Tag: That's Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum at Giants FanFest ’25

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Tito Avila Jr, President, Amaury Pi-González Vice President, minutes before FanFest opened at Oracle Park (March 8, 2025) Photo by the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum at Giants FanFest ’25

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–A beautiful San Francisco day for the 2025 Giants FanFest at Oracle Oracle Park, around 10,000 to 15,000 people breathing the air of the Bay which already had the smell of baseball, yes, baseball is in the air, with about three weeks from the beginning of the regular season here in San Francisco’s Oracle Park, in my opinion the most beautiful baseball park in the world.

Thousands of fans with their favorite Giants bobble heads, mingle with their favorite players while enjoying lunch. Many families descended onto the field to enjoy the day, fathers with their sons playing catch was fun for everybody.

For this year’s FanFest The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame was located at the third-floor Clubhouse Level. We met countless fans, and hundreds signed up for our museum list for the latest news and updates. It is always an enjoyable event, and the Museum has been a part of this experience with the Giants for over 20 years.

The president and founder of the museum, Mr.Tito Avila Jr., and yours truly, vice president and co-founder, and two of our staff museum members, welcome fans, many Spanish-speaking, proud to talk about their heroes.

I love to meet fans and talk baseball. Many of these fans I have known for years, including our President Tito Avila Jr. In 2000, I called the first game ever at this place on Spanish radio when it was called Pacific Bell Park. It will always have a special place in my baseball broadcasting career. Without these fans, and the energy they bring, this park would be just another beautiful place in a beautiful city. With these enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans, the FanFest is always a memorable event.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, which has been a traveling museum for years, feels closer than ever to having its first permanent location, steps away from Oracle Park at the Mission Rock project.

We know the Giants would be proud to have our museum as a permanent location in their neighborhood. It would be great for baseball, for the Giants, and the Hispanic community, especially San Francisco and the Bay Area. Over 33 percent of all major league players today are Hispanics/Latinos, and much higher in the minor leagues.

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

HE HHBMHOF IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND PROFOUND INFLUENCE THAT HISPANIC PLAYERS HAVE HAD ON AMERICA’S FAVORITE PASTIME

Home hhbm

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Last team to Relocate and the Atléticos Saga

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Former Montreal Expos French play by play announcer Jacques Doucet is honored by Topps Baseball Cards and the Quebec Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 (photo by Cooperstown in Canada)

Last team to Relocate and the Atléticos Saga

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Montreal Expos played their final season in Montreal in 2004, averaging under 10,000 fans per game during that final season, and they had a 23-year playoff drought. They moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals.

In Montreal, the predominant language is French, 71% of the Montreal population speaks French. From 1969 to 2004 (35 years), Jacques Doucet called the games in French for the entire duration of the team’s existence in Canada’s most French city.

Doucet is the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 84, and retired. I had the pleasure of meeting Doucet.. His career in baseball broadcasting was unique, as the only French announcer in the Major Leagues.

That career ended as the team changed cities. With their new name, the Washington Nationals, the Nationals played their first three seasons at RFK Stadium while Nationals Park was under construction. During those three seasons at RFK Stadium, they averaged between 23,000 and 33,000 fans per game.

Nationals Park was completed in 2008, and the Nationals played their first home game there on March 30, 2008. Since moving to Washington, D.C., the Nationals have won five NL Eastern Division titles, one NL Pennant in 2019, and the World Series against the Houston Astros that year.

Athletics relocation: The A’s have a good spring training home in Arizona. Their home opener is scheduled against the Chicago Cubs on March 31 at 7:05. Their plans for their permanent destination, Las Vegas, Nevada, are still on a bumpy road.

They have unsuccessfully hit up potential local investors in Sin City for months, but no takers have contacted them. Recent reports show that A’s expected to build the Las Vegas stadium, which will cost around $1.75 billion. Most of the cost, estimated by John Fisher and his family, is around $1.75. Originally the stadium’s projected $1.5 billion price tag went up to $1.75 because of inflation and the addition of 70,000 square feet of ballpark features.

The A’s announced they have sold out for the 2025 season at Sutter Health Park, Sacramento. The capacity is 14,014, which includes 10,624 permanent fixed seats and additional lawn seating on the grass berms beyond the left- and right-field walls.

