Tag: Shohei Ohtani

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Dodgers reload and acquire Yamamoto

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto seen here dealing with Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic signed a 12 year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thu Dec 21, 2023 (AP file photo)

Dodgers reload and acquire Yamamoto

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Los Angeles Dodgers so far have had a sensational off-season, which began with signing the #1 Free Agent and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to an incredible 10-year-$700 million deal. A couple of weeks later, they signed free-agent pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

Today, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, considered the best pitcher in Japan, is also a Dodger with a $375 million contract; the Yankees, the Mets, and the Giants made offers for Yamamoto, but he chose the Dodgers. No surprise here; as soon as the Dodgers signed Ohtani, the two-way superstar was recruiting Yamamoto to come to Los Angeles.

Although it is not yet confirmed, it is believed that the Yamamoto contract is for 12 years and $325 million. Also, there is a posting fee of $50 million. The $325 million is the most given to a pitcher, more than Yankees’ current American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, beating Cole by $1 million. Yamamoto will be making a $27 million per year salary.

The Dodgers, one of three teams last season to win 100 games, the other two were also divisional winners, Atlanta (104) and Baltimore (101), look like the team to beat again in the National League West. Adding Glasnow and Yamamoto to the Dodger rotation is crucial to their hopes of repeating as divisional champions, combined with a great top-of-the-lineup headed by three of the best hitters of MVP caliber in the game: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.

The Giants also were interested in Yamamoto, but the Dodges outbid them. The Giants’ best free-agent signing is South Korean star outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee, who received a 6-year $113 million contract from San Francisco; he can opt-out after four seasons.

His agent is Scott Boras, and many in the business believe that although Lee is a star outfielder, Boras might have oversold the player to the Giants. Cody Bellinger, who had a great season with the Chicago Cubs, is still available and one of the best position players in this 2023 class of free agents.

Many teams have shown interest in the 2019 NL Most Valuable Player; if the Giants want Bellinger, they might have to overspend, some say around $200 million. With all respect to Bellinger, I do not think he is worth that much.

Still, it is all relative to how much the Giants would want Bellinger in Orange and Black. By not acquiring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Giants continue to ‘swing and miss’ at the most prominent free-agent names available during the last few years.

According to Alex Pavlovic, Yamamoto informed the Giants that he would not be signing with them; the Red Sox and Blue Jays were also after the Japanese hurler. The Giants’ offseason focus was on Ohtani and Yamamoto. Unfortunately, not only did neither choose to come to San Francisco, but they went to LA to the Dodgers, the one team the Giants despise the most. Like the French say: “c’est la vie. — that’s life.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Yamamoto signs 12 year, $325 million deal with Dodgers

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Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto seen delivering in the World Baseball Classic on Mar 20, 2023 in Miami. Yamamoto has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thu Dec 21, 2023 on a 12 year contract. (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg and Lewis Rubman

Super star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is dealing at the bargaining table before he starts dealing on the mound. Yamamoto signed a 12 year $325 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers joining Japanese two way player pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

If Ohtani was pitching this season the two would have a lot of fireside chats in the Dodgers bullpen but as everyone well knows Ohtani will be the Dodgers designated hitter. Yamamoto a right hander becomes the second highest paid guaranteed pitcher.

Yamamoto won three straight Sawamura Awards which is Japan’s equal to MLB’s Cy Young Award. Yamamoto was one of the best pitchers to come through the Japan’s big leagues in it’s 74 year history. Yamamoto was a well sought after pitcher with the New York Mets who were the expected front runners for Yamamoto followed by the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.

Yamamoto had an amazing run in Japanese ball throwing 820 1/3 innings with a 1.65 ERA and allowed only one home run in every 28 innings pitched. Yamamoto has a mix of pitches split finger, a curve ball that loops and has hitters off balance and bend their knees to take a swipe at it and a devastating 99 MPH fast ball.

Yamamoto is noted as being as good as any pitcher that came from Japan. He’s 5’10 and 176 pounds. He most likely will be the number one pitcher in the Dodger starting rotation. He will have Ohtani with him to give him pointers on how to throw to certain hitters that he faced when he pitched.

