Tag: mlb

Posey to retire on Thursday; Three time World Champ hangs it up after 12 seasons

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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey is seen here playing just one of a handful of games during spring training on Feb 24, 2020. Posey did not play in the 2020 regular season and returned in 2021 and is announcing his retirement Thu Nov 4, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News file photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO–Buster Posey, the last player to win all three World Series Championships with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014 will be announcing his retirement on Thursday, according to sources.

Posey, who was drafted by the Giants with the fifth overall pick in the 2008 MLB draft, and when he signed with the team on August 16 of that year, he was given a $6.2 million signing bonus, the largest up-front bonus in team history.

After beginning the 2009 season with the San Jose Giants, Posey was promoted to the Fresno Grizzlies, then the Giants Triple-A and after 35 games, he was called up to the big leagues on September 2 of that year and eventually made his debut on September 11 at AT&T Park and struck out in his first career at-bat against Hiroki Kuroda of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Eight days later, Posey picked up his major league hit off of Jeff Weaver of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Posey began the 2010 season with the Grizzlies, and was called up on May 29, 2010, and went three-for-four at the plate with four runs batted in. On June 9, Posey hit his first MLB home run off of Aaron Harang of the Cincinnati Reds.

Then Giants General Manager Brian Sabean traded Bengie Molina to the Texas Rangers on June 29, 2010 and after the trade, Posey became the Giants starting catcher.

After helping the Giants to their first World Series Championship over the Rangers later that season, Posey would be named the National League Rookie of the Year.

Just one month after the 2011 season began on May 25, Posey sustained a broken fibula, and torn ligaments in his left leg after a home plate collision with Scott Cousins of the Florida Marlins.

Posey returned to the team for the 2012 season and became the first National League catcher since Ernie Lombardi of the Cincinnati Reds in 1942 to win the batting title, and helped the Giants to their second World Series Championship in three years, when the swept the Detroit Tigers.

During the post-season awards circuit, Posey won the NL MVP, the Silver Slugger Award for catchers and the NL Comeback Player of the Year. Posey also won the Willie Mac Award from his teammates.

Posey would help lead the Giants to their third World Series Championship in five years in a thrilling seven-game series against the Kansas City Royals in 2014.

Once again, Posey and the even year magic of the Giants would come into play again in 2016, as the Giants defeated the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card game; however, they would lose in the National League Division Series to the eventual World Champion Chicago Cubs.

With the 2020 season being shortened due to the coronavirus, Posey opted out of the season to help his wife Kristen take care of their twins Addison and Lee, and two premature born twins.

Posey returned to the field for the 2021 season, and helped the Giants to their first NL West Division Championship since 2012, as the Giants won a franchise record 107 games.

During the season, Posey batted .304 with 18 home runs and 56 Runs Batted In.

The organization said last month that they would exercise the $22 million club option for the 2022 season.

While playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, Posey showed hints of retirement to be at home with his wife and four children.

Eventually, Posey will be a member of the Giants Wall of Fame, probably get a statue at Oracle Park, have his number 28 retired and most definitely head to Cooperstown and into Baseball Hall of Fame.

That’s Amaury’s World Series News and Commentary podcast: Miracle Astros come back and keep coming back

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Houston Astro Jose Altuve gets congratulations after scoring on a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game 5 of the 2021 World Series at Truist Field in Cobb County (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaruy’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, it really says a lot about the Houston Astros that they could come back after the Atlanta Braves hit a grand slam in the first inning and the score twice in the second and third innings and three times in the top of the fifth in game four.

#2 How remarkable is it for the Astros who were down 3-1 have now cut the lead to just one game for the Braves at 3-2. The series goes back to Houston for games six and possibly game seven.

#3 If the Astros can pull it off at Minute Maid Field tonight and force a game 7 what will they say about about manager Dusty Baker whose been a bit of a strategist in this World Series?

#4 It looks like last game 5 will be one that will be for the ages if the Astros come back and win games six and seven it will be game 5 that will long be talked about by both sides the Braves and Astros.

