Tag: Oakland A’s

Giants Comeback from Behind and Beat the Miami Marlins, 6-3

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San Francisco Giants Casey Schmitt homered to left center (406 feet) on Sunday, April 26th, in Oracle Park at San Francisco, CA. (Photo credits to Jae/SF Bay News Lab)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants ended their series matchup with the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park for the season with a win on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in the city. The Giants had just beaten the Marlins Saturday, on April 25th, by a score of 6-2, evening the series between these two teams. Now, San Francisco leads the series 2-1 ahead of their matchups in Miami on June 19th-June 21st. The Giants beat the Marlins, 6-3, with Giants infielder Casey Schmit’s fourth home run of the season, bringing in three runs along with it in the bottom of the seventh stretch.

After losing the opener to the Miami Marlins, 9-4, the Giants would bounce back for the second game of the series and blast three home runs in that game. That game would tie the series and ultimately get the Giants’ hitting going for the next few games. San Francisco would put up 11 hits in that game as well, and also go 3-2 in their last five home games. With this win, this was the Giants’ first time since 2023 having won their home series against the Miami Marlins.

For this game, the Giants sent out RHP Landen Roupp (4-1, 2.28) to start and end the home series against the Miami Marlins. This was his sixth start of the season so far, and with just one career game under his belt against the Marlins in 2024, he threw a scoreless inning of relief for the Giants. Going on his fourth now, Roupp has won three straight starts for San Francisco and has thrown 17 strikeouts.

While the Marlins went with RHP Max Meyer (1-0, 3.96) to start the ballgame for Miami. The Miami Marlins have now completed the first half of their road trip of the season, with their finale being here at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Although the Marlins fell short Saturday against the Giants, they found some good news for their offense. With two stolen bases Saturday, the Marlins now have 31 stolen bases on the season and are just one of the two MLB clubs to have at least 30 or more (Milwaukee, 35).

The Miami Marlins Graham Pauley would get the game going with a homer and bring in two runs as well in the top of the second inning. The Marlins would hold an early 3-0 lead. Going into the bottom of the second inning, the Giants would get on the board from a throwing error by Miami’s shortstop Otto Lopez, and the score is now 3-1 heading into the third inning.

It would be solid pitching from both clubs as the score remained the same going into the sixth inning. However, what really got the Giants’ hitting going and the offense rolling was Jung Hoo Lee, who has been on an incredible hitting sequence the last few games. In fact, Lee would go 4-of-5 at bat this afternoon, and his impact and presence were vital for San Francisco’s comeback.

In the bottom of the sixth stretch, Giants Rafael Devers would get the offense going with a double on his bat, bringing in teammate Casey Schmitt to score. Then Drew Gilbert would get a single and bring in Devers for the score, and him being the tying run for the game. The crowd was back on their feet and roaring in the park as the comeback for the win was starting to happen.

With that, going into the bottom of the seventh inning. The score was still tied at 3-3 with the Giants at bat. Two runners are on base for San Francisco as Casey Schmitt walked up to the box. Schmitt would launch a 406-foot homerun and bring in three runs for the Giants as they take the lead for the first time in the afternoon, 6-3. Giants starting pitcher Landon Roupp would get subbed out during the eighth inning. The Giants would replace him with Erik Miller, and Miller would save the win, but end the game.

As Miller had no problem ending the game. Giants Roupp put Miller in a great position where Miller would only have to face off four batters for the day. So with that, the Giants’ defense pulled through and was able to get a win and close out Miami. The Giants are now 7-9 at home this season, as this would conclude the Giants’ homestands for a while.

RHP Landon Roupp would get the win and now go 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA. With Casey Schmitt’s big homer in the seventh and ultimately got the comeback win for the team, there was no doubt he would be the Player of the Game. The Giants will head east to Philadelphia, after a day off Monday, then the Giants will start off a three-game series against the Phillies on Tuesday, April 28th at Citizens Bank Ballpark, at 3:40 p.m. San Francisco won its three-game home series against Philly earlier this season, 2-1 Apr 6-8 at Oracle Park.

Starting pitchers for Tuesday for San Francisco RHP Tyler Mahle (1-3 ERA 5.26) for Philadelphia LHP Jesus Luzardo (1-3 ERA 6.91) first pitch 3:40pm PDT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Notebook 1981 Players Strike

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Former Oakland A’s left fielder and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (left) and the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) take time out for a photo at the Oakland Coliseum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez Oakland A’s Spanish radio)

From My Notebook 1981 Players Strike

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A lockout following the 2026 MLB season is considered “almost guaranteed” 90% chance by union officials,

 The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires Dec. 1, 2026, with major disputes expected over a potential salary cap, team revenue sharing, and escalating contract numbers. 