With the acquisition of Yamamoto and Ohtani’s encouragement behind him this could catapult the Dodgers into the NL West stratosphere with Yamamoto’s pitching and Ohtani’s hitting. The Dodgers failed to make it to the NL Championship series last season so there are big expectations for them to make it to the World Series this season with Yamamoto and Ohtani on their roster.

Yamamoto’s sterling record in Japan doesn’t, however, guarantee him success in Los Angeles.  In a recent interview with Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Brian Cashman noted some of the differences between the Nippon Professional Association and MLB.

These include a difference in the size the baseball in the two organizations; multi-time zone travel in the States; the longer MLB season; Japan’s traditional Monday days off; the use of the six man rotation rotation in Japan; and the higher overall level of play in the MLB.

Cashman, who was wooing Yamamoto at the time, added that his scouts were confident that he could overcome these possible obstacles to stateside success. The Yankee scouts might very well be correct in their assessment, but that doesn’t mean that the Dodgers have a lock on the 2024 season and beyond.

Jerry Feitelberg and Lewis Rubman are both MLB beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Gurriel Jr signs 3 yr $42 million deal with Diamondbacks; Ohtani and Acuna win the Hank Aaron Award; plus more news

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Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr joins the Arizona Diamondbacks agreeing to a three year $42 million deal on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (USA Today photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Lourdes Gurriel Jr will be returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $42 million three year deal. Gurriel gets a fourth year option on his three contract. The deal also includes an opt out on the second year of the contract. Gurriel hit .261, with 144 hits and 24 home runs. How much of a good deal is this for Gurriel and the Diamondbacks.

#2 Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna are both racking up trophies. This time they both win the Hank Aaron Award for most offensive performer. Ohtani hit .304, 151 hits, and 44 home runs. Ohtani will not pitch but be the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter for the 2024 season. Acuna hit .337, 217 hits and had 106 RBIs.

#3 Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer who had off season back surgery will not be expected to be back until June or July. Scherzer was suffering back pain and was removed from last season’s World Series. His pain didn’t stop when he got home to Florida and was later diagnosed with a herniated disc.

#4 Over the weekend Amaury, the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox threw their ball caps into the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes joining the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers. Yamamoto has met with the Mets twice. These clubs have each put in a starting bid of $300 million for Yamamoto. The pressure is mounting Amaury which team will it be?

#5 It didn’t take long after being acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the San Diego Padres Matt Carpenter was released after one week. The Braves will lose around $4 million on the deal in 2022 Carpenter hit .305, with 15 home runs and 37 RBIs. Carpenter played for the Yankees from May 26 to Aug 8th. Carpenter he broke his foot on a foul ball and got back into post season on going 1 for 12 with nine strikeouts.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Red Sox, Giants, Mets, Padres, Dodgers named as top teams in Yamamoto sweepstakes; Reid and Mahomes fined for criticizing NFL officials; plus more news

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Team Japan pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto seen here throwing in the World Baseball Classic in Mexico Mar 20, 2023 is being sought by five MLB teams which are said to be the two top teams bidding for Yamamoto’s services (AP file photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, a pretty good source former Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers general manager Jim Bowden said that both the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox seemed to be the two finalists in their bid to get Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Bowden said both clubs are down for the $300 million to get Yamamoto it’s just a matter of who will outbid who for Yamamoto.

#2 The NFL fined Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid $100,000 and quarterback Patrick Mahomes $50,000 for public criticism of the officiating. Mahomes was yelling at the on field officials. Mahomes picked up an unsportsmanship like conduct last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes said the penalty was “elementary school (stuff)” and Reid said that he and Mahomes normally would get a warning prior to getting penalized and said of Kadarius Toney’s penalty was “a bit embarrassing in the National Football League.”

