Tag: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Mayor Thao has been silent on A’s relocation since July; No mention of A’s in state of city speech on Tuesday

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaks at the state of city of Oakland address on Tue Oct 17, 2023. Thao did not address the Oakland A’s relocation at the address and has been pretty much silent on the A’s move to Las Vegas since the MLB All Star break in July (photo from oaklandside.org)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao for the most part has not said a word regarding the A’s move since her journey from last July’s All Star game. Mayor Thao flew to Seattle with an Oakland delegation to present MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred with 30 books showing that the City of Oakland was in the middle of negotiations for the Howard Terminal ballpark when the A’s broke off talks to announce they had a binding deal in Las Vegas.

#2 Manfred did have some stinging comments back in September saying that if Thao was close to a deal why didn’t she throw $100 million on the table. Thao said the deal for Howard Terminal was ten percent of the way there but Manfred said the deal wasn’t even close.

#3 Manfred did have a working relationship with former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf but after Schaaf’s term was up and Thao took over as new mayor A’s owner John Fisher and Manfred said that they couldn’t get anything going with Thao hence turning their attention to Las Vegas.

#4 There are some theories why various teams might vote no to an A’s relocation, the Angels, Dodgers, Padres, and Diamondbacks beam their broadcast signals, stream, and market their brand in Las Vegas that would all go away if the A’s make Vegas their home base, the Mariners could object being the only AL team in the Northwest and that would put them geographically alone with the nearest American League in Anaheim and you guessed it Las Vegas.

#5 Another objection going into the owners vote in November is the A’s would be moving into the smallest TV market and have the smallest capacity of all the ballpark in MLB. The A’s could very well be the number four team behind the Aces, Raiders, Knights, and drop to fifth if an NBA franchise moves into town.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with inside analysis and updates on the A’s relocation and MLB owners relocation vote Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Manfred hopes for owners vote to relocate A’s on Nov 14th in Texas

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Artist’s renderings of a Las Vegas A’s ballpark at the Tropicana Hotel and Resort which is expected to open in 2028 if approved at the MLB owners relocation vote in Arlington Nov 14-16, 2023 (renderings image furnished by the Oakland A’s)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, On Wednesday Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes MLB owners will hold the vote to relocate the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas.

#2 Jerry, Manfred said he hopes the relocation vote will take place in Arlington between Nov 14-16th.

#3 Las Vegas will be the A’s fourth city since the franchise started in Philadelphia in 1901-54, then to Kanas City from 1954-67, and to Oakland from 1968 to the present.

#4 The only thing that can stop the A’s from relocating is the owners vote no on the move. Manfred appears to be very confident to a point that he’s looking past the vote but when the A’s will pull up stakes and move out of Oakland.

#5 The other move that could stop the A’s moving to Vegas is the Schools over Stadiums group who aim to put a ballot measure that says the state should not be using public funds to subsidize building a ballpark at the Tropicana location but the funds should be going to schools. If there are a enough signatures from four different districts on the Nevada petitions the vote would take place Nov 2025.

Jerry Feitelberg did the Oakland A’s podcasts during the 2023 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary Podcast: Mayor and MLB Commissioner very far apart on any baseball future in Oakland

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao (pictured) and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (not pictured) seem much further apart after Manfred said in a recent San Francisco Chronicle report that there was no discussion between he and Thao about an expansion team for Oakland or the city keeping the A’s name (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says in a San Francisco Chronicle report, that everybody likes to pile on MLB adding that you have to look at what Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has done and hasn’t done. She is great saying MLB did this wrong and that wrong but did she handle this well, “I don’t think so” said Manfred.

#2 It should be noted that Mayor Thao was only in office four months when the A’s announced that they would leaving Oakland and prior to that she said she was in negotiations with the A’s to secure a deal that was nearly 10 percent of the way being completed before the A’s said they had a binding deal with the Rio in Las Vegas.

#3 It also was reported that Manfred was agitated during the interview saying that Thao should be blamed for losing it’s third professional team after Oakland lost the Raiders and Warriors under previous Mayor Libby Schaff.

#4 Manfred went onto say that there was never a discussion about expansion in Oakland and keeping the A’s name, that it was simply not true, and that he and Thao never discussed these alleged demands.

