Tag: Oakland A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s 2024 season, Adios Coliseum?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Aerial view of the Oakland Coliseum Complex which will no longer be in use if the Oakland A’s vacate after the 2024 season and refuse an extension for 2025. (photo by Sky 7 ABC 7 News)

A’s 2024 Season, Adiós Coliseum?

Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–According to their lease, this year is the final year for the Oakland A’s to play at the Oakland Coliseum. They will need a home field from 2025 until 2028 when they plan to inaugurate their new ballpark in Las Vegas. Where will the A’s play after 2024, like in 2025?

The options are as follows: their current home, the Oakland Coliseum, Oracle Park San Francisco, home of the Giants, or possibly Las Vegas Ballpark, currently home to the A’s Triple-A affiliate, Last Vegas Aviators.

However, getting the players’ union to vote in favor of playing in a minor league park could present a real dilemma for the A’s and the other teams scheduled to play the A’s in Las Vegas with just 10,000 capacity. If the A’s want to play at Oracle in San Francisco, they know renting out there will not be cheap.

 One fact remains for this season because of all the circumstances and unknowns in the future of this franchise. The 2024 season could be the last for the A’s at Oakland Coliseum, where they have won four World Series.

Depending on how everything develops, like the construction of the new park, the A’s would be one of the most exciting teams to cover in the major leagues. It will attract nationwide and international curiosity.

We might see more media covering the Oakland A’s in 2024 than in the previous four to five seasons. The A’s will still have many young players, and they will not be expected to be in the race for a playoff spot, but all the stories written about 2024 could make the Oakland Coliseum historical Adiós a very special one.

There have been highs and lows for the Oakland A’s. In 1979, only 653 fans showed up at Oakland Alameda County Stadium to watch the A’s beat the Mariners 6-5. In 1979, the A’s total attendance at the Coliseum was 306,763, their lowest. In the last three years, 2021, 701,430, followed by 787,902 in 2022 and the previous season in 2023 the total home attendance was 832,352. The high, 1972,73-74, and  1988-89-90.

Those six years, A’s won four World Series and were the envy of baseball. I do not remember anybody complaining about the Oakland Coliseum because the team was winning, and when you win, who cares where you play? Winning is what brings the fans to the park.

To think the A’s could attract 1 million this next season is the dream of the most optimist among optimists. But because this 2024 could be a historical last season it will make it much more interesting, many memories will be rehashed and some new ones could come to fruition at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the fifth oldest park in the major leagues.

Note: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, home of the LA Dodgers, is older than the Oakland Coliseum. It is the third oldest park in the major leagues, but in impeccable condition, it is still one of the best and most beautiful ballparks to watch a game.

The park doesn’t make the team. In the Dodger’s world, they have both the park and the team, and the team that leads the majors in attendance will be jumping again this year with many sellouts and a heck of a team.

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 Relocation podcast with Jim on Bases: A’s say they have exclusive rights to Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland Ballers co-founder Paul Freedman introduced at the Ballers first press conference talks about the Ballers first season which will be played at Laney College (Mercury News photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jim on Bases :

#1 Jim on Bases, the Pioneer League Oakland Ballers were denied use of the Oakland Coliseum for one game on June 29th. The Ballers co-founder Paul Freedman was rather shocked about not being able to play at the Coliseum. The latest word is from inside sources the A’s are not budging from their decision to deny the Ballers to play at the Coliseum on June 29th.

#2 One of the discussed reasons for the denial by the A’s is they don’t want to have the Ballers come in and draw say 30,000 and making a statement that baseball isn’t dead in Oakland whereas the A’s are expected to draw no more on average 5,000 a game.

#3 The Ballers who are scheduled to play their games at Laney College in Oakland wanted to get their name out there and have a good start. The A’s don’t want to be embarrassed having a Pioneer League team come in and make them look bad in their marketing and attendance.

#4 The idea of the Ballers playing at the Coliseum didn’t come cheap as they would have to pay the Coliseum Authority to cover the grounds crew, security, concessions, engineers, technicians, and employees and also insurance costs and other miscellaneous departments working the Coliseum.

