Tag: mlb

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: The long wait has ended A’s will have fans in stands for spring training games; Expect Posey to catch most Giant games

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Oakland A’s pitcher Daulton Jefferies tunes up at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa AZ on Sun Feb 28, 2021 for spring training. The A’s will allow fans into the park but with strict Covid-19 protocol rules in tow  (photo from @Athletics)

On Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 Finally, Finally, the Oakland A’s long awaited seats in the stands at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa AZ will finally have some but not all fannies in the stands after the announcement that A’s spring training games will have a maximum limit of 2,000 fans per game.

#2 Fans attending contests at Hohokam will be sitting in pods that are two and four and that six feet apart that are zip tied between each seat.

#3 A’s manager Bob Melvin wanted to take a look at reliever Lou Trivino and had him throwing batting practice to see how his stuff was and felt his stuff is just about the same and wanted to get Trivino some confidence out there.

#4 San Francisco Giants News: Giants catcher Buster Posey who asked the question last season “what are we doing?” at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic last spring training but this season Posey has a pretty positive outlook on returning and is all in for the upcoming 162 season.

#5 With Posey taking a whole season off last year will he need all of this month to prepare for the regular season and how much preparation will he need. In his last full season 2019 Posey hit .257, 43 runs, 104 hits, and 38 RBIs.

Join Barbara for Headline Sports each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Latino Power The Top Sluggers in Baseball

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The Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols poses for a portrait on Feb 18, 2020 at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe during last year’s spring training in Arizona (Orange County Register file photo)

Latino Power The Top Sluggers in Baseball

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2021 baseball season is scheduled to begin on April 1. Today, among all active players, the top four (4) active sluggers with the most home runs are all Latinos. Albert Pujols (Angels) 662, Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) 487, Edwin Encarnación (Free Agent) 424, Nelson Cruz (Twins) 417.

They all play with teams in the American League and are the only active Latino players with 400 plus home runs. 1-Albert Pujols (Dominican Republic) will begin the last year of a $240 million ten-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols played 2001-2011 with the St Louis Cardinals and since 2012 to date with the Angels.

This would be his 20th season. His most impressive statistic is his runs batted in, which shows his great and consistent hitting excellence. Pujols is #3 among the all-time RBI leaders in history with 2,100 runs-batted-in.

Only Henry Aaron (2,297) and Babe Ruth (2,213) is ahead of him. He doesn’t like to talk about his statistics while playing, he always told me; “hablaremos de eso cuando me retire, pero no ahora” -trans: “when I retire we can talk about it, but not now”.

Pujols is #5 on the All-Time home run list behind, Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Alex Rodríguez.  Pujols begins 2021 with 662 home runs; no other active player is remotely close. 2-Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) Detroit Tigers. He is also at the twilight of his career, one of the top clutch hitters of his generation.

I once asked Cabrera how he manages to hit so well – over .360 with runners in scoring position: “I don’t know, but I have the same approach every time I come to the plate.” Cabrera began with the Florida Marlins in 2003 and played there until 2007.

From 2008 until today with the Detroit Tigers Cabrera is the ninth player in history to win three (3) consecutive batting titles. In 2012 became first player since Carl Yastremski (1967) to win the Triple Crown. He has won most hitting awards. Hard working and an easy going player that is also a future Hall of Famer.

Cabrera is a lifetime .313 hitter in his 18 years of play. Cabrea begins 2021 with 487 round-trippers. 3-Edwin Encarnación (Dominican Republic) at the time of this article he is a Free Agent and looking to return for his 17th Major League Season.

The Chicago White Sox declined their $12 million club option for his services last November, after a disappointing 2020 season he played 44 of the 60 game-schedule with the White Sox hit .157 with ten home runs and 19 RBIs.

During his years in Toronto Encarnación produced the best power numbers at the plate and is considered the best Designated Hitter in the history of the Blue Jays. Played with the Reds, Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners, Yankees and White Sox. Colorful and happy-go-lucky player, after he hits a home run he sticks out his right arm and holds it parallel to the ground as he rounds the bases, the fans called it “Walking the Parrot” – he said, he is fine with it.

