Tag: Oakland A’s

Hayden Birdsong strikes out 12, Giants walk out of Denver with much-needed 3-2 win over Rockies

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San Francisco Giants starter Hayden Birdsong was dealing against the Colorado Rockies seen here in the bottom of the first inning at Coors Field in Denver as the Giants avoided getting swept on Sun Jul 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Coors Field

Denver, Colorado

San Francisco Giants 3 (48-52)

Colorado Rockies 2 (36-64)

Win: Hayden Birdsong (2-0)

Loss: Ryan Feltner (1-10)

Save: Camilo Doval (18)

Time: 2:20

Attendance: 30,507

By Stephen Ruderman

Hayden Birdsong was dominant over six innings in his fifth big league start, as he struck out 12, and the Giants were able to get out of Colorado with a much-needed 3-2 win salvage a game in this series at Coors Field.

The Giants had an exciting finish to the first half last weekend. However, they’ve struggled over the first two games of this series to start the second half.

First, they blew a 3-0 lead and lost 7-3 Friday night, and then they were unable to get to Kyle Freeland in a 4-3 loss last night. Until Friday, the Giants were undefeated against the Rockies this season, but now they were suddenly trying to avoid an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the third-worst team in Baseball.

The Giants would look to get the win on another cloudy and overcast afternoon in Denver. The game got off to an interesting start. Bob Melvin, who doesn’t often take out the lineup card, got ejected by third Base Umpire and Crew Chief Alex MacKay at the plate meeting prior to the start of the game. Usually in that situation, a manager is planning to watch the entire game from the clubhouse.

Jorge Soler then led off, and on the fourth pitch of the game from Rockies’ starter Ryan Feltner, Soler hit a mammoth 478-foot blast just to the left of straight away center field. It was the longest home run in Baseball this season.

It was the start the Giants needed against Feltner, who came into Saturday’s game 1-9 with a 5.38 ERA. Sunday night, the Giants struggled against Kyle Freeland, who came into the game with an ERA right at 6.00, and if the Giants were going to once again struggle against a really bad pitcher, it would have been even more of a really bad look.

Anyway, Hayden Birdsong took the ball for the Giants in his fifth big league start. Birdsong, who has snuck into MLB.com’s top 100 prospects since his major league debut, has gone 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in his first four starts. Perhaps, he would be the man that could steer the ship for the Giants Sunday.

Indeed, Birdsong started out strong today. He pitched a scoreless bottom of the first inning, and he threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the second.

Tyler Fitzgerald, who hit a home run last night, led off the top of the third with a home run to dead straight away center to make it 2-0. Birdsong then pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third, and he was dealing.

Feltner retired the first two men he faced in the top of the fourth, but Matt Chapman and Mike Yastrzesmski each singled to put runners at the corners with two outs. With Fitzgerald at the plate, Chapman scored on a passed ball by catcher Jacob Stallings to make it 3-0 San Francisco.

Birdsong walked Ryan McMahon with one out in the bottom of the fourth, and with two outs, Brendan Rogers put the Rockies on the board with a two-run home run to left to make it 3-2. Despite the home run, Birdsong struck out the side, and he struck out seven over the first four innings.

Feltner pitched a 1-2-3 top of the fifth, and after Stallings led off the bottom of the fifth with a base-hit, Birdsong struck out the side. Feltner then pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth.

Birdsong threw another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth, while striking out two to end one helluva a day for the young man. Birdsong gave up just two runs and two hits over six innings, but most importantly, he struck out 12, which was the most for a Giants’ rookie since Tim Lincecum struck out 12 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 1, 2007 at then-AT&T Park.

Feltner ended up going seven innings, an inning longer than Birdsong, and he ended his afternoon when Fitzgerald walked and was then caught trying to steal second base to end the top of the seventh.

Ryan Walker came in for the bottom of the seventh, and he got help right away from Matt Chapman, who took away a base-hit from Brendan Rogers on a ground ball to third to start the inning. Walker was damn lucky that Chapman made that play, because Jake Cave then lined a double to left.

The Rockies had the tying run at second against Walker with one out, but Stallings struck out looking, and Sam Hilliard lined out to center to end the inning, as the Giants’ kept their 3-2 lead going to the eighth.

Tyler Kinley pitched a scoreless top of the eighth for Colorado, and submariner Tyler Rogers, who got rocked for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in a tough-luck loss Friday, was back out for the top of the eighth Sunday afternoon.