#5 The Ballers were planning to give tickets away to colleges, high schools and elementary schools and wanted to establish a relationship with Bay Area Schools and communities as a good will gesture. With the A’s denying the Ballers access to the Coliseum the Ballers will have to try and do this from Laney College.

Jim on Bases filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast heard Frdiays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet –That’s Amaury News and Commentary– –(EXCLUSIVE)

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s pitcher Lucas Erceg and A’s Spanish announcer and author Amaury Pi Gonzalez both were recognized at the 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet on Tue Jan 9, 2024 in downtown Campbell (photo provided by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

CAMPBELL CA–The 38th Annual Santa Clara Hot Stove Banquet occurred on Tuesday, January 9, at the Spacious Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell. Since 1985, it has been a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. Their mission is a pure commitment to the baseball community of the Santa Clara Valley, the most populated area in the Bay Area.

To provide an opportunity for the baseball coaches and players to participate at the highest level and ensure recognition of their efforts. The awards recognized local Bay Area talent from many walks of life, including two champion Little League teams, but the common denominator for all is the great game of Baseball.

Their annual banquet (#38) is the event at which the committee recognizes and honors the accomplishments of deserving participants within our community. The funds from this banquet go directly to youth, high school, amateur, and collegiate baseball programs within the greater Santa Clara Valley. The approximately 500 attendees on Tuesday were significant league scouts, coaches, and professional baseball players at all levels.

Oakland A’s Baseball, Chris Townsend was master of ceremonies. The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants had tables for this event. I spoke briefly with David Forst, General Manager of the A’s. I asked him the question most Bay Area baseball fans ask me: “Are the A’s going to play in Oakland in 2025? Since after this 2024 season begins in March, their lease on the Oakland Coliseum will expire, he responded, “I don’t know.”

It was a great night at the Villa Ragusa, where the memory of such great Bay Area baseball people was remembered at the top of the program. Ed Bressoud, MLB alumni and De Anza College, Head Coach/ NY and SF Giants, Red Sox, Mets, and Cardinals. Art Santo Domingo has been a member of the SF Giants and Oakland A’s organization for 26 combined years and was an MLB official scorer during both games of the A’s and Giants.

Tony Morici is a lifelong resident of San José, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and a University of Santa Clara graduate. Member of Silicon Valley Sports Hall of Fame and life-long backer of youth sports. They all passed in 2023.

Among this non-profit’s many benefactors and top brass were Mr.Cory (Obie) Obenour and Alex “Sandy” Wihtolf, President of Hot Stove SCV and MLB Alumni. Awards were given to High School students, community service, Umpires, Head Coaches, and Coach of the Year, plus many others, including college and minor league baseball players.

Lucas Erceg, pitcher of the Oakland A’s, was selected as MLB Player of the Year; he joined us later in our table. Nico Horner of the Cubs was born in Oakland and was named MLB Player of the Year. The Mark Marquess Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Mr. Ritch Price, De Anza CC, Cal Poly SLO, and KU Jayhawks baseball.

As I mentioned, after accepting the Media Award and thanking the SCV Hot Stove. “For me, it is always special to be in the same room with all these baseball people, from scouts and coaches to players and front office executives, because Baseball is a big family.”

I was incredibly humbled to be recognized by this incredible Bay Area organization.

For more information on SCV Hot Stove https://www.facebook.com/SCVHotStove/

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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Powerful 49ers have four players with over 1,000 yards; What Raiders will be looking for next season; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Although the San Francisco 49ers didn’t win this game 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold (14) got some reps in against the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Malik Harrison (40) in the second half on Mon Dec 25, 2023 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Darnold is slated to start against the Los Angeles Rams Sun Jan 7, 2024. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie in last week’s game against the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle became the fourth 49ers player to have 1,000 yards or over. Kittle joins Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

#2 The 49ers close out the regular season and will rest most of their starters. Quarterback Brock Purdy will get two weeks rest until the playoffs and Sam Darnold will get the start today against the Los Angeles Rams.

