Tag: That's Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Thomas hits grand slam and lands Cleveland in ALCS; Dodgers to face Mets in NLCS

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cleveland Guardians Lane Thomas celebrates after hitting his fifth inning grand slam home run against the Detroit Tigers in game 5 of the ALDS at Progressive Field in Cleveland (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Well Amaury, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled it off with a 2-0 shoutout over the San Diego Padres on Friday night to advance to the next round of the playoffs winning game 5 and the series 3-2. Dodgers starter Yoshi Yamamoto was effective for five inning of work allowing just five hits and two strikeouts.

#2 The Dodgers face off against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium for a 5:15pm PT on Sunday night start in game 1 of the NLCS. Starting pitcher for the Mets Kodai Senga (0-0 ERA 4.50) for the Dodgers Jack Flaherty (0-1, 6.75). The Mets took out the Philadelphia Phillies three games to four last Wednesday.

#3 Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt might win AL Manager of the Year just yet. Down 1-2 in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers the Guardians came back to win game four 5-4 on Thursday to tie the series 2-2 and won game five 7-3 on Saturday to advance to the ALCS.

#4 The Guardians Lane Thomas had a big day with a grand slam home run and five RBIs. The Tigers starter Tarik Skubal got lit up by Thomas and ended up with a line of six plus innings, allowing six hits and five runs. Skubal had been a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award.

#5 The Guardians now face the New York Yankees in the ALCS for game 1 in the Bronx. These two teams have met over their history six times in October. They last met playing five games in the ALDS in 2022 with the Yankees winning the series.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does That’s Amaury podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Luis Tiant -“Solo hubo Uno” -There was only One

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant (left) signs autographs at the Manchester NH Fire Firefighters Department with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (right) who was running for president smiles and looks on Mon, May 7, 2007. Tiant passed away on Tue Oct 8, 2024 at age 83 (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Luis Tiant -“Solo hubo Uno” -There was only One-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Solo hubo Uno -There was only One

Born in Cuba in 1940, he passed away on October 8, 2024 he was 83. This Cuban-born pitcher was a great and funny guy who approached life really ‘one day at a time.’ He could lose a game and be okay with it, although he didn’t like it. He would say, “Esta bien,voy a lanzar otra vez en cuatro —trans: “That is okay, I will pitch again in four days.”

When I was a kid in La Habana, my father, Joaquin, would take me to the Cuban Winter League games. I saw him pitch, with the Leones del Habana, and he was a dandy, a fan favorite. Later, in the Major Leagues, he was an outstanding pitcher with great character.

Luis Tiant’s father was also a good pitcher, and he pitched for the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues, but because he was black, he never pitched in the Major Leagues. Oh yes, the ex-MLB star always had that incredible delivery when he threw the ball, one of the most distinctive in history. Some great Latino pitchers, i.e., Dominican Juan Marichal, with that high-leg kick, had those traits that generations of fans remember.

During his visits to Oakland, I interviewed Luis. He was wearing the Boston Red Sox uniform in the late 1970s. He was funny but a friendly, genuine, typical Cuban player (of the old days). He loved a cafecito Cubano (Cuban coffee) and then an authentic Habano, a Cuban cigar, but he truly loved to talk baseball.

After retiring from a career of close to 20 years in the Major Leagues, he was seen signing autographs at Fenway Park, especially near his Cuban Sandwich stand and beloved by Red Sox fans, El Tiante, who also left Cuba (like many Cuban players) because of the strict restrictions imposed on Cuban citizens by a communist system that nationalized all sports and owned the players.

Tiant remained active with the Red Sox in spring training and was visible around Fenway Park, often signing autographs to anybody who asked before the game at the ballpark’s El Tiante Cuban Sandwich stand; it was an authentic Cuban sandwich, none of the imitations that we often see all over the place today, which the only thing Cuban on the sandwich is the name. Although nominated but never inducted into MLB Hall of Fame he is in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Luis-Tiant

Descansa en Paz hermano… Rest in Peace brother.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Charlie Hustle should be in Cooperstown 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Cincinnati Reds hitter Pete Rose at the bat against the Atlanta Braves on Aug 2, 1978 at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta (AP file photo)

By Amaury Pi-González

When I first arrived in the United States as a young teen in 1961, I remember people saying, “In America, everybody deserves a second chance.” Well, Pete Rose, as a player, never got that chance by the MLB Hall of Fame.

Charlie Hustle was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on the Cincinnati Reds team he managed; that makes a lot of sense. As a manager, he made the moves; some of them could win a game, and some could not, but he had absolute control throughout any match. Common sense tells us that for baseball, it was correct to ban him for life as a manager. But as a player?