Major League Baseball did not schedule the Los Angeles Dodgers to visit the A’s in Sacramento this season, which proves some relief to the A’s organization since the LA Dodgers generally travel with a rather large group of Japanese media reporters mostly following Shohei Ohtani, who is the #1 talent in the Major Leagues.

Those hardcore baseball fans in Sacramento if they want to see the Dodgers and Ohtani this year, they will have to travel to Oracle Park in San Francisco. These are the dates the Dodgers visit San Francisco this year. April 1-3, May 13-15, June 28-30 and July 22-25 The Traveling A’s, indeed.

Only God knows where the A’s will end. We see this year they stopped in Sacramento for three years, but Q: are they done traveling? A:Nope.

The Oakland Athletics called Philadelphia their home until 1955 and spent 13 years in Kansas City before relocating to the Bay Area (1968-2024) When the Athletics left Oakland after the 2024 season and move to Sacramento they will be the franchise with the most relocations in history across the major U.S. sports.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: It is Time for Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame

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Former Cincinnati Red and Philadelphia Phillie Pete Rose doffs his cap at Phillies Alum day at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia Aug 7, 2022 two years before his passing in 2024 (AP News file photo)

It is Time for Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It was in 2004 when Pete Rose admitted to betting on baseball as a player. It has been 21 years since his admission and since then sports betting has taken place in any sport, including, football, basketball and baseball, from collegiate sports to professional sports sports books are regulated all over the country by state governments.

Legal sports gambling is more widespread than ever. Missouri voters in November became the latest to approve it, making it legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Last year, Americans bet more than $121 billion on sports, according to the American Gaming Association. The $121 Billion posted for sports bets in the United States by Americans is more than the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) in other words, the economies of these countries: Ecuador, Sudan, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Jordan, Angola, Croatia, El Salvador, Cambodia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panamá, Ghana and dozens more all around the world.

The last time baseball topped the list as America’s favorite sport for fans to watch was in 1960, since 1972 football took the top list and has remained on top, all you have to do is look at the #1 TV event in the US, NFL The Superbowl with a record $1.4 Billion placed in bets this year. Following Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey and Soccer the most popular leagues in the country and where the majority of the bets are going.

Let’s stop the hypocrisy, everybody knows that Pete Rose is worthy of the Hall of Fame, the last person to walk on water is documented in the most popular book ever, the Bible, the best selling book of all time with over 5 billion books sold and distributed. As far back as 4,000 to 3,000 BC ancient Egyptians bet on dice and board games, including chariot racing. Betting on sports took place during the ancient Olympic Games, around 800 to 700 BC. Yes, before the Designated Hitter took effect in baseball.

It is good news that the Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering removing Pete Rose from the ineligible list. That is a good first step to have Pete Rose where he belong and for the good of baseball, in Cooperstown. I think this is just common sense.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Sounds unusual and strange as A’s no longer use Oakland moniker for first time since 1968

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Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers sporting a Rickey Henderson T shirt at Surprise Stadium in Surprise AZ before their game against the Kansas City Royals on Mon Feb 24, 2025 (Sacramento A’s X photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the Sacramento A’s open this first week at spring training in Mesa for the first time since 1968 without the Oakland moniker while it was expected it still sounds and feels very strange to those are following the A’s in Oakland and those who are following the club in Sacramento.

#2 Amaury, talk about the talk in spring training that baseball is moving down the list as a sport that no longer one of the most popular sports in America. That it’s viewership and interest has fallen and it might fall even worse now that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and ESPN are no longer working together.

#3 Amaury, matter of fact when you go to ESPN’s headline banner on the main page of their website MLB no longer appears as one of the major sports in the banner. It now just shows NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAM, and More Sports you have to now hunt for MLB on the banner. MLB is buried on the main page banner and ESPN barley mentions MLB in it’s news reports through it’s programming.

#4 How much responsibility does Manfred hold since he has two MLB teams playing in minor league parks for the 2025 regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays are going up for sale and they might move to Orlando, the A’s will not play any post season games in their interim park in Sacramento but at a neutral site if they make to the playoffs, the players are not happy that Manfred is using the robo umpire and they prefer the human umpire, and baseball could move to a salary cap after the 2026 season something the players oppose and could trigger a players strike.