#5 Amaury, the way you see the relationship between the Commissioner and the Mayor of Oakland being so far apart would say the chances of getting anything for baseball done in Oakland is almost all but dead?

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

MLB The Show podcast with Jim on Bases: Is the opener hurting or helping the Giants; Halos Ohtani had refused MRI weeks prior to going on the IL; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Walker has been used as an opener for much of the season. The Giants openers have pitched four or less innings in 53 games. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

MLB The Show podcast with Jim On Bases:

#1 Jim, the San Francisco Giants are entering their 53rd game where a starter was used for four innings or less. In those 53 games those starters threw 80 pitches or less. Jim is the opener working or hurting the Giants.

#2 The Giants are just a 1.5 games out of the NL Wild Card and still can work their way in and finish by plenty ahead. They have have to beat the good teams and have struggled against the Atlanta Braves during this three game series dropping the first two. How important is it for San Francisco to win these games like these against the Braves.

#3 Injuries are becoming the norm in MLB particularly here in the dog days of summer, let’s start with the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani who refused an MRI just weeks before he was shelved with the UCL diagnosis. Ohtani is still being used as a DH and will not pitch and might be on the way to his second Tommy John surgery.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette left Saturday’s game with right quad tightness in the top of the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians and third baseman Matt Chapman left with middle finger inflammation. Chapman was sidelined earlier this season for the same issue. Bichette was hitting .316 and Chapman was hitting .248. The Jays are desperate for a playoff spot and are concerned about losing two of their key players.

#5 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said the Oakland A’s could stay at the Oakland Coliseum until their new stadium is built in Las Vegas but with the condition that the city of Oakland is promised an expansion team or Oakland keeping the A’s name. Jim, what do you see those odds are? MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s whole goal was to get out of Oakland in the first place because of what he said bad attendance and the city wouldn’t build a ballpark, do you see him expanding to Oakland in the future or MLB has abandon Oakland for good?

Jim on Bases is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Auggie Mussenburg: Jays Chapman asks skipper Schneider why pitch to Ohtani?; Was Cubs Happ’s backswing intentional? Cards might think so; plus more

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman is none too pleased with Jays manager John Schneider’s decision to pitch to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani who slugged his 39th home run in the top of the first inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Jul 28, 2023 (Sportsnet Network TV Toronto still photo)

#1 The Toronto Blue Jays opened a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night and Jays manager John Schneider pitched to Angels slugger Shohei Ohtani who ripped his 39th home run of the season off Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman on the first pitch in the first inning. Jays third baseman Matt Chapman approached Schneider and said “Why did we pitch to him? He’s the only f****** guy on the team that can hit?” Was it Schneider’s fault for pitching to Ohtani or Schneider had the confidence in Gausman to pitch to Ohtani?

#2 The Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ’s backswing on Thursday hit St Louis Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras in the head sending his mask flying. Contreras went down and was bleeding from the right side of his head as the trainer came out to take look at him. Contreras had to leave. The Cards had replacement catcher Andrew Knizner replace Contreras. Cards pitcher Miles Mikolas threw high and inside to Happ and inside on the next pitch, on the third pitch Mikolas hit Happ in the hip and Mikolas was ejected as well as manager Oliver Marmol. Mikolas also was hit with a five day suspension for throwing at Happ.

#3 New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer wants to have a conversation with the Mets brass after they traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins. Despite beating the Washington Nationals on Thursday night 5-1 Scherzer was having none of the Robertson trade saying he wants to talk to team owner Steve Cohen and wants an explanation why it was necessary to trade Robertson.

#4 On Wednesday the MLB owners voted Commissioner Rob Manfred in for a third term that will take him 2029 a four year extension. Despite his handling of the Houston Astros trash can debacle, the owners liked the rule changes Manfred has made in baseball and say the game has been profitable under his leadership.

#5 Seeing how the owners voted Manfred back with almost everyone on board do you see the owners voting the same momentum for the Oakland A’s relocation in November?