He stands today with 424 home runs. 4-Nelson Cruz (Dominican Republic) Cruz is back this season as the Designated Hitter for the Minnesota Twins, a heavy-laden home run line-up. The Twins own the current single season record for most home runs by a team with 307 in 2019.

From 2005-2020 a 16-year career for “Nelly “considered one of the most dangerous and impressive home run hitters in the game, many of his shots flirting with the 500 foot distance are real mammoth shots.

When younger players talk about ‘launch angle’ it is like they’re talking about this man swing, Cruz always swings for the fences. There is no joke to his nickname, “Boomstick”. One of his most memorable quotes: “I always have high expectations for me” At 40 years of age, Cruz is still a very dangerous hitter. He will begin 2021 with 417 home runs.

MLB is altering the baseball slightly this season. A memo was sent to all 30 clubs citing an independent lab that found the new balls will fly one to two feet shorter on balls hit over 375 feet.

However, this will not affect Pujols, Cabrera, Encarnación or Cruz, because for these types of power guys when they square a ball, it would not matter if the ball is heavier or not, it will fly. Latinos not active (all-time home run list) #4 Alex Rodríguez 696, #9 Sammy Sosa 609, #13 Rafael Palmeiro 569, #14 Reggie(Martínez) Jackson 563, #15 Manny Ramírez 555, #17 David Ortíz 541, #20 Ted Williams 521 #31 Adrián Beltré 477, #34 Carlos Delgado 473, #37 José Canseco 462, #40 Vladimir Guerrero 449, #46 Carlos Beltrán 435, #47 Juan González 434, #55 Alfonso Soriano 412.

There are many more great Latino players who retired with less than 400 home runs’ Longest Home Run ever? George Herman “Babe” Ruth (NY) in 1921 hit a 575 foot blast at Navin Field in Detroit; there are stories of Ruth hitting some even longer.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Giants Casali to back up Posey as Bart opens season in Sacramento; A’s Murphy expected back by opening day

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Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Curt Casali joins the San Francisco Giants in the back up roll to start the 2021 season. Catcher Joey Bart who started most of 2021 will open the season in Triple A Sacramento (AP News file photo)

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

#1 Amaury, How smart is the move sending San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart to Triple A Sacramento for more instruction. Last season Bart hit .233 and struck out 41 times.

#2 When Giants catcher Buster Posey opted to sit out the 2020 season due to Coronavirus concerns Bart was made the starting catcher. With all the high expectations of Bart he lapsed at the plate and will not be with the big club to start the season.

#3 The Giants acquired catcher Curt Casali as the back up catcher for Posey. Casali has been in the big league since 2014 playing for Tampa Bay before moving onto the Cincinnati Reds 2018 and now joining the Giants this season. Casali hit .167, 12 hits, no homers and 3 RBIs. Casali joins the Giants mostly for his defensive skills and experience working with pitchers behind the plate.

#4 Amaury, the A’s moved on acquiring players like Trevor Rosenthal pitcher, DH Mitch Mooreland, infielder Elvis Andrus, pitcher Sergio Romo, and resigning Yusmerio Petit after former A’s players Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks had left are these big enough pieces to fill their shoes?

#5 A’s catcher Sean Murphy is recovery from lung surgery and is expected to be ready to start on opening day. The A’s will be looking at his back up Aramis Garcia who will be doing a lot of the catching in spring training. Garcia hit .143, six hits, five runs, five RBIs. Garcia spent the 2020 season in the minors.

#6 Amaury, the Oakland A’s Fanfest is normally at this time of the year but due to Coronavirus there have been no fanfests for the last two seasons normally held at Jack London Square.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Feb 23, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s make up ground from losing Semien and Hendriks

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The Oakland A’s acquired some key players before spring training started Sergio Romo (top left) Trevor Rosenthal (top right) and Mitch Moreland (bottom right) and A’s pitcher Yusmeiro Petit (bottom left) looks to start for the 2021 season (file photo from athleticsnation.com)

On Headline Sports podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Oakland A’s after losing infielder Marcus Semien to the Toronto Blue Jays and Liam Hendriks to the Chicago White Sox the A’s made some brilliant moves acquiring four key players Sergio Romo reliever, Elvis Andrus infielder, Yusmerio Petit pitcher, and Mitch Mooreland designated hitter.