In the United States of America, even criminals, big-time felons, go to prison, serve their time, rehabilitate later, and join society again. Example: O.J Simpson, and we know that story.

As a player, Pete Rose is the all-time Hits King, with 4,256 hits. #2 in Ty Cobb, 4189 hits; if we used today’s standards, Ty Cobb should lead a new Hall of Fame, “The Racist Hall of Fame, and ‘trust me’ he will have competition, even managers.

Today, the Hall of Fame’s various committees elect participants other than recently retired players. The most active is the Veterans Committee. I hope that for the sake of the great game of baseball and future generations, Pete Rose could be elected to the Hall of Fame as a player. Why?

Because he was one of the best baseball players ever to wear a uniform. Whether or not you like his personality, you do not elect people for their personality flaws but for the merit of their performance. With 4,256 hits, who could argue with a career of such magnitude, especially during this time in baseball history when the average batting average in baseball is a paltry .240. I covered Pete Rose as a player, and he should be in the Hall of Fame. Period.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Tigers get all the runs they need in 2nd inning in 3-1 win; Royals Witt with RBI helps defeat O’s 1-0 in game 1; plus more Wild Card news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal (29) is stoked after striking out Houston Astros Yanier Diaz in the bottom of the sixth inning at the AL Wild Card Game in Minute Maid Field at Houston on Tue Oct 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, just wanted to ask you about the four MLB Wild Card games being played today and see if you can share your thoughts about today’s results. We’ll start with the Detroit Tigers who played the Houston Astros today at Minute Maid Field in the AL Wild Card game. Framber Valdez started for the Astros and Tigers did all the damage against Valdez in the top of the second inning scoring three runs coming away with a 3-1 win in game 1.

#2 The Royals and Orioles battled for the second AL Wild Card game at Camden Yards. The Royals came away with a 1-0 shutout to defeat the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Royals Bobby Witt has been doing it all season Tuesday he drove in the winning run and Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragan pitched six innings of shutout ball to close down the Orioles in game 1.

#3 The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers might be a tight match at American Family Park in Milwaukee.

#4 The Atlanta Braves will be starting SJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0, 0.00) and the San Diego Padres will be starting Michael King (13-9, 2.95) Shawyer will be pitching against one of baseball’s best teams the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: End of an Era-I feel I was Evicted

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Spanish radio announcers left to right Manolo Hernandez-Douen, Jose Orellana (engineer), and Amaury Pi Gonzalez at the last MLB game ever played at the Oakland Coliseum between the Oakland A’s and Texas Rangers on Thu Sep 26, 2024 (photo furnished by the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

End of an Era -I feel I was Evicted

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–It ended on a Sunday afternoon in Seattle, the Oakland A’s run since 1968. The Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland A’s (last time we can say Oakland A’s): Seattle 6, Oakland 4. It has been an emotional hangover for most of us who worked at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

I do feel like I have been “evicted” for no fault of my own, and I know many feel the same way. I have been there from the Charlie O Finley ownership[ days to Joh Fisher’s days}. I met Mr. Finley, but never A’s owner Mr. Fisher.

I started broadcasting Major League Baseball at old Box 19, a broadcast booth at the Oakland Coliseum, in 1978. It has been a long time since then. In 1978, the NY Yankees beat the LA Dodgers in the World Series, and Bucky Dent was the MVP.

The highest-paid player in 1978 was third baseman Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies, who earned $560,000.The US turned the Panamá Canal to Panamá. Louise Brown became the first human born from in vitro fertilization, and the average gas price in the United States was .70 cents per gallon.

But back to the Oakland Coliseum. A’s Manager Mark Kotsay and his players were a “class act” playing during a difficult season, not because they were trying not to finish last, they did not. They looked like a team that could be a .500 team starting next season, but because of all the circumstances with the team moving to Las Vegas, with an expected stop in Sacramento.

This time in history is not like it was back in 1978 when everybody got their news from three television Networks and a couple of local stations (no 500-plus cable channels like today). In the Bay Area, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Oakland Tribune, and San José Mercury News were mostly our daily sources of information. That was when people actually read whole newspaper articles, not just a big-fat headline on YouTube.

Today, everybody has a cell phone in their pockets (including the players), and rumors, fake news, and innuendo move faster than the wind at old Candlestick Park in San Francisco during batting practice around 5 PM. As I remember, this includes the games during the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989.