Auggie does the MLB The Show podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s fans plan reverse boycott this time involves Giants fans in San Francisco May 25th

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Ruben Ortiz of Modesto holds up is “Stay in Oakland” sign before the last reverse boycott at the Oakland Coliseum on Jun 13, 2023. Oakland A’s fans are encouraging San Francisco Giants fans to join in the reverse boycott this Tue Jul 25, 2023 when the Oakland A’s play the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP file photo)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, tell us your thoughts as fans get ready for another reverse boycott this time at Oracle Park in San Francisco when Oakland A’s fans encourage San Francisco Giants to get on board with wearing black shirt with the word “Sell” in orange to join A’s fans in support of getting A’s owner John Fisher to sell the ball club to someone who’ll keep them in Oakland. The reverse boycott is scheduled for this coming Tue Jul 25th at Oracle Park.

#2 Daniel, the group called the Oakland 68’s named after the A’s first year in Oakland 1968 are part of the movement to fight to keep the A’s in Oakland. The 68’s in a statement from the their website said the A’s deserve a stadium at Howard Terminal. San Francisco Giants fans and A’s fans can be pretty vocal if both sets of fans come out to encourage Fisher to sell.

#3 The 68’s are hoping that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao continue her fight to help keep the A’s in Oakland. It’s hopeful the documents she delivered to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred might have some sway to the other owners to vote to keep the A’s in Oakland.

#4 The latest news is that the MLB owners vote could take place months from now as they wait for the A’s to deliver the relocation application. The A’s on the relocation application are trying to solve where to play while the park in under construction between 2025-2027, the renderings of the park need to be put together and the design of the retractable roof needs to be addressed and how it’ll fit on nine acres of Tropicana land space.

#5 Daniel, on the A’s side of the coin how confident do you see Fisher and team president David Kaval in getting the votes and getting the shovels in the ground in Vegas?

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: More All Stars sidelined by injuries; Rangers first team to have 5 starters in 47 years at All Star Game; plus more

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The Chicago Cubs Dansby Swanson trots back into the Cubs dugout after connecting for a third inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee Tue Jul 4, 2023. The Cubs announced this week that Swanson has gone on the 10 day IL and will miss the All Star Game (AP News photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:

#1 As of last week the walking wounded list for the All Star Game is adding up, the Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani will not pitch due to finger blister, Angels Mike Trout will sit out due to a fractured left wrist and will not attend the All Star game, New York Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge toe injury, and the Chicago Cubs announced that shortstop Dansby Swanson will also sit out the mid summer classic due to a left heel contusion which forced Swanson to leave Wednesday’s against the Milwaukee Brewers, Swanson is on the 10 day IL.

#2 This year’s All Star game in Seattle will look like the Texas Rangers will be playing host they have added outfielder Adolis Garcia making the Rangers the first team in 47 years to have five starters representing the same team at the All Star game. Other Rangers starting catcher Jonah Heim, second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seagar, and third baseman Josh Jung.

#3 Former San Francisco Giants Carlos Rodon and current New York Yankee pitcher made his Yankee debut on Saturday but was outpitched by the Chicago Cubs Jameson Tallion in a 3-0 Cubs shutout. Rodon has been out due to a sore left forearm and Rodon had been out since spring training. Tallion went eight innings giving up one hit and Rodon went 5.1 innings, giving up four hits and two runs.

#4 The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman K’Bryan Hayes were placed on the 10 day IL. McCutchen is retroactive with right elbow inflammation, Hayes as of last Thursday is suffering from back inflammation. Charlie Pirates are 8.5 games back in the NL Central to get back in the hunt they’re going to miss these guys.

#5 Charlie, Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred said in early June that the owners will take a vote on the Oakland A’s relocation in Vegas. Then came the Nevada State Legislature who voted in a second special session to use public funding to pay for the Tropicana ballpark which passed. The first week of July is concluding and heading into the second week of July and still the owners have not taken a vote. Is that an indication that the jury is still out and the owners are haggling over A’s to Vegas relocation issue?

Join Charlie O who does the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Will SJ Mayor’s letter sway MLB Commissioner to suspend Giants territorial rights to South Bay

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Rob Manfred Commissioner of MLB is ready for the Oakland A’s to make the move to Las Vegas while receiving a letter from San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan asking Manfred to consider bringing an expansion team to San Jose (image from The Real Deal)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 How powerful is the message that current San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and four former San Jose Mayors are sending by letter asking Rob Manfred to suspend territorial rights in the South Bay so that San Jose could have a chance to get an expansion team since the A’s will be leaving for Las Vegas?

