Tag: Oakland A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Schools over Stadiums turned down in Nevada Supreme Court; A’s $1.5 billion Vegas ballpark funding murkier

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The locked, closed and unused Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas which was closed on Apr 2, 2024 and is the proposed site for the Oakland A’s new ballpark. photo by Sports Radio Service on Apr 8, 2024.

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, the Nevada Supreme Court rejected Schools over Stadium ballot referendum that would have approved petition language that would reject SB1 the use of public funds at the tune of $380 million for the November 2024 election.

#2 The A’s who hired a Los Angeles investor to help them find minority partners to invest shares into the team and help pay for the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark has so far not panned out any new news in finding partners.

#3 Also Bally’s where the Tropicana Hotel waits to be imploded in April 2025 needs to determine where they want to put the nine acre park on the 36 acre location at Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd. At first it was thought the park would be location on the back corner from the strip but now Bally’s or the A’s are not really sure where their going to put the ballpark.

#4 Schools over Stadiums who were rejected for the second time to get language to reject the public funding of the ballpark will attempt to appeal again. Schools over Stadiums released a statement after the Supreme Court denied the application for petition language, “Schools Over Stadiums remains committed to stopping Nevada tax dollars from paying for a stadium for a California billionaire, and we are disappointed Nevada voters will not have their say in 2024. With this guidance, Schools Over Stadiums plans to refile our petition next year and win in 2026. Nevada voters deserve the opportunity to decide where their money goes.”

#5 Meanwhile the A’s who will be playing their 2025-27 seasons at Sutter Health Ballpark in Sacramento are working with Sacramento Rivercats owner Vivek Ranadive. Ranadive who is anticipating that the Las Vegas deal will fall through and will get on board with John Fisher and the A’s to help build a ballpark and keep the A’s in Sacramento permanently that has yet to be determined.

#6 African American Sports and Entertainment wanted to join forces with the A’s at one time to keep the A’s in Oakland and help buy a share in the team and buy the Oakland Coliseum location and turn it into a sports and entertainment complex. John Fisher has been very silent on all these moving parts.

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

#1

Struggling A’s Fall to Struggling Houston Astros 9-2; Houston’s Bregman has big night two homers and 4 RBIs

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The Oakland A’s shortstop Max Scheuemann (12) applies the tag on the Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (right) for the out in the bottom of the sixth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Mon May 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Two struggling teams faced each other at Minute Maid Park Monday evening. The Oakland A’s (19-24) and the Houston Astros (16-25) began a three game series both of them in the same division and both of them looking for a win. The Astros broke this game wide open in the eighth inning scoring four times for a final score of 9-2.

Houston’s Alex Bregman had two home runs and a double in the game. Oakland’s JJ Bleday, Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom each had a couple of hits but the Astros simply outplayed Oakland offensively. Three Oakland errors did not do a whole lot for the A’s cause.

Game recap: It is no picnic playing in front of the Houston crowd; they are loud and proud and they do love their Astros despite the season they are having right now. Astro fans had a lot to cheer about in the opening innings.

Houston scored in the first two innings taking a 2-0 lead. An A’s throwing error allowed Jeremy Pena to score for the early 1-0 lead. Houston added a second run in the third inning when Kyle Tucker doubled and Jose Altuve who had been hit by a pitch scampered home giving the Astros a 2-0 lead.

The A’s got to within on run of tying this game in the fourth inning. Soderstrom singled Brent Rooker home now only trailing by a single run 2-1. The Astros would beef up the score when Alex Bregman homered giving Houston a 3-1 lead.

JJ Bleday answered the call in the fifth inning hitting a double bringing Abraham Toro home for a 3-2 tally with the Astros hanging onto a one run lead. Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti was relieved in the sixth inning by Rafael Montero. He had gone five innings allowing five hits and two runs with five strikeouts.

Oakland’s Ross Stripling finished the game going five innings giving up four hits and two runs with a single strikeout. He had thrown 52 pitches when he exited the hill relieved by lefty T.J. McFarland. McFarland had a solid sixth inning excusing the Astros via a strike out and a double play going into the seventh inning. Through six innings the A’s had more hits than the Astros 6 to 5.

