Tag: mlb

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Kaval says until a new stadium plan is in place more favorite players will leave

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval (center) addresses the media with Ces Butner, president of the Board of Port Commissioners (left) and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf (right) at a news conference back on Nov 28, 2018 regarding the new Howard Terminal park in downtown Oakland. This past week the Seaport Planning Advisory Commission recommended against the new Howard Terminal ballpark in what is considered a major setback for the A’s (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry let’s ask you about some of what Oakland A’s president David Kaval said concerning why the A’s are unloading some of their key players. Kaval said in order to have a high payroll the A’s have to have a facility that’s on the level of a Camden Yards, Oracle Park, Petco Park. At the Coliseum the A’s can’t make that kind of revenue and once the A’s can get that kind of revenue and new park to play in then they can consider a high payroll.

#2 Kaval said that a lot of the players that were traded away, Matt Olson, Mark Canha, Starling Marte, Matt Chapman, and soon to leave A’s pitcher Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are being dealt to see if the A’s can pick up a good return on prospects and Kaval said it’s no secret that vice president Billy Beane and general manager David Forst have built this team up like this in the past.

#3 Kaval said the A’s have not had a normal season in three years that has impacted the team financially, In 2020 a 60 game season with no fans, in 2021 a 162 game season with Covid 19 restrictions, and 2022 a lockout to begin the season.

#4 Kaval said in not signing the star players and keeping key players not having a new stadium in place holding back the A’s adding that the Coliseum in antiquated and it’s been ten years since it’s life expectancy and in order to move ahead with keeping a higher payroll a new stadium is needed.

#5 Kaval said on the higher ticket prices and key players leaving that everything in dependent on getting a new stadium and that elected officials and fans understand that raising revenue is all riding on getting a new stadium.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB 2022 Season back to the Past and Future

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You won’t see Arizona Diamondback pitcher Madison Bumgarner taking swings at the plate anymore with the new Universal Designated Hitter rule starting this season (AP News file photo)

MLB 2022 Season: Back to the Past and Future

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

After a short Spring Training because of the 99-day lockout by owners, each team will embark on their regular 162-game journey for the 2022 season, beginning on April 7.

New this 2022 Season

  • DH (designated hitter) now will be Universal. Sorry “old school” National League fans.
  • Pitchers will no longer have a spot in the batting order. Sorry for Madison Bumgarner.
  • Playoffs will expand from 10 teams (five each league) to 12 teams (six each league) Owners happy more money.
  • Three Divisional winners and 3 Wild Card teams in each league. The top two division winners in each league will receive byes to the Division Series. The other four teams in each league will play best-of-three series in what will be called the Wild Card round, with the higher seed hosting all three games.
  • No re-seeding for Division Series. The No. 1 seed plays the winner of the 4-5 series, and the No. 2 seed plays the winner of 3-6. – No more games known as (Game 163) to decide playoff spots. Playoff spots will be determined through tiebreaker formulas.
  • The Rule 5 Draft has been canceled for this season. Usually held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a 40-man roster to selected certain non-40 man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standing from the previous season. No more.
  • There will be complete 9 inning games for Double Headers. (Double-Headers made-up from games lost because of lockout or rainouts this year.)
  • No “automatic runner” at second base at the start of extra-innings. It didn’t look like baseball.
  • Players’ uniforms will feature advertising, including patches on jerseys and decals on batting helmets. More revenue.

-The number of times a player can be optioned to the minor leagues in one season will be limited. –

Back to the Future: Beginning in 2023 – A Joint Competition Committee comprise of four active players and six members appointed by MLB plus one umpire will be tasked with making decisions on other changes, such as pitch clock, limits on defensive shifts, larger bases, and the automatic ball/strike system. Any rule changes that committee adopts can be implemented with 45 days’ notice to the players.

Pitch clocks will be used. There will be a ban on defensive shifts, an automatic ball/strike zone will exist and there will be larger bases. In 2023, teams will play five fewer games against division opponents, instead of playing one series against every team in the other league. Teams will continue to play their “rival” Inter-league team four times, twice at each ballpark.

(More on Pitch Clocks) In 2021, MLB implemented a pitch clock in the Low-A West five weeks into the season, giving pitchers 15 SECONDS WITH NO ONE ON BASE and 17 SECONDS WITH RUNNERS ON. The average time of a nine-inning game dropped from 3 hours and 2 minutes to 2 hours and 41 minutes after the pitch clock was introduced, with offense jumping across the board.