Rogers seemed as if he was going to find himself in trouble again after Aaron Schunk reached on an error by second-baseman Brett Wisely. However, longtime veteran Charlie Blackmon, the longest-tenured Rockie dating all the way back to 2011, bunted into a 4-6-3 double play. Brenton Doyle singled with two outs, but Ryan McMahon grounded out to end the inning.

For Rogers, he didn’t have himself the worst inning, but with a Giants’ fan base that has relentlessly and unfairly gone after Rogers, I’m sure it wasn’t enough.

Anyway, it was off to the top of the ninth, where Jalen Beeks threw a 1-2-3 inning. For the bottom of the ninth, the Giants turned to Camilo Doval. Doval, who has been nails for the Giants as their closer the last two seasons, had gotten off to another solid start this season.

However, since a blown save in Pittsburgh on May 21 in which he gave up two unearned runs, he has been absolutely snakebit. His latest nightmare came last Sunday, when he blew a save against the Minnesota Twins.

Rumors have swirled that the Giants would go to a new closer, or perhaps Doval would even be sent to the minors, but here he was in the game today to try and notch the save in a semi-must-win game Sunday in Denver.

Doval struck Michael Toglia and Brendan Rogers both out looking to start the bottom of the ninth, but Jake Cave walked and stole second. Of course it wasn’t going to be easy for Doval, but he got Stallings to ground out to third, and everybody went home happy, as the Giants held on for a much-needed 3-2 win.

Hayden Birdsong got his second big league win; Ryan Feltner took his tenth loss of the season; and Camilo Doval picked up his 18th save of the year.

The Giants improve to 48-52—and yes, I just realized that this was the Giants’ 100th game of the season—and they will also have some much-needed momentum heading into a tough four-game series at Dodger Stadium against their hated rivals.

Blake Snell (0-3, 6.31 ERA), who almost picked up his first win of the season last Sunday, will go for the Giants Sunday night. Dave Roberts has yet to say who will go for the Dodgers. First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m., which is the old custom for games at Dodger Stadium.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s offense springing into action, Rooker and Butler tee off for 3 RBIs a piece

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (left) gets congratulated by teammates JJ Bleday (33) and Miguel Andujar (22) after slugging a three run home run in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Jul 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 The Oakland A’s made a fast two wins to start this second half of the 2024 season after the All Star break. Taking Friday night’s game in a 13-3 laugher over the Los Angeles Angels and Saturday getting run production from Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler with 3 RBIs each in the A’s 8-2 win.

#2 Before the All Star Break the A’s took two out of three from one of baseball’s toughest team the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. If the A’s are on the way to winning a whole bunch of games was the Philadelphia experiment a good curve of that?

#3 A’s are getting a sense that this team is starting to jell. Their hitting has vastly improved but the pitching has also kept them in games with recent help from starters JP Sears on Friday and Saturday starter Mitch Spence on Saturday.

#4 A’s have been rolling they’ve won six of their last ten games they’re 13.5 games off the pace in the AL West and have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to be a factor in this race. Some say this A’s team can’t do it and would be lucky if they don’t lost 100 games this season. In view of what you’ve seen in recent games is this just a passing phase or are these A’s serious?

#5 The Angels will try and avoid getting swept today at the Oakland Coliseum and will start RHP Carlson Fulmer (0-2, ERA 3.45) and the A’s will try for the sweep with starter RHP Joey Estes (4-4, ERA 5.29).

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter at 1080 KWAI Honolulu

A’s get run production from Rooker and Butler with 3 RBIs each to defeat Angels 8-2

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) slugs a bottom of the first inning three run home run in front of the Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Jul 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

Los Angeles (41-57). 001 001 000. 2. 6. 0

Athletics (39-61). 300 400 10x. 8 11 1

Time: 2:29

Attendance: 14,574

Saturday, July 20, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The A’s made it two in a row and clinched the series win against the Angels this lovely Saturday afternoon at the decrepit but, as ever, beautifully manicured Oakland Coliseum. They handily defeated their visitors from the south, 8-2, in a game whose outcome never was in doubt.

Mitch Spence, who started for the Athletics, began the season well, but his performance declined steadily since his first appearance of the season, on March 29. He had been 3-1, 2.84 through April 30. He pitched exclusively in relief through May 13, compiling a record of 4-2, 4.26, after which he joined the rotation. He was 4-4, 4.35 on June 30 and 5-6, 4.75 at game time. The 26 year old righty began to reverse that decline this afternoon.