#5 Amaury talk about the pitching match ups for tonight’s game in Houston. The Braves have announced that Max Fried will go in game six and the Astros will start Luis Garcia for tonight.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has called past World Series on Spanish national radio and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tha’ts Amaury News and Commentary: Bob Melvin A Bay Area original to San Diego

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Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin who signed a three year deal with the San Diego Padres last week should right the ship at San Diego with such superstar players as Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. (file photo by the Detroit News)

Bob Melvin A Bay Area original to San Diego

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In case anybody forgot. The last three managers of the San Diego Padres were rookie managers at the time they were signed. This next season the Padres are going for the experience. In 2022 they will have an experienced, steady, and calm hand at the helm. Melvin managed the A’s for 11 seasons and leaves very good memories with the Oakland A’s fans in the Bay Area and everywhere. With constant personal changes every year, Melvin led the A’s to three (3) AL Western Division titles and six (6) playoff berths.

The three-time Manager of the Year (2007 Arizona and 2012 and 2018 Oakland) will take his managing skills and relaxed style to beautiful PETCO Park in downtown San Diego, where he will be managing such players as Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, and Jay Cronenworth.

The Padres were the biggest underachievers in baseball. Many picked them to rival the Dodgers in the NL West but ended in third place 28 games out of first place. They also suffered some key injuries and it was an ugly year for the Friars.

Bob Melvin is truly a Bay Area original, born in Palo Alto, went to High School on the Peninsula, and the East Bay at the University of California at Berkeley. Played as a catcher for 10 years in the major leagues including from 1986 to 1988 with the San Francisco Giants, his longest tenure among the seven teams he played for.

Melvin is well known for developing good relationships among his players. He listens to them, communicates well, and sometimes sends a player a text message or two. He knows his players, leads them on the field, and guides them to navigate the world of Major League Baseball, especially the young players that come to Oakland. Yoenis Céspedes (a star outfielder and one of A’s fan favorites) told me once about Melvin: “es un buen manager, me conoce como jugador y siempre me mantiene al tanto de todo” (trans) “he is a good manager, he knows me as a player and he keeps me aware of everything going on”.

Communication is never overrated for a manager, especially in today’s game, where it is becoming more of a players game and so many decisions are made from “upstairs” inside the front offices of many ball-clubs, without the human element and where computers and statistics in this fast world of communications are running the show.

I was always impressed with Melvin’s style of manager and often told him, “someday you are going to be a General Manager”. He usually smiled and dismisses it not saying much about it. From his days in Seattle to his time at Oakland where he managed the longest, 11 years, he will be missed. We will miss him, affable, always available to the media, and definitely a fan favorite for Oakland A’s fans. Definitely a Bay Area original.

We wish BoMel nothing but the utmost success in one of America’s Finest Cities.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Edge New Orleans 113-109

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) and Sacramento Kings guard DeAaron Fox (5) battle for a rebound during first half action in New Orleans on Fri Oct 29, 2021 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge New Orleans 113-109

By Barbara Mason

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night winning 113-109. He had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in a very close thriller.

The Sacramento Kings (3-2) took on the New Orleans Pelicans (1-5) at Smoothie King Center. The Kings were slightly favored in this match-up.

The Pelicans are still without Zion Williamson and are rapidly sinking without him. They have already lost four games this season and are ranked 27th in points per game (100.8).

While Sacramento is not a playoff team, they are not dealing with any injuries as well as coming off a great win against the Suns last Wednesday. They come into this game with momentum and confidence.

At the end of the first quarter the Kings were leading the Pelicans by the score of 33-26. De’Aaron Fox had 9 points in the quarter followed by Harrison Barnes with 7.

Although the Pelicans took a slim lead in the second quarter, they could not sustain it and at the half, the Kings had extended their lead 59-48. The big three for the Kings Fox, Barnes and Richaun Holmes all had double digits. The high in the first half for the Pelicans was Jonas Valanciunas with 11 points.

In the third quarter the Pelicans erased the Kings lead actually taking a three point lead with under three minutes left in the quarter. That lead was short-lived and after three quarter the Kings had a 77-72 in this hotly contested game.

The Kings were able to hold a significant lead through most of the fourth quarter. Although very close at times the Kings always answered when it was needed most. This game got uncomfortably close in the closing seconds for Sacramento but they kept their foot on the pedal for the win 113-109.

Richaun Holmes finished with 21 points, Harrison Barnes with 18 and Tyrese Haliburton with 17. Off the bench Buddy Hield had another great game scoring 20 points.

Editorial: Oakland A’s Suffer Devastating Blow Manger Bob Melvin Moves On to San Diego

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Former Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin in Aug 20, 2021 photo on the field before a game against the San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum. Melvin signed a three year deal to manage the San Diego Padres on Thu Oct 28, 2021 (AP News file photo)

By Barbara Mason

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s have had a few successful seasons getting to the playoffs twice in the last three years and missing the playoffs in this last 2021 season. Under Bob Melvin they played in the 2012, 13 and 14 playoffs as well. This was of course accomplished by not only the players but under the brilliant leadership of Manager Bob Melvin.