#2 A’s pitcher Mike Fiers was fifth in consecutive season starts with 29 or more win he finishes behind starters Jon Lester, Max Scherzer, and Zack Greinke some pretty good company.

#3 Fiers said coming into spring training that he’s used to pitching a full season after just a limited amount of starts from last season’s abbreviated schedule of 60 games.

#4 Turning to the NBA: The Sacramento Kings took another tough loss this time to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Saturday night it was their sixth loss in a row and then they had to turn around and play in Milwaukee a very difficult place to play against Giannas Anetokounmpo and company for their seventh straight loss 128-115.

#5 The Warriors have been playing .500 ball of late going 6-6 in their last 12 games the loss on Saturday night in Charlotte was a tough one to take for Golden State in a 102-100 final. The Warriors Draymond Green drew two technical fouls towards the end of the game for arguing over a non jump ball call that went to the Hornets. Green’s arguing forced two technical foul shots for the Hornets for the two point win.

Join Barbara Mason for Headline Sports each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Tokyo’s Olympic President Steps Down after Sexist comments

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Yoshiro Mori former Prime Minister of Japan and Chief of the Tokyo Olympics who resigned for sexist remarks against women is the topic of That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary (New York Times file photo)

Tokyo’s Olympic President Steps Down after Sexist comments

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Yoshiro Mori former Prime Minister of Japan, who was the Chief of the Tokyo Olympics resigned after an uproar during an Olympic meeting when he said that women talk too much, which he found annoying. Mori, 83 years old announced his resignation.

Taking Mr. Mori’s place is Japan’s Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto who will become the new chief of the Tokyo Olympics. She is a bronze medalist and seven-time Olympian, with competition experience in both the summer and winter Olympics. “I will spare no effort in making the Tokyo games successful,” she told the Tokyo 2020 executive board after it voted on her becoming its new president. “It has to be a safe and secure games that we have to remain first and foremost and consider how we can control COVID-19”

Originally the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until the summer of 2021 because of the covid pandemic, and they’re on schedule to open the games this summer. Olympic Games were cancelled during World War I in 1916 and World War II in 1940 and 1944, however they were never postponed. This was the first time they were postponed.

Late December 2020, Associated Press reported that the official cost of the Japan Olympics was up 22 percent to a total of $15.4 Billion dollars.

NBC is the official station for the Olympics and schedule to televise from Open to Close, from July 23, until August 8.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead play by play talent on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

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Former San Diego Padre reliever Trevor Rosenthal seen here throwing during Sep 13, 2020 game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park in San Diego. Rosenthal has signed on with the Oakland A’s for $11 million for the 2021 season (AP News file photo)

Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Closer: After losing Liam Hendricks to free agency as he landed with the Chicago White Sox, the Oakland A’s acquired veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal for $11 million and one year. Pending a physical he will be wearing the Green and Gold very soon in Spring Training. Rosenthal is 30 years old and during eight years as a closer showing 132 saves.

During the 2020 season he pitched for Kansas City and San Diego and recorded 11 saves. Between Kansas City and San Diego he made 23 appearances saved 11 games, with a 1.90 ERA.

He enjoyed his best years with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 when he saved 45 games and 2015 with 48 saves as an All Star. Designated Hitter: With the departure of Khris Davis, going to Texas a few weeks ago, the Athletics have picked-up veteran Mitch Moreland for one-year.

Moreland is a first baseman and designated hitter, and will probably be their DH most of the time and when Matt Olson needs a rest at first base, he will provide the back-up. Mitch Moreland is an 11 year career with Texas, Boston and San Diego, combined numbers are .252 average with 176 home runs and 588 runs-batted-in.