Spence lasted 5-1/3 innings and allowed two runs, both earned, on five hits, three walks, and a wild pitch to get the win that lowered his ERA to 4.67. Scott Alexander (untouched in two thirds of an inning), Austin Adams (a walk and a strikeout in an inning), and Tyler Ferguson (one hit and a pair of strikeouts in two innings) followed him to the mound. He threw 85 pitches; 35 were balls.

Rookie Jack Kochanowicz, who began last year in High-A Tri-City, made his first big league appearance nine days ago in relief against Seattle. This afternoon marked his first start in the show.

It was not an impressive performance. The 23 year old right hander surrendered seven runs, all earned, on seven hits, one of them a home run, in four innings. He issued three free passes and struck out four Athletics. His pitch count reached 74 in his abbreviated mound tenure and took the loss, leaving him at 0-2, 14.14 Kenny Rosenberg replaced him in the fifth and held the A’s to one run on four hits and a walk.

The A’s picked up where they had left off in yesterday’s 13-3 thrashing of the visiting Angels. Brent Rooker took a 96 mph sinker 445 feet deep, into the left field seats above the American League scoreboard, with Miguel Andújar and JJ Bleday on base, to put the green and gold up 3-0 after an inning of play. It was his 22nd roundtripper and drove in his 63rd, 64th, and 65th runs batted in of 2024.

A combination of sloppy play by the Athletics and heads up baserunning by the Halos’ Jo Adell allowed Los Angeles to get back a run in the third. Adell led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third when catcher Kyle McCann couldn’t handle Spence’s third strike to Luis Guillome, forcing the throw to first that put Adell in position to score on Anthony Redon’s sacrifice line drive to left.

It was the bottom of the fourth that proved to be the Angels’ undoing. Brett Rooker and Kyle McCann singled, Harris and Max Schuemann walked, Lawrence Butler doubled to add four runs to the Athletics’ advantage.

The visitors drove Spence from the mound in the sixth. Zach Neto’s double down the left field line that went just under Harris’s glove at third plated Tyler Ward, who had led off with a walk and moved on to second on Logan O’Hoppe’s single to center. Scott Alexander, retiring with nine pitches. the two batters he faced to put out the fire.

The homeless wonders tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, courtesy of Schuemann’s leadoff double and Miguel Andújar’s RBI single off Rosenberg.

Both Butler and Andújar, the numbers one and two in the batting order, went three for four. The former drove in three runs; the latter, one. Rooker went two for three and had three RBI. Schuemann drove in the remaining tally.

Lower calf soreness forced Los Angeles first sacker Nolan Schanuel to leave the game after the top of the third.

Joey Estes (4-4, 5.29), who’s been on a tear recently, will pitch for the Athletics in their attempt to sweep the series when he goes against the Angels Carlos Fulmer (0-2, 3.45). The first pitch is scheduled for 1:07.

Oakland A’s podcast with Morris Phillips: Swinging A’s showing some consistent hitting

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left to right the Oakland A’s Seth Brown (15), Brett Harris (77) congratulate Max Scheumann (12) on his three run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Jul 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris, the A’s have been a hitting bunch of late. They took two out of three from the Philadelphia Phillies when the finished the first half of the season and they come back last night and won in lopsided contest beating the Los Angeles Angels 13-3.

#2 The A’s Max Scheumann contributed with a three run home run and had four RBIs in the ten run win against the Angels.

#3 The A’s JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers both hit two run home runs. They’ve getting their share of extra bases but over the last week it’s been a huge improvement.

#4 Earlier this season the A’s were having issues with getting run production but in their last road trip against Boston and Philadelphia would you say that’s helped build their confidence?

#5 Angels and A’s match up again today at the Coliseum. The Angels will be starting RHP Jack Kochanowicz (0-1, 12.00 ERA) he’s matching up against the A’s RHP Mitch Spence (5-6, ERA 4.75).

Morris is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Scheumann leads A’s with homer and four RBIs to beat Halos 13-3 at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Max Scheumann circles the bases after slugging a three run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Jul 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Los Angeles (41-56). 010 101 000. 3. 9 1

Athletics (38-61). 002 407 00x. 13 14 1

Time: 2:39

Attendance: 11,596

Friday, July 19, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The A’s returned Friday night from the all-star break to demolish the Los Angeles Angels, whom they’re chasing for the third spot in the four team western division of the American League, in the first of a three game series. The 13-3 triumph would have been a laugher if it hadn’t included the loss of one of the Athletics’ brightest hopes.