History of Work stoppages: (Nine (9) Four lockouts and Five strikes. Mostly focused on free agency, salary arbitration, pension funds, and revenue sharing.

There have been nine major work stoppages in Major League Baseball (MLB) history between owners and the players’ union, consisting of four lockouts and five strikes. These labor disputes have primarily focused on free agency, salary arbitration, revenue sharing, and pension funds, with the 1994-95 strike and 2021-22 lockout being among the most severe.

However, the one I mostly remember was the very interesting 1981 season work stoppage. A 50-day strike from June 12 to July 31, 1981. It was the second strike in MLB history, and 712 games were cancelled, which is more than one-third of the season. Billy Martin was the A’s manager, and it was known as “Billy Ball”

The A’s won the American League West first-half title as they swept the Kansas City Royals 3-0 in the Division Series and later were swept by the New York Yankees 3-0. The A’s played both teams on the road at KC and at NY. Julio González was my broadcast and traveling partner during this very unusual season.

Rickey Henderson was having a very good year. He told me he was not happy with the labor dispute, but he was having a good season, and the labor dispute did not distract him from his play on the field. Was he right?

Well, in 1981, Rickey Henderson became a big star, which eventually led to his induction into the Hall of Fame years later. Rickey finished second in AL MVP voting, led the AL in hits with 135, runs with 89, and steals with 56, while hitting .319, fourth best in the American League.

 Rickey Henderson was Billy Martin’s favorite player; Rickey exemplifies the type of hustle that Billy always admired. As a player, Billy Martin was a hard-nosed, scrappy type of player; he loved players who hustled on the field, and Ricky Henderson was that type of player.

Note: Oakland A’s Andy Dolich’s creative marketing campaigns, which included the now-famous ‘BillyBall’ radio and television ads. Andy was the best executive the A’s ever had inside their marketing department. Oakland A’s fans can’t forget the song “Billy-Ball, the lyrics were a parody song in the tune of Charlie Brown by The Coasters. His work on the Oakland A’s “BillyBall” was a big hit. 

Andy Dolich won a Clio Award for his work on the Oakland A’s “BillyBall” campaign during his time as a marketing executive with the team in the 1980s.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Joe Lacob still a favorite to buy Padres

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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is the leading candidate to buy the San Diego Padres but will have to keep the Padres in San Diego and will not be able to move them to Oakland. (file photo New York Times)

Joe Lacob is still the favorite to buy the Padres

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Joe Lacob tried to buy these teams in the past: the Oakland A’s, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Today, he is considered the favorite to buy the San Diego Padres, who are officially on the market. Bids are expected by the end of February 2026. The San Diego franchise is valued between $1.9 billion and $2.3 billion; however, the current ownership may seek around $3 billion.

While some reports label Lacob a leading suitor, other potential buyers are involved as well. Lacob, who also owns the NBA Golden State Warriors and the WNBA Golden State Valkyries, confirmed he has toured Petco Park in San Diego. While he has not yet committed to a final decision, all reports indicate he remains the leading suitor for the franchise.

Joe Lacob attempted to buy the Oakland Athletics in 2005 , reaching a verbal agreement to purchase the team from then-owner Stephen Schott for approximately $180 million. However, then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig blocked the sale, favoring a bid from John Fisher and Lew Wolff, which ultimately led to Lacob purchasing the Golden State Warriors instead.

Lacob maintained a standing offer to buy the Oakland Athletics from John Fisher for over a decade, while expressing interest in buying the team for many years (over a decade). His standing offer to buy the team from Fisher and keep it in Oakland until 2022.

The A’s under Fisher are on their way to conclude a 3-year stay at Sacramento, the city they are using as a stopover until he inaugurates his new indoor park Las Vegas, Nevada. How much have MLB franchises appreciated during the past 40 years? Walter Haas Jr., then-chairman of Levi Strauss & Co., purchased the Oakland Athletics from Charlie O. Finley for $12.7 million on August 23, 1980.

Quote: “The Stock Market is a better investment than owning an MLB team” – Rob Manfred (2022), Commissioner of Baseball.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook– The Era of Big Contracts could be History

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A’s Spanish broadcaster Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) meets with New York Yankees pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter (right) before a 1975 game with the then Oakland A’s (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

MLB: The Era of Big Contracts could be History.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Starting pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter was the first modern baseball player to sign a multi-million dollar contract. The former Oakland A’s pitcher signed a landmark five-year, $3.05 million contract with the New York Yankees on December 31, 1974.

