Tag: mlb

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Coliseum to the Rescue? A’s wouldn’t have to shut down operations

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Oakland Alameda County Coliseum at night (photo file by Ticketmaster.com)

The Coliseum to the Rescue? A’s wouldn’t have to shut down operations

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In the never-ending saga of the only baseball franchise in Bay Area history to have won four World Series, the Oakland A’s are now to meet with the City of Oakland and County of Alameda to renew a new lease past this 2024 season (last year for the current lease).

As Spring Training in Arizona is getting underway, the Oakland A’s, who are scheduled to inaugurate a new ballpark in the Las Vegas strip by 2028, have obstacles still on the horizon, the most important being the financing for the $1.5 billion stadium in Sin City as well are the renderings of the proposed new 30,000 seat facility.

If you call the Tropicana Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas today hoping to get a reservation for a stay, you can do so until April. The iconic Tropicana has already officially announced that they will not take any reservations after April 2 because they are making way for the demolition, which is also scheduled for this year.

While the A’s build their new park in Las Vegas, the one city that makes the most sense for the team to keep playing is Oakland, which is common sense, but as we all know, in this current story, ” common sense is not common anymore.”

If the Oakland A’s were to extend their lease with the City of Oakland and Alameda County for 2025 and beyond, that would ensure the team keeps playing in a major league facility. As dated as the Coliseum is today, granted, it is not the most attractive baseball park.

However, it is still a major league facility, and the Players Union will probably never approve of the A’s playing in a smaller setting, barnstorming in minor league cities outside the Bay Area.

So get ready. More discussions are underway. This makes sense, there is money for everybody, if they extend it, plus the A’s will still keep the millions they get in television broadcasting revenue, and the city and county also will benefit financially. This is not amateur sports; this is the Big Leagues, and when there is money to be made, everybody likes to talk about it.

Let’s see what happens now.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice 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 podcast: MLB and A’s are not talking about what’s beyond 2024

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According to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao the door is still open to negotiate a deal at Howard Terminal at the Port of Oakland. Oakland A’s owner John Fisher in the event the Las Vegas deal falls through is welcomed to call Thao. (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, how impossible is the idea for the Oakland A’s to go and disband for three years and MLB to carry with just 29 MLB teams from 2025-27?

#2 The idea that the A’s could shut it down for three years is it a clear indication that either financially John Fisher doesn’t have his share of the stadium costs or he’s trying to scrape enough together between 2025-27 in order to pay for his share saving money by shutting down operations.

#3 If it all falls apart in Las Vegas there is really no where else for the A’s to go. Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s will play out west and did really know where himself. The players association will not play in a minor league park hence Salt Lake City, Portland, Sacramento or Summerlin.

#4 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said recently that her door is open and if Fisher wants to talk about working a deal out at Howard Terminal if Las Vegas falls apart. Her offer out numbers the State of Nevada number $428 million to $380 million.

#5 The A’s pre season starts Sat Feb 24th in Mesa Arizona at Ho Ho Kam Stadium it’ll be the first pre season game this one is against the Colorado Rockies on the same day two Oakland A’s fan clubs the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar will host a Fans Fest at Jack London Square that would raise money to help with legal fees for law suits filed by Schools over Stadiums and Strong Public Schools who are trying to stop the public financing of the Las Vegas ballpark.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 1010 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at www,.sportsradioservice.com

Super Bowl LVIII/Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Super Bowl rematch number two for Chiefs and 49ers

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addresses the media at Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (NewsNation photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, this Super Bowl LVIII is rematch of the 2019 Super Bowl LIV which the Kansas City Chiefs won. The Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in that one 31-20.

#2 Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes was under center for the Chiefs and three Super Bowls later Mahomes is back to face the 49ers again.

#3 The last time the 49ers won a Super Bowl was 1994 for Super Bowl XXIX when the 49ers crushed the San Diego Chargers 49-26 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. That was when Steve Young was the 49ers quarterback and ironically Steve recently did an interview with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

#4 The 49ers came into the post season as the No.1 seeded team in the NFC and has even though barely carried their position all the way through to get to the Super Bowl.

#5 The Chiefs were the No.3 seeded team in the AFC but you can say that was only in name as they Chiefs was the most feared team to face through the playoffs.

#6 Last question it’s a headline question with the Super Bowl in Las Vegas after Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodwin saying that the Oakland A’s belong in Oakland it got the attention of the media covering the Super Bowl in Vegas and took off.