Esteury Ruiz was caught stealing looking for his 58th steal in the seventh inning. It was a hitless inning for the A’s with Abraham Toro striking out for the third out. In the bottom of the inning, Houston got their second home run of the game off the bat of, once again, Alex Bregman extending their lead to 4-2.

Mitch Spence who had relieved T.J. McFarland allowed the Bregman long ball. McFarland got out of the inning with only the one run and the A’s had a couple of innings left to turn this game in their favor.

Before the inning came to an end Oakland was looking at two outs and facing Jose Altuve. Altuve does what he does best driving another run home. Jake Meyers scored on the Altuve single and Houston was on a roll leading 5-2. Oakland just could get out of the seventh inning facing another threat Kyle Tucker trying to get that final out. The A’s escaped with the two runs but the 5-2 deficit was a tough call with only two innings left.

The A’ would have to get to work in the late innings. They had their work cut out for them and they desperately needed base runners. JJ Bleday flied out and with one down Brent Rooker singled. Tyler Soderstrom doubled with two Oakland outs and the A’s had runners on second and third.

With the two runners on base Seth Brown watched a third strike go by and the third out for Houston. Oakland had missed a golden opportunity leaving Rooker and Soderstrom stranded.

This game saw another Oakland error, this one from Max Schuemann in the eighth inning with two Astro runners on base and no outs. Oakland relief pitcher Easton Lucas walked Jon Singleton to load the bases and then faced Alex Bregman.

Bregman who had already slugged two home runs doubled driving in Trey Cabbage and Jeremy Pena and Houston had broken this game wide open 7-2. More Astros came home off a Victor Caratini double.

Bregman and Singleton crossed home plate giving Houston a 9-2 lead with Jose Altuve at the plate. Oakland pitcher Lucas was having a rough time allowing 3 hits and 4 runs as this inning finally came to an end. Oakland went quietly into the night in the ninth inning with a three up and three down finish.

Post game notes: Monday evening the A’s traveled to Houston and lost to their division rival Astros 9-2. Houston still has the deep roster that took them to the playoffs numerous times but despite that they have struggled on the mound.

Earlier Monday, it was announced that the Astros Jose Altuve was having the day off but come game time he was on the field so the A’s had to deal with him. Altuve ended up scoring one run and one hit in four at bats. A’s starter Ross Stripling was on the hill facing this daunting Houston lineup. Stripling pitched five innings, gave up four hits and one run. Astro starter Spencer Arrighetti pitched five innings, gave up five hits and two runs.

The A’s will try to right the ship in game two Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:10 PM. JP Sears (3-2 ERA 4.20) will be on the hill for the A’s and for Houston Ronel Blanco (4-0 ERA 2.23) will get the nod.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s drop series in Seattle; Open series in Houston tonight

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Oakland A’s starter Alex Wood throws to the Seattle Mariners line up in the top of the first inning at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Tough go for the Oakland A’s on Sunday with a 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners to drop the three game series 2-1.

#2 A’s starter Alex Wood was charged for one earned run but gave up a total of five runs. It’s the base hits that hurt Wood who gave up four hits.

#3 Barbara for the Mariners the bottom of he second was a rally scoring four runs and the M’s got home run help from Julio Rodríguez and Mitch Garver in the fifth inning.

#4 The A’s and Mariners won by scores of 8-1 in games 1 and 2 but it was game three that the Mariners held on with a four run win 8-4. The A’s pitching fell apart early with Wood giving up the five run and reliever Kyle Mueller got rocked for four hits and three runs.

#5 The A’s will get another chance to try and win a series against the struggling Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Monday night. Starting pitchers for Oakland RHP Ross Stripling (1-6 ERA 5.14) and for Houston RHP Spencer Arrighetti (0-4 ERA 8.44) first pitch at 5:10pm PDT.

Join Barbara Mason for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Another Slow Start for Oakland Spells Series Loss To Seattle 8-4

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Oakland A’s pitcher Alex Wood (57) waits for the ball after walking the Seattle Mariners Luis Arias in the bottom of the second inning at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It’s awfully hard to win a game when you fall behind 5-0 by the second inning. It’s even more difficult when you fail to score a single run until the fifth inning. This was the scenario for the Oakland A’s (19-23) Sunday in Seattle.