I do not have an exact count of the many days, afternoons, and nights that I spend at the Oakland Coliseum, but I have called it “my second home” since the 1970s in the business. I not only called games on the radio but also covered games. In the 1980s, I broadcast games for Telemundo CH 48 San José, which was first a tiny station but is now part of NBC Universal.

No matter how you analyze the Oakland Athletics story, it is sad, and I, for one, feel like I was evicted from the Coliseum.

Adiós al Coliseo y todas las memorias.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland is a Transitory stop for Sports teams

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland Coliseum Complex which hosted such teams as the Oakland Raiders, Golden State Warriors, California Golden Seals, and Oakland A’s since opening in 1966 (file photo ABC Sky 7)

Oakland is a Transitory stop for Sports teams

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–This professional baseball team played in Oakland for 52 years. The Oakland Oaks, played in Oakland from 1903 until 1955 and then relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. While playing in Oakland, the Oaks symbol was the oak tree (today the official logo of the City of Oakland) Oaks Park, formally known as the Oakland Baseball Park and at times nicknamed Emeryville Park, was a baseball stadium in Emeryville, California.

It was primarily used for baseball and was the home field of the Oakland Oaks baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, located within the city limits of Emeryville between Oakland and Berkeley. The address where that park was located today is 3229 Kempton Avenue, Oakland.

Baseball stars like Dominic and Joe DiMaggio, Lefty O’Doul, Casey Stengel, Billy Martin, and Eddie Lombardi played there with their respective teams. Also, Hall of Fame Negro Leagues players like Josh Gibson, Satchel Page, and Jackie Robinson took the field in this cozy ballpark.

During their history, the Oaks were in the Pacific Coast League 1903-1940 and 1942-1955 Previously, they were in the California League in 1901 and 1941. Other professional teams that played in Oakland and left Oakland NHL: California Golden Seals from 1967 to 1976.

They were an expansion team in 1967, one of the six teams added to the league. Their home was Oakland, and they played their games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena. They moved to Cleveland. NFL -The Oakland Raiders played at the Oakland Coliseum (1960-1981).

In 1982, they moved to Los Angeles (1982-1994) and then back to Oakland (1995-2019). finally, they settled in Las Vegas, where they have played since 2020. NBA -The Golden State Warriors moved from Philadelphia were they began play in 1946 to San Francisco in 1962 and until 1971 when the San Francisco Warriors (played at the Cow Palace in Daly City while the Oakland Arena was under construction) and became the San Francisco Warriors.

In 1971, they adopted the name Golden State Warriors and moved to Oakland, where they play their home games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena (1971-2019) The Warriors moved to San Francisco Chase Center for the 2019-20 season, where they play today.

MLB -The Oakland Athletics chartered members of the American League in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics, moved to Kansas City (1955-1967) and then landed in Oakland in 1968 and played at the Oakland Coliseum until September 26, 2024.

The Oakland A’s, have a “two-stop” trip-plan, for Sacramento and ultimately Las Vegas. Years at those two cities. Unknown. Conclusion: The legacy of the City of Oakland, California when it comes to sports is :”under review”.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Memories of the Coliseum; Players are not happy about playing on artificial turf in Sacramento

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Artificial turf attached to rubber mat. Artificial turf can add 40-50 degrees on hot surfaces. Sacramento had over ten days in a row of 100 degree days which could bring 150 degree games on the field at Sutter Health Field which the players, MLBPA, and agents are concerned with. (photo by iStock.com)

On That’s Amuary News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, over the many years you’ve worked with literally 100s if not 1000s of different people here at the Oakland Coliseum from reporters like Ray Epstein, Winn Courier, Andy Cox, Ray Bergman, Ken Gimblin, Renee Del La Rosa, Omar Moreno, Mark Ibanez, Rich Lieberman, Sam Skinner and A’s photographer Michael Zagaris just to name a few.

#2 Amaury, when you look back at those great championship teams of the past that the A’s had from 1972-74. It’s hard to believe that those teams won three in a row and could have very well been as good as some of those New York Yankee teams of the 1950s.

#3 This particular A’s team this season after the All Star break had a break out season in July they were one of baseball’s winningest teams. They launched the great talents of slugger Lawrence Butler and closer Mason Miller. It was a breakout year for Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and JJ Bleday who provided a lot of offensive punch for Oakland.

#4 You got to see those great A’s teams from 1988-90 that former owner Walter J Haas Sr assembled and went onto win three consecutive American League Championships.

#5 Amaury, While MLB says it’s a certainty that the A’s are headed to Sacramento for the 2025 season it still remains to be seen when the Major League Players Association will sign off on approving to play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento.