Unfortunately for the team, upper management has an ugly history of refusing to spend the money needed to put together a championship team. I was in fact pleasantly surprised this season when they brought Josh Harrison, Starling Marte, Yan Gomes and Andrew Chafin aboard. They made some real waves from the get go but it was too little too late with them coming in later in the season.

Had the A’s kept Marcus Semien, who had a banner year with the Blue Jays, we will never know what could have happened. I do hate the shoulda, woulda, coulda but if the shoe fits…. Oakland’s purse strings were under lock and key and this team did the best with what they had, and in my opinion Bob Melvin was brilliant.

Despite the stingy nature of upper management this team had one of the best managers in MLB who in fact won Manager of the Year twice while with the A’s. We also have a group of great players with our golden gloves Matt Olson and Matt Chapman immediately coming to mind.

There has been so much talk regarding the new stadium that fans have grown weary of it all. It is moving at a slugs pace, and surrounded by such a penny pinching mentality you knew that something was bound to happen and it would not be pretty.

We have seen players come and go and then we hear what we have heard so often, and that is the re-building scenario. The last thing that we ever expected to see was for Skipper Melvin to move on. Even though Melvin’s option for the 2022 season was exercised in June he was able to pursue and actually accept any other offers. I believe that in this case enough was enough and the cheapness in this organization gave Melvin no other options.

There is a winner however; a big winner in this entire situation and it is the San Diego Padres who knocked the ball out of the park attaining Bob Melvin for three years to the tune of 12 million dollars guaranteed. The Padres were of course looking for a manager and boy did they get one.

One of the best managers in baseball will reside in San Diego next season. What made Melvin so wildly successful was despite the meager payroll he still got the job done putting together some pretty successful teams although never reaching the promised land.

How could upper management in anyway, shape or form be unhappy with this guy. The bottom line is that if you want a successful baseball team, you spend money. If you spend money you can put together a very good team. If you do this the team will start winning and guess what, fans love winning.

You complain about, low attendance but who wants to come to a miserable ball park and watch losing efforts. That’s not to say that we do not have some great players, we do but how long they stay is always up in the air. I would say, in most cases not very long.

In a sport like baseball, the driving force is money and the success of any team comes down to how much money you are willing to spend. If you are cheap, that’s the reputation that you will deal with and the losing results that you will have to live with.

We will now be looking towards the future and the hiring of a new manager. We will have to also deal with the loss of a number of beloved players because the word is that the Oakland A’s Management are looking to tighten their purse strings, so they will reap what they sow and it will not be pretty.

It doesn’t get anymore ludicrous than that. It is heartbreaking for fans and players alike to have to deal with this. These are a group of individuals who could care less about the sport of baseball, who don’t care about the fans or their team and their only love is the love of the almighty dollar and how they can hang onto it.

World Series podcast with Michael Duca: Astros get key hitting in 2nd inning and from Altuve to tie series

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Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker oversees the Astros tying up the series in game 2 at Minute Maid Field against the Atlanta Braves on Wed Oct 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the World Series podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael with the Houston Astros winning it they proved they won’t go quietly in the night tying up the series against the Atlanta Braves 1-1.

#2 Astros got a four run second inning off Atlanta Braves starter Max Fried. Fried just struggled to keep runners off base with pitching five innings, seven hits and six runs.

#3 The Astros Jose Altuve kept things alive with a run scored in first and a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Altuve has been clutch in the post season and in game 2 was no exception.

#4 Astros starter Jose Urquidy pitched five innings, gave up six hits and two runs and had all his pitches working for him to keep a challenging Braves line up off balance on Wednesday night.

#5 Game three moves to Atlanta the Astros will start Luis Garcia and for the Braves Ian Anderson will oppose Garcia a 5:09 pm first pitch in Cobb County how do you see this series moving back to Atlanta?

Michael Duca does MLB commentary throughout the post season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Alameda County Votes Yes on Howard Terminal

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval standing at Mount Davis at the Oakland Coliseum is hoping that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will eventually approve funding for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal Jack London Square in downtown Oakland (file photo from Alameda Magazine)

Alameda County Votes Yes on A’s in Oakland Letter of Intent

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After five hours, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors came to a “Yes” vote this Tuesday, which allows the Athletics to keep working towards the final goal of building the Howard Terminal ballpark. However, this is a non-binding agreement that gives Alameda County the right to walk away if they do not come to a final agreement. There is work ahead and various studies before everything is finalized.

