in MLB history and the first rookie to hit four home runs in a game last Friday against the Houston Astros. Kurtz had 19 total bases which ties Shawn Green for the most total bases in a single game since 1900. It was Kurtz’s 66th game and he recorded one of the greatest single games in big league history.

#5 The A’s host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento starting pitchers for Friday night  Starting pitchers for Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (9-6 ERA 3.22) Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (3-6 ERA 4.29). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PST on Friday at Sutter Health Park after a day off on Thursday.

Join Michael Roberson for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s deal closer Miller and Sears to Padres; A’s games to stream on MLB.TV; plus more A’s news

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Former Sacramento A’s closer Mason Miller (57) along with pitcher JP Sears was traded to the San Diego Padres on Thu Jul 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Before today’s 3pm deadline the Sacramento A’s dealt closer Mason Miller LHP JP Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop Leo De Vries and right hand pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Baez, and Eduarniel Nunez. The Padres shore up their pitching getting a starter with Sears and one of the best closer in the game with Miller.

#2 Major League Baseball and NBC Sports Regional Networks announced a partnership to stream games direct-to-consumers for the Athletics (NBC Sports California) through MLB.TV during the 2025 season. Fans in the A’s home territory can now watch the network’s game coverage live and on demand with live pre- and post-game shows through the league’s streaming service, which is now entering its 23rd season.

#3 The A’s have placed shortstop Jacob Wilson on the ten day IL on Tuesday and this is retroactive through Saturday. Wilson fractured his forearm and A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the A’s are optimistic that Wilson will return some time this season but it’s doubtful he’ll be back before the ten days are up.

#4 A’s Nick Kurtz became the youngest player in MLB history and the first rookie to hit four home runs in a game last Friday against the Houston Astros. Kurtz had 19 total bases which ties Shawn Green for the most total bases in a single game since 1900. It was Kurtz’s 66th game and he recorded one of the greatest single games in big league history.

#5 The A’s host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento starting pitchers for Friday night  Starting pitchers for Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (9-6 ERA 3.22) Sacramento pitcher to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PST on Friday at Sutter Health Park after a day off on Thursday.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

Mason Miller named to All-MLB second team; Continues To Rock the Baseball World

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Athletics pitcher Mason Miller was dealing all season long finishing 2024, 2-2 ERA 2.49, with 28 saves and being named to the All-MLB second team (AP file photo)

By Barbara Mason

WEST SACRAMENTO–We watched him all season long and from that first pitch, we all knew that relief pitcher Mason Miller was something very special. Major League Baseball has rewarded that excellence by naming him to the All-MLB Second Team. He is one of just nine rookies to have won this honor since its inception.

He clocked 104 strikeouts which was second among every major league reliever and of those 104 strikeouts by a reliever this was a tie for sixth place in A’s history. Of his 1024 pitches almost half of them were 100 miles per hour or more.

The Oakland A’s had improved significantly offensively and defensively this past season and had even improved their season record by 19 games. There were a handful of players that were responsible for this encouraging sign but none more promising than the performance we saw game after game from Mason Miller.

When he took the mound it evoked fear in opposing batters and thrilled Athletic fans who gasped at the proficiency, speed and power of his pitches. His appearances on the mound were not to be missed.

It was a real shift for the young pitcher who switched from the rotation to the bullpen. Suffering from elbow concerns he was challenged making this change and it fit him like a glove. Miller missed four months in 2023 after spraining his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.

He adapted beautifully and became a dominant closer; a closer that struck out the best of the best in baseball. His fast ball is like no other and it always came as a surprise when a batter was able to connect. This did not happen too often as he saved 28 games.

He actually threw a 103.6 mile per hour pitch in this year’s All-Star Game. In that one inning he struck out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner back to back. He owned players of this caliber all season long. This guy is practically unhittable.

He won award after award last season. He was named Rookie of the Year, MLB reliever of the Month, the Dave Stewart Award and the Roberto Clemente Award. Quite a feat for a guy who came into a season in a new role, a role that he worked hard to perfect.

With all of this success, the fear is the top target that this guys is going to be as far as the dreaded “trade”. This has struck fear in the hearts of Athletic fans year in and year out. It has happened with such regularity that while it’s horribly disappointing, it is expected with this organization.

With the history that we have seen with the Athletics, the outstanding players that we have seen come and go, it seems that for the right price the trades will continue but we are holding onto the hope that next season sees Mason Miller listed on the Athletics roster.

There had been rumors in the final months of the last season of teams, high caliber teams, who were more than interested in Miller. Thankfully he was able to finish the season as a Athletic. If this team wants to build on the progress they made last season one of the first steps would be to continue to groom players like Mason Miller, Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Abraham Toro, Tyler Soderstrom and Miguel Andujar and the list goes on.