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) close out their 2023-24 season against the Denver Broncos (8-8) today at Allegiant Field in Las Vegas. The Raiders had many ups and downs this season but got things turned around once interim head coach Antonio Pierce took over and since that 63-21 demolishing of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sun Nov 26th, they’ve defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and nearly beat the Indianapolis Colts.

#4 The Raiders finish up the season today against the Broncos at 1:25pm PT. The Broncos have won their last three out of six. The Raiders have won two of their last three games. Charlie talk about some of the things that coach Pierce will be looking for in this last game?

#5 Turning to MLB and the Oakland A’s story that owner John Fisher may not have the $1.1 billion to pay for his share of the construction costs for the new Tropicana Ball Park on the Las Vegas strip. If he were to get a loan from Goldman Sachs with interest that will cost him $1.5 billion after it’s paid back. He was reportedly going from casino to casino talking to casino owners and sharing the new renderings with them and talking about getting a loan toward his share of the construction cost. How difficult does this have to get for the A’s?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Major League Baseball Update podcast with Michael Duca: Giants will have to wait until July for Ray; A’s had good reason to not allow B’s to play at Coliseum in June

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray in the M’s dugout after being lifted in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians on Fri Mar 31, 2023 at T Mobile in Seattle has joined the San Francisco Giants pitching staff on Fri Jan 5, 2024. Ray is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until July 2024. (AP News file photo)

On the MLB Update podcast:

#1 Michael just wanted to kick off the podcast with the deal that the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants sewed up on Friday. The Giants got pitcher Robbie Ray and in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger, pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and $6 million on the surface of it who got the better of the deal?

#2 The other part of the deal Ray is owed $73 million and has a $24 million opt out over the next three seasons. Haniger formerly played with the Mariners and will be returning how well will he be received by his old fans.

#3 Ray is the key focus of the deal he’s not expected to make his Giants debut until July. Ray is recovering from Tommy John surgery. How confident are the Giants they’re not getting damaged goods and that Ray will be an impact pitcher for the pitching staff.

#4 Michael, turning the Oakland B’s the Pioneer League team that wants to use the Oakland Coliseum for just one game on Thu Jun 29 but the A’s have exclusive rights to play baseball at the Coliseum. The Ballers had a license agreement with the Coliseum Joint Authority. The A’s are saying absolutely not.

#5 The Ballers and their co-founder said that he was inspired by last season’s reverse boycott and said it was a emotional healing event for Oakland. How offended are the A’s by the Ballers support for the reverse boycott from last season and the upcoming boycott on opening night that might have brought the decision not to allow the B’s to play at the Coliseum.

Michael Duca is a MLB analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: 49ers hoping to come back from embarrassing loss to Ravens; Raiders hope to keep it up in Indianapolis today; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (left) and quarterback Brock Purdy (13) stand on the sidelines trying to make sense of it all as the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback LaMar Jackson were in full control at Levi Stadium on Mon Dec 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie when you look at the Baltimore Ravens (12-3) quarterback LaMar Jackson last week he had all the time in the world to throw against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) pass rush. It almost seemed like he was in command of that game on Monday Night Football and was able to find a receiver when needed.

#2 For 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy no doubt one of his toughest outings since he got injured against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship last season. Purdy got into all sorts of trouble having to run out of the pocket, not time to pass and threw into traffic and got picked off four times.

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) simply put it all together all afternoon last week in Kansas City against the Chiefs (9-6). They scored twice in just seven seconds in the second quarter and that pretty much took the wind out of the sails of head coach Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, quarterback Pat Mahomes and Taylor Swift.

#4 On tap today the Raiders need a big win in Indianapolis against the Colts (8-7). The Colts are no slouch winners of five of their last seven games. The Colts did take a tough loss from the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday 29-10. Seeing how these teams match up do you see this being a close game for the Raiders today or will the Colts have home field advantage at Lucas Oil Stadium.