Charlie O does the Headline podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Did Vegas Mayor have some weight behind her “A’s belong in Oakland” comment?

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Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman just recently won the hearts and minds of Oakland fans saying “the A’s belong in Oakland” this week in an interview with Front Office Sports (photo by the City of Las Vegas)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s remark’s that the “A’s belong in Oakland” after seeing that the Oakland A’s missed the deadline on presenting renderings and that owner John Fisher is asking the Las Vegas business community to help invest in the team.

#2 Later Goodman partially walked back what she originally said saying that she wanted what was best for Las Vegas, Paradise, and Clark County and that she wanted to welcome the A’s to Las Vegas and that the A’s only belonged in Oakland if they can’t get the financing their looking for.

#3 The interview with Mayor Goodman was conducted with Front Office Sports and it was audio recorded as well. Goodman said that the A’s “need to listen to the people that are up there (in Oakland). It’s there team.”

#4 Fisher has said that he is seeking financial assistance and that had put doubt in Goodman’s mind that Fisher doesn’t have the money. Goodman is not mayor of the A’s future home at the Tropicana location which is located in the Paradise city limits and ran by Clark County. Goodman and her husband former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman have been trying to bring MLB to Vegas for 20 years.

#5 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao upon hearing what Goodman had to say that the A’s are Oakland ‘s team said with excitement in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea, “100%! Keeping the A’s in Oakland is what’s best for everyone including Las Vegas. My door is open to John Fisher and to anyone else that has the means and desire to purchase the A’s and keep them in the town. We have the plan, the sites, and the money. Let’s keep the A’s rooted in Oakland.”

#6 John Fisher is a vilified figure as many fans in Oakland want Fisher to sell the team and find a buyer who will keep the team in Oakland. Fisher repeatedly has said the team is not for sale. Daniel, in the hypothetical circumstance that Fisher can’t pay for the costs of the stadium in Vegas or if the whole Las Vegas ballpark plan fails can you see him going back to Oakland as Mayor Thao who says she has a existing offer on the table.

#7 Augie, a political action committee group Strong Public Schools has filed a lawsuit on Monday which also named the State of Nevada, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and state Treasurer Zach Conine as defendants saying that the state is “financing a world class Stadium for a California billionaire while ignoring Nevada’s second class education system.” The A’s nor anyone from Major League Baseball would not make a comment on the lawsuit that argues the SB1 bill violated the Nevada constitution because it was passed on a majority vote and not a two thirds vote. The A’s nor anyone from Major League Baseball are named as defendants.

#8 Schools over Stadiums according to sources has raised funding for their legal fees to get the proper petition language to put an initiative on the November ballot that would stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark on the Las Vegas strip with legal counseling. Schools over Stadiums can thank Oakland A’s fans namely the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar who helped raise funds to help pay for the legal fees.

Augie Mesenburg filled in for Daniel Dullum who hosts the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Born in Oakland planning for Nashville

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Dave Stewart being honored in August 2009 photo at the Oakland Coliseum is now a part time owner and seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville (photo from wikipedia)

Born in Oakland, planning for Nashville

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

During a time when it seems people are talking about Oakland, Oakland, Oakland, for better or for worse, perhaps no other man currently represents Oakland better than Oakland A’s Hall of Fame pitcher Dave Stewart,

The Oakland A’s are not considered contenders. Still, the eyes of the baseball world are expressively focused on Oakland and this franchise’s trials and tribulations, especially during the 2024 baseball season, which is expected to be their last in Oakland. Dave Stewart is one man with a plan. His plan has been working for years to take an expansion team, minority-owned, to the city of Nashville.

He has been traveling in baseball circles, including the Winter Meetings, where baseball executives gather yearly to discuss trades and other organizational decisions. If you have not heard much about “Mister Smoke” talking about the A’s situation (unless he has to, as a baseball on-the-air commentator), he is not focused on such a thing. He is a proud Oaklander; everybody knows Stewart and his integrity for the game.

We will never forget during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Dave Stewart by the old Cypress freeway where most of the damage was done in Oakland by the quake, including fatalities. I asked Stew after the Loma Prieta earthquake, “You should run for Mayor.” he laughed at the idea. Nashville is the first of two MLB candidates for expansion and is assumed to be a foregone conclusion.