Keeping this team intact would be a breath of fresh air. With the changes to start the last season the team had to learn to become a unit. It took months and there was obvious growing pains before they really got onboard. They have become a unit now and keeping them together next year would be key to a successful start to a new season. And that’s how you build a good baseball team.

Barbara Mason is an A’s beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Tagovailoa banks largest deal in Dolphins history 4 yrs $212.4M; Iraqi Olympian Sehen suspended for steroids; plus more news

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws at training camp on Wed Jul 24, 2024. Tagovailoa signed the biggest contract in Dolphins history this week (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have reached a four year extension agreement worth $212.4M. Tagovailoa’s salary is the highest in Dolphins history. Tagovailoa’s salary is the third highest behind Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow at $55 million per year.

#2 Charlie O, it’s an Olympic year and it didn’t take long right out of the shoot in Paris when an athlete from Iraq was found to test positive for anabolic steroids. Sajjad Sehen who tested for steroids was found to be positive for metandienone and boldenone. Sehen has been suspended from participating in the games.

#3 After an MRI Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout left knee came back clean. Trout said he had been dealing with scar tissue buildup and inflammation. Trout upon learning the MRI results said “It’s a huge relief for me.” Trout was out with a torn meniscus and had been on the IL since April 30th. Trout was hitting .220, 10 home runs, 14 RBIs in 29 games.

#4 Carolyn McArdle the San Francisco Giants newest permanent PA announcer who was a Sacramento Rivercats PA announcer will be introducing the lineup and other messages at Oracle Park for the rest of the season. After long time former PA announcer Renel did not have her contract renewed last December the Giants had been rotating PA announcers which included Danny Miller the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes permanent announcer. McArdle is music director at 98.1 The Breeze.

#5 Other Major League teams have been shopping Oakland A’s outfielder Brent Rooker and pitcher Mason Miller before the trade deadline. Neither are free agents and are making near the minimum and the A’s most likely will hang onto both of them for the rest of this season. Miller is on the 10 day IL after fracturing his pinkie finger in his non throwing hand so he’s been taken off the shelf on any trade rumors.

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

Oakland A’s report: Miller fractures hand while trying to exercise

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Oakland A’s closer Mason Miller is on the 15 day IL with a fracture on his left hand, reportedly his left pinkie is fractured. The fracture happened on Mon Jul 22, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. (photo from MLB)

By Jerry Feitelberg

As opposed to first reports that Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller fractured his pinky finger on his left hand on Monday while pounding a padded training table in the training room after Monday’s win against the Houston Astros in Oakland. An updated report says that Miller fractured his hand while trying to get up to do exercises.

Miller’s injury triggered the A’s to take pitcher Ross Stripling off the 15 day IL. The loss of Miller no doubt sets the A’s back. Miller the ace of the A’s pitching staff as a closer has thrown over 100 MPH pitches, led the American League in saves, and has been reliable in save situations.

The injury is unusual but nonetheless the A’s who had won seven of their last 11 games and won their last 3 three game series from the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros heavily rely on Miller’s ability to be a game closer and will now have to figure on how to persevere in closing out games.

Miller was the subject of lots of trade interest before the trade deadline with the heat he brings in save situations and the success he’s had not only at the All Star Game but all season long. With his fractured hand and no telling when he’ll be healthy enough to come back he most likely will stay A’s property for the rest of the season.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah: Reporters make it Miller Time with trade deadline talk with A’s closer

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Lots of questions for Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller during the All Star Break in Arlington about possibly being traded before the July 30th deadline. Here is Miller throwing off the Oakland Coliseum mound. Miller leads the American League in saves with 15. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller said during the All Star Break he’s more focused on winning games and helping the A’s than focusing on the trade rumors.

#2 Miller was surrounded at the All Star Game and was pressed about the possibility of being traded before the July 30th trade deadline.

#3 Different members of the press were asking about what he thought about being traded and what would it be like to be on a pennant contending team Miller replied, “Until the day it happens, if it does, my loyalty and effort and all that lies in the clubhouse in Oakland.”

#4 Miller makes the MLB minimum at $740,000 and is under club control with the A’s through the 2029 season. Miller has been lights out all season throwing over 100 MPH and has an American League leading 15 saves is a sought after prospect that could be a closer on the Philadelphia Phillies or the New York Yankees making multi millions.