#3 Former Los Angeles Laker center star Kareem Abdul Jabbar broke his hip when he fell at a concert on Friday. Jabbar 76, said that he was deeply appreciative of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Jabbar’s representative Deborah Morales said they were an  “amazing medical team and doctors at UCLA Hospital who are taking great care of (him).”

#4 Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said this will be his last year in pro football. Bridgewater came into the NFL in 2014 with the Minnesota Vikings he missed 2015 and 2016 with a dislocated ACL and dislocated knee, he played for the Saints, Panthers, Broncos, and Dolphins. Bridgewater said that for three hours he realized he’s just a football player outside of that the injuries put everything in prospective.

#5 Turning to Major League Baseball the Los Angeles Dodgers introduced two way player Shohei Ohtani at a press conference on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was fitted with a a Dodger cap and jersey while meeting the press and will be the designated hitter for the 2024 season. Ohtani didn’t answer questions about having Tommy John surgery he will not pitch this season.

#6 The San Francisco Giants big signing came when Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee signed a six year $113 million deal. Lee is expected to add if not be the biggest name in the line up for the 2024 season. Lee hit .318 with six home runs in 86 games last season. Lee’s season ended in July when he needed left ankle surgery in spite of it all MLB clubs came calling and it was the Giants that Lee signed with.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Losing out on the Ohtani sweepstakes has Giants and Angels looking for plan B; Are the 49ers unstoppable? plus more news

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Shohei Ohtani in simulated photo in Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels will take a different direction now that Ohtani is signed. (photo by the Athletic)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, How much is the urgency for the San Francisco Giants now that the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani someone the Giants seriously thought. Are the Giants in your view in a desperate moment now that they couldn’t sign players like Carlos Carrera, Aaron Judge now Ohtani.

#2 Has the loss of Ohtani not just for the Giants but as well for the Los Angeles Angels who hired Ron Washington as their manager and are still standing by Mike Trout. Will the directions of these two teams change their direction?

#3 Amaury, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has another great afternoon this time against the Seattle Seahawks went 19-27 for 368 yards threw for two touchdowns and one interception for a 28-16 win. It’s now the 49ers fifth straight win.

#4 The Golden State Warriors lost another close game this time against the Oklahoma City Thunder 138-136. What cost Golden State was the 29 turnovers while the Thunder capitalized with 35 points to just edge out the Warriors. The question is are the Warriors feeling their age as they struggle or are they in a slump and just inconsistent right now.

#5 Amaury, on Dec 5th Schools over Stadiums who are opposed to the $380 million going to build a new ball park on the Las Vegas strip and are appealing a judges ruling to put a referendum on the ballot to stop public funding for the A’s ballpark in Vegas. Point out 21 professors in economic finance all with PhDs from Oklahoma Universities oppose public financing for a new basketball arena for the NBA Oklahoma Thunder. They’re point is education should come first in Oklahoma and not using public funds to build a new arena. This is something that Schools over Stadiums are arguing. Schools over Stadiums are considered the last hope to stop the A’s from having the publicly funded ballpark in Vegas.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Big Star Free Agents do not come to San Francisco

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto is being sought by the New York Mets brass who flew out to Japan to meet him. The San Francisco Giants are interested in obtaining Yamamoto’s services. Teams seeking Yamamoto will likely turn out to be a bidding war. (AP News file photo)

Big Star Free Agents do not come to San Francisco

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–Last year, the Giants tried to lure free agents Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, but they failed; other big stars like Bryce Harper (when he was a Free-Agent) have spurned the Giants. It has become much more common now that many big-name free-agent players dislike coming and playing in San Francisco.

It is not the money because the players I am talking about get the cash they want anywhere. It could be about the reputation that San Francisco has nationwide nowadays. Could it be the City by the Bay social-political situation has become not a favorite destination for some of the game’s biggest stars?

Most of these big-name free-agent players that get those multi-million dollar contracts tend to be conservative or non-political, and sometimes San Francisco doesn’t ‘rub them well”. They are all aware of this because, in today’s communication world, there is more than enough information out there, especially in social media.