Hunter was the first actual free agent due to a contract dispute, making way for today’s huge salaries. A’s owner, Charlie O. Finley, breached the contract by failing to pay the required deferred compensation into an annuity, according to an arbitrator, which opened the door for George Steinbrenner of the Yankees to roll out which at the time was an incredible amount of money  $3 million plus.. In 1974, the median price of a home in the US was around $30,000.

Jim “Catfish” Hunter just came off the 1974 season with the Oakland A’s as the American League Cy Young Award winner. I remember when ex-catcher and later radio and television commentator Ray Fosse told me, “Catfish control was for the ages.” 

The Hall of Famer who pitched for 15 years was a dominant pitcher on the best team in baseball at the time, the three time World Champion Oakland A’s,1972-73-74. From 1971 to 1974, the right-hander won 20 or more games each season.

During Caffish Hunter’s first visit to Oakland in 1975 with his Yankee uniform, he seemed relaxed and told me, “I never thought I would be pitching for any other team but the A’s. These are great fans here in Oakland, but what happened was beyond my control. Now I’m a Yankee.”

In a previous article, I wrote that the 2026 season could be historic. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires in December 2026, and all roads lead to an owner-imposed lockout thereafter. I believe the baseball owners have the upper hand this time, as they are seeking a hard salary cap like the other sports (every other major professional sports league), thus, the years of hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for the best players will be officially over.

Why Catfish?  Jim “Catfish” Hunter got his famous nickname from Kansas City Athletics owner Charles O. Finley, who gave it to him in 1965 to create a flashier persona, inventing a story about young Hunter catching catfish to make it stick, though Hunter never really liked it.

Finley owned the Kansas City club and then the Oakland A’s for 20 years, from 1960 to 1980, when he sold the team to Walter A.Haas (Levi Strauss) for $12.7 million, I met Charlie O. Finley, yes, he was controversial, but he had a lot of good ideas, and in Oakland, he was a winner, and also,he was a shrewd businessman.

Thank you for reading My Baseball Notebook. I wish you a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Felíz Año Nuevo. See you in 2026!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Notes 2025 -Giants get No Satisfaction; A’s finally recognize Sacramento

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Sacramento A’s outfielder Brent Rooker models the Sacramento uniform the A’s will use when on the road for the 2026 season. (photo by Sacramento A’s X)

MLB Notes 2025 -Giants get No Satisfaction

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The San Francisco Giants got “No Satisfaction” like the great Rolling Stones song, as they ended the season with an 81-81 record, a tie, and. a .500 mark. Not going to the postseason. The Giants last qualified in 2021. They have a lot of work to do in the next few months to try to join the “big boys” of this division, LA and SD.

Mets learned that Money is not the Answer. The New York Mets, with the highest payroll in baseball, featuring Juan Soto at $765 million and Francisco Lindor at $341 million, among others, had a shot but failed to win game #162.

They are not going to the postseason. Manager Carlos Mendoza? His job is in danger. In New York, there is always danger for managers. The Cincinnati Reds had the 22nd-largest payroll among all 30 teams, approximately $90 million, and one of the best managers, Terry Francona.

They clinched a wild-card spot in the last game of the season. The last time the Reds were in a postseason was in 2020. Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians) completed a historic comeback, overcoming a 15 1/2 game deficit to take the lead this month and won the AL Central Division on the last day of the season by leaving the Detroit Tigers in the rear view mirror.

The feat that makes it the largest deficit ever erased to win a division in Major League Baseball history. Manager and ex-Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt, in his second season as manager, took the team to the top. Blue Jays, Oh Canada!

They won the LA East Title over the Yankees. Last time the Blue Jays were in the postseason? 2016. Again, Vlad Guerrero Jr. justifies his $500 million, multi-year contract. New York, New York, Start spreading the news.

The Yankees secured a wild-card spot and advanced to the postseason as they finished in second place behind the Toronto Blue Jays. While the Blue Jays have their eyes on their third World Series title, the Yanks are going after their 28th.

Could the #1 city in the country have another parade? As I was on vacation, I ran into their last parade in Lower Manhattan in 2009, the last World Series they won. The Seattle Mariners won the AL West division, clinching their first AL West title since 2001.