MLB & MLPA agreed to host games or tours in the following locations over the next 5 years: México, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Asia, London and Paris.

Social Media News: Apple takes a Bite at Baseball. Apple now owns rights to the Friday-night package of MLB games. They will have exclusive rights to telecast two “Friday Night Baseball” games each week, a total of about 50 games per year, in the U.S and eight countries overseas, via Apple TV Plus.

So let’s make if fun again, because in the end, it is a kid’s game.

Hasta la vista.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play talent for the Oakland A’s heard on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco LeGrande and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: In a blink of an eye A’s household names gone

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Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea who is being sought by multiple teams is seen here walking off the field against the Chicago White Sox on Thu Sep 9, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum. Manaea and teammate Frankie Montas are expected to be traded at anytime now (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 It’s been a busy month for the Oakland A’s and the first pitch of Cactus League is today as the A’s face the LA Angels. The A’s with the departures of Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Mark Canaha, Starling Marte, Chris Bassitt, have gone to greener pastures. Where does this leave the A’s.

#2 As far as the A’s brand goes fans should be familiar with the way the team goes about business when they players value goes up it’s time for a fire sale and time to rebuild no secret in what is happening with this year’s A’s team.

#3 Daniel, the A’s are looking to deal pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea is this more of the cost cutting moves by Oakland or is it a matter of seeing what they can get for two veteran pitchers.

#4 It was predicted by Baseball Prospectus that the A’s will have the second worst record in the majors second to the Baltimore Orioles. The A’s are predicted to finish the 2022 season with a .407 winning percentage just above the Orioles with .381.

#5 Three veteran players could be the only ones returning to the A’s line up as everyone including former A’s manager Bob Melvin have departed, the remaining A’s expected to return are outfielder Stephen Piscotty, infielder Elvis Andrus, and catcher Sean Murphy is a maybe.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: How Pederson can help Giants; Belt ready to take over as captain of the ship

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San Francisco Giant first baseman Brandon Belt appointed team captain lead by example with a strong finish last season hopes to be right back this season (file photo McCovey Chronicles)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, describe who Joc Pederson is and how much of a difference does he make and will his knowledge of being a former Los Angeles Dodger be of any help to the Giants when they face LA.

#2 O captain, my captain the Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is ready to assume the lead role and will occupy former catcher Buster Posey’s locker. Belt had a strong finish to last season.

#3 The Giants had Kris Bryant for a short time, Bryant who signed on with the Colorado Rockies for $182 million contributed to the Giants run last season.

#4 The Giants signed left hand pitcher former Detroit Tiger Matthew Boyd to a one year deal how do you see him helping out the pitching staff this season.

#5 The Giants made a bid to try and sign Seiya Suzuki who ended up landing with the Chicago Cubs for five years and $85 million. Is it disappointing that the Giants couldn’t sign Suzuki?

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: The Tale of the Fire Sale–Chapman looks very close to leaving for Philadelphia or New York

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Oakland A’s Matt Chapman (26) will not be forearm bashing anymore with former teammate Matt Olson (right) seen here Mar 5, 2021 against the Los Angeles Angels in spring training at Hohokam Park in Mesa. Olson now with the Atlanta Braves and Chapman on the trade block (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, it comes as no surprise that once the lockout was lifted the Oakland A’s would have an early season fire sale and pitcher Chris Bassitt who left for the New York Mets was one of the first followed by A’s first baseman Matt Olson.

#2 And while it’s no surprise of their departure it’s still hard to grasp for anyone who follows the A’s that it’s a hard pill to swallow to have to say good bye to Bassitt, Olson and soon to be Matt Chapman.

#3 Olson led in many categories for the A’s at different times with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases.

#4 The in picking for players from the Atlanta Braves in the Olson deal two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache. Langeliers could be the key player in the deal a number one draft choice for the Braves. A’s team vice president Billy Beane might have some of that Money Ball magic going again and have himself a core of players in the works.

#5 Amaury talk about Matt Chapman being on the trade block bubble he’s the All Star third baseman the guy that A’s fans sought in their pack of baseball cards he’s very close to being no more and the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are shopping Chapman hard core he might get a crazy Bryce Harper type contract.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzaelz at the mic for Oakland A’s Spanish radio beisbol all season long on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Olson the latest to leave A’s in early season fire sale; Oakland picks up four players from Braves

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Former A’s slugger Matt Olson is seen here getting into the swing of things against catcher Tom Murphy (left) and the Seattle Mariners on Sep 21, 2022 at the Oakland Coliseum. Olson was dealt to the Atlanta Braves on Mon Mar 14, 2022 in five player deal (AP photo file)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–Some are calling it an early fire sale the Oakland A’s might call it a rebuild to going young and getting some value for their former veteran players such as former A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt who left Oakland for the New York Mets.