This is what Farhan Zaidi, GM of the Giants, told Sussan Slusser of the SF Chronicle last year: “When we’re doing our research on free agents, and we find that players aren’t really that happy even coming into town for a three-game series, they’re probably not going to be that excited to play there for a long time.

So I think that’s part of what fueled our strategy of targeting guys with Bay Area ties. … Free agency is really, really competitive, especially at the top of the market. Even when you think you can sign a player, you’re probably not; that’s how it works. So when you don’t think you’ll sign a player, you’re definitely not going to sign him.”

No team needed Ohtani more than the Giants, but he is also not coming here. After Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, another Japanese player remains of high value; it is pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the best pitcher in Japan; estimates of this 25-year-old pitching star are that he could earn as much as a $300 million contract, and the Dodgers (of course) will go after him to paired him with Ohtani as they both won the 2023 World Baseball Classic together and have been playing together for years now.

Other free agents are Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Jung-Hoo Lee, Teoscar Hernández, JD Martínez, Dylan Cease, Blake Snell, Corbin Burns, and Tyler Glasnow. Giants could use some more power in that lineup; Bellinger might be a good choice.

This 2023 off-season, the Giants went after Shohei Ohtani (who, like Aaron Judge last year, was the biggest fish to catch). Still, Ohtani decided to stay in Southern California and signed the richest-ever contract in American sports with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a 10-year mega-deal for $700 million.

Another reason for Giants fans to hate the Dodgers, but at this time, the Giants fans cannot be pleased with their General Manager Pete Putila. Is he a victim of circumstances that are beyond his control? What can you do if you offer big money contracts but players do not consider your offers? The mega-stars are not coming to San Francisco.

Note: Tom Cruise made $100 million for “Top Gun: Maverick,” his most recent movie, a worldwide success. Ohtani is making $700 million in 10 years with the Dodgers, also in Hollywood.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Ohtani stays right at home in the Southland with Dodgers signing; Mets in hot pursuit of Yamamoto; plus more news

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Shohie Ohtani who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sat Dec 9, 2023 will not pitch in the 2024 season and will be a designated hitter (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, biggest contract in the history of professional sports the signing of two way player Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers ten years $700 million.

#2 Ohtani was sought by several teams namely the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants but it was the Dodgers that were the odds on favorites to win the bid on Ohtani.

#3 The New York Mets and New York Yankees have been named as two clubs that are in hot pursuit of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Met’s brass hopped on a plane to Japan to meet with Yamamoto and they are serious about acquiring his services.

#4 Turn to NFL football the Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro has been relegated to watch the Eagles anywhere but the sideline for tonight’s Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. DiSandro shoved San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw during last Sunday’s game in Philadelphia that had Greenlaw reciprocate in kind hitting DiSandro in the lip. Both got ejected from that game and later Greenlaw passed along his apologies for the mishap to DiSandro.

#5 After the Minnesota Vikings took a tough loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football the Vikings continue to struggle missing their first string quarterback Kirk Cousins. Joshua Dobbs struggled going 22-32 for 185 yards . Do you see the Vikings being easy pickings for the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at Allegiant considering the Vikings quarterback problems.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Ohtani is going to Hollywood 10years for $700 Million

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Former Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani has signed a contract worth $700 million for ten years on Sat Dec 9, 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers the largest contract in professional sports (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Today, Saturday, December 9, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year $700 million contract. Largest ever in American sports.

During a wild and furious December 8, Friday afternoon, rumors swirled about the Toronto Blue Jays signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Some believed Ohtani had boarded a plane from Santa Ana, California, to Toronto, Canada.

Others refute such information, saying that Ohtani remained in Southern California. The Los Angeles Dodgers had their eyes on Shohei Ohtani since he was in high school in Japan. They made him the centerpiece of this off-season and will have him in the lineup in 2024. They hope to have him back after surgery to pitch in 2025.