#5 Schools over Stadiums and Oakland A’s fans have announced that they will host a FanFest at Jack London Square on Sat Feb 24th. More details are coming. Last Dive Bar who X’d the message said they will be joined by the following groups at the FanFest, the Oakland 68s, Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oaklandish, Breast Oakland, and the Last Dive Bar. Schools over Stadiums are hoping to attend. The A’s will not host a FanFest and are expected to play their last season at the Oakland Coliseum this season and leave Oakland and play at a alternate location. This FanFest could measure in helping raise funds for Schools over Stadium’s legal fees in their campaign to get an initiative on the Nevada ballot to stop the use of public funds for the A’s Las Vegas Ballpark.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary A’s prospect: Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s future prospect Luis Danys Morales (left) shakes hands with A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein during the signing of Morales (photo by the Oakland A’s)

A’s top prospect Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Luis Danys Morales defected from the Cuban National Sub-23 team in México in 2021. According to MLB, in 2023, the Cuban right-handed pitcher was considered the best young international prospect—the Oakland A’s signed Morales for $3 million.

A few years earlier, when he was 18 years old, Morales was caught by Cuban authorities in Guantanamo in the process of escaping the island, but he finally defected two years ago. Libertad!

Suppose you wonder why all the talented baseball players from Cuba have been defecting for decades to come to the US. They are not treated well, as they make an equivalent of $40 to 200 dollars per month in salary in Cuban pesos.

It is important to remember that because Cuba’s communist government abolished all professional sports in the country in the 1960s, today’s players only play for the pleasure of the country, and the entity that reigns over baseball evaluates “patriotism” as crucial as their baseball skills.

They have to play under the harassment of the government. One Cuban player who defected and who is not in the major leagues told me years ago “if we do not stand for the Cuban National Anthem before the game, in Cuba or abroad, we are in dire trouble.”

Morales is 6’3″and 190 pounds, with a 99 mph fastball and good stuff in his other pitches. Scouts consider he could be a future starter in the major leagues. Born in Antilla, Cuba (in the eastern part of the country) on September 24, 2002.

In 2023, pitched for the Lansing Lug Nuts of the Midwest League High-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. He pitched 44 innings, struck out 55 in 14 games, 13 games as a starter, and ended with a 2.86 earned run average.

The A’s have a very young and inexperienced pitching staff; they recently signed Trevor Gott for one year and $1.5 million, plus other bonuses, including if he gets traded. Trevor Gott has become the most experienced pitcher on the A’s roster, although others might be signed in the future.

Gott has pitched in the AL West with the Mariners and the Angels and in the NL West with the Giants. “We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”“We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”

Happy New Year!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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 relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: No renderings ready yet; Construction details still being worked out ; Vegas residents face taxes going up with A’s stadium

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The implosion of the two towers are in the making at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to make room for an Las Vegas A’s ballpark at the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd. Construction is set for Apr 2025. The A’s, Bally’s, and the Tropicana will be working with the City and State on getting the construction details worked out. (AP News photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Tropicana Hotel and Casino the future site of the Las Vegas A’s have reached a five year deal with the Culinary Union 226 which covers 300 employees. The deal may not reach the full five years. The Culinary union is one of the strongest unions in Las Vegas if not the strongest. It was one of the unions who stood behind the State Legislative drive to publicly fund the A’s new ball park.

#2 The A’s are scheduled to break ground April 2025, the construction plans are still being drawn up and insiders say renderings are either partially ready but not completed to present to the public yet. Vegas residents have expressed concerns about more taxes as a result of the A’s new park. Some are not excited about the A’s coming to Sin City.

#3 As of Dec 28 the A’s nor the Tropicana have provided renderings of the ballpark and how A’s owner John Fisher is suppose to pay his share of the $1.1 billion for the ballpark in Vegas and Fisher and the A’s have been pretty hush hush on both issues.

#4 The new contract with the Culinary union allows the union to organize hiring employees to work at the new Tropicana ball park. The workers will be food service, cashiers, cooks, restaurant service, just to name a few positions.

#5 The A’s were going to unveil their renderings at the beginning of this month but that was postponed because of two Nevada State Highway Patrol officers were killed and out of respect for the families the unveiling was postponed.