Jacob Wilson, the A’s top draft choice and sixth overall last year, was promoted from Las Vegas earlier in the day and started at short, batting in the eighth slot. The Angels’ Anthony Rendon hit the first pitch of the game to him.

The debutant handled it cleanly and threw Rendon out at first. He also made a nifty play to initiate a 6-3 double play in the top of the third, shortly before leading off the bottom of the frame with a single to center in his first major league at bat.

This outstanding performance was cut short when Wilson was removed from the game between innings because of a strained left hamstring. An injury to his right leg had put the prospect on the IL from May 18 to June 24.

The Athletics sent southpaw JP Sears (6-7, 4.56 at game time) to the mound. Had been excellent, if not durable, in his two previous starts, giving up just one earned run in 10-2/3 innings of work on July 4th and 10th.

The holiday win was against the Angels at the Coliseum, where he shut them out over five frames while allowing two hits. He wasn’t as sharp Friday night but still managed to even his won-lost record at 7-7 by allowing three runs, two earned, in 5-2/3 of nine hit ball.

Two of those hits were for the distance. Such is life on a warm evening at the Coliseum, as the Angels’ pitching staff had a chance to learn. 69 of Sears’ 81 offerings qualified as strikes. He struck out four and didn’t issue any walks.

The outing lowered Sears’ ERA slightly, to 4.49. Austin Adams was the first man to replace Sears. He was wild in the beginning but didn’t allow any runs, inherited or otherwise, in his third of an inning on the mound.

Tyler Feruson, Osvaldo Bido, and Michel Otáñez each pitched a hitless and scoreless inning. Adams and Ferguson, at one apiece, were the only A’s relievers to issue a walk.

Opposing Sears and the A’s was Griffin Canning, the Angels’ second round draft choice in 2017. The 28 year old 6′, 180 lb right hander made his major league debut on April 30, 2019 and brought a lifetime record of 22-30, 4.64, accompanied by a season’s record of 3-9, 4.84, to the game.

Canning won the 2020 Gold Glove for American League pitchers. He missed all of the 2022 season with what was described as “a low back stress reaction.” Canning lasted a mere 3-1/3 frames, in which he threw 62 pitches, 38 for strikes. The six runs scored against him were earned and came on six hits, one a four bagger, and a couple of bases on balls. He took the loss and now has a record of 3-10 5.20.

Angels manager Ron Washington’s crew also called on Roansy Contreras, whom they list as a starter. He lasted two innings and gave up two runs, earned, on two hits before being replaced by Matt Moore in the sixth. It was not a felicitous move for the Angelinos.

The A’s scored seven runs in that frame, two of them charged to Contreras and the remainder to Moore. Hans Crouse (a perfect seventh that included a strike out), and infielder Luis Guillorme got the fallen Angels to the finish line without allowing another run.

The Halos took an early lead in the top of the second. Zach Neto hit a soft grounder in front of the plate. Sears made a nice play to grab it but threw off balance into left field for a two base error that put Neto on third. He scored easily on Jo Adell’s bloop single to right.

The A’s went ahead in the bottom of the third. Wilson went to second on a disengagement violation after his leadoff single. Max Schuemann beat out a grounder to third, and both runners scored on Lawrence Butler’s triple. Neto’s 13th homer of the year, a 397 foot fly clearly fair, but not by much, to left, evened the score in the top of the fourth.

The Athletics took the lead back and drove Canning from the mound in the bottom of that inning. Brett Harris, who had taken over Wilson’s spot in the batting order, drove in Zack Gelof, who reached first on a bunt single and advanced to second on a walk to Seth Brown, on. a single to left. Max Schueman then homered to left, his sixth round tripper of the year, driving in his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd runs of the season.

When Sears made his exit in the visitors’ sixth, the Angels had narrowed the score to 6-3 on Nolan Schanuel leadoff homer to right. He got two outs after that but allowed a pair of singles before being lifted in favor of Austin Adams, who threw two wild pitches and issued a walk but got Matt Thaiss to ground out to second to end the inning.

