Tag: mlb

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Sign Stealing Scandal Altuve–Fallout “I never worn an electronic device”

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usatoday.com photo: Jose Altuve Houston Astros has been accused of wearing a wire to help in sign stealing

Sign Stealing Scandal: Fallout “I Never worn an Electronic device” -José Altuve”.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

My father in Cuba used to tell me: “A veces pagan justos por pecadores” -translation: “One does the harm and another bears the blame”.

It doesn’t matter how many people were cheating in this sign-stealing scandal, the game’s integrity, credibility is in question in this very serious ethical crisis, even if it were only a handful of people. All because the misuse of technology, replay monitors near the dugout, managers, coaches, players maybe wired. All involved in cheating the game of baseball. When this happens the whole sport suffers.

I like to believe not all 750 players, plus managers and coaches, general managers and others on the 30 major league teams where on this Sign-Stealing journey, and we can only go on what the MLB investigation will reveal. All 30 teams open their Spring Training in less than thirty days. I can only image what the scene will be on the first day for the Astros at their West Palm Beach, Florida facility. The media, not only sports media, but in general the major news media.

Within moments of learning that the Manager and General Manager of the Houston Astros were let go,Terry Francona, veteran Manager of the Cleveland Indians was on MLB Network: “We did not do that in Cleveland”.

Today José Altuve the heart of the Astros, three-time AL batting champion, denied wearing an electronic device under his uniform, according to his agent Scott Boras. This was in response to social-media speculation that Altuve did not want his jersey ripped off by his teammates after his walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2019 American League Championship Series, because he was wearing an electronic device on his chest to provide signals on which type of pitch was coming.

Many have said baseball must take harder measures of punishment. Like for example taking the 2017 crown from the Houston Astros who defeated the LA Dodgers in seven games during the World Series and giving the title to the Dodgers.

Although MLB has not released in full their investigation (still ongoing) I doubt they want to re-make history. This investigation continues as they continue interviewing managers, general managers, scouts, even the names of such baseball royalty as two-time World Series champion and Hall of Fame member Tony LaRussa have been mentioned in the whole mess.

The next chapter will be coming soon. But this story is not close to its end, yet.

I leave you with this moment in baseball history:
During the 1919 Black Sox scandal a gambler by the name of Arnold Rothstein fixed that World Series. A huge scandal for the game. A young boy pleaded to “Shoeless”Joe Jackson as he left the Grand Jury room, “Say it ain’t so,Joe, say it ain’t so” Jackson replied, “yes kid,I’m afraid it is so.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish color talent for San Jose Sharks hockey and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sign Stealing Scandal–Carlos Beltrán steps down as Mets manager

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nytimes.com file photo: Carlos Beltran being introduced as the New York Mets manager will not manage one ball game for the Mets as he stepped down today as Mets manager over the Sign Stealing scandal

Sign-Stealing Scandal: Carlos Beltrán Steps Out as Mets Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball continues reeling from the current sign-stealing scandal. Truly unprecedented. Seriously jeopardizing his possible induction into the Hall of Fame after a brilliant 20 years major league career, Carlos Beltrás who was named manager of the New York Mets on November 1,2019, will not manage with the Mets this season.

Beltrán is 42 years old born in Manatí,Puerto Rico. After what has been happening, especially with the Houston Astros,Carlos Beltrán today decided to step down as manager of the New York Mets. This is makes the Mets management who picked Beltrán look very bad,overall nobody is looking good at this time in the game. Beltrán will not manage a single game in Spring Training which is just over two weeks away.

Beltrán played for 20 seasons in major league baseball compiling Hall of Fame worthy numbers, 2,586 games, hit .270 with 435 home runs and 1,587 runs batted in. Began his career in 1998 and ended in 2018, he played for: Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees,Texas Rangers and Houston Astros (again) during the 2017 season when the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Jessica Mendoza,ESPN Baseball Analyst and who also works for the NY Mets blasted Mike Fiers,now pitching with the A’s, and ex-Astros for blowing the whistle on this current scandal.