Nashville will have to pay a $2 Billion expansion fee plus the price of a new stadium. The Capital of Tennessee, Nashville, has a population of 700,000, 300,000 plus more than Oakland, and 2 million in their metropolitan area, the Capital of Country Music.

Yes, Dave Stewart, born in Oakland, has been working on a real plan for Nashville.

Quote: Baseball is a public trust. Players turn over, owners turn over, and certain commissioners turn over. But baseball goes on.” Peter Ueberroth (Commissioner of Baseball from 1984-1988.

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

MLB podcast with Michael Duca: A’s getting lots of publicity in Vegas during Super Bowl week; SF Giants latest deals

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman is in talks with the San Francisco Giants as of Thu Feb 8, 2024 (AP News file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, when Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman says the A’s should stay in Oakland, that the A’s need to live their dream with a waterfront ballpark and they don’t have any plans is that not only truthful talk but also from a mayor whose city will not reap the financial benefits from a team that will be playing in unincorporated city like Paradise?

#2 It’s Super Bowl week and with Mayor Goodman speaking out on the A’s and grabbing headlines from football what does that say about how important relocating teams the wrong way in baseball?

#3 Michael, talk about the lawsuit by Strong Public Schools that argues the public money for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark was not voted on legitimately by the Nevada State Legislature back in April. That the legislature was supposed to vote on SB1 as a two thirds vote not by a majority. Strong Public Schools say they have a strong case and it could take down what is now looking like a house of cards for the Tropicana, the A’s and MLB.

#4 Michael switching over to the San Francisco Giants are talking with Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman talk about his chances of coming over to San Francisco and what it would mean to have him in the line up everyday?

#5 The Miami Marlins Jorge Soler is in talks with the Giants. Soler is in the final year of his three year $36 million contract and had opted out for agency. Soler is a right fielder and designated hitter he hit .250 with 36 home runs last season how do you see Soler helping out in the Giants line up for 2024?

Join Michael Duca Thursdays for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Vegas Mayor says A’s belong in Oakland; Schools over Stadiums ready to move language for petition drive to stop A’s ballpark funding

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The Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas the future home with the Las Vegas A’s hoping to break ground in April 2025. The issue of private financing has been so off schedule and unorganized that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has said the “plans don’t make sense” (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, because of all the lawsuits the Oakland A’s might lose the public money because of all the lawsuits and the Schools over Stadiums initiative ballot that stops using public money that could make the public ballot. This money is only earmarked for the Tropicana location and no where else. The A’s might be having problems figuring how to get a ballpark on nine acres at the Trop.

#2 MLB had no comment after Las Vegas Mayor Goodman said that the A’s ought to stay in Oakland.

#3 Mayor Goodman can read between the lines as the reaction at the Chamber of Commerce meeting was cold and talk has been the business community now has it’s doubts about the A’s since owner John Fisher has been going hat in hand looking for financial support.

#4 It’s Super Bowl week Amaury, and you would think the biggest news in Vegas would be about the Big Game but now the Oakland A’s are a headline with the Mayor saying the A’s shouldn’t come to Vegas but stay in Oakland.

#5 Amaury, the Last Dive Bar and Oakland 68s who are strong A’s fan groups are holding a Fan Fest at Jack London Square in downtown Oakland proceeds will help with legal fees toward Schools over Stadiums in Las Vegas to stop the use of public money to finance the ballpark. The first step of success is Schools over Stadium had Oakland A’s fans raise enough money to cover Schools over Stadium’s legal fees to get language to stop the public funding and get a petition drive to get initiative on the ballot for the Nov 2024 election not to mention that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has been named as a defendant by Schools over Stadiums.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on the 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: California Politicians and Shohei Ohtani Taxes

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Shohei Ohtani designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers is all smiles while he greets fans at the Dodger FanFest at Dodger Stadium on Sat Feb 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

California Politicians and Shohei Ohtani Taxes

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Shohei Ohtani, today the biggest baseball star in the world, signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 700 million dollars. The State of California Controller, Malia M.Cohen, who was born and raised in San Francisco, wants Congress to change the tax code to cap deferred payments. If this happens, Ohtani would owe more taxes to the State of California.

The two-way star contract with the LA Dodgers contains $680 million in deferred payments due from 2034 to 2043. California wants to tax Ohtani much more; however, if he is not living in California when he receives the deferred money, the State of California would not be legally allowed to tax Ohtani the 13.3% income tax plus 1.1% payroll tax in this State.