#5 Just how confident are the San Francisco Giants in starting a 42 year old Justin Verlander and how successful will Verlander be in helping the Giants contend. There are those who say Verlander who suffered neck and shoulder pain last season at best could be a ten game winner. Some other critics say that Verlander is washed up.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: El Tiante “El Unico”

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) interviewing former Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant in 1977 (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

El Tiante “El Unico”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As a kid, my father Joaquin would take me to Estadio de El Cerro in Havana to watch the Cuban Winter Professional League. Considered the premier professional baseball in Latin America (1878-1961), many American Major League Stars would travel to Cuba after their regular season here in the US and go to the largest island in the Caribbean.

Bill Werle, ex-major league pitcher who pitched for the Tigres de Marianao in Cuba, was a scout here in the United States when he told me, “Many of us that were not superstars in the major leagues traveled to Cuba because that was the best level of baseball and we got to paid very well.”

My memories are filled with great games at Estadio de El Cerro, now called Estadio Latino Americano. Leones del Habana (Havana Lions) was our team in my family. There, I remember an older man named Adolfo Luque managing the team. Havana Lions.

The same Luque that In 1923, was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, and in 1923 he ended the season with 27-8 and a 1.93 ERA, starting 37 games and completing 27 of those. The Cy Young Award was given in 1956, 33 years after Luque’s 27 wins.

One of Luque’s pitcher was Luis Tiant, aka El Tiante. He would spin like a top on the mound, the hitter ciould see Tiante’s number on his Red and White Leones del Habana uniforme before he took a cut and missed.

Tiant was one of my favorite pitchers since I was a kid in Cuba; also, other pitchers like Cuban-born Camilo Pascual, who I knew for many years here in the US, Jim Bunning, and others, not all pitchers but position players like Jackie Brandt, Bob Allison, Al Spangler, Marvin Breeding and my all-time US Hall of Famer, Brooks Robinson who I remember as a skinny third baseman for the Elefantes del Cienfuegos(Cienfuegos Elephants) and many others. Cubans and Americans.

One of my dreams came true in the 1970s when I first met one of my boyhood idols, Luis Tiant. This time, he was in Oakland, as he was coming with the Boston team to play the Athletics. Talking to Tiant was one of my biggest treats as a Major League reporter and broadcaster.

Luis was always happy and enjoyed every minute of talking baseball, especially when I told him I was 10 years old the first time I watched him pitch in Cuba, and yes, that I was Cubano also.

Mexican Major Leaguer and third baseman Aurelio Rodríguez once ruined a no-hitter that Tiant was throwing after 7 2/3 innings. Tiant was always honest and talkative when he spoke regarding the Rodríguez hit that ended his no-no; “It was not a lucky hit; the man hit the ball pretty well.”

As a member of SABR, I have written about Luis Tiant, but when I heard of his death at 83 last year, I was shaken up bad; although we were not family, he felt like family to me.

A great man who is now pitching as a baseball Angel in heaven. Tiant’s heart was bigger than life. He loved to go to Cuba and take goods for the people there who lacked everything and specially giving chocolates to the kids.

He was never a friend or sympathizer of Fidel Castro or the communists in Cuba, but Luis Tiant was “cien por ciento Cubano”- ‘one hundred percent Cuban’—and loved his motherland.

One of my favorite Tiant quote: “The fastball is the best pitch in baseball.It’s like having five pitches, if you move it around” – Spanish: La bola de velocidad es el mejor lanzamiento en béisbol, es como tener cinco lanzamientos, si la lanzas por diferentes lados” -Luis Tiant. ‘ If you don’t speak Spanish, my title in this column, El Unico” means The Only One”

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 to 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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Diamondbacks sign Perdomo to four year $45 million extension; Ex New York teammates Judge and Soto debate which team is better; plus more news

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Geraldo Perdomo signed a $45 million four year extension with the Arizona Diamondback that takes him though 2029 with an option for 2030 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Geraldo Perdomo and the Arizona Diamondbacks have come to an agreement on a $45 million four year extension with a club option in 2030. Perdomo hit .273, 92 hits, 3 homers, and 37 RBIs last season.