#6 The A’s, MLB, the Tropicana are also waiting for approval from Federal Aviation Administration, development plans, finalization of bonding, a lease agreement, construction timelines, which should take most of the 2024 calendar to finalize these issues.

#7 Schools over Stadiums and Oakland A’s fans have announced they will host a Fan Fest. Joining the Fan Fest are the Oakland 68s, Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oaklandish, and the Last Dive Bar. Most likely this will be a FanFest to push raising monies for legal funds and a campaign money for the Schools over Stadiums drive to put an initiative on the ballot to stop the use of public funds for the Las Vegas ballpark and put the funds for use for schools for the Nov 2024 election in Nevada. The FanFest is scheduled for Sat Feb 24th at Jack London Square in Oakland.

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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s still need FAA approval regarding Las Vegas Airport; Vegas fans are not excited about A’s coming

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The air traffic tower under construction at the Las Vegas Airport in this Aug 6, 2014 photo. The runways for take off and landings front where home plate will face at the Las Vegas ballpark and there are concerns if the stadium lights would be a distraction for pilots. The A’s and the Tropicana are waiting for FAA approval in that part of the venture. (AP News file photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, our talk show host Jimmy Price went on location at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel and did a close visual of the property and intersection. He confirmed that this will be a tight space for a retractable and the two towers at the Tropicana will need to be demoed and as of the end of December no renderings as of yet.

#2 Also Jimmy mentioned that some of the retail, businesses and people who work and live by the strip do not want the A’s to come to the Tropicana because it will create horrible congestion and a ballpark at Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana will be more of hinderance. Don’t forget the FAA has to approve the stadium as well as home plate faces the landing and take off runway at Las Vegas Airport.

#3 The other point that was brought up was this thinking by the A’s that they’ll bring in attendance by depending on tourism and visiting teams fans will travel with the team like they do for the Raiders. In baseball it’s been brought up whose going to come on a Monday or Tuesday to see the Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates at Tropicana Field very few was the answer.

#4 The A’s ballpark in Las Vegas may not be a destination spot for visitors in Vegas because the product of the A’s just won’t attract visitors from coming. If the A’s were to rebrand themselves as say the Las Vegas Blackjacks or another name then promote themselves as such much in the same way the Washington Nationals did when they left Montreal that marketing strategy might work but using the A’s and their colors it’s not going to fool or excite too many fans.

#5 Once again the non existence of renderings have fans and Vegas residents wondering what is going to work at the park. The Texas Rangers it was said did a great job of their design at Globe Life Field with their luxury boxes and and stadium layout to attract fans in Arlington. The A’s trying to shoehorn a park in the Tropicana that will be tight fit it might not only be the smallest park in the Majors but it could turn into the biggest disaster development mistake in MLB.

Join Daniel for the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Work of Art

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo of art gallery containing Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher’s art collection who are the parents of Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (photo from Artsy)

A’s Work of Art

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Las Vegas most famous museums are The Mob Museum, The Neon Museum, the Atomic Museum, and the Discovery Children’s Museum. Now, the Oakland Athletics, planning to be the Las Vegas A’s in 2028, have a museum in mind for their new 30,000-seat stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, Athletics owner John Fisher plans to display a selection from his family’s acclaimed collection at the A’s stadium on the strip. For months, multiple sources familiar with Fisher’s design plan have included talks about developing an art program in Las Vegas.

The museum will display the art at the team’s new home at the Tropicana Hotel-Casino site. The A’s owner plans to exhibit these pieces of art in the team’s new house at the Tropicana Hotel-Casino site.

The Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, parents of John Fisher, is among the world’s most significant collections of contemporary art. This is according to SFMOMA website. The founders of the Gap apparel company began buying art pieces in 1969 in San Francisco after they opened their first big store.

Later, it was located in Burlingame, 20 miles south of San Francisco. Allan Schwartzman, a veteran Manhattan curator, told the New York Times the Fishers Collection is one of the great collections assembled in our time.

This A’s Art has nothing to do with Art Howe who managed the Oakland A’s from 1996 to 2002.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com