#2 MLB owners are close to voting on the future of the A’s a 75% vote will approve an A’s move out of Oakland for the 30 owners who will be voting on the A’s future. How closed is the door for San Jose to have a chance at getting an expansion team?

#3 The five San Jose Mayors go onto to write that San Francisco and Oakland are much smaller in population than San Jose but it also it also bring in $410 billion in GDP in the South Bay.

#4 San Jose’s economy the five Mayors point out also surpasses 30 US states and that it has the highest amount of tech companies than any place on the planet.

#5 With that knowledge and that kind of economic base how hard of a fight will MLB, the San Francisco Giants and the Giants CEO Larry Baer in trying to defend their territorial rights to the South Bay. Some argue that the Giants will have all of Northern California, up to Oregon to themselves and without the A’s it’s not a competitive a baseball market?

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

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: MLB hoping to make big European market in roads for London series this weekend; plus much more news

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Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki practices during a training session ahead of the baseball match against St. Louis Cardinals at the MLB World Tour London Series, in London Stadium on Fri Jun 22, 2023. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The London Series is underway with the Chicago Cubs and the St Louis Cardinals matching up this weekend. It’s got to be an important series with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in attendance as he’s trying to boost the MLB brand in Europe.

#2 The Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco who has expressed frustration by breaking a bat in the Rays dugout and not running out ground balls was sent home on Thursday night and benched on Friday night was back in the line up on Saturday and admitted that the organization is trying to get control of his frustrations and he admitted making errors that got away from him. Franco is hitting .287 and is in the second season of his $182 million contract.

#3 Charlie what can you say about the Cincinnati Reds that hasn’t already been said. The Red Legs are on a 12 game win streak and Elly De La Cruz’s cycle on Friday night added to the success the club has been having. The Reds are in first in the NL Central by 1.5 games on second place the Milwaukee Brewers.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels enhanced their infield up the middle acquiring Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets for pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux, who were 19 and 20th in the Angels system. Escobar’s $9 million contact will be picked up by the Mets at the pro rated MLB minimum. 2024 is an option year for Escobar.

#5 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who is attending the London Series this weekend as we spoke about earlier said that one big turnout for the Oakland A’s on Tue Jun 23 at the Oakland Coliseum doesn’t solve a “decade of inaction” referring to the fans reverse boycott and is waiting for the A’s to submit their relocation application in preparation for an owners vote that requires a 75% yes vote. Eight no votes can turn the tide for the A’s moving to Vegas.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s preparing relocation application; Where A’s could go after 2024 season

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David Kaval Oakland A’s team president (above) and Catherine Aker vice president (below) who both spoke at the Nevada State Legislation. Kaval is working on the relocation application and Aker said the team will stay in Oakland for the 2024 season for their home games. (You Tube still photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel should the Oakland A’s take their name Athletics to Las Vegas with them or let the city of Oakland have the name and rename their brand.

#2 Most likely the A’s will take the name with them to Vegas it’s a recognizable branding and like the football Cardinals name or the NBA Lakers, or NFL Raiders have name will travel.

#3 As mentioned by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in his last press conference in New York last week that the A’s need to prepare a relocation application outlining why they need to move, the reason why their moving to Vegas and the costs.

#4 Once the relocation application request is forward to the Commissioner’s office the owners will vote and 75% of the owners are needed to approve the relocation. If there are more than eight no votes the relocation request is null and void. Possible teams that could vote no the Padres, Angels, Dodgers, Rockies, Diamondbacks and Mariners. Ironically the A’s and Giants are thumbs up on the move.

#5 A’s vice president Catherine Akers had written that the A’s do not intend to break the Oakland Coliseum lease signed through 2024 and the A’s will play their home games there next season. The A’s have not identified a site for their 2025-2027 seasons as the Vegas ballpark won’t be completed until 2028.

Join Daniel Dullum for all the latest regarding their move to Las Vegas and the owners vote on the A’s relocation at http://www.sportsradioservice.com