Catcher Cal Raleigh had 60 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .248 batting average. First catcher ever to hit 60 home runs in a single season, and the 12th catcher in history to have multiple 30-plus HR seasons. Cal Raleigh holds the MLB record for most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season, surpassing Mickey Mantle’s 1961 record of 54 home runs with his 55th of the 2025 season, and, like above-mentioned, he ended with 60 home runs.

He is one of two top candidates for the AL MVP, with Yankee Aaron Judge, who won the batting title. hitting .330 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs, plus an OPS of 1,149. The Brewers from Milwaukee ended with the best record in baseball, 97-65, winning the AL Central Division and marking their best year in franchise history.

They have never won a World Series. In 1982, they lost their only World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, in the battle of the “beer cities.” Four million Blue. The Los Angeles Dodgers surpassed 4 million in attendance.

The Dodgers hold the record for the longest active streak of consecutive playoff appearances in MLB, a streak that stands at 13 seasons. They were the favorites to win the World Series prior to the start. With the MLB postseason underway, the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are all involved.

“All World” Ohtani hit his 55th home run during their last game of the season at Chávez Ravine. My pick for the team that could go all the way, not mentioned here, is the San Diego Padres. They have all the talent necessary to make it all the way to the 2025 World Series Champions.

A’s Big News ! The A’s biggest news at year’s end. The Athletics will be introducing a new gold/yellow alternate jersey for the 2026 season, featuring “Sacramento” written on the front, in honor of their temporary home at Sutter Health Park. Why?

Lots of people, not only in California but all over the country, had NO IDEA where the A’s were playing. I know I missed other teams that are in the postseason, but I am exhausted.

Quote: Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon Adiós muchachos!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:How does the A’s Controversy compare to others in Baseball?

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John Fisher owner of the Sacramento A’s once said that not staying in Oakland was a failed achievement (photo by instagram)

How does the A’s Controversy compare to others in Baseball?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is no doubt that the 1919 Black Sox Scandal which involved eight Chicago White Sox players who were accused of intentionally losing the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for money from gamblers is the biggest scandal in the game, primarily due to the players’ betrayal of the game and its fans.

Unless something even more scandalous rocks the baseball world, this will remain the undisputed number one scandal. Gambling has been a long-standing issue in the game. In 1877, the Louisville Grays were embroiled in a gambling scandal during the National League’s second season.

And to close the book on gambling. Most recently, the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal involved the team illegally using a video replay system to steal signs from opposing teams during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

There are many other scandals in “the grand old game”, a sentimental description often used to refer to baseball, the richest American sport, which is ingrained in our culture longer than any other game, dating back to 1874, when the United States had 37 States and eight major league baseball teams competing in the National Association, which later became the National League, as stated above.

The Oakland A’s relocation is not a scandal (at least not at present), but has definitely been a controversy to this day, as they are in the second phase (Sacramento) of what they call their final and permanent location in Las Vegas, Nevada, which would be an unprecedented fourth home for this franchise.

Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland, Las Vegas. No major league franchise, on record, has played in four different cities. Although the A’s were founded in 1901 in Philadelphia, where they played for 54 seasons, Oakland was the city where the A’s played the longest, for a total of 57 seasons; they were the Oakland A’s.

The relocation of the A’s was announced by ownership on April 4, 2024. A’s fans feel betrayed by the team’s owner for moving the team, considering the deep roots and very passionate fan base in Oakland. The Oakland Athletics have won four World Series titles and six American League Pennants while playing in Oakland while the A’s relocation is not a scandal, it is a significant controversy, as numerous baseball personalities on television, radio, podcasts, print media, players past and present, as well as fans, across the country have called John Fisher the worst owner in Sports.

That is not a title Mr.Fisher would like to carry the rest of his life, until the Lord calls him to the big executive office in the sky, although I would not be surprised if the Lord sends him back to the minor leagues, Class A level.

Ultimately, a team reflects the personality of the owner. And the best Oakland A’s ownership was during Walter A. Haas Jr.’s tenure, during which the Oakland A’s won one World Series (1989) and three consecutive American League pennants (1988-1990).

In 1989, the A’s also set a Bay Area attendance record, with over 2.9 million fans, which at the time was higher than the San Francisco Giants, who were struggling to sell tickets at Candlestick Park.

The front office of the A’s had professionals who knew what they were doing, such as Andy Dolich and Sandy Alderson. Most importantly, the A’s were also known for their community outreach, a characteristic that Mr. Fisher never demonstrated during the years he ran the team in Oakland and currently in Sacramento.

