Oakland A’s fans are excited about their team in games but will be waving goodbye for their last home game of the season on Thu Sep 26, 2024 before they move to Sacramento for the 2025 season (KQED 9 photo)
On Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:
It’s a sad story here at the Oakland Coliseum knowing the end was coming and we lived it here. The reverse boycott, the Last Dive Bar, the Oakland 68s. Back in April and May you just try watch these young players develop.
I got to see a lot of these players come into their own this season and that had to be encouraging in terms of next season. As you can imagine we’ve seen the protests and on Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers played the A’s. Fans once again chanting “Sell the Team” in the stands but only to fall on deaf ears as the A’s are Sacramento bound after the 2025 season is completed.
Augie also shared the memories of covering the A’s over the years watching the A’s three consecutive Championship teams from 1972-1974, the A’s three consecutive American League Championships 1988-90, and the A’s 20 game win streak in 2002.
Aerial view from Copter Sky 7 of the Oakland Coliseum where fans plan converge at the Coliseum parking lot before opening night on Thu Mar 28, 2024 for a boycott protest two hours before the game (ABC Sky 7 file photo)
On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:
#1 Oakland A’s fans, the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar are hoping to pull off a successful boycott at the Oakland Coliseum tonight as fans will enter the parking lot a little before 5pm try and set up their tailgates and prepare to boycott going into the Coliseum for opening night.
#2 The less than four hours for entering the park decision was made last week when the A’s decided to shorten the parking lot hours from four hours to two hours opening the parking lot just before 5pm. The A’s reasoning was attendance will be small and there is no need to open the lot four hours earlier.
#3 The Last Dive Bar and the Oakland 68s said that the A’s are playing mind games by opening the lot just two hours before game time which at 7:07pm PDT.
#4 Fans in the parking lot are hoped to be heard from inside the park when they plan to all chant for A’s owner John Fisher to “Sell the Team” if successful this would definitely be a national story.
#5 The A’s open up against former A’s catcher and now Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians will start right hander Steve Bieber he’ll be opposed by the A’s left hander Alex Wood at the Coliseum first pitch 7:07pm PDT.
Will Ireton Los Angeles Dodgers manager of performance operations (left) interprets for Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (right) at a pre game press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Mon Mar 25, 2024 (AP News photo)
On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 A look into Los Angeles Dodger’s designated hitter Shohei Ohtani’s personal trainer Ippei Mizuhara stole the money from Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts. It was learned that Ohtani did not pay for Mizuhara’s gambling debt Ohtani said the $4.5 million to pay the debt was stolen by Mizuhara. Ohtani made it clear he did not know about Mizurhara using the stolen money to pay an illegal bookie.
#2 Mizuhara’s background was found to be suspicious as well it was discovered he never attended UC Riverside and never graduated there in 2007, Mizuhara never was an interpreter for the Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima from 2007-2011. The Red Sox released a statement saying that Mizuhara never worked for the Red Sox. It was also reported that Mizuhara was an interpreter for the New York Yankees in 2022 but the Yankees said that Mizuhara never was an interpreter for them in 2022.
#3 Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it was good that Ohtani addressed the media before Monday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. It gave Ohtani a forum to clear the air and address some of the questions about his knowledge that money was going to an illegal bookie to pay Mizuhara’s debts.
#4 Although no one will admit it in the Dodgers clubhouse that this whole thing is a distraction but has to be the largest paid athlete of all time tied to a gambling scandal and it’s turned into a federal investigation and questions where is this going to end up?
#5 Turning to the Oakland A’s the A’s have announced that they have cut the time in half on Thursday opening night and will open the gates at the Oakland Coliseum parking lot from four hours to two hours early. The A’s have said they did that because there was no sense opening up the lot when they are expecting a low paid attendance to show up. Two large A’s fan groups the Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar said that cutting the parking lot times from two to four hours will cut their boycott time down to just two hours and they also planned to have tailgates before the game now that time has been cut in half. The 68’s said the A’s are playing mind games.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Former New York Met Tommy Pham stands in the on deck circle at the Grapefruit League against the Washington Nationals at Port St Lucie Fla on Sun Feb 26, 2023. The pitch clock this season 2024 has been reduced from 18 seconds to 20 seconds with runners on base. The Players Union protested but MLB implemented the decision regardless. (AP News photo)
On Headline Sports with Charlie O:
#1 Major League Baseball has cut the pitch clock from 20 to 18 seconds and will remain at 15 seconds with no runners on base. MLB Players Association Chief Tony Clark said it was too soon to cut two seconds off with runners. Clark said that was a conversation that union leaders and the players had with MLB but MLB implemented the two second shave anyway.