#2 Former teammates Juan Soto of the New York Mets and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees disagree on who is the better team. Soto said that the Mets are the better team but Judge said the Yankees are ready and are the Big Apple’s better club. “That’s his opinion. He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him,” Judge said. “He’s going to be in a great spot. It’s going to be great having him in the town. We’re going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years.

#3 The Boston Red Sox Rafael Devers said he not giving up his third base position after the Sox signed Alex Bregman. Devers has played third since 2017 and has been to the All Star game three times and got a big league deal with the Sox two seasons ago. Do you see a third base controversy between Dever and Bregman?

#4  Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout was moved from center field to right field. The idea was to keep Trout’s body preserved and healthy. Trout at 33 is looking forward to playing in the 2025 season for the Halos, “I knew it was coming,” Trout said before the team’s first full-squad workout Monday. “I just wanna be on the field.”

#5 Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay received a contract extension from the A’s that runs through the 2028 with a club option for 2029. Kotsay who saw a lot of loses with the A’s in the last three seasons but helped improved the club by developing a young roster and was remembered for his words after the A’s very last game in Oakland. Kotsay is hoping for more joyful times as the A’s open the season in Sacramento.

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, a role he continues to this day (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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How Farhan Zaidi will work out as special advisor for Dodgers; What A-Rod’s role will be as co-owner for Timberwolves

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Farhan Zaidi returns to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a special assistant for the 2025 season after serving as the San Francisco Giants team president (USA Today file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers noted for know what they are doing and they have the resume to back it up have brought back former general manager Farhan Zaidi. Zaidi was team president for the San Francisco Giants and was fired after last season. Zaidi now returns to the Dodgers as special advisor.

#2 Alex Rodriquez and Marc Lore are on deck to take ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Arbitrators have ruled in favor of the transfer of ownership from Timberwolves current owner Glen Taylor. Lore and A-Rod will also be on the NBA board of governors once the ownership transfer is approved. Amaury what’s it got to be like for someone like A-Rod to be a former MLB player to now owning an NBA team?

#3 Former Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose’s No.14 will be on the sleeves on Reds uniforms for the 2025 season. While Rose has a lifetime ban the Reds said “14 on our side all season” Rose is the MLB all time hits leader with 4,256 hits.

#4 Ippei Mizuhara the former Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter for Shohei Ohtani was sentenced for 57 months for stealing close to $17 million from Ohtani. The sentence starts on March 24th and Mizuhara will serve three years of supervision once released. Mizuhara has been ordered by the court to pay Ohtani the $17 million in restitution.

#5 Some of the big questions that are being asked about the A’s who will open their 2025 interim season at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. How will the A’s adjust to playing in a minor league park and will that work to their advantage when visiting clubs come? Also how will A’s history work into the A’s short stint in Sacramento?

For great Italian taste you don’t want to miss UNI Pizzeria at 1234 Polk Street in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch neighborhood. UNI serves some of the best pastas and pizzas make it your next stop before you take in your favorite sport. UNI Pizzeria 1234 Polk Street San Francisco. Call 415-740-2794 for pick up.

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, a role he continues to this day (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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 67th Caribbean Series Dominican Dominance

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Players of Puerto Rico celebrate after a Caribbean Series baseball consolation game against Venezuela at Nido de los Aguilas stadium in Mexicali, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.Fernando Llano – AP

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The title game took place in Hermosillo, México. The Dominican Republic won its 23rd Caribbean Series championship as it beat the previously unbeaten Charros de Jalisco, representing the host country, México.

The Leones del Escogido, representing the Dominican Republic, managed by Albert Pujols, beat the Mexican squad by the final score of 1-0. Esmil Rogers and the Leones pitching staff blanked the Mexicans by throwing a one-hitter for the 1-0 victory.

With the victory, the Dominican Republic continues its dominance of this tournament, as they now have won 23 titles. This series has been won by 29 teams from seven different countries.