A rough outing on the mound plus a poor offensive effort spelled the difference in the game. Oakland lost this to the Seattle Mariners (25-19) game 8-4. They faced a team with one of best pitching in the league. Seattle’s Luis Castillo went six innings while the A’s Alex Wood lasted only two innings before turning it over to Kyle Muller

Game recap: This game started under sunny skies as the stadium continued to fill with families celebrating Mother’s Day treating mom to a fun-filled day at the ball park. Yesterday 32,000 plus fans attended the game and huge attendance is expected today on this Mother’s Day.

The players and umpires got into a celebratory mood with an array of pink sweatbands, bats, socks and Seattle catcher Seby Zavala was decked out in pink from head to toe. This was no ordinary boring pink but an electric hot pink making the outfield a blaze of color. The final attendance was over 41,000 fans.

The Mariners struck first in this game when Mitch Garver singled driving Dylan Moore home for the 1-0 lead going into the second inning. In both games one and two Seattle scored the first run of the game and today again took the first lead.

Seattle’s Sam Haggerty had his first hit of the season in the second inning driving in Ty France for a 2-0 lead. Oakland pitcher Alex Wood had already thrown 59 pitches some of them erratic. Dylan Moore sacrificed flied and Luis Urias scored for yet another run 3-0.

Wood then threw a pitch that really hurt when Julio Rodriguez knocked it out of the park, a two-run home run and Seattle had taken a 5-0 lead. In games where the Mariners led by 5 runs, they were 12-1 and Seattle had broken this game open. So far, the A’s had run into an offensive buzzsaw.

In the third inning Abraham Toro attempted a steal and was thrown out for the third out and not much was going right for Oakland in this game.

The A’s got their first run of the game in the fifth inning when Oakland’s Max Schuemann hit a solo home run with so much ground to make up trailing 5-1. The A’s got little chance to even think about a comeback when Seattle struck again with a two-run home run courtesy of Mitch Garver and the Mariners had extended their lead to 7-1.

The sixth inning saw a long ball from each team. The A’s Abraham Toro hit a solo shot and the Mariners Seby Zavala had a solo home run as well. Trailing by the 8-2 deficit, single runs were not going to get the job done for the A’s. So much damage was done on the mound and coming back was a bleak prospect. Oakland was running out of frames.

The A’s continued to fight and in the eighth inning Brent Rooker hit a two-run home run but with only one inning left in the game they were up against immeasurable odds trailing 8-4. It was a quick ninth inning for Oakland coming up short and the Mariners had won this game 8-4 as well as the series.

Post game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s and the Mariners closed out their three series, a rubber match in a reversal of fate series. In game one it was all Seattle crushing the A’s 8-1. Oakland could not generate very much offense while the Mariners were dominating on both sides. All eyes were watching to see how the A’s would respond in game two and respond they did to the tune of an 8-1 victory of their own.

The Mariners came out in the first inning with Mitch Garver’s RBI scoring Dylan Moore to put the M’s ahead 1-0. The Mariners came right out and struck again in the bottom of the second this time with four runs including a home run by Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners starter Luis Castillo pitched six innings giving up seven hits and two runs and the A’s starter Alex Wood went two innings four hits and gave up five runs.

The Oakland A’s will be relieved to get back on the road after this series taking on the Houston Astros Monday evening. Putting this series behind them is a must as they take on another division rival. Ross Stripling (1-6 ERA 5.14) will take the mound for Oakland while Spencer Arrighetti (0-4 ERA 8.44) will be on the hill for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s-M’s battle for rubber game today in Seattle

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The Oakland A’s Brent Rooker swings for an RBI single in the top of the top of the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sat May 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 The Oakland A’s put together a late rally scoring three runs in the top of the eighth and ninth innings and came out on top of the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle 8-1 on Saturday night.

#2 Sometimes you just don’t know what A’s team is going to show up on Friday night the A’s got clobbered 8-1 but then turned it around with some clobbering of their own on Saturday night winning 8-1.

#3 Augie, A’s starter Joey Estes got the call up from triple A Las Vegas pitching five innings, giving up only two hits and one earned run. A great outing by Estes who kept the M’s off balance with the backing of four relievers.

#4 The A’s got offensive help from Abraham Toro and Brent Rooker hit for RBIs in the A’s two run third inning, Max Scheuemann hit a double for three runs in the eighth, and JJ Bleday hit a two run homer in the ninth.