The homeless hosts blew the game open in the sixth, when they sent ten batters to the plate. The mixture of athletic prowess and angelic ineptitude featured

  • Schuemann’s double that scored Seth Brown, who had led off the inning with a walk; • a passed ball; • a throwing error by Angels right fielder Jo Adell that let Schuemann score on Lawrence Butler’s single; • JJ Bleday’s homer (his 12th) into the stairway in right; and • Shea Langeliers’ home run (his 18th) with Rooker (who had singled) on base.

In addition to Wilson’s sparkling defense, Seth Brown made a notable over the shoulder catch of Brandon Drury’s foul that he chased deep into foul territory close to the visitors’ bullpen in the top of the sixth, and Geloff set off sparks with his play on Adell’s lead off grounder in the top of the ninth.

They’ll be giving away José Canseco bobbleheads Saturday, before the 1:07 start. Mitch Spence (5-6, 4.75) is scheduled to start for the A’s. Fellow righty Jack Kochanowicz (0-1, 12.00) will face him for the Disneyland Dandies.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s say they’re in good shape on ballpark construction costs won’t need to use all $380 million of state money

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Sandy Dean a family business partner of Oakland A’s owner John Fisher addresses the Las Vegas Stadium Authority at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Thu Jul 18, 2024 regarding the financing of the Tropicana ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip. (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority was notified by the Oakland A’s that they are in good financial standing and will not need to use all of the $380 million in public funds to pay for the construction towards the Tropicana ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip.

#2 The Stadium Authority met with Sandy Dean on Thursday. Dean a business partner with Oakland A’s owner John Fisher said the team is in “good shape” asked how the A’s are in good shape and where the finances were coming from to cover the $1.2 billion in construction costs Dean didn’t comment.

#3 Dean stated at the meeting that the A’s intend to use $350 million of the $380 million in public funds. Dean said the A’s never planned to use the full amount and that the remaining funding will be off set by debt financing.

#4 Public financing of the ballpark comes from transferable credits $180 million coming from the State of Nevada, another $120 million coming from Clark County bonds, and county infrastructure costs will run $25 million. So it looks like Nevada is ready to pitch in for their share of the costs.

#5 Still after the meeting the question of where Fisher was going to come up with his share of the construction costs at $1.2 million was an issue. In a March 2024 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle Fisher told the paper that payments for the construction costs at $200 million from debt, $500 million from the Fisher family, and another $500 million from investors. It’s mid July and there has been no word on where the money is coming from from Fisher’s share of the construction costs other than Dean saying the A’s are in “good shape” to cover the costs on the public money.

#6 News out of Sacramento Vivek Ranadive said that he’s prepared to spend millions for improvements to upgrade the park to MLB specs over the off season as the A’s will open the 2025 season at Sutter Health Park. The discussion of playing on turf has the Players Union concerned and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said all they have to do is put some water on the turf and that should cool things off and solve the problem.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah: Reporters make it Miller Time with trade deadline talk with A’s closer

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Lots of questions for Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller during the All Star Break in Arlington about possibly being traded before the July 30th deadline. Here is Miller throwing off the Oakland Coliseum mound. Miller leads the American League in saves with 15. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller said during the All Star Break he’s more focused on winning games and helping the A’s than focusing on the trade rumors.

#2 Miller was surrounded at the All Star Game and was pressed about the possibility of being traded before the July 30th trade deadline.

#3 Different members of the press were asking about what he thought about being traded and what would it be like to be on a pennant contending team Miller replied, “Until the day it happens, if it does, my loyalty and effort and all that lies in the clubhouse in Oakland.”

#4 Miller makes the MLB minimum at $740,000 and is under club control with the A’s through the 2029 season. Miller has been lights out all season throwing over 100 MPH and has an American League leading 15 saves is a sought after prospect that could be a closer on the Philadelphia Phillies or the New York Yankees making multi millions.

#5 The A’s open the second half of the season tonight at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Angels. Starting pitchers for the Angels The last time these two teams met was at the Coliseum the A’s swept the Angels July 2-4 in a three game series. The A’s are coming off winning two out of three from the Phillies last weekend in Philadelphia. For a last place team the A’s do have their flashes.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part VIII) Krazy George and The Wave

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Krazy George works the Oakland Coliseum crowds in the 1980s during Oakland A’s games (photo by WBUR)

2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part VIII) Krazy George and The Wave

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For over half a century, the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum has been the home of the Oakland A’s. In addition to all the great games, including postseasons, World Series, and one All-Star Game, many colorful characters have been among the fans in attendance.