The A’s will continue to pursue their plan in Las Vegas as they have been doing now for a few months with a total of six trips. After the conclusion of the 2021 World Series, Oakland A’s team president Dave Kaval will release a list of the three or four final sites in the Las Vegas Valley.

There was support and opposition, most of the opposition came from the Port of Oakland which claims that their plans of expanding the basin could be in danger if the A’s build a ballpark. If there is a binding agreement it will have the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland for 45 years together benefiting from taxes under a governed public finance board.

Both the A’s and the City of Oakland are waiting for a finalized environmental impact study. Much other work needs to be done until there is a final agreement. For Mr.Kaval if the A’s stay in Oakland or move to Las Vegas, he says the following: “We’re supporting at the end of the day of getting the project done. We have already taken too long, at least in our mind. So, we’re just trying to find a feasible path”.

A few days ago the Commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred said he was not optimistic about the chances of the Oakland A’s to build a park in Oakland. It would be interesting what Mr.Manfred has to say now since he believes the time is running out on this project.

We can say it was a good night for the Oakland A’s and their fans, but nothing is official. The only thing we know is that the A’s have a Letter of Intent of keeping the Howard Terminal project still alive. Non-binding means: ‘having no legal or binding force’. There will be more to this story during the next few days and weeks.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: World Series in Atlanta is better than All Star Game

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MLB 2021 World Series logo (sportslogos.net image)

World Series in Atlanta is better than All Star Game

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaurty Pi-González

The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth game of the NLCS and they are now in the World Series for the first time since 1999. We remember what happened last summer when Major League Baseball relocated the 2021 All Star Game from Truist Park in Atlanta, because of a new voting law in the State of Georgia.

Now the Braves will have a chance to play in two (maybe three) games of the 2021 World Series that begins next Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the home of the American League Champions, who took care of the Boston Red Sox. Because the Astros ended with the better record as they won the AL West, they will have the home-field advantage and host games 1 and 2, and possibly (if necessary) games 6 and 7 also at Houston. While the Braves are scheduled to play games 3 and 4 and 5 (if necessary) in Atlanta.

That voting law that Major League Baseball objected and then moved the All Star Game from Atlanta to Denver, Colorado, has not changed. That is still the law of the State of Georgia, plus the All Star Game is one game with a week of festivities, however, now Atlanta is in a much better situation, instead of one game in July, they will have 2, maybe 3 games in the World Series.

This will generate the revenue and some of the prestige and exposure that the City of Atlanta has lost after Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred ordered the game moved from Atlanta to Denver. It is easy if you ask any baseball fan, what you prefer: your city MLB team ballpark to host the All-Star Game, or to be in the World Series.

There is zero competition. It is the World Series. At the end MLB has to eat crow. The law in Georgia was not reversed and the Braves are now in the Fall Classic, which is a much prized event than the All Star Game. Atlanta, Georgia is laughing all the way to the bank.

Some sarcastic remarks made on social media posted stuff like “Mr.Manfred, would you now also move the World Series out of Atlanta for a “neutral” city, while others in Georgia made comments like “Who needs the MLB All Star Game when you get to play in the World Series?”

I have maintained for years that sports leagues should stay away from politics, but that seems to be impossible these days in our country. And it happens from leagues, fans, government and so on, everybody wants to be in this soup and not only in the US, but in some cases it has international repercussions.

Example: Last week Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter called China’s leader Xi Jinping a, “brutal dictator” on social media and spoke into the camera, about the culture genocide in Tibet. Immediately the television carrier of NBA in China banned all Boston Celtics games inside China, a market of 1.4 billion people. That would never happen here in the US, but in China the communist government controls all media and they do not allow any criticism against the communist party of their leaders. Free speech is a commodity that China does not understand.

The last time the Atlanta Braves played in the World Series was 1999 as they were swept by the New York Yankees. In 1995 the Braves won their only World Series championship since they play in Atlanta as they defeated the Cleveland Indians in six (6) games. The Houston Astros are favorites to win it and give manager Dusty Baker his first World Series title.

Dusty Baker will be the second oldest manager (72 years) to reach the Fall Classic. Only Jack McKeon was older (by days not years than Dusty), when he took the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series to win it in six (6) games over the New York Yankees. Last time Dusty took a team to the World Series was in 2002 when he lost in seven (7) games to the Los Angeles Angels.