#5 Oakland A’s LHP Alex Wood (1-2 ERA 5.30) and the Seattle Mariners Luis Castillio (3-5, ERA 3.35) will match up in the rubber game tonight at T Mobile. It comes down to who wants bad enough. Who do you like this one?

Augie Messenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com; Augie is also a reporter at 102.3 KHAI Honolulu

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: How much blame falls on Oakland Mayor Thao or A’s owner John Fisher in loss of A’s

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaks during the Oakland 68’s and the Last Dive Bar’s FanFest at Jack London Square Oakland back in March 2024. Thao is facing a recall from office as being organized by Oakland residents. (photo by the City of Oakland)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 An Oakland poll that was taken asked if Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao should go and she got a 96.6 percent rating that asked if Mayor Thao should be recalled. Although Oakland residents blame Oakland A’s John Fisher for taking the A’s out of Oakland Thao is being blamed for a large part of losing the A’s.

#2 Thao and the City are also being blamed for not solidifying their negotiations in trying to bridge the gap to get the financing done to get a ballpark village at Howard Terminal. How much of the blame of losing the A’s will be part of Thao’s legacy?

#3 It’s very likely a recall to remove her from office will be in motion soon. Thao is being blamed for the high crime, retail closing and leaving, the high profile closure of In and Out Burger at the Airport Corridor, and the failure to negotiate an agreement with the A’s to keep them at the Coliseum for the interim for three years.

#4 Charlie, how much did the $92 million for three years offer by Oakland to keep the A’s at the Coliseum for interim while the park is being built in Las Vegas seem like a pie in the sky offer by Thao and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority?

#5. What really went wrong between Fisher and Thao in negotiations in terms of closing the deal at Howard Terminal?

Charlie O does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Flip the Script Beating Seattle 8-1

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The Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) scores in front of the Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (left) at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sat May 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In game two of the A’s three game series with the Seattle Mariners (21-19), Oakland (19-22) turned the tables on Seattle. Losing 8-1 in game one, it was the A’s whose offense was lit winning game two 8-1.

Oakland had a great offensive and defensive effort. A’s pitcher Joey Estes had a great game going five innings allowing two hits, one run and no walks with 5 strikeouts. Relief pitching was terrific putting the icing on the cake in the final four frames.

Game recap: The Mariners were first up on the scoreboard in the second inning. Cal Raleigh knocked the ball out of the park, a solo shot, to take the early 1-0 lead. Oakland got some offense going in the third inning. Lawrence Butler walked and Brett Harris singled with Abraham Toro at the plate with no outs. Toro singled driving Butler home and this game was tied 1-1. With two outs Brent Rooker singled and Harris scored giving Oakland a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the third inning. The A’s had strung some hits together in the early innings with some nice offensive production.

A pitching duel ensued through the next four frames and going into the eighth inning the Oakland offense lit up. Max Schuemann doubled driving three runners, Kyle McCann, Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker home, taking a 5-1 lead. The A’s would tack on another run in the ninth inning. Brett Harris crossed home plate on a wild pitch from Seattle’s Eduard Bazardo for a 6-1 tally. Oakland had more in store for the Mariners when JJ Bleday homered with Abraham Toro on base extending their lead to 8-1 this time in favor of Oakland. In game one the Mariners finished with an 8-1 win and tonight Oakland flipped the script; it was the A’s who were crushing the Mariners, the final score 8-1.

Oakland had a solid night on the mound. Starting pitcher for the A’s Joey Estes finished the game going five innings allowing only two hits, one run and 5 strikeouts. Relief pitching was also top notch. Only one hit was allowed in the final four innings closing out this game in style. The A’s had definitely gotten their revenge after last nights loss and now had the opportunity to win this series in tomorrow’s rubber match.

The A’s had nine hits in this game hanging onto the 2-1 lead going into the eighth inning. Oakland broke this game wide open in the eighth frame scoring 3 runs and in the ninth inning three more runs for the 8-1 final score. They scored their first five runs without a home run. Going into the ninth inning however, JJ Bleday hit the long ball and finished off this game with a 2-run homer.

Post game notes: Friday night the A’s got shellacked by the Mariners narrowly avoiding a shut out scoring in the ninth inning. Lawrence Butler singled Kyle McCann home for the single Oakland run in the ninth inning for a final score of 8-1.