Personally, I cannot blame a pitcher for blowing the whistle on hitters stealing signs. This goes to the essence of the game of baseball, where the pitchers objective is to get the hitter out. Hitters today have the definite advantage,with all the videos and stuff on film and social media,now.

There will always be the gamesmanship in some situations like when a runner at second base can relay a signal to the hitter, and that will always belong in the game, but methodically establishing a system to steal signs should never be allowed.

Follow us with this very fluid story, in my lifetime (including the steroids era) this is the worst scandal.

See you in Arizona, in Spring Training. But I am afraid this story is still in the top of the 7th.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish play by play talent at the Oakland A’s on 1010 KIQI La Grande and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bang the drum slowly; Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico; Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

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abchouston13.com file photo: Former Boston Red Sox manager Joey Corey was fired on Tuesday by the Boston Red Sox after it was disclosed that he over saw the technology of sign stealing via TV monitors and plastic cans as drums when as bench coach of the Houston Astros and manager of the Red Sox

Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico: Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Days after Puerto Rico was shaken by powerful earthquakes, another thing has shaken the island. A day after the Houston Astros fired their Manager and General Manager, the Boston Red Sox part ways with their manager Alex Cora. This decision directly related to the investigation of the Astros sign-stealing allegations in the 2017 season. Cora was the bench coach for the Astros in 2017 and was found to have been involved in the operations from the replay room to transmit the signs in game situations.

Commissioner Rob Manfred statement on Alex Cora: “Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs,” Manfred wrote in his findings. “Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct. I will withhold determining the appropriate level of discipline for Cora until after the [Department of Investigations] completes its investigation of the allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 while Cora was the manager.”

Alex Cora won the World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018, becoming the first manager born in Puerto Rico to do so. Carlos Beltrán named new manager for the New York Mets last year, after season’s end, is also under investigation as he also was part of decision making for the the Houston team.

This has been a terrible beginning of this 2020 year for the island of Puerto Rico. The recent earthquakes that continue to devastate the island and now what just happened with Cora and also potentially Carlos Beltrán also born in Puerto Rico. The difference is that Beltrán has not managed his first game yet this upcoming season.

We probably have not heard the last on the sign-stealing scandal. And there should be more to come.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has been covering the MLB sign stealing scandal and is the Oakland A’s radio Spanish play by play announcer on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Third person to die this year at Baltimore home game; 49ers the favorites in NFC Championship; plus more

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sfgate.com photo: Green Bay quarterback and former Cal Bears quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) will face the San Francisco 49ers this Sun Jan 19th at Levis Stadium for the NFC Championship

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 A third person died at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium this season and during Saturday’s playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens a male fan fell while climbing the stairs in the stadium’s upper deck. Medics tried to resuscitate the victim who later passed away.

#2 The Green Bay Packers caught a big break just getting by the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship with a 28-23 win give credit to Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers.

#3 The Packers and San Francisco 49ers match up in the NFC Championship as the 49ers are coming offf a convincing 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings

#4 The Texas Rangers signed third baseman Todd Frazier to a one year deal worth $5 million. Frazier hit .251, 21 home runs, 67 RBI in 133 games last season.

#5 Ed Sprauge Sr a former original Oakland Athletic from the 1968 team died at 74 years old. Sprauge pitched in the show for eight years and his son Ed Jr also played part of his 11 years in the majors for the A’s survives his father.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for A’s baseball on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Houston We Have a Problem, Manager and General Manager Fired

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houstonchronicle.com file photo: Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch (right) have been suspended by Major League Baseball for the 2020 season and now have been fired by team owner Jim Crane.

Houston We Have a Problem: Manager and General Manager Fired

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Today the Houston Astros fired their Manager A.J Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow,after MLB released the results of their investigation about the team stealing signs. Astros owner Jim Crane dismissed both decision makers.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane made the announcement and also added at news conference today at Minute Maid Park:”There are two very important points I want to make today: “I have higher standards for the city and the franchise, and I am going above and beyond MLB’s penalty.” Crane went onto add “Today, I have made the decision to dismiss AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow. We need to move forward with a clean slate, and the Astros will become a stronger organization because of this today.” Crane said he made his decision after the MLB report, because they both shared responsibilities in stealing signs.