#5 The A’s open the second half of the season tonight at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Angels. Starting pitchers for the Angels The last time these two teams met was at the Coliseum the A’s swept the Angels July 2-4 in a three game series. The A’s are coming off winning two out of three from the Phillies last weekend in Philadelphia. For a last place team the A’s do have their flashes.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Giants Ramos, Webb; A’s Miller, excited to be All Stars; Braves Ozuna an All Star for third time; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (left) and catcher Patrick Baily (right) discuss strategy against the Atlanta Braves during Webb’s last outing on Thu Jul 4, 2024 at Truist Field in Cobb County GA. Webb has been selected to represent the Giants with teammate Heliot Ramos at the 2024 All Star Game in Arlington. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury didn’t get a chance to ask you about the San Francisco Giants All Star selections with Heliot Ramos and Logan Webb. Ramos is hitting .299 with 63 hits, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs. Webb is 7-6, ERA 3.09. Talk about the season they’re having.

#2 Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller has been selected to represent the Oakland A’s at the All Star Game. Miller is 1-1, ERA 2.39 has been lights out in relief and has consistently thrown over 100 MPH to opposing hitters to get 14 saves.

#3 For the third time Atlanta Braves Marcell Ozuna will be participating in the 2024 All Star Home Run Derby. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr will be making his first appearance at the Home Run Derby. Ozuna and Witt were already to scheduled to play in the All Star Game but were selected for the Home Run Derby.

#4 Maybe it would have been better for former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi has been sentenced in the Dominican Republic for corruption. Mondesi was mayor of the Dominican town of San Cristobal. Mondesi was sentenced six years and nine months for embezzling up to $5 million during his time as mayor between 2010-2016.

#5 New York Mets Pete Alonso will participate in his fifth straight home run derby. Alonso is trying to win for a third time. Alonso says that if he wins he plans to help donate to the Wounded Warrior Project and Tunnel of Towers and help refurbish amateur baseball fields.

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: A baseball anomaly I do not recall seeing

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Oakland A’s Daz Cameron (28) forearm bashes with Shea Langeliers (23) after Langeliers hit a two run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Jun 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

A baseball anomaly I do not recall ever seeing

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND– A’s Reliever Sean Newcomb recorded his first win of the year on Friday night with zero batters faced. So, how did he do it?

With the A’s trailing, 5-4, against the Minnesota Twins with two outs in the eighth inning and a man on first, Newcomb entered the game from the bullpen.

After getting to a 1-1 count, the left-hander decided to throw over to first, but the runner got in a rundown.

Eventually, Austin Martin was tagged out, which ended the inning. Statistically speaking, a batter is “faced” if the at-bat itself results in an out, whether it’s the batter or a runner via a fielder’s choice.

However, since Newcomb’s pickoff resulted in the out, no batter was “faced.

Then, in the bottom half of the inning, Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer off Jhoan Duran to give Oakland a 6-5 lead.

So, with the lead, Oakland brought in their flame-throwing closer Mason Miller, and he recorded the save – thus giving Newcomb the win, despite throwing two pitches.

I do not recall ever seeing this unless my memory is just started to deteriorate.

I think this should be in the TV show Jeopardy.

Listen to Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s Mason Miller could be traded

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Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller is seen here throwing to the Seattle Mariners line up in the top of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue May 2, 2023 back when he was a starter. Since converting to the closer role in 2024 Miller has seen lots of success in save situations. So much so other big league clubs have express interest in his services including the New York Yankees. (AP file photo)

A’s Mason Miller could be traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A team in transition like the Oakland A’s (Oakland until September 26) is always building for the future, especially with so many moving parts right now for the Athletics, cities, new stadiums, and lawsuits, referendums. A possible trade this season that involves A’s closer Mason Miller is very likely. It all depends on the situation and where the A’s are in the standings. Or maybe not, considering the unpredictability of the A’s ownership.

The A’s will be asking for a big package of promising players, but I think this will have to wait until at least the middle of the season. Let’s say the A’s continue to improve, and they are fighting for the western division title on July 31. What do you do?

Various teams have reportedly expressed interest in the 25-year-old “lanzallamas.” Two teams expected to be contenders, the Orioles and the Cubs, are probably the types of teams that are one stud short in the ninth inning, a closer away from pulling the trigger.

The A’s might still have Miller and not be contenders, and if that is the case, the probability of a trade increases. This applies to the A’s and the other teams that want to trade for Miller. How are they doing when they also pull the trigger? Is there urgency? The A’s hold all the cards with Miller since he is still under A’s control until 2029, so they can wait. If you are a negotiator, you want to start with an advantage, and the Oakland A’s have it today with Miller.

The lifespan of a young closer throwing high-octane doesn’t last forever. Free of injuries, there have been very few Mariano Riveras out there, the type of pitcher who has owned the ninth inning for years.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Oakland A’s traded Miller during this 2024 season, and you also should not be. But let’s face it: For a young and very good team like the Baltimore Orioles, that is their focus. A team like the O’s might need that one piece, a “lights out” closer, to win the World Series this year. But the Orioles should not be over-excited. The Baltimore Orioles have not won a World Series since 1983 (41 years), and they are today one of the elite teams in the game.

Is it Miller time?