That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Raleigh setting records joins Mantle for most HRs by a switch hitter in a season; Cards Contreas ejected in wild argument; plus more news

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) is held back by manager Oliver Marmol (37) after he was ejected by umpire Derek Thomas (53) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium Mon Aug 25, 2025.Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Seattle Mariner catcher Cal Raleigh is setting records on Monday night he belted his 50th home run of the season against the San Diego Padres at T Mobile Field in Seattle. Raleigh has the most home runs hit by a catcher in a single season. Raleigh also joins Mickey Mantle as two of the only switch hitters to hit 50 or more home runs in season. Mantle hit 52 1956 and 54 1961.

#2 It was a wild argument by St Louis Cardinals designated hitter Wilson Contreas who was called out on a third strike that was inside the lower part of the imaginary box. Cards manager Oliver Marmol was also thrown out but had to restrain Contreras who almost made contact with plate umpire Derek Thomas and Contreas threw his bat at Cards hitting coach Brant Brown which was intended for the umpire. Umpire crew chief Jordan Baker said that Contreras was saying vulgar stuff to Thomas and that’s why he was tossed.

#3 After having quadruple bypass heart surgery Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said on Monday night that he feels great and said he was looking forward to recovering in New Orleans where he lives. Washington who was known to be a long time smoker and since quit said that doctors told him he could start doing light work in about eight weeks. Washington rejoined the Angels in Arlington to be with the team but he wasn’t there to work but to have fun with the guys.

#4 For the third straight game the Cleveland Guardians were shutout this time by the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night 9-0. The Guardians had not been shutout in three straight games since the 1991 season. “Everyone’s frustrated,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We need to hit. We need to score more runs. We need to get things going on offense, and we’re all aware of it. We’re all working through it, and it’s going to take all of us individually doing our best.”

 #5 The Sacramento A’s continue to roll winning their seventh in their last ten games this time at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night 8-3. The A’s win puts them just two games out of climbing out of the AL West cellar for a tie with the fourth place Angels.

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

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

MLB The Show podcast with Auggie Mussenburg: Jays Chapman asks skipper Schneider why pitch to Ohtani?; Was Cubs Happ’s backswing intentional? Cards might think so; plus more

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman is none too pleased with Jays manager John Schneider’s decision to pitch to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani who slugged his 39th home run in the top of the first inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Jul 28, 2023 (Sportsnet Network TV Toronto still photo)

#1 The Toronto Blue Jays opened a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night and Jays manager John Schneider pitched to Angels slugger Shohei Ohtani who ripped his 39th home run of the season off Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman on the first pitch in the first inning. Jays third baseman Matt Chapman approached Schneider and said “Why did we pitch to him? He’s the only f****** guy on the team that can hit?” Was it Schneider’s fault for pitching to Ohtani or Schneider had the confidence in Gausman to pitch to Ohtani?

#2 The Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ’s backswing on Thursday hit St Louis Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras in the head sending his mask flying. Contreras went down and was bleeding from the right side of his head as the trainer came out to take look at him. Contreras had to leave. The Cards had replacement catcher Andrew Knizner replace Contreras. Cards pitcher Miles Mikolas threw high and inside to Happ and inside on the next pitch, on the third pitch Mikolas hit Happ in the hip and Mikolas was ejected as well as manager Oliver Marmol. Mikolas also was hit with a five day suspension for throwing at Happ.

#3 New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer wants to have a conversation with the Mets brass after they traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins. Despite beating the Washington Nationals on Thursday night 5-1 Scherzer was having none of the Robertson trade saying he wants to talk to team owner Steve Cohen and wants an explanation why it was necessary to trade Robertson.

#4 On Wednesday the MLB owners voted Commissioner Rob Manfred in for a third term that will take him 2029 a four year extension. Despite his handling of the Houston Astros trash can debacle, the owners liked the rule changes Manfred has made in baseball and say the game has been profitable under his leadership.

#5 Seeing how the owners voted Manfred back with almost everyone on board do you see the owners voting the same momentum for the Oakland A’s relocation in November?

Auggie does the MLB The Show podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com