Spring Training: Frankie Montás, Oakland’s Opening Day starter last season is experiencing flu-like symptoms, Melvin said: “He’s several days into it,” Melvin said during a Zoom call before the A’s first workout of spring on Wednesday. “He does feel the effects of it.

He was having some symptoms, more flu-like than probably anything else at this point. He’s going to be a little bit behind.” Catcher Sean Murphy who enjoyed a very good rookie season in 2020 is out of action and not in Spring Training.

According to manager Bob Melvin, the catcher woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and noticed discomfort while breathing. He went to the hospital and later that day had surgery.

David Forst, the team’s general manager described the injury as a “freak thing” that could have been caused by something as simple as a hard cough during his sleep that led to a pulmonary bleb (a small air pocket or blister) that created a small hole in his lung, Doctors said that while the surgery was not necessary, it was recommended to avoid a recurrence.

Young lefty A.J.Puk threw and felt “free and easy” coming back after shoulder surgery. His would be a very important part of a young and talented rotation, if he can make the team this season, something the organization will like to see in 2021.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast each Tuesday mornings at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ex-A’s pinch runner Washington says lawsuit is about stopping McDonald’s from practicing systematic racism

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Former Oakland A’s pinch runner and owner of some 14 McDonalds franchises Herb Washington says that the McDonald’s Corporation has forced him to sell seven of his stores to white owners because he’s black (AP News photo)

By Charlie O

A lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court in Ohio by former Oakland A’s pinch runner Herb Washington. Washington’s law suit claims that McDonalds discriminated against him forcing him to sell as many as seven McDonald’s franchise restaurants in 2017.

Washington now 69 is the largest owner of black owned McDonald’s restaurants in the chain in the 40 years of owning McDonald’s restaurants Washington had as many as 27 restaurants he has 14 now. The lawsuit that Washington filed states the reason why for the suit “because of the opposition to the relentless discrimination he has endured in the McDonald’s system.”

The seven restaurants that he was forced to sell were in the past three years to white owners. The lawsuit also says “McDonald’s subjected Mr. Washington to targeted and unreasonable inspections and harsh grading to manufacture negative internal business reviews on account of his race, which McDonald’s then used as pretext to dismantle Mr. Washington’s business.”

McDonald’s responded in a statement saying “This situation is the result of years of mismanagement by Mr. Washington, whose organization has failed to meet many of our standards on people, operations, guest satisfaction and reinvestment. His restaurants have a public record of these issues including past health and sanitation concerns and some of the highest volumes of customer complaints in the country”

Washington in his complaint said that McDonald’s steered black owners into disadvantaged areas and he was also forced to open a restaurant “in a distressed predominantly black neighborhood” in Rochester NY and that McDonald’s stopped Washington’s attempts to buy a store in the white suburb of University Heights Ohio which Washington says was sold to a white owner.

Washington was a pinch runner for the Oakland A’s during the 1974 and 1975 seasons and went onto the World Series where the A’s won it all in 1974. A’s broadcaster Monte Moore always introduced Washington as the A’s “pinch runner deluxe” during A’s broadcasts when he came out to run. Washington scored 33 runs in 105 games during his two years in Oakland.

Charlie O is a contributor reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Swinging A’s World Series Hero Passed at 73

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Former Oakland Athletic Angel (Cuqui) Mangual who passed away on Tue Feb 16, 2021 at 73 years old played for the Oakland A’s for seven season (1971-1976) and was on three of the World Championships teams during that time (photo from conlasbasesllenas.com)

Swinging A’s World Series Hero Passed at 73

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In 1972,1973 and 1974 the Oakland Athletics became the only other Major League franchise, other than the New York Yankees to win at least three straight World Series titles. Angel (Cuquí) Mangual was 73 years old, he played for the Oakland A’s during his seven year career (1971-1976) but impacted Charlie O Finley Swinging A’s in a big way.