#6 Behind the scenes the players are not in favor of the move and Scott Boras said the A’s should play at the Oakland Coliseum in the interim while the Las Vegas park is being built. From what we understand the players union and agents are not in favor of playing on turf and the facilities in a minor league park are not up to MLB standards.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Why MLB Players have not signed off for Sacramento 2025 season yet; Coliseum memories

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Chicago Cubs runner Miles Mastrobuoni (left) is forced at second base by Oakland A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson at Wrigley Field on Thu Sep 19, 2024. The A’s play their last homestand between Sep 20-26 before moving to Sacramento at the end of the regular season. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the countdown to closing up the Oakland Coliseum is just five games away each time you come to the park it’s really hard to believe that this ball club you covered for decades will no longer be playing in Oakland anymore after Thursday afternoon?

#2 When you talk about the A’s move to Sacramento it’s almost hard to fathom. I wanted to ask you about the MLB Players Association they have not signed off on playing in Sacramento yet. They have said that playing on artificial turf in 100 degree heat in Sacramento is not something that’s going to work for the health and safety of the players. Could this end up being a hang up that could drag maybe into December?

#3 When you look back on the history of the Coliseum it opened in 1968 with Governor Ronald Reagan throwing out the first ball and the A’s had joined the San Francisco Giants as the second team in the Bay Area ever since that time in good and bad times it was always exciting for baseball fans to know there were two Bay Area teams to see each and every season.

#4 This last Oakland A’s team showed a lot of grit this season and had players who have a great future in Major League Baseball with hitters like Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, and Seth Brown. These guys competed and gave some of the best teams in baseball fits.

#5 Amaury you’ve been calling A’s games out of the Coliseum since the 1970s you’ve had numerous broadcast partners and working with some of the best Spanish radio broadcast talent in baseball had to really give you something to really look back on over the years.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish 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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: 49ers make easy work of Aaron Rogers and Jets; Raiders decision to punt backfires in loss; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers sits on the Jets bench during Sep 9, 2024 Monday Night Football game at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers took care of business with a convincing win over Aaron Rogers and the New York Jets. It seems like every player at every position for the 49ers successfully did their job in getting the 32-19 win.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders lost on what critics say on a decision by Raider head coach Antonio Pierce deciding to punt rather than go for it on fourth and one with just over seven seconds left in the game. Pierce reasoned the defense would their job get the ball to the offense and score which didn’t happen Sunday afternoon.

#3 Turning to baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes had himself a Monday night striking out nine batters over six innings and has a strike out total of 151 which is a franchise record. Skenes 10-2 allowed six hits in the 3-2 win over the Marlins and lowered his ERA to 2.10.

#4 You gotta talk about the near catch that turned out to be a home run when Philadelphia Phillies centerfielder Johan Rojas had the ball in the glove but the ball was jarred loose when Rojas’ arm made contact with the top of the padded fence and went over the fence for a home run.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani just might swipe 50 bases for the season yet. Ohtani closed in on 50 stealing his 47th base against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Ohtani was the lead off hitter in the contest who also scored twice and got two hits.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Hispanic Month -65 Million

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Team Mexico is excited in their game against Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (photo by MARCA News)

MLB: Hispanic Month – 65 Million

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those of us who came here from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

By the way, Brazil, the largest country in South America, Portuguese is the predominant languor. The 2022 US Census lists (at least) 65 million Hispanics in the country, which is by far the most significant minority.

This is the most on the Continent, except for Mexico, which has a population of 130 million. In other words, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States of America and also in the Americas, north central and south.

Over 30 percent of all players on the 30 Major League teams are listed as Hispanics, Latinos. Although English is the official language in all 50 States, including in California, Spanish is the de facto second language, with some 40 million residents in the Golden State. The 2022 US Census, listed 16 million of us Latinos here in California.

At this 2024 MLB season’s end, California’s five teams: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, and A’s. The Dodgers, Padres, and Angels broadcast all 162 games home and away in the Spanish language, with the San Francisco Giants some 127 games home and away, with an increase in 2025. The Oakland A’s follow with 68 home games in Spanish, two “on the road” in San Francisco.

Highlights from the report: U.S. Latino gross domestic product is now valued at $3.2 trillion. U.S. Latino purchasing power is measured at $3.4 trillion. In 2021, Latino income in the U.S. amounted to $2.5 trillion and grew 4.7% compared with 1.9% for non-Latinos.

Any business that doesn’t invest in this huge Hispanic market is missing increasing their revenue.

Felíz Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

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