Since the A’s departure the Oakland Ballers, also known as the Oakland B’s (a new team) was formed by fans and community members in direct response to the A’s betrayal of Oakland and their fans.. This team is part of the Pioneer League, and fans have responded well to this Oakland team, keeping baseball alive in ‘The Town’. Quote: Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton, who stated, ‘We have an obligation. We are accountable to the fans and to the city. If you don’t approach it that way, you should not be an owner, in my opinion”.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ground breaking was more like a funeral for Oakland fans

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 Dignitaries from left: Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, Rep. Dina Titus, A’s President Marc Badain, Major League Baseball Commissioner Manfred, A’s owner John Fisher, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill and , Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson break ground during ceremony for the Athletics $1.75 billion Strip ballpark at the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas Monday, June 23, 2025. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, lots of fans in the Bay Area responded about Monday’s ground breaking story and according to Oakland’s last dive bar co-founder Carl Moren saying that their isn’t a wrong way to deal with watching that ground breaking for longtime A’s fans and even recent A’s fans Moren said it was like the loss of a loved one.

#2 Moren, the Last Dive Bar, and fans of the A’s in Oakland feel left behind and the dreams of those shovels in the ground were supposed to happen in Oakland rather than Vegas.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher and former team president David Kaval said that it was necessary for the A’s to move out of Oakland when it was announced June 2023 because of a lack of fan support as the A’s were drawing below 7,000 for home games. Moren and other Oakland fans would argued that Fisher didn’t put a product on the field that would draw 30,000 fans and it was time to go.

#4 Amaury, Moren said that he’s not a fan of the team and doesn’t care what the team does on the field do many Oakland fans share that same sentiment by no longer following the team anymore?

#5 Amaury, How frustrating is it that the city of Oakland didn’t get it together and make it happen as it looked like it was closing in a deal with the A’s in building a park at Howard Terminal. The money fell short and later MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would announce “there was no deal in Oakland” in what turned out to be one of the most bitter baseball relocations in recent memory?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

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The Sacramento A’s have not sold out a game yet in the 2025 season since their home opener on Mon Mar 31, 2025. Sutter Health Park’s capacity is 14,014 the A’s highest season attendance is 12,119 at the home opener. (tripvisor.com photo)

Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Let’s say you have your eyes on that brand new car you dream of, and you are “almost sure” you are going to buy it in 2028 because you just put your other car (Soccer Team)for sale, but in the meantime, you need another vehicle.

For the A’s owner, West Sacramento Sutter Health Park, it’s like leasing an Avis car for a couple of years, hoping to buy a brand-new car in a few years in Las Vegas. You do not care much for maintaining the Avis lease; you are only interested in being practical, since you are not going to buy it anyway.

Sacramento’s 15 minutes of Major League fame have been cut to 5 minutes, all the hype a month before the season was more “sizzle than steak:”, in the stadium, they call it “all foam no beer” and in the cattle areas of California, “All hat no cattle”.

The A’s announced in January that Opening Day tickets were sold out, despite offering $25 lawn seats the night of the game. The team announced a sold-out crowd of 12,119 fans at the home opener. However, team officials said Sutter Health Park’s total capacity is 13,416.

The Oakland A’s fans in Sacramento (the number is unknown) are disappointed by the team’s temporary move to Sutter Health Park, expressing feelings of betrayal and a sense of disconnection from the team in its new temporary home.

They miss the Oakland atmosphere and feel the team is not embracing Sacramento. Some Sacramento fans, however, are excited to have a Major League team in their city, even if it’s just for a temporary period, but the team also couldn’t care less about Sacramento.

To the best of my knowledge, the A’s are not even recognized by the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, or the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce. Neither did the A’s approach them.

However, if you’re interested, you can still follow the A’s games in Sacramento on sportsradioservice.com, which covers all the team’s day-to-day activities with reporters in the Sacramento area.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Days of Hope, Fremont was in the A’s plans

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Yusmeiro Petit signs autographs for fans at the A’s 2018 Fan Fest at Jack London Square in Oakland (photo by the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Days of Hope, Fremont was in A’s Plans

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

2018 at Jack London Square, where the Oakland Athletics still hoped to build a brand new ballpark, was another year where hope was in the air, hoping the team would remain in The Town.. The A’s Fanfest was popular, with fans gearing up for the season. Little did these fans know that in just a few years, the team would not be playing at Oakland, where they won six American League pennants and four World Series.

The A’s Fanfest at Oakland was always well attended by fans and visitors from all over the Bay Area and the country, baseball people, collectors, tourists, dreamers, and most of all, baseball aficionados seeking autographs from their favorite Oakland A’s players.