During Game 4 of the 1972 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Puerto Rican outfielder became an instant hero as he delivered a game-winning hit for the victory. The A’s had a Major League record three pinch-hit singles in the ninth inning.

The Athletics went on to win the Series in seven games. That was the first of three-consecutive World Series titles, followed in 1973 with another seven game thrilling win against the New York Mets and then in 1974 the Swinging A’s took the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Angel Mangual set the pace for the Swinging A’s dynasty of the 1970’s.

Angel’s younger brother José (Pepe) Mangual announced the passing of his ill brother. José played for six years from 1972 to 1977 with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. Mark Oliveras, considered the best manager in the history of professional baseball in Puerto Rico said: (quote)”I remember that in Puerto Rico and the United States they compared his abilities to those of Roberto Clemente. Even his body language reminded me of Roberto, his smile and the way he comported himself. His health has not been good in the last few years. I will always remember him, may God have him next to him in eternal glory”.

Angel once said about Clemente: “Roberto me ayudó mucho cuando estaba con la organización de los Piratas de Pittsburgh y siempre me decía como jugar el béisbol, pero lo que más me impresionaba es que siempre estaba hablando conmigo” Trans: “Roberto helped me a lot when I was with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, and always told me how to play baseball, but what most impressed me about him, is that he was always talking to me”.

May Angel “Cuquí” Mangual Rest in Peace.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Petit and Romo just what A’s relief needed; Golf with no fans and celebrities different at the AT&T; plus more

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Former Minnesota Twin pitcher Sergio Romo throws a pitch against the Cleveland line up in a game on Fri Sep 11, 2020. Romo joined the Oakland A’s pitching staff as of Sun Feb 14, 2021 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks won’t be in the A’s spring training camp no longer with the A’s but relievers Yusmeiro Petit and Sergio Romo will be. Talk about the impact they will have on closing games this season. 

#2 Petit signed a one year for $2.55 million deal plus incentives and and Romo is on board for one season for $2.25 million.

#3 Petit last season pitched in 26 games was 2-1 ERA 1.66 and Romo last season was 1-2 4.05 last season a 60 plus game season this year a full 162 games how preparation will Petit and Romo need?

#4 Amaury turning to pro golf, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am has been an event without fans and celebrities has this made a difference in this PGA Tour.

#5 Tennis pro Serena Williams whose currently participating in her 24th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Williams was talking about how excited she was to own a women’s professional soccer team called the Angel City FC in Los Angeles. This has to be a great new venture a new and exciting business for Serena.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Feb 16, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

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Aug 24, 2020 Oakland A’s reliever Yusmeiro Petit throws against the Texas Rangers in Arlington during last year’s regular season. Petit is signed with the A’s for the 2021 season. (AP News photo file)

Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The A’s solidifying their bullpen after they lost star closer Liam Hendricks, who was considered the best closer available among all the free-agents during the off-season, now with the Chicago White Sox and Joaquim Soria now with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The team is keeping Yusmeiro Petit, 36 years old and a solid veteran arm, one of manager’s Bob Melvin’s favorite and acquired “el veterano” Sergio Romo, who turns 39 in March. Petit and Romo won two World Series for the team across the bay.

On Friday the Athletics were involved in a four-player trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Athletics got more bullpen help with lefty Adam Kolarek plus outfielder prospect Cody Thomas. In return they send infielder Sheldon Neuse and minor league right handed pitcher Gus Varland.

Right now, looks like a very good deal for the Athletics, as Kolarek last season was 3-0 with a 0.95 earned run average in 20 games and 1 save. Kolarek is the ideal lefty to face a lefty hitter in a game situation late in a game.

Sheldon Neuse played some infield for the A’s and Gus Varland is a prospect and might be the key for the Dodgers who are basically loaded with talent and tweaking their club as they are favorite to repeat this year again.

The Western Division this season will be a three-team race, between the reigning division champion Athletics, the Houston Astros and possibly the Los Angeles Angels. I will have my analysis of this division before the season opener April 1.

The Oakland Athletics open the season at home with a 4-game series against the Houston Astros, followed by the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI La Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com