I was there in Anaheim with the Giants broadcasting and I know how Dusty felt after that last seventh game. I wish Dusty a better outcome this time, he is a good manager and even a better man. Never heard a player on his teams or the opposition said anything negative about Dusty Baker. The ultimate players manager.

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

MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca: Braves one away from fall classic; Astros on the brink take 3-2 lead game 6 goes back to Houston

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The balls were flying out of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Oct 20, 2021 in game 4 of the NLCS as the Atlanta Braves Eddie Rosario connected for one of four Braves home runs this one being hit the top of the second inning (AP News photo)

On the MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Miguel, what has gone wrong with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-3) they lost the first two games of this NLCS on ninth inning walks off, they nearly lost game 3 the Atlanta Braves (3-1) had a 5-2 lead but the Dodgers got a eighth inning four run rally, in game 4 not so lucky the Braves win a laugher 9-2 with game 5 in LA tonight.

#2 Did the first two loses of this series kind of take the wind out of the Dodgers sails or were they pretty mentally exhausted from the NLDS with the San Francisco Giants going the whole five games.

#3 How much has been placed on Jose Urias he came in as a reliever in game 2 pitched the eighth in relief was shelled for three hits and two earned runs and started yesterday in game 4 went five innings, gave up five runs on eight hits in his start.

#4 Turning to the Houston Astros, the Astros took a three games to two lead on the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park with a convincing 9-1 lead. This was the Red Sox best chance to take the lead in the series at home but the Astros came out hitting and now home field on Friday night at Minute Maid Field and could win it to advance to the World Series in game 6.

#5 You had many a conversation with Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker and he’s done a whale of a job managing this club to get this far know him talk about his relationships with his players and the job he’s done this season.

Join Michael Duca for the World Series podcast next Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s Port of Oakland buildings, railroad and gondola

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No word yet on the Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ball park but baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is losing patience (artists rendition of Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ballpark image from Piedmont Exedra)

A’s- Port Of Oakland, Buildings, Railroad and Gondola.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Recently commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred said he is not optimistic about a new deal to keep the team in A’s in Oakland. He made the remarks to the Sports Business Journal and confirmed relocation is on the table for the A’s but not only to Las Vegas but as well to other locations in other cities.

Manfred said that Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland A’s need new ballparks, but reiterated (as he has done in the past) that Oakland is the team right now that concerns him the most. Manfred said (quote) “Frankly, in some ways we’re not sure we see a path to success, in terms of getting something built in Oakland.”

The commissioner is following the situation in Oakland and could be worried about the points listed below, that seems to be on the table between both parties.

Below deals with some of these topics.

-Port of Oakland. How can the ballpark affect the Port of Oakland operations? Concerns that the port needs to expand to accommodate large cargo ships. That this would be more difficult with a baseball stadium at Howard Terminal. Port of Oakland workers have demonstrated in front of the A’s team owner John Fisher in San Francisco as they are against the proposal to build the new stadium at Howard Terminal. Workers say that will displace blue collar jobs.

-Buildings. The Athletics plan calls for Howard Terminal to build one (1) residential tower as high as 600 feet and another at 400 feet tall. These buildings would compete with designs such as the Ordway building, which is 400 feet tall and the tallest building in downtown Oakland. Ordway building is also known as #1 Kaiser Plaza.

-Railroad. The DRC (Oakland Design Review Committee) wants a safe way for the visitors to the park to avoid the railroad tracks altogether. The DRC is concerned with the safety of people to get to the park across the railroad crossings. AMTRAK trains travels right in front of Jack London Square. Note. Union Pacific controls the rails.

-Gondola. In 2019 the Oakland A’s proposed the idea of a gondola to take fans from BART to Howard Terminal. However, this idea was not in the plans and reviewed by the committee. The proposal was to move fans from downtown Oakland to a stadium at Howard Terminal. The fans would be “ferried” via an elevated gondola similar to what you might see at a ski resort to the stadium. Looks like the gondola is a No Go.

Above are some of the key points to be discussed by the Alameda Board of Supervisors this October 26. As of today the official agenda for the meeting still pending and has not been announced to the public.

It seems that Commissioner Rob Manfred, who has put a clock in baseball to ‘speed up’ the game, has also put the A’s on the clock when it comes to the new Howard Terminal ballpark.

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