#2 The cleats of Jackie Robinson baseball first African American player from his bronze statue that was cut at the ankles will be donated to the Negro League Museum in Kansas City. Robinson’s statue was cut and stolen. A vehicle that was involved in loading the statue was found at a complex in Wichita. The statue was found melted by the Fire Department. It was not believed to be racially motivated crime. It’s believed that three suspects were involved in the cutting of the statue and one suspect was named Ricky Alderete 45. The value of the statue is priced at 75,000 and anything over $25,000 is considered felony theft.
#3 The story of the bad uniforms continues. The jerseys have no stitched lettering like last years, the letters and numbering are embroidered, the batter man on the back of the jersey is lowered and the uniform pants are see through. Tony Clark once again speaking for the players saying it’s a disappointment that uniforms now have taken center stage and is hoping the uniforms can change before opening day.
#4 The New York Yankees Alex Verdugo says he has no hard feelings against Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Verdugo was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees saying that Cora was hard on him but there are no hard feelings. Verdugo said that he loves Cora outside of the game, his kids and his family. That there is nothing personal between him and Cora.
#5 On Saturday 1320 ESPN had a chance to attend the Fans Fest sponsored by the Last Dive Bar and the Oakland 68’s at Jack London Square at Alice and 2nd Streets in downtown Oakland. Former A’s players were there Grant Balfour, Coco Crisp, Billy North, Mike Norris, Trevor May and Ben Grieve. This was not a Fans Fest to bash the Oakland A’s but a Fans Fest to support the A’s to stay in Oakland.
The Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas the future home with the Las Vegas A’s hoping to break ground in April 2025. The issue of private financing has been so off schedule and unorganized that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has said the “plans don’t make sense” (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 Amaury, because of all the lawsuits the Oakland A’s might lose the public money because of all the lawsuits and the Schools over Stadiums initiative ballot that stops using public money that could make the public ballot. This money is only earmarked for the Tropicana location and no where else. The A’s might be having problems figuring how to get a ballpark on nine acres at the Trop.
#2 MLB had no comment after Las Vegas Mayor Goodman said that the A’s ought to stay in Oakland.
#3 Mayor Goodman can read between the lines as the reaction at the Chamber of Commerce meeting was cold and talk has been the business community now has it’s doubts about the A’s since owner John Fisher has been going hat in hand looking for financial support.
#4 It’s Super Bowl week Amaury, and you would think the biggest news in Vegas would be about the Big Game but now the Oakland A’s are a headline with the Mayor saying the A’s shouldn’t come to Vegas but stay in Oakland.
#5 Amaury, the Last Dive Bar and Oakland 68s who are strong A’s fan groups are holding a Fan Fest at Jack London Square in downtown Oakland proceeds will help with legal fees toward Schools over Stadiums in Las Vegas to stop the use of public money to finance the ballpark. The first step of success is Schools over Stadium had Oakland A’s fans raise enough money to cover Schools over Stadium’s legal fees to get language to stop the public funding and get a petition drive to get initiative on the ballot for the Nov 2024 election not to mention that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has been named as a defendant by Schools over Stadiums.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on the Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and superstar singer Taylor Swift leave Arrowhead Stadium on Dec 25, 2023 after playing the Las Vegas Raiders (Kansas City Star file photo)
On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:
#1 Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift made headlines on Fox News when it was reported that Swift is a political psy op for the Government with millions and millions of followers she could be used for political influence and be a Pentagon asset. She had endorsed President Biden in the 2020 election and Republicans have blamed her for key loses. The Washington Post said Swift is not a psy op.
#2 San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee got a tour of Oracle Park this past week. Lee was joined by his agent Scott Boras and his interpreter. Lee entered through the back of Oracle through the outfield fence and took a look at the field and headed to the clubhouse and sat and spoke with reporters. What’s the expectations for Lee going into the 2024 season.
#3 This past week former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll 72, was relieved of his duties as head coach. Carroll said he was open to another head coaching job after serving as head coach for the Seahawks after 14 seasons. Carroll said that it’s hard to convince the Seahawks brass to let him stay because “their not football people.” Carroll will stay on as an advisor.