The Mariners went crazy in the fifth inning scoring five runs at the expense of A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn. Seattle would go on to burn Blackburn for two more runs before he was relieved in the game. Oakland got some payback in game two of the series turning the tables on the Mariners.

The A’s got better offensive production in the early innings. They did start hitting in the latter innings of game one but were stagnant in the early frames. Joey Estes took the mound for the A’s pitching over five innings giving up two hits and one earned run. The M’s Bryce Miller started for Seattle pitched over six innings gave up five hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out nine hits.

Oakland will finish off this series Sunday in game three looking to win the series. Alex Wood will take the mound for the A’s while Luis Castillo will get the nod for Seattle. First pitch for this rubber match is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

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A’s Get Stomped by the Mariners 8-1; Blackburn gets lit up for seven hits and seven runs

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Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn throws to the Seattle Mariners line up at T Mobile Field in Seattle. Blackburn got lit up by the M’s four seven hits and seven runs over four innings of work on Fri May 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (18-22) had a rocky start to their series up in Seattle against the Mariners (21-18) Friday night. There was not much hitting through the first six innings for the A’s and Paul Blackburn only lasted four innings on the mound giving up 7 hits and 7 runs.

Coupled with lack of offense from Oakland as well as some very productive offense from Seattle, they built a 7-0 lead going into the seventh inning.

The Mariners would tack on one more run in the seventh inning for a 8-1 finish at T Mobile Field in Seattle. Oakland’s Lawrence Butler singled in the ninth driving Kyle McCann home. The A’s loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning but left the runners stranded.

Game recap: There was not much going on through the first three innings for either team. It was a one, two, three fourth inning for Seattle’s Bryan Woo. Paul Blackburn did not follow suit in fact he allowed five Seattle runs in the bottom of the fourth.

He had back-to-back walks and later on in the inning allowed a couple of doubles and a Dylan Moore home run for a 5-0 lead through four innings. The Mariners had turned this game inside-out. Oakland had a lot of work to do going into the fifth inning.

Seattle’s Bryan Woo, in his first start of the season, exited the game in the fifth inning. He had been struggling with elbow inflammation in the pre-season and he began to show signs of some discomfort putting a damper on his return to the mound.

After one of the trainers came out and evaluated Woo’s elbow it was determined that he was done for the evening. Trent Thornton would relieve Woo in the fifth inning after Woo’s 62nd pitch of the evening.

Paul Blackburn continued to struggle giving up a couple of singles and a walk loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. A change was made on the mound for Oakland and Tyler Ferguson took over trying to get out of a very sticky situation.

He was looking to stop the bleeding. A ground out, a strike out and Thornton was one out away from getting out of the inning. With the two outs, the Mariners Dylan Moore singled driving in two more runs and Seattle was cruising 7-0.

This game went into the sixth inning and the A’s had only two hits so far in this game. The Mariners were completely outhitting Oakland through five innings with 8 hits; a home run, a couple of doubles and a single.

The game went into the seventh inning with Seattle holding onto a comfortable lead 7-0. Oakland’s Easton Lucas who relieved Ferguson had a terrific sixth inning closing out the inning with three straight punch outs.

The Mariners scored another run in the bottom of the seventh inning winning this game 8-1. The A’s got a couple of singles in the top of the ninth inning from Kyle McCann and Tyler Soderstrom with Lawrence Butler driving McCann home and the A’s had avoided the shut out.

They did load the bases in the top of the ninth inning leaving three runners stranded. This was not the way that Oakland wanted to start this road trip. They finished this game with seven hits, loading the bases in the ninth but it was too little too late.

Post game notes: The A’s are coming off a disappointing four game series with the Texas Rangers at the Coliseum this past week. They only managed a single win, the first game of a double-header in the final third and fourth game of the series on Wednesday . The A’s in Seattle Friday night took a tough loss from the Mariners in an eight difference. Oakland is still holding down third place in the American League West although dropping seven below five hundred after Friday’s shelling but remain four games out of first place.

Friday night Blackburn for the A’s got racked up pitching four plus innings surrendering seven hits and seven runs and Bryan Woo for the Mariners went 4.1 innings held the A’s to just one hit, no runs, and struck out one and walked three. Blackburn’s ERA was raised to 4.11 and dropped to 3-2 on his win/loss record. He had been having success this season and but Friday night against an aggressive and seeing eye M’s line up Blackburn was just simply overmatched.