According to a calculation by the California Center for Jobs and the Economy, Ohtani can save $9.8 million per year in California taxes and $98 million throughout the contract with the deferred agreement in place. It was Ohtani and his financial team the ones who pitched the idea of the current contract structure.

This should not surprise anybody. California has one of the highest taxes in the nation, and California continue to lose residents, specially high earners who have moved to States with lower taxes, as well as corporate businesses who also relocated from the Golden State across the nation.

Not to mention the middle-class (or whatever is left of it) as they leave California for Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Texas. Funny with so many other problems in California, including a $68 Billion deficit, as a result of revenue decline in 2022-23 they are pointing at Ohtani’s contract.

William McBride VP of Federal Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation said this about the Ohtani and California tax debacle: “If Congress enacted restrictions on deferred income, it would put the state in a worse position in term of its ability to collect revenue from this high earners and star athletes, because they wouldn’t be here.”

By the way, Shohei Ohtani revenues extend beyond playing on the field, he also has other income from endorsements, commercial contracts and everything else for this international superstar, here and in Japan.

Let’s face it. Shotime is a worldwide star,and I for one, cannot blame him to look for his own interest, after all this is still America. Looks like Ohtani’s financial team outsmarted California politicians, and some in government are resentful.

Quote: Winning depends on where you put your priorities. It’s usually best to put them over the fence.” – Jason Giambi

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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s could shutdown operations between 2025-27; Portland will pay for A’s to come if Vegas falls apart

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The Portland Diamond Project is pushing for a new ball park which include retail, housing, offices, and a new ballpark. Portland is willing to pay for the project which would be located at the Red Tail Golf Course on 163 acres in Redmond Oregon if things don’t work out in Las Vegas (renderings Portland Diamond Project)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Oakland A’s and John Fisher are considering shutting down their operations between 2025-27 and resuming operations in 2028.

#2 Part of the thinking is that shutting down the operations will save the team money and that they can also pay the $1.5 billion to finance the ballpark in Vegas for their share without having to pay for operations of the team and to the players for three years.

#3 The problem with the A’s shutting down for three years there will be 29 teams playing and the Players Union most likely will not go along with the idea of one less team which would hurt the players who are involved.

#4 The A’s have no plans where to play after the 2024 season, so far they’ve toured Salt Lake City, Summerlin, and Sacramento. they have not decided on a place yet.

#5 They went and paid a visit to Portland this week and the City of Portland wants a MLB team badly. Portland wants to purchase the Red Tail Golf Course and it would include a massive amount of land for retail, housing, a retail village, offices and a ballpark. On 150 acres. The A’s are obligated to Las Vegas but if they simply don’t have the money for their share of the construction costs or don’t want to come out of pocket Portland is willing to foot the entire bill for a MLB team like the A’s.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s trading with Giants for pitching

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Former San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood seen here pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sun Jul 16, 2023 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Wood was dealt to the Oakland A’s from the Giants on Fri Feb 2, 2024 for a one year deal worth $8.5 million plus $1 million in incentives. (AP News file photo)

A’s trading with Giants for pitching

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Oakland A’s traded with their Bay Area National League neighbor, acquiring two veteran pitchers, hoping they could help a promising but inexperienced pitching staff.

Left-handed Alex Wood was a free agent from the Giants until he recently agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with Oakland with $1 million in available incentives. The veteran of 11 years in the major league ended with a 5-5 record, 4.33 in 12 starts with the Giants, and pitched a total of 97 2/3 innings.

Wood’s best season was in 2017 with the LA Dodgers when he ended with a 16-3 record, a 2.72 earned run average, started 25 games, and pitched 152 1/3 innings.

Ross Stripling was acquired from the Giants. In return, the A’s sent young minor league outfielder Jonah Cox an unspecified amount of cash. To clear room on the 40-man roster, infielder Jonah Bride was designated for assignment. 

Stripling (an 8-year MLB veteran) had a 0-5 record with a 5.36 earned run average in 22 games (11 starts)and a total of 89 innings pitched.

Big trade between A’s and the Giants? March 1978, the Athletics traded Vida Blue to the San Francisco Giants for Gary Thomasson, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, John Henry Johnson, Phil Huffman, Alan Wirth, and $300,000. Mario Guerrero was sent to the Athletics as a player to be named later to complete the transaction.

Spring Training 2024:  Oakland A’s pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 14 at Hohokam Stadium, Mesa. San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 15 at Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale.

“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again”–Ernie Banks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice 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