The Dodgers will open the checkbook and invest over a half billion dollars on Shohei, and now they are after a pitcher or two who could help that rotation, which is short for the Dodgers; they are after Dylan Cease, and if they even want to spend more money, the Japanese free agent right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which would be close to a $300 million investment. Yamamoto is just 25 years of age and the best pitcher in Japan. In seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, he is 70-29 with a sensational 1.82 ERA and 922 strikeouts.

The 2024 Major League Baseball season (MLB) is scheduled to begin on March 20–21 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held in Seoul, South Korea, before the regular season proper runs from March 28 to September 29. You can bet, Ohtani will be the DH for the Dodgers in Korea.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: Blue Jays and Dodgers at top of Ohtani sweepstakes; A’s owe $48 million for Oakland Coliseum real estate; plus more news

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The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after connecting for a two run home run against the New York Yankees at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jul 17, 2023 (AP News photo file)

On Headline Sports with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes continue to with the latest sources saying that the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers are top contenders for the two way player. Can you see either of these two teams in bidding war for Ohtani?

#2 Michael, some critics can’t see the San Francisco Giants signing Ohtani because of the above teams are pretty much at the top of the list for Ohtani. Where do you the Giants chances in signing Ohtani?

#3 Michael, it was reported in a the next day or two Alameda County Councilperson Donna Ziegler per vice president David Haubert of the five person Alameda County board will be reaching out to Oakland A’s owner John Fisher that he owes the county $45 million part of his $85 million purchase of the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum site. The deadline was for 2026 but a stipulation was made if the A’s made an announcement that they’re leaving Oakland the payment would be due 180 days after the team made that announcement which was made on April 19th. The A’s could say they did not make any announcement of leaving Oakland. How do you see this being worked out?

#4 Michael, longtime Boston Red Sox play by play announcer Joe Castiglione was voted into the Major League Baseball Ford C Frick wing of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Castiglione has called Sox games for the last 41 years beat out three Bay Area broadcasters San Francisco Giants TV announcers Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow and Oakland A’s radio play by play announcer Ken Korach.

#5 Michael, Giants manger Bob Melvin said that he’s happy that coach Alyssa Nakken will remain on the coaching staff in San Franicsco. Melvin said that her becoming the first woman in MLB history to coach first base was “really cool she broke ground like that.” You’ve had several conversations with Alyssa tell us your thoughts of her breaking ground and returning to coaching with Melvin at the helm.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Top five teams pursuing Ohtani; Hinch gets long term deal with Tigers; plus more news

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Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch received a contract extension on Mon Dec 3, 2023. The Tigers didn’t name the amount of years but said it was a long contract. (Athletic file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, talk about some of the teams that have shown interest in obtaining free agent Shohei Ohtani are the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and the San Francisco Giants.

#2 How ironic is it that former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch who kicked out of Houston for the garbage can drumming scandal now is the darling of the Detroit Tigers as manager. Hinch was reportedly signed by the Tigers on Monday for a very long time. Hinch and the Tigers finished the 2023 season 78-84, the Tigers seventh straight losing season. The Tigers are very confident that Hinch can get this club turned around.

#3 Jimmy Leyland who led the Miami Marlins to the 1997 World Series championship was voted into the MLB Hall of Fame last Sunday. Leyland was named on 15 of 16 ballots. Leyland becomes the 23rd MLB manager to get elected to the hall a string that started in 1980. The Leyland is also remembered for managing the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

#4 The Miami Marlins hired former San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler as assistant general manager on Monday. Kapler who lead the Giants to a 296-248 record during his tenure. Kapler also led the Giants to 107 wins in the 2021 season. This was the only Giants team to win 107 games and make it to the post season under Kapler. The Marlins still haven’t named a general manager to replace Kim Ng who had stepped down from the GM role.

#5 Amaury, with Formula One Race making Las Vegas their home Bally’s Hotel and Casino say this is a big opportunity to give the company and profits in entertainment when the Oakland A’s ballpark is built. The Rhode Island based company Bally’s says it plans to demolish the Tropicana to make way for the A’s ballpark and plan to include a plaza with the park. The entire space is 35 acres with nine acres dedicated to the ballpark.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com