The Astros were also fined $5 million dollars by MLB (maximum by MLB bylaws) as they will forfeit their first and second round picks in the 2020 and 2024 draft. Although the club have not announced who is going to be their manager this season and none has been named as of today, owner Jim Crane spoke about Joe Espada and said (quote) “he will be a capable manager”, Joe Espada was interviewed by the SF Giants managing position,before the Giants named Gabe Kapler.

The Astros won the American League West for the third consecutive year in 2019 and will be picked favorites to repeat again this 2020. This scandal is not only bad for the Houston Astros organization but for baseball in general. Not a shining moment in the history of the sport, after finally surviving the steroids years this is not exactly what the Commissioner had in mind. Absolute blemish on baseball.

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

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Will baseball lose it’s tax exemption status over cutting 42 minor league teams; Patriots and their future; plus more

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dodgerblue.com: Rob Manfred MLB Commissioner speaks with the media in undated file photo

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The fight is on to stop MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred from closing up shop on 42 minor league teams. MLB could face loosing it’s tax exemption status if they drop the teams.

#2 How realistic is it that New England quarterback Tom Brady will retire from football and is this the end of the Patriots as we knew them?

#3 The Sacramento Kings ended their losing streak with a win over the Golden State Warriors Monday then the Kings turned around Tuesday and beat the Phoenix Suns in the Valley of the Sun. Can the Kings keep it going.

#4 For a long time the 49ers Joe Staley who played in only seven games this season this will be his first playoff game since 2013 when the 49ers were in it last.

#5 The Baltimore Ravens who are favorites to make the Super Bowl host the Tennessee Titans. Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson can do a lot of things. London sets this game up for us.

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsrsadioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2020 Caribbean Series Cuba Out,Colombia In

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photo from septimaentrada.com: Logo for 2020 Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico

2020 Caribbean Series: Cuba Out,Colombia In

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Because of visa problems the Cuban National Baseball Champions will not be able to travel to Puerto Rico next month to participate in the 2020 Caribbean Series.As confirmed by the CPBC (Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation) on Sunday.and officially announced by Dominican, Juan Francisco Puello,Commissioner of the CPBC.

The 62nd edition of this tournament is scheduled to begin on February 1,with the representative of champions from the following countries:Colombia, México, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Panamá is the defending champion.

They will play three games daily at the Hiram Bithorn stadium in San Juan,Puerto Rico. For the first time in history,forcing three games per day during the first round, because for the second time there are only 6 participants.The first four days will consist of three matches daily. On opening day,Colombia will play Venezuela,México vs Dominican Republic and Panamá vs Puerto Rico.

2019 Caribbean Series took place in Panamá,although originally scheduled for Venezuela,for the second consecutive year had to be moved to an alternative location because of the political crisis that continues to this day in that country.

The reigning champions Toros de Herrera (Panamá) became the first team from Panamá to win since the Carta Vieja Yankees in 1950 and it was the first appearance by Panamá in a Caribbean Series since 1960.

There will be coverage of this popular tournament on this site. Also you are welcome to visit the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum,new site at: https://www.hhbmhof.com/ with information in English and Spanish.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Museum join Amaury at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB New Cuban Phenom Defects

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photo from sierramaestra.cu: MLB Cuban player outfielder, first baseman and left handed pitcher Oscar Luis Colas waiting on a pitch will be in the big leagues soon enough

MLB: New Cuban Phenom Defects

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Oscar Luis Colas,21-year old Cuban phenom recently defected and is looking for an opportunity to play in the major leagues. According to LasMayores.com reporter Francys Romero. He can play all three outfield positions,first base and is also a left-handed pitcher.

He is already been called “The Cuban Othani”in reference to 2018 Japanese star Rookie of The Year with the LA Angels Shohei Othani. The 21-year old 6’1” 190 pounds youngster will have to wait for at least another year to be eligible to be selected by a major league club.