#4 Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick who left this week as head coach at the Patriots said the parting between him and owner Robert Kraft was mutual. Belichick he was grateful for being head coach in New England for 24 years, that he was honored to coach some of the greatest players that ever played, Belichick said that he’s ready to move on.
#5 Charlie how important is it that the Oakland A’s fan clubs like the Last Dive Bar and Oakland 68s will have the A’s farm team the Stockton Ports join them at the planned FansFest on Sat Feb 24th at Jack London Square in Oakland. The Ports say they’re there to support the fans. The 68s and the Last Dive are sponsoring FansFest.
#6 What statement does that say about an A’s organization minor league affiliate to step up in the drive to raise money for the political cause in helping get a petition drive together for Schools over Stadiums to get an initiative on the Nevada ballot to stop the public funding for a new A’s ballpark at the Tropicana?
A benefit gathering to stop the use of Nevada public funds to build a Las Vegas A’s new stadium at the Tropicana and to get a referendum on the Nevada ballot to stop use of public funds for the ballpark. Members from Schools over Stadiums, the Oakland 68s, also former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (in purple dress), and the Nevada State Education Association president Dawn Ectheverry to Quan’s right . (photo from @jeanquan)
On the A’s podcast with Daniel:
#1 Daniel the Nevada Schools over Stadiums group who are ran by the Nevada State Education Association. The NSEA held a fund raising benefit for Schools over Stadiums which included the Oakland 68s a Oakland A’s fan group who are pushing the green Sell shirts and for A’s owner John Fisher to sell the A’s to someone that will keep them in Oakland. The benefit included former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and NSEA president Dawn Etcheverry. The benefit was on Thu Aug 17 in Oakland.
#2 Quan said that she is confident that the referendum will have enough signatures to make it on the ballot for spring and the former mayor said that it has a good chance of winning.
#3 Etcheverry said some districts in Nevada are starting the school year with 40% or more in teacher vacancies. Nevada has the highest teacher vacancies in the nation and are number 49 in education.
#4 Former San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly said that despite state increases Nevada teachers remain amongst the lowest in the US with the largest class sizes.
#5 Schools over Stadiums are asking the public’s in help to fund the campaign to fight the Nevada State legislature who are planning to give the A’s $380 million in public funds for the Tropicana ballpark.
#6 The teachers from the NSEA, Mayor Quan, and the Oakland 68s will be at the Oakland Coliseum for the next reverse boycott this Sat Aug 19 vs. the Baltimore Orioles and they will be seeking the A’s fans support for the ballot initiative to stop the use of public funding for the Vegas ballpark over education.
Ruben Ortiz of Modesto holds up is “Stay in Oakland” sign before the last reverse boycott at the Oakland Coliseum on Jun 13, 2023. Oakland A’s fans are encouraging San Francisco Giants fans to join in the reverse boycott this Tue Jul 25, 2023 when the Oakland A’s play the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP file photo)
On the A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:
#1 Daniel, tell us your thoughts as fans get ready for another reverse boycott this time at Oracle Park in San Francisco when Oakland A’s fans encourage San Francisco Giants to get on board with wearing black shirt with the word “Sell” in orange to join A’s fans in support of getting A’s owner John Fisher to sell the ball club to someone who’ll keep them in Oakland. The reverse boycott is scheduled for this coming Tue Jul 25th at Oracle Park.
#2 Daniel, the group called the Oakland 68’s named after the A’s first year in Oakland 1968 are part of the movement to fight to keep the A’s in Oakland. The 68’s in a statement from the their website said the A’s deserve a stadium at Howard Terminal. San Francisco Giants fans and A’s fans can be pretty vocal if both sets of fans come out to encourage Fisher to sell.
#3 The 68’s are hoping that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao continue her fight to help keep the A’s in Oakland. It’s hopeful the documents she delivered to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred might have some sway to the other owners to vote to keep the A’s in Oakland.
#4 The latest news is that the MLB owners vote could take place months from now as they wait for the A’s to deliver the relocation application. The A’s on the relocation application are trying to solve where to play while the park in under construction between 2025-2027, the renderings of the park need to be put together and the design of the retractable roof needs to be addressed and how it’ll fit on nine acres of Tropicana land space.
#5 Daniel, on the A’s side of the coin how confident do you see Fisher and team president David Kaval in getting the votes and getting the shovels in the ground in Vegas?
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