History and Championships of the Caribbean Series by countries Dominican Republic 23, Puerto Rico 16, México 9, Cuba 8, Venezuela 8, Panamá 2, and COLOMBIA 1

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, a role he continues to this day (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

Super Bowl LIX That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Goodell says NFL officials are not favoring Chiefs; plus more news

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media in New Orleans before Super Bowl LIX on Mon Feb 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

Super Bowl LIX That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during his press conference at the Super Bowl told the media that there is no favoritism toward the Kanas Chiefs by the officials.

#2 Goodell said he believes in the job that his officials are doing and that they called a well played game, ” I think the men and women officiating the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards. That’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously, but at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on, how we make our officiating better at all times.”

#3 There is no doubt that the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will improve their free agent inventory with a successful Super Bowl. Those players that are at the end of their contracts or have options might just exercise them and see what team will be the highest bidder.

#4 Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has some amazing stats going into this Super Bowl for the 2024-25 regular season Mahomes was 3928 yards, 26 touchdowns, only 11 interceptions thrown. He’s no doubt been the back bone of the Chiefs efforts to get a third straight Super Bowl.

#5 Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is noted to be the best running back for the 2024 season and has been the key player to help the Eagles get to the Super Bowl with 345 carries, 2005 yards, 13 touchdowns, and averaging 5.8 yards a carry.

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, a role he continues to this day (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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mark Kotsay — The Perfect Manager for the A’s

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Athletics manager Mark Kotsay looks forward to managing in Sacramento and is considered the perfect manager for the job. A steady hand, works well with the players, and the players respond to his managing style. (AP News file photo)

Mark Kotsay — The Perfect Manager for the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The first time I met and interviewed the A’s Manager,Mark Kotsay, this is the way he described his managing style: “I really see myself as someone who comes across as transparent. I want the players to know that I care about them. That comes with the relationships I’ve developed inside this organization”. Kotsay creates a positive team culture, excellent communicator, and a great knowledge of the game, especially the game’s situation on the field.

Mark Kotsay is a leader, and he is excited about these off-season moves, like signing pitcher Luis Severino to a three-year $67 million contract, the largest in A’s history. He wants to be with the A’s long term and see the organization succeed, and even though the team will have a new home in Sacramento in 2025 and until 2027, he believes the team’s tenure in Oakland should be honored appropriately. And why not?

The A’s played in Oakland for 56 seasons under various owners and left a rich tradition of winning four World Series titles while playing at the now-historic Oakland Coliseum. They also won four World Series when they were the Oakland A’s.

As a player with the Padres, Marlins, Athletics, Braves, Red Sox, White Sox, and Brewers, Kotsay played 1,914 games. He also coached the Padres and Athletics before becoming the A’s manager for the 2022 season.

Mark Kotsay was a legend at Cal State Fullerton as an outfielder who guided the Titans to a 149-41 record in his three seasons. His .404 batting average still a record for the school. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2007.

As a young manager at 49, Kotsay will soon prepare his team for this Spring Training in Arizona. Kotsay played for the A’s from 2004–2007. He also coached for the A’s for six years, serving as bench coach, quality control coach, and third base coach.

During the three years that Kotsay managed the A’s the team(s) record; 2022 (60-102) 2023 (50-112), 2024(69-93) There was evident improvement during the last season at Oakland with 69 wins, and with the changes this off-season Kotsay hopes his Athletics(soon to be playing in Sacramento) can reach the .500 mark this season.
Managers are evaluated in wins and loses. Kotsay has done a great job developing the young players, even with the team’s low budget investments in players in recent past. I wish nothing but the best to a very good man during this upcoming season. Sacramento will welcome a baseball man with the talent and integrity of Mark Kotsay in my humble opinion the perfect manager for the A’s.

-Mark Kotsay is one of only three people to have played for and managed the A’s, along with Tony LaRussa and Jeff Newman. There is a lot of excitement in Sacramento with the arrival of the Athletics. This is understandable, for the first time, they will have a major league team that also will host teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, plus other American and National League teams, making the State Capital a Major League City.

A fan recently asked me how the A’s players feel about playing in Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, some have played there while they were playing at the Triple A level. Most players are happy to be on a team they believe are building up for the future, there is optimism.

Let’s face it, these are professional baseball player, they do not chose where they are going to play, but for what I have been my contacts there, what they told me, the vibes are good going to Sacramento.

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, a role he continues to this day (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.