Colas first must establish residence in a country outside the US (in past a lot of Cuban defector have gone to Dominican Republic or México) and then wait under the period that starts on July 2 and ends June 15, 2021. This is the normal process for these type of players.

A lot of Cuban players have made their careers in the major leagues since Esteban Bellán in 1871 was the pioneer as the first Latin-born player in a top professional league in the United States. Bellán born in Cuba played for the Troy Haymakers through 1873 of the National Association which later became the National League,as we know today.

Below are all the Cuban-born players that were active and played in the major leagues in 2019.

José Abreu,Yonder Alonso,Yordan Alvarez, Rogelio Armenteros, Randy Arozarena, Michael Baez, Ronald Bolaños, Aroldis Chapman, Nestor Cortés Jr,Odrisamer Despaigne, Aledmys Díaz,Yandi Díaz, Roenis Elías,Yasman Grandal, Yuliesjy Gurriel, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Adeiny Hechavarría, Guillermo Heredia, José Iglesias, Raisel Iglesias, Yoan López, Leonys Martín, Yoan Moncada, Kendrys Morales, Adrián Morejón, Cionel Pérez, Yasiel Puig, Rangel Ravelo, Jorge Soler, Yasmani Torres. Some might not be on the list because of injuries, like Mets Yoenis Céspedes.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s Semien and his future in Oakland

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nbcsports.com file photo: Oakland A’s Jurickson Profar takes his swings during 2019 season

A’s Marcus Semien and his Future in Oakland

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González.

OAKLAND–It has been a very quiet winter so far for the Athletics. Nobody expected them to make any major deals,and honestly they have a very good team as it is today and going into Spring Training which will begin February 11 at their home in Mesa,Arizona.

They will begin the season (scheduled to open at home on March 26 against the Twins) with basically the same team as last season when they finished second again with a 97-65 record (same as 2018 by the way).

Nobody should expect the A’s to sign their established stars to multi-year multi-million dollar contracts in the near future. The best example is their designated hitter Khris Davis, he had his best season in 2018 when he hit 48 home runs and drove in 123 runs.

Davis was signed that winter to a two (2) year extension and a total of $33.5 million, a contract that will take him through the 2021 season. If they did not signed him then he would have been eligible for free agency after the 2019 season and most likely would have been offered much more money and a longer contract by more than a few teams.

His biggest liability is with the glove, but he doesn’t use it most of the time as a DH, which also limits him to be an American League player.

If you are expecting the A’s to sign their star shortstop Marcus Semien (29) to a four (4) year over $100 million contract you could easily be disappointed. The A’s have another year before they make that decision,although they could make easily make it today. But that is not the way the Athletics operate.

This is still Billy Ball land. Of course Semien is worth upward of $100 million in today’s market, specially since he has become not only one of the best offensive shortstops in the American League but one of the best fielders in that most important position.

He is coming off a breakout 2019 season, finished #3 for Most Valuable Player. This 2020 season will be his final year before he becomes a Free Agent. And many ponder is he really as good as he was last year. He is a hard worker, Bay Area native and a very positive young man.

Leaving Semien aside(no need to rush a decision) we already know the “biggest”story for the A’s going into this 2020 season. Who is going to be playing second base? My bet is on young Franklin Barreto,who was passed last year because the team signed veteran Jurickson Profar.

With Profar signing with San Diego, the door should be wide open for Barreto, and with the power on that infield,all he has to do is field the ball. Something that Profar was not very keen. Others in Spring Training that could be fighting for second-base are Sheldon Neuse maybe, Jorge Mateo and/or a surprise.

In 1998 the injury-prone Eric Chávez finished the season playing only in 16 games and hit .311. He won six consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards (2001 to 2006) and in 2004 the A’s had to make a decision of signing either him (Chávez) or shortstop Miguel Tejada.