Household names are sliding off the A’s roster and the latest pitcher Matt Olson is going back to his native hometown Atlanta. The former first baseman is going to the Braves in exchange for two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache.

As the A’s get four players for Olson, Olson was selected to the American All Star team in 2021 and hit .271, 39 home runs, 111 RBIs, in 156 games. Olson offensively was part of the heart and soul of the A’s line up during his days under former A’s manager Bob Melvin.

Olson led with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases. While it might not make sense to the average A’s fan that players like Bassitt and Olson have gone to greener pastures of money the A’s have been here time and time again.

This is a rebuild on the part of A’s team vice president and minority owner Billy Beane. He’s back to Money Ball again building from scratch to see if he can get enough veteran and young talent to see if an unpredicted A’s team can break the glass ceiling again and surprise critics and oddsmakers by making the post season. Noted that post season will take awhile but Beane based on his past experience could have one of those unknowns in the works again.

With Cusick, Estes, Langeliers (a number draft choice for the Braves) and Pache you could be assured that Beane has done his scouting report homework and is either counting or assured that this foursome will somehow develop into what his fire sale players were in the past.

It won’t happen over night it took time for Olson, Bassitt, Marcus Seimen, and the soon to be delivered Matt Chapman were on rebuild status but in a season or two maybe the third season you might see one of the foursome of Cusick, Estes, Langeliers, or Pache make some headway.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: First pre season game March 17; Spring has Sprung for Spring Training

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MLB billboards it’s Cactus and Grapefruit league Spring Training games as the first exhibition games get underway on Thu Mar 17, 2022 (image by MLB)

On Headline Sports podcast:

#1 Charlie after the 99 day lockout how important is it that this is all over and its time to getting back to the business of baseball.

#2 Urgency was one of the key reasons for both the owners and the players to regroup after so many disconnects through the process but get together they did and you count on the fans putting pressure on the owners to get this lockout settled by listening to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred whose opening statements on Thursday morning that he was glad it was all over and he immediately apologized to the fans.

#3 Charlie wanted to get your thoughts on what’s next, MLB in the Cactus and Grapefruit league will open up camp immediately today and right behind it mandatory report date is on this Sun Mar 13th.

#4 There will be exactly 30 days worth of spring training games the first one this Thu Mar 17th and opening day on Thu Apr 7th. Just enough time to get the players ready for the first week of the regular season.

#5 The Oakland A’s will open up the regular season against Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizen’s Bank in Philadelphia on Fri Apr 8th and the San Francisco Giants will open up the same day at Oracle Park against the Miami Marlins in San Francisco a 1:35 pm first pitch.

Join Charlie O every other weekend for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: USA and Béisbol – Se Habla Español

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Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum logo. The Museum honors former Hispanic players in MLB (image from GuideStar)

USA and Béisbol – Se Habla Español

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The most recent US Census (2020) list Hispanics/Latinos as the largest minority in the United States. Around 18.7% of the US total population speaks Spanish, that is 62.1 million people, which makes the US  the second largest country in the world with Spanish speaking people.

México is #Uno and then the US #Dos. As a matter of fact the US have more people that speak Spanish than, Argentina and Colombia (two Latin American countries) each with just over 40 million Spanish speakers.

The US also “Habla Béisbol” when it comes to the boys of summer. Among all 30 Major League teams at least 32% of all players are Hispanics/Latinos, which comprises the largest minority. Among all 50 States, California leads the way as of 2020, census, with approximately  16 million Hispanic/Latinos in California.

Many will argue that because of “documentation reasons” (not full disclosure) the State of California might have close to 20 million or more people that speak Spanish, which would be around half of the population of the Golden State.

As far as Spanish speaking Béisbol fans. According to statista.com, over 20% of MLB fans in the United States are Hispanic/Latino. Total breakdown of the Ethnicity of MLB fans:

53% white, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 17% African-Americans and 5% other. Our two MLB teams here in the Bay Area, according to statista.com,

Oakland A’s fans are: 53% White, 25% Hispanic/Latinos, 17% African-American and 5% Other.