Saturday night the A’s will take on the Mariners in game two of their series. This will be an evening game with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. Joey Estes will be on the mound for the A’s with a 0-0, 6.04 ERA and Bryce Miller will get the nod for the Mariners with a 3-2, 2.61 ERA. Oakland will be looking for some more productive offensive work on Saturday night.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s Mason Miller could be traded

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Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller is seen here throwing to the Seattle Mariners line up in the top of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue May 2, 2023 back when he was a starter. Since converting to the closer role in 2024 Miller has seen lots of success in save situations. So much so other big league clubs have express interest in his services including the New York Yankees. (AP file photo)

A’s Mason Miller could be traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A team in transition like the Oakland A’s (Oakland until September 26) is always building for the future, especially with so many moving parts right now for the Athletics, cities, new stadiums, and lawsuits, referendums. A possible trade this season that involves A’s closer Mason Miller is very likely. It all depends on the situation and where the A’s are in the standings. Or maybe not, considering the unpredictability of the A’s ownership.

The A’s will be asking for a big package of promising players, but I think this will have to wait until at least the middle of the season. Let’s say the A’s continue to improve, and they are fighting for the western division title on July 31. What do you do?

Various teams have reportedly expressed interest in the 25-year-old “lanzallamas.” Two teams expected to be contenders, the Orioles and the Cubs, are probably the types of teams that are one stud short in the ninth inning, a closer away from pulling the trigger.

The A’s might still have Miller and not be contenders, and if that is the case, the probability of a trade increases. This applies to the A’s and the other teams that want to trade for Miller. How are they doing when they also pull the trigger? Is there urgency? The A’s hold all the cards with Miller since he is still under A’s control until 2029, so they can wait. If you are a negotiator, you want to start with an advantage, and the Oakland A’s have it today with Miller.

The lifespan of a young closer throwing high-octane doesn’t last forever. Free of injuries, there have been very few Mariano Riveras out there, the type of pitcher who has owned the ninth inning for years.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Oakland A’s traded Miller during this 2024 season, and you also should not be. But let’s face it: For a young and very good team like the Baltimore Orioles, that is their focus. A team like the O’s might need that one piece, a “lights out” closer, to win the World Series this year. But the Orioles should not be over-excited. The Baltimore Orioles have not won a World Series since 1983 (41 years), and they are today one of the elite teams in the game.

Is it Miller time?

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Oakland will never be the City of Champions again; More fans staying away from 2024 home games vs.2023

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Three time World Champions the 1974 Oakland A’s top row left to right Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, second row left to right Reggie Jackson, owner Charlie Finley, Gene Tenace, and third row bottom Sal Bando, Catfish Hunter and Campy Campaneris (Sports Illustrated 1974 photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 For almost a year now the Oakland A’s who announced they had a binding agreement at the Rio in Las Vegas it was the beginning of would be the end of Oakland sports. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors were gone and the Oakland Raiders left for Vegas from the looks of it Daniel the Oakland Coliseum and the City of Oakland will never see a top line professional sports team again as MLB had made it clear they want out of Oakland.

#2 In the 1970s when the A’s won three straight world Championships in a row no one would have dreamed that the A’s would even consider moving out of Oakland and that possibility came in 1977 and 1978 when the A’s within a whisker of moving the team to Denver and being owned by Marvin Davis.

#3 in 1977 the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority filed a law suit against former A’s owner Charlie Finley saying that Finley had ten more years left on the Coliseum lease. January 23, 1978 Davis ended negotiating with the City of Oakland and the A’s would remain in Oakland.

#4 The appeal for new language on the Nevada petition to stop public funding or SB1 for an Las Vegas A’s ballpark on the Las Vegas strip still no word from the Nevada Court of Appeals. If approved Schools over Stadiums would have until the end of June a month and half away to gather 102,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot for the Nov 2024 election.

#5 Attendance for A’s home games in Oakland and to no ones surprised down from last year through the first 21 games of the season as reported during the Rangers-A’s doubleheader last Wednesday. The A’s top attendance was on opening day at 13,500 and their lowest crowd was less than 2900 on Monday night. Comparing it to last season’s opener which had 25,000 fans.

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