They signed Chávez to a $66 million contract extension. Meanwhile, Tejada went to Baltimore where he played for four years(2004-2007). I thought they should have kept Miguel Tejada, then a great shortstop much more durable than Chávez, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Chávez six year $66 million contract was the largest deal in team history. In one of my visits to Baltimore with the LA Angels in 2007 I did a pre-game interview Tejada and I asked him about his very good years with the A’s, he told me that in retrospect: “I would have loved to stay with the A’s”. But isn’t that what they all say?

I remember Jason Giambi who began his career with the A’s (1995-2001) he always said he enjoyed very much playing in Oakland and that was great. But the Yankees came in and Giambi left the A’s for the Pinstripes and a multi-million dollar contract where he played from 2002 to 2008.

Towards the end of his career “The Giambino” would return one more time in 2009 to play with the A’s, and as I recall I called his 400th home-run of his career in 2009,a thrill at the Oakland Coliseum he then played briefly for a couple of teams and retired.

The Oakland A’s have one of the best most exciting and talented infield in all of baseball a young pitching staff with unlimited potential.Their infield: Matt Olson at first base (I don’t know at second base) Marcus Semien at shortstop and their leader Matt Chapman at third base.

Not to mention an outfield with the talented Ramón Laureano,.Stephen Piscotty and company. The biggest issue for the Athletics remains building their new ballpark. A new ballpark usually draws well for the first few years,(the perennial Honeymoon).

The A’s pipe-dream is to have all these stars at their peak in 2021 when they are planning to open the season at the new Howard Terminal Park. There is an old saying in Spanish “soñar no cuesta nada” translation- “it doesn’t cost anything to dream”. And I honestly hope the dream becomes a reality.

At this time the Athletics have the 25th payroll in Major League Baseball among all 30 teams. Their total payroll is approximately $84 million,there are now five teams below the A’s: White Sox, Pirates, Orioles, Mariners, and the team who eliminated the A’s in the Wild Card game last year, the Tampa Bay Rays.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s 30 years World Series reunion at Fremont

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bostonglobe.com file photo: Former Oakland A’s pitcher, native of Fremont, and Boston Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley appeared at the 1989 World Series reunion in Fremont
A’s 30 Years World Series Reunion at Fremont
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
FREMONT CA–At an upscale restaurant in Fremont, Athletics front office workers,executives,some ex-players and broadcasters were mingling and reminiscing the last time the Oakland A’s won a World Series.
The historic 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake World Series where the A’s swept the Giants. The “time capsule”reunion took place in Fremont,where in this decade,was planned to be the new home for the Oakland A’s and today the fourth largest city (by population) in the Bay Area,closing-in 240,000 residents.just a few months before the next US Census takes place.
The gentrification of Fremont has been taken place for a while now. Some are calling Fremont, “Silicon Valley East” because of its proximity to the hub of technology in the US. Fremont is only 12-15 miles away from Silicon Valley and would have been a well-located place for their new home,specially now because today’s Fremont is much more affluent that the Fremont where the General Motors Plant employed most of the population.
But,it was not-to-be. There was a rally of people supporting the team moving to Fremont.in a popular local eatery but the opposition came right away and the proponents got cold feet. The idea of Fremont as the new home for the A’s never got to first base,even thought it was officially listed on the team’s Media Guide one year.
It is always great to see people that you work in the past,in this case 30 years ago. Part of the history of this franchise that originated in Philadelphia and has won a total of 9 World Series, five in Philadelphia and four in Oakland. Even Crazy George,the ultimate A’s Booster was in attendance,with a drum to cheer everybody.
Although the focus was the 1989 World Series, the reunion was not necessarily about baseball,but about friendships and relationships that are developed in this unique business. Just like any reunion you will see people you have not seen and many that you didn’t even knew where alive. These are the people behind the scenes that make a Major League franchise operate in the good as well as during the lean years.
Fremont was an appropriate place for this reunion,because the city was part of the history of the Athletics and it is well located,just 15 miles from San José, 45 miles from San Francisco and just south of Oakland on highway 880,and accessible via BART. In July, Fremont was named the ‘least stressed city in the United States” by a WalletHub study, according to the San José Mercury News.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com