One person stands out, one big A’s fan and professional cheerleader, and his name is Krazy George Henderson, known to all as “Krazy George. Krazy George originated ‘the wave’. On October 15, 1981, Krazy George (80 years old this year) initiated the first wave among Oakland A’s fans.

It was recorded during a playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland A’s. This moment was captured in history and seen by a national television audience. 1981 is one of the years Billy Martin managed the Oakland A’s, and at the time when Krazy George started the wave, I thought it was just another A’s fan but little did I know at that time he would become a professional cheerleader, the one that invented the wave for thousands and thousands of fans in attendance. Although it is generically organized, the wave still happens in many stadiums.

Krazy George was a local personality. In 1968, he was a student at Cal State San José and a member of the National Championship Judo team. After graduating, he continued cheerleading for local sporting events. He was famous for leading cheers with his hand drum in the early 1970s. He was also a High School teacher in Santa Clara.

The California Golden Seals of the National Hockey League (who played their home games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena) hired Krazy George as a cheerleader. Krazy George Henderson worked as a professional cheerleader for various professional organizations. He was also hired for private events.

Another colorful character at A’s games was Stacy Samuels, Banjo Man, a Bay Area resident from Fairfax who attended many San Francisco 49ers games during history. Banjo Man stopped attending A’s games at the Oakland Coliseum during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was great fun. He would stop and play his happy Banjo right in front of our crowd microphone under our broadcast booth with his propelled head beanie.

If you wonder what happened to Krazy George Henderson, he is still around, enjoying his job. He has appeared at the San José Earthquake games in San José 2024 and at a San José State women’s volleyball game. A pioneer who invented the wave at the Oakland A’s games, Krazy George Henderson was a historic personality for Oakland A’s for over 50 years of fun at the Oakland Coliseum.

El Loco George es parte de la historia de los Atléticos en Oakland.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on 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

MLB All Star Game/That’s Amaury News Commentary podcast: National League and American League All Stars battle in the Mid Summer Classic tonight

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Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez (37) slugged 14 Home Run Derby home runs just edging the Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr who had 13 home runs at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Mon Jul 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Teoscar Hernandez became the first Los Angeles Dodger to win the home run derby winner at the All Star Game contest on Monday at Globe Life Field. Hernandez edging out the Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr 14-13.

#2 Amaury, there were a number of hitters invited to the Home Run Derby but took a pass saying it could hurt a player and it could effect their swing going into the second half of the season.

#3 On the national stage at the Home Run Derby four time Grammy nominated artist Ingrid Andress’ rendition of the national anthem almost overshadowed the derby itself. Andress was off key during her rendition but there have been worse versions sang. But since this was in front of a national audience at the Home Run Derby it was a discussion.

#4 The American League announced they are starting Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes to start the All Star Game. Burnes is 9-4 with 2.93 ERA. The Orioles have had much luck this season occupying first place in the AL East and Burnes has been one of the O’s best starting pitchers.

#5 Each time you get to the All Star Game it give you a chance to ask questions of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and as usual the questions of the Oakland A’s playing at a minor league facility in Sacramento should come up. Reporters who have walked around at Sutter Health Park said it’s going to be challenging to fit all the media, fans, and players accommodations during A’s home games in Sacramento and games are expected to be sold out with almost no room in the ballpark.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on 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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: Butler named AL Player of the Week; A’s shockingly beat Phillies like a drum 18-3 to end first half

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Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler and American League Player of the Week had himself quite a day at the plate hitting three home runs off the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sun Jul 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Oakland Athletics had their way with the Philadelphia Phillies in the rubber game match crushing the Philadelphia pitching 18-3 at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark on Sunday. The A’s Lawrence Butler had himself a day with three home runs.

#2 In addition the A’s Brent Rooker and Seth Brown both had two homers a piece. Butler had six RBIs, Rooker tied his career high with five RBIs.

#3 The A’s came into Sunday’s game with the fourth fewest wins in baseball watching them you couldn’t tell their a last place team in the American League West hitting eight home runs off Phillies pitching.

#4 The A’s kept pouring it on with Zack Gelof who hit a grand slam home run off Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs who came in to pitch.

#5 It’s the All Star Game on Tuesday and the Oakland A’s representative Mason Miller whose been closing with lots of success and an American League leading 15 saves.

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