The Oakland Athletics had high hopes for staying in Oakland within a new stadium during the years the Oakland Coliseum was deemed outdated and needed replacement. This desire extended across several ownership groups and multiple Bay Area cities, including Oakland, as they struggled to secure funding and land for a new ballpark.

Specifically, the A’s explored options in Fremont, San José, and ultimately, a waterfront site in Oakland. However, the decision to relocate to Las Vegas in 2023 marked the end of these attempts to find a new home in the Bay Area. Currently temporarily playing in Sacramento.

During the A’s Fanfest, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame were busy, as many A’s players would sign autographs and meet with the fans. Next to our location was another non-profit founded by ex-A ‘s Manager and Hall of Famer, Tony LaRussa.

Tony has long advocated for animal welfare and is passionate about helping animals find a home. Tony was not happy about the possibility of the A’s relocating out of the city, which made him a winning manager and a Hall of Fame manager. “I think we should have figured a way; If it wasn’t going to be Oakland, it should have been somewhere in the Bay Area.” -his quote.

Fremont, the city, my home for a longtime was talked about to be the next home of the A’s, not a bad idea, only 20 minutes south of Oakland and even closer to San José, a perfecrt location for the team to stay in the Bay Area.

A meeting to discuss bringing the A’s to Fremont was held at the Saddle Rack in Fremont on February 25, 2009. This meeting was part of a larger effort by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and local fans to support the team’s relocation to Fremont.

I was there, with the group that supported the idea to have Fremont as the new home of the A’s. But there was also opposition, and they won. Lew Wolff was the team owner at that time and told the citty in a letter that the team stopped all plans to build a state-of-the art stadium in Fremont Wolff, who owned the team told city officials in a letter that the team has stopped all plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb, of Fremont south of its current home at the Oakland Coliseum.

He cited expected delays to the project as a reason for his decision. “Delays that are both real and threatened have made it impossible for me to assure my organization of an implementation date consistent with our needs and the requirements of Major League Baseball,” Wolff wrote in the letter.

He noted that the team had already committed more than $80 million to the project, $24 million of which is not recoverable. Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman was disappointed by the decision. Wasserman was the Mayor who developed Fremont into one of the Bay Area’s most prosperous and populated cities.

Fremont is the fourth-largest city in the Bay Area, after #1 San José, #2 San Francisco, and #3 Oakland. Fremont is also the home of the #1 Tesla manufacturing plant in the United States, “Silicon Valley East.” Fremont, CA with 230,000 population.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

AQUA ADVENTURE WATER PARK CENTRAL PARK FREMONT FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY- OPENS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND https://goaquaadventure.com/

Jerry Feitelberg tribute podcast with Charlie O: A’s and Warriors broadcaster, friend, colleague, Jerry passes at 86

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Photo from Jerry Feitelberg: Jerry Feitelberg is all smiles before opening day in the San Francisco Giants pressbox at Oracle Park in San Francisco April 7, 2023 before the Giants faced the visiting Kansas City Royals.

We at Sports Radio Service are sad to report the passing of Jerry Feitelberg our colleague, friend and reporter since 2000. Jerry had started out as an owner and pharmacist for Good Neighbor Pharmacy in Alameda.

Jerry retired from being a pharmacist in the early 2000s and went to work as an assistant trainer for the Oakland A’s under head trainer Barry Weinberg. After Jerry’s tenure on the A’s medical team he joined us at Sports Radio Service as a reporter doing analysis, podcasting, hosting remotes and sitting down to interview some of the well known journalists and athletes.

Jerry was 86 and he battled with health issues the last three years but tried as best as he could to get back to doing what he loved best and that was writing and podcast sports. One note should be taken of how driven he was while in the hospital this last year one of regular podcasters needed time off of an assignment and while in the hospital and under doctors care Jerry said he would do the podcast from his hospital room and didn’t miss a beat and did the podcast as if he wasn’t ailing at all. If it’s any comfort Jerry said he enjoyed just getting back on to do a recording again. It did his heart wonders.

Rest In Peace Jerry our good friend and colleague you’ve done well and your well loved in the sports and journalism community. You’ll be missed.

He will be forever loved and remembered by all who knew him, but especially by his 2 daughters, Jennifer and Amy, and their partners, Tim and Eden. He would like any donations made in his name to go to Boston Latin School.

Charlie O who podcasted Jerry’s tribute worked side by side with Jerry during Jerry’s time as a podcaster and beat writer during the Oakland A’s years.