The San Francisco Giants, 54% White, 25% Hispanic/Latino, 16% African-American and 5% Other.

The other three teams in Southern California lead the way when it comes to Hispanic Latino fans.

The Los Angeles Dodgers 51% White, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 16% African-American and 4% Other.

The Los Angeles Angels, 49% White, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 19% African-American and 5% Other.

San Diego Padres, 56% White, 26% Hispanic/Latino, 14% African-American and 4% Other.

Hispanic Latino buying power: Hispanic buying power also has grown substantially over the last 30 years, from $213 billion in 1990 to $1.9 trillion in 2020. Hispanic buying power accounted for 11.1% of U.S. buying power in 2020, up from only 5% in 1990. 

The Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s business school list the total buying powers of the US Hispanic population at $1.539 trillion in 2018 and adding more than $500 billion since 2010 and is expected to grow nearly $400 billion more by 2023.

At this time, after the CBA was ratified yesterday, dozens of Hispanic/Latino players are leaving their homes for Spring Training, not only here in the US, but also from many Latin American countries were béisbol is king heading to tier camps in Arizona and Florida.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish play by play lead announcer for Oakland A’s baseball on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Peace After 99 Days!

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the news media on Tue Mar 1, 2022 in Jupiter FL. On Thu Mar 10, 2022 MLB and the Players Union agreed on a new CBA which should run through 2027 (AP News file photo)

MLB: Peace After 99 Days!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

The lockout by owners of the players on December 2, 2021, concluded at mid-afternoon today in Manhattan, New York City as the MLB and the MLPA agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Ending the first work-stoppage since the 1994-95 players strike.

Both sides went back and forth for months (with periods of inactivity) and at the end it concluded today. Last night Commissioner Manfred said the 2022 season will begin on April 14 (if by then everything was agreed upon).

Because of this agreement today the season is now scheduled to begin April 7, instead of the scheduled date, since last year of March 31. However, the regular 162 game schedule is on tap and they all be played, as those games from March 31 to April 6, will be made up through off days and double-headers during the season.

Among some of the issues resolved per this new CBA.

1-Minimum salary: $700,000 and peaks at $780,000 in final year of CBA

2-Pre-arbitration bonus pool: $50 million

3-CBT threshold: $230 million in 2023 and peaks at $244 in final year of CBA

If you are keeping score of which side won? I would not go there. I would honestly say, they both won, you never see any of these two groups of people looking for food in the trash bins behind McDonald’s.

So…Play Ball and good luck to everybody and your favorite teams.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez will be back behind the Oakland A’s Spanish radio microphone for the 2022 season and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB and Players have tentative agreement; Owners need to ratify new CBA

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From left to right pitcher Andrew Miller, Tony Clark executive director of the baseball players association, Bruce Meyer chief union negotiator, and New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer were the core union negotiation team as they are seen here in Jupiter FL on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Major League Players Association and Major League Baseball have come to terms and have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will run until 2027. After 99 days of a baseball lockout at 12:37 pm PST on Thu Mar 10th both sides had a handshake and got a deal done. One more step is needed and that’s 23 votes from the owners side to ratify the deal.

The new deal was passed by the union 26-12. 20 votes were the minimum to pass the agreement on the union side. MLB announced that the lockout will be lifted and spring training will commence immediately and opening day is scheduled to start on April 7th once the owners agree to the new deal.

Trades and free agencies will begin and player deals will be in the works according to MLB. Clubs can start calling players from South America, Central America, Japan, Korea and other places to come back and report to camp.

MLB teams will play a 162 game schedule. Spring Training will run from approximately next Tue Mar 15th until April 6th. The work stoppage was baseball’s first since 1994-95 when the baseball strike canceled the 1994 World Series.

The lockout began Dec 2, 2021 and there no talks by the owners and players. Things sprang into action during the last week of February and during negotiations some meetings lasted until 3:00AM it was a good three weeks of negotiations and at some points it looked as talks would stall and it looked like they would get a deal done.

Amongst some of the agreed bullet points:

#1 Collective Bargaining Tax $230 million in 2023 and runs up to $244 million in the final year of the CBA

#2 $700,000 MLB minimum salary and tops out at $780,000 in the final year of the new CBA.

#3 The pre arbitration bonus pool $50 million.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that lost games would be made up as part of a doubleheader during the regular season which was suppose to start on March 31st.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer and podcaster